Using modified foragers to harvest short-rotation poplar plantations

Raffaele Spinelli; C Nati; Natascia Magagnotti

doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2009.01.001

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Using modified foragers to harvest short-rotation poplar plantations

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Using modified foragers to harvest short-rotation poplar plantations

Raffaele Spinelli, C Nati and Natascia Magagnotti

Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol.33(5), pp.817-821

2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2009.01.001

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Abstract

agroforestry

biomass

coppice

economics

harvesting

Italy

In Italy, short rotation coppice (SRC) has become very popular in recent years, with over 4000 ha already planted - almost exclusively with clonal poplar. Commercial harvesting operations are dominated by modified foragers, equipped with dedicated SRC headers. At present, contractors use two main header types: German Claas HS-2 and Italian GBE. The former fits smaller foragers with a power below 300 kW, the latter is used on larger harvest units. This study models the performance of modified foragers on a range of short-rotation poplar plantations. Data were collected from 45 operations, covering a total of 118 ha and producing over 4400 green tonnes of wood chips. The average yield of the fields harvested during the trials was about 23 gt ha-1 year-1 (at a moisture content of 59%), and machine productivity ranged from 9 to 70 green tonnes per scheduled machine hour (gt SMH-1), with an average value of 35 gt SMH-1. A model was developed to predict harvesting performance and cost, showing that harvesting cost can be maintained below the 15 â‚¬ gt-1 (2 â‚¬ GJ-1) level, if field stocking exceeds 40 gt ha-1.

Details

Title: Using modified foragers to harvest short-rotation poplar plantations
Authors: Raffaele Spinelli (Author) - CNR IVALSA, Italy
C Nati (Author) - CNR IVALSA, Italy
Natascia Magagnotti (Author) - CNR IVALSA, Italy
Publication details: Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol.33(5), pp.817-821
Publisher: Pergamon
Date published: 2009
DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2009.01.001
ISSN: 0961-9534
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Industries Research Centre; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99448785402621
Output Type: Journal article

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