Why Low Ground Pressure Machinery is Essential for Peatland Restoration

Peatlands in the UK play a vital role in carbon storage, flood prevention, water regulation, and biodiversity. They are among the most important ecosystems we have. 

However, many peatlands across the UK have suffered degradation over the years due to various factors, including the use of unsuitable heavy machinery.

As peatland restoration becomes increasingly important and demand continues to grow, the need for using Low Ground Pressure (LGP) machinery has become essential.

This specialised equipment helps restore peatlands effectively while minimising further damage.

At Treeclear UK, we utilise Low Ground Pressure machinery across all our environmental services, especially peatland restoration, to promote sustainable land management.

In this blog, we’ll explore LGP machinery in detail and explain why it’s crucial for successful peatland restoration.

Key points we'll cover include:

• What makes peatland so fragile?
• What is Low Ground Pressure (LGP) machinery?
• The key benefits of using LGP machinery 
• Types of LGP machinery used for peatland restoration
• How Treeclear UK puts LGP machinery into action 

Interested in discussing your environmentally-friendly peatland restoration needs?

Call today at 07813 140683 or use the contact form to request your quotation and site visit.

We offer a sensitive, low impact approach to peatland restoration services in Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Co Durham, and the surrounding areas.

What Makes Peatlands so Fragile?

Before exploring the importance of Low Ground Pressure (LGP) machinery for peatland restoration, it’s crucial to understand why peatlands are so fragile. Peatlands are composed of waterlogged soils rich in organic matter. Their soft, spongy nature makes them extremely sensitive to disturbance where even minor pressure can cause soil compaction, rutting, and lasting ecological damage.

Over the past few decades, it has become clear that traditional heavy machinery can be highly damaging to peatlands.

Such equipment often releases stored carbon, destroys surface vegetation, and hinders future restoration efforts, highlighting the need for specialised LGP machinery.

What is Low Ground Pressure (LGP) machinery?

Low Ground Pressure (LGP) machinery is designed to minimise the force exerted on the ground surface. This is achieved through features such as wide tracks or tires that distribute weight evenly, lightweight construction, and designs optimised for operating in wet and sensitive conditions.

Ultimately, LGP machinery enables safe access to soft terrain without sinking, compacting soil, or causing damage to delicate habitats.

The Key Benefits of Using LGP Machinery 

There are almost limitless benefits of using LGP machinery for successful peatland restoration efforts. 

Key benefits include:

•  Minimal Disturbance: One of the most prominent benefits of this type of machinery is that it offers reduced surface pressure. As a result of this, vegetation is much better preserved, as well as existing soil structures.

•  Improved Access: Low Ground Pressure (LGP) machinery is well-designed to operate in wet or soft ground conditions where standard or traditional heavy use machinery would typically fail. 

•  Prevents Carbon Release: When peatlands are disturbed improperly, they can release significant carbon emissions. Low Ground Pressure machinery helps protect the delicate peat layer, preventing unnecessary carbon release and supporting climate goals.

•  Supports Rewetting and Replanting: Another key benefit is that low impact machinery helps to maintain the natural hydrology which is vital for long-term peatland recovery.

Types of LGP Machinery Used for Peatland Restoration

Treeclear UK uses various types of LGP machinery for highly-effective peatland restoration across the UK. Here's the industry-leading machinery we use across our projects:

Low Ground Pressure Excavators 

• Operates at only 1.25 PSI, designed for minimal ground impact.
• Equipped with various attachments like tree shears, drum mulchers, and stump grinders.
• Ideal for working on specially protected sites such as SSSIs, nature reserves, and peat bogs.

Tracked Forestry Mulchers

• Lightweight and powerful, boasting 430hp engines.
• Features 3-meter wide mulching heads, suitable for dense vegetation management.
• Designed with low ground pressure tracks to operate on sensitive terrains.

Excavator-Mounted Flails and Mulchers

• Attachments that convert excavators into versatile vegetation management tools.
• Effective for clearing scrub, trees, and other unwanted vegetation in controlled manners.

Narrow-Track Machines

• Specifically designed to operate in tight spaces and on sensitive ground.
• Feature narrower tracks than bog track machines, reducing ground pressure. 

How Treeclear UK Puts LGP into Action 

We turn our expertise in LGP machinery and its benefits into action, supporting sustainable land management and peatland restoration projects across the UK.

We recognise that every project is unique, which is why we carefully select the most suitable LGP equipment, from lightweight excavators to tracked forestry mulchers, after conducting a free, no-obligation site survey. Our mission is to ensure minimal soil disturbance, regardless of terrain or restoration goals.

Check out some of of our recent projects below for real-life clients:

Peatland Restoration (Burns Beck, Cumbria Wildlife Trust - Case Study)

Mire Restoration (Forestry England – Case Study)