Forestry Machinery Issue 2 Spring 2019 by Sundial Magazines

KING OF THE

SWINGERS HOW THE LATEST ZERO-TAIL TIGERCAT HARVESTER TRANSFORMED A SCOTTISH FORESTRY OPERATION

POWER TRIP

517HP FENDT VARIO & MUS-MAX CHIPPER

SPE IA L EDITCIO N FREE WITH 0ld one

EARTHMOVE RS & this is the

correct

ON THE LIMIT

KONRAD HARVESTERS FOR EXTREME SLOPES

SIMA 19 SHOW REPORT 001_FM002_Cover_FINAL.indd 1

SPRING 2019 • ISSUE 2 • £4.10

one as of

14 March

one to work

from

2014

INNOVATION

VERSATILE 8-TONNE MECALAC AT WORK

BOBCAT FORESTRY KIT REVEALED 22/03/2019 11:08

Experience the Progress.

Material handling equipment Quality Liebherr components optimise entire machine performance Advanced proportionally controlled hydraulic system maximises productivity New spacious cab design promotes operator comfort Extensive glazing significantly enhances visibility for safer working

Liebherr-Great Britain Ltd. Normandy Lane, Stratton Business Park Biggleswade, SG18 8QB Phone: +44 1767 60 21 00 E-mail: info.lgb@liebherr.com www.facebook.com/LiebherrConstruction www.liebherr.co.uk

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ED’S LETTER

KING OF THE

SWINGERS

EDITOR Graham Black editor@earthmoversmagazine.co.uk EDITOR Peter Skilton peter@farmmachineryjournal.co.uk ART DIRECTOR David ‘Spike’ McCormack RETOUCHER Linda Duong ADVERTISEMENT SALES Clive Coe 020 8639 4402, Alex Cronin 020 8639 4405 ADMINISTRATOR Martin Attis 020 8639 4409 PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Paul Cosgrove 020 8639 4401 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS David Wylie, Eoghan Daly, Nick Drew, Ken Topham, Paul Argent, Paul Carter, Simon Henley, Keith Haddock 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 2019. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden without the express permission of the publishers. Sundial Magazines Ltd. Registered in England no. 4134490. CONDITIONS FOR ADVERTISING All advertisements are accepted subject to the publisher’s standard conditions of insertion. For a copy of advertising terms & conditions, please write to Paul Cosgrove at Sundial Magazines Ltd, Sundial House, 17 Wickham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 5JS

HOW THE LATEST ZERO-TAIL TIGERCAT HARVESTER TRANSFORMED A SCOTTISH FORESTRY OPERATION

POWER TRIP

517HP FENDT VARIO & MUS-MAX CHIPPER

SPRING 2019 • ISSUE 2 • £4.10 SPECIA L EDITIO FREE WITH N EARTHMOVE RS & 0ld one

this is the

correct

ON THE LIMIT

KONRAD HARVESTERS FOR EXTREME SLOPES

SIMA 19 SHOW REPORT

one as of

14 March

one to work

from

2014

INNOVATION

Spring 2019 Issue 2 COVER IMAGE David Wylie

VERSATILE 8-TONNE MECALAC AT WORK

BOBCAT FORESTRY KIT REVEALED

WELCOME

to Forestry Machinery, the magazine dedicated to modern forestry equipment. The development of a wide range of eight-wheel harvesters and forwarders has done much to help forestry contractors in Scotland and Ireland cope with local conditions, which can be far more challenging than those found in Scandinavia. A growing focus within the industry is to build upon this mobility over softer ground conditions to improve safety and productivity when working on steeply sloping sites. Again, this helps contractors within the British Isles, who are often faced with boggy conditions and steep slopes. The constant evolution of specialised kit to undertake all aspects of managing forest sites and the timber supply chain is nothing new. Just take the early machines of LeTourneau, for example. They may be a far cry from modern kit, but diesel-electric drive systems offer many advantages, which we could well see in the next generation of purpose-built forestry kit. This issue of Forestry Machinery has seen our team travel throughout England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to bring you up-to-date news of the latest developments in this innovative sector. In view of the recent appointment of a UK dealer for Rottne forestry machinery, we report from its factory in Sweden on the background of this pioneer in mechanising forestry work. In addition, for those contractors that have to work on extremely steep ground, we visit the Czech Republic to report on the hillside hero of the industry, the amazing Konrad Highlander harvester, which can work on slopes up to 60 degrees. If there was to be a lesson learned, it is that there is not a one-fits-all solution to forestry machinery, as the manufacturers serving the industry are the leaders in ingenuity and adaptation to make operators’ lives easier, safer and more productive. Graham Black & Peter Skilton

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TIlt the advantage in your direction Increase your productivity by fitting a tiltrotator tiltrota to your excavator and you’ll ne never look back. Experience reduced labour on jobs, quicker completion time, less movement complet of your machine m on-site, greater control a and more precise handling. And the in innovations behind the NOX Tiltrotator range mean you can enjoy even more mor advantages. No cylinders caught or damaged working in to get cau confined spaces, meaning no drop-off in power thanks to a smooth, constant torque delivery de from the patented piston design, through to the elliptical p big 50° tilting ti angle on both sides – making it a highly efficient addition to any job site. sit Suitable for excavators with an operating operat weight from 3-25 tonnes.

Save tim time, save money and tilt competitive advantage firmly competi direction. in your d

nox+ Compact design Trenching, forestry and working in confined spaces is made easier and more profitable without cylinders

nox+ Powerful operation Elliptic Rotary Actuator delivers smooth, constant torque through the entire tilting angle with no drop-off in power

nox+ Durable construction Robust build quality and an oilimmersed rotation unit maximises output and lowers maintenance

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CONTENTS

p45

CONTENTS SPRING 2019

REGULARS 3

WELCOME

The leading highlights contained in this issue.

NEWS

The latest industry developments and updates

FORESTRY PHOTOS

Send us your pictures of working forestry kit

FEATURES

p33

p64 p20

p61

PRODUCT REVIEW MECALAC 8MCR EXCAVATOR

Operator gives his verdict on 8t machine

NEW PRODUCTS TIGERCAT LH822D HARVESTER

In Scotland with the latest Canadian machine

DEMONSTRATION MACHINE NEUSON 243HVT HARVESTER

At work with a Logset TH75 harvesting head

ATTACHMENTS BOBCAT FOREST CUTTERS

Skidsteer loaders show off new implements

RUNNING REPORT FENDT 1050 & MUS-MAX 10XL

517hp tractor powering a giant trailed chipper

EURO FOCUS KONRAD HIGHLANDER

Working steep slopes in the Czech Republic

FLEET PROFILE WEEKS FORESTRY

Devon contractor running Komatsu equipment

SITE VISIT LOCKERBIE SAWMILLS

Liebherr handlers operating in a timber yard

HARVESTING LOGSET 6HP GTE

Finnish-built kit cutting above its weight

EVENT REPORT SIMA 2019, FRANCE

A round-up of newly launched forestry kit

BEHIND THE SCENES ROTTNE FACTORY VISIT

The Swedish manufacturer opens its doors

CLASSIC FORESTRY LE TOURNEAU

The early equipment of a machinery pioneer FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2019

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Spread the cost with our LOW RATE FINANCE options, starting from 0% finance

BOOK A DEMO Speak to us today to find out how you can have a NEW AVANT at an affordable monthly cost! *Terms and conditions. Finance for business purposes only. Subject to acceptance and affordability checks. Applicant must be 18 or over. Promotion valid until otherwise stated. The finance product offered under this promotion is Hire Purchase or Finance Lease. First payment, full VAT and a documentation fee are all due on signing. An option-to-purchase fee (plus VAT) will be collected with the final payment – Hire Purchase only. Minimum deposit may be required. Alternative finance options are available on request. Terms and conditions apply. Interest Rate is a Flat Rate of Finance. Payments collected on a monthly basis, other payment terms available on request. Clear Asset Finance Ltd are acting as a credit broker in regards to this promotion. Clear Asset Finance Ltd, Suite 6, Ripon House, 35 Station Lane, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 6JL. Registered in England No. 07462914. Authorised and Regulated by the Finance Conduct Authority under Registration No. 668175.

0800 015 8482 / sales@avant.co.uk / www.avant.co.uk

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A BETTER WAY OF WORKING. FIND YOUR NEAREST UK AVANT DEALER. 1

Angus Chainsaws Ltd

Scotland Ken Wallace, 01241 830240 ken@anguschainsaws.co.uk

Orange Plant Ltd

Kent, Greater London Area, East Surrey, Hertfordshire Lee Chater, 01474 834352 lee@versatileequipment.co.uk

Fraser C Robb Ltd

Glasgow, Scotland Fraser Robb, 01360 660 688 admin@frasercrobb.co.uk

Versatile Equipment Ltd

TVE Ltd

Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire Mat Jones, 01235 523070 mat@tvesales.co.uk

Newcastle, Northumberland Phil Blackburn 0845 838 6337 phil.blackburn@orangeplant.co.uk

AVANT Equipment

Chichester Farm Machinery Ltd

Somerset, Gloucestershire, Devon, Cornwall, Bath Paul Helps, 01458 850084 sales@avantequipment.co.uk

West Sussex Lewis Ramm, 07870 128375 lewis@ chichesterfarmmachinery.co.uk

R & W BPMS Ltd

Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, West Surrey, Isle of Wight, Channel Islands Sam Edwards, 01962 718730 sam.edwards@bpmsl.co.uk

AVANT Tecno UK Ltd

Bedfordshire John Spencer, 0800 015 8482 sales@avant.co.uk

AVANT South East Hire

Essex Chris Easter, 01279 879 199 info@avantsoutheasthire.com

CPS Ltd

Yorkshire John Burton, 07528 186996 john@cpslift.com

AVANT Tecno UK Ltd

East Sussex John Spencer, 0800 015 8482 sales@avant.co.uk

1st Base Plant Ltd

Lancashire, Cumbria, Liverpool, Greater Manchester Dean Roberts, 07751 260651 Office@1stbaseplant.co.uk

Robert Lee Plant Ltd

Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Derbyshire Robert Lee, 01889 271727 sales@robertleeplant.co.uk

AVANT Tecno UK Ltd

Nottinghamshire John Spencer, 0800 015 8482 sales@avant.co.uk

Fentons of Bourne Ltd

Lincolnshire, Rutland, Peterborough Glen Bellamy 01778 560466 fentons@fentonsofbourne.co.uk

AVANT Tecno UK Ltd

North Wales John Spencer, 0800 015 8482 sales@avant.co.uk

Border Bobcat Ltd

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Global Sales Ltd

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South Wales Huw Edwards, 01495 237888 sales@borderbobcat.com

Worcestershire, Herefordshire Elliot Townsend, 07773 218771 elliot@getitatglobal.co.uk

Farol Ltd

Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire Peter Helps, 0808 164 7700 helpspeter@farol.co.uk

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Ben Burgess & Co Ltd

Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire Chris Pateman, 01603 628 251 Mobile, 07710 135 663 chrispateman@benburgess.co.uk

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NEWS

FORESTRYMACHINERYNEWS

NEW CAT ENTERS THE FOREST

aterpillar has revealed its next generation of tracked midi-excavators, which includes a high-flow 9.5-tonne machine suited to forestry applications. The all-new 309 CR model is available as a high-flow machine that is capable of delivering a generous oil flow of 233 litres per minute to a dedicated auxiliary hydraulic circuit and is designed to run power-hungry attachments such as mulchers.

The compact-tailswing 309CR model features a swinging offset boom, either the standard mono boom or a two-piece articulated boom, which Cat calls its Variable Angle Boom (VAB). A variety of track configurations are available including steel track pads and a long, lower ground pressure undercarriage taken from the larger 310 model. Like the rest of Cat’s new mini and midi tracked excavator

ranges, the 309CR comes with genuinely innovative technology in the form of joystick steering and tracking cruise control as standard: an industry first in mass-market compact diggers. One of the highlights of this

next generation midi is an upper-structure that includes an all-new cab and simple, robust body panels that Cat says will result in significantly cheaper repairs. The new range of minis and midis are built in China.

CAT 7t TO 10t EXCAVATORS Model 307.5 308CR 309CR 310

Tailswing Standard Compact radius Compact radius Standard

Boom foot Fixed Offset swing Offset swing Fixed

Boom option n/a VAB VAB n/a

CUSTOM HITACHI GETS TO WORK IN NORWAY Norwegian company Fageraas Skogsdrift DA is among the first contractors to test the Hitachi ZX135USL-6 forestry excavator. The special application machine has been designed and engineered specifically for the needs of the challenging conditions found in the European market. Hitachi’s modified short-tailswing excavators are ideal for making access routes, as well as a wide range of other forestry tasks. Supplied by the national Hitachi dealer, Nasta, the ZX135USL-6 has a heavier counterweight for greater stability, reinforced parts – such as the undercarriage – for added durability, and a window in the roof of the cab for a better view. It has a higher ground clearance than the standard model for travelling over uneven and rough forest terrains. Equipped with additional safety features, such as a fixed laminated front window and OPG level 2 front guard, it offers good operator protection.

FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2019

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NEWS

VALTRA UPDATES T-SERIES FOR 2019 A

s the spotlight continues to shine on diesel engine technology, strict emissions regulations have become moving targets for machinery manufacturers. But for Valtra, which launched its Stage 5-compliant tractors last month, the fitment of revised engines has also given the chance to bring further updates to its tractors. The Finnish manufacturer has commenced with its T Series and S Series tractors, but will also bring its N Series

tractors up to the new standard later in the year, starting with the N174 in spring and N134 and N154 in the autumn. The AGCO Power engines feature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology, which not only run more smoothly but also require less maintenance, especially in the N and T Series (pictured), which do not require exhaust gas recirculation. Tweaks to the tractors’ design were required to make space for the new after-treatment system, however the

upside of the rework is improved visibility from the cab, while the S Series benefits the most as it gets more tool storage, better access steps and an updated LED tail light assembly. To top it all off Valtra will offer the latest models in even more colours than before. Further updates can be found inside the cab, where a second terminal can be specified on SmartTouch models, which can be used for ISObus implements, auto-guidance or displaying cameras.

shear offers contractors the ability to shear trees with a trunk diameter of 150 to 500mm with a cutting force of up to 51t. The 11 models available (six of which come

with optional rotation) fit machines between 4.5t and 35t and are available through sole UK importer BPH Attachments.

