Production and cost of mule logging in lumber, pulpwood and fuelwood hauling

Animal-powered logging is a labor-intensive operation. Mule logging still performs in Hyrcanian forest as a small-scale harvesting alternative. This research was carried out in Namkhaneh district، in Kheyroud Forest. The aim of the study was to assess mule logging production and cost of sawn-lumber، pulpwood and fuelwood hauling. In order to develop hauling regression models، a continuous time study was used for hauling of sawn-lumber، pulpwood and fuelwood. The hauling distance was the most important factor in wood extraction with mule. The hourly productions of hauling with mule were 0. 84، 0. 52 and 0. 42 cubic meters for sawn-lumber، pulpwood and fuelwood، respectively. The results showed that production of lumber was the highest compared to pulp and fuelwood. In addition، mule rate or hourly cost of mule hauling system in Productive Mule Hour was 13 USD/h. The results also revealed that hourly cost of mule hauling for sawn-lumber، pulpwood، and fuelwood logging were 15. 5، 25، and 30. 66 USD per cubic meters. As a consequence، the changes of hauling costs showed that increasing hauling distances in lumber hauling caused a linear increase in cost.