Harvesting machinery for short rotation coppices

Abstract

The mechanisation in harvesting of short rotation coppices on farmed land is a prerequisite for swift and low-cost provision of this source of bioenergy. We can distinguish between three process lines: trunk wood, bundle, and chopping lines, whereby the latter are the cheapest. In the past more than 20 different harvesting machines and assemblies have been developed for this alone, but they have rarely progressed beyond the prototype stage. In addition to special cutter tools already available for field choppers, lower cost mounted assemblies for tractors also have a good chance on the market. However, these still require considerable development and optimising inputs.