Komatsu forest equipment distributor for Ireland, McHale Plant Sales has strengthened its fleet with an exciting new addition.

The firm has invested in a Komatsu Driver Training Simulator which allows driver trainees to experience 'real life' forestry conditions without leaving the comfort of the company's Rathcoole headquarters where the unit is located.

Described as 'the essence of high-tech', the new unit replicates the cockpit of a working harvester or forwarder. On-board equipment includes a VR (Virtual Reality) headset, a driver-information screen, hand controls which the operator works from a full-size driver's seat and, up-ahead, a large, wrap-around panoramic screen on to which a full colour, interactive graphic of the 'virtual forest' on which the simulator driver will work is projected. 

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Asked about their decision to purchase the unit, the chairman Michael McHale said: "Aware of how valuable operators skilled in the complexities required to operate timber harvesters and forwarders are, our investment in the Driver Training Simulator will be a great support for our many forestry contractors and customers."