When you think of innovation, Silicon Valley might come to mind. But in the quiet town of Drachten, Netherlands, Ufkes Greentec is transforming the forestry sector with bold, unconventional woodchippers, stump cutters, and grinders.
Their latest breakthrough?
Integrating next-generation John Deere JD14 and JD18 EU Stage V/EPA Final Tier 4 engines into their larger woodchippers. These engines offer exceptional design flexibility, power, and streamlined serviceability — all without adding bulk — keeping Ufkes Greentec machines compact and efficient.
"I've always loved John Deere engines," says Jippe Ufkes, CEO and owner. "The JD14 and JD18 deliver exactly what we need: powerful performance while keeping our chippers compact. Plus, they come with John Deere Connected Support. This empowers our customers to move from reactive to proactive maintenance, addressing issues early to deliver peak performance and optimize uptime."
Smarter. Faster. Simpler.
Ufkes Greentec is quickly building a global reputation for crafting woodchippers, grinders (shredders), forest cutters and stump cutters — with a twist.
"Every unit is designed to work smarter and faster, ensuring a good return on investment while remaining easy to use," explains Ufkes.
Features like the Greentec Control System (GCS) 3.0 allow operators to adjust parameters in real time, while the Venturi discharge system ensures powerful chip ejection with minimal dust. Modular designs and durable materials, such as Hardox steel, enhance reliability, while intuitive infeed systems simplify operations.
Recently, Ufkes Greentec began integrating JD14 and JD18 engines into three flagship units, each designed for peak performance across diverse applications.
Driven by a JD14 engine, the GT962 handles trees, logs, and branches with ease.
GT962 tracked woodchipper
The GT962, Ufkes Greentec's popular tracked woodchipper, boasts a chip diameter capacity of up to 65 centimeters (26 inches) and features an extra-wide infeed table paired with a 960-mm, 1500-kg (38-in, 700-lb) drum. This large drum chipper handles trees, logs, and branches with ease — even as the knives start to lose their edge—and tackles tough offshoots and splits, thanks to the powerful Venturi/blower system combo.
"We replaced the original engine with the JD14," says Ufkes. "Running at full capacity of 510 kilowatt [684 horsepower], it works hard. The engine's adaptable design allowed us to integrate a larger hydraulic pump on the coupling house, increasing pulling power by 2.5 times compared to its predecessor and the maximum feed opening to 75 centimeters [30 inches]."
Early feedback from users in France and South Korea suggests that demand for the GT962 will continue to rise.
The Panthera woodchipper
When John Deere introduced the JD18, Ufkes saw an opportunity to rethink the Panthera woodchipper. Featuring a 1400-mm (55-inch) infeed channel width with a continuously closed infeed chain, the Panthera easily shreds 90-cm (36-inch) logs into uniform chips. Ufkes Greentec's unique direct flow system ensures chips are delivered straight to the center of the suction blower, maintaining high performance and chip quality.
"The JD18 provides 676 kilowatt [907 horsepower] of power without an aftertreatment system," explains Ufkes. "This enables us to offer the Panthera with more power than anticipated while maintaining a compact design. The simpler maintenance and the benefit of not having to refill the AdBlue system make it even more appealing to our customers."
The Ragnartech shredder
The Ufkes Greentec team thrives on challenging industry norms, and the modular Ragnartech shredder is a prime example of this philosophy. Also powered by a JD18, this versatile powerhouse tackles everything from tree trunks to stumps to demolition wood.
"The Ragnartech builds on 20 to 30 years of expertise," says Ufkes. "It's an incredibly adaptable solution designed to meet the demands of contractors worldwide, whether they need upswing or downswing rotors, and it can be operated with rotor speeds ranging from 450 to 1400 rpm."
Maximizing Uptime, Together
NPS Driven, the John Deere engine distributor for the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Germany, has been a trusted partner to Ufkes Greentec for more than 15 years. Their support goes beyond delivering engines to provide complete engine packs, seamless integration, testing, and commissioning support.
"When we design new equipment or modify existing designs, the NPS team actively brainstorms with us to enable seamless integration," says Ufkes. "They share our commitment to maximizing uptime of our equipment. On the rare occasions when engine issues arise, they connect with the nearest John Deere dealer for swift resolutions, no matter where the machine is. We don't even have to get involved."
For Ufkes Greentec's European customers, the NPS 5-year engine warranty and John Deere Connected Support™ on the JD14 and JD18 engines provide long-term reliability, maximum uptime, and extended machine lifespans — adding significant value to their operations.
Redefining Innovation
Ufkes Greentec thrives on challenging the rules of forestry equipment with fresh perspectives and smart designs. As the global market expands for their machines, Ufkes Greentec is also growing its service network to provide every customer with local, expert support. From pioneering chipper designs to pushing the limits of grinding or shredding technology, Ufkes Greentec is a force to be reckoned with.