Time of day impacts on machine productivity and value recovery in an off-forest central processing yard

Abstract

Background: Effective use of the high capital cost equipment in a central processing yard requires a good understanding of the human component of the system. Poorly designed work schedules have been linked with mental and physical fatigue of the machine operators, low productivity and low value recovery for some operations. The aim of this study was to determine if time of day impacts machine productivity and value recovery in an off-forest central processing yard. Methods: A database, containing over 120,000 records on Pinus radiata D.Don (radiata pine) stems processed during 214 work shifts, was analysed in order to determine the impact of time of day on value recovery and productivity of log-handling equipment that consisted of a scanning optimiser and two mechanised processors operating in an off-forest central processing yard in New Zealand. Results: Analyses indicate time of day negatively impacted volume productivity and value recovery for the scanning optimizer between the first shift operating mainly in daylight hours and the second shift operating mainly during night hours. There were no clear trends in productivity for the mechanised processors. Conclusions: These findings are in agreement with an earlier study carried out in on-forest mechanised harvesting operations in Chile but differ from findings of another off-forest central processing yard in New Zealand.