In Sweden, Bruks Mobile Chippers, a division of Bruks AB and part of global bulk handling and wood processing technology major Bruks Siwertell Group, has unveiled a new mobile chipper unit – the 1006.3 RT.
While released already in May this year to a client in Finland, and one in Sweden, the Mittia Skogstransport 2023 event saw the first public viewing of the new Bruks 1006.3 RT chipper unit, in this case, mounted on a triple-axle Volvo 540 Euro 6 truck.
Judging from the interest at Mittia Skogstransport, the new Bruks 1006.3 RT chipper unit would seem to tick many boxes amongst presumptive chipping contractors.
Compact with a swivel unit
According to Bruks, its 1006.3 RT is the “most flexible chipping unit” made by the company to date.
Built on a compact frame with a swiveling unit, the entire chipper unit measures 5.6 m in length, 2.65 m in height, and 2.55 m in width in transport mode. It weighs in at 15.3 to 16.4 tonnes depending on customer adaptations and optional extras.
Mounted on a suitable truck chassis, such as a triple-axle Volvo 540 Euro 6, the chipper swiveling ability – about a 200-degree swing in total – allows the operator to work from both sides of the truck while maintaining the position of the chip discharge.
Furthermore, in the Swedish context, the truck can still draw a full-length box trailer to chip into as was shown in Ljusdal.
Transverse-mounted Volvo TWD 1683 VE engine
Like the upgraded 1006.2 ST chipper unit that was launched by Bruks in August 2022, the new 1006.3 RT too is powered by Volvo Penta’s state-of-the-art TWD 1683 VE diesel engine.
However, on the 1006.3 RT, the Volvo engine is mounted transversely behind the chipper unit, acting as a counterweight to the chipper drum when the unit is swiveled, much like the swing on an excavator. In transport mode, the chipper engine is positioned in the centre of the truck.
Released in 2021, the Volvo Penta TWD 1683 VE engine delivers almost 800 hp (585 kW) and a maximum torque of 3 650 Nm while meeting the European Union (EU) Stage V regulations; the most stringent emissions requirements for non-road engines.
Moreover, according to Bruks, the engine is ideal for chipping on account of the high, steady torque level down to lower engine speeds that enable lower fuel consumption – at 1 000 rpm, the torque is at just over 3 500 Nm.
Truck-mounted cab and crane
Another feature of the truck-mounted chipper is the dedicated operator cab located directly behind the truck cab.
The “all-glass” spacious cab with full standing room can be raised vertically to a desired height while inside, the operator seat can be adjusted horizontally left and right enabling an unobstructed view of the workspace.
Work lights, climate control, and other operator comfort finesses ensure a safe and comfortable working environment.
The feeder crane is separate from the chipper unit and mounted with a hydraulic rail on the truck chassis.
In transport mode, the entire crane column is moved toward the operator cab to make room for the chipper unit, while the crane rests snuggly over the chipper unit with the grab bar for the grapple mounted on the rear of the truck chassis.
The choice of crane- and grapple brand are customer specific, as long as the lifting moment is 100 to 140 kNm and crane outreach is 10 to 10.5 m.
The demonstration truck in Ljusdal was fitted with a Palfinger EPSILON S110F, the heavy-duty class of EPSILON cranes in its chipper model range, complete with an Indexator rotator and a Supergrip 350R brushwood grapple from Hultdins.
All the hydraulic hosing is mounted inside the crane frame and protected while the crane controls are integrated with the control of the chipper.
A breakthrough model for Bruks?
As mentioned, the new mobile chipper unit from Bruks was seemingly well-received at the event.
In the Nordics, where logging residues and other forest biomass residues have been used as fuel in district heating and combined heat and power (CHP) plants for decades, Bruks has carved out a well-earned reputation in the biomass fuel world for robust and reliable chippers with high throughput capacities and consistent chip quality.
Equipment that has been specifically developed for cost-effective biomass fuel production mounted on forwarders and trucks.
As other countries, in Europe and elsewhere, look to use unutilized forest biomass for energy purposes, it is not a stretch to suggest that a truck-mounted Bruks 1006.3 RT is indeed a serious contender in multiple geographies, be it at a forest roadside or at a terminal.
