A Comparison of Skyline Harvesting Costs for Alternative Commercial Thinning Prescriptions

Authors

  • L. D. Kellogg Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
  • G. V. Milota Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
  • M. Miller Jr. Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA

Abstract

Harvesting production and costs were examined for three alternative silvicultural prescriptions at two sites in the Coast Range of Oregon. Thirty-three-year-old Douglas fir stands were commercially thinned to residual densities of 247,148, and 74 trees per hectare (tph) [100,60, and 30 trees per acre (tpa), respectively]. Detailed time studies were conducted on manual felling and uphill skyline yarding with small yarders. Separate regression equations were developed to predict delay-free felling cycle time and delay-free yarding cycle time. The 74 tph [30 tpa] treatment had the highest production rate and was the least costly to harvest. Total harvesting costs of the other two treatments averaged from 6.0% (148 tph [60 tpa]) to 12.3% (247 tph [100 tpa]) more than the 74 tph [30 tpa] treatment.

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Published

1996-07-07

Issue

Section

Technical Papers