Stembundler
Harvesting willows and poplars from the entire trunkHarvest standing trees using the front-mounted attachment, cut them cleanly with saw blades and set the finished bundles aside for collection.
Status: availableThe ‘Stembundler’ MK IV harvests short-rotation plantations whilst the trees remain standing: two saw blades, each with a diameter of 800 mm, cut the trunks 100 to 200 mm above the ground; the machine picks them up upright and deposits them in bundles. The machine is powered by the front hydraulic system of a tractor with a minimum power output of 88 kW; the hydraulic system is mounted on the machine itself. The bundles are sized to fit standard grapple tongs.
The staggered harvesting method, which involves collecting the crop from the field at a later stage and then chopping it up, is generally more time-consuming but offers considerably greater flexibility because the work processes are split. This allows the harvest to be spread out over the winter with minimal planning effort. The focus is on minimising resource use whilst maximising quality: the trunks are cut using saw blades to ensure the tree is treated gently. This has been shown to encourage it to sprout again more quickly and more vigorously.
How it works
The machine is powered by a small, lightweight tractor, which helps to protect the soil and conserve resources. The front-mounted design takes up less space when manoeuvring and during the harvest itself. Two saw blades cut the trunk just above the ground; the conveyor chains keep the tree upright and push it into the chamber until the bundle is full. The chamber then opens and deposits the bundle to the side. This side discharge allows for easy and efficient collection using a skidder.
Well-developed
The components used have been extensively tested over many years. The Stembundler is designed and manufactured to remain in service for a long time. Maintenance and operation have always been considered with a view to ensuring the best possible performance. The machine was developed for the management of short-rotation plantations, which is why the focus has been on the user from the very beginning.
Technical data
Tractor requirements
Applications
- short-rotation plantation
- Agroforestry strips
- Energy co-operatives
What makes the Stembundler special.
Cut quality
A clean cut, achieved by two 800 mm saw blades, ensures optimal regrowth of the trees. They are fitted with carbide-tipped blades to ensure a long service life. High-quality cutting and the long service life of the saw blades significantly reduce follow-on costs.
Agility
A mounted machine is always more manoeuvrable than a trailed machine. The Stembundler is lightweight and compact, and is powered by the front hydraulics, which allows harvesting in a single track. This is ideal when there is little seat to neighbouring fields and care must be taken not to damage them.
Energy supply
The ‘Stembundler’ MK IV has its own hydraulic system fitted to the machine: the pump is driven by the PTO shaft, delivering 120 l/min at 200 bar from the on-board 250-litre oil tank. This is sufficient for harvesting speeds of up to 9 km/h, and the tractor does not require a large hydraulic system.
Soil compaction
With an unladen weight of 2 tonnes and a tractor with at least 120 PS, the combination remains light compared to combine harvesters or towed trailers. On persistently damp winter soil, this prevents damage to the field that would otherwise require costly repairs.
Wood chips
In the off-site process, the logs are first stored whole and left to dry naturally. They are chopped at the appropriate time using energy-efficient methods. Immediately after chopping, the residual moisture content is below 40 per cent, compared with over 60 per cent when chopped in the field.
Logistics
The tasks are allocated according to the most suitable technique for each season: in winter, the ‘Stembundler’ harvests the crop; in spring, the produce is transported away; and in summer, weeding takes place on a fixed date. The logistics remain manageable and adapt to the weather.
The Harvesting Operation
The video shows the harvesting of one hectare of willow planted in double rows. The stems have a diameter of 3 to 8 cm and are about 12 metres long. The field is in its second rotation and was harvested after four years.
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