According to Vermeer its new BC200 brush chipper delivers performance, quality and safety in a package that will enable operators to achieve new levels of productivity and flexibility. Source: Timberbiz
The BC200 that will be available in September 2020 complies with European Union (EU) Stage V emission standards for non-road mobile machinery and EN 13525:2020 safety requirements specifically for forestry machinery.
The new water-cooled petrol engine offers maximized fuel efficiency, eliminates the need for diesel fuel additives and helps prevent issues with rapidly evolving emission regulations in the EU, namely growing prohibition of diesel engines in European cities.
The combination of its design and new features make the BC200, which is designed and manufactured in Europe, a machine that can deliver productivity and efficiency to tree care professionals around Europe well into the future, according to Vermeer EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Product Manager Benny Melse.
“This is the first brush chipper we’ve developed in Europe specifically for the European market by a dedicated engineering team,” Mr Melse said.
“In the BC200, we have switched to a petrol engine to comply with Stage V regulations hitting the European market, and the machine offers a new infeed system that complies with EN 13525 safety standards that are being adopted around the continent.”
The 42.5-kilowatt (57-hp) BC200 towed brush chipper features an Eco-ldleTM engine control system that boosts fuel efficiency and minimizes operation noise, while a two-step turnkey starting process allows the operator to get to work more quickly than previous models that required a clutch to engage the starter.
The BC200 also features a heavy-duty undercarriage, and infeed controls that allow for ease of operation and enable efficient machine feeding. An oversized infeed opening, strong pulling capacity and SmartFeed system, which monitors engine speed and stops or reverses rollers if needed, make the machine a welcome addition.
“The BC200 features a Kubota petrol power engine, which does not require the complex after-treatment features Stage V-compliant diesel engines require, for ease of maintenance and operation. It has best-in-class fuel capacity for a machine this size, to allow fuel availability to work through the entire day,” Mr Melse said.
“With Stage V regulations, diesel-powered engines are getting more expensive and complicated. The BC200 petrol engine will deliver welcomed simplicity and eXciency to operators.”
The BC200 features a one-piece pivoting engine hood that provides full engine access and improves serviceability. And with a jack system on the upper infeed roller, the operator can access the infeed side of the cutter system to help remove any blockages.
“When the operator is on the job and needs to grease the machine or replace a knife, it should be a quick process,” Mr Melse said.
