Fuel and Time Consumption in Alpine Cable Yarder Operations

A survey was conducted on 12 cable yarding operations in northern Italy, with the purpose of determining fuel consumption and time use. The observation unit individual operation, intended as all activities needed to complete harvesting a sale (mean = 500 m3 timber). All teams were equipped tower yarder, an excavator-based loader or processor truck tractor trailer, if intermediate transportation larger roadside landing (two-staging) required. crew size 3 4 operators. Time use recorded separately for following tasks: relocation; set up & dismantle; commuting; yarding; processing and/or loading; major delay events. Fuel averaged 5.1 L m−3, which 2.2 m−3 incurred by two-staging. In general, yarder accounted less than half total operation: indeed main consumer. Relocation had very small incidence Set dismantle did not incur significant but occupied meaningful share 22%). Commuting also unexpectedly large (and generally neglected) use—with means at 13% 7%, respectively. Technology developments aimed reducing should target both consumers: well processor. Significant benefits would be achieved through improved planning infrastructure development, minimizing need (i.e. two-staging).