High Lead logging in Western Oregon Larix3T

Cable logging, also referred to as

skyline logging Skyline logging (or skyline yarding) is a form of cable logging in which harvested logs are transported on a suspended steel cable (a cableway or "highline") from where the trees are felled to a central processing location. The skyline's c ...

, is a

logging Logging is the process of cutting, processing, and moving trees to a location for transport. It may include skidder, skidding, on-site processing, and loading of trees or trunk (botany), logs onto logging truck, trucksyarder A yarder is piece of logging equipment that uses a system of cables to pull or fly logs from the stump to a collection point. It generally consists of an engine, drums, and spar, but has a range of configurations and variations, such as the swing ...

, loaders, and

grapple yarders A swing yarder is a mobile piece of heavy duty forestry equipment used for pulling logs from the woods to a logging road with cables. The swing yarder is also known as a grapple yarder. In any logging Logging is the process of cutting, p ...

, but also in Europe (Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, France, Italy). The cables can be rigged in several configurations. There are two classes; #

High lead logging High lead logging is a method of cable logging using a spar, yarder and loader. It was developed by Oscar Wirkkala. It is accomplished with two lines (cables) and two winches (or cable drums). The mainline or yarding line extends out from one ...

, in which a simple loop of cable runs from the

yarder A yarder is piece of logging equipment that uses a system of cables to pull or fly logs from the stump to a collection point. It generally consists of an engine, drums, and spar, but has a range of configurations and variations, such as the swing ...

out through pulley blocks anchored to stumps at the far end of the cut. #

Skyline A skyline is the wikt:outline, outline or shape viewed near the horizon. It can be created by a city's overall structure, or by human intervention in a rural area, rural setting, or in nature that is formed where the sky meets buildings or the ...

, in which a carriage, pulled by hauling cables, runs along a skyline cable, providing vertical lift to the logs. There are other varieties of loading systems as well. While skyline logging requires additional setup, the vertical lift of the skyline allows faster yarding, which can outweigh the additional labor costs, especially on larger harvest units. Since the 1980s grapple

yarders A yarder is piece of logging equipment that uses a system of cables to pull or fly logs from the stump to a collection point. It generally consists of an engine, drums, and spar, but has a range of configurations and variations, such as the swing ...

have become popular. Skyline and grapple yarding, however, require more complex, and expensive equipment. A traditional high lead or gravity system will function with just two cables, a skidding line. As the names imply the skidding line is used to drag the logs in, and the haulback line is used to drag the skidding line back out for the next turn (or group of logs). A skyline system will add a third line---the skyline whose function is to hold the skidding line and the haulback line off the ground or 'in the sky'. The yarder itself is located on a landing, a flat area on top of the ridge that is being logged. After the trees are retrieved by the yarder, the limbs are bucked (removed) and the logs are then placed in piles awaiting transport.

Manufacturers

Valentini
Italy
Greifenberg
Italy
Cable grue Larix
Czech Republic
Mayr Melnhof ForestTechnik
Austria
Madill
Sidney, British Columbia

Videos

Forest cableways installed on an agricultural tractor
(YouTube)

References

Log transport Logging {{Forestry-stub

Manufacturers

Videos

See also

References