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ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE APPLICATION FOR WHOLE TREE EXTRACTION USING SkylineXL 24.1: A CASE STUDY FROM KAHRAMANMARAS, TURKIYE

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 283 - 295, 27.10.2025
https://doi.org/10.32328/turkjforsci.1743549

Abstract

In mountainous areas, timber extraction operations are commonly carried out using skylines. Transporting forest products with a skyline is an efficient method commonly used in mountainous areas with challenging terrain conditions and in areas where environmental factors are crucial. There are four main types of cable systems: Highlead, Standing, Running, and Live Skyline. Because of reduced lift, Highlead is not a skyline system, but rather a method suitable for shorter yarder distances at steep terrain. Standing, Running, and Live Skylines are cable logging systems that have a suspended cable used for suspending and yarding products. The installation stages of these skylines require expertise and need to be carefully planned. The payload and cable tensions are very important factors for preventing work accidents and ensuring efficient cable logging operations. There are various software programs developed for analyzing skyline systems. This study aimed to analyze a sample logging application using one of the well-known software, SkylineXL 24.1. The study was implemented in the KSU Başkonuş Research and Application Forest in Kahramanmaras, Turkiye. According to the results for the standing system, the minimum required skyline length was 540 m, while the Koller yarder capacity was 579 m. The maximum allowable tension of the skyline (10.584 kg) has been reached at each terrain point in this study.

