
John Deere introduced Intelligent Boom Control (IBC) for forwarders in 2013. With IBC, boom control is precise, fast and easy because the operator can focus on controlling the grapple rather than the boom joint movements.
IBC was also introduced for harvesters in 2017. In the harvester, IBC has been adjusted to the work cycle; the trajectory and functioning of the boom adjust automatically to the harvester's work phases.

John Deere's advanced and intelligent boom control IBC works effortlessly. The operator steers the grapple and the boom adjusts automatically to the grapple movement.
Patrik Aittamäki from the forest machine company Metsäkoneyhtymä Aittamäki Oy in Finland comments on the test drive experiences.
Patrik Aittamäki from the forest machine company Metsäkoneyhtymä Aittamäki Oy in Finland comments on the test drive experiences.
Jarno Pikkarainen from the forest machine company Motourakointi Pikkarainen Oy in Finland shares his experiences of IBC.
Jarno Pikkarainen from the forest machine company Motourakointi Pikkarainen Oy in Finland shares his experiences of IBC.
Johnny Granvik from the forest machine company Granvikin Metsätyö Oy in Finland tells us what he thinks about IBC.
Johnny Granvik from the forest machine company Granvikin Metsätyö Oy in Finland tells us what he thinks about IBC.
Operators can adjust the overall speed of the IBC system to accommodate their needs. They can also adjust the speed between various boom parts or change it by manually using the extension boom during operation. Switching between IBC and conventional boom control is done with a press of a button.

With IBC, the boom is very precise and easy to operate: the operator controls the boom tip directly instead of controlling independent boom joint movements. Left mini lever controls the horizontal movement of the grapple.

The right mini lever controls the vertical movement of the grapple.

The IBC system features electrical end damping for all the main boom movement directions. The system dampens the cylinder end movements softly and stops strong blow-like loads in the end positions.
The system dampens the cylinder end movements softly and stops strong blow-like loads in the end positions, making for smoother operation and also improving the boom’s durability.
Operator takes the harvester head to the desired place. Sensors recognize the location of the head and the system adjusts boom movements and extension automatically. The operation of IBC in harvesters has been adapted to harvester’s work cycle.

IBC controls intelligently the use of extension in different stages, which makes work much easier giving the operator more time to plan the next move.

The boom is very accurate and steady even with longest reaches.

The end damping stops the blow-like loads of the cylinder ends and the operator does not need to watch for boom positions. Work is more fluent and the boom structures and hydraulic cylinders last longer.

When the harvester head is driven to the tree, it moves automatically to the cutting height. After the cutting, when the boom is drawn in, the harvester head moves automatically to the processing height.

The boom tip automatically follows the desired trajectory. The slope mode adjusts the trajectory for working on a slope.
Intelligent Boom Control is taking the use of harvesters to a completely new level. With the harvester’s IBC, the operator controls only the harvester head while the system takes care of the boom’s movement.