In English - Komatsu Forest

Transcription

INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE No 2 • 2008
Increased logging in
FINLAND
20
New machine
paves the way
READ MORE
First to own
new harvester
10
Forest machine contractor Mats Mörk from
Kalix, northern Sweden is one of the first
owners of a new Valmet 911.4 harvester.
Valmet 830.3 a success in Finland 15 • Valmet‘s new harvester simulator 16 •
Russia a hot market 24 • LoadFlex Bio 28
komatsuforest.com
komatsuforest.com
Customers
in focus
O
ur new machines are now on
the market and they have been
very well received by customers
at shows in Europe and North America.
All new products launched this year
are the first concrete results of a new
approach to product development and
planning. Borrowing from the Japanese
industrial tradition has played a key role in
these efforts and I know that our focus on
quality assurance and customer satisfaction is much appreciated.
The next stop for our newest products is the FinnMetko convention in Finland. My hope is that customers in Finland and the other Scandinavian countries have already noticed our increased
focus on quality assurance and customer satisfaction. A focus that has delivered
concrete results in the form of products of
even greater value and credibility. Valmet
forest machines have a strong tradition in
the Scandinavian forest industry. Together with Swedish innovation and the proven success of the Japanese industrial tradition, I am confident we can manage this
proud heritage and continue to enhance
the Valmet brand.
Our product development strategy
CONTENTS
places even greater emphasis on product
development driven by customer needs.
In Japan, we call this Dantotsu. This
means Valmet machines shall always have
a few special characteristics that customers request and that competitors cannot
offer on their machines for another two or
three years. In this way, Valmet can always
stay a step ahead of the competition and
be sure to fulfill customer needs. r
Education in Finland
4
A machine suited to the forest
8
Mats first to own new harvester
10
Successful exhibition in Romania
13
Tips and advice
14
Valmet 830.3 a success in Finland 15
Valmet’s new harvester simulator 16
Stable start with used machines
18
New machine paves the way
20
FXL easily climbs Tennessee
mountains
22
Valmet 890.3 now with
hydraulic supports
23
Russia a hot market
24
ProSelect
26
Fantastic climbing
on Norwegian slopes
30
Automatic loading trial
32
Great interest in new machines
34
Toshio Miyake
Chief Executive Officer,
Komatsu Forest
INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE
Publisher: Roland Lundqvist
[email protected]
Editor: Gunnar Andersson
[email protected]
Address: Just Forest, Komatsu Forest AB,
Box 7124, SE-907 04 Umeå, Sweden
Contact: Telephone +46 90 70 93 00,
fax +46 90 12 04 60
Internet: www.komatsuforest.com
Production: AB Nordreportern
Writers: Gunnar Andersson, Anders Pauser,
Erik Säfvenberg, Emma Lindqvist
Photographers: Anders Pauser, Erik Säfvenberg,
Gunnar Andersson, Emma Lindqvist
Layout and original: Fredrik Lundell
Printing: Ågrens Tryckeri, Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
Paper: Gotic Silk 130 gram
Circulation: 47,000
Languages: Swedish, Finnish, English, German,
French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian
The content may be quoted if the source is cited.
komatsuforest.com
JUST FOREST NO 2
• 2008
3
It always takes time to learn something new. Becoming a skilled, professional forest machine
operator takes practical experience. In Finland, they know how to train forest machine operators.
EDUCATION
– The best training in the world
W
hat is it that makes Finnish
forest machine training the
best in the world?
”Forest machine education started way back in the 1960s and
received state funding right from the start.
During their studies, students are offered
internships operating modern forest
machines. Our instructors regularly further
their own education and are deeply committed to teaching others about forest machines.
Forest machine programs have acted as role
models for education in other subjects. We’re
forerunners in areas such as networking with
trade and industry and adopting new teaching environments,” explains Principal Tommi Anttonen, professor in educational sociology at the University of Joensuu.
THE CHALLENGE with education is to sift
out that which is important and to concentrate on the right aspects. According to Professor Anttonen, this means machine operation
and communication with forest owners. The
school’s central role is to support the development of a professional identity. Professor
Anttonen emphasizes the two sides of this:
alongside well-honed professionalism, the
students also learn skills that help them in
life as well as at work. For most students, the
school is like a second home, a place where
You can’t learn this from a book. Practical
training is a must.
4
JUST FOREST NO 2 • 2008
The simulators enable the study of an entire work process, from planning the stand marked for felling to harvesting and local transport. The
students learn safe and correct work methods in the simulator in the classroom and can then easily transfer these skills to the real world and
real machines. The simulator room at Valtimo is even used in the evenings when students train in groups, preparing for their future careers.
you learn to communicate and to look after
yourself and your friends.
”The industry grows on you, and hopefully you remain a part of it. Professional pride
is gained through knowledge, self-criticism,
and experience. You can be proud of your pro-
fessional skills and performance. Recognizing your own development needs is part of
being a professional.”
THE STRENGTH of Finnish forest machine
education lies in successful cooperation with
INFO Forest machine education in Finland
Forest machine and mechanic programs are offered at eight schools in Finland.
Specialization is possible, as a forest machine operator, harvester operator, timber truck driver, or forest machine mechanic. The programs also offer the opportunity to specialize in different machine brands. An important part of the programs
comprises work experience, which can also be done overseas. Youth education includes a system of self-contained examinations, which means students can prove
their knowledge in practical exercises and in real work environments. Education is
free and the schools in Finland can offer students room and board. The schools in
the forest industry offer courses for adults as well as youths. The schools also arrange courses for professional forest machine operators, service personnel, and those working with harvester computer systems.
various forest machine contractors. Everything the students learn is regularly put into
practice. The work experience modules are
very popular and many students gain future
employment through them.
The forest machine school in Valtimo is
one of several such schools in Finland. Valtimo’s strength is the capable students that
employers already show a keen interest in
before graduation.
”Most of the students are sure of their chosen profession when they start here, which
ensures study motivation is high. In educational terms, Valtimo’s strength is solid theory combined with practical application.”
VALTIMO HAS TEN simulators, which comprise an important part of the programs. One
of the teachers at the school, Mikko Saarimaa,
is involved in the MetViro project, which is a
collaboration between several forest machine schools. The project encompasses everything from educational planning through Internet-based learning to technical education. A
motivated teacher is an important link between the virtual learning environment and
the students, says Principal Anttonen.
”You need an active and helpful teacher
to make the most of the educational opportunities of the virtual learning environment. A
student that is alone in the digital world will
not learn much, but with the right guidance
learning progresses well. With a simulator,
it’s important to learn in a safe environment,
as this aids the learning process.”
Valtimo has several years’ experience of
using simulators in teaching. According to
lecturer Reijo Korhonen, simulator training gives students a good foundation in areas
such as machine operation, adjustment, data
communication, and troubleshooting.
”This method is very effective when the
student can later complement initial training in the simulator with practice in a real
machine.” r
Forest machine operator Anne Tietäväinen is studying to be a service mechanic at Valtimo.
”The forest machine industry
suits me perfectly.”