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References

  • Acar, H.H. (1997) An investigation on the extraction from compartment by mobile skylines at the mountainous region. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 21(2): 195 - 200.
  • Acar, H.H., Eroglu, H. & Ozkaya, S. (2010) An investigation of roundwood extraction and determination of the physical damage on residual trees and seedlings due to logging operation using Urus MIII forest skyline on snow. Proceeding of the FORMEC Coneference “Forest Engineering: Meeting the Needs of the Society and the Environment”, July 11 – 14, 2010, Padova, Italy.
  • Akay, A.E., Gümüş, S. & Başaran, A. (2023) Evaluating productivity of small-scale cable yarding system integrated with a portable winch. Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering, 44 (2): 259-274. https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2023.1957
  • Barger, M., Messerlie, E. & Rheinberger, S. (2015) Skyline XL 15.1 skyline profile and payload analysis. USFS PNW Forest Products Programs and Software.
  • Brown, C., & Sessions, J. (1996). The standing skyline: a maximum log load solution procedure. Forest science, 42(2), 220-227.
  • Çağlar, S. & Acar, H.H. (2005) An investigation on the time study and productivity of Koller K300 mobile yarder. Artvin Orman Fakültesi Dergisi, 6 (1-2): 113-120.
  • Erber, G. & Spinelli, R. (2020) Timber extraction by cable yarding on flat and wet terrain: a survey of cable yarder manufacturer’s experience. Silva Fennica 54(2): 10211. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.10211
  • Erber, G., Visser, R., Leitner, S., Harrill, H., Spinelli, R., Picchio, R., Varch, T. & Stampfer, K. (2025) Advances in cable yarding: a review of recent developments in carriers for mobile skyline cable yarding. Current Forestry Reports, 11(14). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-025-00246-8
  • Erdaş, O., Acar, H.H. & Eker, M., (2014) Forest transportation technique. Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, 504 p.
  • Gümüş, S. & Acar, H.H. (2010) Evaluation of consecutive skylines yarding and gravity skidding systems in primary forest transportation on steep terrain. Journal of Environmental Biology, 31, 213–218.
  • Harrill, H. (2014) Improving cable logging operations for New Zealand’s steep terrain forest plantations (Dissertation), University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
  • Harrill, H., Visser, R. & Raymond, K. (2019) New Zealand cable logging 2008–2018: A period of change. Current Forestry Reports, 5, 114–123. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-019-00092-5
  • Hoffmann, S., Jaeger, D., Schoenherr, S., Lingenfelder, M., Sun, D. & Zeng, J. (2016) The effect of forest management systems on productivity and costs of cable yarding operations in southern China. Forestry Letters, 109: 11-24.
  • Kendrick, D. & Sessions, J. (1991) A solution procedure for calculating the standing skyline load path for partial and full suspension. Forest Products Journal, 41(9): 57–60.
  • Knobloch, C., & Bont, L.G. (2021) A new method to compute mechanical properties of a standing skyline for cable yarding. Plos one, 16(8): e0256374. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256374
  • Lee, E., Im, S. & Han, S.K. (2018) Productivity and cost of a small-scale cable yarder in an uphill and downhill area: a case study in South Korea. Forest Science and Technology, 14(1): 16–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/21580103.2017.1409662
  • Leitner, S., Carabin, G., Spinelli, R., Renzi, M. & Vidoni, R. (2024) Skyline force estimation and limitation during cable yarding: A novel technical solution for within the carriage. Measurement, 235, 114931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2024.114931
  • Mologni, O., Lyons, C.K., Zambon, G., Proto, A.R., Zimbalatti, G., Cavalli, R. & Grigolato, S. (2019) Skyline tensile force monitoring of mobile tower yarders operating in the Italian Alps. European Journal of Forest Research, 138, 847–862. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-019-01207-0
  • Mologni, O., Marchi, L., Lyons, C.K., Grigolato, S., Cavalli, R. & Röser, D. (2021) Skyline tensile forces in cable logging: field observations vs. software calculations. Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering, 42(2): 227-243. https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2021.722
  • Öztürk, T. (2004) The research on transporting forest products with varied forest skylines in mountainous forest zone of Turkey. Journal of the Faculty of Forestry Istanbul University, 54(1): 165-185
  • Özturk, T. & Şenturk, N. (2003) A Research on performance of gantner skylines in Artvin region (Turkey). Proceedings of the 2nd International Scientific Conference: Forest and Wood-Processing Technology vs. Environment. Fortechenvi, May 26–30, Brno, Chech Republic, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Brno & IUFRO WG 3.11.00, 311 –321.
  • Özturk, T. & Şenturk, N. (2016) Productivity and costs of timber extraction by Urus MIII skyline yarder in northeast Turkey. Šumarski list, 140(11-12): 561-566. https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.140.11-12.3
  • Schweier, J. & Ludowicy, C. (2020) Comparison of a cable-based and a ground-based system in flat and soil-sensitive area: a case study from Southern Baden in Germany. Forests, 11(6): 611. doi:10.3390/f11060611
  • Sessions, J., Lyons, K. & Wimer, J. (2021) Maximizing the standing skyline log load using a variable length tagline. Forests, 12(7): 927. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12070927
  • Spinelli, R., Magagnotti, N., Cosola, G., Grigolato, S., Marchi, L., Proto, A. R., Labelleg, E. R., Visserh, R. & Erber, G. (2021) Skyline tension and dynamic loading for cable yarding comparing conventional single-hitch versus horizontal double-hitch suspension carriages. International Journal of Forest Engineering, 32(sup1), 31–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/14942119.2021.1909322
  • Spinelli, R., Magagnotti, N. & Visser, R. (2015) Productivity models for cable yarding in alpine forests. European Journal of Forest Engineering, 1(1): 9-14.
  • Spinelli, R., Marchi, E., Visser, R. Harrill, H., Gallo, R., Cambi, M., Neri, F., Lombardini, C. & Magagnotti, N. (2017) Skyline tension, shock loading, payload and performance for a European cable yarder using two different carriage types. European Journal of Forest Research, 136, 161–170. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-016-1016-1
  • Spinelli, R., Visser, R., Magagnotti, N., Lombardini, C. & Ottaviani-Almo, G. (2020) The effect of partial automation on the productivity and cost of a mobile tower yarder. Annals of Forest Research, 63(2): 3-14. doi: https://doi.org/10.15287/afr.2020.1883
  • Şentürk, N., Öztürk, T. & Demir, M. (2007) Productivity and costs in the course of timber transportation with the Koller K300 cable system in Turkey. Building and Environment, 42(5): 2107–2113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.03.005
  • USDA (2025) https://www.fs.usda.gov/forestmanagement/products/programs-software.shtml (accessed on 07 January 2025).
  • Varch, T., Erber, G., Visser, R., Spinelli, R., Harrill, H. & Stampfer, K. (2021) Advances in cable yarding: A review of recent developments in skyline carriage technology. Current Forestry Reports, 7:181–194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-021-00150-x
  • Visser, R. & Harrill, H. (2017) Cable yarding in North America and New Zealand: a review of developments and practices. Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering, 38(2): 209-217. https://hrcak.srce.hr/190911
  • Visser, R., Harrill, H., Obi, O.F. & Holmes, L. (2023) Operational analysis of grapple yarding in New Zealand: A case study of three mechanized harvesting operations. Forests, 14(2): 190. https:// doi.org/10.3390/f14020190
  • Visser, R. & Stampfer, K. (2015) Expanding ground-based harvesting onto steep terrain: A Review. Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering, 36(2): 321-331. https://hrcak.srce.hr/151831.

