When it comes to harvesting trees, few machines are as productive as a feller buncher. Capable of cutting and gathering multiple trees at once, this machine category is a game changer. Though it’s easy to be efficient in the driver’s seat of one of these, the competitive nature of the logging industry demands feller buncher operators do everything they can to maximize productivity. Our machinery experts at Papé Machinery, Construction and Forestry have put together a few of the most important pieces of information to remember on your next job.
1) MAKE SURE THE EQUIPMENT IS SUITED TO THE TERRAIN.
Knowing the area you’ll be working in is important, but knowing whether or not your feller buncher can handle it is even more so. Things to consider include how soft the terrain will be and whether you will be working on relatively flat ground or a steep slope. Different machines work best in different conditions and using the wrong one can present major safety hazards on top of productivity issues. Ask an expert about your machine to make sure it’s suited for the place you’ll be working and consider renting a piece of equipment more suited if your current feller buncher isn’t the best match.
2) MAKE SURE THE EQUIPMENT IS SUITED TO THE TREE STEM SIZE.
Trees vary in diameter and so do feller buncher cutting heads. For both productivity and safety reasons, choose the right size cutting head to match the job, whether you’re working with big trees or small, crowded growths or lone trunks. We can help you determine the best cutting head for the job at hand and fit it to your machine.
3) UPDATE TO NEWER EQUIPMENT IF YOURS IS OUTDATED.
If your feller buncher is getting up there in hours, it’s probably a good idea to stop by your local John Deere dealer location to see if a newer piece of forest equipment can help you improve productivity and your bottom line. John Deere makes additions and upgrades to its forestry equipment every year including better hose housings, extended boom reaches, updated boom structures and more modern and efficient cooling systems. To check out a new feller buncher for sale with upgrades like these, visit any of our Papé Machinery, Construction and Forestry locations.
4) UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY LIKE JOHN DEERE FORESTSIGHT™
One of the many reasons we’re proud to carry John Deere is their commitment to advanced technology. John Deere ForestSight™ is included with all new John Deere forestry equipment and it helps give owners and operators a better picture of machine usage to optimize your productivity across your fleet. It also connects your equipment to your John Deere dealer so that we can make sure your equipment is maintained as needed to prevent costly downtime. Another impressive feature is the TimberNavi™ for jobsite mapping and increased visibility. Stop by anytime for a full demo of how it all works.
Taking the above steps will help ensure you are maximizing productivity and keeping ahead of the competition. To speak with our equipment experts about our John Deere forestry equipment and technology solutions, visit our nearby Papé Machinery, Construction & Forestry locations.
