article id 346,
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Research article
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The time consumption and productivity of harvesting are dependent on stand conditions, the operators’ skills, working techniques and the characteristics of the forestry machinery. Even if the basic methods and machine types of the cut-to-length harvesting system have not changed significantly in 10 to 15 years, improvements in the operators’ competence, technical solutions in forest machinery and changes in the working environment have undoubtedly taken place. In this study, the objective was to discover the special characteristics in the time consumption of mechanized cutting and forest haulage in Finnish conditions. The empirical time study was conducted with professional operators and medium-sized single-grip harvesters and forwarders in final fellings and thinnings in easy terrain in central Finland. The models for effective time consumption in the work phases and total productivity were formed. Stem size, tree species and bucking affected the cutting, whereas timber density on the strip road, the average driving distance, load capacity, wood assortment and the bunching result of the harvester operator had an effect on the forest haulage performance. The results may be used in simulations, cost calculations and education.
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Nurminen,
University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forestry, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
tuomo.nurminen@joensuu.fi
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Korpunen,
University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forestry, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
hk@nn.fi
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Uusitalo,
Finnish Forest Research Institute, Parkano Research Unit, Kaironiementie 54, FI-39700 Parkano, Finland
E-mail:
ju@nn.fi