Evaluation of the transportation of wood in bales in the forestry exploitation of the Cayo Güin Silvícola UEB

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the economic feasibility of transporting lumber in rounds. The utilization of machine time was assessed; the time required to perform each operation was estimated; the extraction operation and its costs were determined; and the impacts caused by the technologies used in timber harvesting were determined. It was found that the technological base is very limited and has a high level of obsolescence, which significantly influences the exploitation rates of timber transportation equipment in the Cayo Güin Silvícola UEB (Union of Forestry Companies). Regarding machine performance, extraction distance is the most significant variable for estimating cycle time. Cost optimization was proposed, and the impacts on natural regeneration and remaining stand due to the use of the technology were determined.