Highlander and Highland Bear crane Forwarder

Date Added: 01 October 2016 Contributor: Norman Davidson Year of Photo: 2016 Picture No: 3416

Image is courtesy of Alasdair Cameron taken today 1st Oct 2016 at the Strathnairn Vintage Rally at Daviot just south of Inverness.

The base tractor is a Massey Ferguson 165 with Registration No BST412M and a company number GP3701.

Assembled by James Jones of Larbert – can anyone provide any details of this machines history?

Note the Ferguson and cable crane assembly behind which has Registration No BST413M. More on that machine next image.

Additional Comments by John Graham on attached PDF 16 July 2024. See series comments below and newly attached PDF.

'There are just a couple more minor corrections to address such as the wrong size bolts were fitted in the past to some bonnet parts so they need changing and the front grill needs some fettling. After searching through about five boxes of bolts and bits came to the conclusion that the ones wanted we didn't have!

Many moons ago, when the Scottish Forestry School had it, one of the students put it in a ditch and although repaired the bonnet was never aligned properly. So we need to think about how to make the grill and MS badge fit. We could have got a complete new bonnet but decided that a coat of paint would do. Ah well, best laid plans o' mice and men. As you see 90% complete.

The final photo in the PDF shows tractor complete with modified grill. For your interest this tractor is in use on a mostly daily basis and is fitted with either forestry trailer or a large remote controlled winch.'

John

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Groups: Timber harvesters, processors, forwarders and cable cranes

27 Comments

I think this forwarder originally belonged to Strathallan Estate, a very unusual set up. Comment left on 02 October 2016 at 11:05 by Leslie Phillip

Must be one of the early models as there is no extension ram on the end of the jib which gave around four feet extra reach with loads of pulling power, also a unusual looking hydraulic grab. Comment left on 02 October 2016 at 23:15 by Leslie Phillip

BST412M was purchased by Inverness College - Forestry Industry Centre, now known as the Scottish School of Forestry. It originally had a jockey wheel and halftracks on it but were removed several years ago. GP3701 was a Highland Council vehicle code for that machine, as HC were the funding body at the time for the college. Comment left on 10 October 2016 at 22:25 by Neil Stewart

This machine is now for sale at the Scottish School of Forestry. Offers before 23rd June 2017 Comment left on 16 June 2017 at 09:18 by Alasdair Cameron

Looks like normal width farm rear wheel rims and tyres on this machine usually they came from Jones with broad tyres filled with ballast to counter side lift, must have been a frustrating machine to operate. Comment left on 17 June 2017 at 10:39 by

The wheels are for a half track conversion which is included in the offer.This was a common package from Jones and was favoured over four wheel drive by some users. Comment left on 18 June 2017 at 20:52 by Alasdair Cameron

Standard tyres but on outer rim for more stability with water ballast. Front tyres loaded with weights on inside. Shame she is being sold off, hopefully to someone that will restore her.
Comment left on 18 June 2017 at 23:07 by Neil Stewart

You are right Alasdair noticed this forwarder for sale on Gumtree north Scotland after my comment came with half tracks this would make a vast difference to side balance when lifting also positive drive in wet conditions. Comment left on 19 June 2017 at 19:16 by

This tractor was spotted and is now being used by Aigas Community Forest with a different modern trailer. The half tracks unfortunately not fitted. Nice tractor with Inverness number plate. Nice to see it still being used! Comment left on 26 March 2019 at 22:04 by Jesse Wigman

Tractor in daily use with Aigas Community Forest, We do have the half tracks but they are not fitted, We do sometimes fit the rear wheels with chains but as only two wheel drive it is limited for off forest road use. Presently fitted with a kellfri trailer and has been retro fitted with a three point linkage. We have plans for a full refurbish this year and also to provide extra spool valves and a 360 degree rotator. The tyres are water filled. We would certainly benefit from an extra four feet on the boom of the crane. Comment left on 10 April 2019 at 20:34 by John Graham

