If you’re looking to increase productivity with your wood processor, you can improve your harvestor motor setup. The motors that are built into harvesters have automatic behaviors, such as avoiding movement of the boom when processing wood. Moreover, computer-aided quality bucking improves productivity.
Automatic behaviours in harvester motors
Automatic behaviours are often performed automatically in forestry machinery, such as harvesters. They can vary in time from less than a minute to more than an hour, depending on the length and diameter of the wood. They also depend on the distance between trees, the branching and strength of the wood.
In addition to being physically demanding, forest harvesting work places the operator’s cognitive skills under high pressure. These processes involve visual information, concentration, decision-making, vigilance, and problem-solving skills. As a result, cognitive work has been identified as the greatest limiting factor for harvester productivity. It is estimated that harvester operators make 4 000 control inputs per hour, performing a series of movements a minute, and making a multitude of decisions during harvester work.
Automatic behaviours in harvester motors on the wood processor are a good way to ensure that harvesting can continue smoothly and efficiently. Automatic behaviours in harvester motors improve overall machine productivity and can help prevent costly mistakes in the field. It is also a good way to ensure that harvesters can harvest more wood in less time. It also improves safety.
Adapting to log diameter is crucial when modifying the splitting process. For example, if a log is too wide, the knife set-up might result in excessive splinters. As a result, screens may be used to separate the splinters from the main product.
Improvements in productivity with computer-aided quality bucking
Computer-aided quality bucking improves the process of bucking timber, allowing for higher yield and higher revenue. This technology works by using measurement data to improve bucking algorithms. For example, Liski and Nummi (1996) used length and diameter measurements to predict an unknown part of a stem based on known parts of previously processed trees. In addition to this, new measurements were used to estimate the curve of a stem. It turned out that a second-degree polynomial model performed the best in most cases.
The T4E Bucking App was designed to help operators improve bucking accuracy by reducing manual measurements. Operators could also optimize bucking patterns by adjusting the app’s parameters to suit their preferences. The results of this study are promising. The app has the potential to become an essential tool for bucking pattern optimization. It represents a first step toward digitalization of motor-manual bucking.
The system also has a powerful capability to improve forest operations and the wood supply chain. The data collected can be used to improve productivity, reduce downtime, and improve fleet management. It can also help determine the difference between real harvested timber and dead wood in a forest.
The software can help optimize bucking patterns at the stem, stand, and forest levels. By analyzing the quality of logs, computer-aided quality bucking can increase the profitability of a wood processor. The system also helps farmers avoid errors in logging and harvesting.
Improper sorting and cutting can reduce the value of logs. A study by Chiorescu and Gronlund found that nearly a third of logs were sorted incorrectly. These logs were 56% or more oversized compared to those processed in other seasons. This results in a value loss of 0.93 to 1.90 EUR per cubic meter. Correctly calibrated harvesting heads can improve the accuracy of measurement between 58 and 70% and reduce value loss by 0.5 cm.
Computer-aided quality bucking improves productivity by reducing costs and time spent on logging. The data provided by these systems could help producers plan better for the transportation of their timber.
Back pressure on the motor outlet reduces shaft seal life
Back pressure on the harvestor motor outlet can reduce the life of the shaft seal and the power of the chain. Some systems use back pressure to control the feed rate and pressure. In both cases, back pressure reduces shaft seal life. The power of the chain is reduced, and the motor may fail.
A harvestor motor has two seal types: exclusion seals and pressure seals. A standard exclusion seal consists of a rubber seal around the motor shaft. This seal prevents the majority of contaminants from entering the motor. Another type of seal, called a slinger seal, protects the shaft from weeds, dirt, and direct contact with the shaft. Both types of seals are made from hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber.
Optimal shaft seals should be balanced, reducing leakage to the lowest possible level. The sealing gap width should be small enough so that the parts do not rub against each other. If they do, back pressure on the harvestor motor outlet can reduce the shaft seal life.
