A multi-stem feller-buncher cycle-time model for partial harvest of small-diameter wood stands

Hiesl, Patrick; Benjamin, Jeffrey G.

A multi-stem feller-buncher cycle-time model for partial harvest of small-diameter wood stands

2013

Hiesl, Patrick | Benjamin, Jeffrey G.

Due to the increased partial harvest of small-diameter stems and the lack of feller-buncher time-consumption information in Maine, it was necessary to develop new cycle-time equations. Data were collected from seven different sites in Maine with six different operators to capture the variability in site and stand conditions as well as operator experience and proficiency. The results showed that over 55% of the trees harvested were cut in accumulations of two or more trees. Significant variables in the final model included sum of dbh and stem count per accumulation. An approach to simulate a list of accumulations with the required variables is described based on a tree list with dbh classes. Treating the combination of operator, machine, and site conditions as a random effect in a linear mixed-effects model resulted in an adjusted R² of 0.40 for fixed and random effects. The combination of operator, machine, and site conditions explained 32% of the variance caused by random effects. The results of this study can be incorporated into existing harvest cost prediction programs to improve estimates for this region.

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