Valmet Advance Continues

Maybe I am easily persuaded, but every time I see a new harvesting machine, I think it's the best yet!   Coming back from a recent trip to the Valmet factory and also witnessing a demonstration of their latest machines, I was similarly persuaded: these red machines really are user friendly and productive. Valmet's ongoing advancement and growth of market share is no doubt aided by knowledge and management skills of the very successful parent company, Komatsu. More on that later.

Representatives from Europe's forestry media were invited to visit the Valmet factory to learn, and more importantly from a Valmet perspective, spread the word about developments in their machines and software.

The big news is that two upgraded Valmet harvesters were launched as part of the company's "Dot 4" series, the 901.4 and the 911.4, and another upgrade to the larger harvester, the 941, now the 941.1. Two forwarders have also been upgraded to Dot 4, they are the 840.4 and the 860.4. Developments include a new cabin, new loadFlex software, new bogie system and a new harvester control system called MaxiXplorer. “This is actually the most extensive update to our product range for very many years. I’m very proud that we’re able to present so many new products and improvements this year,” said Toshio Miyake, CEO of Komatsu Forest.

New control system
for Valmet harvesters
While we will take a quick look at each of these developments, I was really interested in their new harvester control system, MaxiXplorer.
Machines have a new system computer, a new PC, a separate display, and a new chassis computer. This translates into increased system capacity, a more intuitive user interface, and easier service.

MaxiXplorer has a new system computer configured for the new system design. The state-of-the-art processor offers an incredible 3000 percent more processing power than previous models. The system computer connects to the PC over Ethernet, ensuring faster, more reliable communication. The new PC has 40 percent more processing power and 400 percent more internal memory. The 12-inch display is completely separate and adjustable so the operator can place it in a position that suits him or her best.
Probably the most obvious change for users is the new work mode which presents all relevant operator information in a clear new layout. Work mode also features new configurable information tabs that show, for example, machine status. The tabs can display, info like oil temperature, fuel level, speed, operating hours, and tilt angle. There are tabs for alarms and alarm logs, as well as real-time production data showing production volume, number of trunks, average breast height, average trunk volume and the volume of the last tree.
While work mode is the most visually striking new feature, the new functions for assignment management and crosscutting are among the most beneficial. With MaxiXplorer, crosscutting is better integrated with the main system. The system processor has greater processing power and more internal memory which should increase crosscutting ability considerably compared to earlier control systems.
Assignment management is easier to use in new MaxiXplorer. Assignment management has been separated from machine control and the ignition system and the system always starts with the assignment that was last in use. Other new features include the use of database technology for production reports. This simplifies file management, creates a more orderly system, and makes it easier to search among production files. Also, files are only created when needed. Assignment management now has a clearer interface, providing a cleaner assignment overview.

New cab on the Valmet 911.4 and 901.4
The Valmet 911.4 and 901.4 have brand new cabs. The cab is considerably more spacious than before. Cab length is 18 percent greater at 6 feet (184 cm) while the width, measured from window to window, is increased by six percent. Also, there’s a full 6-3/4” (17 cm) more headroom in front of the driver’s seat. The cab is so large that carrying a colleague or instructor is no longer a problem. The placement of the printer frees a space that can be used as an extra seat. The driver’s seat can be rotated 180 degrees.
Valmet’s designers have also worked on the air quality in the cab which has a larger air intake and an extra pre-filter on the air conditioning, ensuring better air in the cab. ECC is now standard on the Valmet 911.4 and the Valmet 901.4. The company has also added more storage compartments and spaces than before. All round, operators are likely to find this new Valmet cab a comfortable and productive place to work.

Valmet Comfort Bogie
The new Valmet 840.4 and 860.4 forwarders and the new Valmet 911.4 harvester are all equipped with Valmet’s new ‘Comfort Bogie’. The new bogie design, which is unique to Valmet machines, is a refined version of the design currently in use. The new bogie provides more even ground pressure, which offers a number of positive handling characteristics such as increased climbing ability and greater stability. Manoeuvrability is improved, as the bogie’s ground pressure is more evenly distributed while the high wheel arch and large bogie suspension have been retained. Hill climbing ability in particular is better. Valmet says this does not compromise it’s proven effectiveness when operating on soft ground conditions.
On the Valmet 911.4 harvester, the new bogie allows for mechanised logging in areas previously only accessible to chainsaw operators. The increased stability also means the operator’s environment has been made even better.
On the Valmet 840.4 and 860.4 forwarders, the bogie axles’ constant contact with the ground increases stability when driving, whether empty or fully loaded, and up and down steep slopes. Working on side slopes is both safer and more stable. The more even ground pressure achieved with the new bogie reduces back-forward shaking in the cab. The ground pressure, combined with faster steering response due to refined hydraulic valves, improves manoeuvrability. Valmet says that these improved handling characteristics make it possible to drive faster than before with retained comfort and safety. With Valmet Comfort Bogie, the rear carriage follows behind smoothly, on all terrain, if the machines are loaded or running empty.

Valmet LoadFlex
The Valmet 840.4, 860.4, and 890.3 can all be equipped with Valmet LoadFlex. Basically, LoadFlex uses parallel-controlled bunk supports with extra joints that can be folded out to make the bunk wider than normal. A new Valmet LoadFlex feature is the addition of hydraulic height-adjustable supports.
The supports are controlled by MaxiForwarder. The control panel buttons on the driver’s seat can be used to raise and lower the supports when loading and unloading and each side can be controlled separately, enabling the forwarder to always carry its maximum load. The gate can also be folded out to cover the entire bunk width. LoadFlex increases the forwarder’s bunk width by 4’ 7” inches (1.4 meters), also lowering the forwarder’s centre of gravity. This significantly improves stability and enables faster transport speeds with larger loads. The hydraulic supports can be lowered even more than the manually-adjustable supports, which further lowers the height of the path taken by the crane. This also improves the machine’s centre of gravity and facilitates transport on a low loader.
LoadFlex also has a ‘scale function’, which means the driver never risks overloading the bunk. With the system’s production reports, the operator can easily register the produced volume for each tree species and assortment with great precision. This information can then be output as a printed report or a production file.

