Forestry Machinery Issue 5 (Autumn 2020)

REVIEWED

ROTTNE DUO IN ACTION

AUTUMN 2020 ISSUE 5 • £4.20

ON SITE WITH H21D HARVESTER AND F20D FORWARDER RANGE-TOPPERS

RAW POWER

SIX-WHEELED TIGERCAT 615E SKIDDER IN SCOTLAND

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ED’S LETTER

REVIEWED

ROTTNE DUO IN ACTION

AUTUMN 2020 ISSUE 5 • £4.20

Autumn 2020 Issue 5

ON SITE WITH H21D HARVESTER AND F20D FORWARDER RANGE-TOPPERS

EDITOR Kyle Molyneux kyle@sundialmagazines.co.uk ART DIRECTOR David ‘Spike’ McCormack ADVERTISEMENT SALES Clive Coe 020 8639 4402, Alex Cronin 020 8639 4405

RAW POWER

VERSATILE

MIGHTY MINI

COVER IMAGE David Wylie

ADMINISTRATOR Martin Attis 020 8639 4409 PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Paul Cosgrove 020 8639 4401 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS Paul Argent, Graham Black, Eoghan Daly, Stuart Gibbard, Dan Gilkes and David Wylie Forestry Machinery is published by Sundial Magazines Ltd, Sundial House, 17 Wickham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 5JS TEL 020 8639 4400 FAX 020 8639 4411 EMAIL info@forestrymachinerymagazine.co.uk WEB www.forestrymachinerymagazine.co.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS Earthmovers subscriptions, Trinity House, Sculpins Lane, Wethersfield, Essex, CM7 4AY TEL +44 (0)1371 853632 EMAIL earthmovers@escosubs.co.uk Farm Machinery Journal subscriptions, Trinity House, Sculpins Lane, Wethersfield, Essex, CM7 4AY TEL +44 (0)1371 853634 EMAIL farmmachineryjournal@escosubs.co.uk NEWSTRADE Seymour Distribution, 2 East Poultry Avenue London, EC1A 9PT TEL 020 7429 4000 REPRO Design & Printing Solutions Ltd, The Coach House 101 Northwood Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 2HE TEL 01227 770034 PRINTING Walstead Southernprint, 17-21 Factory Road, Upton Industial Estate, Poole, Dorset, BH16 5SN COPYRIGHT Sundial Magazines Ltd 2020. All rights reserved.

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SIX-WHEELED TIGERCAT 615E SKIDDER IN SCOTLAND

FLEET OF PONSSE MACHINES GIVE COMPANY THE EDGE

SILKY-SMOOTH SANY EXCAVATOR WITH ROTATING GRAPPLE

M A R K E T R E V I E W : O U R G U I D E TO T I M B E R H A U L A G E T R U C K S

WELCOME

to Forestry Machinery, the magazine dedicated to modern forestry equipment.

For this issue’s Ed’s Letter, I was curious to hear Forestry England’s thoughts on the future of forestry and forestry machinery. James Simpson, Director of Operations – Forestry and Land Management was happy to share insights from his crystal ball and they certainly make interesting reading. “Like every other corporate and part of government, we are continually pressed to de-carbonise our operations. We have committed to be carbon net-neutral by 2030 and this has to include all of our vehicle fleet,” James explained. “We can’t yet see the electric or hydrogen powered harvesters and forwarders of the future, but our hydrocarbonburning fleet is shrinking and will eventually disappear.”

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced many to work from home remotely, and this situation has provided a glimpse into the future, James reckoned. “We have been aware for some time that the lifestyle of a machine operator is not very appealing to school and college leavers. Remotely operated harvesting machinery is a trend we expect to see in forestry with tech-savvy youngsters operating machines from the comfort of an office where they can interact with colleagues and work shift patterns. However, we don’t see robots replacing mechanics just yet!”

Indeed, attracting young workers is crucial to the industry’s future, as James highlighted in his final point: “Unless we can make the job of driving forest machinery more appealing to a broad range of early career people, we are going to run out of skilled operators,” he said. “Ultimately, this could hasten the adoption of remotely operated and even semi-autonomous forest machines.

“The sort of machine operators I have become accustomed to over 30 years in forestry, who spend most of their time making real-time decisions which control a machine, may not exist in 15 years,” he continued. “Their jobs will very possibly evolve into technical planners of harvesting operations who have the role of smoothing the path for semi-autonomous machines, programming their progress across a site, and troubleshooting when the machine can’t cope on its own.”

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HIGHEST TORQUE AND LONGEST SERVICE LIFE

CONTENTS

CONTENTS AUTUMN 2020 REGULARS 3 WELCOME

7 NEWS

Forestry England on the industry’s future

The latest updates and developments

FEATURES 10 SHOW REPORT

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020

44 FLEET FOCUS

BROPHY TIMBER SERVICES

All the highlights from Las Vegas’ big show

Ponsse harvesters and forwarders on site

16 DEALER FOCUS

JIM WILMER & SONS

50 MARKET REVIEW

HAULAGE TRUCKS

New UK Rottne dealer’s range-topping kit

Round-up of vehicles from the big players

24 HARDWOOD EXTRACTION

TIGERCAT 615E

58 RUNNING REPORT

VOLVO ECR145EL

Scottish contractor’s six-wheeled skidder

Excavator lends a hand in the biomass sector

30 HARVESTING

ECOLOG 688 & 564D

62 WOOD ENERGY

PEZZOLATO CHIPPER

Versatile machines from the Swedish maker

Drum chipper run by McMorrow Haulage

36 OPERATOR FEEDBACK

SANY SY26U

66 CLASSIC FORESTRY

UNIMOG

Argyll Forestry Services gives its verdict

The story of Mercedes’ workhorse

FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

5

NEWS

FORESTRYMACHINERYNEWS

F

NEW KOBELCO LOGGING SPEC EXCAVATOR

ollowing the arrival of the Kobelco SK140SRLC-7 earlier this year, Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe has announced the introduction of a logging specification variant. The SK140SRL-7 has been designed to deliver greater efficiency and productivity with increased power and speed of forestry and logging applications.

Usually found on larger machines, the SK140SRL-7’s longer crawler length of 3,790mm and wider shoe (900mm) provide low ground pressure (28kPa) on soft ground, while the ground clearance of 580mm (compared with 425mm on the conventional SK140SRLC-7) adds to smoother travel and easier manoeuvring.

In addition, the machine’s higher standard operating weight of 16,600kg provides better stability, particularly when working with complex attachments, and two types of optional counterweights (580kg and 1,000kg) are also available to further increase stability. The SK140SRL-7’s short radius design provides a smaller

working footprint, ideal for areas of dense forest, and the increased drawbar pulling force of 153kN (compared with 138kN on the SK140SRLC-7) provides enhanced traction.

Like the SK140SRLC-7, the logging machine features a turbocharged diesel engine, which is compliant with Stage 5 emissions regulations, and benefits from a significant 10% increase in engine output compared to SK140SRLC-5. Complete with a new hydraulic control system, the machine’s digging cycle time has also been reduced by 10%.

The SK140SRL-7 is equipped with a 10-inch colour monitor controlled by a jog-type dial. It also features a heated and air-cushioned Kobelcobranded Grammer seat that incorporates the joystick and armrests as one unit.

Further aiding the operator is a new control lever and hydraulic system that has shorter, more precise lever movement. Not done yet, the cabin packs air conditioning as standard, and a FOPS Level II roof guard, too.

APF EXHIBITION POSTPONED Due to the ongoing uncertainties surrounding Covid-19, the Directors of APF 2020 have taken the difficult decision to postpone the event this year. The revised plan is to roll forward the show September 23rd to 25th 2021 at the same venue at Ragley Estate in Warwickshire.

Exhibition Secretary, Ian Millward commented, “It is with a very heavy heart that we made this decision, but taking all of the above into account it became obvious that there was only one sensible option and that was to postpone until September 2021. Although the decision to postpone will impact financially, we remain in a robust financial position and exhibitors will not lose their site fees. We will roll these forward to APF 2021. Any visitors who have already bought advance tickets can either carry forward their tickets to APF 2021 or request a refund,” he continued. “The show is a biannual event and after APF 2021 we will continue with this two-year cycle so the next event would be 2023 then 2025 and so on.”

FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

7

NEWS

JOHN DEERE H219 HARVESTER HEAD

J

ohn Deere has revealed a new two-wheeldrive H219 harvester head with dualspeed feed motors, ideal for use with large harvesters and big timber. Better routing of the feed motor hoses and the hose protection increases the durability of the hoses, while the feed motor’s hose connections outside the valve cover enable easy replacement of hoses.

John Deere says the new, hinged valve covers improve serviceability, too.

Furthermore, the serviceability of the length measuring equipment has been increased, and the area around the equipment is better protected. The structure and the strength of the lengthmeasuring equipment have been improved as well, says John Deere, enabling use of the required pressure force of the measuring roller with all types of trees. A new measuring roller option has also been

BKT FORESTRY TYRES BKT has developed a new range of specialised tyres for forestry machinery.

The Forestech tyre (pictured left) is suitable for forwarders and features a robust hitch and reinforced shoulder rib to resist punctures. The FS 216 tyre for forwarders and skidders resists cuts and tears, features an enhanced tread pattern for improved traction, and is offered with a steel belt or aramid fibre structure.

The self-cleaning TR 678 tyre is aimed at loggers and is equipped with steel belts improving damage and puncture resistance. It also has a high load capacity. The final tyre, the F 240, is designed for transporting trucks and is said to offer great longevity, traction, manoeuvrability and self-cleaning properties.

developed for trees with thick bark.

The John Deere H219 is built for use with large wheeled and tracked harvesters, and is ideal for debarking big eucalyptus trees. All John Deere harvester heads now feature have a new SuperCut 100S saw with next-generation chain tensioning unit, automatic chain tensioning, and mechanical bar locking give it added efficiency and reliability.

KONRAD THINNING HARVESTER The Konrad Thinning Harvester KDH40-1 with Woody WH40-1 head is a cost-effective solution for first thinning work in forests, reckons the Austrian manufacturer. Based on a Wacker Neuson ET90 tracked excavator, the KDH features an optimised main boom and tilt device for the upper carriage, keeping it level on steep slopes. Options available include a hydraulic winch, ‘Power-Boost-HydraulicAccumulator’ and climbing support bars mounted on the tracks.

Powering the KDH is a turbocharged, 55kW Deutz engine, and with an optimised main arm and telescopic extension the harvester can reach as far as 9.3m.

HYDROGEN FUELLED JCB EXCAVATOR JCB has developed the industry’s first hydrogen powered excavator. Based on the 20-tonne 220X and tested at JCB’s quarry proving grounds for more than 12 months, the working prototype features a hydrogen fuel cell, within which hydrogen reacts with oxygen to create the energy needed to run electric motors. The only emission from the exhaust is water.

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said, “The development of the first hydrogen fuelled excavator is very exciting as we strive towards a zero carbon world. In the coming months, JCB will continue to develop and refine this technology with advanced testing of our prototype machine and we will continue to be at the forefront of technologies designed to build a zero carbon future.”

8

AUTUMN 2020 FORESTRY MACHINERY

Handle More with Liebherr.

A reliable partner for your timber and forestry needs With over 50 years’ experience in the UK’s material handling and earthmoving market, Liebherr-Great Britain is the first port of call for operators wanting a professional, reliable and productive solution to their timber handling and forestry requirements.

Liebherr manufactures a wide range of tele-handlers, wheeled loaders, wheeled and crawler material handlers, excavators and dozers for use in the initial harvesting stage through to the loading of finished products and residues.

Our range of equipment can be supplied in standard material handling specification or designed to suit your application, and comes with full support from the manufacturer.

Liebherr-Great Britain Limited Normandy Lane Stratton Business Park Biggleswade, Bedfordshire SG18 8QB Tel.: 01767 602100 www.liebherr.com

Liebherr FP.indd 1

22/08/2018 15:59

SIN CITY’S SHOWSTOPPERS

This year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG show, staged from March 10th to 14th in Las Vegas, USA featured an enormous range of fantastic site clearance and forest machines from dedicated manufacturers, as Eoghan Daly reports

BANDIT INDUSTRIES

Above: French manufacturer Plaissance brought along its Vario-Trac 350B wheeled carrier with mulching head.

Below: 480B is Tigercat’s largest purpose-built mulcher, shown here with Tigercat’s 4061 mulching head.

IMAGE CONEXPO-CON/AGG

Left: The CONEXPO event covers 2.7m square feet and attracts more than 2,000 exhibitors every three years.

TIGERCAT

I

n advance of construction work on any project, a degree of site clearance is always necessary. Effective clearance of trees and scrub leads to a more efficient project start-up, and a range of dedicated contractors serve the sector in this regard.

While a host of large manufacturers already provide the UK and Irish markets with equipment for clearance work, it is always interesting to see what smaller producers have come up with to overcome challenging

10

AUTUMN 2020 FORESTRY MACHINERY

situations. Many of the machines in Las Vegas for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 showed great potential for use outside the USA in forestry clearance applications, and their high end durability really shone through.

As well as purpose built self-propelled mulchers, a large contingent of shredding and grinding plants were exhibited at the show. While many were presented by world-renowned manufacturers, others were

shown by smaller producers of niche products. When it comes to horizontal-feed grinders, the machine’s ability to handle both longer and shorter material makes them particularly flexible when processing site clearance material, and reduces the need for advanced size reduction in most situations.

Other American trends included the manufacturing of dedicated forestry specification machines by a large number of excavator manufacturers. These machines

SHOW REPORT | CONEXPO-CON/AGG incorporate many modifications to ensure MORBARK total compatibility with their forestry role, including use as carriers for harvesting heads to complete in the stand harvesting or roadside processing, as well as log loading duties. With their dedicated undercarriages, main frame protection and enhanced cabins, such purpose-built machines are in stark contrast to the adapted forestry excavators we are familiar with in the UK and Ireland.

Of course, MANY OF there were many standard THE MACHINES construction IN LAS VEGAS machines SHOWED GREAT converted for forestry work too, POTENTIAL FOR proving that USE OUTSIDE specific THE USA” applications in the field can drive technical ingenuity. Now follows some of our included the largest 480B model utilising CONEXPO 2020 highlights… the manufacturer’s 4061 mulching head.

Offering a power output of 407kW from its FPH engine together with high BANDIT INDUSTRIES The Bandit BTC-150 tracked mulcher is part performance hydraulics, the 480B features Tigercat’s comprehensive Remote Log of a large line of equipment shown by the telematics system which allows ease of access America company, which satisfies a wide array of roles within forest maintenance and to machine performance data and scheduled service planning. site clearance sectors, and is complemented Running on oscillating tracks, greater by a broad range of processing equipment ground contact is thereby maintained for effective size reduction. allowing its tractive efforts and greater The BTC-150’s versatility is demonstrated uniformity of ground pressure to be applied by its ability to change between a high at all times. Offering high boom lift capacity mulcher offering a working width geometry, the machine offers a high level of of 1.82m to a 76cm diameter stump grinder working flexibility in varying material types in under 10 minutes. The machine presents adding to the versatility of its operation. stalwart design throughout and blends essential refinement for its operator’s station which features user friendly and ASV precise joystick control.

The ASV Posi-Track range of tracked loaders are popular among forestryorientated users. On display in Nevada was MORBARK the firm’s RT120 fitted with a Loftness As one of the best known manufacturers Carbide Cutter G4 mulching head and of wood processing equipment, Morbark showed a number of machines from its broad range, coupled with machines from other manufacturers from within the group.

Included in its equipment presentation was the Wood Hog 6400 XT horizontal grinder, which features a 61cm longer infeed bed than previously. Running on a tracked undercarriage of the same specification as a Cat 325L excavator, the Cat influence continues to the engine, which offers a power output of 783 to 874kW depending on the unit chosen or emissions standards to which it’s built to comply with.

Standard features include the incorporation of the Morbark Integrated Control System, which presents full machine control in a user friendly interface.

TIGERCAT Tigercat also presented its purpose-built mulcher range at CONEXPO, which

ASV

Another highly capable, Cat-engined machine was the Morbark Wood Hog 6400 XT horizontal grinder with tracks.

forestry-oriented rubber track suspension system – the latter ensuring more uniform ground contact improving stability and traction. Weighing 5,110kg, the machine is powered by an 89.5kW Cummins engine, while its maximum 170 litres per minute hydraulic flow confirms it’s up to the job of driving mulching heads.