Anne Tietäväinen, 19, is reading the forest machine program
at Valtimo. She thinks this is the
right industry for her. Anne originally trained as a forest machine
operator and when her interest
continued to grow she continued
her studies by specializing as a
Valmet mechanic.
A
nne Tietäväinen is grateful for
the basic skills she learned at the
school in Valtimo. Prior knowledge of forest machines was not
an entry requirement.
”I hadn’t even seen a forest machine or
a disassembled engine before I started the
course, but I was inspired by the knowledgeable teachers and their attention to detail. This
is an industry for craftsmanship and it takes
time to learn. Reading about it is not enough.
You have to practice,” she explains.
On the operator program there were a few
girls in Anne’s class, but on the service program she has only male classmates. Work as
an operator or mechanic suits men and wom-
6
Dedicated teachers, plentiful resources, and
long traditions have polished Finnish forest
machine education into a real diamond.
Discussing the opportunities provided by
virtual teaching are Department Head Reijo
Hiltunen (left), study counselor Eija Kropsu,
Principal Tommi Anttonen, and teacher
Mikko Saarimaa, who is involved in the
development of the MetViro virtual teaching
environment.
en alike.
”So far there hasn’t been anything I
couldn’t do because I’m a woman. Muscles
are not the most important factor in this profession. The forest machine industry is perfectly suited to women.”
ANNE HAS EXPERIENCE from both traditional exams and practical exams. Which is the
best alternative, with regard to your own education?
”Definitely the practical exams, as it’s difficult to demonstrate your knowledge on paper
alone. And you learn in the real world, by preparing for practical exams and by doing them.
You remember what you’ve learned because
it’s not just about memorizing things.”
Anne is comfortable around engines and
technology. So what does the future hold for
this young and capable woman?
”The forest industry is definitely my thing.
It’s the right choice as my interest just keeps
growing. After the mechanic program, I’m
going to apply to university to further my education.” r
Anne Tietäväinen will have many irons in the
fire in the forest machine industry. The mechanic program ends with about ten self-contained
exams. Anne likes being able to demonstrate
her skills in practice.
7
The annual harvest in Finland will rise from 55 million cubic meters to
about 65 million cubic meters. The greater part of this timber is harvested on soft peat ground. Ground pressure has been a hot topic in
conjunction with harvesting on peat ground. The most important factor in
reducing ground pressure is the machine’s actual weight when loaded.
So says Timo Korhonen, Head of Sales in Finland.
TIMO KORHONEN
A machine suited
to the forest
T
he machine’s ground pressure can be reduced, for
example, by increasing the
area of the tracks bringing the weight
of the machine and its load in contact
with the ground. In other words, the
broader and longer the tracks or tires,
the lower the ground pressure. In
terms of the effects on the machine’s
handling and maneuverability, the
limits on track/tire length and width
are difficult to determine and a current issue of debate in Finland.
Parallel to this, the mills have
demanded broader strip roads to
more effectively transport timber
from the forest. Previously, machine
technology has been adapted to existing rules and regulations. Is it now
the case that the rules for silviculture are being changed to suit technical solutions, of better or worse quality, on machines? This should not be
the case.
Harvesting on peat ground often
entails thinning small trees on soft
ground. These areas are not normally harvested as it’s easier to harvest
trees in more easily handled areas.
The increasing demand for domestic timber has created a situation
whereby trees must also be harvested from stands on soft peat ground.
Year-round harvesting is a necessity, though the summer offers the best
conditions for harvesting.
THE FORESTRY INDUSTRY has had
problems with specialty machines as
there has been insufficient work to
keep them busy, so they’ve been used
under conditions that are not financi-
The Valmet 830 forwarder with
Finnish custom EcoMagnum tracks
at the rear and EcoTrack tracks at the
front. Track play is limited.
8
ally profitable. Small forest machines
provide one example. For clear-cutting they are not as economic as larger
machines as they have smaller load
capacities and less powerful cranes.
When thinning on a smaller scale on
soft terrain these limitations no longer hold. The piles of pulpwood are
small and easy to handle with a smaller crane and a smaller bunk is sufficient as a larger bunk would be redundant due to ground conditions.
A SMALL FOREST machine is fast
and nimble. The machine’s total
weight, that is, its dead weight
together with the weight of the load,
and weight distribution are most
important when operating on soft terrain. For example, a Valmet 830.3,
which is definitely the lightest compared to similar machines from other manufacturers, weighs 12 metric tons without tracks and chains. Its
total weight with tracks, chains, and a
7-metric ton load is 21 metric tons.
The Valmet 901.4 harvester weighs
about 15 metric tons, tipping 17 metric tons with tracks and chains. The
harvester’s weight is less important
compared to a forwarder because
the harvester is always lighter than
the loaded forwarder. The machine’s
weight distribution and other equipment also factor in. The most important characteristics for a harvester are
efficiency, reach, and good stability.
DEMANDS ON efficiency increase
as there is not always sufficient work
to utilize the machine’s full capacity on smaller plots. Harvesting must
be effective and this is best achieved when you can work directly from
strip roads spaced at 20-meter intervals. The prime mover must be stable with a good reach to cope with harvesting in difficult locations. Stability
improves efficiency and work quality,
making work more effective and accurate. Branches and treetops can be
placed on the forest track during harvesting to protect the tree roots.
The need to harvest extensive-
INFO Ground pressure
There are several formulas for calculating ground pressure. One of the most
common for tracked machines with bogies is:
P=
F
(1,25 x R + L) x B
P=Ground pressure
F=Weight burdening the track, kg
R=Tire diameter, m
L=Distance between track wheel hubs, m
B=Track width, m
According to this calculation, ground pressure is about 0.30 kg/cm2 for a
Valmet 830.3 with a 7-metric ton load, assuming ground pressure is the
same at the front and rear and an estimated settlement of 15 percent.
There are other ways to calculate ground pressure. Calculating ground
pressure as in the previous example provides guidance, but determining an
exact value for ground pressure as a limit for harvesting is questionable.
Different machines behave differently under different conditions. Planning
and harvesting at the right time is most important, regardless of the machine used. The operator’s skill and knowledge of conditions can solve many
of the problems associated with ”soft conditions”. Forest owners will surely
have opinions on which machines should be used to harvest their forests.
ly on peat ground was a relatively
unexpected development for everyone in Finland. We’ve also been quick
to meet this need as the harvesting
machines can be standard machines
properly equipped to operate on soft
terrain. Harvesting must also be conducted in compliance with current
silviculture practices. It should be
remembered that soft terrain is often
located near areas with good, firm
mineral soil, which means the same
machines can be used to harvest on
both types of ground. It should be
possible to use machines under current regulations, it shouldn’t be necessary to change the regulations to
suit the machines. This means light
yet effective and stable machines
guarantee the best result, in terms of
economics and performance.
The Valmet 901 harvester with Finnish
custom EcoMagnum
tracks and
EcoMagnum wheels.
The machine is fitted with 710x22.5
front wheels and
650x26.5 rear
wheels. Rear axle
play is limited.
THE VALMET 901.4 and the Valmet
830.3 are light machines for their
size. As for equipment, a new type of
track has helped reduce ground pressure considerably. Using tracks can
often cut ground pressure by half
compared to not using tracks.
