The aim of the study was to provide a comprehensive overview of global long-distance road transportation of industrial roundwood. The study focused on the maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) limits allowed with different timber truck configurations, typical payloads in timber trucking, the road transportation share of the total industrial roundwood long-distance transportation volume, and the average long-distance transportation distances and costs of industrial roundwood. The study was carried out as a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was sent to timber transportation logistics experts and research scientists in the 30 countries with the largest industrial roundwood removals in Europe, as well as selected major forestry countries in the world (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Türkiye, the United States of America and Uruguay) in February 2022, and closed in May 2022. A total of 31 countries took part in the survey. The survey illustrated that timber trucking was the main long-distance transportation method of industrial roundwood in almost every country surveyed. Road transportation averaged 89% of the total industrial roundwood long-distance transportation volume. Timber truck configurations of 4 to 9 axles with GVW limits of around 30 tonnes to over 70 tonnes were most commonly used. The results indicated that higher GVW limits allowed significantly higher payloads in timber trucking, with the lowest payloads at less than 25 tonnes, and the highest payloads more than 45 tonnes. The average road transportation distance with industrial roundwood was 128 km, and the average long-distance transportation cost in timber trucking was €11.1 per tonne of timber transported. In the entire survey material, there was a direct relationship between transportation distance and transportation costs and an inverse relationship between maximum GVW limits and transportation costs. Consequently, in order to reduce transportation costs, it is essential to maximise payloads (within legal limits) and minimise haul distances. Several measures to increase cost- and energy-efficiency, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in road transportation logistics, are discussed in the paper. On the basis of the survey, it is recommended that up-to-date statistical data and novel research studies on the long-distance transportation of industrial roundwood be conducted in some countries in the future.

Technical development and system optimization during the last decades have targeted more efficient, socially acceptable and ecologically sustainable ways to use forestry machines and tools. This is supported by the development of electronics and electrical components, as well as battery technology, without which it is impossible to imagine doing some forestry work in forest areas with no permanent source of electricity. Today, we cannot imagine life without e.g. a cell phone, and also doing business in the forestry sector without a field computer. There are numerous examples in everyday life, but also in industry, where portable devices make life and business much easier, and the basis for the operation of these devices is battery technology. The importance of the development of battery technology is proven by the fact that in 2019 the Nobel Prize in Chemistry went into the hands of scientists who developed a lithium-ion battery - a lightweight, rechargeable and powerful battery that is used today in numerous products from mobile phones to laptops and electric vehicles. This paper will outline the historical development of battery technology and the use of battery powered devices, tools and machines with their advantages and disadvantages in forestry sector.

Professionally trained, motivated, and responsible forestry workers are a fundamental prerequisite of successful forest production and an integral part of the modern, generally accepted paradigm of sustainable forest management. However, the forestry sector today is increasingly facing the problem of a shortage of forestry workers and the challenge of obtaining a qualified and sustainable workforce. This paper, therefore, presents the reflections of forestry workers on the challenges and future perspectives on their profession and forest work. The findings of the examination of forestry workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina include some general characteristics of forest work and indicators of the state and position of forestry workers (socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes toward work, profession, etc.). Specially addressed are some problems and challenges faced by the forestry sector in obtaining and recruiting the necessary workforce—the severity of the forestry worker shortage, the main causes and reasons for the lack of workers, factors for stronger recruitment and retention of workers, work commitment, sustainability of the workforce, future perspectives on forestry work, etc. The differences between workers employed in public and private forestry companies were examined. The survey included 268 respondents and was carried out in the second half of 2021. The purpose of the work was in sensibilizing the profession and the public to the issues of the workforce in forestry, its position, and reflections, and in providing the basis that can be an important contribution toward improving the condition and sustainability of the forestry workforce.

Although professional chainsaws have come a long way regarding technical and ergonomic development since first introduced into forestry, they still remain a high-risk tool that can cause serious health problems. In this research, three types of used professional chainsaws were observed regarding harmful vibrations they emit and possible connection to years in use, chainsaw type, characteristics and level of vibrations. Measurements were performed in accordance with the recommendations of ISO 5349:2001. For the measurements, a measuring chain consisting of a triaxial accelerometer manufactured by Bruel & Kjaer and a vibrometer of the same manufacturer Type 4447. To evaluate the emitted vibrations, a daily exposure value A(8) was used. Exposure durations to predefined working operations were identical for every used chainsaw to enable the possibility of equal comparability. Obtained results indicate that the daily vibration exposure A(8) is not affected by the years in use of the chainsaw. Results also show that the power and chainsaw type have an influence on daily vibration exposure. The recommendation for the praxis is to use even lighter and smaller chainsaw wherever is possible.

The paper deals with the characteristics of three different types of power train hybridization of forest logging machines and with the benefits of reducing environmental impacts by comparing new technology with more conventional, older technology. New hybridization options that could be implemented in forestry machines are also discussed. The paper divides a hybrid solution into three classes based on the energy used in the system of hybridization. First is an electro-hybrid system that uses an electric motor and battery or different storage device. The second, a hydraulic hybrid system, is a solution with a hydraulic accumulator, hydraulic motor, and pump. The third system is a combination of the electro-hybrid and hydraulic-hybrid system. The current technical and technological development of hybrid drive systems, as well as their components, has led to significant improvements in drive performance and thus better performance of the new generation of forest vehicles. Improved energy efficiency using hybrid propulsion systems in forest vehicles would result in a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and possibly lower maintenance costs.