A Comparative Analysis of Two Cable Yarder Technologies Performing Thinning Operations on a 33 Year Old Pine Plantation: A Potential Source of Wood for Energy
Author(s)
Date Issued
2020
Type
article
Volume
13
Issue
20
Start Page
1
End Page
20
Journal
Abstract
In central Italy, there are extensive European black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) plantations which range from 30 to 60 years of age and where no thinning operations have been made. The main purpose of this study was to provide a comparative analysis of two cable yarder technologies (Maxwald, mobile pulley carriage and Savall, semi-automatic carriage), in terms of fuelwood production and cost, from the first thinning of a 33 year old plantation in slope areas of these plantations. The results showed that fuelwood production was cost-effective in both systems (Savall by 15.1 and Maxwald by 14.8 € m−3), although the productivity of the Savall system was higher than the Maxwald system (6.1 vs. 5.7 m3 h−1). The respect amounts of productivity have the potential to increase by 27% for the Savall yarder and 25% for the Maxwald yarder upon condition that the delay times are reduced to minimum level by proper training of workers, by a better organization, and planning of operations. The total effective CO2 emission by the Savall yarder was lower than the Maxwald yarder (1735 vs. 1772 g m−3). A sustainable production of fuelwood that is economically advantageous and environmentally sound in these plantations can be realized through an appropriate mechanization level and constant interaction with the silvicultural planning. This must be completed with adequate and efficient worker training.
Subjects
Project(s)
This research was in part carried out within the framework of the MIUR (Italian Ministry for Education, University and Research) initiative “Departments of Excellence” (Law 232/2016), WP3, which financed the Department of Agriculture and Forest Science at the University of Tuscia.