The Loftness Carbide Cutter G4 mulching head includes a two-stage mulching action for improved performance and greatly reduced incidence of material drag. This is achieved by an adjustable shear bar, which opens in accordance with material type and production requirements.

Material is mulched not once but twice before it exits the unit.

LOFTNESS Equipment for the effective clearance of power lines also formed part of the Las Vegas showcase, including the Loftness Kwik Trim non-conductive boom mounted on a Takeuchi TB260 midi excavator

ASV RT120 fitted with a Loftness Carbide Cutter G4 mulching head.

FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

11

SHOW REPORT | CONEXPO-CON/AGG FECON

Purpose-built TTX 300 Trax Plus by Fecon is Tier 5 compliant and boasts a 76cm attachment lift height.

Loftness Kwik Trim non-conductive boom on Takeuchi TB260.

LOFTNESS base. Employing an extendable boom with 16m-reach, which can attain a compact transport position, it utilises a 60cm diameter saw blade for effective cutting performance. The conversion is completed by the incorporation of a winch integrated into the dozer blade which has also received a degree of modification to ensure compatibility with the application.

FECON The Fecon exhibit displayed one of the most impressive ranges of purpose-built tracked mulchers at CONEXPO and included the company’s TTX 300 Trax

JARRAFF INDUSTRIES Another industry first was presented in the form of the Jarraff 142010 Line Backer quad track mulching base unit. Combining tractive and floatation characteristics with the greater mobility of a wheeled machine, Jarraff’s base unit is understood to be the first machine of its type to adopt the Quad Track design. While the quad track design JARRAFF INDUSTRIES gives good ground contact for floatation and stability, the machine’s articulated format benefits its manoeuvrability while offering impressive ground clearance to cope with the most adverse environments.

With the mulching unit mounted on a loader arm design format, an impressive mulcher raise height of 3.35m is possible, which delivers controlled mulching performance when working in larger material as a degree of top down mulching is possible. Such is the design of Above: Jarraff’s 142010 Line Backer quad track mulching the base machine, it reflects a degree of base unit features an incredibly robust-looking design. durability almost on par with a machine destined for mine clearance.

Plus model which is the latest generation Tier 5 compliant machine. Employing IQAN control Fecon telematics and KOMATSU equipped with an oscillating Komatsu introduced its latest addition to undercarriage, the machine offers an the feller buncher range at CONEXPO, impressive attachment lift height of 76cm with the XT465L-5 making its world debut. clearance below the cutting tools, which Even though such machines are aimed at gives greater performance in dealing with markets where full tree approaches to a wider range of material types. The harvesting are practiced, it is interesting to mulcher itself boasts variable speed motors savour the benefits of the base machine and Fecon depth control rotors which which will ultimately filter through to prevent the head from cutting into the dedicated tracked harvester variants for terrain ahead. The TTX 300 weighs cut-to-length harvesting markets. Fitted with 14,402kg when equipped with the standard a Quadco disc saw feller buncher head with BH120 mulcher.

60cm cutting capacity, the machine has a

FECON DISPLAYED ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE RANGES OF PURPOSE-BUILT TRACKED MULCHERS AT CONEXPO”

FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

13

CONEXPO-CON/AGG | SHOW REPORT Left: Forestry spec Komatsu XT465L-5 with Quadco disc saw feller buncher head.

KOMATSU

Right: Chinese-built XCMG XE300UF with cut-tolength processing head.

Below left: Doosan DX300LL-5 with heavy duty undercarriage.

DOOSAN

Below: Dedicated log loader from Kobelco packs a 188kW Hino engine. complete operating weight of 33,800kg with power provision by a Cummins 247kW engine. Mounted on a dedicated forestry specification undercarriage, the upper structure presents levelling capabilities and has a reduced swing radius design. Service access is impressive thanks to the distinctive gull-wing panels, which lower outwards to give safe access to all components.

DOOSAN

which gives some insight into the level of modification for this application.

XCMG The only forestry excavator fitted with a cut-to-length processing head at CONEXPO was the Chinese-built XCMG XE300UF. While the base machine itself presented a range of dedicated forestry-oriented features, the Southstar head was just as eye-catching. Built in Canada, the Southstar head is largely unknown in European markets, but its designers have considerable

Among the excavators modified for use as log loaders was the DX300LL-5 from Doosan. Employing a heavy duty undercarriage with admirable ground KOBELCO clearance, the machine features a standard 6.3m boom and 3.91m dipper arm, while a range of other alternatives can be specified.

The upper structure incorporates comprehensive guarding, and the forestry theme also extends to the cabin which is of a dedicated design. The unit has an operating weight of 37,059kg in its standard log loader format.

KOBELCO At this year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG, Kobelco reaffirmed its commitment to the forestry sector through the presence of the SK300LL log loader. Like its standard excavator counterparts, the machine draws power from a 188kW Hino engine, while the hydraulics deliver a combined flow rating of 492 litres per minute.

Even though the machine is based on a 30-tonne excavator, the SK300LL log loader’s total weight is quoted at 41,800kg,

14

AUTUMN 2020 FORESTRY MACHINERY

XCMG

THE ONLY FORESTRY EXCAVATOR FITTED WITH A CUT-TOLENGTH PROCESSING HEAD AT CONEXPO WAS FROM XCMG” experience with other proven manufacturers before establishing this venture. These prominent designers include the original founder of the Waratah Group, Dave Cochrane who launched Southstar in 2007, together with other key personnel from New Zealand and Canada.

Offering a range of innovative features, the Southstar head features a four-feed roller design for maximum grip, with the delimbing knife profile said to favour both standard harvesting and ease of stem retrieval in processing roles.

Among the features of the Cummins powered XCMG base are its 180kW power rating and 266 litres per minute hydraulic oil flow from each of the two main pumps.

The machine’s 10.8m reach is achieved with a 6.1m boom and 3.11m dipper arm, whilst good stability and ground clearance is achieved by the dedicated forestryspecification undercarriage. The upper structure features a high level of protective measures plus a dedicated forestry cabin, while cameras positioned around the upper frame afford greater safety awareness for the operator.

High Track to Productivity The Doosan DX160 High Track is purpose built for all your forestry needs – additional ground clearance to track over stumps when mounding greatly increasing productivity. Also available with two pump flow for mulching duties. Low ground pressure and high stability/digging forces are combined with a powerful 85.9 KW, 115 HP engine and extra durability is provided by the reinforced track frame and double supported top rollers.

For more information visit: www.eu.doosanequipment.com

“OVER THE YEARS, JWS HAS GROWN EXTENSIVELY AND OPERATES OVER 30 HARVESTERS AND 30 FORWARDERS, AS WELL AS A FLEET OF LOGGING TRUCKS”

JWS has recently expanded its workshop capabilities with a new four-bay facility providing space for machine inspections, wagon storage and more.

David Wylie talks to new UK Rottne dealer, Jim Wilmer & Sons Timber Harvesting Ltd and visits a pair of its range-topping Rottne machines working in Argyll, Scotland

DEALER FOCUS | JIM WILMER & SONS

COVER STORY

H

eadquartered in Dailly, Ayrshire, Jim Wilmer & Sons Timber Harvesting Ltd (JWS) is one of the largest timber harvesting contractors in Europe, and the newly appointed UK dealer for Rottne equipment, sales and service. Driving this successful family run business forward are Jim Wilmer and son David, also a company director. They are ably assisted by Jim’s other son Gary and daughter Amanda, plus a management team, skilled engineers, and highly experienced machine operators.

Jim started out in the timber industry over 40 years ago, felling trees and selling firewood around local towns and villages then quickly diversified the business into timber harvesting, using tractors and winches then harvesters and forwarders. Over the years, JWS has grown extensively and operates a range of over 30 harvesters and 30 forwarders from Rottne, Tigercat, Komatsu and John Deere to costeffectively handle all types of forestry work – both large and small. It also offers a one-stop shop with a large fleet of logging trucks.

At the Scottish Forestry Expo event in 2019, JWS launched its new Rottne equipment dealership. On the stand was a top line Rottne F20D forwarder model, which drew large crowds and much interest.

Soon afterwards JWS introduced the first Rottne F18D forwarder into its own fleet and sold a similar machine to another large Scottish harvesting contractor in November 2019. Since outstanding aftersales service is a vital element of any good dealership, JWS has invested heavily – over £500,000 – to double its state-of-the-art Ayrshire workshop facilities and added two Rottne fully equipped service vans to their already 10-strong fleet of factory trained field-based engineers.

BUILDING AN EMPIRE The company’s highly experienced Rottne equipment sales manager is Ronnie Curran. Ronnie and Parts Manager Rick McElnea have been busy evaluating and stocking their service and parts departments with all the necessary components that will help to ensure high uptime and availability of Rottne equipment for their customers. Being a harvesting contractor brings a number of benefits to JWS’ Rottne dealership operation and customers, as the company is highly experienced in this industry, and running Rottne products in its own fleet will ensure that not only can JWS sell new Rottne machines, but it will soon have a good stock of wellmaintained pre-owned Rottne machines to suit different capital expenditure budgets.

Ronnie explained that Rottne is expanding its factory production to produce up to 300 units per annum, and lead times are good at the moment for new machines. In fact, in order to provide great customer service, if a new Rottne customer needed a machine urgently, JWS would look to sell one out of its existing harvesting fleet! Ronnie is also the first to admit Rottne machines are not the cheapest in the market, as they are said to be extremely high quality and robustly engineered. Apart from all the benefits of great operator comfort, reliability, durability, ease of maintenance, and

TERRIFIC TWOSOME

FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

17

“BEING A HARVESTING CONTRACTOR BRINGS A NUMBER OF BENEFITS TO JWS’ ROTTNE DEALERSHIP OPERATION AND CUSTOMERS”

Unlike some harvesting heads, the Rottne feed rollers clamp the tree underneath and with low knife pressure, meaning reduced friction, faster cycle times and less strain on pumps. low running costs, a used Rottne machine is likely to command higher residual values and are much sought after. Rottne machines are also said to enjoy some of the lowest operating costs for forestry equipment.

ROTTNE HISTORY In 2020, Rottne (named after the

then lift it to the processor

FORESTRY SITE VISIT

town in Sweden’s Småland

directly from the stump. The crane

district) – celebrated 65 years of

could reach out 10m and had a

I met up with Ronnie Curran at a clearfell operation in the Argyll area of Scotland to see the firm’s new, top-of-the-range Rottne H21D harvester and F20D forwarder in action. Some of the site is situated on fairly easy flat ground and has good access with the excellently prepared haul roads. Some of the steeper terrain was easily handled by the good climbing performance of both the new H21D harvester and F20D forwarder. JWS is also an operator and dealer of T-Winch equipment, which can assist forestry machines to handle the very steepest of terrain. However, due to the relatively small number of trees at the top of this site, on a very steep section, the company decided to deploy hand cutters – with chainsaws – to cover this challenging part of the operation.

JWS is contracted to clearfell this 20ha site with around 12,000 cubic metres of timber, which equates to about 10,000 tonnes of mainly Sitka spruce harvested with an average tree size of 0.48m.

innovations and development.

lifting force of 1.5 tonnes at full

The company enjoys annual sales

extension. Thanks to the strength

of approximately SEK550 million

of the crane, attention turned to

(£470m) and have around 270

developing new and suitable

employees at factories in Rottne,

felling units.

Lenhovda and Stensele. The

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AUTUMN 2020 FORESTRY MACHINERY

and it boasts groundbreaking

and reducing ownership costs

dedicated forwarder, manufactured in the mid 1960s.

A decade later, Rottne started manufacturing and selling processors, the predecessors of today’s harvesters.

Yet another innovation was the firm’s RG-81 parallel crane,

IMAGES ROTTNE

H21D harvester operator Richard Todd has over 38 years’ experience and shared his thoughts on the Rottne. “This H21D is a cracking machine, as it is extremely comfortable, has plenty of power and traction to cover steep ground, a very powerful crane and harvesting head,” he said. “It’s also very operator friendly with

already looking at sustainability

innovations such as the first

ROTTNE H21D HARVESTER

In the 1970s, Rottne was

company slogan is ‘First in forest’,

launched in the early 1980s with the new felling unit RF-81, which meant that machine operators could now grasp a tree, fell it and

DEALER FOCUS | JIM WILMER & SONS

H21D’s cabin is quiet and comfy, and has many programmable buttons on and around the sticks.

EGS706 head with five feed rollers and a spring-loaded measuring wheel; power supply and ethernet lines are separated.

when it launched a

including dimmable LED lighting

remanufacturing replacement

to remove glare for the operator

parts system, which today is

from some of the machine

called Rottne Xparts and backs its

structures.

products with a two-year factory guarantee.

Today’s range of equipment is

Half of Rottne production is exported to Europe, Russia, and North America. Jim Wilmer &

the result of continuous

Sons Timber Harvesting Ltd is the

improvements; the H21D launched

latest addition to the global

in 2014 has received over 80

network of dealers and serves the

upgrades over the last six years,

UK market.

Rottne’s strapline is ‘First in forest’, with innovations such as the first dedicated forwarder in the mid 1960s. Ten years later the firm began making and selling processors - predecessors of today’s harvesters.

good in-cab and outside locker storage for personal items and tools.

It’s also easy to maintain, with fantastic access to the engine and other components.”

Nice touches include a lightweight three-rung ladder and platform extension – stowed next to the exhaust – that just latches on at various points around the machine. Richard also mentioned he was previously on a tracked harvester and is delighted to be operating the new eight-wheel drive H21D harvester, as the comfort and cab design puts it in a different class, and he feels it’s by far the best wheeled harvester he has operated. Now with 170 hours on the clock, Richard said the machine has been faultless since it arrived and, apart from the 100 hours first service, it is not had a spanner near it.

Rottne equipment comes with Rottne Connect, which is a mobile and office-based app that provides real-time information on a range of data, such as machine location, health status, and a host of other information. As the operators head to the jobsite each morning, they can even remotely fire up the machine’s in-cab night heater from their mobile phone so it reaches working temperature immediately at the start of shift. This is particularly welcome at 5am on a freezing winter’s morning!

The H21D is equipped with a portable colour printer tucked up in the dropdown cab roof lining, which provides onsite production data in hard copy. Remote technical support from JWS in Ayrshire or the Rottne factory in Sweden is via satellite connection with Rottne Connect. The cab is said to be comfortable and very quiet, at just 63dBA and has the usual vast array of programmable buttons on and around the two joysticks. Individual machine operator preference can be set up and stored via the large LCD touchscreen computer. The production and machine monitoring screen is bright and very clear, and one of the biggest found on a harvester.

Richard commented: “The machine monitoring and harvesting touchscreen displays are so easy to navigate and switch between the two main screens and is very user friendly to set up individual preferences.”

With a service weight just over 27 tonnes, the H21D is capable of felling and processing large trees with trunk diameters over 70cm.

Unlike some harvesting heads, the Rottne feed rollers clamp the tree underneath, reducing the pressure exerted by the delimbing knives, which results in reduced friction, faster processing times, increased production, less strain on the hydraulic pumps, and a notable fuel saving. This design also means the Rottne harvesting head can comfortably process around 25 to 30 cubic metres per hour. At the time of Forestry Machinery’s visit, the H21D was sipping diesel at just 16.5 litres per hour, and AdBlue consumption is typically 2 to 3% of fuel usage.

The Rottne harvesting head has three centre feed rollers, which is one more than other harvesting heads, and a spring-loaded FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

19

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

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AUTUMN 2020 FORESTRY MACHINERY

FM05_020.indd 20

20/08/2020 16:52

DEALER FOCUS | JIM WILMER & SONS Richard Todd is too busy working the H21D’s controls to notice the spectacular view behind him towards Lochgoilhead; the head’s power chin saw spins at over 9,000rpm.

“THE H21D IS CAPABLE OF FELLING AND PROCESSING LARGE TREES WITH TRUNK DIAMETERS OVER 70CM”

and effective rear-view camera is fitted as measuring wheel, hydraulically retractable standard, with the rear camera for maximum log contact and accuracy. The positioned at the top of the cab where it power supply and ethernet computer lines should remain clean and undamaged. run on two separate cables, thus if one is damaged, the high voltage cable does not fry the low voltage on board computers, which can ROTTNE F20D FORWARDER happen on other systems!

