Engine Raise Capacity in Terms of Costing Element of Log Skidding Using a Monocable Winch at PT Ratah Timber

Log skidding using a monocable winch is less costly compared to that using a bulldozer (Ruslim, et al., 2011). Study on engine capacity raise on costing elements of log skidding using this monocable winch was aimed at finding out about: (1) Economical aspects, how much the skidding costs involved using this winch. This study was focused on raising the engine capacity from 20-HP to 26-HP. Research method used was a combination of quantitative and qualitative taking into account factors of (1) Dimension (diameters of center, edge and length) of the stems to find out about the stem volume skidded; (2) the time taken in skidding, i.e. finding about the phenomenon of pure and general timeline required; and (3) total and price of equipment, fuel, oil and grease spent.Results of the research indicate that raising the engine capacity in skidding using the 20-HP engine was higher than that of the 26-HP in terms of skidding cost, which was Rp 12.364,83 m-3hm-1 > Rp 10.853,05 m-3hm-1. In other words, raising the engine capacity from 20-HP to 26-Hp managed to reduce the skidding cost on 1 hm distance down to Rp 1.511,78 m-3 Keywords: Skidding, Productivity and Operating cost