The Association ”Västanfjärd Bays”  made round bale experiment for Järki-project during 2010. The material were cut on ice during April 2010 by Siim  Sooster/ Rooexpert OÜ.  The caterpillar track machine modified from Bandwagen  was  equipped with BCS –cutting blade.  Siim estimated that one bale can consist of 100 reed bunches (Photos and text by Västanfjärd Bays, Eija Hagelberg and Iiro Ikonen).

Siim and his machine.

Siim & al cut 1000 bunches from estimated 2,7 hectares area.  The cut took appr. 6 hours and 3 persons were needed. The bunches were lasted onshore and laid on stack in order to keep them dry.

The bunches were lasted onshore and laid on stack in order to keep them dry.

The baling was executed during May 15th. It was done by help of local voluntary camp (10 workers) activated by “Västanfjärd Bays”.  The work was done manually, the  bunches were carried and fed to round bale –baling machine. One bale took (as estimated!) 95-105 bunches and baling was very successful. The machine was adjusted to feed more line as usual.  It was noticed that material must be put to machine from both sides in order to make bale structure even. Otherwise tufts  (panicles) were sticking out from bale.  The baling took appr. 1, 5 hours.

Ready bales.

Used energy:

Cutting machine, 7 liters / h x 6 h

Tractor + baling 10 liters /h x 2,5 h

Tractor and traler, move Lammala -> Nivelax 10 l/h x 1h

All together 77 liters diesel * 10 kWh / l = 770 kWh

Gained energy:

9 pcs round bales á 180 kg = 1620 kg

1620 kg x 4,2 kWh/kg = 6804 kWh

6804 - 770 = 6034 kWh

 

diesel price 0,90 €/ ltr x 77 ltr

energy price without salaries

69,30€  / 6804 kWh = 1,02 c/kWh

Yearly energy for detached house is estimated to be 20 000 kWh. Three days of such a work covers whole year energy need

Electricity price 10,30 c/kWh =10,30 / 100 x 6804 = 700,81 €

Oil heating (5,67 c/kWh) n. 385€

District heating (6,19c/kWh) n. 420 €

Experiment in October, taking bales into Overdahl burner.

Grrr. I am a bale eating burner.

Let it burn ! The bale was burning  well, anyhow bit too tightly bind. Also adjustments for reed bales have to be made. "Työtehoseura" and Timo Lötjönen/MTT (timo.lotjonen(at)mtt.fi) made calculations and Järki -project shall present accurate results later. The work is to be continued by Cofreen  -project.