Comparison of Two Cut-to-Length Harvesting Systems Operating in Eastern Hardwoods

Abstract We compared production rates, operating costs, and break-even points (BEP) for small and large cut-to-length (CTL) harvesting systems operating at several machine utilization rates (MUR) in mixed hardwood and softwood stands in Vermont. The small CTL harvester produced 11. 08 m3 [391.4 ft3] per productive machine hour (PMH) compared to 14.83 m3 [523.80 ft3] per PMH for the large harvester. The impact of average tree size (volume) on cost was substantial but similar for both CTL systems. At a fixed stump-to-landing logging cost of about $14.12/m3 or [$0.40/ft3], the BEP tree size was 0.14 m3 [5.0 ft3] for the small harvester and 0.26 m3 [9.33 ft3] for the large system at the 85 percent MUR. At an MUR of 70 and 85 percent, the processing cost for trees that averaged 0.08 m3 [3.0ft3] was $22.19 and $18.28/m3 [$0.6285 and $0.5176/ft3], respectively, for the small CTL harvester. Results were similar for the large harvester. Either CTL system would be effective in helping managers meet forest management goals in eastern hardwood stands.