The Sustainable Farming Incentive, as well as possibilities to cut the initial investment through the FETF grant scheme, has made agro-forestry an attractive diversification for contractors and farms. We look at some of the latest products and launches from the APF Exhibition.
Albach
German manufacturer Albach showcased its monster self-propelled woodchipper, the Diamant 2000. Built to a truck specification, it is fully approved for road travel up to 80kph, powered by a Volvo Penta engine for 795hp, which is put to the ground through a hydrostatic transmission.
The latest-generation rotor can produce woodchip from microchip level (15mm) up to 60mm G 100 for biomass plants. Wood is loaded with the on-board crane into the side of the machine, with a possible feeding rate of 500cu m/hour. The chipping unit is mechanically driven, with carbon-fibre reinforcement at the belt drive, and all wearing parts use Hardox steel.
In the case of foreign material, the counter blades are hydraulically pre-loaded. If something trips this, the rotor clutch and in-feed are deactivated in a second to protect components.
It’s completed with a direct drive accelerator, capable of feeding at heights of 6.5m. The rotor speed can be adjusted hydraulically, and the spout can rotate through 270deg. The company says outputs of over 100t/hr can be achieved.
B Price Mus-Max Specialist
As well as being the sole UK agent for the range of Mus-Max woodchippers, the Shropshire-based B Price used APF to highlight the Trimvale firewood processor, manufactured by BTD Technics in the Netherlands.
B Price will act as the England and Wales distributor, while PJ Gaul will handle Scottish support.
These loader-mounted processors are available in three models, with the Pro Compact Classic suitable for small loaders and skidsteers, and capable of handling logs up to 40cm in diameter.
The Pro Compact has the same capacity and hydraulic requirement (just 35 litres/min), but replaces the manual push-button control system with a hydraulic joystick and automatic cycles, with adjustable log lengths.
At the top of the range is the Pro Plus, capable of processing up to 9cu m/hour and handling wood up to 45cm in diameter. It requires 55 litres/min and weighs 1,130kg, making it suitable for use with most telehandlers or loaders.
All three units come with a 64cm saw blade and sixway splitter, with fourway and eightway units available. As standard, the maximum timber length is 3m, but all three units can be specified with a 1m extension.
Bomford Turner
Bomford Turner had three forestry-focused machines on the stand. The first was its Buccaneer mulcher, available in three models from 2.2m to 2.5m.
It is offered in an SD or HDX spec on the 2.2m model, with the HDX unit replacing the five-belt drive with an eight-belt system for greater durability. The 2.5m machine is only available as a HDX unit. The uprated HDX spec also replaces the swinging hammer rotor with fixed hammers, with 54 or 60 flails depending on the model.
The Hurricane mowing unit comes in working widths from 1.6m to 2.05m, designed for tractors from 45hp and powered by a 540rpm PTO. Three rotating chains break down material, with chains hung at the front and rear to protect the tractor and bystanders from harm.
The company also showcased the 50hp model of its remote-controlled Flailbot machine. Fitted with a Perkins engine, the unit can tackle slopes up to 55deg and has a 150m working range away from the operator.
Up to 77 litres/min hydraulic flow is available at the attachment, with a forestry head with swinging or fixed hammers available.
Clark Forestry Engineering
Clark Forestry Engineering celebrated 100 years in business at APF and showcased two products on its stand. First up was its new generation of G-Tank fuel bowsers, which has UN ADR approval for the transportation of fuel in forested areas or on the highway. It has a capacity of 950 litres and can be specified with a host of options, including lifting bars to be moved by crane.
The inner tank is made of plastic, which is kept clean and free from debris by the outer high-grade steel bunding. As an option, the modular toll cupboard can be fitted with a refuelling pump
As the sole importer of the MenSe range of equipment, Clark also exhibited the latest excavator-mounted brushcutter. Four models are available, with a maximum cutting diameter of 15cm when sawing, or 10cm in a single cut.
Depending on the model chosen, these are suitable for excavators from 2t up to 20t, with the flagship RP10L requiring a hydraulic flow of 130-150 litres/min.
