Bertone Federico

The harvesting of low-value trees, primarily utilized for energy production, demands heightened productivity and reduced costs, necessitating the adoption of mechanized methods. Excavators are frequently employed in mechanized harvesting due to their affordability (often being used machines) and high adaptability. However, their operation often results in tree damage when swinging the upper structure. Consequently, recent advancements have led to the development and utilization of machines with smaller footprints, primarily applied in urban settings, aiming to enhance maneuverability.

This study aimed to analyze the operational and environmental benefits of employing reduced-tail swing excavators in forestry operations in contrast to conventional tail swing excavators. In thinning operations, the productivity of the reduced-tail swing excavator surpasses that of the conventional tail swing excavator by 18.5%, accompanied by a 41.8% reduction in fuel consumption. Moreover, the reduced-tail swing excavator exhibits a 41% decrease in energy consumption, resulting in a notable 65.8% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to its conventional counterpart. Additionally, the hourly operational cost is 10% lower than that of the conventional tail excavator.

While comparing the performance of both machines in clear-cutting, the differences observed are less than 5% and deemed statistically insignificant. Hence, it can be inferred that reduced-tail swing excavators present a viable alternative to conventional-tail excavators.

Efficient roadside vegetation management is essential for reducing infrastructure maintenance costs and enhancing bioenergy recovery. This study evaluates a modified excavator-based feller equipped with a specific arm to extend its operational reach. Field trials were conducted across three distinct site conditions highway embankment, overpass embankment, and riverbank to assess key performance parameters including cycle times (encompassing moving, positioning, felling, processing, and stacking), fuel consumption, and ground pressure. Compared to the conventional configuration, the arm modification yielded a 66% reduction in moving time and a 34% reduction in stacking time, albeit with a 73% increase in positioning time due to the extended reach. Overall, the modified machine demonstrated enhanced operational efficiency, reduced fuel usage by up to 7%, and decreased soil disturbance through a substantial reduction in the tracked surface area. These findings underscore the potential of telescopic boom technology to improve the versatility and sustainability of mechanised roadside biomass harvesting practices.

Efficient roadside vegetation management is essential for reducing infrastructure maintenance costs and enhancing bioenergy recovery. This study evaluates a modified excavator-based feller equipped with a specific arm to extend its operational reach. Field trials were conducted across three distinct site conditions highway embankment, overpass embankment, and riverbank to assess key performance parameters including cycle times (encompassing moving, positioning, felling, processing, and stacking), fuel consumption, and ground pressure. Compared to the conventional configuration, the arm modification yielded a 66% reduction in moving time and a 34% reduction in stacking time, albeit with a 73% increase in positioning time due to the extended reach. Overall, the modified machine demonstrated enhanced operational efficiency, reduced fuel usage by up to 7%, and decreased soil disturbance through a substantial reduction in the tracked surface area. These findings underscore the potential of telescopic boom technology to improve the versatility and sustainability of mechanised roadside biomass harvesting practices.