THERE is excitement in the air as we sit in a golden Land Rover, driving deep into the forest of Sundom, a suburb of Vaasa, Finland.
Pascal Réty, vice-president of sales for Logset, is driving the car, joined by development manager Jonas Hedstrom, preparing us for our first look at the new Logset 8H GTE Hybrid harvester, launched in May.
They are both eager to tell us about their new product and about the company’s operation in general, which has positioned itself at the forefront of sustainable forestry.
A passion for sustainability
From the beginning, Logset has been a company that has focused on the importance of research and development. Today, sustainability is a subject of critical importance to the industry and the world, and Logset has sought to lead the way for forest machine manufacturers.
It has demonstrated this by creating harvesters with lower emissions and lower running costs, making them profitable for the operator while keeping their environmental credentials intact.
Logset says it provides top-of-the-line solutions for sustainable forestry by developing, manufacturing, distributing and servicing forest machines that are reliable, productive and functional. The manufacturer is based in Koivulahti, western Finland, with its global spare part centre in nearby Vaasa. Local Finnish customers are serviced from Vaasa and a second location in Lahti.
The company was established in 1992 and now has around 100 employees, but as the production relies heavily on Finnish suppliers, Pascal Réty and Jonas Hedstrom estimate the true employee number to be over 400, taking the suppliers into account.
The last few years have been very interesting for the company, which has come up with at least one new invention per year. In 2016, it introduced world’s biggest harvester with hybrid technology. In 2017, when Logset celebrated 25 years in business, it presented two new products: the harvester head TH85 and the TH65 Euca. Innovations continued in 2018 when Smooth Ride cabin suspension was introduced.
Today, the Logset product range comprises seven forwarders, seven harvesters, seven harvester heads and Logset TOC operation control and measurement systems.
Answering the UK’s performance demands
It’s no secret that the UK market demands high-power performance from its harvesters. Logset has taken this into account when creating the Logset 8H GTE Hybrid, the first hybrid harvester in its size class (and the most commonly sold around the world). Now available with an eight-wheel base only, it is able to carry out both thinnings and clear-fells.
The Logset 8H GTE Hybrid is equipped with Parallel Hybrid technique, which means the electric motor assists the new Stage 5 diesel engine when needed, making the new harvester more efficient.
The new blue colour on the side of the machine indicates its use of electric power. Pascal Réty emphasizes the three key benefits of operating a machine with electric power:
1. Productivity: By being more efficient and precise with immediate power.
2. Fuel economy: Meaning low running cost as the harvester consumes up to 25 per cent less fuel.
3. Environmental aspects: Lower emissions by using less fuel.
He says it is, by far, the most effective and environmentally friendly harvester in the industry.
Logset engineers are proud of having been able to utilize hybrid technology without increasing the physical size of the machine.
The hydraulic pump that makes everything work – traditionally connected to the diesel engine – is now accompanied by an electric motor placed between the hydraulic pump and the engine. The electric motor also works as a generator that charges the battery. When the harvester’s power demand is high, additional power is immediately provided by the electric motor.
Pascal Réty says: “The diesel engine producing 300 horsepower and powerpack producing an additional 120 horsepower totals an impressive 420 horsepower.”
He says Logset knew it was onto a winning formula with its hybrid technology when releasing the world’s first hybrid harvester, the Logset 12H GTE. That machine has been well received by the industry, with several units sold around the world to countries including Sweden, France, Norway, Germany and Australia.
He adds: “Because of three years’ experience with hybrid harvesters, we now possess a vast knowledge of hybrid functions and know what it can do and what we can create.”
SmartFeed and other new features
We arrive at our destination and are handed yellow safety vests. Behind the trees we can spot the shiny new 8H GTE Hybrid harvester in all its glory.
Pascal and Jonas, joined by two colleagues, proceed to show us the features of the new harvester in detail.
The modules in the harvester head are new, designed to increase performance. They allow the operator to cut more timber with less fuel, which is important for Logset as its focus remains on sustainability. All control systems and measuring devices have been revised and a Logset SmartFeed has been put in place. This is a new algorithm that calculates tree size and the feeding speed of the harvester head.
“Based on that, it calculates optimal stopping ramp to reach the cutting point. It always stops at the right position,” says Jouni Kytovaara, also a development manager at Logset.
Pascal agrees: “Because of the higher horsepower the head is faster and more difficult to stop immediately, but thanks to new SmartFeed technology we are able to always stop at the right length. Spot on.”
They continue, explaining that the new hydraulic solution, which brings more oil flow to the harvester head, means it can reach higher feeding speed while using large 820 cc feeding motors. Previously, the speed of the delimbing was slower. Speed and accuracy of sawing has been improved with the new software and control module.
More storage, space and protection
Next up is a tour of the additional features and Jonas Hedstrom takes the lead. He shows us the elegant new design of the rear bumper that now holds more storage space and gives more protection. This, however, is additional equipment that is sold separately.
In conjunction with the new Stage 5 diesel engine installation, the dosing pump and tank for DEF fluid have been moved into the left-side rear bumper. Filling points for both fuel and hydraulic oil are placed next to the tank, very clearly marked. All switches for filling pumps and bonnet opening have been placed in the same compartment for easy access.
Rigid new stairs with integrated storage compartments for new and used saw chains have been added. An additional storage compartment is found underneath the stairs.
“The TH75 head has been developed in conjunction with our end users and dealers, which has allowed us to design one of the most user-friendly harvesting heads on the market today,” says Jonas. “Again, with end-user feedback we have developed a steel disc that can be retrofitted on most Logset harvesting heads. This steel feed disc reduces friction, improves traction and limits damage to the stem itself, therefore, once again, improving performance and fuel efficiency of the product.”
Operating globally
An impressive 80 per cent of the company’s products are exported, with the remaining 20 per cent sold locally. Total turnover of around 40 million euros per year is constantly growing. The distribution network covers more than 20 countries and Logset machines are performing in more than 25.
As its business expands, Logset remains committed to improving support in far-off destinations like North and South America, by opening a subsidiary in Ontario, Canada.
Another important market for Logset is the UK, where RJ Fukes operates as the only dealer for Logset machines.
The two companies have a long history of working together. John Fukes, founder of RJ Fukes, has been involved in development of Logset products, listening to the customers on the UK market and forwarding feedback along with ideas for Logset to create products that match the demands of customers.
One example is the development of the TH75 harvester head. The product was launched in 2011, but the first prototypes were put to use in Wales in 2008.
“John and Sue Fukes’ vast experience and customer-oriented mindset has been extremely valuable when it comes to forest machine design,” says Jonas. “I trust John’s gut feeling more than any computer program in the world.”
For anyone interested in taking a closer look, Pascal mentions that Logset will soon be organizing demo tours with the Logset 8H GTE Hybrid harvester in different market areas.
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