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Bush Gear focuses on new products and technology of interest to the forestry and logging sector. To have your new technology listed, contact Bil Tice, Editor at btice@annexweb.com
New Harvester Draws Attention
A brand new harvester from A. Landry Fabrication in Balmoral, N.B. received a lot of attention at the Atlantic Heavy Equipment Show (AHES) in Moncton. It was the first time the new machine, which is labeled the Landrich LR-HV, has been shows in public. It will be marketed by A.L.P.A. Equipment Ltd., a New Brunswick-based distributor of forestry and construction equipment.
The new Landrich machine is a mid-size purpose built, limited tail-swing track harvester. The company says it offers loggers a unique configuration where sophisticated systems are combined to increase operator comfort, reduce fuel consumption, increase productivity, and offer easy access for maintenance.
The cab design provides ample space and excellent visibility. This was accomplished by moving the entire cab forward on the carrier, moving the booms sideways and placing the engine in the rear. A low centre of gravity on the machine also improves operator comfort.
Fuel consumption is minimized with long reach booms, which are light and fast, and reduce the need for traveling. The designers also separated the hydraulic systems for the three main functions – crane, traction, and harvesting head. This reduces hydraulic power losses since circuit pressures are closer to the demand function. Selecting an efficient engine and coupling it with electronic control of the hydraulic horsepower demand also contributes to improved fuel economy.
The new Landrich machine offers excellent productivity by improving the multifunction potential, which allows the machine to supply oil to a number of functions that are activated simultaneously. This increases the speed of several functions of the harvesting head.
Access for maintenance is achieved by using a hydraulic actuated clam-shell enclosure that is hinged at the rear of the machine. When fully opened, it creates a flat surface that the operator can stand on to perform maintenance.
A Mercedes OM906-275HP Tier III engine that delivers 275 HP and 811 lbs/ft of torque powers the Landrich. The machine has a 570-litre fuel tank. The undercarriage has a maximum tractive effort of 308 kN (68,000 lbs) and a ground clearance of 711mm (28-inches). The harvesting head is Ponsse H7 model with a maximum cut radius of 70cm.
The company has a prototype of the harvester working near Kedgwick, N.B. that has now reached 5000 hours since it was first put into service in October 2008. It completed a full harvesting season in 2009-2010 and is equipped with a telescopic boom. The machine that was on display at the AHES, which will be delivered to a customer in June, is equipped with a rigid boom.
Watch our upcoming issues of Canadian Forest Industries for a full field report on this machine.
Cat Introduces New Head
Designed from the ground up to meet customer expectations for durability, performance and serviceability, the saw is built to withstand heavy loads. The large box-section gathering arms are designed to support loads that can twist or bend the arms of less rigid saws. The mounting structure for the gathering arms and bunching finger further supports severe loads. Large pivot pins reduce stress and increase bushing life. The location of the lift arm pin points positions the center of gravity of the SC-57 in close to the front axle, increasing the machine’s stability, particularly when handling large stems in rough or hilly terrain.
The large surface area of the gathering arms grip and tightly hold large stems, while the “horns” of the 119 in. tall tower keep large single stems and multiple smaller stem bunches straight for better control. The positioning of the gathering arms and bunching fingers creates a large grab area optimizing control. The gathering arms and bunching fingers use a single cylinder and a link to control both the left and right sides simultaneously, improving speed and holding power.
The SC-57 completes the wheel feller buncher attachment line, which includes the SH-50 and SH-56 high capacity bunching saws, the SS-56 felling saw and the RH-54 high capacity shear.
