John Deere launches FD55 disc saw felling head

Dec 18, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. John Deere FD55 Disc Saw Felling Head (DSFH) is now available, delivering the versatility and durability loggers need to harvest various tree diameters, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network. Available to order immediately, the FD55 felling head is compatible with the 643K and 843K John Deere Wheeled Feller Bunchers and is ideal for full-tree timber operations, from thinning to final harvests and everything in between. The FD55 felling head is sure to boost productivity with its improved visibility to the cutting zone, high accumulation capacity, and ability to cut trees up to 23 inches in diameter. In addition, its tall horn structure design allows for more control and added stability while harvesting larger trees. "We listened and learned from loggers who frequently handle various tree diameters in the development of the FD55," said Neil Harber, product marketing manager at John Deere Construction & Forestry Division. "We're confident our customers will appreciate the higher productivity rates, increased uptime and lower daily operational costs with this new versatile head." Engineered with extensive customer input, the FD55 delivers superior accumulation capacity through its innovative pocket design that allows for the collection of more trees due to more usable space. The pocket area is an industry leading .63 m² (6.8 sq. ft.). The ergonomic head can handle anything from small-diameter thinning to cutting large single stems up to 584 mm (23 in.). In addition, an efficient arm design allows for strong grab arm force for tree manipulation and placement. Engineered with one harvesting arm and one accumulating arm, the arms ensure tight tree alignment and clean bunch release. This simple arrangement translates to quicker and easier cuts for the operator. John Deere also designed the FD55 to increase ease of use for operators as a means to improve productivity. The FD55 was engineered with a compact and streamline design for superior visibility around the saw motor to the cutting zone. In addition, the saw motor enclosure and sloping surfaces on the top of the head were designed to reduce debris from accumulating and impacting visibility and productivity.