THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

Held over three days from September 1st to 3rd 2022 and receiving over 27,000 visitors, the most recent FinnMetko fair was hailed a big success. Staged at the same Jamsa venue in central Finland, the show was organised by the Trade Association of Finnish Forestry and Earthmoving Contractors and KeskiSuomen Koneyrittäjät.

A total of 330 exhibitors presented their wares across the vast showground with another measure of the show’s success being its ability to continue to attract the larger forest machine producers, all of which were present and eager to show their latest machine upgrades.

While the power of the internet meant new product launches were anticipated by many, there were some well kept secrets among the new introductions. Read on to nd out what they were...

Ponsse

Taking the Scorpion concept into the heavy clear fell market, the new Giant model addresses the working limitations of the Scorpion and Scorpion King which could only accept harvesting heads up to the H7 with the new Giant capably handling the high output H8 unit. Fitted with the latest generation Scorpion cabin which presents greater space and visibility, the machine gives higher tractive force than its smaller counterparts with the crane also having the necessary power and structural prowess to cope with demanding clear fell harvesting. Developments at the upper end of its range were also evident in the Ponsse forwarder presentation with the new range topping Mammoth forwarder present. Dethroning the Elephant King as Ponsse’s agship forwarder, the new Mammoth has an immense load capacity of 25 tonnes with the exhibited unit boasting a variable width load bunk and front dozer blade.

The machine is powered by a 210kW Mercedes-Benz engine, with the transmission delivering incredibly high tractive force. Typical machine weight for the Mammoth is 28,500kg while its immense load space is capably lled by the K121 crane featuring Active Crane control. Overall, a very impressive product.

Alstor

Alstor presented a comprehensive selection of compact forwarder models from its range including the latest 822 which supersedes the 821 model. Powered by a 24hp Yanmar 3-cylinder engine, the machine has a 3-tonne payload capacity and has an unladen weight of 2 tonnes.

Jarcrac

Finnish manufacturer Jarcrac showed forwarders, combination machines and the Eco tracked harvester at the event. Driven by proven Black Bruin track motors, the machine yields positive traction and still remains very terrain friendly for sensitive thinning sites. The machine can be speci ed with a range of different cranes and harvesting heads with the exhibited unit tted with a Mowi P50 parallel crane and Nisula 225H harvesting head.

Scania

One of the more interesting timber trucks on show was the Scania 660S 10x4 with fold-up Weckmann trailer with Alucar bolsters and pins. The unit was equipped with a Kesla 2217ZT ‘Z-type’ loading crane with cabin and boasted a tasteful livery of owner SK Trans of Kronoby, Finland who specialises in timber and pole transport.

Prosilva

Among the highlights of the show was the unveiling of the all new ProSilva J14 forwarder. Even though the manufacturer already built their F2 unit aimed at low weight bearing applications, a void existed in the range for a true all-round machine. The new J14 ful ls this ambition for the company and presents some very interesting features. Styled in a format very much reminiscent of Transformers, the J14 is an 8-wheeled, 14-tonne class forwarder. Interestingly, it employs pendulum arm mounted bogies which allows it to work on side slopes in safety. The automatic levelling system conducts the levelling function with ground clearance varying from 350 to 1,150 mm.

Power provision for the machine is by a Cummins engine with a rating of 186kW. Operator comfort has received particular attention with the machine bearing the same upgraded slewing cabin now being offered on the company’s harvester range which delivers greater space and visibility. Still a prototype, it is hoped the machine will enter production during 2023.

Nisula

Nisula has been actively upgrading its harvester range with the latest N6 models taking pride of place on the extensive stand. Offered in a range of variants, these replacements for the N5 include the N6 and N6E. The N6 uses a Nisula manufactured parallel crane and is aimed mainly at the thinning market while the N6E uses an Epsilon S110F crane which gives it a wide application range in both running a harvesting head or specialist energy head. The machines bene t from enhancements to the mainframe construction and cabin design, while also having more engine power.

Johndeere

John Deere certainly grabbed the attention of show attendees with its 859M feller buncher. Even though it is aimed at markets

PROSILVA

NISULA outside Europe where full tree harvesting systems are favoured, it was still a major talking point. Tipping the scales at 37,410kg for the base machine alone, the 859M has a levelling function which gives 26 degrees forward levelling and seven degrees tilt to the rear while 18 degree movement to both sides allow it to work effectively on extreme slopes, with climbing aided by its aggressive single grouser track shoes with an impressive tractive force of 373 kN exerted. The machine was equipped with a FR22B feller buncher head.

Logset

Logset presented a number of machines in a distinctive and very smart looking black livery to mark its 30th anniversary. Among these units was the 5F GT forwarder which offers a 12-tonne load capacity. Its ability to function in rough ground conditions is assisted by its high pro le 26.5 tyres, while improvements like greater clearance and approach angle are also bene cial. Operator comfort is enhanced by a range of cabin layout changes and a sophisticated Smooth Ride system.

KESLA

Working on active demonstration, Kesla’s 144 timber trailer was paired with a high speci cation, reverse drive Valtra tractor with mounted Kesla 325T crane, showing how such a combination can be an attractive alternative to a purpose-built forwarder for forest owners deciding to conduct extraction using in-house equipment.

KETO

A number of new and upgraded Keto heads were shown, and in the larger size class category included the 550 Supreme and K660C2 top saw head.

Samporosenlew

Sampo Rosenlew had a large display from its growing forest machine range including the FR68 forwarder which is now in serial production. In addition to this standard variant, the machine was presented in the CR68 combination machine format which differs from the standard forwarder through its mounting of the crane and cabin on a common slewing base. Utilising a Logmer 160-11 crane, the exhibited machine was tted with a Nisula 500C energy wood harvesting head.

ECOLOG

Eco Log presented its largest wheeled harvester base unit at FinnMetko in the form of the 590 model, which was shown with a 661 LF harvesting head. Displayed to highlight the unique terrain deviation adaptation ability of the machine, its rear pendulum arm design and mounting of front bogies on further pendulum arms gives excellent operating characteristics on uneven terrain and side slopes while preserving essential stability.

KESLA