They are designed to significantly increase lift capacity and lower fuel consumption.

Komatsu’s XT-5 closed loop tracked harvesters enable operators to simultaneously travel, cut, delimb, harvest and swing timber. Engineered with hydraulic lines for each function, operators can use tracks, boom, arm and tools concurrently. The benefits of the XT-5 tracked harvesters include significantly greater lift capacity, 10% more power, 16% more torque and 5% lower fuel consumption.

The short-tail swing of Komatsu’s 331 HP harvesters lets operators work through dense forests and clear-cutting environments. The set-back boom allows cutting close to the undercarriage and tracks, while the powerful swing torque excels in demanding applications. Designed to significantly increase lift capacity, handling trees with the arm fully extended is made easier. With good balance between boom lift and arm holding capacity, the XT-5 harvesters can be equipped with a wide selection of harvesting saw heads.

The harvesters can be adapted to the job with two different working ranges. Use the short reach and larger-scaled head to harvest larger trees or switch to a longer reach and more compact designed head to grab trees further from the carrier. Even on steep terrain, operators can work with confidence. The XT455L-5 is equipped with a heavy-duty, four-way leveling system that promotes front/rear/side leveling for exceptional stability. The fuel tank placement lowers the center of gravity for enhanced stability.

The hydraulic tank system design requires 55% less hydraulic oil. Pumps are equipped with hydro-nucleation to help prevent pump cavitation and are 17% larger to help extend component life by operating 500 rpms slower. The engine gull-wing and wide swing-out doors on the XT-5 harvesters offer quick and easy access to all engine service points and all key components. Source

Komatsu is now introducing a new grapple range encompassing ten completely redesigned models.

For a forwarder, an efficient grapple design is key to ensuring high productivity. The Komatsu grapples have a new design with a larger opening, which offers better wood pile penetration and makes it easier for the logs to roll into the grapple.

If the crane is the long arm of the operator, then the grapple is the hand that grips the timber. This makes it important to have a grapple that is optimised to gather, roll in and grip the timber both quickly and powerfully. Komatsu’s new grapples boast many upgrades to their productivity, making them efficient and dependable forest companions.

The biggest difference is that the opening width is noticeably larger, which enables the grapple to penetrate the wood pile more quickly and easily. The logs roll into the grapple more readily as well, saving time. The new grapples have also been refined when it comes to gathering and straightening the timber.

In addition to the new features, naturally the grapple range has retained the key advantages of the previous models, such as the robust and durable design. The new grapples also come with several improvements for a longer service life, ensuring their durability for demanding forest environments.  With these old and new advantages combined, Komatsu grapples ensure the efficient forwarding of timber to the roadside.

The new grapple range encompasses no fewer than ten grapple models, divided into six size classes. The range spans from the G82, which holds 0.26 m² (2.8 ft²), to the G87H, which holds a full 0.50 m² (5.4 ft²). The range is divided into standard, bioenergy (brushwood) and heavy-duty applications as well. The new generation of grapples are also compatible with the most common forwarders make as well as with most types of truck cranes and other vehicles that handle timber. Source

ECHO Academy is an online platform that offers high-quality training content.

The training content is available to ECHO’s distributors, dealer network and other departments within ECHO. ECHO Academy, available online or via mobile app, will provide users with the tools needed to be successful in both the sales, service, and marketing of ECHO products, and kicks off with more than 100 training courses that provide in-depth technical training for the ECHO dealer network.

Most dealers today carry multiple product lines and trying to stay up to date with the latest training can be a struggle. There are many dealers who want product knowledge, but they don’t have the time to train. ECHO specifically designed these programs with that in mind and they’re accessible either online or on ECHO Academy mobile app 24/7.

In addition to convenience, the technical service programs posted on the site are multi-lingual, covering English, Spanish and French. And for those who desire even more learning, there’s a function that allows the dealer technician to find and register for available hands-on service schools in their area. Also available at ECHO Academy is a new technician certification program, consisting of three levels, from new dealers and technician staff to a Master Certification level.

The shortage of technicians in the industry is a concern, as there are more than 9,000 job openings in the USA, with many techs leaving the workforce. Recognizing the need to grow the manufacturing industry, while closing the gap of this national job shortage, is a priority. ECHO provides high school and technical college students with equipment, tools, and training programs, including ECHO Academy. Source

It is now available with bite limiter technology and new tooth options.

