Effective Collaboration with a Machine Operator Begins with Planning

A big part of forestry is being able to collaborate with other people. Especially when large machines are involved, a good collaboration with the machine operator can make a huge difference.

To understand how to achieve the best collaboration with your machine operator, we spoke with Anders Brunstad Haarbye.

The Clock Starts Ticking When the Engine Starts

Anders usually begins his day around 5 or 6 in the morning, depending on whether he needs to meet a forest manager or head straight to the forest. This highlights the first step in achieving good collaboration with your machine operator:

“The clock starts ticking when I turn on the engine. If there’s a clear task and work description, I can get straight to work. But if I have to spend a lot of time figuring out details like where the trees should go or where the tracks should be, then I’m still on the clock,” Anders explains.

With his background as a forestry and nature technician and 10 years of experience as a machine operator, Anders is well-equipped to handle any task. But planning ahead helps both the forest manager and the forest owner save money and ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Planning is Key to Successful Collaboration

During our chat with Anders, one word kept coming up: planning. It’s very easy to see that Anders is someone who genuinely loves his job.

As a child, watching his father work as a construction contractor inspired Anders to pursue a similar path.

With a deep passion for his job, Anders is committed to doing it well. He explains that careful planning by the forest manger makes collaboration much smoother, especially when there are backup plans for unexpected changes.

“For example, we had a task to make wood chips where the treetops were meant to stay on the forest floor for later transport. However, because we had to protect many small, self-seeded trees, this wasn’t possible. We had a Plan B ready if there wasn’t enough space on the forest floor. Instead, I had to sort the branches and cut the timber into 3-metre lengths,” he says.

When the machine operator knows both Plan A and Plan B, the task becomes easier to manage, and everyone saves time in the forest.

Update the Machine Operator on Certifications and Requirements

The requirements for forestry work keep growing and growing – this includes limits on thinning buffer zones, protecting habitats, and managing ground pressure.

That’s why it’s important for the forest manager to fully brief the machine operator about the specific requirements for the forest they’ll be working in.

“If I’m working in a certified forest, I need to know the rules. If there’s a spot check and I’m not informed, I could face a warning or a fine,” Anders explains.

He points out that there is a big difference in how well forest managers prepare him. But if you’re a forest manager yourself, seeking to ensure your machine operator has the best conditions to work, you must give them all the necessary information about the forest’s requirements.

The Future is Digital for Machine Operators

Forestry work is becoming increasingly more digital. With increasing demands for documentation, area overviews, and knowledge of different forest sections, traditional methods are falling short.

Machine operators need to adapt to these changes. Fortunately, to our excitement here at Forsler, Anders is a big fan of digital solutions:

“Sometimes I get a map with hand-made scribbles that I’m not sure are right. This leads me to spending half an hour finding the correct location. But with Forsler, I just drive to section 75A, see that the dot on the map is accurate, and start working. Simple and efficient,” he concludes.

To sum up our conversation with Anders, here are a few tips for forest managers to improve collaboration with their machine operators:

• Make sure you have a clear task description before the machine operator arrives.
• Have both Plan A and Plan B ready in case Plan A doesn’t work out.
• Inform your machine operator about the certifications and requirements for your forest.