Kesla brings nave drive to the smallest tractor forest trailers

Nate Drive (ND) is intended for longer and more demanding use.

Kesla Oyj is a Finnish manufacturer of truck cranes, logging equipment as well as tractor-based forest technology and material handling equipment with long and traditional roots, especially as a manufacturer of tractor-based machinery, since the 1960s. Now, the company is also launching a strong nave drive for the smallest forest trailers of 10 tonnes.

The Kesla 114 is the smallest trailer in the Kesla forest trailer range and has a load capacity of 10 tonnes. Previously only available with a hydraulic roller drive (HD), the trailer model is now available in both an H version (unpowered, with the option to retrofit HD) and an ND version (with nave drive).

The tyres of a nave-driven trailer can be fitted with chains. ND means strong nave drive. While HD is intended for occasional use and lighter traction needs, ND is intended for longer, more demanding use. The traction motors of the Kesla 114ND trailer come on the rear wheels. The 114ND trailer’s nave drive is designed with mid-size tractors in mind, and even 70 l/min at 190 bar gives good traction.

The drive system is linked to a differential gear lock, which is constantly on. The differential gear ensures the rotation of both wheels, thus ensuring good traction. The 114ND trailer has a maximum drive power of 1.6 tonnes and a maximum speed of 5 km/h. In the roller drive, the corresponding figures are 1.4 tonnes and 2 km/h. The nave drive is controlled by the tractor’s hydraulics, but a drive valve for electric traction control is coming to the market in the autumn.

The Kesla 114ND trailer has the 500/50R17 tyres and the high-traction rear tyres can also be fitted with chains. In addition, the 114ND is available with a wide range of equipment, including forwarder-type bunks. The H model can be retrofitted with a roller drive. Source