Tigercat debuts the new 573 harvesting head - Equipment Journal

Tigercat has added a fifth model to its harvesting head line-up with the new three-wheel drive 573.

Last fall, visitors to the PLC live demo event held in Washington state got a sneak peek of the new Tigercat 573 harvesting head processing logs on the end of a Tigercat 875E logger.

Since then, multiple units have been testing around the world, from Alberta to Australia. According to the test results, the 573 is shaping up to be a high performing, reliable head for roadside processing and harvesting.

Ideally suited to medium and large tree profiles, the 573 has an 80-cm maximum cut capacity and offers optimal performance in 40-cm to 60-cm diameter timber. The feed rollers close down to 60 mm, allowing the 573 to smoothly delimb and process smaller diameter trees and achieve higher value fibre recovery.

The compact frame design handles poor stem form and contributes to tidy delimbing performance.

The triangulated feed wheel arm configuration operates in locked three-wheel drive. This, combined with timed knife arms, provide the operator with fast picking and positive stem control for high productivity in roadside processing applications. Independently mounted, trailing-arm length measuring ensures reliable tracking and accuracy.

The top knife and lower/back knife pivot on the same side of the chassis frame, aligning the position and flow of each stem centrally through the head. This arrangement always promotes positive contact with all three feed rollers and the measuring wheel.

The result is better quality and accuracy, reduced fuel consumption and greater processing speed. The orientation also provides the operator with a clear sightline to the measuring wheel.

The 573 is standard equipped with continuous rotation for ease of use and superior hose routing and protection.

As well, quick and stable Wi-Fi connectivity between the cab and the attachment modules reduces wire routing along the boom and provides excellent command response.

The Tigercat D7 control system is available with priority or optimization levels and is fully compatible and compliant with StanForD Classic and 2010.

The 573 is a great fit for the H250D, 850 and 875E for roadside processing applications and the H822E and H855E carriers for in-stand harvesting