13 minute read
HARVESTING
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PETER SHEERAN FLEET
HARVESTERS
2016 ECOLOG 688 WITH LOG MAX 6000TWIN HARVESTING HEAD 2019 ECOLOG 688E WITH LOG MAX 6000TWIN HARVESTING HEAD
FORWARDERS
2016 GREMO 1050F 2019 ECOLOG 564D BLUE
Above inset: The two lower movable knives give the Log Max 6000 its ‘Twin’ designation.
Inset left: Access to valve block assembly considered superior to that seen on rival designs. The EcoLog 688E’s cabin controls are laid out in a very sensible fashion.
seen fi rst-hand what it really can do, which is even better than I fi rst expected.”
Never one to shy away from forward thinking and innovative purchases, Peter has been responsible for a number of fi rsts when it comes to the selection of machines for his timber harvesting operation. This approach was based on the need for machines to overcome specifi c challenges that have arisen through specialisation in various aspects of logging throughout Ireland. Current demand sees his operation cater for both thinning and clearfelling.
“Machines we used in the past were ideal for premature clearfelling on deep peat sites, but things have changed since then – the requirement for thinning and clear felling with the same machine is vital these days,” Peter explained to Forestry Machinery. “We are working for Coillte with long term contracts and also do some private work, so having machines that can perform all types of harvesting is vital. The choice of machines capable of doing all types of harvesting work is very limited, but I believe EcoLog is one of the few manufacturers that have built a machine truly capable of carrying out this broad range of work.”
PACKAGE ENHANCEMENT
While the latest 688E is essentially an upgraded version of the original machine, it has received a degree of upgrading, including its enhancement to Stage 4 emissions regulations with the addition of an AdBlue system. In the interests of accommodating the reservoir tank and associated equipment, the rear section of the machine was modifi ed. The overall length has been shortened marginally too, while an additional motor increased crane slewing torque.
When it came to access for service and repair procedures, the original machine provided a very user friendly format so that area was left alone. However, the rear of the machine has grown slightly to incorporate the AdBlue reservoir tank and emissions neutralising system, with the exhaust located at the opposite side.
This change was expected to reduce visibility at the rear when reversing out of thinned racks, but the effect was minimal, as Peter’s son Eoin who serves as its operator explained: “The rear of the machine may require a bit more attention when reversing out of thinnings, and with the rear view camera mounted on the back of the cab there is only so much it can display, especially when turning corners as it’s focused opposite way. The enlarged rear is only a small issue though, and only takes a bit of time to adjust to.”
The 688E’s engine also received an
upgrade, the original Mercedes unit swapped for a newer Volvo engine, which delivers a power rating of 210kW and most impressively a torque rating of 1,237Nm. Indeed, the Volvo engine has proven a good match for the demands placed on it whilst remaining effi cient. All that said, the EcoLog 688E is considered one of the best all-round machines on the market, so there has been little else for Peter Sheeran Timber Harvesting to improve.
Very few other manufacturers offer a harvester with the working range of the 688E – it is equally compatible with all stages of thinning and clear fell operations up to large volume material. With its eight wheeled design and running on 710mm wide tyres, the 688E measures 2.84m wide in this confi guration and gives impressive tractive force of 200kN, which aids operation in challenging situations especially clear felling on steep ground.
Sheeran’s fi rst 688 harvester has been in service for four years.
HEAD AND HEART
Cementing the 688E’s versatility is the Log Max 6000Twin harvesting head allied to the machine. With ample oil fl ow to obtain the maximum from this high capacity harvesting head, even during the simultaneous operation of other hydraulically dependant elements, every aspect of the EcoLog is clearly designed to be the best possible all-round harvester, as Peter confi rmed. “The Log Max 6000Twin head is a very big part of the success of the EcoLog harvester, but the base unit also makes a massive contribution to the head’s success. The base machine’s dimensions are compact enough to do all stages of thinning and yet it is stable enough to take down bigger trees in clear fell with plenty of crane power to handle everything within the working range of the head. Our fi rst EcoLog harvester is now four years old and has proven very capable over long term use for us. Overall, they seem very strong, well built machines with a high specifi cation across the board.”
