Forest Operations > Conduct Feller Buncher Operations > Feller Buncher Operations

Advantages of machine tree felling

Machines can provide the following advantages compared to previous methods of harvesting trees with a chainsaw.

Improved safety

Forest machines used for felling, delimbing, and processing tasks can improve safety by eliminating, isolating or minimising a range of hazards normally faced by chainsaw operators.

High production

Machines can allow high production (tonnes or cubic metres per day) relative to the worker input.

High production for the operation (as opposed to an individual task) requires that the tasks be matched with the other phases of the operation.

For example a Feller buncher may be capable of felling 60 trees per productive hour. In contrast an individual chainsaw operator may fell 15 trees per productive hour under similar conditions.

Over an 8-hour day the feller buncher can fell the equivalent trees of three to four manual chainsaw operators’ daily production.

High production levels are also possible as machine operators are capable of easier and longer days.

By double-shifting the machine, using more than one operator means double the trees will be cut down in a work day.

These production benefits are possible because machine operators are not exposed to hard physical work and they are unaffected by the weather and can work at night.

Delimbing of trees

The delimber feller buncher or (DFB,) removes the large lower branch of trees this will help other equipment process good quality product and reduce damage to the machine

This process is done by the operator lifting the head up about 4 metres, clamping the tree and sliding the head down the tree to the ground.

The clamp arms have extremely sharp edges on them which slice the branches of very easily    

Improved working conditions

Improved safety and working conditions of the modern feller buncher offers a more comfortable and protected environment in the cab making  it easier to attract and retain skilled workers within a harvesting crew.

Environmental issues

Using a feller buncher to fall trees makes it easier to direct trees away from streams, filter strips and other protected sites.

The tracked feller buncher can move over the ground with minimal soil disturbance therefore reducing soil erosion.