Journal article
First trial of a prototype chainflail delimber for the European short rotation poplar plantations
European Journal of Forest Research, Vol.141, pp.1139-1149
2022
Abstract
Small tree size represents a main challenge for single tree handling techniques and caps harvesting productivity in short rotation poplar (SRP) plantations. That challenge is best met by a shift towards mass handling. Chainflail delimbing is one of the best solutions for multi-tree processing, but commercially available equipment is often too heavy and expensive for European operations. Therefore, an Italian company developed a compact chainflail delimber-debarker (CFDD) specifically designed for small scale SRP. The machine was tested in Western Slovakia in early March 2022. The test included a five days endurance trial and a controlled experiment on 16 carefully measured wood piles representing " strong " and " weak " trees, i.e. trees with a mean diameter at breast height (DBH) of 12 and 10 cm, respectively. The endurance trial was quite successful since no mechanical problems were recorded during the five days period. Delimbing and crosscutting quality were as good as those obtained with a standard processor head, while log yield was generally better, averaging 42% and 68% for the " weak " and the " strong " trees, respectively. Productivity was on a par with the alternative cut to length technology options and can be significantly increased once the prototype will be further developed. In general, the new compact CFDD may become the best option for handling the small trees offered by underdeveloped SRP plantations, which cannot be efficiently harvested with the cut to length system.
Details
- Title
- First trial of a prototype chainflail delimber for the European short rotation poplar plantations
- Authors
- Raffaele Spinelli (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Industries Research CentreBarnabas Kovacs (Author) - IKEA Industry SlovakiaPatrik Heger (Author) - IKEA Industry SlovakiaDávid Heilig (Author) - University of SopronNatascia Magagnotti (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Industries Research Centre
- Publication details
- European Journal of Forest Research, Vol.141, pp.1139-1149
- Publisher
- Springer
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10342-022-01497-x
- ISSN
- 1612-4677
- Organisation Unit
- Forest Industries Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Research Institute
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99681397202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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