Evaluation of different modes for yarding windthrown timber with a double-hitch carriage

Spinelli, Raffaele (author), Stampfer, Karl (author), Magagnotti, Natascia (author), Cosola, Giulio (author), De Francesco, Fabio (author), Erber, Gernot (author), Mihelič, Matevž (author)

Yarding whole trees is the most efficient way of extracting timber in steep terrain and allows reaping the combined benefits of mechanization and biomass recovery. In downhill yarding, however, whole-tree extraction is associated with a greater risk of loosening rocks or debris by the incoming loads as they bounce around along the extraction corridor. That may also cause damage to the cables and anchors by corresponding shock loads, ultimately endangering the yarder and its crew. To avoid these risks, »double-hitch carriages« can be employed. They combine a conventional motorized dropline carriage with a secondary carriage (»trailer«), equipped with a further, independent dropline winch. Thus, loads can be attached at two points and transported fully suspended above the ground in a horizontal position. Operation of these carriages may not be limited to the »horizontal« mode: the main carriage could also be operated without trailer (»single« mode), or separate loads may be attached to the two droplines (»double« mode), but their impact on the efficiency and economy of yarding operations is yet unknown. Therefore, the present study investigated how these modes affect the productivity and cost of downhill whole tree yarding. To this end, a classic time and motion study was conducted during a salvage logging operation in Northern Italy under a strictly controlled experimental design.

• Language: English
• Keywords: harvesting, logging, steep terrain, carriage, horizontal yarding, work safety, efficiency
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2023
• Year: 2023
• Number of pages: Str. 245-257
• Numbering: Vol. 44, iss. 2
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-152283
• UDC: 630*3
• ISSN on article: 1848-9672
• DOI: 10.5552/crojfe.2023.2051
• COBISS.SI-ID: 154775555
• Publication date in RUL: 16.11.2023

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Croatian journal of forest engineering
• Shortened title: Croat. j. for. eng.
• Publisher: Forestry Faculty of Zagreb University, Croatian Forests, Croatian Chamber of Forestry and Wood Technology Engineers, FORMEC
• ISSN: 1848-9672
• COBISS.SI-ID: 55971331

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: sečnja, strmi tereni, varstvo pri delu, učinkovitost

Projects

• Funder: EC - European Commission
• Funding programme: European Commission
• Project number: 720757
• Name: Techniques and Technologies for Effective Wood Procurement
• Acronym: TECH4EFFECT