Aforwarder is aforestry vehicle that carries bigfelledlogs cut by aharvester from the stump to a roadside landing for later acquisition. Forwarders can use rubber tires or tracks.[1] Unlike askidder, a forwarder carrieslogs clear of the ground, which can reduce soil impacts but tends to limit the size of the logs it can move.[2] Forwarders are typically employed together withharvesters incut-to-length logging operations. Forwarders originated inScandinavia.[3]
Forwarders are commonly categorized on their load carrying capabilities. Other classifications include whether they are wheeled or tracked and theaxle arrangement.[4] The smallest are trailers designed for towing behindall-terrain vehicles which can carry a load between 1 and 3 tonnes. Agricultural self-loading trailers designed to be towed by farm tractors can handle load weights up to around 12 to 15 tonnes. Light weight purpose-built machines utilised in commerciallogging and earlythinning operations can handle payloads of up to 8 tonnes. Medium-sized forwarders used inclearfells and later thinnings carry between 12 and 16 tonnes. The largest class specialized forclearfells handles up to 25 tonnes. Forwarders also carry their load at least 2 feet above theground.
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