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Drive & Control Systems for Forestry Machines
Transport Solutions
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Transporting is handled by means of machines that are fitted with Rexroth technology in order to remove felled trees from the forest, loading or transporting them. The most common machines used for this purpose are so-called skidders.
Serviceability and perfect reliability, even under extreme conditions, are indispensable for harvesting, when transporting the timber and finally for handling in the storage area or in the sawmill.
Skidders
To remove a felled tree from the forest, a machine called a skidder is used. By the nature of the name, the machine literally “skids” trees through the forest and then out to a processing site. Although a simple process, the demands put on
this machine are unparalleled in the mobile field. Typically these machines are 4 wheel driven, with some designs going to six and eight wheels (bogey systems) and until recently they were almost exclusively mechanically powered using power shift gearboxes and drive axles. The trend over the last couple of years, however, has been to move towards hydrostatic transmissions with more and more manufacturers exploring this avenue.
Log Loaders
The last step in the full-tree harvesting process is to load the fully processed tree or log onto a hauling truck. A log loader accomplishes this function. Much like the feller buncher, a log loader’s origins come from the excavator. Many of the differences between a feller buncher and an excavator also apply to a log loader. However, the difference is that a log loader has a hydraulically powered grapple mounted on the end of the stick. In addition, depending on customer requirements, sometimes the operator cab is elevated in order to provide better visibility.
Log Truck Cranes
As an alternative to log loaders, log truck cranes are used for loading the logs. These cranes – directly mounted onto the trucks – lift the logs onto the platform of the vehicle. The most essential points here are good manoeuvrability and high load-carrying capacity of the crane. Rexroth systems are ideal for handling logs fast and efficiently. SX control blocks of LUDV technology allow the performance of several working movements simultaneously and independently of one another.
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Relevant links for Forestry Machines
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