How to Make Money by Cutting Down Trees?

With the emergence of various tree cutting and processing technologies, the business idea of tree felling seems highly promising. The problem is simple - trees keep growing, so cutting them down regularly is necessary. Despite the existence of specialized tree transplanting machines, cutting down old trees remains a challenge.

However, conventional methods involving an operator with a chainsaw:

• are inefficient;
• pose safety risks;
• are quite costly - requiring at least 2 people and lifting equipment.

Additional difficulties arise when working in confined spaces, urban areas, or densely planted tree settings.

Modern Approach

Technological progress is advancing. Leading the way in designing and creating tree felling machines are countries with active logging industries, as well as companies focusing on quality and material efficiency. By the way, transplanting trees is not just a worthwhile alternative to felling but also a niche in the business world.

In the 20th century, the timber industry was driven by people wielding saws, axes, and wedges. Today's efficient timber industry relies on versatile, multifunctional, and effective harvesters. Felling, processing the trunk, and loading can take just minutes, requiring only one operator working in comfortable conditions.

In 1973, Finland was among the first to introduce a versatile harvester design that could perform multiple trunk operations simultaneously:

• cutting;
• cleaning the trunk of branches;
• loading ready timber or sorting logs on the ground.

The improved version of the first harvester was named PIKA 75 (1975). This equipment was dubbed the "Forest Butcher" because it could handle a week's worth of logging volume in just one hour. The timber was processed efficiently, sorted on-site, reducing time lost in logistical processes.

Investing in machinery for tree manipulations, logging, or processing trunks is a promising and profitable idea.

Tree Felling Methods

To choose the most functional logging machine, it's essential to determine the types of felling methods:

• Whole tree felling with a lean - traditional method involving felling the tree to the ground. Suitable for isolated trees but may damage surrounding objects.
  
  
  
  
• Complete tree removal with skidding - a rope is fixed on the trunk to control the falling direction. This increases work safety but requires additional equipment.
  
  
  
  
• Laying the tree on a "railing" - used when a neighboring tree can provide support.
• Segmenting tree cutting - suitable for urban settings, involving cutting the trunk into small segments.
  
  
  
  Limited by higher wood waste.
• Hanging tree removal - for cutting expensive wood species or preventing damage to nearby structures. The climber ascends the trunk to prepare it for the final cut.
  
  
  
  
• Removing protruding branches or knots - requires a manipulator for safe and easy access.
  
  
• Thinning - partial branch removal, e.g., to clear paths for power lines.
  
  
• Tree removal using specialized equipment - bulldozers, tractors, even helicopters.
  
  
• Felling of broken or damaged trees - a high-risk task requiring expertise.
  
  
• Stump removal or grinding - a promising business idea rarely implemented in the region.
  
  
  
  Stump removal currently involves excavating or grinding the roots.
• Tree grubbing - removing stumps along with roots.

Tree Felling by Machines

This logging method eliminates manual labor, minimizes risks, and boosts operational efficiency exponentially. The concept is straightforward - a harvesting machine is acquired to perform most operations. This preserves valuable timber, enables heavy-duty tasks, and extends the operational range from the base.

Types of tree felling devices:

• Felling-bundling machines (FBM) - they trim the trunk and bundle it as the machine moves.
  
  
  
  Typically built on crawler-based machinery (excavators, tractors, bulldozers), with a 180-degree rotating base for wide reach. A harvester with an independent diesel power unit or electric drive is mounted on the boom, featuring metal clamps with saws for cutting. The operator positions the equipment near the trunk, guides the clamps, fixes the tree, and initiates cutting.
• Felling-skidding machines (FSM) - used for wood sorting and skidding tree trunks.
  
  
  
  Different from FBM by the rear-mounted harvester mechanism for better operator visibility. A log trailer is loaded with cut trunks and pulled behind. To ease movement through forests, the machine can have a bulldozer blade in front.

Domestic examples of logging machinery include:

• FBM LP-19 B (EO-4121)
• FSM LP-17 A (TB-1)
• FSM LP-49 (TT-4)
• FBM LP60-01A
• FSM VM-4B (TT-4M)
• FBM LP-54 (TT-4)

International counterparts include:

• John Deere H414;
• Ponsse Ergo 8w;
• Eco Log 590D with Kesla 28RH;
• Prentice 210D;
• Caterpillar 521, 522, 550;
• Tigercat 720E.

Having quality equipment enhances logging efficiency, reduces time for clearing areas, and simplifies logistics. These machines can serve both on-site logging needs and be rented out to logging companies.

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