Handling & Skidding
Felling is only part of the job. Once trees are down, timber still needs to be extracted, handled and moved safely without causing unnecessary damage to the soil or remaining woodland. Choosing the right extraction equipment depends on the terrain, timber volume, access conditions and extraction distance.
The extraction chain, covered end to end
Timber extraction and material handling can be among the most complex stages of a forestry or land-clearing project. Slope, ground conditions, extraction distance, load volumes and access width all influence how efficiently a machine can operate. Choosing equipment that is too heavy or poorly suited to the terrain can also damage the soil, roots and vegetation left on site.
Equipment matched to the site
Our handling and skidding fleet includes skidders, forwarders, forestry cranes, grapples and timber clamps. These machines can be used for a wide range of operations, from selective extraction on smaller sites to high-volume forwarding in demanding terrain.
Before recommending equipment, our advisors assess the practical requirements of the operation. Ground bearing capacity, the layout of extraction routes, expected daily volumes and the final destination of the timber all help determine the appropriate machine.
The objective is not simply to move timber from one point to another. It is to choose equipment that can achieve the required output while working safely and limiting unnecessary impact on the site. On soft or sensitive ground in particular, getting the machine choice right from the start can prevent avoidable delays, damage and additional costs.
Extraction and handling machines for demanding ground
Skidders
Our wheeled and tracked skidders are designed to move logs and stems from the stump to the landing. Cable and grapple configurations are available for different stem sizes and extraction requirements. Tracked skidders are particularly useful on soft ground, steep slopes or sites where wheeled machines could create excessive rutting.
Forwarders
Forwarders pick up processed timber and transport it to a roadside landing. Because the timber is carried rather than dragged across the ground, they can help reduce soil disturbance, especially on wet or sensitive sites. Light, mid-range and heavy-payload options are available depending on the operation.
Forestry cranes & knuckleboom loaders
At the landing, forestry cranes and knuckleboom loaders make it easier to stack, sort and load timber efficiently. Different reach and lifting capacities allow the equipment to be matched to both smaller operations and higher-volume commercial sites. Self-propelled and tractor-mounted options are available.
Grapple skidders
Grapple skidders are well suited to mixed or irregular material, including large-diameter stems, brash bundles and root plates. Their hydraulic grapple allows material to be secured and moved without manual choker setting, helping reduce handling time and operator exposure.
Timber clamps & log grapples
Interchangeable timber clamps and log grapples can be added to compatible base machines for handling timber at the landing, loading trucks or sorting logs by species or grade. They are available as rental attachments to complement existing machinery.
Winch systems & cable extraction equipment
On steep or difficult terrain, cable extraction can provide an alternative when conventional wheeled or tracked machines are not suitable. These systems allow timber to be moved in a more controlled way while helping limit ground disturbance, particularly on mountainous or environmentally sensitive sites.
The operations our equipment is designed for
The right extraction equipment depends on more than timber volume. Terrain, soil conditions, slope, access and the type of material being moved all affect how timber should be extracted. Our equipment is selected to suit these practical conditions while limiting unnecessary ground disturbance and keeping operations moving efficiently.
Commercial timber forwarding
For high-volume cut-to-length operations, forwarders collect processed timber from the harvesting area and transport it to the roadside landing. The right payload and configuration help maintain a steady workflow alongside felling operations and reduce the time timber remains on the ground.
Steep slope extraction
Timber extraction on steep slopes above 25–30° requires careful planning and specialist equipment. Depending on the gradient and ground conditions, tracked skidders, winch-assisted systems or cable extraction may be more appropriate than conventional machinery. We assess these conditions before recommending equipment.
Soft ground & wetland-adjacent sites
Waterlogged and sensitive soils can be particularly vulnerable to compaction and rutting. Low-ground-pressure forwarders and tracked skidders can help reduce the impact on soil structure and drainage, making them better suited to wet or environmentally sensitive areas.
Selective extraction in thinning operations
Thinning requires timber to be removed while protecting the remaining trees and their root zones. Forwarders can provide controlled load-and-carry extraction, helping reduce unnecessary contact between timber and the ground and limiting disturbance within the stand.
Storm damage & windthrow recovery
Storm-damaged woodland often contains uprooted, tangled or unstable timber that is more difficult to handle than normally felled trees. Grapple skidders and crane equipment provide the reach, control and manoeuvrability needed to move irregular material during recovery and clearance operations.
Log stacking, sorting & roadside management
At the landing, timber needs to be sorted, stacked and prepared for haulage. Crane and grapple equipment allows operators to separate logs by species, grade or diameter, build stable stacks and load transport vehicles efficiently.
Small-scale & private woodland extraction
Extraction is not limited to large commercial forestry operations. Private woodland owners, estate managers and smaller contractors may also need professional equipment for occasional or short-term projects. Equipment can be selected according to the actual scale and requirements of the site.
