Forest Operations

Abstract

The discipline of Forest operations is constantly challenged to find solutions for unique problems. Each forest site requires specific technological approaches and machinery based on given management goals and ecological and environmental circumstances. Various terrain types and soil conditions, harvesting costs and taking care of the workforce by creating safe working conditions are some of the a

Objective

In this course, students will learn to use a wide variety of approaches grounded in the natural sciences, engineering and technology to develop solutions tailored to unique challenges from the field of forest operations. The course is aimed at students who either plan an academic or professional career in the field of forest operations, or who will work at the interface between forest operations and the various related disciplines, such as forest ecosystem management and forestry in the wider sense. After participating in this course students will have acquired foundational knowledge of a wide variety of core elements in the field of forest operations: • The course will provide students with the ability to describe and differentiate site and stand conditions from an engineering perspective. • Students will gain an overview and good working knowledge of current technology used in forest operations in Switzerland and around the world. • Students will acquire the ability to assess the strength and weaknesses of the most commonly used equipment and analyze their suitability for a given set of environmental, economic and social factors. • Students will be able to combine different types of technology to create an optimal harvesting system for a given task, and assess a given system for its task specific suitability. • Participants will be able to assess the sustainability and potential short- and long-term impacts of harvesting systems under ecological, economic and social constraints.

Content

Introduction • Historic overview • Scope of operation • Site and stand characteristics Timber harvesting • Logging methods • Felling methods • Motor-Manual felling methods o Falling and processing • Forest machine structure and function • Harvester Technology o Felling heads o Carriers for felling heads • Bunching • Mechanical processing • Loading equipment • Operating techniques Primary Transport Systems • Ground based o Common features o Skidder o Forwarder o Loader Forwarder • Cable yarding o Common features o Wire rope o Cable yarding systems o Operating techniques • Aerial o Common features o Operating techniques Winch-Assisted Harvesting Operations • Harvesting • Primary transport Loading Equipment Secondary transport • Truck configurations • Soil compaction and contamination • Riparian areas Forest Operations management • Ergonomics • Work Safety • Economic Aspects • Environmental impact assessment • Equipment selection Forest operations across the globe • New Zealand • North America o British Columbia, Canada o South-eastern U.S.A Specialized equipment for small scale forest operations Outlook into the future of forest operations

Resources