Komatsu Forest has long thought the value of hydraulic excavators for forest/timber applications had not met its true potential. Especially the Komatsu excavators with their compensated load sense hydraulic systems, which are suitable for many different forest applications. This led to a close association with New Zealand companies EMS and Active Engineering with them suppling guarding packages, certified Forest Cabs, as well as high/wide undercarriages and modified booms to suit various timber/loading applications.
Unfortunately, over time the demand for superior excavator modifications has led to increasing costs reaching the point where they lost their cost advantage over purpose-built track machines. This led Komatsu Forest Aust to approach Komatsu Ltd (Japan) to assist in developing factory-built excavators suitable for forest applications including loading. Factory fitted forestry options would be more cost effective and greatly reduce lead time to the end user, which has become a problem due to demand.
“Increased local costings meant there was no other decision but to pursue a factory solution”, said Brett Jones MD Komatsu Forest.
The first decision was to design and manufacture a high wide track frame with all the relevant features which was simplified as the PC270LC-8 and PC300LC-8 already share the same standard track frame. Following the completion of the HW track frame, it was then decided to pursue a suitable factory boom option, in this case the factory had to design two different size boom sets for the PC270LL and PC300LL.
“These two major options have been a real game changer when it comes to modifying an excavator for a forestry application,” confirmed Jones. It reduces the time in a workshop by approximately six weeks.
The factory high/wide track frames and boom sets have been installed and tested in the field since they were completed in 2020. Over the past 18 months, Komatsu Forest has released a HD cooling package and is currently developing a special guarding package to suit all potential forestry or loading applications.
The combined Komatsu Forest and Komatsu Ltd development process, in addition to the support from suppliers such as EMS and Active Engineering (NZ), has now produced up to nine new forest models to meet customer’s various requirements, typified by the PC270LL and PC300LL log loaders fitted with certified high-rise rear entry cabs.