Time consumption, productivity, and cost analysis of the motor manual tree felling and processing in the Hyrcanian Forest in Iran

Abstract

An empirical time study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the current felling and tree processing methods used in Northern Iran’s Hyrcanian forest. Motor-manual felling is done mostly in winter, while tree processing starts when the felling season ends. We identified the elements of felling and processing work phases, and 142 cycles and 110 cycles were respectively recorded for felling and processing. On the basis of data analysis (time study), we developed statistical models of effective time consumption in the respective work phase and for its total productivity. The production rate of felling with and without delay time was 9.7 and 11.65 trees per hour (0.17 USD·m⁻³ and 0.21 USD·m⁻³), and the average production cost with and without delay was 1.21 USD and 1.45 USD per tree, respectively. The average productivity of processing was 35 m3 per effective hour and the average unit cost of processing was 0.22 USD·m⁻³.

Keywords

Motor-manual felling / time study / chainsaw / processing / cost / forest work study

References

[1] Bergstrand K.. Planning and analysis of forestry operation studies. Skogsarbeten Bulletin, 1991, 17 63.

[2] Koger J.L.. Observed methods for felling hardwood trees with chainsaw. 1983, New Orleans, LA: US. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station, 7.

[3] Long CJ, McNeel J. 2002. Production and cost analysis of a feller-buncher in central Appalachian hardwood forest. Available from: http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/newtown_square/publications/other_publishers/OCR/ne_2002_long001.pdf (Cited 10 February, 2006).

[4] Lynford C.A.. Application of economic selection to logging operations in the Douglas fir region. Journal of Forestry, 1934, 32(7): 716-724.

[5] Mann CN, Mifflin RW. 1979. Operational test of the prototype Pee-Wee Yarder. USDA For Service Gen Tech Report PWN-92, 1–7.

[6] Nikouy Seyahkal M. 2007. Production optimization and reduction impact on forest by preparing harvest planning in Nav, Iran. Doctoral thesis, Tehran University, p.165. (in Persian)

[7] Nurminen T., Korpunen H., Uusitalo J.. Time consumption analyses of the mechanized cut-to-length harvesting system. Silva Fennica, 2006, 40(2): 335-363.

[8] Schmincke K. 1995. Forest harvesting in natural forest of the Congo. Forest product division. Forest harvesting. Case study 7. Forestry Department, FAO, Terminal report, p. 68.

[9] Wang J., Grushecky S., Li Y., McNeel J.. Hardwood log merchandising and bucking practices in West Virginia. Forest Product Journal, 2007, 57(3): 71-75.