Safety taken to the next level in the latest ClimbMAX forestry harvester

The ClimbMAX Steep Slope Harvester makes harvesting steep forestry land safer and more efficient by allowing workers to safely remove trees from slopes up to 45 degrees – it’s even been tested to work on slopes of 65 degrees!

FPS is responsible for the hydraulics solution and the engines dry sump modification on the ClimbMAX that begins with the winch and blade. Integrated with a computerised system, the winch works in unison with the machine’s tracks because the entire system is self-monitoring and self-regulating, leaving the operator to set a few system parameters. They can then get on with the work of driving the machine, while the winch operates automatically with minimal input.

In this latest model, FPS Director and Design Engineer Gary Allen has created a specially functioning winch that can be operated by remote control from up to 400m away, making set up much safer and more efficient.

“We had customers in the United States who requested a remote control operated winch. They had issues setting up and said that it would make it much easier.”

The next focus for FPS is developing an upgraded felling head in conjunction with Trinder Engineers for Warratah.

 As the ClimbMAX Steep Slope Harvester gains traction with a growing international audience, Trinder and FPS are currently working on their 12th machine.

Find out more about the ClimbMax Steep Slope Harvester here.