Effect of selective cutting type on the chainsaw productivity in Caspian Forests

Abstract

Time and motion studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of selective cutting type on Chainsaw productivity in Caspian forests, the selective cutting performed as single and group selection cutting in the region. The selective cutting was performed on a 42-ha tract with an average slope of 30%. The results indicate that felling time for per tree is most affected by diameter at breast height, the distance among harvested trees in single-tree selection method and diameter at breast height in group selection method. The production rate in single and group selection cutting were 21.2 m³·h⁻¹ and 28.4 m³·h⁻¹ for one person, respectively. Considering the gross and net production rate in single and group selection cutting, the unit cost was 1.11 USD·m⁻³ and 0.88 USD·m⁻³, respectively. The results indicate that group selection cutting can be more profitable than single-tree selection method.

Keywords

single-tree selection / Group selection / manual felling / unit cost