Pacific Materials Handling recently put its Green-Tec CB4 Biomass and Whole Tree Chipper through its paces.
The Green-Tec CB4 Biomass and Whole Tree Chipper is designed and built in the USA with input from forestry and wood-waste professionals. Fitted with a 12-30mm, nine-pocket rotor, and capable of processing trees up to 24 inches, the CB4 is a powerhouse.
The chipper tackled a land-clearing job in Melbourne with ATC Land Clearing. Owner/Director Tom Salt summed up his first impressions with the comment, “It looks strong and robust – a typical US solid construction.”
The machine
The CB4 weighs in at a little more than 20 tonnes with its tracked undercarriage, and for the trial with ATC Land Clearing, the machine was set up to produce a consistent 10-12mm chip from whole trees.
A Cat C18 engine provides smooth power to the rotor via a wet clutch and eight V belts, while the feed roller and box-chain feed system are hydraulically driven, allowing simple electronic adjustment for any feed material. The box chain also acts like a pre-screen, allowing dirt to fall away from the material, increasing blade life and reducing wear and tear on the blades and rotor. The rotor itself is fitted with an impact sensor that immediately stops processing if it senses a hard object in the material.
Chip size is adjustable via the knife pockets on the rotor and the anvil gap. The blades are fitted with screws that allow adjustment for wear after sharpening without special tools.
The chute geometry of the CB4 enhances chip throw for efficient trailer loading, while a standard chip accelerator optimises performance across various chip sizes. A service platform next to the engine provides a convenient workspace for routine maintenance.
Salt was impressed with the CB4’s performance and said, “The production rate and consistent chip quality are great. We were able to fill a 35m3 truck in about 15 minutes, and access was simple and easy.”
Features
The CB4 has three possible configurations from the factory – truck-mounted, tracked, and wheeled (not currently ADR compliant) – and there are two chute options, either top-loading (to load trailers from above) or the more typical end-loading.
A Cat C18 T2 diesel engine powers the machine, boasting 765HP, and is fed by twin saddle-mounted fuel tanks with a combined capacity of 814 litres.
The main controller is mounted on the side of the machine away from danger areas, with easy access from ground level. Settings are accessed via the touchscreen panel with easy-to-follow symbols, and operators work with an ERGO-S remote that can control start/stop, E-stop, feed roller, feed-chain conveyor, tracking and more.
Better business
When the day was done and the dust settled, Salt summed up his thoughts on the CB4.
“I’m generally impressed with the product quality and production capability,” he said. “This machine would increase my productivity and reduce my chipping time overall.”
When asked how the CB4 might affect his day-to-day work, Salt said the CB4 would allow him to get through more work faster while maintaining a quality product output.
“I would have to adjust my operation, in a positive way, due to the high throughput,” he said. “This would ultimately have a beneficial effect on the business.”
If you would like to trial the CB4 Biomass and Whole Tree Chipper, get in touch with your local Pacific Materials Handling branch or visit pacificmh.com.au.
