Production start for Husqvarna’s hybrid cutter
Cleaning at a higher level, or tops pruning, is a new way to deal with unwanted deciduous trees in regenerated conifer stands.
“Our new F35 FBx tops cutter is actually a hybrid between a brushcutter and a power saw,” explains Gösta Arvidsson, product specialist at Husqvarna AB. “It has been specially developed for pruning tops. Production of the cutter will start this autumn and it will be on the market in the beginning of 2010.”
The new cleaning method makes it possible to have natural branch thinning due to the crowding effect.
“This method also creates more forage material for wild animals, which reduces the grazing damage in other parts of the stand. Thanks to its greater precision compared with an ordinary brushcutter, the hybrid cutter also allows greater possibilities of correcting old grazing damage in the form of double tops and branch sprouts.”
New silviculture methods require new tools.
“We’ve been working for several years now to develop a new type of machine: a brushcutter that uses a chain to cut the tree stems higher up. We’ve now come far enough to put it into production.”
Frame holds up the cutting equipment
A lot of effort has been invested in developing the hybrid cutter’s ergonomic features.
The motor is centrally mounted in a harness on the user’s back. There is also a hip belt that takes a lot of the load off the shoulders. In addition, a frame above the user’s head holds up the cutting equipment.
“This reduces strain on the arms and shoulders,” Gösta explains.
The frame has an elastic fastener that can easily be adjusted to create the correct cutting height. The cutting equipment can be swivelled so it can cut both horizontally and vertically.
“The cutter can reach branches up to three meters high,” Gösta says.
Lower pulse rate
During the development period Husqvarna’s tops cutter has been tested in collaboration with SkogForsk (The Forestry Research Institute of Sweden). The tests show that with this cleaning method, damaged trees can be repaired and the cleaning is also easier to do.
“Another important advantage shown by the tests is that the user’s pulse rate slowed by ten to fifteen percent compared with the pulse rate when using a conventional brushcutter,” Gösta says. “This enables increased capacity and in the long term lower costs.”
Does the F35 FBx mark the end of bladed brushcutters?
“No, the traditional brushcutter still has many advantages,” Gösta says. “We prefer to regard the F35 FBx as a complement and an adaptation to a new silviculture method.”
Husqvarna believes that the main markets for this product are in the Nordic countries, Canada and Russia.