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Articles containing the keyword 'forest machines'

Category : Article

article id 5564, category Article
Jerry Johansson. (1995). Backhoe loaders as base machines in logging operations. Silva Fennica vol. 29 no. 4 article id 5564. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.a9215
Keywords: harvesting; logging; time studies; forest machines; attachments; backhoe loaders; base machines
Abstract | View details | Full text in PDF | Author Info

Time studies and an ergonomic assessment were carried out in logging operations for three logging machines based on backhoe loader chassis. The time studies were completed with a follow-up study of one backhoe loader-based single-grip harvester. The studies indicated a productivity at the same level as that of specialized Nordic logging machines. Ergonomics also proved to be good. Mean ground pressure exerted by the backhoe loader-based logging machines was little higher than for some of the conventional Nordic single-grip harvesters to which it was compared. The ability of the machines to operate in the terrain was also good, even in rough terrain.

These machines can also be used for other jobs, such as ditch digging, road building and road maintenance. The machines then function more as carriers for attachments rather than custom-built backhoe loaders. By more careful planning of operations, the machines can be used to a higher degree and more effectively. The relatively low investment cost compared to many custom-built Nordic logging machines also contributes to a reduction of operating costs.

  • Johansson, E-mail: jj@mm.unknown (email)
article id 5186, category Article
Kaarlo Rieppo, Seppo Väyrynen. (1983). Kuormatraktoreiden huolto-ominaisuusvertailu haastattelemalla. Silva Fennica vol. 17 no. 2 article id 5186. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.a15102
English title: Interview survey on the servicing properties of forest tractors.
Original keywords: metsäkoneet; metsätraktorit; ergonomia; huolto; kunnossapito; huoltotyö; kuormatraktori; työolosuhteet
English keywords: maintenance; working conditions; forest machines; forest tractors; ergonomy; serviceability
Abstract | View details | Full text in PDF | Author Info

The aim of this concise interview survey was to collect information about the servicing properties of forest tractors. Ten interviewees gave grades (in a scale from 4 to 10) concerning two servicing properties of various types of forest tractor. The rating covered the general safety during servicing (structural serviceability) and work postures during the work. Four types of forest tractor widely-used in Finland were chosen. The forwarders were of different size and structure.

According to the rating, the lightest forwarder was clearly superior to the other types. This machine was also the smallest in size and the most modern. Differences between the other three forwarders were not quite so clear. The variation between the machines as regards both so-called easy and troublesome tasks was considerable. Lubrication of the articulated shafts and supporting bearings was, however, very troublesome regardless the machine type. The heaviest tractor was considered the most difficult to service.

The PDF includes a summary in English.

  • Rieppo, E-mail: kr@mm.unknown (email)
  • Väyrynen, E-mail: sv@mm.unknown
article id 5126, category Article
Martti Saarilahti. (1981). Koneiden uppoaminen suometsien puunkorjuussa. Silva Fennica vol. 15 no. 3 article id 5126. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.a15067
English title: Sinkage of forest machines during harvesting operations on peatlands.
Original keywords: suot; puunkorjuu; turvemaat; metsäkoneet; kantavuus
English keywords: logging; peatlands; timber harvesting; forest machines; carrying capacity
Abstract | View details | Full text in PDF | Author Info

Questionnaires were sent out to determine the volume of wood harvested from peatlands during 1978 and the harvesting problems encountered. In total there were 110 responses which accounted for 8 million m3 of wood harvested, of which 1.0 million m3 (14%) was harvested from peatlands. The largest proportion of wood harvested from peatlands was during the winter. Most of the respondents reportet that they wait for the soil frost to set before harvesting is started on peatlands. Respondents indicated a total of 263 machines bogging down in to the soil or, for 1978, a total for Finland of 750 to 1,000 machines.
The PDF includes a summary in English.

The PDF includes a summary in English.

  • Saarilahti, E-mail: ms@mm.unknown (email)
article id 5059, category Article
Pertti Harstela. (1980). Jäljelle jäävä puusto ja ajouralta toimivat harvennuspuun korjuukoneet. Silva Fennica vol. 14 no. 1 article id 5059. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.a15000
English title: Remaining trees and machines working from the strip roads in thinning.
Original keywords: harvennushakkuu; puunkorjuu; metsäkoneet; ajourat; jäljelle jäävä puusto; valikoiva harvennus
English keywords: skidding; thinning; timber harvesting; forest machines; strip roads; remaining trees
Abstract | View details | Full text in PDF | Author Info

In the first part of the study the hindrance of the remaining trees when felling trees by machines working from the strip road in selective thinning was studied on the basis of the literature. In the second part there was geometrically studied the need of schematic thinning in some type stands when bundles are pre-skidded straight-lined to the strip road. In average only 0-1 trees per pre-skidding trail needs to be removed. It was concluded that trees removed from the pre-skidding trail do not significantly increase the need of schematic thinning. Remaining trees do not limit the length of machine booms if the pre-skidding trails are planned during the felling.

