A method of selection of cable harvesting machines for Vermont

• Main Author: Stirler, Dennis John
• Other Authors: O'Leary, John E., Forest Engineering
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English; unknown
• Published: Oregon State University
• Subjects: Logging; Skyline > Vermont > Equipment and supplies > Cost of operation > Mathematical models; The Landing; Thunderbird; Green Mountain; Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_projects/9z903490p

There is much interest in the State of Vermont in cable harvesting. Since there are no time studies available for cable harvesting with various machines in Vermont, it is necessary to arrive at production and cost levels by a different method. The method chosen for this paper is made up of four parts. In the first part a decision table is used to decide which machine or machines best meet the requirements of the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. Second, using the (S,W) program for the HP 9830 desktop calculator, the payloads are found for each machine for a representative profile. Third, using this payload in combination with individual machine characteristics, a. theortical production per day is calculated for each machine. Fourth, yarding costs are constructed for a given set of conditions and this is combined with the production per day to arrive at a cost per MBF for each machine. In this paper the method for arriving at theoretical production and thus cost per MBF, is compared against an actual study done with a Smith Timbermaster in Newfoundland. The cost from the model was $27.82 as compared to $28.35 per MBF from the study. Using this method the machines found most suitable for conditions in Vermont that were specified were: 1) Ecologger II, 2) Rosedale Timbermaster, 3) Thunderbird, 4) Smith Timbermaster, and 5) Igland-Jones Trailer Alp. Payloads for a given profile were calculated for each machine. Using these payloads and individual characteristics, a theoretical daily production was calculated for each machine. Each machine was then costed out for situations when a skidder: l)is required, 2) is not required to clear the landing. Both situations were then calculated twice: using 16% (taxes, interest and insurance) and using 20% (taxes, interest and insurance);- The results show the inter-relationships between payload, production, initial costs, other costs, and the final cost per MBF. Since under present conditions the initial cost may be as important to a purchaser as cost per MBF at the ...