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Alternative trailer configurations for maximizing payloads

Informally Refereed

Abstract

In order for harvesting contractors to stay ahead of increasing costs, it is imperative that they employ all options to maximize productivity and efficiency. Transportation can account for half the cost to deliver wood to a mill. Contractors seek to maximize truck payload to increase productivity. The Forest Operations Research Unit, Southern Research Station, USDA Forest Service located in Auburn, AL has accumulated data from various research projects on alternative trailers and loading techniques that allow harvesting contractors to increase payload. This paper presents the results of the evaluation of two alternative trailer designs and two alternative loading techniques used in the Southern United States.

Keywords

payload, trailers, transport, loading

Citation

Thompson, Jason D., Dana Mitchell, and John Klepac. 2017. Alternative trailer configurations for maximizing payloads. In: Proceedings of the 2017 Council on Forest Engineering meeting, “Forest engineering, from where we’ve been, to where we’re going”. Bangor, ME. 7/30 – 8/2/17. 8p.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/55077