The ATV, the Universal Platform Trailer and the Log Trailer are the small forest farmer's trusted companions
What kind of equipment makes a forest farmer's work go most smoothly? Sami, who is responsible for forest management on the family farm in the village of Pappinten, shares his own experience of what kind of equipment is most effective in completing forestry work.
In Joutsa, the village of Pappinten, there is a lovely forest farm of approximately 15 hectares, managed by Sami Mäkinen . It is the family farm built by Sami's girlfriend in the 1930s, and there is plenty to do all year round.
There is plenty of work to do , especially in spring and autumn, which are the high season for forest clearing in Sami. In addition, collecting windfalls and transporting firewood, goods and soil are basic tasks in a rural environment.
A four-wheel drive ATV is enough to pull the vehicle.
The equipment must be in good condition if you want to get the job done efficiently. Sami has a four-wheel drive ATV on the farm, which serves as both a means of transportation and a draft animal for forestry work. People often wonder whether a tractor should be considered for more professional use. According to Sami's experience, an ATV can go a long way, as long as you remember to pay attention to certain features when choosing an ATV.
“For a farm of this size, I have found a rigid rear-axle four-wheel drive ATV to be an excellent choice. It is agile and does not leave unpleasant marks on the yard, but it is not that good with a heavier load. We have a Honda with an engine of over 500 cc, the power of which has been excellent for our needs. The power steering has also been a joy to drive off-road. In addition to these things, when choosing an ATV, it is worth paying attention to durability and quality,” says Sami.
With the help of the universal pallet truck and the log truck, things go smoothly.
Sami has acquired an Ultratec Universal Flatbed Trailer anda Logging Trailer to accompany his ATV . Among the accessories he has is a Chainsaw Stand , which makes it easy to transport a chainsaw, and a Road Grader , which can be easily attached to the Universal Flatbed Trailer for road maintenance.
“I use the log cart most during the off-season, in spring and autumn. The log cart is the best companion for bringing energy wood out of the forest. It also makes it easy to transport more substantial timber,” says Sami.
“The universal platform cart, on the other hand, acts as an all-rounder, as its name suggests. I use it to transport firewood, garbage, soil and sometimes even furniture. The universal platform cart also works well when going out for forestry work, as it travels well on terrain and can hold saws, fuel and snacks. The universal platform cart is in active use all year round,” adds Sami.
Ease of use influences the purchase decision
Sami has been using Ultratec carts for about three years now. Greasing the handles has been enough so far, so no special maintenance has been needed. It's nice to hear that Ultratec carts have served Sami faithfully. From what we've heard, they 've also considered purchasing a Logging Cart . That's a clever solution for picking up longer tree trunks!
“For me, ease of use and functionality are the most important factors in my purchasing decision. I would prefer something made in Finland, but practicality and durability come first. Of course, it’s a plus if the products also look good. It’s nice that Ultratec’s products have been able to offer all these features,” summarizes Sami.
