This month’s Buyer’s Guide takes a look at some of the timber trailers and cranes on the market that are ideal for smaller thinnings, forwarding and estate maintenance.
VAHVA JUSSI
IN the heart of forestry innovation lies the Vahva Jussi range of low-impact forestry trailers. Offering versatility, durability, and affordability, these trailers stand as a testament to modern forestry practices. With capacities ranging from 1.5 to 3 tonnes and a variety of crane options, Vahva Jussi trailers are engineered to meet the diverse needs of forestry professionals.
One of the standout features of Vahva Jussi trailers is their exceptional price-to-quality ratio. Despite their high-quality construction and advanced features, these machines are offered at prices that won’t break the bank. This affordability makes them accessible to a wide range of forestry professionals, from independent contractors to larger operations.
The flexibility of Vahva Jussi trailers is evident in their design options. Available with 4WD, steering drawbars, and braked options, these trailers can be tailored to suit specific job requirements. Whether navigating rough terrain or manoeuvring in tight spaces, Vahva Jussi trailers deliver superior performance and control.
Hydraulic power is another key feature of Vahva Jussi trailers, with multiple power source options available. Whether powered by a Honda petrol engine, tractor hydraulics, or an independent PTO pump, these trailers offer the versatility to adapt to different equipment setups and power sources.
Manufactured in Estonia with precision engineering, Vahva Jussi trailers uphold the highest standards of quality. These trailers are readily available to forestry professionals across the country. Starting from just £6,995 + VAT for a trailer and crane combination, Vahva Jussi offers unbeatable value for money.
For those in need of a trailer without a crane, Vahva Jussi also offers options for towing behind mini excavators.
For more information, contact UK importer Jonathan Latham: www.used-tractor.co.uk
FUELWOOD
FTG
INVESTING in a forestry trailer is no small decision, but with Fuelwood’s range of FTG brands, including Mowi, Moheda, and Källefall, you can rest assured that you’re making a wise choice. These trailers are synonymous with excellent steel quality and engineering capability and are particularly well-suited to the tough Nordic conditions.
For forwarding and timber yards, the FTG Källefall trailers offer a very affordable solution with 5- or 6-tonne-capacity trailers. Meanwhile, the FTG Mowi range offers a variety of trailers with 9-, 10-, 12-, and 15-tonne driven variants, and cranes comes equipped with unique patented features that are not found on any other forest crane. Plus, with the special bogie design with high ground clearance and smooth underside, you can easily navigate over logs and stones. The low centre of gravity and the long distance between the axles make the trailer stable when loading and unloading, even without the support legs down.
The Moheda Company, founded in 1835, has been producing forestry trailers since the 1960s and has built industry-leading expertise on how to build safe and sustainable quality trailers suited to the tough Nordic conditions. Today, the parent company is FTG, but the secret of how to build Sweden’s best forestry trailer has not been lost. Moheda’s powered trailers have the highest reputation in the Scandinavian market and are produced in 9-, 10-, 12-, and 15-tonne variants.
To ensure that its trailers meet your every requirement, Fuelwood offers a range of options for all three FTG ranges, including FTG cranes of various lengths, 4WD, hydraulic support legs, steering drawbars, extra bolsters and stakes, toolboxes, chainsaw holders, road lights, brakes, and wheel and tyre combinations to suit conditions of use.
JAS P WILSON
BOTEX
AT the core of Jas P Wilson’s comprehensive range of forestry and firewood machinery are its highly-regarded forestry trailers and loaders.
Its range has expanded following some big announcements in recent years – including new complimentary trailer and loader brands, which sit perfectly alongside renowned UK-made Botex products. This has been achieved by filling in any pre-existing gaps in the product portfolio with Kronos, Oniar and Krpan to provide even more choice.
Central to this portfolio of options remains Botex, which has seen multiple developments since 2023, with new models and control systems. And you can see one in action for yourself, as Jas P Wilson has two demo tractors and trailers, packed with the latest innovations, which have been working across the country since the start of 2024.
Botex products have been in a process of continual development for decades, improving suitability to the unique conditions of our domestic market, but in recent months this process has been greatly accelerated.
The time-served 500 series loaders have seen multiple developments, which have increased their capabilities over previous models. The largest model in the range is now the new 583 model, taking the place of the 580. In addition to a longer reach of up to 8.3 m using a double extension, this unit also packs the renowned Botex lifting capabilities – with the ability to handle over 2 tonnes close in.
This long-reach unit is often paired up with one of two things; either roof-mounted on a forestry-guarded Valtra tractor to create a versatile, compact tractor unit capable of either towing trailers, or working PTO machinery, or, if not roof mounted, it’s often fitted to one of Botex’s extending trailer units, either the XL-PRO 14, or the GR-15 “Bigfoot”. This trailer option provides a very capable machine, with both of these trailer units able to carry two bays of three-metre timber. The key difference to these trailers is their working areas – the XL-PRO has been designed to be a hybrid trailer, capable of forestry work, but also equally at home doing some road-haulage duties, whereas the Bigfoot, although very capable of road work, is far more at home travelling over challenging terrain – with longer bogie travel, and larger flotation tyres.
Call 01556 612233 and ask for Ian Brown for full details. www.jaspwilson.co.uk.
CLARK ENGINEERING
FAOFAR AND CRANAB
FAOFAR forestry trailers and Cranab crane equipment provide a professional combination that shares many characteristics of a purpose-built timber forwarder but has the useability and versatility of a tractor-and-trailer package.
Cranab products are world renowned, known for their quality and ability to meet the demands of the toughest forest work. With over 50 years of experience, Cranab products are well trusted in the forestry industry.
