The new features aim to increase the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.
Among the features that have been developed to increase the safety of pedestrians and cyclists while at the same time facilitating the work of the driver, is the new Front Short Range Assist. The system is designed to detect if a cyclist or pedestrian in the risk area in front of the truck, using a front radar and camera, and warns the driver if there is imminent risk of a collision. Another feature is a new door opening warning system. This system is designed to warn if a pedestrian, cyclist, or car is approaching the truck from behind, on the same side of the truck where the door is opened.
Some of the new features have been developed to – already now meet or even exceed – the EU’s updated safety legislation, the General Safety Regulation (GSR), that will come into effect in July 2024. GSR, which makes several advanced driver support systems mandatory, aims to increase road safety and improve protection of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. By introducing the legislation, the EU expects to save over 25 000 lives and avoid 140 000 injuries by 2038.
The new safety features from Volvo Trucks are:
- Front Short Range Assist (included in the GSR): A front radar and camera are used to detect if someone is in front of the truck. Via a visual and sound signal, the system warns the driver if there is imminent risk of a collision.
- Intelligent Speed Assist (included in the GSR): This feature keeps the driver informed about speed limits by detecting road speed signs and displaying the limit on the instrument panel. The system displays the speed limit for the actual vehicle combination and also warns, with both visuals and sound alerts, if the speed limit is exceeded.
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (included in the GSR): This system monitors the tyre pressure on the truck and trailer. The new GSR regulation stipulates that if the pressure drops 20% below reference pressure, the driver should be informed via the driver display. The Volvo system exceeds the legal requirements by letting the driver choose to be warned even earlier than the stipulated 20% pressure drop. The system is capable of monitoring a wide range of under- and over-pressure readings. In addition, better energy efficiency is achieved by always having the optimum tire pressure.
- Door Opening Warning: This system, which is available on both sides of the truck, will warn if a moving object such as a pedestrian, cyclist or car is approaching from behind in the monitored area, on the same side of the truck where the door is opened. The system is active when the truck is at a standstill, and for two minutes after the engine or motor has been switched off.
- Auto Hold: The Auto Hold feature helps keep the truck stationary until the accelerator is applied, thus reassuring and assisting the driver on slopes and hills.
- Intelligent Speed Assist will be available on most markets, while the other systems will be available globally on the Volvo FH, FM and FMX with diesel, gas and electric drivelines, starting in September this year. The Volvo FL and FE models will get the safety systems as part of GSR enhancements before end of 2023. Source
The range now includes a new forestry mulcher for compact tractors.
Seppi M mulchers already cover the maximum power for tractors in the highest power class. This time, the focus is on compact tractors with the aim of offering an efficient maintenance tool for the most complex greenspaces. The Microforst pto with mechanical power take-off is designed for 30 to 60 hp (22 to 44 kW) tractors.
The Microforst pto mulches brush and woody plants up to 13 cm (5 in) in diameter. This mulcher is designed for PTO tractors that need a reliable mulcher for intense forestry works. The Microforst pto is designed for small tractors or public works vehicles up to 44 kW, and being a lightweight machine, also offers stability when working on slopes. The maximum recommended weight of the tractor is 2 tons.
The technical characteristics of the Microforst pto are similar to those of larger forestry mulchers, but the mulcher weighs less than 600 kg (1,300 lb). Thanks to its AR400 steel build, its resistance to wear and long service life is good despite its low weight.
The standard Cut Control rotor with Mini Duo hammers with 2 tungsten carbide inserts combines high performance with a long service life and ensure minimal and simple maintenance. The same type of hammers are used on all Seppi forestry mulchers, even in the highest performance class. The Cut Control rotors are latest generation, with Seppi Mini Duo tools and a new-concept depth limiter. Similar to a depth gauge on a chainsaw, the limiter controls the cutting depth and helps prevent the rotor from “choking”, thus guaranteeing an easy and quality milling process.
A rotor with Mini Blade tools can be selected as an option. This makes the Microforst pto mulcher particularly efficient on trees that have not yet been felled, ensuring a quick and clean cut of the wood thanks to the Mini Blade tools. Source
This is maximise the opportunities in the growing compact equipment segment.
The new Compact Business Unit will take advantage of the shift to electrification in the compact equipment segment to secure a fully electric line up of productive and sustainable products across the whole compact range. It will hHave responsibility for the whole value chain including development, assembly, purchasing and the go-to-market strategy (together with the existing distribution network) for the Compact offering, increasing touch points with customers. It will operate as an independent entity within Volvo CE, fully focused on maximizing the opportunities in the growing market for compact equipment. It will initially be responsible for compact excavators up to 9 tons and compact wheel loaders up to the L50 model.
An increase in population and urbanization has led to the expansion of the construction sector throughout the globe – with a particularly strong increase in the demand for compact equipment. The segment now represents 50% of the total market, compared to 35% a decade ago, with the growth trend likely to continue.
This new global business unit is the latest step forward in the company’s ambitions to lead the transformation of the industry and provide dedicated productivity-boosting solutions built to fit customers’ evolving needs. Thomas Bitter, Volvo CE’s Head of Technology, will take on the role as Head of the Compact Business Unit, from September 2023.
