Walking Forest Machine

Space.com ^ | 7/31/02 | Space.com

[Brett66]

Tech Today: Walking Forest Machine

Here's an invention whose appearance could give Dr. Seuss's tree-hugging character the Lorax a heart attack.

Looking for all the world like a giant robotic ant or scorpion, Plustech's Walking Forest Machine is a 21st century lumberjack's dream. A sophisticated artificial intelligence controls the legs, carrying the operator over all sorts of terrain. It can reach timber on steep slopes or in soft soil that would mire wheeled vehicles. Timber that would normally be inaccessible can now be scouted and harvested.

But despite its fearsome appearance, the Walking Machine is actually meant to be environmentally friendly.

By giving the modern Paul Bunyon access to the deep woods, he can select only the most mature plants and leave younger growth standing. In practice this could mean no more clear-cutting of forests, more consistency in the quality of commercial lumber, and no unsightly tire tracks left behind.

Indeed, tires cause a good deal of damage on their own. Tires crush tree roots and young plants, and pack the soil down so hard that new growth in the ruts has little chance. Walking Machines can gingerly step around roots and young trees, and the crane can reach for trees dozens of feet away.

So maybe it's Babe the Blue Ox who should be scared -- of losing his job.

[Brett66]

I want one with missile launchers and .50 cal machine guns.

[Junior]

LumberTech!

[boris]

"I want one with missile launchers and .50 cal machine guns."

Bolo, Mark I.

[another cricket]

Never again would you have to hunt for a parking spot. Just pick the spot you want and use the crane to remove whatever might be in your way.

a.cricket

[SteveH]

I think what America wants to know is ... can it fit 4 kids and soccer gear?

And does it come with leather seats, A/C, and wraparound 300 watt stereo?

[crz]

Saw it work! It works alright..but then they came in to pick up the wood with a rubber tired machine..LOL!
Then the cost...I would guess it'll run around a cool million bucks or a tad less. So you got a million dollar machine producing 10 cent wood.
Lets see...at 95 bucks a cord delivered to the mill...minus 50 bucks a cord stumpage ave. Then average 20 bucks a cord to truck it. 10 bucks a cord to have an operator. That leaves 15 for the Fuel, maintainence, Inland marine equipment insurance, Workers Comp insurance, Social Security, UC insurance...and the payment...which will be around 15 to 20 grand a month...because financiers wont finance a piece of forestry equipment beyond 5 years. YUP! No doubt its a money maker. So if you produce a whopping 60 cords a day at a grand total of 5 bucks a cord (if lucky it'll be that much) after expenses..thats 300 bucks a day=1500 a week and 6 grand a month. Still think it'll make money? Those around here that have gone to the Ponsse packages are in trouble..5-600 grand and a pile of headaches. I like to sleep at night. I'll stick with my cheap good used equipment.

[Gorzaloon]

Saw it work! It works alright..but then they came in to pick up the wood with a rubber tired machine..LOL! Then the cost...I would guess it'll run around a cool million bucks or a tad less. So you got a million dollar machine producing 10 cent wood.

Nothing beats an elephant for skidding teak logs out of the jungle. And it has two less legs, and is probably a lot cheaper...and works for peanuts.. yuk yuk.

[humblegunner]

Earth First!

We'll pave the rest later.

[sleavelessinseattle]

WOW...I was talking about getting a Bobcat for Xmas...
holy Frijole!

[2Trievers]

What happened to His & Her chainsaws? &;-)

[tictoc]

What about us?

[2Trievers]

And US?