Estimation of productivity and cost of small-size fully-mechanized cut-to-length systems
2021
Zimelis, A., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Lazdins, A., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Saule, G., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Kaleja, S., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia)
The study analyses the productivity and costs of compact class forest machines in different types of felling – sanitary felling, thinning, tree plantation, and final felling when sawing undergrowth trees. In accordance with the planned work methods, a productivity forecasting model of harvesting operations has been developed. Productivity and cost are the main challenge in thinning operation, also when a fully-mechanized system is used. The productivity of a harvester significantly affects the costs of mechanized felling, which, in turn, determines if commercial thinning will be profitable. As one of the productivity building areas is the training of operators, the study analyses the effectiveness of training and corresponding productivity changes. The objective of this study is to estimate the productivity and prime cost of roundwood production with Malwa small-sized harvester with a boom length 6 m. The use of small-size machines in different types of felling is possible, if an appropriate work method is used and the diameter of the trees does not exceed the size specified by the manufacturer. The results of the research indicate that it is necessary to choose another technology for sawing seed trees, because the trees are too large for small-size machines. Harvesting productivity depends on dimensions of an average tree. In the diameter class 5.1–9.9 in pre-commercial thinning the productivity was 2.11 m**3•hE−1, in tending of young stand 1.84 m**3•hE−1. When working with a small-size harvester, production costs in logging are significantly reduced, if the diameter of extracted trees exceeds 10 cm. The results of the research confirm the appropriateness of the exact technique of thinning. The study results in recommendations of the most efficient methods and development of a productivity predicting model for a small-size wheeled harvester.
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