ARBMAX

CUSTOMER:

ARBMAX

PRODUCT:

F30 12-inch-disc wood chipper

LOCATION:

Northern Ireland

SCOPE OF ENGINE USE:

Cat^® C3.6 EU Stage V Industrial Engine

CAT DEALER:

Finning

A POWERFUL NEW MACHINE IS CLEARING THE WAY IN FORESTRY

ARBMAX’s skilled workforce brings decades of experience in the heavy machinery industry to the wood chipping market. What sets ARBMAX apart from the competition is their dedication to superior quality, producing robust and durable products that offer extended machine life. 

“We wanted to approach the wood processing from a different viewpoint,” says ARBMAX Engineering Director, Paul Quinn. “We wanted products that were overengineered and more durable than what we’ve seen in the market. Wood chipping is difficult work and hard on machinery. We wanted to introduce more quality.”

A MIGHTY, MEDIUM-SIZED WOOD CHIPPER

ARBMAX engineered F30 12-inch-disc wood chipper to deliver exceptional, cutting-edge performance. Designed to last longer and process wood at a faster rate than competing models while being easier to maintain, the F30 enhances productivity for arborists, helping them complete tasks more efficiently. While its 12-inch capacity places it in the medium-sized category, the F30 is a robust and versatile machine, suitable for operations of any scale. Its powerful torque and aggressive feed-wheels enable it to tackle even the most demanding materials with ease.

CATERPILLAR CHIPPED IN TO SUPPLY THE POWER

A wood chipper is one of the most intense applications for an industrial engine. The engine is either running at 100% load or is at idle. When high engine loads drop off, the engine can over-fuel, causing soot to build up in the diesel particulate filter (DPF). ARBMAX chose the Cat^® C3.6 EU Stage V Industrial Diesel Engine to power the F30—in part because of how well it handles load capacity without the need for manual regenerations. “It was even surprising for us,” says Quinn, “since those issues are usually very common on other engines.”

Space and size are always at a premium, and the F30 is available on both wheels and tracks, making access for urban jobs easy and going off-road to challenging sites possible, too. The Cat C3.6 engine delivers the power density and torque needed in a compact size to fit the F30 frame. “It’s the ideal engine for the F30 wood chipper,” says Quinn. “It’s the highest torque unit for its size, and torque really does all the work when you’re chipping.”

By utilising the C3.6 in its operations, ARBMAX is keeping its eye on sustainability. The C3.6 is a Stage V engine that reduces harmful emissions like carbon monoxide and diesel soot while still delivering 5% more power and 12% more torque. ARBMAX has also introduced ECO Mode, which automatically reduces fuel consumption when the F30 is not processing. Now ARBMAX users can maximise their productivity while minimising environmental impact.

ARBMAX supplies their equipment to professional arborist operations globally. It relies on the extensive Cat Dealer Network to offer support. “I don’t think anybody comes close to the kind of service network that the Cat dealers offer,” says Richard Lavery, Director at ARBMAX. “That was a big factor for us. People recognise the Cat brand instantly, and they know if something goes wrong with an engine, they’re going to get that support.”

THERE’S A CLOSE COLLABORATION BETWEEN FINNING AND ARBMAX 

The engineers at ARBMAX turned to Finning, their local Cat dealer, to configure the engine for the F30 wood chipper. The close relationship helped while working on a tight schedule for the release of the machine. “Finning has been fantastic at being able to support us,” says Quinn. “With fairly quick lead times, they were able to get us the power unit we required. This helped us build a prototype in a relatively short timeframe and allowed us to begin our rigorous testing. The technical support team have always been excellent in terms of answering all of our questions.”

FORESTRY INCREASES SUSTAINABILITY

Ash dieback disease is posing a significant threat to forests, and the F30 wood chipper has proven to be an essential tool in tree-removal efforts. Capable of being fed by an excavator, the F30 boosts operational efficiency while reducing labour costs for the operator. Beyond simply reducing wood volume, chipping plays a key role in the expanding global biomass market where wood chips have become a valuable resource. The wood chips produced from ash trees can be converted into renewable energy. "Wood chips can generate both heat and electricity," says Quinn. "High-quality machinery is essential for producing the right grade of wood chip for biomass applications, and the F30 meets that demand in a growing market."

GROWING TO FILL A NEED FOR WOOD CHIPPING

ARBMAX is a rather new supplier of wood processing equipment, and it plans to grow the business to produce larger equipment in the future. ARBMAX will soon be offering the D45, an 18-inch wood chipper that will be the largest machine available under 3.5 tons in the industry. This weight is important because it will allow the machine to be legally towed in Europe. ARBMAX will continue to work with Finning for its growing power requirements. 

The Engine Behind The Machine

• The Cat^® C3.6 EU Stage V Industrial Engine is offered in ratings ranging up to 100 bkW (134 bhp) @ 2,200 rpm.
• With the Cat C3.6, you get an engine that delivers the perfect balance of compact size, reliability and performance.
• The Cat C3.6 EU Stage V is a powerful engine in a compact and easily integrated size.
• With flexible aftertreatment mounting options and a simplified engine installation process, the C3.6 EU Stage V can be placed into a wide variety of applications with agility and speed.