Influence of Wide-Tire Skidder Operations on Soils
Authors
T. P. Rollerson
MacMillan Bloedal Ltd. Nanaimo, B.C., Canada
Abstract
This study assesses changes in soil dry bulk density (dry unit weight), and evaluates soil disturbance associated with wide-tire skidder traffic on five Vancouver Island forest soils. In general, soil bulk densities increased with increasing skidder traffic; the effect was more pronounced at higher soil water contents. The results did not vary dramatically from site to site. Soil disturbance, in the form of rutting, and exposure of mineral soil increased with increasing traffic and was generally more pronounced under moist soil conditions. The compactive effect of the wide-tire skidder is at the lower end of the range of compactive effects reported for ground-based yarding equipment, but is still expected to have a negative effect on seedling height growth.
