Jeff Halbrook and Dr. Harry Lee
Department of Forest Products

All Season Vehicle (ASV) RC-30 with Radio Controlled Winch

This machine has been modified and guarded by University of Idaho Departments of Forest Products and Mechanical Engineering.  Modifications include a quick detachable log winch utilizing the ASV's hydraulics and a remote control for the winch.  Logs were winched to roadside decks both up and downhill over slopes varying from 10-36%.  Slash on this site was piled and burned.

Basically a skid steer (Bobcat, Uniloader, etc.) with tracks instead of wheel

The winch has a pulling capacity of 4600 lbs.
130 feet of cable
30 horsepower machine
3.1 PSI ground pressure

Advantages:

• Highly maneuverable
• 0 degree turning radius
• Easily transported by conventional pick-up truck
• Winches logs to roadside for loading onto log truck

 All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) with ATV Arch

This system utilizes a stock all-terrain vehicle to transport logs to a landing area.  An arch attached by a trailer hitch to the ATV is positioned over a log.  A chocker cable is attached to the log which is lifted by a hand winch located on the arch.  With one end of the log suspended, the log is transported to the landing.  Slash on this site was piled and burned.

An experienced ATV operator is required for this system. There is no roll bar or protective structure around the ATV.

Advantages:

• Easily transported to work site
• Low impact
• Low investment
• Highly maneuverable

 Arch Manufacturer:
         Future Forest Products, Inc.
         P.O. Box 1083
         Willamina, OR  97396
         Phone: 888-258-1445
         Web:  futureforestry.com

Iron Horse Pro Mini-Skidder

The tracked design allows this machine to work over a variety of conditions including snow and slash.  Logs are winched onto the rear bunk by an onboard winch.  A load is secured, the operator controls and walks with the machine to a landing where the logs are decked.  Slash on this site was piled and burned.

Engine: 9 hp Honda
Winch:   2500 lbs capacity (50 feet of cable)

Advantages:

• Easily fits into the back of a conventional pickup truck
• Can work on snow and slash
• Does not need a trail system to operate
• Small and highly maneuverable
• Easy to operate

Supplier:
        May's Trail Equipment & Leasing LLC
        30 Gun Club Road
        Sagle, Idaho 83860
        Toll Free: 877-823-1043
        E-mail: mayshonda@nidlink.com
        Web: waltercmaycompany.com

Modified Farm Tractor with Log Loader and Remote Controlled Winch

This system consists of a Lamborghini 105 hp 4-wheel drive tractor with 2 drum Igland remotely controlled winch and a frame mounted Patu log loader.  The trees and brush are manually felled and whole trees and bunches of smaller trees are winched to the roadside or to trails.  Merchantable logs are removed and the unmerchantable limbs, tops brush and small trees are piled with the grapple loader for later burning.  Large slash piles can result at the road or trailside for burning or transport from the site.

An experienced timber faller and tractor/winch/loader operator are required for this system.  The system works well from the roadside or on terrain less than 20 percent.

Advantages:

• Minimal soil disturbance in the forest
• Capable of handling sawtimber up to 20 inches
  
  This system is owned by H & S Forestry of Potlatch, Idaho

Contact:
          Harold L. Osborne
          P.O. Box 656
          Potlatch, ID 83855
          208-875-1471
          hosborne@potlatch.com