Forwarders Logging Equipment Dismantled Machines

About Forwarders

Forwarders are heavy forestry machines that do the basic but important job of transporting felled logs to a location where they can be loaded onto trucks and shipped. The U.S. Forest Service describes forwarders simply as a tractor that pulls a wagon full of wood. To make the job easier and more efficient, many forwarders are equipped with a front dozer blade to help stack logs and clear pathways, as well as a handy boom with grapple that lets the operator pick up timber, load it in the bunk, and take it where it needs to go.

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Deere 1210E Forwarder

Forwarders At Work

Forwarders are available in models equipped either with wheels or tracks, each of which has its own set of advantages. Forestry operations generally factor in the terrain at their worksites in order to determine which variety is better-suited to their needs. Forwarders are often paired with harvesters, and they’re sometimes compared to skidders because both machines move felled, processed timber to a staging or loading area. But whereas skidders drag timber across the ground, forwarders lift and carry it, which creates less disturbance of the soil.

Buying Considerations

Load capacity is a key determiner when buying a forwarder. Capacities range widely, from less than 0.9 tonnes (1 U.S. ton) for smaller, less powerful forwarders to 22.7 t (25 U.S. t) or more for larger, more powerful models. Other considerations include the degree of slope the forwarder can handle, the maximum timber length it can accommodate, maximum boom reach, gross lifting torque, and engine power. The six- and eight-wheel forwarders for sale on ForestryTrader.ca often come with engines rated for around 250 horsepower (186 kilowatts), with approximately 18-t (20-U.S.-t) load capacities, heated and air-conditioned cabs, forward dozer blades, and a variety of protective and safety features.

Popular forwarder models on this site include the Deere 1010 and the Komatsu 895. The 1010 has an 8.5-metre (28-foot) boom reach, a 150-kilonewton (33,721-pounds-force) tractive force, and a load rating of 11,000 kilograms (24,251 pounds). The Komatsu 895 has a boom reach up to 10 m (32.8 ft), a tractive force of 262 kN (58,890 lbf) and a load rating of 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs).

Forwarder Extras

As with other types of equipment, some makes and models come with extras that make them more productive, more efficient, and/or more comfortable for operators. Deere’s popular 1100, 1210, and 1510 forwarders, for example, may come with a rotating, leveling cab that offers a view of up to 360 degrees. They may also include Deere’s optional intelligent boom control function, which automates common, repetitive boom functions to lighten an operator’s workload and increase productivity.

The aforementioned Komatsu 895 transports logs in a high-capacity FlexBunk, which has adjustable width and stake heights. Komatsu also offers a FlexGate option that simplifies loading the wagon and reduces the risk of damaging the forwarder. Along with its D5 machine control system for monitoring and controlling engine, transmission, and loader functions, the Rottne F15 uses that company’s bogie lift, which increases manoeuvrability in confined passages or on wet or steep terrain.

Find The Right Forwarder

ForestryTrader.ca offers a big selection of new and used forwarders for sale, including models from popular brands such as Caterpillar, Deere, Komatsu, Rottne, Tigercat, and Valmet.