Forestry Equipment News

Tigercat has released the largest machine in their forestry line-up to date, the 890 logger. This heavy-duty, purpose-built forestry carrier is Tigercat’s highest capacity machine, weighing 105,600 lbs, and can be configured for loading, shovel logging, or processing. The new logger comes equipped with a FPT C87 engine, delivering 245 kW (330 hp) at 2,000 rpm for Tier 2 and Tier 4 emission compliance.

John Deere is releasing an update of their G-Series Swing Machines, meant to improve the operator experience. This update comes as a direct result of feedback from customers, and changes include a new design for improving serviceability and increased productivity and uptime. The eight new models, the 2154G, 2156G, 2654G, 2656G, 3154G, 3156G, 3754G, and 3756G, are built for the toughest of jobs with reliability at the forefront.

Komatsu America Corp. announced yesterday that they have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the forestry machine manufacturer, TimberPro. Komatsu is expected to close on this deal on April 1, 2019, subject to all closing conditions being met.

Waratah Forestry Equipment is celebrating their 45th anniversary this November. The pioneers of mechanized harvesting, Waratah has offered first-class products coupled with unparalleled customer support since their inception. The company is proud to honor four and a half decades of innovation and expansion in the forestry industry.

Need to clear roots, brush, branches or stumps with a brilliantly-manufactured excavator scoop rake? TRK Attachments from Niagara, Canada has just the excavator scoop rake attachment for your digging needs. This 5^th generation severe-duty excavator scoop rake design has the most features to date and is the perfect attachment for all excavators weighing between 8 and 60 tons.

John Deere’s newest addition to their Worksite Pro lineup, the MH60D mulching head, continues to provide best-in-class vegetation management. Optimized to work with John Deere and other competitive model skid steer loaders and compact track loaders, the MH60D is designed to effortlessly remove 8-inch trees and 12-inch stumps. Now you can shred underbrush and woody materials into mulch in minutes!

It has been a full two years since Hiab, part of Cargotec, first presented HiVision, the revolutionary new system for operating cranes, back in 2016. This game changing tech for the load handling industry has come so far since then, with Hiab now selling HiVision equipped cranes in over 10 countries worldwide and receiving several innovation prizes over the years. Since its birth, the highly optimized control system has seen a surge in returning customers to invest in additional HiVision cranes for their fleets, and the tech has been approved by Dekra, the European vehicle inspection company, and certified by TÜV Rheinland, a leading international provider of technical services.

Last week, Komatsu America previewed their new XT-5 Series of Track Feller Bunchers. Komatsu has taken on this new series as a challenge, with a completely new design, more power, increased lift, and even the addition of KOMTRAX telematics system technology. Coming in Q4 of 2018, the models will include the XT430-5 (non-leveling), XT435L-5, XT445L-5 and XT465L-5, which replace the prior XT-3 Series machines.

Morbark is now offering an operator-friendly iQ-View Auto-Feed controller. These new smart display controllers were designed for 3.0L gas engines, and are now available for the Beever M12R, M12D, and M12RX brush chipper models.

The Swedish Cranab Group will be participating in this year’s International Interforst Fair hosted every four years in Munich, Germany. The group, which favors efficient machines with less environmental impact, will present the latest innovations from their range of forestry products. They will even be showing new models of cranes that have been specifically designed for installation on trucks for forestry use and for handling recycled materials. The fair will be held July 18th to the 22nd.

Morbark debuted two new machine models at this year’s recent Expo Richmond. The new and improved 6400XT Wood Hog Horizontal Grinder and the 50/48X Whole Tree Drum Chipper were the stars of the Morbark booth. The company, which is a leading manufacturer of forestry, biomass, tree care, sawmill, and wood recycling equipment, used customer input and proven designs to shape their more recent versions.

Caterpillar has recently announced the launch of their two new Cat forest machine models, the 548 and the 548LL. Both of these new additions to the team are meant to increase profitability for loggers by increasing production, maximizing efficiency, and reducing owning and operating costs. The Cat 548 forestry excavator is configured for forestry tasks ranging from road building and site preparation to processing logs roadside or at a landing, while the Cat 548 LL is configured as a log loader and can perform log handling tasks, such as shovel logging, loading, power clam/butt-n-top applications, and millyard activities.

This past month, Tigercat released their newest 602 cable skidder prototype, now more compact and narrow than previous models. This prototype skidder was sent to France to be outfitted with a Belgian designed and manufactured swing boom, specifically modified for use in the mountainous regions of Europe. The prototype will be debuted at the Les Cognées in the heart of the French Alps in Les Gets, France on June 24-25th.

Komatsu has signed an agreement to acquire from Prenbec Equipment the Quadco and Southstar forestry attachment operations, excluding the forestry equipment businesses of Tanguay and Forespro delimbers. By adding the Quadco felling heads and Southstar large harvester heads to the existing lines of Log Max and Komatsu small and medium-sized harvester heads, Komatsu looks to become an industry leader in forestry attachments. The move will allow Komatsu to offer its customers a full range of forestry attachments.

John Deere has debuted its Intelligent Boom Control (IBC) on its 1270G Harvester. This is the first time IBC has been offered in the harvester category, providing operators with increased accuracy and productivity. The increased focus and decreased learning times of operators contribute to a whole new level of capabilities that are now achievable, thanks to this one-of-a-kind upgrade.

Tigercat is expanding its 855 E-series forestry carrier platform with the introduction of a new cab design. It boasts a new electronic control module featured on a touch-screen display on an adjustable mount. Frequently used controls have been incorporated into joystick pods.

The new 2160 loader forwarder by Tigercat boasts a 27-tonne payload capacity and is equipped with Tigercat’s WideRange drive system as well as Tigercat-built bogie axles designed for high tractive effort, quick travel speeds and mechanical reliability.

The new TimberOffice Data Transfer (TODT) mobile application by John Deere will allow users to transfer data such as work and production statistics from forestry machines back to the home office, even when little or no cellular service is available. The application, available for iOS and Android, is currently in market for cut-to-length forestry machines.

John Deere has announced a new extended stick boom option for the 800MH-Series tracked harvesters. With a design based on customer feedback, the new extended boom stick offers a longer reach option, enabling operators to minimize the number of cut trails. A longer boom means less frequency of machine movement, which not only helps operators harvest larger areas without interruption, but also benefits the surrounding terrain. All of this allows for a simpler, faster way to harvest in the woods all while meeting local regulations.

John Deere’s new Worldwide Parts Services Regional Distribution Center (RDC) in Miami, Fla., is a 115,000-square-foot facility that will serve dealers and customers in Latin America—with the exception of Mexico, Argentina and Brazil, which already house RDC locations.