Timber Harvesting Operational Efficiency of Hybrid and Standard Harvesters

The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of timber harvesting using Logset harvesters with hybrid and standard drives. The research was conducted in stands where thinning and final felling had been performed. Operating time and fuel consumption were determined in terms of productive machine hours (PMH). Data from the harvester’s operating system was used. Standard fixed and unit costs were included in the cost calculations. The hybrid harvester achieved better productivity, approximately 17% higher than the conventional machine (23.64 m3·h−1 and 19.59 m3·h−1, respectively). Differences in productivity between the machines were observed in both selective cutting and clear-cut areas. Average fuel consumption was 17.15 L·h−1 (0.98 L·m−3) for the standard harvester and 20.33 L·h−1 (1.44 L·m−3) for the hybrid-powered machine. Similar unit costs were recorded in clear-cut stands—on average from 4.2 EUR·m−3 for an 8 h shift to 2.90 EUR·m−3 for a 16 h shift. The average unit cost of timber harvesting with the hybrid harvester was approximately 20% lower compared to the standard machine (approx. 0.80 EUR·m−3). Despite the higher operating costs of the hybrid harvester, its use may be economically justified in situations where high productivity compensates for higher energy and investment costs.