A Beginner's Guide To Log Loaders
Log loaders are a popular piece of equipment in the forestry and landscaping industries. They offer the power and performance needed to transport heavy logs around the work site and get them onto their next destination.
Keep reading to learn more about these useful machines, then visit Cascade Trader to shop log loaders for sale. Our dealership is based in Chehalis, Washington, and we also serve those in Olympia.
The Purpose Of Log Loaders
Once trees have been cut into logs, they will need to be loaded onto a vehicle that will transport them elsewhere. Manually lifting these heavy pieces of wood can be time consuming and exhausting, even when pulleys and ramps are utilized. Insert: the log loader.
Log loaders are built to stack and load pre-cut loads onto the truck. They can handle a high number of logs in a short amount of time, boosting productivity and efficiency. They also make the work much easier than it would be to do by hand!
The Log Loader Carrier Base
The carrier base influences the equipment's stability and agility. There are three main carrier base designs.
Wheeled Design
This is a standalone machine that uses wheels.
- Pro: quick maneuvering around the work site.
- Con: not as sturdy.
Tracked Design
This is a standalone machine that uses tracks.
- Pro: impressive stability.
- Con: slower and more expensive.
Trailer Mounted Design
This gets put into place using another machine.
- Pro: most affordable option.
- Con: must remain in place during the project, which means logs must be placed within the machine's reach.
The Log Loader Grapple Options
Log loaders can come with various grapple designs, which are tailored to suit different project needs.
Bunching Grapples
These are made with wide tongs for handling multiple items. One type of bunching grapple is a pulpwood grapple. This design is lighter duty and made for handling short wood.
Log Grapples
These are designed for handling tree length material. They are more heavy-duty and often used in loading, delimbing, and yarding projects.
Butt-N-Top Grapples
These have a heel mounted on each side of the grapple, which helps give better control over the items. They are used for tree length material in sorting and bunching.
One type of log loader, a boom type loader, often has a heel that is made to both protect the boom and add control over the end of the log.
Need help finding the right model? The experts at Cascade Trader are here to help. We carry a range of log loaders for sale and can help you select the right model for your needs. Reach out today or stop by our dealership in Chehalis, Washington. We also proudly serve those in Olympia, Washington.