Comparison of two working methods for small tree harvesting with a multi tree felling head mounted on farm tractor

Belbo, Helmer

doi:10.14214/sf.142

Cited by 15 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Thinnings in small-diameter forest stands have early on been described as both a silvicultural and harvesting problem when trying to maximize the value of operational revenues after costs and the value of the residual forest stand (Silversides and Sundberg 1988). This problem is particularly apparent within small-diameter forest stands as operational efficiency and production costs are directly associated with tree size and has been described as a classical challenge when examining the economics of operating in such conditions (Silversides and Sundberg 1988;Belbo 2010). Operational efficiency in forestry has been defined as both the utilization and economic management of the resource with values placed on outcomes (Silversides and Sundberg 1988).…”

Section: Environment and Operational Research Constraintsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opportunities for cost mitigation and efficiency improvements through rationalization of small-diameter energy wood supply chains

Petty¹

2014

Diss. For.

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To be presented, with the permission of the faculty of Agriculture and Forestry of the University of Helsinki, for public criticism in the Walter Auditorium of the EE-building (Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2) on April 4 th , 2014, at 12 o'clock noon. ABSTRACTThe production of energy wood from small-diameter (DBH < 9 cm) forests in Finland through separate energy wood and integrated energy wood and pulpwood production often face cost pressures that inhibit economic viability of many operations. Systemic factors, such as small stem sizes, limited removals, and high density of young forest stands limit the efficiency of many operations resulting in low productivity and high operating costs, particularly within cutting operations. Within the study, means to increase efficiency and mitigate costs of small-diameter energy wood and integrated energy wood and pulpwood operations by identifying optimal methods, technologies, and policy that may be applied were identified. Studies of integrated and delimbed stemwood cutting methods including the use of multi-tree handling and combined timber assortments in forest stands with stem size (DBH) of removals varying between 5-17 cm were investigated and compared against separate pulpwood production. Findings suggest that the methods provide increases in productivity and decreases in costs, particularly in < 11 cm DBH conditions. Crane scale measuring was investigated as a technical solution in timber logistics to be applied in energy wood and industrial roundwood procurement. The measuring method, used as a basis of payment, was found to provide a reliable, accurate, and cost effective method when compared with a manual timber pile measurement system. Policies, in the form of financial incentives were investigated to determine the effects of applicable subsidies on the profitability of energy wood production based on stem size of removal, finding possibilities for profitable operations with reduction in subsidies, however, with stem sizes (DBH) of removal 7 cm incentives played an important role in increasing profitability.Cost reductions were identified through: The utilization of integrated and delimbed stemwood harvesting methods with multi-tree handling, decreasing harvesting costs by 0.1-52.4% dependent on stem size (DBH) of removal between 7-17 cm when compared to a traditional pulpwood harvesting method; Combining timber assortments providing harvesting cost reductions between 1.5-8.0% between 5-17 cm; Crane scale measurement use provided increased accuracy and a 18.2-45.5% reduction in costs when compared to a manual timber pile measurement system when dependent on estimated working volumes between 20,000-30,000 m 3 ; Financial incentives under the PETU system were applied increasing profit margins of integrated supply chain operations by 3.8-19.9% dependent on stem size of removal, particularly with stem size of removals between 5-7 cm.Through rationalization of supply chains, harvesting methods, technologies, and policy which exhibit the ability to reduce costs and should be...

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Section: Environment and Operational Research Constraintsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opportunities for cost mitigation and efficiency improvements through rationalization of small-diameter energy wood supply chains

Petty¹

2014

Diss. For.

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“…Thus, at the moment, fully mechanized harvesting of small-diameter trees is the only feasible option. Purpose-built harvesting heads have been employed and have undergone constant development, especially in the Nordic countries Eberhardinger 2007;Belbo 2010;Lehtimäki and Nurmi 2011;Rieppo and Mutikainen 2011;Di Fulvio and Bergström 2013;Laitila and Väätäinen 2013;Fernandez-Lacruz et al 2013;Bergström and Di Fulvio 2014). By enabling efficient energy wood production, these types of heads are considered to offer an opportunity to counteract the decreasing frequency and postponement of early thinnings (Hakkila 2005;Heikkilä et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…and birch (Betula spp.) Eberhardinger 2007;Belbo 2010;Lehtimäki and Nurmi 2011;Rieppo and Mutikainen 2011;Di Fulvio and Bergström 2013;Laitila and Väätäinen 2013;Fernandez-Lacruz et al 2013;Bergström and Di Fulvio 2014). Conversely, studies of broad leaf trees, especially hardwood species, have not been of major interest this far.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of multi-tree handling and tree-size on harvester performance in small-diameter hardwood thinnings

Erber¹,

Holzleitner²,

Kastner³

et al. 2016

Silva Fenn.

