Capital Equipment News July 2019

MATERIALS HANDLING

the forestry industry in 1999, initially specialising in renting out equipment to forestry contractors. In 2005, it expanded its scope to include harvesting, with the intention to mechanise the forestry industry and today it is one of the largest mechanised forestry contractors in South Africa. “We have continuously strived to improve mechanised forestry equipment, systems and methods. Our expertise in the capital equipment industry allows us to continuously innovate in our industry,” explains Hall. Why Liebherr LH 60 M Timber Litronic? Before acquiring the new LH 60 M Timber Litronic, Hall travelled to Germany to have a look at the new offering and

was really impressed with what he saw. The machine appealed to him for two major reasons – firstly, its ability to tow a trailer, which significantly boosts productivity and economics, and secondly, its customisable electronic controls, a key enabler in Forestry Plant & Equipment’s operator training drive. The new LH 60 M will become Forestry advantages of the new machine for us is that we are able to hook a trailer on it. Conventionally, log loaders carry the payload on the grab only. With the trailer we can now carry an additional 20 t of volume that we are able to move from point A to B in one go, which is very cost-effective, especially when moving Plant & Equipment’s first machine to draw a trailer. “One of the key

logs on long distances,” explains Hall. Hall adds that the machine’s dual drive makes it strong enough to draw a trailer. The machine’s twin motor travel drive gives it greater pulling power at maximum speed. It also allows for more efficient driving without gear shifting for fluid working operation. With an engine output of 200 kW, the system has maximum torque for high speeds at its disposal. The stepless drivetrain also maintains the speed at a constant level in the optimum range for maximum acceleration with consistently high pulling power. In this way, a high level of driving performance can be consistently drawn upon even on gradients. The combination of a 200-kW engine output and a high pump delivery rate guarantees maximum acceleration and high speed of the working movements. The standard 4-wheel steering provides great agility and manoeuvrability of the log loader, even in the tightest of spaces often found in timber yards. Furthermore, the 4-wheel steering increases driving stability. Another key factor in Hall’s decision to opt for the machine is its controls, which he believes will add great value to the company’s training programme. “The machine controls are electrically operated and we can customise them, especially for our operator training,” says Hall. “A major difference with the previous Liebherr 994 is that the new LH 60 M Timber Litronic has electronic controls instead of hydraulic ones found on the previous range. Electronic controls make the machine more precise, faster and efficient, which improves both fuel efficiency and production output,” says Stephen Tait, sales representative Earthmoving Equipment at Liebherr- Africa. Tait says in timber yards, where space is often at a premium, precision and fine control are especially important. The 4-way mini-joystick, with its proportional control, offers efficient operation of the machine. Functions such as support and joystick steering are controlled via two mini- joysticks. Hall says he is very excited about the new machine. “We feel that the machine will make a big difference for us in our training programme. We can slow the controls down and change some of the functionalities to suit our needs. We have to keep training the youth and give them the opportunities they deserve. If as a business we stop training, we will die.

The new Liebherr LH 60 M Timber Litronic comes as part of Forestry Plant & Equipment’s fleet replacement programme.

Forestry Plant & Equipment has bought a total of 10 Liebherr log loaders in the past 10 years.

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2019 14