Komatsu has recently rolled out an eight-legged crawling machine with it's latest addiction to the Komatsu Forest's XC product series -- the 901XC harvester, which joins the 931XC, 951, and other machines specially designed for difficult terrain and challenging conditions. The eight-wheeled 901XC is made for thinning in hilly terrain or on soft ground and touts excellent stability and maneuverability as well as low ground pressure.
As is common with other Komatsu harvesters, the centrally mounted cab and crane provide a the ideal balance between ground pressure and low center of gravity. Additionally, the rigid articulated joint and the swing axle, which in combination with the cab's tilt cylinders, offer the excellent stability and handling in difficult terrain.
The stability that Komatsu's design provide is the cornerstone in the development of their eight-wheeled harvesters. Like their six-wheeled harvesters, the eight-wheeled 901XC and 931XC are equipped with the swinging rear axle, combined with a bogie to create a highly unique solution with twin suspension systems, the Komatsu Double Suspension Comfort Bogie, and quality off-road handling.
The 901XC is built with a 6-cylinder diesel engine with turbo and intercooler and meets the EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage 4 environmental requirements with minimized emissions of environmentally hazardous particles and nitrogen oxides. The machine is also equipped with Komatsu Forest's three-pump hydraulics, 3PS, delivering a flow of a full 548 litres per minute at 1,500 rpm. The pressure and flow optimization of 3PS enables several crane and head functions to be used simultaneously with retained maximum hydraulic power, thanks to the machine's quality hydraulic power coordination.
Operator features of the 901XC include a large cab, good visibility, smart screen placement and a leveling function to ensure that the cab is always kept horizontal. The cab also boasts high airflow to create the right indoor climate, as well as an ergonomically designed seat with an optional rotatable seat column that can turn a full 180 degrees. There are a number of options to choose from, such as extra storage solutions, lighting and floor heating, as well as three different joystick systems, including EME.
The 901XC has reinforced Cardan shafts in the powertrain and features Komatsu Forest's hydrostatic, power-optimized transmission, which provides advantages in difficult terrain and excellent climbing ability. Another important advantage when thinning in hilly terrain is the leveling function for the cab and crane, which makes the machine a strong performer even on inclines. This feature is common in all Komatsu harvesters, but provides particular advantages when working in steep terrain as the crane's slewing force would otherwise suffer when working against a gradient. The crane functionality of the 901XC makes it easier to perform precise crane movements and select the right tree, even when fully extended.
Check out Komatsu Forest's
product page for the 901XC to learn more about the harvester.