Dehard
Belgian manufacturer Dehard exhibited at APF alongside Palax dealer Powell’s Forest and Garden Equipment, showcasing its latest fully automated firewood processor.
The only manual intervention required, according to the company, is loading the wood bay and removing the bags of firewood.
Capable of handling wood up to 40cm in diameter and 6m in length, it is automatically loaded from an elevated bay.
Logs are then cut with a circular saw, with adjustable lengths between 25cm and 50cm. These drop down between two splitters – either two-, four- and sixway, or two-, four- and eightway – and are pushed alternately left or right to maximise output.
According to the company, the machine can produce up to 6cu m of firewood an hour.
The key selling point is making this labour-intensive task a one-man job, with the machine automatically detecting the length and diameter of each log loaded and adjusting the various processes to suit.
Dehard machines are built to customer requirements, and combination units can also be specified with a chainsaw, if required, and vertical splitters as opposed to the two-way horizontal system seen at the show.
Exac-One
Worcestershire-based excavator attachment specialist Exac-One is the only authorised dealer for the Euromach range of spider excavators, which is used exclusively in the forestry industry for harvesting, felling and soil preparation on steep ground.
A full range of units are available, starting with the 1500M, which is less than 1m and is light enough to be towed to sites behind a pickup or 4×4.
Unique to the range is the hydraulically adjustable chassis, with the operator able to lift and lower the wheels individually to maintain stability. Two hydraulic arms are mounted at the rear for additional safety and can be combined with the excavator arm to lift the machine off its wheels when required.
The latest model is the R1055, with a chassis derived from the flagship R1255 and a new cabin. Four different excavator arms are available, ranging from 7.85m up to 8.58m, and it can be combined with a full range of tiltrotators and forestry attachments from Exac-One.
Power comes from a 142hp Deutz engine and the hydraulic system is delivered by Bosch Rexroth, with four pumps providing a maximum of 480 litres/min.
For more power-hungry attachments, a priority line can be fitted, providing continuous oil flow to the front without affecting the machine as a whole.
Greenmech
Sitting near the top of its road-towed woodchipper range, Greenmech’s Evo 205 TT has been updated with a 360deg turntable.
The in-feed hopper measures 1,250 x700mm, meaning free-flow of bulky material can be handled without having to trim to a more manageable size.
As the material passes through twin, hydraulically powered feed rollers, the patented electronically controlled system automatically manages the throughput of material to maximise chipping efficiency.
Installed on a 126kg flywheel, the chipping system comes with the patented Disc-Blade configuration, which allows rotation of the cutting edge and extends the sharpening period to only once in about 150 hours.
The company says this will reduce downtime and maintenance, cut back on labour costs and maximise working performance.
Like all Greenmech chippers and shredders, the Evo 205 TT is manufactured with a heavy-duty construction design, using high-quality materials and a highly durable powder-coat finish.
The hinged bonnet is also lined with noise-reduction material, dampening the sound from the 50hp Kubota engine. This machine comes with an unlimited, three-year warranty.
Jas P Wilson
Specialising in forestry equipment, Jas P Wilson had a wide range of products on show at APF, including the new Mantis multi-axis pruning saw.
It is available in three excavator-mounted models, with the Mantis Compact suitable for machines from 2.5t up to 7.5t, requiring at least 30.5 litres/min and fitted with a 72cm opening grapple and rotating unit. The chainsaw attachment can be hydraulically adjusted to the right position and has 54cm bar.
Sitting in the middle of the range is the Mantis Midi, for excavators from 8t to 13t. It has a hydraulic requirement of 51 litres and can extend out to 4.2m. The chainsaw is uprated to 75cm, while the grapple unit can open out to 120cm to tackle larger trees and scrub.
Finally, the flagship Mantis HD can be mounted on machines from 14t to more than 20t while maintaining the same hydraulic requirements as the Midi.
The chainsaw bar is extended to 82cm, it features an uprated tiltrotator unit and has a 153cm grapple. The Mantis range has been designed to remove operators from risk areas during pruning and dressing operations.
