Compaction of a latosol subjected to skidder traffic with different wheeled

Abstract

The process of mechanization of timber harvesting allowed a significant increase in productivity and quality of operations. However, heavy traffic of large machines has been largely responsible for soil compaction in forest areas.This research aimed to evaluate the latosol compaction caused by skidder with tires and tracks over the tires. The study was developed in the logging areas of a forestry company located in Parana State. Soil compaction was evaluated by soil bulk density, aeration porosity, total porosity and penetrometer resistance. The soil samples and date of penetrometer resistance were taken at four points equally spaced along both the trails with and without traffic at three depth levels (0 to 15, 15 to 30 and 30 to 50 cm). The results showed that the skidder equipped with tires was responsible for the greatest change in density, with 1.22 and 1.17 mg.m-3 in the depth of 0 to 15 and 15 to 30 cm, respectively. There was not significant change in soil physical properties caused by skidder traffic with the different wheeled types, proving that the installation of the tracks over tires did not result in smaller soil compaction.