Extensive Biomass recovery using AHWI’S Harvester H600
The latest row-independent harvesting system from AHWI - ADDRESSING THE ENERGY CRISIS
The energy crisis and the ensuing discussions show that the consumption of renewable energy is an absolute necessity. According to the latest EU directives, the proportion of electricity produced by renewable energy sources must be increased to an equivalent of 22% of the total electricity generated by next year. In this respect, AHWI, the innovative southern German manufacturer, has achieved a major part with its latest harvesting system developments for extensive recovery and collection of biomass.
The aim of the AHWI engineering team behind the project was to develop a practically-oriented squeezer attachment for tractors, or other similar carrier units, to shred, retrieve and load ligneous biomass. The technical implications of this new development mean that, where previously the recovery of biomass from logging debris was only possible with enormous effort, biomass won from extensively re-cultivated areas or small wood piles in racks or on skid trails can be harvested with extreme cost-efficiency.
The current single-stage harvesting techniques work only in row-independent (e.g. short rotation) plantations. The two-stage techniques based on Feller Bunchers or Bailers have very poor area coverage. Thereafter, the harvest must be shredded using a chipper in the second stage.
AHWI Maschinenbau GmbH has developed a fully mechanized, row independent collection system for the harvest in those more difficult biomass areas. While moving forwards, upright material is transferred, while flattened ligneous biomass material can be assimilated via a horizontally arranged rotor system equipped with specially developed tools in just one operational step. A container within the machine housing is then able to transfer the shredded material to an accompanying trailer or collecting bin while the vehicle is moving.
With several units operational in Germany, Hungary, Austria and Denmark, the latest biomass harvesting system from AHWI Maschinenbau GmbH is already proving its operational efficiency. In addition to its more conventional use, this system can also be used for nutrient depletion of biotope and in natural conservation areas.