Time Composition, Efficiency, Workload, and Noise Exposure during Tree Felling and Processing with Petrol and Battery-Powered Chainsaws in Mixed High Forest Stands

Abstract

This study presents the effects of using a battery-powered chainsaw on work efficiency and ergonomics under real conditions during timber harvesting. The study was conducted during the felling and processing of coniferous and deciduous trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 13 cm to 78 cm using both a petrol-powered and battery-powered chainsaw. The results include comparisons of time composition, work efficiency, psychophysical workload, and noise exposure. Heart rate and noise exposure were measured over ten days as part of a time study using the Husqvarna 543 XP petrol-powered chainsaw and the Husqvarna 540i HP battery-powered chainsaw. The comparison of the time composition between the chainsaws used showed 3%–4% differences in the duration of productive time operations and 16% in service time. The difference in work efficiency during the productive time between the two chainsaws was statistically insignificant, but generally higher when working with the battery-powered chainsaw than with the petrol-powered chainsaw. During the main productive time, the work efficiency was 9.89 min/t for the petrol-powered chainsaw and 9.44 min/t for the battery-powered chainsaw. The psychophysical workload of the feller was lower when using the battery-powered chainsaw than when using the petrol-powered chainsaw as the relative working heart rates during the entire productive time was 32.5% for the battery-powered chainsaw and 35.0% for the petrol-powered chainsaw. The noise exposure of the workers was lower when using a battery-powered chainsaw, namely 6.0 dB(A) and 0.4 dB(C) compared to the use of a petrol-powered chainsaw. The results of this paper indicate that battery-powered chainsaws can compete with petrol chainsaws in harvesting conditions that are currently considered unsuitable due to the large volume of trees.