Feller Buncher Operating Tips

Feller bunchers are highly efficient harvesters that can cut and gather multiple trees at once. When used properly, these machines can give your operation a serious productivity boost. This guide from Cascade Trader can help you make the most of your equipment. If you are still in the market for a feller buncher, come shop with us in Chehalis, WA.

First Steps

In addition to obtaining the certification needed to operate a feller buncher, you should study the operator’s manual provided with your equipment. This manual will cover everything specific to your model. Before you fire up your feller buncher, make sure you are wearing all the necessary personal protective equipment. This includes a hard hat with eye and ear protection, durable work gloves, and safety boots.

Staying Safe on Slopes

Your ability to climb slopes is going to be largely determined by whether you have a tracked or wheeled feller buncher. Tracked machines with self-leveling cabs can handle slopes up to 50%. Without a self-leveling cab, you can safely operate on slopes up to 40%. Wheeled models should be restricted to inclines below 25%.

Working in Different Soil Condition

Different feller bunchers are also going to perform differently depending on the soil conditions at your worksite. Because tracked machines have lower ground pressure, they are less likely to cause rutting and compaction in wet ground. If you have a wheeled model, you can upgrade it with dual tires or high flotation tires that can more easily handle wet conditions.

Handling Trees of Different Sizes

Trees vary in diameter, of course, and it’s important to equip your feller buncher with the appropriate cutting head for the task at hand. Using the wrong size cutting head can impair safety and reduce productivity, so you should always be prepared to switch cutting heads if needed.

Staying on Top of Maintenance

A feller buncher can seem like an indestructible powerhouse of a machine, but every piece of heavy equipment needs regular upkeep to stay in good working order. Be sure to follow your manufacturer’s guidelines for maintaining your feller buncher, which can be found in your operator’s manual. Some everyday maintenance tasks might include lubricating the grease points, clearing debris, and checking the track tension or tire pressure.

Upgrading Your Equipment

If your feller buncher is not keeping up with the demands of your business, it might be time to invest in a newer model. Major brands in the equipment industry make improvements to their lineup each year, and feller bunchers in particular have made significant strides in recent years. When you’re ready to shop for a feller buncher with all the latest and greatest features, you can head over to Cascade Trader in Chehalis, WA. We welcome customers from all over the region of Olympia, WA.