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Australia is at an early stage of exploring the use of forest biomass to generate energy. This study evaluated the biomass yield and the productivity rates of equipment for harvesting biomass in a poor-quality eucalypt plantation. The operation consisted of a tracked feller-buncher, grapple skidder and mobile chipper. Time study methods were used to measure the harvesting operation. A multiple regression model was constructed to predict skidding productivity. Biomass production was 63.9 t ha−1 based on the recorded load weight of eight trucks. Delays were documented and analysed. The average delay for all equipment was about 30% of working time. The study results will help guide biomass harvesting managers to estimate productivity and cost of similar operation sites.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	biomass, chipper, eucalypt plantation, feller-buncher, productivity, skidder
Research Division:	Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences
Research Group:	Forestry sciences
Research Field:	Forestry biomass and bioproducts
Objective Division:	Plant Production and Plant Primary Products
Objective Group:	Forestry
Objective Field:	Harvesting and transport of forest products
UTAS Author:	Ghaffariyan, MR (Dr Mohammad Ghaffariyan)
UTAS Author:	Acuna, M (Mr Mauricio Acuna)
ID Code:	77144
Year Published:	2011
Web of Science® Times Cited:	14
Deposited By:	Architecture
Deposited On:	2012-03-19
Last Modified:	2012-08-21
Downloads:	0