Time equations are derived for felling with chainsaw, skidding with cable wheeled skidder, loading with grapple hydraulic loader and trucking of logs within a cut-to-length harvesting method. The continuous time study method was applied to collect data for felling, skidding, loading and a transportation model. Multiple regression analysis via SPSS software was applied to develop the time models. Felling time was found to be highly dependent on diameter at breast height. Skidding distance, winching distance, slope of the trail and piece volume were significant variables for the skidding time prediction model. The loading time model was developed considering piece volume. Transportation distance and load volume were used as independent variables in modeling the transportation time. The net production of felling was estimated at 12 trees/h (56.65 m³/h). The net production rates for skidding, loading and traveling averaged 18.51, 41.90 and 3.32 m³/h respectively. The total cost of harvesting from stand to mill was estimated 19.70 €m³. The skidding phase was the most expensive component of the cut-to-length method. The bucking and delimbing components were less costly than the other logging phases. The results of this study can be used for harvesting planning and productivity optimization.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Iran, time study, productivity, felling, bucking, sidding, loading, transport, unloading
Research Division:	Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Research Group:	Forestry Sciences
Research Field:	Forestry Sciences not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:	Plant Production and Plant Primary Products
Objective Group:	Forestry
Objective Field:	Harvesting and Transport of Forest Products
Author:	Ghaffariyan, Mohammad Reza (Dr Mohammad Ghaffariyan)
ID Code:	85201
Year Published:	2013
Web of Science® Times Cited:	9
Deposited By:	Architecture
Deposited On:	2013-06-18
Last Modified:	2014-05-07
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