The PDF includes a summary in English.

  • Harstela, E-mail: ph@mm.unknown (email)
article id 4811, category Article
Raimo Lehto. (1970). Opetustoiminnan taustaa ja työnopetus Hirvaan metsäkonekoulussa. Silva Fennica vol. 4 no. 1 article id 4811. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.a14600
English title: Background of education and occupational instruction at the Hirvas Forest Machine School.
Original keywords: metsäopetus; Lappi; koulutus; Suomi; Hirvaan metsäkonekoulu; koneenkuljettaja; metsäkoneet; oppiminen; työnopetus; ammattikoulutus
English keywords: Finland; Lapland; forest education; Hirvas Forest Machine School; technical school; forest machines; teaching; learning; vocational education
Abstract | View details | Full text in PDF | Author Info

The share of occupational instruction at the Forest Machine School varies between 70 and 80%. The paper describes organization of the education, curriculum, teaching methods, practical training, machinery, and learning experience of the students. It discusses the influence of teaching programme, and school environment on attitudes and motivation of the students.

The school employs an adaptation of the TW I method in its actual methods of occupational instruction. The method of demonstration is also employed. The size of a training group has been restricted to 10 pupils, and the school has attempted to acquire plenty of instruction components, material for repair, and practice worksites. In this way the repetition of essentials can be guaranteed. The minimum factor in driver training is the competence to use a grab loader. In the training of mechanics the core competence is the diagnostics of defects and the making of adjustments.

The PDF includes a summary in English.

  • Lehto, E-mail: rl@mm.unknown (email)

Category : Research article

article id 26018, category Research article
Jori Uusitalo, Zhu Mao, Son Cao, Omid Abdi. (2026). Assessing logging trail network performance using spatial configuration metrics. Silva Fennica vol. 60 no. 3 article id 26018. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.26018
Keywords: silviculture; sustainable forest management; forest operations; timber harvesting; forest machines; GNSS positioning
Highlights: Proposes two complementary metrics – Coverage Coefficient and Structural Efficiency – to assess spatial arrangement performance of logging trail networks beyond traditional density measures; A new method is also introduced that computes geometrically meaningful mean spacing between adjacent trails, overcoming limitations of density-based approaches that may produce geometrically uneven trail distributions; Demonstrates how new metrics can be applied to data gathered from thinning operations in Central Finland; The new metrics support improved harvesting efficiency, automated trail planning, and sustainable forest management.
Abstract | Full text in HTML | Full text in PDF | Author Info
​Logging trails are a critical component of modern forest harvesting operations, particularly in thinning and partial cutting, where trail layout strongly influences harvesting efficiency, soil disturbance, future stand growth, and carbon balance. Despite their importance, existing regulations and commonly used metrics – such as mean trail spacing and trail density – primarily address quantitative properties of logging trail networks and do not capture the qualitative aspects of network design. In this study, we introduce a novel concept for assessing the spatial arrangement performance of logging trail networks based on two complementary spatial configuration metrics: a Coverage Coefficient, describing the proportion of forest area reachable by harvesting machinery, and a Structural Efficiency Coefficient, comparing the actual trail length to an idealized network layout. Together, these metrics provide a geometrically meaningful and operationally relevant evaluation of trail network spatial arrangement beyond conventional density-based measures. We also introduce a method for computing a geometrically meaningful mean spacing between adjacent trails. The methodology is demonstrated using ten thinning sites from Central Finland. The results reveal clear differences in the spatial pattern of trail layouts among sites that are not detectable using traditional metrics alone. The proposed approach offers a practical tool for evaluating spatial arrangement performance of logging trail networks after harvesting, supporting operator feedback, regulatory assessment, and the development of automated trail network design and planning procedures. More broadly, the metrics provide a foundation for improving harvesting efficiency, reducing unnecessary trail density, and supporting environmentally sustainable forest management.

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