Types of Harvesting Systems
There are different types of timber harvesting systems to complete a harvest. Our foresters work with you to decide which timber harvesting system is best suited to your property and objectives. It is important to use the right tool for the job to ensure that the end result is of our client's satisfaction. There are 3 main types of harvesting systems that we use in the harvesting of woodlots; cut-to-length, mechanical whole tree, and conventional logging systems. Regardless of logging system, we provide a digital GPS map of our client's property to our logging contractors so they can see the property in live time as they work.
Cut To Length
Cut to length harvesting involves mainly using a processor and forwarder harvesting equipment. With this system, all of the trees are processed and merchandized into products in the woods and then forwarded to the landing area. Generally no chipping of top wood is involved in this system. Logging slash is placed in the harvesting trail and run over by the equipment. This acts as a natural "bio mat" which protects soil quality. Another benefit of this system is the wood is carried to the landing by the forwarder in a bunk instead of being skidded over the ground. This system works well in thinnings and in areas with sensitive ground conditions. This logging system has a small foot print and can utilize small landing spaces. This system does the best job at utilizing the entire tree as the harvesting head on the processor measures the size of trees in live time down to tenth of an inch precision.
Cut to length harvesting involves mainly using a processor and forwarder harvesting equipment. With this system, all of the trees are processed and merchandized into products in the woods and then forwarded to the landing area. Generally no chipping of top wood is involved in this system. Logging slash is placed in the harvesting trail and run over by the equipment. This acts as a natural "bio mat" which protects soil quality. Another benefit of this system is the wood is carried to the landing by the forwarder in a bunk instead of being skidded over the ground. This system works well in thinnings and in areas with sensitive ground conditions. This logging system has a small foot print and can utilize small landing spaces. This system does the best job at utilizing the entire tree as the harvesting head on the processor measures the size of trees in live time down to tenth of an inch precision.
John Deere 853 Processor used to fell and process trees in the woods
A stream crossing on a cut to length harvesting job with brush on both approaches.
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Tigercat 1055 Forwarder used to bring processed trees to landing
Harvesting trail on the left has not been forwarded on. The harvest trail on right shows what brush looks like after being traveled on with forwarder.
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Mechanical Whole Tree
Mechanical whole tree harvesting involves mainly using a feller buncher, grapple skidder, crane with delimber, and a whole tree chipper. With this system, the trees are cut with the feller buncher and then skid to the landing whole using a grapple skidder. The crane then delimbs and slashes the trees into products. Top wood and limbs are piled up and chipped. This system is good for providing a clean job post harvest. This system works well in most all harvesting situations and is especially favored for land conversions. This logging system has a larger footprint and requires a larger landing space to efficiently merchandize products and chip wood. This system is good for landowners who enjoy recreating on their properties as most of the logging slash is chipped and removed from the property.
Mechanical whole tree harvesting involves mainly using a feller buncher, grapple skidder, crane with delimber, and a whole tree chipper. With this system, the trees are cut with the feller buncher and then skid to the landing whole using a grapple skidder. The crane then delimbs and slashes the trees into products. Top wood and limbs are piled up and chipped. This system is good for providing a clean job post harvest. This system works well in most all harvesting situations and is especially favored for land conversions. This logging system has a larger footprint and requires a larger landing space to efficiently merchandize products and chip wood. This system is good for landowners who enjoy recreating on their properties as most of the logging slash is chipped and removed from the property.
Tigercat 822 Feller Buncher used to cut trees
Stream crossing on a mechanical whole tree harvesting operation
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Peterson chipper and Weiler crane used to process whole trees on the landing
A skid trail on a mechanical whole tree job. Clean residual result
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Conventional
Conventional harvesting involves mainly using a chainsaw and cable skidder. With this system, a chainsaw is used to cut trees down and limb them. A cable skidder is then used to skid whole trees to the landing. The chainsaw is used to cut the trees into products on the landing. Logging slash is place in the harvesting trail with this system and run over by the skidder. This system has a very small footprint as the equipment is small and the landing spaces are typically small as well. This system is well suited on small lots or lots with small landing space.
Conventional harvesting involves mainly using a chainsaw and cable skidder. With this system, a chainsaw is used to cut trees down and limb them. A cable skidder is then used to skid whole trees to the landing. The chainsaw is used to cut the trees into products on the landing. Logging slash is place in the harvesting trail with this system and run over by the skidder. This system has a very small footprint as the equipment is small and the landing spaces are typically small as well. This system is well suited on small lots or lots with small landing space.
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Harvest trail on a conventional harvesting job. Using a quality contractor that will lop brush flat makes all the difference in these operations