A log truck loading study in the intermountain region: production and costs

Graduation date: 1978In order to appraise timber, it is necessary to estimate logging costs with reasonable accuracy. The purpose of this study is to provide a rethod for estimating log loading costs in the Intermountain Region. Nine different log loaders were studied loading from cold decks on six USDA. Forest Service timber sales in the Intermountain Region. Regression analysis indicated that loading time per truck was a linear function of pieces per truck. It also indicated a significant difference in loading times between hydraulic loaders and cable loaders. Regression analysis of sample truck scale data for each sale indicated that both the number of pieces loaded per truck and the volume per truck were functions of average piece size. The results also suggested that timber species affected volume per truck. The time study regression equation and the sample truck scale regression equations were combined to obtain production equations for both cable and hydraulic loaders as a function of average piece size. Then estimated owning and operating costs for a typical hydraulic loader were combined with the production equation to obtain a relationship for loading costs per unit volume a a function of average piece size and hours of annual use. These costs were compared with costs obtained using the USDP Forest Service andbook (Forest Service, 1977). Results of this comparison indicated that the USDA Forest Service appraised loading costs did not vary nearly as much with average piece size as did the cost estimated in this paper