The Rottne F20D has many of the same The front end equipment on the Rottne is attributes as found on the H21D harvester robustly engineered for a wheeled harvester, resulting model. The F20D has a 20-tonne payload capacity in the parallel jib arm crane, RK250, with tiltable swing and extendable bunk placement and Hydraulic Rottne Connect provides real-time information on base and telescopic arm produces one of the highest lifting height adjustable and movable headboard to suit machine location, health forces on the market, with a lifting torque of 325kNm to different load configurations. status and a host of tackle the biggest trees. Richard reports lifting and The spacious and comfortable cab has a modern production information. processing a 4 cubic metre (3.8-tonne) tree with ease. The design where the operator sits in the centre. The crane also has a 2.2m telescopic arm to reach trees, such as large windows and low-set instrument panel provide one situated over a deep gully, and can process timber over a wider an uninterrupted view of the immediate and overhead area for a larger brash mat, giving a reduced footprint for improved surroundings. Rottne was first to launch its Comfort Line performance in soft ground. suspension cab in 2007, which makes crane work and driving in The H21D is power by a powerful 9-litre JD 6090 HFC09, Power rough terrain significantly smoother and has side skirt flaps below Tech PSS Final Tier 4/FT4 engine with AdBlue to produce 305hp the cab side panels to keep the under-cab components clean. at 1,700rpm. The engine drives three separate pumps, one for the Interior sound levels are low, at just 67dBA, said to be quieter than crane, head, and transmission. Hydraulic flow is 357 litres at a modern saloon car at 70dBA. 1,700rpm with the crane pump in addition. The transmission is Rottne only fits two main hydraulic feed hoses at the bottom of hydrostatic/mechanical with full capacity control with two gear the crane boom to provide better visibility for the operators during speeds from 2.5mph to 13.5mph and has manual differential locks. loading and unloading, as the main control valve block is mounted Tractive force is 230kN to the eight-wheel drive system (a six-wheel high up in the boom and also provides easier access. The F20D drive is also available). The working hydraulics and transmission engine hood provides good access for daily checks and to the hydraulics are separate systems, with the hydrostatic system running reliable John Deere engine. Fuel refilling is easily reached with a on engine oil for increased component durability. dropdown step/side cover and a set of hoses neatly stored in the It has high-quality slide out tool trays and switch housing to open treadplates. the powered engine hood cover. JWS supply all Rottne machines The communication between harvesters, forwarders and clients is with a bespoke exhaust guard and a fire suppression kit as standard. becoming increasingly important in order for work in the forest to The service access to the engine and hydraulic pumps and become rational and productive. Production files from the transmission is exceptional – easy to maintain with lower planned harvester can be automatically received in the forwarder’s downtime. The H21D has a catwalk above the rear wheels to offer a computer, which then shows how much timber has been collected safe place to stand for the operator or maintenance crews. A large and driven out to the roadside for onward transport by trucks.

FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

21

JIM WILMER & SONS | DEALER FOCUS “COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HARVESTERS, FORWARDERS AND CLIENTS IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT”

F20D crane lifting torque of 156kNm at 8.5/10m reach, and the load area is 4.8 to 8.4 square metres.

AdBlue and fuel refilling is easy thanks to a dropdown step/side cover and a set of hoses neatly stored in the treadplates.

Operating the F20D is John Beattie who has over 20 years’ experience in forestry work. John said, “With 350 hours on the clock, it’s been reliable and travels well over soft ground and climbs very well with the transmission diff locks engaged. The hydraulic headboard widens out the bunk by half a metre for extra payload in the right conditions. It’s also very quiet and comfortable, with good all-round visibility.”

Ronnie also explained that he has been in the forestry industry for a long number of years – in both operations and maintenance roles – and is very impressed with the performance, quality, ease of maintenance and reputation of Rottne equipment, and has received a good number of sales enquiries since JWS launched the Rottne dealership. Claims about low cost of ownership is backed by an independent survey conducted by Skogsbruket’s Technical Collaboration Group (TSG), shows that Rottne has the lowest costs for labour and spare parts.

In 2017, TSG studied the total costs for four different repair scenarios for the machine type large final felling machines. The survey showed that Rottne has the absolute lowest total cost for repairs. TSG’s survey showed in the four cases studied a reduced spare parts cost of a full 48% if parts from Rottne Xparts were used.

Speaking about the study’s findings, Tobias Johansson, MD at Rottne commented, “This is really nice to see, and with spare parts from our exchange system Rottne Xparts, with an average cost for spare parts of 60% of the new price, our repair costs are even lower.”

CONCLUSION From my visit, it is clear Rottne produces very well thought-out and robustly engineered forestry equipment. With a number of Rottne machines now operating within its fleet and a growing customer base, JWS is well positioned to provide UK forestry contractors with a highly credible alternative for harvesters, forwarders, processing heads, and support customers through its highly experienced dealer team.

John Beattie sat in the F20D’s spacious cab, which has a modern design and places the operator at its centre.

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AUTUMN 2020 FORESTRY MACHINERY

From left to right, you can see the transmission drive, transmission pump, harvesting head and crane pumps - and all are easily accessed.

Large windows and low-set instrument panel provide an uninterrupted view of the immediate and overhead surroundings.

FORESTRY MACHINERY FOR ALL NEEDS  FROM LIGHT THINNING TO HEAVY FINAL FELLING

+

SPACIOUS & LUXURY COMFORT CABS SERVICEABILITY PROVIDES EASY ACCESS ROTTNE XPARTS  REPLACEMENT SYSTEM FOR SPARE PARTS LOW GROUND PRESSURE FLEXIBLE MACHINES WITH MANY STANDARD OPTIONS

ROTTNE FORWARDERS AND HARVESTERS MEET EVERY NEED, FROM LIGHT THINNING TO HEAVY FINAL FELLING. WE OFFER SWEDISHMADE PRODUCTS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY AND THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY, AN EXTENSIVE SERVICE NETWORK AND A COMPETENT AND FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE.

ROTTNE.COM

SWEET SIX

W & V Laing Timber Contractors gives David Wylie its verdict on its six-wheeled Tigercat 615E skidder operating on a hardwood extraction project near Dunkeld in Scotland

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AUTUMN 2020 FORESTRY MACHINERY

HARDWOOD EXTRACTION | TIGERCAT 615E

P

itlochry-based W & V Laing Timber Contractors is a family business established in 1983 by Willie Laing and his wife Violet. In 1977, Willie – aged 19 – began his career at the forestry commission, working with skylines to extract timber from clearfell sites. Six years later, Willie started his forestry business with just a chainsaw, hand-cutting trees for a number of years and buying his first piece of forestry machinery in the shape of an old Ford County four-wheel drive tractor, which pulled a logging trailer operating as a timber forwarder.

As Willie was building up the business, he invested in his first skidder machine – a Clarke Ranger model which gave good service. Then Willie bought a pre-owned John Deere 648 model in France, which he later discovered was limited by its grab lifting height and winch performance, as the winch power was either on or off, therefore getting a progressive pull in some applications was a real challenge, although the machine served the company well enough to last four years.

In 2015, Willie started looking at buying a Tigercat skidder. A pre-owned unit was located in Belgium, but it had no winch fitted and the second-hand price was not that far off a new Tigercat 615E once a new winch was added to the equation. So, Willie decided to take the plunge and bought a new Tigercat 615E model from UK dealer Treetop Forestry and paid £270,000 including band tracks, front wheel chains and so on. This 615E model was commissioned in December 2015 and has been used very successfully, albeit for a mere 700 hours, but more on this later…

W & V Laing Timber Contractors predominantly undertakes forestry projects

Willie Laing at the controls, perched on the swivelling seat.

Steep slopes are no problem for the sixwheeled Tigercat.

in Scotland and has also covered a number of special projects in the UK where its skills, experience and Tigercat 615E skidder are required. The company also operates new Komatsu 875, 890 and 895 model forwarders (one of which was temporarily converted into a makeshift haulage vehicle – see separate box), and its services include: site clearance, large vehicle recovery, tree surgery, dangerous tree removal, chipping and mulching, and tree recycling timber contractors, to name but a few.

SITE VISIT I met up with Willie Laing and his experienced crew in a managed woodland

WILLIE DECIDED TO TAKE THE PLUNGE AND BOUGHT A NEW TIGERCAT 615E MODEL FROM UK DEALER TREETOP FORESTRY near Dunkeld in Perthshire, Scotland.

Willie explained that he has been working for his client – Chantler Willie usually carries Timber which is one of the responsibility for Britain’s largest round this part of the job. hardwood timber purchasers – on this and other projects for over 30 years.

The original contract was to carefully fell 75 high-value oak trees that have been maturing for over 150 years or more. However, the woodland is carefully managed by the local landowner and the final total will be just under 60 oak trees, which will be harvested in a carefully designed thinning plan.

At the time of our visit, Willie was ably assisted by two local self-employed experienced hand-cutters – equipped with Husqvarna chainsaws – that Willie had hired, and was a family affair, with one of the men being his brotherin-law. As an aside, his fatherin-law (at 78 years young), currently working on a soft FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

25

wood clearfell site, is a regular operator of another forwarder, a 2017 Komatsu 875 model.

Felling high-value timber such as oak is a highly skilled job, Willie explained. On this site, the crew manage to fell around 10 trees on a good day, and as few as four (it is worth bearing in mind a harvester clearfelling softwood will cut and process approximately 10 trees in around six minutes) if the tree is laying in a difficult angle or is likely to impact on surrounding trees or structures.

In which case, the Tigercat’s powerful 65m long winch rope will be attached and pulled in the correct direction for safe and undamaged felling operations.

The other key consideration is the tree’s branch structure, particularly at the top, if the tree is divided into two large branch limbs. If these are not felled in the right direction, the thick upper branches could cause the entire tree to split right down the middle of the trunk when it hits the ground, which will significantly devalue the timber for his client. This is even more important with the highest value hardwood timber, such as burr oak or burr elm wood.

With this in mind, great care is also taken when sawing the base of the tree. Willie normally carries the responsibility for this part of the operation himself.

He starts off by cutting out

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AUTUMN 2020 FORESTRY MACHINERY

a mouth shape – known as the sink cut – in the direction he wants the tree to fall. Once this is done, he then cuts directly and straight into the centre of the tree trunk in order to break as much centre contact as possible, leaving the outer wood holding the tree steady.

He then carefully cuts off any outer buttress parts that could remain attached – and also cause the tree to split apart as it falls – before cutting around the remaining tree with his powerful 90cc two-stroke long chain bar Husqvarna chainsaw. The final cut is normally carried out at the back of the tree, so that Willie can make a safe and fast exit in the opposite direction just as the tree starts to fall over.

During this operation, Willie and the tree are watched over by the two hand-cutters, who are positioned up the hill and act as his extra eyes and ears to help ensure each tree is felled as safely as possible. Once the tree is felled, the two hand-cutters move in to delimber the tree. Some of the thinner sections are marked off for cutting and then loaded onto the big Komatsu forwarder.

High voltage power lines are another

Left: The Tigercat 615E is kept busy all year de-bogging other forestry equipment.

obvious hazard on this operation (the Tigercat has an advantage in this area, with its lower height profile and grapple), so measures have been taken to safely route the tall forwarder to another stockpiling area, which also has good access for the HGV timber wagons. Once all the timber has been felled and stockpiled, the client attends site to mark up the high-value timber to their own requirements, before heading to the sawmill to be cut for high-end timber products.

Cab view from the Komatsu 895 forwarder.

HARDWOOD EXTRACTION | TIGERCAT 615E Left inset: Large capacity dual-cylinder grapples and 20t pull winch a great combo.

Far left: Exceptional traction, manoeuvrability and lifting power with the dual-cylinder grapples.

Below: Highly skilled directional felling operation with the Tigercat winch; the 19mm thick rope can reach to 65m.

PUNCHING ABOVE ITS WEIGHT Willie explained that the 2015 Tigercat 615E is one of the smallest machines in Tigercat’s range of skidders. However, he considers it ideal for the UK market for extracting hardwood. He said the traction, manoeuvrability and shear lifting power, with the dual-cylinder rear grapples, is exceptional. It’s capable of ‘dead-lifting’ a 10-tonne tree clean off the ground and has pulled a felled tree in excess of 20 tonnes out of the felled area with ease.

Above: Once all the timber has been felled and stockpiled, the client marks up the high-value timber.

Willie feels the six-wheeled 615E provides the operators with a great deal of confidence on very steep ground, and provided you are operating it sensibly there will be no hair-raising moments with its performance, due to the even weight distribution (front and rear) and the long chassis and rear bogie design.

Willie commented, “I like the build quality of the Tigercat 615E as its been very reliable, and whilst it’s not highly used due to limited hardwood timber felling

operations these days, it will probably last me until it’s time to hang up my chainsaw and retire. Tigercat builds bigger skidders than our machine, however we find this 20-tonne 615E is the right size of skidder for the UK and we are pleased with our decision to opt for a six-wheel drive model, as it has proven time and again to be the right choice in terms of manoeuvrability, balance and traction on various applications with steep ground conditions.”

Willie is delighted with his 615E, however he would like to see a slightly bigger LCD machine performance display and more rotation of the operators seat as you switch from front to rear driving position. This will soon be addressed as production of the 615E ended last year and the current replacement model – the smallest six-wheel skidder in the Tigercat range – is now the 625E, which is soon to be replaced again with the much upgraded 625H series of machines.

Tigercat says its new range of THE 615E HAS H-series skidders, PULLED A FELLED including the TREE IN EXCESS latest 625H will OF 20 TONNES have improved OUT OF THE ease of FELLED AREA maintenance, WITH EASE as well as a 30% larger cab complete with seat that rotates more than 180 degrees, so operators can enter the right-hand door and spin around to fully face the rear of the machine. The 615E has been serviced from new by Tigercat dealer Treetop Forestry Ltd, which Willie cannot praise enough for its support; the company proactively brings along any new Tigercat factory upgrades or replacement parts when servicing the 615E, such as a strengthened new belly plate that protects the engine

Right: Sections are marked off for cutting and then loaded on to the Komatsu, which makes it look easy.

FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

27

TIGERCAT 615E | HARDWOOD EXTRACTION The 615E has pulled a tree in excess of 20 tonnes with ease.

sump from damage, which was fitted free of charge.

Tigercat reckons the 615E is a quick, compact, agile, and versatile model for selective felling and clearfell applications. The machine employs a powerful and efficient, 220hp Tigercat FPT engine with automatic variable engine speed for high fuel efficiency and SCR and AdBlue emission control technology for Tier 4F emission standards.

The diesel engine is matched to the company’s EHS ‘efficient high speed’ hydrostatic drivetrain to offer an efficient driveline, with electronic control system for

LIKE ALL OTHER TIGERCATS, THE 615E IS DESIGNED TO BE INCREDIBLY STRONG

high speed and powerful tractive effort in forward or reverse with minimal wheelspin in adverse terrain. EHS is capable of providing the tractive effort of the deepest gear ratio offered in Tigercat’s standard transfer case, as well as the top speed of the shallowest gear ratio offered in the standard transfer case. This is said to be accomplished with sophisticated computer logic and the ability to take one of the drive motors offline when high tractive effort is not required. In this case, all pump flow is directed to one hydraulic motor, increasing both travel speed and motor efficiency.

When operating conditions demand high tractive effort, both hydrostatic motors work with independent front and rear differential locks. When tractive effort requirements are reduced – for instance, when traveling

empty or loaded on flat terrain – all of the pump flow is directed to one motor for higher travel speeds up to 14mph.

TRACTION SATISFACTION Like all other Tigercat’s, the 615E is designed to be incredibly strong – its long-life centre section is constructed with thick steel plate, oversized pins and tapered roller bearings. A two-position turnaround seat and joystick steering help to provide rear-facing drive controls. Grapple and arch functions are controlled by just one joystick.

Willie is impressed with the powerful hydrostatic drivetrain as he just uses the throttle pedal to control the speed and bring the machine to a halt without using the foot brake, making the machine easy to operate, even in challenging conditions.

