Results of dynamic penetration test - an indicator of the compaction of surface soil horizons by forestry machinery

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The objective of research was, on the basis of the exactly predefined input parameters of upper soil horizons of selected forest soils, to perform accurate measurements of the impact of soil loading by tested forestry machinery using the dynamic penetration test. The measurements by the dynamic penetration test in conditions changed by the wheel traffic of forestry mechanization were performed at three localities of the Křtiny Training Forest Enterprise, Masaryk Forest, a special-purpose facility of Mendel University in Brno. The dynamic penetration test was performed with a lightweight dynamic penetrometer. The methodology of the research is based on assessing the ability of soils to resist dynamic penetration of a rod with a cone, in relation to their lithological composition and physicomechanical properties; the measurement itself is defined by the ISO 22476-2 (2005) standard. Penetrometer measurements were repeated in the period after a harvesting operation and again 6 months later, i.e. in October 2007, April 2008 and October 2008. The results of the field dynamic penetration test and the results of laboratory testing of main soil physical parameters are presented in figures and tables. Besides the naturally variable soil compaction on geologically different substrates, the obtained original results document differences in the impact of particular forestry machines. In conditions of the identical geological substrate, the results indicate that the universal wheeled tractor had a more negative influence on the compaction of surface soil horizons compared to the multi-axle harvester and the forwarder.

Strategies to Mitigate the Effects of Soil Physical Disturbances Caused by Forest Machinery: a Comprehensive Review

“…Regarding machines, another important factor to mitigate the impacts on soil properties is strictly related with the importance in choosing the most suitable machine for specific worksite conditions [79,80,96,97]. In this context, the debate on the best choice between traditional or mechanized harvesting systems is very active, where "traditional" means low mechanized systems including the use of chainsaw for felling and processing, and farm tractors adapted for forestry for bunching and extraction [97][98][99]. In some cases, mechanization is considered better than traditional systems in terms of impacts on soils; Rejšek et al [98] applying a dynamic penetration test obtained lower effects operating with a three-axle harvester and four-axle forwarder than with a universal wheeled tractor.…”

“…In this context, the debate on the best choice between traditional or mechanized harvesting systems is very active, where "traditional" means low mechanized systems including the use of chainsaw for felling and processing, and farm tractors adapted for forestry for bunching and extraction [97][98][99]. In some cases, mechanization is considered better than traditional systems in terms of impacts on soils; Rejšek et al [98] applying a dynamic penetration test obtained lower effects operating with a three-axle harvester and four-axle forwarder than with a universal wheeled tractor. The main difference was identified as a poorer load distribution and higher ground pressure of the tractor.…”

Impact of forest biomass for energy harvesting on soil compaction - Irish case study

“…These areas were selected where it was clear no machines had passed or disturbed the ground during harvesting. Diff erent authors have used various devices such as defl ectometer (Klva et al 2010), permeameter (Rejšek et al 2011), penetrometer (Kleibl et al 2012) etc. However, the application of a penetrometer for soil compaction determination can be preferable from aspects of time consumption and economics.…”