K. G. Sood , G. S. Rawat , C. M. Sharma , A. M. Nautiyal

Abstract

The knapsack type plant carrier designed and fabricated at FRI was subjected to extensive field trials for the transportation of plants in hill areas from the nurseries located at lower level to find out its suitability , efficiency and economics of operation and its comparison with the conventional method of transportation of plants under similar conditions , on which , detailed time and cost study was conducted at Gohri/Tal range of Soil Conservation Forest Division , Lansdowne (Uttaranchal). The plant carrier developed was found to be more advantageous , effective , economical and less strenuous as compared to conventional method of transportation of plants in hills.

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K. G. Sood , G. S. Rawat , Deepak Kumar , R. P. Singh

Abstract

Lantana, the North American weed which migrated to India via Sri Lanka, has spreading rapidly covering vast area of forest, agriculture and wasteland etc affecting the growth of main vegetation. It can not be eradicated completely, till it is upischolar_mained. Presently the plants are either cut or dug out by traditional method. In this process, after some time the ischolar_mains of Lantana sprout again and the plants spread more densely covering still larger area. In this paper we present results of extensive field trials with a Stalk Puller developed by FRI to determine in getting rid of the menace its suitability, efficiency and economics as compared to conventional method. Detailed time and cost study was also conducted. The Stalk puller developed was found more advantageous and efficient.

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N. M. Misa , K. G. Sood

Abstract

From time immemorial timber harvesting is associated with axe, the sole implement for felling and cross-cutting of trees and thus causing a lot of wastage of timber. They can bee minimised by using power chain saws or manual saws. In developing countries like ours power chain saws seem to be less economic for which manual saws are used widely in the country. Efforts are being made continuously for their improvement. The present study is conducted to know which is the best gauge and setting of presently available manual saws in our country.

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B. P. Maleta , K. G. Sood

Abstract

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B. P. Maleta , K. G. Sood

Abstract

Forestry is a production activity which cannot be managed wltbout workers Forest management must have responsibility not only to provide favourable growing conditions and good silvieulture to tree crops, but to ensure proper working condition to the men workers in the woods. Human implication in forest management have been quite ignored. Our logging methods are manual. Age-old axe and saws are being used for felling and Cross cutting. The workers are subjected to very high physiological work-load while working with primitive tools which are often ill-maintained and ergonomically poorly designed. Work performance is a combined result of workers copacity to energy out-put, his muscle power, skill, tool and technique. Therefore, an appropriate technology has to be developed to improve efficiency of work output and reduce manual work-load. The present study has been carried out in tropical rain forests of the West-Coast in Karnataka State to find the aerobic capacity of forest workers and physiologlcal work stresses on tree felling and cross-cutting operations with traditional tools and also with improved manual tools such as raker-saw and how-saw. The results of the study are quite revealing The work capacity of workers in West-Coast forests has been found better as compared to workers in Central IndIan forests The energy costs of work can be reduced appreciably if the workers use improved hand saws than the traditional local axe and saw. It is of paramount importance that the use of improved saws should be propagated and workers much be trained in improved logging metbods.

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B. P. Maleta , K. G. Sood

Abstract

Terrain transport of logs from stump to feeder roads is a strenuous job. In the tropical forests of Central India such movement of timber loads is done by manual carriage and dragging by pair of bullocks. A study has been carried out in Betul Forest in M. P. on cost and production of manual and animal methods of timber transport from Stump to feeder roads. The lead for off-road transportation of logs and poles over undulating and bouldary terrains was upto 100 metres to tbe feeder roads. The regressions for time over load volume and lead distance have been derived. The log volume in each single load influences the production efficiency to greater extent than the transport lead. Engagement of pair of bullocks for skidding timber loads over distances 20 m to 100 m is more economical than manual carriage and can further be improved by improvisation suggested in this paper.