FIT FOR PURPOSE Laing’s Tigercat 615E was on

In de-bogging work, the

display at the 2019 Forestry Expo

company’s 20-tonne pull winch

Scotland on a modern clearfell

can be combine with pullies and

operation where the timber can

snatch blocks and additional

be either be shipped to the

machines to provide suitable

sawmill full length and or

anchorage to increase the

stockpiled for processing later

capability up to 120 tonnes,

on. Laings has even temporarily

although a 40- to 60-tonne pull is

converted one of its Komatsu

normally deployed in this situation.

forwarders into a makeshift

And the 19mm thick rope can

haulage vehicle on a highland

reach to 65m or by fitting

hydro project, where a massive

thinner 16mm rope to

water turbine feed pipe control

the winch drum it can

valve needed to be hauled up a

reach 100m.

steep hillside in order to replace the unit under planned maintenance!

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AUTUMN 2020 FORESTRY MACHINERY

Komatsu forwarder now a makeshift haulage vehicle.

Above: Laings Tigercat 615E on display at the 2019 Forestry Expo Scotland.

www.fuelwood.co.uk 01926 484 673

UK Importers; Manufacturers; Sales; Service & Support... ...Strategic LocaƟons in: Warwickshire, Devon, Northumberland, Scoƫsh Borders and Inverness.

ONE SIZE FITS ALL As one of the earliest – and happiest – users of an EcoLog harvester in Ireland, Peter Sheeran Timber Harvesting Ltd has since created an exclusive fleet of machines from the Swedish manufacturer, as Eoghan Daly reports

T

he purchase of Peter Sheeran Timber Harvesting Ltd’s first EcoLog 688 harvester was inspired by its ability to conduct all stages of thinning and clear felling, unlike most other machines on the market. A positive experience with the 688 led to the company’s most recent acquisition of Ireland’s first EcoLog 564D Blue forwarder.

Entering service with a second 688 in ‘E’ spec, the duo have subsequently proven their working capabilities in a wide range of stand types and on varying ground conditions across the midlands of Ireland, as well as on a particularly challenging clear fell assignment in the north-east since going into operation.

Initially, the company considered buying another Gremo forwarder based on the success of the existing 1050F, but with long delivery times and a strong combined deal for a two-machine purchase through local dealer

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AUTUMN 2020 FORESTRY MACHINERY

LB Gremo, the EcoLog won through and has since proven itself on a number of fronts for this Mountrath, County Laois-based contractor.

Peter Sheeran needs Seen as a forwarder with machines that can cover a range of tasks. much undiscovered potential among Irish users, the 564D has a range of advantages often overlooked by manufacturers when it comes to creating the ultimate all-round machine. Striking the right balance between a machine with sensitive operational characteristics for thinning and at the same time infusing raw power with impressive load capacity and build substance is a difficult design brief, however EcoLog managed it, as Peter Sheeran

confirmed: “I’ve run forwarders from a range of manufacturers over the years, having started out like so many others with a Bruunett 678 and then moving up to a series of Timberjacks before running machines from Valmet and more recently Gremo.

“The Gremo 1050F is a great little forwarder and is ideal in thinnings and premature clearfell, but for our second forwarder needed a higher capacity for clear fell and the ability to work in thinnings equally well,” he continued. “After looking at the 564D Blue from EcoLog, I believed it was exactly what I had been looking for, and now that it’s in service for the past two years have

HARVESTING | ECOLOG 688 & 564D PETER SHEERAN FLEET

HARVESTERS

2016 ECOLOG 688 WITH LOG MAX 6000TWIN HARVESTING HEAD 2019 ECOLOG 688E WITH LOG MAX 6000TWIN HARVESTING HEAD

FORWARDERS

2016 GREMO 1050F 2019 ECOLOG 564D BLUE Above inset: The two lower movable knives give the Log Max 6000 its ‘Twin’ designation.

Inset left: Access to valve block assembly considered superior to that seen on rival designs.

The EcoLog 688E’s cabin controls are laid out in a very sensible fashion.

“THE REQUIREMENT FOR THINNING AND CLEARFELLING WITH THE SAME MACHINE IS VITAL THESE DAYS” seen first-hand what it really can do, which is even better than I first expected.”

Never one to shy away from forward thinking and innovative purchases, Peter has been responsible for a number of firsts when it comes to the selection of machines for his timber harvesting operation. This approach was based on the need for machines to overcome specific challenges that have arisen through specialisation in various aspects of logging throughout Ireland. Current demand sees his operation cater for both thinning and clearfelling.

“Machines we used in the past were ideal for premature clearfelling on deep peat sites, but things have changed since then – the requirement for thinning and clear felling with the same machine is vital these days,” Peter explained to Forestry Machinery.

“We are working for Coillte with long term contracts and also do some private work,

so having machines that can perform all types of harvesting is vital. The choice of machines capable of doing all types of harvesting work is very limited, but I believe EcoLog is one of the few manufacturers that have built a machine truly capable of carrying out this broad range of work.”

PACKAGE ENHANCEMENT While the latest 688E is essentially an upgraded version of the original machine, it has received a degree of upgrading, including its enhancement to Stage 4 emissions regulations with the addition of an AdBlue system. In the interests of accommodating the reservoir tank and associated equipment, the rear section of the machine was modified. The overall length has been shortened marginally too, while an additional motor increased crane slewing torque.

When it came to access for service and repair procedures, the original machine provided a very user friendly format so that area was left alone. However, the rear of the machine has grown slightly to incorporate the AdBlue reservoir tank and emissions neutralising system, with the exhaust located at the opposite side.

This change was expected to reduce visibility at the rear when reversing out of thinned racks, but the effect was minimal, as Peter’s son Eoin who serves as its operator explained: “The rear of the machine may require a bit more attention when reversing out of thinnings, and with the rear view camera mounted on the back of the cab there is only so much it can display, especially when turning corners as it’s focused opposite way.

The enlarged rear is only a small issue though, and only takes a bit of time to adjust to.”

The 688E’s engine also received an FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

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ECOLOG 688 & 564D | HARVESTING

“THE 688E’S ENGINE ALSO RECEIVED AN UPGRADE, THE ORIGINAL MERCEDES UNIT SWAPPED FOR A NEWER VOLVO ENGINE”

upgrade, the original Mercedes unit swapped for a newer Volvo engine, which delivers a power rating of 210kW and most impressively a torque rating of 1,237Nm. Indeed, the Volvo engine has proven a good match for the demands placed on it whilst remaining efficient. All that said, the EcoLog 688E is considered one of the best all-round machines on the market, so there has been little else for Peter Sheeran Timber Harvesting to improve.

Very few other manufacturers offer a harvester with the working range of the 688E – it is equally compatible with all stages of thinning and clear fell operations up to large

Sheeran’s first 688 harvester has been in service for four years.

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volume material. With its eight wheeled design and running on 710mm wide tyres, the 688E measures 2.84m wide in this configuration and gives impressive tractive force of 200kN, which aids operation in challenging situations especially clear felling on steep ground.

HEAD AND HEART Cementing the 688E’s versatility is the Log Max 6000Twin harvesting head allied to the machine. With

ample oil flow to obtain the maximum from this high capacity harvesting head, even during the simultaneous operation of other hydraulically dependant elements, every aspect of the EcoLog is clearly designed to be the best possible all-round harvester, as Peter confirmed. “The Log Max 6000Twin head is a very big part of the success of the EcoLog harvester, but the base unit also makes a massive contribution to the head’s success. The base machine’s dimensions are compact enough to do all stages of thinning and yet it is stable enough to take down bigger trees in clear fell with plenty of crane power to handle everything within the Eoin Sheeran operates working range of the head. Our first EcoLog the newer of the two EcoLog 688 harvesters. harvester is now four years old and has proven very capable over long term use for us. Overall, they seem very strong, well built machines with a high specification across the board.”

Much of the 688E’s stability and ability to apply maximum operational capacity of the

crane and harvesting head is due to the mounting position of the common crane and cabin slewing base, which is located to the rear of the front bogie.

In the configurations seen here, both harvesters boast a maximum reach of 10m.

With twin hydraulic cylinders utilised for all crane movements, lifting performance and responsiveness are superior to that of a larger single cylinder approach. This crane set up also aids visibility from the cabin. Unlike parallel action cranes fitted to other manufacturers’ machines, the EcoLog solution has a far more refined and less complex base, mounted on a common slewing drive. “EcoLog has come up with a crane design that really suits this harvester, as it doesn’t block right-side visibility,” Eoin explained. “The crane gives great working capacity, and the machine’s stability allows the crane to be used at full reach.”

The cabin is slightly unconventional from a purpose-built harvester’s perspective, with its front entry arrangement. While the mounting of the head control and measuring system on the inside of the door could expose it to the elements, this design has never caused any problems. “The EcoLog harvester cab is very well designed around the operator, with plenty of space and a good layout,” Eoin said. “Visibility is great and there is nothing to block the view to the head with the crane mounted on the side.”

LAY OF THE LAND All main controls are within easy reach of the operator, including the IQAN control system which displays all information and controls base machine related elements.

While the DASA Forester large touchscreen monitor governs the harvesting head in a Windows-based operating structure with full data transfer capabilities. Operator comfort is further increased by the cabin and crane also offering a degree of levelling, which allows left and right tilt by 16 degrees, and fore and aft by 16 and 10 degrees respectively.

Away from the positives of the 688E base machine, the Log Max 6000Twin harvesting head is loaded with individual features which set the tone for its positive operation. Despite its working capacity, the 6000Twin remains equally effective dealing with small and larger diameter material. Ease of head placement in thinnings is ensured by its narrow profile in relation to its working capacity, while the saw box profile allows its placement low down on large volume trunks with flared butts in clear fell situations.

Positive stem gripping and delimbing is assured by the presence of two lower knives, while the delimbing result is extremely positive in coarsely branched material thanks to positive feed force delivered by the larger 934cc feed motors and a number of Log Max features which combine for maximum

Above: 564D Blue forwarder with thinnings.

Left: 4.8m bunk and 710mm wide tyres. performance. These include the low level of friction transferred to the head thanks to the variable pressure intensity applied to the floating top knife. While this system has been employed by Log Max for some time, it as benefited from further refinement for the latest incarnation – settings can be changed quickly and easily by the operator through the control computer, as Eoin explained: “The pressure of the top knife can be adjusted quickly through the computer, and allows different pressure to be applied to the knife to match the type of timber being harvested.”

The head also presents a sensible design from an access perspective for fault tracing

and repair. This is thanks to the valve block assembly which is easily reached via a cover on the top rear of the head, held in the closed position by four durable latches. Once in the open position, all elements are easily accessible unlike those units of many other manufacturers. This high degree of accessibility extends to the base machine and nice design touches include the raising function of the diesel tank to reveal all hydraulic elements beneath.

LASTING LEGACY While the operational abilities of the latest 688E and the earlier generation unit FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

33

ECOLOG 688 & 564D | HARVESTING continue to impress, little was known of the 564D Blue forwarder until it entered service. Even though the machine is no longer part of the EcoLog product range, following the recent takeover of Gremo which has seen restructuring of the forwarder range, the 564D Blue is still a great ambassador for the manufacturer. A quick assessment of the machine confirms its potential as a superb all-round forwarder. It features compact dimensions despite having impressively high floatation properties and ground clearance, together with apparently high levels of build strength as well as tractive power and crane capacity, which have since been proven in successive extraction assignments.

SIZE MATTERS Considering the 564D Blue as a machine for thinning, its overall width is 2.84m when running on 710mm wide Nokian Forest King tyres, which provides an ideal combination of narrow overall width for effective operation in the stand, while floatation remains at positive levels thanks to the tyres’ large contact area. However, it is not just the width of the tyres fitted that make a contribution to the machine’s working abilities as their 26.5 profile greatly assists the already impressive ground clearance.

Viewing the 564D Blue from the front, this generous clearance is immediately apparent and also extends to its acute approach angle, said to reach 40 degrees. With positive stand penetration abilities and excellent

Clearfell extraction no problem for the mighty 564D Blue.

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Gremo 1050F highly rated for thinnings extraction work.

EcoLog 564D Blue forwarder operator Billy Phelan.

“A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE 564D CONFIRMS ITS POTENTIAL AS A SUPERB ALL-ROUND FORWARDER”

manoeuvrability, the 564D Blue still presents worthwhile payload capacity, while the fitment with wide tyres greatly improves its floatation properties. Despite the generous capacity of the load bunk, it is configured in a manner which also eases its ability to work in thinnings stands, as it is not excessively wide and still succeeds in retaining vital capacity while also keeping the centre of gravity low.

Specified with the shorter 4.8m bunk length option in the interests of maintaining good manoeuvrability in thinnings, the acute steering angle of 43 degrees is also a major assistance, while the

fitment of unbalanced bogies means the machine works well in lower weight bearing sites. Power provision for the machine is by a Mercedes four-cylinder engine which returns a power rating of 153kW while the tractive effort exerted is 174kN. Like the harvesters, the 564D Blue’s main components are monitored and controlled by the IQAN control system with the theme of proven components also extending to the crane of choice in the form of a Cranab FC12 single extension unit with a reach of 8.5m.

In service for the past two years, the 564D has met Peter’s expectations. “From the start, I saw the EcoLog forwarder as a strong, well built machine and that’s just what it has proven to be over its first two years. It has been reliable and very well suited to the harvesting work we do,” he said.

WHEN VOLUME COUNTS! T6/T7/T8

T9F/ T10 4WD

FARMA have always taken pride in producing forest trailers for everyone. From the smaller wood handler to the professional forestry. For almost 30 years, FARMA has helped foresters to get their volumes out of the forest. With a volume of more than 15 000 sold trailers on the European market, we dare to say that we know what we are talking about. When volume counts, count on FARMA.

T10/T12 G1/G2

T14 4WD G2

Sales representative UK/international Tom Belton: 07860 951 485, tom.belton@forsmw.com

The 2,760kg Sany makes easy work of moving cut sections.

SMALL BUT

MIGHTY

David Wylie travels west to see Argyll Forestry Services’ new Sany SY26U excavator complete with rotating grapple at a large estate in Dunoon, Scotland

D

unoon-based Argyll Forestry Services Ltd is owned and managed by second generation forestry professional Ross Petro.

Joining the family business in 2001, Ross later took charge of the business under a new name of Argyll Forestry Services Ltd (AFS) in 2017 and employed his highly skilled team within his new company. AFS is experienced in all aspects of forestry landscaping and other various tree work and works hard to ensure it delivers a safe, competitive, and highly professional service to meet its customers’ needs.

Argyll Forestry Services covers a full range of arboricultural and forestry services to both commercial and domestic clients throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK, such as domestic and commercial tree surgery, forest and garden maintenance, site clearance, Japanese knotweed removal, stump grinding, consultancy and tree surveys and project management.

The skilled team are certificated to a high

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standard and accredited under the SafeContractor accreditation scheme, which indicates a well-managed and professional service that conforms to health and safety and the latest environmental guidelines.

The company’s list of clients includes organisations such as Scottish Woodlands (clearing affected larch trees), Tillhill Forestry, a number of local authorities, and Jim Wilmer & Sons Timber Harvesting Ltd (featured on pages 16 to 22) to name but a few.

Below right: The Sany’s lifting performance is impressive handling these big logs over the side of the tracks and at full reach.

becoming windblown, which would result in the damage and possible destruction of a large walled garden and adjacent glass conservatory. This forestry work is part of the larger renovation project at the magnificent Castle Toward – a former Argyll and Bute council building – previously used as an outdoor education facility.

AFS’s client is Keith Punler and Denice Purdie, who now own the estate, and after a multi-million-pound investment will soon be opening as an upmarket wedding hotel, with shop and cafe and exclusive location for films, TV productions and other events.

THE PERFECT MATCH The location is close to Dunoon centre and I met up with Lyle Sibbald from Sany UK a short journey and & Ireland, and Ross Petro and his car ferry ride from team at a large 600-acre estate in Glasgow.

Ross’s home town of picturesque “THIS FORESTRY Since the trees were Dunoon, which overlooks the WORK IS PART OF THE nearly 30m tall and so beautiful River Clyde estuary. At LARGER RENOVATION close to the adjacent the time of my visit, AFS was PROJECT AT THE structures, Ross and contracted to clearfell 22 spruce trees that had become over grown MAGNIFICENT CASTLE his team of hand cutters decided to and posing a possible risk of TOWARD”

OPERATOR FEEDBACK | SANY SY26U This picture: Wood chips will be used for biomass power by Castle Toward’s new boiler.

