Literatur review of the time studies for logging operations in wood production process

This master's thesis aims to systematically evaluate time study research on felling and primary transport operations within the timber production process. Covering the period between 1982 and 2025, 110 academic studies (articles, theses, proceedings, etc.) in the Turkish forestry literature were analyzed. Methodologically, a comprehensive database was established by utilizing AI-supported tools during the data extraction and classification stages. The findings reveal that operational productivity varies significantly depending on technology levels and terrain conditions. In the felling process, fully mechanized systems such as feller-bunchers (averaging 61.33 m³/h) and harvesters (averaging 20.10 m³/h) were found to provide much higher productivity compared to the traditional use of chainsaws (averaging 4.53 m³/h). In primary transport operations, heavy-duty forest machines (averaging 65.46 m³/h) were observed to have the highest capacity. In cases where mechanization is limited on steep terrain, plastic chutes (averaging 25.62 m³/h) and short-distance cable systems (averaging 5.66 m³/h) were determined to be of critical logistical importance. The data analyzed within the scope of this study were classified based on tree species, slope, and technology variables, highlighting the necessity of updating the standard times in current legislation. This thesis provides a comprehensive scientific reference for the planning of timber production works, the fair determination of unit prices, and the sustainability of forestry labor in Türkiye.