Cut–and–chip harvester material capacity and fuel performance on commercial-scale willow fields for varying ground and crop conditions

Eisenbies, Mark H.; Volk, Timothy A.; Souza, Daniel L.; Hallen, Karl W.

doi:10.1111/gcbb.12679

Cut–and–chip harvester material capacity and fuel performance on commercial-scale willow fields for varying ground and crop conditions

Journal Article · Thu Feb 20 23:00:00 EST 2020 · Global Change Biology. Bioenergy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12679· OSTI ID:1722941

^[1]; ^[2]; Souza, Daniel L. ^[2]; Hallen, Karl W. ^[2]

SUNY ESF, Syracuse, NY (United States); SUNY-ESF
SUNY ESF, Syracuse, NY (United States)

Shrub willow (Salix spp.) is capable of producing commercially attractive amounts of biomass in short rotations, but harvesting costs and logistics remain a concern. There is a particular need for information about harvesting operations on larger, commercial short–rotation woody crop systems. Another recent issue on commercial fields in northern New York is commercial growers conducting harvests during the growing season rather than the recommended dormant season when fields may be too wet to harvest. This study evaluated and modeled the in–field performance of a cut–and–chip harvester for almost 700 wagonloads of chips operating in commercial willow fields in a wider array of crop and field conditions than have been previously reported. Analysis indicated that the time of harvest (leaf–on or leaf–off) and whether site conditions were wet or dry affected the harvester's material capacity. Mean material capacity was greatest for leaf–off, dry conditions (71.8 Mg/hr) and lowest for leaf–on harvests, which were similar for wet (30.4 Mg/hr) and dry conditions (29.7 Mg/hr). Mean crop specific fuel consumption ranged between 1.3 and 3.3 L/Mg, but can get considerably higher for standing biomasses below 40 Mg/ha. Wet ground conditions and leaf–on harvests tend to decrease material capacity and increase fuel consumption as the harvester has to divert power to forward movement and material processing. Relationships for material capacity and fuel consumption based on standing biomass, time of harvest and ground conditions will be essential for evaluating and modeling the economic and environmental impacts of commercial–scale willow operations.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0006638

OSTI ID:: 1722941

Journal Information:: Global Change Biology. Bioenergy, Journal Name: Global Change Biology. Bioenergy Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 12; ISSN 1757-1693

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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