Grapple processor for plantation thinning

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · For. Prod. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5127410

Greene, W D; Lanford, B L

A small boom-mounted grapple processor, the Valmet 940, was tested in a first thinning of loblolly pine in Alabama. The processor followed a small feller-buncher which built large bunches (16 stems) at about 27-ft intervals along an access corridor. The processor delimbed and cross-cut the wood into 7.5 ft bolts, forming a neat pile at the side of the access corridor for subsequent forwarding. Production averaged 2.5 stems per minute. Regression equations were developed to predict processing time per tree, moving time per tree, and total time per tree. Processing time per tree was greatly dependent on average tree size. Moving time per tree was closely related to the distance travelled from the previous bunch and the number of trees in the current bunch. The major component of total time was processing time. Slash piles remaining after forwarding were much smaller with this system than with manual methods since tops were deposited in the access corridors where subsequent machine traffic reduced the slash. A grapple processor appears well suited to southern pine thinnings where it can replace dangerous and physically demanding manual operations. 2 references.

• Research Organization: Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn
• OSTI ID: 5127410
• Journal Information: For. Prod. J.; (United States), Journal Name: For. Prod. J.; (United States) Vol. 35:3; ISSN FPJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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