Ground pressure is affected by
the machine’s total weight, that is,
its dead weight plus the weight of the
load and any equipment, the distribution of weight between the machine’s
forward and rear sections, the size of
the ground contact area, and the estimated settlement. r
9
Swedish contractor Mats Mörk is one of the first to take delivery of a new Valmet 911.4. The new bogie design, the cab, and the control
system are new features he values highly.
Mats first to own
new harvester
Forest machine contractor Mats Mörk from Kalix, northern
Sweden is one of the first owners of a new Valmet 911.4 harvester.
”This machine sets no limits on the productivity of a highly skilled
operator,” says Mats.
10
THE NEW VALMET 911.4
• Copes better with steep terrain
and poor ground conditions. Valmet Comfort Bogie is a refinement
of Valmet’s well-proven bogie design and now combines increased
climbing ability in steep terrain
with retained good maneuverability on soft ground. The high wheel
arch and large bogie suspension
are retained, and together they
provide evenly distributed ground
pressure, a smoother ride, and increased stability.
• Has a new cab that is much roomier than before. With improved visibility, air quality, and ergonom-
M
ats Mörk has run his own forest machine business for eleven
years. As he is one of Sweden’s
most qualified forest machine operators with
medals from the European as well as the
Swedish championships, he’s picky about
which operators he employs.
”After driving the new Valmet 911.4, I can
confirm its greater capacity and higher productivity. This machine sets no limits on the
productivity of a highly skilled operator,” says
Mats.
Mörks Skogsmaskiner, the name of his
company, has three machine groups. Seventy percent of the company’s assignments are
ics, this cab helps increase produc-
for final logging, the rest thinning. Clients
include forestry companies Billerud and SCA
as well as the local sawmill Rolf Såg, which is
now part of the Setra Group.
”We added an additional group last August
to meet demand,” says Mats.
HE HASN’T YET HAD much time to operate
his new 911.4, but he’s already experienced
the advantages of the new harvester.
”The new bogie design, the cab, and the
control system will be of great benefit,” says
Mats.
Mats says handling is completely different
with the new bogie. Maneuverability and sta-
tivity.
• Has the new MaxiXplorer control
system. The hardware is more advanced, offering greater capacity and speed. Work mode is completely new and functions that
have seen improvement include
crosscutting and assignment management, which are more intuitive,
more advanced, more flexible, and
even faster.
11
The larger, more comfortable cab is a new feature of the Valmet 911.4 that ensured Mats
Mörk didn’t hesitate to place an order. There’s more room and the cab environment is
much better, he says.
bility are quite simply much better.
”You notice this most in slightly more
demanding terrain. The new 911 continues
climbing where previously only the 941 could go.”
VALMET COMFORT BOGIE is a refinement
of Valmet’s proven bogie design that retains
the high wheel arch and large bogie suspension. Together they ensure evenly distributed ground pressure, a smoother ride, and
increased stability. Traction is also increased,
which contributes to better maneuverability.
”You get a better grip in difficult terrain,
which means you reach stands more quickly.
Production is quite simply better,” says Mats.
The new Valmet 911.4 has a new control
INFO
system, MaxiXplorer, with a new work mode
and improved functions for, among other
things, crosscutting and assignment management. Mats finds the work mode layout logical and crosscutting faster with more accurate
length measurement.
”Generally speaking, MaxiXplorer is a
more advanced system, but despite this it’s
easier to use, which is most important to the
operators,” says Mats.
The larger, more comfortable cab is another new feature of the Valmet 911.4 that
ensured Mats didn’t hesitate to place an order.
”Now it’s like sitting in a Valmet 941.
There’s more room and the cab environment
is much better.” r
Mörks Skogsmaskiner AB
Mats Mörk founded Mörks Skogsmaskiner AB in 1997. He owns and runs the business
and counts one of his brothers among his seven employees. Mats has a Valmet 911.4, a
Valmet 911.3, and a Valmet 941. He also has a Valmet 860.1, a Valmet 860.3, and a Valmet 890.3. Mats won the Swedish and European championships in forwarding in 2002.
12
MAY WE ASK…
…TIMO YLÄNEN,
CEO of Komatsu Forest i
n Finland.
What’s the market situation in
Finland?
”Currently good. We had a
record year last year, so that
will be difficult to match this
year, but I expect this to be
our second best year ever.”
How do you think
the market will
develop this year?
Success in Romania
Four-hundred visitors came for a
closer look when Komatsu Forest
exhibited machines in Romania.
T
he Valmet machines demonstration
took place in Piatra Neamt in the Carpathian Mountains. Almost 400 people took part in the two-day event that showcased machines for both the cut-to-length and
full tree systems. On location was a Valmet
860.3 with clamshell grapples and a winch, a
Valmet 911.3, and two used machines.
Romania has 6.4 million hectares of for-
est, corresponding to 27 percent of the country’s land area. A third of these forests is
coniferous, found mostly in the mountains.
In 2006, 17 million cubic meters of timber
were harvested and annual growth is 30 million cubic meters.
Over the next two years, the Romanian
market is expected to need between 15 and 20
forwarders and about five harvesters. Albert
Serban at Alser Forest is Komatsu Forest’s
sales representative in Romania while service
and spare parts are provided by another collaborative partner. r
”The market has performed
very well so far, but I’m a little concerned about the fall
due to the forest industry restricting production.”
”On the other hand, the
domestic harvest will increase, mostly through thinning. This is due, for example, to cuts in Russian imports. So on the whole, I
have a good feeling and I
think this year will be another strong year for forest machine sales in Finland.”
Will there be any
special marketing campaigns in
Finland in 2008?
”We’ll participate at the
FinnMetko convention and
showcase all our new models. We’ve also had a road
show to give customers a
chance to see the new forwarders and harvesters close
up.”
”And last year we moved
to nice new premises built
specially for us; an investment of four million euros.”
13
TIPS AND ADVICE
Just Forest plans use this space to publish practical tips and advice for users of Valmet forest machines.
The editors are happy to publish any ideas you may have. Please send any tips or questions to [email protected].
Sharp delimbing tools
increase productivity
Keeping a harvesting head’s
delimbing tool well maintained
improves machine and operator performance. Delimbing
progresses steadily and there’s
no need to repeat the process or
reverse the head. The cutting
edges of the delimbing knives
can be sharpened by hand and
this is quickly done.
M
aintaining the head’s cutting
tool increases productivity as
well as service life. Poorly maintained delimbing tools can result in broken
!
THE CUTTING ANGLE of the delimbing knives ought to be adapted to the harvesting
assignment. If you are unsure of the proper
angle to use, contact your nearest dealer for
more information. The knives can be sharpened by hand with a suitable tool. For larger
alterations, such as changing the edge angle
or reshaping the knives, use an abrasive disc.
Remember that an abrasive disc grinds the
knives aggressively and can cut back the edge
considerably.
TO SIMPLY SHARPEN the delimbing knives
use a hand file or a so-called riffler.
