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1) ONE MAN OPERATION
Farmi tree harvesting is a system designed to give high output in
production with low investment in machinery. It allows existing tractors with PTO
and three-point hitch to be used by farmers, woodlot owners and contractors. One
person can operate very efficiently.
2) TREE LENGTH SKIDDING
Farmi tree harvesting is based on tree length skidding, whereby the
trees are felled and delimbed in the woods and then skidded to the landing, where they are
bucked and stacked. The Farmi tree harvesting method also works fine with
cut-to-length systems.
3) WHAT IT COSTS
For an investment of $2000-4500 a farm tractor can be put to use in
the fall and winter, when it would otherwise generally be standing idle. This is the
lowest possible investment for a productive operation.
4) EQUIPMENT
17hp to 150hp farm tractors, with PTO and 3-point
hitch, are used with matched Farmi winch, complete with, snatchblock, and chain
chokers. ROP's cab, front end loader or weights are necessary. Chain saw,
hard hat, safety gloves and boots complete the requirements.
5) PRODUCTION
a) USDA Forest's Forestry Sciences Laboratory reports 246
board feet per trip as an average of a 23-day study. The equipment used was a JL 30
(now replaced by JL 351) winch on a used international 340 tractor (33 HP). b)
Forest Engineering Institute of Canada reports an average load volume of 0.33 ct
(0.9 m^3) in a five day study. The equipment used was a JL 30 winch on a IH 444 (38
HP).
6) DAMAGE TO RESIDUAL STAND
The Farmi method is very useful in thinning operations where damage
to the remaining trees must be avoided. A 1979 study (J. Peusu) of two thinning
operations found that damage on the remaining trees was slight. Of the remaining
trees in one woodlot, only 1.5% were damaged and 0.5% in the other. The equipment
used was Farmi JL 306 (now replaced by the JL 351 model) winches on Leyland 282 and Valmet
702 tractors.
7) PLANNING STAGE
The Farmi tree harvesting method is designed to minimize damage to
the remaining trees in selective cuttings. The machinery never leaves the planned
skid trails. The trees are winched to the trails and then skidded out to the
landing. Alternatively, one can winch the trees to the skid road and then transport
the trees out with a forwarder.
An inexpensive and compact forwarder can be made for firewood and pulp production by
pulling a trailer behind a farm tractor which is equipped with Farmi knuckleboom loader.
SKID ROUTES
The stand, terrain and the equipment which is
available to transport the trees determine how close the skid trails are to each other.
Two hundred feet is one popular distance. The skid trails are planned and marked before
marking the trees to be cut. The object is to find the most advantageous routes for
the machinery. Plan the routes as straight as possible because they will serve you
through the thinning to the final felling. When planning your routes, avoid side
leaning and rather, skid slightly uphill or downhill.
8) DIRECTION FELLING IN SELECTIVE CUTTING
Direction felling saves labor and reduces damage on the residual
stand. The small logging slash is left on the skid road where it reduces soil
compaction and protects the tractor's tires.
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