Now has it's new rotator and new grab fitted which improves it's functionality by miles. New tractor shed just about completed and next job is cosmetics with a fresh paint and replace some bits and pieces(wooden roof to the cab and front bonnet insert). We are considering refitting the half tracks but the Covid pandemic has rather delayed much of the work this spring. Parts for the repaint are now ordered so that will be done over the summer. Extra spool valves were ordered but again the Pandemic has got in the way. Hopefully that will be done after the painting. Comment left on 30 June 2020 at 10:01 by John C Graham

Can't wait to see it finished. Will it be back to work or kept for rallies etc? Comment left on 01 July 2020 at 10:51 by leslie phillip

Back to work. We may take it around a few rallies like Black Isle Show but that won't be this year. Comment left on 01 July 2020 at 17:52 by John C Graham

Can you tell me if the skid unit is the early 165 or the last model the mark three and is it multi power or standard transmission? Comment left on 02 July 2020 at 10:39 by leslie phillip

The tractor was first registered in April 1974, chassis no.12636 if that helps. If you are in the area feel free to come and have a look, our volunteers are normally there on a Wednesday but the tractor is there all the time. Some technical advice is always welcome. The tractor is normally in the shed now, unless we are working either on the wood processing or winching timber out of the forest. Comment left on 03 July 2020 at 08:49 by John C Graham

This machine and its history sounds intriguing if it was registered in 1974 it would be some of last 165s built. If you want to have a look of some of my photos of the highland bear forwarder on Panmure estate also the MF 165 multi power on William Duffs nursey Forfar go to the search box top right of this site, "Leslie phillip" Comment left on 04 July 2020 at 14:47 by leslie phillip

If I remember correct on some of the last 165s the air cleaner was accessed by the circular hinged 165 badge on the right hand side of the tractor 1974? Comment left on 05 July 2020 at 16:17 by leslie phillip

Yes, I think that is right. Comment left on 06 July 2020 at 09:52 by John C Graham

Been a time getting there but Tractor now repainted and tidied. Were hoping for the Black Isle Show this year but looks like next right now. Holidays getting in the way, We also have the original trailer which is also due a lick of paint. Comment left on 08 July 2024 at 23:30 by Mr John C Graham

Wonder if John would send in a few photos of this forwarder now that it has had a fresh paint job and a tidy up? Comment left on 10 July 2024 at 18:16 by Leslie Phillip

Will do with pleasure next week as we put everything back together and the decals on. Not sure how you add photos. Comment left on 11 July 2024 at 09:04 by Mr John C Graham

Please see additional comments by John Graham added to the picture text above and the attached PDF showing the beautifully refurbished machine as at Jul 2024. Comment left on 16 July 2024 at 08:27 by Norman Davidson

John that forwarder is looking smart now cant be many of them left around in that condition well done. Comment left on 16 July 2024 at 14:36 by Leslie Phillip

Just noticed that looks like a more up to date grapple on the Highland Bear, and do you own the half track that was originally attached to the forwarder? Comment left on 17 July 2024 at 15:39 by Leslie Phillip

We changed the grapple for a 360� a couple of years back but still have the original. We also still have the half tracks, wheels etc. Comment left on 17 July 2024 at 20:33 by Mr John C Graham

A half way rotating grapple was a real pain working in rack roads as you had to remember to place it facing in the right direction before picking up the billet of pulp wood. The timber trailer looks a bit unconventional does it have bolsters or is it a flat frame? Comment left on 18 July 2024 at 12:51 by Leslie Phillip

I think this was pre proper forestry trailers so was a modified agricultural one. Quite well modified I should say with a ram that fits between the trailer and the tractor(presently dismantled as it gets in the way of the three point linkage which we need for the winch) and when activated makes the whole unit solid and secure. It does have six bolsters though but they are square and fixed and very different from our Kellfri shaped bolsters which rotate on the other trailer. We find the shorter draw bar on the old trailer work best with this crane. Later Jones added an hydraulic extension to the cranes which would make loading easier. The suspension, such as it is, is four wheeled rigid a bit like a bogie but without the springs. Very secure though on rough ground. Comment left on 19 July 2024 at 17:24 by Mr John C Graham

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