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Effect of multi-tree handling and tree-size on harvester performance in small-diameter hardwood thinnings Erber G., Holzleitner F., Kastner M., Stampfer K. (2016). Effect of multi-tree handling and tree-size on harvester performance in small-diameter hardwood thinnings. Silva Fennica vol. 50 no. 1 article id 1428. 17p. Highlights• Harvesting with the accumulating energy wood head EF28 was studied under small tree dimension (8 dm³) in hardwood thinnings.• Reasonable productivity was achieved.• Maximum achieved cutting diameter in hornbeam stand was 23 cm and 15% lower than in softwood stands.• Head has potential under such conditions. AbstractEarly thinnings are laborious and costly. Thus forest companies are searching for cost and time efficient ways to carry out this task. The study's purpose was to determine the productivity of the EF28 accumulating energy wood harvesting head in harvesting small-diameter hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) undergrowth trees and evaluate the effect of its multi-tree handling (MTH) capacity on time consumption. The harvester was a wheeled, three-axle Komatsu 911. A time study of 7.1 hours on 19 plots, with a total area of 0.76 ha was conducted. On average, the harvested tree volume was 8 dm³ and the stand density was 2666 trees/ha. The productivity was modelled with MTH conduction, mean diameter at breast height and the number of trees handled per cycle as independent variables. On average, MTH took 27% longer per cycle, increased extracted volume per cycle by 33% and consequently increased productivity with 5.0%. In 71.9% of the cycles more than one tree was handled and if so, dimensions were smaller than in single-tree handling (5.8 cm vs. 12.0 cm). Maximum felling diameter of 23 cm was about 15% smaller than in softwood (according to the manufacturer's specifications) and the driver didn't exploit the EF28's theoretical potential in terms of trees handled per cycle. It can be concluded that the head could significantly improve productivity in small-diameter wood procurement.

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“…Research and development specifically focusing on this are geometric thinning patterns [11,12], shown to have considerable potential, especially when used in combination with continuous cutting devices [13], multi-stem handling and pre-bunching in the stand for further processing [14][15][16]. Options for extraction including by forwarder [17,18], chipping in-field and extraction [19], and bundling of whole trees in-field [20,21] are methods with varying efficiencies in small trees.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systems Analysis of Ten Supply Chains for Whole Tree Chips

Belbo¹,

Talbot²

2014

Forests

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Whole trees from energy thinnings constitute one of many forest fuel sources, yet ten widely applied supply chains could be defined for this feedstock alone. These ten represent only a subset of the real possibilities, as felling method was held constant and only a single market (combustion of whole tree chips) was considered. Stages included in-field, roadside landing, terminal, and conversion plant, and biomass states at each of these included loose whole trees, bundled whole trees or chipped material. Assumptions on prices, performances, and conversion rates were based on field trials and published literature in similar boreal forest conditions. The economic outcome was calculated on the basis of production, handling, treatment and storage costs and losses. Outcomes were tested for robustness on a range of object volumes (50-350 m 3 solid ), extraction distances (50-550 m) and transport distances (10-70 km) using simulation across a set of discrete values. Transport was calculated for both a standard 19.5 m and an extended 24 m timber truck. Results showed that the most expensive chain (roadside bundling, roadside storage, terminal storage and delivery using a 19.5 m timber truck) at 158 € t d −1 was 23% more costly than the cheapest chain (roadside chipping and direct transport to conversion plant with container truck), at 128 € t d −1 . Outcomes vary at specific object volumes and transport distances, highlighting the need to verify assumptions, although standard deviations around mean supply costs for each chain were small (6%-9%). Losses at all stages were modelled, with the largest losses (23) occurring in the chains including bundles. The study makes all methods and assumptions explicit and can assist the procurement manager in understanding the mechanisms at work. OPEN ACCESSForests 2014, 5 2085

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Comparison of two working methods for small tree harvesting with a multi tree felling head mounted on farm tractor

Cited by 15 publications

References 12 publications

Opportunities for cost mitigation and efficiency improvements through rationalization of small-diameter energy wood supply chains

Opportunities for cost mitigation and efficiency improvements through rationalization of small-diameter energy wood supply chains

Effect of multi-tree handling and tree-size on harvester performance in small-diameter hardwood thinnings

Systems Analysis of Ten Supply Chains for Whole Tree Chips

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