Abstract
Farm tractor skidding is one of the common methods of timber extraction in Turkey. However, the absence of an optimal skidding plan covering the entire production area can result in time loss and negative environmental impacts. In this study, the timber extraction by farm tractors was analyzed, and a new skid trail pattern design was developed using Linear Programming (LP) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). First, a sample skidding operation was evaluated with a time study, and an optimum skidding model was generated with LP. Then, the new skidding pattern was developed by an optimum skidding model and GIS analysis. At the end of the study, the developed new skid trail pattern was implemented in the study area and tested by running a time study. Using the newly developed “Direct Skid Trail Pattern (DSTP)” model, a 16.84% increase in working time performance was observed when the products were extracted by farm tractors compared to the existing practices. On the other hand, the average soil compaction value measured in the study area at depths of 0–5 cm and 5–10 cm was found to be greater in the sample area skid trails than in the control points. The average density of the skid trails was 281 m/ha, while it decreased to 187 m/ha by using the developed pattern. It was also found that 44,829 ton/ha of soil losses were prevented by using the DSTP model; therefore, environmental damages were decreased.
Highlights
Extraction work is one of the important steps in the production of wood-based forest products.The extraction process includes various tools and methods according to the technical, economic and environmental aspects
The main objective of this paper is to develop a new skid trail pattern model using an optimization technique and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) database analysis for the extraction of industrial wood using farm tractors
Direct Skid Trail Pattern (DSTP) was found to be the most suitable according to spatial conditions and the time analyses of the optimum skidding model
Summary
The extraction process includes various tools and methods according to the technical, economic and environmental aspects. Farm tractors are used for a variety of forest harvesting tasks, including felling, processing, extraction, and transportation [1]. Skidding with farm tractors is a very common extraction method, which has many advantages such as low investment for small-scale forests [2]. Stream water quality can be affected by the nutrient cycle and water temperature of riparian zones. This is primarily due to sediment flow into drainage systems caused by skid trails [3,4,5,6,7,8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
