Howell Tractor & Equipment, a Midwestern heavy equipment distributor, recently hosted a demonstration of its Sennebogen 718 E series tree handler. The event, held at the picturesque Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club in LaSalle, Ill., was the first opportunity for tree care professionals in the area to see the machine, in action, up close.
"The first one in the Midwest," said Alan Johnson, sales executive of Howell Tractor.
Only available in Europe until recently, the 718 E is unlike most material handlers. Called a "game-changer" by tree-care specialists, it's custom-engineered for fast, safe and effective tree care; but designed compactly, for working in urban areas — around walls, utility lines, or other man-made structures. Seeing the 718 E at work is an impressive feat, but actually getting in front of one has been difficult so far, at least for anyone located too far from Sennebogen's Stanley, N.C.-based headquarters.
When Howell Tractor and Equipment made the decision to purchase the Sennebogen 718 E earlier this year, it recognized the need to bring the machine directly to arboriculture professionals.
"The Sennebogen 718 E is a machine designed for tree dismantling and removal, and has recently been made available in the U.S.," said Bill McNamara of Howell Tractor. "It's intended to provide improved safety and increased production. We at Howell Tractor & Equipment are excited to introduce the Sennebogen 718 E to the tree care industry of Illinois and northwest Indiana."
The 718 E is a 21-ton (47,000 lbs.) mobile material handler, equipped with a telescopic, articulating boom and a grab saw, and capable of a 43-ft. reach. It's rated to lift 12,000 lbs. at maximum capacity, and 3,700 lbs. fully extended. The Sennebogen 718 E can grab, cut, rotate and stack tree sections and branches with impressive speed. Similar tree removal used to require at least three people, but now, a single operator can cut and move the trees, all from the safety of an elevated hydraulic cab, which is even equipped with a tilting mechanism to optimize the driver's view.
During the demonstration, guests were given a rundown of the 718 E's impressive features. Operator Rob Frost of KutTech LLC took the controls, piloting the 718 E for about 60 minutes. While the group looked on, the Sennebogen effectively cleared a half-dozen or so trees in both open and wooded terrain and then carried and stacked the resulting tree sections into orderly piles.
The Sennebogen 718 E is positioned to revolutionize tree removal, storm cleanup and maintenance of roadsides, woodlots and golf courses, according to the manufacturer.
For more information, visit sennebogen-na.com and howelltractor.com. CEG
This story also appears on Forestry Equipment Guide.
The Sennebogen 718E did some tree cutting at the Howell Tractor & Equipment demonstration on Sept. 17 in LaSalle, Ill.
(L-R) are Alan Johnson, area manager of Howell Tractor & Equipment; Mike Myslicki, regional sales manager of Sennebogen LLC; and Jim Lootens, president of Art Lootens & Son Inc.
Bill McNamara, area manager of Howell Tractor & Equipment, welcomes everyone to the Sennebogen 718E tree cutting demonstration.
Darren Sudduth, manager of the tree care industry of Sennebogen, points out the engine features of the Sennebogen 718E.
Scott McCormick (L) and Scott Reposh, both of Homer Tree Service, watch the Sennebogen 718E cut down trees with ease.
(L-R): Bill McNamara of Howell Tractor & Equipment and Rich Evans and Hugo Mora, both of Lewis Tree Service, wait for the demonstration of the Sennebogen 718E.
Scott Shearer (L), owner of Shearer Tree Services in LaSalle, Ill., asks Howell Tractor’s Aaron King some questions about the Sennebogen 718E.
Joe Weldon (L) and Rick Clendenny of Wright Tree Service made it a point to attend the demonstration.
Operator Rob Frost of KutTech in Georgetown, Mass., raises the cab for a better view while doing some cutting with the Sennebogen 718E.
Operator Rob Frost owner of KutTech came all the way from Georgetown, Mass., to operate the Sennebogen718E for the demonstration on Sept. 17. Frost also owns one of these machines.
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