Introduction to the URUS

Since 1945 the Austrian firm of Reinhold Hinteregger had been manufacturing a range of sledge type winches for extracting logs steep forested areas typical of Austria and central Europe. The system operated using a skyline (cable) which had to be rigged between two standing trees. The time needed to dismantle and re-erect the skyline when an area had been cleared made this method slow and labour intensive. Other methods utilising tractors, skidders and even horses not only caused extensive soil damage but also proved to be slow, difficult and sometimes impossible.

During the early 1960's Reinhold Hinteregger design a mobile system to replace the sledge winches which he named URUS. The initial production unit was built in 1966 and was the first of its kind in Europe. The URUS system rapidly became the most popular method of forest harvesting for mountainous regions and quickly found markets in many other parts of the world.

The manufacturing plant in Austria expanded to cater for the steadily increasing demands. In 1986 a second plant was established in South Africa to manufacture, supply and service the URUS range of cable logging systems for the Southern African market.

Since then this company Hinteregger S.A. (Pty) Ltd has supplied over 110 maschines to Southern African clients and over 60 maschines have been exported to Chile.

This success in supply of equipment to Chile has led to the opening of an assembly, servicing and training facility in Conception in June 1991.

The development of the URUS range of tower yarders has been based on experience gained from sales of maschines worldwide. More specifically the equipment produced in South Africa has been adapted to suit Southern African conditions especially taking into account remote operating locations often combined with a shortage of skilled maintenance personnel. This development has resulted in maschines which are simple to operate and maintain while being extremely reliable and ruggedly constructed. They are now operating in over 50 countries worldwide and have earned an enviable reputation for maximum productivity and minimum downtime. Various maschines manufactured back in the late 1960's are still operating at full productive capacity.

All URUS yarders are complemented by a full range of accessories and carriages for standard harvesting operations.

From the two strategically located Hinteregger plants the group can supply and maintain their range of equipment, offering clients a rapid response for the sales, spares and service on worldwide basis. For further information on the Hinteregger URUS range of tower yarders please contact us.