Excavator based Timber extraction crane
Photograph is courtesy of Jim Christie, Crook of Devon, a former senior mechanical engineer in the Forestry Commission.
Interesting image of an excavator modification to what looks like a high lead winch. The base is a Fiat Hitachi where the front boom has had a heightened extension added to act as a tower for cable pulley blocks. The large box like extension on the rear of the engine housing holds the wire drum reels and all the drive and brake mechanisms (assume hydraulic).
Only two cables are seen leading up into the wood and there is no evidence of a third drum or tower pulley for a skyline. It must be assumed that this machine operated in high lead mode for modest distances in steeper ground. Unfortunately the rope detail and images of the people present are unclear.
Jim believes this machine was working for the Woodland Trust in the Portmoak Moss area near Perth.
Any information on this machine, its origins, this location or year would be very welcome. Perhaps some people will be recognised – check larger view.
The PDF below has another image
Download Large Version (824kB)
Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Groups of people, Timber harvesters, processors, forwarders and cable cranes