At present, the highly-mechanized framework in timber harvesting in Germany is advantageuous, but there is the problem of costs. The classical use of harvesters, forwarders and skidders will be continued, chain conveyors are necessary, but they will not decrease the importance of wheel drivers to any great extent. We now have "tried and true" harvesting processes for the use of heavy machines. In the future, the necessity of systematically opening up the stands will be viewed as common procedure. That is the guideline for further development of heavy forestry machinery. The use of harvesters and forwarders in coniferous and deciduous stands with greater BHD-classes has increased. The significant decrease in internal tire pressure is of import for ecological, ergonomical and technological reasons. In the future, the currently common crane reach of 10 m will not undergo much change in normal machines. Fundamental new developments will be in the use of high-quality materials, but these changes will bring increased costs in their wake. The felling grab, which apparently has been temporarily forgotten, will most likely enjoy increased use as an additional variant for forwarders > 15 t loading capacity, especially in the second and third thinnings in broad-leaved stands. Heavy mulching machines are very suitable for accessing large, complex stand with skidding roads.
