scholarly journals The Effect of Yarding Technique on Yarding Productivity and Cost

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Spinelli ◽  
Natascia Magagnotti ◽  
Giulio Cosola ◽  
Eric R. Labelle ◽  
Rien Visser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Controlled Conditions ◽  
Cable Yarding ◽  
Tree Length ◽  
Steep Terrain ◽  
Tree Extraction ◽  
Whole Tree ◽  
Lower Tolerance

Cable yarding is a well establish technology for the extraction of timber in steep terrain. However, it is encumbered with relatively low productivity and high costs, and as such this technology needs to adapt and progress to remain viable. The development of biomass as a valuable byproduct, and the availability of processors to support yarder operations, lend themselves to increasing the level of whole-tree extraction. Double-hitch carriages have been developed to allow for full suspension of whole-tree and tree-length material. This study compared a standard single-hitch to a double-hitch carriage under controlled conditions, namely in the same location using the same yarder with downhill extraction. As expected, the double-hitch carriage took longer to load up (+14%), but was able to achieve similar productivity (10–11 m3 per productive machine hour) through increased inhaul speed (+15%). The importance of this study is that it demonstrates both the physical and economic feasibility of moving to whole-tree extraction using the double-hitch type carriage for longer corridors, for settings with limited deflection, or areas with lower tolerance for soil disturbance.

scholarly journals Soil Disturbance Effects from Tethered Forwarding on Steep Slopes in Brazilian Eucalyptus Plantations

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin M. Garren ◽  
M. Chad Bolding ◽  
W. Michael Aust ◽  
Angelo C. Moura ◽  
Scott M. Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Stability Loss ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Eucalyptus Plantations ◽  
Designed Experiment ◽  
Cable Yarding ◽  
Steep Terrain ◽  
Manual Felling ◽  
Steep Slopes

Traditional timber harvests on steep slopes have been conducted through labor-intensive and sometimes environmentally impactful methods, such as manual felling with chainsaws and extraction using bladed skid trails, winching, or cable yarding. Ground-based mechanized harvesting and primary transportation methods such as cut-to-length harvesters and forwarders have emerged in some parts of the world as low-impact, safe, and efficient alternatives to the aforementioned systems. However, when mechanized operations are used on steep terrain, problems such as poor stability, loss of traction, and increased soil disturbance can occur. Tethered or winch-assisted logging practices are being tested and applied in several countries to adapt to challenges associated with operating equipment on steep slopes while minimizing environmental impact. To better understand the feasibility of these systems, we conducted a designed experiment to quantify changes in soil properties and predicted erosion resulting from varying numbers of passes and payload levels by a forwarder operating on slopes ranging from 27 to 38 degrees. The machine was equipped with two different track configurations, tethered by either a machine-mounted or self-contained winch, in eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. On low slopes, bulk density significantly increased, but it did not increase on steeper slopes; this demonstrates traction winches’ effectiveness at reducing concentrated ground pressures. Rut depths were minimal and decreased with increasing slope classes due to reduced track slippage. Predicted erosion rates were high, primarily due to the extremely steep, long slopes and lack of adequate cover in some portions of the trail, illustrating the importance of proper erosion management practices on steep slopes.

scholarly journals Performance Comparison for Two Cable Extraction Machines in a Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr. Plantation

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 8864
Author(s):  
Seung-An Baek ◽  
Koo-Hyun Cho ◽  
Eunjai Lee
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Performance Comparison ◽  
Larix Kaempferi ◽  
Mountainous Areas ◽  
Extraction Technology ◽  
Lateral Distance ◽  
Cable Yarding ◽  
Tree Length ◽  
Steep Terrain ◽  
Forest Supply Chain

Forests in Korea are mainly located in steep mountainous areas, where small-shovel-based extraction technology is widely used, with the level of mechanization undoubtedly low due to financial limitations. On this steep terrain, a better approach may be to use cable yarders, which can offer high revenues through cable-based extraction. Therefore, improving the efficiency of cable yarding activities in good-quality timber forests is necessary. The main objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate the productivity and cost of a cable yarder operation for tree-length clearcut treatment of a Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr. stand and (2) compare the productivity efficiency of two yarder (K301-4 and HAM300) types. The productivity rates of the K301-4 ranged from 10.2 to 12.5 m3/productive machine hours, with corresponding costs of US $12.6–15.4 /m3. The productivity of the HAM300 was 26% lower than that of the K301-4 for a 30% lower cycle log volume while yarding and a comparable lateral distance. This study provides insights to support production and management decisions in the forest supply chain associated with planning cable-yarding operations.

scholarly journals GuylinePC: An Interactive Guyline Tension Analysis Program for Guyed Logging Towers

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-141
Author(s):  
Matthew Thompson ◽  
Henk Stander ◽  
Sessions John
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Optimization Methods ◽  
Software Application ◽  
Mountainous Regions ◽  
The Us ◽  
Cable Yarding ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Steep Terrain ◽  
Safety Considerations ◽  
Tension Analysis

Abstract In the US Pacific Northwest and other mountainous regions, cable yarding using portable steel towers is a common harvesting system in steep terrain. These systems are expensive and can be unsafe if improperly rigged. For both economic and safety considerations, configurations are used that ensure that the system can sustain the forces applied during yarding operations. We present a computer-based application, GuylinePC, for evaluating the guyline and anchor loads resulting from an applied load. Our model extends the usability and scope of a model previously developed by other researchers. Specifically we (1) provide a more modern graphical user interface, (2) use optimization methods to determine equilibrium states, and (3) illustrate the capability of the program to be used in design. We briefly discuss the analytical model and software application and present a design problem. The program is intended to improve a forest engineer's understanding of cable yarding systems.

