Timber Skidding with Mules to Karstic Areas in Mediterranean Region of Turkey

Abstract

Timber skidding may be done with mules when terrain's slope and skidding distance is small. Animal skidding operations is one of the traditional hauling systems in some regions of Turkey. But, the use of mules in skidding operation is very decreases in recent years. This paper present research results of the productivity of mules skidding using timber harvesting method in karstic region of Turkey. Time measurements are done during skidding operations with mules. The elements of the skidding work phases were identified, 30 cycles were recorded for this study, skidding distance, slope, number of timber and stem size. In this study, skidding distances are changed between 105 and 154 meters. The average skidding distance is 135 meters. Hourly productivity is 1.142 m(3) hr(-1) for average skidding distance. The total cost of mules skidding operations is calculated as 11.55 $ m(3-1).