What is a Forestry Skidder and How is it Used?

Forestry is a very unique industry and requires many specialized pieces of equipment in order to complete a job. Our team at Stribling Equipment is here to help you find the perfect equipment solutions for whatever jobs you’re tackling! Continue reading to learn more about this important tool for the forestry and logging industry.

Definition & Use

A forestry skidder, or just skidder for short, is a piece of heavy machinery or a heavy vehicle that is used to pull trees from the cutting area to the landing for processing. This process is known as “skidding”, so the equipment’s name is very fitting! 

Importance of Type

Having the right skidder is essential for safety and efficiency of the operation. There are several types of skidder available to use. The most common types include: cable skidders, grapple skidders, and the logging arch. 

Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, but it’s most important to evaluate the types in relation to the specific job site. 

Common Controls

Most skidders utilize the same controls, making it easier for operators to learn different types of variations of the machine. You’ll typically find a left arm control, right arm control, speed control, and the right side control panel. It definitely takes practice and proper training to become efficient with these controls, but knowing the basics can definitely help!

The skidder is an important part of the logging process and the forestry industry would look very different without it. We have several locations across the states of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. We carry John Deere® equipment and offer demonstrations, trade-ins, parts, and service. We proudly serve cities like Little Rock, AR, Jackson, MS, and Memphis, TN.