PRODEM CUTS ABOVE Prodem Attachments has launched the PTS forestry tree shear, the newest addition to its hydraulic attachment line-up. The PTS forestry tree shear makes felling trees and maintaining overgrown shrubs more efficient and safer. Addressing safety as a primary concern, the shear uses accumulator arms to grasp the tree or shrub securely so that it can be felled and then safely stacked or processed. It also features a serrated fixed jaw, which keeps the trunk stable while the hydraulically driven cutting jaw cuts the tree to the desired height. An optional rotation system improves stability and manoeuvrability because of the raised mounting position. Manufactured in Europe and entirely in Hardox, the Prodem PTS forestry tree

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NEWS

AVANT TAKES LOADERS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

motors located on each wheel. The wheel innish loader manufacturer Avant motors are the largest and most powerful Tecno has expanded its range of used by Avant on any of its loaders, loaders with the introduction of the providing a maximum speed of 30kph. all-new 800 Series. Production of the new models, which feature an all-new chassis design, will commence in September 2019. REACHING OUT Up to now the largest loader built by Lifting duties are handled by a selfAvant has been the popular 760i but the levelling boom that telescopes 825mm, all-new 800 Series takes the Avant concept providing enough reach to enable the 800 to the next level, becoming the largest Series to load and unload pallets on trucks and most powerful range produced by the from one side. Finnish manufacturer to date. Standing Up front the 800 Series is equipped with 1.5m wide, 3.4m in length and 2.2m high, it offers a lift capacity of 1900kg and a maximum lift height of 3.5m. Initially, there will be just two 800 Series models, specifically the 860i and the 850. A 57hp Stage V emissions-compliant Kohler engine powers the 860i and this model will be sold in the EU and the USA. The 850 model shares identical The operator specifications although it’s powered area is neat, by a 49hp Stage III-compliant Kubota with clear dials engine, which is deemed suitable for and a logical other world markets. layout for the Propulsion is hydrostatic from main controls dedicated two-speed hydraulic drive

the Avant quick-attach carriage system, which now features twin crowd rams for improved tear-out power. The Euro 3 attachment system will be available as an option and, as on all other Avant models, the hydraulic hoses are coupled to attachments using a multi-connector system. Oil flow for the auxiliary hydraulics is rated at 80 litres per minute. In standard form the Avant 800 features an open platform operator station, however an enclosed, heated cab will be available as an option. The all-new DLX cab features anti-vibration mounts, an efficient heating and ventilation system with optional airconditioning and large windows to ensure good all-round visibility. Arguably the most important factor here is that Avant has cleverly kept the weight of the 800 Series to 2500kg (unballasted) so it can be loaded on to a trailer and towed legally in the EU behind a pick-up truck, without exceeding the 3.5t weight limit. Avant claims this is a necessity for many of its customers.

SPRING 2019 FORESTRY MACHINERY

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PVFM

LTD

Paul Vidgen Forest Machines Ltd

“Using 30 plus years of experience and knowhow to supply and support your forestry & land clearing machinery requirements”

Sole UK importers and dealers for; AHWI/Prinoth, Bruks Chippers, Trevi Benne Forestry Attachments, UOT Scarifiers & Mounders, Naturatec, King Kong Carbide Tools.

Dealers for; BerCon Log Splitters, FTG Baltic Trailers and Cranes.

Forest Keep, Watersplash Lane, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7QP Tel: 01344 873499 Email: info@pvfm.co.uk Web: www.pvfm.co.uk Paul Vidgen_FP.indd 1

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PRODUCT REVIEW | MECALAC 8MCR

MULTI-TRICK PONY H

aving spent much of his formative years around plant of one sort or another, owner-operator Graham Sandercock was asked by Dan Hurle, from the forestry and arboriculture contractor J. Hurle and Sons, to help clear some rhododendron. For Graham and his three-tonne Kubota mini-excavator this was his first taste of forestry work, a sector of the market that he has specialised in over the years. Graham said, “I worked the steep ground ripping out the rhododendron with a bucket, while Dan ran along the track below with his tractor and forwarder trailer taking it to the fire site. There was a lot of this work at the time due to the disease Phytophthora ramorum, which the rhododendron harboured. “To cut a long story short, the Hurles kept me very busy, which meant I could afford a new five-tonne Kubota KX61-3 Alpha mini-excavator. Then, over the

Nick Drew reports on an unusual alternative to a conventional mini-excavator that is well suited to forestry applications

coming years, I added some attachments including a rotating log grapple, a flail, a saw blade and a log trailer. I also purchased a Bobcat 864 tracked skid-steer loader. “With the combination of the two machines, we could eat through the clearance jobs at quite an impressive rate and work had never been busier. The Hurles even had me on railway clearance jobs, which were very interesting. They also introduced me to Geraint Richards, the head forester for the Duchy of Cornwall, and work started coming in for them. I’ve never really looked back since.”

THE NEXT LEVEL After seven years of unblemished service from

“NO CONVENTIONAL MINI-EXCAVATOR WOULD PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY”

his five-tonne Kubota, which looked as good as the day it arrived in his yard, Graham had a difficult decision to make as to its future. His first thoughts were to opt for another Kubota, but when he did the research on this and the other compact excavators available, he came to a startling conclusion. Namely that no conventional mini-excavator would provide a significant increase in productivity over his existing KX61-3 that would justify the considerable investment in a new machine. Thinking outside of the box, Graham began to look at alternatives to a conventional compact excavator. In particular he had another look at Frenchbuilt Mecalac machines, which had ignited his interest after a brief test drive back in the days of the old SED show. Thanks to Mecalac’s unique combination of a working envelope equivalent to midi-excavator and a large skid-steer, together with powerful hydraulics, a great turn of speed and impressive lifting capacity, they seemed ideally suited to Graham’s needs. He went on to purchase a 2014-built six-tonne class Mecalac 6MCR model, which he reckoned could replace both his mini-excavator and his skid-steer. It proved to be an ideal machine for the type of work he was undertaking and over the next few years Graham and his 6MCR became something

This picture and right inset: The eight-tonne class Mecalac 8MCR provides 6.67m of reach, high hydraulic and lifting forces and a surprising turn of speed

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of an ambassador for the Mecalac brand in the UK. So much so that Mecalac offered him the opportunity to sell its excavators. Graham said, “This was a very exciting development for me, as I am passionate about these machines and, as an end user, I know them inside out. To facilitate this move I started a separate business called Specialist Plant South West and I now get to deal with these machines on a whole new level, which is great.” However, Graham continues to run a very busy forestry contracting operation, most of which takes place within the Duchy of Cornwall’s woodlands. These sites tend to be relatively small and offer restricted access for conventional forestry machinery. In any case, the client adopts an environmentallysensitive, long-term approach to managing this historic estate. The rubber-tracked Mecalac makes very little mess, results in no significant soil compaction and is a low impact method of both extracting timber and maintaining the forest infrastructure.

NEW EXCAVATOR Having sold his original 6MCR to one of his Specialist Plant South West customers, Graham invested in a larger Mecalac for his own forestry contracting business and said, “The 8MCR for me is the machine of choice for forestry work. It’s an eight-tonne class machine that packs a serious punch! It can work in very tight spaces, which is perfect

“IT IS AN EXCAVATOR, A LOADER, A FORWARDER AND HEDGETRIMMER ALL IN ONE. IT CAN EVEN PERFORM TREE SURGERY” for thinning works, and its 10kph tracking speed means that with the log trailer hitched up it is capable of shifting timber very quickly. “I originally built the log trailer as a bit of an experiment, thinking it would be good to get small amounts of timber out of awkward areas that other machines could not get to. But it has been so successful that we have ended up doing a lot more timber extraction than ever planned. “The huge lifting capacity of the 8MCR makes light work of moving logs, as it picks up 24ft lengths of timber with complete ease. Its closed-circuit hydrostatic transmission means that it can run a flail while tracking at the same time, which is really good for forest ride vegetation management. The advantages of this machine in the woods are huge. It is an excavator, a loader, a forwarder and

This picture and right: The log grab is mounted on a live heel beam for extra reach, a common practice on large forestry machinery around the world

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PRODUCT REVIEW | MECALAC 8MCR This picture and far left inset: The Mecalac seems equally at home tracking into the forest or hauling timber on the estate’s private roads

hedge-trimmer all in one. It can even perform tree surgery with the tree shear attached.” Graham and pal Geoff Burroughs, a local plant engineer, made a few modifications to the standard 8MCR model. They included a thicker gauge steel belly plate to offer better protection against tree stumps. Geoff also designed and built the frame for the towing hitch, which uniquely does not involve any cutting, welding or drilling of the standard undercarriage. The towing drawbar is simply but securely attached on the excavator’s standard lifting eyes and its central recovery eye and carries an MoD-style rotating hitch with a quick-release hook. Geoff also fabricated a live heel beam for Graham’s log grab, which among other benefits offers a little bit more reach. These are not common in the UK but are often used seen on larger forestry machines in Canada and New Zealand.

SITE VISIT Forestry Machinery Journal met up with the innovative excavator in a Duchy woodland at Lostwithiel. As Graham’s sales business expands and he undertakes own-account work with his new wheeled Mecalac excavator, the 8MCR tracked forestry excavator is in the capable hands of experienced operator Joe Julian. Joe’s first task of the day was to retrieve lengths of timber that had been felled and cut deep in the woodland. Tracking into the felling area, Joe quickly disconnected the timber trailer from the excavator and started locating and moving the logs. The ability of the Mecalac to climb up and down

Left and above inset: With 360 degrees of rotation available from the excavator, loading the timber trailer is no problem, which is towed using an innovative trailer hitch FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2019

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MECALAC 8MCR | PRODUCT REVIEW This picture and right inset: The tracked undercarriage provides speeds of up to 10kph while a separate hydraulic pump powers the upper-structure and the attachment

steep slopes with its rubber-tracked undercarriage has to be seen to be believed. Its tracking performance over challenging ground is far superior to any similarly-shod midi-excavator. Using the timber grab, Joe began to rehandle the logs so that they were in a suitable position for loading on to the trailer. Joe then tracked back, connected up the trailer and began to load the logs. The 8MCR’s 360 degrees of upper-structure rotation allows Joe to pick up logs in a wide arc and load them on to his trailer behind the machine. Together with the Mecalac’s climbing abilities, this makes life a lot easier for the tree fellers, as they don’t have to worry so much about the position of the logs.

WORKING AT SPEED Having delivered the logs to the client’s yard, Joe’s next task was some forest track maintenance work with a hydraulic flail attachment. For those who have not seen a Mecalac at work, its tracking speed while simultaneously working with a power-hungry

“IT’S QUICKER AND MORE COMPACT THAN A TRACTOR AND CAN WORK ON MUCH SOFTER GROUND. IT REALLY IS A GAME CHANGER” attachment is difficult to comprehend. This pocket rocket’s speed of operation in such an application is more akin to a large tracked skid-steer loader than an excavator.

Its unique boom geometry enables the 8MCR to use the flail close into the machine, or take advantage of its 6.67m of reach. On the ground what this translates into is a huge working envelope from one location, without the constant need to relocate the machine. In conclusion Graham said, “This machine is so handy for our work in forestry. With all the attachments we have it can turn its hand to anything, whether that be grabbing, flailing, tree shearing or even digging, ditching or track maintenance with the large skid-style bucket. This machine can do it all. It’s quicker and more compact than a tractor and can work on much softer ground. It really is a game-changer.”

SPEC IN BRIEF: MECALAC 8MCR The Mecalac MCR models feature a

serves the upper-structure, which

has an impressive lifting capacity,

filters are conveniently located for

closed-circuit hydraulic system for

means that everything works at

quoted at three tonnes at 3m

quick and safe servicing.

their tracking functions, oil flows

full flow even when tracking,

reach.

to the track motors and returns to

which is very impressive indeed.

The 8MCR is powered by a

As you might expect from this long-standing French

2.9-litre, Stage 3B emissions-

manufacturer, the cab features all

on the return leg is released into

offered – 5kph or 10kph – and

compliant Deutz engine that in

the comforts an operator could

the oil cooler and back into the

the auxiliary hydraulic services

this application is rated at 55.4kW

ever need and excellent all-around

tank. A separate boost gear pump

benefit from a flow of 100 lit/min

(75hp) at 2300rpm. The engine

visibility. This example even had

keeps the system topped up with

at a maximum pressure of 280bar.

bay is accessed from ground level

a luxury all-leather Mecalac seat

oil. A separate hydraulic pump

The front-end working equipment

via a large lift-up hood, while fluid

cover fitted, all very stylish indeed.

the pump. A certain amount of oil

Two track speed ranges are

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WORKING MACHINERY DEMONSTRATIONS AT OUR OPEN DAYS

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“YOU COULD CUT TIMBER ALL DAY ON FLAT GOLF COURSE-LIKE SITES, BUT I’D BE BORED DOING IT”

David Wylie visits one of the latest Tigercat LH822D timber harvesters in the UK

SHORT SWING LONG REACH 20

aurencekirk-based Treetop Forestry is the UK dealer for Tigercat and LogMax products and is a major forestry contractor in its own right, operating with some of the most modern forestry equipment on the market. The latest machine to join its in-house fleet is a zero-tailswing Tigercat LH822D timber harvester complete with a levelling undercarriage and configured with a LogMax 7000Twin harvesting head.

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NEW PRODUCTS | TIGERCAT LH822D

COMPANY HISTORY The origins of Treetop Forestry can be traced back to the Great Gale of 1953, which decimated forests up and down the country. George Booth, an Aberdeenshire agricultural contractor, bought a pair of Clydesdale horses to assist with the massive windblown clearance operation. In doing so he added timber-logging services to his business. The firm continued to expand and in

xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx Main picture and inset above: The zero-tailswing upper-structure allows this harvester to work close without fear of damage and also allows greater articulation in its undercarriage

1984 it invested in its first Scandinavian purpose-built forwarder, a Brunnett 578, for a harvesting project on the Crown Estates at Tomintoul. Throughout the 1990s additional investments in machinery were made, principally to add capacity to satisfy growing demand from the pulp, panel board and sawmilling sectors. Following George Booth’s retirement in 2005 and reflecting the scale in which the company was now operating, the partnership of G. Booth and Sons was changed into a limited company and Treetop Forestry was born. The following year the firm became the UK and Ireland sole agent for Tigercat, followed by a similar arrangement with LogMax. Today it is also a dealer for Clark Tracks, Olosfors Tracks and Waratah Harvesting heads. Operating from purpose-built workshop and offices at Laurencekirk on the A90 Perth to Aberdeen road, in addition to selling and supporting forestry equipment, Treetop Forestry’s main activity is contract harvesting commercial timber. These projects range from small-scale thinning programmes to large-scale clearfell sites on varied and steep terrain throughout Scotland. Their core fleet is made up of 18 Tigercat harvesters and forwarders, supplemented by kit from John Deere, Komatsu and Ponsse. It’s all operated by highly trained and experienced staff capable of handling all types of operation on challenging Scottish terrain and weather.

