34 BULLETIN 44:0, TJ. S/DEPAETMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



lifts the log, and the carriage is hauled in. The other system pro- 

 vides that the main line be kept taut and sufficient slack to reach 

 the logs pulled m the skidding line by some slack-pulling device. 



The first attempt at overhead yarding in California sugar and 

 yellow pme was made in 1913 with the first-mentioned system. It 

 was continued through 1914 and the company considers the work 

 so successful that a second machine is to be fitted with an overhead 

 rig in the near future. The engme used is a three drum, 12 by 14 

 inch yarder, equipped with a IJ-inch main or standing line. The 

 usual distance between the spar tree and tail tree is 1,800 or 1,900 

 feet, but spans of 2,200 feet have been made. The carriage is oper- 

 ated on this standing line by a 1-inch skidding line and a f-inch haul- 

 back. The best settmg is on the point of a secondary ridge, as the 

 span may then be made across a gulch or small canyon. The rig is 

 used both for yardmg and roading, the plan for roading being to 

 station a yarder at the tail tree and yard in for an additional 1,400 

 feet. Logs are hauled in one, two, and three log lengths, the aver- 

 age load being about 1,000 feet. A small donkey is stationed at 

 the landing for haulmg the logs m the bucking chute and loading. 

 The average output for four summer months was 60,000 feet per day. 



Two other similar rigs are being operated experimentally, with 

 some success, in the Sierras. One operator in the northern portion 

 of the East Slope region is using a large steel skidder, known as the 

 universal logger. It is equipped to operate one line as an oveihead 

 or two lines as a ground skidder. 



The system in which the main line is slackened and pulled sidewise 

 to the logs could hardly be used on National Forest timber sale areas 

 where clear cutting is not practiced. There is reason to believe, 

 however, that under certain conditions the other system can be used, 

 if provision is made m marking the trees for cutting. The cost of 

 overhead machines with double sets of blocks, etc., is from $12,000 

 to $14,000 each, delivered on the ground. Cables are not included, 

 and the cost of a set ranges from $2,500 to $3,000. 



FROM YARD TO LANDING. 



When the common yarding point is located at some distance from 

 the landing, a step is necessary which is usually termed chuting or 

 roading. It is usually done m chutes by horses, in chutes with 

 donkey engines, or on the groimd with donkey engines. Other pos- 

 sible methods are hauling with slip-tongue big wheels from yarders 

 used on rough ground in the midst of a big wheel logging operation, 

 and the use of overhead systems. Overhead systems similar to those 

 used for yarding may in the futm'e be utilized for roading across 

 canyons, up steep grades, and down rough slopes. Extra supports 

 could be used if necessary. Aerial tramways with frequent supports 



