New Intelligent Harvester Head Control (IHC) from John Deere

ByForest Machine Magazine

14 January, 2025
Intelligent Harvester Head Control

The new Intelligent Harvester Head Control (IHC) facilitates harvesting and improves delimbing quality. The force control of the delimbing knives maintains proper compression of the harvester head and excellent measuring accuracy in all conditions.

The correct setting of the delimbing knives pressure is a basic requirement for good and precise harvester head operation. Determining the correct settings is based on a number of variables, like tree size, tree species and felling conditions. Thanks to the new Intelligent Harvester Head Control (IHC), the need for adjustments to knife pressures is significantly reduced, making the harvester operator’s work easier.

The force control of the delimbing knives is based on the basic settings per tree species defined in John Deere’s Timber-Matic control system. A force sensor in the harvester head’s upper delimbing knife constantly measures the force with which the tree is compressed, and the IHC system adjusts it, if necessary, within the given limits. This gives the knives sufficient, but not excessive, compression, and thus the quality of both delimbing and measuring remains at a high level.

closeup of H423 Harvest head control on display

Ease of use also improves productivity

Thanks to this new innovation, the harvester operator doesn’t have to constantly adjust the harvester head settings as tree characteristics or conditions change; instead, IHC adjusts the compression pressure of the delimbing knives as needed.

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In addition to ease of use, IHC improves harvesting productivity. Sufficient compression force ensures accurate diameter and length measurement and excellent delimbing quality. When the compression force is proper and not too excessive, the feed rate remains good, the surface layer of the tree is not damaged, and excessive fuel is not consumed. Additionally, debarking of the tree doesn’t occur, so the value added remains high and the bark can be recovered for energy. The correct pressure setting also improves the durability of the harvester head.

Intelligent Harvester Head Control is a feature that John Deere is constantly developing. The option is available with John Deere H212 and H423 harvester heads.

Better measuring accuracy

The compression force of the delimbing knives remains ideal at all times. The tree is compressed against the harvester head with just the right amount of force, resulting in good measuring accuracy. 

Facilitates the operator’s work

Facilitates the operator’s work

The operator sets the desired force level for the delimbing knives and the IHC measures the compression force and automatically adjusts it as needed. 

Excellent delimbing quality

Excellent delimbing quality

The tree is not debarked and since the knife compression isn’t excessive, the surface layer isn’t damaged and the tree retains its freshness and high value added. Moreover, there is no loosening of the knife grip at the knots as a result of knife pressure that is too low.

Time savings

Time savings

It may be necessary to change the harvester head settings during the work day. With IHC, there is less need to change the settings because the system automatically corrects them. And even if changes are needed, the adjustments are quick and easy.

Fuel efficiency

Fuel efficiency

With IHC, excessive compression pressure of the delimbing knives is avoided. When the knife is compressed against the tree with just the right amount of force and not too hard, unnecessary fuel consumption is reduced.

H212 cutting a tree log

Durability

With the IHC option, the compression pressure of the delimbing knives doesn’t overstrain the harvester head. This preserves the harvester head structures, as they are not subjected to unnecessary stress.

IHC measures and adjusts delimbing knife operation

Tree size, conditions and ways of working impact the amount of force needed to support the tree. A force sensor in the harvester head’s upper delimbing knife measures the contact force between the harvester head and the tree, and the automation adjusts the compression of the delimbing knives so that the tree is compressed against the harvester head with just the right amount of force. 

When the customer takes delivery of the machine, it is pre-configured with basic, tree-specific delimbing knife settings, which the operator can also modify. 

With the IHC option, the TimberMatic control system has a menu that is used to define the IHC system’s target levels for the contact force between the harvester head and the specific type of tree; based on these target levels, IHC adjusts the compression force. As a starting point, the force levels are set to neutral, which IHC then automatically increases or decreases based on the feeding situation.

The operator no longer has to constantly adjust the harvester head settings as tree characteristics or conditions change because IHC adjusts the compression pressure of the delimbing knives as needed. The operator is left to monitor the harvester head operation and adjust the appropriate force levels of IHC as necessary.

Forest Machine Magazine is written and edited by a forest professional with over 40 years hands on experience. We are dedicated to keeping you informed with all the latest news, views and reviews from our industry.

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