Research Summary: Characteristics of Willow Biomass Chips Produced Using a Single-Pass Cut-and-Chip Harvester

Harvest method impacts wood chip quality–use a single-pass cut-and-chip method and willow makes the grade.

Sample of willow biomass chips produced from a single pass cut and chip harvester based on a New Holland forage harvester.
Sample of willow biomass chips produced from a single pass cut and chip harvester based on a New Holland forage harvester. Photo: Timothy Volk.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Biomass for bioenergy and/or bioproducts can be sourced from forests, agricultural crops, various residue streams,

Research Summary: Development of a Single-Pass Cut-and-Chip Harvesting System for Short Rotation Woody Crops

Three-year old willow biomass crops on a four-year old root system prior to first harvest (Auburn, NY).
Three-year old willow biomass crops on a four-year old root system prior to first harvest (Auburn, NY). Photo: Timothy Volk, SUNY ESF.

Woody biomass throughput is tripled using a new single-pass cut-and-chip harvesting system.  Operator experience, crop characteristics, ground conditions, and speed all affect throughput.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Many types of specialized machinery for harvesting short rotation woody crops …