This study was carried out in eucalyptus stands of a forestry company in the State of Goias-Brasil, for the purpose of technical and economic evaluation of a ''skidder''. The technical analysis was basically a time-and-motion study. In addition, a study on productivity, mechanical availability, and operational efficiency were also determined for each operation. The economic analysis consisted of determining machine operation costs, as well as evaluating significant interactions. A randomized-block design was used, in a 6x3x3 factorial arrangement (six operations, three productivities, and three 'dragging' distances), with four replications. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and to the Tukey test at 5% significance level. The skidder had its best performance in productivity of 100 m³ ha-1 and at distances up to 300 m.
Forestry machinery; yield; operational cost composition