SkylineXL 24.1 KULLANILARAK ÖRNEK BİR BÜTÜN AĞAÇ TAŞIMA UYGULAMASININ ANALİZİ: KAHRAMANMARAŞ, TÜRKİYE'DEN BİR VAKA ÇALIŞMASI

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 283 - 295, 27.10.2025
https://doi.org/10.32328/turkjforsci.1743549

Abstract

Dağlık bölgelerde, tomruk çıkarma çalışmaları genellikle hava hattı (skyline) sistemleri kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmektedir. Orman ürünlerinin hava hattı ile taşınması, zorlu arazi koşullarına sahip dağlık bölgelerde ve çevresel faktörlerin önemli olduğu alanlarda yaygın ve verimli bir yöntemdir. Kablo sistemlerinin dört ana tipi bulunmaktadır: Highlead, Standing, Running ve Live Skyline. Highlead sistemi, kaldırma kapasitesinin düşük olması nedeniyle gerçek bir hava hattı sistemi olarak kabul edilmemekte, daha çok dik eğimli arazilerde kısa mesafeli taşımalara uygun bir yöntem olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Standing, Running ve Live Skyline sistemleri ise, ürünleri taşımak ve askıya almak için kullanılan asılı bir kabloya sahip halatlı tomruk çekme sistemleridir. Bu sistemlerin kurulumu uzmanlık gerektirmekte olup dikkatli bir planlama süreci gerektirir. Yük kapasitesi ve halat gerilmeleri, iş kazalarının önlenmesi ve verimli bir taşıma operasyonunun sağlanması açısından oldukça önemli faktörlerdir. Hava hattı sistemlerinin analizine yönelik çeşitli yazılımlar geliştirilmiştir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, en bilinen yazılımlardan biri olan SkylineXL 24.1 kullanılarak örnek bir tomruk taşıma uygulamasını analiz etmektir. Çalışma, Türkiye'nin Kahramanmaraş ilinde yer alan Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi (KSÜ) Başkonuş Araştırma ve Uygulama Ormanı'nda gerçekleştirilmiştir. Standing (durağan) sistem için yapılan analiz sonuçlarına göre, gerekli minimum hava hattı uzunluğu 540 metre olarak belirlenmiş, kullanılan Koller çekici makinesi ise 579 metrelik bir kapasiteye sahiptir. Bu çalışmada, hattın her arazi noktasında hava hattının maksimum izin verilen gerilme değeri olan 10.584 kg’a ulaşıldığı tespit edilmiştir.

