Other tractor systems - Forest Research

Home Tools and Resources Forestry and tree health resources Biomass Energy resources Fuel Woodfuel production and supply Woodfuel production Forestry for woodfuel and timber Harvesting Extraction Other tractor systems

These include: Tractor cradles: a purpose made frame or box unit which mounts on an agricultural tractor 3-point linkage system. Produce is manually loaded into the cradle. Tractor-mounted hydratongs: a tractor-based unit equipped with hydraulically operated tongs, which extracts by lifting one end of full-length trees clear of the ground and pulling them to roadside. Tractor and wire loader: drum winch based system using an adjustable ‘A’ shaped frame, that can be mounted on a tractor

Tractor and cradle
Availability	Widespread
Costs	Low capital cost
Terrain ability	Allows access to difficult sites. Manoeuvrable within crops. Slopes of less than 25%
Potential site impact	High ground damage risk on sensitive sites
Potential crop impact	May cause standing tree/root damage
Access and transportation	Easy transportation and access
Other operational considerations	Best suited to extraction distances of less than 150 m. Can be used for other agricultural activities. Low load capacity, only suited to small jobs. Only suitable for early thinning operations and shortwood system producing short lengths
Ergonomics	Manual handling requirement precludes the production of large products

Tractor and hydrotongs
Availability	Not very widespread
Costs	Low capital cost. Can achieve lower unit costs over short extraction distances
Terrain ability	Manoeuvrable within crops. Maximum slope 25%
Potential site impact	High potential for site damage, especially on sensitive sites
Potential crop impact	May cause standing tree/root damage
Access and transportation	Easy transportation and access
Other operational considerations	Can be used for other agricultural activities. Low load capacity, only suited to small operations. Best suited to extraction distances of less than 150 m. Only suitable for thinnings operations. Best suited to whole tree or long pole systems, with downhill extraction
Ergonomics	No data

Wire loader
Availability	Not very widespread
Costs	Low capital cost, but generally high unit costs
Terrain ability	Generally has lower flotation capacity than purpose built machines
Potential site impact	Moderate ground impact potential
Potential crop impact	May cause standing tree/root damage
Access and transportation	Easy transportation and access
Other operational considerations	Allows access to difficult sites. Able to work with very widely-spaced racks. Low load capacity, only suited to small operations. Best suited to extraction distances of less than 500 m. Shorter product length will improve efficiency. Careful route planning and products presentation essential to avoid high unit costs
Ergonomics	Manual handling required