New Gear Harvesting New Gear
Equipment spotlight: Harvesting the hills

Winch matches driving speed
PONSSE Synchrowinch allows effective logging in areas where previously only expensive and slow special logging methods have been used. The winch speed is automatically synchronized to machine driving speed so the operator doesn’t need to operate or adjust it during normal work. Cable tension can be set and the winch can be operated from a remote control unit, making it easy to hook the cable to e.g. a tree or a stump uphill. Optional tiltable loader makes loader working efficient and easy. Synchrowinch is available for Ergo and Bear harvesters and Buffalo, Elephant and ElephantKing forwarders.
www.ponsse.com

Traction winch for forwarders and harvesters
The Synchrowinch line of traction winches is designed and built by Herzog Forsttechnik AG in Switzerland. Herzog Forsttechnik has built traction winches since 1999 and was among the first to develop this technology for forestry use. Since 2008 the Synchrowinch is sold as an attachment solution for machines from Ponsse Oyj of Finland.  As a Ponsse exclusive attachment the Synchrowinch traction winch for forwarders and harvesters is now distributed around the world. Its low maintenance costs, sophisticated technology and ease of use have been proven in year-long operation.
www.herzog-forsttechnik.ch

Levelling system provides slope stability
Tigercat’s patented forestry-duty, levelling undercarriage provides exceptional stability on steep slopes. It uses two massive hydraulic cylinders and heavy steel sections for a solution that is simple, robust and reliable. The Tigercat levelling system leans into the hill when levelling to the side, which further improves machine stability and operator comfort. To further enhance the ability of Tigercat’s track machines to work on slopes, an optional tether hook attachment plate has been developed. The tether anchor bolts firmly to the main carbody structure of the undercarriage and allows either single or double cable tethers to be attached to the track machine. www.tigercat.com

Feller buncher booms operate with tethering
Pierce’s family of steep slope feller buncher booms are clearing the way to the extreme slopes of West Coast forests. Pierce boom configurations operate in conjunction with a tethering system that allows you to virtually eliminate dangerous and costly hand cutting. Whereas traditional logging equipment reaches only a portion of the job site, steep slope equipment can reach a significantly greater segment, representing a substantial increase in worker safety and productivity. The Pierce family of steep slope feller buncher booms are currently available in live heel for steep slope directional felling, live heel for levelling shovel logging, and a two-piece configuration, also for directional felling. All three can shovel/hoe chuck logs directly to the landing, where the Pierce GP (Grapple Processor) processes and loads, completing the job with one efficient landing machine.
www.piercepacific.com

Tracked and wheeled climbing options
John Deere offers both tracked and wheeled solutions that provide superior climbing ability. The M-Series tracked machines feature best-in-class leveling systems, incorporating patented leveling control systems that allow for 26 degree forward tilt without mechanical interference. The G-Series wheeled harvesters and forwarders feature Deere’s patented balanced bogie system that has lead the industry in tractive effort for nearly two decades For traction-assist applications, John Deere tracked machines are being used with third-party tethering systems worldwide, particularly in New Zealand, with North American applications recently applying the pioneering technology. On wheeled machines, the HAAS winch system, exclusive to John Deere machines, offers a proven steep slope solution.
www.deere.ca

Static-line tether system
The ClimbMAX Steep Slope Harvester is manufactured in New Zealand and purpose built for North American loggers and forestry companies who want to increase productivity, as well as improve safety. The ClimbMAX steep slope harvester is an excavator equipped with a felling head and a winch capable of felling trees on slopes of up to 45 degrees. According to the company, ClimbMAX is the only static-line tether system available for ‘big’ wood logging, worldwide. There are six machines already employed in Canada, with one further unit to be delivered to B.C. mid-year, and the first U.S. machine arriving in Washington in March.
www.climbmax.co.nz

Mobile traction winch
The T-Winch 10.1 mobile traction winch from Ecoforst can be moved to any position in the chosen terrain the help of the compact radio system. It is built with an IVECO S30 ENT diesel engine with a power output of 107 kW. Working hydraulic system Traction drive (1 x 80 cm³), the winch has a maximum pulling force of eight tonnes and a maximum speed of four kilometres per hour. A 2,220-mm plate provides stability in addition to anchoring, and 500 metres of high tensile strength, 18.5-mm diameter rope promotes long operating life.
www.ecoforst.at

