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About Log Loaders

After logs have been felled, delimbed, and cut down to the desired length, log loaders come in to move them onto a truck for transport. These forestry machines have a boom and a hydraulic grapple to grab onto large logs and either swing them into place or actually carry them to the desired location, depending on the configuration. There are various types of log loaders, including knuckle-boom, crane, forklift, mobile heel boom loaders, and butt-n-top loaders, just to name a few examples. Some loaders are designed to handle one log at a time, while others are capable of carrying multiple logs.

Covering The Bases

In addition to varying boom and grapple styles, you’ll also find log loaders with different bases from which to choose. The most common examples include stationary, trailer, track, wheel, and truck loaders. Whereas stationary and trailer log loaders have to be moved into place and properly positioned before they can be used, track, wheel, and truck-mounted log loaders are drivable, so you can take them to harder-to-reach places and transport logs wherever they need to go. Stationary loaders work well in cable logging operations when used in conjunction with yarders, but drivable alternatives offer mobility for getting into tighter spaces or traveling over long distances. Truck-mounted log loaders are unique because in some cases, the truck includes a flatbed and can load itself, providing an all-in-one transport solution.

Many Options To Choose From

You’ll find hundreds of new and used log loaders for sale at ForestryTrader.com from manufacturers including Barko, Caterpillar, Deere, Link-Belt, Prentice, Tigercat, and others. They range in price from around $5,000 up to $300,000 or more with models years from 1961 up to 2019, so operations of all sizes can find a log loader to meet their needs.