Coulter, E.D. 1999. Hungry Bob harvest production study: mechanical thinning for fuel reduction in the Blue Mountains of northeast Oregon. M.S. Thesis. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 96 pages.
Mechanical thinning is an important tool for fuel reduction because it removes material from the site. Thinning produces a saleable product, but the economics of the operation are important because it is difficult to make a profit.
This study looked at the cost of operating different kinds of machinery for thinning a 409-acre unit of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. Productions studies were conducted on three feller-bunchers and three forwarders. The material removed included sawlogs and pulp.
FELLER-BUNCHERS:
|
|
Rottne SMV Rapid EGS |
John Deere 653E |
Caterpillar 320L Excavator |
|
Relative cost of operation |
65% |
83% |
100% |
|
Sensitivity to travel distance between trees |
High |
High |
High |
|
Sensitivity to species composition |
Low |
Low |
Low |
|
Sensitivity to standing or down dead |
Low |
Low |
Low |
|
Sensitivity to tree diameter |
Low |
Moderate |
High |
|
Relative cost to harvest 4” diameter stems |
55% |
80% |
100% |
|
Relative cost to harvest 8” diameter stems |
64% |
81% |
100% |
FORWARDERS:
|
|
Timbco TF815-C |
Rottne Rapid |
Rottne SMV Rapid |
|
Relative cost of operation |
94% |
100% |
100% |
|
Sensitivity to number of stops |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |