Resumen de Productivity and cost anaylisis of logging arch used with farm tractor in mediterranean forest skidding operations
The logging arch is a skidding implement studied to reduce log friction by lifting the forward log end above the ground. The tractor-arch combination reached its golden age between 1945 and 1965, and was then replaced by the skidder. The authors believe that it still has a large potential for small scale forestry, because of its versatility and low cost. This paper reports 10 case studies, concerning the use of 6 tractor-arch combinations in different conditions. The use of logging arches proved profitable in all cases, with the exception of stands whose residual density exceeds 600 trees per hectare. Farm tractors equipped with logging arches can skid heavy turn loads at comparatively high speed. Moreover, delays incidence and soil damage substantially reduced as a result of logging arch use.
