Download or read book An Analysis of the Harvesting Costs and Productivity of Logging Contractors Within the Eastern United States written by Jeffrey Jaudon Smith and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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 contractors 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 [dollars]13.99 in 2000 to [dollars]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.