How can you save fuel with a firewood processor?

How can you save fuel with a firewood processor?

Fuel savings with a firewood processor start with a good match between the carrier vehicle, hydraulic system and machine. Sufficient hydraulic flow, correct working pressure and an efficient work process can help reduce unnecessary fuel consumption.

Use sufficient hydraulic flow at the lowest practical engine speed

An attachment firewood processor depends on the hydraulic system of the carrier vehicle. The aim is to provide the required oil flow without running the engine at a higher speed than necessary.

• Ensure sufficient hydraulic oil flow for the selected machine.
• Use the lowest practical engine speed that still provides stable hydraulic performance.
• Avoid unnecessarily high operating pressure.
• Use correctly dimensioned hydraulic hoses to reduce pressure losses.

Match the carrier vehicle to the machine

A carrier vehicle that is too small or poorly matched to the hydraulic requirements may need to work harder to maintain the required flow. A suitable carrier vehicle can therefore contribute to a more efficient combination.

BTD PROcompact requires at least 35 l/min, while PROcompact-S and PROplus require at least 55 l/min.

Reduce unnecessary machine movements

Shorter work cycles and efficient machine settings can also help reduce fuel use per cubic metre of firewood.

• Choose a suitable cutting length.
• Use the correct splitting knife for the log diameter and desired firewood size.
• Use the SHORT/LONG function for shorter firewood lengths where this function is available.
• Keep the saw chain sharp and correctly tensioned.

The SHORT/LONG function can reduce unnecessary cylinder travel when processing shorter firewood lengths. It is standard on the PROcompact-S and its availability depends on the model and configuration.

Organise the work process efficiently

Fuel consumption is also influenced by the amount of waiting and handling during production. A machine that spends less time idling between logs can use the available fuel and hydraulic capacity more effectively.

• Prepare logs before processing begins.
• Keep log feeding continuous where possible.
• Organise the discharge of processed firewood efficiently.
• Reduce unnecessary repositioning and handling.

Why can an attachment firewood processor be efficient?

BTD PROcompact, PROcompact-S and PROplus use the hydraulic system of a suitable carrier vehicle and therefore do not require a separate engine on the firewood processor itself.

This can simplify the complete production setup when a suitable carrier vehicle is already available. The actual fuel consumption, however, always depends on the carrier vehicle, hydraulic settings, production conditions and work organisation.

Conclusion

Fuel savings with a firewood processor depend mainly on matching the machine and carrier vehicle correctly, providing sufficient hydraulic flow at the lowest practical engine speed and organising the production process efficiently.

Correct hose dimensions, suitable machine settings, short work cycles and reduced waiting time can all contribute to lower fuel consumption per m³ of firewood.

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