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VK4000 Series (Basic and Heavy Duty)

VK4000 industrial modern fixed ring debarker for small and midsize mills for medium speed debarking

Following our well-known VK26MX, VK26SMX and VK450 debarker models, the brand new VK4000 series debarkers are the latest models Valon Kone has developed. The VK4000 series is designed for small and midsize mills for medium speed debarking, and the debarkers are manufactured as a single-rotor version.

The new machine frame has several improvements to make the debarker more reliable, safer and easier to use and serve than before. Debarking tool arms are available with both hydraulic and pneumatic pressure system, which guarantee high-quality debarking result with minimum operating costs.

Just like other modern VK debarker models, also the VK4000 series debarker is available in both Basic and Heavy Duty (HD) categories. The Basic version models are designed to be the more economical alternative for mills with lower feed speed need, keeping reliability in focus, while the Heavy Duty trim is meant for higher feed speeds. The main difference between these two categories is the feedroll pressure system.
(UPDATED 01/2026)

Features

  • Robust and compact machine frame with modular construction - available with 2-roll and 4-roll frame modules
  • Standard debarker configuration with six feedrolls – eight feedroll version available for short logs (SL-version)
  • VK infeed conveyor in front of debarker as standard – new conveyor model VK42
  • Debarker with fixed debarking rotor – self centring of logs with infeed conveyor
  • Rotor sizes 48 cm (19”), 56 cm (22") and 62 cm (24”) - always with six tool arms
  • 56 cm (22") rotor with pneumatic tool pressure system - four pressure levels to be chosen from control panel
  • 48 cm (19”) and 62 cm (24”) rotors with hydraulic tool pressure system
  • Feedroll diameter 56 cm (22”) and width 60 cm (23 ½”)
  • Two hydraulic pressure systems for feedrolls available - closed circuit (Basic) or active hydraulic (HD)
  • Heavy duty planetary gears for feedworks
  • Safety locks and safety sensors on all service doors
  • Oil lubrication for rotor bearing and conveyor flite-chain
  • Grease lubrication for bearings requiring constant lubrication (total 12-16 greasing points / feedroll pair and 30 greasing points / infeed conveyor) - automatic lubrication system available as OPTION
  • Active hydraulic system with powerpack (HD) allows feedroll soft opening function - feedroll pre-staging according to log diameter as OPTION

Benefits

  • All moving parts are inside the machine frame or covered with safety guards - no need for additional protection
  • Infeed conveyor equipped with safe guard doors on both sides
  • Enhanced working ergonomics - service platform opens when rotor is in out-position
  • Hydraulic pull-out system of rotor for easy maintenance OPTION
  • Enhanced safety - sensors for recognizing when rotor is in in/out position

  • Air seal construction in debarking rotor enables remote control of debarking tool pressure and automatic tool opening when log feeding stops

  • Hydraulic tool pressure: Durable tool arms are made of forged steel
  • Pneumatic tool pressure: T-section tool arms from wear resistant steel
  • Replaceable and durable carbide tool tips – different versions to guarantee optimal debarking result in varying conditions
  • FibreMax feedrolls with replaceable inserts for easy maintenance - different insert types ensuring grip in varying conditions
  • Wide feedroll ensures smooth log feeding without risk of logs getting stuck
  • Piston accumulators (nitrogen pressure) ensure boost for feedroll pressure
  • Each planetary gear has its own electric motor - no belts needed
  • Planetary gear with better efficiency generates less heat - ensures longer service life
  • Enhanced working ergonomics - all grease lubrication lines are connected to distributors outside of debarker/conveyor frame

VK4000 with hydraulic tool pressure

VK4048 VK4048SL VK4062 VK4062SL
Debarking diameter, mm (in) 80-480 (3½"-19") 80-480 (3½"-19") 100-620 (4"-24½") 100-620 (4"-24½")
Min. log length, m (ft) 2.1 (6'10") 1.7 (5'7") 2.1 (6'10") 1.7 (5'7")
Weight, kg (lbs.) 22,000 (48,500) 25,000 (55,100) 22,150 (48,800) 25,150 (55,500)
Motor: rotor, kW (HP) 55 55 55 55
Motor: feedworks, kW (HP) 11+2x11 (15+2x15) 11+4x11 (15+4x15) 11+2x11 (15+2x15)

11+4x11 (15+4x15)

VK4048HD VK4048HDSL VK4062HD VK4062HDSL
Debarking diameter, mm (in) 80-480 (3½"-19") 80-480 (3½"-19") 100-620 (4"-24½") 100-620 (4"-24½")
Min. log length, m (ft) 2.1 (6'10") 1.7 (5'7") 2.1 (6'10") 1.7 (5'7")
Weight, kg (lbs.) 22,750 (50,200) 25,750 (56,800) 22,900 (50,500) 25,900 (57,100)
Motor: rotor, kW (HP) 55 55 55 55
Motor: feedworks, kW (HP) 11+2x11 (15+2x15) 11+4x11 (15+4x15) 11+2x11 (15+2x15) 11+4x11 (15+4x15)

VK4000 with pneumatic tool pressure

VK4056HD VK4056HDSL
Debarking diameter, mm (in) 80-560 (3"-22") 80-560 (3"-22")
Min. log length, m (ft) 2.3 (7'7") 1.9 (6'3")
Weight, kg (lbs.) 19,350 (42,700) 22,000 (48,500)
Motor: rotor, kW (HP) 75 (100) 75 (100)
Motor: feedworks, kW (HP) 3x11 (3x15) 5x11 (5x15)

Media

VK4000 Series brochure

VK9000 Series (Heavy Duty)

VK9000 Heavy Duty modular modern industrial fixed ring debarker for large scale production mills for high-speed debarking

Following our previous VK5000 and VK8000 series, the brand new VK9000 series is the latest and most robust debarker we have developed. It has a number of improvements that make using and servicing the debarker easier and safer than ever before. The VK9000 series debarker is primarily designed for mills using medium and large size logs.

