Forestry Memories

Timber Master Cable Crane – South Laggan Forest?

Timber Master Cable Crane – South Laggan Forest?

Date Added: 07 December 2021 Contributor: Norman Davidson Year of Photo: 1982 Picture No: 5280

The image is from a photograph collection that was originally stored at Kincardine Forest District office at Durris and may have been taken by Sandy Sandilands. The actual year and location in unknown but could be South Laggan Forest in the Great Glen (Perhaps not - see comments).

This close up view of the body of the Timber Master winch reveals its compact construction. It is not clear from the image what the tractor PTO shaft actually drives. There is a substantial hydraulic pipe system and tank visible. Were all the drums driven by hydraulic motors?

Indeed a very compact and complex piece of machinery. Any details on its origins and operating processes would be very welcome.

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Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Timber harvesters, processors, forwarders and cable cranes

4 Comments

All the drums were driven by the PTO shaft. This winch seems to have been modified with another drum with a hydraulic motor probably to do with the carriage.
Doesn't look like the South Laggan area and never saw that machine or the operators in all my years on winches in the area. Comment left on 09 December 2021 at 20:53 by Robert Hannah
Thanks Robert. It is a very young looking crew. I recall the late Hugh Greig saying that he operated a Timber Master for a short period. The images are on the website elsewhere. Was that the only Timber Master that operated in the Great Glen area that you remember in your time? Do you recall who actually manufactured the winch? Comment left on 10 December 2021 at 08:08 by Norman Davidson (Website Curator)
Hi Norman,the Timbermaster was manufactured by G R Smith of Acharn in Perthshire. There was quite a few in the Great Glen,but never seen one with the hydraulic drum. I worked one for a few years after the Trailer Alp went. This one looks like an experimental pay out carriage, as it is very new looking. Interested to know how the carriage works. Comment left on 10 December 2021 at 14:14 by Robert Hannah
Hi think thats the prototype with extra hydraulic driven drum and rope running allongside haul in to drive payout carriage. Remember working on it south side of Loch Laggan. {hydraulics didnt like extreme cold } was an apprentice at Smiths at time. This would have been about 1982. Don't think payout carrage was a success Comment left on 27 August 2022 at 13:55 by kenny manders
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