Restocking site patch scarifier in transit
Photograph is courtesy of Jim Christie, Crook of Devon, a former senior mechanical engineer in the Forestry Commission.
This Scandinavianpatch scarifier in transit to forest location or in for some repair. This is a Bracke Patch Scarifier that was pulled by a fairly substantial machine able to traverse felled sites fairly easily pulled in this case an old Timberjack 280 skidder Registration No PSC328V.
The double set of discs each with four long spikes mounted on the two arms had limited revolving capacity. They were braked by some means, possibly hydraulically, and only turned slowly when pulled through the ground. The spikes dragged a bit and eventually revolved around enough for the next spike to engage. The results were less than impressive in heavy brash or in peat soil only turning over a small amount. In reality in lighter brash and mineral soils it did clear a patch of brash every so often and do a bit of ground scratching thus providing an exposed planting spot. It may have been more suited to pine sites with a fair bit of vegetation regrowth.
Can any of the people be named?
See the PDF for other views of the machine
Download Large Version (491kB)
Groups: Forestry Areas, Other Vehicles and Machines, Timber harvesters, processors, forwarders and cable cranes