The head’s rear delimbing knives can be
sharpened in the same manner as the forward knives, though a relatively large opposing edge is most often ground. If the trees to
be harvested have lighter limbs and are not
knotty, the rear knives can be rounded off to
reduce bark scraping caused by friction when
reversing. r
Remember that there are always exceptions and that delimbing knives need to be
handled differently for each assignment. Also remember to use protective equipment
when grinding delimbing tools.
Timber delimbed with well-maintained
and ground delimbing knives. Here the
limbs are not ripped off and there’s no
need to reverse.
14
or torn tree tops, leaving valuable timber in
the forest. What’s more, soiled or limbed timber is considered lower quality and reduces
harvester productivity. Always start by checking the delimbing knives for any compression damage. Such irregularities are easily
straightened out with a hammer.
When using an abrasive disc or angle grinder,
it’s best to use a rigid disc to avoid so-called
hawk beak, which is when the cutting edge
curves around.
To help the delimbing tool follow the
trunk more closely, grind a small opposing edge on the inside of the delimbing
tool.
Demand for thinning forwarders
in Finland has probably never
been greater than now, which has
given the Valmet 830.3 a sales
boost .
”Customers have realized it’s
a fast, nimble machine with
good maneuverability that also
carries a load equal to that of a
medium-size forwarder,” says
Timo Korhonen, Head of Sales at
Komatsu Forest Oy in Finland.
T
hinning work has picked up speed
in Finland. A major cause is the dramatic tax increases in Russia that will
put a stop to a large share of timber exports
to Finland at the end of 2008, increasing the
profitability of thinning in Finland. In the
wake of increased thinning is a growing interest in thinning forwarders. This has made the
Valmet 830.3 thinning specialist the center of
attention.
NOT ONLY IS IT fast and nimble with a capa-
The Valmet 830.3’s speed, nimbleness, and large load capacity are three weighty reasons for
its success in Finland.
Valmet 830.3
a success in
Finland
city not expected of its size, it has also been on
the Finnish market for a long time and has a
proven track record for productivity.
”Valmet forwarders have a good reputation in Finland and the fact that the Valmet
830.3 is a well proven machine is good reason
for many customers to now choose this forwarder,” says Timo Korhonen, Head of Sales
at Komatsu Forest Oy Finland.
Another important factor is the Valmet
830.3’s good handling on wet ground. The
relatively low and evenly distributed ground
pressure enables it to forward even during
times of the year when the ground is at its
wettest. As Timo Korhonen explains:
”Large parts of Finland’s forestlands are
on peat ground, with a thin, dry surface layer covering a thoroughly soaked bed of soil.
Maneuverability is another important factor
for high productivity, especially as many contractors can’t harvest all year round due to
poor ground conditions.” r
15
Valmet’s new
harvester simulator
VALMET’S NEW HARVESTER simulator needs
as much space as a Euro pallet. This makes it
easy to load and ship anywhere in the world.
The simulator also has an attractive design and
is based on Valmet’s new MaxiXplorer control
system, the most modern system on the market. MaxiXplorer is found on Valmet’s new harvesters, though in the simulator you can even
test other machines. You can, for example, test
Valmet’s forwarders and PS head.
16
Another new feature is the chassis, which
has an improved design for storing the electronics, which are now located under the seat.
In front of the operator is a 50-inch screen,
rather than the usual projector and film screen.
The simulator will be used, for example, by students learning how to operate the machines
and by larger companies with their own
machines to train personnel. The simulator is
manufactured by Oryx. r
Forest fair in Tartu
a success for Valmet
THE FOREST FAIR IN TARTU, Estonia was
a success for Komatsu Forest. Despite the
wet and warm winter forcing forest road closures and an end to work already in March,
many visitors were interested in Valmet’s forest machines.
Valmet’s strong market position in Estonia is based mainly around a good service network. There are four local service companies
and all have worked with Valmet machines
for many years. The fair gave Valmet the
opportunity to present the 830.3 forward-
er, which is a popular machine in the Baltic
States due to its intelligence and low weight.
What’s more, it handles well on soft, damp
Baltic forestland.
The system is used on harvesters and is the
most modern system on the market. Customers were heard to say, ”It’s more than we
could have asked for.”
OTHER MACHINES presented at the fair
THE NEW VALMET .4 (dot 4) series was presented in photos and videos. The new and
upgraded models attracted a great deal of
attention, much due to the new improvements, particularly the MaxiXplorer system, the spacious cabs, and the availability of
many languages. r
included the Valmet 840.3, which is popular
for thinning, and the hefty Valmet 911.3 harvester, which offers ample capacity for harvesting and thinning.
The presentation of the new Valmet MaxiXplorer control system was a great success.
Training the trainers
A GROUP OF INSTRUCTORS from Komatsu
Forest’s sales companies in Norway, England,
Ireland, France, Finland, and Germany have
attended a course in hydraulic pumps and
hydraulic motors at the Sauer Danfoss plant.
The group received theory lessons covering
component functions and practical lessons
in identifying problems, troubleshooting,
and repairs. The course is part of the European Distribution Center’s long-term training
strategy. r
17
18
Pascal Laporte
enjoys driving his
Valmet 840.2 and
being a forest machine contractor.
Stable start
– with used machines
Like so many others, French forest machine contractor Pascal Laporte started out with used machines.
He bought his first machine, a Valmet 921.1, in 2004. The objective with used machines is to run a relatively small-scale operation with stable profitability and then gradually update the lineup.
P
ascal Laporte’s company mostly works with
thinning in the Sarl
region of the French
Massif Central. Pascal is a typical machine contractor,
beginning his career as a forwarder operator in 1982 and founding his
own company in 1986. He took on his
first employee in 1998 and today the
company has four machines, including two Valmet 840.2s and a Valmet
921.1. Pascal still works as a forwarder operator and is happy to get behind
the controls of his Valmet 840.2. He
thinks it’s important to continue
working as an operator as well as to
build up a reasonably large and stable business.
“I found it natural to begin with
used machines and then gradually, as I
built up capital, to make the transition
to new machines,” Pascal explains.
“I bought my first new machine, a
Valmet 921.1, in 2004 and I recently
ordered a new Valmet 911.3.”
He sees advantages in a new
machine lineup; on the one hand
the reduced maintenance costs and
increased productivity, on the other the better image it presents. Naturally, the operators also benefit from
new machines.
THE MACHINES ARE expected to run
all year round, some 2,000 hours a
year, and a harvester produces about
30,000 cubic meters a year when thinning. The company generally works
all year round. Pascal is a subcontractor to two sawmills in the area and,
as such, receives regular harvesting
assignments.
“These are good customers that
pay well and supply us with a great
deal of work,” says Pascal. “Their
strategy is to use five or six reliable
subcontractors and we’re one of
those key suppliers.”
PASCAL LIKES Valmet and enjoys
operating his 840.2. He’s very keen
on the CRF7 crane with its G40
grapple. This is a flexible combination delivering high productivity,
even in the small harvesting plots on
which they often work.
The company’s size, with four
machines and four operators, suits
him well. If they expand any more,
he won’t be able to work in the field
as much and operations will be more
vulnerable.
“If we grew any more there’d be a
great deal of pressure to continually
win new assignments,” says Pascal.
