Productivity Analysis of Roadside Loading with a Truck-Mounted Hydraulic Crane Using a Regression Tree Model

Abstract

Timber loading operations play a crucial role in the seamless execution of forest production activities. In this study, the productivity of the truck-mounted hydraulic crane, which used for loading timbers, was analyzed using the time study method. Additionally, the loader's productivity was statistically evaluated according to affecting factors. The study was conducted in the production activities carried out within the boundaries of the Kayadibi Forest Enterprise Chief of the Arhavi Forest Enterprise Directorate in Artvin province of Türkiye. According to the study results, the average productivity of loading operations with the truck-mounted hydraulic crane was found to be 34.28 m3/hour. It was determined that the most time-consuming phase in a loading cycle was placing the timbers and releasing the timbers onto the logging truck (32.86%), and the approaching time to the timber was the least time-consuming phase (11.39%). Additionally, the delay time was found to account for 24.76% of the total cycle time. According to the correlation test results, there was a strong, positive, and significant relationship (p < 0.001) at the 99% confidence level between productivity and both product diameter and volume. The regression tree model yielded an R² value of 0.7, with the volume variable contributing the most (99%) as an independent factor.