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TECHUPDATE - Forwarders

By Tony Kryzanowski

Ponsse

The Ponsse ElephantKing has been tested and specifically designed for the challenging timber harvesting conditions in Canada. Ultimate tractive force, a powerful engine and an impressive 20-tonne carrying capacity provide efficient timber transportation on both steep sites and during long transports, the company says.

The Ponsse ElephantKing’s position as one of the most effective loaders on the market is based on its exceptionally powerful Ponsse K100+ loader, a load space with a cross-sectional area of 6.25 square metres and its flexible drive transmission and loader control system, according to Ponsse. The company says that the durable frame structure, strong bogies, sturdy cylinder-powered frame oscillation lock, complete with high ground clearance, guarantee hours of smooth and trouble-free operations, even under difficult operating conditions.

Ponsse has now manufactured over 9,000 forest machines. The 9000th machine, Ponsse ElephantKing was delivered to Quebec’s Entreprises Forestières Lemieux & Girard Inc.

“This is my sixth Ponsse since 2007. These machines offer high productivity, the lowest fuel consumption in the market and we have the best support and service I have ever had,” says Réjean Girard, the owner of the family business.

www.ponsse.com

Tigercat

Tigercat offers two forwarder models. The 1055B is a heavy duty 14-tonne forwarder built to handle both selective and final felling applications. Offering 228 hp, up to 10 metres of crane reach, extendable bunk options and a choice of two wagon frames, the 1055B is an excellent all-around forwarder, says Tigercat.

The 1075B is an extreme duty 20-tonne forwarder for final felling applications, long distance forwarding and scarifying applications. Offering 275 hp, wide spread bogies, an extendable bunk option and a choice of two wagon frame lengths, the 1075B excels as the one of the largest, most productive, and lowest impact forwarders on the market, says Tigercat. The extendable bunks improve productivity by increasing payload in applications such as bug kill, where the wood is relatively light in weight and load area is the constraining factor.

Both forwarders are powered by the Mercedes 906 engine.

The bogies are enhanced with thicker gear sets, thicker walking beam wall thickness (1075B) and stronger wheel mounting areas. The outboard planetaries allow for larger gears. The 1075B forwarder bogie has the largest differential (20 tonne) and gear train in the market, which Tigercat says makes it more durable than competing machines.

www.tigercat.com

John Deere

In what the company says is a milestone for forestry equipment technology, John Deere recently introduced several new options for its forwarders.

Intelligent Boom Control (IBC), a feature the industry has anticipated for over 30 years, is now offered as an option on all of John Deere’s 1210E and 1510E forwarders in North America. With IBC, the boom is accurate, fast and easy to operate, as the operator now controls the boom tip directly versus controlling independent boom joint movements manually. By eliminating unnecessary extra movements, this system increases boom durability and improves an operator’s working speed for higher productivity and lower costs.

Interim Tier 4 forwarders are also now available, with the IT4 platform as a standard on the 1210E and 1510E models. The IT4 engine comes standard on the 1210E, and as an option on the 1510E. John Deere’s IT4 forwarders are powerful, efficient and clean on emissions, which translates to higher productivity, increased uptime and lower daily operating costs on the jobsite. Other improvements, such as enhanced cabin ergonomics, control system, powertrain and boom, help enhance operator comfort and productivity.

www.johndeere.com

Komatsu Forest

New Komatsu forwarder models with Tier 4 interim Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) engine technology feature a new transmission “comfort ride” bogie system, redesigned cab and other technological advantages.

The new 855 at 13 tonnes, 865 at 15 tonnes, and 895 at 20 tonnes are the next generation of highly productive Komatsu forwarders that deliver even greater performance, operator comfort, and fuel economy than prior models.

The big Komatsu 895 features a new robust chassis design and the patented LoadFlex headboard with high capacity bunk space. A new Hydrostatic Transmission (HST) transmission produces high underlying traction force to muscle over hills or obstacles. The new portal bogie design creates an ideal combination of traction, speed, and comfort in difficult terrain.

The larger, redesigned cab dramatically improves comfort and visibility. The new seat, hand controls, and large monitoring screen create a perfect ergonomic work environment. The MaxiXplorer machine control system is user-friendly, functional and powerful. GPS/GIS and remote MaxiFleet machine/fleet owner monitoring are available.

www.KomatsuForest.ca

Tanguay

The Tanguay TG88E track forwarder is available as a clambunk or “L Boom” grapple configuration with a huge payload capacity of 35 tons.

Powered by a 400 hp engine, the eight-wheel-drive TG88E comes with a choice of track width up to 60” wide for low ground pressure. The reliable and proven 100 per cent hydrostatic drive provides incredible manoeuvrability and traction for minimum ground disturbance, says the company.

The TG88 clambunk and its powerful loader with a swing planetary is the machine of choice for economically loading and skidding tree length to roadside on long distances. The “L Boom” grapple skidder version is also very productive over shorter distances.

It is an effective and safe alternative to challenging steep slopes, and wet and deep snow logging conditions where it is not possible to consider conventional ground base skidding.

Designed and manufactured in Canada, the TG88E is by far the world’s largest forwarder.

www.tanguay.cc

Barko

The Barko 612 forwarder is an efficient, economical and productive addition to any cut-to-length system, according to the company.

A 12 ton capacity forwarder, the Barko 612 is equipped with a 200 horsepower turbocharged Volvo diesel engine and features a powershift transmission for high transport speed. A spacious tilting operator’s cab and joystick-controlled Kesla crane with extendable boom and bypass grapple provide all-day productivity, says Barko.

The 612’s simple design combines all the benefits of a Barko: fuel efficiency, low operating costs, and readily available parts and service support.

With a lower initial purchase price, the 612 forwarder offers good value, says the company.

“Our design features are less complex than most competitors, which allows for simplified field diagnostics and reduced service calls,” says Bruce “Sparky” Enstrom, Director of Forestry Sales & Marketing for Barko. “Essentially we’re putting technology precisely where it’s needed, and only where it’s needed. These units fit the Barko mold perfectly—more value for less cost.”

www.barko.com

Logset

With its best forwarder range yet, Logset says it brings a better logging experience to the forest machinery market.

The company says that Logset GT forwarders offer better efficiency, better durability, better usability and better productivity, with low fuel consumption.

Profitable timber harvesting requires a reliable forwarder with low running costs and ease of use, for seamless cooperation between man and the machine. From dense forests to hillsides, from thickets to heavy logs, from first thinnings to final fellings, the wide Logset GT forwarder range has what it takes, says the company, and is the result of listening to customers’ needs, 20 years of product development and Logset’s extensive experience in forest machinery.

www.logset.com