Forestry equipment is expensive, due to its specialised kit. So too are purpose-built forestry tractors (in excess of €320k), which are few and far between.
This week, we caught up with John O’Gorman and Cyril Clancy from Dermot Casey Tree Care Ltd in Cork. The firm runs four specialised forestry tractors, two of which are German-built Pfanzelt machines, the only two of their kind throughout Ireland or the UK. 
This Gen 3 2385.4f model was purchased new last year and is powered by a 235hp Deutz engine.
The company
Dermot Casey Tree Care Ltd was established in the 1970s by the current managing director Dermot Casey.
The company is well-known across the country for providing services in arboriculture, tree surgery and tree care.
To help provide these services, four specialist forestry-spec tractors were added to the company’s fleet of machinery over the past eight years. 
With all controls mounted around the seat, the entire unit can be rotated through 350° by electric motors.
Forestry-spec tractors
“In 2013, we purchased our first forestry-spec tractor. This was a 2008 Valtra N111, which began its life in Germany before being imported into Ireland.
“Its design is based on an agricultural model, but it has a Kesla rear-mounted crane, steel guards underneath and all around, a front-mounted oil tank, a radio-controlled winch and is reverse drive,” explained John.
“Previous to this, we had been hiring in various machines to help us get through heavy jobs, which, at that stage, were becoming more regular. However, it was Storm Darwin in 2014 that changed the game.
“The Valtra proved to be a seriously versatile and gutsy tractor. It set the bar high for what such a specialist designed tractor could do and the speed it could clear sites and get through work at.
“At a forestry show in Germany around the same time, we came across the Pfanzelt concept.
“We were seriously impressed; we had never seen a machine built like it. This sowed the seed that we potentially might buy such a unit.
“A year later (2015), a good example of a 2006 Phanzelt Gen 1 tractor popped up for sale in the Netherlands.
“The hours were building up on the Valtra and we felt it was a good opportunity to acquire such a machine. From here, we then began to further develop the business around what these machines could offer.
“Today, we use them for services such as dangerous tree removal, site clearance or reclamation, clearing storm damage, general tree surgery and to pull and feed the chippers,” explained John.
The back end features two PTO-powered winch units and a mounted 10m crane, all of which can be dismounted if required.
Who are Pfanzelt?
Pfanzelt is a German company specialising in manufacturing forestry equipment. The company was established in 1991 and initially produced geared cable winches for three-point linkage attachment.
In 1996, the company began production of its forwarder trailer, which was further developed over the years.
In 2004, Pfanzelt introduced the Pm Trac multipurpose tractor to the public at an exhibition in Munich. It was presented as the successor to the Fendt Xylon, which was converted by Pfanzelt into a specialist forestry tractor in large quantities.
In 2013, the Pm Trac III multipurpose tractor was introduced at Agritechnica. Earlier this year, the manufacturer unveiled its latest series, which is labelled Generation 36.
With the optics almost unchanged, the new series of the Pm Trac features a lot of new technology. The latest generation features Pfanzelt’s own continuously variable transmission (CVT), an in-house manufactured rear axle and a Deutz engine.
The crane is located directly above the rear axle on the tractor's centre of gravity.
Pfanzelt Gen 1
“We imported the 2006-built Gen 1 machine from the Netherlands in 2015. The Pm Trac 2390 came with a rear-mounted Cranab 10m crane. We also sourced a Gierkink felling head in the Netherlands to fit onto the crane. This gave us a 33ft reach to handle large trees and the capacity to cut down trees with the tractor.
“It also meant we didn’t have to put climbers on trees as often. This machine had a Sisu engine, a ZF CVT transmission and had Steyr running gear.
“Since its delivery in 2015, we’ve clocked 6,500 hours. We decided to overhaul the CVT transmission but other than that it has been bulletproof.” 
The tractor weighs in at 13t and features a ZF CVT transmission.
Pfanzelt Gen 3
Last year, the company decided to invest in a new Pfanzelt multi-purpose all-wheel-drive tractor. The existing forestry-spec tractors were retained in the fleet.
The decision to go for a new machine was based on increased workload and high hours on the other tractors in the fleet.