“Faced with that, I prefer to keep our
regular customers and spend time in
the forest with my machine.” r
When we visited
Pascal Laporte, he
was awaiting delivery
of a new Valmet 911.3,
a perfect machine for
thinning.
19
FXL cuts utility
right-of-way
the right way
The 475FXL makes
quick work small
trees, but also has
the size and power
to handle any forest
or terrain the company comes across.
20
B
rian Worthington, Superintendent and machine
operator of Moosehead Harvesting is based
out of Lincoln, New Hampshire,
USA. Worthington is an avid promoter of Valmet’s ‘Timbco-style’ felling machines. When asked about
his company’s latest purchase – a
475FXL – he said, “There is a lot to
like about Komatsu’s engineering!”
Worthington, age 35 brings passion and intensity to his work. He
started logging at age fourteen and
began operating a feller buncher at
eighteen. He states with pride that
he has cut with Timbcos his entire
career, including a T425; (2) T445s; a
445EXL; a 475EXL; and now, the new
475FXL. He also had the opportunity
to run one of the first 445FXL’s for a
short time and was very impressed.
Moosehead does logging, land
clearing. Its specialty is cutting utility
right-of-ways throughout the northeast
United States with its Valmet 475EXL
and a new 475FXL. Having the two
Worthington can’t
say enough about the
impressive Komatsu
tracks, rollers, rock
guards, slides, idlers,
and springs.
Worthington likes the strength and added capability of the ‘Power Boom.’
models for comparison, and a virtual
lifetime of experience, we asked Brian
for feedback on the FXL series.
“I like it a lot!” he says. The FXL is
more stable. The difference is almost
like moving up a size, for example
from a 445-size to a 475 tail-swing
size machine - that’s like night and
day. Changing from the 475EXL to the
475FXL model is a huge difference.”
He continues, “There are a lot
of things that add up to a much better machine. I really like the undercarriage improvements. It’s reengineered and I can see that it has a
much stronger design. An experienced operator will feel the Komatsu
influence right away.”
The Valmet 475FXL, Komat-
su Forest’s largest, is manufactured
in Shawano, Wisconsin USA. With
independent hydrostatic track drives,
cab-tilt and continuous 360° rotation,
the design is setup for high production tree-length cutting in demanding conditions.
NEW FXL features are primarily in
the turntable and down – tracks are
45cm (18”) longer and heavier, the
carbody design is new, and the leveling system components are much
larger. The tracks are the industry’s
largest in a feller-buncher.
Brian says, “For us, operating on
steep hills and rocky ground, the added weight really helps with stability.”
He emphasizes, “The extra weight
(about 4-tons) is down low to the
ground where it needs to be.
The company’s EXL has the standard reach-to-tree boom that is 9.4m
(31ft), but the FXL is fitted with the
stout 8.5m (28ft) reach-to-tree Power
Boom. Worthington was concerned
about giving up reach with the new
boom, but is now sold on it. He says,
“I like the extra power. I see a big
advantage for what we do. I’m holding close to 8,000 pounds (3625 kg) of
head. The power boom stands up to
the workload.”
BRIAN APPRECIATES the ‘clam
shell’ enclosures that fold open to
provide work platforms, for the
hydraulic components and the Tier3
Cummins QSL 9 liter, 330 horsepower (peak) engine. “In the past we
sometimes had cooling issues, but
those problems are gone. Now, it’s all
filtered and cooled oil. That is definitely a Komatsu thing!”
Worthington concludes, “There
are a lot of little improvements that
add up. Really, the whole machine
has just gotten better. I’m very
impressed with the FXL machines,
and I can pretty much say I’ve run all
the Valmet models.” r
Brian Worthington of Moosehead
Harvesting takes a to discuss his favorite Valmet machine.
21
The 445FXL repositions a tree to allow a skidder to pull it
back to the landing more easily.
Operator, Ray Thompson runs one of FNTs 445FXL machines.
Optimism and
new FXLs help climb
Tennessee hills
F
NT Logging and Land
Clearing, based in Crossville, Tennessee, USA,
recently added two Valmet
445FXLs to its lineup. From the start,
the company has been impressed
with their performance. The majority of FNT’s work is cutting pulpwood and saw logs from the mix of
pine and hardwoods found in the
steep hills of the Appalachian Mountain range.
Floyd Turner stands
on the Komatsu
track of one of his
new 445FXL machines.
22
SLOPES OFTEN exceed 50 percent,
which requires the FXLs full leveling capability. The machines heavier undercarriage adds stability and
increases harvesting range. Today,
when weather cooperates,it is com-
mon for the company to cut and send
up to 80 truckloads per week.
Second generation logger and
owner, Floyd Turner has a long history with Timbcos, he anticipated the
larger undercarriage and new features would help his operators cut
more during their 10 hour shifts.
Floyd says, “The FXL cuts where the
skidders won’t go. At times, the operator will shuttle trees down to where
the skidder can get at them so we can
get more logs to market.”
Floyd’s operator, Ray Thompson, has cut with both 425 and 445size feller bunchers. He feels the
extra weight of the Komatsu undercarriage adds safety and stability.
Thompson says, “You can tell the dif-
ference, the tracks are longer and the
machine climbs better, it’s got power.” He adds, “The cab layout is nice,
it’s roomy. I also like the stronger
boom, it’s stiffer and I can tell the difference.”
FLOYD PURCHASED the FXLs from
his Komatsu Forest dealer, Power
Equipment in Knoxville. He is happy with their service and appreciates that his sales representative, Larry
Prater, knows forestry.
Floyd concludes, “I’m optimistic about our future with these
machines. I like Komatsu and Valmet
coming together. It’s a global company with forestry experience, resources a nd machines that can help us.” r
The new controls are used
to maneuver the supports.
Controls for the left and
right sides of the bunk are
found on the left-hand and
right-hand control panels
respectively.
and
orts on each side can be raised
Flex even more flexible as the supp
The hydraulic supports make Load
lowered separately.
Valmet 890.3 now with
hydraulic supports
A Valmet 890.3 equipped
with Valmet LoadFlex can
now have hydraulic heightadjustable supports. The
Valmet 840.4 and 860.4
have already been available with the new supports
for some time. The hydraulic supports make forwarding even easier as the
height of the supports is
easily adjusted.
J
ust like the Valmet 840.4 and
860.4, the 890.3 can now be fitted with LoadFlex with hydraulic supports. Basically, LoadFlex uses
parallel-controlled bunk supports
with extra joints that can be folded
out to make the bunk wider than normal. A new Valmet LoadFlex feature
is the addition of hydraulic heightadjustable supports. Hydraulic supports make roundwood and forest
residue harvesting even more efficient as the height of the supports is
easily adjusted.
THE SUPPORTS are controlled with
MaxiForwarder. The control panel
buttons on the driver’s seat can be
used to raise and lower the supports
when loading and unloading and
each side can be controlled separately.
Valmet LoadFlex enables the forwarder to always carry its maximum
load. The gate can also be folded out
to cover the entire bunk width. LoadFlex increases the forwarder’s bunk
width by 55 inches (1.4 meters), also
lowering the forwarder’s center of
gravity. This significantly improves
stability and enables faster transport
speeds with larger loads. The hydraulic supports can be lowered even
more than the manually-adjustable
supports, which further lowers the
height of the path taken by the crane.
