Works experience of chainsaw operators in peat swamp forest plantation in increasing timber productivity and efficiency

Abstract

Felling is one of the logging activities that determines wood production. The appropriate and correct felling technique in plantation forests can increase the Efficiency of Timber Utilization (ETU). This research was conducted in one of the peat swamp forest plantation in Riau. The research objective is to determine the effect of work experience on the productivity and ETU in peat swamp forest plantations. The research method is by measuring the volume of wood harvested through local felling technique carried out by two chainsaw operators with different work experience. The results showed that: 1) The work experience of the chainsaw operator can effect felling productivity, production cost and ETU; 2) The average felling productivity produced by operator B is 10.151 m3/hour higher than operator A which is 8.888 m3/hour; 3) The average felling production cost for operator B is IDR 9,319.83/m3 lower than operator A which is IDR 10,812.79/m3; and 4) The lowest possible felling technique can increase ETU by 5% which is equivalent to an additional profit for the company of IDR 3,769,075,000/year.