Wood chipping performance of a modified forager

Abstract

The authors tested a 409 kW forager turned into an industrial chipper through a special conversion kit. Conversion was temporary, and the forager could be returned to its original occupation with one day of work. The converted forager proved as effective as a dedicated chipper of the same power. Net chipping productivity varied between 25 and 33 green t h−1. Productivity was highest with poplar tops and lowest with pine tops. Fuel consumption ranged from 1.6 to 1.8 l green t−1. Fuel consumption did not change with tree species, but increased significantly with knife wear. Temporary conversion allowed a better depreciation of the invested capital and resulted in a 25% reduction of unit chipping cost. The converted forager proved an ideal solution wherever the production of wood chips was a complementary business within the scope of a larger agricultural economy. In technical terms, this machine offered the combined advantages of road-capability and good off-road mobility, allowing low-cost independent relocation and effective in-field chipping.