ON SITE IN SCOTLAND We met up with the new harvester at a 28.5-hectare clearfell site in the Scottish borders. Its first task of the day was to clear a clump of old windblown trees, which is one of the toughest jobs for a harvester as the limbs dry out over the years and become rock hard. However, the heavy-duty Tigercat was up to the job of reaching out and lifting the near horizontal trees that were still attached to their heavy root balls. The twin

motors of the LogMax head did lug down a bit, but these old windblowns were soon cleared and it was time to start work on the standing timber, which is expected to yield at least 13,000 tonnes of logs over the next few weeks. A few days before our visit storm Erik hit this part of Scotland; heavy rain and strong winds had left some new green windblown trees and soft ground conditions in its wake. The new windblowns were cleared first, but

this time there was a barely audible change in the tone of the head as it zipped quickly through the fresh timber, and the Tigercat was remarkably quiet in operation. With the recent snow melt and heavy rainfall, the long LH undercarriage on this example came into its own. Its 5.23m tracks are 300mm longer than the standard H model and each track frame carries 10 bottom rollers. It is essentially the same undercarriage that is fitted to the larger FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2019

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T TIGER2C2A D LH8 TRAIN POWER sed FPT Industrial

has u At the Tigercat chnology. Since 2013 engine te built ) Tin P F ra rT an e (Fiat Pow LH822D is . It at m rc e rp ig 0 T 10 e 2 282hp at heart of th s k rated at emission ac an p e rp e w ro po of the Eu , but 4 m e e g st ta sy S e meets AdBlu late ns with an sel particu regulatio ows d for a die e sh e n a e at d th without lematics te ’s e an in h at l mac iese filter. The sipping d hour. H822D is litres per .5 that the L 17 st ju f o te ra e g avera

LH855E model, but Treetop opts for 3.4m wide version. A 3.1m option is available for those working in more compact areas. Complete with extreme duty 700mm-wide single grouser shoes, this provides this harvester with good climbing ability together with high levels of stability. The levelling undercarriage on the LH822D features a massive tiling turntable base plate made from a single piece of 32mm-thick steel and over-engineered hydraulic cylinders. This, together with the rest of the large and heavy undercarriage components, helps to form a significant part of the rig’s 35.8-tonne operating weight. This low-down weight helps to keep this harvester pinned to the ground, even on the most extreme of slopes. One result of the upper-structure’s zero-tailswing design is that the undercarriage has significantly more articulation than the norm, even greater than some of the larger conventional counterweight harvesters. The quoted articulation figures are 26 degrees forward, seven degrees to the rear and 22 degrees to either side. Inside the cab the side and forward slope indictors go up to 45 degrees, which operators report is achievable provided the ground conditions and brash mat are near perfect for such extreme angles of attack. This model is configured with the optional hydraulic telescopic boom,

Above and top: The rear of the upper-structure swings back out of the way, in addition to the offside panel, to provide true all-round access to the engine compartment

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Right and inset above: The heavy-duty Tigercat combined with the LogMax harvesting head tackled uprooted and dried out old windblown trees in their stride

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NEW PRODUCTS | TIGERCAT LH822D “LIFTING THE NEAR HORIZONTAL TREES THAT WERE STILL ATTACHED TO THEIR HEAVY ROOT BALLS”

The telescopic boom reduces machine movements and offers a wider spread of log stacking and a better brash mat for the forwarders to tackle steep ground

HARVESTING WITH A LOGMAX HEAD The 1889kg LogMax 7000Twin harvesting head is configured with the standard 0.404 pitch (7mm-wide) saw chain and powered by a 19cc hydraulic motor. To help keep the chain spinning at 9000rpm, the head features a 42-litre tank for chain saw oil, with an average consumption around 10 litres per shift. Changing the chain is a simple job, and the operator also has access to a portable sharpening tool to keep his spare chains super sharp. This head, with a maximum cutting diameter of 750mm, comes with twin variable displacement feed roller hydraulic motors and the optional reduction gearing. This provides fast speeds in smaller diameter material, and the head automatically regulates itself to provide more power in heavy-limbed trees. The head features twin bottom delimbing knives to strip up to 60mm-diameter limbs and also comes with an auto-tilt ram to help push the tree over once it has been cut at the stump. However, this can also be operated manually depending on operator preference. The harvesting head comes with the latest LogMate 500 LCD touch screen, which is a windows-based computer to control the harvesting head functions and to change settings. It also stores and displays production data such as log lengths, tree species and the number of cubic metres of timber cut per hour.

which provides an additional 2m of reach. This feature significantly reduces the need to constantly reposition the machine and produces a wider spread of stacked logs. In addition, it enables a thicker brush mat to be produced for reduced impact in soft terrain and to enable the subsequent forwarders to obtain the necessary traction on soft and steeper ground.

OPERATOR FEEDBACK At the controls of the Tigercat LH822D was Irishman Gerry Kavanagh, who has over 30 years of experience operating forestry machinery. Gerry and his new Tigercat regularly harvest timber at a rate of over 900 cubic metres a week. Treetop Forestry likes to recruit and train its next generation of operators in-house and one of Gerry’s sons has joined the firm as a forwarder operator. He joins three

other young adults that are currently being trained by the firm. As an aside, Treetop’s Chris Quincey reports that inexperienced harvester operators generally start out on a Tigercat, as they are almost indestructible. For example, its side panels are made from 10 to 15mm-thick steel and therefore do not easily suffer from cosmetic damage. Gerry said, “I’ve been driving Tigercats for over 12 years and they are very good machines to operate. I wouldn’t swap this new LH822D machine for any of the latest wheeled harvesters, as the new cab is much improved for comfort and all-round visibility. “The levelling undercarriage provides you with an interesting challenge to operate safely on some of the steepest felling sites. You could cut timber all day on flat golf course-like sites, but I’d be bored doing it. “As for the LogMax head, it’s super quick.

The variable load-sensitive motors and the knives are up to taking a beating stripping the brash from these old windblown trees, which are almost as hard has steel. I’ve found the Tigercat and LogMax head a reliable and productive package over the years for sure.” Gerry is also pleased with the extra reach offered by the telescopic boom. He uses this to form a wide brash mat in a ladder pattern across the hillside. This technique uses the cut tree stumps as posts for the brush mat, to help form the rungs to safely climb and descend of the steepest of ground. The zero-tailswing design creates a slightly nose heavy harvester to provide extra grip when working uphill and, obviously, can harvest in some very confined areas without worrying about its back end clipping any trees or other obstacles. Recent Tigercat upgrades to its range FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2019

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TIGERCAT LH822D | NEW PRODUCTS This picture and inset left: The levelling undercarriage allows the operator to work effectively and in comfort on steep slopes

“ONE RESULT OF THE ZERO-TAILSWING DESIGN IS THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE ARTICULATION” of tracked harvesters include a new cab, which provides a better viewing angle and larger side windows, narrower uprights and a more powerful LED lighting package. Gerry said that he finds the visibility out of the right-hand side window significantly improved, as he can now see where he’s placing the right-hand track. The robust ‘bomb shelter’ of a cab now has a new front door with redesigned hinges that requires much less effort to open and close. This door features a massively thick front screen made of two 15mm-thick laminated sheets, designed to protect the operator from accidental strikes and high-speed metal projectiles, such as a saw tooth. These new Tigercat cabs have no skylight, as the entire metal roof structure is used to protect the operator from falling objects. In its place is, in addition to the usual rear-facing camera, a front-facing wideangle camera. This provides the operator with visibility of the working area up to tree-top height. As there are no windows that can be opened on these machines, the climate control system has also been upgraded.

The new cab also features improved sealing, the subsequent reduction in noise levels allowing the operator to take full advantage of the cab’s new Bluetooth connectivity. For some unknown reason Tigercat does not offer the option of a wiper blade on the negatively sloped front door/screen so, with its dealer hat on, Treetop fits one to each machine. The Tigercat is managed and controlled through a large LCD touch-screen mounted on an adjustable support, with frequently used functions integrated into the joysticks for ease of use.

OUTLASTING RIVALS

Above: In addition to multi-function joysticks carrying a host of buttons, the operator has a production screen to his left and the machine control screen and camera monitor on the right Below: There are no opening windows in this bomb-proof cab; the front windscreen doubles up as the door and has a bullet-proof 30mm-thick screen

Chris said, “One of the key strongpoints of these tracked Tigercat machines is their robust and long-lasting design. We have machines in our fleet with 27,000 hours on the clocks and some operating with their original engines. We generally find these Tigercats will outlast wheeled harvesters or forestry adapted construction excavators two to three times over. “A customer once said to me the LH tilting undercarriage Tigercat model is like a Swiss army knife of timber harvesters. Regardless of ground conditions, tree species or tree formations, they’ll pretty much go anywhere and tackle any job, and will prove to be tough and reliable machines during all types of felling operations.” Chris also echoed comments from other owners, which claim that the price of a tidy, well-maintained, used Tigercat is roughly the same as the total cost of a new excavator converted to be a timber harvester. Although less flexible than an excavator, a used Tigercat will generally outlast and certainly out-perform such a machine in harvesting duties.

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TIGERCAT 635D 6 WHEEL SKIDDER

TIGERCAT LH855E with LOGMAX 7000 TWIN HEAD

UNIQUE SERVICES FOR THE FOREST INDUSTRY

treetopforestry.co.uk

SOLE AGENTS FOR

Balmakewan Woodland, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire AB30 1QX

Chris Quincey - Sales - 07392 087006

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This picture and inset left: At 24 tonnes the Neuson 243HVT is a steep-climbing lightweight that can host a harvesting head with a felling diameter of up to 75cm

AUSTRIAN HILL MASTER F

or those seeking a purpose-built tracked harvester, the larger machines derived from North American feller-bunchers may seem the only option. However, Austrianbuilt Neuson tracked harvesters offer an attractive alternative. Although the firm is better known for compact construction equipment, its much bigger forest harvesters are designed from the ground up for this arduous application. Far from being new in the UK and Irish marketplace, the original concept is well proven over many years, and the range

Eoghan Daly reports on a European alternative to a tracked harvester based on a fellerbuncher

benefits from continual evolution. To highlight the potential of the latest generation of machines, Llandovery-based dealer RJ Fukes Forestry Services recently ran a series of demonstrations throughout the UK and Ireland. Fukes chose to work with the largest model in the range, the 24-tonne 243HVT, fitted with a hefty Logset TH75 harvesting head. This model has particular appeal to those that harvest on steep slopes and is designed

for continual operation in adverse forest conditions. In addition, its reduced tailswing design and parallel acting crane offer the ability to penetrate the stand, opening up the possibility of conducting subsequent thinning operations in some situations. Despite its deceptively compact appearance, derived from the curved styling of its upper-structure, it is a true heavy-duty machine. John Fukes said, “The Neuson 243HVT is

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DEMONSTRATION | NEUSON 243HVT IN THE CAB

When this harvester is on the low-loader, or at other times when the upperstructure is parked parallel to the undercarriage, entry into the cab is a bit of an effort. At work in the forest it is a totally different situation, as the Neuson is meant to be parked with the upper-structure slewed over the side of the tracks. This allows direct access and egress using a gripped platform, which is in fact the top of the diesel tank. This platform is reached from ground level with gripped panels along the dozer blade’s supporting arms. Despite the central mounting position of the crane, the cab dimensions remain extremely generous, both for legroom and width. Forward visibility is also positive, with decent sight lines towards ground level thanks to a lower glazed section below the main screen’s horizontal mounting frame. This frame also hosts the harvesting head control computer screen, in this case a Logset TOC MD unit. Away from this central interface, the layout carries a theme of clarity and convenience as all crucial elements are positioned within easy reach of the operator. While a range of joystick options are offered, this unit was paired with SG levers, which incorporate multi-key panels for activation of all vital functions in a single streamlined package.

Left: The upper-structure levelling system is capable of levelling 25 degrees forward and 15 degrees crossways Below (both pics): Service access is a key feature of the Neuson design, featuring a side panel that folds out to safely access the John Deere engine in a very interesting size class and has appeal to many contractors who could not justify larger purpose-built tracked harvesters, which generally weigh between 30 and 35 tonnes. In contrast, the 243HVT will still drive a harvesting head with 75cm felling capability and safely out-climb wheeled machines in steep slope harvesting.”

WALK-AROUND The undercarriage is 2950mm wide and 4420mm long with full-length track guides. This demonstration machine is shod with 700mm single grouser track shoes, although 800mm-wide pads are also available for those that need reduced ground pressure. This long and wide foundation provides good stability, yet still offers impressively high ground clearance of 760mm beneath the centre frame. The undercarriage is a much more sealed design than found on an excavator, and the extreme-duty track motors provide a high tractive force of 272kN. To lower its centre of gravity and to provide added operator convenience, the 650-litre fuel tank is located in the undercarriage and can be filled from ground level. Hundreds of litres of fuel stored low down in the machine work wonders for its stability, particularly important on this HVT variant that features full upper-structure levelling with a greater build height than its non-levelling HV stablemate. The Neuson levelling mechanism is well proven, having first made an appearance in 2001 on the 18002HVT model. The system enables levelling of 25 degrees forward, while the machine can also compensate for

Below and below right: The long and wide tracks provide a stable base, helped by the fuel tank in the undercarriage. Access to the cab is easy when the upper-structure is slewed over the tracks

“THE 243HVT WILL DRIVE A HARVESTING HEAD WITH 75CM FELLING CAPABILITY AND SAFELY OUT-CLIMB WHEELED MACHINES”

cross slopes through its 15-degree side levelling capability. The mechanism is well engineered and extremely robust, but protected from the build-up of debris by a series of rubber deflectors. As a further aid to stability in extreme situations the machine is fitted with a dozer blade, positioned at the rear when ascending a slope. For harvesting it can be lowered to provide a reassuring anchor, while coming into its own should some impromptu clearance of the site be necessary. This is obviously a welcome addition, but all too often manufacturers fail to fully take into account the effect on the mobility of a harvester when the blade is not being used. Neuson is not one of these manufacturers and the blade can be raised so that it is well clear of any stumps that the harvester will encounter. The demonstration unit was fitted with a 9.1m crane, the standard configuration for those that work with a large harvesting head to cater for larger-volume tree sizes in clear felling operations. The factory option of a long-reach 13.5m crane is obviously used

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NEUSON 243HVT | DEMONSTRATION xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The 243HVT worked well with a heavy harvesting head at full reach of 9.1m, however a 13.5m long-reach crane is also available

with lighter harvesting heads. This is a popular choice for premature clear fell operations, especially in wetter sites since it has the ability to harvest a much wider area and therefore accumulates a higher volume of brash. In turn this can be used to create the ultimate travel mat, easing the impact on the ground for the harvester and the forwarder. Irrespective of the reach variant chosen, the crane’s overall design remains the same and centres on a parallel type unit built Right and above in-house by Neuson. Proven inset: Forward as the crane of choice on visibility is countless wheeled timber particularly good; harvesters, parallel motion this example has cranes are less common on been configured tracked harvesters, and this with multi-function heightens the overall appeal SG joysticks of the machine even further. When it comes to access for service or maintenance activities, the Neuson 243HVT offers a unique method of accessing the

“OPERATING ON 30-DEGREE SLOPES, IT HARVESTED THIS CHALLENGING SITE WHILE USING THE FULL REACH OF ITS CRANE”

engine and hydraulic compartment, which is situated on the offside of the harvester. An activation lever starts a sequence of electro-hydraulic movements

that result in the extremely heavy-duty side panel becoming a walkway with fall protection. A set of access steps lock reassuringly into mounting voids in the side of the platform. This is a well thought-out design and its anti-slip surface adds to its suitability to safely access the engine compartment.

