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Comparison of a Skidder and Front-End Loader for Primary Transport of Short-Rotation Trees

Informally Refereed

Abstract

We time-studied a Cat 950F and a Cat 528 grapple skidder as extraction devices for moving bunched whole trees to a landing in a short rotation eucalyptus plantation. The front-end loader was 40 to 60% more productive than the grapple skidder, depending on extraction distance. Alternatively, the single loader could both extract trees and handle the landing duties such as moving residues whereas the skidder required a second machine (skidder or small loader) to handle landing activities. Front-end loaders appear to be very promising as extraction devices for short rotation plantations where tree characteristics, terrain and soil conditions allow them to be used.

Keywords

Forest engineering, skidding, forwarding, short rotation woody crops

Citation

Spinelli, Raffaele; Hartsough, Bruce R. 1999. Comparison of a Skidder and Front-End Loader for Primary Transport of Short-Rotation Trees. ASAE Paper No. 995054, An ASAE Meeting Presentation
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/1551