Key factors influencing productivity of whole-tree ground-based felling equipment commonly used in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract

Around the globe, various types of forest machinery are employed to conduct fully mechanized ground-based timber harvesting. In the Pacific Northwest the whole-tree harvesting method remains dominant. While machine-implemented sensors provide accurate productivity information in the cut-to-length harvesting method, productivity is more complicated to determine in whole-tree harvesting. This literature review compiles and analyses the existing evidence on productivity studies of feller-bunchers and feller-directors in a systematic manner and identifies the factors influencing machine productivity. The study indicates that most of the previous research was conducted in North America particularly in Canada. It was also found that a considerable portion of the literature lacked statistical analysis. The factors piece size, slope, and silvicultural treatment were the most commonly studied amongst the results to affect productivity. Although there is already a great knowledge of the most important factors influencing the productivity of feller-bunchers and feller-directors, there is still a lack in accurate measurement and isolation of individual factors to facilitate accurate productivity prediction. Detailed information is needed for the development of systems capable of estimating machine performance in terms of productivity through specific sensors. Updated productivity models will optimize harvesting operations, identify bottlenecks, and allow the development of best practices.

Forestry Ergonomics Publications in the Last Decade: A Review

“…The ergonomic assessment of feller bunchers, according to this review, is geographically mostly tied to North and South America (Figure A2), where they are used the most [83,84] but not exclusively [85,86]. Risk factors that occurred in their application consist of noise [5,6,87], vibration [88], postural load [53,82], and MSD occurrence [89].…”

A cost-benefit analysis of pre-sorting using a feller-buncher in underdeveloped short rotation poplar plantations

“…Furthermore, favourable conditions should be sought, in which the equipment tasked with quality sorting may operate at best. Past studies suggest that such could be the case of pre-sorting during felling (Lahrsen et al 2021). That is the stage in the harvesting chain where the operator has the best view of the tree being cut and can easily assess its potential.…”