What Affects a Skidder's Operation?

Skidders are a valuable resource in the forestry industry. They can move materials from the forest to another location with ease and efficiency. Many different factors affect the operation of skidders, from safety concerns to the soil conditions, which we discuss below.

The Effect of Slopes

Favorable slopes involve the material being dragged downhill with the assistance of gravity, which is preferable to adverse slopes.

A tracked skidder can handle a favorable slope of up to 50% and an adverse slope of up to 15%. A wheeled skidder can handle a favorable slope of up to 45% and an adverse slope of up to 10%.

A slope also affects a skidder's ability to safely turn. One way to decrease the danger is to turn on broken ground that has level benches.

The Effect of Soil Conditions

A wheeled skidder can be upgraded with dual tires or high flotation tires, which will allow the equipment to better navigate wet soils.

A cable skidder can be used in places with intermittent loose soils. The skid line can pull logs over the wet area while the skidder stays on the stable ground.

The Effect of the Felling Technique

A grapple skidder pairs well with feller bunchers, which can place full bunches in a way that improves the skidder's efficiency.

A cable skidder pairs well with manual felling, which has the trees scattered in the unit.

Want more information? Want to shop for skidders for sale? Whatever you need, the experts at Stribling Equipment are here to help. Contact us or stop by our dealerships in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas.