Excavators as Base Machines in Logging Operations

Time and ergonomie studies were carried out for three excavator-based logging machines. A follow-up study of three excavator-based harvesters was conducted. The studies indicate that productivity was at the same level as that of Nordic specialized forest machines, and with a similar ergonomie level. The ground pressure exerted by the excavator-based harvesters varied from 30 to 52 kPa. The ability of the machines to operate in the terrain was good, in rough terrain as well as in terrain with soft ground conditions. These machines can also be used for ditch digging, scarifying, planting, and road building and maintenance. The machines then function more as attachment carriers than custom-built excavators. The relatively low investment cost in comparison with that of custom-built Nordic machines also reduces operating costs.