The D3K2 Mulcher combines the D3K2 dozer with the Cat HM518 mulcher attachment.

The Cat factory-built mulcher is designed for small to medium diameter material in a wide range of applications, including right-of-way construction/maintenance, site development, tree management, and fire-break clearing. It is available with either a conventional long (XL) undercarriage or a low-ground-pressure (LGP) undercarriage. It can work efficiently in soft underfoot conditions, on slopes, and in rough terrain. For added utility, the mulcher can be removed and an optional Cat VPAT (variable-pitch/angle/tilt) blade installed.

The D3K2 Mulcher now comes standard with a reversing fan which automatically changes air flow direction periodically to purge debris from the radiator and enclosures. The reversing fan is beneficial as it reduces the time required to clean debris from the machine and ultimately optimises machine uptime.

The width of the mulcher, featuring a 72-in (1,822 mm) wide drum, is matched to the operating width of the D3K2 for optimum efficiency and productivity. Finished debris size depends on the type of material being processed and the time allowed for multiple passes.

Operator safety and comfort are priorities in the design of the D3K2 Mulcher. The pressurised cab, with 360-degree visibility, is fitted with screens and poly-carbonate windows for added protection when mulching. The pressure gauge mounted to the mulcher frame allows the operator to easily monitor mulcher performance, and the hydraulically adjustable push guard and hydraulically operated front hood provide an added measure of safety. An air suspension seat (with seat-mounted controls) reduces operator fatigue and promotes high production.

Caterpillar markets the D3K2 Mulcher as a complete model configuration, and the HM518 mulcher cannot be retrofitted to standard D3K2 dozer models. Source

Cummins unveiled its latest innovation, a heavy-duty truck with fuel cell and battery electric power.

The demonstration vehicle was unveiled at the 2019 North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta. Cummins’ strategy is to provide its customers with a broad portfolio of power options, from diesel and natural gas, hybrids, to battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell solutions. Cummins indicates that in the future, the customers they serve will likely need more than one type of power, depending on their specific markets, applications and use cases. They wish to be positioned to help their customers select the right solution for their needs.

The zero-emissions class 8, 6x4 day cab tractor is a technology demonstrator suitable for vocational applications, including regional haul, urban delivery operations, port drayage and terminal container handling. The truck was designed and integrated by Cummins in Columbus, Indiana and includes a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell from Hydrogenics, a recent addition to Cummins. The truck was designed for a 90 kW fuel cell and is scalable in 30 kW or 45 kW increments up to 180 kW and has a 100 kWh lithium-ion battery capacity. The truck has a range of 150 to 250 miles (240 to 400 km) between filling up, however, that range can be extended with additional hydrogen tanks, by increasing the tank storage pressure, or by installing additional fuel cells to optimize management of the vehicle load factor. Many of the critical components of the powertrain including the PEM fuel cell, system controller, powertrain controls, wire harnesses and junction boxes, among others, were designed and developed by Cummins.

To help all original equipment manufacturing (OEM) customers and end user envision how Cummins’ fuel cell power can enable their success, the truck has been intentionally designed without collaboration from any of the company’s OEM partners.

Cummins has made several recent announcements around fuel cells like the acquisition of Hydrogenics, a memo of understanding with Hyundai Motor Company to collaborate on hydrogen fuel cell technology across commercial markets in North America and an investment in Loop Energy, a fuel cell electric range extender provider. Source 

They have upgraded axles and new tyre options for increased traction in the field.

