Whether it’s land clearing, fire clean-up, chipping, grinder loading, mulching, or processing, the Cat FM528 is equipped to tackle a variety of tasks.
The machine is compatible with a wide range of robust Cat forestry grapples, available in sizes from 1322 mm (52") to 1524 mm (60"). The machine is equipped with Triple Grouser track shoes that help provide high manoeuvrability while minimizing disturbance in soft, wet underfoot conditions. To help keep operators safe, the machine is equipped with a certified side-entry Forestry ROPS cab, which includes a spacious door and an easy-to-use tilt-up armrest. Refined visibility is integrated into the design with a large 1.25-in (32-mm) thick polycarbonate windshield, narrow cab pillars, large panoramic windows, and a flat engine hood, helping operators maximize engagement with their work environment.
The Cat FM528 offers a unique fixed or live heel and blade configuration, allowing operators to easily adapt to various applications like navigating steep terrain, managing heavy logs, or performing detailed sorting tasks. With options for processor, roadbuilder, log loader, and knuckleboom loader controls, this multi-configurable machine helps crews easily transition between forestry and millyard work, increasing productivity and profitability.
It is powered by the Cat C4.4 173 hp (129 kW) high-torque engine operates effectively at low RPMs, minimizing maintenance costs from wear and tear while maintaining precision in various job tasks. Further, the hydraulic system features cooling E-Fans with reversing capabilities to optimize engine efficiency and temperature control. Sharing common parts and service with the Cat Next Generation excavator line, the FM528 ensures readily available components, significantly reducing downtime. Using Cat long-life fuel and hydraulic oil filters with extended and synchronized service intervals also helps lower maintenance expenses. Source
This type approval is a requirement in EU countries for the trailer to be registered for road use.
The newest member of Kesla's forestry trailer range, the KESLA 165 trailer with a net payload capacity of 16 tons, has been granted EU167/2013 type approval as of January 31, 2025. With this of type approval, the trailer's maximum speed for road traffic is 30 km/h (18.6 m/hr).
This type approval continues Kesla's history of type approvals for its forestry trailer models. For the Kesla 165 trailer, the approval has been expanded to include, in addition to pneumatic brakes, dual-circuit hydraulic brakes and 710/40-22.5” tyres. Kesla is the only manufacturer of 16-ton net payload trailers on the market with 167/2013 type approval", Hyttinen states.
Finnish Kesla launched a new generation box-framed Kesla 165 forest trailer at the Agricultural Machinery Trade Fair in Helsinki, Finland in 2024. The Kesla 165 marks the beginning of a new era in tractor-drawn forestry trailers with its robot-welded box-frame-type structure and technical features earlier known from purpose built forwarders. The trailer has a standard load space area of 4 m² (43 ft2) which can be easily expanded to an impressive 5 m² (54 ft2) by simply turning the posts. Together with freely adjustable bunks, hydraulically movable front screen and extendable rear frame, the load space flexibly adapts to varying characteristics of different kinds of round wood. Load space length is 4,8 m (15.7 ft) which allows 6 m (19.7 ft) logs, or even longer ones, to be transported safely and efficiently. The new trailer is specifically designed for professional tractor contractors providing increased productivity in logistics and more earnings. Kesla 165 trailers have already been delivered to countries such as Germany, where a tractor-towed forestry trailer offers a more flexible solution than traditional forwarders, especially for short-distance transport on the road. Source
The Nordic countries have a long tradition of recapping tyres.
This helps to curb the fleet maintenance costs, but more importantly, it is an easy way to reduce emissions. There is no reason to discard a tyre as soon as it is worn out. Tyres are designed to withstand retreading. The quality of retreaded tyres holds up to comparison with new tyres, with performance at least as good, if not better.
Tyre retreading, also known as recapping, is a way to extend the life of a tyre by reusing old, worn tyres. When the tread is no longer effective, it is removed and a new tread can be applied to the casing. There are several tread patterns for different applications, and each pattern is available in different widths. There is a suitable tread for every tyre and tyre casing. Tyre dealers have the expertise to recommend the right pattern for your application.
High-quality tyres can be recapped several times. As a result, the same tyre can be used for up to a million kilometres before it is discarded at the end of its lifespan. But why is retreading a good idea? There are three main benefits to retreading tyres:
- Material cost savings
- Reduced environmental impact
- Safe and reliable tyres after retreading
Tyre retreading is an integral part of smart and well-optimized tyre lifecycle management. The average weight of a new truck tyre is 70 kg, while a tread weighs less than 20 kg. Retreading saves a significant amount of raw materials. Two retreads with the same quality casing can save up to 50% on tyre costs which makes it a much cheaper alternative to a new set of tyres.
