Managing acres of forest land is a tough business. There’s the constant challenge of dealing with unpaved roads, trekking through dangerous rough terrain, and of course the present danger of working with massive towering trees. However, despite the risks that are related with the job, the forestry industry has still managed to become a lot safer all with the help of forestry trucks.
Brute Strength
Before the advent of forestry trucks, logging relied mainly on brute strength. Trees had to be cut down manually with cross saws. The logs were then tied to a team of oxen, horses or mules to be dragged down to a nearby mill. Other means of transporting downed logs was by letting it drift through rivers going to mills located downstream.
Skidders and Railroad Carts
The crude methods of harvesting and transporting logs eventually changed after the introduction of mechanical logging equipment in the form of steam-powered skidders and railroad carts. These two set the trend for transporting logs from the late 1800’s up until the early 1900’s. Although traditional skidders and railroad carts seemed to be the most ideal equipment for transporting logs during its time, putting up overhead lines for skidders or laying miles of railroad track was too expensive for small logging operators to handle.
Internal Combustion Engine
The introduction of vehicles powered by an internal combustion engine became the alternative of small logging operations for transporting logs. Although trucks didn’t have the same load capacity as railroad cars or skidders, they were better in terms of operating cost since they could operate on any road surface, therefore eliminating the need for expensive railway tracks or complicated pulley systems.
Unlike today’s standards, the first vehicles used for logging were simple flatbed ones, not specifically designed for that particular function. They were underpowered and lacked basic safety features essential for this unique capability. Because of this shortcoming, the adaptation of trucks for the logging industry was slow and only small companies utilized them for their operation.
After World War I and World War II
The wide spread use of trucks for logging only began right after World War I and World War II. After the war, there were many surplus military vehicles available. The military vehicles offered more power and reliability than the earlier designs. Added to its low operating cost, the truck became the most suitable equipment for logging.
Forestry Vehicles Today
Today, the scope of forestry has already expanded. It no longer just involves cutting trees but also replanting and managing the forest. Along with it, the role of the forestry truck has also expanded. From a simple flat bed vehicle for transporting logs, the forestry vehicle has evolved into various designs, each produced for a specific role.
- Forestry Bucket Truck – This vehicle is equipped with a hydraulic boom and a reinforced bucket attached on one end. It is used for getting workers at heights that are impossible for the reach of conventional ladders. It is useful for trimming tall trees as well as for harvesting.
- Grapple Truck – This vehicle is another type of specialized forestry vehicle. It is equipped with a hydraulically powered boom with a mechanical claw on one end. The claw is used for clutching the timber and loading it into the bed of the vehicle.
- Tree Spade Truck – This vehicle is equipped with a huge mechanical spade on the back end. The spade is used for unearthing small trees. Once the tree is out, it is then moved to the bed to be ready for transport.
- Log truck – Here’s the direct descendant of the first vehicles that pioneered logging. Like early logging versions, its only role is to transport logs from logging sites to mills. Most of them today are trailers built with adjustable beds to accommodate different log sizes.
Forestry trucks have indeed come a long way. From the simplest design, it has evolved into various vehicle designs, each one aimed to make the task of managing the forest simpler and safer!
Christopher Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. If you are interested in learning more about Forestry Trucks, go to the main website of First Fleet as shown in the link below.
