Forest Operations > Conduct Skidder Operations > Skidder Operation

Grapple Skidder

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

Its job role is to skid / snig cut trees and stems to a landing site to be transported by trucks for further processing.

The skidder operator keeps felled whole trees or logs up to a processing system that can be clear felling plantation forests, thinning of plantation forests and / or selective thinning of native forests.

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

• Steering the machine with a full grapple of trees, as the machine will try to lift the front wheels off the ground under power;
• Reversing the skidder up to the butt of bunched trees, and the reversing technique to unload trees at landing site;
• Arch and blade controls;
• All cabin features and instrument readings.

This simulation to become familiar with the machine should be carried out on level terrain, and in a secured open area. 

When manoeuvring the machine though 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.

The operator will have to perform tasks such as:

• Working to a daily or weekly timber output quota.
• Removing slash or debris from landing sites.
• Repairing snig tracks
• Communicating with other workers on the ground and other machines operators.
• Quality control of the trees or logs.
• Daily maintenance of the machine.
• Managing required time lines.

The operator will also have to manage the snigging sequence of product out of the forest.

Fig 1 Tigercat E620C Grapple skidder

The following points are some key considerations aiming to meet quotas and / or making the required time lines manageable:

• Good communication with appropriate personnel.
• Use the machine correctly and efficiently.
• Avoid unnecessary down time.
• Have structured maintenance times.
• Make sure you manage the forest coupe to achieve maximum efficiency for product movement.
• Remove any defect or suspect trees you are not sure of and consult with appropriate personnel for the correct procedure for these trees.