Mechanized Timber Haulage Cuts Costs
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Ingenious Equipment Used in Large scale Mechanization of Timber Transport in Germany. Loads of 36 Tons Comprise
a Unit
PAA SUCCESSFUL attempt has been made in Germany at the largescale mechanization of timber haulage, with a consequent drastic reduction in costs. In the past, repeated handling of the load and low operating speeds have combined to raise the cost of transport, but the former difficulty has been overcome by the use of special 20eubic-m. containers, measuring 5 m. by 2 m. by 2 m. The container weighs approximately a ton and carries a 9-ton load.
The arduous conditions under which timber haulage is carried on call for special equipment and, to deal with soft ground and steep gradients in forests, a special type of trailer has been designed. The front wheels are of the broad steel pattern, whilst tracks are used at the rear.
Trailer Hauled by Winch.
The trailer, a product of Messrs. Glogger, of Augsburg, is hauled by a Hanomag track-laying tractor, the latter carrying a winch. The trailer is drawn by a hawser attached to the winch and, when stiff gradients or other obstacles are encountered, the tractor first makes the ascent and then hauls up the trailer by means of the winding drum.
Road haulage is effected by Bussing 10-wheeled articulated lorries, having six driven wheels and hauling a Jonkoff six-wheeled trailer, built by Messrs. Waggon-Fabrik, of Uerdingen. The loaded containers are transferred from the track-laying trailers to this powerful convoy by means of a Demag mobile crane, which has complete lighting equipment, so that work can be carried on during the night.
The road-haulage unit incorporates an automatic tracking device and can carry four containers, or a total load of 36 tons. As the outfit covers twice daily a distance of 125 kilorns., it has a daily pay-load capacity equivalent to 72 tons.
This costly equipment is operated by a central body and is available for all users who require it, provided that certain minimum loads are offered. To make the proposition economic, at least 2,000 cubic m. (900 tons) of timber must be hauled from an area having a radius of 20 kiloms.
It is, however, unnecessary to have this quantity transported in only one direction and to a sole consignee. Loads of at least 80 cubic m. (the full capacity of a convoy) may be delivered to individual factories. As the mobile crane must be transferred for each operation, it is advisable to collect at least 500 cubic m. (225 tons) of timber within a radius of 3 kiloms.
Although such elaborate equipment as this, necessary in dealing economically with the vast forest areas of Germany, may find no practical application in Great Britain, its, design and use are of marked interest. It is striking evidence of the fact that, despite the advanced stage of efficiency which has been reached in motorvehicle construction and operation, mechanical road transport is not c9ntent to rest on its oars, but must for ever be endeavouring to increase its utility.