The effects of group selection harvest size on logging productivity

Abstract

Because increasing demands are being placed on industry to harvest timber by aesthetically, economically, and ecologically acceptable means, we investigated the effects of a ground-based group selection harvest on logging productivity. Results show that size of opening had little or no effect on skidding productivity. However, significant skidder operator differences existed. Some skidder operators consistently, in shorter periods of time, loaded their machine with larger payloads resulting in larger turn volumes. Group selection unit size, skidder operator, and utilization level had no statistically significant impact on delay times. Results also suggest that additional time spent training skidder operators to hook larger payloads faster could pay dividends in increased daily production and improvements in logging profitability.