Summary
Forestry sites often need compact machinery due to terrain, crop size, or environmental limits. This guide offers clear advice for selecting small (3–6t) and mini (under 2.5t) harvesting and extraction equipment. It covers pedestrian-controlled systems, ride-on machines, mini forwarders, and more.
The report explains key safety laws like:
- the Health and Safety at Work Act (HASWA)
- the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)
- the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)
It highlights the importance of Roll Over Protection (ROPS), Falling Object Protection (FOPS), and Operator Protection (OPS). It also stresses the need for proper training, site risk assessments, and using operator manuals.
A reference table helps users compare machines by weight, power, terrain suitability, and safety features. The guide does not endorse specific brands but gives practical tools to help users make safe, informed choices.
