MACHINERY
JOHN DEERE
Forwarders - a market roundup Andrew Smith, Forestry Lecturer at Scottish School of Forestry, UHI
H
opefully you have all recovered from the festivities and are having a good start to 2022. Many of you will, I am sure, be trying to make plans for a clean-up post Storm Arwen, wether that is a small-scale tidy up or large tracts of windblow that have to be dealt with. Varying reports have been emerging of the damage sustained, particularly on the East coast of the country (read more on page 6 – 8 in this issue). You may also have read sad reports of the death of Mr Lars Bruun, a pioneer in our industry. Amongst his many creations, Lars designed the Mini-Bruunett forwarder, a machine which many hold in fond regard and which paved the way for the definitive design of the modern forwarder. Many of our older machine operators began their careers on these nimble little machines. Indeed, they commonly
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followed the chainsaw thinning squads of old. It is somewhat fitting therefore, that this month’s machinery review is on forwarders available in the UK, from some of our bigger industry players. Although there have not been huge developments in this area, it is interesting to remind ourselves of what is available. Firstly however, and in a little tribute to Lars Bruun, let’s have a look at the specification of the Mini-Bruunett 678 forwarder available in 1986. The 678 weighed in at 8500kg and had a load capacity of 7500kg. It was fitted with an international engine which produced around 83hp, and a fuel tank capacity of 90 litres. It could be fitted with either 500x22.5 tyres or 600x22.5. When fitted with the 500x22.5 option the 678 was only 2.4 metres wide. Ground clearance at the centre joint was 575mm. The crane, as many will remember was fitted above the cab, and entry to and from the cab was via a door at the rear – basically onto the centre joint!
JOHN DEERE John Deere’s forwarder range comprises six models – the 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1510, and the 1910G with load capacities of 9, 11,
12, 13, 15 and 19 tonnes, respectively. The 910 and 1010G are aimed primarily at the thinnings market, with the 910G being the smallest in the range and a load capacity of nine tonnes. John Deere engines are fitted with outputs of 158hp and 176hp. Boom reach varies between 7.2m and 10m depending on the specification. Machine weights, something that is becoming more important in thinning machines, start at 14,700kg for the 910G and 14,950kg for the 1010G. The mid-range comprises the 1110G and 1210G, with capacities of 12 and 13 tonnes. The 1110 has been around for a long time now and has become a firm favourite for many operators and contractors alike. Options include a short, medium or long load space, a fixed or levelling/rotating cabin and a long rear-bogie option ideal for reducing ground pressure on wet sites when fitted with band tracks. Minimum weights are 17,000kg for the 1110G and 18,000kg for the 1210G. At the top of the range comes the 1510G and 1910G, with load capacities of up to 19 tonnes on the 1910G. These machines are ideally suited to long hauls and rough terrain. The 1510 can also be fitted with the long rear bogie too, again >>
FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2022 53
