Harvesting Cost and Productive of Tree-Length Thinning in a Pinus densiflora Stand Using the Tower Yarder (HAM300)

Abstract

Abstract Logging equipment and method have a major influence on harvesting productivity and cost. This study investigated the productivity and operational costs of tree-length cable yarding system using HAM300, a domestically developed tower yarder. We tested HAM300 for thinning operation in Pinus densiflora stands at Gangreung, Gangwon-do on April, 2014. To assess the productivity we conducted time study for each stage of the operation. When the average time/cycle was examined for each stage of the operation, the longest was for yarding (241 sec), followed by delimbing (237 sec), felling (153 sec), and processing (103 sec). Furthermore, productivity for felling was 8.6 m 3 /hr, followed by delimbing (5.1 m 3 /hr), yarding (3.5 m 3 /hr), and processing (8.1 m 3 /hr). The total cost for the tree-length logging system was 58,446 won/m 3 , of which the majority was incurred by the yarding cost at 46,217 won/m 3 (79.3%), whereas the lowest cost was for felling at 2,359 won/m 3 (4.1%). We suggest that it is necessary to foster specialized operators and provide training in operating the tower yarder thereby implementing efficient harvesting system resulting from low-cost yarding.Key Words: cable logging, harvesting cost, tower yarder, tree-length logging