Use of Hydra- Tongs for extracting timber
Photograph is courtesy and copyright of Forestry Commission, Forest Research, Roslin, and provided with help from Glen Brearley. FR Photo number No B5688 taken by H J G.
Standard two wheel drive tractor fitted with hydraulically operated grab (Hydra – tongs) ground skidding at Santon Downham.
Any information on this development?
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Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Timber harvesters, processors, forwarders and cable cranes
3 Comments
The hydratongs proved to be very successful in lowland timber extraction. This set appear to lack a rotator which allowed the tongs to be turned to address the timber. They are fitted to what appears to be an MF165 in this case, they were alos fitted with success to the smaller and more nimble MF135 which was succeeded by the MF 550, MF 250 and MF240. The tongs were built locally by M Edwards engineering but I am unsure who designed them. The disadvantage of using agricultural tractors amongst tree stumps was the tendency to snap stub axles, a regular occurrence. The repair depot staff were kept busy attending such breakdowns and a good mechanic could replace the stub axle and kingpin in-situ within a half hour. Use of stub axles from an MF270 gave the lighter tractor a heavier hub and less likelihood of a fracture but the cost of replacing the parts across a large fleet (90 tractors?) was considered too high when measured against the on going costs. Few tractors were modified.
Comment left on 10 December 2019 at 20:35 by Matthew Hodder
How were the Hydratongs fitted to the tractor?
Comment left on 23 December 2021 at 16:16 by Andrew
Andrew,
Matthew Hodder's description gives a good description of the hydratongs and their use in the forests of Lowland England, especially Thetford, Rendlesham and Sherwood, when extracting pole length CP and SP pitwood and other relatively small dimensioned poles. For a comprehensive description of the hydratongs construction and working methods, I would suggest that you read Forestry Commission Leaflet 55: Hydratongs, F. B. W. Platt and P. Wood.
The weblink below takes you to the Forest Research website, from where a pdf copy of the publication can be read and downloaded:
https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/documents/8081/FCLF055_1973.pdf
Good health, BillR Comment left on 23 December 2021 at 21:31 by Bill Rayner
Matthew Hodder's description gives a good description of the hydratongs and their use in the forests of Lowland England, especially Thetford, Rendlesham and Sherwood, when extracting pole length CP and SP pitwood and other relatively small dimensioned poles. For a comprehensive description of the hydratongs construction and working methods, I would suggest that you read Forestry Commission Leaflet 55: Hydratongs, F. B. W. Platt and P. Wood.
The weblink below takes you to the Forest Research website, from where a pdf copy of the publication can be read and downloaded:
https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/documents/8081/FCLF055_1973.pdf
Good health, BillR Comment left on 23 December 2021 at 21:31 by Bill Rayner
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