WOOD ENERGY PEZZOLATO CHIPPER

timber haulage trucks and still leave all options open for changing the way we work into the future,” Gerry explained. “By having the chipper trailer mounted, we don’t need to have a truck tied up with it all the time, which helps cut down costs.”

The C-Mac Engineering designed trailer is a bespoke build and offers a wide array of operational choices, including demounting the chipper completely, or mounting it to a rigid truck without modification thanks to its quick-coupling format. In its complete form, the unit runs on four axles with two of these to the rear as part of the trailer itself, while the further two towards the front are part of a dolly unit and can be detached.

This set up allows the chipper to be relocated by a tractor unit with attachment via the fifth wheel in the normal way. “As the chipper is a heavy machine, we have the option of taking it onto wood roads with a tractor unit. The short trailer length means it has good weight distribution and helps the tractor unit get maximum traction. In more accessible areas, it works very well pulled by the rigid truck and in that form is fully self-contained with the truck’s crane serving chipper feeding.”

Pezzolato offers a choice of engines to propel the machine and McMorrow specified a 560kW Cat C18 unit due to their proven ability in demanding applications and greater level of local product support. The C18 is located inside a dedicated housing, which provides adequate cooling capacity and most importantly dust and fines protection. An optional feature of McMorrow’s unit is an infeed reception table, which comprises an additional outer extension that assists with material holding as Display linked it’s consumed by this immense machine. to LH Weigh-Pro for grab weights.

The infeed’s total outer width is 1,200mm, while the chipping drum diameter is 1,000mm – both of which explain the model’s name: PTH 1200/1000. Maximum chipping diameter is an impressive 800mm, while the machine’s output varies according to a range of factors including material density, with the maximum achievable output being 70 to 80 tonnes per hour for McMorrow’s application.

The infeed process is facilitated by the feed mechanism on the infeed table base, together with the intervention of the large spiked feed roller, which descends on the material from above. Advancing material through to the chipping drum, this roller raises clear to expose the drum for blade inspection or replacement. A choice of

A Cat C18 engines sits at the heart of this Pezzolato chipper.

blades are offered for fitment on the drum, including standard units (as seen here) or quick replacement variants.

The discharge chute offers a large range degree of movement to ensure uniform loading of the adjacent trailer or blowing to a stockpile within the storage shed depending on the operating situation. A radio control unit provides full control from a safe distance. McMorrow Haulage’s new

Pezzolato PTH 1200/1000 is supported by BMI walking floor trailers, which provide a dedicated approach to the haulage and unloading of the product. Following the purchase of the chipper and bolstering McMorrow’s

Insulated cab for the Epsilon M12L crane’s lucky operator.

AS WE WENT TO THE MARKET WITH AN OPEN MIND, WE WERE INCLINED TO LOOK AT ALL THE OPTIONS

already comprehensive truck fleet were two new Scania R500 trucks in 6x4 format, with one specified in XT configuration. Often assigned to chipper feeding, the specification of these and other trucks run by the company makes them particularly suitable for chipper feeding, as they offer a high degree of operator comfort through the fitment of crane cabins, while the working range of typical cranes fitted brings a considerable volume of material within range from a single set up point.

ARMED AND READY

The Epsilon M12L double extension crane fitted to one of the company’s most recent truck acquisitions covers feeding requirements, as well as loading crane-less articulated trucks in the forest with round timber in addition to its own timber haulage duties. The M12L crane is equipped with an enclosed Epsilon Epscab operator’s cabin brimming with extras, including an onboard weighing system monitor linked to a LH Weigh-Pro weigh link.

The LH Weigh-Pro is designed specifically for the timber industry, following feedback from the ‘man on the seat’. The kit is simple to operate and not over-burdened with unnecessary options. Critically, it allows the operator to achieve max payload each and every time. LH2 Weigh-Pro offers additional features such as a printer or email capabilities. The printer can be either till-roll type or slip-printer – the latter providing a weighbridge type receipt, which is ideal when a weighbridge is unavailable.

Scania R500 6x4 covers chipper feeding and timber haulage duties.

TECH SPEC

PEZZOLATO PTH 1200/1000 CHIPPER

ENGINE CAT C18 SIX-CYLINDER POWER 560KW INTAKE WIDTH 1.2M DRUM DIAMETER 1.0M MAXIMUM MATERIAL CAPABILITY 800MM HOURLY PRODUCTION 70-80 TONNES

Boosting the truck’s versatility are its weight-saving measures carried out by Robinson Trailers, which built the three-axle turntable trailer running in alliance with the truck, and also completed the body construction and complete fit-out. Utilising its experience to fabricate the sub frame and crane mounting position assembly, a number of individual choices were then made for the load bunk specification, which included Laxo LX60 bolsters and load bars. Brian McMorrow, son of Gerry and full-time Scania driver, explained the thinking behind this decision. “We have THE OVERALL used mainly Alucar WEIGHT OF bars on the trucks THE COMPLETE and they have been UNIT IS QUOTED AS 19,300KG very successful. But having seen the Laxo units, we were very impressed by their build strength and decided to give them a try.”

The LX60 units are specified in fixed height non telescopic format, and anchoring of the load bars to the bunks is completed by a bolt-on side panel, which can be easily adjusted to ensure uniform tension is maintained at all times. Alucar has not been totally omitted from the combination though, as the aluminium headboard and bolsters and pins for the trailer have been obtained from the company, with the whole combination returning very satisfactory operational experiences to date. The overall weight of the complete unit is quoted as 19,300kg, which demonstrates a high specification can be achieved without eroding payload capacity.

JUST THE BEGINNING

Despite having progressed massively over its long engagement in the industry, new opportunities are always savoured by McMorrow Haulage, as Gerry concluded. “We are only getting started with wood energy and see a lot of potential for it. Even though forestry is at the core of what we do, diversifying into new areas is the only way to grow the business and provide a local energy source, while also creating employment wherever we can.”

Above right inset: Chip quality appears to be extremely uniform. Right: Epsilon crane and grapple well suited to this high output chipper. Feed roller raised to reveal drum; blade swapping is easy.

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