Skidders in the forestry of the Republic of Srpska

The monograph Skidders in the Forestry of the Republic of Srpska provides a comprehensive overview of the technical, technological, environmental, and organizational aspects of skidder application in forest operations within the Republic of Srpska. Starting from the fact that primary timber transportation represents one of the most important and costly phases of forest harvesting, special emphasis is placed on the role of skidders as the dominant means of timber extraction in hilly and mountainous terrains. The study analyzes the historical development of skidders, their technical characteristics, design solutions, leading global manufacturers, as well as modern operating techniques and possibilities for their application under various forest management conditions. Particular attention is devoted to the relationship between skidders and other timber extraction systems, primarily forwarders, through an examination of their advantages, limitations, and areas of optimal application. The monograph addresses the importance of extraction distance, forest accessibility, technology selection, and the influence of various factors on the productivity and efficiency of timber extraction. Through several case studies, the results of productivity and operational performance analyses of skidders under real working conditions are presented. In addition, the state of forest harvesting machinery within the Public Enterprise Forests of the Republic of Srpska (JPŠ “Šume Republike Srpske” a.d. Sokolac) is analyzed, including the number of machines, achieved performance during the period 2019–2024, and fuel consumption. The results indicate that skidders continue to represent an indispensable means of primary timber transportation under the conditions characteristic of the Republic of Srpska, despite the increasing adoption of CTL (Cut-to-Length) systems and forwarders in certain European countries. The monograph highlights the need for continuous modernization of the machinery fleet, improvement of work organization, professional training of personnel, and further research aimed at increasing productivity, reducing negative impacts on forest ecosystems, and ensuring sustainable forest resource management.