The A82 is a complex project that involves many technical skills from our workforce. Our techniques for this project will change depending on the site requirements. Technology we will use for this project includes: 

• conventional harvesting
• large scale Skylining
• safety fencing

Before harvesting

There are many things to consider before felling any trees along the A82. We work with civil engineers and geotechnical advisers to make sure the site is safe.

Civil engineering

A lot of civil engineering work needs to happen before we can do any harvesting. Our civil engineering teams will:

• improve entrances into the forest
• replace bridges
• upgrade forest roads
• build harvesting facilities such as tracks and stacking bays

Geotechnical engineering

Geotechnical engineering involves assessing the condition of the hill face. The process involves designing, installing and working on measures to secure slope stability. They also look at the safe removal of rock in support of timber harvesting on the steep ground. Appropriate measures include:

• rock catch fences
• netting
• bolts to secure the rock face
• anchors and geosynthetics (sheets of plastic mesh to help strengthen the hill face or drain soils)

 

During harvesting

Due to the complexity of the area we are using a hybrid approach to remove the trees along the A82. Our teams are adapting the type of techniques they are using depending on the steepness and terrain.

Conventional harvesting

Our teams will use our normal harvesting systems and machinery to fell trees. On less steep slopes, harvester teams (who cut the trees) and forwarder teams (who move them to the roadside for pick up) will use “wheeled” machines.

On steeper slopes a skyline winch and chainsaw teams will do the work. They will also use tracked harvesters, which can operate on steeper ground. 

Non-conventional harvesting

Skylining or 'cable ways' are familiar to people who worked in hill forestry 30 to 40 years ago. The amount of skyline harvesting carried out in Scotland has been in decline since the 1980's as greatly improved skidding tractors and forwarders capable of tackling easier hill terrain became available. From this point on the use of cableways began to diminish. 

Skylining

Forestry skyline systems in the UK often use a stationary winch and series of wire cables to move trees or logs to the roadside for processing and stacking.

There are two main types of skyline system

• The low level, which raises the front of the load enough to allow it free passage over obstacles.

and

• The fully or partially suspended skyline systems. This uses a locking carriage to hold the load in place and carry it over obstacles.

Skyline training

Training is essential for efficient and safe skyline work. It requires:

• special skills and a good understanding of the system
• the ability to assess and deal with the requirements of each individual situation
• skilled chainsaw operators who can fell large trees in difficult situations