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Mechanized Logging Methods

Mechanized Logging Methods. Mechanical felling, tree processing & forwarding equipment and systems. There are different levels of mechanized logging methods …. E.g. “Low Level”: chainsaw felling & tree processing – line skidding

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Mechanized Logging Methods

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  1. Mechanized Logging Methods Mechanical felling, tree processing & forwarding equipment and systems

  2. There are different levels of mechanized logging methods …. E.g. “Low Level”: chainsaw felling & tree processing – line skidding “Medium Level”: chainsaw felling – line skidding & tree processing at landing “High Level”: harvester felling and tree processing – forwarding logs to landing

  3. General Disadvantages Capital costs Equipment utilization Machine interaction Hot logging Cold logging Tree size & terrain limitations General Advantages Efficiency in harvesting small trees Applications in commercial thinning High technology benefits Improved safety Mechanized Logging Methods (higher levels)

  4. Mechanized Harvesting Systems

  5. Forest Resource management considerations with alternative mechanized harvesting systems ?

  6. Forest Resource management considerations with alternative mechanized harvesting systems …. Selecting a harvesting system? • Soil degradation (disturbance, rutting, compaction, impacts on water quality) • Long term site productivity – the amount, composition, and location of woody debris Where are the tree limbs and tops located? Soil nutrient source? Fire risk? • Damage to residual trees in a partial cut • Skidding distances and amount of area in truck roads • Landing size and spacing • Stand characteristics and terrain • Silvicultural strategy • Equipment availability & logging expertise

  7. Single-grip Harvester • 18” – 24” tree size • 30’ max. boom reach • Rubber tire or track carrier

  8. Forwarder • 5 – 20 ton payloads • 4 – 8 wheel drive

  9. Cut-To-Length System Applications: Thinning & fuels reduction Forest Resource Considerations: • Tree limbs & tops left on forest trails - no landing slash - soil nutrient source - equipment travel on slash - fire risk -- may require follow-up slash treatment • Small landings • Low stand damage • Long forwarding distance – fewer roads

  10. Cut-To-Length System Forest Resource Considerations: • Soil displacement (rutting) can occur on forwarder trails • Little soil scarification during logging – may require scarification for natural regeneration Other Considerations: • Improved fiber recovery (e.g. lower value pulpwood) • Computer aided bucking decisions • Longer operating season • Short log handling system – complete system change • Longer term landowner commitment is important • Operator training

  11. Double-Grip Harvester

  12. Tree-Length System Forest Resource Considerations • Tree limbs & tops left on forest trails BUT not dispersed as well compared to a cut-to-length system • Landings are larger than a cut-to-length system • Higher risk for residual stand damage than cut-to-length system

  13. Fell and Bunch Equipment options & terminology: • Drive-to-tree • Swing boom (excavator base – not self-leveling) • Swing boom (purpose built - self-leveling) • Semi-walking or walking

  14. Drive-to-tree machine Drive-to-tree machine Drive to Tree Machines

  15. Swing boom Feller Buncher Purpose Built – Self Leveling Excavator base – not self leveling Excavator Base Purpose built – self leveling

  16. Walking machine

  17. Shear Cutting Head

  18. Circular Saw - Continuous - Intermittent Chain-and-Bar Saw Non-Shear Cutting Heads

  19. Skid or Yard Whole Trees

  20. Tree Processing at the Landing Equipment Options & Terminology: • Gate delimber • Stroke-boom delimber • Stroke-deck delimber • Grapple processor (dangle head) • Pull-through delimber • Chipper • Chain flail delimber/debarker & chipper

  21. Gate Delimber

  22. Stroke Boom Delimber

  23. Stroke Deck Delimber

  24. Grapple Processor limbing & topping only; no felling

  25. Pull Through Delimber

  26. Chain Flail

  27. Chain Flail and Chipper

  28. Whole-tree System Applications: Clearcut & fuel reduction Forest Resource Considerations: • Tree limbs & tops brought to the landing - large landing slash piles - soil nutrient problems on some sites - “clean logging” of site may eliminate burning & site preparation need - opportunities to utilize slash at the landing • Large landings needed • Equipment doesn’t travel on slash mat • Hard to control damage to residual trees in thinning

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