Caterpillar

Caterpillar offers six- and eight-wheel drive forwarders equipped with 174 hp Cat 3056E engines and supported through Caterpillar’s international dealer network. The forwarders feature a torque-converted, power-shift Funk DF 150 transmission, four-speed electronic shift and an IQAN computer control system for setting control parameters.

The forwarders are constructed with heavy frames, purposebuilt blades with wear resistant front cutting edge, large engine side covers for excellent service access and adjustable log bunks with floating cam stakes. Full 40-degree articulation and 250- degree loader rotation provide high maneuverability and work range. The rack and pinion four-cylinder loader swing system features fully proportional controls with high torque and high swing speed. Load capacity ranges from 30,000 to 32,000 lbs. The cabs are said to provide excellent visibility.

www.forestpro.com

www.cat.com

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 options package is available on the new tree-length clam bunk forwarder to convert back to a regular forwarder bunk set-up.

www.fabtek.com

www.blount.com

Franklin/Treefarmer

The Franklin/Treefarmer line of forwarders consists of fourand six-wheel drive, rubber-tired frame articulated vehicles, available with front axles or centre section oscillation in most models. These units are designed to forward timber from the felling 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 changing 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

John Deere

John Deere offers a variety of forwarders, from the 810D right up to the 1710D.

The 810D is said to be ideal for dense thinning areas. The eight-wheel configuration has a tight turning radius. With bogie tracks on the optional wide rear tires and the boom secured over the front, rear ground pressure is low, even with a fully loaded bunk. Boom and bunk length options are available.

The 1110D offers loggers the highest level of automation and on-board diagnostics with the Total Machine Control (TMC) system. It is easy to operate, offers low maintenance and is available in six- and eight-wheel versions. Options include three boom configurations and two wood bunk lengths, and it’s equipped with a 161-hp engine and has a 24,250-lb load rating.

The 1710D is said to be suited for large-scale, fully mechanized operations and large loads over long distances or difficult terrain. A choice of two deck lengths and boom options enable loggers to match the machine to wood size and mill specifications. It is powered by the John Deere 215-hp 6081H turbocharged 8.1 L engine with a controlled power bulge.

www.deere.com

Logset

The six F-series forwarders from Logset offer the right machine for everything from initial thinning to the heaviest final felling, according to the company. All Logset forwarders are equipped with low-emission engines (Sisu or Perkins), hydrostatic transmissions and NAF power trains.

The 14,200-kpg 4F forwarder has a load capacity of 10,000 kg. It’s designed for thinnings, yet has power and capacity for final felling. It’s equipped with a fuel-efficient, four-cylinder intercooled Sisu engine with 2,200 rpm.

The Logset 5F is based on the same reliable technology as the 4F, but is equipped with bigger bogies, bigger wheels and a higher tractive force.

The 5F Premium model is equipped with a six-cylinder diesel engine instead of the four-cylinder for the 5F. They weigh in at 14,500 kg and have 11,000 kg load capacity.

The 6F is a 14-tonne forest machine with a large load bunk, fast crane and well-designed operation, making it an ideal machine for continuous, heavy-duty work.

The 15-tonne F8 handles even the longest haul distances and the steepest terrain with ease. The machine is designed for final fellings and has a strong frame and an engine that boasts 2,200 rpm.

The new 18-tonne 10F is the biggest and most powerful member of the series, with an 18,000 kg capacity for the long hauls. The flexible load bay can be widened by an extra 60 cm. The length of the load bay can be hydraulically extended by 70 cm.

www.logset.com

Ponsse

All Ponsse forwarder models have the power required to cope with extremely varied conditions and even the most difficult terrain, says the company. The favourable ratio between net weight and load carrying capacity, the smallest turning radius for their size class, according to the company, as well as proportions that distribute the weight evenly over all tires make these forwarders very productive.

The Buffalo King is Ponsse’s largest, followed by the Buffalo, Elk, Wisent and Gazelle.

The Buffalo King can carry nearly its own weight in wood. The 18-tonne Buffalo King offers its operator a luxurious cab, the powerful Ponsse K100 loader, ample load space, an efficient and powerful Mercedes-Benz engine and a sturdy structure ready for the most demanding harvesting conditions.

The Buffalo is 9,395 to 11,250 mm in length and 2,670 to 2,960 mm wide. 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.

The Elk forwarder has a carrying capacity of 13 tonnes. It’s designed for extremely challenging terrain. The Elk is 9,120 to 9,725 mm (+700 mm adjustable extension) in length and 2,670 to 2,970 mm wide (depending on tires).

The Wisent is 9,050 mm in length, can carry 12,000 kg and has a load length of 4,500 mm. And the Gazelle has the same reach as the Buffalo and Wisent, but is lighter, at 11,900 kg, and with a carrying capacity of 10,000 kg.

www.ponsse.com

Rottne

The Rottne SMV Rapid is a six-or eight-wheel drive forwarder rated at 16-tonne capacity. It has a John Deere 6068 Tier II compliant engine rated at 200 hp. The loader is a Rottne RK-90 equipped with a Hultdins Supergrip 360S grapple. The hydrostat and working hydraulics are completely separate systems, each with their own reservoir. The control system is a 24- volt IQAN control system. The large cab is equipped with an air suspension heated seat.

