If you’re in the market for a new timber cutting machine, there are many factors to consider. You should know that a new machine will cost between $340,000 and $500,000, including shipping and installation. But if you’re an experienced woodworker, a new machine will make your life easier. It will help you sell 140,000 additional pieces of wood per year. While variable costs make up roughly 60% of total sales, these expenses are relatively inexpensive compared to other capital investments.
There are several types of log cutters on the market. Among these are the tracked log cutter and the short-log self-loader. Both machines have an automated cutting head and on-board computer for precise log cutting. Unlike a conventional log cutter, a short-log self-loader is designed for thinning. It cuts small trees, often in controlled directions, into logs. Some of these machines have computer-optimized cutting, and the tracked model is suitable for working on moderately sloping terrain.
A feller buncher is another type of timber cutting machine. A feller buncher can work in both clearcuts and thinnings. It also minimizes damage to residual stands. It’s an efficient tool for removing biomass, but it’s not a true processing machine. Instead, it must be paired with other machines to make the most of the harvested material. If you plan to use the stems, the feller buncher is the ideal option.
