The growing market need to enhance the performance of lightweight thinning harvesters and excavator-based harvesters without increasing engine power has accelerated the demand for new solutions. Kesla’s new powerB pressure accumulator system provides an effective response to this challenge by delivering significant additional power during critical work phases. The solution improves harvester performance, productivity, and fuel efficiency without the need to increase engine power.
Light thinning harvesters and excavator-based harvesters often face challenges such as low feed speed and limited sawing power, which reduce work efficiency and make handling difficult trees more demanding. KESLA powerB addresses these challenges by efficiently utilizing load fluctuations in the hydraulic system.
In harvester operations, the power demand of the hydraulic system varies continuously, and rapid changes also cause pressure spikes that are detrimental to the system. The PowerB pressure accumulator system is connected to the harvester’s pressure line, where it stores energy. At the same time, the system smooths pressure variations and filters pressure spikes, improving the durability and reliability of the hydraulic system and hoses. The stored energy is utilized at moments when the harvesting head’s energy demand is at its highest, such as during sawing and feeding.
The core of the PowerB system is its valve and control logic, which manages energy charging and utilizing cycles with millisecond-level precision at exactly the right moments. The control system also ensures operational safety by discharging the accumulator energy in a controlled manner when the harvesting head is not active, ensuring safe machine operation and maintenance.
“Thanks to precisely controlled charging and discharging cycles, the accumulator capacity enables up to nearly 50 kW of instantaneous additional power for sawing and delimbing feed. What is particularly significant is that the energy stored in the accumulator is immediately available, without the delays associated with hydraulic system of the base machine,” says Mika Tahvanainen, Director of Product Management at Kesla Oyj. “In addition, the impact on fuel efficiency is positive: the additional power does not require extra fuel. As engine load is balanced, hourly fuel consumption is even reduced while work productivity increases.”
Kesla is one of the market leaders in excavator-based harvester solutions, and KESLA powerB integrates seamlessly into the extensive KESLA xTimber product family for excavator harvesters. The system is also ideally suited for lightweight thinning harvesters with limited engine power.
The KESLA powerB system is available for all KESLA harvester heads controlled by KESLA proLOG, xLogger, or Dasa control systems.
More information
Kesla Oyj
Mika Tahvanainen, Product Management Director
tel. +358 40 535 6567
mika.tahvanainen[at]kesla.com
Image inquiries: Aleksandra Ihno, Marketing Specialist aleksandra.ihno[at]kesla.com
Kesla – Your Responsible Partner
Kesla is a responsible partner that develops machinery, technology and services for the sustainable success of its customers, both in and outside the forest. Kesla’s four product groups are: tractor equipment, logging equipment, stationary and industrial cranes, and KESLA Defence. In 2024, the Group’s turnover was €44,3 million, of which 53% was attributable to export operations. Established in 1960, Kesla has production facilities in Joensuu, Kesälahti and Ilomantsi as well as a sales office in Appenweier, Germany. Kesla currently employs around 232 people. Kesla’s A series shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. www.kesla.com
Picture 1. KESLA powerB pressure accumulator system
Picture 2. Hitachi excavator & KESLA 19RH twinAX harvester head, KESLA XTender 15H, KESLA powerB - pressure accumulator system