The new machine is an 8-wheel model, with a 12 ton load capacity.
During 2014, a new forest machine demonstration was held in Northeastern Italy, with the purpose of showcasing new technologies for alpine logging operations. One of the highlights of the demo was the new Alpine Forwarder, produced in Italy by Bernardi and demonstrated for the first time. The new forwarder is an 8-wheel model, with a 12 ton load capacity. It is powered by a 6 cylinder IVECO engine, delivering maximum power of 180 kW (244 hp). The engine is Tier IVi compliant.
Bernardi have focussed on building a robust machine for difficult conditions. The solid frame is built with 20 mm (0.8 in) thick steel plate, and it may be extended and fitted with the larger 1500 mm (59 in) inter-axle bogies, instead of the current 1300 mm (51 in) inter-axle model. The sturdy frame is quite heavy, which makes the machine very stable, despite its short 2.47 m (97 in) maximum width. During loading of heavy fir logs, the empty machine frame did not move. The machine width is limited within 2.5 m to make it road-legal, thus enabling independent relocation between work sites. For this reason, the Bernardi forwarder features a new gear box, allowing a maximum road speed of 40 kmh (25 mph). The model on show carried an Italian-made ICAR loader, but the new machine can use a wide range of forestry loaders, according to customer specifications. The forwarder was also demonstrated with its detachable biomass metal-sheet cradle, designed to contain bulky branch loads and prevent dropping branches when moving forest residues along public roads. Source: Dr Raffaele Spinelli (spinelli@ivalsa.cnr.it ) and http://www.bernardimacchine.it/home-en-GB