Forestry Focus
Power and productivity combined with agility makes new eight-wheel harvester a force in demanding logging conditions
The Komatsu 951XC is a new harvester for final logging in steep terrain and on soft ground. The eight-wheel design, combined with the Komatsu concept, offers a machine with great stability, excellent maneuverability and low ground pressure.
Part of Komatsu Forest’s product series of machines designed for challenging conditions, the 951XC is optimized for use with the Komatsu C164, a harvester head designed for logging large trees, but it also works with a range of other heads.
“What is special about the 951XC is that it combines the strength of a 951 with an extremely compact design,” said Joakim Johansson, Product Manager, Harvesters, Komatsu Forest. “Since it has about the same dimensions as the 931XC it can be used in denser stands.”
While the design is similar to the Komatsu 951, the 951XC does have some differences. Featuring the same wheel size as the 931XC, but with a total machine length shorter than that of the 951, the 951XC is a more compactly designed machine.
The Komatsu 951XC has 54,400 pounds of underlying tractive force and offers unique interaction between engine, control system and power transmission. With a large hydrostatic pump that can maintain higher speeds at high tractive forces, the hydrostatic transmission enables engine power to be fully utilized, providing considerable advantages in difficult terrain as well as excellent climbing ability.
The Komatsu 951XC is also equipped with hub reductions. They provide an advantage when working in challenging conditions, such as steep, snowy or wet terrain, increasing the life of the bogie and enhancing machine reliability.
New hydraulics
The Komatsu 951XC has new working hydraulics to efficiently utilize the diesel engine. The new hydraulics also provide faster feeding from start to maximum speed and allow the saw motor to work more efficiently.
“The new working hydraulics contribute to a feeling of an even stronger engine, according to the test operators that have been working with the 951XC,” Johansson stated.
While the working hydraulics are new, in all other respects the Komatsu 951XC shares the same proven 3PS design as other Komatsu harvesters.
“This enables several crane and head functions to be used simultaneously with retained maximum hydraulic power, thanks to the machine’s hydraulic power coordination,” Johansson said.
Powerful crane
All Komatsu harvesters have been equipped with parallel cranes since 1999. With this Komatsu design, the lifting booms and outer booms are linked, thereby eliminating an entire aspect of crane control. This concept simplifies crane operation by ensuring that the head is always level regardless of the crane cycle stage. The parallel crane is also designed to be fast in its outward movements, when the head is unloaded, and powerful in its return movements, when the head is heavily loaded.
Compared to the 951, the Komatsu 951XC has a significantly shorter distance from the center of the crane to the front wheels. This creates a larger working area in front of the machine that enables the operator to work at shorter reaches.
“The new larger working area in front of the machine means more powerful crane movements,” explained Johansson.
Operator environment
Like other Komatsu harvesters, the Komatsu 951XC features a high-performance operator environment including a spacious cab, good visibility and a comfortable cab climate. Thanks to the machine’s stability and leveling cab, the operator is always seated level, without the need to stretch and strain to maintain a good seating position.
“Our double oscillating bogie on the rear frame is an innovation of which we’re very proud,” declared Johansson. “As well as increasing stability by lowering the machine’s center of gravity, the machine follows irregularities in the terrain in a forgiving manner while delivering excellent maneuverability in challenging terrain conditions.”
