The initial launch includes a log loader and a road builder, with more models to be announced in the upcoming months.
The new lineup features enhanced safety features, heavy-duty components and easy serviceability to help logging companies move more timber and build access roads to the harvesting and log loading areas. The -7 Series log loaders and road builders are ready to take on high-demand tasks. They have increased horsepower, faster cycle times and more lifting capacity to complete timber harvesting and log loading faster.
Increased swing torque helps the machines swing heavy loads more efficiently, even when moving the load uphill. The fine swing function reduces the amount of shaking when lifting heavy objects, resulting in greater control, more accuracy and safer operation.
When higher lifting capacity is needed, operators can use a convenient one-touch power boost button on the right-hand joystick to provide a momentary hydraulic boost. Operators can also choose from four selectable power modes to best match the application they’re working in to increase efficiency and minimize fuel consumption.
The machines feature heavy-duty side doors, with guards over the hydraulic pump and cooling system door, along with quarter-inch side panels. A robust front guard protects components against debris and obstacles. A fully guarded, heavy-duty, high and wide undercarriage helps improve ground clearance over stumps and other debris on logging sites.
The log loader cab is designed with a 4-foot riser and robust front and top guards, providing protection without sacrificing operator visibility. The log loader cab also features hydraulic 90-degree tilting for ease of transport on a trailer.
All log loaders and road builders feature a large, all-weather steel cab that has good comfort, operator visibility, low noise levels and more room to work. The heated air-suspension seat adjusts to operators’ height and weight and features adjustable headrests and armrests and an optional 4-point seat belt. Joystick controls move up and down with the seat for more ergonomic operation to reduce operator fatigue. Front and rear LED lights enhance operator visibility, especially during low-light situations in early morning and at night.
A multi-function colour LCD monitor shows a variety of machine diagnostic information. It also displays video from the standard rearview or side-mounted camera. Operators can use the hybrid screen mode to see machine information and the camera at the same time. The optional around view monitor (AVM) camera system is equipped with its own dedicated display monitor, which shows a full view of the machine’s surroundings. The AVM system is available for new -7 Series road builders. It gives operators greater confidence when operating or positioning the machine in tight areas.
Optional on -7 Series log loaders and road builders is a side-entry forestry cab certified for Oregon OSHA and British Columbia WCB standards. The forestry cab is built with guarded polycarbonate front, side and rear windows, as well as a rear secondary exit. For added protection, optional 32 mm (1.3 in) polycarbonate glass is available. Source
Researchers examined the use of Bluetooth low energy and ultra-wideband sensor systems to detect people in forest operations danger zones.
Every third fatal occupational accident in Austria is linked to forest operations. Demanding working conditions (cold temperatures, steep mountain slopes), and lack of hazard and safety awareness play a crucial role. A more detailed examination of fatal and severe accidents often revealed that many are linked to ignoring or underestimating danger zones
Forests are challenging workplace environments with rugged and steep terrains and large danger zones obscured by dense forest stands. Additionally, there are often restrictions on mobile communication networks, the Internet, or on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) reception. Therefore, technologies supporting the detection of people in danger zones have not been broadly applied in forestry.
During the research, two prototypes enabling people detection via ultra-wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth low energy (BLE) were evaluated. The precision, accuracy, detection distance, and detection rates of the prototypes were determined. Furthermore, the influence of the line of sight, that is, the visual path between two points, was considered. The UWB sensor allowed precise detection within the danger zones of 30 m (98 ft) and 50 m (164 ft) and is therefore well suited for use during felling with a chainsaw. The BLE sensor allowed presence detection even at greater distances and would be suitable for fully mechanized timber harvesting. However, BLE sensors still lack the ability to determine detection distances.
The research was titled “Use of Bluetooth low energy and ultra-wideband sensor systems to detect people in forest operations danger zones” and the authors were Hönigsberger, F., Gollob, C., Varch, T., Waldhäusl, D., Holzinger, A., & Stampfer, K. It was published in the International Journal of Forest Engineering, 36(2), 2025. Source
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The loaders are infused with the latest technologies to advance safety and help customers work faster and with greater accuracy.
Caterpillar announces new technology options available for Cat 950, 962, 966, 966 XE, 972, 972 XE, 980, 980 XE, 982 and 982 XE wheel loaders. The new Collision Warning system with Motion Inhibit includes Object Detection, People Detection and Motion Inhibit as a package to improve safe operation by alerting operators and inhibiting loader motion in the instant a machine transitions from an inactive to an active state
Starting with a foundation of the standard HD rear camera with an integrated touchscreen, Cat medium wheel loaders offer a progressive building block of optional technologies, including the Multiview (360°) Vision System, Rear Object Detection and now Collision Warning System with Motion Inhibit.
The new system uses radar and vision sensors to detect hazard potential, alert operators and inhibit motion when initiating reverse motion from a stationary position. Targeting collision potentials that emerge from behind the loader, the Collision Warning System leverages both smart camera and radar technology to give audible and visual alerts to help operators see, mitigate and manage hazards that might otherwise go unnoticed. The system’s three colour zones – yellow for awareness, amber for caution and red for critical – approximate the distance of the object to the anticipated path of the loader.
The embedded Motion Inhibit feature prevents direct reverse gear engagement when shifting from neutral and automatically applies the brake when the system detects an object or worker in the critical alarm zone behind the loader. When this occurs, the operator is alerted by an on-screen notification. If the loader is stationary for at least 15 seconds and the operator shifts from park to reverse, Motion Inhibit prevents the machine from engaging reverse when the rear detection system identifies something in the critical alarm zone. The loader will reverse once the operator shifts back into neutral and steers to clear the detection.