Left inset: Ross Petro, owner of Argyll Forestry service Ltd, is delighted with his new Sany SY26.

safely to remove the top half of the tree, known as topping. Supporting this operation is Argyll Forestry Services’ new, six-week old Sany SY26U fitted with a high-performance rotating grapple manufactured by Intermercato. The

2.7-tonne Sany was sold by Sany dealer Capel Machinery and is now being supported directly by Sany UK & Ireland, from the new central Scotland head office (see separate box on page 41 for more details).

WEIGHING UP THE COMPETITION Ross considered a range of mini excavators from various brands to cover a multitude of roles for his business, considering machine performance, price, availability, and service backup from the dealer. Ross’s machine operator recommended a Sany machine, based on his contacts with another existing delighted Sany operator. Having looked at the SY26U, including the auxiliary hoses fitted to run the various front end attachments, Ross liked the high specification, and he liked the package price of the SY26U even better. The machine price is confidential but suffice to say, Ross was happy to report the Sany was significantly less money than the next competitive quote for a mini digger and his operator was keen to have it!

Tom Brown at Field and Forest Machinery in Broxburn, Scotland supplied the powerful rotating grapple and powerful shear attachment which is working well in this application.

FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

37

SUPPLIERS OF NEW AND USED

QUALITY MACHINERY

OMEF TREE SHEARS • Heavy-duty.

• High quality and unrivalled reliability.

• 2 year manufacturers warranty.

INTERMERCATO TIGER-GRIP LOG GRAB • Very strong forest residue grapple.

• Double guide bars.

• Available in all different sizes.

TERRATECH TREE SHEARS • Made in Great Britain.

• 200- 500 cutting diameter.

• Removable Hardox 500 cutting knives.

TER TERRATECH T-REX 1000 STUMP 100 SHEAR SHE • Bui Built from high-strength Hardox steel.

Har • Ope Opening Width of 1060mm.

Cutting force of up to 60t.

• Cut

TERRATECH BRASH RAKES DEITMER CONE SPLITTER • Effortlessly breaks down large pieces of timber.

• Can be attached to excavators, forklifts,tractors, compact loaders, tele-handlers and timber trailer cranes.

• Suitable for 2.8-25t machine.

• Built fully from Hardox.

NEW MOLOTOK N HYDRAULIC HAMMERS

GMT T GRAPPLE SAW W • Patented manifold ld enables easy plug-and-play ay installation without any ny changes to your crane or excavator or

• 0.8 - 50t machines.

FEMAC FLAIL DEITMER EARTH AUGER

For expert friendly advice/free quote ring:

• Different sizes to suit all excavators.

• Suitable for all flailing and mulching applications.

01506 862 371

www.fieldandforestltd.co.uk sales@fieldandforestltd.co.uk

Field and Forest Machinery Ltd , Unit 1, Brock House, East Mains Industrial Estate, Broxburn, EH52 5AD

OPERATOR FEEDBACK | SANY SY26U Field and Forest Machinery supplied the rotating grapple.

Ross commented, “Our experienced machine operator, Tommy McCuaig suggested I look at a Sany mini digger and I have to say it was a good call, as both Tommy and I are delighted with the machine. We have only had it six weeks, but it’s proven a cracking little machine for our type of work.”

The 2.7-tonne excavator also helps with new build projects, where AFS is called in by the large housing development companies to carry out tree surgery or to help with the landscaping phase of new housing estates schedule of works. “Over the last few weeks, we have completed a number of landscaping jobs with the SY26U and it has proven to be a versatile machine, as it’s compact enough that it can get in and out of gardens and up driveways, and yet powerful enough to dig out tree stumps all day long.”

SO FAR SO GREAT

“THE 2.7-TONNE SANY WAS SOLD

BY DEALER CAPEL MACHINERY” Below and right inset: Mercedes Unimog U 90 turbo drives the high-performance TP200 Disc chipper.

As for this application, whilst there was no wind to contend with when felling the tall trees, Ross explained that the SY26U has such good reach they sometimes use it to steady the trees and provide a slight nudge to fell the timber in the right direction for a safer operation.

Once felled, the hand-cutters move back in to both delimber the brash and then cut the timber into sections with their powerful chainsaws. The SY26U, with its powerful rotating grapple, is kept busy removing the trimmed branches to the side and then picks up and tracks a short distance to neatly stockpile the timber.

Considering the SY26U

FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

39

FORESTRY MULCHERS

Teagle Forestry Mulchers have a range of features to ensure ease of operation and straightforward maintenance for a long and trouble-free service life.

EFX Forestry Mulcher ECF Forestry Mulcher Cage Rotor with Swinging Hammers Front/Rear Mounting double chassis Up to 35cm cut Fully Automatic Belt Adjustment Working Widths from 1.4m – 2.5m ECF/MD Single Transmission ECF/DT Dual Transmission

Fixed hammers &Tungsten Carbide Tips Front/Rear Mounting double chassis Up to 35cm cut Fully Automatic Belt Adjustment Working Widths from 1.4m – 2.5m FX/MD Single Transmission EFX/MD FX/DT Dual Transmission EFX/DT

Forestry Mulchers Front/Rear Mounting double chassis Up to 50cms cut Fully Automatic Belt Adjustment Se Self-Alignment of PTO Shaft W Working width 2.5m Forest PRO Dual Transmission Fo

HORTICULTURE • AGRICULTURE • FORESTRY • CONSTRUCTION

Call our Sales Desk: 01872 560592

For Quality Machinery Contact Us We have over 60 Years of Experience in Light & Heavy Used Machinery Based in the UK, we are specialists in sourcing and supplying construction equipment to both the home and International markets.

Proud to be working with Argyll Forestry Services

We specialise in Sany, Hitachi and Volvo construction equipment.

Check our website as our stock is always changing. If you have a specific machinery requirement, or have machinery you wish to sell, please contact us without delay.

Tom Gleeson: +44 (0)780 326 3377 / tom@capelmachinery.com Mark Roberts: +44 (0)743 225 4707 / mark@capelmachinery.com

www.capelmachinery.com 40

AUTUMN 2020 FORESTRY MACHINERY

FM05_040.indd 40

20/08/2020 13:07

OPERATOR FEEDBACK | SANY SY26U Left: The SY26U has proven very simple to use; wide rear and side panels offer good access for daily checks and regular greasing.

Above right and right: Surprising amount of room in the cabin; thumb operated attachment switches set up to Tom’s liking.

“WE’VE ONLY HAD IT SIX WEEKS, BUT IT’S PROVEN A CRACKING LITTLE MACHINE FOR OUR TYPE OF WORK” only weighs 2,760kg and is powered by a 20hp Yanmar 3TNV80F diesel engine, it is a very stable machine and boasts powerful front end equipment. Hydraulic flow to the attachment is also good, and its 4.5km/h travel speed makes short work of stacking the big timber logs. It’s also equipped with a dozer blade, which comes in handy to push the smaller piles of accumulated brash into a neat pile too.

A STURDY COMPANION AFS also runs a short-wheelbase Mercedes Benz Unimog U 90 turbo, equipped with a three-point linkage and rear PTO, to drive the high-performance TP200 disc chipper equipped with hydraulic infeed. The threebladed chipper unit can efficiently process wood chipping of branches and trees up to 200mm in diameter and at a rate of 40 cubic metres per hour. If the chipped wood is required to be transported offsite, it is then blown into the back of the Unimog body holding about six cubic metres of material.

The company also has a Timberwolf TW280 tracked wood chipper at its disposal.

Ross explained that to make the operation safer, he also uses the SY26U to lift and feed the high-speed chipper with big grapplefuls of brash and branches. On this jobsite, the timber will remain on site and be

SANY UK & IRELAND DEALERSHIP Following initial entry into

steps to ensure we can

Manager for Sany Scotland

the UK & Ireland market in

maximise our potential which

and a former sales manager

2015 with former UK

include the establishment of

for Sany excavators, is tasked

distributor, TDL Equipment,

a UK business, recruitment of

with building and managing a

Sany is stepping up its own

local industry experts,

direct approach for the

operations. The company is

investment in premises,

Scottish market. From new

in the process of setting up a

support infrastructure and

premises outside Glasgow,

direct sales route in Scotland

marketing, as well as, basing

Scottish customers will be

and building a new dealer

a full team from China within

sold machines directly, and

network across England and

the country.”

the region’s excavator range

Wales. Sany will continue to

Tony Thorpe, Sales

fully supported. The new

sell and support excavators

Director Sany UK & Ireland,

base will also support the

in Northern Ireland and the

has been working for the

rest of the UK dealer

Republic of Ireland with

company for over five years

network. “I am delighted to

partner Sleator Plant. Sany

and is heading the process of

join this team and very much

will continue to work closely

dealer recruitment and

look forward to working with

with TDL to ensure customers

development. “We are really

the Scottish excavator

are supported during this

excited to take this next step

customer base once again,”

transition period.

in the UK and Ireland as Sany

Lyle said.

“The United Kingdom and

ramps up its focus and

In order to provide a

Ireland is one of the key focus

investment,” Tony

greater level of support for

areas of growth for Sany,

commented. “To help us

the UK and Irish customer

therefore the company has

grow, we are keen to find new

base, Sany has recruited a

taken the decision to build a

partners in England and

dedicated Service Manager,

larger presence within the

Wales to sell and support the

Neil Tilley, who has over 20

market,” said Simon Zhu,

product line which we believe

years of experience in the

Managing Director Sany UK &

has huge potential.”

construction equipment

Ireland. “We are taking many

Lyle Sibbald, General

sector.

FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

41

SANY SY26U | OPERATOR FEEDBACK

“THE HYDRAULICS ARE SMOOTH AND POWERFUL, AND IT HAS VERY GOOD REACH FOR A RELATIVELY SMALL MACHINE”

processed into wood chips for biomass to power a new boiler system for Castle Toward.

Machine operator Tommy said, “I’m really pleased with the Sany mini digger, as it has a comfortable cab and, unlike other machines I’ve driven, the seat back on this SY26U is nice and high and offers plenty of support, and considering it’s a zero-tailswing machine the cab has got plenty of elbow room. The hydraulics are smooth and powerful, and it has very good reach for a relatively small machine and its extremely well built and has good stability, particularly when working over the side of the tracks with a heavy log to stack on the stockpile,” he continued.

Sany digging bucket and Ross’ brand new shear attachment.

MINI MARVEL

“The SY26U is simple to use, and the wide panels offer good access for daily checks and regular greasing. It’s also easy to live with as the machine is designed to be easily cleaned out with floor mats that extend to

ABOUT SANY Sany Group started in 1989 as a small welding supply company founded by four young men who wanted to offer better products to the world. Over the last three decades, Sany Group has grown and evolved into a global brand with a sales turnover of £12.5 billion, manufacturing and supplying a diversified range of products. Sany’s hydraulic excavators are among its most popular machines, finding 250,000 homes across the world during the past 17 years, including a new sales record of 60,000 units sold in 2019.

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the cab door. Overall, this is a very good mini digger – I can’t fault it. Out of all the many mini diggers I’ve driven, I’d go as far as saying the SY26U is the best one I’ve operated. It’s a smart looking bit of kit, too.”

Tommy also explained that he used the large LCD screen to set up the speed of the thumb operated attachment switches on the joystick to suit his personal preferences. With five years’ experience in a forestry forwarder, he had to physically swap the hoses around on the grapple to sync with his muscle memory to open and close the attachment.

Ross is also delighted with the technical backup from Sany UK & Ireland, as AFS received good advice on the current hose connections between the SY26U and the rotating head/grapple. In fact, Ross is so happy with his Sany experience that he will be looking to purchase another machine in the next few months. “Buying the SY26U has been a good experience, and technical support from Lyle and his colleagues at Sany UK has been exceptional,” he said.

SANY is embarking on a new chapter within the UK & Ireland. We are investing in the market and growing our presence across the region.

With a direct sales and support route in Scotland and a new dealer network across England and Wales, we are ready for any challenge.

info@sanyuk.com www.sanyuk.com

COMPLETE SERVICE

PROVIDER

Brophy Timber Services Ltd’s comprehensive line up of harvesters, forwarders, excavators and haulage trucks means the company is just about ready for anything, as Eoghan Daly reports

C

atering for a range of harvesting and extraction situations calls for a high level of operating versatility. With few machines presenting a complete solution, Brophy Timber Services’ fleet has evolved to include a range of harvesters and forwarders capable of working in all stages of thinnings and through to clearfell operations on the most challenging site types.

However, one factor which sets the company apart from many others is the willingness to cater for the harvesting of

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smaller blocks which are synonymous with private forestry in Ireland, especially in farmer owned plantations. Catering for the harvesting needs of this sector has been very important for the growth of the company, as Damien Brophy explained. “We may work with a number of major sawmills and with Coillte now, but when we started it was just private work. This sector has a lot of potential and we can either work as a contractor and look after all the harvesting, extraction and haulage for the grower, or buy timber standing and harvest and market it ourselves,” he continued. “As we work

across a large area, it is possible to coordinate work to include the harvesting for private growers, and is helped by running our own low loaders which allows much more flexibility when moving machines between sites.”

Much of the company’s ability to cater for such diverse site types is down to its timber harvesters, which have seen much evolution and upgrading since Brophy’s original Timberjack 1070. Each machine has been selected based on its specific merits, as Damien explained. “We have harvesters from Ponsse, Silvatec and John Deere, with

FLEET FOCUS | BROPHY TIMBER SERVICES

Above: Brophy was the first Irish contractor to run a Ponsse Scorpion, back in 2016.

Left: Brophy’s latest truck is this Scania R500XT with Epsilon Z-type crane; it also runs with a Nooteboom low loader.

“IT HAS TAKEN A LONG TIME FOR SOME MANUFACTURERS TO OFFER THEIR HARVESTERS IN AN EIGHT-WHEEL DESIGN BUT IT HAS BEEN WORTH THE WAIT”

Left: The Ponsse Elephant can haul loads a long way whilst being gentle on the terrain. all three manufacturers’ machines having their own individual benefits. The standard of machines has improved a lot since we started harvesting, and the only real difference between them now is the aftersales back up, which is why we have decided to stay loyal to Ponsse and John Deere for any new machine upgrades.”

Even though the harvester fleet comprises machines from three manufacturers, all of them are based on eight-wheeled platforms for added versatility, and even though some six-wheeled units made a positive contribution to Brophy’s operation in the past, the future trend is firmly towards their eight-wheeled counterparts. “We’ve had a lot of success with six-wheeled machines but see the eight-wheeled harvesters as far superior,” said Damien. “It has taken a long time for some manufacturers to offer their harvesters in an eight-wheel design but it has been worth the wait. Their greater stability makes a real difference to working on steep ground, and they also have much lower ground pressure for wetter sites.”

Of the older and original eight-wheeled machines run by BTS, the Silvatec 8266 TH Sleipner Mountaineer is considered one of the best performers. Originally added to the fleet in 2017, it was initially fitted with a Silvatec 450 harvesting head, which was

Above: Harvester operator Adrian Fitzpatrick, Elephant operator Ben Cuddy and excavator operator Ian McEvoy.

replaced by a new Ponsse H6 with associated Ponsse controls together with measurement and head control system. The decision to run this combination was based on Brophy’s positive earlier experiences with Ponsse harvesting heads mounted on purpose-built harvesters, including the initial machine from the manufacturer, an eight-wheeled Ponsse Fox. With the fitment of the new head and more modern operating system the Silvatec machine, renowned for its impressive hydraulic oil flow and positive design characteristics, could practically match the performance of a new machine at a fraction of the cost. “The Silvatec can really get the most out of the new Ponsse H6 harvesting head, as it has the oil flow to give it a good combination of speed and feeding force,” Damien confirmed. “It really is a very fast head when fitted to this Silvatec base machine.

“It is easy to see why Silvatec base machines like this are so popular on the used machine market, as they really are a very high class machine,” he continued. “In the time we’ve had ours, it’s only needed slewing pot bracket replacements for the crane.” Among the attributes which set the bar so high in the performance stakes for the 8266 TH Sleipner Mountaineer are its

stability and traction, which make it an excellent performer on steep sites, while the floatation offered by the eight-wheel design is also beneficial from a stability perspective and provides a ground pressure advantage on low weight bearing sites.

