The objective of this research was to evaluate compaction of a Red-Yellow Latosol subjected to forestry traffic including two types of skidder: a wheeled-clambunk skidder and a tracked one. This study tries to remedy the lack of information on this subject, considering that mechanized traffic can result in several impacts on the environment. These impacts are related to soil compaction and water resources quality, resulting in reduction of forestry productivity. The soil physical parameters analysed were: soil dry bulk density, total porosity and soil penetrometer resistance. A 2x3x3 factorial statistical design was used, including type of skidder, pattern operation and soil depth, using the Dunnet test at 5% significance level. The statistical analysis included the test of interaction between types of machines and the number of machine travels. Results showed that the loaded wheeled-clambunk skidder traveling once or twice caused effects of compaction on soil up to 15 cm depth. In the same condition, the tracked-skidder traveling twice also produced significant effect on soil compaction. In the 15-50 cm depth, only two travels of the wheeled-clambunk skidder caused soil compaction.
Forest machines; damages in the soil; drag of wood
