In the last decades, the levels of mechanization in Italy have increased, with the introduction of highly specialized machinery, including harvester, forwarder and skidder. In particular, harvester represents a complex machine capable of guaranteeing maximum productivity, optimal performance and safety of operators during wood harvesting. Several studies have been conducted in worldwide to determine the characteristics of productivity, economical aspects, and terrain impact of this machine; however, in Italy the studies conducted on the performance of harvester are very limited and this lack of information of comparative analyses with respect to traditional harvesting method has aimed this research. In all Italy, nowadays there are two levels of mechanization – early and medium – in terms of productivity during harvesting operations although the prevailing approach typically involves the use of chainsaws for tree felling, with farm tractors equipped with winches for skidding operations. The introduction and the use of these harvesters is useful for improving: the productivity and performance in forestry operations, the safety of workers, and to achieving greater profitability in the forestry sector. For these reasons, harvesters are widely used in forestry contexts with high levels of mechanization and in recent years, there has been an increase of specialized forestry machines working in Italy. In this contest, the present research aims to develop technical knowledge regarding the use of harvester tested in South Italy to determine the productivity using in harvesting operation. The harvester was tested in Serre Massif (VV) forest and during felling and processing operations, the machine was constantly monitored. A time–motion study was conducted to evaluate the harvester performance. The operational efficiency (time consumption and productivity) obtained in this study showed the high efficiency and level of integration of harvester in Mediterranean forests in order to achieve economic performances during forest operations. The results may be of great practical help in improving logging planning, reducing extraction costs in most timber harvesting operations and consequently for wood supply chain cost competitiveness in small-scale Mediterranean forests.