Felling Heads The FD55 Felling Head
Built for speed Felling heads continue to incorporate features to their design that make cutting, releasing and moving on a more efficient process
The John Deere felling head line-up provides reliability and efficiency for loggers, tackling everything from small stems to big timber, softwood to hardwood, or level to sloped ground. When a John Deere L-Series II Wheeled Feller Buncher or M-Series Tracked Feller Buncher is combined with the right felling head, loggers can “power through any job, regardless of the conditions”, according to the manufacturer.
Drive-to-Tree Compatible with the L-Series II Wheeled Feller Bunchers, the John Deere felling heads are ideal for drive-to-tree operations. With the Quick Dump feature on the L-Series II machines, loggers can swiftly release trees. The FD45 Felling Head is equipped to handle thinning applications at increased performance levels. With the deepest accumulation capacity of the three John Deere drive-to-tree felling heads, the FD45 has the ability to thin small trees and give operators more visibility due to the twin-post design. A versatile solution for harvesting jobs including thinning and clearcutting, the FD55 Felling Head can handle a wide range of tree diameters. Its large accumulation area helps loggers take care of small-diameter thinning to large single stems up to 584 mm (23 in). Similar to the FD45 Head, the FD55 has a twin-post design. Additionally, the fast saw recovery jump-starts the wood flow going to the landing and provides superior accumulation. The FD22B has a larger accumulation capacity, strong
clamping force for more stable tree control, and “workhorse” gathering arms. This felling head was designed to take on final harvests and large trees. The FD22B pairs well with the 843L-II for hills or muddy ground and the 643L-II for flatter ground.
Swing-to-Tree For Swing-to-Tree applications, John Deere offers felling heads compatible with the John Deere M-Series Tracked Feller Bunchers. Two different attachment rotation options, meant for specific felling applications, are available as well. When there is no specific alignment of the tree to the ground, the standard wrist FS models are ideal. The high rotation wrist FR models permit closer cuts with limited travel to fallen timber. The John Deere FR22B and FR24B Felling Heads were upgraded to deliver superb
reliability, improved flow capability, increased hydraulic hose size and routing, and updated ring gear and frame welds. Compatible with select M-Series Tracked Feller Bunchers, the newer FR22B and FR24B models increase durability and extend the life of the wrist and head. Compatible with the 800Mand 900M-Series Tracked Feller Bunchers, the FR50 and FS50 models offer increased accumulating capacities, improved range of motion, and excellent visibility. The FS50 model features the 30° swing-to-tree wrist configuration, while the FR50 model offers 310° rotation. These felling heads help to make the hardest tasks easier and more efficient for customers. The FS50 and FR50 models have a cutting capacity of 20 inches and an accumulation capacity of 6.9 ft2. “The high accumulation FR50 felling head on [the 853M Tracked Feller Buncher] has made a big difference,” said Thomas Johnson of Thomas Johnson Logging. The felling heads provide a taller horn that works together with the pocket and arms to collect larger, tighter bunches. The horn delivers excellent handling of tall trees, which improves skidder productivity during tree removal. Both FS50 and FR50 models also include arm cylinders mounted
high for impressive wear protection of the saw housing and can easily hold up to 15 six-inch trees. The FR50 configuration maximizes versatility when positioning bunches in both plantation and thinning conditions due to the increased rotation. “I always try to work more efficient, smarter, more precise. Nothing else on the market holds the timber that this one holds,” said Thomas. “My production has [gone] up using this bunching head.” Additionally, the FS50 and FR50 Felling Heads provide excellent visibility to the cutting area and superior wear protection of saw housing. A full-coverage option is available for both models, and for the FR50 model, sealed bushings in all clamp arm pivot joints are available.
The high accumulation FR50 felling head on [the 853M Tracked Feller Buncher] has made a big difference Thomas Johnson, Thomas Johnson Logging
Efficiency meets precision with the all-new FR50 felling head from John Deere. A large accumulation area, taller horn, and high-rotation wrist combine to help you cut more wood in less time.
32 International Forest Industries | DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021
