Integrated harvesting systems to incorporate the recovery of logging residues with the harvesting of conventional forest products

The aim of this research was to identify promising areas for international cooperative development work in the area of integrated harvesting systems which incorporate the recovery of logging residues. The Harvesting Analysis Technique, a computer simulation package, was used to model seven harvesting systems on forest stands in five participating countries. The simulation results indicated that on good terrain with short skidding distances mechanical felling and grapple skidding was the best available method to deliver full trees to a landing. Processing trees at the landing accounted for at least 50 percent of the harvesting cost, indicating that if full trees or tree sections could be efficiently transported on public roads, then centralized processing may be the best alternative. Where logging residues consisted primarily of cull trees, full tree chippers were found to be an effective means for comminution. Residues consisting of tops and branches are more problematic due to their small piece size, lack of uniform linear orientation, and low bulk density. Compaction prior to chipping was proposed as one possible solution to this problem. Alternatively, residue processing could be combined with the merchandising of the full tree. Five problem areas were identified which could be of interest for future international cooperative projects: 1. Compacting tree sections, full trees or residues on trucks. 2. Delimbing tree sections with a mobile unit. 3. Systems for handling and processing residues at a landing. 4. Integrated systems for processing full trees at a landing. 5. Chip fractioning techniques. In addition, the development of a standard format for data collection in equipment evaluations would expedite comparisons of equipment originating in different countries.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Forestry

Department dc:contributor.department

Forestry

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1983

Author dc:creator

• Beardsell, Michael G.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/113482

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/113482