Oct 20, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. Komatsu introduced the 398 in the Australian forestry market. The North American market will see the 398 in 2012. The new Komatsu 398 is designed to handle a large range of forests, from first thinnings to clear fall, working as both a harvesting head or a processor for pre-felled timber, as the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. With its well-considered design, based on tried-and-tested components and a structrally strong chassis, the Komatsu 398 can cope with the tough assignments. Suitable carriers for the Komatsu 398 include excavators in the 27 ton class and upward, or a purpose built forest machine such as the Komatsu XT450L. Low maintenance costs and minimal downtime have been the key objectives in the development of this new harvesting head. The well thought out chassis construction and the fully protected hose routing through the rotator are prime examples of incorporating these objectives in the design. Another example is that the head is fitted with soft-sealed hydraulic couplings (ORFS), in which o-rings comprise the seals rather than metal-to-metal interfaces. This is good for the environment, as leaks are minimized. It´s also good for the production, as the head's reliability is increased. The trunk feed through the head uses three feed rollers, which are powered by four hydraulic motors, with a geometric placement and movement pattern that enables them to not only feed the trunk through the head but also to lift it. The result is a secure trunk grip and superb measurement performance. The feed rollers are controlled by two cylinders with an equaliser bar. The standard Komatsu 398 has three delimbing knives. Optionally, two additional delimbing knives can be mounted in the rear section of the head. An optional top saw is also available. The standard head is equipped with EcoOiler, an innovative system that provides effective control over the amount of lubricant fed to the chain and bar. The Komatsu 398 is designed for use with the MaxiXplorer Head control system.