“We took delivery of the Gen 3 2385.4f tractor in November 2020 and have since clocked over 1,300 hours on it. The tractor carries through the Gen 1 concept, but is more modernised. This time we opted for the larger 235hp model which is powered by a Deutz engine.
“The notable difference is the move to more technology, especially through the tractor’s central computer system.
“The touchscreen control computer is located on the seat and can be configured to suit different drivers and these settings can also be saved on the system,” explained Cyril, who operates the machine.
Since taking delivery in November last year, the firm has clocked over 1,300 hours on the tractor.
The cab
Central to the cab is an air-sprung swivel seat. With all controls mounted around the seat, the entire unit can be rotated through 350° by electric motors.
When in a working environment, the steering column can be folded away and the operator can take charge of steering through a thumb dial on one of the two control joysticks.
This, plus the height of the driving position and the huge all-round visibility were standout features highlighted by Cyril.
“The driving position in the Pfanzelt is much higher than a conventional tractor. For example, when driving the Pfanzelt, your shin is at the same level as the bottom on the glassware.
“This, combined with the glass roof and the 360-degree lighting package means you can easily see all around you at day or night.”
When it comes to transport, if the next job is nearby, the unit is used to pull a low loader with a chipper on board. The tractor is kitted out with a ball-and-spoon-type coupling. If the next job is far away, its transported on a lorry.
The cab is air-suspended, while the front axle is hydro-pneumatically sprung. According to Cyril, both combine to offer serious operator comfort.
The company opted for a 40km/h version. Although a 50km/h was an option, they were afraid of the high weight (13t) at such a speed.
The unit comes with a manually engaged reversing fan, which keeps the radiator clean when the machine is working in tough conditions.
Likewise, for such conditions, the four mudguards and lights can be removed by unclipping them.
When it comes to maintenance, Cyril noted that it is very easy to access the radiator and engine compartment for cleaning. The cab also can be tipped up for closer access.
Crane and winch
The winch units are powered off the tractor’s PTO. These units are mounted under the forest crane, above the rear axle. The double-drum units have a pulling force of 10t.
Fitted with a steel and plastic (light to carry and floats on water) set of ropes, each unit has a rope capacity of 80m.
To avoid malfunctions of the hydraulic control, the geared cable winch operates with a separate oil circuit unit, which is fed by a hydraulic pump.
Both the crane and the cable winch can be operated by a remote control from outside the tractor cab.
The mounted 10m reach crane features a telescopic cylinder, which is internally mounted.
Once the operator begins using machine functions such as the crane, the axle automatically locks for stability.
Aside from the crane, the Pfanzelt system mount (PSA) comes with the option of mounting additional equipment on the rear body space.
It comes with a quick-change system, meaning the attachment can be changed without tools.
Pfanzelt claims the assembly or disassembly of the crane and winch takes less than 20 minutes.
Pfanzelt verdict
“We run two forestry-spec Valtras and are big fans of their tractors. But we feel you won’t beat the Pfanzelt for the specialised forestry work. The forestry-spec Valtra is based on the agricultural version, whereas the Pfanzelt range is purpose-built from the ground up for forestry works.
“The driver is positioned higher and has much more visibility thanks to the increased glassware. When you rotate the seat with the mounted controls, you won’t catch your foot, there is loads of room.
“There is also a big difference in the steel used. The Pfanzelt weighs in at 13t, but you pay for what you get. The Pfanzelt equivalent comes in at around €30,000 more expensive than the Valtra,” explained John and Cyril.
Forestry tractor fleet
2008 Valtra N111 with a Kesla 304t crane (9,000 hours).2006 Pfanzelt Pm Trac 2390 with a Cranab 10m crane (14,500 hours).2014 Valtra T203 with a Cranab 10m crane (4,500 hours).2020 Pfanzelt Pm Trac 2385.4f with a Pm Kran 10m (1,300 hours). Tractor spec
Model: 2385.4f.Engine: 6.1l Deutz.Horsepower: 235hp.Transmission: ZF continuously-variable.Max speed: 40km/h (50km/h optional).Weight: 13t.Hydraulics: 140l/min (optional additional pump 120 l/min).
