ADVANCED BIOFUEL¦ Inspiration for the ALSS came not only from the Midwest, but also from western states, such as California, Oregon and Washington. Customers in the western states were using mechanical vices to secure twice as many hay bales, and others were loading bales crossways on a trailer. “That made a lot of sense from a safety standpoint,” Matlack says. He adds that method would have required a lot more straps to secure the load and would not be practical for short-distance hauls. The issue became that there was a need for a method to secure a load without requiring the operator to throw, secure or remove a strap that might put him at risk and to increase the speed of the process to reduce costs, he says. “Over the last four or five years we have developed the ALSS system to do exactly that.” The ALSS system works by laying square bales crossways on the trailer, and after the trailer is loaded, its two mechanical arms extend out and up from each side and rises over the load. Next the arms shorten, tightening the large straps and securing the biomass to the trailer. The entire ALSS securing process takes less than a minute, whereas traditional methods range from 15 to 30 minutes. With a more efficient loading and securing process, it is projected to cost $10.41 per ton to move 600,000 bales twice, from the field to storage and storage to the plant.
to work and perform within that environment.” Other features to the new 8500 model include the ability to stack and retrieve biomass bales, a new front end to pick up bales in line, improving stacking speed to 180 to 200 bales per hour and less compaction from the front end tires. “Larry Matlack has made it his business to focus on the biomass industry,” Roskam says. “The point is that they have in-field experience making bales and handling bales.
He and the people who are involved actually do the work in the field as operators. They know the fine points on what it takes to make good equipment and a successful biomass harvesting operation. “ Author: Chris Hanson Staff Writer, Biomass Magazine 701-738-4970 chanson@bbiinternational.com
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Future Projects
To keep biomass bale harvesting efficient, Matlack still relies on listening and examining customer needs and concerns. For instance, the Stinger 8500, which is being designed exclusively for the biomass industry, has been in development the past three years. The 8500 model features technology for better traction in muddy conditions. Generally, farmers would not bale hay during the rain or muddy conditions, Matlack says. “But in the biomass industry it is an issue, because they combine corn whenever they can, and if the fields are a little muddy, then they’re a little muddy. So if that’s the environment you have, you have to be able
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DECEMBER 2013 | BIOMASS MAGAZINE 45