This COFORD Connects publication sheds some light on how log transport fuel consumption compares to general haulage.
The COFORDS Connects publication (No. 22), produced in 2010, was compiled by Ger Devlin of the Biomass Research Centre, University College Dublin. The publication evaluated the technology available for on-board diagnostic recording of fuel consumption in the Irish Truck Transport Sector (ITTS). The fuel consumption of two trucks was examined. The trucks used were as follows:
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Timber sector: Iveco Stralis 530 6x2 tractor with tri-axle flat bed trailer with a design gross weight of 44,000 kg (97,000 lb)
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General haulage: DAF XF 430 4x2 tractor with tri-axle trailer with a design weight of 42,000 kg (92,600lb).
The project involved the installation of one GPS asset tracking and engine diagnostic system onto each truck. Information was collected on the distance travelled, fuel used, km per litre, diesel CO2 emissions and biodiesel CO2 emissions. The DAF used for general haulage travelled more km’s and had lower fuel consumption values than the Iveco used for timber haulage. The reason for this was that the make and model of a truck influences its fuel consumption, the fuel consumption of new versus older trucks differs, overloading of timber and the varying gradients associated with internal logging roads versus the more truck-friendly public roads.
Please access the COFORD Connects document for a complete account of the research.
Source: http://www.coford.ie/media/coford/content/publications/projectreports/cofordconnects/ht22.pdf