The package of detailed upgrades, which also includes a locking front differential, and a new factory-fitted precision guidance option, coincides with the introduction of Stage V emissions-compliant engines for the European market and measures that further reduce total cost of ownership. The tractors have been designed to have a combination of speed, comfort, road safety, field traction and four-wheel steer manoeuvrability, all of which contribute to increased productivity. The main three news features are as follows:

• Axles: New heavier-duty JCB axles with larger external disc brakes and increased steering force. A larger front axle differential with hydraulic locking to enhance four-wheel drive traction. A 33% increase in front axle load capacity permits larger implements on the front linkage. New ultra-flexible ‘VF’ agricultural tyre options provide greater traction and flotation. New lower-cost block tread pattern utility tyre options for hard surface applications. A fifth-wheel rear deck option for operating trailed equipment with a swan-neck drawbar.
• Engines: In Europe, the tractors will have a new version of the current 6.6-litre, six-cylinder engine that has a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in addition to selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to further reduce potentially harmful air pollutants. In other markets, such as the United States and Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Russia, the CIS states and Africa, the tractors will continue to be supplied with engines conforming to European Stage IV / US Tier 4 Final emissions rules. In both cases, engine performance remains unchanged, with rated-speed outputs of 119kW (160hp) for the Fastrac 4160, 141kW (189hp) for the 4190 and 162kW (217hp) for the best-selling 4220. Engine service intervals for oil and filters are extended from 500 hours to 600 hours. A new Auto-Stop feature eliminates unnecessary fuel use by shutting down the engine after a period at idling speed – a feature that can be disengaged in situations when this is inappropriate.
• New tyre options: The tractors have a 50:50 unladen weight distribution, and also active suspension systems front and rear that help maintain a consistent ride height and operating weight distribution when one or more implements is attached. This results in higher levels of tractive effort being generated than the diameter of their equal-size wheels might suggest – and that performance can now be further improved with the introduction of ‘VF’ category, high-speed rated field traction tyres. These advanced tyres can operate at a lower inflation pressure for a given load, resulting in a larger footprint that delivers increased traction and less compaction of the soil. Conversely, these characteristics can be used to carry a heavier load than lesser tyres of the same size without resorting to higher tyre inflation pressures. The tractor has a 60kph (37 mph) legal top road speed. Available in addition to the ‘IF’ category tyres currently available, the new ‘VF’ options are the Mitas HC2000 in VF 540/65 R30, VF 540/65 R34 and VF 600/70 R30 sizes; the Trelleborg TM1000 High Power VF 600/70 R30; and Michelin’s Axiobib 2 in VF 540/65 R30 and VF 600/70 R30 sizes. For Fastrac 4000 Series tractors that undertake a lot of road or hard surface work, two new block tread tyre options are available: the BKT 540/65 R30 Ridemax IT-697 TL and the Nokian TR12 540/65 R28. To complement the new tyres, especially when used in dual formation, the hydraulic cylinder pressure for the Fastrac 4000’s multi-mode four-wheel steering system has been increased to maintain a comfortable level of effort required at the steering wheel. Source

The two machines are designed to meet material handling needs and remove large stumps in a short time.

​The Rayco 1800AWL (Articulated Wheel Loader) is designed for landscape contractors, tree services, rental companies, municipalities, and agricultural businesses. The 1800AWL is the first model of their new AWL line. With a standard mini skid steer attachment plate, this articulated wheel loader can accommodate a wide variety of attachments. The quick-attach system enables the user to quickly and easily switch from a bucket to forks or other tools for optimum on-the-job flexibility and bottom-line performance.

The telescoping boom provides good dumping and lifting height, enabling loading on high-sided trucks and other applications that require extended reach. The 1800AWL has a maximum lift height (measured at the hinge pin) of 114 inches (289.6 cm). With its 24.8-hp (18.5-kW) Kubota D1105 diesel engine, the 1800AWL generates a working lift capacity of 1,800 lb (816.5 kg).

The small footprint (the 1800AWL is only 50.5"/128.3 cm wide) and articulated loader design give operators the agility they need to manoeuvre in small spaces. The 1800AWL has a low-profile suspension seat in a ROPS/FOPS-certified cab. The open-cab design provides a clear view of the worksite in all directions, and easy-to-use controls make these machines simple for anyone to operate.

The Rayco RG165T-R stump cutter is designed for customers who need to remove large stumps in a short time. The 165-hp (123-kW) Ford V8 gasoline engine allows maximum use of the cutter wheel to get jobs done quickly while meeting emissions requirements without the hassle of complex, diesel after-treatment systems.

