{"id":305727,"date":"2026-03-19T13:34:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T13:34:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tele-radio.com\/gmt-equipment-tele-radio-gives-us-the-space-we-need\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T13:34:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T13:34:35","slug":"gmt-equipment-tele-radio-gives-us-the-space-we-need","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tele-radio.com\/au\/gmt-equipment-tele-radio-gives-us-the-space-we-need\/","title":{"rendered":"GMT Equipment: \u201cTele Radio gives us the space we need\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

GMT Equipment: \u201cTele Radio gives us the space we need\u201d<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

When Michel Gierkink \u2013 founder of a maintenance company for forestry machinery \u2013 discovered that combining a timber grapple with a chainsaw saved his customers a great deal of time, he saw a gap in the market. Combining these machines led to what is now known as the grapple saw<\/em>, which is controlled in part by a Tele Radio wireless remote control.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before 2010, it was possible to retrofit existing machines with equipment that combined gripping and sawing. But to do so, a crane had to undergo a number of significant and costly modifications, such as installing additional hydraulic lines all the way to the end of the boom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michel Gierkink, founder of what is today GMT Equipment in Vragender, the Netherlands, devised a hydraulic valve block that allows all the functions of a grapple saw to be operated using the standard hydraulics of a forestry crane. This eliminates the need for modifications to an existing crane \u2013 a new and unique value proposition for which he applied for, and was granted, a patent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Article continues below image.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The GMT 035 grapple saw, developed by GMT Equipment.<\/em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Total Tree Control: plug & play thanks to Tele Radio<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

When a crane operator applies hydraulic pressure, the grapple saw clamps around the trunk. When even more pressure is applied, this activates the saw and the branch or trunk section is cut off. Like this, a tree can be safely removed in small pieces, in a controlled manner. A smart way of working, using the hydraulics of an existing forestry machine, truck, loader crane, telehandler, or tractor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to standard grapple-saw functions, GMT Equipment offers what it calls \u2018Total Tree Control\u2019: a technology that \u2013 thanks to Tele Radio\u2019s wireless remote controls \u2013 is easy to install and operate as a plug-and-play solution on various crane vehicles. Generally, the rotator and the cardanic suspension of a grapple saw can move freely. Also, under the weight of cut wood, a grapple saw tilts downward immediately after sawing. Especially in tight-spaced or urban environments, this can lead to undesirable situations and may cause damage when the grapple tips down with the wood. How to prevent this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Article continues below image.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A solution that is anything but obvious<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy blocking the tilting of the grapple and the cardanic suspension in all directions,\u201d says Hildo Hilbrands, marketing manager at GMT Equipment. \u201cIt\u2019s a process activated using Tele Radio\u2019s Panther PN-T21-3<\/a>, which ensures that a branch or trunk section stays in position after being cut. Only once the situation allows it and a load has reached a safe place, the lock is released so the grapple can come down in a gentle manner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019d expect this to be a simple intervention,\u201d says Hilbrands. \u201cBut the solution we offer our customers is anything but obvious. Thanks to our practical experience and very close contact with end customers we were able to develop it in a relatively short time. After sawing, the grapple is locked in place by an additional hydraulic command. Tele Radio\u2019s remote control sends the electronic signal that activate the valve \u2013 designed by Michel Gierkink \u2013 that blocks the hydraulics.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe relationship with Tele Radio became an important part of the development of our products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Hildo Hilbrands, GMT Equipment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a branch or trunk section has been cut, the operator presses the button and the lock is activated. Pressing the button once again releases the lock, the hydraulics gradually resume, and the grapple can tilt to set the piece of tree down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Article continues below image.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTele Radio gives us the space we need\u201d<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTele Radio gives us the space we need,\u201d Hilbrands concludes. \u201cFirst of all, the space to adapt the remote control to our application. But also the space to imagine possibilities that do not yet exist. Using the remote control, we ran into obstacles. Tele Radio helped us overcome those obstacles, both technically and with solid advice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe relationship with Tele Radio became an important part of the development of our products. The company is easy to approach, which fits well with our own philosophy: we want to be open to the ideas our customers come up with and, together with them, take our product to the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n




Interested in our solutions? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re here to help.<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

<\/p>

    <\/ul><\/div>\n
    \n
    \n<\/fieldset>\n

    Fill out the contact form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.\n<\/p>\n