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S. K. Mitra , K. G. Sood

Abstract

In recent years the loadiag of timber on to trucks has become increasingly mechanised while loading by hand, a heavy, dangerous, time wasting and expensive operation hand correspondingly decreased. In this context the performance of the traxcavator, which is a caterpillar tractor fitted with wihch and loading attachment was studied in the Chajpur forests of H.P. The study reveals that the mechanise loading device performs the loading job much quicker and thereby reduces the cost of loading considerably. In view of the high risk and high energy consumption involved in manual loading this equipment has a promising future in mechanised logging operation.

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S. K. Mitra , K. G. Sood

Abstract

The cost of transporation of wood from the forests to the consuming centres is the highest component in total logging cost constituting nearly 60-70% of it, in order to find out the comparative suitability, speed behaviour and economics over various types of roads of the trucks, tractors and the traditional bullock cart, a detailed study was conducted in the teak forests on N. Betul. (Production) Division of Madhya Pradesh. The traditional bullock cart was found to be economical upto a lead of 4 kms distance on unmetalled road. It was observed that the standard of road does not have significant impact on the speed of bullock cart as evident from the break even point of 4.25 kms in tar road. Under the present working condition the efficiency of bullock cart can be increased if the improvements suggested in the paper are taken up.

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S. K. Mitra , K. G. Sood

Abstract

Systematic studies on the physiological aspect of logging has been initiated recently by the logging branch of F.R.I. So far, logging research was restricted in finding out the economic suitability of various tools and equipments and the consequent prediction of productivity. The present persuits economics in logging will bridge the gap and will enable us to identify the suitability of a method or an equipment in a more rational basis. Accordingly study was taken in the high elevation forests in the Chajpur area of Himachal Pradesh with the aim of determining the energy consumption of forest workers in various stump area operation. The study reveals that there is significant reduction in energy expenditure when maintenance of saws are done scientifically. It is observed that during felling and conversion of trees the raker saw (2 : 1) involves consumption of least energy provided the maintenance is done scientifically. Delimbing operation is the most strenuous component of stump area operation and there is scope for improvement of the existing handtools so that physiological workload is reduced.

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S. K. Mitra , K. G. Sood

Abstract

A comparative study was designed and conducted to find out the best economic hand tool for felling, cross cutting, delimiting for the preparation of unbarked pulpwood billets. For these operations six type of saws including power chain saw were used in Bijnor Plantation Division of U.P. for felling and conveuion of Eucaiyplus hybrid. The Investigation on was carried out in two phases It was observed that under existing condition power chain saw is not economical for pulpwood harveoting. The best tool appears to be scientifically maintained peg tooth cross cut saw. It was also observed that scientific maintenance of saws increases the efficiency of the tool by 54% and consequently the production cost is substantially decresaed.

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S. K. Mitra , K. G. Sood

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The valuable inaccessible forests of North Bengal which virtually remained unex ploited over centuries are opened up now due to the introductiou of elaborate and efficient complex of aerial transportation units like the Lasso-3S. Long distance conveyor and Hinteregger all terrain skyline crane. The efficiency and cost studies were conducted on the Lasso-3S. Long distance conveyor working in Dhaper forests of Kalimpong Forest Division. The Lasso-3S ropeway is permanently installed over a span of 4.02 km and are feeded by two Hinteregger all terrain skyline cranes. The coat of aerial transportation of timber over the distance in calculated and found to be Rs. 93.34 per m³. It is observed that there is still a scope of increasing the efficiency of the machine by 23.43% which will ultimately reduce the coat of transportation to Rs. 46.67 per m³.

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Hari Kant , K. G. Sood

Abstract

Since Independence more and more roads are being constructed in foreat areas and trucks have almost monopolised the mode of long distance transportation in the plains as well as in foot hill forests. The present time and cost study has been made to find out the impact of various road standards on the cost of timber transportation by trucks. The observations made in this paper will help in proper planning of road and harvesting programme in similar forest areas.

