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AS many of you read this, the second day of FinnMetko will be drawing to a close.
A key fixture in the forestry calendar, it might struggle to match the limelight given to KWF Tagung or even Elmia Wood, but underestimate it at your peril. Once again, the Finnish trade fair has lived up to the hype.
Not only has it featured many of forestry's biggest names - including John Deere, Komatsu, and Hakki Pilke - but it has also been the scene of several surprise product launches.
FJ made the mistake of skipping this year's edition (or at least had to choose between it and KWF), but it has already made tentative plans to be there at 2026's FinnMetko.
Until then, here's a look at three key machinery unveilings from the show.
New Elk and Wisent forwarders from Ponsse
It is one of forestry's biggest names and calls Finland its home. So it was no real surprise to see Ponsse using FinnMetko to launch new products.
What was surprising - at least until it was teased on the brand's socials on the eve of the show - was that the manufacturer is introducing updated versions of its Elk and Wisent forwarders.
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.
Kranman updates its range with 660 and 650 mini forwarders
The mini forwarder range has arguably become one of forestry's most competitive in recent years, with Kranman and Alstor among the brands slugging it out to be the small-scale choice.
In a bid to wrestle back the momentum, Kranman has launched two new mini forwarders, which it calls 'class leading'.
The 650 and 660 replace the Bison 6000x and Bison 8000, respectively, and feature improved powertrains, reduced noise levels, and a host of other upgrades on their predecessors.
With low-impact machinery ever increasing in popularity, expect demand to be high for both mini forwarders.
Kesla introduces two new tractor loaders
Unsurprisingly, Kesla went big at FinnMetko, with a "completely revamped high seat" for its timber cranes, a new multi-purpose forest trailer and a series of harvester head improvements all shown off for the first time.
But perhaps most notably the manufacturer also gave forestry professionals the first chance to see its new tractor loaders.
The 224 and 324 feature a range of improvements, with the former promising 'more power' and the latter aimed at the Central European market.
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