chesterton horse loggers

Horse Extraction: The Scandinavians have led the way in developing modern equipment for extraction with horses. A good choice of implements have been produced and some are well suited to the varying British forestry conditions.

Horse extraction uses horses with either chains or specialist equipment (sledges, arches or trailers) to extract timber to the rack side or landing.

• Snigging Extracting timber by dragging it along the ground, usually from stump to ride side, where it can be converted and forwarded to the road side.

• Skidding Extracting timber by lifting one end and dragging it along the ground, usually from stump to ride side ,where it can be converted and forwarded to the road side.

• Forwarding Extracting the felled produce and taking it to the road side.

• Forwarding trailers Carry bulk loads of timber clear of the ground on wheeled trailer units, usually incorporating a hydraulic grapple for self-load.

• Purpose-built forwarder Combined tractor and trailer unit with loader/grab, which can operate in the stand if the racks are wide enough and extract to the landing.






Working Horses in Forestry: Certain situations are particularly suited to working with horses, such as: • A horse can work selectively in a stand of trees, reducing the need to line-thin in order to make room for mechanised extraction equipment. This factor can reduce wind-blow in certain stands of trees. • Horses can be used economically for short hauls (generally around 300m) to extract timber to the landing or rack side. They can complement machinery on certain sites. • First and second thinnings, often extracted in full pole length (using chain harness), or in bunches cross-cut to 3-6m size (using a shafted implement). • Small and final felling and late thinning where forwarder transport costs can be unreasonably high. • Taking out seed trees in a tall, advanced natural regeneration stand. • Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and other environmentally sensitive sites, where the impact on flora and fauna must be kept to a minimum.	• Where minimal ground disturbance is essential, where large machinery and skylines are environmentally intrusive, where noise must be kept to a minimum, or for appearance. • In small parcels of woodland where the transportation of heavy machinery to and from the site is un-economic. • For wind-blow sites or timber which is difficult to reach.	Horse Extraction: The Scandinavians have led the way in developing modern equipment for extraction with horses. A good choice of implements have been produced and some are well suited to the varying British forestry conditions. Horse extraction uses horses with either chains or specialist equipment (sledges, arches or trailers) to extract timber to the rack side or landing. • Snigging Extracting timber by dragging it along the ground, usually from stump to ride side, where it can be converted and forwarded to the road side. • Skidding Extracting timber by lifting one end and dragging it along the ground, usually from stump to ride side ,where it can be converted and forwarded to the road side. • Forwarding Extracting the felled produce and taking it to the road side. • Forwarding trailers Carry bulk loads of timber clear of the ground on wheeled trailer units, usually incorporating a hydraulic grapple for self-load. • Purpose-built forwarder Combined tractor and trailer unit with loader/grab, which can operate in the stand if the racks are wide enough and extract to the landing.