Short-rotation poplar : a harvesting trial

A study of components of two systems for harvestlng short-rotation poplar (Populus spp.), one utilizing a tracked skidder and the other based on cable yarding, was carried out in Oregon. The terrain was flat, and dry enough to allow the use of tractive equipment. Stump-to-truck pulp chip cost estimates were $33/bone dry ton (BDT) and $57/BDT for the observed skidder and yarder systems, respectively, and $41 /BDT for a hypothetical optimized yarder-based system. The skidder system appeared to be a viable alternative for producing pulp chips during dry weather.