Ponsse sells first biomass forwarder system
Hot on the heels of its DEMO 2008 launch, the BTS (Brush Transport System) from Ponsse is seeing its first commercial application in the northcentral US. The first BTS system has been sold to a logger in Wisconsin, and is being used to bring CTL slash to roadside. The BTS is a forwarder add on to replace conventional forwarder stakes. The dual BTS arms fold in to compress logging slash into the forwarder bunk, allowing biomass contractors to dramatically increase the amount of biomass brought to roadside with each turn. The system is available on new Ponsse forwarders or as a retrofit. www.ponsse.com
Deere Upgrades skidder lines
The folks at John Deere John Deere have upgraded their skidder product line with a new lock-up torque converter option for the 640H and 648H Skidders and a standard brake declutch on all direct drive skidders. "With the lock-up torque converter, skidder operators will get a significant increase in productivity in the woods vs. a standard torque converter," says Elizabeth Quinn, skidder product marketing manager at John Deere. "The more a skidder operates in lock-up mode, the more work it will get done – the lock-up torque converter increases the power that reaches the ground."
Deere's lock-up torque converter stays locked during shifting and through a wider range of ground speeds than competitor units. the manufacturer says. This keeps machine momentum through shifts and helps ensure a smoother ride. In a productivity comparison, a 648H Skidder with the lock-up option moved 24.4 percent more tons/hr under maximum load than a unit equipped with a standard torque converter. "That's an additional three truckloads of logs going to the landing each day, assuming a usual 14 truckloads per day," Quinn said.
The 648H with lock-up torque converter achieves its productivity boost without an increase in horsepower. It continues to be rated at 184 hp with six forward and three reverse gears, but more available power is now delivered to the ground, particularly in lower gears. www.deere.com
Tigercat Launches new 6WD skidder at DEMO 2008
Tigercat Industries is no stranger to 6WD skidders, and so takes the prospect of launching a new one at an international live logging event like DEMO 2008 in Halifax, NS in stride. It produced the first 635 series 6WD machines in 2000. Tigercat says 6WD skidders command a number of advantages over four wheel machines including superior weight distribution, lower ground pressure, greater load capacity, better performance in soft ground and steep slopes and a smoother ride. The new 635D is the most advanced, efficient, high production and operator friendly skidder ever produced by Tigercat. While the 635C was equipped with an 8.3 L engine, the D-series is powered by the 260 hp Cummins QSB6.7 Tier III. Improvements to the hydrostatic drive line enable the 635D to get improved performance and superior fuel economy out of the smaller displacement engine. A variable/reversible pitch Flexxaire engine-mounted fan adds to the energy efficiency by automatically matching the fan blade pitch to cooling requirements. In the cab (see below), the 635D has a rotating seat with a two-position mechanical lock providing full rear-facing drive capability. The steering wheel has been replaced with armrest-mounted joystick steering for improved ergonomics. Drive pedals are located at both the front and rear of the cab. The next generation IQAN control system has improved functionality and a simpler, more intuitive user interface. www.tigercat.com
Volvo bunchers to log at DEMO 2008
Volvo Construction Equipent has introduced a complete line of purpose-built feller bunchers, and will be unveiling them at DEMO 2008, the live logging show held Sept. 18-20 in Halifax, NS. The all-new C-series line currently includes three buncher models - The 37-ton, full-swing radius Volvo FB3800C, the 30-ton short swing radius Volvo FB2800C, and the 30-ton zero swing radius Volvo FBR2800C. All three can be configured to accommodate a feller buncher or heavy-duty harvesting/processing head, and are equipped with Volvo D9E Tier 3 compliant engines, load-sensing hydraulics, and Volvo Care Cabs. The Volvo FB3800C and Volco FBR2800C zero-swing machine will be shown for the first time ever in live action at DEMO 2008, alongside demonstrations of the Volvo FC2421C harvester/processor with Waratah head, a Volvo L220F wheeled log loader, and a Volvo VHD 430 industrial truck and Manac log trailer. www.volvo.com.
