Small yarders in Norway

[log frog]

They were strung out around 350 mtrs, using intermediate supports and a tail spar. Eaglet carriage. Lots of tension on that skyline to keep the logs climbing into the corridor and avoid damage to the retained trees. Tree feller bucks to length.






I swear this guy could climb as fast as I could walk!



Half plastic culvert pipes are bought back on the carriage and used to protect vulnerable trees in the corridor

 

[sliperytimberja]

Thanks log frog for more photos of the skyline operation using the skylead, it looks some good timber that they were thining. In the uk this would of probably be felled before it got this big. Most of our mills don't like timber much above 50cm top, unless it is Douglass Fir or Spruce. Some specialised mills pay a premium for these large logs but other species start droping dramaticaly in value if they are 40+ as the mills are all geared up to small diamater logs.
Its good to see so many other people on this forum who are fanatical about harvesting timber, it seems to be the same all over the world once you have got the forestry bug you've had it. Keep posting i am sure i am not the only one who finds it compeling viewing.

 

[log frog]

Thanks Slipery.

These guys run a great operation. Low capital cost but highly skilled in a niche market. While other clear cut crews lay idle due to market conditions, these guys work on because they add value to the forest.



Processor is Forestri (european? someone will tell me)

 

[DoosanFan]

http://www.alpinelogging.co.za/index.html

The home of South African built yarders, used mostly for pine saw timber and pulp operations, the exported units are somewhere in Asia (I think Indonesia...) yarding Acacia mangium for pulp (those are the ones with the remote controlled grapple carriages and the grapple loaders clearing the chute, also the two blue Powerplus units with orange grapples, see the Photo Gallery).

The excavator bases that call themselves 'Bell' are Kato machines sold by Bell Equipment. Once the timber has been felled and debranched, the yarders go to work decking the timber, then a Bell three wheeler moves in to index the stems and assist in the cross cutting (excavator conversions are used for this in Asia).

 

[boardbysled]

Here is Eco Log's small Koller, I believe that is their other side posted just above. 3 man and 1 woman side with the woman running the yarder and also chasing, then a hand bucker, loader operator, and a guy out in the brush. Pictures taken in Skagit County, NW Washington.

 

[boardbysled]

 

[fitzpatrick]

If someone should be interested it is, and have been, some yarding in Norway, mostly with pretty small Igland and Owren yarders, but also with austrian equipment like Steyr K15 and K20 (which was a downsized versions of the 046) and Syncrofalke. My friend runs two austrian Konrad yarders today, made for gravity-yarding.

I start with the one of my two Owren T3 yarders, here logging as close as you get to old-growth in Norway, but very small wood, like 3 to 4 trees pr cubic meter. The yarder is a running skyline all hydrostatic double main yarder with a 3-section drum carriage. The system consist of one pump and one motor for each drum, and it is said to be hydraulic interlocked, which I doubt both from a theoretical view and from experience.

Hey, WOW! Just stumbled across your pics. Been highlead logging on coast of BC. Retired now. Love those pics. Ahh! Looks like a lot of fun especially if one can stay focused. Logging like this is too much fun to be called a job! Take care.

 

[AJH77]

Thanks Slipery.

These guys run a great operation. Low capital cost but highly skilled in a niche market. While other clear cut crews lay idle due to market conditions, these guys work on because they add value to the forest.

View attachment 86519

Processor is Forestri (european? someone will tell me)

View attachment 86520

I believe it's Foresteri. A Finnish made processor

 

[Plebeian]

http://www.alpinelogging.co.za/index.html

The home of South African built yarders, used mostly for pine saw timber and pulp operations, the exported units are somewhere in Asia (I think Indonesia...) yarding Acacia mangium for pulp (those are the ones with the remote controlled grapple carriages and the grapple loaders clearing the chute, also the two blue Powerplus units with orange grapples, see the Photo Gallery).

There is a South African constructed Alpine carriage/ grapple in Malaysia.
http://youtu.be/vgpq5l4uJtg
There is also a Alpine unit in NZ with a Johnson grapple/ Trinder camera system going under trials.

 

[dooby]

Hope this thread pics back up. It is very informative. I would love to have an Alpine set up. They seem pretty fast compared to the American built yoeder/shovel set-ups. Does anyone know of any U.S. comp. that can compare to the Alpine or beat it in production

 

[sliperytimberja]

Just putting the finishing touches to my grapple yarder project,finish the carriage and strap the video camra into its box and we are finished.but we have no three way slider has any one got some photos they could post please , it might save some time in development or has anyone had any luck in spliceing the slackline into the haul in ? Any ideas would be gratfully received .
Regards
Slippery

 

[TorkelH]

Hello Sire!

Must say I really look forward to see your grapple! I have recently been thinking of using my grapple in production, not at least since I have a very eager crew, but I would as well need a 3-way-slider. I have been taking pictures of those, and given it's sunday and off-work tomorow I'll look through some of my pictures see if I find pictures of one.

 

[TorkelH]

Three-way-slider

Ok - Here's some pictures, hope that helps!

 

[furpo]

I built a three way two years ago because my one was worn out so I have a few tips.

If you use a ring like the fourth photo in Torkel's post the front main (slackpuller) will last longer. I welded the ring on mine.

It is important to get the positions of all the holes the ropes are threaded through in the correct place or the ropes will wear on the carrage. Measure the distance the sheaves on the carrage are appart and also the sheave diameter. Position the holes one the three way so they match the carrage.

It is useful to offset the becket for the rear main so that it attaches over the grapple rope. If you dont do this the three way will sit cocked when the grapple is closed. This causes the rope to kink near the furrle which weakens it.

Hope that helps

 

[cat3208]

TorkelH Veldig bra bilder! Naturen minner meg om The Great Pacific Mountain Range! Takk!

Ok - Here's some pictures, hope that helps!View attachment 104522View attachment 104523View attachment 104524View attachment 104525View attachment 104526

 

[Wanabeegrappler]

I'm sure i'm not the only one slipperyja waiting to see a photo or two of your progress?!?!?!

 

[sliperytimberja]

Grapple project

Hi folks, Sorry for not posting sooner as I work away from home.
Special thanks to Forpo, Torkelh and Cat3208 for the information and photos that you have provided regarding the 3 way sliders. My grapple project is coming along nicely. I have half finished the slack-line drum and carriage. I needed an ego-boost so I decided to try out the grapple on our skyline using a locking Koller carriage. This has been successful but frustrating as I have had to grind and cut the grapple to make it work. I will post some photos tomorrow.
My ultimate plan is to be able to run the grapple on the carriage and also on the slack-line, which will give me more flexibility.

 

[sliperytimberja]

These photos show grapple project inspired by Torkelh 1) wooden prototype 2&3)being built in workshop

 

[Wanabeegrappler]

Looking pretty sharp then!cool project-well done

 

[glenlunberg]

Hey sliperytimberja! That looks hot! It's very sharp! Good job for your project!