SMART Boom Control is now available on Kronos Gripto tractor-operated timber loaders.

The Smart Boom Control system is designed to offer users faster results with more precision and higher quality. The boom moves seamlessly instead of in stages. An electronic damper prevents sudden movements when the boom reaches its maximum outreach. The rotation of the boom can also be set to a steady speed, regardless of whether the boom is one metre or 10 metres from the driver.

Kronos, the international brand of Finnish forestry machine manufacturer Wikar Oy Ab, says it is the first to introduce Smart Boom Control on tractor-operated timber loaders. A similar system has only been available on the biggest forest machines. 

Product manager Dennis Grankvist said: “Smart Boom Control lets the operator control the tip of the loader in any direction by joystick. In traditional systems, the operator has had to move the tip by extending or retracting numerous different hydraulic cylinders one by one.

“Smart Boom Control is a big help for both beginners and experienced operators. The system also consumes less energy and requires less concentration, as there is less to control manually. If experienced operators think they can do a better job, they should try Smart Boom Control for a day or two before jumping to conclusions.”

The system’s sensors are located outside of the hydraulic cylinders but inside the boom, making them easy to change if necessary. The system’s intelligence is integrated into the valve board’s controller and also has diagnostic capabilities. 

Grankvist added: “I believe that in a few years Smart Boom Control will be standard equipment. The price difference between an electronically controlled and traditional valve board is about the same as that of Smart Boom Control, and these days no one is interested in traditional valve boards. I think that Smart Boom Control will catch on in a similar way.”

Another new innovation offered by Kronos is SmartDrive+ hydraulic drive for timber trailers, which will be made available this summer. The original SmartDrive system changes the direction of the trailer together with the tractor, whereas the new SmartDrive+ system also controls the driving speed of the trailer.