Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2026.4051
Levels of Vibration Exposure and Cutting Efficiency in Cross-Cutting Operations by Chainsaw: Are They Affected by Lowering of Chain Depth Gauge Height?
Cristiano Foderi
; University of Florence Department of Agriculture Food Environment and Forestry (DAGRI) Via San Bonaventura 13 50145, Firenze ITALY
Andrea Laschi
; University of Palermo Department of Agricultural Food and Forest Sciences (SAAF) Viale delle Scienze ed. 4 90128, Palermo ITALY
*
Fabio Fabiano
; University of Florence Department of Agriculture Food Environment and Forestry (DAGRI) Via San Bonaventura 13 50145, Firenze ITALY
Giovanni Galipò
; Arma dei Carabinieri–Raggruppamento Carabinieri Biodiversità Reparto Biodiversità di Vallombrosa Vallombrosa, I-50066 Reggello 50145, Firenze ITALY
Enrico Marchi
orcid.org/0000-0001-6485-7044
; University of Florence Department of Agriculture Food Environment and Forestry (DAGRI) Via San Bonaventura 13 50145, Firenze ITALY
Niccolò Frassinelli
; University of Florence Department of Agriculture Food Environment and Forestry (DAGRI) Via San Bonaventura 13 50145, Firenze ITALY
Elena Marra
orcid.org/0000-0001-6659-5033
; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Department of Forest Bioeconomy and Technology (SLU) 907 36 Umeå SWEDEN
Nicola Stacchini
; Azienda USL Toscana Sud Est Public Health Lab »Toscana Sud Est« Strada di Ruffolo 4 53100, Siena ITALY
Andrea Bogi
; Azienda USL Toscana Sud Est Public Health Lab »Toscana Sud Est« Strada di Ruffolo 4 53100, Siena ITALY
Francesco Picciolo
; University of Siena Department of Physical sciences, Earth and environment 53100, Siena ITALY
Francesco Neri
; University of Florence Department of Agriculture Food Environment and Forestry (DAGRI) Via San Bonaventura 13 50145, Firenze ITALY
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Tree felling with a chainsaw is one of the most dangerous operations, but it cannot be replaced by machines in many areas. Operators are exposed to many hazards including accidents, fatigue, fumes, dust, noise and vibration. This research focuses on vibration exposure and on how it is affected by the accuracy of saw chain maintenance. Although chain sharpening must be carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions, it is common practice to make errors in sharpening angle and chain depth gauge lowering. The aim of the study is to investigate the variations in both cutting efficiency and vibration exposure, considering three different depth gauge lowering levels (standard: 0.65 mm, over-standard: 1.0 and 1.3 mm) when cross-cutting several square beams of two species: European beech (high density) and silver fir (low density). The results show that the increase in cutting efficiency at higher depths was statistically significant for silver fir beams but limited overall (about 10%). On the other hand, the over-standard lowering of the depth gauge did not reduce the cutting time on beech. On the contrary, vibration exposure increased significantly from a minimum of 64% to a maximum of 133% compared to the standard level. These results show that the practice of lowering the depth gauge beyond the standard level is dangerous for the operator and has no real benefit in terms of cutting performance.
Keywords
saw chain, depth gauge, hand-arm vibrations, cutting efficiency, safety, forestry
Hrčak ID:
348291
URI
Publication date:
17.7.2026.
Visits: 0 *