Harvesting small trees for biomass

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Maine Agric. Exp. Stn.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6888242

Hoffman, B F

This study evaluated precommercial, full-tree thinning of saplings and small poletimber (1-8 inches depth breadth and height) using chainsaws and modified farm tractors for skidders. To facilitate cutting large numbers of small trees (1-5 inches), the chainsaw was fitted with a felling frame. The cutter felled and manually bunched up to 145 trees/2.7 tons per productive manhour. Average production, assuming 73% efficiency, was 90 trees/1.8 tons per scheduled hour at a cost of $6.22/ton. Skidding was done by a two-wheel drive grapple skidder and a four-wheel drive farm tractor with double-drum winch. The grapple skidder produced 3.8 tons per scheduled hour at a cost of $8.25 per ton, assuming a 75% utilization rate. The cable skidder produced 4 tons per scheduled hour at a cost of $7.00/ton; preset chokers increased production to 4.7 tons/hour at a cost of $5.96. The key to production was a modified herringbone pattern of corridors which facilitated skidder access to the wood. The weakest link in the operation was the difficult, labor-intensive work of felling and bunching. 14 references.

• OSTI ID: 6888242
• Journal Information: Maine Agric. Exp. Stn.; (United States), Journal Name: Maine Agric. Exp. Stn.; (United States) Vol. 813; ISSN MAEBA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
BIOMASS
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
COST
CUTTING TOOLS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
EVALUATION
FARM EQUIPMENT
HARVESTING
HARVESTING EQUIPMENT
LABOR
MATERIALS HANDLING
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
MODIFICATIONS
OPERATING COST
PLANTS
PRODUCTION
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
TOOLS
TRANSPORT
TREES