Influence of Chain Sharpness, Tension Adjustment and Type of Electric Chainsaw on Energy Consumption and Cross-Cutting Time

Recently, electrical cordless chainsaws were introduced, which provide less harmful working conditions for the operators, and should therefore be deployed as much as possible in all non-professional and professional applications. The low power of the electric engines may result in lower efficiency a...

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Main Authors: Anton Poje, Matevž Mihelič
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
Series:Forests
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/9/1017
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author Anton Poje
Matevž Mihelič
author_facet Anton Poje
Matevž Mihelič
author_sort Anton Poje
collection DOAJ
description Recently, electrical cordless chainsaws were introduced, which provide less harmful working conditions for the operators, and should therefore be deployed as much as possible in all non-professional and professional applications. The low power of the electric engines may result in lower efficiency and higher energy consumption in the case of over-tensioned chains, due to increased friction between the saw and the chain. Therefore, a partial factorial experiment with one factor on three levels (saw type) and two factors on two levels was designed, whereby a wooden beam was cross-cut at two levels of chain sharpness and tension. The time of cross-cutting and energy consumption were controlled. The chain tension does not have a significant effect onto time of cross cutting, or electricity consumption. Both have cross-cutting and energy consumption have been found to differ significantly when comparing the saws used in the experiment. The average efficiency of cross cutting using electrical chainsaws reported is 2.35 times lower than when using petrol powered saws. The lower efficiency is caused by the lower engine power of electrical saws, and lower speed of chain rotation. Energy consumption and time of cross cutting are significantly higher when using a blunt chain, with large differences in time of cross cutting and electricity consumption, making the chain sharpness the most important of all controlled factors. In the study, we did not find evidence that over tensioning of the chain increases the time of cross cutting or energy consumption, however the integration of such systems is recommended because of the worker’s safety.
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spelling doaj.art-50f3195f49f94ce685a37233d7bc47ec2023-11-20T14:33:11ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072020-09-01119101710.3390/f11091017Influence of Chain Sharpness, Tension Adjustment and Type of Electric Chainsaw on Energy Consumption and Cross-Cutting TimeAnton Poje0Matevž Mihelič1Department of Forestry and Renewable Resources, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 83, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaDepartment of Forestry and Renewable Resources, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 83, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaRecently, electrical cordless chainsaws were introduced, which provide less harmful working conditions for the operators, and should therefore be deployed as much as possible in all non-professional and professional applications. The low power of the electric engines may result in lower efficiency and higher energy consumption in the case of over-tensioned chains, due to increased friction between the saw and the chain. Therefore, a partial factorial experiment with one factor on three levels (saw type) and two factors on two levels was designed, whereby a wooden beam was cross-cut at two levels of chain sharpness and tension. The time of cross-cutting and energy consumption were controlled. The chain tension does not have a significant effect onto time of cross cutting, or electricity consumption. Both have cross-cutting and energy consumption have been found to differ significantly when comparing the saws used in the experiment. The average efficiency of cross cutting using electrical chainsaws reported is 2.35 times lower than when using petrol powered saws. The lower efficiency is caused by the lower engine power of electrical saws, and lower speed of chain rotation. Energy consumption and time of cross cutting are significantly higher when using a blunt chain, with large differences in time of cross cutting and electricity consumption, making the chain sharpness the most important of all controlled factors. In the study, we did not find evidence that over tensioning of the chain increases the time of cross cutting or energy consumption, however the integration of such systems is recommended because of the worker’s safety.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/9/1017forestryforest operationswood harvestingelectric toolscutting efficiencyelectric cordless chainsaw
spellingShingle Anton Poje
Matevž Mihelič
Influence of Chain Sharpness, Tension Adjustment and Type of Electric Chainsaw on Energy Consumption and Cross-Cutting Time
Forests
forestry
forest operations
wood harvesting
electric tools
cutting efficiency
electric cordless chainsaw
title Influence of Chain Sharpness, Tension Adjustment and Type of Electric Chainsaw on Energy Consumption and Cross-Cutting Time
title_full Influence of Chain Sharpness, Tension Adjustment and Type of Electric Chainsaw on Energy Consumption and Cross-Cutting Time
title_fullStr Influence of Chain Sharpness, Tension Adjustment and Type of Electric Chainsaw on Energy Consumption and Cross-Cutting Time
title_full_unstemmed Influence of Chain Sharpness, Tension Adjustment and Type of Electric Chainsaw on Energy Consumption and Cross-Cutting Time
title_short Influence of Chain Sharpness, Tension Adjustment and Type of Electric Chainsaw on Energy Consumption and Cross-Cutting Time
title_sort influence of chain sharpness tension adjustment and type of electric chainsaw on energy consumption and cross cutting time
topic forestry
forest operations
wood harvesting
electric tools
cutting efficiency
electric cordless chainsaw
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/9/1017
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