Harvester (forestry)

A harvester is a type of heavy forestry vehicle employed in cut-to-length logging operations for felling, delimbing and bucking trees.

For very steep hills or for removing individual trees, ground crews working with chain saws are still preferred in some countries.

The principle aimed for in mechanised logging is "no feet on the forest floor", and the harvester and forwarder allow this to be achieved.

Keeping workers inside the driving cab of the machine provides a safer and more comfortable working environment for industrial scale logging.

An extensible, articulated boom, similar to that on an excavator, reaches out from the vehicle to carry the harvester head.

A control computer can simplify mechanical movements and can keep records of the length and diameter of trees cut.