DEVELOPMENT OF A PROTOTYPE IMPLEMENT FOR ARUNDO DONAX HARVESTING FOR COMBUSTION PURPOSE

In the last years a particular interest has been addressed to perennial herbaceous crops as energy feedstock, in particular, Arundo donax. The aim of research was to set up appropriate winter harvesting chains in order to obtain bales suitable for medium/long term storing. A stem-shredder prototype was developed. The tool is set in front of a tractor in order to cut the stems before the tractor passage and allowing to discharge the shredded product in row. Tests on Arundo donax were carried out in the Po Valley, the crop was harvested in winter 2006, 2007 and 2008, in its second, third and fourth life cycle year. The biomass in row was baled with two different round baler system: a fix chamber and a variable chamber. Field efficiency (ha/h), moisture of the harvested biomass and energy balance were assessed. The machineries equipment developed has shown positive working performances, although it appears necessary to increase the cutting width of the prototype, in order to improve its field efficiency, and to optimize its features in order to gain a more uniform chopping and therefore lower field loss. The positive energy balances, confirm Arundo donax as one of the most promising crop for obtaining high yields biomass production.