Steep slope forwarder
With the 208F model series, HSM offers forwarders from the nine-ton class up to the 20-ton class that can be customized according to the customer’s exact needs. Strong cranes, flexible bunks systems, tiltable crane pillars, bogie lifts, cable winches and much more are available directly from the manufacturer. The forwarders are built with a Tier 4i, 6-cylinder, 250-hp engine. They are offered with loading capacities upwards of 20 tons, have a crane reach of 7.5 m to 10 m, a lifting torque of
70 kNm to 173 kNm, and weigh between 17,000 kg and 25,000 kg.
www.inovforest.com
   

Eight-wheel harvester
Komatsu Forest has introduced a new 931XC – the eight-wheel version of its popular 931. The 931 and the 931XC both have the powerful Stage 4 Final, 251-hp engine and are now equipped with a three-pump hydraulic system with optimized flow to head and crane functions simultaneously for maximum hydraulic power. The engine can now run at lower speed for optimal low fuel consumption. The AutoLev system ensures superior stability while travelling or operating; an important feature on uneven terrain. The design of the Comfort bogies provides high ground clearance and better traction on uneven terrain, on steep slopes or in swampy ground.  The new 931XC has a double Comfort bogie for enhanced performance in the most demanding working conditions. 
www.komatsu.com

Fully retractable saw box
Waratah Forestry Attachments offers an extensive line of two-, three- and four-wheel drive harvesting/processing attachments along with two dedicated directional felling heads. Whether operators are tethered on steep slope, or working alongside a tower yarder, Waratah has a productive and reliable attachment solution for them. The new Waratah FL-95 delivers Innovative application solutions making the FL-95 best in class – a steep slope specific tilt design for increased chassis rotation, a massive 62 inch (1580mm) grapple opening, and the industry’s first fully retractable saw box. This saw box design maximizes capacity while increasing productivity by reducing your turns to road side when shovel logging.
www.waratah.com

Tracks designed for machine stability
EX Tracks from Olofsfors are designed for the toughest conditions where traction is the primary requirement. The cross member is shaped in such a way that it provides extreme traction in deep snow, steep slopes and rocky terrain. When equipped with EX Tracks, machines can operate in slopes unassisted or tethered with ease. EX Tracks provide superior grip and machine stability in any steep slope application. 
www.eco-tracks.com

Remote-controlled tethering
The Falcon Winch Assist provides traction assistance to tethered track based and or wheeled based machines allowing them to operate safely and efficiently on steep difficult terrain up to a maximum of 110 per cent/45-degree slope. Consisting of a single large 1 1/8 inch swaged wire rope with a standard capacity of 500 metres and maximum capacity of 650 metres, the Falcon Winch Assist is fully remote controlled by the tethered machine operator. With eight operator-selected tension settings ranging from approximately one tonne to 22 tonnes of constant line pull, the Falcon Winch Assist provides the tethered machine with smooth controlled traction assistance. Designed as a multipurpose machine, the Falcon Winch Assist has an excavator mode and can operate as a standard excavator using any number of different attachments.
www.gwequipment.com

Onboard synchronized winch
Logset offers a solution for worksites that have a range of operating environments: an onboard synchronized Logset winch. The winch is powered by the machine, which makes this option less expensive than a separate winch machine but also versatile. The Logset winch can be quickly attached to the forwarder or harvester and can be installed at the front or at the back of the machine. On forwarders, the Logset winch is usually attached inside the rear frame. This option is most commonly used in Southern Europe where the worksites differ. 
www.logset.com

Harvesting enhancements
Caterpillar offers steep slope harvesting enhancements for the Cat 552 Series 2 track feller buncher and track harvester. They enable more efficient, productive, and reliable machine performance and also promote operator safety and comfort on steep terrain. Extended track roller frames, with 11 bottom rollers, increase overall machine stability and lift capacity and also reduce ground pressure. An optimized cable assist mount is available for winch assist applications, and upgrades available for engine and hydraulic systems enhance the durability and reliability of 552 Series 2 components in steep terrain.
www.cat.com/forestry

Plates add traction control
Clark Tracks specialize in developing and manufacturing forest machine tracks to suit both cut-to-length machines and skidders. Tracks are available in various sizes and designs to suit virtually any terrain, the harshest climates and all machine types. For steep slope operations Clark offers a unique CX plate design with a deep dual spike pattern for the most aggressive traction control on the market. An exclusive linking system called Haggis provides a large 30-mm pin for extended life and reduced track twisting. From tracks for climbing to tracks with extreme flotation, Clark Tracks has something to suit operator needs.
www.wallingfords.com