Komatsu
Designed specifically for a diversified industry, where woodland is established on steep ground that is unsuitable for other cropping, the Komatsu 951XC is built around a rigid, articulated joint and centrally mounted cabin and crane.
Stability is further ensured by tilt cylinders at the cabin, enabling the operator to stay in an upright position, regardless of the incline, and stabilising cylinders at the swinging axle.
Two suspension systems at the bogie axle lower the overall centre of gravity and increase ground contact.
Hydraulic output is handled by Komatsu’s three-pump system, providing 742 litres/min at just 1,500rpm, enabling several crane functions to be used simultaneously without a drop in power.
The crane is available with Smart Crane, which combines functions for easier operation. So, when the operator reaches to grab a log, the boom will telescope as required without additional controls.
The company has also updated its forwarders, with the Komatsu 895 receiving the option of a new crane. The 205F crane offers a lifting torque of 205kNm, slewing torque of 51.9kNm and is available with reaches of 7.5m or 8.5m with a single telescope, or 10m with a double telescope.
Merlo
Alongside its range of telehandlers, Merlo offers the TreEmme tool carrier, with two models both powered by a Deutz six-cylinder engine. The MM 250 X has a maximum output of 245hp, while the MM 350 X offers 335hp.
A hydrostatic transmission puts power to the ground, with a top speed of 40kph.
A 4,500kg front linkage is mounted as standard, with a continuous hydraulic output to the implement of 285 litres/min on the smaller unit, and 500 litres on the flagship. Control is via a proportional joystick, providing easy use of any attachments.
As an option, at the rear users can choose between a radio-controlled hydraulic winch, which gives a towing capacity of 12,500kg, or a rigid three-point linkage lifting 3,500kg.
It’s designed to work in the most arduous conditions, with the steel frame reinforced with armouring at the most exposed points.
The high, front-mounted cab also gives extra visibility, while the hydraulic power to the implement enables the machine to work at awkward angles beyond what a mechanical PTO would allow.
Four steering modes are also available, with front- or rear-axle steering, four-wheel pivot steer or crabsteer.
Milwaukee Tool
Milwaukee Tool offers a range of rear-handled chainsaws, including the M18 Fuel; a series of chainsaws that cater to a variety of forestry needs.
Available in three sizes – 40cm (M18 FCHS-121), 35cm (M18 FCHS35) and 30cm (M18 FCHSC), the full range is compatible with the company’s M18 batteries and comes equipped with a 12.0Ah battery pack.
With it, the chainsaws are said to process 150 pieces of 100x100mm pine without any slowdown.
Designed to maximise this partnership, the M18 Fuel technology works with the High Output system, said to outperform up to 40cc petrol chainsaws, allowing users to tackle even the most demanding tasks with confidence and ease.
The variable-speed trigger delivers control over its power curve, ensuring efficiency and precision, whether tackling dense hardwood or delicate trimming.
Complemented by all-metal bucking spikes, users benefit from enhanced leverage, confidently navigating through rigid materials while maintaining stability and accuracy.
The design also extends to its no-spill oil reservoir, with an easily accessible tank and clear viewing window. This design simplifies maintenance and ensures uninterrupted workflow through transparent monitoring of oil levels. The chain tool and bar cover enable easy maintenance, ensuring safety and offering peace of mind for any project.
NCD Equipment
NCD Equipment imports the Finnish TMK Machinery brand, offering its range of excavator-mounted tree shears. Sitting at the top of the range, the TMK 400 tree cuts up to 400mm trees, available with two main cylinder options. Patented, the TMK Turbo cylinder is said to increase efficiency by up to 15%.
TMK 400 shears can open to a width of up to 1,070mm. The strong capsular structure can withstand the twisting force of even the largest trunks. It can handle hardwood up to 350mm in diameter, or 400mm for softwood.
The TMK 200 and 300 use the same cutting cylinder, with 200mm max diameter for the former, and 300mm for the latter. The latest TMK 150 product can be used even with smaller excavators or forest loaders.
This powerhouse, weighing just 85kg, can easily cut trees 150mm in diameter.
The full range is available as fixed units, or with a rotator.
Richard Court Forestry Engineering
At APF, Richard Court showcased two new brands, starting with the German-built Gepima
timber trailers.
