Modeling technology for harvesting and chipping of fast growing willow using big-bags containers and mobile filler

The problem of harvesting and chipping of fast growing willow for fuel chips has been considered. Based on the device patented by the author, a technology for harvesting willow using big-bags and a mobile filler is proposed. A conceptual model of the process of operation of a harvesting machine with big-bags has been designed. A mathematical model of the technological process has been developed considering variations in natural and production factors. Simulation experiments have been conducted on mathematical models of the technological process, accounting the method of installing big-bags for loading (automated and manual), the number of flexible containers installed simultaneously for loading on the platform of the mobile filler. As a result of simulation experiments, it was found that the productivity of the harvesting machine increases with an increase in the number of big-bags. If there are more than 8 big-bags in a group, the productivity slows down and does not exceed 1.6–3.0 %. Automated installation of big-bags for loading allows to increase productivity by 12.5 % compared to manual. The utilization of the harvesting machine when installing at least 8 big-bags is approaching the maximum. The load factor of the harvesting machine Kl for automated installation of big-bag is 0.94, and for manual is 0.84.