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April 2004
Tech-Update
Forwarders - Tech Update Editor: Diane Mettler
Fabtek
Fabtek manufactures a full line of forwarders including four-, six- and
eight-wheel
drive
units. With load capacities ranging from 16,000 to 32,000 lbs, the
forwarders feature electric power shift transmissions, full-load high
reach booms and full 40 degree turning articulation. The rack and pinion
four-cylinder loader swing system features fully proportional controls
with high torque and high swing speed. A rear-mount loader is standard on
all models. The boom geometry is designed for maximum utility and the top
mounted stick boom cylinders stay clear of obstructions. Fabtek forwarders
feature large, high visibility cabs, hydraulic tilt for complete under-cab
system access, heavy steel plate engine and radiator coverings and
vibration-isolated attachment points. An option package is available on
the new tree-length clam bunk forwarder to convert it back to a regular
forwarder bunk set-up. www.fabtek.com
and www.blount.com Reader
Service Card #3051
Franklin/Treefarmer
The Franklin/Treefarmer line of forwarders consists of four- and six-wheel
drive rubber- tired, frame-articulated vehicles, with centre section
oscillation in most models. These units are designed to forward timber
from the falling site to the loading area, by means of loading/unloading
the timber on the tail bunk with a roof-mounted or post-mounted hydraulic
loader. The current product line offers several powershift and hydrostatic
models—varying in size, tail section length and horsepower—to meet the
varying demands of today’s loggers. All the forwarders are powered by
Cummins engines and feature Franklin four-speed powershift transmissions.
Weights range from 10,136 kg to 16,692 kg, and overall reaches range from
23.75’ to 24.75’.
www.franklin-treefarmer.com Reader Service Card#3052
Ponsse
All Ponsse forwarder models have the power required to cope with extremely
varied
conditions and even the most difficult terrain. The favourable ratio
between net weight and load carrying capacity, the smallest turning radius
for their size class, as well as proportions that distribute the weight
evenly over all tires, put these forwarders in a class of their own, says
the company. The Buffalo is Ponsse’s largest, followed by the Wisent and
Gazelle. The Buffalo is 9,395 to 11,250 mm in length, 2,670 to 2,960 mm
wide and powered by a Mercedes-Benz OM 906 LA engine. It can carry 14,000
kg, with a load space length of 4,240 to 6,100 mm and has a 7.9 mm reach.
Weight distribution over eight wheels reduces the ground pressure and
damage to terrain. The Wisent is 9,050 mm in length, can carry 12,000 kg
and has a load length of 4,500 mm. It has a tractive force of 160 Kn and
is powered by a Mercedes-Benz OM 904 LA engine. The Gazelle has the same
reach as the Buffalo and Wisent, but is lighter, 11,900 kg, with a
carrying capacity of 10,000 kg.
www.ponsse.com Reader Service Card #3053
Timberking
Timberking offers four-, six- and eight-wheel drive units. All Timberking
forwarders
feature
an extra heavy frame, full 40 degree articulation for tight turning, a
rack and pinion four-cylinder loader swing system featuring fully
proportional controls with high torque and high swing speed, and
top-mounted tick boom cylinder that stays clear of obstructions. The
loader reach with a two-piece boom is 18’6” and with a squirt boom it’s
22’9”. All models feature hydraulic tilt cab, large fuel capacity,
continuous bucket rotation and a European style butt-bypass clam built
with high strength steel. The TK434, TK434L and TK436 come with 125
standard hp, while the TK454, TK456 and TK458 come with 170 standard hp.
Their load capacities range from 7,258 to 14,505 kg, and deck length
ranges from 2.74 to 14.86 m. The machines weigh in between 12,247 to
17,237 kg. www.blount-fied.com
Reader Service Card #3054
TimberPro
TimberPro has just built a new plant in Shawano, Wisconsin to manufacture
their wheeled forestry equipment. Presently, they are manufacturing an
eight-wheeled forwarder and a six-wheeled feller buncher that will handle
attachments to 6500 lbs. and can level 22 degrees. The eight-wheeled
forwarder also has continuous (360 degree) rotation which is a huge
advantage when positioning to pick up short wood in front of the machine
or on the side, hauling tree-length as a clam bunk skidder, or other jobs
like fighting forest fires, hauling concrete, and working in mill yards.
The TF 820 can also be set up with a Quick Change System (combo machine)
that will enable you to use the machine to harvest trees and quickly
change over to a grapple and forward wood.
www.timberpro.com Reader
Service Card #3055
Tigercat
Tigercat is building its first run of the model 1014 extreme duty 14 tonne
forwarders.
