Whether you're clearing land, felling trees, or moving logs, the right attachments can make all the difference. When you're working with excavators, skid steers, tracked trucks, or wheel loaders, having the right tools for the job keeps things efficient, safe, and—let’s face it—less frustrating. Let’s break down the essential forestry and logging attachments to use with your equipment, in the order you'll likely use them, so you can get to work without a hitch.
1. Mulchers
Before you even think about taking down trees, you’ve got to clear the underbrush. That’s where mulchers come in. These bad boys grind up small trees, brush, and shrubs into mulch, leaving the ground ready for the heavy lifting. Whether you’re using a skid steer or an excavator, a mulcher gets rid of the mess quickly so you can get access to the worksite and move on to bigger tasks.
Best For: Land clearing, undergrowth management
Machines: Skid steers and excavators
2. Brush Cutters
After you’ve mulched through the smaller stuff, you’ll need a brush cutter to tackle thicker vegetation. These attachments slice through tougher brush and saplings with ease, making sure you’ve got a clear path to the bigger trees. Brush cutters are perfect when you need to take out thick overgrowth before getting into the heavy felling work.
Best For: Cutting through thick brush and smaller trees
Machines: Skid steers and excavators
3. Tree Pullers & Tree Shears
Now we’re getting to the trees. If you're looking to remove smaller trees by the root, a tree puller is the tool for the job. It grabs the trunk and pulls the entire tree, roots and all. For a cleaner, faster cut, a tree shear gets it done by slicing through the trunk, taking down medium-sized trees quickly.
Best For: Uprooting or cutting down medium-sized trees
Machines: Skid steers and excavators
4. Felling Heads & Harvesting Heads
For the big trees, it’s all about the felling heads and harvesting heads. These attachments are designed to grab, cut, and then either drop or process large trees. Harvesting heads, in particular, can strip branches and cut logs to length right on the spot, making the whole process quicker and more efficient.
Best For: Cutting and processing large trees in a single motion
Machines: Excavators
5. Log Forks (Wheel Loaders & Skid Steers)
Once the trees are down, it’s time to start moving them. A log fork is your go-to for picking up and stacking logs, especially if you’re using a wheel loader. These forks let you grab multiple logs at once, keeping the operation moving smoothly. Whether you’re loading logs onto trucks or piling them up for further processing, log forks keep things efficient.
Best For: Moving and stacking logs
Machines: Wheel Loaders and Skid Steers
6. Grapples (Wheel Loaders & Excavators)
When you’re handling logs, stumps, or brush, a grapple is one of the most versatile attachments you can have. Grapples clamp down securely on materials, making it easier to move and load them. Whether you’re picking up a pile of logs or grabbing large branches, this attachment makes hauling heavy materials safer and faster.
Best For: Handling large logs, stumps, and brush with precision
Machines: Wheel Loaders and Excavators
SHOP GRAPPLES
Why Matching the Right Attachment to Your Machine Matters
Before you run out and grab these attachments, make sure they’re compatible with your machine. Skid steers, excavators, and wheel loaders all have different hydraulic and power requirements, and using the right size of attachment is key. While larger attachments can sometimes fit smaller machines, you'll need adequate hydraulic flow and counterweight to balance the load. Some setups may also require a three-way valve to optimize flow control and attachment performance.
SANY, for example, makes this a bit easier by including standard two-way auxiliary hydraulics on several of their machines. On models like the SY35 and above, you can add a three-way valve and achieve continuous flow, enabling you to run a wide range of attachments—though some, like felling heads, may still need a larger machine for full performance.
Check each attachment’s flow ratings and capacity requirements to ensure you're not straining your equipment or sacrificing performance. Getting the right match means your machine won’t just handle the job; it’ll do it efficiently and safely.
Choose the Right Tools, Get the Job Done Faster
Forestry and logging require the right attachments, and by using each one in the order they’re needed, you can streamline your operation. Whether you’re clearing brush, felling trees, or stacking logs, having the right tools for your skid steer, excavator, or wheel loader makes all the difference.
Got questions about which attachment is right for your machine? Give us a shout, and we’ll walk you through it.