REACHING OUT While the initial demonstration sites in Ireland were relatively level, offering little opportunity to demonstrate the harvester’s abilities on sloping terrain, a range of other characteristics served to demonstrate the Neuson’s other capabilities. In particular its ability to cope well with windblown stands and handling larger stems at close to maximum outreach. This was proved on a site close to Portlaoise, Co Laois, where a spruce stand with many pockets of windblown material was found, in which the Neuson took everything in its stride. Later in the extended demonstration programme, at a site in Scotland, the 243HVT worked on more extreme sites. Operating on 30-degree slopes, it created a very positive impression of its abilities in such situations, as it harvested this challenging site while using the full reach of its crane without any signs of instability.

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THE PERMANENT SOLUTION TO LUG WEAR

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Main picture and inset above: Bobcat’s first 2m-wide mulcher is the new FRC200HT model. It features a variable displacement hydraulic motor, 36 fixed carbide teeth and five rows of counter-cutters

INTEGRATED MULCHING Graham Black reports from Harrogate on new forestry mulchers from Bobcat

he newly-appointed Bobcat dealer, Northallerton-based Grays Machinery (see panel), got off to a flying start by recently hosting a forestry attachment working demonstration day. The stars of the show were upgraded mulchers or, as Bobcat describes them, forestry cutters.

NEW ATTACHMENTS Bobcat’s new 1.5m- and 2.0m-wide heavyduty forestry cutters, the FRC150HT and FRC200HT models, feature a high torque variable displacement motor. This smart hydraulic motor is claimed to provide 40 per cent more power to the drum than its predecessors, but will also self-regulate to save fuel when being used in lighter duty applications. They are intended for high-flow versions of Bobcat T770 and

T870 tracked loaders and S770 and S850 skid-steer loaders. These mulchers are designed for continuous work on material 100 to 120mm in diameter, intermittent use for trees from 180 to 220mm and occasional use on material up to 300mm. They have a hydraulically-adjustable front gate that can be opened while cutting debris or closed to retain material and produce a fine mulch. The drum design of these two models has also changed and now features 30 and 36 fixed carbide teeth respectively, five rows of counter-cutters, a new adjustable push bar, upgraded chain protection and belt covers, adjustable skid shoes, an automatic drum brake system and a patented fixed knife rotor with tungsten carbide tips. These work tools come with Bobcat’s Attachment Control Device (ACD), a digital

interface to enable them to plug ‘n’ play into the host machine’s joysticks and control system, and to integrate with its engine and hydraulic management system. As such, they are intended specifically to be matched to Bobcat host machines to gain the most benefit out of the technology. One safety feature of the ADC system on these attachments is that they will only operate if the impact-resistant cab door is fitted and closed. This thick laminated structure is part of Bobcat’s forestry applications kit for the carrier, which also features various guards and covers. In addition, this kit comes with a Level 2 falling object protection structure (FOPS) for the top of the cab, while the glass in the other cab windows is replaced by polycarbonate.

BREAKING THE MOULD When it comes to digitally integrating the attachment with the host machine, in general the construction machinery industry lags behind the agricultural and

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ATTACHMENTS | BOBCAT CUTTERS

UPGRADED FRC150 MULCHER In addition to this pair of new high-torque cutters, there is also an upgraded 1.5m-wide mulcher, the FRC150ST model, intended for smaller host machines such as Bobcat’s S630/S650 and T590/T650 wheeled and tracked skid-steers. The upgraded model is manufactured almost entirely from Hardox steel, features 30 fixed carbide teeth and three rows of countercutters, but does not include the variable displacement motor. It is designed for continuous work on bushes and trees 100 to 120mm in diameter, intermittent use in material up to 200mm and occasional use on trees up to 260mm thick.

BOBCAT DEALERS

Recent changes to the Bobcat dealer network in the UK include the appointment of Grays Machinery as its new dealer for North and West Yorkshire. The area covered by Scunthorpe-based dealer

forestry sectors, which have been going down this route for many years. The Bobcat T770 tracked skid-steer in full forestry spec and configured with a FRC200HT forestry cutter on demonstration at this event breaks this mould. As such, it is a reflection of Bobcat’s greater focus on applicationspecific machines for the European market. In 2007 Bobcat was bought by Doosan and a new skid-steer and mini-excavator factory was established at Dobris in the Czech Republic. In 2014 a further investment was made at Dobris in a huge well-equipped R&D centre, responsible for designing a new generation of minis and to further develop the skid-steer range. One result of this approach is the new range of mulchers with a variable displacement motor that communicates directly with the skid-steer’s power management system. This should provide the operator with more grunt when required, but also improved fuel economy as the system will better respond to changes in demand.

Top and above: The two new heavy-duty mulchers are happiest in material up to 200mm in diameter, but can cope with trees up to 300mm Right and below right: Bobcat’s forestry applications kit includes a host of covers and guards, a FOPS guard on top of the cab and a front screen that offers a high level of ballistic protection

AMS has been extended from Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire and now includes South Yorkshire. Sandy Gray said, “Being based centrally at Northallerton outside Bedale, we are only 45 minutes from any Bobcat customer in our area. We have a background in a wide range of equipment including Bobcat machines, and a close working

“THIS SMART HYDRAULIC MOTOR IS CLAIMED TO PROVIDE 40 PER CENT MORE POWER TO THE DRUM THAN ITS PREDECESSORS”

knowledge of virtually every industry we deal with, especially landscaping, construction and farming. We offer a service second to none, dedicated to the Bobcat brand and accompanied by continuous investment in our stock of machines and parts for our customers.”

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A small selection of over 100 tractors for sale See www.pykett-tractors.co.uk

AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY DEALERS

FENDT 828 S4, 2017, 1,619 Hours..........£127,500

FENDT 828 SCR, 2014, 4,686 Hours ...............POA

FENDT 718 TMS, 2009, 8,908 Hours........£45,500

FENDT 309 CI, 2005, 7,985 Hours...........£22,500

FENDT 211 TMS, 2018, 400 Hours............£63,750

JOHN DEERE 6430, 2012, 6,712 Hours .....£33,500

JOHN DEERE 6230, 2008, 6,230 Hours ....£30,750

CASE 895 XL, 1992, 5,880 Hours............£14,650

NEW HOLLAND TL 100A, 2007, 1,151 Hrs ..£22,500

NEW HOLLAND TM 135, 2002, 5,624 Hrs .£23,950

NEW HOLLAND TL 100A, 2005, 7,000 Hrs..£19,750

MF 5435, 2010 2,967 Hours...................£31,250

Poplar Farm, Cotmanhay, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 8SU

For full specifications and optional extras please visit our website:

Tel: 0115 932 2438

www.pykett-tractors.co.uk

wood energy wales ynni coed cymru We are producers and suppliers of high quality Wood Chip for Biomass & CHP. Our timber is sourced from sustainable managed woodlands and forests. We are BSL and Woodsure Plus / Hetas registered. We supply and deliver Wood Chip to North Wales, Cheshire and Shrewsbury areas. Renewable Heat - Producing and utilizing wood products. Qualified in “Ignite Woodfuel Quality Standards” Lantra Awards 2013 Your trees and logs are easily manoeuvred from various positions using our long reach (25ft) crane. Operated by a NPTC qualified driver. We also have a fleet of Fendt tractors enabling us to deal with any terrain. Our powerful Mus-Max WT10 XL Z Wood-Terminator makes short work of even large tree trunks! Give us a call for a personalised quote, we do on site chipping throughout North Wales, Shrewsbury and Cheshire areas.

Tel: 07769 972 556 / 01492 640 536 Email: huw@woodenergy.wales Web: https://woodenergy.wales Garthmyn Isa, Maenan, Llanrwst, Conwy LL26 0UF

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RUNNING REPORT | MUS-MAX 10XL WOOD CHIPPER

MONSTER

OUTFIT

Right: Carwyn Owen (left) works alongside his father Huw in the biomass business

Huw Owen began the transition from farming to supplying biomass fuel five years ago, building up a fleet that now includes a Mus-Max 10XL chipper and a 517hp Fendt 1050 Vario tractor, as Ken Topham discovered

ased in Llanrwst in the Conwy Valley, Huw Owen left farming behind and started supplying biomass fuel five years ago. He was no stranger to tractors after a lifetime in agriculture but Wood Energy Wales, as his business now trades, owns some equipment that until recently couldn’t have looked more out of place in the hills of North Wales. In 2014 Huw set out to build a business to diversify his farming and agricultural contracting enterprise, but since then the supply of biomass fuel has eclipsed everything else. Originally he set up with a Mus-Max 8 wood chipper, powered by a Fendt 933 Vario tractor but after three years and a rapidly expanding demand for product he decided

conventional wheeled model currently to upgrade the chipper to the 10XL model. available with 517hp under the bonnet. “We When the chipper was connected to the looked at the 1050 and knew it was the only Fendt 933, however, he realised that the thing for it,” Huw continues. “We didn’t very respectable 330hp produced was not have a demo but we’ve enough. dealt with G&R Pykett After the leap to the 10XL Huw “THE OUTPUT IS for all of our new Fendts knew the 933 would need to be PHENOMENAL. IT so we knew they’d look upgraded but thought a jump CAN CHIP 40 CUBIC after it well,” he adds. to a 390hp 939 Vario might not future-proof his business enough. METRES IN 15 TO 20 “The chipper can take a lot of MINUTES WITHOUT FRUGAL FENDT wood and we knew we weren’t BREAKING A SWEAT” The 1050 hasn’t getting the best out of the disappointed with machine. Output was only the Mus-Max 10XL. It produces maximum a fraction better,” he says. power between 1500 and 1700rpm, At the time Fendt had just launched meaning the low-revving 12.4-litre engine the 1000 Series tractors, of which the is set up to be fuel efficient. “The output is range-topping 1050 is the most powerful phenomenal,” Huw explains. “It can chip

The previous chipping tractor now hauls the produce in trailers. All of Huw’s delivery trailers have been stamped for cubic capacity by Trading Standards

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“IF IT’S A VERY CONTAMINATED STACK WE PUT IN AN OLD SET OF KNIVES” Above: The Mus-Max has 12 knives, each with a break-back device behind it. Huw estimates an hour for a full change

The 1470G gives the capacity to derive the maximum from the H415 harvesting head, while using the 11m parallel crane at full reach in large volume timber 40 cubic metres in 15 to 20 minutes turn the seat so the tractor’s operator, without breaking a sweat. That’s about 35 Huw’s son Carwyn, has a good view of to 40 litres per hour of fuel. In heavy going the feed table and working area. conditions it can use 80 litres but we don’t Carwyn is a proficient operator and often put it under that load because it can makes the work look slick, loading trees do much more per hour than our previous at a measured speed so as not to overload set-up could at its maximum.” the system and affect the PROFILE The Mus-Max is like a small quality of the chip. The factory. Its proportions don’t Mus-Max can munch up reflect the quantity of steel that to 750mm diameter but must be in it, as it weighs just over the ideal for biomass is OPERATOR HUW OWEN 12 tonnes without the Penz crane. more like 300 to 400mm. The cutting cylinder has 12 knives LOCATION Even at that Huw says LLANRWST, NORTH WALES and weighs 2.7 tonnes alone, that if you’re not paying KEY MACHINES which is a lot of steel to turn. attention and you feed FENDT 1050 VARIO AND “On the 933 we had to start the the logs in before the last MUS-MAX 10XL CHIPPER PTO in 540 and then switch it one has cleared the feed BUSINESS into 1000rpm when it was turning, roller the last lump and SUPPLY OF BIOMASS FUEL otherwise it would just stall the the next log can stall the tractor. The 1050 starts it tractor. comfortably though,” Huw comments. The 10XL machine is brought to life by The 1050’s power aside, there was another the PTO and the control box for the chipper attraction to the German giant, as Fendt is provides the operator with the machine’s one of only a few manufacturers to offer a information as well as controlling the main reverse drive option. Although Huw’s set-up functions, including the feed table and doesn’t require the tractor to operate in that discharge chute position. But it also controls orientation, the option gives the ability to the rate of feed, as Huw explains, with two

WOOD ENERGY WALES

Above: The chute can point upwards for shed and silo filling, while the Penz L9 crane can reach nine metres

Above: The whole chipper and crane ensemble is CANbus connected and the boxes and plugs are well sealed against the elements

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RUNNING REPORT | MUS-MAX 10XL WOOD CHIPPER TECH SPEC

MUS-MAX 10XL

FEED OPENING 0.98M X 0.75M MAX TREE DIAMETER 0.75M MAX CHOPPING OUTPUT 180M3/HOUR CHOPPING KNIVES 12 SCREEN SURFACE 1.7M2 DISCHARGE CHUTE HEIGHT 5.2M MACHINE LENGTH 6M MACHINE WIDTH 2.5M WEIGHT WITHOUT CRANE 12.5T WEIGHT WITH CRANE 15T FEED TABLE LENGTH 2.7M POWER REQUIREMENT 270 TO 400HP CRANE FITTED PENZ 9L SERIES CRANE REACH 9M LIFT CAPACITY AT FULL REACH 800KG Above: The cab interior features the latest technological innovations for log measurement and optimisation, coupled with data transfer capabilities

Below: Carwyn picking out the best of the heap. Too much bark affects the quality of the chip

Left: All chipper functions are accessed using this Mus-Max terminal. The adjacent crane box has a load monitor and stop button

Above: The screens take some punishment, holding material inside the chipping area until it is processed enough to pass through

sensors on the main cylinder shaft – one before the cylinder and one at the rear. These two sensors feed information about the load currently going through the machine and adjust the speed of the feed roller and table conveyor. “Feeding the machine consistently is the way,” Huw continues. “We have to supply a G50 spec of chip to our customers and that requires decent timber going though at a constant rate, otherwise we end up with too much small material and potentially cause issues with customers’ systems and fuel use.”