Forestry equipment is expensive, due to its specialised kit. So too are purpose-built forestry tractors (in excess of €320k), which are few and far between.
This week, we caught up with John O’Gorman and Cyril Clancy from Dermot Casey Tree Care Ltd in Cork. The firm runs four specialised forestry tractors, two of which are German-built Pfanzelt machines, the only two of their kind throughout Ireland or the UK.
This Gen 3 2385.4f model was purchased new last year and is powered by a 235hp Deutz engine.
The company
Dermot Casey Tree Care Ltd was established in the 1970s by the current managing director Dermot Casey.
The company is well-known across the country for providing services in arboriculture, tree surgery and tree care.
To help provide these services, four specialist forestry-spec tractors were added to the company’s fleet of machinery over the past eight years.
With all controls mounted around the seat, the entire unit can be rotated through 350° by electric motors.
Forestry-spec tractors
“In 2013, we purchased our first forestry-spec tractor. This was a 2008 Valtra N111, which began its life in Germany before being imported into Ireland.
“Its design is based on an agricultural model, but it has a Kesla rear-mounted crane, steel guards underneath and all around, a front-mounted oil tank, a radio-controlled winch and is reverse drive,” explained John.
“Previous to this, we had been hiring in various machines to help us get through heavy jobs, which, at that stage, were becoming more regular. However, it was Storm Darwin in 2014 that changed the game.
“The Valtra proved to be a seriously versatile and gutsy tractor. It set the bar high for what such a specialist designed tractor could do and the speed it could clear sites and get through work at.
“At a forestry show in Germany around the same time, we came across the Pfanzelt concept.
“We were seriously impressed; we had never seen a machine built like it. This sowed the seed that we potentially might buy such a unit.
“A year later (2015), a good example of a 2006 Phanzelt Gen 1 tractor popped up for sale in the Netherlands.
“The hours were building up on the Valtra and we felt it was a good opportunity to acquire such a machine. From here, we then began to further develop the business around what these machines could offer.
“Today, we use them for services such as dangerous tree removal, site clearance or reclamation, clearing storm damage, general tree surgery and to pull and feed the chippers,” explained John.
The back end features two PTO-powered winch units and a mounted 10m crane, all of which can be dismounted if required.
Who are Pfanzelt?
Pfanzelt is a German company specialising in manufacturing forestry equipment. The company was established in 1991 and initially produced geared cable winches for three-point linkage attachment.
In 1996, the company began production of its forwarder trailer, which was further developed over the years.
In 2004, Pfanzelt introduced the Pm Trac multipurpose tractor to the public at an exhibition in Munich. It was presented as the successor to the Fendt Xylon, which was converted by Pfanzelt into a specialist forestry tractor in large quantities.
In 2013, the Pm Trac III multipurpose tractor was introduced at Agritechnica. Earlier this year, the manufacturer unveiled its latest series, which is labelled Generation 36.
With the optics almost unchanged, the new series of the Pm Trac features a lot of new technology. The latest generation features Pfanzelt’s own continuously variable transmission (CVT), an in-house manufactured rear axle and a Deutz engine.
The crane is located directly above the rear axle on the tractor's centre of gravity.
Pfanzelt Gen 1
“We imported the 2006-built Gen 1 machine from the Netherlands in 2015. The Pm Trac 2390 came with a rear-mounted Cranab 10m crane. We also sourced a Gierkink felling head in the Netherlands to fit onto the crane. This gave us a 33ft reach to handle large trees and the capacity to cut down trees with the tractor.
“It also meant we didn’t have to put climbers on trees as often. This machine had a Sisu engine, a ZF CVT transmission and had Steyr running gear.
“Since its delivery in 2015, we’ve clocked 6,500 hours. We decided to overhaul the CVT transmission but other than that it has been bulletproof.”
The tractor weighs in at 13t and features a ZF CVT transmission.
Pfanzelt Gen 3
Last year, the company decided to invest in a new Pfanzelt multi-purpose all-wheel-drive tractor. The existing forestry-spec tractors were retained in the fleet.
The decision to go for a new machine was based on increased workload and high hours on the other tractors in the fleet.
