Excavators perform diverse tasks in forest environments, primarily utilizing Specialized Attachments and Operating Techniques to adapt to complex terrains. They carry out operations such as timber harvesting, clearing, and transportation, while emphasizing ecological protection and operational safety.

In harvesting and clearing operations, excavators equipped with feller heads, grapples, or specialized saw attachments efficiently complete tasks like tree felling, delimbing, debarking, log gathering, and clearing of deadwood and fallen branches. For instance, an automated felling machine can cut down trees with diameters around 40 cm within seconds using CNC-controlled attachments and lay them down gently. Remote-controlled self-propelled forest clearing machines are used to remove obstacles, achieving an operational efficiency of up to 0.33 hectares per hour.

To handle complex terrain, specialized excavators such as mountain excavators or walking excavators demonstrate strong obstacle-crossing capabilities, such as climbing 45° steep slopes, making them suitable for rugged forest land. Their reinforced chassis and all-terrain tracks ensure stability. Additionally, protective nets and high-definition cameras are often installed to enhance safety during night operations or in environments with poor lighting.

In practical applications, excavators are frequently combined with forestry-specific attachments. For example, grapples are used for loading and unloading timber, and winches are employed for gathering residual forest debris. This forms a versatile "one-machine, multiple-functions" operational model, effectively supporting sustainable forest management.