LIFTING AND LOADING The crane is initially treated as a separate entity, specified when ordering a Mus-Max chipper. The Penz 9L series crane is a forestry specific unit with nearly 800kg of lift at nine metres reach. Huw’s machine is equipped with a small base that slides out to give a 3.7m footprint from which to work. The crane is driven by the Power Beyond hydraulic supply from the tractor, so is independent of the chipper, and the armrest joysticks give the operator fingertip control of the crane similar to a forwarder set-up. FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2019

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Watching Huw and Carwyn working is an impressive sight. Huw operates a 2011 JCB JS130 excavator, either with an R-Top tree shear or a five-tonne HL rock grab, which is one of Huw’s favourite attachments. “We have two rock grabs and they are invaluable,” he says. “A few people have asked why we don’t use a log grapple with a rotator but it’s because I have tried that kind of arrangement and it doesn’t feel safe. The rock grab holds the logs at 90 degrees to the machine cab so there’s no risk of one coming through the window. That way you’re a lot closer to the logs than the chipper crane.”

The Fendt 1050 is the most powerful conventional tractor available with a 12.4-litre engine that produces its maximum power of 517hp between 1500 and 1700rpm

ON A KNIFE EDGE Opening the cylinder of the Mus-Max 10XL to show the knives, which run against a stationary shear bar, Huw explains the maintenance process. Despite looking and feeling sharp, to Huw they were actually

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RUNNING REPORT | MUS-MAX 10XL WOOD CHIPPER This picture and far left inset: Huw and Carwyn work in unison to feed the chipper as a constant feed is key to a consistent product

Above: The crane controls are retrofitted to the tractor seat, with no permanent fixings

quite dull and the usual routine is to use a flap disc on a battery grinder to freshen up the edge. “We have a contracting job to do after this and when you’re chipping cleared material there can often be stones and soil in the stack so we try to time jobs where we don’t sharpen the knives and if it’s a very contaminated stack from an excavator clearance rather than by hand we put in an old set of knives. Carwyn and I can change them over in about an hour but they have to be torqued to over 800Nm, which is hard work,” he says. Inside the cylinder housing are the G50 screens, which the chips pass through once processed enough. An auger takes the material from the screens to the blower at the rear of the machine that accelerates the material up through the discharge chute, which can point upwards for shed filling.

Below: The 80mm screens are rarely used but are stored at the rear of the machine

Huw dries biomass chip down to 18 per cent, screening the product after drying if there looks to be too much small material in the sample. If that’s the case, the smaller chips go for animal bedding, which naturally affects the margin on the timber processed. The combined heat and power system (CHP) Huw uses at home thrives on chip at five per cent moisture, which then feeds back into his drying system and energy demands at home. The upgrade from the Mus-Max 8 has paid off for Huw, as the 10XL and Fendt tractor knock off a third of the hours of the core work thanks to the increase in capacity. In the first year Huw noticed the total chipping hours were just over 800 compared to the old combination that worked for 1300 hours. “Obviously the capital outlay of the current set-up is more but the extra capacity is welcome for the future,” he says.

Left inset and below: The teeth on the feed roll pull the timber in. They’re directional and look like they won’t let go!

“THE CAPITAL OUTLAY OF THE CURRENT SET-UP IS MORE BUT THE EXTRA CAPACITY IS WELCOME”

Above: The Mus-Max is pulled via a ball and spoon hitch, enabling the PTO to pass underneath in a nice straight line FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2019

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8F 4UBSU 8IFSF 0UIFST 4UPQ

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EURO FOCUS | KONRAD HIGHLANDER

CLIMBING TO

NEW HEIGHTS Eoghan Daly reports from the Czech Republic on a means of harvesting trees on exceptionally steep slopes

hen called to work beyond the safe boundaries of its conventional harvester and forwarder ﬂeet, Czech forestry contractor Hanko deploys one of its Konrad Highlanders, which can operate on slopes of up to 60 degrees. By no means a new concept, the Highlander harvester/clam-bunk had been in production for a number of years before Austrian manufacturer Konrad further developed the machine. It can be used as a conventional harvester, but is really designed for working on exceptionally steep slopes. No other machine comes close to matching its capabilities: it can fell, extract and process timber from extremely challenging sites. For extracting timber, the Highlander’s additional clam-bunk skidder provides a productive and safe alternative to using an anchor winch on a conventional forwarder. This provides the opportunity to implement a ‘clear as you go’ approach to harvesting on steep slopes, typically using just one man and one machine.

THE AUTOMATIC CHOICE Hanko has a long history of operating Konrad forestry machines and now works throughout the Czech and Slovak Republics. For many local sawmills and forest owners this contractor has become the automatic choice for harvesting areas that are difficult to reach. We caught up with one of their crews hard at work in an area straddling the Czech/German border, clear-felling Sitka Spruce with an average tree size of an impressive 1.5 cubic metres. Operator Jan Wawzu was at the controls of the latest Konrad Highlander on the Hanko ﬂeet. Its Woody H61 harvesting head’s maximum felling diameter of 75cm was able to tackle the majority of the trunks on site. However, several trees were clearly larger, producing significantly more than 1.5cu.m of timber and were felled by saw-man Miroslav Miler. The initial operating cycles involved traversing a slope of over 30 degrees, which Jan and the Highlander

This picture and right inset: The Konrad Highlander forest harvester/ clam-bunk is designed to work on otherwise unacceptably steep slopes

“WE HAVE SAFELY HARVESTED SLOPES UP TO 60 DEGREES WITH THESE MACHINES” FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2019

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handled with ease. The machine’s 10.5m-reach crane brings a large area within its working envelope from a single location. However, due to the density of the stand and the size of the trees, the clam-bunk’s maximum carrying capacity of 18 cubic metres – the area between the jaws is two square metres – is soon reached. Jan then prepares to make the journey down the slope to the bottom of the valley to begin processing the haul. A standard harvesting head would have difficulties lifting the first trees from the clam-bunk, as its open feed rollers would impact the other trunks in the haul. The Woody H61 has a central pivot point that results in the upper section – which includes the feed rollers – lifting clear of the operation, leaving the lower half of the head to function as a timber grab (see panel).

GOING STEEPER These lower 30-degree slopes provided little in the way of a challenge to either man or machine. However, midway up the hillside the slope dramatically increased, requiring

This picture and right inset: The design of the Woody H61 head allows the bottom feed rollers to be kept out of the way as trunks are lifted from the clam-bunk

WOODY H61 HARVESTING HEAD Once firmly gripped, the tree is

the best from the base machine.

testing have been improved.

in the head frame. The

lifted clear and slewed to the

With the Woody, Konrad has

It really is excellent when it

embedded rollers are also angled

desired processing side of the

substantially rethought the

comes to handling large

and the resulting interlocking

machine. In its processing position,

design the harvesting head

timber, but also works in smaller

design provides particularly

the head’s feeding action is fast

to make it work completely

diameter sizes equally well.”

good contact with the tree.

and aggressive but its feed rollers

at one with the Highlander.

handle processed logs carefully,

“We tested the original

Positioned low down on the

Despite the head’s sturdy

head, the feed rollers

build, impressive capacity and

with no chafing. As logs are

prototype of the Woody H61

compensate for the absence

wealth of features, its overall

processed they are stacked to ease

head for Konrad and I knew it

of lower knives and achieve a

weight is just 1220kg. Additional

the workload of the forwarder.

would bring a very high level

positive grip on the stem when

features include a top saw, which

of performance when we finally

felling larger trees. The roller

was used effectively on any

machine needs a specialised

got the production machine.

set is configured with two outer

forked stems encountered. The

harvesting head. Fitting a

Any areas we identified as in

angled rollers complemented by

lower sawbox is also designed

standard head couldn’t produce

need of strengthening during

a further two rollers embedded

to help keep stump heights low.

Jan said, “To work well this

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EURO FOCUS | KONRAD HIGHLANDER Jan to use his experience and the unique features of the Highlander to harvest in a safe and productive manner. Even though the ground conditions were relatively dry, achieving the required level of traction on the bare, steeply sloping ground – with no brash mat to provide a cushion – would be a challenge to any conventional harvester. The Highlander took this in its stride, helped by chains on the huge rear tyres and Pewag Bluetrack Duro band tracks over the front bogie wheels. Jan reached a point on the slope with a sharp step, so that the track-encased front wheels began to spin slightly. One of the Highlander’s unique features is that the rear wheels are carried on a telescopic chassis, which provides two metres of movement. To get over this step Jan braked the rear wheels and operated the chassis’ telescopic function. This resulted in pushing the front of the machine up and over the step in the extreme slope in an awe-inspiring manner. With each harvesting pass the next section of ground to be worked became ever steeper, to a point near the top of the slope where Jan had to use the Highlander’s winch to gain additional traction. Anchored to a large stump at the summit, the winch’s 90kN of pull allowed the machine to climb the most extreme parts of the stand. The winch can do more than just provide traction, as it can also bring manually felled trees that are inaccessible to the machine within range, so they can be lifted on to the clam-bunk. With a working range of 300m and using 14mm-diameter cable, in this mode the winch exerts a force of 120kN. Jan said, “The Highlander handles harvesting of very steep slopes like no other machine and the areas it can access are almost only restricted to how far I am prepared to go. It is now five years since I operated the first Highlander machine and even over this time I can see major changes in the new features and how much better it can now perform. It really is a machine without compare and shows how productive harvesting steep sites can be. “In standard working format, the Highlander can really climb steep slopes but with the range of other design features it has there is always a back-up plan to allow it to keep working when the slope becomes much steeper. We have safely harvested slopes up to 60 degrees with these machines, which takes them to a point where other harvesting and extraction machines just could not operate.”

HIT FOR SIX The 6x6 driveline has a few more tricks up its sleeve, particularly when it comes to manoeuvrability and levelling. The front bogies are carried on an articulated section of the chassis, while the large rear wheels

The four rollers are positioned to give an interlocking pattern to provide good contact with the tree

Above: The average tree size on this site was 1.5 cubic metres, but some were significantly larger requiring the intervention of a saw-man Left and below left: The rear steering and drive wheels are mounted on telescopic chassis legs and are also adjustable for height to provide machine levelling

“A STANDARD HARVESTING HEAD WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY LIFTING THE FIRST TREES FROM THE CLAM-BUNK” FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2019

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KONRAD HIGHLANDER | EURO FOCUS

Main picture and inset above: The telescopic rear chassis legs were used in this case to shove the machine over a step on a steep part of the site

are also steerable. This provides the operator with a choice of front, rear, all-wheel or even crab-steer modes. Despite its length, these steering modes makes it extremely manoeuvrable with an incredible 5m turning radius in all-wheel steer mode.

LEVELLING UP The steerable rear wheels are mounted on hydraulically adjustable arms on the telescopic section of the chassis. This enables the operator to alter the machine’s overall ground clearance or level the machine from side to side. Also, each of the telescopic chassis legs can be independently moved, creating a huge range of possibilities to achieve a safe and solid base from which to work. In addition to machine levelling, the cab

“THE HIGHLANDER CAN FELL, EXTRACT AND THEN PROCESS TIMBER FROM EXTREMELY CHALLENGING SITES” and crane are mounted on a common slewing drive, which has its own levelling facility. Locating the crane’s kingpost behind the cab provides great forward visibility from a level and comfortable cab. Jan added, “The Highlander cabin is really well designed with good visibility through the curved front windscreen, which has additional protection and a durable steel frame. All controls are in ideal positions for ease of reach and the control system is very

Above: The last section of the stand to be harvested was on a particularly steep slope, which required the Highlander’s winch to aid traction while working

user friendly to use and set up.” The Stage 4 emissions-compliant Iveco six-cylinder 210kW engine is located at the front of the engine compartment, with the exhaust pack and the hydraulic pump to the rear. This allows the rear of the engine bay to be kept as narrow as possible, allowing space for the rear wheels to come in close to the back of the machine when the telescopic chassis legs are fully retracted. Jan concluded, “Our existing two Highlanders and this latest model have really proved themselves as high performance forest machines, built for extreme working conditions. The latest features of the new model show how Konrad continues to move forward and listen to feedback, which means the Highlander will always be built with the operator in mind.”

Above: The harvesting head is fully integrated into the machine’s Konrad MCS 3.0 measurement and control system, the front end of which is a large touch-screen tablet

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Unit 1 Craftsman Square, Temple Farm Industrial Estate Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 5RH 20/03/2019 11:24

FLEET FOCUS | WEEKS FORESTRY

FAMILY

FORESTRY

As Nick Drew reports, three generations of the Weeks family have been involved in forestry and timber work

ased at Chulmleigh in North Devon, the Weeks family is passionate about forestry and timber work. Charlie Weeks worked as a manual labourer for a local forestry concern back in the 1960s. In those days it was back-breaking work, cutting down trees by hand and extracting the timber using horses to drag them to the nearest haul road. However, Charlie quickly rose up the ranks to eventually become an area manager for the company. Charlie’s son Colin followed in his father’s footsteps in 1972, when he left school and went on to work for the same company. He

spent the next nine years learning his trade and amassing a wealth of knowledge of all things woodlands related.

crane and winch, a firm favourite with forestry contractors back in the day. Colin’s eldest son Joe then joined the business and brought with him a different outlook on GOING IT ALONE “IT’S STILL EARLY machinery and mechanisation In 1981 he decided it was DAYS WITH THIS within the forestry industry. time to branch out and start KOMATSU, BUT WE So much so that in 2009 Joe his own business, so Colin ARE VERY HAPPY started a standalone company Weeks Forestry and Fencing in partnership with his father Contractors came to WITH IT SO FAR” called Weeks Forestry, which fruition. Colin was more is now celebrating a decade interested in working with of success in the industry. hardwood and still felled trees manually in Joe said, “When we first got going we the old-school way. However, he did run a started out with just one Valmet 860 County 1184 tractor complete with a Botex

Weeks Forestry is a loyal Komatsu customer and has recently purchased an 8x8 931XC harvester

