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Fourth Generation Cane Dynasty Relies on Case IH

Release Date: 08 Sep 2016
Case IH Austoft 8800 Series Cane Harvester
Fourth generation sugarcane grower Gary Raiteri, who farms 157 hectares with his father Lou near Proserpine in North Queensland, introduced the first Case IH Austoft sugarcane harvester into his business in 1997. It was a 7700 model and in the almost 20 years since he has purchased another six.

“When our family first began growing sugarcane, they were cutting it by hand, but today good quality harvesters are the backbone of our operation. If they aren’t going, we’re not going, so having reliable machines is critical to the success of our business,” said Gary.

With a team of six and a limited number of days per year to cut, Gary estimates optimal productivity sits at approximately 800 to 1000 tonnes per day, and it’s their Austoft harvesters that enable them to achieve this capacity.

“Machinery breakdowns, maintenance and upkeep all add up to less hours in the paddock, which becomes a problem when there’s only so many days in a year we can be cutting. The only way we can reach 85,000 to 95,000 tonnes a year is with equipment that gets the job done efficiently.”

The Raiteris purchased their latest Case IH Austoft 8800 series sugarcane harvester in 2013 and currently have another on order. When it came to the newest addition, it was never a question that it had to be an Austoft - lined-up alongside competitors, Gary believes Case IH Austoft delivers superior value for money, in addition to ‘superhero’ performance.

“We are always trying to improve our yield and related efficiencies through the latest and greatest technologies available – whether that’s to do with irrigation practices or machinery, and we’re confident that with Case IH, we are working with the best.”

Gary notes that the Case IH Austoft 8800 Series makes light work of a hard day’s work, thanks to joystick operation and cab controls being easier to operate, and he can comfortably do 800-1000 tonnes in a day and still feel fresh at the end of it. He also identifies the automatic base cut height control (Auto Tracker) as a key feature that ensures precise, uniform cutting with reduced losses and stool damage.

“With the Auto Tracker, the harvester does half the job for you, plus it’s better for the crop – and that keeps farmers happy when we’re contracting. The improved hydraulics are also a standout feature – we’re yet to find a paddock we can’t cut! It cuts through without a worry, where other machines have struggled.”

Equally important to an operation like Gary’s is the ongoing after-sales service, which Gary ranks as second to none. He appreciates that should something ever go wrong, Case IH will look after him.

“Farming is an important part of my family’s identity, so having the peace of mind that we have the backing and support of Case IH – especially its extensive after sales service in the area, is very important to us.

“At the end of the day, sugarcane is our livelihood and without machines like the Case IH Austoft sugarcane harvesters we don’t have a business. We’ve entrusted our farm to them, because we trust them to get the job done each and every time,’ concluded Gary.

For more information see your local Case IH dealer or visit www.caseih.com.

08/09/2016
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