Modern Machinery buys Madill
Modern Machinery of Missoula, MT has acquired all rights to the Madill product line, including yarders, feller bunchers, harvesters, log loaders, delimbers, and saw heads, and will be the worldwide distributor of parts and service for all existing Madill machines. Modern Machinery has acquired all existing parts and equipment inventory, as well as intellectual property rights. Modern president Brian Sheridan says the company does not immediately intend to make new Madill equipment, but may at some point decide to, or to sell the rights to certain products. The company has hired a number of former Madill service technicians and will bring on parts people as well. Modern is one of the largest Komatsu dealers in North America. www.modernmachinery.com
Forwarder contest set for DEMO 2008
Komatsu Forest, in conjunction with the Canadian Woodlands Forum, Komatsu Forest's Canadian dealer SMS Equipment, and Canadian Forest Industries Magazine, is pleased to bring you the Canadian Forwarder Championship at DEMO 2008 in Halifax, NS, the live logging show held this September 18-20. Any and all experienced forwarder operators are invited to compete, regardless of their brand of forwarder. The competition pits operator against operator in a test of skills, as they attempt to complete a series of skill-numbing feats while being timed. The winner gets bragging rights, $1,500, and an expense-paid trip to Sweden in June 2009 to compete in the world championships at Elmia Wood 2009, the world's largest forest show. There are also runner-up prizes. Contact your local SMS Equipment branch or Valmet/Komatsu Forest sales person for entry forms and details, but enter before August 15. Just another reason to make your way to Halifax this September.
Deere E Series sets you spinning
CFI just returned from the Finnish launch of the all-new John Deere E Series of CTL harvesters and forwarders, and there's lots new to talk about. Improvements include an expanded product line, higher capacities, more parts and components commonality within machines and across the line, better measuring and controls systems, enhanced maintenance access, longer reach, new simulators, onboard product support and service documentation, and more. Still, the real news to us is the brand new forwarder design, which includes a "revolutionary" new levelling and rotating cab that is isolated from the loader and bunk. This ensures that the work is always at hand, reducing movement and operator strain, improving production, reducing vibration, and enhancing visibility. The 15-tonne 1510E we saw also boasts a new expandable bunk system with its own levelling system. More in the June/July issue of CFI Magazine, but for now you can see the new forwarder working at the following link. www.e-series.fi/en/working-in-the-forest/forwarders/1510e.html
Super Komatsu dealer formed by SMS
Three heavy equipment distribution companies have aligned to form one of the largest Komatsu dealers in the world, right here in Canada. SMS Equipment Inc. was formerly Coneco Equipment, Federal Equipment, and Transwest Mining Systems, and is now a single player supplying and servicing the forestry, construction, and mining industries nationwide. "In realigning our distribution network, we will provide focused support across all industries and regions we serve today," explains SMS president Bruce Knight. SMS offers a wide range of products, parts and services, and a highly-trained, safe and mobile workforce across a national platform. www.federal-equip.com.
LevelMax evens playing field for excavators
Using technology purchased last year from down under and then refined in house, the excavator pros at Volvo Construction Equipment now offer automatic machine leveling on their forestry track carriers. LevelMax is designed to increase carrier performance as well as operator safety and comfort (and thus production) by automatically leveling the superstructure up to 21 degrees during travel through all axis points. This makes the carrier ideal for slopes or uneven terrain, so it's no surprise the first Canadian machine is working on Vancouver Island. It can be installed either at the factory or by the dealer between the undercarriage and swing ring on the Volvo FC2421C, FC2924C, and FC3329C forestry carriers. Look to the June/July issue of CFI magazine for a complete report. www.volvo.com.
Grindomatic sharpens chains so you don't have to
A new fully automatic grinding machine is available from Silvana Import Trading to make short work of your harvester chain maintenance. CFI Magazine saw the Grindomatic V12 in action at the CWF spring meeting in Moncton in early April - see photo below. It is a professional machine that is fully automatic, provides an extremely sharp edge, and fits most chains used today, Silvana says. It is also suited for stone damaged chains - who doesn't have those - as it can grind up to 4mm without burning teeth. Just set it up, and it stops automatically when the chain is sharp. The Swedish machine runs on 12V. Given the potenial savings in fuel and production alone from running sharper chain, this machine will likely pay for itself in short order. www.silvanatrading.com.
