2018 International Forest Industries IFI April May 2018 Digital | Page 62

Rapid Cycle System on the M-Series feller bunchers can reduce operator fatigue
Packing the power and productivity
needed to tackle the toughest
of applications, the John Deere
M-Series tracked feller bunchers
and L-Series wheeled feller
bunchers are redefining machine
performance, according to the
manufacturer.
Built with features that boost
operator efficiency and improve
machine reliability, loggers all over
the world have tested the John
Deere wheeled and tracked feller
bunchers and are apparently raving
about the machines.
“Deere is at the forefront of
listening to its customers and
you can see that in the M-Series,
with all the changes and new
configurations,” said Dustin
Clauson, from Clauson Logging.
“The design, the features, the
comfort – they really sweated the
small stuff, so we could focus on
getting the job done.”
M-Series tracked feller
bunchers
the logger in mind, incorporating
a variety of features to boost
performance and meet customer
demands.
“Good equipment is everything
to me, and the M-Series machines
are not just good – they’re great,”
said James Godsoe from Marlo
Logging. “They’ve got more power
and more tractive effort. They’re
more stable on hills – they won’t
creep back.
“The boom is more robust and
the machine is built to last. It takes
all of the stress off my shoulders
when I know the machines are
running, the operators are happy,
and the mechanic doesn’t have to
do anything.”
One of the most notable
features is the redesigned operator
station. Ergonomically designed,
the tracked feller bunchers are
equipped with fully adjustable
armrests with fingertip controls, an
air-conditioned seat and a climate-
controlled cab.
With floor-to-ceiling front and
side windows and an overhead
skylight, the M-Series machines
provide 44% more visibility to the
cutting area compared to earlier
models.
“The operator station on the
M-Series is phenomenal. Visibility
is improved – the windows go right
to the floor, so you can see the
tracks a lot better than before,”
noted Godsoe.
The longer, wider undercarriage
So many things impress us about the L-Series
feller bunchers – the strength, speed, agility, and
structural integrity
Kip Smith, Kip Smith Forest Services
The 800M and 900M-Series tracked
feller bunchers were designed with
60 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018
on the M-Series tracked feller
buncher increases machine
stability and traction, while
optional auto-tilt and levelling
cabs maximize operator comfort,
even in demanding steep slope
applications.
“The minute you get on hills
and steeper terrain, it really
shines,” said Roy Isley from D&J
Isley and Sons. “Stability and
tractive effort are superb. You
don’t have to constantly fight the
machine, so you can get more
done.”
The M-Series machines feature
a powerful Final Tier 4 engine,
delivering premium performance,
fluid efficiency, reliability and
economical operating costs. The
900M-Series machines have a
redesigned engine enclosure,
improving structural strength
while maintaining the excellent
serviceability.
Additionally, all of the
900M-Series bunchers boast 330
HP. Optional Rapid Cycle System
(RCS) combines automated felling-
head arm cycling with simple boom
control, dramatically reducing
operator fatigue while increasing
efficiency and productivity. RCS can