Log Damage and Value Loss Associated with Two Ground-Based Harvesting Systems in Central Appalachia

Wang, Jingxin; LeDoux, Chris B.; Vanderberg, Mike; McNeel, Joseph F.

doi:10.1080/14942119.2004.10702490

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The difference between the two treatments is that the harvester did all the work in one pass, whereas the manual crew performed it in a multi-pass fashion, involving repeated handling. As a result, the latter had more opportunities to damage the logs, since each step has been shown to contribute equally to log damage (Wang et al 2004). Eventually, multiple handling achieved the same result as the possibly rougher mechanised single-pass processing.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Work quality and veneer value recovery of mechanised and manual log-making in Italian poplar plantations

Spinelli

Magagnotti²,

Nati

2010

Eur J Forest Res

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In Italy, poplar plantations represent an important source of wood products, and especially of highquality veneer logs. These plantations offer favourable conditions to the introduction of forest mechanisation, and especially easy access and industrial management. However, owners fear that mechanised log-making may cause value losses, due to poor length measurement, log surface damage and improper grading. This study compared the performance of manual and mechanised log-making on ten commercial operations, in order to determine the occurrence and the severity of possible value losses due to product degrade. The study found that length measurement errors are smaller for mechanised processing, while the frequency and severity of log surface damage are the same for both treatments. In three cases out of five, mechanised log-making extracted the same value from the stems as manual log-making: in the remaining two, differences were very small and went opposite directions. Significant differences were found between operators, stressing the importance of operator skills and motivation. In fact, the log-making specifications and the pricing structure applied to poplar processing are relatively simple and are unlikely to challenge the ability of personnel and equipment. At present, most Italian poplar growers are unaware of the potential offered by modern technology, whose intelligent use would boost value recovery and decrease harvesting cost. Significant benefits may derive from the introduction of optimised bucking, which may help shifting to a more articulated and rewarding product strategy.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Work quality and veneer value recovery of mechanised and manual log-making in Italian poplar plantations

Spinelli

Magagnotti²,

Nati

2010

Eur J Forest Res

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“…The general linear model (GLM) procedure, which is a type of analysis of variance (ANOVA), was used to determine if significant differences existed among harvesting systems, harvesting functions, tree species, and log sizes (Wang et al, 2004). The GLM can be expressed as follows (Eq.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Han and Renzie (2005) found that feller-buncher felling results in greater wood volume waste as a results of a thicker saw blade kerf than dose chan saw felling. Wang et al (2004) found that felling resulted in significantly more log damage when compared to skidding, decking and loading operations. Hall and Han (2006) found that the average stump height of mechanized felling is 5.8cm (17%) lower than manual felling.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…McNeel and Copithorne (1996) stated that species is a factor in defining the amount of breakage expected during harvest. Damage to harvested trees or logs can occur during the felling, bucking, skidding, decking, loading, and hauling functions of the timber harvesting process (Wang et al, 2004). McMorland and Guimier (1984) found that shears cause very many but shallow splits, while saw chains cause less frequent but deeper splits.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The implementation of correct log bucking procedures can potentially increase the yield from each tree harvested, which correspondingly can improve profits for the logger and sawmill. Dragging the logs over the ground could present some type of potential damage to the harvested logs (Wang et al 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Wood waste during full‐length and cut‐to‐length harvesting systems in caspian forests

Behjou

Ramezani

Esfahan

et al. 2016

Int. j. adv. appl. sci

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A field-based study was performed to examine wood waste associated with full-length and cut to length harvesting systems in Caspian forests of Iran. Damaged logs were recorded with additional information obtained for the location, dimensions, and type of damage. The data were analyzed statistically to determine significant differences of damages during logging process. The results indicated that cut to length harvesting systems caused more volume loss to logs than full-length harvesting systems; also bucking resulted in significantly more volume loss when compared to skidding, decking, and loading operations. Study showed that the process of skidding, decking, and loading of logs has very little impact on damage levels. Volume losses of damaged logs were not sensitive to tree species and log size.

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Interactions of Stands, Harvest, and Machines

Wang

2022

Forest and Biomass Harvest and Logistics

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Log Damage and Value Loss Associated with Two Ground-Based Harvesting Systems in Central Appalachia

Cited by 9 publications

References 6 publications

Work quality and veneer value recovery of mechanised and manual log-making in Italian poplar plantations

Work quality and veneer value recovery of mechanised and manual log-making in Italian poplar plantations

Wood waste during full‐length and cut‐to‐length harvesting systems in caspian forests

Interactions of Stands, Harvest, and Machines

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