High-Density Auger Baler
Current large-square balers create density by employing a reciprocating plunger to apply pressures in excess of 700 kPa to the bale face. But densification by a reciprocating plungerhead is inefficient because of the intermittent manner that the pressure is applied. The Auger Baler an alternative bale densification method that uses an auger and conical compaction rollers to compact material in a continuous fashion. Compared to conventional LSBers, this new baler concept can create high-density bales with a machine that is less complicated, lighter weight and less power intensive. Click this link to see the baler in action |
BioMODS Biomass Optimized Delivery System
An Ag Bag silo bagger was modified to create a rectangular cross-section silo bag. The bag cross-section is optimized to fill the legal height and width of an OTR trailer. A modified cotton module truck would then be used to transport a section of the bag. The objective of this project is to create a storage and delivery system that allows the chopped, bulk biomass feedstock to be economically transported. |
Single-pass Stover Baler
John Deere STS combine was modified to collect the stover MOG from the combine and bale using modified round baler. A spount was added to the straw chopper to direct the stover to an accumulator. The baler was modified to allow non-stop baling so that the combine does have to stop harvesting grain. Combine and baler donated by John Deere.
Use this link to see video of the harvester in action. |
Single-pass Corn Stover Harvester Ver. IJohn Deere STS combine was modified to collect the whole-plant, fractionate the grain and the stover, size-reduce the stover, and collect the chopped stover in the trailing wagon. A fine-cut straw chopper was used to size-reduce the stover. An auxillary blower was used to transport material into the trailed wagon. Combine header was a whole-plant header from a self-propelled forage harvester. Combine and header donated by John Deere.
Use this link to see video of harvester in action. Use these links to see research results. |
Single-pass Corn Stover Harvester Ver. IIThe John Deere STS single-pass harvester shown above was modified to improve capacity and stover size-reduction. The straw chopper was replaced with components from a forage harvester including gathering auger, feedrolls, cutterhead, blower and spout. The spout can be turned 90 degrees to load directly into truck or cart along side the combine. The entire rear assembly can be removed in under an hour using a SSL or forklift. Combine and header donated by John Deere.
Use this link to see research results. |
Modified Corn Head for Stover HarvestThis corn head was originally built in the Ukraine. It was modified for use on the John Deere STS combine. Two rotors located beneath the stalk rolls chopped the stalks and deposited them into a cross-auger. The auger translated the gathered material to the left side of the header where the cutterhead and blower assembly size-reduced and transported the material. Although the header was functional, stover size-reduction was poor and material handling difficult.
Use this link to see research results. |
Two-Pass Stover Corn HeadThe corn head shown above was modified to create windrows of stover during grain harvest. Cob and husk MOG exiting the rear of the combine were depostied on the formed windrow. Harvesting stover in this fashion decouples grain and stover harevst, allowing stover moisture manipulation and results in stover with lower ash content compared to conventional stover harvest schemes.
Use this link to see stover windrow formation with this header Use this link to see video of windrows being manipulated with windrow merger. Use this link to see video of windrows being chopped with SPFH. |
Alfalfa Leaf StripperThis forage harvester header is used to fractionate the high-protein leaves from the high-fiber stems. Leaves are stripped from the stem using a modified snap-bean stripping rotor. Stems are cut and windrowed with a disk cutterbar.
Click this link to see video of leaf stripper header in action. Use this link to see research results. |
Windrower - TedderTedding is an effective way to increase forage drying rate but it requires an extra field operation. A tedder was mounted on the rear of a windrower to combine cutting, conditioning and tedding, saving an operation and significantly improving forage drying rate.
Use this link to see research results. |
In-Field Biomass CuberThis is a John Deere 425 alfalfa cuber that we have modified in an attempt to produce high-density cubes of biomass. These cubes would be used in co-fire applications in coal-fired electrical power plants. Biomass is a very challenging material to cube because these crops lack the natural binders usually found in alfalfa. We have cubed reed canarygrass, corn stover and switchgrass. Only reed canarygrass was successfully cubed in any quanity.
Use this link to see a video of the cuber in action. |