Comparison of Productivity, Capital, and Labor Efficiency of Five Timber Harvesting Systems for Northern Hardwoods

Computer simulation results were used to compare four round-wood harvesting systems and a system that produced whole-tree chips. Thirteen timber stands were used to compare these systems on the basis of productivity, capital, and labor efficiency under two product sorting intensities. Average stand diameter at breast height (DBH) and the average number of trees per cord showed a high degree of correlation with productivity, as measured by cords produced per man-hour, for roundwood harvesting systems. Productivity for the system that produced whole-tree chips was most strongly correlated with the average number of trees per acre. Average system values for productivity and labor efficiency, as measured by after-tax net present value per $100,000 of annual payroll, were significantly higher under the system that produced whole-tree chips. A system where a forwarder was used to transport roundwood material to an in-woods landing yielded the highest capital efficiency, as measured by capitalization per cord produced. Both the system that utilized forwarders and the system that produced whole-tree chips had the highest capital efficiencies, as measured by after-tax net present value per $100,000 invested in equipment. All roundwood harvesting systems used capital (after-tax net present value per $100,000 system investment) and labor most efficiently when operating under the fully-integrated product sorting intensity.

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