The 1014 is powered by a 228 hp Mercedes 906 engine. The entire hood
enclosure tilts forward by hand to provide easy access to the engine. The
bogie axles are oversized and can run up to 750x26.5 tires while
maintaining a three-metre overall width. And the machine can be configured
as six- or eight-wheel drive. The robust centre section uses large pins
and sealed tapered roller bearings in the articulation and oscillation
joints. An innovative centre joint design eliminates the need for
oscillation locks and allows stability in rough and steep terrain.
Maintenance and troubleshooting is simplified and machine response to
operator input is smooth and precise, according to the company. The 1014
can be equipped to accommodate a large 4.8 square metre load capacity and
low 3.58 metre overall height. Optional wagon sizes are available for
loading two bunks of three metre logs. The machine can be equipped with
various cranes up to a Loglift F111 and up to 10 metres of reach.
www.tigercat.com Reader
Service Card #3056
Timberjack
Timberjack offers three forwarders—the 1710D, 1410D and the 1010D. The new
loaders
are more powerful yet lighter in weight. The John Deere engines on the
forwarders develop a high torque rise for more power to handle peak demand
in travel and loading. The 1710D features the John Deere 6081H
turbocharged 8.1 L engine with 215 hp. The 1710D has a maximum reach of
27’11”, carries up to 17 tonnes and with its large wheels and balanced
bogies, it’s ideal for long distance forwarding in large-scale operations.
The 1410D comes equipped with the Deere 6068H engine with 182 hp. The
machine has a reach of up to 32’10” and a payload of 14 tonnes. It’s ideal
for the average to long distance hauls of random length to two tiers of
10’ (3m) wood. The 1010D is versatile in either 4-wheel or 6-wheel drive.
Equipped with a 115 hp engine, the machine is agile and its 44-degree
articulation on each side lets operators maneuver in dense stands. After
dark, operators have better vision, with lights that are 30 per cent
stronger than before.
www.timberjack.com Reader Service Card #3057
Trans-Gesco
Powered by a 400 hp Cummins QSM electronic engine, the Trans-Gesco TG88D
has
a 25-ton payload capacity and a wood basket designed to maximize payload
for various log lengths up to 35’. The heavy-duty frame and robust loader
is controlled by state of the art load sense hydraulics and is available
with an optional live heel for long length timber. The proven 100 per cent
hydrostatic traction and steering assist offers superior maneuverability
and a huge 160,000 lbs of tractive effort, and there is a wide choice of
track up to 60” wide for extremely low ground pressure. The TG88D is also
available with a clambunk forwarder or grapple skidder configuration.
www.transgesco.com. Reader Service
Card #3058
Valmet
One of the most significant design changes in the new rugged Valmet 890.2
is in the new, beefier crane. Because the crane is stronger, the 890.2
offers more lift and longer reach than before. Higher hydraulic power
combined with greater flow help the 890.2 loader move quickly and smoothly
for higher productivity. And the 890.2 uses the Valmet “midship design”
making it among the most stable forwarders on the market. It also features
a powerful “Fortius technology” engine with more torque, and fewer
lubrication points that are better grouped for faster, easier attention.
Fast and easy lubrication is performed more often, extending life. The
MaxiForwarder control system now integrates engine monitoring and control,
and the company says this helps make this machine an even better
performer. www.komatsuforest.com
Reader Service Card #3059
John Deere
John Deere offers a range of forwarders including the 1010D, the 1410D
and, the unit offering maximum power, the 1710D. The John Deere 1710D
forwarder features ample power, with the John Deere 6081 H, charge
air-cooled, six-cylinder turbocharged isolation mounted diesel engine that
delivers 215 SAE gross hp at 2,000 rpm. The 1710D offers maximum net
torque of 811lb-ft at 1,200 to 1,300 rpm. The transmission on the machine
is hydrostatic mechanical with protected electric/hydraulic range shift of
two-speed gearbox and the Total Machine Control System (TMC). Off-road
driving offers smooth, no-surge starts without dropping engine speed, the
company says. The loader on the 1710D is a Timberjack CF8 knuckleboom with
telescopic outer boom and TMC with mini joystick controls. It offers gross
lifting torque of 111,370 lb-ft and gross swing torque of 30,235 lb-ft.
The grapple on the unit is the SG420, with 4.5 square feet. There is an
optional 3.9with the machine’s strong production numbers, low ground
impact, reliability and quiet operation square foot grapple, the SG360S.
Equipped with the CF8 loader, the 1710D offers maximum reach of 27’ 11”,
with an 85.4-inch length of extension. The maximum load at maximum reach
is 2,613 lbs. www.deere.com
Reader Service Card #3060
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