Forest companies across Canada are interested in using laser scanners for scaling logs because it has potential for reducing scaling costs. Scanning logs over bark requires a method to obtain the under-bark diameter in order to calculate the solid wood volume. This report evaluates the methods of applying a bark factor to determine under-bark diameter. It also identifies new scanner scaling technologies for measuring bark thickness.
The productivity, utilization, and operator working techniques of a winch-assisted forwarder and harvester were assessed over five months. Anchoring techniques, wire rope inspection methods, and environmental and terrain factors affecting productivity were documented.
The Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada (FERIC) examined the level of butt damage from felling with a high-speed circular-saw felling head when a feller-buncher accumulated from one to five trees per cycle. The machine's productivity for the different number of trees per cycle was recorded, and the impact of factors such as terrain and stand conditions on wood damage is discussed.
L'Institut canadien de recherches en génie forestier (FERIC) a examiné le niveau de dommages au gros bout des tiges dus à l'abattage par scie circulaire à haute vitesse, quand une abatteuse-groupeuse accumule de un à cinq arbres par cycle. La productivité de la machine a été enregistrée pour les différents nombres d'arbres par cycle, et l'influence de facteurs tels que les conditions de terrain et de peuplement sur les dommages causés au bois fait l'objet de discussion.
L’Institut canadien de recherches en génie forestier (FERIC) a examiné l’incidence des dommages mécaniques causés aux tiges en longueur, par suite du stockage et de la manutention dans un parc d’usine du nord de l’Alberta. Une projection de la fréquence des bris et de la perte en volume de sciage a été faite pour les tiges stockées dans le parc de l’usine pendant quatre périodes de durée différente. Les facteurs qui peuvent avoir influencé les niveaux de dommage sont discutés, et le rapport comprend des recommandations en vue de réduire les pertes de bois dues aux bris.
The Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada (FERIC) examined the measuring accuracy of common harvesters and processors operating in British Columbia and Alberta. The results showed large variations in length and diameter performance of the machines, which was attributed partly to differences in emphasis placed on measuring accuracy at the harvesting site. Other factors affecting measuring accuracy included variation in tree characteristics, lack of properly calibrated measuring systems, and wrong target lengths programmed in the measuring system's computer. Based on the findings, FERIC made suggestions to improve measuring performance.
