Research results on the improvement of equipment and technology for forest site preparation by machinery in hill regions in the North of Vietnam

Doan Van Thu

Forest Science Institute of Vietnam

Site preparation for planting by machinery improves soil quality, forest productivity, and decreases labor requirements. In order to have sustainable production and management, the application of machinery in forest site preparation should have reasonable costs and limits soil erosion. Some research results on improvement of equipment and technology for forest site preparation have satisfied the demands from productivity.

The research results have determined, the Komatsu D65A Bulldoze combined with a Multiple Angle – Rake dozer and Base – Digging Tool is the most effective equipment for clean site; 95% above of vegetation and bases were collected and cleaned out, and the output of combined machines is 0.27ha/h and diesel consumption is 18.2lite/h.

Ripping machine is a suitable and effective equipment for site preparation for planting: The depth of ripping increases to 0.6m and above, conserves water, limits disturbed surface site and soil erosion, and decreases energy plough. The research results have determined the impact of the depth, speed, and structure of the working components on the resistant force of the ripping machine. When the depth and speed of ripping increases, the value of the resistant force will increase, but the impact of ripping speed is less than the depth of ripping. The models of improved machines M2 and M3 have decreased the resistant force coefficient K₀ by 15 to 20%, and increase the quality of forest site preparation.

The research results on improvement of equipment and technology for forest site preparation has determined the methods to treat vegetation and ploughing methods that suit the soil and terrain conditions in hill regions in the North of Vietnam. However, based on the productive condition and the methods needed for planting, one could select the appropriate equipment and technical method to improved the effectiveness and productivity.