This also improves the machine’s
center of gravity and facilitates transport on a trailer.
New Valmet
LoadFlex
features
• Hydraulic height-adjustable supports
• Supports controlled
via MaxiForwarder
• The supports can be
lowered more than
previous models
THANKS TO THE LoadFlex system’s
weighing function, the operator
never risks overloading the bunk.
With the system’s production reports,
the operator can easily register the
production volume of each tree species and assortment with great precision. This information can then be
output as a printed report or a production file. r
23
RUSSIA
a hot market
Forests in Russia are growing at an astounding rate and the market for CTL forest machines is
on the increase. This is shown in a new study from the Finnish research institute Metla.
T
he Russian forest machine market is growing dramatically,
fueled by the need to modernize.
Development moves fast in these
expansive forestlands, which deliver 700-800
million cubic meters of timber growth a year.
In the Leningrad region alone, there
will be a need for at least 30 to 40, perhaps
as many as 60, new forest machines a year
for the foreseeable future. This is shown in
a report that researchers Yuri Gerasimov
and Timo Karjalainen of the Finnish forest
research institute Metla prepared as part of a
project that is surveying the forest machine
market in Russia.
The Leningrad region is considered a key
region in the Russian forest machine market due to the important production of forest
products in the region. This is a region that
has also experienced a relatively rapid transi-
tion to the cut-to-length system, a transition
that has been simplified by the good infrastructure already in place.
THE RESEARCHERS predict that mostly harvesters, forwarders, and other machines used
for CTL will be needed. At present, most contractors employ other harvesting methods, but
in light of current harvesting volumes a third
of assignments in the Leningrad region could
KARELIA
St. Petersburg
ARKHANGELSK
LENINGRAD
REGION
KOMI
VOLOGDA
Moscow
24
The research project at the Finnish research institute Metla is
surveying the forest machine market in Russia. So far the project has studied the Leningrad region and is continuing with
Arkhangelsk, Komi, Vologda, and Karelia.
be conducted using the Scandinavian CTL
system. According to the study, this third corresponds to 41 companies and these companies would need 270 machines, with the ten
largest companies representing half of the
requirement.
THE RESEARCHERS also claim that if all per-
mitted harvesting was conducted in full, twothirds of the forest machines could employ
the CTL method. According to the study, this
would mean 70 companies with a need for
between 500 and 770 machines. Here, too,
the ten largest contractors represent about
half of the machines.
The researchers from Metla only studied
the Leningrad region, but the results indicate possible growth in CTL in several other
regions of Russia, though not in Siberia.
”Conditions in Siberia are very different
compared to the rest of Europe and northwestern Russia. Siberia has great expanses
with no proper roads, which are a prerequisite for CTL. Siberian forests are also largely uncultivated. This means that for now old
technology works better. Harvesting methods
in Siberia are also still very much part of old
traditions,” says Timo Karjalainen.
According to Yuri Gerasimov, if CTL is
to gain more widespread use in Russia then
developments are needed on several fronts.
THE METHOD must be marketed, additional
qualified operators are needed, after-sales service must work well, and the logistics must
work. Moreover, alternative financing solutions are required and the machines must be
able to cope with Russian conditions. This
means taking into account special tree species, the soft terrain, the poor quality of fuel
and oil, and the restricted opportunities for
machine maintenance. r
Komatsu Forest in Russia
In order to meet widespread interest in forest machines and the cut-to-length system, Komatsu Forest has opened a new office in St. Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city with 4.5
million inhabitants. Today, the office staff of about 20 works with marketing, training, technical support, and spares. What’s more, the central warehouse for the entire Russian market
has been located in St. Petersburg. Komatsu Forest already had a representative office in
Moscow, which together with the new St. Petersburg office serves dealers throughout Russia, from Karelia to Khabarovsk.
300
250
Quantity
Company
Harvesters
200
Forwarders
Timber trucks
150
100
The chart below presents demand for
CTL machines in the Leningrad region
based on three different possible scenarios, namely the current, permitted,
and potential harvesting levels.
50
Current
Permitted
Potential
25
ProSelect
Popular
all-in-one
filter boxes
More and more people are discovering Valmet’s filter kits for the 1000-hour maintenance intervals
prescribed by the service books. The filter kits include all the filters you need, a fact appreciated by
machine owners the world over.
V
almet’s filter kits are designed to make servicing
easier, with a specific filter kit for each machine
model. The filter kit for the 1000-hour maintenance interval follows the schedule prescribed in the service book and contains all necessary filters for the period,
including filters that need changing after 500 hours, for
example. A filter kit can contain hydraulic oil filters, engine
air filters, fuel filters, engine oil filters, and cab filters.
ALL INCLUDED filters are Valmet original filters, guaran-
teeing they are tried and tested under the same demanding
conditions as all other Valmet machine components. r
Filter kit to optimize personal safety and productivity
The Valmet 1000-hour filter kit includes all filters that need replacing after 1000 hours of operation. A
solution that simplifies maintenance, cuts costs, and ensures the best performance from your Valmet.
We listen to machine owners and operators when developing and refining Valmet Original Spare Parts.
All spare parts are tested under the same stringent conditions as all other components in your Valmet.
Get this kit and look forward to 1000 hours of trouble-free and consistently high productivity!
Urs Engeli in Switzerland would like to see more spare part kits.
Johann and Maria Schwarz always purchase Valmet original spare
parts, including filter kits.
SWISS CONTRACTOR Urs Engeli works for various forestry organiza-
HUSBAND AND WIFE Johann and Maria Schwarz run the compa-
tions and private forest owners in the region around Müllheim, where
his company mainly thins, but also conducts final logging. In other
words, assignments are varied and for this reason he has two forwarders and one harvester: a Valmet 840.1, a Valmet 840.3, and a Valmet
911.3, which Urs operates. The company has three employees.
Urs likes the fact that the kits ensure no filter is forgotten during
servicing. He’s been a Valmet customer since 1998 and the reliable
service is an important reason for his continued loyalty to the Valmet brand.
ny Schwarz-Holz GmbH in Pilgersdorf in eastern Austria, near the
Hungarian border.
They own a range of Valmet machines, including a Valmet 830.1,
a Valmet 840.2, a Valmet 860.1, a Valmet 911.1, two Valmet 911.3s,
and a Valmet 901.
The Schwarz family was one of the first customers of Austrian
dealer Karner u. Berger and has remained a loyal Valmet customer for more than ten years. The family buys filter kits for all their
machines and all spares they purchase are naturally Valmet originals, including saw bars and chains. Johann likes being able to buy a
filter kit rather than order an array of separate filters.
JONAS SKYTTMO IN NORTHERN Sweden
works with ground preparation and harvesting and his company has two Valmet 941s, a
Valmet 890.2, a Valmet 890.3, a Valmet 911,
and a Valmet 860.
He finds the big advantage of filter kits to
be that you get all the filters needed for the
1000-hour service, making things easy and
cost-effective. It’s also an easy way to stick to
the service recommendations with regard to
both quality and service interval.
