What made you choose a job in the forest?

– What attracted me from the start was the peace and the independence. Getting to be out in the forest and the countryside, working close to nature and at the same time doing something that actually makes a difference.

– It’s a job where you see the result of what you do. You help develop the forest and create values that remain long after you yourself have left the site.

You do a lot of continuous-cover thinning. What advantages do you see compared with more traditional methods?

– Aesthetically, I think the result is much nicer. You don’t get the big, wide strip roads, but can work more sensitively and adapt to the stand.

– But the biggest advantage is really that more is left in the forest. Even if my working time is perhaps somewhat more expensive than with traditional thinning, the landowner has more trees left that can continue to grow. That means more value stays in the stand for the future.

– I also find that you reduce the risk of wind damage. When you don’t open up such large corridors, the stand becomes more stable.

How do you feel landowners’ views of forestry have changed?

– I think interest in smaller and gentler machines has increased. Many landowners appreciate that the machines don’t leave the same footprint in nature.

– We still get the timber out efficiently, but with lower ground pressure and less impact on the surroundings. That’s something more and more people value.

Do you think that development will continue?

– Yes, I do. As long as timber prices are at today’s levels, I see no reason why interest would decrease. On the contrary, I hope more people will discover these ways of working.

– The forest looks nicer afterwards and the landowner has more options going forward.

You chose to invest in a Terri machine. What was behind that decision?

– At first I had a smaller forwarder of another make. When the opportunity to buy a Terri came up, I started to look more closely at what the machine could offer.

– An important factor was the service. I know I can always call and get help if I need it. And if the problem can’t be solved remotely, someone comes out and helps relatively quickly.

– But it’s also about reliability. I feel confident with the machine. I know it gets through where I need to drive.

What makes the machine so useful in everyday work?

– It’s very versatile. I can drive over logs and rocks, work in thinnings, drive on somewhat wetter ground and use forest roads without causing any major damage.

– For me, it’s important to be able to adapt the work to the conditions without having to compromise on the result.

– What’s more, the machine is so compact that I can transport it on my own hook-lift truck. I don’t need to invest in a large trailer, which makes the logistics both simpler and cheaper.

How did you reason about investing in a new machine?

– The monthly cost was of course higher when we bought a brand-new machine. But at the same time I got a machine that will hopefully last longer and can run continuously without the same risk of major wear or unexpected repairs.

– Since this is my main job, it was an investment that had to work in the long term. For me, the calculation was worth making.

What does the relationship with the machine manufacturer mean?

– More than you might think at first. When we visited the factory, we got a very warm welcome. It almost felt like coming home.

– You could tell there is a genuine willingness to help, regardless of whether you bought the machine directly from them or not. I hadn’t even bought my previous Terri through the factory, but I still got help when I needed it.

– That attitude means a lot. They want to help customers move forward and do what it takes for them to succeed. For me, that’s a big gold star.