Logging-on’s second issue of January brings a suite of new products, events and information. Starting with the new products; Tigercat have released their new 855E platform that can be used as a harvester, feller buncher of shovel logger carrier. The 855E also has a completely redesigned cab. John Deere have made life easier for operators, while improving their productivity, through the introduction of Intelligent Boom Control onto their 1270G wheeled harvesters. And JCB again spots gaps in the markets and has now produced a series of site dumpers that improve productivity and safety at the worksite. Ponsse continues their rapid growth trajectory with their huge factory expansion, and while they are busy with this, they celebrate the production of the 13,000th machine. Finally, FPInnovations have produced a new guideline for integrated harvesting practices.
Now to the newsletter!
The carrier can be configured as a harvester, feller buncher or shovel logger
The Tigercat purpose-built 855 forestry carrier platform continues to improve. It now comes with an advanced cab. The 855E is purpose designed for tough forestry terrain and climates. The 855 E-series carriers have a greatly improved line of sight with larger side windows, narrower side posts, more cab lights and standard equipped skyVIEW and rearVIEW camera systems. These features all allow the operater to have greatly improved operator visibility.
Tigercat has put much thought into the ergonomic design of the new 855E. Operator comfort is key to both high productivity and low mechanical downtime. The cab has a redesigned hinge, resulting in the front access door requiring much less effort when entering and exiting the cab. The electronic control module is now a larger touch screen display on an adjustable mount and frequently used controls have been integrated into the joystick pods for ease of use.
Improved sealing around the exterior of the cab significantly reduces noise levels inside. Operators can now take full advantage of the new Bluetooth® sound system with hands free calling. Source
The event was made even more special by the celebration of their 13,000th machine
The 13,000th machine, a Ponsse Ergo 8w, was delivered to the company's German customer FoWi GmbH & Co. The occasion also marks the beginning of Ponsse and German distributor Wahlers Forsttechnik GmbH's jubilee year, with 25 years having passed since Ponsse and Wahlers signed their contract on distribution and service collaboration in the German-speaking regions of Europe.
The current production facility investment is the biggest in Ponsse's history. The factory will expand from the current 2.7 hectares to 4 hectares. The extension of production facilities allows the company to respond to changing market situations with more flexibility, and to tailor machines to customer requirements more efficiently in a serial-production environment. The new facilities in Vieremä will be completed by the end of the year. Ponsse indicates that it will be the most advanced forest machine production facility in the world.
The Ponsse factory in Vieremä currently employs 570 employees, 390 of whom work in production tasks. All Ponsse machines are made in Vieremä, Finland. The new factory will be in operation by the end of the year. New assembly lines and storage facilities housed in the new extension will be phased in gradually during 2018. Relocation to new facilities starts in March with warehouse operations. New smart warehouse technologies make production warehouse logistics more efficient and increase the degree of automation considerably. Warehouse automation covers 15,500 storage slots for small items and components and 3,900 pallet positions.
After the warehouse relocation, a new harvester head assembly line will move to the new facilities. A new assembly line for base machines will be in operation by the end of the summer, and by end of 2018 cabin and crane assembly lines will also be renewed. The amount of production-time testing used to support quality control will increase in all production lines. Source
The guideline was produced for British Columbia but contains useful information for all managers interested in harvesting of conventional roundwood and biomass
The manual begins with an explanation of what integrated harvesting is. An overview is then provided of the common end products from roadside residues, being hog fuel, chips, pellets and firewood. A discussion takes place on the different components of the residue, concentrating on tops, long butts and brush. Attention is then given to the machinery and transportation used to process, load and haul the biomass. This includes horizontal grinders, tub grinders, electric options, loaders, chippers and micro-chippers, and even runs comparisons of different machines. With the transport, the focus is on B-trains, walking floors and bins.
The remainder of the document focusses on best practice of the primary and secondary harvester. The best practice of the primary harvester deals with planning, roads and pile management. The pile management focus considers pile formation, best practices for piling, road grades and cut slope height. The best practice for the secondary harvester considers planning (communication, roads and legal aspects), techniques (grind to truck, grind to ground, residue chipping and unprocessed collection with off-site processing), contaminants (inorganics and moisture) and post-secondary harvest.
The publication is titled “Best Management Practices for Integrated Harvesting Practices in British Columbia”. It is published as Special Publication SP-531 and the authors are Stuart Spencer and Dominik Roser. It can be accessed at https://issuu.com/fpinnovations/docs/integrated_harvest_operations_in_bc
The operator will have more precise control of the boom tip
John Deere now offers Intelligent Boom Control (IBC) on its 1270G Harvester in North America. IBC provides operators with increased accuracy and productivity and reduces the learning curve for new operators. IBC is available exclusively for the CH7 boom with 10 meter (32.8 feet) and 11.7 meter (38.4 feet) reaches on the 1270G models. IBC enables the operator to control only the harvester head while the system takes care of the boom’s movement. Designed specifically to suit the harvester work cycle, the boom's movement and operation automatically adjust as the boom is taken to a tree and when the tree is in the grapple. IBC enables precise working and the selection of the correct working methods.