PUTTING IN THE HOURS Despite the apparent benefits of fitting an older base machine with a new harvesting head, all other harvesters on the Brophy fleet were purchased new and are all under three years old, including the Ponsse Scorpion and Scorpion King units, which are complemented by a John Deere 1170G harvester. The first timber harvesting contractor in Ireland to run these distinctive Ponsse machines, BTS has amassed much practical experience of them in a wide range of working situations incorporating both steep and wet ground conditions in both thinnings and clearfells.

Recently upgraded for the latest generation Scorpion and Scorpion King models, Ponsse’s concept has really stood the test of time with no negative experiences encountered despite the machines’ sophistication and more complex main frame composition than that of competitors.

“We’ve used Scorpions since 2016 and got the first Scorpion King in 2017. They are FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

45

our main harvesters and do 2,500 hours per year, so it makes sense to keep replacing them as we did this year with the two latest models. The 2017 machine we traded in had worked 8,000 hours and we couldn’t have been happier with its performance.”

While the distinctive crane and cabin configuration may be the machine’s most obvious feature, its brilliance lies in the unique three-section chassis design coupled with the specialist control system, which ensures active levelling while making best use of the capabilities this chassis configuration brings.

Even though eight-wheeled harvesters already have distinct advantages in steep slope harvesting, especially when working downhill, the Scorpion King is said to take these benefits to a new level. Brophy’s long-term operator Adrian Fitzpatrick agrees: “There isn’t another harvester like the Scorpion King – it has everything you could want in a machine. It has performance and operator comfort to beat anything else I’ve used in the past. The levelling function and slewing range of the cabin and crane are excellent. The stability is one of the machine’s big plus points – it’s so well balanced even when working downhill, which allows you to make full use of the crane’s reach.”

Currently, the Brophy fleet incorporates this large-capacity machine and the standard Scorpion model with longer 11m reach crane and smaller sized H6 harvesting head, which is geared towards more intensive thinnings utilisation. However, when working in clearfell the Scorpion King and its H7 harvesting head really come into their own. In long knife configuration, it offers excellent stem gripping characteristics even in larger volume material while the base unit’s stability contributes to the ability to operate to the upper limits of the head’s range in a far greater number of situations comfortably. Feeding is the task of three feed rollers, two angled outer units, as well as the unit embedded in the frame of the

Above: It may be the oldest harvester on the fleet, but the Silvatec 8266 TH Sleipner Mountaineer remains effective.

Above: Long rear bogie enhances the stability and weight distribution of the 15-tonne capacity Ponsse Buffalo.

“PONSSE’S CONCEPT HAS REALLY STOOD THE TEST OF TIME WITH NO NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES ENCOUNTERED DESPITE THE MACHINES’ SOPHISTICATION” head, and all three create a feeding ring effect accounting for the feed force of 30kN. Feed speed, meanwhile, is five metres per second. Measurement accuracy is also considered a positive of the head’s design, while the Ponsse Opti4G system is both user friendly and intuitive.

In addition, the Ponsse heads are proving very easy to work on from a maintenance

Above inset: Scorpion King’s three-section chassis a major success.

Left: H7 head on the King seen here harvesting a clearfell site in Tipperary.

Right: BTS’ 2020 model Scorpion King with useful 10m crane reach.

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AUTUMN 2020 FORESTRY MACHINERY

perspective, as Damien emphasised: “When it comes to greasing, the Ponsse head is just far superior to anything else, as all areas are easy to access,” before adding, “Anything we suggest to Ponsse about possible improvements is always listened to and often built into the machines in later upgrades.

The company really does value the end user’s input.”

Ponsse machines aren’t the only ones to receive praise from Brophy – the company’s 2019 John Deere 1170G with H414 harvesting head has also made a good

FLEET FOCUS | BROPHY TIMBER SERVICES John Deere 1170G harvester with IBC crane control and H414 harvesting head working in clearfell near Feakle, Co. Clare for ECC Sawmills.

COMPANY HISTORY Based in the heart of the Slieve Bloom Mountains at Drim near Mountrath, County Laois, the origins of Brophy Timber Services Ltd could not be closer to the core of Irish timber harvesting. Founded 11 years ago by Damien Brophy with the purchase of the first timber harvester in the form of a used Timberjack 1070, this first foray into running his own timber harvesting operation followed prior engagement as a qualified mechanic at the Galmoy lead and zinc mine in County Kilkenny. With his father having spent all his working life with timber harvesting, for Damien the change of direction based on the lure of forestry seemed a natural progression.

A high level of commitment and investment early on have led to success and natural expansion, with the operation now serving leading sawmill operators, and harvesting on both state owned and private forest plantations.

Meanwhile, Damien’s innovative streak has seen the company develop its in-house machine modification works serving its own needs and that of its clients, whilst researching and developing successful working methods for whole tree harvesting for biomass production based on Irish working conditions.

impression. “John Deere has an excellent base unit in the 1170G and its eight-wheel design is a major advancement over the 1070s we ran in the past,” Damien said. “It’s probably faster in second and subsequent thinnings than a Ponsse Scorpion, and is ideal in a 0.3 or 0.4 cubic metre tree size.

“The H414 head works well too, but could benefit from some improvements as it is showing to have higher running costs with a greater number of hose replacements needed than our Ponsse heads when doing the same type of work,” Damien added.

of specification, the machine is also the first forwarder to be run by BTS with the long bogie option beneath the load bunk. This configuration is proving popular among timber harvesting contractors and is already considered a worthwhile option based on the limited working experience gained to date. Spreading the load over a much longer area, the long bogie arrangement instantly boosts stability and when fitted with band tracks makes a positive contribution to lowering the ground impact greatly.

A FULL SET When it comes to forwarders, Brophy boasts an all-Ponsse fleet. The line-up includes Ponsse’s the smallest model, the Gazelle, which offers a light and nimble solution to the extraction of thinnings in lower weight bearing sites and benefits from the fitment of a double extension crane. Brophy’s Ponsse Wisent forwarder has become one of the most successful units ever run by the company when it comes to all-round extraction capability.

The most recent fleet addition is a new Ponsse Buffalo, which entered service during June 2020. Offering the latest level

Left and above inset: This Ponsse Wisent is one of the most successful forwarders to serve the operation thanks to its all-round ability in thinnings and clearfell, and its handy 12-tonne payload capacity.

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BROPHY TIMBER SERVICES | FLEET FOCUS BROPHY TIMBER SERVICES FLEET

Elephant’s bunk offers space for multiple bays of shorter lengths.

Harvesters 2011 Silvatec 8266 TH Sleipner Mountaineer with 2017 Ponsse H6 head 2019 John Deere 1170G with IBC crane control and H414 head 2020 Ponsse Scorpion with H6 head 2020 Ponsse Scorpion King with H7 head

Forwarders 2015 Ponsse Gazelle 2017 Ponsse Wisent 2020 Ponsse Buffalo 2018 Ponsse Elephant

Trucks 2008 Scania R480 6x2 + Nooteboom low loader/timber trailer and Epsilon crane 2013 Scania R500 6x2 rigid + Epsilon crane and Robinson tri axle drawbar trailer with Alucar load bars throughout 2018 Scania R500XT 6x4 + SDC tri-axle trailer, ExTe bolsters and pins, and Epsilon Z-type crane

Other equipment Excavator-based skylines and standard excavators for forest access construction

Complete with distinct badging to commemorate Ponsse’s 50th anniversary, the new Buffalo offers a load capacity of 15 tonnes while weighing in the region of 19,800kg itself. Power provision is by a Mercedes-Benz OM936LA engine with a power rating of 210kW which meets Stage 5 emissions standards. The transmission is also highly rated, offering 185kN of tractive force and providing superb climbing ability, with crane capacity and load bunk proportions in line with a high-performance machine in this size class.

IN FOR THE LONG HAUL The position of fleet flagship, however, is still claimed by Brophy’s Ponsse Elephant, which has now been in operation for the past two years with very positive results. With a load rating of 18 tonnes, the Elephant offers immense extraction capacity especially over longer haul distances, and really comes into its own on steeper sites for a combination of reasons as long term operator Ben Cuddy explained: “The Elephant’s power and stability are unbelievable. It can handle large hauls over long distances and is still light on the ground. Crane capacity is good too, even when working on slopes.”

Like the Buffalo, the Elephant also incorporates the Active Crane system, which is beneficial but in need of further refinement, Damien notes: “Systems like Active Crane are the way forward and it works well when loading, but it still needs some improvement when handling

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based on a tractor and self-loading timber haulage trailer, this was soon complimented by conventional trucks which has now grown to a fleet of three units.

Incorporating both rigid and articulated trucks, the marque of choice continues to be Scania, proven by Brophy’s latest addition, a 2018 double-drive R500 XT. While the R500 XT actively engages in timber haulage with an SDC 13.7m tri-axle trailer (packing a mid-mounted Epsilon Z “WITH A LOAD RATING OF 18 folding timber loading crane, plus ExTe TONNES, THE ELEPHANT bolsters and pins), it also runs with a OFFERS IMMENSE EXTRACTION Nooteboom low loader on machine CAPACITY, ESPECIALLY OVER transport between harvesting sites. Further LONGER HAUL DISTANCES” timber haulage and machine movement capacity is afforded by a Scania R480 in tag axle configuration. More restrictive forests operate safely and effectively. To this end, are the domain of Brophy’s Scania R500 BTS also runs excavator-based skyline rigid, which despite being a 6x2 winches on Daewoo excavators, and also configuration still proves effective. In line has a number of skilled sawmen as part of with the growing trend among Irish timber the team. With a high level of harvesting hauliers, the truck employs a cabin on its and extraction capacity, operating an Epsilon crane which provides a welcome in-house timber haulage fleet has also shield from the elements when loading and become an important part of the BTS especially during prolonged periods of operation. Initially providing low impact operation when loading craneless flat timber haulage solutions for areas with trailers in the forest. difficult access or poor road infrastructure “Even though we work successfully with a number of hauliers, having our own trucks brings a high level of control over work,” Damien explained. “It started off just running the trucks for moving machines and then spread to timber haulage. It has given us great control over work being When the forest narrows, able to complete the complete BTS calls on its Scania R500 6x2 rigid truck. process and it is a model I am glad we have followed.” in the bunk as its movements can be jumpy.

Our operators are using the cranes manually for now while Ponsse works on its development. I have every belief the company will get it right with a software upgrade before long.”

Despite the immense stability and tractive properties of the aforementioned machines, there are still limits to where they can

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$ ORJJHUV EHVW IULHQG

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FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

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LOAD LUGGERS

Forestry Machinery’s Dan Gilkes rounds up the forestry haulage truck market with help from manufacturers, owners and drivers, and highlights some of the latest technical developments IMAGES MANUFACTURERS

Rear lift axle on this DAF CF530 allows a more efficient transfer of power to the ground.

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MARKET REVIEW | HAULAGE TRUCKS Left: 16-litre Scania S650 with 3,300Nm torque.

TECH NEWS

MAN

MAN Truck & Bus is introducing a completely overhauled line-up this year, under the MAN New Truck Generation banner. From the smallest TGL, through to the heaviest TGX models, the whole range benefits from an external and in-cab redesign, aimed at putting

Bottom left: MAN TGS range covers forestry.

W

hile it is fairly easy to specify a construction tipper or a supermarket delivery vehicle, finding the ideal truck for timber haulage can be a far more complex task. Whether removing roundwood from the harvesting site, or delivering to wood processors, there are plenty of site and job-specific variables to take into account.

Recently released figures from the Forestry Commission show that 9.8m green tonnes of softwood were harvested in the UK in 2019, along with 0.9m green tonnes of hardwood. In total, 11.1m green tonnes of roundwood were delivered to sawmills, wood-based panel producers, integrated pulp and paper mills and to other users, such as fencing, fuel and exports. Almost all of that timber will have been transported at some point by road-going trucks.

Truck manufacturers are keen to maximise their presence in this busy market sector, offering a wide range of chassis capable of dealing with the often harsh working environment. Swedish manufacturers such as Volvo and Scania in particular, have a broad range of truck options on offer. In their domestic Nordic markets, where timber production is a national industry, haulage trucks can run at up to 60 and even 80 tonnes combination weight, covering many miles on forestry tracks and smaller country

Bottom right: Instruments on a digital display.

the driver first.

All models now have EU6d engines, introduced in 2019, that promise up to an 8% fuel savings versus their EU6c predecessors. The D26 engine in particular, is around 70kg lighter overall,

roads. The Swedish firms are not alone however, with DAF, Renault, MAN, Mercedes-Benz and Iveco all keen to meet the needs of UK timber hauliers.

SPOILT FOR CHOICE So there is no shortage of choice when it comes to suppliers. The same is true when looking at individual truck specifications. Volvo for example offers its FM, FMX, FH and FH16 models in both

yet continues to boast outputs of 430, 470 and 510hp, with maximum torque outputs of 2,200, 2,400 and 2,600Nm respectively. With integrated charge-air cooling, MAN has been able to remove the lowtemperature cooling system

“AXLE CONFIGURATION IS NOT THE ONLY AREA WITH A RANGE OF OPTIONS, FROM ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS TO SUSPENSION TYPES”

completely, contributing to the weight saving. At the top of the range, the D38 engine now comes with 540 and 640hp outputs.

MAN has also developed a more efficient drive axle for long-haul operation and

tractor and rigid configurations for timber work.

Tractors can be had in 6x2 configuration, with tag or pusher axles, as a 6x4 with or without a tandem lift axle function. Rigids are available in 8x2, 8x4, 8x6 and even 10x4 driveline layouts.

Axle configuration is not the only area with a range of options, from engines and transmissions to suspension types, wheels and tyres, all can be tailored to the end user’s requirements. Customers can also opt for factory preparation of power

the MAN EfficientCruise system brings GPS-based assistance to the adaptive cruise control. This includes dynamic gliding, which switches the truck automatically between accelerating and rolling on flat terrain.

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TECH NEWS

DAF

DAF Trucks has made a number of upgrades across its range this year. This includes the addition of AEBS-3, the latest Advanced Emergency Braking System. This provides fully autonomous braking, to assist with collision avoidance, through the use of high precision dual radar with 16 antennas.

AEBS-3 will be standard on all LF, CF and XF models.

Perhaps of more interest to timber hauliers, DAF is to offer a hydraulic front-wheel drive system, initially for its CF and XF 4x2 tractors.

Activated via switch on the dash, the PXP (Paul Xtra Power) occasional use front -wheel drive system can be set to automatically activate when the rear wheels slip.

The system is available in the first four forward gears and the first and second reverse ratios. It switches back to rear-drive only at speeds above 20km/h or when fifth gear is selected.

Each front wheel hub is equipped with a hydraulic motor, powered by the engine PTO. The same PTO can be used to power cranes and other hydraulic systems, saving weight and complexity.

Right: Volvo FMX Globetrotter 8x6 with heavy duty suspension and independent rear axles.

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MARKET REVIEW | HAULAGE TRUCKS Renault’s Range T520 High drawbar combo with skeleton trailer body and a straight boomed 10t KESLA 2110 crane.

take-offs (PTO) to run cranes and loading equipment, while crane mounting plates and space on chassis for additional components can be factored into the build, along with front frame extensions for crane stabiliser legs. Rigid trucks can of course be specified drawbar-ready for use with skeletal trailers.

Whether a haulier opts for a rigid truck, for use with or without a drawbar trailer, or a tractor and trailer combination, will depend on their individual operation, in particular the length of timber to be carried and the forestry areas that need to be reached during harvesting. The maximum overall length for a rigid truck without a trailer on UK roads is 12m, a tractor with twin or tri-axle trailer can run with an overall length of up to 16.5m, while a rigid truck with a drawbar trailer offers an overall length of up to 18m, providing the ideal combination for many timber companies.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS John Mason, owner of Gretna Green forestry specialist JTM Haulage, recently opted for a Renault Trucks’ Range T520 High 6x2 rigid with a skeletal drawbar trailer. The truck is equipped with a 10t/m Kesla 2110 crane. “Carrying bulky timber, we wanted a drawbar for the extra payload and loadspace that it provides,” said Mason. “Access is king with the type of jobs and places that we go to, including estates and farms and the drawbar gives us the manoeuvrability that we need. Working on timber haulage, moving bolster in and out of woods, is challenging. The terrain is difficult, exceptionally hilly and we are frequently negotiating forest roads that can be up to 10 miles long. We needed a truck that’s robust, reliable and gives plenty of grip, power and manoeuvrability.”