Jonas Skyttmo in Sweden likes the fact that
the kits include a complete set of filters for
the 1000-hour interval.
27
Since the load is weighed in the bunk, the
LoadFlex weighing function is both easyto-use and accurate.
Display information is shown by operator (left column) and assignment (right
column).
At the landing, the computer registers the difference in weight as the production volume.
Weighing gives
full control
The weighing function in Valmet LoadFlex is an easy-to-use and effective system for production reports.
This is due to the simple yet highly accurate weighing procedure.
M
axiForwarder includes
a weighing function
integrated with the system. Maxi controls the weighing of
the timber in the forwarder’s bunk,
quickly and more accurately than
other types of weighing system. The
operator only need register tree species or assortment changes – the system takes care of the rest.
As the weight is measured in the
bunk, the operator doesn’t need to
28
change work method compared to a
machine without integrated scales. It
works like this:
First, the area for which a production report is required is defined. The
tree species and assortment are then
specified. The production report is
created at a landing where the operator uses the control panels to select
the assortment and species to be
unloaded and the computer registers
the difference in weight as the pro-
duction volume. The density of each
tree species can be set.
In driving mode, the screen displays the number of loads, production in kilos or cubic meters (according to preference), average forwarding distance, running time, production per hour, and fuel consumption
per hour. This information is also displayed by operator and assignment.
The status and production reports
can also be printed and saved to file. r
komatsuforest.com
Among the first in the world to get behind the controls of the new
Valmet 860.4 forwarder were forest contractor Monrad Lassemo
and his experienced operators in Norwegian Grong. After driving on extremely steep and wet terrain, they’re impressed with the
climbing ability and the stability.
”With LoadFlex and the new bogie, the machine handles very well
both up and down steep inclines,” says Monrad.
Fantastic climbing
on Norwegian slopes
I
n the vicinity of Grong, in the northern reaches of Norway, close to the
Swedish border, Monrad Lassemo
is busy forwarding a final logging
assignment. Monrad has a Valmet 890.2 and
a Valmet 941 that are used solely for final logging and as the plots are often small, he has
a separate trailer to transport the machines
between assignments. What’s more, he has
excavators for laying forest roads.
The area being forwarded with the new
Valmet 860.4 is not only extremely steep, it’s
also wet, making for very difficult conditions.
It’s so slippery that the slightest skid could
see the machine slide out of control. But
thanks to Valmet’s new bogie design, ground
pressure and ground contact are dramatically improved and this is of great importance
when driving on such steep terrain.
MONRAD HAS EXTENSIVE experience of
earlier Valmet 860 models, which he forwarded with before investing in his Valmet 890.2.
”The new bogie gives the machine extremely good climbing ability. The even ground pressure also makes driving down slopes much
better, even fully loaded,” says Monrad.
Handling is safer, faster, and more effi-
The new Valmet 860.4 has a bogie design
that provides more evenly distributed ground
pressure. Monrad Lassemo is impressed by
the machine’s climbing ability as well as how
safely and stably it handles traveling down
steep inclines.
30
There’s a beautiful view awaiting those who make their way up the slope. It’s extremely steep and slippery here, and the Valmet 860.4 is really put through its paces. Handling is safe, fast, and efficient.
cient. He’s also impressed by the huge difference offered by installing LoadFlex. Since
LoadFlex gives the bunk a lower center of
gravity, it increases stability and offers safer handling on inclines, even when traversing them. Now Monrad has decided to equip
all future machines with LoadFlex. Added to
this, he’ll never order a machine without ProTec. The internal hose routing greatly reduces
the risk of hose breakage compared to a crane
without ProTec.
ANOTHER NEW FEATURE of the Valmet
860.4 is the hydraulic height-adjustable supports. This is a function Monrad found to be
more beneficial than he originally thought.
”Being able to lower the supports lets you
operate the crane at much lower heights than
normal. This makes loading faster, increases
machine stability, and improves crane geometry when loading on steep terrain,” says Monrad, and explains that crane operation on steep
terrain is completely different to on flat terrain.
On steep terrain the crane is often used to
lift the load sideways rather than up. This is
where the height-adjustable supports come
into play. An added benefit is the ability to
adjust each side separately. The adjustment
itself is quick and easy.
As the supports can be lowered more than
the manually height-adjustable supports, it’s
also easier to transport the machine on a trailer as the center of gravity is lower.
MOREOVER, the Valmet 860.4 has a new
transmission that offers new handling characteristics.
”The machine is more maneuverable
and has greater traction force. The driving
program is very good, the best of any Valmet machine I’ve driven. And now you can
drive at a crawl with the wheels hardly turning, which is vital to maintaining grip on
steep, wet slopes. If a wheel loses traction,
the machine can lose its grip completely. This
machine also feels stronger with greater traction force,” says Monrad, who is very pleased
with the machine.
”The Valmet 860.4 is the best mid-range
forwarder Valmet has produced.” r
Monrad Lassemo finds the Valmet 860.4
to be the best mid-range forwarder
Valmet has produced.
31
Automatic loading trial
Even small advances toward automatic crane operation would
have a considerable effect on the
operator’s work environment. A
research group has made some
progress by developing a trial
system for automatic forwarder
loading.
W
ithin the realm of the Swedish
IFOR program for intelligent offroad vehicles (a collaboration that
leads the world in automated forestry management), a group of students have successfully presented a demo system for automated
log loading. The students, aided by researchers in computer science, applied physics, and
electronics and with borrowed crane equipment, have worked at Smart Crane Labs. The
system can handle routine tasks such as moving a log from one place to another.Automation is of increasing importance in many
industries in efforts to increase productivity and enhance equipment durability, and
perhaps even to improve the work environment. Even small advances toward automation are important as maneuvering a crane is
demanding work. It can take as long as three
years to master the techniques required to
operate a harvester or forwarder. While learning, production is lower and costs are higher. Lowering the learning curve, as well as
improving the work environment, demands
increased automation.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, researchers showed
that their system can perform crane movements that are both faster and smoother than
those of human operators. The system can be
used for crane tip control, in which the operator maneuvers the crane with simple controls
that determine crane tip movements, or for
automating certain routine tasks.
These could be small, repetitive tasks suited to automation. The scenario used in the
demo system is that the forwarder operator
grabs the log, switches to automatic loading
and gets a short break while the crane calcu-
Researchers, customer representatives, and students posing in front of a forwarder that in the future
could be equipped with a computer-controlled crane.
Leonid Freidovich, Kjell Rönnholm, Anton Shiriaev, Ian
Manchester, Pedro La Hera, and Simon Westerberg.
32
lates a path from its current position to the
bunk that avoids any obstacles. After this, the
system maneuvers the grapple along the chosen path and stops immediately above the
bunk with the log oriented in the direction of
the load. The operator then places the log on
the bunk and releases it. The crane can automatically return the grapple to the last position if desired.
”We’ve defined the principles for an automated crane, but all the necessary technology isn’t yet available. The greatest challenge
is the visual sensor used to localize and interpret obstacles and targets,” says Martin Servin, director of IFOR and the customer group
representative.
