With a variety of forestry machines, including the legendary Urus Skyline operating in more than 50 countries around the globe, the latest offering is perfectly positioned to become globally competitive. The company has service agents and skilled service technicians available internationally. This paves the way for its global introduction at ExpoCorma 2009, a forestry trade exhibition held in the Chilean city of Concepción in November this year.

Karl Hinteregger, director of Hin-Tech and parent company Hinteregger SA, explains that the HT2.3 is a labour of love with roots that go back almost as long as the company’s 60-year history in the logging industry.

“For many years our customers had called on us to assist with all kinds of engineering and mechanical problems and challenges. Increasingly our technicians and field service engineers were tasked with servicing and even rebuilding machines, including loggers that often needed extensive rebuilding – from the bottom up.

“When customers saw the quality of workmanship of our rebuilds, and after dealing with our service staff, the calls started streaming in for us to build and support our own range of loggers. At first we paid little attention, but when more and more customers came to us asking for a Hinteregger logger, we had to give our customers what they wanted,” Karl explains.

With the die already cast, the real hard work began and Karl and his team of engineers picked apart the best features of loggers around the world and incorporated these features into their machine. At the same time, the team engineered improvements to defects and short-comings identified by owners and operators of loggers in the region and abroad.

After significant investments to allow for manufacturing, final designs were completed, the first machines rolled off the assembly line in their unmistakable new livery

He adds that the machines are in their first real operational capacity and all indications are that they will do what they were designed for – “the machines meet our demands”. KLF has taken the initiative together with Hin-Tech to further develop various aspects of the design.

“Some innovative ideas have been incorporated into the design which will make the machines safer to operate and easier to maintain. They are simple to use and have proven components. Many of the good features of their competition have been incorporated, such as the proven components, while some innovative features and the simplicity in design add further attractiveness,” Benno concludes.

Now, Karl is proud to announce that his first batch of machines are currently employed by state-owned Komatiland Forests (KLF) where they are seeing service in tough terrain.

“In operation the machines are proving themselves to be capable and, all indications are, that they are meeting the expectations of our customers,” Karl adds.

According to Komatiland Forests Engineering Manager, Benno Krieg, the machines are used in normal pine and eucalyptus saw timber clear fell operations.

“It is important to understand that we regard these machines as developmental. There are still minor development areas that are being identified and addressed by Hin-Tech, but in broad terms the machines are purpose-fit and show potential.

“Some reliability related problems have cropped up, but in most cases those could be referred to as running-in problems and have been resolved. The machines are in constant use and have proven to be reliable. KLF supports the development of competitive products in the timber industry and is committed to further develop these machines,” Benno says.

About the machines

The HT 2.3 is driven by a four cylinder Deutz engine producing 46 kW (62 HP) and 230 Nm of torque at 1 600 rpm. Wheel drive is produced through two low rev high torque Poclain motors enabling a travel speed of 10 km/h. Equally as important is the hydrostatic braking system that produces up to 36,2 kN of stopping power when required.

The logger has a standard 12 V electrical system providing power to mission critical functions, as well as a long list of standard equipment such as front, rear and boom lights, hour meter, service and warning lights and optional features such as an enclosed cabin with windscreen wipers and a cabin cooling fan.

Hydraulics are provided via a closed loop dual circuit using a Eaton T19-19 pump, Bosch 16 cc gear pump and Bosch 23 cc gear pump. Safety features are impressive with blower belt break shut-off, mechanical neutral lock and start prevention on suction filter fault and on the park brake engagement.

But, perhaps the most important feature is the stiffened boom structure for extra heavy duty operations and the ability to change the oil suction filter without draining the oil. Karl has high aspirations for the machines

source: Wood SA & Timber times 2009