The efficiency of Backmund method for evaluation of forest road networks with regard to capabilities of wheeled skidders in ground skidding method

Forestroad construction is the most costly operation in forest management. In order to choose the optimal variant with regard to costs and performance, it is necessary to evaluate road variants before construction. This study was performed in Namkhaneh district. Skidding coverage area with regards to landing and skid trails constraints was calculated, then it was compared with Backmund coverage area considering capabilities of wheeled skidders in wood extraction to determine the efficiency of Backmund method. The results showed that in order to evaluate the forest road networks from technical point of view with regard to capabilities of wheeled skidders in wood extraction, Backmund method is not precise enough to be the best variant and the limitations of ground skidding should be considered to use this method