Comparison of Single-Grip Harvester Productivity in Clear- and Shelterwood Cutting
Authors
Lars Eliasson
Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Umeå, Sweden
Jonas Bengtsson
For Södra, Växsjö, Sweden
Jonas Cedergren
Jaako Pöyry Consulting, Lidingö, Sweden
Håkan Lageson
Forest Owners' Association of Norrbotten, Boden, Sweden
Abstract
An increased interest in the use of shelterwood stands to promote regeneration has led to an interest in how singlegrip harvester productivity is affected by shelterwood cutting compared to clearcutting. A comparative time study of a large singlegrip harvester was made in a spruce stand in northern Sweden. Three treatments were used. Shelterwood cutting leaving: 1) a sparse stand, 2) a dense residual stand, and 3) clearcutting. Each treatment was replicated three times. Results show that productivity decreases from 64 m3 per effective hour in clearcutting to 54 and 41 m3 per effective hour when shelterwoods with 259 and 381 stems ha1, respectively, were retained.
