 The John Deere 1490D Energy Wood Harvester, aka the bundler, has a dual advantage, says the company – it produces biomass energy and clears the forest floor of slash.
The business end of the machine, the B380 bundler unit, very tightly compresses, wraps and cuts a slash bundle or “log”, which can then be transported with a standard logging truck and used as biomass fuel. This type of operation is not affected by some of the issues that arise when processing biomass with a grinder. There’s no need for a delivery truck to stand by since the bundles can be decked and stored until needed without decomposing like chips. Chips or particles processed into piles have to be scooped up with a front end loader, adding equipment and labor expense and material loss.
The logs produced by the bundler are approximately 2 feet in diameter and the length can be pre-selected from 6 to 16 feet by the operator. According to John Deere, a bundle weighs approximately 100 pounds per foot of length when produced immediately after harvest. Each log provides about one megawatt hour of energy, equal to the electricity produced by 21 to 28 gallons of oil. The bundling unit is integrated with Total Machine Control for smooth operation.
The 1490D is powered by a turbocharged six-cylinder John Deere diesel engine, electronically controlled with low emission levels, high torque rise and responsive power bulge in the work range. All the usual comforts of a John Deere machine are included for a stress-free shift, and the cab can be raised and shifted to the side for easy service access.
In 2006, a study was done to assess the bundler’s performance on four sites in Arkansas including a clear cut, a second thinning, a first thinning harvested with conventional equipment, and a thinning by cut-to-length equipment. Results of the study can be found at http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/183423295_1.html
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