LP-19 – saws, fells and stacks

This machine is a real “constructor”, based on the well-known TT-4 skidder and the EO-4121 hydraulically driven excavator. Initially, since 1975, the LP-19 was produced at a machine-building plant in Yoshkar-Ola. Today such equipment is called harvesters. True, it is implied that she also trims the knots.


Nowadays, the production of this unit is carried out by the Lestekhcom company, founded in 1995. The company has been producing a modernized version of the LP-19 since 2000: according to information on the official website, the equipment can be purchased today.

Purpose

One of the options offered by the company is LP-19 with storage. What does it mean? The machine, thanks to its caterpillar track, has high maneuverability, is equipped with a manipulator with a special grip (harvester head). Inside it is a circular saw capable of felling trees with a trunk diameter of up to 52 cm.


If it does not exceed 20 cm, the equipment is capable of simultaneously holding up to seven trunks, which are then carefully stacked, and simultaneously. This ensures high productivity - up to 45 “cubes” per hour.

Design features

The LP-19 base is a tracked chassis with a rotating (360°) platform. At the rear is the YaMZ-238GM2 power unit, developing 170 “horses” and equipped with a pre-heater from Hydrolic. Estimated fuel consumption is 20 l/h.


The machine can move at a speed of no more than 4,3 km/h. On the platform there is an operator’s cabin, protected by noise and heat insulating materials. A heater is included as standard; an air conditioner can be installed at the customer’s request.


All operations are performed using a hydraulic system with a volume of 500 liters. The required pressure of 30 MPa is provided by a Russian-made pump. But the hydraulic valves are imported, from Valvoil. The same can be said about the platform rotation mechanism from the Italian company Bonfiglioli or PMP. On-board voltage - 24 V is provided by a generator or a pair of batteries with a capacity of 190 Ah.

How does LP-19 work?

The so-called technological parking lot, around which there is a sufficient number of trees to be felled. If the work is carried out in winter, the snow is “trampled down” around the trunk chosen for cutting using the gripping head. Then the operator points the device at the tree and clamps it at the required height (about 20 cm from the ground). The barrel is sawed off, pulled to the LP-19 and, by turning the platform, transferred to the place of installation. Then the clamps are opened and everything is repeated again until there are no trees left around to be cut down. Then the car moves to the next technological parking lot. Movement is only allowed forward - reverse speed is recommended in extreme cases.


The main working element is a manipulator with a harvester head, the reach of which reaches eight meters. At the same time, the lifting capacity of the gripping device is 3,2 tons (if necessary, it can be easily replaced with another one, for example, imported).

There is a simpler option - LP-19 with a “classic” saw chain. This machine is capable of felling trees with a diameter of up to 90 cm. However, due to its design features, the harvester stacks trunks one at a time. The efficiency of such equipment depends on the thickness of the trees: the thicker it is, the higher the productivity. But such a machine can “boast” of versatility: with replaceable equipment, it can quickly “turn” into a loader.

About prices

For a new feller buncher they are asking 19 million rubles. – equipment is often purchased on lease. On the secondary market, LP-19 can be purchased for 6-9 million rubles, depending on the condition and year of production.