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Mechanization for forestry transport
Page 31
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• New methods of saving labour and speeding up the handling of logs on site have recently been demonstrated to representatives of the Forestry Commission and other interested parties by Multilift Ltd, 292 Monkmoor Road, Shrewsbury. The operation took place at a forest area in the Welsh mountains above Cerrig-y-Druidion.
The prime movers employed were a Scania and a Redline Mastiff, the former having the Multilift 16-ton equipment and the latter the 12-ton version. Drawbar trailers were attached in both cases.
The Multilift system employs a tipping sub-frame which is elevated for the purpose of loading and unloading, the demountable body sliding down the inclined plane under the control of a pair of cab-operated cables actuated by a hydraulic unit. When the back reaches the ground the vehicle is inched forward, the body, which is still
• under control, descending to the horizontal position.
For the purpose of forestry work what is described as a loading bed has been introduced, this making it possible to pre-stack in readiness for transportation. Where the logs are being stacked a longitudinal foundation, usually baulks of timber, must be provided, the pile then being arranged in lots corresponding to the length of the loading bed to be used.
The timber loading bed, which is.a very reasonably priced unit as compared with full bodywork. is carried on the collection vehicle. On arrival at the site the bed is dropped on to the ground behind the pile of logs then being backed beneath the pile. The rear support of the bed is placed in position and the load secured. The end supports of the pile are then removed and the loaded bed is pulled on to the frame by the Multilift equipment.
The demonstration showed that the whole operation could be quickly and easily handled. 'Figures quoted in connection with extended tests gave an average of 15min per load for the driver working alone to go through the full cycle. For driver and mate the average was 1 1 min per load. Fractionally quicker times may be achieved by the use of the more expensive interchangeable platforms.
The system described is employed by important paper mills in Finland where it is customary for the drawbar trailer to be disconnected and left at the point where the outfit departs from the public road.
The Multilift unit continues into the forest to pick up one load which is standing ready. On the return to the trailer the load ed bed is moved horizontally by the Multilift equipment on to the trailer. Back in the forest, the prime mover collects its own load, picks up the trailer when rejoining the public road and continues to destination.
When installed on the chassis the full 16-ton Multilift equipment reduces the total payload by only 27cwt.