I received the following announcement from Dean Current, University of Minnesota Department of Forest Resources, today. It may be of interest to loggers, natural resource professionals, and some woodland owners considering woody biomass harvest options. -ed.
Update: these demonstrations have passed. A nice KEYC TV news story with video of the harvester is here. We’re working on a video from the demos and will post that link shortly.
FLD image
As woody and herbaceous biomass becomes more and more viable for renewable energy, equipment companies have started engineering machines capable of harvesting the biomass quickly and efficiently. One such company is FLD Biomass Technologies of Canada who specialize in the design and manufacturing of machinery for agricultural and forestry production. A number of organizations are proud to be funding a demonstration tour of FLD Biomass Technologies’ FLD Biobaler WB55 in various locations around the state of Minnesota from September 17 to September 25, 2009. Click here for detailed schedule and contact info for the Minnesota demonstrations.
The FLD Biobaler WB55 is an all-in-one tractor-pulled machine capable of cutting, compacting, and baling biomass up to four inches in diameter and 25 feet in height. This maneuverable machine has a rotating blade or hammer cutting system that has a low power requirement and produces naturally drying bales that can be transported using standard equipment. The Biobaler is suitable for many woody crops including: willow, poplar, aspen, alder, under story vegetation, invasive woody vegetation.
Dates and locations: (CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS)
September 17: Waseca – U of M SROC
September 18: Madelia – Rural Advantage
September 19: Faribault – The Nature Conservancy and MN DNR
September 20: Afton – Belwin Conservancy
September 21: Ogilvie – Ann Lake WMA – MN DNR
September 22: Hinckley – St. Croix State Park. – MN DNR
September 23: Aurora – Koste and MN DNR
September 24: Hibbing – MN DNR
A video of the FDL biobaler in action:
Click here for detailed schedule and contact info for the Minnesota demonstrations.
Sponsors of the FLD Biobaler WB55 Demonstration Tour include: Belwin Conservancy, The Blandin Foundation, CINRAM – University of Minnesota, Iron Range Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Power, The Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society, The Minnesota Sharptailed Grouse Society, The Nature Conservancy, Rural Advantage, Southern MN Initiative Foundation, University of Laval – Canada, University of Minnesota Extension, University of Minnesota Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment, University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center – Waseca, The Wildlife Management Institute, and Woodcock Minnesota.
Where is the the meeting location and time period for the Demo near Auraora on 9/23/2009.
All of the details are in the schedule: http://myminnesotawoods.wordpress.com/2009/09/11/files/2009/09/fld-biobaler-schedule-2009.pdf
Copied from that document: The Aurora demo is from 10am to 3pm. For more info, contact Jodie Provost at 218-927-2982 x249 or jodie.provost@dnr.state.mn.us
Directions to Site: From Aurora take Co Rd 100 about 7 miles south then Trigstad Road 1 mile west to Lane 57. Turn north on Lane 57 and park along road side to watch demo to east. Suggested to NOT park on Trigstad Road.
I have ground I would like cleaned up with the biobailer.How do you go about this?Thanks Duane
Duane,
Thanks for your inquiry. The bio-baler that was used for our demonstrations was brought from Canada. Currently we do not have a bio-baler in Minnesota. We have talked to folks interested in getting one here but so far do not have any in the state.
Dean