Perceptron, Nanoose, Trident Merger

Perceptron Inc. has signed letters of intent to acquire Trident Systems of Atlanta, and Nanoose Systems of Parksville, BC, as wholly owned subsidiaries. The newly formed Perceptron forestry group will market its integrated products and services under the WinMill trade name.

The intent of the merger is to provide a single source of "plug and play" advanced technology, says Perceptron. Product goals include continuing R&D in the areas of non-contact three-dimensional and other types of sensors, and software utilization in real-time systems.

Hollis McNully, new group vice-president, said in a release the new division will employ 40 people.

Van-Gear Saw Package

Van-Gear has announced a new unified maximum recovery saw package. Design goals during development of the package included: ¥ Maximum recovery by sawing with the stability of a precision "true diameter" machined spline bore sleeve and saweye that produce accurate, consistent clearances. Spacing accuracy of .001'' tooth-to-tooth are obtained with the machined saweye. Sawblades are supplied with a standard .007'' clearance that can be varied in .001'' increments; ¥ Increased arbor usage by relocating heavy wear areas with a shorter 5.0''-long universal sleeve section. Arbor life is extended with a machined surface finish and controlled hardness of the saweye blade. ¥ Increased sawblade usage by evenly distributing the driving load around the arbor and reducing the operating distortion; Inventory requirements are reduced due to an interchangeable 5'' replacement sleeve with a universal splined bore. Exchangeable 5'', 6'', and 7''-diameter sleeves all fit the same mandrel.

Virtual Reality Training

NEC Corporation has developed the world's first virtual reality-based simulator for training forestry machine operators. The New York company developed the simulator on commission for two Japanese clients: The Forestry Agency (Rinya-cho) and the Forestry Mechanization Society (Ringyo Kikaika Kyokai).

The simulator is centred around several computers and peripheral devices, employing a physics model to reflect the structural elements of trees and the equipment used, conducting power calculations and processing in real time.

Using two three-dimensional projectors and a large screen (2.4m wide and 3.6m high), the simulator offers an accurate simulation of all tasks involved in tree-felling and other forestry applications. Operators wear three-dimensional glasses and feel as if they are in an acutal forest and machine during training.

Benefits include a free selection of the training environment, close interaction with a trainer, enhanced worker safety, and conservation of valuable timber.

High-Intensity Equipment Lighting

J.W. Speaker has announced high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting systems for heavy equipment. HID lighting produces four to five times more light than halogen lamps at equal energy consumption. Service life is approximately 5,000 hours, or eight to 10 times longer than conventional halogen lamps, and offers higher luminous efficacy of up to 100 lumens per watt, says Speaker.

The units offer superior shock and vibration resistance as HID bulbs have no filaments.

An electronic power control unit on the HID system regulates battery-suplied voltage between nine and 32 volts to maintain even, consistent lighting. HID lighting is used in standard Speaker units or can be custom-designed for specific needs.

Kwik Change Slider Systems

Invented by a semi-retired logger, BC-based l'ANCO is marketing spring-loaded choker lock systems for skidding and high-lead applications; the systems offer a number of production and time-saving options, says the company.

Chokers can be swapped end for end in seconds, extending choker life, and broken chokers can be replaced in seconds. Leaving the lead end free of the loaded lead twitch hook, a free choker can be attached from a slider to the lead, enabling more logs to be picked up. If the mainline and lead choker do not reach the desired tree, the chokers can be removed rapidly from the sliders and hooked into the lead choker for additional length.

With no protruding knob, the lead bell pulls effortlessly over the fairlead roller. With its enclosed knob, the lead bell can be easily pulled over logging debris and stumps, and the fairlead roller.

The lead end can easily be removed from the end of the mainline without detaching the mainline's end knob, by removing just one bolt and the lock bar. Sliders can be quickly added and removed.

Increased production in some skidding and high-lead operations can be realized by optionally using two sets of chokers. For large logs or bundles too big for one choker, a choker can be removed from the nest of the sliders and plugged into that on the tree, creating an endless choker. If the end of a mainline breaks, the knob and wedges are secured into the lead bell by a lock bar and bolt. After the end knob is repaired, the skidder can return to the jobsite with chokers still set. The mainline knob can then be fed through sliders and into the lead bell. Once lock bar and bolt are inserted, skidding can continue.

Chipper Knife Sharpener

Bandit Industries has a new hand-held knife-sharpening device, the Knife Saver, that can be used to put a sharp edge on a dull drum or brush chipper knife in just minutes, and without having to remove the knife from the chipper.

One pass with the diamond-honed tungsten carbide sharpener restores the knife's cutting efficiency, says the company. The preset angle of the Knife Saver saves blades and centers itself on the knife edge for precise sharpening. Benefits include reduced knife sharpening costs, and increased chipper performance and chip uniformity.

Megagrind Mobile Grinder

Rexworks' new 800-hp Megagrind heavy- duty mobile grinder is designed for tree-length logs up to 30'' in diameter. The machine features a large 12 yd.3 open-ended hopper, and a 70''-wide variable-speed-powered infeed conveyor. Adjustable speed control and downward crushing force on the 48''-diameter cleated feed roll consolidates and directs feed into the grinding chamber for maximum continuous production, says the manufacturer.

The enclosed grinding chamber, constructed of 3'' plate steel, reduces the potential for flying debris. The chamber opens hydraulically for maintenance access and screen change-out.

The 22,000-lb. solid steel rotor is available in two styles. Low-rotation speed provides excellent torque while reducing bit wear. The sizing screen is positioned at a 180¡ arc behind the rotor for maximum throughput. A choice of heavy-duty screens is available. Each screen weighs about 3,200 lbs. Three shearbars initially size material, working in conjunction with the motion of the rotor. Each shearbar is reversible.

When an ungrindable object enters the grinding chamber, concave pressure forces the concave open by parting two shear pins to release it. This minimizes damage to the grinding chamber; resetting of the concave is done hydraulically.

The Megagrind utilizes a 60''-wide primary discharge conveyor and a 48'' secondary discharge conveyor with a loading height of 15'-1''.

New from from Intech Industries is the Gravel Miser, a portable grizzly with an adjustable reach that enables it to work with excavators in the 150 to 400 model size. The unit features a unique "slide through" reach that allows operation from either end, thus changing the angle right or left. The unit is mounted on tandem 6,000-lb. flex axles, complete with stud Idler Hubs and heavy-duty 14-ply tires.

New Cat 527 Track Skidder

Caterpillar's new 527 track skidder, available in cable and grapple versions, replaces the D5H TSK. Major changes include added power, an extended track roller frame, and added ground clearance with a D6R heavy-duty undercarriage.

The machine is powered by a Cat 3304 rated at 150 net hp, a 20-hp boost. A D6R heavy-duty undercarriage replaces the D5H undercarriage of the former model; clearance is increased from 22'' to 28''. A 112'' track roller frame (4'' longer) is extended to the rear to enhance balance and stability.