Much of the 688E’s stability and ability to apply maximum operational capacity of the
Eoin Sheeran operates the newer of the two EcoLog 688 harvesters.
crane and harvesting head is due to the mounting position of the common crane and cabin slewing base, which is located to the rear of the front bogie.
In the configurations seen here, both harvesters boast a maximum reach of 10m. With twin hydraulic cylinders utilised for all crane movements, lifting performance and responsiveness are superior to that of a larger single cylinder approach. This crane set up also aids visibility from the cabin. Unlike parallel action cranes fitted to other manufacturers’ machines, the EcoLog solution has a far more refined and less complex base, mounted on a common slewing drive. “EcoLog has come up with a crane design that really suits this harvester, as it doesn’t block right-side visibility,” Eoin explained. “The crane gives great working capacity, and the machine’s stability allows the crane to be used at full reach.”
The cabin is slightly unconventional from a purpose-built harvester’s perspective, with its front entry arrangement. While the mounting of the head control and measuring system on the inside of the door could expose it to the elements, this design has never caused any problems. “The EcoLog harvester cab is very well designed around the operator, with plenty of space and a good layout,” Eoin said. “Visibility is great and there is nothing to block the view to the head with the crane mounted on the side.”
LAY OF THE LAND
All main controls are within easy reach of the operator, including the IQAN control system which displays all information and controls base machine related elements. While the DASA Forester large touchscreen monitor governs the harvesting head in a Windows-based operating structure with full data transfer capabilities. Operator comfort is further increased by the cabin and crane also offering a degree of levelling, which allows left and right tilt by 16 degrees, and fore and aft by 16 and 10 degrees respectively.
Away from the positives of the 688E base machine, the Log Max 6000Twin harvesting head is loaded with individual features which set the tone for its positive operation. Despite its working capacity, the 6000Twin remains equally effective dealing with small and larger diameter material. Ease of head placement in thinnings is ensured by its narrow profile in relation to its working capacity, while the saw box profile allows its placement low down on large volume trunks with flared butts in clear fell situations.
Positive stem gripping and delimbing is assured by the presence of two lower knives, while the delimbing result is extremely positive in coarsely branched material thanks to positive feed force delivered by the larger 934cc feed motors and a number of Log Max features which combine for maximum
Above: 564D Blue forwarder with thinnings.
Left: 4.8m bunk and 710mm wide tyres.
performance. These include the low level of friction transferred to the head thanks to the variable pressure intensity applied to the floating top knife. While this system has been employed by Log Max for some time, it as benefited from further refinement for the latest incarnation – settings can be changed quickly and easily by the operator through the control computer, as Eoin explained: “The pressure of the top knife can be adjusted quickly through the computer, and allows different pressure to be applied to the knife to match the type of timber being harvested.”
The head also presents a sensible design from an access perspective for fault tracing and repair. This is thanks to the valve block assembly which is easily reached via a cover on the top rear of the head, held in the closed position by four durable latches. Once in the open position, all elements are easily accessible unlike those units of many other manufacturers. This high degree of accessibility extends to the base machine and nice design touches include the raising function of the diesel tank to reveal all hydraulic elements beneath.
LASTING LEGACY
continue to impress, little was known of the 564D Blue forwarder until it entered service. Even though the machine is no longer part of the EcoLog product range, following the recent takeover of Gremo which has seen restructuring of the forwarder range, the 564D Blue is still a great ambassador for the manufacturer. A quick assessment of the machine confirms its potential as a superb all-round forwarder. It features compact dimensions despite having impressively high floatation properties and ground clearance, together with apparently high levels of build strength as well as tractive power and crane capacity, which have since been proven in successive extraction assignments.
SIZE MATTERS
Considering the 564D Blue as a machine for thinning, its overall width is 2.84m when running on 710mm wide Nokian Forest King tyres, which provides an ideal combination of narrow overall width for effective operation in the stand, while floatation remains at positive levels thanks to the tyres’ large contact area. However, it is not just the width of the tyres fitted that make a contribution to the machine’s working abilities as their 26.5 profile greatly assists the already impressive ground clearance.