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S. K. Mitra , K. G. Sood

Abstract

The FRI Long Distance Skyline Crane was designed by the Logging Branch of F.R.I. and Colleges and fabricated locally making use of all indigenous components. The machine was subjected to extensive field trial for uphill extraction of timber in the inaccessible hill forests of Darjeeling district of West Bengal for nearly a year. Thereafter a detailed time and cost study was conducted at Luleygaon to find out its suitability, efficiency and economics of operation. The machine has shown a promising result particularly in view of the fact that this was the maiden attempt of the branch in designing and fabrication of such an equipment. Apart from the advantages that are inherent in an indigenous machine the performance of this machine with regard to its hauling capacity, hourly working cost and the cost of aerial transportation of logs compares favourably with similar equipments imported from foreign countries. The time and cost study also identified the scope and areas of improvements in the existing machine.

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Y. R. Sethi , K. G. Sood

Abstract

Off-road transportation in Log-form is very expensive and time consuming under present conventional methods in the country, Due to the inefficiency of these methods we are forced to switch over to the modern logging practices in the interest of better timber harvesting at low logging costs. With a view to achieve this end long distance Skyline Cranes have recently been introduced in some of the hill states of the country. In order to find out the efficiency, usefulness and economics of the Skyline Cranes when used under Indian conditions, it is essential to carry out a "Time and Cost Study", before such a costly imported equipment is recommended for Off-road transportation on large scale. The present study has revealed that with the help of a Baco Long Diatance Skyline Crane we could transport about 4000 m³ of timber in log-form at an average cost of Rs. 27.63 per m³ per span, in one year. The introduction of such an equipment will reduce the off-road transportation cost and also avoid hand-sawing or timber at stump site which involves lot of wastage.

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S. K. Mitra , K. G. Sood

Abstract

In developed countries Power Chain Saws have almost replaced the other hand tools for felling and conversion of trees. It was considered necessary to investigate whether the Power Chain Saw holds the same position in India. A comparative study was designed and conducted to find out the best tool for felling, cross cutting, delimbing for the preparation of unbarked pulpwood billets. For these operations three tools vis., Cross Cut Saw, Bow Saw and Power Chain Saw were used in Bijnor Plantation Division of U.P. for felling and convertion of Eucalyptus hybird. It was observed that Power Chain Saw is not economical under Indian condition for pulpwood harvesting. The study has indicated that although the output per man hour may increase considerably along with consequent saving in manpower due to the introduction of Power Chain Saw, the cest per unit volume of unbarked pulpwood billets Would not be reduced.

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S. K. Mitra , K. G. Sood

Abstract

The potentially valuable hill forests of Darjeellng District in West Bengal remained unexploited because of poor communication and transport facilities. With the introduction of modern logging equipments like gravity conveyor, All Terrain Skyline Crane, Lasso winches etc. the extraction of timber is now economically feasible from the inaccessible hilly areas. The efficiency and cost studies is conducted on Hinteregger All Terrain Skyline Crane at Dhapar in Mo block of Kalimpong Forest Division, The cost of transportation of wood per cu. metre for the span of 450 metres is calculated and found to be Rs. 36.68. The study has revealed that the machine is not being used at its full load capacity; the cost of transportation would have been much lower had the machine been worked at its rated capacity.

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V. K. Sood , M. G. Karnik , V. Sagar , K. G. Sood

Abstract

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K. C. Thapliyal , K. G. Sood

Abstract

Felling and cross-cutting in the country is at present being done by hand saws. Power saws are used very sparingly in depatmental logging works and also by some private forest industries. The use of power saw is limited due to many factors such as its non-availability in the country, its know how, availability of cheap labour, etc. In near future it is expected that use of power saw will become essential due to rising labour cost and concentrated fellings envisaged in the plantations of fast growing species for supply of paper and rayon grade pulp, etc. The present study was done with a view to find out the time gain in mechanising the fellings and also to work out the cost figures and compare them with those of hand saws. It has been concluded that power saw is economical compared to hand saws in felling of Sal (Shorea robusta) trees within the diameter range of 20 cm to 60 cm. Working by chain saw costs about 36 to 150% less than raker saw and about 109 to 310% less than peg tooth saw. The difference in cost figures increases with the increase in diameter of the tree.

