TECHNOLOGY REVIEW – HARVESTERS
performance and extending service. The 365 yields more net lift power for the carrier allowing the operator to achieve precise boom control. “These advantages really shine when working at long reach. Three hydraulic feed rollers provide improved geometry and grip to ensure high net feed forces. The 365 also have four delimbing knives that greatly improve log quality. An extended tilt range makes harvesting on steep terrain fast and easy.” The Komatsu 931.1 has the same new engine
as the Komatsu 911.5, which delivers more efficient combustion and improved fuel economy, as well as the same good response and performance as previous engines. The Komatsu 931.1 offers an extremely high- performance work environment. The spacious, full-circle slewing, and levelling cab is the quietest on the market with its direct drive slew transmission. With the new engine, the machine is also even quieter as the catalytic converter helps reduce noise. Komatsu's true thinning expert is now
available in a new version, the Komatsu 901TX.1, which with the new E3-Power engine concept is as good for the environment as it is for productivity and fuel efficiency. However, the new engine is not all the Komatsu 901TX.1 has to offer. Komatsu's unique 'comfort' bogie concept and large 612.5 mm (24.5 in) tyres provide low ground pressure, which helps preserve the forest floor and the remaining trees when thinning. Soft-sealed ORFS couplings are throughout the machine “Manoeuvrability, reach, and lifting power
are other important factors for effective thinning”, Komatsu goes on to say. “The Komatsu 901TX.1 is equipped with a 10 m (32 ft 10 in) or 11 m (36 ft) crane, boasting the greatest lifting power on the market at 62.7 tonne/ft (170 kNm). Together with Komatsu's integrated cab and boom concept, this means a lot, especially when working in steep terrain. The Komatsu 901TX.1 is also available as a
four-wheel model, making this thinning machine even nimbler and more effective. Komatsu 350.1 is the harvesting head most often used on Komatsu 901TX.1. All Komatsu harvesters are equipped with the control system MaxiXplorer. MaxiXplorer 3.0 improves productivity, timber value, and machine status reports while making life easier for operators by reducing administrative tasks and improving the operator environment.
The Sogedep SH15 is equipped with a powerful SP Maskiner head
Sogedep, the French manufacturer of forest machines, is currently developing a very easy- to-use harvester suitable for small diameter applications that will be a breakthrough in energy wood harvesting. The harvester model Sogedep SH15 is a small harvester with a width of 2.5 m, equipped with 422 Trelleborg 600/55-26.5 tyres. The machine will reach a length of 4.87 m and a height of 3.31 m, with a wheelbase of 3 m and a ground clearance of 580 mm. The weight of the future harvester is estimated between 10-11 t. The central steering of the machine has been especially studied by the research department of the French brand to allow ideal manoeuvrability. “The passage of the rear wheels will follow perfectly the passage of the front wheels,” Sogedep said. “The frame of the model SH15 will be equipped with steering system more or less 42 ° and deflection of ± 10 ° with an articulation lock hinge in mechanical welded structure.”
Sogedep has chosen to equip the SH15
harvester with a Perkins 4-cylinder turbo diesel. This engine delivers a power of 142 hp at 2,200 rpm to a cylinder of 4.4 litres. The regime used at 1,800 rpm provides hydraulic transmission of 135 litres/minute for the crane and 265 litres/minute for the harvester head. The research department of the French brand hopes to earn 15-20% return on the timeliness of this future machine.
In addition, the harvester SH15 will have a
hydrostatic transmission as well as a rigid axle with reducer and locking differentials at both front and rear. This new machine will be available in four-wheel drive but Sogedep is already working on a six-wheel drive version in the longer term. The SH15 will have a crane with a reach of 7 m and may be equipped with two different heads from Swedish designer, SP Maskiner. For wood-energy harvesting assignments, contractors may choose a forestry head such as the SP 401 EH, which is able to cut trees with small diameters and has an accumulator arm that can hold up to eight sprigs (of 100 mm diameter). Moreover, it will also be possible to equip the SH15 with a SP 451 LF head, which is able to cut up to 530 mm diameters and delimb stems up to 350 mm. This head also will be equipped with an accumulator arm that is able to gather three trees of 150 mm diameter.
Swedish company Eco Log specialises in the manufacturing of wheeled harvesters and forwarders with a product range of five harvesters and four forwarders. The 550D, 560D, 570D, 580D and 590D harvesters have each been designed to ensure maximum performance and productivity. The 4WD and 6WD harvesters have gained “a very important advantage” over similar models in the international market by offering dual hydrostatic pumps coupled to four Poclain wheel motors, according to Eco Log.
One implement pump is dedicated to the
crane and the other one to the harvester head, which makes it possible to utilise full lifting torque and boom movements during the whole working cycle. The full hydrostatic transmission allows a smooth ride combined with strong tractive force. The reaction time on the D-series is swift partly due to the optimised valve block. “Eco Log harvesters always maintain an
excellent stability, above all others, while operating on hill sides, mountainous zone and uneven terrain,” the manufacturer claimed. “The unique pendulum arms suspension technology allows the machine to pass over and work in almost any terrain condition.” The machine can “easily” operate at +/- 25° sideways and +/- 15° longitudinally. Sideways, the levelling can be controlled automatically or manually while longitudinal levelling is regulated manually. The pendulum arms facilitate maintenance and contribute greatly to the visibility and comfort of the operator.
52 International Forest Industries | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84