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forwarder, contracting behind others. Our first harvester was a 911.3 model, once again from the Valmet stable. “We then purchased a Komatsu 860.4 forwarder, which was followed by a Komatsu 931.1 harvester. We have gradually got bigger and bigger, to a point where we are now running two forwarders and our latest edition, the Komatsu 931XC harvester. In addition, we are now looking to add another harvester, which will enable us to run two self-sufficient gangs.” Most of the time managing director Joe is to be found operating his new eight-wheel 931XC, the actual machine that was the star of the Komatsu stand at last year’s APF Forestry Show and delivered to the Weeks shortly afterwards. Joe said, “It’s still early days with this Komatsu, but we are very happy with it so far; there’s no doubt about it, it’s a class product!” The bulk of Weeks Forestry work takes

place in private woodland, supplemented stability and traction on rough terrain. by work for the National Trust and some for The well-proven double suspension the Forestry Commission. We met Joe and system includes an articulated joint, while his younger brother Jack on a site owned by a swing axle maintains grip and drive even the Whitbread family, close on the most difficult and to the village of undulating terrain. The “HE WAS QUICK TO pendulum axle has 16 degrees Germansweek in Devon. POINT OUT HOW On the day of our visit Joe of oscillation and the new rear MUCH BETTER was busy felling and bogie has a range of 22 processing a stand of larch, degrees. The front bogie has THIS 8X8 MODEL closely followed by younger a range of 28 degrees, offering IS IN TERMS OF brother Jack in a Komatsu incredible flexibility across STABILITY AND 855 forwarder. rough ground. TRACTION ON According to Komatsu the ROUGH TERRAIN” 931XC also offers 10 per cent NEW HARVESTER more traction thanks to an The 931XC, the XC suffix impressive 187kN of tractive standing for extreme conditions, was launched by Komatsu during force from the hydrostatic power-optimised transmission. The machine also benefits its forestry days event in Umeå, Sweden, in 2016. It tips the scales at around 21.8 tonnes. from having a selection of pre-set driving modes that the operator can select from Joe’s previous harvester was a six-wheel for specific work tasks. version and he was quick to point out how Even though, obviously, this 8x8 version much better this 8x8 model is in terms of

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FLEET FOCUS | WEEKS FORESTRY is heavier than a 6x6 harvester, this is not a problem as that weight is spread across a larger contact area on a longer chassis. Even more so when tracks are fitted around the tyres, although Joe’s machine did not have these fitted during our visit, they were on site if required. The guards that protect the engine compartment fold outwards to facilitate raising the canopy, which is achieved by pressing a remote button. Fully open, it reveals the Stage 4 emissions-compliant Agco six-cylinder engine rated at 185kW (251hp) at 1900rpm. All the major fluid filters are located low down in the engine bay for ease of access for routine maintenance. At the business end, the machine features an 11m-reach crane hosting a Komatsu C144 harvesting head. This attachment weighs 1410kg and has a maximum cutting diameter of 750mm. Even when working at close to full reach this does not cause

Above and right: There is good access to both sides of the engine compartment, which hosts an AGCO Power six-cylinder power pack rated at 251hp Left and far left inset: The new harvester is equipped with an 11m-reach crane to host the harvesting head

Left and above inset: The Komatsu C144 harvesting head weighs 1410kg and can cut up to a maximum diameter of 750mm FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2019

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WEEKS FORESTRY | FLEET FOCUS

“THE KOMATSU FORESTRY MACHINES COME FROM A SCANDINAVIAN BACKGROUND AND THEY KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT FORESTRY” stability problems, as most of the machine weight is low down and it remains planted to the spot when working. “Come up to my office,” shouted a clearly proud owner-operator. On inspecting Joe’s new office it is not hard to see why. This cab is an incredibly nice place to be spending those long days in the forest. According to Joe this machine features larger interior space, much improved visibility, improved screen/monitor and better air conditioning than on the previous model.

yellow construction kit. But the Komatsu Forestry machines come from a Scandinavian background and it’s fair to say they know a thing or two about forestry products and techniques. We have been delighted with them and feel certain they will be the chosen brand for the foreseeable future.”

SEEING THE DIFFERENCE As with most of these machines, the on-board monitor provides in-depth information on a whole host of machine functions and fluid states. This is in addition to daily production statistics, all of the parameters for which can be programmed into the system at the start of a shift. In conclusion Joe said, “When people think of Komatsu they instantly think of the

Top and above inset: Weeks Forestry currently runs a pair of Komatsu 855 forwarders and is looking to add another harvester to the fleet Left: The third generation of the Weeks family involved in forestry: managing director Joe (right) with forwarder operator brother Jack

FORWARD THINKING: KOMATSU 855 rated at 231hp at 1900rpm.

area. The loader arm is Komatsu’s

In addition to their new harvester,

are equally important to the

with potentially another one in

operation. They are also powered

the offing, the two Komatsu 855

by AGCO Power engines, in this

tonnes and offers a load capacity

working reach of 10 metres and is

forwarders on the Weeks’ fleet

case a six-cylinder power-pack

of 14 tonnes in its. 5.9sq.m bunk

coupled to a G28 timber grapple.

The 855 tips the scales at 18

own 130F crane that has a

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SITE VISIT | LOCKERBIE SAWMILLS “THE TRAILERS ARE USED TO FERRY THE STACKED TIMBER FROM THE YARD TO THE RECEIVING DECK ON THE PROCESSING PLANT”

YARD HANDLERS Paul Argent reports on a fleet of Scottish Liebherr materials handlers and trailers

ockerbie-based Forest Sawmills processes over 6000 tonnes of material per week in its Dumfries operations. Taking supplies of raw material from the Scottish Borders region, the Lockerbie operation produces timber for its sister plants to turn into finished products. The site is home to a fleet of Liebherr materials handlers, which are used both to assist with material entering the site and loading into the vast plant. The large timber yard is home to three Liebherr LH24 materials handlers, used with custom-made, twin-axle drawbar trailers. They are used to ferry the stacked timber from the yard to the receiving deck on the processing plant. While incoming timber trucks are able to load directly on to the in-feed table, it is a very slow and laborious process. Yard manager, Craig Green, has been with the company over ten years and believes the only way to run a profitable timber processing operation is to ensure the material is handled, stored and distributed efficiently, to keep the plant running at optimum production levels. He said, “We have had Liebherr handlers

for as long as I have been here and these new LH24s are the best yet. They are easily on top of the job and keep the plant running at all times. We have kept the youngest of the A924s, which the LH24s have replaced, and we use it as a back-up machine should one of the newer machines be in for service or repair. “Because of the trailers we don’t travel the machines constantly. Fuel consumption of 11.2 litres per hour is extremely good,

considering the machines are operating 12 hours a day and are towing the trailers at all times, although it is slightly higher than the old A924s they have replaced.”

ROOM WITH A VIEW Where the new LH Series machines win over the older A Series models is the upgraded cabs, which are fitted to a 1.2m fixed riser that allows the operator a raised view over the workplace. The view forward is particularly good, thanks to the absence of the steering wheel and column, as these modern machines are joystick steered. Access to the cab is via a sturdy, wide, galvanised ladder,

This picture and above: Although these materials handlers are configured as pick and carry machines, they are used in conjunction with heavy-duty trailers to haul timber around the site

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LOCKERBIE SAWMILLS | SITE VISIT

LIEBHERR LH24 The 24-tonne LH24 pick and carry materials handler is powered by a Stage 4 emissions compliant, four-cylinder Liebherr engine delivering 150hp.

Above: These three materials handlers are configured with a 6.1m straight boom and a 4m angled stick equipped with a Powerhand timber grab

Running on heavy-duty

SHORT AND SWEET

axles combined with a robust drive train, the transmission allows the materials handler to deal with the added weight of the loaded trailer with ease. While a pick and carry machine does what it says, the added versatility offered

then through a sliding door, the latter reducing the need for extra-wide catwalks. From the ground up, the LH24 certainly looks to be a sturdy machine. Four-point outriggers provide stability when handling timber at full stretch and a set of Michelin Stabil X tubeless tyres keep the fully loaded combination rooted to the ground despite the often slippery conditions underfoot.

Below: The handlers offload their trailers directly on to the in-feed for the production plant

Where a standard materials handler uses a long boom and dipper combination, the pick and carry machines use much shorter equipment. The Liebherr GA10 front-end equipment comprises a 6.1m straight boom and 4m angled stick equipped with the favoured Powerhand 0.6-cubic-metre timber grab.

The latest arrivals at the Lockerbie site have been extremely reliable in their time working on the site. Craig concluded by saying, “We had a niggle with a boom angle sensor that was sorted out very quickly. During my time on site the guys from Liebherr Bathgate have been very helpful when it comes to any service issue. We find the LiDat monitoring system very helpful and sometimes get a call from Bathgate to say they are popping in to look at something we don’t even know about. That’s how good I believe the back-up is.” When questioned if there was anything on the machines that concerned him about running the fleet of LH24s, Craig said, “Yes, I would love a larger LH35 pick and carry machine! That would be the only thing I would change.”

by the trailer allows the handler to sit at the end of the log deck and load almost ten tonnes into the system at a time.

“THE VIEW FORWARD IS PARTICULARLY GOOD, THANKS TO THE ABSENCE OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN”

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R J Fukes Forestry Services Bryn Y Coed, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0EL Tel: 01550 721641 • Email: info@rjfukes.co.uk • Website: www.rjfukes.co.uk

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HARVESTING | LOGSET 6HP GTE

CAPACITY BEYOND

ITS SIZE As Eoghan Daly reports, a mid-sized Logset harvester is cutting above its weight

he various forest harvesting divisions of the Doherty Group are long-term users of Logset equipment, but more recently have used their purpose-built harvesters to great effect. The tipping point towards Logset harvesters was primarily due to the performance of a 21-tonne 6HP GTE model run by Doherty’s North-South Timber Harvesting operation and the support received from dealer RJ Fukes Forestry Services. The Doherty Group successfully runs a John Deere 1270G harvester and seriously considered purchasing this model again, but the experience of operator Richard Doherty was instrumental in favouring the Logset. Since going into service in April 2018 the Finnish-made 6HP – perhaps one of the most under-appreciated machines among UK and Irish harvesting contractors

– has performed extremely well, completing 2400 hours in a wide range of stand types. Richard said, “The choice was a new Logset or another eight-wheel 1270G, but I believed there were a range of worthwhile features in favour of going with Logset. I had been operating a six-wheel Logset 8H and expected the 6HP in eight-wheel drive to have much to offer.

BUILDING A FLEET “We have been dealing with John Fukes for 16 years and get first class service. Our first use of Logset involved harvesting heads on excavators and then five years ago the first purpose-built harvester was added. We now have three purpose-built Logset harvesters and also use their heads on excavator conversions, as well as a line-up of Logset forwarders.

“With so much EVERYONE potential for AGREES problems in a EIGHT-WHEEL modern timber MACHINES harvester, you need someone HAVE THE EDGE experienced OVER SIXproviding the WHEELERS service and John is behind us every step of the way. Following initial set-up there have been no major problems, which shows why we hold Logset in such high regard.” North-South Timber Harvesting works on both premature and mature clear fells, in addition to windblown stands, mainly on Coillte plantations from Co Donegal in the north-west of Ireland and as far south as Co Galway. The working environment is hostile, characterised both by steep

Richard Doherty reckons that both the Logset harvester and its TH65 head punch way above their weight

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This picture and top right inset: With four moveable gripping knives and the design of the sawbox, the high-capacity TH65 harvesting head can sit low on the standing tree unaffected by flared butts slopes and low weight bearing deep peat sites. Richard continued, “Everyone agrees eight-wheel machines have the edge over six-wheelers and having run two six-wheel drive Logset 8Hs before this machine, I know the difference is just massive. Ground pressure, traction and stability are at a totally different level with the 6HP GTE. For a machine in its size class it really punches above its weight, which has been proved time and time again in larger, coarsely limbed timber including rough pine, which we have harvested on some very wet and sloping ground.”

UNUSUAL CRANE The Logset GTE design provides a lower centre of gravity than the norm, without reduced ground clearance, thanks to the low mounting position of the crane base. While this obviously helps with machine stability, it also allows the crane’s full working capacity to be used in a much greater range of working situations. It also provides a much better field of vision for the operator, particularly to the wheels and the terrain ahead. Richard confirmed, “I wouldn’t change anything about the design of the Logset

harvester and the mounting position of the crane is really one of its better features. The low centre of gravity makes operating the 6HP GTE a pleasure, since it is so much more stable than other machines.” The crane itself is the well-proven 221H parallel unit, which was part of the Logset stable before crane production passed to Mesera in 2009. The underlying concept

This picture and above inset: The combination of high power and the high grip afforded by the head’s feed rollers results in excellent delimbing properties

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HARVESTING | LOGSET 6HP GTE

Below: Accessing the main valve chest assembly on the TH65 head is easily achieved by removing the rear cover

Right: The low-set crane mounting position helps to lower the machine’s centre of gravity, while also maximising the crane’s performance across its working envelope

of this crane has been used on countless harvesters from various manufacturers over the years and is currently offered in three reach variants – 8.3m, 10m and 11m. Even when working with the large TH65 harvesting head, the 10m crane on this harvester delivers a lifting torque of 188kNm and equally impressive slewing torque. This accounts for the machine’s energetic tree handling abilities, even when working in larger volume material. Richard added; “The 10m crane gives a good working range and is ideal in wetter sites, since I can build a good brash mat for the forwarder. The best thing about it is the power and stability the machine has, even when working to the upper capacity limit of the head with the crane at maximum reach.”

HARVESTING HEAD For users who focus on all-round harvesting and thinning applications, Logset’s TH45 or TH55 harvesting head is an ideal match for the 6HP GTE. However, the majority of the North-South Right: The measuring Timber Harvesting system in the TH65 head operation is feeds the TOC MD control clear-fell work. In system, which has addition, they often proved to be extremely tackle large volume accurate in operation

stands and therefore decided to configure their new harvester with the biggest head available for the machine, the TH65. Long gone are the days of the H Series track feed models; for many years Logset has followed the industry trend with its TH Series, featuring a short frame length and an angular feed roller design. Despite its relatively short chassis length, the TH65 incorporates four movable and one fixed gripping knifes, resulting in excellent stem gripping characteristics, particularly evident on those trees with low branches. Furthermore, the sawbox design allows full use of the head’s felling capacity as it allows it to sit low on the standing tree unaffected by flared butts, while also ensuring low stump heights. As for the TH65’s delimbing characteristics, Richard said, “Some of the

pine I have harvested has been very rough OPERATORS with low branches, OF OTHER but the head has HARVESTERS coped very well. IMMEDIATELY It is well capable COMMENT ON of achieving a very HOW RIGHT acceptable delimbing result without reverse LOGSET HAVE feeding except in GOT THEIR CAB really extreme cases.” DESIGN This surprisingly good delimbing capability is linked to the head’s feed force and speed, thanks to its three feed rollers. The outer two units are positioned at an angle to hold the tree while it is being processed. The third feed roller is imbedded in the head’s lower chassis, creating a feeding ring to propel the stem through the head. Richard continued, “The 6HP GTE is classed as a mid-range harvester, but has working ability far beyond its size class. I have harvested very coarse Lodgepole Pine and the machine handled it very well. It grips the tree very well and has excellent feeding force and speed. Heavy branches aren’t a problem and measurement accuracy is one of its strong points, and the TH65 is a very impressive harvesting head.” FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2019

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LOGSET 6HP GTE | HARVESTING

This picture: Thanks to its clever design, service access is commendable as all the main components are easy to inspect, repair or replace Below right: After 2400 incident-free hours, the Finnish-built Logset has proved tough enough to cope with constant work at the peak of its performance

THE 6HP GTE CAN REALLY CLIMB AND, SINCE IT IS SO STABLE WITH ITS LOW CENTRE OF GRAVITY, IS A VERY SAFE MACHINE

IN THE CAB The design of the cab on the GTE harvesters is one of the machine’s principal selling points, developed and refined over many years by Logset. At first glance it looks a bit on the small side, but Logset really has made the best use of the space to provide operators with a safe and comfortable workstation that features excellent visibility. Richard continued, “Operators of other harvesters immediately comment on how right Logset have got their cab design from the point of view of visibility. The side windows come down to a very low level, which means there are no blind spots along the side of the machine. The front windscreen also runs to a much lower level than any other harvester cab. “When harvesting downhill with the optional cabin levelling function activated, this low front window height means a

I have been audited four times over the past year and there has never been any problem meeting the requirements set down on measurement accuracy.”

