Research Article
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Developing a New Harvester Head for Tree Felling

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 23 - 29
https://doi.org/10.33904/ejfe.1457445

Abstract

Technological progress is constantly advancing. After a detailed analysis of the existing options for technological equipment used in production, as outline in various patent information sources, the idea of modernizing the harvester (processor) head of logging machines emerged, aiming to enhance the function the equipment can perform. However, all currently existing designs of harvester heads either do not allow debarking or, when using them, slow debarking is carried out with multiple starts and stops of the debarking mechanism. The purpose of the variant of the modernization of the harvester head of a logging machine for felling, delimbing, and bucking of trees described in this study is to create such a technical device that will allow the debarking of assortments by a rotary debarking mechanism without stopping its operation at the moments of delimbing and bucking the trunk. The main research method in preparing the article materials was the patent search for analogues and the development of a new technical solution based on them, making it possible to implement the task set by the authors. As an analogue, the impulse type of the harvester head was chosen. As a result of the modernization of the existing technical solution, several important elements were added to the design. The principle of operation of the new technical solution is substantiated. The proposed working body of the feller-lopper-bucker performs capture, sawing, felling a tree, pruning, bucking into assortments, and debarking without stopping the debarking mechanism in the process of delimbing and bucking the tree trunk, which allows debarking timber without reducing the productivity of the harvester head.

Supporting Institution

Russian Science Foundation

Project Number

№ 24-26-00129

Thanks

The research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation. № 24-26-00129. https://rscf.ru/project/24-26-00129/».

