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 1 ton (0.9 metric tons) for smaller, less powerful forwarders to 25 t (22.7 mt) 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.com often come with engines rated for around 250 horsepower (186 kilowatts), with approximately 20-t (18-mt) 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 a 28-foot (8.5-meter) boom reach, a 33,721-pounds-force (150-kilonewton) tractive force, and a load rating of 24,251 pounds (11,000 kilograms). The Komatsu 895 has a boom reach up to 32.8 ft (10 m), a tractive force of 58,890 lbf (262 kN) and a load rating of 44,092 lbs (20,000 kg).

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 models, 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 maneuverability in confined passages or on wet or steep terrain.

Find The Right Forwarder

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