Revolutionary
Forestry Journal recently attended the second John Deere Forestry global press event, which included the revealing ceremony of John Deere’s new E-series wheeled harvesters and forwarders. Although, without doubt, the revealing ceremony was the star attraction, the John Deere team gave the world’s press a jam-packed experience from the minute our feet hit the tarmac at Stockholm airport.

Day one started with a tour of the factory and spare parts operation at Märsta and a presentation by the team on the background of the company and the forestry industry in Sweden. Similarly to other countries, Sweden is seeing a rapid growth in the wood for energy sector with many power plants now turning to bioenergy. This led us nicely onto the next leg of our journey, to see the 1490D brash bundler being put through its paces on a working site that had been clearfelled. As we observed the machine, Erik Ostergren, a contractor himself who assists John Deere on the practical side at demonstrations, explained the benefits and mechanics of the bundler which has been designed to effectively collect, compress and bundle all logging residues. The brash bundler, as its name suggests, is used at the site to bundle the logging residue into ‘brash logs’. The bundler sits on a forwarder chassis, and can be a fixed unit or removable, to leave the forwarder only. The bundler is powered by the forwarder’s hydraulics. Instead of chipping the residue left behind by the harvester, the brash
bundler compresses it into cylindrical bundles that are easy to store and transport. The bundling process is continuous and is not restricted by the length of the brash/residue; the length of the bundles can be changed to accommodate the mode of transportation later used.

The process is not unlike a hay baler, only much larger in size, compressing and shaping the brash and branches together compactly and then binding and chopping the bale into the required length. The bundles can be stored at the roadside, where they will dry out, and then be transported to the biomass power plants. Storing the bundles is clean and efficient and the dense bundles do not decompose easily. Each bundle usually weighs 500-700kg and equals approximately 1MWh of energy, which is the equivalent of 80-100 litres of crude oil.
Erik explained that an advantage of using the bundler is that it is not dependent on any other machinery and is a job that can be done when the contractor has the time. He also stated that for good productivity it is best to plan ahead and leave residue in rows or piles, and to plan well when you are going to bundle.

This technology is already being used in Finland, Spain, Hungary and Belgium, resulting in around 67 units being sold. John Deere has also delivered three of these units into the UK in the last three years. Questions were asked regarding the value in the bundles and the methods of deciding payment – was it by weight, heat content or volume? Marica Kilponen from John Deere Forestry Oy explained that at present there is no one method, and those involved are trying to get a system in place to allow everyone to be working to the same system to determine value. At a presentation later in the tour she explained that standards should soon be put in place that will hopefully bring some uniformity to the pricing of this
product.

Current payment in the UK is payment per bale at roadside. Day two involved a trip to the World Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition at Elmia, which was opened by Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden and Duchess of Västergötland, who is currently the only female heir apparent in the world. This gave us the opportunity to see some of the exhibitors who are working toward reducing the growth from emissions and other negative environmental impacts. Time to change countries, and the next leg was aboard the ferry, (or was it a liner?) for an overnight journey to Finland, and a step nearer to the revealing ceremony which was being held in Lahti, a city famous for its ski championships. Throughout the trip so far there
had been speculation and reference as to what we would see at the revealing ceremony. With a theme of ‘Revolution’ many ideas had been put forward. Now we were about to find out the answer. On arrival at the Lahti Exhibition Hall we were part of over 600 people converging to see what John Deere had in store for us. The press delegation was firstly taken to a separate meeting where we were given a small taster, by Arne Bergmann, Director of Sales & Marketing Europe & Russia, on what was to come, and the reasons behind the new developments.

So, finally we are in this enormous hall in almost total blackness and the fun begins. Huge pictures were changing all the time, on screens that would have done an outdoor pop concert proud. The music and pictures built to a climax and then fireworks and spotlights lit
up the room as the screen dropped to the floor to reveal the brand new E-series machines in all their glory. These revolutionary E-series forest machines are a totally new concept in forwarder and harvester design and productivity. To avoid a stampede of boys trying to get to toys, this event had been planned with military precision, and each delegate had been given a headset and a group number. We tuned into our own number and were able to move from machine to machine with our headset on and hear only the commentary of the John Deere member of staff who was explaining the machine in detail. Other exhibits included the new E-series simulators, E-series automation and the new H414 harvesting head.

Although all of the E-series machines will be introduced during 2008 and 2009, the first models to be launched were the 1270E and 1470E harvesters and the 1510E forwarder, which introduces a new, unique size in the John Deere family. The E-series harvester family includes four models: the 1470E, 1270E, the new size 1170E and the 1070E, which will be available both as a 4- and as a 6-wheel version. New booms will also be launched for the 1170E and the 1270E. A major development on both harvesters and forwarders in the E-series is the new rotating and levelling cab. The new cab gives the operator a full 360 degree view of the machine’s surroundings, reducing the need to strain the neck or swivel the seat to be in full control. The cab’s new levelling system, which responds to changes in the terrain smoothly
and promptly, increases comfort for the operator, particularly on slopes and uneven terrain.