References

  • Alfthan, A. 2017. Feed means and log processing head. Pat. № EP 3202253, Germany.
  • Alfthan, A. and Palmroth, L. 2018. Log processing head. Pat. № EP 3391737, Germany.
  • Bennemann, C., Heppelmann, J., Wittkopf, S., Hauck, A., Grünberger, J., Heinrich, B., Seeling, U. 2020. Debarking Heads. LWFaktuell, 125: 44–46.
  • Bisballe, C. 2017. Harvester head assembly. Pat. № US 9591810, United States.
  • Brett, J.K. 2018. Timber - working head and method of operation. Pat. № US 9999180, United States.
  • Budnik P.V. 2012. Functional and technological analysis of harvesting heads. Science and Business: Ways of Development, 9:36-38.
  • Demchuk, A.V. 2012. Modernization of processing equipment of a harvester for increase efficiency of removal of assortments. Engineering Bulletin of Don, 2: 542-546.
  • Frolov, I.S., Grigoriev, I.V. 2017. Modern pulse harvester heads. LesPromInform, 8: 76-79.
  • Heppelmann, J.B., Labelle, E.R., Steeling, U., Wittkopf, S. 2016. Evaluating the debarking efficiency of modified harvesting heads on European tree species. In Proceedings of the 49th Symposium on Forest Mechanization, 4–7 September. pp. 49–52. Warsaw, Poland.
  • Heppelmann, J.B., Labelle, E.R., Wittkopf, S., Seeling, U. 2019. In-stand debarking with the use of modified harvesting heads: A potential solution for key challenges in European forestry. Eur. J. For. Res., 138:1067–1081. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-019-01225-y.
  • Hlásný, T., König, L., Krokene, P., Linder, M., Montagné-Huck, C., Müller, J., Qin, H., Raffa, F.K., Schelhaas, M., Svoboda, M. et al. 2021. Bark Beetle Outbreaks in Europe: State of Knowledge and Ways Forward for Management. Curr. For. Rep. 7: 138-165.
  • International Forest Industries. 2024. Spruce Bark Beetle and Its Impact on Wood Markets. Available online: https://internationalforestindustries.com/2020/06/09/spruce-bark-beetle-impact-wood-markets/ (accessed on March 15, 2024).
  • Jönsson, A.M., Harding, S., Krokene, P., Lange, H., Lindelöw, Å., Økland, B., Ravn, H.P., Schroeder, L.M. 2011. Modelling the potential impact of global warming on Ips typographus voltinism and reproductive diapause. Clim. Chang. 109: 695–718.
  • Keskinen, J., Kinnunen, K., Khanne K. 2014. Feller device for felling and limbing on tree trunks and blade for limbing. Pat. № RU 2513415, Russia.
  • Kröcher, H., Krautzenberger, D., Sybertz, H., Becker, U. 1986. Method and arrangement for milling root butts of round timber. Pat. № US 4562873, United States.
  • Kroecher, H. 1987. Device for cutting off root swellings on logs for butt log reducers. Pat. № DE 3603823, Germany.
  • Labelle, E.R., Breinig, L., Spinelli, R. 2019. Extent and severity of damages caused to spruce roundwood by harvesting heads in standard versus debarking configurations. Eur. J. For. Res., 138: 151–163. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-018-01161-3.
  • Mergl, V., Zemánek, T., Šušnjar, M., Klepárník, J. 2021. Efficiency of Harvester with the Debarking Head at Logging in Spruce Stands Affected by Bark Beetle Outbreak. Forests, 12: 1348. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/ f12101348.
  • Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. 2017. Information on Forests and Forestry in the Czech Republic by 2016; Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic: Praha, Czech Republic.
  • Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. 2020. Information on Forests and Forestry in the Czech Republic by 2019; Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic: Praha, Czech Republic.
  • Mokhirev, A.P., Mammatov, V.O., Urazaev, A.P. 2015. Modeling of the technological process of logging machines. Journal of International Scientific Researches, 3:72-74.
  • Murphy, G., Acuna, M. 2017. Effect of harvesting season, systém and equipment on in-forest Pinus radiata bark removal in Australia and New Zealand. Int. J. For. Eng., 28: 10–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/14942119. 2016.1253269
  • Netherer, S., Schopf, A. 2010. Potential effects of climate change on insect herbivores in European forests-General aspects and the pine processionary moth as specific example. For. Ecol. Manag. 259:831–838.
  • Pamfilov, E.A., Kapustin, V.V., Pilyushina, G.A., Sheveleva, E.V. 2021. Improving the performance of working bodies and tribosystems of harvester technological equipment. Lesnoy Zhurnal (Russian Forestry Journal), 6: 135-149. https://doi.org/10.37482/0536- 1036-2021-6-135-149.
  • Peterson, R.A. 2016. Four roller tree harvester head. Pat. № US 9232701 B1 US, United States.
  • Pilyushina, G.A., Pamfilov, E.A., Sheveleva, E.V. 2019. Wear Resistance Improvement of Delimbing Knives of Multifunctional Logging Machines. Lesnoy Zhurnal (Russian Forestry Journal), 6: 174–184. DOI: 10.17238/ISNN 0536-1036.2019.6.174. (Accessed: 22 February 2024)
  • Posharnikov, F.V. 2012. Analysis of a condition of technical equipment of the logging industry. Lesotechnic Journal, 2:100-105.
  • Rukomojnikov, K, Vedernikov, S., Gabdrahmanov, M. 2018. A method for delimbing tree-trunks and a device for applying the method. Journal of Applied Engineering Science, Vol: 2:263-266. Dhttps://doi.org/10.5937/ jaes16-16442.
  • Rukomojnikov, K.P., Vedernikov, S.V. 2019. Modernization of harvester head delimbing knife. Lesnoy Zhurnal (Russian Forestry Journal), 1: 120–127. https://doi.org/10.17238/issn0536-1036.2019.1.120.
  • Rukomojnikov, K.P., Vedernikov, S.V., Kuptcova, V.O. 2019. Modernization of harvesting and processing head. South-East European Forestry. 10:2-10. DOI 10.15177/SEEFOR.19-10.
  • Rukomojnikov, K.P., Kuptsova, V.O. 2021. Design improvement of the mechanism of delimbing by multi-operational forest machines. Lesnoy Zhurnal (Russian Forestry Journal), 3(381): 117-124. DOI 10. 37482/0536-1036-2021-3-117-124.
  • Rukomojnikov, K.P., Sergeeva, T.V., Gilyazova, T.A., Komisar, V. P. 2022a. Computer modeling to support management and organizational decisions in the use of a forest harvester, Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, 21–23 December, Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
  • Rukomoinikov, K.P., Tsarev, E.M., Anisimov, S.E., Tatarinov, D.S., Kuptsova, V.O., Gilyazova, T.A. 2022b. Upgrading the feller-delimber-crosscutter mechanism of a forest harvester. Lesnoy Zhurnal (Russian Forestry Journal). 3(387):130-138. https://doi.org/10. 37482/0536-1036-2022-3-130-138.
  • Seidl, R., Schelhaas, M., Rammer, W., Verkerk, P.J. 2014. Increasing forest disturbances in Europe and their impact on carbon storage. Nat. Clim. Chang. 4: 806–810.
  • Shegelman, I.R., Galaktionov, O.N., Demchuk, A.V. 2012. The working body of the feller-delimbing-cutting machine for the production of logs. Pat. № RU 117259, Russia.
  • Shegelman, I.R., Vasiliev A.S. 2018. Harvester head. Pat. № RU 181751 U1, Russia.
  • Tsarev, E.M., Anisimov, S.E., Rukomojnikov, K.P., Konovalova, Yu.A., Vedernikov, S.V., Zabolotsky, V.M. and Anisimov, I.S. 2018. Method of developing barked assortments and working body for implementation thereof. Pat. № RU 2676139, Russia.
  • Forest Economic Advisors. 20204. Central European Beetle & Windstorm Timber Disaster Report. Available online: https://getfea.com/publication/ central-european-beetle-windstorm-timber-disaster (Accessed on 21 March 2024).
Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 23 - 29
https://doi.org/10.33904/ejfe.1457445

