Optimization of Primary Wood Transportation Mechanization in Hyrcanian Forests Based on Multiple Objectives (Environmental, Economic, Performance, Ergonomic)

In this study, in order to determine the optimal mechanization of the wood primary transportation in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran, current machines including Timberjack 450C, HSM 904 and agricultural tractor and number of new machines including LKT 81, TAF 690, Vimek 610 and Mowi 650 were investigated. The Goal Programming technique, a multi-objective optimization method, including environmental, economic, performance, ergonomics, was used. The results showed that Timberjack 450C and HSM 904 skidders had less log transporting costs compared to other machines, and economically are still cost-effectively machines. For the transporting of firewood, Farm tractor is not cost-effectively and the alternative economic option is Mowi 650 trailer. In the case of replacement, the cost of firewood transporting will decrease by 44%. Optimization results, using goal programming regarding all the goals, have shown that existing machines should be replaced by the LKT 81 skidder and the Vimek 610 forwarder to transport logs and firewoods, respectivlly. With the replacement, the costs of log transporting will increase to 15% and the costs of firewood transporting will decrease to 10%. Currently, the mechanization of wood transportation in Hyrcanian forests is not optimal in terms of quadratic goals and needs to be changed. In the forest machinery management, the environmental and ergonomic aspects should be taken into consideration.