New Valmet 901.4
The new Valmet 901.4 harvester has a brand new cab, an improved transmission, and a new control system.
The new cab, as noted elsewhere, is very spacious and fitted with a driver’s seat that rotates a full 180 degrees. Add to this Valmet’s integrated cab and boom concept, excellent visibility, and unique ergonomics and you have a very comfortable working environment.
An adjustable computer display improves visibility and increases seating comfort.
The Valmet 901.4 also features the new MaxiXplorer control system. All these features are certain to result in increased productivity.

New Valmet 911.4
Komatsu Forest claims the new Valmet 911.4 is more stable than any previous Valmet harvester and copes better with steep terrain and poor ground conditions. The reason, they say, is the Valmet Comfort Bogie. The Valmet 911.4 also has a roomier cab and the new MaxiXplorer control system, providing operators with the prerequisites to perform at their best.    
A refined transmission delivers 22 percent more traction, also helping improve handling.
The cab is another major new feature of the Valmet 911.4, as mentioned earlier.
The Valmet 911.4 features the new MaxiXplorer control system for more effective work. The hardware is more advanced, offering greater capacity and speed. Work mode is completely new and functions that have seen improvement include crosscutting and assignment management, which are more intuitive, more advanced, more flexible, and also faster.
In order to reach maximum production at the lowest possible fuel consumption, the hydraulic pressure to the head is increased to 280 bar (only applies when using the Valmet 360.2.) This means not only better fuel economy, but even more effective cutting.



New Valmet 941.1
The new Valmet 941.1 is a new and powerful harvester designed for really demanding felling operations. A strong engine, robust boom, large head, and the new MaxiXplorer control system set the scene for greatly increased productivity.
“Naturally, its size, strength, and productivity are the most obvious characteristics of the new Valmet 941.1, but there’s so much more to this new harvester. With innovative technical solutions and great comfort, this machine represents something new,” says Tobias Ettemo, product manager for harvesters at Komatsu Forest.
Again, new features of the Valmet 941.1 include the MaxiXplorer control system. Hardware changes include a new control system computer, a new PC, a separate display, and a new chassis computer. This, and all other hardware, is now connected with a minimum of cables. Komatsu Forest says the system offers considerably better performance than before with faster communication between units.
The Valmet 941.1 has a powerful turbo diesel engine. Torque peaks at low revs, providing the harvester with raw power while keeping down fuel consumption.

Two New Valmet forwarders
The Valmet 840 and Valmet 860 forwarders have been upgraded with the new ‘comfort bogie’ and Valmet LoadFlex bunk system. These are just two of many new features found on the new Valmet 840.4 and Valmet 860.4 forwarders.
“The upgrade to the Valmet 840.4 and the Valmet 860.4 means yet another step in the development of two of the most productive forwarders on the market,” says Stefan Jacobsson, product manager for forwarders at Komatsu Forest.
Other improvements on the Valmet 840.4 and the Valmet 860.4 include further optimization of the responsive hydrostatic transmission and a 3/4” (20 millimetre) increase in the distance between the wheel axles to provide more room for tire chains when fitted. Both the Valmet 840.4 and the Valmet 860.4 are equipped with a new PC with a remote screen display for even better cab ergonomics. The forwarders also have a new software suite for the integrated MaxiForwarder control system, MaxiForwarder 4.7, and new features include grapple selection and a hydrostatic motor monitor.
The Valmet 860.4 now has greater traction force. Together with the improved manoeuvrability and the Valmet Comfort Bogie driving experience, transport times to landings should be shorter, thereby increasing profitability.

Customer feedback
According to Komatsu Forest, this year’s product launches are the result of intensive efforts for continual improvement focused on customer benefits. All developments are made in conjunction with dealers and customers to ensure that Valmet products are continually refined and improved. “In 2008, we’ll most probably reach out to more prospective customers than ever before,” says Roland Lundqvist, Chief Information Officer at Komatsu Forest.
David McIlwraith of Komatsu Forest UK says the big advantage is that "the company has listened carefully to the market and have made the machines to meet contractors' specific needs." He said the larger cab, comfort bogies and more powerful crane would bring significant benefits to contractors. David also said that harvester operators would find the new MaxiXplorer software really user friendly.  "Contractors have been using the price list system as a way of sorting log types, but not usually for pricing. One of the advantagaes of the new system is that it's much simpler to operate and a cutting list can be created from lengths and diameters only."
Colin Robertson, also of Komatsu Forest UK said the Valmet 901.4 is a clear winner in the thinnings market. "The 911.4 will suit some contractors more than others, but fills a gap in the market."  He also said that the new larger cab, comfort bogies and loadFlex system will be very beneficial to contractors.

Overall, as I said at the outset, these red machines really are very impressive. I suspect that apart from the mechanical developments, operators will find the new MaxiXplorer very easy to learn and understand. Apart from the ease at which one can set-up a cutting list, there is a very simple graph for setting the ramps for acceleration and deceleration on hydraulic rams.  This should make it really easy to fine tune the machine to match operator's individual requirements.
See also the interview with contractor Michael Standish.
Readers who wish to see the upgraded machines in action should note that they will be on tour at all the major forestry events throughout the world. Skogsnolia in Sweden, Metko in Finland, and KWF in Germany are some of the shows at which the new machines will make an appearance.