Abstract

Project Number

№ 24-26-00129

References

  • Alfthan, A. 2017. Feed means and log processing head. Pat. № EP 3202253, Germany.
  • Alfthan, A. and Palmroth, L. 2018. Log processing head. Pat. № EP 3391737, Germany.
  • Bennemann, C., Heppelmann, J., Wittkopf, S., Hauck, A., Grünberger, J., Heinrich, B., Seeling, U. 2020. Debarking Heads. LWFaktuell, 125: 44–46.
  • Bisballe, C. 2017. Harvester head assembly. Pat. № US 9591810, United States.
  • Brett, J.K. 2018. Timber - working head and method of operation. Pat. № US 9999180, United States.
  • Budnik P.V. 2012. Functional and technological analysis of harvesting heads. Science and Business: Ways of Development, 9:36-38.
  • Demchuk, A.V. 2012. Modernization of processing equipment of a harvester for increase efficiency of removal of assortments. Engineering Bulletin of Don, 2: 542-546.
  • Frolov, I.S., Grigoriev, I.V. 2017. Modern pulse harvester heads. LesPromInform, 8: 76-79.
  • Heppelmann, J.B., Labelle, E.R., Steeling, U., Wittkopf, S. 2016. Evaluating the debarking efficiency of modified harvesting heads on European tree species. In Proceedings of the 49th Symposium on Forest Mechanization, 4–7 September. pp. 49–52. Warsaw, Poland.
  • Heppelmann, J.B., Labelle, E.R., Wittkopf, S., Seeling, U. 2019. In-stand debarking with the use of modified harvesting heads: A potential solution for key challenges in European forestry. Eur. J. For. Res., 138:1067–1081. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-019-01225-y.
  • Hlásný, T., König, L., Krokene, P., Linder, M., Montagné-Huck, C., Müller, J., Qin, H., Raffa, F.K., Schelhaas, M., Svoboda, M. et al. 2021. Bark Beetle Outbreaks in Europe: State of Knowledge and Ways Forward for Management. Curr. For. Rep. 7: 138-165.
  • International Forest Industries. 2024. Spruce Bark Beetle and Its Impact on Wood Markets. Available online: https://internationalforestindustries.com/2020/06/09/spruce-bark-beetle-impact-wood-markets/ (accessed on March 15, 2024).
  • Jönsson, A.M., Harding, S., Krokene, P., Lange, H., Lindelöw, Å., Økland, B., Ravn, H.P., Schroeder, L.M. 2011. Modelling the potential impact of global warming on Ips typographus voltinism and reproductive diapause. Clim. Chang. 109: 695–718.
  • Keskinen, J., Kinnunen, K., Khanne K. 2014. Feller device for felling and limbing on tree trunks and blade for limbing. Pat. № RU 2513415, Russia.
  • Kröcher, H., Krautzenberger, D., Sybertz, H., Becker, U. 1986. Method and arrangement for milling root butts of round timber. Pat. № US 4562873, United States.
  • Kroecher, H. 1987. Device for cutting off root swellings on logs for butt log reducers. Pat. № DE 3603823, Germany.
  • Labelle, E.R., Breinig, L., Spinelli, R. 2019. Extent and severity of damages caused to spruce roundwood by harvesting heads in standard versus debarking configurations. Eur. J. For. Res., 138: 151–163. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-018-01161-3.
  • Mergl, V., Zemánek, T., Šušnjar, M., Klepárník, J. 2021. Efficiency of Harvester with the Debarking Head at Logging in Spruce Stands Affected by Bark Beetle Outbreak. Forests, 12: 1348. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/ f12101348.
  • Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. 2017. Information on Forests and Forestry in the Czech Republic by 2016; Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic: Praha, Czech Republic.
  • Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. 2020. Information on Forests and Forestry in the Czech Republic by 2019; Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic: Praha, Czech Republic.
  • Mokhirev, A.P., Mammatov, V.O., Urazaev, A.P. 2015. Modeling of the technological process of logging machines. Journal of International Scientific Researches, 3:72-74.
  • Murphy, G., Acuna, M. 2017. Effect of harvesting season, systém and equipment on in-forest Pinus radiata bark removal in Australia and New Zealand. Int. J. For. Eng., 28: 10–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/14942119. 2016.1253269
