Finnish forest-machine manufacturer Ponsse has introduced thinning-specific versions of its Scorpion harvester and Wisent forwarder, aimed at contractors working in dense woodland stands and on soft ground.
The Scorpion Thin Line harvester and the Wisent Thin Line forwarder have been developed to offer greater manoeuvrability, lower machine weight and reduced ground pressure during thinning work, the company said.
Both models have gone on sale and are expected to enter production later this year.
The Wisent Thin Line is a 10-tonne payload forwarder designed for extracting timber from thinning sites. It has a smaller load space intended to improve operation on narrow harvesting routes and in confined woodland areas.
Ponsse said the forwarder’s lighter structure reduces ground pressure, making it more suitable for soft soils, while its balance, traction and terrain performance are intended to support work on slopes and rougher ground. The model also features upgraded working lights, a revised exterior and improvements to the cab audio system.
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The Scorpion Thin Line is based on Ponsse’s Scorpion harvester, but has machine settings tailored for thinning operations. The manufacturer said these settings are designed to reduce fuel consumption.
It is available with Ponsse’s H5 harvesting head or its new H6 head, and retains the Scorpion’s cab levelling and stabilisation system. Optional Active Crane controls are also available to simplify operation of the crane.
Marko Mattila, Ponsse’s chief sales, service and marketing officer, said the new machines had been developed around the practical demands of thinning work.
“Thinning operations require agility, visibility and the ability to work effectively at sites with limited space,” he said.
“We decided to optimise two of our popular machine models precisely for these requirements. The new versions of the Scorpion and Wisent provide our customers with tailor-made solutions for thinning work.”
Mr Mattila said machine selection could affect the quality of thinning work, alongside the skills of the operator.
“With these new Scorpion and Wisent versions, harvesting professionals have even more versatile options at their disposal,” he added.
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