The Log Max E6, designed for eucalyptus harvesting.

The Eucalyptus industry in South Africa is constantly expanding and evolving. The trees are constantly improving through careful breeding and development of more productive and better adapted hybrids, while the markets for Eucalyptus wood keep growing, from traditional pulp for the manufacture of pulp, paper and boards to specialized cellulose markets and countless new chemical applications.

It is logical that in this dynamic and competitive environment, contractors responsible for harvesting Eucalyptus require a high performance and robust harvesting head that performs at very high productivity and uptime. With 37 years of experience in working in timber harvesting around the world, the Log Max engineers have developed the E6 to become the first choice for this application.

With new goals being set in Eucalyptus harvesting performance, AfrEquip has successfully managed to sell numerous Log Max heads into South Africa. Designed specifically for harvesting Eucalyptus, the Log Max E6 has shown an increase of up to 40% in productivity within certain applications.

The Log Max E6 can be used on a purposed-built harvester or excavator.

This success can be attributed to the following:
1. The first Log Max E6 head sold in South Africa is still in operation, with over 20,000 hours of service and still achieving daily production goals.
2. Fewer passes over timber.
3. Feed speed as high as 5,8 m/s.
4. Log Mate 500 windows based operating system.

Log Max Heads are supported by AfrEquip, with branches strategically based throughout the Southern African forestry region. Each branch is staffed with qualified Field Service Technicians to look after the machines in-field. Technicians undergo regular training to keep up-to-date with the latest improvements. All branches have a parts outlet to support machines in-field, ensuring maximum uptime.

Over the years Log Max has become one of the most significant manufacturers of single grip harvesting heads in the world. Fewer passes over timber amounts to less surface damage to the stems, making it more acceptable for usage by pulp mills.

The Log Max E6 demonstration at the recent Focus on Forestry field day in KZN.

The Log Max E6 is designed to operate in the toughest conditions and features a cast felling link and upper knife. The structural design and build of the frame, thanks to modern welding techniques and high quality steel, minimizes stress concentration and weight for increased durability. The frame also features two wear plates that can easily be replaced to maximize the lifetime of the head.

Equipped with a feed unit of two hydraulically driven Poclain MS08 radial piston motors, the feed force is almost 20 kN and achieves a feed speed as high as 5,8 m/s ensuring optimal debarking in one pass. Length measuring, on the Log Max E6, is done through sensors located in one of the feed rollers. A support debarking wheel is placed at the centre of the frame.

The hydraulically driven saw motor is positioned to minimize the risk of splitting the log when cutting. The saw motor comes in three different options: Saw 98, Saw 98XL or Hultdins SuperCut 100. These can be equipped with either a 64 or 75 cm saw bar with 10 or 15 mm groove depending on the model.

Foresters check the de-barking quality after the Log Max E6 demo.

Log Mate 500 was developed in-house by Log Max as other, off the shelf operating programs were not able to maximize the unique features of the Log Max head. Built using rugged hardware, the Log Mate 500 will withstand the rough outdoor environment. As the computer is windows based it allows the customer to install programs such as GPS and Teamviewer.

The Log Max patented FLOATING TORQUE KNIFE allows customers to set the knife and arm pressure to the absolute minimum required, leading to less fuel consumption.

Technical specifications

Log Max E6

Dimensions
Max width arms open: 1700 mm
Max width arms closed: 1263 mm
Height to upper rotator pin: 2280 mm

Weight
Standard configuration (Incl Eucalyptus rollers): 1414 kg

Felling/Cutting
Sawtype Saw: 98B/98XL
Saw motor: 19/20 cc
Saw chain: 0,404 pitch
Bar length – std / opt: 640/750 mm
Max. cut capacity – std / opt: 430 / 610,5 mm

Sound effect level
LWA (Sound power level): 110 dB(A)

Feeding
Calc. Feed force – std / opt: 19,5 kN
Calc feed speed: 5,8 m/s
Maximum roller opening: 560 mm

Delimbing
Max delimbing knife opening: 610/620 mm
Max debarking diameter: 500 mm
Min debarking diameter: 20 mm

*First published in SA Forestry magazine, June 2017