An agile chipper truck for space-constrained operations

Abstract

A new chipper-truck was developed for extending the benefits of industrial chipping to space-constrained landings, normally inaccessible to industrial operations. The new machine was taken for a European test tour, so that it could be tested under conditions considered typical of Mediterranean, Alpine, Central and Nordic Europe. The same machine and operator were used for all tests, which lasted 65 h and produced over 100 chip containers. Productivity varied between 13 and 19 tonnes of green chips per scheduled hour, inclusive of all delays. Fuel consumption ranged from 1.8 to 2.8 dm3 of diesel per tonne of green chips. Machine utilization ranged from 68 to 89%, and it was highest in the Nordic trials, due to the use of pre-parked containers, which dramatically reduced the occurrence of interaction delays. Regional differences were only related to operational layout and organization, which set the Nordic trial apart from all others. Knife wear and screen size had a major impact on chipper performance. The same accounted for cut length. Production of small chips is only justified when the market offers premium prices for this assortment.