Small tree size represents the main challenge when designing a cost-effective harvesting system for European short-rotation plantations. This challenge is further complicated by the need to obtain 4-m logs for high-end products, which rules out the possibility to deploy whole-tree chipping. Both challenges can be met through mass handling, which must begin at the time of felling and continue uninterrupted along the whole supply chain. The authors designed and tested a simple system based on an excavator-based feller buncher, two farm tractors converted into grapple skidders and an excavator-based grapple saw adapted to operate as an impromptu slasher. This system proved capable of containing harvesting cost below 17 € per green ton, while matching the necessary work quality requirements, in terms of value recovery and log quality specifications. Furthermore, the whole system can be acquired with a limited capital investment, estimated at ca. 400,000 €. Being based on general purpose equipment, the system is also versatile enough for deployment in a number of alternative jobs, when the coppicing season is over.

在为欧洲的短轮作人工林设计具有成本效益的采伐系统时，小树是最大的挑战。由于需要获取高端产品的4-m日志，使这一挑战变得更加复杂，这排除了部署整棵树状芯片的可能性。通过批量搬运可以解决这两个挑战，批量搬运必须从砍伐之时开始，并在整个供应链中持续不断。作者设计并测试了一个简单的系统，该系统基于挖掘机的伐木归堆机，两台农用拖拉机转变为抓斗滑行器和一台适合用作即兴砍伐机的挖掘机抓斗锯。事实证明，该系统能够将收成成本控制在每绿吨17欧元以下，同时在价值回收和原木质量规格方面符合必要的工作质量要求。此外，整个系统可以用有限的资本投资获得，估计大约为。40万欧元 该系统基于通用设备，因此在通用季节结束后，该系统也具有足够的通用性，可以部署在许多替代性工作中。