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A forwarder is a forestry vehicle that carries big felled logs from the stump to a roadside landing. Unlike a skidder, a forwarder carries logs clear of the ground, which can reduce soil impacts but tends to limit the size of the logs it can move. Forwarders are typically employed together with harvesters in cut-to-length logging operations.
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Load capacity
Forwarders are commonly categorised on their load carrying capabilities. The smallest are trailers designed for towing behind all-terrain vehicles which can carry around 250 kg to 500 kg. Agricultural self-loading trailers designed to be towed by farm tractors can handle load weights up to around 4 tonnes. Light weight purpose-built machines utilised in commercial logging and thinning operations can handle payloads of up to 8 tonnes. Medium-sized forwarders used in clearfells carry between 12 and 14 tonnes with the largest class handling up to 20 tonnes. Forwarders also carry them at least 2 feet above the ground.