Performance of a Tracked Feller-Buncher with a Shear Head Operating in Small-Diameter Pine

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  • Authors: Klepac, J.
  • Publication Year: 2013
  • Publication Series: Paper (invited, offered, keynote)
  • Source:

Abstract

A Tigercat 845D tracked feller-buncher equipped with a shear head was evaluated while performing a clearcut in a 15-year old Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantation and a 18-year old natural stand. Mean density of the plantation was 573 TPA (Trees per Acre) while the natural stand averaged 328 TPA, with a slightly higher density of 390 TPA in the study area. Total cycle time was not significantly different between the two stands and averaged 66.8 seconds. The feller-buncher harvested an average of 6.3 trees per min and 7.1 trees per accumulation. Productivity of the feller-buncher in the plantation averaged 77.9 green tons per PMH (Productive Machine Hour) with a mean tree size of 0.19 green tons. In the natural stand productivity averaged 118.7 green tons per PMH with a mean tree size of 0.49 green tons.

  • Citation: Klepac, J. 2013. Performance of a Tracked Feller-Buncher with a Shear Head Operating in Small-Diameter Pine. In: Proceedings of the 2013 Council on Forest Engineering Annual Meeting: Forest Operations for a Changing Landscape; July 7-10, 2013; Missoula, MT. 9 p.
  • Keywords: biomass, feller-buncher, time-study, productivity, pine
  • Posted Date: September 12, 2013
  • Modified Date: March 20, 2014

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