Comparing productivity-cost of roadside processing system and road side chipping system in Western Australia

Abstract

This research compared roadside chipping and road side processing systems. Two sites planted with Eucalyptus globulus were selected to study these harvesting systems. A time and motion study was applied to collect the data for both harvesting systems. The working cycles for each machine were recorded as well as the variables affecting the working productivity. Using the multiple regression method the appropriate models were developed. The results showed that the productivity of feller-buncher and processor was significantly affected by tree size. Productivity of skidders was dependent on extraction distance and load weight. Productivity for road side processing was higher than for road side chipping, which resulted in a lower unit cost. The unit cost (from stand to the mill) for road side processing and road side chipping averaged 22.68 AUD t -1 and 21.07 AUD t-1, respectively.