VEGETATION MANAGEMENT EQUIPMENT AND ATTACHMENTS
EQUIPMENT AND PRODUCT REVIEWS
GRAPPLING WITH CHOICES
FOR TREE HANDLING
ATTACHMENTS
Jon Dellow from Green Triangle Bark
& Mulch Supplies in South Australia
recently put the first Aussie unit to
work using the optional quick-coupler.
“The grapple saw was easy to install and
gives great flexibility to our equipment,”
explained Jon, “and there’s no need to
waste time jumping in and out of the
cab to use the chainsaw, especially in
poor conditions.”
Jon mainly uses his GMT035 for
cross-cutting and loading salvage
timber using his log forwarder, but he
can quickly and easily change over to
a standard log grapple or even swap
the felling grapple onto his truck-mounted
crane. “Eventually we’d like to purchase
a 10-tonne excavator that can also
run the grapple saw,” Jon explained.
The grapple can be positioned close
to smaller limbs so the operator can use
the chainsaw function on the ground,
cutting independently of the grapple jaws.
On the other hand the saw function
can also be isolated completely by
closing a special valve on the grapple
frame, allowing the attachment to be
used as a standard grapple for sorting
or loading.
OPTIONS FOR LARGER MACHINES
A new model from Gierkink is now also
available that shares many of the features
of the GMT035, but with larger grapple
jaws and cut capacity.
Model GMT050 has a grapple opening
of 1220mm and max single cut diameter
of 500mm. The attachment weighs 385kg
(not including rotator) and has a minimum
hydraulic flow of 60 litres per minute. This
felling grapple is suited to felling of small
diameter plantation timber, or applications
needing just that little bit extra in terms of
single cut capacity.
“We expect that the combination of
simplicity and range of functions to suit
smaller machines will mean the Gierkink
grapples continue to be well received in
Australia,” Rey added.
Forest Centre’s other brands also
cover a wide array of dangle-type and
positioned-style rotating grapples, and
a range of saws for machines ranging
from 15 to 50 tonne.
For more information on Gierkink compact felling
grapples or the larger attachment options
contact Australian dealer, Forest Centre on
(02) 6947 2833, check out their Facebook page
or visit www.forestcentre.net.au
A
ustralian forestry equipment supplier
Forest Centre has traditionally
offered large-scale tree handling and
processing attachments, but more recently
their product line has grown to include
various grapples and saws well-suited to
vegetation management.
Complementing Forest Centre’s existing
hydraulic grapple and saw products is a
new addition in the form of a compact felling
grapple from Dutch manufacturer Gierkink.
“Our customers are typically those using
purpose-built machinery or converted
excavators in the 30-tonne range for high
production forestry,” explained Rey Kell from
Forest Centre. “After an increase in enquiries
for smaller grapple saw attachments we
noticed a shift in the focus on safety and
reducing man-on-the-ground risks, as well as
a distinct gap in the market for attachments
suitable for smaller base machines.”
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THE GMT035 FELLING GRAPPLE
The Gierkink GMT035 has a maximum single
cut capacity of 350mm, for cutting both limbs
and standing trees. With a weight of 230kg
(excluding rotator) and oil flow requirement
of only 40 litres per minute it can be fitted
to virtually any carrier from small excavators
through to forwarders and even truckmounted cranes.
This flexibility allows the felling grapple to
be used in the clearing of trees or removal
of branches along roads, public green areas
or along waterways. It can also be used to
speed up handling of forked stems when
feeding a chipper.
The innovative design of the GMT035
allows very simple installation with no need for
electronics. Only four hoses are required – two
for rotation clockwise and anti-clockwise, while
the two hoses for normal grapple open and
close are used to control the rest of the head.
Smart hydraulics built into the grapple allow
the operator to function grapple open and
close, head tilt up for grabbing vertical stems,
hydraulic chainsaw bar feed out and cut,
and head tilt down for horizontal loading or
cutting – all from only two control buttons.
Because there is no wiring or electronics,
the head can continuously rotate without
restriction or damage.
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