Tigercat unveils excavator killer
There are plenty of applications where excavator-based forestry conversions make sense, but then there are others, like stumpside-processing, where they either fall short, or call for so much extra guarding and changes that they no longer make sense. With this in mind, Tigercat has launched its H855C harvester/processor. The purpose-built tracked carrier boasts similar HD components as its fellow carriers, over-sized cooling package with variable/reversible fan, fast and efficient ER boom designed for the job, great service access, highly-efficient Mercedes 275-hp engine and tons of flow, yet all at a price that will make excavator conversion fans think twice. So too will the 20-liter per hour fuel consumption seen by existing H855C owners. It can be mated to Tigercat's new TH575 harvesting/processing head, and in fact both machines were designed with the other in mind, for one of the industry's only purpose-built track combos. Models are working in BC, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, and other global operations. www.tigercat.com.
Cat D7 Electric is true plug & play dozer
The all-new Cat D7E dozer with electric drive will bring many benefits to users once it is at your local Cat dealership in 2009. This "first-of-its-kind" electric drive dozer was unveiled at CONEXPO in Las Vegas this past March, and is designed to consume fewer resources and fuel over its lifespan. The oval track machine is slated to move 25% more material per litre of diesel, or use 20% less fuel per hour. It also boasts 60% fewer moving parts in the electric drive train, and overall Cat says it will reduce owner/operator undercarriage costs by between 35 and 70%. Cat expects forestry applications will make good use of this general technology as it is moved to other products. www.cat.com
Hydratrek off-road is really OFF ROAD
If you're looking for an off-road vehicle that really goes off road, than look no further. The HydraTrek is an amphibious people and gear carrier that handles steep slopes and obstacles with ease. Designed as both hobby and remote rescue machine, it boasts over 16 inches of ground clearance and outrageous approach and departure angles. It can carry up to six adults at 25 kmh on land and 8 kmh over water. More at www.hydratrek.com.
Cat combines rubber tire harvester with fixed head
Loggers who want the control of a fixed mount harvesting head and the minimal impact of rubber-tire machinery can now have it both ways with Cat's new 550 harvester with Prentice PF-48 fixed head. This gives loggers the control they need in select hardwood cuts or thinnings, while leaving little in the way of footprint. Trees can be cut, lifted off the stump, processed, and placed without damaging surrounding timber. The Prentice PF-48 is a fixed 4-roller head with up to 24-in cutting diameter and feed speed of 16 ft/sec. It is simple to operate and maintain, Cat says, as all major functions are controlled from the cab, and the hydraulic and electrical components are easy to access. More at www.forestpro.com.
Tigercat's leveling system lighter and less expensive
Tigercat Industries has released a new leveling undercarriage, and with it, a new track carrier model well suited for the steep slopes and challenging terrain found in many Canadian regions. The R6152L leveling undercarriage shares the same design elements as Tigercat's R7150L undercarriage first introduced in 2000, and found on the L830C and L870C machines. The main objective in creating the new system is to reduce weight while providing a lower cost leveling undercarriage to work well with the smaller platforms offered by Tigercat. It uses F8 (D6 sized) track components and many common parts with the larger R7150L leveling system. Also the bottom corner of the track drive motor housing is clipped, preventing the undercarriage from plowing a furrow through the soil, thus leaving more power for hill climbing. This new system has been mated to an 822C platform, and this first LX822C is working in mountainous terrain in BC's southeastern Interior to good early reviews. Learn more at www.tigercat.com.