The RG165T-R is equipped with non-marking rubber tracks on a retractable undercarriage, allowing it to manoeuvre in tight areas, such as passing through a 36" (92 cm) gate, and then widen out to 51" (130 cm) for stable travel. The unit’s propel system features high and low travel speeds. A wide hydraulic backfill blade saves time during clean up and can be folded in easily for passing through gates.

The 28" (71.1. cm) diameter cutting wheel, equipped with 40 Super Tooth® cutter teeth, provides a 72.5" (184.1 cm) cutting width, with 28" (71.1 cm) cutting path above and below ground level. The hydrostatic cutter wheel drive is equipped with Rayco’s exclusive “Quick Stop” cutter wheel. The RG165T-R’s wireless remote-control unit is comfortable and sealed against dust, water and other elements. Source: Source

Volvo Construction Equipment takes on its most ambitious project yet!

Spanning three continents and involving more than half the world’s population, the New Silk Road is a monumental infrastructure project that aims to update old trading routes between China and Europe. Volvo CE’s new collection of powerful short films – the ninth in the Megaproject Listing series – highlights the social impact of the global trade strategy, formally known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Set to promote regional integration and economic co-operation across countries in Asia, Africa and Europe, the billion project began in 2013 and involves connections by road, rail and sea, running from China in the east to London, UK in the west. Its construction in Kazakhstan, the setting of this Megaproject, is a key part of the initiative, where a rail hub called the Khorgos Gateway is being built in the middle of the desert.

There are more than 400 Volvo machines working as part of 24 separate projects along the New Silk Road – including in Kazakhstan. The new trade routes are expected to be a game changer for global logistic flows – and the positive effects are already being noticed. Not only are roads which were once potholed and dangerous now dramatically improved, but the speed of trade distribution has been increased and new towns are being developed so quickly that they are yet to be found on most printed maps. In Khorgos Gateway, for example, the total number of handled containers per year is set to surpass 500,000 by next year.

In addition, a large workforce is required to work along the more than 700 kilometre stretch of road in the nearby town of Usharal. As a result more than 1,500 local Kazakhs are working alongside 500 or so Chinese employees in the construction of the trade route, demonstrating incredible cross-cultural collaboration. Source

Tigercat announces additional factory support for Chile

Tigercat is pleased to announce Juan Velasquez has been appointed to the position of factory support representative for Chile. Based in Concepción Chile, Juan will focus on providing after sales product support for customers in south and central Chile. For the past six years, Juan worked as a product support representative for Tigercat dealer Latin Equipment Chile, where he worked directly with Tigercat products and cable assist systems for steep slope operations. Juan has an automotive mechanics degree in electronic systems and many years of experience with engines, electrical systems and heavy equipment transmissions. Source

Ponsse ships their 15,000th logging machine to Lespromindustria in Russia

The 15,000th Ponsse machine was completed at their factory in Vieremä and delivered to Lespromindustria in Russia. The machine delivery also represented a step towards Ponsse’s 50th anniversary to be celebrated next year. Fifty years of logging will be celebrated by a global roadshow together with Ponsse’s customers and other forest industry professionals. Source

Olofsfors pleased as 29 companies give record-breaking amounts to cancer research

Each of the companies donated 5,000 SEK and 4 of the companies donated as much as 10,000 SEK, all going towards breast cancer research. It was in mid-October that Samson’s in Vallsta, Sweden thought of the idea to invite other companies and entrepreneurs to buy shares for 5,000 SEK per piece, for the Olofsfors Pink Ribbon Bogie Track, in favour of cancer research. The total amount collected by Samson’s and the 29 other companies will be donated directly to breast cancer research, through Olofsfors. Source

New issue of International Journal of Forest Engineering available

Volume 30, Issue 3, November 2019 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online. Source

“Design of continuous bridle multiple-stump anchors”

International Journal of Forest Engineering, November 2019. Authors: C.K. Lyons, J Sessions and J Wimer. Source

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