Machines-Supplies-Technology

Cat Next Generation

The new Caterpillar Next Generation 538 Forest Machine features several significant design upgrades that make it a top choice for working with timber. “The 538 has a reputation as a solid performer with rugged reliability,” says Giacomo Bottone, worldwide director for Caterpillar’s forestry and medium excavator family. “The Next Generation 538 builds on this foundation by being more productive, more comfortable, and costing less to maintain so owners can spend their time moving more timber, loading more trucks, and maximizing their profit potential.”

Available in Log Loader and General Forest configurations, the 538 has a new electrohydraulic control system with 10% more swing torque that allows the machine to do work with more power and precision. Updates to the drive system result in a 12% increase in travel speed, helping the Cat Next Generation 538 cover more ground and move up and down slopes faster. High Wide undercarriage provides 15% greater ground clearance to help the machine pass over stumps and other obstructions.

The 538 features a Cat 7.1 engine that meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage V emission standards and is flexible to run on biodiesel up to B20. Smart mode automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to working conditions to help reduce fuel consumption up to 5% without sacrificing performance.

The 538 offers a cold-start capability of -25˚ F (-32˚ C) and reliable high ambient temperature operation reaching 118˚ F (48˚ C). It operates at altitudes reaching 9,842' (3,000 m) without derating. Fuel tank capacity is more than double the previous model, which means the new 538 can operate up to five shifts before refilling.

The all new Certified Forestry cab design for the Cat Next Generation 538 dramatically improves operator comfort and safety. “The cab is 25% larger with 50% greater overall visibility than our previous 538,” Bottone says. “Plus, it has a heated seat and a more ergonomically friendly layout, so the operator doesn’t have to exert much effort to be efficient and productive.”

Ingress/egress is easier due to the cab’s wider and taller door and tilt-up console on the operator’s seat. The machine’s new dual HVAC system keeps operators comfortable regardless of working in the summer heat or during subfreezing ambient winter temperatures.

Operators can start the 538’s engine with a simple push of a button. The new Operator ID allows each operator to quickly program and store their own machine settings and attachment function preferences. A larger 10" (254 mm) high-resolution touchscreen monitor delivers intuitive navigation through operating menus and includes a digital version of the operator’s manual for quick reference. A larger, 1.25-in. (32-mm) polycarbonate front window improves visibility and operating safety.

Compared to the previous model, the Next Generation 538 lowers maintenance costs by up to 15% over the course of 12,000 hours of operation. “We improved our filters and our service intervals, and we improved ground-level access to service points to make daily maintenance quick and safe, including a new ground-level dipstick for checking the engine oil,” Bottone says. “

Product Link technology captures critical operating data, fault codes, and machine location information to boost fleet management efficiency. Visit cat.com.

Deere Bogie Skidder

John Deere offers the new six-wheel 768L-II bogie skidder designed to conquer wet conditions and steep slope terrain. Incorporating the proven, durable features found on the John Deere L-II skidder lineup, the new 768L-II maximizes productivity, performance and comfort when carrying hefty loads over long distances in challenging conditions.

Matthew Flood, product marketing manager, comments, “We’re delivering a purpose-built machine that navigates tough terrain, such as swamps or steep slopes.”

The 281HP 768L-II features heavy-duty bogie axles, which incorporate large components to maximize durability and stability for long axle and tire life. A smooth, stable operation results in reduced machine vibration, ultimately minimizing operator fatigue. Another key feature is the excellent tractive ability and floatation. When combined with the bogie axles, ground pressure is reduced, allowing the 768L-II to work in wet terrain not accessible with a four-wheel skidder.

The new arch design provides the operator with an expansive rearward view of the grapple and work area, providing excellent visibility. The long wheelbase and boom-arch envelope boost reach and lift capability for the boom and grapple, increasing dexterity in the woods. The tight turning radius enhances agility at the landing.

“The John Deere bogie skidder is hands down twice as good as a regular four-tire skidder,” according to Jason Dawson of Triple J Logging. “It’s just all-around better in my book for productivity and ground disturbance. With the 768L-II, you can carry twice as much of a load, especially in wet conditions and on the steep terrain, without tearing the ground up.”

The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) marries the efficiency of a direct-drive transmission with the smoothness of a hydrostatic drive. As a result, CVT provides more power to the ground by sensing the load, increasing torque and tractive effort as needed to maintain the desired speed. Visit johndeere.com

Morbark Vtection

Morbark reveals a new, patent-pending Vtection system option for its 3000, 3400 and 6400 series Wood Hog horizontal grinders. The Vtection system monitors rotor vibration to reduce damage from contact with un-shreddable objects or other causes of damaging vibration like an out-of-balance rotor, broken insert, defective bearing, or extremely hard wood. The system features two operating modes: grinding protection mode and service and maintenance mode. When coupled with Morbark’s Break-Away Torque Limiter, these devices provide customers with the best solution for hammermill protection.

To use the Vtection system, the operator sets an acceptable operating vibration level through the electronic controller. Since different feedstocks produce different vibration levels, the operator can quickly fine-tune the trip point to match the grinding application. Adjusting the trip point based on the feedstock can help avoid unnecessary stopping of the infeed from normal operating vibration.

If an un-shreddable object enters the grinding chamber while in grinding protection mode, the Vtection system will sense the spike in vibration or trip point and instantly stop and reverse the infeed conveyor. By reversing the infeed conveyor, the system lowers the rotor’s chance of repeatedly striking the foreign object.

Once the system is triggered, Morbark’s Integrated Control System (MICS) initiates several actions to remove the tramp material out of the rotor area. The sequence of these actions includes: reversing and stopping the infeed, bringing the engine speed to idle, disengaging the clutch, and displaying a warning message on the MICS screen.

During the service and maintenance protection mode, a user can hook up to the system software and monitor vibration levels during different engine loads. The system can be programmed to monitor and extract data. These signals can then be visually observed, and various readings can be recorded to verify that the machine is within acceptable vibration levels. Multiple programs can be used to evaluate the system data.

Ship-out kits are available for in-field installation on preexisting 3000X, 3400X and 6400X horizontal grinders. Visit morbarkdealers.com.

Waratah Harvester Head

Waratah Forestry Equipment offers a new generation of its HTH616C harvester head—the HTH616C Series-III, which features many new service and accessibility upgrades and is highlighted by a new main control valve designed to increase performance, responsiveness and compatibility to a greater range of carriers.

Brent Fisher, product marketing manager for

Waratah, comments, “The new HTH616C Series-III gives more performance from low powered carriers, and it provides a great option for those with WCTL machines who want a 600 series head.”

With a weight starting at 1,800 kg (3,968 lb.), the HTH616 Series-III features a new, more efficient main control valve that can be configured with various options to fit performance needs on wheeled or tracked machines alike. Motor selections can be configured to complement the new valve and improve feeding speed, with a high torque motor option available to help to increase productivity in the toughest delimbing conditions.

Operationally, the new valve provides improved responsiveness in the delimb and drive arms to enhance grabbing stems, log handling, and improve sawing performance. New cast delimb arm design improves limb shedding, and can be configured in processing or harvesting profile with a maximum delimb opening of 27" (68.5 cm).

The H616C Series-III has optional twin diameter sensors that provide better measuring when small end diameters are critical.

Hose routing has been optimized to the new valve improving fitting access and easier serviceability, while new optional harvesting guards for the main valve, drive arms, and saw box are available to reduce understory hosing interference. A new and improved valve cover provides quick no-tools access with integrated handles and quick-attach pins. A larger oiler filler improves the ease of filling bar and chain oil and helps shorten daily servicing. Visit waratah.com.