New name, faces, heads at Log Max Canada
Kamloops-based Pro-Max has a new name, new management, a new sales force, and new heads to start out 2008. Now called Log Max Canada Forestry Inc., the full-service outlet is now headed up by Lisa Yamada, general manager. The almost 10-year veteran is assisted by seasoned forestry equipment salesman Robert Pinette, who brings years of experience in the Maritime's CTL and big-wood/hardwood processing market to his role as sales manager. He will handle the full Log Max line of harvesting and processing heads across western Canada and the US, including the new XTreme Series, with the mid-sized 7000XT already in production. Learn more at www.logmax.ca.
HTH624 C meant for the big wood
Waratah Forestry Attachments has added a new processing/harvesting head to its HTH600 series of proven heads. The HTH624 C is based on the proven HTH624, a head tested in years of production harvesting in larger, second-growth timber. This makes the HTH624 C capable in big trees and tough species, at home cutting through large timber or processing up to a 71-cm (28-in) diameter stem. The powerful attachment can fell trees up to 75-cm (30-in), and is most productive in wood 50 cm (20 in) or bigger. Key improvements are: Topping saw cut capacity increased from 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in); C design sawbox to improve harvester applications; stronger tilt bracket and delimb knives; relocated head module for better vibration protection; better hose routing; redesigned Parker valve design improves flow efficiencies in head; and lower cost spare parts and more commonality. More info at www.waratah.net.
CANTEC CAN-CRANK will help you start this winter
The CANTEC CAN-CRANK is an additional power source to be installed next to your vehicle batteries, providing consistent cranking power over the service life of the battery. It gets its power from your battery, and discharges it as needed. According to the manufacturer, they have a virtually unlimited charge/discharge cycle life, and can be recharged even by depleted batteries. They are also unaffected by cold weather, and maintain cranking power right down to -45 celcius. The bottom line is more reliable engine starts. More info at www.cantecsystems.com/can-crank.html.
Olofsfors to handle own track products through new company
Starting January 1, 2008, all Olofsfors ECO-Track and ECO-Wheel Track products will be sold by Olofsfors Inc. in North America. A new company, Olofsfors Inc., has been established in Brantford, ON in partnership with Hultdins Inc. and Olofsfors AB of Sweden. It will be run by the same dedicated people who have brought the industry Olofsfors track products through Hultdins Inc. Olofsfors AB is a world leader in track products for rubber tire forest machines, and Olofsfors Inc. will be the North American headquarters for Olofsfors track products, with an established production facility and dedicated marketing personnel. Call (519) 754-2190 to reach Olofsfors Inc.
Ponsse makes new systems for really, really soft soils
CTL supplier Ponsse has been working with researchers and forest companies in Finland to develop a timber harvesting system for very soft peat soils. It says it has come up with a prototype that allows profitable and environmentally friendly harvesting on these sites, as well as those with bad bearing capacity. The concept is based on a 10-wheel, five axle forest machine with soft-ground tracks, which together significantly reduces the ground pressure when compared with even conventional CTL gear. More info at www.ponsse.com.
Olofsfors EX tracks grab the dirt
Huldtins was on hand at Logfor 2007 in Quebec City to show off a new line of “Extreme Traction” bogie track cross members from Olofsfors. The EX cross members are meant for rugged terrain and bigger gear, Hultdins technical road warrior Paul Contant told CFI. Whether working in steep slopes or deep snow, for regions like Gaspé or the North Shore in Quebec, or the BC Interior, this may be the option for you. Paul also showed us a new HD link designed for added track durability. It adds beef where it matters, but without extra weight or bulk that will drive fuel consumption up. More info at www.hultdins.com.
John Deere 700J Series cuts mean swath
Above all the other changes made to the 753J and 759J track bunchers, John Deere says loggers will most enjoy the massive 50% uplift in cutting swath. Suited for a range of applications, from thinning and regen cuts, to swamps and steep ground, the J Series boast a new hydraulic system that offers 26 percent more flow and more multi-functioning capabilities. The smart hydraulics are also able to prioritize, so operators don’t have to. Finally, boom geometry has been re-designed to offer what Deere says is the best in class minimum and maximum reach. More info at www.deere.com.
