Analysis of the means of forest harvesting in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

The development of technology and the means of labour in the technological process of forest harvesting in FBiH mainly depends on the factors related to the specific manner of forest management. The dominant share of mixed tall forests with natural regeneration, the selective manner of management and rather difficult natural conditions have resulted in the application of the cut-to-length method and to a lesser extent, the tree-length and semi-tree-length methods. On the basis of expert classification of the development phases in forest harvesting, it can be noted that wood assortment production in FBiH is currently partially mechanised. With the aim of defining measures for increasing productivity, lowering the costs and a greater humanisation of work, there has been an analysis of the current state of the means of work in all three phases of forest harvesting. The analysis included the following parameters: number of means in different phases, the type, the average age, ownership and technical planned obsolescence. All the data were collected through a survey which included all stakeholders (cantonal forest companies and private contractors). The results showed a satisfactory state only when chainsaws are concerned, i.e. the rather cheap tools. Other equipment (adapted tractors, skidders, trucks, etc.) has largely reached planned obsolescence. Their old age results in a low level of utilisation, i.e. an insufficient amount of working hours per year which eventually leads to a decrease in productivity and increase in expenses. Based on the data, it can be concluded that it is necessary to begin the process of new mechanisation procurement and the replacement of existing, time-worn and technologically obsolete machines with new ones. At the same time, it is clear that, in the conditions of low availability of investment capital and cheap labour force, this has to be a gradual process. In relation with this, the process should start in the most expensive phase - timber extraction, i.e. the phase in which the economic efficiency is unquestionable.

The Impact of Animal Logging on Residual Trees in Mixed Fir and Spruce Stands

“…The main instruments of work in the skidding phase are tractors, primarily special forest tractors-skidders. Wood skidding by animals (horses and oxen) is also present [8]. Until the end of World War II in Bosnia and Herzegovina's forestry manual tools were used in the wood felling and processing phase, and animal skidding, waterways, chutes and tackles in the wood skidding phase.…”

Štetan Uticaj Prebirnih Sječa Na Podmlađivanje Prebirne Šume Jele I Bukve Na Području Š.G. “Oštrelj” Drinić

“…Stoga se uspješnost određenog načina rada ne smije ocjenjivati samo na osnovu učinaka i ekonomičnosti, već se u obzir moraju uzeti i oštećenja koje nastaju pri izvođenju sječa (Petreš, 2006). Treba napomenuti da je u našim krajevima stepen mehanizovanosti ipak relativno malen uslijed relativno teških terenskih uslova, a pored toga prebirni način gazdovanja ne dozvoljava prostor za mašine velike snage i radnog kapaciteta (Halilović et al, 2015). Tako sortimentni metod koji se uglavnom koristi u BiH ima umanjen štetan uticaj po preostalu sastojinu, ali je takođe i manje produktivan odnosno njegovim korišćenjem u odnosu na druge metode povećava se i cijena izvođenja radova (Halilović, 2012).…”

Damages of Skidder and Oxen Logging to Residual Trees in Uneven-Aged Mixed Forest

“…Chainsaw and various tractors are almost exclusively used for felling and wood extraction in Bosnia and Herzegovina [18,19]. The most common tractors are skidders, entirely cable skidders [20,21], which are also the most represented in the surrounding countries [4,22,23]. Skidding, a popular extraction method, can cause substantial and severe damage to the remaining stand.…”