Skyline tension and dynamic loading for cable yarding comparing conventional single-hitch versus horizontal double-hitch suspension carriages

Wire rope used in cable logging, where a series of cables facilitate the extraction timber on steep terrain, experiences high tensions that must be managed to ensure safety. Innovations change practices over time and double-hitch carriages, which allow trees extracted horizontally, are recent example. This makes it feasible harvest across terrain with limited deflection, increases recovery biomass, potentially reduces high-dynamic load events associated ground contact. In this study, standard single-hitch carriage was compared against new under controlled conditions. Tension measured continuously specific elements, such as tension when at midspan, maximum breakout inhaul, magnitude cyclic during inhaul were identified, payload. While payload similar treatments, additional weight resulted higher skyline tensions. both midspan strongly correlated. Cyclic reduced by system. number unique loads identified not part normal extraction, they represented only 6% cycles experienced break-out inhaul. study increased understanding logging operations effect type. It showed that, though often exceeds safe working cable, does exceed endurance limit for well-designed operated