ERGONOMIC EVALUATION OF A FELLER-BUNCHER USED ON EUCALYPTUS TIMBER-HARVESTING

Abstract

A study was carried out to ergonomically evaluate a feller-buncher, used in harvesting operations of Eucalyptus, in a forestry enterprise in the region of Brasilandia, state of Minas Gerais- Brazil. The following parameters were evaluate : access to the cabin, cabin, visibility, operator seat, controls and operation of the machine, noise level, vibration, climate control in the cabin, exhaustion of gases and dust, illumination and maintenance, according to the manual on “Ergonomic Guidelines for Forest Machines”, by Skogforsk. A qualitative evaluation was performed for all items, except for noise level, that was quantified by using a decibelimeter. According to the observations, each parameter was classified as A, B, C, D or 0 (zero), being. A that with the best working conditions, and 0, the least favorable. The results classified the items as follows: in class A, vibration; in class B, visibility, operator seat, controls and operation of the machine, noise level, climate control in the cabin, and exhaustion of gases and dust; in class C, cabin and illumination; in class D, access to the cabin. Therefore, none of the parameters was considered as class 0. The feller-buncher obtained an overall classification as B, indicating a highly productive work, slightly below the best level A, thus presenting a high level of active and passive working safety. It was also observed that some adjustment is required to adapt the working space of the machine to the Brazilian operator. It is apparent that his antropometric characteristics are less favorable than for the Europeans, for which the machine was designed. This results in much more effort required for operation by workers.