RESEARCH SUMMARY 



Time and motion studies were conducted on an experimental balloon 

 logging show in the Idaho batholith during 1973. The objective of the 

 study was to determine the variables affecting production and to develop 

 models for estimating production rates. A data collection technique 

 and a method of statistical analysis are presented for others involved 

 in analyzing balloon logging operations. 



Selected variables were divided into three classes: those 

 involving the time required for each portion of the logging cycle 

 (dependent variables) , factors directly related to the yarding 

 operation (independent variables) , and coded independent variables 

 (such as surface type and condition, operator skill, and landing 

 size) . 



Variables were then partitioned into four groups so that easy 

 comparisons could be made between predictive models. A statistical 

 program was used to determine and quantify the most important vari- 

 ables for each model. The resulting regression equations serve as 

 limited guidelines for predicting time requirements for the various 

 portions of the balloon logging cycle and identify factors that 

 have a significant influence on this cycle. 



