Small scale timber extraction

[john k]

What are the best solutions that people have found for small scale timber extraction?

 

Mini-forwarders and alpine tractors are obviously at the premium end of the market, and horse logging is great in some situations, but what about something more run of the mill for sites that don't justify a full size tractor and timber trailer?

 

Are quads really suitable, or more of a plaything? How about a 4x4, like a Defender maybe with diff locks? Conventional compact tractor?

 

I was talking to someone who had been using a converted dumper truck that sounded quite handy, anyone else tried that?

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Yep, tracked dumper with a few secret mods is what I'm using!

[Goaty]

We use Small 4wd 21hp compact with chains. It pulls timber we cannot lift between two of us. With a quad you probably need a trailed device that lifts the front end off the ground to be effective I think.

[smiles]

I've seen a converted dumper truck in action,it was quite a big one, around the six ton mark I think.

Had a mid-mounted hiab type crane with a grab and rotator and a bunk on the front,it was pretty awesome in action - if I could think up a flimsy excuse i'd have one!!

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

I've seen a converted dumper truck in action,it was quite a big one, around the six ton mark I think.

Had a mid-mounted hiab type crane with a grab and rotator and a bunk on the front,it was pretty awesome in action - if I could think up a flimsy excuse i'd have one!!

 

3 tonner here with hiab, grab and rotator; any bigger wouldn't get to those irksome little corners or thru old stone gateways...

[Paul Smith]

What about the Iron horse?

[john k]

3 tonner here with hiab, grab and rotator; any bigger wouldn't get to those irksome little corners or thru old stone gateways...

 

Mmmm. Do you have any pictures?

[Tom D]

:sneaky2:here you go...Tractors ArbTrader Arborists Classifieds

[agg221]

I've been dragging 2ft dia x 20ft length oak butts out with a 5ton dumper - no mods, just using the tow hitch, couple of shackles and a chain. The site is fairly level, but given how easily it does it I would think it would cope on a reasonable slope.

 

Alec

[elfinwood saws]

we just use the discovery we travel to work in, 4 choker chains hooked on the the tow ball pull 4 larch out at a time or 1 or 2 if it,s really wet, we have tractors but it,s much easier using the disco.