The Barko 937B industrial wheeled tractor is taking vegetation clearing to the next level
Colbrook Industries is expanding its range of forestry and land clearance equipment with a selection of Barko machinery from the US, including the 937B industrial wheeled tractor.
With the first unit sold before it had even reached Australia and a second fresh off the dock having been exhibited at the Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo in Sydney, this new addition to Colbrook’s lineup is meeting land clearance contractors’ needs for a higher horsepower machine that is agile and tough.
Powered by a 380hp (283kW) Cummins engine and with pressure ratings up to 5,500 psi, Colbrook Industries managing director Rob Plageman says that the Barko 937B industrial wheeled tractor offers the capabilities required to handle Australian environmental conditions and the hard timber being mulched.
“What we’re finding from companies like Barko and Diamond Mowers [which Colbrook Industries also distributes] is that the US is the only region in the world that seems to make machinery and equipment that is heavy duty enough to handle the conditions that we have here,” Plageman says.
“That’s what got us looking at the Barko brand – the quality and its reputation as being ‘king of the forest’. But what put us onto the Barko 937B specifically was that it is wheeled and articulated in the middle, which suits the Australian environment.”
Plageman says the ability to manoeuvre around established native vegetation in order to clear underbrush and invasive species is needed in the Australian context, which makes the Barko 937B stand out in the market.
“If we’re doing fire prevention work, we want to be able to clear corridors without disturbing the native vegetation as much as possible,” Plageman says.
“The Barko 937B’s forestry wheels and articulation, as well as its large horsepower output, means it’s both powerful and selective in its approach, which is unique.”
On the attachments side, the Barko 937B can be fitted with a range of different drums or slashers, which Plageman says makes the machine more flexible for contractors.
“The combination of the Cummins engine and Danfoss hydraulic system also give powerful hydraulic horsepower to the attachments, and that lets us process our hard timbers really well, which just destroys a lot of European-made stuff,” he adds.
Out the gate
Victorian land management business Dakota Contracting has been operating the first Barko 937B industrial wheeled tractor that landed in Australia, with its first project being the clearance of a blue gum plantation after harvesting.
Plageman says the 937B was the perfect machine for the job, with the 45-degree articulated joint giving the required manoeuvrability to move between stumps and the wheels giving the machine a good pace to quickly get through the work and on to the next job.
“The second project it did was a fire mitigation project on some steep terrain, with 30/35 degree slopes, and the contractor had to move around large established trees to get to the small regrowth and invasive species,” he says.
“This machine was able to get in and around and do all that and not touch the trees that he wanted to leave in place.”
Dakota Contracting owner Jake Roehrich says the size and horsepower of the machine made an immediate impact, with its power, stability and capabilities quickly becoming evident as he put it to work.
“The wheeled design is a huge advantage for us,” Roehrich says.
“The machine is extremely manoeuvrable, which makes a big difference when working on undulating terrain or navigating around large trees and critical assets. It allows us to move efficiently and safely across challenging ground conditions while still maintaining productivity.”
The comfort of the large cabin is also a standout, with easy access in and out of the cab, excellent visibility around the machine and soundproofing, which means ear protection isn’t required inside the cab.
“There aren’t many options available when it comes to purpose-built wheeled forestry tractors, so having a machine like the Barko backed and supported by Colbrook Industries is a real game changer for contractors operating in this space,” he adds.
Colbrook Industries is offering the Barko 937B fully optioned with a fire suppression system and winch.
For more information, visit: www.colbrookindustries.com.au
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news in the earthmoving industry
- Never miss a great deal and subscribe to our monthly magazine
- Download a free copy of our latest digital magazine to catch up on the biggest news and developments in the earthmoving industry