STRENGTH AND DURABILITY

complete view of the front wheels and no other harvester cabin offers this. “There is also good space in the cab and the storage and extras it gives make it an excellent place to work.” The harvester’s TOC MD control and measurement system is said to be extremely user friendly, according to Richard, “Since putting the machine to work, there have been no measurement accuracy issues.

Richard concluded by saying, “Every part of the Logset harvester presents sheer strength and durability of construction. It is very easy to see the amount of design thought that has gone into the machine and were it not for the reassurance this gave us from the start, we could very easily have gone with an alternative. “Any machine is only as good as the dealer providing the service. John Fukes has looked after our every need, which makes buying Logset a very safe option for us and with the kind of performance and low running costs they offer, they really are premium level machines.

IN DETAIL: THE 6HP GTE DRIVELINE The Logset 6HP GTE harvester is

Regarding its fuel consumption,

saving and is even better when

gravity, is a very safe machine

Richard said, “It is hard to imagine

it is achieved without affecting

to operate on sloping sites too.

emissions-compliant Agco engine

a machine giving everything to the

the machine’s performance.”

“It is possible to drive, saw and

rated at 185kW, more importantly

job in hand and still be so efficient.

This engine drives a hydrostatic/

move the crane at the same time

producing 1100Nm of torque at

Typical consumption for this

mechanical transmission with two

without killing the engine, which

1500rpm. Both figures are high

machine is 13 litres per hour, which

speed ranges that delivers up to

shows how well set up the machine

for a 21-tonne harvester. The

compares very well against the 18

169kN of tractive force, while the

really is. The specification of the

underlying engine design is

litres per hour of our John Deere

hydraulic system produces an oil

hydraulics is a very big part of how

originally from Sisu and well

1270G and 24 litres per hour for

flow of 285 litres per minute.

well it works and there is massive

respected in the forestry

a Doosan DX255 excavator with

Richard continued, “The 6HP GTE

oil flow to help cope with

machinery sector for its

a TH75 harvesting head. Over

can really climb and, since it is so

everything working to the

durability and economy.

the course of a year, this is a major

stable with its low centre of

maximum.”

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EVENT REPORT | SIMA 2019

CONTINENTAL SPECTACLE While agricultural machinery was the main focus of the SIMA 19 show in Paris, a dedicated area showcased some of the latest forestry innovations from across Europe, including a trend for remote-control mowers, as Simon Henley discovered

Machinery on show included a Noremat Cobra wood chipper, Rabaud log splitters and an Energreen ILF S1500 verge mower

he impressive SIMA event in Paris, held in February every other year, is generally regarded as a gathering point for farmers. They attend in their tens of thousands to see the impressive displays exhibited by farm machinery manufacturers. Yet the increasing diversity of the agricultural industry is progressively attracting the manufacturers of forestry and groundcare equipment to the SIMA event. While much of the machinery may have been seen before, some exhibitors took the opportunity to unveil their latest kit to the predominantly French audience. Notable was a trend for new equipment in the land reclamation and property management sector, including a number of remotecontrolled flails and mowers, which are becoming increasingly more popular with

contractors working on properties with restricted access or dangerous inclines.

McCONNEL ROBOCUT REMOTECONTROLLED MOWERS This stylish new three-model line-up features the RC28, RC56 and RC75 models, all of which boast more power and a new control system for greater output, control

“EXHIBITORS TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNVEIL THEIR LATEST KIT” and safety. The smallest RC28 is powered by a 25hp Vanguard petrol engine with an oversize alternator to provide electrical power and a direct mechanical drive to the twin-rotor mower deck. The rubber tracks,

which straddle the mower deck, are electrically powered to allow the machine to work in either direction on steep slopes without turning round. Deck height is also controlled electronically. The larger RC56 and RC75 models are powered by Hatz diesel engines and feature an out-front flail mower.

BOMFORD TURNER FLAILBOT REMOTE-CONTROLLED MOWERS Designed for covering challenging steep terrain, this range of wireless remotecontrolled tracked mowers provide the ultimate in mowing capability, while keeping the operator at a safe distance. The Flailbot line-up includes the Mini (35hp), the Compact (40hp), the Original (40hp), the Extra (50hp) and the

Bomford Turner Flailbot remote-controlled mowers

McConnel Robocut remote-controlled mowers

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SIMA 2019 | EVENT REPORT

Energreen Robo remote-controlled mower

Prinoth Raptor 300 self-propelled mulcher

“ENERGREEN IS A SELF-PROCLAIMED PIONEER IN THE REMOTE-CONTROL MARKET SECTOR” Supreme (70hp). All Flailbots can work on slopes of up to 55 degrees and all models feature a tough under-body structurally integrated skin to prevent the ingress of debris. The Flailbot track propulsion system is available with standard, high-grip or metal-spiked tracks, while the remote control can operate at a distance of up to 150m.

ENERGREEN ROBO REMOTE-CONTROLLED MOWER Energreen is a self-proclaimed pioneer in the remote-controlled market sector. Since the launch of RoboGreen in 2011, the company has continually developed its Robo range, which now features five models including the RoboZero (33hp), the slightly larger RoboEco (33hp), the RoboGreen (40hp), the RoboMax (75hp) and the impressive RoboPower (140hp173hp). As one of the most powerful remote tool carrier vehicles on offer, the RoboPower is available with a choice of Deutz or John Deere engines, can transcend slopes of 45 degrees, and will handle a range of attachments that include mowers, flail heads, snow blowers and grading buckets.

components to achieve what Prinoth describes as new standards in the mulching industry. Features include a 275hp 7.0-litre CAT engine, an ergonomically designed tilting cab, the choice of a power-belt or PTO attachment drives, and a heavy-duty self-cleaning enclosed undercarriage. The Raptor 300 displayed at SIMA featured the M550 PTO-driven mulching/stabilisation head. The operational weight of the vehicle is 14.8t. Ferri iCut 4 Extra remote-controlled mower

allows the flail to follow the contours of the ground, eliminating the risk of getting it stuck. The flail head can also be tilted and locked to allow access into restrictive areas.

PRINOTH RAPTOR 300 SELF-PROPELLED MULCHER This mulching carrier is built using a modular design, which combines a number of specification options to allow multiple configurations. The compact architecture of this delta tracklayer incorporates the latest technology and heavy-duty

BUGNOT OBL’X STABILISATION CRUSHER Designed to handle up to 600hp, this range of crushers can be used for both wood and stone at a depth of up to 40cm. The OBL’X has been developed with a wide range of wearing parts that can be quickly replaced. It features a patented design that enables the crusher to operate at different PTO speeds to suit different working conditions. The wearing parts are spirally mounted to provide constant performance and a level finish. Multi-spirals are available as an option for grinding stones or tree stumps. The gear-driven rotor shaft is mounted on double-row pivoting bearings to increase strength and improve soil penetration.

FERRI ICUT 4 EXTRA REMOTECONTROLLED MOWER Powered by a 2.1-litre, four-cylinder Isuzu diesel engine rated at 49hp, the iCut 4 features an expandable undercarriage that allows the track width to be hydraulically increased from 1.32m to 1.67m using the remote control panel. Capable of working on 55-degree inclines, the iCut4 can be operated remotely at distances of up to 150m. Available with four different track options, the iCut4 also features a unique hydraulic floating flail head system, which

Bugnot OBL’X stabilisation crusher

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WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH DESTROY IT WITH SPEARHEAD

Spearhead Machinery Ltd. Station Road, Salford Priors, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 8SW, England +44 (0)1789 491860 enquiries@spearheadmachinery.com spearheadmachinery.com SpearheadWorld

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FROM BLONDE TO BLUE The reintroduction of Rottne machines to the UK market, through new dealer Jim Wilmer, is a significant development in the forest machinery sector. Eoghan Daly reports from Sweden on this unusual family-run manufacturer

Above right and top right: Rottne forwarders and harvesters are hand crafted by an experienced team over the course of three weeks Right: Rottne also offers a warranted major component rebuild service and, unusually, still stocks spares for every machine ever produced

round 150 people work in the global headquarters and main factory of a harvester and forwarder manufacturer that is exporting large high-tech products around the world, all from the remote Swedish village of Rottne. Forestry is in their blood and dominates the local economy, partly thanks to the designs and determination of local lad made good, Borje Karlsson. He first built his tractor-mounted Borje timber crane in the mid-1950s, then developed the famous Rottne Blondin (Blonde) forwarder a decade later (potted history provided in panel). This main factory is fed from Rottne’s

Stensele works in Vasterbotten County in the north of the country. This site was a large forest machine factory run by SMV, which went on to be part of the FMG Group. Rottne acquired the site and a team of 50 currently produce harvesting heads, larger cranes and cabs, together with fabricating machine body panels. In addition, some

35km east of the village HQ, a smaller Rottne factory at Lenhovda manufactures all their main frames and the smaller cranes. Rottne is one of the few manufacturers of both forwarders and harvesters to offer in-house cranes. Sales manager Arne Isaksson said, “The Rottne approach of in-house production of practically everything is continuing not by coincidence, but by desire. We believe this is the best way of ensuring the highest standards are met and also allows us to have complete control over the building of our machines.” The current plan is to build 150 units this year, which is not enough to satisfy demand in a peculiar set of circumstances. The first being that annual forest growth in Sweden greatly exceeds the industry’s capacity to harvest it, as there is both a shortfall in operators and machines. This is at a time of expanding demand from non-traditional uses of wood products. Rottne is also enjoying huge success in the vast Russian market, the demand from which all forestry machinery manufacturers are struggling to meet. As Arne continued, commercial success brings its own issues: “Demand for our H21D harvester has exceeded our initial targets and has had a major influence on the production schedule and the delivery targets we can achieve. “There are few routes to accelerating production, as the design of our machines differs from that of the competition, who have based much of their design thinking on ease and speed of assembly. Whereas we

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FACTORY VISIT | ROTTNE

ROTTNE: A BRIEF HISTORY In the mid-1950s, while working in the family forest near the isolated small village of Rottne, located some 20km from the Swedish town of Vaxjo, Borje Karlsson pondered ways of creating a labour-saving method to load logs Using the frame from an old plough, a wooden

launch of Rottne’s first machine built

beam and a chain hoist mechanism fitted with

completely in-house, it marked the end of

timber tongs, he created a crane attachment

the Blonde. Over the years around 2100

that would run from his tractor’s PTO. His

examples were built, including 400 processors.

neighbours became interested, proper

The success of the Blonde had funded an

prototypes were built and tested, and the

ambitious R&D programme, from which the

timber crane was launched as a commercial

resulting 1985 Rottne Rapid forwarder

product, with some considerable success over

immediately proved to be a roaring success.

the years.

It was the first of their self-propelled machines

Skip forward to 1968 and Borje’s company

that was not based on a tractor skid unit. Again

launched the Rottne Blonde 750 forwarder. It was largely based on a Ford tractor skid unit, but with the cab, trailer section and crane developed

“ALL DEVELOPMENTS MUST NOW BE CENTRED ON MAKING MACHINES MUCH EASIER TO OPERATE”

by Rottne. Smaller and more versatile than existing products, it was clearly designed by someone that has spent a lot of time working in a forest. Orders came rolling-in for what was to become a benchmark product in the industry, often remembered for the firm’s marketing slogan at its launch, “Do it in the forest with a Blonde”.

Above, left inset and below: A feature of Rottne’s production strategy is to manufacture as much in-house as possible, to keep control over all aspects of the process

The design continued to be developed,

investing the profits from the Rapid into

and a notable milestone was a version with

long-term R&D projects, a new range of

a hydraulically-driven sprocket between the

Rottne Solid forwarders was introduced

rear bogie tyres, to provide better traction

in the late 1990s, using John Deere engines.

than from just the 2WD tractor skid up front.

The firm follows the same pattern of

In 1976 Borje launched the Blonde timber

investing heavily in the next generation

processor variant. It used its crane to load

of machines even today, and the

pre-felled trees on to a rear-mounted

commercial success of the Solid enables

processing table, mechanising what was

Rottne to develop a range of forest harvesters.

largely a manual task and greatly improved log presentation for the forwarder. All these variants used a tractor skid unit

The H Series harvester range is based of three different sized base units, cumulating in the 2001 launch of Rottne’s H20 flagship

and co-operation between Rottne and Ford

model. However, it has subsequently been

developed to an extent that the Blonde range

upgraded to the H21D model, which is a real

was offered through their vast tractor dealer

beast of a machine designed for demanding

network. However, the days of using an

harvesting of the largest tree sizes over

agricultural tractor driveline for forestry

difficult terrain. Elsewhere in this report

machinery were limited, as purpose-built

is a user’s opinion of the H21D after a few

machines were the way forward. With the

thousand hours operating his example.

have taken a different route and designed forest machines with ease of access for service, which may add to the intricacy of assembly at factory level, but offers a major advantage to the customer once they enter service.”

