Productivity analysis and costs of wheel cable skidder during salvage logging in European beech stand

Salvage logging is increasing in Central Europe because of the growth severe meteorological events, and timber harvesting these conditions challenging terms both productivity performances safety operations. In recent years, with increase natural calamities, several researchers studied machinery regarding salvage carried out by ground-based systems. fact, a common post-disturbance management approach which consists widespread removal damaged trees. this research, system cost are analysed European beech stands affected wet snow. The accretion heavy snow poses greatest risk to forests Northern Hemisphere. This type attaches more effectively tree crowns branches when temperatures close freezing at time precipitation. As result, trees may break or bend be uprooted soil unfrozen. study has been implemented evaluate cost-effectiveness extraction deployed skidder two different types damage. results show that four-wheel-drive cable skidder, despite operating cutting intensity 10%, 14.73 m3·SMH–1, similar ‘ordinary’ cuttings. Skidder’s productive was 86% scheduled time, whereas delays were due organisational reasons, mechanical delays, adverse weather conditions. mean travel speed obtained from other studies on machines. costs per unit lower than effective consumptions for skidders agricultural tractors, adapted skidding operated hardwood logging. Therefore, under given conditions, operation fourwheel-drive viable silvicultural, technical, economic point view