NO year in forestry is ever complete without its product launches - and 2022 was no different. 

From new harvesters to forwarders, and woodchippers to chainsaws, there was plenty to get tongues wagging in the last 12 months. 

As ever, Forestry Journal was there to share the news when it happened, footage of the products in action, and to run the rule over them in our expert reviews. We also dug deep, asking the big questions of the brains behind them. 

So, here's a look back at some of the major product launches from the year, with Ponsse, Timberwolf, and Husqvarna among the household names to feature. 

Just a note: this shouldn't be taken as a ranked list, and instead is just a mix of notable ones we have chosen. We have tried to limit it to one of each type of product. 

1) The EV1: Ponsse's new electric forwarder concept

 

Forestry Journal:

A NEW hybrid vehicle concept, developed as a 15-tonne load-carrying forwarder, was unveiled by Ponsse. 

The EV1 featured a fully electric powertrain, which operated solely with battery energy, and a diesel engine to charge the generator. Said to provide a "peek into the future", it was the result of three years of development alongside Epec, a system supplier of 'advanced electrics'. 

Officials at both firms said the concept - which will be available commercially at a later date - paved the way for technological growth and sustainable harvesting solutions, and was part of Ponsse's "tangible step" towards the goal of carbon neutrality.

Juho Nummela, president and CEO of Ponsse, said at the time: “Technological development is fast and offers us excellent opportunities to develop our solutions further, even in unexpected directions." 

Read more 

2) TW 280HB HYBRID: Timberwolf's hybrid woodchipper, an industry first 

 

Forestry Journal:

A NEW hybrid woodchipper - with a peak power of 62hp - was shown off for the first time at the APF Show. 

Timberwolf's TW 280HB HYBRID featured a Kubota D902-TE4 turbo diesel engine and a self-charging power-dense hybrid system, with energy efficient SECH supercapacitors.

Said to be an "industry first", the 8" chipper had a processing throughput of over seven tonnes per hour, and emitted only at the level of a Kubota 24.8hp engine.

Speaking to FJ at APF, the firm's managing director Chris Perry said: “One of the easy things is we have no after-treatment. With that comes the benefits of a less prescriptive requirement for fluids." 

Read more 

3) 540 XP Mark III: Husqvarna launches new petrol chainsaw 

 

Forestry Journal: The 540 XP Mark III in action during APF 2022 The 540 XP Mark III in action during APF 2022 (Image: FJ)

Another product launched at APF 2022, the 540 XP Mark III was a completely new petrol chainsaw available as either top- or rear-handled.

Both featured a range of improvements on previous versions, and were ideal for various arb work. They will be available in early 2023. 

“It sounds like we are upgrading everything but this is a brand new chainsaw,” said Husqvarna's Hugo van Bijsterveldt. “We have improved the power, reduced the weight, and improved the runnability. 

“The chainsaw was developed in Japan but has been tested globally. One important feature is the startability - what is unique about these ones is that even if you put them on show, they will start and they will run.” 

Read more

4) HiVision: Hiab launches upgraded VR system for forestry cranes

 

Forestry Journal:

IT was set to be easier for drivers to move forestry cranes without having to leave the comfort of their cabin. 

That was thanks to an upgraded camera system launched this year by load-handling equipment manufacturer Hiab, which brought a host of improvements to its HiVision tech, including a higher frame rate and better resolution.

Using virtual reality (VR) goggles, HiVision for forestry cranes used external cameras to show the crane's surrounding, allowing the operator to move it from inside. 

This improved productivity, reduced the weight of the equipment and provided a more comfortable and safer working environment for the operator, Hiab said.

Davide Pernice, director, Global Product Management, Forestry, Hiab, said at the time: “The new HiVision 2.0 reduces the issues of dizziness or blurred vision, commonly associated with the use of VR technology." 

Read more 

Hiab launches upgraded VR system for forestry cranes

5) D7: Tigercat unveils new harvester head control system

 

Forestry Journal:

TIGERCAT unveiled a new harvester head control system.

D7 combined a solid and field proven hardware and bucking control system with a Tigercat developed head control and user interface. The system offered powerful functionality, simplicity and intuitive operator navigation, the manufacturer said.

There were two types of bucking control available for D7.

Read more 

D7: Tigercat unveils new harvester head control system

6) Vimek's new forwarder, the NG 870.1

 

Forestry Journal:

With its large demonstration zone at June's Elmia Wood, Vimek was able to give visitors an extensive demonstration of the capabilities of its ‘next-generation’ eight-wheeled forwarder, the NG 870.1.

Equipped with a newly developed control system that makes it possible to follow it online, the forwarder also features a new dual steering system, improving its accessibility.

Forestry Journal met Joe Litter from Vimek’s UK and Ireland distributor Oakleaf on the stand. 

He said at the time: “It’s got a brand-new crane with intelligent boom control. It has a 7-tonne carrying capacity and has a unique steering rear bogie, which keeps the turning radius really tight.

"It’s got a really good cab, really good sound proofing, great technical features – all the comforts you would expect from a big machine, but in a compact package.”

Read more

7) SpaltFix K-710: Posch's new firewood processing behemoth 

 

Forestry Journal:

SOME products at this year's Interforst were so new, they had barely had a chance to leave an internet footprint. Posch's new firewood processing behemoth very much fell into that category. 

But don't let that fool you.

The SpaltFix K-710 a-Vario was one of a number of offerings on the firm's stand that impressed, drawing in large crowds for regular demonstrations across all four days of the German exhibition. 

Set to be the largest in Posch's firewood processing line-up, it could cut logs of up to 70cm in diameter (five cm more than the K-650 Vario) and was fully automatic, taking just one push of a button from start to finish. 

Erwin Reiter, of Posch, said: "This is cutting and splitting, fully automatically. It's operated via radio-control. You only have to push one button and the machine works." 

Read more 

8) Forwarder concept running on tracks in Swedish forests

 

Forestry Journal:

BEING tested in the forests of Sweden was a new machine designed to ensure the most sustainable possible management of forests all year round for both the environment and people.

This new prototype concept was doing it all using tracks instead of conventional wheels, turning a long-mooted idea – something even the great Lars Bruun couldn’t quite get over the line – into reality. 

The Centipede, the result of a major, three-year project, may have been the first forwarder to run successfully on tracks, bringing with it reductions in fuel consumption and improvements in durability and operator comfort. 

Read more