“We took delivery of the Gen 3 2385.4f tractor in November 2020 and have since clocked over 1,300 hours on it. The tractor carries through the Gen 1 concept, but is more modernised. This time we opted for the larger 235hp model which is powered by a Deutz engine.
“The notable difference is the move to more technology, especially through the tractor’s central computer system.
“The touchscreen control computer is located on the seat and can be configured to suit different drivers and these settings can also be saved on the system,” explained Cyril, who operates the machine.
Since taking delivery in November last year, the firm has clocked over 1,300 hours on the tractor.
The cab
Central to the cab is an air-sprung swivel seat. With all controls mounted around the seat, the entire unit can be rotated through 350° by electric motors.
When in a working environment, the steering column can be folded away and the operator can take charge of steering through a thumb dial on one of the two control joysticks.
This, plus the height of the driving position and the huge all-round visibility were standout features highlighted by Cyril.
“The driving position in the Pfanzelt is much higher than a conventional tractor. For example, when driving the Pfanzelt, your shin is at the same level as the bottom on the glassware.
“This, combined with the glass roof and the 360-degree lighting package means you can easily see all around you at day or night.”
When it comes to transport, if the next job is nearby, the unit is used to pull a low loader with a chipper on board. The tractor is kitted out with a ball-and-spoon-type coupling. If the next job is far away, its transported on a lorry.
The cab is air-suspended, while the front axle is hydro-pneumatically sprung. According to Cyril, both combine to offer serious operator comfort.
The company opted for a 40km/h version. Although a 50km/h was an option, they were afraid of the high weight (13t) at such a speed.
The unit comes with a manually engaged reversing fan, which keeps the radiator clean when the machine is working in tough conditions.
Likewise, for such conditions, the four mudguards and lights can be removed by unclipping them.
When it comes to maintenance, Cyril noted that it is very easy to access the radiator and engine compartment for cleaning. The cab also can be tipped up for closer access.
Crane and winch
The winch units are powered off the tractor’s PTO. These units are mounted under the forest crane, above the rear axle. The double-drum units have a pulling force of 10t.
Fitted with a steel and plastic (light to carry and floats on water) set of ropes, each unit has a rope capacity of 80m.
To avoid malfunctions of the hydraulic control, the geared cable winch operates with a separate oil circuit unit, which is fed by a hydraulic pump.
Both the crane and the cable winch can be operated by a remote control from outside the tractor cab.
The mounted 10m reach crane features a telescopic cylinder, which is internally mounted.
Once the operator begins using machine functions such as the crane, the axle automatically locks for stability.
Aside from the crane, the Pfanzelt system mount (PSA) comes with the option of mounting additional equipment on the rear body space.
It comes with a quick-change system, meaning the attachment can be changed without tools.
Pfanzelt claims the assembly or disassembly of the crane and winch takes less than 20 minutes.
Pfanzelt verdict
“We run two forestry-spec Valtras and are big fans of their tractors. But we feel you won’t beat the Pfanzelt for the specialised forestry work. The forestry-spec Valtra is based on the agricultural version, whereas the Pfanzelt range is purpose-built from the ground up for forestry works.
“The driver is positioned higher and has much more visibility thanks to the increased glassware. When you rotate the seat with the mounted controls, you won’t catch your foot, there is loads of room.
“There is also a big difference in the steel used. The Pfanzelt weighs in at 13t, but you pay for what you get. The Pfanzelt equivalent comes in at around €30,000 more expensive than the Valtra,” explained John and Cyril.
Forestry tractor fleet
2008 Valtra N111 with a Kesla 304t crane (9,000 hours).2006 Pfanzelt Pm Trac 2390 with a Cranab 10m crane (14,500 hours).2014 Valtra T203 with a Cranab 10m crane (4,500 hours).2020 Pfanzelt Pm Trac 2385.4f with a Pm Kran 10m (1,300 hours). Tractor spec
Model: 2385.4f.Engine: 6.1l Deutz.Horsepower: 235hp.Transmission: ZF continuously-variable.Max speed: 40km/h (50km/h optional).Weight: 13t.Hydraulics: 140l/min (optional additional pump 120 l/min). 
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