Domestic logging equipment on the KAMAZ platform is undergoing the first field tests at the site of the Russian forestry holding Segezha Group (MOEX: SGZH) in Karelia. New forestry machines – the KAMAZ-1010 harvester and the KAMAZ-1011 forwarder – have already begun working in the Segezha forestry area.
The equipment was developed by KAMAZ PTC together with MSTU named after N.E. Bauman within the framework of the complex project Creating the Production of Multifunctional Energy-Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Forestry Machines through the Use of Digital Technologies in Logging Operations.
“KAMAZ continues to expand its range of products and creates vehicle models necessary for the Russian industry. Taking into account the realities of new times, our traditional work becomes even more relevant. We are entering the forestry equipment market and offering two new products. We hope that new Russian-made equipment will occupy its niche and satisfy demand,” commented Sergey Nazarenko, Chief Designer of Innovative Vehicles of KAMAZ PTC.
The tests are being carried out for the first time in Russia; the site is the Segezha Group logging site in the Segezha forestry. Experienced operators of the Segezha Pulp and Paper Mill branch for forest resources were brought in for consultations, test checks, setup, and execution of the logging work itself.
“We give feedback to the designers who made the first samples of new domestic forestry equipment. They receive from our operators the maximum amount of information necessary for further improvement of the machines. We are also talking about ergonomics, content and operational settings. I am confident that our joint work will allow us to begin mass production of Russian vehicles of international class. In any case, we have a high level of enthusiasm about setting up prototypes,” says Anton Davydov, Production Director of the Segezha Pulp and Paper Mill branch for forest resources.
The KAMAZ-1010 harvester and KAMAZ-1011 forwarder are still prototypes and, according to the branch operators, it is still difficult to compare them with analogues of foreign equipment. According to the experienced employees, the machine builders have good potential; the developers have taken the right vector for the development of domestic automated logging complexes – high-tech and modern machines.
“We currently have two machines at our disposal that allow us to harvest wood in full compliance with legal requirements. At the cutting site, equipment is being debugged, and the technical solutions chosen by the designers are being tested. The equipment operates according to our standard standards and is quite familiar in operation and maintenance. Based on the results of the first three months of operation, we will be able to state our position; we do not rule out a larger scale use of these unique machines by our company,” says Evgeny Batalov, Vice President of Segezha Group, Head of the North-West division, General Director of the Segezha Pulp and Paper Mill.
KAMAZ harvesters and forwarders will be tested under various operating conditions, including extreme conditions, including climatic and technological loads on various types of terrain. Full-scale testing is one of the most important stages in the development and testing of new technologies and vehicles. The reliability, efficiency of the equipment and its compliance with safety requirements are checked. The KAMAZ-1010 harvester can cut down trees thicker than 60 cm, trim branches, buck trunks into assortments, and perform sub-sorting. The KAMAZ-1011 forwarder selects assortments, sorts the wood, transports the assortment to the warehouse and stacks it in stacks.