NEWS

FORESTRYMACHINERYNEWS

NEW PONSSE SCORPION

Eight years and 1,200 sales after the first Scorpion harvester arrived, a new generation has been unveiled. The cabin is now even more practical and comfortable, and visibility is improved by a new one-piece front window and new crane arrangement. The new machines also receive Ponsse’s fifth generation Opti 5G information system and a completely upgraded user interface.

The Opti 5G system (initially available in Finland and Sweden before coming to other regions) enables the Ponsse Harvester Active Crane management system, which gives the harvester a new way to control the crane and work more efficiently. The operator can use Active Crane to control the movement of the harvester head instead of individual crane functions.

The system also ensures that the crane’s functions slow automatically before the range of movement ends, preventing hits to the mechanical structures and operator. When the operator indicates the required location, Active Crane performs the lift and uses the boom and extension automatically.

FORST STAGE 5 WOODCHIPPERS

The new Forst 8D Series woodchippers feature Stage 5 compliant, 55hp Doosan diesel engines and have an 8x10-inch capacity, plus ‘ForstGrip’ feed rollers, an ‘Open Flywheel’ system and ‘AutoIntelligence’ stress control.

Available in wheeled and tracked forms, the 8D Series weighs in at 1,450kg for the ST8D, 1,600kg for the TR8D and 2,250kg for the XR8D. The road-going version is easily towed with heavy-duty running gear, fully braked chassis and handbrake. Strengthening measures include supports and gussets in the areas that take the most abuse, plus all-steel panels, a large ‘C’ section and oversized bearings throughout.

GMT GRAPPLE SAWS

Dutch company GMT Equipment has introduced new GMT TTC grapple saws. The ‘Total Tree Control’ range spans GMT035 TTC and GMT050 TTC models with 16- and 20-inch felling diameters respectively. With designs honed over a 10-year period, they combine the advantage of grasping the tree with the ability to keep or hold tree sections in position when removing them.

Not only is the tilt cylinder of the grapple blocked, but so is the movement in all directions in the cardanic suspension between rotator and crane. This all makes installation more flexible, and fixed removal can be done at the push of a button.

FARMA TRAILER

The new Farma T 17 trailer can be set to carry various wood lengths from bays of 1m firewood to two bays of 3m, thanks to its flexible bank. There is also a choice of bolsters – standard is the traditional bended post design, whilst a forwarder type bolster is optional.

The T 17 has a bed length of 5.4m, a loading area of 3.2 cubic metres, and ground clearance of 630mm. The steering drawbar provides 40 degrees of angle, and tyres range from standard width of 500 up to 710. Control systems include simple vario dial to CAMBUS linked synchronised drive systems. The trailer is available with options for a drive system such as Robson or Hydro drive.

APF SHOW POSTPONED

Organisers of the APF 2021 show have postponed the event for a further year. The show will now run from September 22nd to 24th 2022 at the same venue: Ragley Estate in Warwickshire.

NEW SYKETEC DEALER

Shropshire-based Home Forestry LLP is now a dealer for Finnish harvester head company Syketec. Syketec produces stroke heads, and tractor-mounted processors referred to as the Jobo range, which can also have wheel motors fitted to speed up delimbing (if the base machine has the required oil flow). The Jobo 50 ST and Jobo 75 ST can be mounted on forest cranes, and EX models are designed for excavator bases.