2018 International Forest Industries IFI Feb March 2018 Digital | Page 44
Industry leaders
compare wares
Harvester manufacturers enter shoot off to
see which has the definitive range of cutting
edge units to tackle any stand in any place
I
t is truly difficult to attempt to draw an
underlying theme from this year’s review of
harvester technology, unless you can call
‘range’ a theme.
We have received contributions from half-
a-dozen manufacturers, largely the world’s
most noted, all of which have suggested they
have something for every application. Given
their position in global markets, most likely
they do, too.
And, so, it is likely to come down to
personal operator and business preferences.
All the units featured here at least meet, but
are essentially above, industry standards in
most key areas of design and performance,
but each has areas in which they have
42 International Forest Industries | FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018
tinkered that little bit more in an attempt to
stand out.
Cat, for example, would challenge anyone
to find fault with it’s the ratios of lift capacity,
swing torque, and tractive effort, which
enables higher production. It also boasts of
its levelling options. Komatsu, meanwhile,
has focused on operator ergonomics, machine
stability, low energy consumption and good
visibility across its entire range. Rottne also
boasts of the comfort afforded to operators
lucky enough to work in one of its machines.
Tigercat, as usual, is hard to beat when it
comes to robustness and maintenance and
has also promoted its unique WideRange
drive system that increases working travel