1. Ground-Based Primary Transport TOPICS: Conventional ground skidding equipment Mechanical felling, tree processing & forwarding equipment & systems Management alternatives for soil compaction Operational planning & principles in designing skid trail systems

2. Ground-Based Primary Transport COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1.Harvesting process terminology; Capabilities & limitations of equipment & systems in a range of different silviculture systems 2.Select/match ground-based equipment/ systems to different operating environments – considering equipment limitations, economics, environmental impact & social factors

3. Ground-Based Primary Transport ASSIGNMENT (Due Monday, Oct. 11 @ 11:00 AM Review SLC Video #850 (32 minutes) on Soil Compaction on Forest Lands Review SLC Video #903 (27 minutes) on Designated Skid Trails Submit a written summary of five alternatives for managing soil compaction

4. Ground-Based Primary Transport CONVENTIONAL GROUND SKIDDING ALTERNATIVES: Animals Track Skidders - Rigid Track - Flexible Track Rubber Tire Skidders - Line skidders - Grapple skidders Excavator Forwarder (shovel logging or hoe chucking) Clambunk Skidders Forwarders

5. Ground-Based Primary Transport GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS (ALL EQUIPMENT/SYSTEMS): 1.Lower productivity & lower logging costs than cable systems 2.Soil disturbance/compaction is a more significant concern with ground-based logging systems 3.Several excellent planning and management alternatives are available for controlling soil disturbance/compaction 4.Some equipment is best matched with thinning; others for clearcutting; others for both 5.Downhill transport is preferred 6.Terrain limits are generally: Downhill <35% Uphill < 20% Sidehill <20% 7.Economic maximum transport distances range from 500 to 2000 feet (downhill). Uphill transport is approx. half of downhill distance.

6. Horse Logging Animal weights: 1,500–2,000 lbs 800 – 1500 lbs payloads < 25% downhill slope 500 ft. max. skidding distance Low productivity (2-3 MBF/day) Approx. average skidding cost: $50/MBF (all ground-based systems) Niche applications

9. Rigid-Track Skidders (Crawler Tractors) Uniform ground contact only on even surfaces Rear or elevated drive wheel Loaded weight distribution (level surface): 80/20 Equipment weight: 30 – 50 K lbs 70 – 200 horsepower < 40% downhill slope 600 ft. max. skidding distance

10. Rigid-Track Skidders (Crawler Tractor) Clearcut and partial cut applications Equipment versatility Average productivity (clearcut with favorable conditions): 20 MBF/day

11. Flexible-Track Skidders (High Speed or LGP Track Skidder) FMC transferred rights to KMC Uniform ground contact on uneven surfaces Front drive wheel Independent torsion suspension Loaded weight distribution (level surface: 60/40 Equipment weight: 30 – 40 K lbs Average of 200 horsepower Faster travel speed than crawler tractor < 50% downhill slope 800 ft. max. skidding distance

13. Flexible-Track Skidders (High Speed or LGP Track Skidder) Clearcut and partial cut applications Low ground pressure applications Higher equipment purchase cost and maintenance cost Average productivity similar to crawler tractor

14. Rubber Tire Skidder All-wheel drive Articulated steering (hinged in the center for steering) Loaded weight distribution (level surface): 80/20 Equipment weight: 20 – 35 K lbs 100 – 200 horsepower Travel speed similar to flexible track skidder < 30% downhill slope 600 ft. max. skidding distance

15. Rubber Tire Skidder Line Skidders

16. Rubber Tire Skidder Grapple Skidders (log or bunching) Often matched with a feller- buncher in a whole tree skidding system

17. Rubber Tire Skidder Lower payload capacity Lower equipment purchase cost Clearcut and partial cut applications Potential for higher damage in thinnings than track skidder

18. Rubber Tire Skidder Wide Tire Skidders (average width of 32” vs. 43”-50”) Better “flotation” on low-strength soils Lower tire sinkage & rolling resistance Traction problems on wet steep slopes with logging slash

19. Excavator Forwarder (Shovel Logging or Hoe Chucking) Modified hydraulic log loader < 20% downhill (non self-leveling) 400 ft. max. swing distance High productivity (e.g.80 MBF/day) Low ground impact in favorable operating conditions Clearcut operations preferred Serpentine or bunching patterns of operation

20. Excavator Forwarder (Shovel Logging or Hoe Chucking) Serpentine Forwarding Pattern Bunching Pattern with a Skidder Swing

21. Excavator Forwarder (Shovel Logging or Hoe Chucking) Hydraulic Log Loader with Winches Steep slope cable yarding Preferred yarding distances <400 ft. (max. 800 ft.) Equipment versatility Short cable yarding distance applications

22. Clambunk Skidders Articulated chasis Integral grapple arm and Inverted bunk grapple Bogie wheels: Tandem axles driven by a single differential (lower ground pressure than single axles); often used with half- tracks for better traction

23. Clambunk Skidders Matched with a feller- buncher and whole tree skidding system High payloads (15 tons) 1500 ft. max. skidding distance <30% downhill slope Clearcut operations – natural or plantation forests Consider road impacts

24. Forwarders Articulated chasis Hydraulic loading grapple Bogie wheels 5 to 19 ton payload range Short logs

25. Forwarders Forwarders Matched with a single-grip harvester and a CTL system 2000 ft. max. skidding distance < 30% ground slope Thinning and fuels reduction applications

26. Ground-Based Primary Transport The actual equipment performance, productivity and costs, and soil impacts depends on site-specific conditions….. ….Logging mechanics consideration of factors including grade resistance (or assistance), skidding resistance, rolling resistance, soil strength and traction