COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HARVEST ACTIVITIES FOR MAJOR HARVEST SYSTEMS INMONTANA

Comprehensive logging cost information has not been available in the N orthern Rocky Mountains (Montana and northern Idaho) since 1982 when t he USDA Forest Service Northern Region implemented a timber sale appra isal system that did not require harvest cost data. To establish updat ed harvest costs, the largest logging companies and processors of logs in Montana were surveyed to determine average 1991 costs for individu al harvest activities (operator planning and administration, felling, limbing and bucking, skidding/yarding, and loading). Operator planning and administration contributed least to total harvest costs, while th e skidding/yarding activity contributed most. Average costs for the in dividual activities were combined to estimate stump-to-loaded-truck ha rvest costs for eight harvest systems commonly used in Montana (three ground-based systems, four cable systems, and one aerial system). Stum p-to-truck harvest costs for typical logging systems on tractor ground ranged from $87 to $123/thousand board feet (MBF) Scribner. Average c able system costs ranged from $131/MBF for a typical groundlead system to $164/MBF for a skyline system yarding downhill. Reported helicopte r system stump-to-truck costs averaged $233/MBE The biggest difference s in activity costs among the various systems were found in the skiddi ng/yarding component. Costs for this activity ranged from $25/MBF usin g a rubber-tired grapple skidder to $182/MBF for a helicopter system. Respondents were also asked to identify the primary factors influencin g costs. Piece size, skidding/yarding distance, harvest volume per acr e, and harvest unit layout were the factors most often cited as influe ncing logging costs.