Hybrid Harvester: Hybrid Power

A Logset hybrid harvester draws attention with its low consumption, rapid power response and good user experience.

R & D and operating costs have always been at the centre of Logset’s approach. Back in 2016, Logset were the first company in the world to build a hybrid harvester – the 12H GTE Hybrid is still the biggest harvester in operation today – a machine that is at its most productive in large scale fellings. The smaller 8H GTE Hybrid was introduced in 2019. It is a powerful, but smaller machine for medium to large sized felling operations.

The interest and demand for these hybrid machines, which are built at Koivulahti, Vaasa, Finland, has increased year upon year, not only because of the environment question, but because of increasing fuel costs. Big power output also attracts attention, confirming the hybrids popularity around the globe.

Why Hybrid technology?

Hybrid power is quite simple. The electric motor also works as a generator that charges up super capacitors. Electric power is used for heavy loads, such as sawing and crane operations, the response is very quick, making harvester handling smoother and more efficient. Hybrid power reduces peak loads of diesel engine because all maximum power needs are aided by electric power. The diesel engine runs roughly at 1500 rpm on maximum loads because of the hybrid assist. This in turn reduces fuel consumption and co2 and particle emissions. It also cuts noise level down to around 10% and puts less stress on the diesel engine.

Comfort, economy and environment

From an economic and environmental point of view, hybrid harvesters are at their best when run on maximum power. Essential benefits of hybrid technology are still somewhere else: they’re inside the cabin. Operators notice the quick response of hybrid power as the harvester reacts quickly to every control, compared to a standard diesel harvester. The operator never runs out of power, even when using all the machine functions at the same time. Because of the extra power that the electric power unit gives, the diesel engine can be smaller, without sacrificing the overall power output. We’ve seen similar development in turbo technology – in the last 30 years, combustion engines have become smaller due to the turbos. Hybrid engines do the same, resulting in less co2-emissions and fuel consumption. Particle emissions are also reduced because of reduced peak loads on the diesel engine.

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Proven efficiency

Logset hybrid harvesters have been working in forests around the world for more than five years. The harvesters have been tested in action by many independent companies and the results are exceptionally good. In Sweden, machines have achieved over 25% less fuel consumption. The Finnish research company Metsäteho made comparisons with the Logset 8H GTE Hybrid versus the traditional diesel Logset 8H GTE. Although the diesel-powered 8H GTE is already particularly good on fuel efficiency, in medium size felling, the hybrid measured a reduction of 8% in fuel costs. The same test proved an incredible 30% rise in productivity with the Hybrid.

The main difference is measured when counting fuel consumption per cubic meter of processed wood – results can be over 30% savings compared to other manufacturers.

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