A leader in heli-logging innovation, Air-Crane has developed a revolutionary method of retention harvesting that involves pulling standing tree stems up and out of the forest with no damage to the tree or surrounding area.

Standing Stem Harvesting involves the S-64 Aircrane using a hydraulic grapple with two shackles welded to the frame allowing the grapple to be suspended horizontally.

The horizontal grapple grabs the stem where it stands as the Aircrane pulls and snaps the tree off at the precut points.

This Air-Crane devised method has been used with great success in harvesting operations along the British Columbia mainland coast where the scenic value of the land must be maintained. In these areas, it is nearly impossible to tell that there has been any harvesting at all.

Benefits of Standing Stem

No Skidding - Timber is lifted vertically and flown out rather than skidded across the forest floor which results in far less damage to adjacent stands of trees, soil, and riparian areas resulting in a healthier forest environment.

Substantial cost savings are achieved by minimizing the need for road development, reducing the costs of falling, loading, and hauling the timber.

No conditional limitations - The S-64 Aircrane is not bound by limitations of conventional logging practices, through the use of irregular cut block boundaries patterned for the environment rather than the machinery, the visual impact concerns are significantly reduced, preserving the natural beauty of our forests.

Standing Stem Harvesting is a proven alternative in areas where roads are not feasible or sections that are not conducive to falling.

The AirCrane minimizes breakage by using its powerful grapple to snap a prepared stem off of it's stump and bring the entire length to the landing.

Standing Stem provides versatility in forestry planning and minimizes environmental impact.

Hydraulic Grapple System

Canadian Air-Crane uses a highly successful hydraulic grapple system for the S-64 Aircrane that has greatly enhanced the non-intrusive nature of helicopter timber harvesting.

The grapple operates from aircraft hydraulic power to open and close the jaws within 3 seconds exercising over 42,000 pounds (19,000 kg) of pressure to keep the logs secure as they are pulled up and out of the forest floor.

The grapple has been used extensively on conventional helicopter timber harvesting operations across British Columbia and in the Pacific Northwestern United States.