Efficiency and Cost Analysis of Forestry Machinery Usage in Hyrcanian Forests of Iran

The operating hourly cost of the machine is a suitable factor to analyze the cost fluctuation certain machinery in a changing environment and to find of economically feasible work concepts for the studied machine system. This paper, which is based on studies carried out in northern forests of IR-Iran, analyzed and compared costs of four skidding and excavation machines used in timber harvesting and preparing forest roads. Cost calculations were based on the methods used by FAO. Results indicated that the production cost of excavation machines for crawler bulldozer Komatsu D60 and crawler hydraulic excavator Komatsu PC220 was 0.130 € m and 0.164 € m respectively. Also, production cost of skidding machines for wheeled skidder 3 3 Timberjak 450°C and HSM 904 was 1.320 € m and 2.940 € m respectively; where the terrain and forest 3 3 conditions of Iran are moderate, the crawler bulldozer and wheeled Timberjack must be preferred to other equipments, because hydraulic excavator and HSM are too expensive. To conclude, this study reveals that information on the productivity, cost and applications of skidding and excavation machines and systems is a key component in the evaluation of management plans.