During logging operations, forester usually needs many different equipment and other tools in order to cut and process various trees in the forest. Applications of various forestry and logging machines generally include arboriculture and forestry management.
Most of the machines forestières (English meaning is forestry machinery) are used for following different operations during harvesting process. They are –
- Tree felling
- Log extraction
- Further processing
- Finally loading and transportation
Following are few of the typical forestry equipment that are often used during logging operation.
- De-limbers
De-limbers are one of the very important tools used in forestry as well as logging operations. Delimbing is usually dome in 3 basic methods:
- Gate
- Pull-through
- Flail
The entire above are landing-based, relatively low-cost, and suitable where quality of remaining wood may not be an issue.
- Feller bunchers
These are self-propelled machines having single cutting head that is capable to grip more than single stem and cutting heads only function for holding, cutting and as device for ground placement. They may not have any processing capabilities.
- Stump grinders
For removing tree stumps with rotating cutting disk stump grinders are needed. They may vary in size, and are as small like lawn mower and also as big as truck.
Usually, they accomplish the task by using high-speed disk having teeth which grinds the roots and stump into small chips.
- Mulchers
These mulchers are either outfitted with swinging hammer or fixed-tooth rotor system and its size and power will be tied to horsepower capabilities of tractor or vehicle with which it is attached.
- Yarders
Yarder uses system of cables for pulling or flying logs to landing. They consist of engine, spar and drums, but have different ranges and configurations, like swing yarder, which is so called due to its swing boom.
Few other yarders also rely on fixed boom.
- Forwarders
Forwarders generally work with machines during logging operations which need cut-to-length results.
- Log loaders
These log loaders will sort and stack all the logs into piles. Loaders will move them onto the transport trucks when the piles become of sufficient bigger size.
- Harvesters
All these harvesters are generally self-propelled cutting machines. Harvesters can fell as well as process stems. They can be also wheeled or tracked, and feature cutting head which delimbs, fells and buck trees up to specific lengths.
Also, harvesters have front/rear cab for operator, which can either be fixed or rotating. For tackling slopes, tracked harvesters can be ideal. Wheeled harvesters usually have little lower slope capabilities.
