Heavy equipment machinery

Since John Deere’s acquisition of Timberjack last year, the company has worked to expand its range of forestry equipment and recently, the John Deere Forestry Group entered the knuckleboom log loader market with three purpose-built machines, the 335, 435 and 535 loaders, which feature optional delimbers and slashers.

"The introduction of these machines really rounds out the forestry product line offered by John Deere," said Product Manager Loading Division Keith Wilson. "With the introduction of the knuckleboom log loaders, Deere now offers a full line of equipment that also includes other log loaders, fellerbunchers and log skidders."

The 335 and 435 loaders are powered by the six-cylinder turbocharged John Deere 6068T diesel engine, which has a maximum output of 170 hp at 2200 rpm. The 535 is powered by a 6081A six-cylinder turbocharged/aftercooled diesel with a maximum output of 250 hp at 2200 rpm. The engines are mounted on Lord rubber isolation mounts to reduce vibration, smooth operation and lower noise emissions from the machine.

The engine packages include an AKG Thermal Systems side-by-side radiator and oil coolers, Nelson mufflers, and Donaldson air filters. The electrical system for the machines is a 12 V, self-energizing design with a 95 amp alternator - the 535 uses a 120 amp alternator. Each machine is equipped with two 12 V batteries and the 535 includes a master power disconnect switch.

 The hydraulic system for the log loaders uses a mix of components, including pumps, motors, valves and manifolds from Parker Hannifin and its Commercial Intertech subsidiary.

The engine drives a triple gear pump assembly that provides hydraulic flow for various machine functions. Each pump section for the 335 and 435 machines has a flow of 55, 45 and 30 gpm respectively, while the 535 has flows of 70, 60 and 40 gpm respectively.

The system pressure for the 335 is 2300 psi for the main and jib sections and 2400 psi for the swing system. The 435 features system pressures of 2500 and 2400 psi respectively while the 535 includes system pressures of 2500, 3000 and 2400 psi.

The 335 and 435 use two 6 in. bore x 3 in. rod cylinders on the boom, a 7 in. bore x 3.5 in. rod cylinder on the jib and four 6 in. bore x 3 in. rod cylinders with locking valves on the stabilizers. The 535 uses two 6.3 in. bore x 3.7 in. rod solid cylinders on the boom, one 7 in. bore x 3.7 in. rod solid cylinder on the jib and 4.7 in. bore x 4 in. solid rod cylinders for machine stabilization. The stabilizer cylinders also include cylinder-mounted locking valves.

Hydraulic system filtration is accomplished via a 10 micron Hydac filter located in the return line with a 25 psi bypass and visual indicator. The hydraulic reservoir for the 335, 435 and 535 has a 100 gal. capacity. The 335 and 435 have a "direct fill" filler system while the 535 uses a hand-operated hydraulic oil pump that fills the system through filters.

For higher production with added operator safety, the hydraulic system incorporates Voac joysticks to control the pilot-operated swing controls, which are interfaced with an enable switch that isolates hydraulic pressure and prevents boom movement when the engine is running and the operator is off the seat.

The swing system for the loaders is a 360[degrees] continuous rotation design. The 335 and 435 rotate at 7 rpm while the 535 can rotate as fast as 9 rpm. The drive system utilizes a two-stage Fairfield planetary gearbox with a Parker gear motor. The system is greaseable from the cab. Swing torque for the 335 and 435 is 36,540 lb.ft., while the 535 is 44,500 ft.lb. Standard operating weights for the machines are 23,336 lb. for the 335, 29,550 lb. for the 435 and 33,700 lb. for the 535.

The cabs are designed with certified FOPS, plus operator protection systems constructed with heavy-duty front windshield guards. In-cab machine instrumentation is provided by Beede.

Also available for these loaders are the 4800 delimber, the S240 (40 in.) and S260 (58 in.) reversible bar saws, and the reversible slasher and swing arm. The optional delimber is a self-contained unit powered by optional hydraulics with the accumulator mounted on board.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FZX/is_4_67/ai_74013098/pg_1

Logjams are History
Nothing can bottleneck production like a poor-performing log loader. The new 335 John Deere Knuckleboom goes hard all day, every day.

King of Swing
High swing torque, heavy-duty construction and exceptional boom strength make swinging and delimbing easy. The John Deere 6068T PowerTech™ engine provides the horsepower and torque that helps make the 335 Knuckleboom the king of swing.

From the sheer comfort of the fully adjustable deluxe suspension seat, operators will find the Deere loader to be well-balanced, extremely stable and very smooth.

Visit your John Deere dealer to learn more about the variety of slashers, delimbers and grapples that match the new Deere Knucklebooms.

• 170 Horsepower engine
• Lift Capacity - 23,700 lb. @ 10 ft.
• Operating Weight - 23,336 lbs. (10 585kg)
• Maximum Boom Reach - 27 ft.

Background
A log truck driver was waiting to back under a knuckleboom loader while another truck was being loaded at the landing.

Personal Characteristics
The truck driver was in his 50s and experienced.

Unsafe Act or Condition
The waiting truck was partly turned so that the loading area was in the truck’s blind spot. After the first truck was loaded and had pulled away, the knuckleboom loader operator set the grapple down in the loading area. He exited the cab to check hoses or to fix a problem with the grapple. The driver of the waiting truck did not see him and backed into the loading area, assuming it was clear. The knuckleboom operator was unaware the truck was backing toward him. (The log truck had no ‘backing up’ alarm.’)

Accident
The truck continued backing and pinched the knuckleboom loader operator between the moving trailer and the grapple.

Injury
The knuckleboom loader operator was seriously injured. The truck driver pulled the trailer forward, and the injured man subsequently was flown to a hospital for treatment.

The knuckleboom loader operator suffered four broken ribs. He was hospitalized more than a week in intensive care. He is expected to make a complete recovery.

Recommendations

• Always be alert as to the whereabouts and actions of others on a logging job, especially at the landing. Remember: it is the responsibility of those in an enclosed cab to watch out for ground workers.

• Use CB radios, two-way radios or other visible-audible means to communicate an ‘all clear’ signal or announce potential hazards.

• Take time to be safe. Saving a few minutes of time is not worth the possibility of a life-changing accident. Plan ahead, and think about the consequences of actions ahead of time.

• Keep first aid and CPR certification current.

http://www.timberlinemag.com/articledatabase/view.asp?articleID=2071

Several accidents in the Nova Scotia forest industry have occurred this year when the turntable bearings on knuckleboom loaders have broken free, causing the loader to fall.  Investigations showed that several bolts, which attach the turntable bearing to the body of the vehicle, appeared to have been broken for some time. Those broken bolts placed additional strain on the remaining bolts.  Those bolts eventually broke, causing the loader to fall.

Recommended Preventive Measures

1. Maintain equipment according to the manufacturers’ specifications and inspection schedules,
2. If there is no record of maintenance and materials used in maintaining the equipment, bolts and washers should be replaced using material recommended by the manufacturer.
3. Equipment should be operated by a person who has the knowledge, training, and experience to safely operate the equipment.
4. The equipment should also be serviced and maintained by a person who has the knowledge, training, and experience to safely perform those duties.

http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/healthandsafety/knuckleboomloaders.asp