Technological analysis of felling-skidding-processing machines usage

For small and low-volume logging enterprises that predominate in the forest complex of the Russian Federation, in conditions of an acute shortage of forest fellers, universal logging machines (single-machine logging complexes) are one of the most preferred options for carrying out logging operations, both in clear felling and selective logging. Compared with multi-machine logging complexes, for example, harvester and forwarder, they require significantly less capital investment, operators, and the cost of moving them from one cutting area to another. The latter is quite a significant factor because of a defragmented cutting fund (with a predominance of small-area and realizable wood volume of cutting areas), characteristic of such enterprises. The article presents a technological analysis of four options for using felling-skidding-processing machines. Technological schemes for the development of cutting areas using these machines are considered. The options of using these universal logging machines are considered when they are included in the structure of multi-machine logging complexes, if it is necessary to increase significantly the volume of wood harvesting per unit of time. It is shown that felling-skidding-processing machines have a great variability of technological use, in particular, they may be used both on Scandinavian and Canadian technology of logging operations.