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Prentice Offers New Site Prep Tractor
The new Prentice 2864C site prep tractor is a multi-purpose, heavy-duty machine with the muscle to run power-hungry mulchers and brushcutters. The C Series replaces the A Series and incorporates technical advances from the Prentice C Series wheel feller-buncher, including a new engine and machine design that delivers more horsepower using less fuel.
Applications for the tractor include residential/commercial development, land management, right-of-way construction and maintenance; wetlands and wildlife habitat management; plantation reclamation and management and clearing for flood control and firebreaks.
“You can tackle a variety of projects with one machine, lowering your owning and operating costs,” says Matt McDonald, Caterpillar Forest Products product specialist for the site prep tractor.
Work tools have been developed to match the capability of the 2864C. The Prentice MR-244 brushcutter and the new Prentice MD-250 mulcher are available from the factory and supported by Prentice dealers.
The PowerDirect Plus system optimizes performance by monitoring operator and attachment hydraulic demand and delivering power where and when it is needed. The 350 HP engine and oversized hydraulic system push more flow to the attachment for faster recovery without slowing other functions.
The high capacity cooling system and on-demand reversing fan keep the machine running cool. The oversized, hydraulically driven fan spins at a slower speed overall and only turns as fast as needed to maintain proper hydraulic and engine temperatures.
The machine is segmented into separate compartments that are pressurized to prevent debris from entering. The pressurized airflow also keeps electronics, sensors and other key components cool during long workdays.
The cab is positioned between the axles for a stable, smooth ride. A clean three-piece front windshield, standard back-up camera and skylight provide a 360° view. The standard air suspension seat with neck and back support and high capacity HVAC system add to operator comfort. Visit www.prenticeforestry.com.
AFEX Control Unit Wards Off Fire
AFEX Fire Suppression Systems are designed and purpose-built to protect heavy off-road equipment from the threat of fire. At the heart of these critical safety attachments is the AFEX Control Unit, which combines the latest in microprocessor technology with durability, resulting in the ultimate fire suppression system control and performance.
Audible and visual signals alert the operator to any problem or alarm conditions. These alerts are stored on the control unit’s internal log for subsequent troubleshooting and are shown on the LCD display in the local language, meaning they can easily be reviewed directly on the machine itself.
The AFEX Control Unit enables asset managers to track a fire suppression system’s status alongside other key operating metrics quickly and conveniently. Using dedicated outputs from the AFEX Control Unit and inputs on the telematics system, end users can monitor for problem, alarm and discharge status. Beyond that, for autonomous vehicle applications, the AFEX system can be configured to discharge when signaled by the vehicle remote control.
The AFEX Control Unit now has over two years of field-proven application in the mining, waste and forestry industries. Compact enough for console mounting, the box itself is tightly sealed to protect the internal components, and its battery provides a year of stand-alone power. It utilizes a customizable harness with standardized connectors for efficient/affordable installations and watertight connections. Visit www.afexsystems.com.
Wood Splitter Reduces Stress For Grinders
Fecon, Inc. offers an excavator-mounted Log Jaw Wood Splitter to its forestry attachment product line. The Log Jaw is a hydraulic-powered wood splitting attachment that is also made for skid steers and loaders.
The Log Jaw will rip apart long, large diameter logs and stumps into manageable pieces for chippers, wood grinders or for firewood processing. The Log Jaw is Fecon’s low cost, high return solution for handling oversized and difficult to process logs and stumps that would otherwise require expensive disposal fees.
Splitting logs into optimally sized pieces improves the efficiency and production of chippers and grinders, while putting less stress on and requiring less horsepower from the processing equipment.
The Log Jaw attachment, weighing approximately 995 lbs. mounted on an excavator, has a 40 in. jaw opening (tip to tip) and 360° of rotation, allowing the operator to attack oversized wood from any angle. Made for 8 to 16 ton excavators, a mount will be built to your excavator’s specifications for easy installation. Visit www.fecon.com.
Vermeer Announces Succession Plan
As part of its family succession planning process, Vermeer Corp. announced that third-generation family member, Jason Andringa, will serve as the company’s next President & CEO effective November 1, 2015.
Currently he is assuming the role of President & Chief Operating Officer for one year, when he will transition to the role of President & CEO. He currently serves as president of Forage and Environmental Solutions.
“Gary Vermeer, my grandfather and Vermeer founder, was very influential for me personally and professionally,” Andringa says. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead Vermeer as a family-owned and operated, global company into a prosperous future.”
Mary Andringa, current President & CEO, will assume the role of CEO & Chair of the Board November 1, 2014. She will transition exclusively to Chair of the Board on November 1, 2015.
Bob Vermeer, current Chairman of the Board, will assume the role of Chair Emeritus.
Trommel Screen Is Updated
About 3,500 mobile trommel screens have been manufactured by Doppstadt during the past 50 years, according to the company. Operators on six continents use the SM 518 Profi made in Germany to screen waste and raw materials such as compost, excavated earth, debris, garbage, industrial waste, plastic, glass, paper, wood, biomass, sand, gravel, scrap or slag.
Doppstadt now offers an updated version, the SM 518 Plus, with more functionality and capacity. The feeding hopper volume is 5 m³. Thanks to longer discharge conveyors the maximum achievable volume of the conical pile increases by 30% compared to the predecessor machines. The machine engine is adjusted to a 55 kW Deutz diesel engine motor, providing 15% higher performance and consuming only 4-6 l of fuel per hour. The changeover from working position to road transport does not take more than 30 minutes.
This machine is an alternative to vibrating screen solutions for the pit and quarry industry and for the demolition and recycling sector. The 22.5 m² screening trommel surface can be complemented by a pre-separation. The corresponding options such as stonegrid, vibrating screen or star screen are fitted on the feeding hopper. There are two versions of the trommel: a full metal sheet trommel with 6-12 mm thickness and 10-100 mm mesh size and a screening trommel with wire mesh segments with 5-40 mm mesh size. Visit www.doppstadt.com.
Ligna Will Host Industry Summit
LIGNA, the trade fair for forestry and wood industries, which runs May 11-15, 2015, in Hannover, Germany, will offer a Wood Industry Summit. It will comprise an exhibition area, a matchmaking platform and a forum, making it a powerful hub for international lead generation and dialogue. It will be staged on about 2,000 sq. ft. of display area in Hall 13.
In the exhibition area, companies and institutions from the forestry technology, sawmill technology, wood panel products and veneer production, wood energy, solid wood working and pulp and paper industries will showcase their latest technology offerings in the immediate vicinity of international group pavilions run by key players from selected timber-rich target market regions, such as Russia, China and North and South America.
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