Abstract

The development of hard-to-reach felling areas in the Republic of Belarus is characterized by a significant use of manual labor, low productivity and a high probability of industrial injuries. To solve the problem posed, the authors propose a new method for the development of cutting areas. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that the cutting area is developed in two stages. At the first stage, logging operations are carried out in areas of the felling area with good soil bearing capacity. Harvesting of wood is carried out in strips with a width equal to the double overhang of the hydraulic manipulator of the harvester. For this, the “harvester and forwarder” machine system is used. At the second stage, hard-to-reach areas of the felling area are developed with their breakdown into apiaries 25–30 m wide perpendicular to the logging access road. Practical application of this method of logging area development implies the need to use a two-stage skidding of timber. In this case, the movement of harvested wood from hard-to-reach areas of the cutting area is carried out by a skidder with a rope-choker equipment, and its movement over soils with good bearing capacity is carried out by a loading and transport machine. In order to effectively implement a two-stage skidding of wood in the development of a hard-to-reach logging fund, the article discusses the features of its use in industrial conditions. The main factors influencing the efficiency of skidding are considered. A comparative assessment of traditional and two-stage skidding was carried out according to the criterion of the specific duration of skidding. It has been established that traditional skidding is effective with an average skidding distance of up to 190–310 m. With a further increase in this value, it is advisable to use a two-stage skidding.