Komatsu 895 forestry forwarder – Operator review

Released in Australia in early 2017, the Komatsu 895 is one of the largest logging forwarders in the market, Komatsu Forest claims. It boasts a 20-tonne payload capacity, industry leading stability with a wide 725mm bogie and the biggest on-board crane in its class.

This machine is certainly a behemoth among the forestry giants and brings improved operator ergonomics, efficiency and economy to forest harvesting.

Scottsdale based logging contractor, Triple H Contracting, received the Komatsu 895 earlier in the year, hence boosting its number of Komatsu forwarders to five.

Triple H Contracting owner, Manuel Hall, is a second generation contractor with an infinite knowledge of forestry after spending almost three decades working in the industry. The arrival of the Komatsu 895 coincided with the 10th anniversary of Hall’s business.

Hall began working for his father’s logging business in the mid-80s, while still studying in school where he developed the skills required to become a successful contractor.

However, by 2007, Hall decided it was time to branch out on his own and thus entered the contracting game, specialising in the harvesting of Tasmanian hardwood and softwood plantations. He and his sole employee back then worked long days to make ends meet.

In the following years, another harvester and excavator were added to the fleet, complete with a new crew to operate them. His persistence paid off when Triple H Contracting was awarded a contract with Timberland Pacific a short time later.

This year, Triple H Contracting will harvest in excess of 250,000 tonnes of product and transport over 90,000 tonnes of processed logs with its fleet of machines, with sub-contractors engaged to pick up the remainder of the logs.

Komatsu 895 forwarder

According to Hall, his new Komatsu 895 is capable of collecting up to 110 tonnes per hour of processed logs from the harvesters and transporting them to log landings by the road where the log trucks will collect them.

“The Komatsu 895 really ‘out-specced’ all other machines I was looking at,” Hall said. “The quality of the machine and proven back-up we’ve had dealing with Komatsu Forest in the past were major factors in our decision to purchase.”

The list of new features on the Komatsu 895 that are designed to improve productivity and operator comfort is a lengthy one. Komatsu Forest understands that operator comfort always comes first during the machine design process.

“The improvements in this machine compared to our older forwarder is very noticeable,” Hall said.

“All new features and improvements are based on enabling the operator to maximise production in a manner that is sustainable for both the operator and the forest.”

Komatsu Comfort Ride

Komatsu’s unique Comfort Ride hydraulic cab suspension is designed to reduce operator fatigue and contribute to a more productive work flow.

The design of the cabin consists of a 4-point suspension with long stroke cylinders that counteract shocks effectively and are well protected from stray branches and debris. It also comes with automatic level regulation, which superbly compensates for centre of gravity offsets on various grades.

And according to the literature, other important features include safety functions such as mechanical towing and service locking, as well as excellent access to maintenance points for ease of servicing.

MaxiXplorer Control

MaxiXplorer is a control system used across Komatsu’s harvesters and forwarders that is probably one of the most cutting edge technology you can find on the market.

It is a complete system for machine and head control; bucking; crane settings and administration among others, hence offering optimal productivity, flexibility and user-friendliness.

It gives the operator clear overviews and follow-ups from felling operations through to complete control of the entire logistics chain, giving them the ability to register timber deliveries and roadside wood pile locations, for example.

For a first-time operator, the modern graphic user interface and simple menu structures make the MaxiXplorer easy to learn, navigate and use. It only takes a few minutes to start navigating the system and about another ten or so minutes to reach the productivity output of a seasoned operator. The system can easily be tailored to suit individual needs.

Komatsu Forest claims the MaxiXplorer machine control is a market leader and it is not hard to see why. It is fully integrated with other systems on the machine, so operators can control a range of functions; from crane control and cab levelling to transmission and ladders from the one system.

An unlimited number of user profiles can be created for work in different conditions. The crane and cab levelling functions are easily controlled from a single dialogue box.

In addition, all operator-specific functions can be fine-tuned to achieve the exact sensitivity, speed, smoothness and accuracy that each operator prefers.

Power and transmission

For the 895, Komatsu has chosen to adopt the widely-used SCR technology found in most log trucks to meet engine emission requirements. The new turbo, intercooled 74 CW12, 6-cylinder diesel engine, together with the new hydraulic system, deliver low fuel consumption and a high power output at low engine speeds.

The new engine produces 286hp at 1900rpm and 1200Nm torque at 1500rpm which is a noticeable increase compared to the previous model. It also boasts larger batteries, with the option of battery condition diagnostics via the MaxiFleet fleet management system, to ensure that the machine starts even on the coldest of winter mornings.

The transmission delivers a tractive force of 262kN with driving speeds of zero to seven km/h in bush terrain, and up to 20km/h on the road.

Maintenance wise, there are eight service hatches in the chassis that provides access to different servicing points.  The engine hood is electrically powered and can be used as a service platform when open.

All filters are located beneath the hood for easy access. A convenient drain valve under the engine allows easy change of engine oil without spillage.

The industry-leading bunk area of 7.2 cubic meters allows ample room for high payloads. The 165F Komatsu crane loader is the biggest in its class with a reach of up to 10m.

It has a gross lifting torque of 165.2kNm with a gross slewing torque of 43.5kNm. Triple H Contracting’s Komatsu 895 came fitted with the G121 Protec2 Rotator and G36 grapple.

The hydraulics have a flow rate of 360 l/min at 2000rpm with a maximum working pressure of 245 bar.

Eco-Tracks

Hall chose to fit Eco-Tracks on the front and back of his 895 working in the Seaview project to reduce soil compaction in the soft red soil while giving the machine improved traction.

“With the Eco-Tracks, our fuel consumption decreases thanks to the tyres not digging down as deep into the soil,” Hall said.

“The machine doesn’t have to work as hard and consequently consumes less fuel.

“Also, we expect to achieve twice the tyre life as the track is contacting the ground first,” Hall said. “On a similar machine without tracks, we typically change tyres between 3500 to 4000 hours. However, on this machine we envisage easily reaching 8000 hours before the tyres are likely to show any signs of significant wear.”

When asked about the performance of his Komatsu 895 forwarder, Hall cited power and lifting capabilities as highlights.

“Overall, the machine is bigger, better, faster and stronger,” he said. “The extra payload and power really make the machine an excellent performer, along with the simplicity of the servicing layout for ease of maintenance. I can’t fault it.”

Komatsu 895 Forwarder Specifications

DIMENSIONS

Length: 10,810mm (with shortest rear frame)

Width: 3,160 mm

Tyres: 780/50x28.5

Transport height: 4,045 mm (hoses included with tyre compression)

Ground clearance (8WD): 735mm

Weight: 20,500kg (approximate)

ENGINE                             

Make: 74 CW12, 6-cylinder diesel with turbo and intercooler

Stroke: 7.4-litre

Power: 210 kW DIN (286 HP) at 1,900 rpm

Torque: 1200 Nm at 1500rpm

Fuel Tank: 210-litre

TRANSMISSION

Driving Speed: 0-7/20 km/h (terrain/road)

Tractive Force: 262kN

BUNK AREA

Gross load: 20,000 kg

Bunk Volume: 5.2–7.2 cubic metres

LOADER & GRAPPLE

Loader: Komatsu 165F

Reach: 7.5/8.5/10 m

Gross lifting torque: 165.2kNm

Gross slewing torque: 43.4kNm

Rotator: G121 ProTec 2

Grapple : Komatsu G36

HYDRAULICS

Flow: 360 l/min at 2000rpm

Max working pressure: 245 bar (3553 psi)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Voltage: 24 V

Battery capacity: 2 x 180 Ah

Generator: 2 x 100 A