¶ Paper evaluating of a prototype field factory in real world conditions
Description: Radiata pine is the most widely grown plantation forestry species in New Zealand and is a major
contributor to its economy. Most forestry tree stock is grown outdoors in prepared nursery beds.
Tree stock is harvested and sorted manually in winter and on-sold to forestry companies.
Harvesting consists of lifting tree stock from the ground, removing the soil from the roots, root
trimming, and sorting according to a grading criteria. Harvesting needs to be automated to
reduce cost, health and safety issues, and damage to tree stock. This article presents an
approach to mechanise these sub-processes and integrate them into a field factory to establish
an automated harvesting line where tree stock is boxed in the field. A prototype is implemented
and tested at a nursery under real conditions in winter. It shows that it is feasible to increase
productivity with a field factory capable of harvesting and sorting forestry tree stock in the field.
Snapshot: 0
Category: Planting & Silviculture Automation
FWPA RD&E: 8.4
¶ Details
| Company | Country | Type | Website | Available in Australia? | Year | Status | Remarks | TRL | Employees | Colour | Inventors | Patent Model. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGuinness et al. | University of Waikato, New Zealand | Paper | Link | 2023 | Red |