Brazilian forest companies today are experiencing difficulty with the lack of trained workers having the preferred requirements as machine operators. The aim of this study was to assess the ways in which behavioral profiles influenced the performance of the harvester operators during the operations, enabling managers to select suitable processes of the operators in future. This research was done in a forestry company in Midwest Brazil, using 20 harvester operators as a test sample. At first, a reference profile was developed for the harvester operators employing the behavioral profile tool. The operators were categorized into subgroups based on the features of their behavioral profiles. Operator performance was evaluated depending on their daily productivity during the operation over an 11-month period. Three operator subgroups, each having distinct behavioral profiles were identified. The learning curve revealed an increase in the production efficiency of the operators during the training period, and operators from profile classes 1 to 3 achieved their production targets in the 6th and 7th month from the training commencement, respectively. The productivity difference between the behavioral profiles of classes 1 and 3 was 6.7%, resulting in a monthly average variation in production of 1,180 m3 per machine.

The great complexity of the operation of wood harvesting machines and unpredictable differences of performance between operators must be reflected in the industry recruitment techniques. This work aimed to carry out an evaluation of the bimanual motor skill in candidates for the position of harvester operators using a virtual reality simulator to generate information that can contribute to and improve the selection process. The work was developed at the Forest Operators Training Center (CENFOR), at the State University of the Center–West, in Irati, PR. A sample of 12 individuals was studied and distributed into three levels of performance. The motor ability of the individuals was evaluated through the variables: »run time«, »fall direction«, and »cutting height«, assessed at different points during a 4-hour practice – 0.5; 1.0; 1.5; 2.0; 3.0 and 4.0 hours – practice in a virtual harvester simulator. The data were analyzed by variance and means, as well as compared to a Tukey test at the 5% level of significance. The individuals had a significant difference in the variables »run time« and »cutting height«, and could be accurately used to predict bimanual motor skill/performance. There was a significant gain in the performance of the operators up to 1.5 hours after the beginning of the skill test, and all those who demonstrated greater and lesser ability in the first half hour of the test maintained this behavior until the end of the training period. The virtual reality simulator can be used as a tool to assess bimanual motor skills during the selection of harvester operators.

Timber harvest operations in a Pinus taeda thinning require a few different postures by machine operators that could be harmful to their health. This research aimed to analyze the upper limb posture of the operators in two harvester models, a tracked versus wheeled harvester in thinning of Pinus taeda stands, to identify possible issues and propose ergonomic solutions. The postural analysis was conducted in thinning operations, by filming the operators at their workstations. Posture evaluations were performed by the Rapid Upper-Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) methods and analyzed the outcomes by factorial analysis. Results showed that the operators stayed for a long time in the static sitting posture and with operational repetitive movements, worsened by the absence of recovery work breaks, with significant statistical differences for the two machines evaluated. For the tracked harvester, 15 typical postures were identified, and in 91% and 92% of the workday, the operator had their trunk and head inclined, respectively. For the wheeled harvester, only eight typical postures were identified, and in 12% and 50% of the time, the operatorremained with their trunk and head tilted. Finally, we were able to observe that tracked harvester operators spent more time on postures ergonomically harmful, with higher action level measures needed. The wheeled harvester provided the best working conditions in terms of posture and repetitiveness, making it the most ergonomically suitable machine.

This study aims to characterize the behavioral profile of harvester operators, with the goal of assisting forest managers in selecting and training new teams of employees. A forest company located in central-western Brazil was examined from a sample of 20 harvester operators that did not have experience carrying out the functions of their industry. A behavioral profile evaluation tool was used, consisting of a management system that creates a profile based on behavioral competencies; it was initially used to develop a profile of a high-performing harvester operator; or rather, a reference profile. Next, the behavioral profile of the operators were grouped into distinct classes and compared with the reference profile to identify traits that could positively or negatively affect an operators' performance. An optimal profile had the following qualities: attentive to details, meets deadlines and follows rules, technically-oriented, patient with repetitive tasks, the ability to avoid conflicts, and being an introvert. An improper profile included aspects such as aggressiveness, being argumentative, being persuasive, explosive, and tense at work. The behavioral profile evaluation tool can support the process of choosing forest machine operators; however, it is important to also consider skills and work experience.

Effect of age and education level of operators in the training with harvester virtual reality simulator

Due to the need to implement new operational procedures that provide productivity gains and cost reduction in wood harvesting and logistics, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of wood stacking on productivity and costs of forest extraction and loading operations. The study was carried out in eucalyptus plantations, where the extraction of wood with the forwarder and the loading of vehicles with the forest loader were evaluated. Three log stacking models on the edge of the stand were evaluated: control, inverted and adjacent, with variations in the alignment and distance of the logs concerning the edge of the stand. A study of the times and movements of the operations was carried out, determining the productivity (m³.h-1) and the production cost (R$.m-3) of the forestry operations. The data were compared using the Tukey test (α=5%) for parametric data and the Kruskal-Wallis test (α=5%) for non-parametric data, and the effect of different extraction distances was also verified using equations. The inverted stacking model contributed to the increase in extraction productivity, while the adjacent model in loading, with a reduction in production cost of around 22.1%. Simultaneously analyzing both wood stacking models, the standard model adopted by the forestry company was better with a 6.1% reduction in costs compared to the others. The productivity equations showed that the inverted stacking model contributed to the forwarder's higher performance at distances up to 140 m. The study showed that wood stacking models affect forestry operations and should be considered in operational planning.