Kubota has launched the new SH-K1 sugarcane harvester, featuring a harvesting capacity of 15–30 tonnes per hour. It includes a precision control system and adjustable cutting height to help reduce damage to sugarcane stools and lessen labor dependence.
On 17 Sep, reporters noted that Siam Kubota Corporation Limited, an agricultural machinery company, introduced the SH-K1 sugarcane harvester with a harvesting capacity of 15–30 tonnes per hour. It features precision control and adjustable cutting height to reduce damage to cane stools, decrease labor dependence, and enhance harvesting continuity. This supports the sugarcane and sugar industry’s direction to promote fresh cane purchasing and reduce cane burning, which has been increasing. The move aligns with Low Carbon Agriculture initiatives and Net Zero targets, advancing the company’s Global Major Brand 2030 vision and positioning Thailand as a regional agricultural solutions hub in ASEAN.
Ms. Waraporn Osotapan, Senior Executive Vice President of Siam Kubota Corporation, said the SH-K1 sugarcane harvester was developed with the concept of uninterrupted cutting power and year-round service, meeting the critical timing needs of sugarcane farmers. It combines continuous operation efficiency with engineering design that addresses limitations of traditional harvesting. Powered by a 173-horsepower engine, it is well-suited for fieldwork and can cut 15-30 tonnes per hour or 12-24 rai per day, covering over 1,000 rai per production season. It reduces costs by about 30% compared to manual labor. Its automatic base blade controls cutting height, minimizing damage to cane stools and preserving them for future growth. The harvester also features a cane-separating auger that can cut lodged cane and reduce off-row cutting errors. With performance and design tailored to field conditions, the Kubota SH-K1 lowers labor reliance, improves harvest management efficiency during peak season, and supports the transition to fresh cane harvesting to reduce cane burning—a key source of air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.