ABSTRACT
The productivity of second and third thinning operations in Pinus taeda and Pinus elliottii var. elliottii x Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis performed by wheeled harvesters in northeastern Argentina was analyzed. Trees harvested in the second thinning had an average volume of 0.43 m3 for a 12 years old Pinus taeda stand and 0.36 m3 for a 10 years hybrid pine stand, while in the third thinning the tree volume was 0.71 m3 for a 13 years old Pinus taeda and 0.75 m3 for 15 years old hybrid pine stand. Partial time models for each activity in the cycle were developed, and the influence of the thinning type, harvested species, number of products bucking, volume of trees, and feller forms were determined for each cycle activity. The adjusted models were integrated into a model of effective productivity achieving a R2 Aj of 0.61. The tree volume was significant to explain the time consumption of all evaluated activities, being especially crucial in felling, delimbing, and bucking the trees. The thinning type affected location time, while the species affected delimbing and bucking time. When producing up to three assorted products, it was required more time for delimbing and bucking. There was an increase in the number of products when third thinning was performed on hybrid pine with respect to Pinus taeda.
Keywords:
Wheeled harvester; Pinus taeda; Hybrid pine
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