Biomass & brash extraction
Harvesting can leave significant quantities of brash, tops and small-diameter roundwood on site. Where these materials are destined for biomass or other uses, suitable grapple and forwarding equipment can help collect and transport residues alongside or after the main timber extraction operation.
Extraction done efficiently without wrecking the site
Efficient timber extraction is not only about moving logs quickly. Poorly planned operations can leave lasting damage, including soil compaction, deep ruts, damaged roots and erosion around sensitive areas. Repairing these problems afterwards can add significant time and cost to a project.
Planning for lower ground impact
The choice of machinery is one of the first factors to consider. Ground conditions, moisture levels, slope and route layout all influence which machine is appropriate. On wet or sensitive ground, for example, equipment with suitable ground-pressure characteristics can help reduce unnecessary soil disturbance compared with less suitable machinery.
That is why we consider site conditions during the planning and quoting stage. Where work takes place near watercourses, on environmentally sensitive ground or under specific forestry requirements, we can discuss appropriate protection measures and working practices before operations begin.
Simple measures can make a meaningful difference. Well-planned extraction routes, suitable machine configuration and the use of brash mats where appropriate can help protect the ground while keeping timber moving efficiently.
The aim is straightforward: complete the extraction effectively while leaving the site in a condition that supports its next stage of use or regeneration.
Matched to your extraction brief in four steps
Choosing extraction equipment starts with understanding the job. Terrain, soil conditions, access, timber volume and extraction distance all influence which system will work best. Our process is designed to keep that assessment simple and practical.
1 - Tell us about your site and operation
We start with the details that affect equipment selection:
- Terrain and gradient
- Ground conditions and soil sensitivity
- Extraction distance
- Expected daily volume
- Average stem size
- Access route and available width
- Any ecological designations or forestry scheme requirements
The more accurate the site information, the more precisely we can match the equipment to the operation.
2 - We recommend the right extraction system
Depending on the site, the solution may be a skidder, forwarder, crane, winch system or a combination of machines. We consider both operational efficiency and potential ground impact before making a recommendation.
We explain why a particular setup is appropriate, so you can make an informed decision rather than simply choosing the largest machine available.
3 - Delivery within 48 hours
Once the equipment is confirmed, we deliver it to your site access point or landing, subject to availability and transport conditions.
An operator briefing can cover the main controls, extraction route layout, safe working loads and precautions specific to the site, helping the team get started with a clear understanding of the equipment.
4 - Support throughout your rental
Conditions can change once extraction begins. Ground moisture, timber volumes and access routes may be different from the initial assessment.
Our team remains available 7 days a week during the rental period if you need practical guidance or need to discuss adapting the equipment or working method to changing site conditions.
Trusted across the extraction and handling sector
Our extraction and handling equipment is used for a wide range of forestry, land management and material handling operations. Each type of customer has different requirements, from high-volume timber production to sensitive woodland work or urgent storm clearance.
Who uses our equipment?
- Commercial forestry contractors and harvesting teams working on regular timber extraction and forwarding operations.
- Timber haulage and logistics operators needing reliable equipment for handling, stacking and loading timber.
- Estate forestry and private woodland managers carrying out planned thinning, maintenance or selective extraction.
- Civil engineering contractors requiring machinery to move timber, vegetation or other heavy materials during site preparation.
- Local authorities and public woodland teams managing roadside vegetation, public forests and other land assets.
- Conservation and ecological management organisations working where careful machinery selection and reduced ground disturbance are important.
- Biomass and renewable energy operators handling brash, tops and other forestry residues for recovery and processing.
- Emergency and storm damage contractors dealing with windthrow, fallen trees and difficult-to-access sites after severe weather.
Whether the operation is large or small, the key is matching the machine, attachment and extraction method to the actual site conditions and workload.
The operations that come before and after extraction
Handling and skidding are central to the forestry workflow, but successful extraction also depends on what happens before and after the timber is moved. Site access, ground preparation, sorting, stacking and onward transport all need to be considered to keep the operation efficient and minimise unnecessary ground disturbance.
Brush Cutting & Mulching
Before tree felling, dense undergrowth may need to be cleared to improve machine access and operator visibility. Our brush cutting and mulching equipment helps prepare the work area by clearing brambles, scrub and other vegetation. This initial clearance can make subsequent forestry operations more practical and help create a more manageable working environment.
Forestry Felling & Cutting
When larger trees remain after brush clearing, our forestry felling and cutting equipment can handle the next stage. Our range includes mechanised felling heads, harvesters and delimbers for different types and scales of timber operations.
Worksite Preparation
Once vegetation and timber have been cleared, the site can be prepared for its next phase. Our stump grinders, wood chippers and ground-preparation equipment can support projects involving construction, replanting, agricultural use or land restoration.
Need to move timber off site?
Tell us about your terrain, extraction distances and expected timber volumes. These details help us understand the practical requirements of the job and identify equipment suited to your site.
We’ll get back to you within 24 hours with a suitable equipment recommendation and a clear, no-obligation quote.