Effects of cutting speed and feed per knife on energy requirements for processing black spruce logs with a chipper-canter

Abstract

The effects of cutting speed (CS), feed per knife (FK), and temperature condition on energy requirements for processing black spruce logs by a chipper-canter were assessed. Nine groups of fifteen logs were tested at three CS (20, 25, and 30 m/s) and three FK (19, 25, and 32 mm). Each log was processed under frozen (-13°C) and unfrozen (19°C) conditions. Mean power increased as CS and FK increased. This behaviour is explained by the mechanical relationships between the parameters and the rotation and feed speeds, as well as by the increase in the volume of wood cut. The energy consumption and the specific energy consumption increased as CS increased and FK decreased. For the three electrical criteria, more energy was consumed when processing frozen logs, which is due to the greater mechanical properties of wood. A positive relationship was identified between sapwood and heartwood moisture content, basic density, grain angle, and wood volume transformed into chips, as covariates, and the three energy criteria. These results give useful information on energy requirements to adjust cutting parameters of chipper-canters for a better energy management in sawmills.