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Tree-length harvesting with skidders is common in the Northeast US. Traditional rubber-tired skidders (with and without chains) make repeated passes over skid trails during a timber harvest. This traffic causes rutting and compaction which can lead to concentrated surface run-off and sediment delivery to streams. An innovation referred to as attachable tracks for wheeled logging equipment is designed to improve traction and reduce ground disturbance. In theory, increased traction could reduce rutting (negative soil displacement) and improve tire flotation and compaction while providing loggers with an accessible and durable tool. We examined rutting, soil bulk density and mechanical resistance using attachable single-wheel tracks versus traditional chains and bare tires in a randomized controlled study. Soil bulk density did not differ among the three tire cover types. Bare tires caused the least mechanical resistance followed by tracks then chains. After one year of recovery of the skid trails, bare tires resulted in the lowest mechanical resistance and single-wheel tracks the highest. Soil profile measurements were similar across the three tire cover types with very shallow rutting that was less than 5 cm; however, tracks did create statistically significantly deeper ruts than bare tires and chains. These results do not make a compelling case that single-wheel tracks have less impact on forest soils compared to either chains or bare tires.

Comparing single-wheel attachable tracks to chains and bare tires on skidders for mitigating soil disturbance during harvesting operations