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SUPPLIERNEWSLINE
By Tony Kryzanowski
FPT delivers Tigercat’s Tier 4 engine solutions
Tigercat and FPT Industrial have formed an alliance to supply state-of-the-art FPT Tier 4 diesel engines.
The FPT Tier 4i 6.7 L engine will be the first to appear in Tigercat machines. The new E-series skidders, including the 620E, 630E and 635E, will all be powered by this engine. In addition, the 726E feller buncher and M726E mulcher will be equipped with the FPT Tier 4i 8.7 L engine as of October 2013.
The engines supplied by FPT Industrial meet the stringent Tier 4 emission levels without the need for variable geometry turbochargers, an EGR system, a higher capacity cooling system, an intake throttle body or a diesel particulate filter. Furthermore, they are said to offer improved reliability and lower long-term maintenance costs. Most of the new emission equipment is found in the exhaust or after-treatment system. The key is the Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) which converts the harmful components of the exhaust gas stream into water, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.
For the operator, other than refilling the Diesel Exhaust Fluid or DEF tank, no other action is required for the SCR system to function.
The biggest benefit for Tigercat machine owners is that the FPT engine series is fully supported by Tigercat, including all parts, service, warranty and technical support, the companies say.
Hyster introduces J80-100XN electric lift truck series
While electric lift trucks can provide a more efficient alternative to diesels, Hyster says few actually provide a dependable, high-performance and fuel-efficient alternative that is built to last like its new Hyster J80-100XN lift truck series.
The brand-new electric lift truck series, making its debut in North America, is available in 8,000, 9,000 and 10,000 pound models, and offers a tough, environmentally-friendly option for applications that were traditionally powered by internal combustion engines, such as in the forest industry.
The J80-100XN electric lift trucks are built to provide industry-leading maneuverability and maximum uptime in an 80-volt configuration, says the company. The new extended shift feature helps balance battery and shift life by equalizing the trucks’ performance and battery usage. This standard feature allows enhanced run times without recharging over long periods of time, reducing downtime and increasing efficiency.
Signode conversion package for lumber and panel strapping
Signode’s Z-20 conversion package for lumber and panel strapping machines integrates the company’s latest technology into a simple to operate and easy to maintain system, aimed at improving profitability and reducing downtime, according to the company.
The Z-20 is an innovative modular strapping system consisting of separate sealing and tensioning modules that weigh less than 60 lbs each. These narrow, lightweight modules are easy to access and can be changed quickly for routine maintenance, reducing downtime.
It has fewer moving parts, more durable wear parts, has no belts or pulleys, and requires no adjustments. There is easy access to the strap path and there are no special handling equipment or lifting devices needed for maintenance.
WSM develops better screening method to sort sawdust and fine particles
West Salem Machinery (WSM) has developed a new screening design called the Waterfall Disc Screen.
This unique arrangement uses two or more screening decks that agitate and tumble the mat of material being screened as it falls from level to level. This tumbling movement is similar to a waterfall in that the mat is blended as it falls, and fine particles that were in the upper portion now have a chance to be screened on the lower deck.
To make this possible, WSM has developed a disc screen shaft manufacturing method that creates tighter spacing between the discs, allowing the chipped or hogged materials to be sorted by thickness and length, but at a smaller dimension than in the past.
Dust, dirt, and fine particles pass between the discs, while desirable and acceptable materials are retained above. This concentrates the fines and dirt so that they can be diverted from the process, or they can be re-screened to recover the maximum amount of organic material.
In particleboard manufacturing, where dryer efficiency and pellet properties are so dependent on material thickness and size, the WSM Waterfall Disc Screen has an important role to play in sorting the sawdust and fine particles for optimum performance, often in combination with vibratory or shaker screens also manufactured and supplied by WSM.
New Terex Fuchs log handler features a purpose-built design
The new Terex Fuchs MHL350 E HD log handler boasts a purpose-built undercarriage design and reach configuration to increase log handling efficiencies at the mill yard and in other loading/unload applications.
The rugged undercarriage includes a broad outrigger base of 17.4’—10 per cent wider than the standard MHL350 E—for excellent stability when loading and unloading trailers or charging the infeed deck. Standard independently controllable 4-point stabilizers deliver exceptional machine support on uneven terrain, the company says, and broad 16.9” by 23” stabilizer plates spread machine load over a large area.
