Effects of log temperature, moisture content, and cutting width on energy requirements for processing logs by a chipper-canter

Four matched groups of 15 black spruce logs were processed with a chipper-canter at temperatures of 20, 0, -10, and -20 degrees C. Each log was transformed at two moisture contents (MCs) (green and air-dried) using two cutting widths (CWs) (12.7 and 25.4 mm). Mean MC for each CW was assessed from a sample of the obtained chips. The results showed that mean power, energy consumption, and specific cutting energy were significantly affected by the temperature and CW, and in a lesser degree by the MC. These parameters were greater when cutting frozen logs. Mean power and energy consumption were higher at the larger CW, as a result of the higher volume of removed wood. However, specific cutting energy increased as CW decreased. This behavior was related to the higher level of fragmentation occurred with the smaller CW. These results are useful to estimate changes in energy requirements occurred within the range of cutting conditions studied here.