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Browsing by Author "Beardsell, Michael G."

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    Decreasing the cost of hauling timber through increased payload
    Beardsell, Michael G. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1986)
    The potential for decreasing timber transportation costs in the South by increasing truck payloads was investigated using a combination of theoretical and case-study methods. A survey of transportation regulations in the South found considerable disparities between states. Attempts to model the factors which determine payload per unit of bunk area and load center of gravity location met with only moderate success, but illustrated the difficulties loggers experience in estimating gross and axle weights in the woods. A method was developed for evaluating the impact of Federal Bridge Formula axle weight constraints on the payloads of tractor-trailers with varying dimensions and axle configurations. Analysis of scalehouse data found log truck gross weights lower on average than the legal maximum but also highly variable. Eliminating both overloading and underloading would result in an increase in average payload, reduced overweight lines, and improved public relations. Tractor-trailer tare weights were also highly variable indicating potential for increasing payload by using lightweight equipment. Recommendations focused first on taking steps to keep GVW’s within a narrow range around the legal maximum by adopting alternative loading strategies, improving GVW estimation, and using scalehouse data as a management tool. When this goal is achieved, options for decreasing tare weight should be considered. Suggestions for future research included a study of GVW estimation accuracy using a variety of estimation techniques, and field testing of the project recommendations.
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    Integrated harvesting systems to incorporate the recovery of logging residues with the harvesting of conventional forest products
    Beardsell, Michael G. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1983)
    The aim of this research was to identify promising areas for international cooperative development work in the area of integrated harvesting systems which incorporate the recovery of logging residues. The Harvesting Analysis Technique, a computer simulation package, was used to model seven harvesting systems on forest stands in five participating countries. The simulation results indicated that on good terrain with short skidding distances mechanical felling and grapple skidding was the best available method to deliver full trees to a landing. Processing trees at the landing accounted for at least 50 percent of the harvesting cost, indicating that if full trees or tree sections could be efficiently transported on public roads, then centralized processing may be the best alternative. Where logging residues consisted primarily of cull trees, full tree chippers were found to be an effective means for comminution. Residues consisting of tops and branches are more problematic due to their small piece size, lack of uniform linear orientation, and low bulk density. Compaction prior to chipping was proposed as one possible solution to this problem. Alternatively, residue processing could be combined with the merchandising of the full tree. Five problem areas were identified which could be of interest for future international cooperative projects: 1. Compacting tree sections, full trees or residues on trucks. 2. Delimbing tree sections with a mobile unit. 3. Systems for handling and processing residues at a landing. 4. Integrated systems for processing full trees at a landing. 5. Chip fractioning techniques. In addition, the development of a standard format for data collection in equipment evaluations would expedite comparisons of equipment originating in different countries.