Two different forestry vehicles were modeled and analyzed: rigid-frame, steel-tracked forestry vehicle and articulated-frame, rubber-tired forestry vehicle. Developed steel-tracked forestry vehicle model included several sub-models: soil/track interface, undercarriage, powertrain, and grapple. Developed rubber-tired forestry vehicle model also included: soil/tire interface, tire, powertrain, steering hydraulics, and grapple. After the model development, the two models were compared with the real operations. They predicted the real operations with good agreements. Sensitivity studies were performed with developed models in five different modes: grade-ability (maximum grade angle), steering (turning radius), tilt-platform (sideways overturning angle), grapple operation, operation over an obstacle. It was found from sensitivity analyses that log load and track gauge (tread length) were the major factors influencing the forestry vehicle performance.
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