ACCESS TO THE TIMBER STAND

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Hard wearing and able to handle difficultto-reach environments, size reduction and land clearing machinery is adapting

For some years, now, International Forest Industries has been monitoring the evolution of harvesting technology as the need for mechanized solutions on steep slopes has become acute. In response, we have seen harvesters, feller bunchers, forwarders and skidders take on advanced technologies to ensure stability and efficiency on inclines.

It makes sense that the technology being used to make the roads going to the stand on steep inclines would also need to take on such advances, but for a long time we have seen manufacturers continue to focus almost exclusively on increases in capacity.

This year’s review, however, unveils a migration toward a more nuanced approach to steep-slope adaptions, alongside the usual press forward toward evermore indestructible units with greater capacities, which remains at the heart of the functionality for access-forcing machines.

Dirt and gravel roads that facilitate the access of heavy equipment to timber stand, require an increasingly higher bearing capacity and a uniform, consistent and compact surface. In addition to traditional restoration by scarification and milling and the subsequent placement of stabilized material, FAE machines have introduced innovative technology that simplifies the work considerably, speeds up execution and drastically lowers costs. Its advantage is evident in the product’s load-bearing capacity and durability.

The FAE SFH is a versatile solution for tractors as a stone crusher, forestry tiller and forestry mulcher. The SFH is a heavy-duty attachment for use with tractors up to 500 horsepower (HP version). It can grind trees up to 45 cm in diameter, crush stones up to 35 cm, and run at a depth of 40 cm underground. The transmission with side gearboxes converts engine power into speed and torque. Multiple tooth options combined with an industry leading rotor design, make the SFH one of a kind.

Once created, the road has to be kept clean. Managing forests and woods is a complex job because often, the areas to be worked are harsh or inaccessible. Therefore, one must be able to count on maximum productivity and reliability from your equipment. Whether working on trees, shrubs, stumps or rocky terrain, FAE has a solution that provides market-leading strength and maximum reliability. To deal with all situations in the best way possible, FAE offers exceptional experience and an extensive range of products.

For example, the BL4/EX mulcher for large excavators has Bite Limiter technology. It mulches logs up to 30 cm in diameter and comes in two working widths: 135 cm and 160 cm. The BL4/EX/VT is ideal for handling and removing vegetation in wooded areas, especially for jobs that require a large shredding capacity and speed.

The rotor features Bite Limiter technology. Steel profiles limit the reach (bite) of the teeth, reducing the amount of power needed and guaranteeing constant working speed and excellent performance. The heat-treated forged-steel BL blades are made to last and can be sharpened to keep operating costs lower. The optional Sonic system ensures that the operating machine and the FAE mulcher are perfectly aligned by automatically calibrating and constantly regulating the mulcher’s hydraulic parameters for a significant increase in productivity.

When working in these applications, it is common to be in rough, difficult and hard to access environments, in which the quality and reliability of the machinery involved can make a substantial difference in profitability, especially if it also has a high working capacity.

The FAE PT-300 is the ideal tracked carrier for the most difficult tasks, whether managing woods and forests or creating firebreaks near electrical lines, oil and gas pipelines. Its solid structure with oscillating undercarriage make it compatible with a wide variety of FAE hydraulic units: forestry mulchers, cutters, stone crushers, stump cutters and dozer blades. The high-power CAT C7.1 Acert straight-six engine with low operating weight makes it possible to work on steep slopes and soft ground. The hydraulic system guarantees reliability and efficiency. The spacious cab is market-leading when it comes to

comfort, ergonomics and operator safety.

“Whatever the need, the result is that access road creation and maintenance is simpler and more effective than ever before,” the manufacturer stated.

Meanwhile, FAE is expanding its line of forestry mulchers with Sonic technology for excavators to include the new BL2/EX/SONIC, UML/HY/SONIC, UMM/EX/SONIC and UMM/EX/HP/SONIC models.

With these new models, FAE completes its line of forestry mulchers with Sonic technology for excavators, which now includes nine models, for excavators ranging from 8-36 t: BL2/EX/SONIC, UML/HY/SONIC, BL3/EX/SONIC, UML/EX/SONIC, BL4/EX/SONIC, UML/S/EX/SONIC, BL5/EX/SONIC, UMM/EX/SONIC, and UMM/EX/ HP/SONIC.

FAE’s exclusive Sonic system ensures that the operating carrier and the FAE mulcher are completely aligned by automatically calibrating the mulcher’s parameters. The system continuously manages the mulcher’s hydraulic settings for a significant boost in overall productivity of up to 30%. The Sonic system also minimizes rotor stalling and shortens recovery time thanks to the quick recovery of the rotor’s rpm.

FAE’s Sonic technology comes standard on the UML/SSL/SONIC forestry mulcher for skid steers. It is also available for the FAE PT-175 tracked carrier equipped with the FAE 140/U forestry mulcher and on the PT-300 with the 200/U or 300/U forestry mulchers.

BL/EX RANGE: LIMITLESS PRODUCTIVITY

Achieve new levels of productivity with the BL1, BL2, BL3, BL4 and the BL5/EX forestry mulchers for excavators from 4 to 36 tons. The innovative Bite Limiter technology reduces power demand and promotes a consistent working speed, guaranteeing excellent performance when mulching any type of wood.