NEWS

FORESTRYMACHINERYNEWS

NEW KOBELCO LOGGING SPEC EXCAVATOR

Following 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.”

JOHN DEERE H219 HARVESTER HEAD

John 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 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.

BKT FORESTRY TYRES KONRAD THINNING HARVESTER The Konrad Thinning Harvester KDH40-1 with Woody WH40-1 BKT has developed a new range of head is a cost-effective solution for first thinning work in specialised tyres for forestry machinery. forests, reckons the Austrian manufacturer. Based on a Wacker The Forestech tyre (pictured left) is Neuson ET90 tracked excavator, the KDH features an suitable for forwarders and features a optimised main boom and tilt device for the upper carriage, robust hitch and reinforced shoulder keeping it level on steep slopes. Options available include a rib to resist punctures. The FS 216 tyre hydraulic winch, for forwarders and skidders resists ‘Power-Boost-Hydrauliccuts and tears, features an enhanced Accumulator’ and tread pattern for improved traction, climbing support bars and is offered with a steel belt or aramid mounted on the tracks. fibre structure. Powering the KDH is The self-cleaning TR 678 tyre is aimed at a turbocharged, 55kW loggers and is equipped with steel belts Deutz engine, and with improving damage and puncture resistance. It also has a high load an optimised main arm capacity. The final tyre, the F 240, is designed for transporting and telescopic extension trucks and is said to offer great longevity, traction, manoeuvrability the harvester can reach and self-cleaning properties. 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.”

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