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Abstract

Using a single-grip harvester and skyline system in a thinning/fuels reduction operation in northeast Oregon

by J. Doyal

A combined thinning and fuel reduction operation was undertaken at Limber Jim during 1996, using single-grip harvester for processing and a swing yarder for retrieval of logs to the landing. This combination of equipment was not common to the area and was chosen to minimize soil impacts. Four units were chosen for study: two units were logged uphill, one unit was logged downhill, and one unit was relatively flat.

Total logging cost for the system (stump to mill) was $169,602, or $2827 per acre. Net revenue for sawlogs was $664/acre, for pulpwood $1657/acre, for a total of $2321/acre, or a net loss of $506/acre. Sawlogs represented only 11% of the material removed but contributed 29% of the revenue. Because of the high cost of this skyline system on relatively flat ground, careful consideration needs to be given to the combination of need for reduced soil impact and the percentage of sawlog removed. For this study, in order for the operation to have been profitable, the percentage of sawlogs removed needed to be 21.5% or higher.