CONTENTS 



Page 



Introduction 1 



Study Objectives 1 



Study Methods 2 



Study Area Description 2 



Marking, Cruising, and Block Layout 2 



Logging Equipment and Methods 4 



Crew Members and Organizations 5 



Data Collection 5 



Results 5 



System Productivity 5 



Component Productivity 7 



Evaluation as a Forest Management Tool 10 



Summary and Recommendations 14 



Appendixes 



A. Volumes and Legal Loads for Standard Chip Van 



and Tractor Combinations 15 



B. Tree Processor Productivity 16 



C. Whole-Tree Chipper Productivity 17 



TABLES 



1. Summary of study areas and production volumes 



2. Comparison of labor productivity for different 



logging blocks 



3. Distribution of harvested cubic volume by size 



class 



4. Machine utilization rates for the tree processor 



and chipper 7 



5. Felling and skidding production 7 



6. Production rates for feller-bunchers (block average) . . 7 



7. Hook/unhook times for John Deere skidders 8 



8. Tree processor production rates 8 



9. Loading times for Hahn Harvester processed logs ... 10 

 10. Fuel consumption rates 10 



Page 

 . . . . 6 



.... 6 



FIGURES 



Page 



Figure 1 . Flow diagram of a harvesting system for logs 

 and whole-tree chips (hog fuel), using a 

 Hahn Treelength Harvester in conjunction 

 with a Trelan Model DL-18 whole-tree 



chipper 2 



Figure 2. Location of study blocks on Champion Inter- 

 national lands in western Montana 3 



Figure 3. Bunched trees oriented toward landing 4 



Figure 4. Landing at the Sheep Flats block 4 



Figure 5. Orientation of equipment on the landing 



as used in the study 4 



Figure 6. Logs delimtjed by harvesting machine 8 



Figure 7. Sheared trees decked for loading 9 



Figure 8. Anaccumulationof tops and limbs from the 



tree processor 9 



Figure 9. Landing operation on restricted steep 



terrain 10 



Figure 10. Before (left) and after (right) logging views of 



study blocks 12 



