Trends in southern forest harvesting equipment and logging costs

Southern timber harvesting equipment and on-road vehicle costs were obtained for the years from 1967 to 1984. Average cost trends for equipment and vehicles were determined for the period. Average logging contract rates and price trends were also estimated. Comparisons indicated that equipment costs increased more than the general inflation rate and less than the prices of other industrial commodities. Logging costs have increased less than logging equipment prices and both measures of inflation, which indicates increased product ~ v t t y during the period. The costs associated with harvesting timber are a continual concern to foresters and loggers. Logging costs dtrectly concern procurement foresters (who pay loggers) and the contract rates received affect loggers (who hope to profit in their business). This paper summarizes and analyzes historical data on timber harvesting equipment costs and logging costs. Trends in equipment and lugging costs are compared with the general rates of inflation, and implications for the logging industry are discussed.