22 June 2017, 12:55
Cranes from the German company Palfinger are a common sight on logging trucks. But at Elmia Wood they extended their reach into the forest in the form of a prototype specially developed for forwarders. Half the new crane – the boom – is already mounted on some of Rottne’s forwarders.
The prototype is a complete unit including the hydraulics, all ready for installation by machinery manufacturers. The version shown at Elmia Wood is the S11F107. It has a reach of 10.7 metres and is made of high-tensile steel, making it up to eight percent lighter than comparable cranes. The design of the telescopic extension makes it smaller during transport. But Palfinger’s sales manager, Markus Prenninger, says the design offers an even greater advantage in the forest:
“All the electrics and hydraulics run inside the crane. Nothing hangs outside but it’s easy to access all the cables and hoses if you need to replace anything.”
His argument has already met with a positive response from machinery manufacturers. At Elmia Wood Rottne exhibited several forwarders with this type of crane boom from Palfinger.
The German company also presented another prototype at the fair: a crane for logging trucks. It is a radical upgrade of Palfinger’s existing Q series, which are intermediate-class cranes. The exhibited model is the Q14Z. The crane is made of high-tensile steel, making it 10 percent lighter. It has the longest reach of its class at 11 metres, and its speed has been increased by 15 percent thanks to higher hydraulic pressure and new cylinders. This crane also has all its cables and hoses built in, giving it a sleek outer surface. Built-in LED work lights are standard.
Source: Elmia Wood