Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Holmen Skog is currently using a GPS-program called TraktInfo, originally
developed within the company. They are now planning to switch to a new GPSprogram
or allowing the contractors to buy other programs available from the
logging equipment manufacturers. To be able to offer this flexibility, Holmen
Skog needs to obtain information about the features offered by the different
manufacturers in their specific programs, and also when the manufacturers are
planning to start selling programs adapted to the new standard called
StanFord2010.
According to the study, the manufacturers are hesitant to StanFord2010 and there
has also been a lack of clear signals from the customers and clients about what
kind of different new features to include in the programs.
The feature most frequently used by forest machine operators today is the option
to keep record of the harvester’s path by creating a “log plot”. This feature was
not used to its full potential however, since only one out of eight of the forwarders
included in the study had computers that were compatible with the harvester’s
computer. Clearly, the operators also need more training in how to use all
functions in the programs to be able to maximize the benefits. The contractors
also need to invest in new computers for their forwarders so that the systems are
compatible with the harvesters.
The main difference between Holmen Skog’s own GIS-program and the logging
equipment manufacturers (i.e. John Deere with TimberNavi, Rottne with GeoInfo,
Ponsse with FC-GIS, and Valmet with MaxiN) was that some of the logging
equipment manufacturer’s systems allowed the harvester operator to export prifiles
to the forwarder. The forwarder operator could then use the files to get
information about the total harvested volume at a given coordinate. Many of the
brands also had the option to add a function in the program to “auto-rotate” the
map to be able to display the path of the machine in a convenient way. There
seems to be an intention to make it possible to upgrade the systems of some
machines as the new standard is developed.