STAND, HARVEST, AND EQUIPMENT INTERACTIONS IN SIMULATED HARVESTING PRESCRIPTIONS

We evaluated potential interactions of stand type, harvesting method, and equipment in an experiment using interactive simulation. We examin ed three felling methods (chain saw, feller-buncher, harvester) and tw o extraction methods (grapple skidder and forwarder) performing clearc uts, shelterwood cuts, and single-tree selection cuts in both an uneve n-aged natural stand and an even-aged planted stand. Elemental time, d istance traveled, travel intensity, and hourly productivity were estim ated Ibr each combination of stand type, harvesting method, and equipm ent. This technique provides a useful tool for comparing alternative s ystems in a range of harvesting situations.