2018 International Forest Industries December 2017 January 2018 | Page 38

The EcoIdle control system on the WC2500TX
automatically lowers engine speed to 1,400 rpm if
no material has been chipped for 30 seconds
is an ongoing need in these areas,
but the industry as a whole has
grown in the last decade because
of fluctuating fuel prices.”
Harvesting and processing
methods are the keys to profiting in
this emerging industry. The market
demands consistent and proper
material sizes, as well as screened
material free of dirt, sand and
non-organic waste. With the right
equipment, forestry contractors
can quickly expand their operations
and increase revenues.
“Vermeer has worked with
several forestry operations looking
to get into the biomass industry,”
Bradly said. “Using whole tree
chippers, horizontal grinders and/
or trommel screens, as well as the
support from Vermeer recycling
and forestry specialists, many
of our forestry customers have
successfully made the transition.”
Three of the new and popular
Vermeer biomass machines for
forestry operations looking to
expand into their business include
the Vermeer WC2500TX whole tree
chipper, the HG6800TX horizontal
grinder and the TR5300 trommel
screen.
Vermeer WC2500TX whole
tree chipper
The WC2500TX tracked whole
tree chipper is equipped with a
tracked undercarriage to aid in
manoeuvrability in the woods,
boasts a compact design and packs
a 600 hp (448 kW) engine to meet
production demands.
The whole tree chipper can be
equipped with either the microchip
drum that produces chip sizes
Vermeer has worked with several forestry
operations looking to get into the biomass
industry
Jeff Bradly
between 1/8 in (3.2 mm) to 5/8 in
(15.9 mm) or the macrochip drum
that produces chip sizes between
5/8 in (15.9 mm) and 1 ¼ in (31.8
mm). The knife setup is quick and
simple with knife position being
set by two bolts – no babbitting
needed, which makes changeout
on jobsites easy.
The WC2500TX whole tree
chipper is equipped with proven
technologies including SmartCrush,
SmartFeed and EcoIdle system.
With SmartCrush technology, the
machine can automatically increase
down pressure when difficult
material enters the cutting drum
and adjusts variable-speed dual-
infeed conveyor chains. SmartFeed
is a patented feedsensing control
system that monitors engine rpm
and automatically stops or reverses
the feed roller and infeed conveyor
when feeding larger, hardwood
materials. EcoIdle is an engine
control system function, which
automatically lowers engine speed
to 1,400 rpm if no material has
been chipped for 30 seconds.
Vermeer HG6800TX horizontal
grinder
The new HG6800TX horizontal
36 International Forest Industries | DECEMBER 2017 / JANUARY 2018
grinder is engineered to produce
large volumes of ground materials.
With a 950 hp (708 kW) engine,
this 92,000 lb (41,730.5 kg) class
grinder is powerful, compact and
maneuverable with 26 in wide
double grouser track pads and
travel speeds of 2.8 m/h (4.5
km/h). An optional DT6 integrated
dolly transport system is available
to eliminate the need for trailering
the grinder when moving locations.
The infeed on the HG6800TX
grinder is designed with low
sidewalls to help the operator
quickly load material into the
machine. The grinder has a
patented Series III duplex
hard-faced drum. In addition to
providing long-lasting durability,
maintenance time is decreased
with the ability to remove and flip
or replace single hammers, as well
as to be able to balance the drum
externally.
The HG6800TX grinder is
equipped with Vermeer SmartFeed
and the Thrown Object Deflector
(TOD) technology. SmartFeed
optimizes machine performance
and production electronically and
allows the operator to focus on
loading raw product and move
finished product about the jobsite.
Vermeer TOD decreases the
quantity and distance of thrown
objects, which allows the machine
to be operated in a smaller “safe”
work zone.
Vermeer TR5300 trommel
screen
With a 74 hp (55 kW) Deutz TD
2.9L Tier 4 Final (EU Stage IV)
engine, the powerful Vermeer
TR5300 trommel screen delivers a
drum speed of 0-24 rpm to handle
multiple material types. The
trommel screen’s conveyors can
lower parallel to the ground giving
the operator more control over dust
and wind, while also allowing for
easier maintenance area access.
The new unit features convenient
controls through the machine
display mounted on the control
panel or through a remote control.
Changing product sizing can also
be done quickly with the quick-
change screen design.
The Vermeer TR5300 trommel
screen’s unique chain-driven direct
drum drive permits the drum to
lift off the cog for service. This
top-load design allows the drum to
be quickly changed out with proper
equipment. This design also makes
changing out the bolt-on sprockets
fast and efficient.
A quick-change screen design
provides the ability to change
screen sizes to match required
end product sizing with only five
attachment bolts. Users can also
tension the screen around the
drum to add rigidity to increase the
open area of the screen through
the use of a smaller gauge wire.