Forestry Equipment News

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. 

The Barko 270B logging processor is built with uncompromised power and performance being the primary goal. Providing excellent horsepower, swing torque and tractive effort, the 270B features a dangle head boom configuration for delimbing and cut-to-length harvesting. Additionally, the hydraulic system on the 270B is designed so that operators can instantaneously shift from function to function, without delayed reactions, allowing for optimal picking, delimbing, cutting to length, and stacking.

Morbark has announced the acquisition of Rayco Manufacturing to broaden the range of tree care and industrial equipment, aftermarket parts, and service offered to their customers. Rayco brings a lineup of equipment into the Morbark family across multiple product categories. In particular, Rayco stump cutters, aerial trimmers, forestry mulchers and crawler trucks will enhance and complement the existing Morbark family of products.

The 1910G Forwarder is the latest and largest model added to John Deere's forwarder lineup. The 1910G forestry machines are equipped with a Final Tier 4 200kW/268 horsepower engine, with maximum engine output increased by 7.5% and torque by 21% compared to previous models. Additionally, the drive hydraulics have been increased, with the transmission featuring 4.5% more tractive force. Other specs include a 41,888 lb. (19 000 kg) load rating, 23.6 ft. (7.2 m) / 27.9 ft. (8.5 m) boom reach, 169,639 lbf. (230 kNm) tractive effort, 111,375 ft. lb. (151 kNm) gross lifting torque, and 30,240 ft. lb. (41 kNm) gross slewing torque.

The all-new 6310B Drum Chipper by Peterson Pacific Corp. will make quick work of a wide variety of feed material, from logs up to 36″ (91 cm) in diameter, to brush and small feedstock. The 6310B Drum Chipper is powered by a 1050 hp (772 kW) C27 Caterpillar engine, and has an optional Tier IV engine available.

The Peterson 5050H Delimber Debarker Disc Chipper is the latest new stationary, electric chipper by Peterson Pacific Corp, which produces high quality low bark content chips for wood pulp and pellets, processing whole trees in one continuous operation. The 5050H features a feed throat that can accept up to a 23-inch (56 cm) diameter single tree and has chipping production rates up to 150 tons (136 tonnes) per hour.

Some forestry workers around the world are ditching their heavy equipment and embracing draft horse logging as a low-cost and lucrative forestry operation...or are they? Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons why horse logging is making a resurgence.