FaoFar is the largest privately owned Polish forestry machine producer. Due to the company’s dedication to quality and constant improvement, FaoFar is the professional choice when it comes to selecting a timber trailer.
With its roots in the production of agricultural equipment and forestry machines, its range is built to perfectly suit the Polish forestry environment. This dedication to custom-made products, designed for specific tasks and environments, has been carried forward to today in the design and manufacture of its forwarding trailers.
As such, the combination of FaoFar and Cranab means that any customer can expect superb performance, due to the highest quality materials and manufacturing processes being used during construction.
Attention to detail and vigorous testing that all products undergo result in a trailer and crane combination of quality, reliability and performance.
FaoFar offers trailers ranging from 6 tonnes capacity up to 15 tonnes capacity, with design features like a contoured high-clearance chassis, tapered streamlined bogeys, large contact stabiliser feet and Black Bruin drive motors, combined with Cranab cranes with reaches ranging from 6.5 to 10 m and fitted with Indexator rotators, control system and hydraulic components from Parker as standard.
FaoFar trailers are available in four-wheel drive, two-wheel drive and free running. FaoFar employ Black Bruin radial-piston drive motors on all driven trailers. Combined with a trailer-mounted PTO, driven load sensing hydraulic system, these motors provide the ultimate drive system for forestry trailers.
All FaoFar and Cranab installations are carried out at the Wm Clark workshops in Parkgate, Dumfries, by Clark engineers.
For further details, contact Clark Engineering on:
sales@clark-engineering.com
Telephone: 01387 860241
Web: www.clark-engineering.com
HIAB
LOGLIFT 125Z
GET ready to lift more than you thought possible. The Loglift 125Z opens new possibilities for increased payload, with the highest lifting capacity in class and optimum lift:weight ratio.
With its robust design and innovative technical features – like the SmartBase, Hi-Cab, and nDurance nanotechnology painting process — the Loglift 125Z upholds everything you have come to expect from the market’s most durable line of forestry cranes. Cranes in the Loglift Z-series fold up into the minimum possible amount of space. Moreover, they are licensed to meet European regulations as they should be – with the grapple on.
Visit www.hiab.com for more information.
KESLA
KESLA’S 325T loader was displayed for the first time at the Finnmetko exhibition, held in Finland in September 2022. The loader has excellent trajectories and can be adapted to the frame of a four- to six-cylinder tractor or to the drawbar of a Kesla 124–144 series timber trailer. With its robust construction, it is ready for heavy forestry.
The maximum outreach of the loader is 8.8 m and it has two extensions. The new loader can lift an enormous weight of 1,335 kg from 4 m and 560 kg from the maximum reach.
Operating pressure is 190 bar, which is compatible with most tractors. Recommended oil flow is 130 l/min.
Increased serviceability
Supporting and protective maintenance platforms have been installed on top of the new loader slewing mechanism, next to which the Kesla proC i switchboard and the hydraulic connection point of the operating valve have been integrated.
Access to the operating valve for maintenance is easier than before, as the valve cover opens like a bonnet. As usual, the operating valve is positioned at the base of the main boom, so that it does not interfere with visibility.
The outer boom’s hoses are placed inside, which minimises the risk of hose damage. There is a separate shelf for the outer boom’s hydraulic hoses, thanks to which there is no need to remove the boom or cylinders in the event of a hose failure.
Like in the 326T model, the hydraulic filtration of the Kesla 325T is at the base of the slew cylinders and the slewing device has sight glasses. Oil change is easy, lubrication possibilities are comprehensive as standard and hydraulic hose sectioning is in accordance with the wishes of professional users. Centralised lubrication is available as an option.
The new loader model is available with well-protected, more efficient working lights.
The new model is also available with the best range of links, rotators and heads on the market in its size class, with suitable options for every user.
FARMA
FARMA offers trailers for professional use, in several sizes.
Farma G2 are robust trailers in forwarder style, available in sizes T10, T12 and T14. As a user you are met by an innovative design and technical development that goes one step further.
Farma double-frame trailers are for users who need to transport large volumes and who use their trailer both on and off road. The double frame trailer is available in size T17.
Farma offers a wide range of crane sizes depending on the size of the trailer, where the T14 G2 and the T17 double frame can be equipped with the impressive C 10.2 X-CEL. Farma X-CEL is a brand-new series of affordable professional cranes, developed for demanding work, constructed in high-strength steel. All Farma trailers, no matter what size, can be equipped with Robson drive or hub drive from Black Bruin.
A Farma statement added: “Farma designs and produces most of the parts needed to build our products from scratch.”
Farma is built to be used and will withstand many years of wear and tear. High-strength steel is frequently used on the products. All products are enamelled with two-component paint that provides a gloss that lasts. The turnhouse withstands the demands of thousands of Farma users every day.
M LARGE TREE SERVICES
BMF
COUNTY Antrim-based forest machinery supplier M Large Tree Services is the sole authorised UK and Ireland distributor for the BMF range of timber trailers and cranes.
BMF began operating in 2001, and from 2006 the Estonian company has specialised in the manufacture of forest trailers and cranes. Estonia is a country where half of the territory is covered with forest, and long-term traditions in local forestry have created a good environment for designing and producing innovative and highly valued forest trailers and cranes. The product names of each BMF crane offer an indication of the varied reach available, ranging from the BMF430, with a 4.3-metre reach, all the way up to the mighty BMF1000HD with an impressive reach of 10 metres.
Its trailers are equally varied, with units suited to the requirements of hobby farmers as well as professional loggers, and load capacities ranging from 6 to 18 tonnes. Many of the models come in either ‘standard’ or ‘pro’ versions, with a multitude available for interested parties to peruse. BMF’s range of trailers has models to fit the requirements of any potential user.
Contact 028 9034 2838 or visit www.mlarge.com.
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