These units are available with 12-20t capacities and come with a series of options the company says are unique on the market.
As well as steering axles and a levelling drawbar, the Gepima machines are available with two-wheel or four-wheel drive and a rear telescopic extension. They can also be retrofitted with a third-party crane.
Also on the stand was a range from Eschlböck, developed and manufactured in Austria. The Biber range of chippers starts with small -scale trailed units capable of processing wood up to 15cm in diameter and moves through a wide range, including machines with mounted cranes, and truck- or trailer-mounted units, with a crane, that can handle up logs up to 95cm in diameter.
The truck-mounted units are likely to be popular in the UK, especially with the growing biomass market, as it offers an all-in-one, easy-to-transport unit.
Ryetec
Yorkshire importer and manufacturer Ryetec offers a range of timber trailers to suit both small- and larger-scale agro-forestry operations.
Capacities range from 5.5t to 13t, with each trailer fitted with a crane offering reaches from 5.3m up to 8.5m.
Smaller units feature a 180x180mm spine, with wall thicknesses up to 10mm depending on the specification. The 10.6t and 13t units are built around a ladder frame.
Telescoping bed extensions can also be optioned, with a maximum length of 5.74m. Standard equipment includes a steering drawbar for +/- 40deg of movement, as well as pivoting tandem axles for 30deg of articulation – making the machines easy to manoeuvre through tight woodland tracks.
A simple cable-based control system comes as standard, mounted on the trailer, although the options list includes both a mounted joystick in the cab or a remote joystick for more precise control of the functions.
The crane can also be fitted with a 1,400kg capacity winch, enabling off-track wood to be easily pulled to the machine.
Spaldings
Spaldings is the sole UK distributor for TMC Cancela, which manufactures mulchers for agriculture and forestry.
TMC Cancela forestry machines are designed for mulching trees, tree stumps and branches to produce a fine mulch.
Base models tackle scrub, saplings and young trees up to 250mm in diameter, while the top-of-the-range TFR can deal with 500hp input at the gearbox with a maximum working width of 2.5m, capable of mulching timber up to 700mm in diameter.
A choice of tungsten rotor hammers is available for each customer’s requirement, depending on conditions.
The standard F19 and F20 hammers are secured by a bespoke single bolt. The bolt pulls through the middle of the hammer to the holder on the rotor, with the square head recessed into the front of the hammer, well away from wear.
They work in conjunction with up to six rows of fixed Hardox counter blades to shred and mulch vegetation.
The entry-level TFE, TFJ and TFS models with fixed hammers range from 1.25m-2m for 45-110hp tractors. From the TFK range up to the TFR, working widths range from 2m to 2.5m for 130-500hp tractors.
Larger units have the option of two oil-filled hydrodynamic couplings for load-free PTO start-up, vibration damping, shock/overload and stalling prevention.
Stihl
Stihl’s Advance ProCOM is said to offer high-quality communication in noisy environments while providing hearing protection. Using intercom mesh technology, it can link up to 16 headsets.
The ProCOM has a range of up to 600m depending on the terrain, with each headset acting as an amplifier to extend the range. Multiple channels are available and there is an open mic setting.
The Advance ProCOM X-Vent sees the headset fitted to the X-Vent safety helmet. It not only offers ear protection, but hardwearing head protection with reflective strips.
The 50cc MS 261 C-M petrol chainsaw offers a low weight and plenty of power for small to mid-size felling and processing tasks.It has the Light 04 guide bar and RS Pro saw chain, giving up to 20% better cutting performance and faster plunge-cutting.
The MS 261 C-M uses M-Tronic technology for maximum power output, acceleration and fuel efficiency, while an anti-vibration system cuts vibrations at the handles for comfortable use.
A more powerful alternative is the 79cc MS 500i, with electronically controlled fuel injection. Designed for harvesting and processing large timber, it has a compact design and weight-optimised components. The lightweight flywheel cuts gyroscopic forces, aiding manoeuvrability when making felling cuts.
The MS 500i is available with a choice of 20in or 25in Rollomatic ES Light guide bar.