Understory Bioma Reduction Method and Equipment Catalog

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Technology & Development Program 5100 Fire 2400 Timber April 2000 0051-2826-MTDC Understory Biomassoass Reduction Methods and Equipment Catalog Keith Windell, Project Leader Sunni Bradshaw, Technical Writer USDA Forest Service Technology & Development Program Missoula, Montana 7E72P55—Understory Biomass Reduction April 2000 The Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has developed this information for the guidance of its employees, its contractors, and its cooperating Federal and State agencies, and is not responsible for the interpretation or use of this information by anyone except its own employees. The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this document is for the information and convenience of the reader, and does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable. The USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, and so forth) should phone USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. i Acknowledgments his publication was requested by a specially formed biomass reduction project review group.The group offered useful and informative input that has been incorporated into this report. In addition, the group reviewed several intermediate drafts. MTDC appreciates their contri-butions.The authors would also like to thank Sara Lustgraaf for her dedicated efforts in the extremely tedious task of laying out this report for publication. Biomass Reduction Project Review Group Jennifer Boyd, Eldorado National Forest, Pacific Southwest Region Patrick Cooley, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Northern Region Ray Eklund, Boise National Forest, Intermountain Region Brian Ferguson, Intermountain Region Jack Harter, Eldorado National Forest, Pacific Southwest Region Dana Mitchell, Southern Research Station, Auburn, AL Leonard Roeber, Boise National Forest, Intermountain Region Dan Symmes, Colville National Forest, Pacific Northwest Region ii Contents Acknowledgments _______________________________________ ii About the Authors_______________________________________ iv Introduction _____________________________________________ 1 Historical Perspective_____________________________________ 2 Extent of the Problem _____________________________________ 3 Project Constraints _______________________________________ 4 Revenue Considerations...........................................................................................4 Other Considerations ................................................................................................5 Treatment Concepts ______________________________________ 6 Special Prescribed-Fire Techniques _________________________ 7 Series of Short-Interval Prescribed Fires..................................................................7 Slashing Douglas-fir and Allowing It to Dry...............................................................7 Burning Duff..............................................................................................................8 Burning During Snow Season...................................................................................8 Aerial Options ...........................................................................................................8 Fireproofed Perimeter With Hot Center Burn ............................................................8 Residential/Forest Interface ......................................................................................9 Mechanical Treatment ____________________________________ 10 Tracks Versus Wheels .............................................................................................10 Methods to Modify Fuels Profile .............................................................................10 Lop and Scatter ...............................................................................................10 Cut with Chain Saw, Hand Pile, and Burn .......................................................10 Cut, Machine Pile, and Burn............................................................................11 Cut and Trample...............................................................................................11 Crush and Chop ..............................................................................................12 Brush Cutting, Thinning, and Shredding Machines .........................................12 Vertical- Versus Horizontal-Shaft Machines.............................................................13 Chip .................................................................................................................14 Remove Biomass.............................................................................................15 Whole-Tree Skidding ................................................................................................15 Cut-to-Length Systems ............................................................................................15 Girdle ...............................................................................................................16 Some Equipment Options to Minimize Soil Disturbance on Steeper Slopes ..........16 Cut With Chain Saw and Hand Pile .................................................................16 Multipurpose, Low-Ground-Pressure, Rubber-Tracked Vehicles .....................16 Feller-Bunchers With Self-Leveling Cabs ........................................................16 Cable Yarders...................................................................................................17 Cable Chippers ................................................................................................17 Extreme Machines...........................................................................................18 Fuel Reduction During Harvest ____________________________ 19 iii Contents Catalog of Machines and Specialized Attachments ___________ 20 Equipment Suitable for Reducing Excess Biomass ................................................21 Brush-Cutting, Thinning, and Shredding Machines .........................................21 Self-Propelled Whole-Tree Chippers ...............................................................42 Multipurpose, Low-Ground-Pressure, Rubber-Tracked Vehicles .....................45 Other Machines and Miscellaneous Attachments ...........................................48 Brush-Cutting, Thinning, Shredding, and Crushing Attachments ....................56 Small Tree-Cutting/Processing Heads .............................................................87 Slash-Piling Attachments.................................................................................96 Skid-Steer Attachments .................................................................................107 Equipment Suitable for Steeper Slopes ................................................................116 Self-Leveling-Cab Feller-Bunchers ................................................................116 Extreme Machines .........................................................................................120 Extreme Machine Attachments......................................................................125 Small Cable Yarders.......................................................................................129 Appendix A—Equipment and Techniques Survey Response Summary ____________________________ 137 Appendix B—Cited References and Resources _____________ 140 Appendix C—Manufacturer or Source Addresses____________ 143 Index—Equipment List by Category _______________________ 149 About the Authors Keith Windell is a Project Leader for reforestation, fire, and residues projects. He has a bachelor’s of science degree in mechanical engineering from Montana State University, and has an extensive field background in fire suppression. He has worked for the California Department of Forestry and the Bureau of Land Management. iv Sunni Bradshaw is a former news reporter now working as a freelance journalist, photographer, and technical writer in Arlee, MT. She has contributed articles or research to numerous national publications and organizations, including National Geographic, National Geographic Traveler, Smith-sonian Magazine, USDA Forest Service, USDI Bureau of Land Management, and many others. Sunni was also a rural firefighter and emergency medical technician. She received her bachelor’s degree in forest recreation management from the University of Montana in 1985. v ... - tailieumienphi.vn