PONSSE Introduces OptiFellingAssist

OptiFellingAssist brings intelligent assistance directly to the felling process. By supporting the operator during key moments of the cut, the system helps produce more consistent and high-quality results while reducing machine wear and operator workload.

According to Ponsse, the goal of the new solution is to make harvesting work more efficient and less stressful while maintaining high quality standards in the forest.

“OptiFellingAssist makes the operator’s work easier and more efficient while improving the quality of the work. It supports successful fellings in every situation,” explains Timo Koskiahde, Product Manager, Information Systems at Ponsse Plc.

The system helps reduce saw bar and chain wear, improve boom durability and increase overall productivity. By assisting with critical phases of the cut, operators can focus more on the overall harvesting process and less on manual adjustments.

Intelligent Assistance During the Felling Process

OptiFellingAssist includes two key assistive functions designed to support the operator during felling.

Assistive Feed Tracking

The system automatically assists the vertical movement of the harvester crane based on the feeding movement of the harvester head. This feature is particularly useful in challenging conditions such as deep snow, where the harvester head must be fed through snow cover to reach the correct felling height.

By coordinating crane movement with feeding, the system reduces the need for separate manual crane adjustments and helps maintain smooth and controlled operation.

Assistive Pre-Tensioning

OptiFellingAssist also performs pre-tensioning after the tree has been gripped. This helps prevent the saw bar from becoming pinched during the cut and allows the operator to proceed directly to the sawing phase.

Combined with lifting during the felling cut, the system supports a complete cut-through and helps ensure a clean and controlled felling direction while improving butt log quality.

Improving Safety and Efficiency in the Forest

By supporting the operator during the felling phase, OptiFellingAssist helps minimize high-risk manual actions while improving workflow efficiency. Reduced saw bar and chain wear also means less downtime for replacements, allowing operators to focus more on productive work.

Technical Requirements

OptiFellingAssist works together with PONSSE Active Crane and PONSSE Opti 5G software version 3.3 or newer. The feature is available as an optional add-on for new PONSSE machines.

For more information about PONSSE harvesting technology or available machines, contact the ReadyQuip team.