The efficient planning and control of timber harvesting operations are essential to increase productivity and reduce costs. The research objectives were to evaluate the time consumed by the elements of the work cycle, productivity, cost and operational efficiency of a Clambunk Skidder. The research was carried out in a stand of eucalyptus, in a Forest Company, São Paulo State, Brazil. The full-tree harvesting system was utilized and the trees were processed into chips, in landings located at roadside. The methodology used in assessing the productivity consisted of consolidated techniques of motion and time studies that include systematic analysis of the production process including time consumption, production, influential factors, degree of mechanical availability and efficiency. In costs assessment were determined operating costs, fixed costs and variable costs. Elements of the work cycle which most time consuming were the Loading and Travel loaded. The productivity was significantly influenced by the extraction distance. The operational cost analysis indicated that the most important, in descending order, were the variable, the fixed and the administration costs. The Clambunk production cost varied with extraction distance, because this variable affected the travelling times. A reduction in production cost could be possible by reorganizing the work process based on distance and other factors studied.
Timber harvesting; Tractor skidding; Time study