Logging and soil disturbance in southeast British Columbia

1986 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1345-1354 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Krag ◽  
K. Higginbotham ◽  
R. Rothwell
Keyword(s):  
Primary Source ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Slope Steepness ◽  
Forest Region ◽  
Cable Yarding ◽  
Soil Disturbances ◽  
Operational Factors ◽  
Primary Hypothesis ◽  
Slope Class

The purpose of this study was to document and to analyze extent, type, and degree of soil disturbance on ground-skidded and cable-yarded cutovers. The primary hypothesis was that ground skidding on steep, high elevation sites generates more soil disturbance than cable yarding. Thirty-one cutovers were surveyed in the Nelson Forest Region: 25 logged by ground skidding and 6 by cable yarding. Three replications were obtained for each season – slope class on ground-skidded sites. Cable-logged areas were also replicated three times, but only for season. Elevations of the cutovers ranged from 910 to 1970 m with an average of 1360 m. Slope steepness on cutovers ranged from 5 to 74%. Soil disturbance was significantly greater on ground-skidded than on cable-yarded cutovers, averaging 40–45% vs. 22–30%, respectively, regardless of season. Differences in soil disturbance between logging methods by season were small and not significant. Average soil disturbances for summer cable yarding and ground skidding were 30 and 45%, respectively, compared with 22 and 40% for winter operations. Analysis of soil disturbance by source revealed skidroads as the major cause of disturbance on ground-skidded cutovers, regardless of season. The primary source of disturbance on cable-yarded areas was yarding in the summer and haul roads in the winter. Ground skidding also caused more deep to very deep disturbance, averaging 30% in winter and 35% in summer compared with 18 and 14% on cable-yarded sites. For both methods deep and very deep disturbance were most common accounting for 75–80% of total disturbance. Extent of soil disturbance and slope steepness were not significantly related. The high variability in soil disturbance noted in this study was similar to other surveys. Most studies have attempted to associate such variation with major environmental factors but with little success. To fully explain soil disturbance, operational factors such as planning and layout of logging must be considered.

scholarly journals Assessing Harvested Sites in a Forested Boreal Mountain Catchment through Global Forest Watch

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Rossi ◽  
Johannes Breidenbach ◽  
Stefano Puliti ◽  
Rasmus Astrup ◽  
Bruce Talbot
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Landsat Imagery ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Catchment Management ◽  
South Central ◽  
Cable Yarding ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Steep Terrain ◽  
Forest Cover Loss

Global Forest Watch (GFW) provides a global map of annual forest cover loss (FCL) produced from Landsat imagery, offering a potentially powerful tool for monitoring changes in forest cover. In managed forests, FCL primarily provides information on commercial harvesting. A semi-autonomous method for providing data on the location and attributes of harvested sites at a landscape level was developed which could significantly improve the basis for catchment management, including risk mitigation. FCL in combination with aerial images was used for detecting and characterising harvested sites in a 1607 km2 mountainous boreal forest catchment in south-central Norway. Firstly, the forest cover loss map was enhanced (FCLE) by removing small isolated forest cover loss patches that had a high probability of representing commission errors. The FCLE map was then used to locate and assess sites representing annual harvesting activity over a 17-year period. Despite an overall accuracy of >98%, a kappa of 0.66 suggested only a moderate quality for detecting harvested sites. While errors of commission were negligible, errors of omission were more considerable and at least partially attributed to the presence of residual seed trees on the site after harvesting. The systematic analysis of harvested sites against aerial images showed a detection rate of 94%, but the area of the individual harvested site was underestimated by 29% on average. None of the site attributes tested, including slope, area, altitude, or site shape index, had any effect on the accuracy of the area estimate. The annual harvest estimate was 0.6% (standard error 12%) of the productive forest area. On average, 96% of the harvest was carried out on flat to moderately steep terrain (<40% slope), 3% on steep terrain (40% to 60% slope), and 1% on very steep terrain (>60% slope). The mean area of FCLE within each slope category was 1.7 ha, 0.9 ha, and 0.5 ha, respectively. The mean FCLE area increased from 1.0 ha to 3.2 ha on flat to moderate terrain over the studied period, while the frequency of harvesting increased from 249 to 495 sites per year. On the steep terrain, 35% of the harvesting was done with cable yarding, and 62% with harvester-forwarder systems. On the very steep terrain (>60% slope), 88% of the area was harvested using cable yarding technology while harvesters and forwarders were used on 12% of the area. Overall, FCL proved to be a useful dataset for the purpose of assessing harvesting activity under the given conditions.

