While machines are becoming increasingly capable on steep terrain, highlead winches still play an important role in modern forestry.
Highlead winches-the advancements in machinery designed for forestry continue to enhance capabilities, thanks to improved drive systems, enhanced traction from band tracks, and the integration of traction assist winches. However, there are still specific situations where high lead winches are essential for timber extraction.
-
That’s a remarkable amount of work hours for a single machine, the Norcar 600 owned by Erkki Rinne is taken well care of, it even has the original Diesel engine.
-
Kieran Anders is a forestry contractor working in the lake district. His work involves hand cutting and extracting timber using a skidder and tractor-trailer forwarder.
-
It is not possible to eliminate chain shot, but there are simple steps that can be taken to reduce the risk.
-
Arwel takes great pride in the fact that the mill has no waste whatsoever, “the peelings are used for children’s playgrounds, gardens and for farm animals in barns in the winter and the sawdust has multiple uses in gardens and farms as well.
-
Timber hauliers need to encourage young blood in, and also look after the hauliers we have, we need make the sector a safe and positive place to work.
FIND US ON
Related Posts
While my experience with high leads is limited, I have observed their effectiveness in particularly challenging environments, such as wet areas and steep terrain. High lead systems are simpler than skyline setups, requiring only two winches, a mainline, and a haul-back line.
High leads are particularly efficient for shorter distances. They are optimized for extracting timber from distances of up to 250 to 300 meters, making them a valuable tool in certain forestry operations.
The photo details how Highlead winches work, the 30-tonne excavator did not require the guy lines as the trees being extracted were not particularly large and the excavator was stable as it was on a forest road.
I have observed two Highlead systems in operation, both mounted on excavators and manufactured by R J Fukes Forestry Services. One was located in the Scottish Borders, and the other was in South Wales.
Scottish Borders
The Highlead system in the Scottish Borders was a self-contained unit attached to the quick hitch of a 30-tonne Doosan DX 300LG excavator. To provide additional height, an extension was added to the dipper boom. This system was operated by a team from the Elliot Henderson Group, focusing on clearing diseased larch trees infected with Phytophthora ramorum from a narrow gully that contained a watercourse at its base. Many larch trees had either snapped or blown over, obstructing the water flow.
On either side of the gully, a young spruce plantation was present, limiting access for timber extraction. Therefore, the team followed the gully towards the forest road for extraction. The process involved chainsaw operators cutting down the blown trees or felling standing ones, which were then extracted by a two-man team comprising the highlead operator and a choker manThe operation was efficient, handling one or two trees at a time, each with an average volume of approximately 0.1 m³. This method proved surprisingly effective, with the strategy of taking “little and often” allowing for optimal performance. It reduced excess strain on the equipment, resulting in impressive fuel economy and minimising downtime, particularly concerning winch cable breakage due to excessive chokering.
A notable feature of this system was its ability to adapt as the job progressed. When tree piles became too high, the team could lift the dipper boom and track a few meters to resume extraction in a clear area. Since the main and haul-back lines did not require repositioning, this transition took only a minute or so. I visited this site twice: initially, it was a tangled mess, but by my second visit, only a day remained for completion, and
the results showcased the effectiveness of this operation.
Scottish Borders
The Highlead system in the Scottish Borders was a self-contained unit attached to the quick hitch of a 30-tonne Doosan DX 300LG excavator. To provide additional height, an extension was added to the dipper boom. This system was operated by a team from the Elliot Henderson Group, focusing on clearing diseased larch trees infected with Phytophthora ramorum from a narrow gully that contained a watercourse at its base. Many larch trees had snapped or blown over, obstructing the water flow.
On either side of the gully, a young spruce plantation was present, limiting access for timber extraction. Therefore, the team followed the gully towards the forest road for extraction. The process involved chainsaw operators cutting down the blown trees or felling standing ones, which were then extracted by a two-man team comprising the highlead operator and a chocker man (noting that the position was held by a male in this case).
The operation was efficient, handling one or two trees at a time, each with an average volume of approximately 0.1 m³. This method proved surprisingly effective, with the strategy of taking “little and often” allowing for optimal performance. It reduced excess strain on the equipment, resulting in impressive fuel economy and minimizing downtime, particularly concerning winch cable breakage due to excessive chokering.
A notable feature of this system was its ability to adapt as the job progressed. When tree piles became too high, the team could lift the dipper boom and track a few meters to resume extraction in a clear area. Since the main and haul-back lines did not require repositioning, this transition took only a minute or so.
I visited this site twice. Initially, it was a tangled mess, but by my second visit, only a day remained for completion, and the results showcased the effectiveness of this operation.
