PONSSE SCORPION

PONSSE SCORPION

NEXT-GENERATION PRODUCTIVITY AND ERGONOMICS

Ponsse introduces a thoroughly modernised Scorpion harvester range to the market that meets all the requirements of today’s forestry. The new PONSSE Scorpion increases productivity and ergonomics in harvesting to an even higher level, and sets a new standard for the operator’s working environment. ‘For Ponsse, Scorpion is undisputedly the best harvester in the world,’ says Juho Nummela, the president and CEO.

PONSSE Scorpion was first introduced to the general public in Sweden at the Elmia trade fair in 2013. Immediately after its launch, Scorpion became an international bestseller and a symbol of sustainable forestry. ”More than 1,200 Scorpions are currently at work in various logging sites in 25 countries around the world. The farthest site from our Vieremä factory is located in southern Chile,” says Jarmo

Vidgren, Chairman of the Board at Ponsse.

Now, as eight years have passed since its launch, Ponsse’s flagship harvester, Scorpion, has shed its skin. The next generation of PONSSE Scorpion is more stable than any other in its class, and it offers power and productivity with low surface pressure, while keeping the environment in mind.

OPERATORS’ WISHES AT THE CORE OF DEVELOPMENT The aim was to take PONSSE Scorpion to a new level from the operators’ perspective. In product development, there was a particular emphasis on operators’ productivity and comfort – improved work ergonomics, safety, visibility from the cabin and usability. ”Launching new products always feels like a day of celebration to us. We’re always aiming to develop products, product technology and our operations. The development process behind Scorpion is a great testimony to this mentality of making things happen at Ponsse. Most importantly, this work is done in cooperation with customers, because together we can succeed,” says Juho Nummela, president and CEO at Ponsse. ”The cabin workspace in Scorpion was modified to make it more practical and to develop it into a quiet workplace with a view to supporting operators’ comfort and wellbeing,” explains Product Manager Jan Kauhanen. ”The starting point for the development of the new Scorpion line was forest machine operators’ feedback. Using the feedback, we’ve been able to implement these modifications in production.”

One of the most prominent changes is the new one-piece windscreen that extends to the roof of the cabin. It offers even better visibility, control and work safety in all conditions. In addition, the unique crane solution offers an excellent visibility in every direction.

New Ponsse working lights in both the base machine and cabin bring a new kind of comfort and help operators cope better. Modern lighting simulation and customer testing were used in designing an even light pattern. The new LED working light was designed exclusively for Ponsse – resulting in lighting with a natural, comfortable heating value and less blue light.

AWARD-WINNING AND WORLD-CLASS DESIGN One of the key themes in developing Scorpion was premium design. It was a success – the new Future Cabin won a product design award in the internationally acclaimed Red Dot design competition.

The award in question was the Best of the Best award in the Product Design category, given for the cabin’s innovative design. This was the highest recognition that could be achieved in the competition, granted to the best products of the various award categories. ”Even though the cabin workspace was modified to support operators’ comfort and wellbeing, it’s amazing that it has also won this acclaimed award for innovative design. Thanks to our customers, partners and all Ponsse employees,” says Juha Inberg, Technology and R&D director at Ponsse.

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES FROM LOGGING SITES Samu Liikanen from Karttulan Metsätyö Oy has driven the Scorpion for a year and also gathered experience in the renewed version. ”There really is much more light in the cabin, as the window now stretches to the roof. The crane is comfortable to use, and the machine in general feels great. Lighting is excellent, and the snow in winter doesn’t reflect the light into your eyes. Appropriate lighting improves wellbeing,” he explains. Hannu Liikanen from the same company chimes in by saying that the lights are in the right locations and correctly aimed. ”There is also better rearward visibility from the cabin. It’s now much easier to reverse away from the track when you can see behind from the back corner. Active Crane is a must in thinning, because it makes the work much easier. If actual operations can be stripped down as much as possible, you can work more efficiently.”

THE FIFTH GENERATION OF PONSSE OPTI INFORMATION SYSTEM In addition to several modifications, PONSSE Scorpion and Scorpion King harvesters now include the advanced fifth generation of PONSSE Opti 5G information system and a totally renewed software interface.

The easy-to-use information system is the most modern in the market, and it takes the user experience to a new level with its effortless and fast operations. ”Opti 5G’s fully renewed interface and newly launched Opti8 computer take the usability of information systems in Ponsse’s forest machinery to a completely new level. And for operators who have used the previous Opti generation, the shift to the new Opti 5G system is quick and easy,” says Markku Savolainen, Product Manager for information systems.

The Opti 5G information system also enables the installation of the PONSSE Harvester Active Crane control system, offering a new method to control the crane and make work more efficient.

SEAMLESS CRANE CONTROL With Active Crane, operators can control the movements of the harvester head, instead of just controlling the individual operations of the crane. This allows the operator to focus on the actual wood processing, not just controlling the crane.

Active Crane is easily controlled using two levers, one of which controls the harvester head’s height from the ground, and the other the direction of movement. The travel ranges of the controls are especially optimised for typical harvester work.

The system also slows down all movements automatically before the end of travel to protect mechanical structures and the operator from straining impacts. When the operator selects a specific spot, Active Crane automatically takes care of lifting, folding and extension movements.

Valtteri and Ville Pirttimaa from Metsä Pirttimaa Oy speak from personal experience when they say that ‘good has become even better’ in the modernised Scorpion. The most significant improvements for them are the Active Crane and the cabin. ”Visibility to the sides as well is much better in the new cabin. The machine doesn’t sway during operation, and the new model is quieter than its predecessor. The more comfortable the cabin and the machine is, the more efficiently you work even during longer days,” says Valtteri Pirttimaa.

Ville Pirttimaa praises the spacious cabin’s open feel and improved visibility. In addition, thanks to Active Crane, the crane is now more to his liking and easily adjusted. ”The operator now has smoother and more comfortable control of the crane. The sound of the hydraulics does not really carry to the cabin. The lighting doesn’t leave any areas dark, and it doesn’t glare. The new Scorpion is more to my liking as a whole.”

PONSSE Scorpion

The next generation’s features

• Renewed user experience • Improved visibility • Improved cabin ergonomics and usability • The fifth generation of Opti information system, Opti 5G • Harvester Active Crane