Slash harvest demo a success

Payette National Forest, ID – In August 2008, the U.S. Forest Service provided a well-attended demonstration of woody biomass chipping and hauling using newly developed equipment.  Their aim is to collect forest residues and thinned trees from hazardous fuel reductions for alternative uses.  In the past, most slash has been piled and burned at the site, creating environmental concerns.  Now, once collected, this material will be burned in highly efficient biomass burners to generate heat and electricity, and in the future may be used in cellulosic ethanol production.  Some of the harvested biomass will be used in the Fuels for Schools program to heat public schools in the area.

Biomass is collected using the roll-off trucking system.  Photo: Craig Rawlings.

The demo showcased a hook-and-lift roll-off trucking system developed by Craig Thomas and the Montana Community Development Corporation, as well as a stinger-steered chip van hauler developed by the U.S. Forest Service San Dimas Technology and Development Center.  This new equipment facilitates the removal of previously unused biomass.  Standard chip vans are unable to negotiate the rough logging roads.  The new systems can move both slash and chipped material and can operate on narrow forest roads.