Efficient Debarking to Increase Value Recovery in Small-Scale Forestry Operations

Operators may significantly increase the value of small logs by selling them as posts for fencing and horticulture, after proper sorting and debarking. Effective debarking can be performed with simple technology, within the reach of small-scale operators (investment B 30,000 EUR).Basedona careful analysis ofseven representative operationsconductedinItaly,thisstudyoffersafirstgeneralproductivitybenchmarkfor small-scale debarking operations. Depending on log characteristics and operation layout, the productivity of a two-workers team varies between 70 and 200 posts h-1, includingdelays.Delaytimeaccountsfor1/3ofthetotalworksitetime,andofthis60% was due toorganizationalissues,includedwiththe ''operationaldelay''time.However, reducing organizational delays may result in increased rest time. Introduction of a loading deck may relieve worker effort and is indispensible when dealing with heavy posts (weight[20 kg). Debarked posts are then piled in stacks right near the machine outfeed, often on pallets for easier transfer to the storage yards. Although most smallscale debarkers are designed for use with farm tractors and are highly mobile, all operators in the survey had installed their operation at a permanent wood yard. Six debarkersoutofsevenwerepoweredbyanelectricmotor,andonlyoneusedthetractor powertake-off.Infact,theneedformobilityindebarkingoperationsmightbeoverrated.