Caterpillar Forest Products recently announced enhancements to improve durability and performance of the Cat HF201 and HF221 felling heads for track feller bunchers. Both heads are available in partial or full tilt configurations.

            The heads are more robust as a result of structural changes, including a box section frame design, thicker plating, and reinforcement plates in high stress areas. A new saw drive shaft system boosts the bearing and shaft load capacity 50% and improves component service life.

            Tree handling is improved because of larger, flatter front surfaces for better contact with the tree and redesigned grab arms for improved tree control and reduced stem damage.

            Both HF models have been updated with the new Cat one-piece saw disc with 2.25 in. kerf replaceable saw teeth. The one-piece saw disc, as compared to a segmented disc design, improves saw recovery time and increases the cut capacity about ½ inch.

            New service door locations provide access to all hoses and fittings, motor adjustments, and debris clean out. Centralized grease points can be reached from the ground for easy daily servicing.

            The HF201 has a cutting capacity of 22.5 inches and is ideally matched with Cat zero tail swing track feller buncher models. With a cutting capacity of 24.4 inches, the HF221 is superior in larger tree sizes and maximizes performance of the larger Cat full tail swing track feller buncher models.

            Caterpillar offers a full line of disc saw attachments for wheel and track feller bunchers to meet all felling needs from plantation thinning to select cut of large diameter wood. All saws are designed to allow maximum visibility of the cutting area and have high-pressure hydraulics for faster saw recovery and quick arm speed. Single and dual post models are available.

            For more information, visit www.cat.com/forestry.