1. The document discusses mechanization efforts in the Malaysian oil palm industry, focusing on harvesting operations which are highly labor-dependent. 2. It describes various machines that have been developed and tested for cutting fronds and bunches, including early chainsaw and rotating blade prototypes in the 1980s and the introduction of motorized cutters in the late 1990s. 3. Kulim (M) Berhad has implemented several mechanization systems with motorized cutters and mechanical devices for transporting fresh fruit bunches (FFB), finding that productivity increases over manual harvesting while reducing labor needs.

1. Mohd Fauzi bin Azmi @ Misnon
Palm Mech 2012
24 October 2012
Hotel Equatorial Bangi-Putrajaya

2. oil palm industry operation - labour dependent.
harvesting operation requires the most…

3. i. Cutting Fronds And Ripe Bunches
ii. Rearrange & Stacking Fronds And Trim
Bunch Stalk
iii. Collecting Harvested Bunches And Loose
Fruits
iv. Transport Bunches To Hopper Or Mill

5. early trial on cutting mechanism by MPOB since
1988 – chainsaw type, rotating blade type, scissor
type, claw type and sickle with counter shear
type…

6. late 1990’s and early 2000’s, TUAH Kawasaki chop
cutter was introduce and in 2003 MPOB starting the
CANTAS motorize cutter development…

7. machines introduce for tall palm harvesting…

8. prototype tall palm “all in one” harvesting machine
by MPOB…
need to be;
• fairly easy to handle,
• efficient cutting,
• increased productivity over manual
harvesting,
• ergonomically designed,
• minimize loose fruit on the ground, and
• affordable price.

9. some of loose fruit collecting machine that have
been evaluated and documented…

10. potential loose fruit collecting machine to be fully
commercialized…

11. the development of mechanization in infield
transportation of FFB can be considered matured,
widely develop and tested both by MPOB and the
plantation groups…

12. it is up to the planters to choose the most suitable
machine to meet their requirements depending
among others, the type of works, terrains,
productivity, machine costs and machine running
cost…

13. tested and proven…

14. • Management of Kulim (M) Berhad had always been
strong advocates on mechanization efforts in the oil
palm plantations operations.
• We had already embark in usage of motorize cutter for
harvesting operation, usage of BADANG mechanical
buffalo, mini tractor with scissor lift trailer and life
buffalo for FFB infield collection, usage of ‘Kulim Crane
Free System’, crane netting for hukka bin system for
mainline loading & transport.
• The approach taken by Kulim (M) Berhad for these
mechanization initiatives is not rigid to only one
system and we encourage our estates to develop the
best practices that suit the estate locality.

15. - started in 2006…trial in Ladang Tereh Selatan
- not as expected…poor machine durability & lack of
training…
- starting again in 2011…suitable area > 15,000 hect.
- as at Sept 2012…87 units (Cantas & Ckat) in 21
OUs…

16. 3 system;
i) motorize cutter + wheelbarrow FFB collection
• 3 harvesters in a team (1+2)
• up to 8 tons FFB per team
• 2.6 mt/har
ii) motorize cutter + MB Badang FFB collection
• 4 harvesters in a team (1+1+1+1)
• up to 14 tons FFB per team
• 3.5 mt/har
iii) motorize cutter + mini tractor scissor lift trailer
FFB collection
• 13 harvesters in a team (3+3+3+3+1)
• up to 40 tons FFB per team
• 3.0 mt/har

17. - Badang Mechanical Buffalo…our own product
- 168 units operating in 24 OUs…
- 2 system;
• motorize cutter team – 4 members (1+1+1+1)
• manual cutter team – 5 members (2+2+1)
- target productivity…> 10 mt/day

18. - Mini tractor scissor lift trailer…still under
evaluation in 2 OUs…
- 2 system;
• motorize cutter team – 13 members (3+3+3+3+1)
• manual cutter team – 17 members (7+7+3)
• Productivity 3 mt/harvester

20. 3 system;
i) lorry & tractor mounted crane system
• introduced in early 70s…
• has been gradually phased out…
ii) Kulim Crane Free system (trailer and hukka
bin)
• 11 OUs adopting this system
• expected > 45 mt FFB per shuttling tractor
iii) hukka bin system
• on trial basis and still under evaluation

21. mechanization in harvesting operation…Kulim style

22. The harvesting mechanization method adopted by Kulim
(M) Berhad may be not the most efficient mechanization
system available to use as a benchmark but currently it
is workable in our environment.
Mechanization has proven to reduce labour dependency
and increase workers’ productivity.
The success in any mechanization depends very much on
the commitment of the people involved.
Open mindedness, innovativeness and willingness to
change are some of the important traits required.
We at Kulim (M) Berhad, always believe that sharing
information of non-trade secret must be applauded as
this will only helping oil palm industry in Malaysia
becoming more competitive in this already fierce
industry.

23. it is up to the planters to choose the most suitable
machine to meet their requirements…