The new MHL350 E HD’s 23.9’ boom and 20.3’ dipperstick combination offers a 45.9’ reach configured specifically for high volume log handling. The powerful log handler is capable of lifting up to a 15,600 lb load at a 30’ reach. A variety of pulpwood and combination grapples are available to tailor the MHL350 E HD to meet specific log handling requirements. Attachment live-heel operation is conveniently controlled via a foot pedal inside the operator’s cabin.
Prince George goes green with wood building
Construction has started on the Wood Innovation & Design Centre (WIDC) in downtown Prince George, B.C. The six-storey, 27.5 metre tall building will have 100 per cent of its primary structure constructed from wood. Only the building’s foundation will be concrete.
Douglas fir, cedar, hemlock, pine and spruce from B.C. forests will be featured in the building, which is expected to be one of the tallest wood buildings in North America, if not the tallest.
PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc., heads the team selected to design and build the $25.1 million WIDC. Michael Green Architecture has designed the structure. It is expected to incorporate about 2,000 cubic metres of wood and the building’s design will make use of engineered wood products like glulam columns and beams along with cross laminated timber (CLT). The wood centre is expected to take 16 months to complete.
The WIDC has also been designed for repeatability elsewhere and—significantly for the forest industry—to expand the market potential for B.C. and Canadian wood products both structurally and for finishing functions.
Quebec to permit construction of residential buildings to six storeys
The announcement by the Quebec government that it will permit the construction of five to six storey wooden residential buildings opens a large market for both the primary and secondary solid wood industry, says FPInnovations. Canada’s forest products research institute has announced its support for the Quebec Wood Charter.
Created with a view to increasing wood construction in Quebec, the charter will support the use of the material in publicly financed projects and provide for the construction of five and six storey wooden residential buildings that respect the requirements of the Régie du bâtiment du Quebec using soon-to-be published design guidelines produced by FPInnovations experts. This positions Quebec alongside British Columbia as a North American leader in the use of wood as a structural building material.
New mulcher head line delivers fine mulch for good ground cover
The St. George Company through its SGC attachments division is the distributor of the “Seven” line of premium carbide hammered mulchers for excavators, crawlers and farm tractors.
The Seven line of mulchers feature a close ratio hammer configuration resulting in long hammer life and the production of fine “Class 1” mulch, says the company. A fine mulch gives good ground cover and returns to nature quickly.
The Seven mulchers feature oversize roller bearings on the main shaft, a one piece welded body of Domex steel, and skid pads made from Hardox steel, giving the mulcher a long and productive life in the toughest of conditions.
The Seven model EXMM is suitable for hydraulic excavators with a weight between 10 and 30 tons. Completely enclosed body and low profile allow the mulcher to access the most difficult work areas.
The Seven line of mulchers are available in sizes from 60 to 500 hp and from 1.5 metre to 3 metres in width.
Firewood processor engineered for faster production
Fuel Wood Systems’ model 16PT firewood processor is a PTO-powered unit in the small machine class that allows a single operator to consistently achieve greater than two full-cords of production per hour.
With its unique action, the 16PT is able to achieve higher production volume by allowing the operator to feed the log and operate the saw as the ram simultaneously splits and retracts.
The unit is said to be ideal for both firewood and fuel wood entrepreneurs because it cuts in increments up to 28” and handles 16” diameter logs with ease. It delivers up to two tons of ‘on-demand’ splitting force and is engineered for faster cycles than competitive models, resulting in increased production, says Fuel Wood Systems.
The 16PT mounts to any three-point hitch on a tractor with a minimum of 25 PTO horsepower. It features all-mechanical operation, with ergonomically positioned, easy-to-use controls. The unit folds for compact transport and has a fold-out power feeding table that sets to an ideal working height.
B.C. company develops worker proximity detection system
Over 300 people per year are killed in North America from accidents involving mobile equipment, and B.C.-based, Pro-Active Safety Systems Technologies (PSST) is hoping to reduce that number drastically with its worker proximity detection system.
The system uses advanced radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to quickly and accurately measure the proximity of people, objects and vehicles within the workplace. These real-time proximity measurements are then used to trigger warnings to vehicle operators and system-equipped workers on the ground when a safety zone has been breached.
The system has been designed for use in a wide range of industries and applications. The components of the system can be quickly and easily configured to meet the specific needs of each workplace, the company says. The end user can tailor the system for their individual needs.
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