Development and Application Impact of an Electric Crawler-type Barrow in Planting Operations.

<p>Reforestation operations have historically seen a limited mechanization compared to logging and extraction operations. Hence, to improve work efficiency and reduce labor intensity in reforestation, an electric crawler-type barrow was developed that could be equipped with an electric auger. This machine offers high maneuverability and cross-country capability, allowing it to navigate steep and uneven terrains with obstacles, such as rocks and tree roots, while carrying a load of 60 kg. It stably traversed slopes of up to 30° , both in the uphill and lateral directions. Additionally, the loaded vehicle descended steep slopes at a controlled and safety speed. The machine was tested for the transportation and planting of container seedlings. The results indicated that transportation was 2.5 times more efficient than manual labor. Furthermore, planting achieved a work efficiency comparable to manual planting using dibble tools. Hence, simulations were conducted to determine the number of seedlings that could be planted in a day. The results indicated that using the electric crawler-type barrow allowed for planting a more significant number of seedlings as the distance covered increased. Moreover, the tasks of seedling transportation and planting were less labor-intensive and subjectively perceived to be less physically demanding than manual labor, as revealed by the assessments of the physical exertion level experienced by the participants.</p>