Forest Operations > Conduct Feller Buncher Operations > Feller Buncher Operations

Feller Buncher Operations

The feller buncher is one of the important front line machines in the timber harvesting process.

Its job role is to cut down trees / stems and present them for skidding to a landing site for further processing and the product to be transported by trucks.

In some operations the feller buncher presents the trees / stems for a mechanical processor to process into log products, however this type of tree harvesting operation is becoming outdated by single grip harvesters.

The types of tree harvesting operations are clear felling plantation forests, thinning of plantation forests and selective thinning of native forests

Your role is to fell and bunch whole trees to a daily or weekly quota, communicate with other workers, quality control of trees and basic maintenance of the machine.

You will also have to manage the forest and machine to required timelines.

As a learner operator and before you attempt any technical operational tasks,
you should get to know the basic characteristics of the feller buncher such as:

• Steering the machine with the felling head full of trees.
• Reversing the feller buncher in confined areas.
• Crane and felling head controls.
• All cabin feature and instruments readings.

Simulation to become familiar with the machine should be carried out on level terrain and in a secured open area. 
When manoeuvring the machine through the forest it is important to look out for and avoid hazards such as:

• Stumps and logs
• Large amount of slash
• Large rocks, loose stony terrain and sheet rock.
• Holes, gutters, ditches and loose embankments

Tips

The following points are some key considerations with the aim of making quotas and required time lines manageable e.g.

• Work as team
• Avoid unnecessary down time.
• Have structured maintenance times.
• Use the machine correctly and efficiently.
• Get a good sleep so as you are fit for work.
• Good communication with appropriate personnel.
• Any tree defects you are not sure of discuss with your site supervisor.
• Make sure you manage the forest coupe to achieve maximum efficiency for cutting down and trees.

The skills you will need to develop as a competent operator is the ability to move the machine around the forest work site.

To be able to carry out operational tasks efficiently, you will need to position the feller buncher so that you can make best use of the machine capabilities. 

As a learner and before you attempt any technical operational tasks, you should get to know the basic characteristics of the feller buncher such as

• Slew action
• Travel
• Crane controls
• Basic features and instruments