Logging Cost Calculator
Calculate logging cost per thousand board feet (MBF) from equipment, labor, fuel costs, and production rate.
Inputs
$/hr
MBF/hr
$/hr
$/hr
Results
Cost Per MBF
$176.67
Total Hourly Cost$265.00
Equipment Cost/MBF$100.00
Labor Cost/MBF$50.00
Fuel Cost/MBF$26.67
Daily Production (8 hrs)12 MBF
Daily Operating Cost$2,120.00
Monthly Operating Cost$46,640.00
Break-Even Stumpage$176.67
Monthly MBF264
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your Equipment Cost per hour, Labor Cost per hour, and Fuel Cost per hour.
- Enter your production rate in MBF per hour to reflect actual machine productivity.
- Review Cost Per MBF to compare against stumpage prices and assess profitability.
- Check Daily Production and Daily Operating Cost to plan logging schedules and cash flow.
- Use Break-Even Stumpage to set your minimum acceptable stumpage offer.
How the result changes with Production Rate
| Production Rate | Cost Per MBF |
|---|---|
| 2.09 | $126.79 |
| 7.06 | $37.54 |
| 13 | $20.38 |
| 18 | $14.72 |
What each input means
- Equipment Cost
- Hourly cost of logging equipment including depreciation, maintenance, and insurance.
- Production Rate
- Timber production rate in thousand board feet per hour. Varies with terrain and tree size.
- Labor Cost
- Total hourly labor cost for all crew members including benefits.
- Fuel Cost
- Hourly fuel consumption cost for all equipment combined.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersEquipment Cost = 150, Production Rate = 1.5, Labor Cost = 75, Fuel Cost = 40 = 4 input(s) provided
- Calculate Cost Per MBF176.67 = $176.67
- Calculate Total Hourly CostTotal Hourly Cost265 = $265
- Calculate Equipment Cost/MBFEquipment Cost/MBF100 = $100
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