Comparison of harvester and motor-manual logging in intermediate cuttings of deciduous stands

Authors: REMIGIJUS ZINKEVICIUS, DAINIUS STEPONAVICIUS, DALIUS VITUNSKAS, GINTAUTAS CINGA

Abstract: Recently, new models of operational harvester heads that are suitable for work in deciduous forests and are able to process hooked trees or trees originated from stump shots have been designed. A mechanized harvesting method (harvester with head) is compared with conventional motor-manual harvesting methods in which a chain saw is used for felling, trimming, and crosscutting. Species composition of the sample stand was as follows: 58% aspen (Populus tremula), 19% lime (Tilia platyphyllos), 22% birch (Betula verrucosa), and 1% oak (Quercus robur). The study was completed under the aegis of the project of the 6th General Program of the EC. The labor efficiency was estimated using a time study method. Compared with common motor-manual harvesting, a UTC harvester with a CTL 40 HW head reduces the production time by about 70%. Depending on the number of timber assortments made per tree, operation of the harvester was from 1.7 to 3 times more efficient than chain saw operation.

Keywords: Hardwood, harvester, harvester head, wood harvesting technology

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