Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2024.2281
Effect of Season and Machine Type on Performance of Semi- and Fully- Mechanized Harvesting Systems in Beech-Dominated Stands
Eric R. Labelle
; Université Laval Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics Department of Wood and Forest Sciences 2405 rue de la Terrasse Québec, QC, G1V 0A6 CANADA
Herbert Borchert
; Bavarian State Institute of Forestry Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz Platz 1 85354 Freising GERMANY
Peter K. Aurenhammer
; Technical University of Munich Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz Platz 2 85354 Freising GERMANY
Lorenz Breinig
; University of Göttingen Department of Forest Work Science and Engineering Büsgenweg 4 37077 Göttingen GERMANY
Raffaele Spinelli
; Institute of Bioeconomy Italian National Research Council Sesto Fiorentino ITALY and Forest Research Institute – University of the Sunshine Coast Maroochydore, DC, AUSTRALIA
Natascia Magagnotti
; Institute of Bioeconomy Italian National Research Council Sesto Fiorentino ITALY
Abstract
It is common to have large trees in mature hardwood-dominated stands. This is especially true for European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), which can also have a complex architecture. Such trees have predominantly been harvested using motor-manual operations. However, in an effort to increase occupational safety and allow for a more continuous wood flow to processing facilities, fully-mechanized systems are also being employed more frequently. This study was established to determine the effect of season (Fall or Winter) and harvester type (wheeled or tracked) on the performance of semi- and fully- mechanized harvesting systems deployed in beech-dominated stands. Time-and-motion analysis was conducted on a total of 927 trees located in two forest sites in Germany. The study indicated that new silvicultural prescriptions make it impossible to harvest all trees exclusively with mechanized systems, even in the case of the tracked harvester with its 14.5 m boom. Motor-manual intervention was needed with trees that were too large, malformed or out of reach. Motor-manual intervention was significantly more frequent for the wheeled (30%) than for the tracked harvester (18%). Once again, tree size had the strongest effect on time consumption in a linear model, which varied from 0.5 to over 6 min per tree. Season and machine effect were also significant but could only account for a small fraction of the total variability. For the same tree size, time consumption was higher with the wheeled harvester and during the fall. The model also indicated a significant relationship between tree form and time consumption, even though the explanatory contribution of this independent variable was relatively small, too. Good stem form resulted in a lower time consumption. The larger tracked harvester was generally more efficient, but also more expensive to own and operate: its higher costs must be weighed against the higher revenues. New silvicultural trends make it difficult to achieve full mechanization, but the results of this study may guide managers towards technical solutions that minimize motor-manual intervention to the advantage of higher productivity and better occupational safety.
Keywords
hardwood, productivity, CTL, tracked harvester, wheeled harvester, time study, efficiency
Hrčak ID:
322720
URI
Publication date:
15.7.2024.
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