Thanks to the cab and the completely revamped automation, the operator remains alert and in comfort throughout his working day. The cab follows the movements of the grapple or the felling head quickly and softly, making loading or cutting precise and efficient. The automatic air-conditioning of the new cab, top-quality upholstery, low noise and vibration levels and a wide range of additional accessories ensure first-class operation. Harvesters and forwarders feature the same cab, ensuring seamless changeover for those operators moving from harvester to forwarder or vice versa. The large windows and low windowsills offer excellent
visibility at all times.

All E-series harvesters have a completely new kind of specially strengthened frame which is much stronger than those of the D-series. Operators have been involved and at the forefront throughout the designing of these units, from the operating environment to periodic maintenance of the machines. All of the changes have one key target – increased productivity and a reduction in the downtimes of the machines. The uptime of the machines has been increased by fewer daily inspections and longer service intervals. A new hydraulic fan changes direction automatically and cleans dust and foreign bodies from the cooling system. The operating life of the engine air filters has been significantly increased thanks to a preliminary filter. As an added accessory, there is a central lubrication system, which shortens the time required for daily maintenance.

The 1470E is the largest of the new harvesters and is powered by the award-winning 9.0 litre John Deere PowerTech Plus engine, which has been specially designed for heavy machinery. The high torque of this engine at low rpm guarantees good fuel economy and sufficient power, even when handling large and heavy trunks. Also in the new line up was the 1270E. Compared to its predecessor, the 1270D, the productivity of the 1270E is improved by its new CH7 parallel boom which combines higher lifting and slewing torques. The boom is suitable for both later thinning and clearfell. The increased ground clearance and high tractive force improve the drivability of the 1270E over any kind of terrain. The power source for the 1270E harvester is also the 9.0 litre John Deere PowerTech Plus engine.

The 1510E forwarder was the third machine to be revealed. Other members of the family are the 810E, the completely new 1010E, 1110E, and new sizes in the 1210E, 1510E and 1910E, which will be launched later this year and early next year. The load capacity and engine power of the two biggest models are now bigger than before. The 1510E’s loading capacity,
engine power, engine torque and tractive force have been increased in comparison to its forerunner, the 1410D. The power source for the 1510E forwarder is the 6.8 litre John Deere PowerTech Plus engine, which is renowned for its high torque at low rpm. The fourth star of the show was the H414 new four roller harvesting head, which has an excellent power/weight ratio and has been expressly designed for the 1170E harvester. As far as size is concerned,
the H414 harvesting head is between the H754 and the H480, and is suitable for any task from first thinning to clearfell.

All service points on the harvesting head are easily accessible and well protected. The H414 is equipped with four moving delimbing blades and two fixed. Particular attention has been paid to the strength and increased cutting surface of the delimbing blades, and to the wood-bearing effect of the feed rollers up to a maximum aperture of 640mm. The new TimberMatic control system for both forwarders and harvesters is now very easy to use, and such features as special operator- targeted parameters can be quickly located. Alternatively, the
machine can be controlled using the CommandCenter operating display. Also the machine possesses a new generation of efficient Flex modules, which control the functions of the basic machine. The new Flex modules are also interchangeable resulting in improved diagnostics. On top of this, the E-series machines’ documentation, training and product support tools are the best ever. All the instructions are in electronic format and the operator
can simply click and see all the necessary information on screens and animations.

The success of the revealing ceremony could be judged by the avid interest being shown in all the new technology and machinery available. Everyone was either in it, on it or waiting their turn to have a shot. John Deere provided a hog roast buffet and a live band on stage to
end the night and make the waiting for your turn more enjoyable. UK and Irish customers were well represented with a party of 50 attending the revealing ceremony. UK Marketing Manager, Jock McKie, reported that feedback had been extremely positive from those attending. Two customers from the UK, who had obviously seen enough to be more than impressed, placed their orders on the night. Allan Cartner placed his order for the first 1270E and Charlie Paterson for the first 1470E.

The following day we had the opportunity, before heading home, to see all the new machines working. This really brought the cameras out and gave us a glimpse of the rotating cab and self-levelling system in a real working environment. They did not disappoint the crowds.
Timo Salomaa and Dieter Reinisch were our constant guides throughout this experience and assisted at every turn, answering questions and making the trip all the more informative and enjoyable in the build-up to the revealing ceremony. My thanks to them for all their hard work. Oh and a special thanks to Jock McKie for the wee shimmy on the dance floor, albeit brief.
www.e-series.fi
Anne Berry