The running skyline is a popular cable logging system being used in many parts of North American today. Proper application of this system requires investigation of its adaptability to the terrain being logged. This paper presents a digital computer program to determine running skyline load-carrying capabilities to aid the logging layout designer with this planning task. The Fortran IV program, the details of input, and the interpretation of output are discussed.

The procedure for determination of running skyline load-carrying capability is discussed. A desk-top computer/plotter is employed to plot terrain profiles and determine and plot the path of a loaded running skyline carriage. The computer programs implementing the procedure are included. The paper is intended for the designer who is investigating the use of running skylines in harvesting plans.