Costs of semi-mechanized forest harvest of Tectona grandis L. F. in the brazilian Amazon

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the harvesting system applied for Tectona grandis and its adaptations to describe the harvesting activities, characterization of the machines used and costing. The costs raised in this work were divided by activity and cost component. The work resulted in the description of the forest felling, this being carried out using three chainsaws of the Stihl brand, model MS 660 with the chainsaw teams adjusted to the scheme (1+1), an operator and a helper. As an adaptation of the system, the extraction was performed from inside the field to the storage yard, and executed with a Massey Ferguson tractor, model MF 275, of medium size with high axle, 4x2 rear-wheel drive, 75 horsepower and torque of approximately 28 kgfm adapted with a winch and use of drag chain, a tractor driver and two assistants. Labor was the most expensive cost, representing 80.82% of the total harvest cost. Gross profit per hectare was R$ 15,525.00, of which 30.76% was consumed by operating costs, being labor the most significant. Selling raw logs, as it was performed in this work, significantly decreases the price of the cubic meter.