Logging Equipment

With Logging Equipment, You'll Be Ready to Start Clearing

When you're out in the forest with trees towering over you, the workload ahead of you can seem daunting. However, if you have the right type of forestry equipment, you'll be able to get things done more efficiently. There are a variety of machines designed for logging, and using one or a combination of the equipment available can let you handle a job better.

What machines are designed to be used with whole trees?

An entire tree is quite heavy and cumbersome, so you'll need something strong to let you get your work done safely. Options include:

• Skidders: Skidders are used to pull trees out of the ground. Cable skidders require someone to attach a winch line to the tree trunk while other versions come with a hydraulic grapple that can do the work on its own.
• Swing machines: If the terrain doesn't allow for a tractor to be right next to a tree, you can use a swing machine. It has an arm that can rotate, grab the tree, and swing the log around wherever it needs to be placed. Knuckleboom loaders have a similar mechanism and may be larger than the typical swing machine.
• Feller bunchers: These pieces of equipment can come in tracked or wheeled form. A feller buncher can simultaneously grab hold of and cut the tree at the base, using an attached chain saw or similar mechanism.

What machines are used for "cut-to-length" forestry purposes?

If you prefer to have a tree cut at precisely the right length, you can use a forestry harvester. A tracked model may provide a smoother and more reliable ride on rugged terrain than a wheeled one. Wheeled harvesters may be more suited for flat areas. Harvesters can come with control computers that keep track of the length and diameter of various trees.

Once those trees are cut, you can use forwarders or swing machines to pick up each log. The advantage of these pieces of equipment is that the logs do not touch the ground during transport.

What are some manufacturers of forestry equipment?

Many companies are in the logging industry. They include:

• Caterpillar
• John Deere
• Tigercat
• Brandt