Analyzing the Efficiency of a Start-Up Cable Yarding Crew in Southern China under New Forest Management Perspectives

This case study analyzed the performance of a start-up cable yarding crew in southern China through operational monitoring by consecutive time studies, long-term log book recordings and efficiency evaluation by stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). The crew, which used a KOLLER K303 H mobile tower yar...

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Main Authors: Stephan Hoffmann, Dirk Jaeger, Marcus Lingenfelder, Siegmar Schoenherr
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2016-08-01
Series:Forests
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/7/9/188
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spelling doaj-eb6e63203d374425ac948c5b63fa00022020-11-24T21:06:59ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072016-08-017918810.3390/f7090188f7090188Analyzing the Efficiency of a Start-Up Cable Yarding Crew in Southern China under New Forest Management PerspectivesStephan Hoffmann0Dirk Jaeger1Marcus Lingenfelder2Siegmar Schoenherr3Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Chair of Forest Operations, Werthmannstraße 6, 79085 Freiburg, GermanyFaculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Chair of Forest Operations, Werthmannstraße 6, 79085 Freiburg, GermanyFaculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Chair of Forest Operations, Werthmannstraße 6, 79085 Freiburg, GermanyFaculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Chair of Forest Operations, Werthmannstraße 6, 79085 Freiburg, GermanyThis case study analyzed the performance of a start-up cable yarding crew in southern China through operational monitoring by consecutive time studies, long-term log book recordings and efficiency evaluation by stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). The crew, which used a KOLLER K303 H mobile tower yarder, was monitored for two years. During this period, detailed data recordings of 687 yarding cycles of 12 yarding corridors as well as log book recordings of an additional 1122 scheduled system hours (SSH, including all delays) were generated. Mean extraction productivity of the system ranged between 5.23 and 6.40 m3 per productive system hour (PSH0, excluding all delays), mostly depending on slope yarding distance and lateral distance. Corresponding gross-productivity ranged from 1.91 to 2.24 m3/SSH, with an overall mean machine utilization rate of 31%. Unproductive yarding times and delays associated with the relative low utilization rate were mainly caused by lengthy rigging processes, as well as organizational deficiencies and not yet fully developed skill sets of the operating crew. The latter was reflected in a mean efficiency effect frontier value of 0.62 based on evaluation of data sets of individual yarding cycles recorded during detailed assessments, suggesting a mean improvement potential of 38% based on the SFA, translating in a potentially achievable gross-productivity of 2.64 to 3.09 m3/SSH. We conclude that current local operating conditions including insufficient planning, implementation and logistics and in particular, frequent discontinuations of system operations of up to three months all resulting in generally low operation hours per shift and per year, inhibit efficient operations and rapid skill development. These circumstances also inhibit an economic utilization of the equipment. Nevertheless, from a technical perspective, yarding systems have a promising potential in southern China.http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/7/9/188cable yardingplantation harvestingforest operationsperformance efficiencyproductivity analysisChina
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Stephan Hoffmann
Dirk Jaeger
Marcus Lingenfelder
Siegmar Schoenherr
spellingShingle Stephan Hoffmann
Dirk Jaeger
Marcus Lingenfelder
Siegmar Schoenherr
Analyzing the Efficiency of a Start-Up Cable Yarding Crew in Southern China under New Forest Management Perspectives
Forests
cable yarding
plantation harvesting
forest operations
performance efficiency
productivity analysis
China
author_facet Stephan Hoffmann
Dirk Jaeger
Marcus Lingenfelder
Siegmar Schoenherr
author_sort Stephan Hoffmann
title Analyzing the Efficiency of a Start-Up Cable Yarding Crew in Southern China under New Forest Management Perspectives
title_short Analyzing the Efficiency of a Start-Up Cable Yarding Crew in Southern China under New Forest Management Perspectives
title_full Analyzing the Efficiency of a Start-Up Cable Yarding Crew in Southern China under New Forest Management Perspectives
title_fullStr Analyzing the Efficiency of a Start-Up Cable Yarding Crew in Southern China under New Forest Management Perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Analyzing the Efficiency of a Start-Up Cable Yarding Crew in Southern China under New Forest Management Perspectives
title_sort analyzing the efficiency of a start-up cable yarding crew in southern china under new forest management perspectives
publisher MDPI AG
series Forests
issn 1999-4907
publishDate 2016-08-01
description This case study analyzed the performance of a start-up cable yarding crew in southern China through operational monitoring by consecutive time studies, long-term log book recordings and efficiency evaluation by stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). The crew, which used a KOLLER K303 H mobile tower yarder, was monitored for two years. During this period, detailed data recordings of 687 yarding cycles of 12 yarding corridors as well as log book recordings of an additional 1122 scheduled system hours (SSH, including all delays) were generated. Mean extraction productivity of the system ranged between 5.23 and 6.40 m3 per productive system hour (PSH0, excluding all delays), mostly depending on slope yarding distance and lateral distance. Corresponding gross-productivity ranged from 1.91 to 2.24 m3/SSH, with an overall mean machine utilization rate of 31%. Unproductive yarding times and delays associated with the relative low utilization rate were mainly caused by lengthy rigging processes, as well as organizational deficiencies and not yet fully developed skill sets of the operating crew. The latter was reflected in a mean efficiency effect frontier value of 0.62 based on evaluation of data sets of individual yarding cycles recorded during detailed assessments, suggesting a mean improvement potential of 38% based on the SFA, translating in a potentially achievable gross-productivity of 2.64 to 3.09 m3/SSH. We conclude that current local operating conditions including insufficient planning, implementation and logistics and in particular, frequent discontinuations of system operations of up to three months all resulting in generally low operation hours per shift and per year, inhibit efficient operations and rapid skill development. These circumstances also inhibit an economic utilization of the equipment. Nevertheless, from a technical perspective, yarding systems have a promising potential in southern China.
topic cable yarding
plantation harvesting
forest operations
performance efficiency
productivity analysis
China
url http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/7/9/188
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