Harvester Productivity and Cost in Small Diameter Timber Stands in Central Maine, USA.

Precommercial thinning (PCT) is a common silvicultural treatment used in the early management of conifer forests across North America and Europe. The positive effects of PCT on tree growth are well documented, however, the treatment itself represents a significant investment for the landowner. In this study we show the productivity, costs, and profits from a first thinning with such a harvesting system in west-central Maine. The machines studied were a Ponsse Ergo harvester and a Timberjack 1110 forwarder. Four different treatment intensities were harvested, each with three to four replications. Results show that the harvester productivity ranges from 6.1 and 26.5 m 3 /PMH. A forwarder simulation was applied to increase comparability of individual treatments. The harvest costs, including a wide range of machine costs, ranged from 1130 $/ha to 3430 $/ha. Profit ranged from 860 $/ha to 4910 $/ha, including a round-trip trucking distance of 96 km. Our conclusion is that with an approximate PCT cost of 500 $/ha it seems that PCT is a worthwhile investment into the financial future of a softwood stand.

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