INTRODUCTION

The project "Excavators and Backhoe Loaders as Base Machines in Forest Operations" started in August 1998. Three annual meetings took place during the project period. During the meetings were presented papers, video films etc on relevant subjects. Excursions were carried out also. The following information about the project can be given:

FAIR Programme: Area 1.3 - Forestry Wood Chain
Contract No:  FAIR5-CT98-3381
Project type:  Concerted Action
EC contribution: 280 000 ECU
Commencement date: 1998-08-01
Completion date: 2001-01-31
Duration:  30 Months
EC Scientific Officer: Dr. Ignacio Seoane, DG XII, SDME 8/14 (Fax: +32 2 296 43 22)
Web address:              http://www.sh.slu.se/svensk/forskning/grupper/teknplan/eu/excav.html
 

Objectives for the project

The objectives of the Concerted Action were to support, develop, and increase mechanisation in forestry (using excavators and backhoe loaders as base machines), which is environmentally, technically, and economically sound, leading to an overall better European Competitiveness. Conventional forest machines are expensive and can normally, do only one type of job. A lot of the machines have bad impact of the environment, often related to their impact on ground and soil disturbance. In countries outside Europe, such as USA, Canada, and New Zealand excavators are commonly used as base machines in forest operations. One potential advantage considering the technology in this CA-proposal is increased utilisation (multiple-use). Through this Concerted Action new and existing information about the proposed technique will be distributed to the participating countries and made available for further use and development in each country. It will also be clearly identified within which areas further research is necessary and in which way these efforts can be co-ordinated and thus carried out in an effective and economically sound way. Socio-economic impact would be considerable.

This project is of great interest for most countries within the EU, since the suggested harvesting technique is appropriate for any country with forestry. The project fits the work programme very well. It highlights very much the impact on e.g. economic, socio-economic, environmental, and industrial matters. The partners and associated partners have been chosen because of their professional capabilities and for their ability to represent individual links within this area. Expertise experience exchange from research, manufacturer, and user is of outmost importance for bringing the concept towards a successful result. All involved will together cover all aspects of the Concerted Action. All organisations involved have the skill, resources and needed equipment necessary to fulfil the tasks of the proposed Concerted Action. The participants show a broad variety of enterprises and organisations - SME's (e.g. manufacturers and users), large enterprises, research organisations, and universities.