Timber Harvesting Primer – Comparison of Harvesting Systems

[Scott G]

Attached is a .pdf copy of a pub from WSU. I’ve had this for several years and distribute it often when I work with natural resource/forestry folks new to the field. Although it is very general and geared more towards western forestry, it does provide a great overview of various harvesting systems and their application as well as some good basic logging theory. It also gives you some background info on other systems when discussing the applicability of draft animal-based harvesting. As expected, this is geared (not necessarily jaded) more towards “traditional” forestry practices but still provides some good, basic info. Some positives for horse logging although, as usual, the disadvantages are somewhat slighted. I really wish they would mention in these type of pubs that economics are not necessarily the primary measure of value and that even in the “literal” ($) sense, draft animal power is usually the most cost efficient system for the ever-increasing number of small woodland properties.

Thought it might be handy …

[Scott G]

Attached are two more .pdf files that follow a project in the CA Latour forest in the early 80s’ where horses were used to perform a commercial thinning alongside a tractor unit.

This is one of only a couple of time/motion studies done on horse logging operations in North America that demonstrates their applicability in “main stream” forestry. We need more of these. As you folks move forward with your projects think about those that could include gathering some good numbers. I use to have grad students chasing my modified-mechanical operation through the woods with pencil & paper. These opportunities cost you nothing and you gain eye-opening information as well as providing quality info to the forestry community at large.

Awhile back, FERIC (Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada) did a time/motion study comparing a horse/mechanical forwarder system to a cable skidder system. The horse/forwarder operation came out on top as measured by many parameters. Art Shannon was the logger I believe. I really need to track that paper down. When I/if I do, I’ll post it here.

Temps are dropping like a rock. Lows are predicted to be -25 to -35F, with windchills that make those temps look tropical. We won’t be in positive territory for some time. Good chance to spend some quality time next to the stove on the ‘puter…

[Tim Harrigan]

Thanks, Scott, this is good stuff. I am sure there are considerable regional and site-to-site differences, but these formal studies provide a good starting point for discussion and comparison.

[Rick Alger]

I agree with Tim.

We could all do something similar to these reports with each of our jobs and pool the info – if some good soul had the time to collect the data.

Something like what Carl has mentioned about his forwarder job, but perhaps even more specific. Topics like: forest type, basal area, avg diameter, yeild/ac, slope, avg skid, # of crew members, # animals, type of technology, #days etc etc . Probably it should be reported anoymously. The point would be learning from trends over time, not showing off who cut the most wood.

It would also be a way to get beyond the anecdotal evidence that tends to stand as gospel re what technology works, what is a good day’s harvest in small wood, etc etc.

Jim Ostergaard, would this tie in to your Scandinavian cost calculator concept?

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