Influence of Log Length on the Productivity of Wood Harvesting and Transportation

Abstract

The selection of machines and the development of operating systems are the major challenge for reducing costs in harvesting and forest transportation. This work aimed to carry out a technical analysis of harvesting and forest transport activities in two different log lengths (6 and 7m). The operational cycles of the Harvester, Forwarder and combined road train vehicle in mechanized harvest areas were evaluated. The technical analysis was performed through studies of times and movements, determining the operational efficiency and productivity of the machines. According to the results, processing consumed most of the harvester's operational cycle, while in the forwarder, the most time was consumed 35,2 and 45,2 m³·he-1 and 42,84 and 75,42 m³.he-¹. The larger log size led to an increase in the productivity of the harvester by 28% and the forwarder by 48%. Among the studied models of road train vehicles, the one that showed the best results both in the analysis made with a length of 6 m and 7 m, was the dimensions with 2.35 m in width and 2.85 in height. These vehicles had a total gross weight of 63.52 tonnes for logs with a length of 6m and 69.17 tons for logs of 7m, with an 8.17% higher performance compared to 6m logs. With the obtained results it can be concluded that the increase in the length of the logs increased the productivity and the performance of the harvest and the forest transport.

Positive and Negative Work Practices of Forest Machine Operators: Interviews and Literature Analysis

“…Generally, various factors affect the productivity of highly mechanized timber harvesting systems. These performance-determining factors are extensively studied and include operator-related parameters [16], stand-, timber- [17], and terrain-related characteristics [18], technical requirements [19], and organizational aspects [20]. Regarding the influence of forest machine operators on productivity, a number of studies have been conducted [7,17,21].…”

“…These performance-determining factors are extensively studied and include operator-related parameters [16], stand-, timber- [17], and terrain-related characteristics [18], technical requirements [19], and organizational aspects [20]. Regarding the influence of forest machine operators on productivity, a number of studies have been conducted [7,17,21]. However, these studies focused mainly on productivity analyses of the main work elements.…”

Produtividade de turnos de trabalho no processamento de eucalyptus sp.

“…Ainda segundo o mesmo autor, a colheita é parte mais importante do ponto de vista técnico econômico, uma vez que pode chegar a representar até 50% do custo final da madeira (MACHADO e LOPES, 2000). Belisario et al (2022) também destacou a importância da colheita dentro da cadeia produtiva florestal, uma vez que essa etapa do processo produtivo apresenta elevada participação no custo final da madeira e está sujeita a grandes riscos de perdas econômicas no decorrer das atividades.…”

“…Apesar dos crescentes avanços tecnológicos e a mecanização ter se mostrado como um processo em crescente evolução nas últimas décadas, a escolha do sistema de colheita adequado está atrelada às particularidades técnicas e econômicas de cada região e ao uso final da madeira, devendo ser levado em conta os fatores sociais e ambientais (BELISARIO et al, 2022). Conforme demonstrou Simões (2010), a aquisição de máquinas empregadas na colheita florestal depende de alto investimento financeiro, o que implica na necessidade de avaliações que possibilitem definir com maior precisão qual será a máquina ou o conjunto mais preconizado para a racionalização dessa operação.…”

Influence of forest machine operator work practices and operator assistance systems on the efficiency of fully mechanized timber harvesting systems

“…(1) determination of the work practice or work method applied, (2) the measured outcome variable that was either workload, performance, skill, or work behavior, (3) the used system/machine (4), and further (5) the setting in which the study was conducted, e.g., a field test or simulator-based study.…”