References

  • Acar, H.H. (1997) An investigation on the extraction from compartment by mobile skylines at the mountainous region. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 21(2): 195 - 200.
  • Acar, H.H., Eroglu, H. & Ozkaya, S. (2010) An investigation of roundwood extraction and determination of the physical damage on residual trees and seedlings due to logging operation using Urus MIII forest skyline on snow. Proceeding of the FORMEC Coneference “Forest Engineering: Meeting the Needs of the Society and the Environment”, July 11 – 14, 2010, Padova, Italy.
  • Akay, A.E., Gümüş, S. & Başaran, A. (2023) Evaluating productivity of small-scale cable yarding system integrated with a portable winch. Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering, 44 (2): 259-274. https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2023.1957
  • Barger, M., Messerlie, E. & Rheinberger, S. (2015) Skyline XL 15.1 skyline profile and payload analysis. USFS PNW Forest Products Programs and Software.
  • Brown, C., & Sessions, J. (1996). The standing skyline: a maximum log load solution procedure. Forest science, 42(2), 220-227.
  • Çağlar, S. & Acar, H.H. (2005) An investigation on the time study and productivity of Koller K300 mobile yarder. Artvin Orman Fakültesi Dergisi, 6 (1-2): 113-120.
  • Erber, G. & Spinelli, R. (2020) Timber extraction by cable yarding on flat and wet terrain: a survey of cable yarder manufacturer’s experience. Silva Fennica 54(2): 10211. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.10211
  • Erber, G., Visser, R., Leitner, S., Harrill, H., Spinelli, R., Picchio, R., Varch, T. & Stampfer, K. (2025) Advances in cable yarding: a review of recent developments in carriers for mobile skyline cable yarding. Current Forestry Reports, 11(14). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-025-00246-8
  • Erdaş, O., Acar, H.H. & Eker, M., (2014) Forest transportation technique. Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, 504 p.
  • Gümüş, S. & Acar, H.H. (2010) Evaluation of consecutive skylines yarding and gravity skidding systems in primary forest transportation on steep terrain. Journal of Environmental Biology, 31, 213–218.
  • Harrill, H. (2014) Improving cable logging operations for New Zealand’s steep terrain forest plantations (Dissertation), University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
  • Harrill, H., Visser, R. & Raymond, K. (2019) New Zealand cable logging 2008–2018: A period of change. Current Forestry Reports, 5, 114–123. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-019-00092-5
  • Hoffmann, S., Jaeger, D., Schoenherr, S., Lingenfelder, M., Sun, D. & Zeng, J. (2016) The effect of forest management systems on productivity and costs of cable yarding operations in southern China. Forestry Letters, 109: 11-24.
  • Kendrick, D. & Sessions, J. (1991) A solution procedure for calculating the standing skyline load path for partial and full suspension. Forest Products Journal, 41(9): 57–60.
  • Knobloch, C., & Bont, L.G. (2021) A new method to compute mechanical properties of a standing skyline for cable yarding. Plos one, 16(8): e0256374. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256374
  • Lee, E., Im, S. & Han, S.K. (2018) Productivity and cost of a small-scale cable yarder in an uphill and downhill area: a case study in South Korea. Forest Science and Technology, 14(1): 16–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/21580103.2017.1409662
  • Leitner, S., Carabin, G., Spinelli, R., Renzi, M. & Vidoni, R. (2024) Skyline force estimation and limitation during cable yarding: A novel technical solution for within the carriage. Measurement, 235, 114931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2024.114931
  • Mologni, O., Lyons, C.K., Zambon, G., Proto, A.R., Zimbalatti, G., Cavalli, R. & Grigolato, S. (2019) Skyline tensile force monitoring of mobile tower yarders operating in the Italian Alps. European Journal of Forest Research, 138, 847–862. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-019-01207-0
  • Mologni, O., Marchi, L., Lyons, C.K., Grigolato, S., Cavalli, R. & Röser, D. (2021) Skyline tensile forces in cable logging: field observations vs. software calculations. Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering, 42(2): 227-243. https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2021.722
  • Öztürk, T. (2004) The research on transporting forest products with varied forest skylines in mountainous forest zone of Turkey. Journal of the Faculty of Forestry Istanbul University, 54(1): 165-185
  • Özturk, T. & Şenturk, N. (2003) A Research on performance of gantner skylines in Artvin region (Turkey). Proceedings of the 2nd International Scientific Conference: Forest and Wood-Processing Technology vs. Environment. Fortechenvi, May 26–30, Brno, Chech Republic, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Brno & IUFRO WG 3.11.00, 311 –321.
  • Özturk, T. & Şenturk, N. (2016) Productivity and costs of timber extraction by Urus MIII skyline yarder in northeast Turkey. Šumarski list, 140(11-12): 561-566. https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.140.11-12.3
  • Schweier, J. & Ludowicy, C. (2020) Comparison of a cable-based and a ground-based system in flat and soil-sensitive area: a case study from Southern Baden in Germany. Forests, 11(6): 611. doi:10.3390/f11060611
  • Sessions, J., Lyons, K. & Wimer, J. (2021) Maximizing the standing skyline log load using a variable length tagline. Forests, 12(7): 927. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12070927
  • Spinelli, R., Magagnotti, N., Cosola, G., Grigolato, S., Marchi, L., Proto, A. R., Labelleg, E. R., Visserh, R. & Erber, G. (2021) Skyline tension and dynamic loading for cable yarding comparing conventional single-hitch versus horizontal double-hitch suspension carriages. International Journal of Forest Engineering, 32(sup1), 31–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/14942119.2021.1909322
  • Spinelli, R., Magagnotti, N. & Visser, R. (2015) Productivity models for cable yarding in alpine forests. European Journal of Forest Engineering, 1(1): 9-14.
  • Spinelli, R., Marchi, E., Visser, R. Harrill, H., Gallo, R., Cambi, M., Neri, F., Lombardini, C. & Magagnotti, N. (2017) Skyline tension, shock loading, payload and performance for a European cable yarder using two different carriage types. European Journal of Forest Research, 136, 161–170. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-016-1016-1
  • Spinelli, R., Visser, R., Magagnotti, N., Lombardini, C. & Ottaviani-Almo, G. (2020) The effect of partial automation on the productivity and cost of a mobile tower yarder. Annals of Forest Research, 63(2): 3-14. doi: https://doi.org/10.15287/afr.2020.1883
  • Şentürk, N., Öztürk, T. & Demir, M. (2007) Productivity and costs in the course of timber transportation with the Koller K300 cable system in Turkey. Building and Environment, 42(5): 2107–2113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.03.005
  • USDA (2025) https://www.fs.usda.gov/forestmanagement/products/programs-software.shtml (accessed on 07 January 2025).
  • Varch, T., Erber, G., Visser, R., Spinelli, R., Harrill, H. & Stampfer, K. (2021) Advances in cable yarding: A review of recent developments in skyline carriage technology. Current Forestry Reports, 7:181–194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-021-00150-x
  • Visser, R. & Harrill, H. (2017) Cable yarding in North America and New Zealand: a review of developments and practices. Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering, 38(2): 209-217. https://hrcak.srce.hr/190911
  • Visser, R., Harrill, H., Obi, O.F. & Holmes, L. (2023) Operational analysis of grapple yarding in New Zealand: A case study of three mechanized harvesting operations. Forests, 14(2): 190. https:// doi.org/10.3390/f14020190
  • Visser, R. & Stampfer, K. (2015) Expanding ground-based harvesting onto steep terrain: A Review. Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering, 36(2): 321-331. https://hrcak.srce.hr/151831.
There are 34 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Forest Products Transport and Evaluation Information
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Neşe Gülci 0000-0003-2605-734X

