Intermediate Supports and Downhill Yarding

[slowp]

I'm new to this site but I bet somebody here might know what I can expect.
I've been warned that an upcoming project is being planned with downhill yarding using intermediate supports in a commercial thinning. I've worked with folks doing downhill yarding in thinnings but have not worked with using supports while running downhill. Ran into one hooktender who said it worked just the same as going uphill with supports. Anybody out there worked with this? Does it slow down production any more than "normal" downhill yarding?

 

[TimberPig]

Any time you use intermediate supports it slows production somewhat when compared to a show without the intermediate. You have to slow the line speeds down when passing over the jack at the support. Otherwise, there is basically no difference. We're not talking huge differences, just that the donkey puncher has to slow the lines down when the carriage is reaching the jack, and then speed it up again. If he doesn't slow it down, the carriage may try and run under the jack, or may come off the jack. In case of a hangup, it is also much easier to slow the carriage down to pass by the jack, then it is to hang a log up, and tear the support down. If you're going full bore passing over the jack and a log hangs up, the chances are much higher that it will be ripped down before you can stop the lines.

 

[faller]

downhill with support(s)

hiya, have worked on a yarding operation here in Australia for a while now, well actually operating there shovel on there groundbased job at present, we have used intermediate supports both uphill and down, basically it is the same, you got to remember that this is a system that is used for a reason and yes it is slower than running without, but i suspect that in your case there is no other alternative, so to ask if will slow down production you have to remember that you cant compare it to not using supports, or else that is what your hooktender would be doing... anyhoo just my 2cents worth.. good-luck.

 

[slowp]

UPDATE, i think

I was marking trees to cut for corridor width today and it looks like they'll be using a jack for one downhill setting. Nobody was around to find out for sure. There is also sidehill yarding on a 60% slope, so I marked it heavier on the downhill side. I'll be curious to see the damage. There's no other way to do it with a yarder and without building miles of road. Cutting starts on Friday, yarding later. I expect they'll move the Madill 071 back in which also means I'll be up with the mtn. goats again marking trees to cut for twisters upon twisters. This crew likes twisters and hasn't pulled any guylines or tail trees over that I know of. Stay tuned, if the weather is good, might get some photos. opcorn: