Mechanized coppice harvesting with new small-scale feller-bunchers: Results from harvesting trials with newly manufactured felling heads in Italy

Results showed that harvesting productivity varied from 3.1 to 8.6 dry t per scheduled machine hour (SMH) in multi-stem coppice stands (4.5-16 dry m3 SMH−1). Productivity reached 16.2 dry t SMH−1 in a short rotation forestry (SRF) control stand (39.4 dry m3 SMH−1) and it increased with stump mass. Recorded productivities tested in conventional CF were not as high as achieved in single-stem SRF, or in the mechanized felling of comparable softwood stands, but still matched the requirements of commercial mechanized logging. Costs varied between 3.57 and 20.56 € dry t−1 (1.47-14.17 € dry m3−1). Lowest costs were reached in the SRF stand and highest cost in the Mediterranean CF growing on moderate to steep terrain. Shear heads produced poor cuts and single-action shears performed worst. The disc saw produced very low cuts with low damage levels, which might be acceptable even under current cut quality specifications.