IMPROVED OPERATOR COMFORT AND OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY THROUGH PENDULUM ARM TECHNOLOGY

摘要

The Nordic forest industry requires just-in-time wood deliveries. Operations must continue regardless of season, weather and terrain. Soil compaction and deep ruts must be avoided while providing high performance and a reasonable working environment for operators. Machine innovator company eXtractor AB designed and assembled a full-size concept forwarder with six wheels on pendulum arms. It is hydrostatic driven and double articulated. Skogforsk, the Forestry Research Institute of Sweden cooperated with technical universities in a project to program the Xt28 pendulum arm forwarder. The development included continuous practical studies and evaluations. Many degree projects provided further support and nine scientific reports are published. The Xt28 concept machine is tested according to Skogforsk standard machine tests. Rut depth test focus on soil interaction where rut depth is measured related to number of passes. Machine dynamics is measured standardized test track with focus on operator comfort. The project proved the potential of pendulum arm technology in off-road transportation. Automatic pendulum arm levelling through equalized ground pressure between wheels improves operator comfort through reduced adverse vibrations and angles simultaneously reducing dynamic forces transferred to the forest floor. Pendulum arm technology improves travel speed in adverse terrain, providing unparalleled side slope capability and enhanced productivity.