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Forestry forwarders are among the most essential and capital-intensive machines in the UK forestry sector. As farming businesses, contractors, private estates, conservation bodies, and woodland owners expand their involvement in timber production, the demand for forwarders continues to rise. Yet with new machines often costing hundreds of thousands of pounds — and high-quality used models still commanding substantial prices — strategic financing is essential.
Gable Business Finance is a UK specialist in asset finance for forestry machinery, helping organisations acquire new and used forwarders without disrupting cashflow. With experience across forestry, agriculture, land management, utilities, construction and environmental sectors, Gable provides tailored solutions for businesses of all sizes — from smallholder woodland projects to large-scale commercial harvesting operations.
The UK forestry sector is undergoing rapid transformation. What was once dominated by specialist forestry contractors is now increasingly supported by farmers, diversified estates, environmental organisations, and private investors. This shift is reshaping the machinery market — particularly for forwarders.
Many UK farmers face volatile crop prices, rising input costs, and reduced subsidies post-Brexit. As a result, forestry and woodland creation have become attractive diversification options. A forwarder enables farmers and estates to:
This creates both a new income stream and long-term resilience.
Several incentives — such as the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) — have significantly increased the financial viability of converting land to woodland. More woodland means more extraction work, naturally increasing forwarder demand.
The UK imports more than 80% of its timber — making it one of the largest importers in the world. Domestic supply cannot meet demand, and prices have risen accordingly. Owning a forwarder allows operators to participate directly in this valuable supply chain.
Modern forwarders are more fuel-efficient, operator-friendly, and technologically advanced than ever before. For contractors facing skilled-labour shortages, ease of operation is crucial.
Forwarders support woodland management that contributes to:
For estates prioritising sustainability, investment in forestry equipment aligns with long-term land-use strategies.
These are the largest purchasers of both new and used forwarders. They require:
Used forwarders are extremely popular in this category due to their lower upfront cost with strong resale value.
These organisations oversee harvesting for private owners, estates, and institutional investors. Forwarders are essential for thinning, clear felling, and woodland restructuring.
Many large estates are expanding into commercial forestry. Some buy compact forwarders, while others subcontract out heavy extraction.
For operations involving small woodland parcels, ecological thinning, or sensitive ground, compact or lightweight forwarders are preferred.
Because they work in delicate habitats, these organisations may favour:
Forwarders are sometimes used for vegetation clearance along pipelines, power lines, and rail corridors.
As agroforestry grows in popularity, more small operations are purchasing compact forwarders to manage woodlands and generate timber income.
The UK forestry market blends heavy-duty Scandinavian and European engineering with versatile compact options. Below are the leading brands and commonly used models.
Known for world-class build quality and reliability. Popular across UK commercial forestry.
Strong dealer network and excellent resale value make JD a favourite.
Efficient and technically advanced, especially suitable for thinning.
Finnish-built, strong performance in wet or steep terrain.
Ideal for low-impact work and early thinning.
Gable Business Finance specialises in structuring finance for high-value forestry equipment. Because forwarders are long-life assets with strong resale value, they are ideal candidates for asset finance.
Ideal for businesses that intend to keep the forwarder long-term. Benefits include:
The forwarder is leased over an agreed period with lower monthly payments. At the end:
Great for short-term contracts or temporary fleet expansion.
Businesses turn an existing forwarder into working capital by refinancing it. Useful for:
Forestry income is seasonal — Gable structures payments around cashflow cycles.
A forwarder is the backbone of timber extraction. It allows safe, efficient movement of timber from stump to roadside, enabling landowners to monetise woodland assets and contractors to operate profitably.
Increasing domestic harvesting capacity reduces reliance on imports, supports rural employment, and strengthens the forestry supply chain — from sawmills to biomass plants.
Yes. Timber prices remain strong, forestry is expanding, and forwarders hold value well. Demand for wood products continues to outstrip supply, making this a resilient, inflation-hedged investment.
Absolutely. Many customers finance used machines between 5–20 years old. Robust build quality means used forwarders remain valuable and financeable.
Yes — Gable offers seasonal, annual, or deferred payment structures.
Yes. Compact units like Malwa, Alstor and tractor-trailer combinations are fully financeable.
A mixed farmer in Wales planted 40 acres of new woodland and purchased a used Komatsu 855 to extract thinning material and sell biomass. Gable arranged a 5-year HP with seasonal payments aligned with timber sales.
A new contractor required a reliable forwarder to enter the commercial market. Gable financed a used Rottne F10D with a low deposit to support growth.
A private estate purchased a Ponsse Buffalo to reduce outsourcing costs. Gable structured a 7-year finance lease with upgrade flexibility.
An arboricultural firm financed a compact Malwa 560F to handle selective thinning in sensitive habitats. A deferred-payment HP allowed income to build before regular payments commenced.
A large contractor replaced an old John Deere machine with a near-new Ponsse Elephant King. Gable used refinance on existing machinery to reduce the deposit.
A conservation charity purchased a low-impact forwarder for restoration work. Gable provided a finance lease with low monthly rentals, protecting donor funding.
A contractor responsible for power-line corridors financed a John Deere 1510G. Gable structured seasonal payments to reflect contract schedules.
A diversified farmer financed a used Logset 5F to offer extraction services to neighbouring farms. Gable approved finance despite limited forestry trading history.
A smallholder purchased a compact Alstor forwarder. Gable arranged a low-value asset finance plan with fixed monthly payments.
A major forestry company financed multiple Ponsse and Komatsu forwarders using a mix of HP and operating leases to structure tax efficiency and optimise fleet turnover.
Gable Business Finance specialises in forestry machinery finance — including forwarders, harvesters, skidders, tractors, mulchers, and more. Whether you are a contractor, estate owner, farmer, arborist, or forestry organisation, Gable provides expert guidance and tailored finance solutions to support your growth.
Get a free quotation or speak with a forestry finance expert today.