The Diamant 2000 loads on one side while the chute on the other side loads the trailer.
The arrival of the Albach self-propelled mobile chipper is quickly revolutionizing the way North American tree service operators, municipalities and even biomass companies go about their business.
With travel speeds of 45 mph, the Albach Diamant 2000 can be driven on local and state highways from job to job, even hundreds of miles apart. At the tree stand, its full-time four-wheel drive allows it to navigate even rough terrain. Upon arrival, the operator pushes one button and the Diamant 2000 converts from transportation mode to chipping mode automatically in 20 seconds and with its aggressive infeed can immediately be put to work handling and processing timber. The Diamant 2000 allows a tight control on the chip sizing, from microchips all the way to 2.5 in. This way, the chips can be used for multiple applications.
“The combination is just deadly,” said Dan Mayer, owner of Mayer Tree Service in Massachusetts. “Whatever my Sennebogen 718 material handler knocks down, the Albach can come right behind and process in a fraction of the time. If it's a big job, we let the Sennebogen go off a day or two in advance, and then have the Albach follow up behind.”
Constantly researching new equipment types, makes, applications and procedures, Mayer had keenly noted self-propelled mobile chippers from Europe. A trip to the Bavarian town of Menning in southeastern Germany to learn more about the Albach product offering would result in Mayer having the first-ever combination of a Diamant 2000 and a Sennebogen 718 on North American soil.
The equipment team instantly became a staple in his company's busy municipal, residential and commercial tree management operations.
A Versatile, High-Tech Machine Ready to Work
Customizable overall to meet an arborist's particular geographical or application needs, the crane-equipped Albach Diamant 2000 can churn out up to 500 cu. yds. of chips per hour.
Once the Albach chipper is driven to the job site, its computerized cabin is transformed from a highway-mode transport pod into an elevated work station providing the operator with an eye-level view of timber handling, chip production and delivery. The spacious, high-tech, air-conditioned cab is comparable to that of the world's most modern agricultural and construction equipment, according to the manufacturer.
The operator's ergonomic swivel chair can access operating consoles located on both the left and right sides of the cab. This allows the operator to maximize the machine's processing capabilities regardless of the physical challenges or restrictions of the particular job site.
Developed in house by Albach, the advanced in-cab software allows touchscreen machine operation and critical data access via the colored terminal. Software settings can be personalized, as can joystick configurations.
Designed to Handle Jobs Large and Small
The Diamant 2000's 2.4-ton rotor consumes large trees as effortless as it processes small branches, said Mayer, who admits “it's hard to impress me” after 30-plus years in the tree service business in New England.
“The Sennebogen will cut down the trees and put them in a pile,” said Mayer, “and the Albach will pick up a big batch of that pile and chip it all at once. Once the timber gets on the ground, once make it horizontal, the Albach will take it from there … no matter the size.”
The Albach chipping rotor is mechanically driven and is equipped with six blades.
For the accurate placement of chips, the unit's extended-angle chute can be swiveled up to 270 degrees and adjusted up and down by up to 10 ft. This allows chips to be loaded directly into trucks parked in nearly any position nearby.
For more information about Sennebogen, visit www.sennebogen-na.com.
For more information about Albach, visit www.albach-maschinenbau.de.
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