Mechanized tree planting in Finland and improving its productivity
Laine T. (2017). Mechanized tree planting in Finland and improving its productivity. https://doi.org/10.14214/df.239
Abstract
The demand for mechanized tree planting is expected to increase in the future. This dissertation assessed mechanized tree planting in Finland and suggests ways to improve its current productivity. The work on which this thesis is based was described in five peer-reviewed articles (I–V) addressing four specific research questions (SQs) that focus on productivity and cost-competitiveness, automation, capacity utilization, and the quality of planting work.
While productivity of mechanized planting is higher than manual methods, it is not yet cost-competitive. However, increasing efficiency by skilled operators and worksite selection make it possible for mechanized planting costs to remain lower than those of excavator spot mounding followed by manual planting. Increasing productivity and reducing operating costs are possible with an effective automatic seedling feeding system, although the Risutec APC is not yet sufficiently developed to reach that goal. Planting machine capacity is underutilized and could be utilized more effective to enhance productivity and cost-efficiency. Technical availability of planting machines in Finland is good, and the quality of mechanized planting work is high. Optimization and integration of the entire mechanized planting chain from the nursery to outplanting is important to minimize total cost.
In summary, for mechanized planting to be effective the following criteria must be satisfied: machine reliability; highly-skilled machine operator; suitable worksite; seedling quality, availability, and supply to worksite. In the future, it is important to continue developing new and existing machines to enhance productivity, e.g., by continuously working planting machines.
Keywords
silviculture;
planting machine;
mechanization;
regeneration;
seedling
Published 27 April 2017
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Available at https://doi.org/10.14214/df.239 | Download PDF
Original articles
Laine T., Kärhä K., Hynönen A. (2016). A survey of the Finnish mechanized tree-planting industry in 2013 and its success factors. Silva Fennica 50(2) article 1323.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.1323
Hallongren H., Laine T., Rantala J., Saarinen V-M., Strandström M., Hämäläinen J., Poikel, A. (2014). Competitiveness of mechanized tree planting in Finland. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 29(2): 144–151.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02827581.2014.881542
Rantala J., Laine T. (2010). Productivity of the M-Planter tree-planting device in practice. Silva Fennica 44(5): 859–869.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.125
Laine T., Rantala, J. (2013). Mechanized tree planting with an excavator-mounted M-Planter planting device. International Journal of Forest Engineering 24(3): 183–193.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14942119.2013.844884
Laine T., Saarinen, V-M. (2014). Comparative study of the Risutec Automatic Plant Container (APC) and Bracke planting devices. Silva Fennica 48(3) article 1161.