Wood is a renewable and versatile raw material. At the same time, forests are crucial for mankind`s survival, and must therefore be carefully maintained. One recent statistic states that every minute, an area of forest equivalent to 35 football fields is cleared.
Our aim therefore was to produce an effective yet sustainable harvesting system, with the two main goals being low ground pressure and simple-to-use steering. Together with our freelancer Benjamin Wysk, we developed the Ant. Each of its three compartments - which jointly cover the entire forestry process - is connected to the next by an articulation point and flexible top rails to ensure freedom of movement. The front section handles harvesting, the middle cutting length and forwarding, and the rear section the planting of seedlings.
All three segments have their own pair of 4,000mm diameter wheels driven by electric hub motors, which also hold the wheels solidly to the chassis. Obliquely angled towards one another, at 5° off the perpendicular, these guarantee optimal stability, while providing low ground pressure because of the large footprint. The Ant steers by moving the wheels on one side faster than those on the other.
The cabin, which is suspended for ride comfort, is positioned inside the frame when driving, but can slide out to the left or right during harvesting to enhance the view. Another advantage is that it can be steered by foot controls, like an excavator, leaving the hands free to concentrate on the two joysticks controlling the harvester head. The Ant also benefits from a sturdier,
less complex crane than traditional models, which means it can harvest trees of larger diameters – up to 1,500mm.
* Click on a thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Henning Weidhase and Gordon Adler founded the German design studio in 2005. The company has worked for Liebherr, Daimler, Eon, VW and the Fraunhofer Institute.
Email: adler@lintje.de / weidhase@lintje.de
Website: www.lintje.de
>>Back to Design Challenge November 2011
Transformers are go: check out JCB's astonishing Fastrac concept here!
See Volvo's exciting paving concept here
Liebherr Mobile Harbour Cranes
Sir Anthony Bamford Interview
More From JCB's Mick Mohan
More Design Challenge pictures, links and info
Kineo white paper
Trends and predictions for the world's biggest lift-truck
market from STM-Stieler
Stability white paper
A look at Still's RX 70 hybrid forklift
More in-depth comments from Doo-yearn Jo
See some JIVA Committee views
View Hyster's tyre saving technology here
See Toyota/MIT robotic lift-truck in action
More Design Challenge pictures, links and info
JCB Engine feature
Nidec SR Drives feature
Steve Casey Automation feature
We are building a list of leading suppliers covering all aspects of the industrial vehicle industry. Want to see your company included? Contact k.barrett@ukipme.com or m.briant@ukipme.com for more details.
Do you have an opinion you'd like to share with the industrial vehicle community? Good or bad, we'd like to hear your views and opinions on the leading issues shaping the industry. Share your comments by sending up to 500 words to r.carr@ukipme.com
To send us your recruitment advertising or to receive information on placing a banner please email k.barrett@ukipme.com or m.briant@ukipme.com
