The Forestry Commission provides an excellent guideline for the selection of appropriate systems for small-scale harvesting operations.
Even though the technical note (October 2005) is focussed on small woodlands in Great Britain, the information is applicable to most low-volume harvesting scenarios. The technical note was compiled by Andy Hall of Forest Research, and is titled “Small-scale Systems for Harvesting Woodfuel Products”. The information is based on a series of case studies carried out by Forest Research. The technical note considers four factors that influence system selection:
Source: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fctn009.pdf/$FILE/fctn009.pdf
Even though the technical note (October 2005) is focussed on small woodlands in Great Britain, the information is applicable to most low-volume harvesting scenarios. The technical note was compiled by Andy Hall of Forest Research, and is titled “Small-scale Systems for Harvesting Woodfuel Products”. The information is based on a series of case studies carried out by Forest Research. The technical note considers four factors that influence system selection:
- Woodland type and woodfuel products – Existing and potential woodfuel products are summarised in a table. The table includes woodland type, a description of the material, the products that can be produced, as well as the case studies where the information was sourced.
- Site and management constraints – All factors are listed that affect the choice of harvesting and extraction equipment. These include costs, the environment, terrain, access and logistical issues, and health and safety.
- Choice of harvesting system – Tree length, part tree length, shortwood, whole-tree and terrain chipper harvesting systems are described. Two comprehensive tables are included. The first provides an indication of the system costs (in £ per tonne), considering material source, material density (m3 per hectare), slope class, system and extraction machine. The second considers the advantages and disadvantages of each harvesting option, as well as machinery costs, site and management constraints, and extraction costs for each harvesting option.
- Choice of extraction machinery – Different types of forwarders, tractor cradles, tractor-mounted hydratongs, skidders, cable yarding systems and self-propelled infield chippers are briefly covered.
Source: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fctn009.pdf/$FILE/fctn009.pdf