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Komatsu Forest has several options that facilitate workdays in the forest and that also contribute to increased profitability .
The bogie lift is a forwarder option that has been available for more than 20 years and that is very popular , mainly in southern Sweden and Germany . At the request of its customers , Komatsu are now also introducing a bogie lift for the Komatsu 855 , this time with the eagerly awaited function , individual bogie lift .
The bogie lift function is available for the Komatsu 835 and Komatsu 845 forwarders , and is a practical function in several different contexts . An important application area is when operating on roads between felling sites . Chains are often used to prevent skidding , but because these can damage road surfaces , they must be removed prior to road operation between felling objects . With forwarders in southern Sweden , for example , conducting between 70 – 80 machine movements each year , it is costly to spend so much time mounting and removing chains . With the bogie lift , the chains can be mounted on the rear wheels of the front bogie and
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the wheel pair easily lifted during transport . This brings increased productivity and consequently increased profitability for the machine operator .
Another application area is when driving in steep terrain down to the landing . As the hill levels off , there is a risk of the machine ’ s nose scraping the ground , but with the bogie lift it is easy to compensate for this and lift the nose until the entire front section has come down on flat ground . That the bogie lift with its versatility is popular in southern Sweden is confirmed by Joakim Danielsson , sales representative for Komatsu Forest in southern Sweden .
“ Of the model 835 and 845 forwarders I ’ ve sold , all customers have chosen the bogie lift option .”
Demand has been substantial for the bogie lift being available as an option on more forwarder models . Now that the bogie lift is being launched as an option on the Komatsu 855 , it will be with another very eagerly awaited function – individual bogie lift . The new function entails that the right and left bogie can be individually controlled , something that gives the forwarder very good
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manoeuvrability when obstacles are encountered . This is important in areas when space in stands is restricted during thinning and when there are narrow access roads , where easily manoeuvrable machines are needed with good terrain handling properties , such as in southern Sweden and Germany .
From a purely practical standpoint , if the forwarder is operating aslant or over an obstacle , the operator can choose to press down the front bogie ’ s rear wheel on the downhill side . This permits the tilt to be compensated
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to a certain extent and keeps the cab more upright , which increases both manoeuvrability and operator comfort . Joakim Danielsson has looked forward to the new function for quite some time and he believes that it will be a success in southern Sweden .
“ I ’ ve already sold one Komatsu 855 forwarder with individual bogie lift . The customer placed an order as soon as he heard the function was available ,” says Joakim in closing .
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The new KETO 873 processor is designed for processing larger trees in demanding conditions of North America and elsewhere . Keto 873 is the latest model of Keto product family . This 3360kg / 7400lb head can be installed on 30 + ton tracked base machines . Kone- Ketonen and Quadco Equipment Inc will introduce the KETO 873 in the 79 th Annual Oregon Logging Conference in Eugene , between February 23 rd to 25 th , 2017 .
KETO 873 was created based on the vision of CEO Lauri Ketonen , designed and produced by the engineering team lead by designer Mika Myllyniemi , and utilizes the best proven components available today .
One of the most fascinating
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innovations of KETO 873 is the ROTOBEC rotator , which spins 360 degrees and beyond . This offers a totally new world of freedom and efficiency to operators .
KETO 873 design incorporates a well proven PARKER valve system . Functions are proportional and operate only on-demand , which are key factors in optimizing the fuel consumption of the base machine and running the system at the lowest possible temperature .
Track feed motors are made by DANFOSS like in other KETO models . The 500cc motors produce the stunning level of nearly 4kN of true net pulling power making sure that even the toughest trees can be pulled and delimbed quickly and efficiently .
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Like in any KETO head the length measuring is done by the TWO feeding tracks .
This has proven and unique KETO feature , considered to be the most accurate measuring system in the industry . It is simple , extremely reliable and low cost to maintain . A larger front knife cylinder together with the bottom arm cylinder provides the needed holding power when pulling big trees from the deck . The geometries of the 3 moving and one fixed knives and arms have been optimized to handle the full range of diameters . Another very important feature in the KETO 873 is the shortest possible tilt frame with a very wide working angle . The short tilt minimizes the unwanted head sway
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caused by the boom movement , thus making the head easier to control . |