The eucalyptus has recently become an important timber species in Thailand, particularly in relation to timber supply within the pulp industry. Demand for raw material is continuously increasing, but harvesting techniques continue to rely on old-fashioned methods of harvesting, which are motor-manual and labour-intensive operations. These harvesting operations typically provide relatively low productivity and are time consuming. This study addressed the timber harvesting potential in Thailand including: average productivity, identifying ineffective work phases, and how work performance can be improved. Therefore, the study was conducted to analysis existing timber harvesting systems as a whole and compare alternatives, and to explore improvements in forest harvesting systems in Thailand through work study, working postures analysis, and simulation. Work study allowed the researcher to understand in detail the conventional harvesting systems and obtain information regarding work activities and time allocations. Harmful tasks and awkward working postures were evaluated by working posture analysis. Simulation allowed the researcher to examine the impact of changing harvesting systems.

• English