In 2017, Tigercat developed and released its most compact skidder platfrom, the 602 series. The prototype 602 skidder was sent to France last summer to be fitted with a Belgian designed and manufactured swing boom for use in mountain regions of Europe.

Now the 602 is available as a cable skidder suited to pockets of North America and other traditional winch skidder markets. The 602 cable skidder is ideal for high value selective hardwood logging and for retrieving timber from steep slopes and gullies.

The 602 is equipped with the Tigercat FPT Tier N45 engine which  provides full emissions compliance for Tier 2 and Tier 4f , along with excellent fuel economy. Both engines deliver 125 kW (168 hp) at 2,200 rpm.

The machine has a fixed front axle with an oscillating centre section to achieve a very narrow overall width of 2,7 metres (106 in). The agility of the 602 is ideal in selective felling applications. The machine can access high value timber in steep terrain, while minimizing damage to the residual stand.

Maximum fuel efficiency is achieved by the use of Tigercat’s load sensing hydraulic system – only supplying the amount of oil that the various functions require for reduced engine load.

The 602 cable skidder offering has already attracted a lot of attention in the United States, where the first machine debuted at the Paul Bunyan show in Cambridge, Ohio this past October.

Bill Shufflebotham, based in Rockport, Illinois purchased the first 602 cable skidder. He states, “It’s the only quality small machine on the market. It’s easy to move at nine feet wide and it’s powerful”.