Effect of Individual Tree Volume on Operational Performance of Harvester Processor

Abstract

The need to obtain multi-products from the forest makes the wood processing an important step in the timber harvest, being necessary, then, to understand the influence of the stand characteristics on the operational performance of the machines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the individual tree volume on the operational performance of the harvester forest processor in Pinus taeda L. stands, in order to assist in planning operations and reducing production costs. The analyzes were carried out by means of a time and motion study, determining the time consumed in the phases of the operational cycle, mechanical availability, operational efficiency, productivity, and production costs in three stands with different individual mean volumes (IMV): I (1.21 m3 tree-1); II (1.34 m3 tree-1) and III (1.61 m3 tree-1). In a completely randomized design, the averages of the variables were compared, as well as models for estimating productivity and production costs were fitted according to individual tree volume. The results showed that the processing element consumed a significant part of the total operational cycle time, with 46, 53 and 64% in treatments I, II and III, respectively, with an average operational efficiency of 56% in all treatments. Productivity increase and reduction of production costs were observed in the order of 43 and 30%, respectively, with the increase in IMV from 1.21 to 1.61 m3 tree-1. Such behavior can be represented by the third degree polynomial, which demonstrated the operational limit of 1.5 m3 tree-1 for the harvester forest processor.

Produtividade de turnos de trabalho no processamento de eucalyptus sp.

“…Para Malinovski et al (2006), dentre as principais variáveis externas que influenciam na produtividade das máquinas nas operações de colheita florestal, estão a altura e o volume individual das árvores. Essa conclusão foi alcançada por Rodrigues et al (2019), em um estudo que avaliou o efeito do volume individual das árvores no rendimento operacional do processador florestal harvester em povoamentos de Pinus taeda L., no qual o autor constatou que quanto maior o volume da árvore, maior a produtividade da máquina. Isso pode indicar que a produção do turno da madrugada maior se tivesse processado o mesmo VMI que os demais turnos e poderia ser considerado, com as devidas análises, além de mais eficiente como foi comprovado, também mais produtivo.…”

Anais do Congresso Plantações Florestais.

“…Cabe destacar que o volume médio das árvores também demonstrou efeito sobre a produtividade (Tabela 2), que tendeu a aumentar com o corte de árvores de maior volume médio individual. Essa tendência tem sido demonstrada em diversos outros trabalhos da literatura (Spinelli, 2004;Rodrigues et al, 2019;Bonazza et al, 2020), os quais corroboram com os resultados do presente estudo.…”

Measurement of Individual Tree Parameters with Carriage-Based Laser Scanning in Cable Yarding Operations

“…As mentioned above, there are strong efforts to digitize more of the forestry supply chain from standing trees to mills. Using single tree metrics, estimates can be made of operational performance, productivity and costs (Rodrigues et al 2019). Furthermore, automatic equipment positioning and navigation of vehicles can be supported with single tree data (Roßmann et al 2009).…”