Without the help of HydX, I would never have dared to believe that we could do it in ten weeks.
Hans Johansson, CEO of Alfing in Älmhult
Alfing is a subcontracting company that manufactures industrial products at a modern assembly plant in Älmhult, Sweden. The Finnish forestry machinery company Terri, acquired in 2009, is now based in the forests of Småland and has two clear goals: to fulfill a great passion for forestry and land clearing, and to even out the production of Alfing, the parent company, during quieter periods. Traditionally, forestry machines from Terri run on tracks. In this case story, we show how our customer not only wanted to develop a wheeled Terri machine, despite the tracked machine tradition, but wanted it to be done very rapidly. Close cooperation with HydX and hard work from Terri’s side brought success, and the eight-wheeled forestry machine, T34C 8WD, was presented ten weeks later at the world’s largest forestry trade fair.
The distinguishing characteristics of a Terri machine is that it is small, flexible, consists of high-quality components, runs on tracks and is adapted for wetlands and moss. There had long been a neglected target group who were in great need of a wheeled forestry machine for moving in stony and easier terrain at higher speeds.
Due to the unusually short project period, a significant part of the system configuration and support for the hydraulic and control system was conducted smoothly online, alternating with physical visits and tests. As with the tracked T34C model, HydX has total responsibility for machine functions, i.e. the hydraulics and the control system, in the eight-wheeled 8WD. Fundamentally, they are both the same machine, but extensive development, testing and fine-tuning were required to ensure synchronization of the eight wheels.
Alfing can now truly offer high-quality forestry machines for any ground conditions and Terri’s slogan “For all terrain” is emphatically confirmed. A Terri can reach areas that no other machine can! The eight-wheeled T34C 8WD has been very warmly received by the market and many customers are waiting to test drive the machine in real conditions.
In this case story, HydX has not only shown its strengths by rapidly and smoothly developing a new machine type to go alongside an existing product, but also by trying modern technologies and ways of working that create new business opportunities for the customer. Online support is one example of such working methods and this results in environmental gains and cost-savings for both partners, as HydX can communicate with the machine’s control system via the Internet.
The customer’s customer is becoming increasingly eco-conscious and wants the right machine – one that does not leave more traces or make more impact than necessary in the forest. T34C can now be supplied both as a traditional tracked machine, and in a wheeled version (with the newly developed 8WD). The tracked version is perfect for wet terrain, and the wheeled version is better, for example, in stony terrain – both are gentle on the forest and the terrain.
Terri, Alfing i Älmhult AB
Local OEM
Forestry
Forestry machine/mobile hydraulics (hydraulic system & control system)
Danfoss Power Solutions (variable piston pump, PVG32 proportional valves, PLUS+1 control system and displays), Danfoss Industri (pressure sensor), Black Bruin (radial pistons and wheel motors), HydX (customized valve plate).
Per Willberg, Sales Engineer. Johan Aldenbrand, Application Engineer, Danfoss PLUS+1.
Per Willberg Account Manager 031-3384173 0725-228301 per.willberg@hydx.se