Steve Bullman

After a busy winters work, operating in all weathers and ground conditions, nesting season provides the ideal opportunity to consider giving your woodchipper some well-needed TLC! GreenMech offer operators some top tips on simple, routine maintenance to consider conducting over the summer months to prevent costly repairs and downtime. Looking firstly at towed woodchippers. If you’ve been working in dusty environments, check and clean radiators and filters to ensure water-cooled engines retain adequate airflow to perform effectively. If your engine is air-cooled, the engine inspection panels and any debris should be removed to prevent any ‘hot spotting’ of the cylinders. Like a vehicle, fluid levels should be monitored to maintain the operational integrity of your chipper. If the radiator has a header tank, check the level in the radiator and change the fluids/filters as instructed in the machine manual. Grease the chipper as per the manufacturer’s instructions and inspect all safety features such as the control bar and cut-out switches to ensure these are working as intended. Sharpen the blades to avoid the transfer of shock loads into the bearings – a good edge on the shear bar/anvil is also needed for efficient chipping. As obvious as it may seem, give the chipper a wash down! Keeping your investment clean will help to prevent degradation of the paint from residual dirt and salt. While inspecting your towed chipper, don’t forget the trailer. Ensure the brakes, lights, floor, ramps, securing points and tyres (including the jockey wheel) are all in good, road-legal condition. For tracked woodchippers, all of the above tips also apply. In addition, ensure that the tracks are in good order, with no visible signs of damage and that tracking components and controls are operating as intended. Next, double check the toolbox – if you needed to refit a lost track as per the manufacturer’s instructions, would you have the right tools to do so? Finally, check the condition of any additional accessories, particularly winches which should be equipped with quality rope in good condition. Those operating a tractor mounted/powered woodchipper will note that many of the pointers already listed will be applicable to both the chipper and the tractor. In this scenario, you’ll also want to ensure that the correct specification PTO shaft is fitted, in good order and with the correct guarding. Some have a ‘slip clutch’ which will need to be set at the correct torque settings. Others may need a ‘shear bolt lobe’, so check you have some spare bolts in the toolbox. Check the hydraulic hoses are correctly fitted and that the in-cab controls are working as they should. If a 12v supply is needed to run the ‘No Stress’ device or beacon, ensure that the correct light cable is refitted if the tractor is intended for highway use. Finally, grease as required – not forgetting the UJ spiders and plastic guards covering the shaft. More details can be found within GreenMech operator manuals or by speaking to your local approved dealer. To find your nearest GreenMech expert, visit www.greenmech.co.uk

Setting new standards in the 60cc class, the new MS 400.1 forestry chainsaw offers professionals the best power-to-weight ratio of any professional chainsaw on the market. Sitting in between the MS 261 C-M and MS 462 C-M, the new MS 400.1 replaces the existing MS 362 and MS 400.0 models in the lineup. The MS 400.1 has been re-developed from the ground up and is a completely new machine, building on the strengths of the original MS 400 and taking it to the next level. The MS 400.1 weighs 5.5kg, 300g less than the original MS 400, and has a smaller engine displacement of 62.6cc. Despite this, the MS 400.1 still maintains an impressive power output of 3.9 kW, resulting in the best power-to-weight ratio of any petrol chainsaw available. A second advantage of the MS 400.1 is the 4.3Nm of torque. When cutting large timber, the saw is less pressure sensitive and less likely to bog down mid-cut. Like all STIHL professional petrol chainsaws, the MS 400.1 uses the latest M-Tronic technology, resulting in easy starting and super-fast acceleration. As well as technical improvements to the engine, a larger magnesium flywheel and improved muffler help to keep the saw cool during operation. A new larger HD2 filter keeps the saw running in tough conditions and cuts down on maintenance and downtime during the working day. The geometry of the rear handle has been improved for more comfortable handling, and the end profile has been widened to rest securely on the operator's leg, resulting in easier plunge cutting. This, combined with the new compact design, makes the MS 400.1 exceptionally easy to handle. The rib pattern on the underside has been optimised to make cleaning faster. It also helps the saw to glide along the trunk when snedding, preventing bark and twigs from getting caught. Located on the petrol tank, the new 50% marker gives a quick indication of the total fuel level, helping the operator to keep track of their consumption and fill up efficiently. STIHL have also improved access to the oil pump control bolt, meaning adjustments can be made with a standard combination tool rather than a specialist screwdriver. For more information on the MS 400.1, visit www.stihl.co.uk.