South Wales
In South Wales, a notable advancement in forestry equipment has been implementing a highlead winch system mounted on an excavator, pioneered by John Fukes. This innovative system features two winch drums aligned on a robust platform located above the engine, just behind the cab. The platform is hydraulically adjustable, allowing full access to the engine compartment and ensuring efficient maintenance.
The highlead configuration is complemented by an extended dipper boom, which provides additional height while retaining the excavator bucket. This combination enables the machine to perform various tasks, including platform creation, stump removal, and the repair of extraction routes effectively.
The winch system is owned by Coed Camddwr Ltd, a forestry contracting company, and it operates at the top of a steep ravine, approximately 300 to 400 meters from the nearest forest road. The extraction process efficiently lifts trees from the ravine, while a Ponsse Ergo harvester operates alongside, processing the trees into specified lengths.
The workflow is optimised as the landing area remains clear, facilitating easy choker removal by the highlead operator. A Ponsse Buffalo forwarder on-site is utilised to transport the processed timber to the roadside, enhancing the operation’s overall productivity. During a recent visit, three personnel were present: a chokerman stationed down the ravine, a highlead operator, and a harvester/forwarder operator. The team demonstrated excellent coordination, with the highlead operator and chokerman
maintaining radio communication, resulting in an impressive production rate.
Firsthand experience with the highlead system revealed its simplicity in operation. Unlike previous experiences with more physical winching systems, this highlead operates through a single joystick mechanism. The operator can easily push the joystick forward to deploy chockers down the hill or pull it backward to retrieve trees. An additional button facilitates cable release during chokering, with the winches managing the workload. Equipped with slack rope sensors, the system maintains optimal cable tension, mitigating concerns about tangling or damage to the winch ropes. Furthermore, winch drum cameras and an onboard monitor provide visual reassurance to the operator, enhancing situational awareness.
The operational efficiency of this system is evident, particularly considering its minimal impact on soil structure. Given the proximity of a fast-flowing river at the ravine’s base and the region’s high rainfall, using traditional machinery on steep terrain could lead to significant ecological repercussions.
Both teams in Scotland and Wales have expressed their satisfaction with the highlead winches’ quality, reliability, and performance. Mounting the winch on an excavator allows for off-road travel, reducing extraction distances and boosting productivity. The RJ Fukes Forestry Services highlead winches can be set up in just 30 minutes, featuring a non-invasive installation process that is fully CE Certified. Additionally, operator training is provided with each purchase.
The winch head can be quickly removed, allowing the base excavator to revert to its original state, and the system can be easily transferred to another carrier at minimal cost, enhancing its versatility and efficiency.
RJ Fukes Forestry Services offer three sizes of highlead winches.
M3.1
Is the smallest with a single speed with a 3 to 5 tonne pull, the minimum excavator base size is fourteen ton.
The working range is 200m maximum using wire rope with a steel core from 10mm to 13mm diameter. Wire rope sizes is dependent on winch force settings.
M3.2
This is a mid-size winch with variable speed motors with a 5-6 tonne pull, the minimum excavator base needed is seventeen tonnes.
The working range is 300m maximum using wire rope with a steel core from 11mm to 14mm diameter. Wire rope sizes is dependent on winch force settings.
M3.3
The largest model with variable speed motors with a 6-9 tonne pull, the minimum excavator base needed is twenty-five tonnes.
The working range is 400m maximum using wire rope with a steel core from 12mm to 14mm diameter. Wire rope sizes is dependent on winch force settings.
M3 winch systems are specifically designed for track base mounting but can also be mounted to wheelbase machine bases. The hydraulic components are selected for their durability and long service life so that operating costs are kept to a minimum.
The winch drums are manufactured to give optimum storage and optimum bend radius for minimal rope fatigue and all winch drums also incorporate a split drum system for storage.
M3 rope sheaves are custom machined for low friction and low rope fatigue and are heat treated and fitted with the highest quality roller bearings to give smooth operation and a long service life.
Their hydraulic valve chests are specifically designed for optimum flow with minimal loses and minimal heat generation and quality valves are used with a proven history of reliability.
Highlead winches afety features include.
Inbuilt fail safe, unmatched line speed and pulling force.
Fully proportional remote controls
Fully synchronised rope tension with infinitely variable control for operator from
Cabin or remote-control unit
Simple one lever control for ease of use and low operator fatigue
Slack rope sensing
Winch drum cameras.
Base machine movement sensing
Non-invasive fitment to base carriers
For more information, please contact.
RJ Fukes Forestry Services on +44(0)1550721641 www.rjfukes.co.uk
Contact forestmachinemagazine@mail.com to get your products and services seen on the world’s largest professional forestry online news network.
#homeoflogging #writtenbyloggersforloggers #loggingallovertheworld
Written by loggers for loggers and dedicated solely to the equipment used in forestry operations.
