Komatsu’s New 951XC Harvester Is More Compact Than The 951, Even With 2 More Wheels

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The new 951XC is the third final logging harvester in Komatsu’s XC series. (Photo courtesy of Komatsu.)

Komatsu's new 951XC is the third model in the manufacturer’s XC range of eight-wheel harvesters designed to operate on steep terrain and soft ground. The harvester combines some of the best features of the 931XC and the 951, a six-wheel harvester that was previously Komatsu’s most powerful final logging machine.

“What is special about the 951XC is that it combines the strength of a 951 with an extremely compact design,” says Komatsu Forest Product Manager, Harvesters, Joakim Johansson. “And since it has about the same dimensions as the 931XC, it can be used in denser stands. Now we have a complete range of eight-wheeled machines, specially designed for demanding conditions.”

What’s New

Even with two more wheels than the 951, Komatsu’s 951XC offers a shorter total machine length. The machine’s eight-wheel design and hydrostatic transmission combine to provide 54,404 pounds-force (242 kilonewtons) of tractive force, making it more sure-footed on difficult terrain and giving it better climbing ability.

The 951XC also boasts new working hydraulics that improve saw motor efficiency and increase feeding speed from the start to maximum speed. “The new working hydraulics contribute to a feeling of an even stronger engine according to the test operators that have been working with 951XC,” Johansson says. Komatsu also says it optimized the new harvester for use with the Komatsu C164 head, designed for logging large trees.

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“The machine follows irregularities in the terrain in a forgiving manner while delivering excellent maneuverability in challenging terrain conditions,” says Joakim Johansson, product manager harvesters at Komatsu Forest. (Photo courtesy of Komatsu.)

Crane & Cab Innovations

The parallel crane on the 951XC, similar to what’s found on all other Komatsu harvesters produced since 1999, links lifting booms with the outer booms to simplify crane operation. Compared to the 951, Komatsu 951XC uses a significantly shorter distance from the center of the crane to the front wheels, enabling the operator to work at shorter reaches.

“The new larger working area in front of the machine means more powerful crane movements,” says Johansson. “And for those who equip their machines with Smart Crane, they can more easily maneuver the crane.”

The 951XC’s new, self-leveling cab provides a stable, low center of gravity and improves comfort and visibility for the operator. All of Komatsu’s eight-wheel harvesters have a double oscillating bogie on the rear frame. Johansson says the oscillating bogie “increases stability by lowering the machine’s center of gravity, and the machine follows irregularities in the terrain in a forgiving manner while delivering excellent maneuverability in challenging terrain conditions.”

Source: Komatsu