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Sugarcane node cutting machine was manufactured and tested in the department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, El-Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt, to facilitate the process of cutting nodes that are used in transplanting sugarcane, the machine parts were designed using "SolidWorks" software, and then manufactured and constructed by using the low-cost available materials in local markets. The machine is used to separate the nodes from the sugarcane stalks and leave the internodes for industrial processes. The machine consists of reciprocating blades powered by a 3-phase AC motor. Field experiments were conducted for four groups of stalk diameters to study the effect of stalk diameters and cutting speeds on the machine performance. Results of the field tests for C9 sugarcane variety showed that the average diameter (cm), stalk weight (g), stalk length (cm), and the number of nodes per stalk of the tested samples ranged from (1.38 to 3.28 cm), (405.11 to 1206.67 g), (181.67 to 197.78 cm), and (12.56 to 14.33), respectively. Also, the results showed that the cutting efficiency was ranged between (83.67-100%), maximum machine productivity was 3944 node/ha and the total operating cost ranged between 55.07 to 115.96 EGP/Fedd according to the cutting speed and stalk dimeters. It could be concluded from this study that the designed node-cutter prototype is profitable, handy and cost-effective to assist small-scale sugarcane farmers under Egyptian conditions.

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Sugar is an important strategic commodity for all countries of the world. Sugar after wheat is of strategic importance in Egypt. It was, therefore, necessary to pay full attention to sugary crops, especially sugar cane, to increase productivity and to bridge the gap between production and consumption by increasing the productivity of sugarcane. The main problem of sugar cane plantation is the harvesting process. The sugarcane harvesting season lasts for 5 months in Egypt, starting in Dec. and ending in May. A tractor-operated sugarcane harvester was designed, manufactured, and tested, and the machine parts was designed by using "SolidWorks" software, and this program helps to find out the typical dimensions of various components of machine with great accuracy in small time. The machine was manufacturing and constructed by using the low-cost material available in local market. Results of the tests showed that the effective field capacity ranged from 1.16 to 1.3 Fed/h and increased with an increase in row spacing and forward speed. In the high crop density fields, the cutter head efficiency averaged 100 %. It, however, increased with a decrease in cutting height and, increased with an increase in row spacing and number of knives. The throughput capacity increased from 42.9 to 79.02 t/h as the row spacing increased from 71 to 88.75 cm and the maximum total operating costs are 120 EGP/h (98.5 and 92.3 EGP/Fed) depending on the power requirements.

Aswan Governorate is considered the largest governorate of Egypt producing dried dates, and the most famous varieties are Sakkoti, Bartamuda, Gondaila, Malkabi, and Shamia. Immediately after harvest, dates contain a high percentage of moisture, which must be properly disposed of in order to maintain chemical composition and natural properties, and also for long-term storage. There are many drying systems that can be used to dry dates and reduce the moisture content to the safe storage limit. In Aswan, we practice sun drying in the open air for a period of 1 to 2 months, the date fruit is dehydrated, but the quality is very poor compared to industrial drying. This research aims to study the different drying systems that can be used to dry dates and maintain their physical and chemical properties.