LOGSIM: A Tool for Mechanized Harvesting Systems Design and Analysis

Abstract

Design, evaluation, and control of mechanized timber harvesting systems is an area of considerable importance in the forest products industry. Mathematical analysis of such systems is not computationally feasible due to their complexity and diversity. Computer simulation to model harvesting has received considerable attention. One problem with the simulation approach is that the wide array of factors and their interactions affecting the system have caused researchers to concentrate on analyzing only specific system components. In addition, simulation results are difficult to interpret, particularly in terms of system cost and productivity. This article describes a simulation model for planning and design of the entire harvesting system (tree-to-mill). The unique features of this model include a front-end user interface for defining on-line, in an interactive session, the characteristics of the harvesting system to be analyzed; an output processor that reports simulation results in an easy to understand and interpret form; and a graphics package that produces graphical output of selected simulation results.