scholarly journals Production economics: comparing hybrid tree-length with whole-tree harvesting methods

2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harikrishnan Soman ◽  
Anil Raj Kizha ◽  
Bethany Muñoz Delgado ◽  
Laura S Kenefic ◽  
Keith Kanoti
Keyword(s):  
Management Practice ◽  
Production Economics ◽  
Motion Data ◽  
Time Motion ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Processing Cost ◽  
Implementation Costs ◽  
Tree Length ◽  
Whole Tree Harvesting ◽  
Whole Tree

Abstract Felled trees with tops and branches are transported to the landing with a grapple skidder in conventional ground-based whole-tree (WT) harvesting. This method has greater potential to damage advance regeneration than those in which trees are processed at-stump. Hybrid tree-length (Hyb TL) harvesting using an stroke-boom delimber for in-woods processing might be a feasible alternative, but little is known about the production economics of this method. An experimental strip-cutting study was conducted in central Maine, US in the winter of 2018 to: (1) evaluate and compare operational productivity and costs of ground-based Hyb TL and WT methods; (2) identify factors influencing productivity of at-stump and at-landing log processing; and (3) calculate best management practice (BMP) implementation costs in WT harvesting. Time-motion data were recorded for operational phases such as felling, extraction, processing, sorting and loading; machine rates were calculated to determine productivity and costs of operations. Total cost of Hyb TL (US $17.01 m−3) was lower than that of WT ($18.38 m−3). Processing cost was lower at-stump than at-landing ($2.66 and $2.73 m−3 for Hyb TL and WT, respectively). This is likely due to fewer logs handled per cycle at-landing (1.2 logs per turn) compared to the number handled per cycle at-stump (1.4 logs per turn). Sensitivity analysis showed that a 30-m increase in average in-woods distance travelled by the delimber would result in a 41 per cent increase in the processing cost. Cost of BMP implementation in WT was $2.25 m−3 or $59.2 per productive machine hour. Results suggest that it is feasible to apply Hyb TL method in an industrial harvesting operation, though distance of in-woods delimber movement influences processing costs. Insights from this study will help forest managers and loggers efficiently plan and execute harvesting operations.

scholarly journals Potential Soil Erosion following Skyline Yarding versus Tracked Skidding on Bladed Skid Trails in the Appalachian Region of Virginia

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Worrell ◽  
M. Chad Bolding ◽  
Wallace M. Aust
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Appalachian Region ◽  
Plateau Region ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Soil Erosion Rates ◽  
Cable Yarding ◽  
Steep Terrain ◽  
Timber Sale ◽  
Soil Losses ◽  
Timber Harvests

Abstract The majority of timber harvests on steep terrain in the Appalachian region use ground-based skidding with bladed skid trails. Skid trails commonly occupy approximately 10% of harvest sites and are potentially erosive areas. Cable yarding systems are less commonly used in the Appalachian region, yet they have been found in other regions to cause less erosion than ground-based skidding on steep terrain. The goal of this study was to compare potential soil erosion losses from cable yarding and conventional skidding with bladed trails in the steep Appalachian Plateau region. Potential soil erosion rates were evaluated on three timber harvests in which cable yarding and conventional skidding with bladed trails were used to harvest different areas within the same timber sale unit. Potential soil erosion rates were estimated with the universal soil loss equation as adapted for forestlands. Potential soil losses were estimated in a minimum of three sample locations for each yarder operational area (deck, yarder landing, spur road, corridor, and harvest) and each ground-based skidder harvest operational area (deck, skid trail, and harvest) on three sites. Areas in each harvest operational area were also determined. Overall, cable yarder operations had less potential erosion than skidder harvests (1.70 versus 1.86 tons/ac per year, respectively). Differences between cable and skidder operations would have been greater had not the poorly designed spur roads within the cable yarder operations yielded >25 tons/ac per year of potential erosion. Cable yarder operations could have been significantly improved with additional preharvest planning and better design of spur roads.

Understory biomass and nutrients 2 years after timber harvest in northern Minnesota

1981 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 306-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth W. Outcalt ◽  
Edwin H. White
Keyword(s):  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Control Site ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Available Nutrients ◽  
Tree Length ◽  
Understory Biomass ◽  
Whole Tree

Adjacent areas within a 60-year-old Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill. – Betulapapyrifera Marsh, stand in northern Minnesota, U.S.A., were clear-cut by whole-tree logging or tree-length logging followed by prescribed burning. Two years after harvest, understory biomass and nutrients were sampled on these sites and on an adjoining uncut control. All logged sites had significantly more total aboveground understory biomass than the control. However, biomass of woody species on the tree-length logged burn area did not differ from the control site. Because of the greater biomass on harvested sites, nutrient accumulations (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) by the understory were greater, with about 75% of these extra nutrients in herbs and shrubs. Although the quantity of nutrients in the understory is less than that removed with the overstory, it is important in maintaining the nutritional integrity of the system because it serves as a sink for available nutrients.

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