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Falcon Winch Assist 2 – Speed Motor: The New Hydraulic System Update with Dual-Speed Motors

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Since 2006, the New Zealand-based company DC Equipment has been dedicated to providing forestry solutions through the development of innovative equipment and technologies that ensure the care and well-being of workers, while also enabling safer and more productive steep-slope harvesting operations worldwide. Their extensive experience in the industry has positioned them as a leader in the design and manufacturing of mechanized steep-slope harvesting equipment, significantly reducing worker accident risks and improving operational efficiency and productivity.

Committed to continuous growth and innovation, DC Equipment now offers operators the 2-Speed Assist Winch, which allows adjusting the system's tension and speed simply by switching between a tracked machine—higher torque/lower speed—and a wheeled machine—lower torque/higher speed.

The 2-Speed Assist Winch is designed to maximize load per logging cycle by providing grip, stability, and safety when assisting a skidder on slopes. It stands out for its versatility, as it can be used both in steep-slope felling areas and in skidder logging operations. Additionally, it features improved assist-cable monitoring, with an accumulated record of actual working tensions over a specific period stored in the winch assist (WA) computer.

This new technology was showcased at the latest edition of Expocorma, Latin America's leading wood industry trade fair organized by the Chilean Wood Corporation, CORMA. The event was attended by DC Equipment's General Manager from New Zealand, Dale Ewers, who stated that the company's primary goal is to enhance worker safety and well-being. "Through these machines, we save lives. Our incident rate has dropped by over 80%. That’s the difference mechanization has made," Ewers emphasized.

Every DC Equipment product is built on the fundamental principle of developing simple and user-friendly machinery that reduces operational risks, improves worker safety, and increases harvesting productivity. Staying true to continuous improvement, DC Equipment is transitioning to eco-friendly energy sources, replacing traditional diesel fuel with electric power for its Falcon Carriage and exploring hydrogen for larger equipment.