Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Grace, Laura A.

Committee Member

Stuart, William B.

Committee Member

Londo, J. Andrew

Date of Degree

12-11-2009

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Forestry

Degree Name

Master of Science

College

College of Forest Resources

Department

Department of Forestry

Abstract

A data set was compiled from detailed information provided from 26 independent logging contractors from throughout the Eastern United States over a five year period from 2000 to 2004. The age distribution of the logging contractors in the study has increased over time with the percentage of contactors over the age of 55 rising from 15% to 32%. The median age of all equipment including feller-bunchers, skidders, loaders, bulldozers, service vehicles, and haul trucks increased over the period. While the median age of all equipment increased, the age of service and support equipment saw the greatest increase. The total average cost per ton increased 13% over the five year period from $13.99 in 2000 to $16.11 in 2004, due mostly to increases in fuel costs and higher use of contract services. Total production for all firms increased by a net of 450,000 tons over five years.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/17075

Download

Share

COinS