Loggers wielding axes or chainsaws is a common image that comes to mind, but these aren’t the only tools that loggers use to fell, debranch, and transport trees. These sturdy, resilient organisms have thick trunks, heavy branches, and strong roots that won’t go down without a fight. That’s why loggers have to use specialized equipment to conquer the forest and extract its precious resources. Here’s a look into what they use and how they use it.
Chainsaws
Chainsaws are the main weapon in a logger’s arsenal. These motorized, handheld machines make quick work of cutting down trees and branches. With their sharp teethed chains spinning at high speeds, they can slice through wood like butter.
There are different types of chainsaws that loggers use depending on the type of tree and job at hand. For example, they use top handle chainsaws for climbing and navigating through dense foliage, and larger, more powerful ones for felling trees.
Axes
Humans have used axes since ancient times to cut down trees, and loggers still use them today for tasks like debranching, limbing, and splitting wood. While primitive compared to other tools in this list, they have the benefit of being easy to carry and maneuver in the thick forest. Modern axes are made with durable steel and have a variety of blade shapes and lengths for different tasks.
Rigging Equipment
Loggers use rigging equipment to manipulate and move logs that are too heavy or awkward to lift by hand. Some examples of rigging equipment that loggers use include ropes, pulleys, and slings. Slings are especially important; they provide a stable and secure way to attach logs to equipment. Slings for rigging come in different materials, like steel, synthetic fibers, or even natural fibers like hemp. Ropes and pulleys, on the other hand, allow loggers to control and direct the movement of logs.
Skidder
A skidder is a heavy-duty vehicle loggers use to extract cut trees from the forest. It has large wheels or tracks that can navigate through rough terrain and can carry several logs at once. Some skidders even have grapple attachments that allow them to pick up logs without having to physically attach rigging equipment.
Trucks
Once they extract the logs, loggers transport them to a sawmill or processing facility. They use trucks to do this, often large ones with trailers that can carry multiple logs at once. These trucks need to be sturdy and powerful enough to handle the weight of the logs, as well as navigate through rough roads in the forest.
Cutting down trees isn’t an easy job. Fortunately, loggers can use these specialized tools and equipment to help them win against the mighty trees of the forest. With their expertise and these powerful machines, they can sustainably harvest timber and provide us with resources like wood for construction, paper, and more.