Direct Transport

Timber sales are often limited by wet conditions, steep roads, and small landing size. We are investigating a means to work more efficiently under these conditions. Providing a means for the direct transport of logs from the forest to the mill can eliminate the need for a loader and reduce transition time between skidding or forwarding and road transportation. This capability can improve the revenue received from timber sales, reduce the cost of stewardship projects, and increase our management options to reduce landing sizes and work with unfavorable conditions.

The solution identified is a hook-lift or roll-off system.  This system adapts the roll-off containers currently widespread in the waste management field.  A similar roll-off system adapted to a forwarder would allow the forwarder to load a log bunk, drive it to a suitable landing, and unload the whole bunk as a unit.  The log truck would then load the loaded bunks directly using either the roll-off or hook lift system.  The advantage of this system is the time savings of not needing to unload the forwarder log by log and loading the truck log by log.  Loaded bunks can be staged so that the log truck does not need to wait for a loader to load his bunks. 

This link shows a Quick Time movie that demonstrates this direct transport concept. To download the QuickTime plugin, click here.

There are many possible advantages to this system, which is not limited to:

• eliminates loading delays at the landing
• allows easy exchange from bunks to containers to fire suppression equipment, etc.
• permits transport of multiple empty bunks
• reduces handling of individual logs
• allows a variety of products to be transported with the same truck configuration
• increases the feasibility of transfer yard

One downside is a payload loss due to the added weight of the systems and the bunks.  This loss is estimated to be between 1500 and 4000 lbs.  However when compared to a self loading log truck, there is estimated to be a payload gain by converting to the hook-lift or roll-off system.

A recent study in Montana used the hook-lift system on trucks hauling chips, but forest going vehicles with the hook-lift or roll-off system where not used. In this case, the truck payload could not be maximized. However it has not been tested with loads of logs, which should improve the payload optimization. 

To truly evaluate the the capabilities of these options, a field trial is needed. We are currently working with Virginia Tech and seeking cooperators who are interested in installing and testing the system.