Horizon 2020 project Forwarder2020 organized third Forest Machine Demo in Toplița, Romania

The second prototype of the Forwarder2020 project was presented to the public. This second prototype includes three out of five project´s innovations: the hydrostatic mechanical transmission, the suspended cabin and the monitoring system.

The third and last Forest Machine Demo took place on 29th May 2019 near of Toplița, Romania and was eagerly awaited as this was the first time the second prototype of the Forwarder2020 project was presented to the public. This second prototype includes three out of five project´s innovations: the hydrostatic mechanical transmission, the suspended cabin and the monitoring system.

At 9 am participants and consortium gathered in front of Hotel Mureș in Toplița where the project was briefly presented to the participants. They were 75, mostly from Romania, but also from Italy and Poland. Among the participants were a lot of interested students and PhD students of Transilvania University of Brașov, foresters and forest owners, as well as representants of the consortium.

On site Prof. Borz from Transilvania University of Brașov gave a short introduction to the machine and project coordinator Felix Fürst zu Hohenlohe-Waldenburg from HSM described the innovative modules of this second prototype of the project. The demonstration itself was very impressive as the driver was able to demonstrate the power of the hybrid transmission system on the very steep slopes of the demonstration site.
Also on site was the professional film team, which already made the recordings during the demonstration in Lithuania. This time they also recorded interviews with several project partners in preparation of the short project video. A drone accompanied the demo to enable a bird's eye view. The following networking lunch gave room for questions and answers.

All in all the event was not only well-attended but the participants were very interested and the atmosphere was at the same time relaxed and studious.

PROJECT SUMMARY
Forwarder2020 is a Horizon 2020 innovation project with the aim of improving the sustainability of wood production and delivery as well as operational forest management and planning. Within the project innovations for more efficient forwarders, essential wood extraction and transportation vehicles, will be developed and tested in real conditions.
With a total budget of almost 3M€ (2 M€ funding) 14 European partners from industry and research will work on five innovative modules for forwarders aiming at improving efficiency of the machine, reducing the fuel consumption and minimizing the impact on the environment and on the operators’ health. Over the course of three years (2016-2019) the Forwarder2020 partners will gather their expertise to advance diverse technologies, which will contribute to smart and sustainable logging operations using innovative forestry machines. All in all the five innovative modules will be integrated into two prototypes which will be tested in Scotland, Lithuania and Romania.
Project duration: 10/2016 – 09/2019
Participant countries: Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Switzerland and the United Kingdom

Contact:
Forwarder2020 Communication & Dissemination Office
Dr. Anthony Salingre, Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum der Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH
E-Mail: salingre@steinbeis-europa.de, Phone +49 (0)721 935 19116

Wissenschaftlicher Ansprechpartner:
Felix Fürst zu Hohenlohe-Waldenburg, Hohenloher Spezial-Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG (HSM) in Neu-Kupfer und Patrick Preusch, Tel: +49 7527 9608-120
E-Mail: Patrick.preusch@hsm-forest.com

Weitere Informationen:
http://www.forwarder2020-project.eu - Project website