Saving money goes hand in hand with saving the environment. Tyre manufacturing is energy-intensive and it requires non-renewable raw materials. However, the carbon dioxide emissions inevitably caused by tyre manufacturing can be minimized. Research shows that the carbon footprint of manufacturing a retreaded tyre is about a quarter of the carbon footprint of manufacturing a new tyre. The positive impact on the environment is even greater when the same tyre is retreaded more than once.
The savings come from the use of fewer raw materials and shorter transportation distances. Retreading is a very local activity. The distances between the transport of casings to the retreader and the transport of the retreaded tyre to the end user are short.
There are common misconceptions about retread tyres, but experience, equipment and materials have improved over the years – quality and techniques have evolved. All the recap professionals do a quality job, regardless of the retreader or materials used. A retreaded tyre is a reliable and recommended choice for transportation applications. Tyres are safe and reliable after retreading when they are retreaded with quality casings by professionals using quality materials. The properties are the same as a new tyre.
It is worth noting that retreading quality tyres is actually safer than buying cheap new tyres. The traction and driving qualities of the tyres are better with premium treads than with cheap tyres.
Nokian Tyres Noktop is a highly standardized retreading method. Nokian Tyres retreading materials are developed and manufactured in Finland and the only Nordic treads. They are specially designed for Nordic use. Source
In 2025, it will be 55 years since forest machine entrepreneur Einari Vidgren founded a forest machine factory in Vieremä, Finland.
The anniversary year will start on a high note as the 21,000th PONSSE forest machine has been manufactured and will be delivered on February 6[th], 2025, to Scheff Logging & Trucking Inc. from Minnesota, USA.
Throughout its history, the Finnish family-owned company has focused on the development and production of cut-to-length forest machines and the provision of maintenance services for them. While all forest machines are still manufactured in Vieremä, Ponsse is at home in forests around the world, as the company currently operates in the logging sites of almost 40 countries.
Since the earliest days, Ponsse’s driving force has been the belief that only the best people, in cooperation with customers and stakeholders, can develop and manufacture the best forest machines in the world. Still today, forest machines are developed and manufactured in the same way by more than 2,000 Ponsse employees.
In accordance with the theme of the anniversary year "Logging together worldwide", Ponsse is celebrating the milestone by inviting customers, stakeholders and Ponsse people to join the anniversary tour. The anniversary tour starts from Finland on March 18 and continues around the world during the year. Welcome to the events. Source
The industry’s first production-ready, purpose-built electric backhoe recognized for outstanding industrial design in the Transportation category.
Case Construction Equipment’s innovative Case 580EV, the industry’s first electric backhoe loader in full production, has been awarded a prestigious GOOD DESIGN® Award in the Transportation category.
The 580EV represents a big leap forward in electric construction machinery, combining the robust capabilities of its diesel counterpart with all the environmental and operational benefits of electric vehicle technology. Zero emissions and minimal noise make the 580EV model an ideal solution for urban construction crews, utility teams, municipal crews and other contractors who want to work more productively while also minimizing carbon footprints.
The GOOD DESIGN® awards, managed by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd, is one of the oldest and most respected awards programs for contemporary design. Each year the program celebrates the most innovative industrial, product and graphic designs produced around the world.
Clean, flowing body lines accented with boldly coloured “electric blue” decaling help call out the cutting-edge EV technology under the hood. Inside the cab, Case took an operator-first approach with an 8-inch colour touch screen display, user-friendly controls and ergonomic membrane keypads protected against dust and other debris. Multi-coloured, four-corner strobe lights also let operators work safely and meet regulatory requirements, with adjustable colours, strobe patterns and an “always-on” feature for low-light conditions when strobes are not needed. Source
After 29 years as a Tigercat dealer, Patrick-Miller Tractor Company has been acquired by MidSouth Forestry Equipment
Since 1996, Patrick-Miller Tractor Company has been committed to serving customers across Louisiana with tough, durable equipment and outstanding customer service. Tigercat is enthusiastic about MidSouth's expansion. The Many, Louisiana dealership will be MidSouth's fourth location, adding to its existing locations in Warren, Caddo Valley, and Springfield that already service customers in Arkansas and north Louisiana customers. Patrick-Miller's existing team will continue to service the customer base. The merger allows the entire area of responsibility to see better coverage from more locations. MidSouth's experience as a current Tigercat dealer will make this somewhat of a seamless transition, with the help of a well-known dealer and long-time staff. Source
The Noktop retreading celebrates its 50th anniversary
Thanks to continuous development, Noktop is still at the forefront of the industry. The design of new tyres goes hand in hand with the development of retreads, ensuring the latest technological solutions for retreading. Treads therefore complement Nokian Tyres' range of tyres for all kinds of environments, from icy roads to earthmoving work and from city buses to forestry machines. Retreading is particularly popular in the Nordic countries. In Finland, for example, new and retreaded truck tyres are sold in roughly equal quantities, and almost half of the retreads are Nokian Tyres Noktop, developed and manufactured in Finland. 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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