The USDA Forest Service has three machine and system costing models free for download from the web.
The models were developed by the Southern Research Station, and are all Excel based for easy use. The three are described as follows:
The models were developed by the Southern Research Station, and are all Excel based for easy use. The three are described as follows:
- Machine rate calculator – This is the simplest of the three models. It consists of a spreadsheet template to analyse the system balancing, production rates and costs.
- Forest residues transportation costing model – A spreadsheet tool which has the aim of comparing alternative methods of moving biomass from the forest to the wood-using facility.
- General ground-based harvesting system analysis – This more detailed spreadsheet estimates total system costs based on stand characteristics, felling, skidding, processing, loading, roads and log transport, and other operational factors.