It may be a long way from Sampo Rosenlews Finnish headquarters and production facilities, but when word of the availability of the new eight-wheeled all-round harvester from the manufacturer filtered through to Czech-based František Hron Timber Harvesting, taking delivery of the first production machine was an opportunity not to be missed by the company.
“We have many years experience using Sampo Rosenlew harvesters and when our 1066 became old, replacing it with the HR86 made a lot of sense for us”, explained Martin Hron, operator and son of the company founder František Hron.
Designed as an all-round harvester, it would appear the eight-wheeled HR86 is capable of punching well above its weight. It is compact and maneuverable enough for thinnings, as well as being stable enough and generating sufficient oil flow to host a crane and harvesting head for larger volume clearfell material.
This 22,000kg HR86 offers adequate ground clearance of 620mm and a tight turning circle, making it particularly nimble in thinnings. Bogie axles have been sourced from NAF and are offered in the balanced configuration as standard, while climbing ability is boosted by its hydrostatic mechanical transmission. At the heart of the machine is an AgcoPower 74 AWF 6-cylinder diesel engine delivering 195kW. “I am impressed by the machine’s fuel economy. It is using 20 to 25 litres per hour. In this job, which has 1 cubic metre average trees, fuel use amounts to three-quarters of a litre per cubic metre. I harvest 300 cubic metres in a single 8-hour shift.”
The crane matched to the HR86 is a Mesera 240H parallel movement unit. The 240H can be specified in either 10.3 or 11.1m reach versions.
With its rounded front windscreen profile and low set side windows, first impressions of the HR86’s cabin were positive. “The HR86 cab is equipped with all that brings comfort for operation and outlook is very good through automatic tilting and rotating of the cab following crane movement”.
Looking more closely at the design, the HR86’s engine is located towards the rear with the engine cover tilting back to reveal the complete compartment. In addition, the rear cover opens independently for direct cooling radiator access. Moving towards the front, the hydraulic assemblies and hydraulic oil tank are laid bare by opening both sides and the top panel cover, while an additional opening cover towards the front at a lower level provides further access, making all areas of the machine easily reachable. František Hron Timber Harvesting’s new HR86 has certainly got off to a flying start. The company’s trust in Sampo Rosenlew to deliver a reliable and highly effective machine right from the beginning of production, and during a critical time when it branches out into harvesting of later thinning and clear-felling, has not been misplaced.