PONSSE has unveiled new versions of two of its forwarders and an updated harvesting head. 

The manufacturer has this week shown off its Elk and Wisent improvements and H7 refresh at the Finnish forestry exhibition FinnMetko. 

The firm has also presented the "world's first" forest machine partly made from fossil-free steel, and a range of tweaks that will be rolled out across its range, including revamped armrests. 

The updated H7 harvester head features a powerful feed and an excellent power-to-weight ratio that improve productivityThe updated H7 harvester head features a powerful feed and an excellent power-to-weight ratio that improve productivity (Image: Timo Villanen)

Said to be an "efficient and agile forwarder" with an excellent load-carrying capacity relative to the machine weight, the new Elk has been designed with changing conditions and long distances in mind. The Wisent, meanwhile, can transport stems at thinning sites with dense and bendy trees.   

Both new forwarders feature a big cabin, large windows and thin window pillars, "ensuring excellent visibility in every direction". The cabin can also be equipped with the Ponsse Seat, which effectively reduces swaying and impact directed at the operator during the working day.

Ponsse Active Cabin, a cabin suspension system which improves driving comfort, is the most recent addition to the range of optional equipment available for both Elk and Wisent. On uneven forest trails and in demanding terrain, ergonomics and productivity improve when the system effectively suspends any strain directed at the cabin. 

The new Wisent has been designed with thinning sites with dense and bendy trees in mind. The new Wisent has been designed with thinning sites with dense and bendy trees in mind. (Image: Timo Villanen)

The new H7 harvester head features a powerful feed and an excellent power-to-weight ratio that improve productivity.

Thanks to its improved geometry, the new H7 is able to process large stems with ease. The advanced Ponsse Active Speed function is a new feature in the H7 harvester head. It allows the speed of the harvester head to be adjusted according to the tree species and stem diameter. The strong structure, high sawing power and excellent grip geometry of the new harvester head make harvesting even quicker and more productive.   

Elsewhere, the Ponsse has made the load space of the Buffalo forwarder from SSAB’s fossil-free steel. This material concept focuses on the machining capabilities, behaviour and properties of the new material used in forest machine manufacturing. The load space has only been designed for material testing and does not correspond to production models. 

 A Buffalo forwarder from SSAB’s fossil-free steel was also unveiled on day one of FinnMetkoA Buffalo forwarder from SSAB’s fossil-free steel was also unveiled on day one of FinnMetko (Image: Timo Villanen)

Adjustable armrests are among the manufacturer's new solutions for improved ergonomics. Adjusted according to the forest machine operator’s dimensions and driving style, the armrests significantly reduce any stress directed at the nape and shoulders while working. As the adjustments are stored in memory, the operator does not need to adjust the armrests again at the beginning of each shift. 

Ponsse Armrests are available as standard equipment for harvesters and forwarders and Ponsse eArmrests are available as optional for all harvesters and forwarders.

Other previously launched solutions including Ponsse Manager 2.0Ponsse Scale crane system and High-Precision Positioning are also on display during the exhibition

FinnMetko takes place in Finland from August 29 to 31.