Row insensitive biomass harvesting and billeting system and method

A biomass harvesting system, comprising:

• a self-propelled frame configured to move in a forward direction over a ground surface and including a forward end and a cavity rearwardly thereof;
• a row insensitive plant cutting header carried on and extending forwardly of the forward end of the frame, the header carrying plant cutting apparatus across a forward end thereof configured and operable to simultaneously cut multiple plant stalks or canes from the ground surface at any locations across the forward end of the header, respectively, as the header is moved forwardly over the ground surface, the header including gathering apparatus configured to operate in cooperation with the plant cutting apparatus to mix and gather the multiple cut stalks or canes together in overlaying relation and to direct the overlaying stalks or canes in a continuous flow rearwardly to the frame;
• a plurality of transfer rollers disposed in the cavity of the frame bounding a feed passage positioned to receive the continuous flow of stalks or canes from the header, the transfer rollers being configured to increasingly vertically compact and convey the flow rearwardly through the feed passage to a rear end of the frame, the transfer rollers including a forwardly located transfer roller unit bounding a forward region of the feed passage and configured and positioned to receive the flow from the gathering apparatus, and a rearwardly located lifting conveyor bounding a rear region of the feed passage and configured and positioned to receive the flow from the transfer roller unit and convey the flow to a billet cutter located adjacent to a rear upper end of the lifting conveyor.

A row insensitive biomass harvesting and billeting method, comprising steps of:

• simultaneously severing in a continuous manner multiple plant stalks or canes at a time from a ground surface, across a forward end of a row insensitive plant cutting header carried on a front end of a harvester;
• laying down and gathering the severed stalks or canes in a continuous flow comprising at least three of the stalks or canes in overlaying relation;
• inducting the flow into a feed passage extending rearwardly within the harvester to a billet cutter on a rear end of the harvester;
• conveying the flow rearwardly through the feed passage to the billet cutter;
• pressing down on the flow to increasingly vertically compact the overlaying stalks or canes while the conveying step is being carried out;
• and
• cutting the overlaying stalks or canes of the flow into billets using the billet cutter and discharging the billets from the harvester.