Timberjack's walking tree harvester looks like a giant cockroach in slow motion. It is stable, with minimal impact on it forest surroundings.
Even though this prototype was built several years ago, it still may be the coolest looking hydraulically powered machine I've seen. Click here to see the video.
The goal of product development was to create a machine with the best possible working stability and minimum impact on the terrain.
The walking machine adapts automatically to the forest floor. Moving on six articulated legs, the harvester advances forward and backward, sideways and diagonally. It can also turn in place and step over obstacles. Depending on the irregularity of the terrain, the operator can adjust both the ground clearance of the machine and height of each step.
The harvester’s nerve center is an intelligent computer system that controls all walking functions — direction of movement, travelling speed, step height and gait, and ground clearance. The harvester head is controlled by Timberjack's measuring and control system.
To further optimize machine operation, Timberjack’s Total Machine Control system regulates the functions of machine’s loader and engine. All control systems are designed for easy of use. The operator-friendly controls are incorporated in a single
joystick. So now maybe video game skills finally have application in the real world.