FACTORY TOUR Rottne’s vast forest machinery manufacturing campus contains a multitude of individual units, each working

on a specific aspect of the product range. The machine shop produces the smaller components and contains the usual collection of cutting, boring, machining and profiling machine tools, all in the hands of skilled staff. Next door are the blasting and paint shops. Forestry machinery is becoming increasing digitally complex: one unit in the campus pre-assembles wiring looms and various other electrical elements, FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2019

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SKOGAB/REKO GALLRING RUNNING REPORT This picture and below: Skogab runs two top-of-the-range H21D harvesters predominantly on demanding clear fell sites, and a third unit is on order

Location: Ekenfissjon, Vetlanda, Sweden Machine: Rottne H21D harvester Skogab Entreprenad runs two separate timber harvesting operations: Reko Gallring undertakes thinning work while Skogab is a clear fell operation. Both are run by Conny Johansson with his sons Elias and Edward. Their H21D models, two currently in the fleet with a third on order, are used for demanding clear fell harvesting and final thinnings. Edward said, “One of the H21D’s best features is the power of the crane. You can feel the safety and stability it gives, which makes it the ultimate machine for handling large trees or working on steep

Below: Operator Edward Johansson has nothing but praise for the power and efficiency of the H21D, which is harvesting at a cost of 0.34 litres of diesel per cubic metre of timber

sites. It’s an excellent climber and with eight wheels takes the standard to a new level over the previous six-wheel H20C.” The H21D is powered by a Stage 4 John Deere engine delivering 227kW and a staggering 1351Nm of torque at 1500rpm. It powers the hydraulic system that features a 298lit/min hydraulic pump dedicated to the 11m RK250 parallel crane with a 2.2m telescopic extension. A 357 litres-per-minute pump powers the harvesting head, in this case a Rottne EGS706. Comparing the 3400-hour H21D with its predecessor, Edward continued, “When it comes to litres per hour, the H21D and H20B are similar, but when calculated in litres per cubic metre harvested the savings are very noticeable as it is a far more productive machine. In ideal tree sizes, fuel consumption is down to 0.34 litres per cubic metre, which is mainly due to the efficiency of the hydraulics. “We have had no major issues with this H21D, with the exception of a hydraulic pump replacement early on in its service life. It was replaced by Rexroth under warranty and the machine experienced minimal downtime as a result.”

while a sister department develops operating and management systems. These elements of the business are becoming more important, as Arne says, “We have invested heavily in meeting emissions obligations in recent years and have also introduced much technological solutions, such as the Rottne Connect telematics system.

Above inset: Sometimes it is the little things that count, such as a pullout tool tray just where it is needed

“ONE OF THE H21D’S BEST FEATURES IS THE POWER OF THE CRANE. YOU CAN FEEL THE SAFETY AND STABILITY IT GIVES”

“The future will bring many changes and all developments must now be centred on making machines much easier to operate by making repetitive operations more automated. This will ease the role of the operator and allow them to concentrate more on tree selection and maintaining quality during processing and ultimately help attract new entrants to the industry.”

Although these new entrants will be operating high-tech machinery, the forwarders and harvesters are built in a traditional way, typically over a three-week period. With no clipboards or stop watches evident, a sense of serenity prevails across the whole assembly operation. The staff go about their assigned tasks in a convivial and efficient manner with a genuine spirit of

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FACTORY VISIT | ROTTNE DAN J SKOG & GALLRING RUNNING REPORT Location: Vimmerby, Sweden Machine: Rottne F11D forwarder

The F11D forwarder is equipped with Nokian Forest King 710-40x24.5 tyres and features a bogie lift function, making it surprisingly manoeuvrable for a high-capacity machine

Dan J. Skog & Gallring run a considerable fleet of Rottne machines, including H8D and H11D harvesters, on thinnings and smaller diameter clear fell operations. They also run a pair of Rottne F11D forwarders, one of which has been worked extremely hard over its first nine months in the fleet. Operated two shifts a day by the father and son team of Lars-Inge and Bjorn Andersson, it is a high capacity machine but remains capable of undertaking thinnings extraction. Part of this capability is down to its tyres, which are large Nokian Forest King 710-40x24.5. Another part of the equation is the bogie lift feature, which can be activated to overcome any really sharp turns. The machine is configured with a 9.3m Rottne RK105 crane with a 2.1m telescopic extension. Operator comfort is also seen as one of the machine’s most notable attributes, particularly as it offers one of the lowest in-cab noise levels at 67dBA. This

Below: Full GPS enables the forwarder operator to have immediate access to all the position and type data from the harvesting operation

example was ordered with the optional Comfort Line cab damping system, which is seen as being beneficial without making the machine overly complex. It is also fitted with a comprehensive catalogue of systems for machine control and productivity monitoring. The use of integrated GPS position systems allows the complete retrieval of all the data from the harvesters working the stand. Overall, opinions on the machine are positive, as Lars concludes: “For the contractor, Rottne is a very good option in this area because of the service we get from the local dealer. From the operator’s point of view, the Rottne machines give very strong performance and comfort and are very well built forest machines.”

Above and above inset: Like the rest of Rottne’s products, the forwarder is lovingly crafted and no metal is spared to ensure its durability over the long term

team work, lovingly hand-crafting an individual machine to suit the customer’s specific wishes.

REAL-WORLD TESTING After final assembly each product is comprehensively tested in a dedicated unit on the campus. However, this is very much a forestry community that know the

difference between factory testing and the real world. Rottne believes it is the only manufacturer to take every harvester into a forest to see how it performs. Borje Karlsson’s own forest is just down the road from the factory, and typically the harvesters will do an eight-hour shift before they are returned for despatch or correction. Likewise, every forwarder

leaving the factory’s testing facility is driven on a forest test site, which identifies anything in need of attention before delivery. Rottne made their name with the Blonde forwarder, today their blue-liveried machines may be relatively unknown in the UK and Ireland, but are performing well in similar conditions around the world. FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2019

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CLASSIC FORESTRY | LETOURNEAU

BACK TO THE

FUTURE

Keith Haddock reviews the history of LeTourneau forestry products, a pioneer of electric drive systems

hen LeTourneau sold its earthmoving equipment business to Westinghouse in 1953 the agreement prohibited the firm from marketing any muck-shifting machines for five years. Needing to fill voids in manufacturing capacity at its remaining factories at Longview, Texas, and Vicksburg, Mississippi, LeTourneau explored other kinds of vehicles that could employ the company’s unique electric wheel motors together with electric-powered rack-and-pinion actuators. Machines aimed at several sectors of the off-road industry were attempted, but they did not sell in sufficient quantities to generate the required cash flow. Military contracts were an important part of the company’s balance sheet at the time, but the industry holding the most promise was logging. This seemed a perfect match for LeTourneau’s vast experience in large heavy-duty, off-highway machines. As a result, forestry machinery became a major part of LeTourneau’s business for more than 60 years.

Above: The 1957 22-ton capacity Series FJ log stacker featured the usual electric rack-and-gear motions, but also knuckle-jointed powered tusks for greater control

LOG STACKERS The first prototype of the Series F log stacker appeared in 1955. It boasted a rated carrying capacity of 25 tons, at the larger end of the log stacker market at its time.

“LETOURNEAU EXPLORED OTHER KINDS OF VEHICLES THAT COULD EMPLOY THE COMPANY’S UNIQUE ELECTRIC WHEEL MOTORS”

It featured a tubular frame carrying a 275hp Buda Super 844 diesel engine. It was well accepted by the market, however it became clear that further engineering work was required. The following year it was replaced by the F25 model, which featured a more robust box-section frame, with the choice of 275hp Buda or Cummins engines. These machines were subsequently regarded as LeTourneau’s first successful product launch after the 1953 diversification, and log stackers became the firm’s main product line for the foreseeable future. Even though the F25 was a large machine for its time, logging customers wanted even greater lifting capabilities and in true LeTourneau style it took only a year to design much bigger stackers. In 1956 two 60-ton capacity electric-drive stackers were built, known as the Model F-60. They boasted massive front forks and equally impressive motorised arched tusks for lifting log loads big enough to fill a haulage trailer in one pass. Both units were fitted with 275hp Cummins engines. The LeTourneau log stacker was like a

After only one year in the log stacker business, LeTourneau led the industry with the massive 60-ton capacity, diesel-electric drive F-60 model

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The RT Series of revolving log loader featured a rack-driven stick like a rope shovel and electrically-driven tongs for grabbing the logs

“THROUGHOUT THE 1960s AND 1970s, LETOURNEAU INTRODUCED OTHER PRODUCT LINES TARGETED AT THE FORESTRY AND TIMBER MARKETS”

giant forklift truck. Built on an articulated frame and steered electrically by a gear segment and pinion, it sported the usual LeTourneau electric motors in all four wheels, powered by a diesel-electric generator located at the back of the machine to act as a counterweight. The operator’s cab was mounted on the front section of the frame for good visibility. The stacker hoist was operated by cable and an electric winch, while the mast tilt and log clamps were operated by rack-and-pinion electric drives. This basic design and overall layout would form the template for all future log stackers built by the company. Rack-and-pinion drive eliminates the need for hydraulic pumps, hoses and cylinders containing significant amounts of hydraulic fluid. In addition, electric drive does not need a transmission or gearbox filled with oil. Less oil on the machine means less risk of a spill or fire, an obvious advantage when working in highly sensitive forested areas and wood yards.

Over the years LeTourneau has introduced a variety of log stackers, mostly ranging from 22 to 65 tons capacity. They included a range of three-wheel units built in the early 1960s with capacities from 17 to 35 tons. Known as the FT-Series, the stackers featured single rear-wheel steering. The basic design of today’s LeTourneau log stackers is almost unchanged from those built half a century ago. Built simply and tough, they are employed in all forested areas of North America, as well as overseas in logging operations requiring utmost reliability and the highest available productivity.

The Series R log loader showing the heavy heel boom design to support one end of the log as it is lifted on to the truck

OTHER PRODUCTS The 90-S mobile spar, unveiled in 1955, was a diesel-electric transporter equipped with a 130ft tower that could be folded under power by electrically-driven pinions and gear segments. Built for hauling timber up steep slopes, the mobile spar was pre-rigged with guy wires, plus one haul line and one

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CLASSIC FORESTRY | LETOURNEAU This artist’s sketch shows the bas layout of a three-wheel log stac ic ker featuring double tusks, each pair being independently driven for secure clamping action

Above and top: The Series 90-S mobile spar was unveiled in 1955. It was a diesel-electric transporter equipped with a 130ft tower that could be folded by electrically-driven pinions and gear segments. Left: The 1956 R Series log loader featured a 360-degree revolving capability and a diesel-electric drive train to power all four wheels LeTourneau’s ﬁrst electric arch log skidder appeared in 1954

main line. The main drum was driven by four DC-powered motors and boasted speeds up to 800ft per minute. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, LeTourneau introduced other product lines targeted at the forestry and timber markets. They included logging arches, log skidders, mobile saws, logging cranes and other specialised equipment, but none of these lines achieved the success of the log stackers. Their arch skidders boasted electric motors in all four wheels, rack-and-pinion electric steering and an electric winch providing a pull of 65,000lb. The 28-ton machine was fitted with a dozer blade that could be used to level the ground or provide stability when winching heavy loads. A 275hp diesel engine provided power. The fully-revolving R-series of log loaders featured a heavily-reinforced boom, which could support one end of long logs as they were hoisted by the boom-mounted electric winch. FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2019

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LETOURNEAU | CLASSIC FORESTRY Since their inception 60 years ago, LeTourneau log stackers still feature all-electric drive and rack-and-pinions to operate boom and grapple, such as this Model 4594

The Series J pulpwood hauler began testing in 1956, its electrical generator powered by a 275hp Cummins engine. Its function was to pick up and transport complete 40-ton pallets of logs Other unique LeTourneau logging machines included the J-series pulpwood hauler, designed to pick up and transport a 40-ton pallet of logs measuring 8ft wide x 16ft long x 12ft high.

CORPORATE HISTORY Company founder R. G. LeTourneau passed away in 1969 at the age of 80. The following year a deal for the sale of the company was made with the Marathon Manufacturing Company of Houston, Texas. This meant that for the first time the company operated independently from the LeTourneau family. Under Marathon the firm prospered – partly, it must be said – due to stopping RG’s extensive and expensive programme of building experimental machines. The firm then focused on its main product lines that were well proven in the field and frequently updated with latest technology.

“EVEN UNDER KOMATSU OWNERSHIP, THE MACHINES ARE STILL SOLD AS LETOURNEAU-BRANDED PRODUCTS” In 1994 the company once again changed ownership under the Rowan Companies banner. In May 2011 the construction and mining machinery firm Joy Global, the builder of P&H electric mining shovels and walking draglines, announced the acquisition of LeTourneau. The deal included all LeTourneau’s earthmoving equipment and

logging machinery, in addition to both offshore and land-based drilling rigs. Yet another ownership change occurred in 2017, when Komatsu purchased Joy. Throughout all these corporate changes, LeTourneau’s forestry products division, based in Troutdale, Oregon, remained mostly independent from other divisions and LeTourneau’s main factory in Longview, Texas. The present log stacker range consists of four-wheel models in four size ranges: 35, 45, 50 and 55-ton capacities, and larger machines are available to special order. Equipped with 400 to 475hp engines, each size is available in two- or four-wheel drive configuration. All models still sport the LeTourneau rack-and-pinion traditional designs and, even under Komatsu ownership, the machines are still sold as LeTourneau-branded products.

A highway logging truck collects a full load from a single pass of a LeTourneau 5094 stacker that boasts a capacity of 50 tons

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READERS’ PHOTOS

WORLD OF FORESTRY

Your photos of machinery spotted in action around the globe Jack Platt spotted this John Deere 6110RC moving logs near Rendcomb in Gloucestershire. The tractor is fitted with a custom forestry frame and is paired with a Botex trailer and crane.

While visiting last year’s APF show at Ragley Estate, Jake Henson witnessed the full spectrum of forestry operations, from this brand-new Valtra T4 tractor on the Lister Wilder stand to the Ardennes heavy horses.

Two machines with plenty of years of work under their belts and still making a buck are this Finnish manufactured Timberjack 1470D harvester from 2004 and 1110D forwarder from 2003 clearing chestnut on the North Downs in Kent for fencing and wood chip destined for Sandwich Power Station.

While walking near his home in Surrey, Dave Clifford spotted this pair of John Deere machines working to clear an army vehicle testing site. The 1510G forwarder and 1270G harvester, which is fitted with an H415 harvesting head, belong to Hampshire based Coombes Forestry.

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Vandal Guards, Forestry & Demolition Guards for earth moving machinery

HANDRAILS

Safety Handrails ‘Boxing Rings’ For Extra Driver Safety CabCare supplies a wide range of handrails to fit most makes and models of excavators. Our handrails are designed to bolt onto existing fixings, avoiding the need to drill or weld the machine. Conforms to 2014 safety legislation.

FORESTRY & DEMOLITION CERTIFIED GUARDS

Cab Mounted Rock & Chassis Mounted FOPS Certified Forestry & Demolition Guards • Extended roof giving better protection. • Peaked roof allows skylight to open for better visibility. • Front grill allows easy access to front windscreen. • Certified to FOPS Standard BS EN ISO 3449 & ISO 10262 Level ll. • Bolt-on guards requiring no welding. • Chassis mounted guards weld direct to chassis.

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SEE US ON STAND H39 & H40

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