14 minute read
HYBRID HARVESTER
When it comes to experience of Logset timber harvesters, few in this business can claim as much as Richard Doherty, also known as ‘Dark Destroyer’, of North South Timber Harvesting Ltd. So you can imagine his eagerness to test the manufacturer’s latest generation 8H GTE Hybrid. Following time at the controls, it became obvious to Richard how this innovative concept could take performance to the next level while delivering considerably reduced fuel consumption. Part of the Doherty Group, North South Timber Harvesting Ltd (which we’ll refer to as NSTH from now on) has been running Logset harvesters and TECH SPEC LOGSET 8H GTE HYBRID forwarders for many years with pleasing results. WEIGHT 23,000KG However, other Doherty Group harvesting companies are far from exclusive Logset users. They also have ENGINE AGCOPOWER 74 LFTN 6-CYLINDER experience running machines from other manufacturers including John Deere, Ponsse and Komatsu on their timber harvesting operations, which are spread across Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland and throughout Scotland. Logset’s ground-breaking 12H GTE Hybrid model of 2016 was too large for NSTH’s requirements, but when the smaller 8H GTE Hybrid version came alone in 2019, Richard knew it was a critical moment. Already on the fleet was a 6H GTE which, although a deeply reliable and punchy performer, had by POWER ENGINE 214KW/ELECTRIC MOTOR 104KW COMBINED POWER 311KW@1,850RPM COMBINED TORQUE 1,780NM@1,500RPM HYDRAULIC OIL FLOW 495L/MIN CRANE/REACH MESERA 240H PARALLEL/10.3M HEAD LOGSET TH75 MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL SYSTEM LOGSET TOC-MD 2
This picture and left inset: 1.3-tonne, short-frame TH75.
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MASTER OF EFFICIENCY
Combining maximum performance and miserly fuel economy is now the goal of all forestry equipment manufacturers. Logset is a pioneer in hybrid harvesters and Eoghan Daly recently visited the new owner of an 8H GTE Hybrid model to get their first impressions of the machine
Richard Doherty is the first operator in the UK to use the 8H GTE Hybrid.
then accrued 7,000 hours in three years, so an upgrade was due. Following a successful trial run of an 8H GTE Hybrid in spring 2021, Richard swiftly purchased NSTH’s own machine.
It is no surprise to learn that fuel efficiency is the Logset’s greatest strength and this aspect gets all the more impressive when you consider the machine’s greater productivity compared with its predecessor. Working in clearfell with an average of 0.35 cubic metre material, the 8H GTE Hybrid is cutting an extra 250 cubic metres per week compared with the 6H.
CUTTING THE MUSTARD
“The 8H GTE Hybrid really is a great machine and has taken performance to a completely new level,” Richard reported. “What impresses us most is how much at ease the machine is with its work, and there is never any pressure on anything, which is all down to the hybrid system and how well it works. Even though it is just starting its working life, so far everything has been really impressive and there really is nothing I would change. It is just perfect.”
Under the 8H Hybrid’s engine cover is a six-cylinder AgcoPower 74 LFTN unit that meets Stage 5 emissions standards with SCR technology and produces 214kW at 1,850rpm with 1,280Nm at 1,500rpm. This powerplant is teamed with an integrated electric motor which provides an extra 104kW/500Nm boost when demand requires it. Cut another way, the electric motor delivers a substantial and class-leading 45% more power and 39% more torque.
Under normal engine load, the electric motor acts as a generator and charges the on-board supercapacitors. When there are peaks in the engine load, explains Logset, the electric motor discharges the surplus energy to provide additional torque to the pumps near instantly, and without any increase in engine rpm, which keeps a lid on emissions and is good for fuel efficiency.
With these additional hybrid components comes the risk of reduced machine reliability, but Richard’s belief in the manufacturer is solid. “We have every faith in Logset based on the experience the company has with hybrid harvesters since 2016,” he told us. “The level of production and fuel savings this machine is capable of shows how well the Hybrid concept works, which is both positive for us and Balcas who the machine has been harvesting for since delivery on private forestry sites.”
Richard reports fuel consumption of 17 litres per hour with the real benefit coming in the form of the increased production for this fuel burn, as he explained. “The increase in production is really significant. This is all down to the power given by the engine and hybrid system, which means we get the most from the machine all
Slewing and levelling cab ensures a great view of the crane and head.
Left: Storage space for a full size toolbox.
Right: Large windows and close controls.
of the time. The hydraulic power is unbelievable and doesn’t put any strain on the engine, which means the head has the power to handle rough timber more effectively and clean it thoroughly without time-consuming reverse feeding. In smaller material, it is still possible to harvest 18 cubic metres per hour, which rises to 25 cubic metres per hour in larger timber with a 0.32 cubic metre average tree.”
Already enhanced by the 8H GTE’s eight-wheel design, which utilises NAF bogies, the hydrostatic mechanical transmission’s output also contributes to the machine’s success as a harvester. Delivering 190kN of tractive force, the 8H Hybrid yields extremely high tractive abilities, as Richard noted. “The Hybrid has worked on both wet and steep ground, and is about to begin harvesting a very steep site. It has coped very well and when needed is fitted with climbing tracks on all four bogies. I prefer them over floatation or combination tracks, as climbing tracks don’t carry brash which can often damage the side panels of the machine.”
