Abstract
Laboratory experiments were conducted on cutting hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) using a sickle knife section and a countershear to determine the mechanical properties of the stems. The results showed that the cutting force and energy were significantly greater at a higher moisture content and specific mass of hemp stem. The average values of the maximum force and the total cutting energy required for cutting a hemp stem were 243 N and 2-1 J, respectively, which were much higher than those reported in the literature for cutting forage crops and maize stalk. Based on the laboratory results, the cutting power requirement in a field situation was estimated using the specific mass of hemp stem and machine feed rate. Power requirement associated with feed rate was investigated in a field experiment of cutting hemp using a reciprocating cutterbar mower operated at three different feed rates. Field conditioning experiments were also conducted to investigate the power requirement for conditioning hemp and a forage crop (alfalfa). The results showed that conditioning hemp required 10-60% more specific energy than conditioning alfalfa.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 417-424 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Biosystems Engineering |
Volume | 87 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2004 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Control and Systems Engineering
- Food Science
- Animal Science and Zoology
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- Soil Science