All innovations are aimed at optimizing the head’s efficiency and productivity when combined with 50 to 75 hp (37 to 55 kW) skid steers. First, the frame and push frame’s design has been redesigned to offer greater visibility in all working conditions. It’s one detail that will make a big difference in operator’s comfort and efficiency, with the ability to monitor the tasks at hand with more precision.

The rotors are also seeing big changes. The DML/SSL can now mount a rotor with robust Mini C/3 teeth or with Mini BL blades, both ideal for making the most out of the efficient Bite Limiter technology. This technology makes it possible to achieve more productivity in less time when mulching any kind of wood. The Bite Limiter rotor comes with special wear-resistant steel limiters that limit the teeth’s reach (bite) so that there is less power demand and a consistent working speed. The Bite Limiter technology also minimizes rotor stalling and optimizes fuel consumption.

The new DML/SSL is available with FAE’s exclusive Sonic technology. This Sonic system ensures that the skid steer and the FAE mulcher are completely aligned by automatically calibrating the mulcher's parameters. Sonic continuously manages the mulcher’s hydraulic settings, for a significant boost in overall productivity of up to 30%. The Sonic system also minimizes rotor stalling and shortens recovery time thanks to the quick recovery of the rotor's rpm.

The new Spike Pro counter blades ensure low power absorption and a finer granulometry of the processed material. The new interchangeable and adjustable skids offer greater precision. The optional integrated oil cooler ensures the best performance even in hotter climates. The new DML/SSL is available in 4 models, DML/SSL/VT, DML/SSL/BL, DML/SSL/SONIC, DML/SSL/BL/SONIC and in two widths for each model. Source

The transport position of a Z-boom crane saves load space compared to straight-boom cranes.

Z-boom cranes have become more common throughout Europe in recent years. The Finnish crane manufacturer Kesla estimates that Z-boom cranes already constitute almost 40% of its crane production. Alongside traditional Z-boom cranes, a front folded version has also been introduced to the market, which combines the benefits of straight-boom and Z-boom cranes.

The Z-boom crane leaves the full load space available for timber transport. The added benefits are several cubic metres. It is also easier to move the crane into the transport position when you do not need to make space in the timber load for the crane. If you neglect to make a gap in the load space for a straight-boom crane and place it on top, the combination may be too high to pass under some bridges.

The demand for Z-boom cranes has increased significantly in the past few years. While there is significant variation in the demand between countries, Kesla estimates that Z-boom cranes already constitute 40% of its production. Kesla provides Z cranes from the 5-tonne-metre to the 24-tonne-metre class. They are primarily purchased for cut-to-length operations, but the largest 21- and 24 tonne-metre cranes are also suitable for handling long timber.

Z-boom cranes are usually installed at the rear of a truck with the exception of the largest models, which are usually mounted behind the cabin. A few years ago, Kesla launched the front folded Z cranes. They utilise the slew system of a straight-boom crane, but the crane itself is a Z-model. The crane’s pivot point is laterally in the middle of the vehicle, which means that the crane has equal reach on both sides. This model can also be transported with the boom extended in the load space.

Some customers also find that climbing into the cabin of a front folded crane is easier and safer. In the transport position, the dimensions of a normal and front folded z crane are essentially the same but, due to the mounting position, the front folded crane needs to be slightly slanted when positioned for transport. The crane also takes slightly more space in the vehicle’s longitudinal direction than a traditional Z crane. Z cranes have a significantly different geometry compared to straight-boom cranes. Source

Ponsse North America, Inc expands to southern USA

Ponsse North America, Inc has expanded its operations to Midway, Florida which is right outside of Tallahassee. Ponsse indicates that the main factors that influenced this development are the growing demand for cut-to-length wood and an increase in machine sales in the south. Source

Malwa has a new distributor partnership in the Czech Republic

Malwa has a contract with HB30 Machine Service. The company is appointed as Malwa Forest’s distributor of low impact forest machines on the Czech market. HB30 Machine Service is a young and energetic company with many years of expertise in the forestry machinery industry. They have up to today specialized in service and repairs of forestry equipment - especially harvester technology. They can offer mobile service throughout the Czech Republic and have a service centre in Blešno. Source

Morbark sees considerable global dealer network expansion

Morbark’s dealer development and Tree Care Products teams began 2022 by reinvigorating a focused strategy to expand their authorized dealer network. By executing this strategy, the company has added 11 new dealers representing an additional 116 branch locations offering equipment and aftermarket sales and service support for customers worldwide. Source

“Wood harvesting efficiency analysis of regional forest directorates in Turkey: k-means clustering and data envelopment analysis approach”

International Journal of Forest Engineering, 2022. Anil Orhan Akay. Source

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