FIRM FOOTING
Running on Nokian Forest King TRS thread pattern, 710mm-wide tyres, the machine has been operating with just front bogie climbing band tracks due to the favourable ground and weather conditions experienced during its first few months harvesting. Nevertheless, even when working without these front traction aids, this 8H GTE has demonstrated how stable it can be, even when working to the maximum 10.3m reach capability of the crane while carrying the largest TH75 harvesting head of the three available options for this model. Another aspect aiding stability is the machine’s width, which is quoted at 3.2m with this tyre configuration, and even though NSTH largely concentrates on clearfell applications, width in this range allows the machine to effectively conduct thinnings operations should the need arise.
Away from the positives of the machine’s transmission, it is the capabilities of the crane and harvesting head that really shine through thanks to the power-on-demand system delivered to the hydraulics. The hydraulic system comprises Rexroth working pumps and a Sauer Danfoss drive pump. With oil flow reaching 495L/min, it is the tactful management of this and other power resources that is also a very important part of the machine’s make up. To this end,
HYBRID PIONEER
While Logset may not be the largest producer of forest machinery, it has contributed the most to the hybrid timber harvester concept. Launching its original 12H GTE Hybrid harvester in 2016 at the Elmia Wood show in Sweden, few were left in any doubt of the company’s intentions. As the most powerful wheeled timber harvester in production, the 12H GTE Hybrid set new standards for efficiency of operation and won favour with customers worldwide.
However, the 12H GTE Hybrid’s size class appealed to a select customer base and it left many craving a smaller alternative. Their prayers were answered in spring 2019 when Logset introduced the 8H GTE Hybrid, with users reaping the benefits of the concept through reduced fuel consumption, emissions and component wear while reaching high levels of productivity.
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Working in a premature clearfell comprising a mix of spruce and pine.
Logset has developed the TOC-MD 2, which is an integrated machine control and measurement system.
The 10.3m-reach Mesera 240H parallel crane has coped well with larger material and working on slopes, its low set mounting position helping in this regard. Notable improvements include the routing of hydraulic hoses at the crane base, which were previously positioned beneath the crane and now take up a much more accessible position around the sides of the base whilst being protected and avoiding any impact on operator visibility.
This crane works particularly well with the Logset TH75 harvesting head that shares much with Richard’s previous TH65, even though it provides an upgrade in capacity. Utilising an 82cm sawbar and 404 chain, the head is equally proficient in large and small diameter material. Particularly convincing is its delimbing capabilities, with the positive hydraulic energies from the host machine and choice of high force feed roller motors on the head itself proving a very effective alliance.
NOTABLE IMPROVEMENTS
Equipped with four movable knives and a single fixed top knife, the head maintains contact on the tree and gives a thorough delimbing result even in stems with lower branches thanks to the presence of the two lower knives. Nevertheless, the task of the knives remains largely restricted to the delimbing role, as their need to support the tree is lessened by the angular profile of the outer rollers. These outer rollers are supplemented by the third roller embedded in the rear of the head above the measuring wheel, which creates a veritable feeding ring effect for maximum performance.
“The head not only does a very good job on delimbing, but is also very accurate on measurement,” Richard explained. “The system is also very easy to calibrate and set up when adding extra log lengths.”
The hoses are placed for easy replacement – the old design ran them under the crane base.
Well accustomed to Logset cabins, Richard singles out several areas of the 8H Hybrid for merit. “The visibility from the cabin is second to none. Traditional blind spots on many other manufacturers’ machines are addressed by Logset, with the low set front windscreen and sharply curving down corners of the side windows making a major difference. The absence of corners at the rear of the cab through the rounded rear window is also a big help and I don’t think any other machine offers the level of visibility towards the wheels and the ground around the machine as well as over the complete working area of the head and crane like the Logset cabin.”
In addition to these positives, the Hybrid’s control layout is extremely well thought-out, while the degree of movement afforded by the cab’s slewing and levelling action ensures deviations in the terrain are catered for, while a clear view of the head and crane is ensured at all times.
In terms of storage and maintenance access, Richard notes a number of changes compared with his previous 6H GTE. These include the relocation of the AdBlue tank from the side of the machine to the rear wing locker, which allows refilling from ground level. Refill ports for diesel and hydraulic oil are also located in the same compartment. Other interesting design touches include the incorporation of storage lockers within the cabin access step assembly at the nearside, which includes a top compartment for saw chains, while the lower side locker provides storage for grease cartridges. Moving to the offside, the corresponding area below the cab provides enough storage space for a full-sized toolbox. Moving to the front of the machine, another large compartment provides further room for belongings and is set to host a stump spray reservoir tank on this machine. Following four months of operation, Richard is highly impressed by the Logset 8H GTE Hybrid, his experience of other Logset machines allowing him to properly appreciate what this innovative harvester brings to the table. With the 1,000-hour milestone passed completely without incident, it is great to see North South Timber Harvesting (and Doherty Group) reap the benefits of its investment in this pioneering machine.
35a Derryall Road, Portadown, Co. Armagh E; info@oakleafforestry.com T : +4428 3833 0011
