Forwarder
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the logging vehicle. For other uses, see forwarding.
A forwarder is a vehicle that carries logs from the stump to a roadside landing. Unlike a skidder, a forwarder carries logs clear of the ground, which can reduce soil impacts but tends to limit the size of the logs it can move. Forwarders are typically employed together with harvesters in cut-to-length logging operations.
[edit] Load capacity
Forwarders are commonly categorised on their load carrying capabilities. The smallest are trailers designed for towing behind all terrain cycles which can carry around 250kg to 500kg. Agricultural self loading trailers designed to be towed by farm tractors can handle load weights up to around four tonnes. Light weight purpose-built machines utilised in commercial logging and thinning operations can handle payloads of up to eight tonnes. Medium sized forwarders used in clearfells carry between twelve and fourteen tonnes with the largest class handling up to twenty tonnes.