Viewing the 564D Blue from the front, this generous clearance is immediately apparent and also extends to its acute approach angle, said to reach 40 degrees. With positive stand penetration abilities and excellent
Clearfell extraction no problem for the mighty 564D Blue. Gremo 1050F highly rated for thinnings extraction work.
EcoLog 564D Blue forwarder operator Billy Phelan.
manoeuvrability, the 564D Blue still presents worthwhile payload capacity, while the fitment with wide tyres greatly improves its floatation properties. Despite the generous capacity of the load bunk, it is configured in a manner which also eases its ability to work in thinnings stands, as it is not excessively wide and still succeeds in retaining vital capacity while also keeping the centre of gravity low.
Specified with the shorter 4.8m bunk length option in the interests of maintaining good manoeuvrability in thinnings, the acute steering angle of 43 degrees is also a major assistance, while the fitment of unbalanced bogies means the machine works well in lower weight bearing sites. Power provision for the machine is by a Mercedes four-cylinder engine which returns a power rating of 153kW while the tractive effort exerted is 174kN. Like the harvesters, the 564D Blue’s main components are monitored and controlled by the IQAN control system with the theme of proven components also extending to the crane of choice in the form of a Cranab FC12 single extension unit with a reach of 8.5m.
In service for the past two years, the 564D has met Peter’s expectations. “From the start, I saw the EcoLog forwarder as a strong, well built machine and that’s just what it has proven to be over its first two years. It has been reliable and very well suited to the harvesting work we do,” he said.
The 2,760kg Sany makes easy work of moving cut sections.
SMALL BUT MIGHTY
David Wylie travels west to see Argyll Forestry Services’ new Sany SY26U excavator complete with rotating grapple at a large estate in Dunoon, Scotland
Below right: The Sany’s lifting performance is impressive handling these big logs over the side of the tracks and at full reach.
Dunoon-based Argyll Forestry Services Ltd is owned and managed by second generation forestry professional Ross Petro. Joining the family business in 2001, Ross later took charge of the business under a new name of Argyll Forestry Services Ltd (AFS) in 2017 and employed his highly skilled team within his new company. AFS is experienced in all aspects of forestry landscaping and other various tree work and works hard to ensure it delivers a safe, competitive, and highly professional service to meet its customers’ needs.
Argyll Forestry Services covers a full range of arboricultural and forestry services to both commercial and domestic clients throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK, such as domestic and commercial tree surgery, forest and garden maintenance, site clearance, Japanese knotweed removal, stump grinding, consultancy and tree surveys and project management.
The skilled team are certificated to a high standard and accredited under the SafeContractor accreditation scheme, which indicates a well-managed and professional service that conforms to health and safety and the latest environmental guidelines.
The company’s list of clients includes organisations such as Scottish Woodlands (clearing affected larch trees), Tillhill Forestry, a number of local authorities, and Jim Wilmer & Sons Timber Harvesting Ltd (featured on pages 16 to 22) to name but a few.
THE PERFECT MATCH
becoming windblown, which would result in the damage and possible destruction of a large walled garden and adjacent glass conservatory. This forestry work is part of the larger renovation project at the magnificent Castle Toward – a former Argyll and Bute council building – previously used as an outdoor education facility. AFS’s client is Keith Punler and Denice Purdie, who now own the estate, and after a multi-million-pound investment will soon be opening as an upmarket wedding hotel, with shop and cafe and exclusive location for films, TV productions and other events. I met up with Lyle Sibbald from Sany UK The location is close to Dunoon centre and & Ireland, and Ross Petro and his a short journey and team at a large 600-acre estate in car ferry ride from Ross’s home town of picturesque “THIS FORESTRY Glasgow. Dunoon, which overlooks the WORK IS PART OF THE Since the trees were beautiful River Clyde estuary. At the time of my visit, AFS was contracted to clearfell 22 spruce LARGER RENOVATION PROJECT AT THE nearly 30m tall and so close to the adjacent structures, Ross and trees that had become over grown MAGNIFICENT CASTLE his team of hand and posing a possible risk of TOWARD” cutters decided to
