Comparison of Selected Terramechanical Test Procedures and Cartographic Indices to Predict Rutting Caused by Machine Traffic during a Cut-to-Length Thinning Operation

Timber harvesting operations using heavy forest machinery frequently results in severe soil compaction and displacement, threatening sustainable management. An accurate prediction of trafficability, considering actual operating conditions, minimizes these impacts can be facilitated by various predictive tools. Within this study, we validated the accuracy four terramechanical parameters, including Cone Index (MPa, Penetrologger), penetration depth (cm, cone (cm blow−1, dual-mass dynamic penetrometer) shear strength (kPa, vane meter), additionally two cartographic indices (topographic wetness index depth-to-water). Measurements applying approaches were performed at 47 transects along newly assigned machine trails broadleaved dominated mixed stands. After CTL thinning operation was completed, measurement correlated against rut depth. Under rather dry conditions (29 ± 9 vol%), total ranged between 2.2 11.6 cm, clearly predicted after a single pass harvester, which used for further validations. The indicated easy-to-measure as most approach to predict depth, coefficients correlation (rP = 0.44). Moreover, 0.34) provided reliable results. Surprisingly, no response observed, although it is commonly assess trafficability. relatively low moisture probably inhibited rutting content. Consistently, could not rutting. Rut harvester predictor 2–5 passes 0.50). Rarely such or strength, outcompeted highly reputed Index, emphasizing investigations applied