Cable yarding residue after thinning young stands: a break-even simulation

The use of cable logging to extract small pieces of residue wood may result in low rates of production and a high cost per unit of wood produced. However, the logging manager can improve yarding productivity and break even in cable residue removal operations by using the proper planning techniques. In this study, breakeven zones for specific young-growth stands were developed with data from a field study, break-even analysis, and a simulation model called THIN. Results suggest that logging contractors can break even by developing and using residue removal guidelines for various combinations of piece sizes and slope yarding distances. Simulation analysis was used to explore the effect on production rates of slope yarding distances, piece size distributions, and numbers of pieces per acre. For the $76-per-hour machine used, the results of break-even analysis were most affected by piece size. Slope distance also had a strong impact. The number of pieces per acre had the least effect on production rates and costs.