Another company that has invested in rigids with trailers, is Cumbria firm Thompson Plant Hire. The latest fleet additions are two DAF CF530 6x2 rigids, equipped with twin-tyre, rear lift axles. As with JTM’s Renault’s, Thompson has opted for high-powered engines, well in excess of 500hp, to ensure that the trucks are on top of the task. “They have plenty of power for our work, both on and off the road,” said owner Kevin Thompson. Interestingly, unlike the tipper and construction business, many timber hauliers are opting for a single drive axle with a lifting axle, rather than a double drive bogie, even with the off-road demands of the job. “In the forest the rear lift-axles allow us to get that power to the ground with maximum efficiency. The set up offers a reduced weight profile, so we get better payload and ought to get improved fuel,” said Thompson.

As with any sector of the transport business, the cost and consumption of fuel remain high on the agenda for any company. They may require high horsepower to get the job done, but on the highway, efficient running is equally important. “DAF has been making a lot of noise recently about fuel savings of around 7%. I was reading of more and more operators saying that those claims were being met in real life, so I thought we’d try a couple ourselves,” said Thompson. “Right now, I can honestly say we are very happy with the mpg results from these new CFs.”

TECH NEWS

VOLVO

Volvo updated its heavy truck lines earlier this year.

The FH, FH16, FMX and FM all benefit from a new cab interior with a combination of 12-inch and 9-inch digital displays. EU6d diesel engines contribute to further fuel savings, with the D13TC with I-Save package offering a claimed fuel efficiency benefit of as much as 7%.

The heavyweight construction-based FMX range gets a revised platform and cab too, while a 38-tonne bogie is now offered to take GCW up to 150 tonnes for real heavy haulage. Front air suspension is improved, allowing front axle loads of up to 10 tonnes, or 20 tonnes for double-axle models. Trucks with a steered tag or pushed axle also benefit from revised steering angles, assisting manoeuvrability.

Left: Volvo FMX 8x4 with front mounted crane and long bed for carrying timber.

“THE COST AND CONSUMPTION OF FUEL REMAIN HIGH ON THE AGENDA FOR ANY COMPANY” FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

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HAULAGE TRUCKS | MARKET REVIEW TECH NEWS

MERCEDESBENZ

Mercedes-Benz 6x2 Arocs 2553 with tag axle and Hiab Loglift crane with weatherproof cab.

The biggest news from Mercedes-Benz Trucks was the launch last year of the latest Actros long-haul tractor. The first Mercedes truck to feature MirrorCam rear-facing cameras and in-cab screens, instead of conventional mirrors, Actros is full of new technologies.

This includes a Multimedia Cockpit, with massive twin 12-inch configurable monitors in place of a standard dash.

Actros also comes with Active Drive Assist and Predictive Powertrain Control. Together these systems provide a taste of truly autonomous driving.

Using GPS and mapping data, the systems will ensure that the truck remains in the correct gear and at the right speed for the road ahead, slowing automatically for corners before returning to a set cruising speed. The benefit, apart from a more relaxed drive, is claimed fuel savings of 3 to 5%.

Though initially available on the range-topping Actros, many of these systems will be introduced further down the line, including the constructionready Arocs models.

Below: Unimog U430 features tipping body.

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JTM Haulage is another company that has changed suppliers to seek an improvement in fuel consumption. The Renault Range T is a big truck, with a spacious cab for long working hours. With a 13-litre engine delivering 512hp and 2,550Nm of torque, the Renault also boasts more than enough power to run at full weight. “The fuel consumption has been very good,” said Mason. “It’s still early days, but we are already getting 0.5mpg more than our other trucks and the Renault is achieving early 7mpgs.”

A rigid and drawbar combination doesn’t suit every haulier though. Jim Yule, who runs a timber business in Aberdeenshire, has opted to stick with a proven tractor and trailer combination. His most recent purchase is a Mercedes-Benz Arocs 2553, in a 6x2 configuration with a lifting tag axle. The Arocs range is the tougher, more durable cousin of Mercedes’ Actros road-haulage models. “It’s high ground clearance means that deep ruts and bumps are never a problem and lifting the rear axle enables me to gain more traction from the drive axle should I need it, while also improving manoeuvrability for tight turns,” said Yule. “My truck is also significantly lighter than a 6x4 tractor and the resulting increase

in payload capacity makes for higher productivity.”

Yule has twinned the Arocs, which is equipped with a comfortable StreamSpace cab, with a Dennison timber skeletal trailer and Hiab loglift crane. The crane is supplied with a full weatherproof cab, making it easy to load and unload logs in all conditions. This is essential as Yule can be called upon to work deep in the Fetteresso Forest, up to half an hour’s drive from the nearest metalled roads.

“AN INCREASE IN PAYLOAD CAPACITY MAKES FOR HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY” IN THE CLEAR Unlike some of its competitors, Mercedes-Benz doesn’t offer specific timber sector trucks. The dealer network instead works with the company’s product managers in the UK and at the factory to meet the specific needs of each customer. Of course, Mercedes has a second string to its bow when it comes to real off-road access to forestry sites.

Though perhaps more popular with tree surgery than with timber harvesting, the Unimog is the ultimate on and off-road vehicle. Darlington firm Greenworx added a U430 Unimog to its fleet some time ago and the compact off-roader has helped the firm to grow.

“We were using an agricultural tractor, which was fine up to a point,” said Brett Skelton, who runs the company with brother Ryan. “It was very capable on rough ground, but the problem was getting it there.

When working further afield we were having to pay a haulier to transport the tractor for us. With the Unimog this is no longer an issue, it’s just as good on challenging ground, but in a different class on the road. It will happily travel at 56mph and tow a heavily laden trailer too.”

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AUTUMN 2020 FORESTRY MACHINERY

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“THIS ADDITION TO THE FLEET HAS SERIOUSLY IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY ON LARGER CONTRACTS”

ANOTHER WAY For James Greenwood’s company, biomass has been a saving grace in turbulent market conditions, and the recent purchase of a Volvo excavator with Dragonbite tree shear has ensured his team can meet growing demand for this energy source, as Paul Argent reports

L

eafy Surrey, home to Cobhambased James Greenwood, the owner of Greenwood’s Tree Contractors (GTC), may seem to be an ideal location for weathering the recent Covid-19 storm, but as James points out, it has been a difficult time for the company. Whilst many of his private clients have decided to cut back on their requirements for his services, one area that has kept the company extremely busy is biomass.

Whilst always producing a quality residual product from their clearance services, a

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recent increase in capacity has helped the Greenwood team develop their biomass potential and start supplying some of the larger dealers in this lucrative market. The supply of biomass has meant that during the recent crisis the Greenwood team was afforded key-worker status, as the wood chippings and waste products that continue to pile up are converted into renewable energy, fed into the National Grid to help keep the UK powered.

We caught up with James at the familyowned yard he shares with a range of other businesses on the outskirts of Chobham.

There’s no signage pointing the way to the immaculate yard, workshops and shed the company occupies, just an instruction to look out for the undertakers! The GTC business lies within a large estate dominated by father Alan’s funeral care business, a man with an interesting past within the muck shifting, demolition and now funeral care business.

“It’s quite a range,” admitted James. “Dad has always been slightly ahead of the game when it comes to business.” James has a grounding in the tree game and, despite a career as a Men’s Health fitness model, the

RUNNING REPORT | VOLVO ECR145EL Left: A short tailswing and dozer blade on this excavator.

Right: James Greenwood (right) with his father Alan.

Below left: A nice, wide entry to the ROPS certified cabin.

37-year old now spends much of his time behind the wheel of his company’s vehicles.

“We’ve never liked to put all our eggs into one basket, and it means that, no matter what is happening, we’re able to adapt.

Something might be affecting the tree work, but we can concentrate on the demolition side, or vice versa. Demolishing a house, demolishing a tree – they’re not so different. The principles and the logistics are similar. You just have to adapt.”

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX Whilst private work slowed down during the grip of the crisis, this has started creeping back in to bolster the large amount of work James and his team undertakes for a handful of local developers. “We regularly undertake the initial tree clearance and are often asked to step in and look at the demolition of existing structures on site, giving the builder a clean and clear slate to start from,” James explained.

Being able to adapt to economic climates has prompted James to look at the way his business operates, and further mechanisation has been the key to recent success. “We have had a Hitachi ZX33U mini-excavator feeding a Bandit chipper for a while now and that has

made life a lot easier on site. We took the plunge and purchased a Manitou telehandler to load bulkers and to pull a trailer to and from site with plant and material but to be honest, this didn’t work out for various reasons,” said James.

Wanting to develop the business, the sale of the Manitou led James to look at bigger and better ways to develop the company and subsequently purchase of a new Volvo ECR145EL excavator equipped with a Dragonbite DB015 tree shear. This addition to the fleet has seriously improved productivity and safety on their larger contracts with the sheer able to handle vast quantities of timber compared to previous methods. The choice of the Volvo was relatively straightforward for James as the brand represents quality and reliability, something his company strives to achieve on a daily basis.

Powered by a four-cylinder diesel delivering 121hp, the key to the Volvo’s success is the delivery of constant pressure and flow to the attachment, which is undertaken on this machine by a pair of 124L/min displacement axial pumps.

A sturdy dozer blade has been chosen to

Iveco Trakker set up for pulling a 26t capacity trailer.

further increase flexibility, and the 600mm track pads have been fitted with a full set of bolt-on rubber pads to avoid damaging any delicate surfaces. A major plus point for James is the ability to quickly adjust flows and pressures for different attachments just using the touchscreen in the cab.

Looking around the yard and at the impressive a state-of-the-art Iveco Trakker 4x4 hook lift truck the company operates, image is clearly important to James’ company. Immaculately turned out in the red livery that adorns other company vehicles, the Iveco pulls a similarly impressive 26-tonne capacity Andover drawbar trailer used for plant, machinery and round timber transport.

While the new Volvo, in its original yellow paint scheme, would be OK for many, James’s desire to have a uniform brand image meant that any yellow panels were wrapped to match the Iveco’s Maranello Red paint. “Iveco sponsors the Ferrari F1 FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2020

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VOLVO ECR145EL | RUNNING REPORT team and the fire engine spec chassis cab was supplied in that colour,” he explained.

“As it looks very impressive, we decided to keep it as our company colour scheme.”

GO WITH THE FLOW

Above: This Volvo ECR145EL sports rubber track pads.

Below: Dragonbite DB015 shear with 745mm jaw opening width.

and Iveco combination has added massively to the capabilities of the company in one fell swoop. “We’re now able to look at larger operations and offer our existing and future clients a one-stop-shop service for opening up potential development sites,” James explained. “We have also increased our productivity, and this has allowed us to streamline what we do.”

The Volvo has been equipped with a Dragonbite DB015 shear, a 1.2-tonne mid-range model. The fully rotational shear’s impressive capabilities have impressed the operators since its arrival.

“THE KEY TO THE VOLVO’S As the cut material produced for biomass SUCCESS IS THE DELIVERY is just 3m in length, the Dragonbite is more than capable of handling the OF CONSTANT PRESSURE material it faces on a daily basis.

With a maximum jaw opening width of AND FLOW TO THE 745mm and a cutting force of over 90 ATTACHMENT” tonnes in the throat, the Dragonbite shear has boosted Greenwood’s production The sides of the large bins carried by the rate. “We have upped production to the point Iveco are emblazoned with ‘Biomasss where we can now deliver up to six bulkers of Energy Suppliers’. “People often don’t like biomass products per week,” James to cut down trees, but if there’s no commented. The increase in production has alternative, knowing that something good also put a strain on the loading capabilities has come of it can cushion the blow. within the yard and the new Volvo has been Because of how we’ve set things up, we’re equipped with a 1.6 cubic metre rehandling recycling our waste and feeding it back into bucket in a bid to dispatch the bulk walking the power grid. It’s going to good use, it’s floor trailers quickly. not being wasted, and it is the future,” James Working in a face shovel configuration, enthused.

James can get rid of a full artic load, around It’s a future that’s looking bright for James the 27-tonne mark, in under 30 minutes. and his team. The coronavirus crisis might Another addition to the range of bespoke have stopped some of his competitors in attachments is a DHG1102 timber grab from their tracks, but at Greenwood’s not even Dehaco supplied through local dealer LDH. a pandemic can bring progress to a halt.

The addition of the Volvo, Dragonbite

Hydraulic flows for attachments can be adjusted on a touchscreen in the cabin.

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LEITRIM’S WOOD ENERGY PIONEERS

Gerry McMorrow with his son Brian.

Wood energy is one area with massive unexplored potential and offers many opportunities for timber harvesting and haulage contractors. Eoghan Daly describes the latest venture of one progressive Leitrim-based operation PTH 1200/1000 at work chipping logs for woodchip production.

D

espite strong roots in the timber industry’s traditional haulage and harvesting sectors, diversification is hugely important to McMorrow Haulage Ltd, based in County Leitrim, Ireland. The company’s most recent venture is its entry into the wood energy sector, with the aim of establishing a reputable wood energy hub in their area.

Diversifying into a new field served by a minority always presents risk, but with the potential for great reward, as company managing director Gerry McMorrow explained. “We may have a lot of experience of timber harvesting and haulage, but this is a new challenge and one we believe will be

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worth the effort since there is so much unexplored potential for wood energy in Ireland. We have a lot of young plantations coming up to thinning, which will yield much pulp grade material that can be directed towards chipping to produce a renewable fuel source.

“We started looking at chipper options well in advance of any decision,” Gerry continued. “Many large chippers already in use in Ireland were from Jenz, and at first we thought this was the best route to take.

However, as we went to the market with an open mind, we were inclined to look at all the options and found that Pezzolato was offering the best package.”

PERSONAL SERVICE The manufacturer’s willingness to build a machine around the individual requirements of McMorrow’s application was very much central to the decision. With vast experience of chipper design and manufacturing, Pezzolato has served the sector since 1976 and operates from two factories in Italy. For McMorrow, the PTH 1200/1000 drum chipper was considered the best long-term option, as it offered high output to cope with current and future demand as the venture becomes more established, plus additional working flexibility. “It was important to have a machine that would fit in with our existing

WOOD ENERGY | PEZZOLATO CHIPPER timber haulage trucks and still leave all options open for changing the way we work into the future,” Gerry explained. “By having the chipper trailer mounted, we don’t need to have a truck tied up with it all the time, which helps cut down costs.”

The C-Mac Engineering designed trailer is a bespoke build and offers a wide array of operational choices, including demounting the chipper completely, or mounting it to a rigid truck without modification thanks to its quick-coupling format. In its complete form, the unit runs on four axles with two of these to the rear as part of the trailer itself, while the further two towards the front are part of a dolly unit and can be detached.

This set up allows the chipper to be relocated by a tractor unit with attachment via the fifth wheel in the normal way. “As the chipper is a heavy machine, we have the option of taking it onto wood roads with a tractor unit. The short trailer length means it has good weight distribution and helps the tractor unit get maximum traction. In more accessible areas, it works very well pulled by the rigid truck and in that form is fully self-contained with the truck’s crane serving chipper feeding.”

Pezzolato offers a choice of engines to propel the machine and McMorrow specified a 560kW Cat C18 unit due to their proven ability in demanding applications and greater level of local product support. The C18 is located inside a dedicated housing, which provides adequate cooling capacity and most importantly dust and fines protection.

An optional feature of McMorrow’s unit is an infeed reception table, which comprises an additional outer extension that assists Display linked with material holding as to LH Weigh-Pro it’s consumed by this for grab weights. immense machine.

The infeed’s total outer width is 1,200mm, while the chipping drum diameter is 1,000mm – both of which explain the model’s name: PTH 1200/1000. Maximum chipping diameter is an impressive 800mm, while the machine’s output varies according to a range of factors including material density, with the maximum achievable output being 70 to 80 tonnes per hour for McMorrow’s application.

The infeed process is facilitated by the feed mechanism on the infeed table base, together with the intervention of the large spiked feed roller, which descends on the material from above. Advancing material through to the chipping drum, this roller raises clear to expose the drum for blade inspection or replacement. A choice of

A Cat C18 engines sits at the heart of this Pezzolato chipper. blades are offered for fitment on the drum, including standard units (as seen here) or quick replacement variants.