The 1270G harvester retains the features from the original launch, which include good fuel economy in both the six- and eight-wheel models. The six-wheel model has a 200 kW (268 hp) Final Tier 4 engine, and increased torque compared to previous models. The eight-wheel 1270G harvesters are suited to steep slopes and soft ground conditions. Operators can now utilize IBC to further control movements in this difficult terrain, which will also reduce the learning curve for new operators. The cabin of the G-series machine increases operator comfort by adjusting automatically to boom movements while the automatic levelling functions absorb terrain changes. Source
The range includes the seven-tonne payload JCB 7T-1 Front Tip Hi-Viz model
The dumpers will create 70 new jobs in the next 12 months. They are designed to address growing industry concerns over accidents and serious injuries involving site dumpers on construction sites. The complete range is compliant with the latest safety legislation including ISO 5006:2017 and EN474. The seven-tonne machine is part of a range of eight other site dumper models for the one to nine tonne markets. The biggest market for the machines is the UK and Ireland followed by France.
The JCB 7T-1 Front Tip Hi-Viz model features a reduced skip height and a design which delivers big improvements in visibility, while a longer wheelbase and lower centre of gravity boosts stability. Operator protection is provided through a ROPS/FOPS Level II JCB SITESAFE cab, which incorporates an integrated protection system, potentially allowing the operator to remain in the cab while being loaded. Source
Have you registered for ExpoForest 2018 – Brazil?
Don’t miss out on the largest forestry Expo in Latin America. There are over 7,8 million hectares of planted pine and eucalypt forests in the country, making it the most productive in the world. The fair’s innovative aspects ensure every visitor gets the experience of seeing machinery and equipment in action, simulating the experience of Brazil’s planted forests. In 2018, Expoforest will be held at Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, São Paulo state, Ribeirão Preto area. Logging-on is a media partner of ExpoForest 2018. To find out more or to register, access https://expoforest.com.br/en/the-fair/about-expoforest/
Cat® introduces a new range of wheeled material handlers
The MH3022, MH3024 and MH3026 feature designs focused on application efficiency and reduced ownership costs. Users need not buy a machine with a wide undercarriage if materials being handled are low density, and shorter front linkages are available if the machine frequently works in confined spaces. They have a choice of two MH booms, three straight sticks with linkage, and two drop–nose sticks. Source
Doppstadt release their latest shredder, the AK 310 Eco Power
A new rear conveyor has increased the shredder's drop height to 3.5 meters (11.5 ft), enabling it to produce bigger piles of processed material, or fill feed hoppers, much more easily. This compact all-rounder also meets the legally required Euromot Stage IV final emission requirements. The MTU 6R1000 310 HP diesel engine produces more torque, with constant driving power. Source
John Deere has completed its acquisition of the Wirtgen Group
Deere indicate that the Wirtgen Group will enhance the size, scale and stature of their construction equipment business and will help Deere continue its global growth. The Wirtgen Group has a global footprint with approximately 8,200 employees and sells products in more than 100 countries through a large network of company-owned and independent dealers. Source
Komptech introduces their Connect! monitoring and communications technology
The Connect! hardware module is integrated into the machine and connected to the central control unit. The module reports events and diagnosis codes, as well as data on operating hours, fuel consumption and idle time by mobile radio to a central data server. The web-based Connect! software application provides the data to users, dealers, sales partners and the manufacturer for further use. User administration controls exactly which information and assessments are made available to which user groups. Connect! can be used on PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. Source
Fecon announces the new FGT Viking Axe knife tool as part of its Viking Tool Series
The Sword Mulching Knife is a patented tool that includes an integral, easy to use gauge that ensures proper cutting angles are maintained. The tool is double sided and easily turned for a brand-new cutting edge when the first side is completely worn. This doubles the tool life, in comparison to other knife tools. The thicker blade creates a more durable edge, increasing the overall life of the knife; the angle is also easier to sharpen. The knife’s pointed edge allows the knife to flow through material better in an open drum and provides self-sharpening benefits while still being able to be sharpened. Ribs behind the knife’s edge lend to increased strength and durability. Source
“CO2 emissions and energy consumption of loaders in woodchip loading operation”
Published in Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 109, 2018. Author: M Manzone. Source
“Modelling sustainability of primary forest residues-based bioenergy system”
Published in Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 108, 2018. Authors: M Chitawo, A Chimphango and S Peterson. Source
“Modelling investments in short rotation coppice under uncertainty: A value chain perspective”
Published in Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 108, 2018. Authors: J-H Feil and O Musshoff. Source
“Influence of soil type, cartographic depth-to-water, road reinforcement and traffic intensity on rut formation in logging operations: a survey study in Sweden”
Published in Silva Fennica, Vol. 51(5) 2017. Authors: S Mohtashami, L Eliasson, G Jansson and J Sonesson. Source
To see the full list of conferences and exhibitions, please click on "Events" in the menu at the top of the page.