Work process analysis and workload of a choker setter in timber extraction operations by Konrad Mounty 4000 cable yarder

Krč, Janez (author)

This paper examines the workload of the choker setter in timber extraction operations using the Konrad Mounty 4000 cable yarder. A time study was conducted, measuring the choker setter's heart rate and productivity at varying extraction distances for both »uphill« and »downhill« extraction directions. Heart rate data collected during work was analyzed to evaluate the choker setter's workload in relation to both extraction distance and direction. A total of 257 cycles were recorded across four worksites with similar harvesting performance characteristics. This heart rate data facilitated an analysis of the choker setter’s workload as influenced by field and technological factors. The results indicate that the workload comprises both physical and mental components and generally decreases with increasing extraction distance. The analysis of the measurements indicates that heart rate variability is significantly greater on »downhill« worksites compared to »uphill« worksites. This is a consequence of the different structure of working time at worksites with different directions of timber extraction, as well as the specific characteristics of the work process that affect the workload of the choker setter. Consequently the study has highlighted some insights that can guide the optimization of the choker setter’s workload as an essential factor in designing an efficient work process.

• Language: English
• Keywords: wood extraction by cable yarder, choker setter, time study, workload
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2026
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 9 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 47, issue 2
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-183076
• UDC: 630*31
• ISSN on article: 1848-9672
• DOI: 10.5552/crojfe.2026.3901
• COBISS.SI-ID: 280335875
• Publication date in RUL: 03.06.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Croatian journal of forest engineering
• Shortened title: Croat. j. for. eng.
• Publisher: Forestry Faculty of Zagreb University, Croatian Forests, Croatian Chamber of Forestry and Wood Technology Engineers, FORMEC
• ISSN: 1848-9672
• COBISS.SI-ID: 55971331

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: gozdarstvo, pridobivanje lesa, študija časa, delovna obremenitev

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: V4-2209
• Name: NAČRTOVANJE TEHNOLOGIJ IN PRESOJA KAKOVOSTI IZVAJANJA DEL V GOZDOVIH V PODPORO BIOGOSPODARSTVU

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P4-0430
• Name: Gozdno-lesna veriga in podnebne spremembe: prehod v krožno biogospodarstvo