A forwarder is a 6 or 8 wheel articulated machine used to
transport logs, which have been cut to prescribed lengths,
from the forest floor to a stacking area along side the forest
road, ready for uplift by timber lorries. It is all wheel drive
and is equipped with a hydraulic loader and timber grapple,
which is used to load logs into the machine’s trailer, known
as a bunk.

Forwarders come in a range of sizes and are classified by their
load carrying capacity, which typically varies from 6 tonnes to
18 tonnes. They are powered by diesel engines and the transm-
-issions are generally hydrostatic, controlled by the machine’s
on board computer. The operator sits in a robust air-conditioned
cab, which is constructed to provide protection should the
machine roll over or be hit by a falling tree.

A single machine is capable of hauling up to 50,000 tonnes
of timber per year. The majority of forwarders are manufact-
-ured in Scandinavia.Mechanical Engineering Services provides
and maintains 45 forwarders in use throughout the Forestry
Commission. It has been providing this service since the
inception of mechanised harvesting 30 years ago. In so
doing it has amassed a wealth of knowledge and expertise
in themaintenance and repair of these technically advanced
machines.If you require forwarder maintenance or repair,
contact your local Mechanical Engineering Services workshops.
Disposal of both owned and leased forwarders alsofalls within
Mechanical Engineering Services‘ remit. This is done through
regular advertisingin the trade press and tender sales conducted
three times each year at Chapelhall Workshop.