A Robust Productivity Model for Grapple Yarding in Fast-Growing Tree Plantations

Riaan Engelbrecht; Andrew McEwan; Raffaele Spinelli

doi:10.3390/f8100396

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A Robust Productivity Model for Grapple Yarding in Fast-Growing Tree Plantations

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

A Robust Productivity Model for Grapple Yarding in Fast-Growing Tree Plantations

Riaan Engelbrecht, Andrew McEwan and Raffaele Spinelli

Forests, Vol.8(10), 396

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/f8100396

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Abstract

productivity

logging

steep terrain

cable logging

Acacia mangium

New techniques have recently appeared that can extend the advantages of grapple yarding to fast-growing plantations. The most promising technique consists of an excavator-base un-guyed yarder equipped with new radio-controlled grapple carriages, fed by another excavator stationed on the cut-over. This system is very productive, avoids in-stand traffic, and removes operators from positions of high risk. This paper presents the results of a long-term study conducted on 12 different teams equipped with the new technology, operating in the fast-growing black wattle (Acacia mangiumWilld) plantations of Sarawak, Malaysia. Data were collected continuously for almost 8 months and represented 555 shifts, or over 55,000 cycles-each recorded individually. Production, utilization, and machine availability were estimated, respectively at: 63 m3 per productive machine hour (excluding all delays), 63% and 93%. Regression analysis of experimental data yielded a strong productivity forecast model that was highly significant, accounted for 50% of the total variability in the dataset and was validated with a non-significant error estimated at less than 1%. The figures reported in this study are especially robust, because they were obtained from a long-term study that covered multiple teams and accumulated an exceptionally large number of observations.

Details

Title: A Robust Productivity Model for Grapple Yarding in Fast-Growing Tree Plantations
Authors: Riaan Engelbrecht (Author) - Parkcity Commerce Square, Malaysia
Andrew McEwan (Author) - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa
Raffaele Spinelli (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: Forests, Vol.8(10), 396; 15
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2017
DOI: 10.3390/f8100396
ISSN: 1999-4907
Copyright note: Copyright © 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Industries Research Centre; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451276102621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Forestry

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