In the forestry industry there are more and more options for equipment on the market every year. The global market has created opportunities to buy equipment from manufacturers even outside of the United States, but the American made feller buncher attachment models certainly have the ability to compete with models from anywhere else in the world.
If you are trying to compare different feller buncher attachment options, there are four major issues that need to be considered. This will allow you to choose the right attachment to work with your needs.
Price and Budget
The price of the feller buncher attachment is going to be a consideration, but that doesn’t mean you should be willing to compromise just to fit in a budget line. It may be beneficial to adjust the budget to accommodate a superior option that will be more effective and efficient, actually resulting in increased productivity over the life of the attachment.
Consider all associated costs including taxes, shipping and if there will be any modifications needed to your current equipment to operate the feller buncher attachment.
Size and Use with Existing Equipment
All of these attachments will have a maximum cutting size. However, it is not always efficient to choose the feller buncher attachment with the maximum cutting range if you have equipment already available to handle larger timber.
Taking a close look at the size you need for the replacement attachment and comparing it to how it will work with your existing tractors and equipment will be a critical factor. A smaller feller buncher may be more cost effective and more efficient, especially for use in residential and commercial land clearing requirements.
Features and Differences
There are many different features that manufacturers build into the design of their attachments. Important considerations will be the ease of installing the attachment on your equipment, the ability to work on boom machines or with drive-to-tree bunchers, and the ability for the operator to use the attachment in a 360° radius.
Visibility will be a big factor for most operators with a feller buncher attachment, and some of the solid designs leave areas where the operator has limited to no visibility, which is a concern in confined areas or when preserving vegetation is critical and constant equipment movement is not an option.
By reviewing the differences between various feller buncher attachment models, designs and options, you will find the one that is right for your needs. Remember to also consider the cost of maintenance, the reputation of the company, and the ease of finding replacement components.