People Detection utilizes the smart camera to alert the operator when a person is detected behind the loader. Three levels of alerts dynamically adjust based on the person’s proximity to the machine, and the system highlights people in red bounding boxes on the in-cab monitor to distinguish and manage the potential risk. Source
The 2006AF is a response to market demand for a more powerful machine capable of hauling a larger payload.
The Series V leans heavily on Bell Equipment’s tried and tested haulage tractor heritage, with its unique characteristics that make it a better tool for haulage than a typical agricultural ploughing tractor. The fabricated steel chassis, heavy duty rear axle and hitch positioning ahead of the axle centre line, for improved load transfer, steering and traction when trailers are fully loaded have all been retained along with key safety features, such as the ROPS/FOPS certified cab and pneumatic trailer braking. The current range consists of the smaller 140hp (104kW) Bell 1406A and 1406AF models as well as the 173hp (129kW) Bell 1736A and 1736AF, where ‘A’ and ‘AF’ denote 2WD and 4WD configurations respectively.
The 4WD Bell 2006AF boasts a 15% power increase over the 173hp (129kW) units. Bell has built the 2006AF on the trusted and proven Series V platform, so it maintains all that Bell customers have become accustomed to in their Haulage Tractors. Plus, more power means the engine doesn’t work as hard to haul its load, which carries numerous operational benefits.
Driven by the 6,8l John Deere engine, it provides 785Nm of torque through the Allison automatic transmission, enabling it to comfortably haul on-road at speeds of up to 40km/h. And, like the other models, the engine achieves Tier 3 emissions certification without the need for a complex exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system.
The 2006AF has rear disc brakes for more efficient braking and handles undulating terrain with ease thanks to the automatic 4×4 feature that detects wheelspin and engages 4×4 until grip is restored and disengages again. Source
This provides an innovative driver application that enhances the connected vehicle experience.
The app, available for download from the Apple Store and Google Play, gives drivers unprecedented remote access to their vehicles, allowing them to monitor critical information and control select functions directly from their smartphones.
Through MyMack, drivers can remotely monitor their truck's fuel level, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) level, oil level and check the status of vehicle lights. When equipped with the new Mack Integrated Parking Cooler, the app also enables remote climate control activation, allowing drivers to pre-condition their cab environment before starting their workday, adding driver comfort to its benefits.
The MyMack app is part of Mack's Integrated Uptime bundle, a comprehensive connected vehicle offer, making the Pioneer the most connected Mack Truck to date. Mack Connect, Macks proprietary fleet management and analytics portal comes standard with the new Mack Pioneer™ and combines real-time vehicle tracking, performance analytics, and driver support features into a single, integrated solution that maximizes fleet efficiency and uptime. The MyMack app and Mack Connect portal come with a five-year introductory offer bundled with Mack Integrated Uptime, representing Mack's most advanced connected vehicle offering to date.
The Mack Connect portal serves as a single source for vehicle location tracking, performance data, operational analytics and diagnostics. Fleet managers can monitor vehicle location and speed history, while accessing detailed performance metrics, including cruise control usage and idle time. The system also enables analysis of individual fuel efficiency and comparison across drivers and trucks, supporting more efficient route planning.
Safety monitoring is another key feature of Mack Connect, providing fleet managers with detailed information about roll stability interventions, hard braking events and driver seatbelt usage. This data supports practical driver coaching by using real examples and focusing on specific areas for improvement. Source
New Video Alert! Tigercat 6040 Carbonizer in Action
Watch the 6040 carbonizer processing wood debris to produce consistent and high-grade organic carbon. The conversion process reduces the volume of infeed material by 90% and sequesters 25-30% of the total available carbon. It replaces open burning or other carbon intensive conversion processes, while creating a useful product. Source
Cummins launches industry-first Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Turbochargers for on-highway applications
Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI), is pleased to announce the launch of its new turbocharger designed specifically for hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2 ICE). This advancement in turbocharging technology marks a significant milestone for heavy-duty commercial on-highway applications in Europe. Cummins Components and Software (CCS), part of Cummins' Components business segment, has secured a contract to supply H2 ICE turbochargers to a major European OEM, showcasing its leadership in hydrogen innovation. Source
Doppstadt will be 60 years old in 2025
Since its foundation, Doppstadt has stood for innovative machine developments that overcome specific customer and market challenges. Over the decades, they have built up an extensive range of solutions and know-how and established these internationally. Doppstadt see great opportunities in global expansion. They currently produce exclusively in Germany. However, they are planning to set up production sites in China and the USA in the coming years. Source
Read More“Assessment of machine productivity for a feller-buncher, processor, and harvester: a case study in the southern pine plantations of Queensland, Australia”
International Journal of Forest Engineering, 2025. Berry, M., Strandgard, M., Ghaffariyan, M., & Mitchell, R. Source
“Comparison of the effect of winch-assisted timber harvesting systems and cable yarding on soil water retention and surface runoff in a temperate deciduous forest”
Journal of Hydrology, Volume 658, 2025. Maximilian Behringer, Julian Grünberg, Klaus Katzensteiner, Barbara Kitzler, Bernhard Kohl, Veronika Lechner, Armin Malli, Gerhard Markart, Gertraud Meißl, Christian Scheidl. Source
Read MoreTo see the full list of international logging, roading and trucking conferences and expo’s, please click the “Events” tab at the top of the page.
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