The discharge chute offers a large range degree of movement to ensure uniform loading of the adjacent trailer or blowing to a stockpile within the storage shed depending on the operating situation. A radio control unit provides full control from a safe distance. McMorrow Haulage’s new Pezzolato PTH 1200/1000 is supported

by BMI walking floor trailers, which provide a dedicated approach to the haulage and unloading of the product.

Following the purchase of the chipper and bolstering McMorrow’s

AS WE WENT TO THE MARKET WITH AN OPEN MIND, WE WERE INCLINED TO LOOK AT ALL THE OPTIONS already comprehensive truck fleet were two new Scania R500 trucks in 6x4 format, with one specified in XT configuration. Often assigned to chipper feeding, the specification of these and other trucks run by the company makes them particularly suitable for chipper feeding, as they offer a high degree of operator comfort through the fitment of crane cabins, while the working range of typical cranes fitted brings a considerable volume of material within range from a single set up point.

ARMED AND READY

Insulated cab for the Epsilon M12L crane’s lucky operator.

The Epsilon M12L double extension crane fitted to one of the company’s most recent truck acquisitions covers feeding requirements, as well as loading crane-less articulated trucks in the forest with round timber in addition to its own timber haulage duties. The M12L crane is equipped with an enclosed Epsilon Epscab operator’s cabin brimming with extras, including an onboard weighing system monitor linked to a LH Weigh-Pro weigh link.

The LH Weigh-Pro is designed specifically for the timber industry, following feedback from the ‘man on the seat’. The kit is simple to operate and not over-burdened with unnecessary options. Critically, it allows the operator to achieve max payload each and every time. LH2 Weigh-Pro offers additional features such as a printer or email capabilities. The printer can be either till-roll type or slip-printer – the latter providing a weighbridge type receipt, which is ideal when a weighbridge is unavailable.

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PEZZOLATO CHIPPER | WOOD ENERGY Scania R500 6x4 covers chipper feeding and timber haulage duties.

TECH SPEC

PEZZOLATO PTH 1200/1000 CHIPPER

ENGINE CAT C18 SIX-CYLINDER POWER 560KW INTAKE WIDTH 1.2M DRUM DIAMETER 1.0M MAXIMUM MATERIAL CAPABILITY 800MM HOURLY PRODUCTION 70-80 TONNES

Boosting the truck’s versatility are its weight-saving measures carried out by Robinson Trailers, which built the three-axle turntable trailer running in alliance with the truck, and also completed the body construction and complete fit-out. Utilising its experience to fabricate the sub frame and crane mounting position assembly, a number of individual choices were then made for the load bunk specification, which included Laxo LX60 bolsters and load bars. Brian McMorrow, son of Gerry and full-time Scania driver, explained the thinking behind this decision. “We have THE OVERALL used mainly Alucar bars on the trucks WEIGHT OF THE COMPLETE and they have been very successful. But UNIT IS having seen the Laxo QUOTED AS units, we were very 19,300KG impressed by their build strength and decided to give them a try.”

The LX60 units are specified in fixed height non telescopic format, and anchoring of the load bars to the bunks is completed by a bolt-on side panel, which can be easily adjusted to ensure uniform tension is maintained at all times. Alucar has not been totally omitted from the combination though, as the aluminium headboard and bolsters and pins for the trailer have been obtained from the company, with the whole

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combination returning very satisfactory operational experiences to date. The overall weight of the complete unit is quoted as 19,300kg, which demonstrates a high specification can be achieved without eroding payload capacity.

JUST THE BEGINNING Despite having progressed massively over its long engagement in the industry, new opportunities are always savoured by McMorrow Haulage, as Gerry concluded.

“We are only getting started with wood energy and see a lot of potential for it. Even though forestry is at the core of what we do, diversifying into new areas is the only way to grow the business and provide a local energy source, while also creating employment wherever we can.”

Above right inset: Chip quality appears to be extremely uniform.

Right: Epsilon crane and grapple well suited to this high output chipper.

Feed roller raised to reveal drum; blade swapping is easy.

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A LIVING

LEGEND

One of the world’s most versatile vehicles, the Mercedes-Benz Unimog was, at the time of its launch, a bold and interesting concept. With unrivalled load-carrying and transport abilities, it remains equally at home on the road or in the field or forest. Stuart Gibbard tells its story...

IMAGES STUART GIBBARD, MERCEDES-BENZ TRUCKS UK & DAIMLER AG

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T

he legendary Mercedes-Benz Universal-Motor-Gerät, or Unimog, is an almost unique concept – a capable off-road vehicle and an innovative platform for agricultural, transport, military, forestry and municipal applications. As a base unit or fitted with special attachments, it has been able to travel on road or rail, drive through water, pull trailers, fight fires, drill holes, dig trenches, plough fields, build roads, dump waste, sprinkle water, lift loads, blow snow, mow grass, carry people and haul timber.

Offering unrivalled versatility, the Unimog has excelled in the toughest conditions and has proven itself on a global scale. It has become a legend the world over and, for many tasks, there is no viable alternative.

Until 2002, the Unimog was manufactured at Daimler-Benz’s Gaggenau plant in the German state of BadenWürttemberg. Both the company and the factory were of great historical significance.

The names of Daimler and Benz were synonymous with some of the earliest experiments with internal-combustion engines, while Gaggenau was the home of one of Germany’s first farm tractors.

German pioneers, Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz, were both separately experimenting with petrol-powered horseless carriages as early as 1886. The Mercedes-Benz brand was created after their two firms, Daimler-MotorenGesellschaft and Benz & Cie, were merged on June 28th 1926 to form Daimler-Benz; the German Daimler business having adopted the Mercedes trademark in 1902 to avoid confusion with the British Daimler company in Coventry. Prior to the merger, both the Daimler and Benz concerns had manufactured farm tractors and motor ploughs including some of the world’s first diesel-powered machines. Production continued after the merger with the Benz-Sendling and Mercedes-Benz Type OE designs until Daimler-Benz suspended tractor manufacture in 1933.

The Gaggenau factory, originally an ironworks, was acquired by Benz as its main production centre for commercial vehicles in 1907. In 1919, it began manufacturing the ‘Benz-Gaggenau LandwirtschaftsTraktor’ – a mighty machine with an eight-litre petrol engine. A diesel version was also introduced in 1924, but production of both variants ended the following year. Gaggenau then concentrated on commercial vehicle production and expanded considerably in the years leading up to World War Two. Its export sales alone included an order for 3,000 motor lorries from China.

The outbreak of war saw Gaggenau switched to military vehicle production,

CLASSIC FORESTRY | MERCEDES-BENZ UNIMOG Left: 411 unit harvesting with a trailed Claas Super Junior combine.

Below: Ploughing with the Unimog, the high driving position a boon. making Maultier (Mule) half-track rough terrain vehicles. It also experimented with wood-gas producer systems until Allied air attacks during 1944 destroyed much of the buildings and brought production to a standstill. A rebuilding programme began after the capitulation. Gaggenau was in the French occupation zone and was requisitioned to manufacture Jeep, Dodge and GMC engines, and axles for the French Army. Currency reforms and the political reorganisation of West Germany allowed further rebuilding, which saw the plant return to making medium and light trucks.

DESIGNING THE ULTIMATE WORKHORSE Many of the policies for post-war Germany were influenced by the Morgenthau Plan, devised by Henry Morgenthau Jr, the United States Secretary of the Treasury.

Morgenthau’s proposals to turn Germany from an industrialised nation into an agrarian economy were never really

“OFFERING UNRIVALLED VERSATILITY, THE UNIMOG HAS EXCELLED IN THE TOUGHEST CONDITIONS AND HAS PROVEN ITSELF ON A GLOBAL SCALE”

implemented, but the plan inspired Albert Friedrich, the former manager of DaimlerBenz’s aero-engine division, to develop an all-purpose agricultural vehicle. Friedrich’s vision was to design a machine that could be used both as an agricultural tractor and a transport vehicle. His concept, outlined in May 1945, called for good cross-country performance with enough ground clearance to cope with rough terrain. He also wanted the vehicle to have good weight distribution, a platform for mounting implements or carrying loads, and a comfortable working environment for the driver and a passenger.

Having submitted his plans to the controlling authorities in September 1945, Friedrich managed to obtain a production order the following month. The financial backing came from an unusual source: Erhard & Söhne, jewellery manufacturers who specialised in fine metalwork. The development work began in January 1946 at Erhard & Söhne’s factory in Schwäbisch Gmünd and Friedrich was joined in the project by the engineers, Heinrich Rossler and Hans Zabel.

Rossler finalised the design of the vehicle the following March. The four-wheel drive layout had a differential lock in each rigid portal axle; the track width was set at 1,270mm, exactly the width of two potato rows. Coil springing, shock absorbers, SPECIFICATIONS

Unimog U34/411 (1970) Engine: Mercedes-Benz OM636 4-cylinder diesel, 1,767cc, 38hp@2,750rpm Transmission: 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds; range 3.5-53km/h Clutch: Single-disc dry clutch Dimensions: Length 3.4m; Wheelbase 2.1m; Width 1.6m; Height 2.1m; Ground clearance 0.4m; Payload 1,000kg; Weight 2,200kg

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CLASSIC FORESTRY | MERCEDES-BENZ UNIMOG “THE UNIMOG COULD PLOUGH, CULTIVATE, MOW AND OPERATE MOST TRAILED, MOUNTED OR POWERDRIVEN FARM IMPLEMENTS” upholstered seats and a cabin with a folding canvas hood made the driver’s lot a more pleasant one, while provision was made for front and rear power take-off and rear linkage.

The prototype vehicle, which was fitted with a petrol engine, ran for the first time on October 9th. The concept proved itself during extensive trials; Hans Zabel suggested naming the vehicle after an acronym of Universal-Motor-Gerät (universal motor machine) and the Unimog was born. The planned production was undertaken by Gebrüder Boehringer, machine-tool manufacturers from Göppingen. With Erhard & Söhne supplying several components, enough materials were procured for an initial run of 100 vehicles. The petrol engine was also changed to a diesel supplied by DaimlerBenz, the 1.7-litre OM636 unit developing 25hp, before the Unimog was launched at the DLG Show in Frankfurt in 1948.

Fitted with a rear-mounted winch, the do-it-all Unimog made an excellent timber tractor.

A Unimog fitted with a Howard Rotavator suitable for forestry cultivation and planting operations.

DAIMLER TAKES OVER PRODUCTION The Unimog did exactly what it said on the tin and was a true all-purpose vehicle. It could plough, cultivate, mow and operate most trailed, mounted or power-driven farm implements; it could transport loads, carry equipment or haul trailers on the road at speeds of up to 50kph (31mph). The payload on the loading platform was 1 tonne. Full production began with the 70200 series in the spring of 1949. Some 600 Unimogs had been built by Boehringer by

the end of 1950, but the Göppingen plant had resumed machine-tool manufacture and hadn’t enough capacity to meet the growing demand. Consequently, negotiations began for Daimler-Benz to take over the manufacture of the vehicle with the production centred at Gaggenau.

The first Unimog built at Gaggenau was delivered on June 3rd 1951. This 2010

series vehicle, which was virtually identical to the Boehringer version and still had the 25hp diesel engine, was awarded a DLG silver medal. A fully enclosed steel cab was introduced in March 1953 and the improved 401 series followed in August.

The remainder of the decade saw further changes with petrol, long-wheelbase and fully synchronised gearbox options introduced. The power of the diesel engine was upped to 30hp on the 411 model in 1956 and the synchronised transmission, offering six forward and two reverse speeds, was fitted as standard from 1959.

The 50,000th Unimog rolled out of Gaggenau in May 1961. Its scope now extended beyond just agriculture to also include military, forestry and municipal applications, which saw another 100,000 vehicles find customers over the next 10 years. For farmers, it was the original ‘systems’ tractor, capable of mounting

SPECIFICATIONS

Mercedes MB-trac 65

Engine: Daimler-Benz OM314 4-cylinder diesel, 3,782cc, 65hp@2,400rpm Transmission: 16 speeds, forward or reverse; speeds from 0.13kph to 25kph Clutch: Two single-plate dry clutches, 280mm Fuel tank: 120 litres Dimensions: Length 4.2m; Wheelbase 2.4m; Width 2.04m; Height 2.65m; Ground clearance 0.5m; Wheel track 1.7m; Weight 3,000kg

The Unimog could be fitted with air-braking for handling heavy loads of timber at high speed.

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MERCEDES-BENZ UNIMOG | CLASSIC FORESTRY Mercedes-Benz Timeline

A new range of U-Series Unimogs was launched in 1966, five years before the MB-trac models appeared.

 1863 Gottileb Daimler begins designing farm equipment  1879 Karl Benz patents a two-stroke engine  1886 Daimler and Benz experiment with petrol automobiles  1915 Daimler Motorpflug (motor plough) goes into production  1918 Benz builds Sendling motor plough  1919 Launch of Benz-Gaggenau Landwirtschafts-Traktor  1920 Daimler Pflugschlepper (plough tractor) introduced  1923 Benz-Sendling Type BK diesel tractor launched  1926 Mercedes-Benz brand created from merger of Daimler and Benz  1928 Type OE first tractor produced under Mercedes-Benz name  1930 British-built McLaren-Benz appears at World Tractor Trials  1933 Mercedes ends tractor production  1944 Allied air attacks curtail military vehicle production at Gaggenau  1948 Unimog launched at DLG Show in Frankfurt  1951 Daimler-Benz takes over manufacture of Unimog  1961 50,000th Unimog rolls out of Gaggenau  1971 Mercedes MB-trac launched at DLG Show  1975 MB-trac 700 and 800 models arrive on the market  1976 Six-cylinder MB-trac 1100 and 1300 added to range  1984 Reverse-drive MB-trac awarded RASE medal  1991 Mercedes-Benz ends MB-trac production  2002 Unimog production moves to Wörth factory  2007 New Unimog features including ISOBUS systems

sprayers, fertiliser spreaders, even forage harvesters. The versatile Unimog became synonymous with off-road capability almost worldwide as the range expanded to include six-cylinder models of up to 100hp.

THE NAME LIVES ON A rationalisation of Daimler-Benz’s manufacturing operations in 1967 saw Gaggenau’s heavy truck production transferred to Wörth on the Rhine, leaving the Baden-Württemberg plant free to concentrate on axles, transmissions and the Unimog vehicles. With sales across the world, the 150,000th Unimog was produced in 1971. That year’s DLG Show also saw the launch of the MB-trac as the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star adorned yet another new product from Gaggenau.

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“IN 2001, GAGGENAU CELEBRATED 50 YEARS OF UNIMOG PRODUCTION HAVING BUILT MORE THAN 300,000 VEHICLES” Left: Unimog platform’s versatility offered a quick and economical solution to ditch cleaning.

A spin-off from the Mercedes Unimog, the MB-trac was one of the first ‘systems’ tractors with front and rear power take-off, rear three-point linkage and the option of front linkage. The three implement mounting areas (front, centre and rear) allowed a combination of equipment for a variety of agricultural tasks. The load space behind the cab was ideal for mounting sprayers, fertiliser spreaders or seeders.

A later agreement saw the MB-trac range marketed alongside the Deutz Intrac as part of a joint venture under the TracTechnik name. Production continued until 1991 when Daimler-Benz pulled out of the tractor market following the launch of the JCB Fastrac, which was a largely similar concept. Just over 40,000 MB-tracs had been sold during its 20-year production

run. The rights to the MB-trac design were sold to Werner GmbH at Trier on the Moselle. Werner continued to manufacture the tractor as the WF-trac, mainly for forestry or industrial applications. The company’s current timber forwarders and skidders still use Mercedes power-units.

Meanwhile, in 2001, Gaggenau celebrated 50 years of Unimog production having built more than 300,000 vehicles.

The following year, Unimog production was relocated to the Wörth factory, and Gaggenau became Daimler-Benz’s main transmissions centre. Although the MB-trac is no longer part of the Mercedes range, today’s Unimog models remain strong contenders in the agricultural market with machines for farming, forestry and contracting applications.

www.oakleafforestry.com info@oakleafforestry.com +44 2838 330011

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