Mulcher energy intensity measurement in dependence on performance
¹Czech University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Department for Quality and Dependability of Machines, Kamycka 129, 16521, Prague 6, Czech Republic
²Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, p.r.i., Drnovská 507, 16101, Prague 6, Czech Republic *Correspondence: cedikj@tf.czu.cz
Abstract:
Conventional impact grass cutting and chopping is energy intensive and therefore it is important to reduce energy demands of such a device. In the paper the energy demands of three-rotor mulcher with vertical axis of rotation was measured and analyzed in dependence on the mass performance of the mulcher. Different mass performance was achieved by different ground speed and yield of the grass cover. The measurement was performed on clover-grass meadow hay, from which the samples were taken and analyzed in order to determine the yield and moisture content of the vegetation. The results showed relatively high energy demands of the mulcher. In dependence on the mass performance of the mulcher it is necessary to deliver in average 10.4–22.6 kW m-1 of the width of the machine. Specific energy consumption varied in average from 3.35 to 6.34 kWh t-1 of the processed material and unit fuel consumption varied in average from 2.56 to 0.94 kg t-1.
Key words:
energy consumption, grass cutting, meadow hay., mulcher