A SYSTEM ROBUST enough for use in real
life production is still far in the future. The
computer is not especially good at determining which types of obstacles to avoid and
which types it can force its way past, such as
whether there’s a bush or a berry picker standing in the way. r
ANECDOTAL
Under this heading, Just Forest will print anecdotes and stories from then and now. The editor will be happy
to receive ideas for publication. Send your tips or stories to [email protected].
just keeps on going…
Well-built
Valmet
ANYONE WHO’S used Lego,
or visited one of the many Legolands, knows that you can
make just about anything with
these famous building blocks,
and here’s further proof of that
statement. A Lego-building
enthusiast has built a model of a Valmet 445EXL based
on a photo from a magazine.
A photo of one of Valmet’s detailed 1:50 scale models and
he’s even included the decals
and leveling. Considering the
’blueprints’, he’s done an exceptionally good job.
…and going
The normal service life of a forwarder is 15,000 hours or more.
Multiply this figure by three and you still won’t have the number of
hours clocked up by Raymond-Marie Savard’s Valmet 860.
T
his machine has been running since
1993, and we can’t say it’s had an
unusually easy time. Yet RaymondMarie Savard’s 860 just keeps on going, and
now has an unbelievable 50,000 hours on
the clock. The forwarder has been used solely in the Charlevoix region of Eastern Canada, a mountainous area plagued by long win-
ters with heavy snowfall and tough conditions, so working conditions haven’t exactly
been a picnic.
Savard works for AbitibiBowater, though
now his son Stephane does the work and
maintains the machines well. His 860 is still
running on most of its original components,
including the engine. r
33
Great interest
There was much interest when
Valmet’s new harvesters and
forwarders were presented to
the media for the first time.
Journalists from seven countries
had made their way to Umeå,
Sweden to get a closer look at all
the new models.
?
34
T
he three new harvesters, the Valmet 911.4, the Valmet 901.4, and
the Valmet 941.1, and the two
new forwarders, the Valmet 860.4
and the Valmet 840.4, faced the international media on April 15. No fewer than 15 journalists from seven different countries were
in Umeå. After a presentation of Komatsu
Forest, the factory, and – naturally – the new
machines, the group was taken out into the
forest for a closer look at the machines.
”WE’RE VERY PLEASED with the interest in
our new machines shown by the media from
throughout Europe,” says Roland Lundqvist.
”I consider this confirmation that we’ve succeeded in developing new features that are
unique in the market.” r
Which of the many new features did you find most interesting?
DIETER BIERNATH
ERKKI EILAVAARA
ROLF SEGERSTEDT
GERMANY
FINLAND
SWEDEN
Editor-in-chief,
Forstmaschinen Profi
Editor-in-chief, Koneyrittäjä
Magazine
Journalist, Tidningen
Skogsland
”I found the new bogie design, Valmet Comfort Bogie, on the Valmet 911.4
and the forwarders very interesting. Valmet LoadFlex
with hydraulic supports is
also an interesting development.”
”That the operator really is
the center of attention. Such
as the combination of many
small improvements with,
for example, the new MaxiXplorer control system,
which is user-friendly, and
the bigger harvester cabs
with greater visibility.”
”First, I thought the quality
assurance work seems to
have delivered. Of the new
features, the work environment of the new cabs seems better. The new bogie
and MaxiXplorer are other
interesting developments.”
More information
about the product line
CONTACT US
PRODUCTION UNITS
Komatsu Forest AB
Phone: +46 90 70 93 00
www.komatsuforest.com
Komatsu Forest LLC
Phone: +1 715 524 2820
DISTRIBUTION CENTERS, SALES CENTERS
AND DEALERS
EUROPE
AUSTRIA
Karner und Berger GmbH
www.valmet.at
Phone: +43 2769 84571
BELGIUM
BIA n.v./s.a.
Phone +32 2 689 28 11
CROATIA
Iverak d.o.o.
www.iverak.hr
Phone: +385 1 291 0399
CZECH REPUBLIC
Komatsu Forest GmbH
www.komatsuforest.cz
Phone: +420 2 7270 1438
DENMARK
Helms TMT Centret AS
www.helmstmt.com
Phone: +45 9928 2930
ESTONIA
Balti Metsamasina AS
Phone: +372 322 3630
FINLAND
Komatsu Forest Oy
www.komatsuforest.fi
Phone: +358 20 770 1300
FRANCE
France South:
CEMA
Phone: +33 555 930 222
France North:
MAT FOR
Phone: +33 388 385 444
GERMANY
Komatsu Forest GmbH
www.komatsuforest.de
Phone: +49 74549 6020
HUNGARY
Kuhn Kft.
www.kuhn.hu
Phone: +36 128 980 80
LATVIA
Valmet Lat
Phone: +371 750 1357
LITHUANIA
Lifore Ltd
Phone: +370 5 2602 061
NETHERLANDS
W. van den Brink
www.lmbbrink.nl
Phone: +31 3184 56 228
NORWAY
Komatsu Forest A/S
www.komatsuforest.no
Phone: +47 62 57 8800
POLAND
Arcon Serwis SP.ZO.O.
www.arconserwis.pl
Phone +48 22 648 08 10
PORTUGAL
Cimertex, S.A.
Phone: +351 22 091 26 00
SLOVAKIA
Komatsu Forest
www.komatsuforest.cz
Phone: +420 2 7270 1438
SPAIN
Hitraf S.A.
www.hitraf.com
Phone: + 34 986 59 29 10
SWEDEN
Komatsu SweLog
www.komatsuswelog.com
Phone: +46 18 34 98 40
SWITZERLAND
W Mahler AG
www.wmahler.ch
Phone: +41 44 763 5090
UNITED KINGDOM
Komatsu Forest Ltd
Phone: +44 1228 792 018
RUSSIA
Komatsu Forest Russia
www.komatsuforest.ru
Phone +7 812 44999 07
NORTH AMERICA
UNITED STATES
Komatsu Forest
North American Marketing
Green Bay, WI
Phone: +1 920 593 3000
CANADA
Komatsu Forest
North American Marketing
Green Bay, WI
Phone: +1 920 593 3000
To find your local dealer/sales representative.
Go to www.komatsuforest.com
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL, ARGENTINA,
URUGUAY
Komatsu Forest Ltda.
Phone: +55 41 2102 2828
CHILE
Komatsu Chile S.A.
www.kch.cl
Phone: +56 419 253 01
OCEANIA AND OTHER MARKETS
t.com
s
e
r
fo
atsu
kom
AUSTRALIA
Komatsu Forest Pty Ltd
www.komatsu.com.au
Phone: +61 2 9647 3600
NEW ZEALAND
Komatsu NZ
www.komatsu.com.au
+64 9 277 8300
SOUTHEAST ASIA
SOUTH AFRICA
Komatsu Forest Pty Ltd
Komatsu Southern Africa Ltd
Phone: +27 11 923 1110
Phone: +61 2 9647 3600
INDONESIA
PT United Tractors Tbk
www.unitedtractors.com
Phone: +62 21 460 5959
35
Is your magazine delivered to the wrong address? Please contact your nearest sales office.
Komatsu Forest AB
Box 7124,
SE-907 04 Umeå
Sweden
Change of address

In English - Komatsu Forest

Transcription

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