Mini-forwarders gain ground at Elmia Wood
They’re small, fuel efficient, and stand operated.
They’re the latest “must-have” machine for the active woodlot owner.
They’re one of the strongest trends at this year’s Elmia Wood.
They’re the mini-forwarders.
Vimek, Woodtiger, LogLander, Malwa, Alstor, Novotny. The list of mini-forwarders exhibited at Elmia Wood is long.
“We’ve focused on developing a small, self-tracking, stand-operated machine,” says Bengt-Olof Olsson of Malwa. “It is primarily for professional users who are forwarding out a lot of biofuel material, but also for active woodlot owners.”
Malwa is a new Swedish machinery manufacturer.
“We build small, flexible machines without compromising on performance and functionality.”
Is that possible?
“Yes – and the proof is right here. Equip this mini-forwarder with a cutting head and you have a highly efficient machine for your energy crop,” Bengt-Olof says.
Vimek
Low fuel consumption
Alstor has been making small forwarders for 12 years.
“We recently sold our 300th machine and we’re definitely noticing growing interest in them due to the clear trend towards bringing out biofuel materials,” says Lars Jansson of Alstor.
Alstor mainly targets active woodlot owners.
“Low fuel consumption and easy in-stand manoeuvrability with low impact on the terrain are arguments that appeal to many people,” Lars says. “We have woodlot owners with properties ranging from 8 to 200 hectares who use our machines.”
An Alstor weighs about 1,500 kilos unloaded.
“It’s easy to move on an ordinary trailer.”
Orange tiger
Standing in the Woodtiger stand is Benny Gustafsson.
“Our forwarders are specially developed for the needs of the active woodlot owner. We’re seeing a growing trend among woodlot owners to manage their own forest in a small-scale way.”
Woodtiger’s starting point was an easy-to-use, manoeuvrable and more or less self-repairing machine.
“Built using well-tried technology with standard components so it’s easy to look after.”
The GJ30 is 1.80 meters wide and weighs 2,700 kg unloaded.
“The unique articulated steering makes the machine highly manoeuvrable in the terrain. It is also self-tracking even when the steering is fully engaged,” Benny says.
Woodtiger
Compact LogLander
If you want to go up a size, one alternative is the LogLander.
“It weighs 5.5 tonnes unloaded,” says Bernt Frykenstam. “But it is a very compact forwarder that is only 1.87 meters wide.”
He emphasises the trend towards smaller forwarders.
“We have many contractors who are looking at smaller forwarders as a complement to the big machines. They want a smaller one to use in sensitive areas or for jobs that only involve biofuel materials.”
For professional users he stresses the importance of a good work environment for the operator.
“You can’t compromise. A small machine must have the comfort of a big machine.”