The return of the world’s biggest farm machinery show didn’t offer as much for foresters as previous years, but there were still a few notable highlights.
HAILED as the world’s biggest farm machinery show, Agritechnica was certainly well supported for its first post-COVID event.
Normally held every two years, the show was last presented in 2019, then cancelled in 2021 due to pandemic restrictions.
A record 470,000 visitors from 149 countries attended the November 12–18 2023 show, held in Hanover, Germany, much to the delight of the DLG (German Agricultural Society) organisers.
While many of the 2,812 exhibitors used the event to launch new products, for others present it was a good marketing exercise just to inform customers they are still in business. In all, there were 24 halls packed with machinery and technology for the agricultural industry, including one hall dedicated to the forestry sector.
Timo Zipf, Agritechnica project manager, said: “As the world’s leading trade fair for agricultural machinery, Agritechnica 2023 has demonstrated how highly innovative the industry is. After four years, exhibitors were finally able to present their wealth of innovations to the world here in Hanover once again. Everyone appreciated the opportunity for face-to-face discussions, exchanges and networking opportunities, also to make new business contacts.”
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Normally, as in previous years at the show, there would be an outdoor area dedicated to demonstrations of forestry equipment, but that did not happen this time around.
There were, however, around 200 companies exhibiting various types of forestry equipment and machinery, from very small electric chainsaws to bigger tree-management solutions. Robotic mulchers and grass maintenance vehicles also took centre stage.
Estonian company Dipperfox, which specialises in stump-grinding equipment, had quite an ordeal during the show, with an alarming call from the German fire brigade.
Vallo Visnapuu, Dipperfox regional sales manager, said: “We had a small stand outside near the main forestry hall where we were exhibiting our Dipperfox SC400 stump grinder.
"During one of the first nights of the show there was a storm with strong wind and heavy rain. The next morning I received an early phone call to tell me the fire brigade had evacuated my stand during the night, moving the equipment and other stand items to a new, drier position. We certainly were not expecting that.”
The Dipperfox SC400 is designed to be used in smaller areas, like private gardens, parks and urban areas, where full-size machines are too big to use.
Its hydraulic motor produces 13,000 N of torque, providing enough power for low-rpm cutting. This avoids aggressive contact between the blades and the rocks in the ground. Compared with high-speed grinders, this machine does not need a huge safety zone, as there are no fast-moving blades to spread around the debris.
It is particularly designed to be used on 1.5–5-tonne mini excavators and a variety of loaders. To operate, the Dipperfox SC400 requires an engine power of 35–60 kW, working pressure of 110–250bar and a hydraulic flow of 30–130 l/min.
Among the machines on the Northern Ireland-based MDE Machinery stand was the Scorpion S1600 excavator grab, the largest in the Scorpion range. With a heavy-duty Hardox chassis and 30 mm Hardox teeth, the Scorpion S1600 has superior build strength and clamping force, featuring two huge hydraulic cylinders.
The powerful cylinders, together with an impressive 1,390 mm jaw opening width, make it easy for the Scorpion to clamp onto boulders or stumps and take them away.
It is ideal for ripping through forestry roots, picking out boulders and loading materials.
German company Mulag exhibited a number of hedge-cutting options, including the MHS 600 hydraulic arm, which can be mounted with various mowing attachments.
Sticking with the mowing theme, Italian company Energreen had its remote-controlled mulching robot, the RoboEVO on the stand. This dainty machine is a tools-carrier mower, designed to work in the narrowest areas, on slopes up to 55° or where the access is very difficult.
It can carry different tools, is powered by a 40 hp Stage V diesel engine and two double-effect hydraulic functions. The company also exhibited a number of its self-propelled ILF Alpha hedge-cutting and grass maintenance vehicles.
Other companies included TMC Cancela from Italy with a number of mulchers on the stand, including the MDB LV400X robotic unit attached with TMC Cancela’s THA mulcher, available in three models: 50 cm, 70 cm and 90cm working widths; and NB Machinery, from Spain, highlighted its Multi Forest and Diamond Forest mulchers, to name a few.
And just to give a flavour of some of the new, more eco-friendly loaders at the show that can be used in the forestry sector, Avant Tecno had on display its latest e513 and e527 loaders. The big news about these new loaders – and others in the company range – is that Avant is now making its own batteries for its electric vehicles.
Replacing their predecessors, the e5 and e6 loaders, the Avant e513 and e527 are equipped with Avant OptiTemp battery packs (13 kWh and 27 kWh), manufactured by Avant Tecno’s subsidiary Avant Power.
When fully charged in the morning, the Avant e527 loader (27 kWh) can be used for a whole working day. The maximum operating time of the machine is about six hours for medium-duty work, whereas for the Avant e513 it is about three hours. The batteries of both loaders can be fully charged with a fast charger in just 1.5 hours.
The next Agritechnica will be held on November 9–15, 2025.
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