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M. N. Asthana , K. C. Thapliyal , K. G. Sood , N. L. Sharma

Abstract

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Hari Kant , K. G. Sood

Abstract

Bulk of the forests in the hills are still exploited by the conventional methods comprising of felling by axes and saws and conversion in-situ by frame saws. This involves huge wastage from 50% to 63% The main reasons for not changing over to modern logging techniques are difficulty in handling logs and non-availability of heavy forest machinery indigenously at reasonable cost. If the logs are transported to a portable sawmill, a great proportion of the above wastage can be avoided. Manual transport of logs is time consuming and costly. Transportation by long distance Skyline Cranes is quicker and cheaper. This study bas been conducted on the economics of timber transportation by aindependent of the load. As such, it will be most economical if the machine is used for the full prescribed load capacity. The cost of long distance transportation by Wyssen Crane bas been worked out to be Rs. 26.44 per cu metre, of which about 50% is on account of the interest and depreciation of machinery. It is, therefore, inferred that if indigenously manufactured Skyline Cranes can be made available at reasonable price, the cost of extraction would be considerably reduced.

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Hari Kant , K. G. Sood

Abstract

Off-road transportation or the transport of timber from the stump to the road side (from where it is loaded on a truck) is a very costly item and there is great scope for economising on this item of expenditure. in the plains, the trucks can sometimes be taken to individual stumps but in semi-hilly terrain, and ravined areas or on bouldry surface, very often off-road transportation upto about 200 metres is involved. This cannot be done economically without adopting mechanisation. The most useful equipment for this purpose is a tractor with mechanical attachment like wich, loading device, calliper grabs etc. The present study has been condacted on Indigenously available Massey Ferguson-1035 tractor with calliper grab attachment and the imported Massey Ferguson-165 tractor withloading device attachment and trailer. For the latter tractor, two different studies were made, one by taking to tractor to individual logs and loadlng them on the trailer and the other by keeping the tractor stationery and dragging the logs over 5 to 10 metres distance by the tractor winch and then loading them on the trailer,the results show that the indigenously as against Massey Ferguson-1035 tractor with calliper grab is definitly superior to the imported Massey Ferguson-165 tractor with loading device attachment and tractor trailer. The daily operating cost for Massey Ferguson-1035 tractor bas been worked out as Rs. 75.84 as against Rs. 197.18 for Massey Ferguson-165 tractor. The daily average production for the two tractors for a lead of 175 metres bas been worked out to be 28.84 and 26.47 cu metres respectively and the cost per cu m for the same lead bas been found to be Rs. 3.85 and Rs. 7.46 respectively.

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Hari Kant , K. G. Sood

Abstract

At present, felling in most of the forests in India is being done either by axe, axe and two man cross cut saw or two man cross-cut saw alone, the most common tool being the peg-toothed cross cut saw. Power chain saws have also been occasionally used, but no (scientific planning) of the felling operations has been done anywhere so far. This study has been made to compare the time gained in and the relative economics of felling by Power chain saw as compared to the Raker cutter saw and the Peg-toothed saw. It has been observed that a break-even point between Power chain saw and Raker saw is reached in 20-25cm diameter range and that between Power chain saw and Peg toothed saw is reached in 15-20 cm diamter range. It has also been seen that power chain saw is 27% to 60% more economical in 25-60 cm diameter ranges and 33% to 100% less economical in 10-20 cm diameter ranges as compared to raker saw. As compared to peg toothed saw the power chain saw is 100% costlier in 10-15 cm diameter range and 12% to 71% cheaper for 20 cm to 60 cm diameter range. Peg toothed saw is 14% to 37% costlier as compared to raker saw.

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