The Rottne Solid F14 is a six- or eight-wheel drive forwarder rated at 14-tonne capacity. It has a John Deere 6068 Tier II compliant engine rated at 163 hp. The loader is a Rottne RK-80 equipped with a Hultdins Supergrip 360S grapple. The large cab is equipped with an air suspension heated seat.

The Rottne Solid F9-6 is an eight-wheel drive forwarder rated at nine-tonne capacity, built mainly for thinning applications. It features a John Deere 4045 Tier II compliant engine rated at 140 hp. The loader is a Rottne RK-62 equipped with a Hultdins Supergrip 260S grapple.

www.rocan.com/bc.htm

Tigercat

Tigercat builds three forwarders for extreme duty applications. They offer tough construction, excellent cooling capacity and great stability when traveling and loading.

The 1055 forwarder is designed with a strong frame, large pins and steer cylinders and a durable centre section with tapered roller bearings in the articulation and oscillation joints. It’s powered by a 201-hp (150 kW) Mercedes 906 Tier II engine. Electronic canbus control technology governs machine functions and the extra large cab with extended windows offers improved visibility when unloading.

The 1055 is equipped with 14-tonne rated bogie axles and all control valves are located in a single compartment accessible at ground level. And the operator has easy access to engine and hydraulic components through tilting engine enclosure and tilt cab.

The more powerful 1065 is designed for maximum stability and has many of the same features as the 1055, but is powered by a 228-hp (170 kW) Mercedes 906 Tier II engine and equipped with 18-tonne rated bogie axles. Like the 1055, wagon options can be configured for 4.8 m lengths or double bunk 3 m logs.

Designed for the tough final fell applications in extreme terrain, the 50,370-lb 1075 is equipped with a 241-hp (180 kW) Mercedes 906 Tier II engine and 20-tonne rated bogie axles.

www.tigercat.com

TimberPro

TimberPro has recently been working on a totally new design for its wheeled forestry equipment. The goals were to have complete visibility to the boom side of the cab with the engine mounted in the rear, a larger, quieter and more comfortable cab, gull wing access for maintenance and repair and new booms with more lift capacity with the stick cylinder mounted on top for less possibility of damage.

This all had to be done on a rotating platform with a radius of no more than 62” to retain the no tail swing feature. This has all been accomplished on the forwarder, feller buncher and both the clambunk and grapple skidders, which all use the same rotating upper platform along with engine options from 250 to 300 hp. And the two-tone colour options—red, blue or green—have made the machine appealing as well.

www.timberpro.com

Trans-Gesco

Powered by a 400-hp Cummins QSM electronic engine, the Trans-Gesco TG88 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-ofthe-art load sense hydraulics and is available with an optional live heel for long length. The proven 100 per cent hydrostatic traction and steering assist offers superior maneuvrability, and a huge 160,000 lbs of tractive effort and a wide choice of track up to 60” wide for extremely low ground pressure. The TG88 is also available with a clambunk forwarder or grapple skidder configuration.

www.transgesco.com

Valmet

Komatsu Forest’s new Valmet 840.3, 860.3 and 890.3 series ergonomic and technical advances push productivity even farther. Powered by fuel-efficient Tier III Sisu diesel engines, these big machines move timber even faster.

The six- or eight-wheel drive, 16-ton capacity Valmet 860.3 machines are maneuverable all-around performers with a sixcylinder, 190-hp engine and 590 ft-lb (800 Nm) torque at 1,500 rpm. They feature the CRF 10 boom with longer 25.6’ (7.8 m) reach and 28,544 ft-lb swing torque.

The 20-ton, 890.3 are powered by a 230-hp engine, with 738 ft-lb. (1,000 Nm) torque at 1,500 rpm. These eight-wheel drive machines feature a strong, sturdy CRF 14 boom—no other forwarder reaches farther, according to the company.

Inside, the new “dot-three” series machines have more cab comfort, better visibility, and improved convenience, making longer, more productive work shifts less stressful. The cab is redesigned with attention down to the smallest detail. Frequently used buttons are placed more accessibly. Lower panel profiles improve operator sightlines in all directions. Cab windows feature integrated sunshades. The easy-to-use MaxiForwarder system simplifies operation and maximizes operator efficiency.

The machines feature Valmet’s exclusive ProTec, completely protected hose passage between the boom tip and grapple.

New braking technology effectively dampens grapple swing. It also has a specially designed rotator. ProTec likely increases operator productivity by more than 10 per cent while reducing snag hose breaks by 20 per cent. Valmet equipment gets to and from the landing fast. Its unique articulated design provides excellent stability and allows for tight and safe turns.

www.komatsuforest.com