RESEARCH SUMMARY 



Three different skidding methods — small rubber-tired skidder, horse, 

 small tracked tractor — were compared in an overmature lodgepole pine 

 stand in Montana. Five comparable units were logged using two different 

 utilization standards — loggers' choice and 2 1/2-inch topd.i.b. Skidding 

 production, product volume removed per acre, and residue volume per acre 

 are compared for each cutting unit. Skidding costs, in order of increasing 

 costs were rubber-tired skidder, horse, and then farm tractor. On a capital 

 investment basis, horse skidding is the most efficient. 