  • Netherer, S., Schopf, A. 2010. Potential effects of climate change on insect herbivores in European forests-General aspects and the pine processionary moth as specific example. For. Ecol. Manag. 259:831–838.
  • Pamfilov, E.A., Kapustin, V.V., Pilyushina, G.A., Sheveleva, E.V. 2021. Improving the performance of working bodies and tribosystems of harvester technological equipment. Lesnoy Zhurnal (Russian Forestry Journal), 6: 135-149. https://doi.org/10.37482/0536- 1036-2021-6-135-149.
  • Peterson, R.A. 2016. Four roller tree harvester head. Pat. № US 9232701 B1 US, United States.
  • Pilyushina, G.A., Pamfilov, E.A., Sheveleva, E.V. 2019. Wear Resistance Improvement of Delimbing Knives of Multifunctional Logging Machines. Lesnoy Zhurnal (Russian Forestry Journal), 6: 174–184. DOI: 10.17238/ISNN 0536-1036.2019.6.174. (Accessed: 22 February 2024)
  • Posharnikov, F.V. 2012. Analysis of a condition of technical equipment of the logging industry. Lesotechnic Journal, 2:100-105.
  • Rukomojnikov, K, Vedernikov, S., Gabdrahmanov, M. 2018. A method for delimbing tree-trunks and a device for applying the method. Journal of Applied Engineering Science, Vol: 2:263-266. Dhttps://doi.org/10.5937/ jaes16-16442.
  • Rukomojnikov, K.P., Vedernikov, S.V. 2019. Modernization of harvester head delimbing knife. Lesnoy Zhurnal (Russian Forestry Journal), 1: 120–127. https://doi.org/10.17238/issn0536-1036.2019.1.120.
  • Rukomojnikov, K.P., Vedernikov, S.V., Kuptcova, V.O. 2019. Modernization of harvesting and processing head. South-East European Forestry. 10:2-10. DOI 10.15177/SEEFOR.19-10.
  • Rukomojnikov, K.P., Kuptsova, V.O. 2021. Design improvement of the mechanism of delimbing by multi-operational forest machines. Lesnoy Zhurnal (Russian Forestry Journal), 3(381): 117-124. DOI 10. 37482/0536-1036-2021-3-117-124.
  • Rukomojnikov, K.P., Sergeeva, T.V., Gilyazova, T.A., Komisar, V. P. 2022a. Computer modeling to support management and organizational decisions in the use of a forest harvester, Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, 21–23 December, Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
  • Rukomoinikov, K.P., Tsarev, E.M., Anisimov, S.E., Tatarinov, D.S., Kuptsova, V.O., Gilyazova, T.A. 2022b. Upgrading the feller-delimber-crosscutter mechanism of a forest harvester. Lesnoy Zhurnal (Russian Forestry Journal). 3(387):130-138. https://doi.org/10. 37482/0536-1036-2022-3-130-138.
  • Seidl, R., Schelhaas, M., Rammer, W., Verkerk, P.J. 2014. Increasing forest disturbances in Europe and their impact on carbon storage. Nat. Clim. Chang. 4: 806–810.
  • Shegelman, I.R., Galaktionov, O.N., Demchuk, A.V. 2012. The working body of the feller-delimbing-cutting machine for the production of logs. Pat. № RU 117259, Russia.
  • Shegelman, I.R., Vasiliev A.S. 2018. Harvester head. Pat. № RU 181751 U1, Russia.
  • Tsarev, E.M., Anisimov, S.E., Rukomojnikov, K.P., Konovalova, Yu.A., Vedernikov, S.V., Zabolotsky, V.M. and Anisimov, I.S. 2018. Method of developing barked assortments and working body for implementation thereof. Pat. № RU 2676139, Russia.
  • Forest Economic Advisors. 20204. Central European Beetle & Windstorm Timber Disaster Report. Available online: https://getfea.com/publication/ central-european-beetle-windstorm-timber-disaster (Accessed on 21 March 2024).
There are 38 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Forest Products Transport and Evaluation Information, Forestry Sciences (Other)
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Konstantin Rukomojnikov 0000-0002-9956-5081

Natal'ya Aleksagina 0009-0005-9159-5437

Project Number № 24-26-00129
Early Pub Date March 18, 2025
Publication Date
Submission Date March 22, 2024
Acceptance Date July 25, 2024
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 11 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Rukomojnikov, K., & Aleksagina, N. (2025). Developing a New Harvester Head for Tree Felling. European Journal of Forest Engineering, 11(1), 23-29. https://doi.org/10.33904/ejfe.1457445

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The works published in European Journal of Forest Engineering (EJFE) are licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.