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Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering : Journal for Theory and Application of Forestry Engineering, Vol. 33 No. 1, 2012.

Original scientific paper

Mechanized Harvesting of Eucalypt Coppice for Biomass Production Using High Mechanization Level

Rodolfo Picchio orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-9375-7795 ; Department of Science and Technology for Agriculture, Forests, Nature and Energy (DAFNE), University of Tuscia, Italy
Alessandro Sirna ; Department of Science and Technology for Agriculture, Forests, Nature and Energy (DAFNE), University of Tuscia, Italy
Giulio Sperandio ; Agricultural Research Council (CRA), Research Unit for Agricultural Engineering, Roma, ITALY
Raffaello Spina ; Department of Science and Technology for Agriculture, Forests, Nature and Energy (DAFNE), University of Tuscia, Italy
Stefano Verani ; Agricultural Research Council (CRA), Research Unit forWood Production Outside Forests, Periferic Operative Structure of Roma, Roma, ITALY

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Abstract

The main aims of this study were to determine the productivity, profitability and energy balance (output/input) of mechanized harvesting applied to a eucalyptus plantation in central Italy. The study area was located in Rome, at an altitude of 35 m a.s.l., on a flat, even site (average slope gradient 3%). The stand was a eucalypt coppice (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.) harvested for the first time in 2000. The planting pattern was square with 3 m among stumps (1111 trees ha–1). By 2009, insect (Phorachantha semipunctata) attacks had reduced stump density to 592 stumps ha–1. The work system applied was theWhole Tree System(WTS) and the final assortement chips for energy.Machine rateswere calculated using coefficients and mathematical formulas extracted from themain methodologies proposed by different authors. Energy balance was estimated with the Gross Energy Requirements (GER) method. In these plantations, mechanized harvesting seems most appropriate: this is demonstrated by the high productivity recorded (PSH15 6.5 td.w. h–1 worker–1) and by the favorable energy balance (output/input 23.8, 95.8% system efficiency). However harvesting cost is still high (44.30 € tf.w. –1) and can only be reduced through careful operational planning.

Keywords

harvester; work productivity; operating costs; energetic balance; chipper; forwarder; forest plantation

Hrčak ID:

85997

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/85997

Publication date:

7.6.2012.

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