COSTS
Reading edition
In order to arrive at definite figures as a basis for a comparison between railroad and motor truck transportation costs, the following case is cited as an example representing average good conditions:[1] A 5-ton truck with trailer was used, operating on a seven and one-half mile haul over ordinary unpaved roads. An average of four trips a day were made and the actual running expense for hauling was $.901⁄2 per thousand feet. Adding to this the overhead expenses of interest, depreciation, etc., the total cost of hauling was $1.44 per thousand feet. The statement of this cost is as follows:
Actual Cash Outlay in Hauling 128,420 Board Feet of Logs
Gasoline, 284 gallons @ $.19 $53.96
Oil, 3 gallons @ $.60 1.80
Oil, 201⁄2 gallons @ $.45 9.23
Incidentals—One electric light globe .35
Hardware 4.03
Blacksmith 3.00
Driver, 11 days @ $4.00 44.00
Total $116.37
128,420 feet @ $116.37, or $.901⁄2 per thousand feet.
Total Expense of Hauling 128,420 Board Feet of Logs
Investment:
Chassis $4,900.00
Trailer 700.00
Total Investment $5,600.00
Variable Charges
Gasoline, 284 gallons @ $.19 $53.96
Oil, 3 gallons @ $.60 1.80
Oil, 201⁄2 gallons @ $.45 9.23
Tires, $.071⁄2 per mile on 615 miles 46.12
Incidentals 7.43
Total variable charges $118.54
Depreciation (based on 15% per annum on $5,600, less $560, the cost of the tires, or $5,040.00) $1.34 9
Interest on amortized value at 7% .63
Storage, $5.00 a month .20
Driver @ $4.00 a day 4.00
Total fixed charges $6.17 9
Total variable charges $118.54
Total fixed charges at $6.179 a day for 11 days 67.97
Total cost $186.51
128,420 board feet of logs @ $186.51, or $1.44 per 1000 feet.
Following is a recapitulation of the work performed by a 5-ton logging truck, Jan. 20 to Jan. 31, 1916, inclusive. The logs were hauled from O’Neill’s Camp on the Bothell-Everett road 71⁄2 miles and dumped into Lake Washington at Bothell.
Date Trips Mileage No. Ft. Hauled Gas Used Oil Used
1/20/16 4 60 10,768 30 2.25
1/21/16 4 60 11,888 24 2.25
1/22/16 4 60 11,707 30 2.25
1/23/16 Did not haul. Roads in bad condition.
1/24/16 4 60 8,894 34 2.25
1/25/16 2 30 5,200 16 [2]1.00
1/26/16 4 60 16,174 29 2.25
1/27/16 4 60 11,276 25 2.25
1/28/16 4 60 15,514 26 2.25
1/29/16 4 60 15,511 31 2.25
1/30/16 3 45 9,152 20 [3]2.25
1/31/16 4 60 12,336 19 2.25
Total 41 615 128,420 284 23.50
Many loggers who have used both the steam railroad and the motor truck claim that the latter is preferable in some cases and often is the only method by means of which logs can be gotten to the mill at a reasonable cost. Where the stand is scattered and of poor quality, the building of a railroad is not practical. In such a case the motor truck may offer the only solution.
The motor truck makes the best showing when hauling from one “side.” With a two or three side operation the railroad is by far the more practical. It must be remembered, however, that the railroad and the motor truck are not competitors in the logging industry—they are allies.