John Sessions 0000-0003-3292-8279

Sercan Gülci 0000-0003-3349-517X

Abdullah Emin Akay 0000-0001-6558-9029

Publication Date October 27, 2025
Submission Date July 16, 2025
Acceptance Date September 29, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 9 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Gülci, N., Sessions, J., Gülci, S., Akay, A. E. (2025). ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE APPLICATION FOR WHOLE TREE EXTRACTION USING SkylineXL 24.1: A CASE STUDY FROM KAHRAMANMARAS, TURKIYE. Turkish Journal of Forest Science, 9(2), 283-295. https://doi.org/10.32328/turkjforsci.1743549
AMA Gülci N, Sessions J, Gülci S, Akay AE. ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE APPLICATION FOR WHOLE TREE EXTRACTION USING SkylineXL 24.1: A CASE STUDY FROM KAHRAMANMARAS, TURKIYE. Turk J For Sci. October 2025;9(2):283-295. doi:10.32328/turkjforsci.1743549
Chicago Gülci, Neşe, John Sessions, Sercan Gülci, and Abdullah Emin Akay. “ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE APPLICATION FOR WHOLE TREE EXTRACTION USING SkylineXL 24.1: A CASE STUDY FROM KAHRAMANMARAS, TURKIYE”. Turkish Journal of Forest Science 9, no. 2 (October 2025): 283-95. https://doi.org/10.32328/turkjforsci.1743549.
EndNote Gülci N, Sessions J, Gülci S, Akay AE (October 1, 2025) ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE APPLICATION FOR WHOLE TREE EXTRACTION USING SkylineXL 24.1: A CASE STUDY FROM KAHRAMANMARAS, TURKIYE. Turkish Journal of Forest Science 9 2 283–295.
IEEE N. Gülci, J. Sessions, S. Gülci, and A. E. Akay, “ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE APPLICATION FOR WHOLE TREE EXTRACTION USING SkylineXL 24.1: A CASE STUDY FROM KAHRAMANMARAS, TURKIYE”, Turk J For Sci, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 283–295, 2025, doi: 10.32328/turkjforsci.1743549.
ISNAD Gülci, Neşe et al. “ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE APPLICATION FOR WHOLE TREE EXTRACTION USING SkylineXL 24.1: A CASE STUDY FROM KAHRAMANMARAS, TURKIYE”. Turkish Journal of Forest Science 9/2 (October2025), 283-295. https://doi.org/10.32328/turkjforsci.1743549.
JAMA Gülci N, Sessions J, Gülci S, Akay AE. ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE APPLICATION FOR WHOLE TREE EXTRACTION USING SkylineXL 24.1: A CASE STUDY FROM KAHRAMANMARAS, TURKIYE. Turk J For Sci. 2025;9:283–295.
MLA Gülci, Neşe et al. “ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE APPLICATION FOR WHOLE TREE EXTRACTION USING SkylineXL 24.1: A CASE STUDY FROM KAHRAMANMARAS, TURKIYE”. Turkish Journal of Forest Science, vol. 9, no. 2, 2025, pp. 283-95, doi:10.32328/turkjforsci.1743549.
Vancouver Gülci N, Sessions J, Gülci S, Akay AE. ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE APPLICATION FOR WHOLE TREE EXTRACTION USING SkylineXL 24.1: A CASE STUDY FROM KAHRAMANMARAS, TURKIYE. Turk J For Sci. 2025;9(2):283-95.