Feller-Buncher and Cut-to-Length

Research Issue

The trend towards increased mechanization in forest harvesting is due to the need to meet productivity, cost, safety objectives, and environmental concerns.  Using machines to fell, delimb, bunch, and sort trees gives a logging company the potential to be more productive than using crews of hand fellers.

Our Research

The studies being conducted include time and motion data gathering for feller-buncher and cut-to-length systems, their impacts on the harvest site due to soil disturbance and compaction, and assessments on the profitability of such systems operating in hardwood forests.

Expected Outcomes

The time and motion data will be modeled and used to develop general cost and productivity equations that can be used to estimate the cost and production of alternative machines for a wide range of operating conditions.  The results should be valuable to managers, planners, and loggers considering the use of mechanized systems.

Research Results

LeDoux, Chris B. 2011. Harvesting systems for the northern forest hardwoods. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-91. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 65 p.

LeDoux, Chris B. 2010. Mechanized systems for harvesting eastern hardwoods.  Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-69. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 13 p.  

Wang, Jingxin; LeDoux, Chris B.; Li, Yaoxiang. 2005. Simulating cut-to-length harvesting operations in Appalachian hardwoods.   International Journal of Forest Engineering: 16(2): 11-27.

LeDoux, Chris B.; Huyler, Neil K. 2001. Comparison of two cut-to-length harvesting systems operating in Eastern hardwoods.  Journal of Forest Engineering: 12(1): 53-59.

Research Participants

Principal Investigator

• Dr. Chris B. LeDoux, US Forest Service- Northern Reseach Station Industrial Engineer (Retired)

Research Partners

• Dr. Jingxin Wang, West Virginia University

For More Information

• Toni Jones, US Forest Service - Northern Research Station, Computer Programmer

For further information log on website :
http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/sustaining_forests/conserve_enhance/timber/herbicides/