Utilization and cost for animal logging operations

Abstract

Forest harvesting with animals is a labor-intensive operation. Due to the development of efficient machines and high volume demands from the forest products industry, mechanization of logging developed very fast, leaving behind the traditional horse and mule logging. It is expensive to use machines on smaller woodlots, which require frequent moves if mechanically logged, so small logging systems using animals may be more cost effective. Highly sensitive areas such as around public recreation may be logged effectively with minimal disruption using animal crews. In this study, work sampling was used for five animal logging operations in Alabama to measure productive and non- productive time elements, to determine utilization with respect to operators, functions (felling and processing of trees, skidding, and loading and/or forwarding of logs), animals, and machines. Animals (horses and mules) were utilized less than 50 percent of the scheduled time. There appears to be an opportunity to reduce cost of log production by increasing scheduled work hours and utilization of machines and animals. Average onboard truck logging cost was estimated to be $28.12 per cord for the five crews.

Citation

Shrestha, Suraj P.; Lanford, Bobby L. 2001. Utilization and cost for animal logging operations. Proceedings of the 24th Annual COFE Meeting: 148-154