Since 1992, Caldaro has set a new standard for joysticks in forestry machines. We have cooperated with the leading machine manufacturers in Finland and Sweden and are continuing our ambitions to develop premium-quality, ergonomic, and safe controls that will last for years. Now, we offer a C15 joystick with a Viper Slim grip and CANopen Safety.
In about 60 years, the forestry industry has gone from clumsy hydraulic levers to compact, ergonomic joysticks. A significant technical leap occurred in the 1980s when the first joysticks were introduced in forestry machines. They were big and clunky, and given the extensive operation frequency in a forestry machine, the operators became exhausted from using them.
The importance of ergonomics
”The operators of forestry machines often work long hours in solitude at remote places in the deep forests,” explains Claudio, CEO of Caldaro. ”Each day, they make thousands of tiny movements with their hands and feet, manipulating the joysticks and the pedals. These continuous and repetitive motions can lead to fatigue, discomfort, and, potentially, serious health issues. Therefore, our focus on ergonomics is not just a design choice, but a necessity to ensure the well-being and productivity of these operators.”
The first compact joystick
The Swedish company Caldaro began exploring new solutions as early as 1987, culminating in launching our first compact joystick, the ‘mini-joystick,’ in 1992, setting a new standard in the Nordics. This user-friendly design challenged the tradition of big joysticks in large machines, emphasising the need for ergonomic solutions and making operators feel comfortable and at ease.
”Our journey in designing joysticks and pedals has progressed in close collaboration with Nordic forestry machine manufacturers”, says Claudio. ”It has been a fruitful companionship which has benefited all of us.”
The next generation of joysticks
In 2016, we took the next technical leap by introducing the C15 joystick. This joystick is designed to be tough and virtually unbreakable. Its electronics are potted in a protective compound and rigorously tested to ensure it can withstand all kinds of environmental impact, providing operators with security and protection.
Today, Caldaro is a natural partner to, for example, the Finnish company Technion, which develops advanced crane control systems. Their demands are one reason Caldaro has included a CAN card with two powerful 32-bit processors to make it redundant and safe.
The safe C15 joystick is made even safer
The C15 joystick is known to be unbreakable and highly safe, with its electronics potted in silicon. However, the loader crane manufacturer Hiab needed an even safer joystick that could meet their updated requirements. The C15 joystick base was indeed secure, but Hiab also needed the ergonomic Viper Slim grip to be as safe. The solution was to pot the Viper Slim’s electronic parts in silicon.
Caldaro can now offer a C15 joystick with a Viper Slim grip that meets the highest requirements. This means it will stay reliable in all kinds of challenging environments with extreme temperatures, rain, snow, and salt. It also includes the option of CANopen Safety.