Effect of Feller-Buncher Model, Slope Class and Cutting Area on the Productivity and Costs of Whole Tree Harvesting in Brazilian Eucalyptus Stands

Forests

Ricardo Hideaki Miyajima¹  Paulo Torres Fenner¹  Gislaine Cristina Batistela²  Danilo Simões² 

[1] Department of Forest Science, Soil and Environment, School of Agriculture, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu 18610-307, Brazil;Production Engineering Coordination, Campus of Itapeva, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Itapeva 18409-010, Brazil;

关键词: forest operations;    mechanized harvesting;    performance measurement;    operational planning;    economic comparison;   

DOI  :  10.3390/f12081092

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The operational productivity and costs of tree felling operations can be influenced by several factors, among which, the machine characteristics, slope class, the cutting area and the individual volume of the trees stand out. Thus, the main objective of the present study was to analyze the productivity and production cost for two feller-bunchers with different technical characteristics operating in a eucalyptus forest. The productivity was calculated from a time study and the factors analyzed were two feller-buncher models, two slope classes, and two cutting areas. The machine cost per scheduled hour was based on the methodology of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Analysis of the results showed that the felling and turn operational elements occupied the most time in the operational cycle of feller-bunchers. The machine cost per scheduled hour was USD 69.69 h⁻¹ for feller-buncher 1 and USD 102.03 h⁻¹ for feller-buncher 2. In conclusion, the distinct technical characteristics of feller-bunchers were found to influence the productivity and, consequently, the cost, of the felling operation during the harvesting of whole eucalyptus trees.

【 授权许可】

Unknown