OPERATIONALANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL CUT-TO-LENGTH FOREST HARVESTING SYSTEM

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to conduct an operational analysis of forest harvesting activities in a mechanized of the system cut to length in eucalypt plantations in south of Bahia, to determine the distribution of operation times, productivity, operational efficiency and mechanical availability of two models of harvester and two models of forwarder, evaluating these machines in three modules harvesting methodology through time and motion studies. Auxiliary activities corresponded to the lowest percentages within the operating times (mean 1.9% to 1.8% for harvester and forwarder), already operating activities were those that had the highest percentages. The first shift was presented the worst results of operations for the harvester (average 66.3%) and the third shift for the forwarder (55.5%). For the harvester module 1 showed the best result of productive times (average 70.36%). In relation to the forwarder, this same module showed the worst results with unproductive times (average of 22.17%). The availability and mechanical parameters were superior productivity for the forwarder (mean 82.31% and 51.33 m3/h, respectively), as indicators of degree of utilization and operational efficiency were higher in harvester (average 85.01% and 66.41%, respectively). Thus, for the forwarder, the parameters mechanical availability and productivity were higher, while for the harvester, they were the indicators of degree of utilization and operational efficiency