The Tigercat 570 harvesting head is now available with a fixed wrist.

The Tigercat 570 harvesting head is now available with a fixed wrist for applications where positive control for felling and processing is required. The 570 fixed head design combines two proven technologies – the Tigercat 570 harvesting head and the Tigercat 340 degree wrist.

The 570 is a durable, high performance, two-wheel drive, three knife arm harvesting head. The 340 degree wrist is field-proven in felling head applications where maximum dexterity and positive control are needed. A wrist-float feature is standard for the 570, allowing the head to align more easily to the tree for felling and feeding. Fixed and float functions are fully adjustable to suit operator preferences.

The 570 fixed head is standard with a heavy-duty chassis and guarding designed for the 340 degree wrist. The 570 comes standard with 1000 cc feed motors, wide-track feed wheels, Tigercat hydraulic tension 0.75 in (19 mm) pitch main saw, hydraulic tension top saw [0.404 in (10 mm) or 0.75 in (19 mm) chain], fixed or floating front knife, and the full range of Tigercat D5 control system levels.

The 570 fixed head has proven effective in select-cut harvesting applications, particularly for high-value hardwood, where positive control is needed to position the felled tree to reduce damage to standing trees. It is best matched to Tigercat 822 series carriers. Source

The world’s first hydrogen powered digger parades for the Queen.

The world’s first digger powered by a hydrogen combustion engine was given a right royal outing at the parade marking the Queen’s 70-year reign. The JCB backhoe loader – in distinctive green and white livery – was cheered loudly as it made its way along The Mall in London towards Buckingham Palace driven by JCB Test Site Operator Georgina Williams, 30.

The machine has been developed in top secret by Staffordshire-based JCB and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant was its first major public outing on a world stage. JCB Chairman Lord Bamford is leading the project to develop JCB machines powered by hydrogen.

Anthony Bamford challenged JCB’s engineers to develop a hydrogen combustion engine in 2020 because he believes the technology offers the quickest way to reach UK emissions reduction targets. JCB is at the forefront of the drive to reach zero emissions by 2050 and has a number of prototype machines on test powered by hydrogen.

The company has invested £100 million in the project to produce super-efficient hydrogen engines and a team of 100 engineers is working on the exciting development. As well as the backhoe loader which paraded down The Mall, JCB has also unveiled a second prototype machine powered by hydrogen: a Loadall telescopic handler, which is used in the construction industry and on farms around the world. Source

Kesla has also published a new cooperation with Malwa Forest AB.

Kesla has launched a completely new harvester crane, the Kesla 875H. The first serial-manufactured harvester equipped with this new crane is the all-new Malwa 980 harvester, which was presented at Elmia Wood exhibition.

The 875H is a parallel-acting crane dedicated for harvester use. Gross lifting torque of 72 kNm and reach of 7,6 m (25 ft) make the crane ideal for thinning harvesters in around 10 tons weight class. Maximum lifting capacity of 770 kg (1,700 lb) at full boom reach enables the crane to be paired with the KESLA 18RH-II or the all-new 19RH-III thinning heads, resulting a well-balanced powerhouse for thinning.

The 875H crane can be equipped with a fixed base or with 4-direction tilt. The outer boom is equipped with 1200 mm (47 in) telescope. These features enable that the optimal geometry can be achieved in all conditions and any kind of base machines.

The design of the new crane has progressed not only together with the customers but also hand in hand with the renewal of Kesla’s manufacturing technology, and evolving automation has been taken into account in the design from the very beginning. The prototypes of the crane have been tested in long-term field tests for maximized reliability and durability.

Kesla has introduced Malwa Forest AB as one of their partners. Cooperation started already in the development stage, and discussion between the R&D departments had been very fruitful during the whole process. Source

Ponsse has launched the Ponsse Data API service.

Ponsse provides sustainable harvesting solutions by listening to customer needs, and it also aims to lead the way in the development of digital services. Ponsse has launched the Ponsse Data API service, on which customers can easily and cost-effectively use data obtained from forest machines directly in their reporting and enterprise resource planning systems.

Data API helps to analyse forest machine data in high detail based on each customer’s business needs. The service can be used as a data source for invoicing of harvesting operations or making salary payments, for example, based on harvesting production data. In addition, the service responds to the needs of logistics when planning operations in real-time alongside ongoing harvesting operations.  

With Data API, customers can monitor the productivity and effectiveness of their machines and plan harvesting operations in even greater detail. With the service, forest machine data can be converted into valuable information directly in customers’ systems, raising the effectiveness and predictability of operations to a whole new level.

The Data API service produces the most benefits for customers who use data and knowledge-based management in their operations. The service makes the use of forest machine data significantly easier and more affordable, and it brings knowledge-based management available to more users than before. UPM in Uruguay is one of the early adopters of the Data API service.

Data API is offered as a part of Ponsse Manager. Manager is a next-generation digital service platform and forest machine management system that provides customers with valuable data on their fleet of machines. It keeps customers up to date on information that affects the profitability of their machines and helps improve the efficiency of operations. Source

Combining all-terrain mobility with on-road performance.

High performance in transits and road transport plays a major role in tractor contracting work, while all-terrain mobility and effective power transfer to the ground are a must on fields and work sites. Nokian Tyres Ground King tire offers both, and therefore supports the versatility of multipurpose machines.

The Ground King tyre includes the HybrilugTM technology, which combines the best features of lug and block patterns, offering all-terrain mobility and traction combined with high level comfort and precise handling response on road transports.

The tyre utilizes high-grade, wear resistant tread compound in the pattern which offers extended ground contact area compared to the standard traction pattern. This results in excellent operating hours even in extensive on-road use.

Besides offering 2-in-1 benefits, the Ground King tyre has high load-bearing capacity that allows the use of heavy work implements and high loads. This all-round performance further expands the diversity of the tasks you can tackle with Nokian Ground King. Source

Deere Announces new President of Worldwide Construction & Forestry

The Deere & Company Board of Directors has elected Ryan Campbell as President, Worldwide Construction & Forestry and Power Systems. In his new role, Campbell will be leading the Construction & Forestry team to increase the adoption of precision technology in earthmoving, forestry and roadbuilding applications, as well as delivering a broad range of electric and hybrid-electric product models. Source

Scania wins approval to expand route tests of autonomous trucks

The success of trials has now led to an expansion of the distance and parameters of the tests. The autonomous trucks will be able to drive on all types of roads – local and national – between Södertälje and the southern city of Jönköping, which is nearly 300 kilometres and three-and-a-half hours away. Source

UD Trucks partners with PTC Japan to accelerate its digital transformation

UD Trucks has reached an agreement with PTC Japan to introduce a new data platform that will enhance its engineering and supply chain capabilities for the digital age. UD Trucks has a strong track record of digitizing processes and ways of working, in an effort to consistently add value to its products and services. This digital transformation has led to the introduction of data management systems that result in better production planning and quality control. Source

“An evaluation of machine operator exposure to occupational noise during harvesting and extraction operations in Brazilian eucalyptus plantations”

International Journal of Forest Engineering, 2022. Diego Aparecido Camargo, Rafaele Almeida Munis, Ricardo Hideaki Miyajima, Roldão Carlos Andrade Lima and Danilo Simões. Source

“Stacking factor in transporting firewood produced from a mixture of Caatinga biome species in Brazil”

International Journal of Forest Engineering, 2022. Otacílio Antunes Santana, José Imaña Encinas and Guillermo Riesco Muñoz. Source