New Research By Fpinnovations Concentrates On Log Truck Fuel Consumption And Machine Operator Safety
Folding the stanchions of log trucks down can result in fuel savings of 14.6%.
FPInnovations, with funding from Natural Resources Canada, are carrying out research into reducing the aerodynamic drag of tractor-trailer combinations used for log haulage. Several concepts were investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), with the most promising then being tested in the Laval University’s scaled-wind tunnel. Folding down the stanchions of log trucks showed the most potential to reduce drag and therefore reduce fuel consumption. This was validated during a field test. By folding the stanchions down, aerodynamic drag could be reduced by 28%, which resulted in fuel savings of 14.6%. These savings translate into annual savings per truck of Canadian $ 3,400 and greenhouse gas emission reductions of up to 8 tonnes per trailer.
The focus on operat
or safety, especially on difficult terrain, continues to receive focus. FPInnovations has recently developed a machine testing protocol for WorkSafeBC. A tilt-table was used to compare the stability of two different types of feller bunchers. The machines were tilted to a maximum of 40 degrees, and information was gathered regarding their weight distribution on a range of slopes and machine positions. The results will be used to improve machine design and machine application on steep slopes. Source: www.fpinnovations.ca
FPInnovations, with funding from Natural Resources Canada, are carrying out research into reducing the aerodynamic drag of tractor-trailer combinations used for log haulage. Several concepts were investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), with the most promising then being tested in the Laval University’s scaled-wind tunnel. Folding down the stanchions of log trucks showed the most potential to reduce drag and therefore reduce fuel consumption. This was validated during a field test. By folding the stanchions down, aerodynamic drag could be reduced by 28%, which resulted in fuel savings of 14.6%. These savings translate into annual savings per truck of Canadian $ 3,400 and greenhouse gas emission reductions of up to 8 tonnes per trailer.
The focus on operat
or safety, especially on difficult terrain, continues to receive focus. FPInnovations has recently developed a machine testing protocol for WorkSafeBC. A tilt-table was used to compare the stability of two different types of feller bunchers. The machines were tilted to a maximum of 40 degrees, and information was gathered regarding their weight distribution on a range of slopes and machine positions. The results will be used to improve machine design and machine application on steep slopes. Source: www.fpinnovations.ca