Australia’s CRC for forestry has released a new bulletin revealing interesting information regarding the application of the MultiDat onboard computer.
The publication (Bulletin 20, August 2011) is authored by Martin Strandgard and is titled “Application of MultiDat onboard computers for management of native forest harvest operations”. This bulletin forms part of ongoing research into different onboard computers applied under different conditions. Future bulletins will present further findings. The primary function of the MultiDat computer (developed by FPInnovations of Canada) is to measure machine utilisation using a vibration sensor. Additional functions such as recording delays, monitoring certain machine activities and using a GPS to monitor machine travel, are also available.
The objective of this study was to identify areas where machine utilisation could be improved in a native logging operation. The study took place in native eucalypt stands in Victoria, Australia, with a harvesting system consisting of a Tigercat L870C feller-buncher with a Satco 630 directional felling head, a Tigercat 630C grapple skidder and two excavators with log grabs and cut-off saws on a landing. MultiDat computers were installed in all machines, with the exception of one excavator, for a period of eight months.
The study results showed utilisation rates of 46% for the feller-buncher, 55% for the skidder and 70% for the excavator, with a study average of 65%. The study identified the excavator as the bottleneck causing the low utilisation of the feller-buncher and skidder. Based on the results, two new work techniques were successfully tested which involved improving the efficiency of the excavators. The research showed that the use of the MultiDat computer added much value to the operation. Please contact Mark Brown at mwbrown@unimelb.edu.au for a copy of the bulletin. More information regarding the work of the CRC for forestry can be accessed at www.crcforestry.com.au