A Comparative Analysis of Two Cable Yarder Technologies Performing Thinning Operations on a 33 Year Old Pine Plantation: A Potential Source of Wood for Energy

Rodolfo Picchio, Rachele Venanzi, Nicolò Di Marzio, Damiano Tocci and Farzam Tavankar
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Rodolfo Picchio: Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Rachele Venanzi: Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Nicolò Di Marzio: Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Damiano Tocci: Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Farzam Tavankar: Department of Forestry, Khalkhal Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khalkhal 56817-31367, Iran

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 20, 1-20

Abstract: In central Italy, there are extensive European black pine ( Pinus nigra Arn.) plantations which range from 30 to 60 years of age and where no thinning operations have been made. The main purpose of this study was to provide a comparative analysis of two cable yarder technologies (Maxwald, mobile pulley carriage and Savall, semi-automatic carriage), in terms of fuelwood production and cost, from the first thinning of a 33 year old plantation in slope areas of these plantations. The results showed that fuelwood production was cost-effective in both systems (Savall by 15.1 and Maxwald by 14.8 € m −3 ), although the productivity of the Savall system was higher than the Maxwald system (6.1 vs. 5.7 m 3 h −1 ). The respect amounts of productivity have the potential to increase by 27% for the Savall yarder and 25% for the Maxwald yarder upon condition that the delay times are reduced to minimum level by proper training of workers, by a better organization, and planning of operations. The total effective CO 2 emission by the Savall yarder was lower than the Maxwald yarder (1735 vs. 1772 g m −3 ). A sustainable production of fuelwood that is economically advantageous and environmentally sound in these plantations can be realized through an appropriate mechanization level and constant interaction with the silvicultural planning. This must be completed with adequate and efficient worker training.

Keywords: fuelwood; cable yarder; CO 2 emission; pine plantations; time study; energy efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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