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

Abstract

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 asmore » 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.« less

Authors:

Eisenbies, Mark H.  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Eisenbies, Mark H."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-8367-9762"

Volk, Timothy A.  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Volk, Timothy A."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-6969-9281"

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

---

+ Show Author Affiliations

1. SUNY ESF, Syracuse, NY (United States)

Publication Date:

Fri Feb 21 00:00:00 EST 2020

Research Org.:

SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

OSTI Identifier:

1722941

Grant/Contract Number:  

EE0006638

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Global Change Biology. Bioenergy

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 12; Journal Issue: 6; Journal ID: ISSN 1757-1693

Publisher:

Wiley

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

09 BIOMASS FUELS; Short Rotation Woody Crops; Willow; Harvesting Logistics; Material Capacity; Fuel Consumption; Wet weather harvesting; Leaf-on harvesting