ENERGY CROPS AND FORAGE HARVESTER

In the 21(st) century, there has been an increase in production of biomass as an energy source. A higher proportion of energy crops in the production of biogas, biogas plant growth and development of second generation biofuels obtained from lignocellulosic materials, utilisation of fast-growing trees as a fuel set new technical demands on the producers of forage harvesters, and hence affect the use and development of forage harvesters. New developments are based on: the increased engine power, the expanded working width of header and thus increasing the mass of forage harvesters. Specially made cutter drums, with a larger number of knives are needed for smaller length of cut. Increase in establishment of energy plantations of fast-growing trees, short rotation crops - SRC on agricultural land is becoming increasingly important. To harvest willow and poplar with standard forage harvester equipped with a special header for CSR with one or two circular saws is used.