Volvo CE was early in leading the way by making an industry-first move to shift its entire branded compact range over to electric and stop development of new diesel variants, back in 2019. Since this strong signal to the market, it has launched five electric compact models: the ECR25 Electric, ECR18 Electric and EC18 Electric excavators and the L20 Electric and L25 Electric wheel loaders. The EC55 Electric excavator has also been introduced to China. Source
The 2024 model upgrade introduces several new functions and improvements.
The Komatsu S92 is an established and popular harvester head with a reliable and service-friendly design. The upgrades include a brand-new Constant Cut saw unit. Among the new benefits, the improved measurement characteristics stand out. The new design enables the measuring wheel to follow the contours of the stem more closely, providing excellent measurement characteristics.
A major new feature is also the new intelligent saw motor controller, Constant Cut, which now becomes standard on the S92, and ensures that the head maintains a constant and high chain speed without the risk of overspeeding.
The Find End function now has a new design and together with new mechanical stops at the rear knife this extends the service life of the head. The new feed system reduces energy losses and enhances the head performance, and an improved hose routing simplifies servicing the feed system. For even better service friendliness, all lubrication points are now easily accessed with the head in an upright position.
The colour marking tanks have been redesigned to provide easier access for filling and the multi-tree handling function has a new, more durable design which results in a lower and more agile head. In addition to the above and several other improvements, the head has also been equipped with a new head computer that enables future development opportunities. Source
The new tractor trailer is based on the Kesla multipurpose concept that was recently introduced.
The Finnish company Kesla Oyj has since been known for forestry machinery and timber loading and city cranes, as well as tractor equipment, including forestry trailers and loader cranes for tractors. Tractor equipment has become more and more versatile in recent years and now Kesla has introduced the Kesla multipurpose concept with towable fire-extinguishing unit.
The trailer with fire-fighting equipment can be used with all larger agricultural tractors. The fire-extinguishing tractor trailer consists of a Kesla multi-purpose trailer, a Kesla loading crane and a modern water tank made of special plastic with a volume of 10.5 m³ (13.7 yd3), as well as fire-extinguishing equipment. The fire-extinguishing trailer is equipped with a hydraulic unit and can therefore be used with any larger agricultural tractor without any problems.
The fire-extinguishing trailer consisting of a Kesla trailer with a multi-purpose structure and the attached fire-extinguishing unit can be driven to the fire site, since the Kesla 144 trailer can be used in a variety of ways, no special chassis is required. Even when the water tank is full, the transport speed is an advantage in order to keep the travel time between the filling point and the point of use as short as possible. The concept is based on the Kesla 144 forest trailer series with either HD (Robson drive) or ND (nave drive) as a chassis, which is pulled by the tractor and the trailer-mounted Kesla hydraulic unit is driven via the PTO shaft. As a result, the system is efficient off-road, e.g. in forest or field fires, and has good pulling power. The combination of good properties on the road and off-road gives the fire-fighting trailer flexibility and economy. It can also be used, for example, for irrigation.
The system has two water cannons - one at the rear of the fire-extinguishing superstructure, hydraulically adjustable, and a second on the boom of the loader crane. Both can be manually adjusted from the water jet to the spray jet and have a range of up to 30 m (98 ft). Both can be easily and precisely controlled to fire. The water cannon on the loader crane boom can also be used to extinguish fires.
The water tank of the fire-extinguishing equipment can be filled via hydrants or water pipes, but also via natural water sources such as ponds, lakes, rivers or even larger ditches filled with the hydraulically driven filling pump, which can be used accordingly with the loader crane thanks to its outreach. This is a advantage when working away from water mains. The fire-extinguishing unit is controlled via a separate joystick and the control element is hydraulically driven via the trailer's hydraulic unit.
The Kesla trailer fire-extinguishing unit has a multi-purpose structure and the semi-mounted fire extinguishing unit which can be easily removed from the trailer. After unhitching the fire extinguishing unit and the multi-purpose body frame, the stanchions can be put back on the trailer and the trailer can then work normally again. Kesla is currently working on further equipment for the multi-purpose body frame. Source
Einari Vidgrén Foundation rewarded forestry professionals for the 18th time
The Einari Award, the Einari Vidgrén Foundation’s key recognition, was granted to Heikki Ahola from H.A. Forest Oy, and Arvo and Markku Manninen from Koneurakointi Veljekset Manninen Ky. In addition to the Einari Award, recognitions were given in four different categories: lifetime achievement, special recognition, operators and students. In 2023, the Foundation’s awards totalled EUR 199,200. Source
Komatsu Forest’s production at Klockarbäcken in Umeå will become completely carbon neutral
Komatsu Group has a vision of being carbon neutral by 2050. This applies to both the production and use of Komatsu machines. The company moved into its new facilities in 2021 and ever since then the business has been close to achieving the target to become carbon neutral. Thanks to the dismantling of operations in the old premises, securing that all energy bought is climate neutral, and the fact that the wheel loaders used in the company's production are no longer fueled with diesel, the company has now achieved the coveted goal of a carbon-neutral production. Source
Cargotec and SSAB partner to bring new zero-emission recycled steel
Cargotec and SSAB are taking their partnership to the next level by introducing SSAB Zero™, a fossil carbon emission-free recycled steel, to the cargo and load handling industry. Cargotec plans to gradually start using this steel in its products this year. Source
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