With our famous heavy-duty trim, the VK9000 series debarkers are designed for modern large-scale production with high-speed debarking by using extra strong components as our standard, such as drive gears and drive shafts. Also, the VK9000 series features an updated machine frame for easier maintenance and enhanced working ergonomics. The renewed feedroll power transmission and pressure system are designed with the latest innovations in hydraulics and control systems used in the industry causing less mechanical stress on the machine and wood.

The newly designed modular construction of VK9000 series offers great flexibility to start the investment process with lower capital expenditure and build up the debarker as needs grow. The first stage of investment can be a single rotor machine. The machine can be extended by adding a butt reducing rotor and/or a second debarking rotor when higher speeds or cleaner chips are needed (VK Combi concept).

Features

  • Fully re-designed debarker frame, feedworks and feedroll hydraulics with strengthened critical components

  • Enhanced safety

  • Feedroll diameter 72 cm (28 ½")

  • Feedroll width 67 cm (26 ½") or 80 cm (31 ½") - is determined by size of rotor

  • Each driven feedroll has own planetary gear and electric motor - no belt or chain drives

  • Renewed hydraulic pressure system for feedrolls – rolls stay open when no log in between

  • Re-positioning of rolls before next log enters debarker - cylinders are equipped with Temposonic sensor

  • Feedroll hydraulic system with piston accumulators (nitrogen) - pressure level control as standard

  • Fixed debarking rotor – centering of logs with infeed conveyor

  • VK centering infeed conveyor in front of debarker as standard

  • Debarking rotor with pneumatic tool pressure system - four tool pressure levels to be chosen from control panel

  • Three rotor sizes 56 cm (22"), 68 cm (27"), and 81 cm (32") – always with six tool arms

  • Hydraulic rotor pull-out to service position as standard

  • Feedrolls with replaceable inserts (FibreMax)

  • Progressive grease lubrication system for points requiring constant/daily lubrication - lubricant flow control

  • Oil lubrication for rotor bearing, Air Seal and conveyor flite-chain

  • Oil collecting and recycling system available as option

  • Safety locks and safety sensors on service doors as standard

  • Service platform behind debarking rotor as standard

  • Service platform on debarker roof available as option

Benefits

  • Modular machine frame construction allows flexibility in investment planning (step-by-step)

  • Planetary gear with better efficiency generates less heat allowing higher feed speed in debarking

  • New hydraulic pressure system allows more accurate and quicker feedroll prestaging - less mechanical stress on debarker and wood

  • Wide feedrolls ensure smooth log feeding without risk of logs getting stuck

  • Piston accumulators (nitrogen) ensures boost for feedroll pressure – pressure level control improves machine reliability

  • Enhanced safety - all moving parts are inside machine frame or covered with safety guards - no need for additional protection

  • Centering VK infeed conveyor guides logs smoothly between feedrolls for minimal fiber loss in debarking

  • Air seal construction in debarking rotor enables remote control of debarking tool pressure and automatic tool opening when log feeding stops

  • Different tool tip versions ensuring optimal debarking quality in varying conditions

  • Extra wide tool tips allow higher feed speed

  • Hydraulic pull-out system of debarking rotor for easy maintenance

  • Enhanced working ergonomics - service platform opens when rotor is in out-position

  • FibreMax feedrolls with replaceable inserts with screwfastening for easy maintenance

  • Different insert types available ensuring grip in varying conditions

1-Rotor Machines with Pneumatic Tool Pressure

  VK9056HD VK9056HDSL VK9068HD VK9068HDSL
Debarking diameter, mm (in) 100-560 (4"-22") 100-560 (4"-22") 100-680 (4"-27") 100-680 (4"-27")
Min. log length, m (ft) 2.7 (8'10") 2.3 (7'7") 2.7 (8'10") 2.3 (7'7")
Weight, kg (lbs.) 38,800 (85,100) 44,500 (97,700) 39,200 (86,400) 45,000 (99,200)
Motor: rotor, kW (HP) 75 (100) 75 (100) 90 (120) 90 (120)
Motor: feedworks, kW (HP) 22+5x11 (30+5x15) 22+6x11 (30+6x15) 22+5x11 (30+5x15) 22+6x11 (30+6x15)
  VK9081HD VK9081HDSL
Debarking diameter, mm (in) 100-810 (4"-32") 100-810 (4"-32")
Min. log length, m (ft) 2.7 (8'10") 2.3 (7'7")
Weight, kg (lbs.) 40,400 (88,600) 46,200 (101,200)
Motor: rotor, kW (HP) 90 (120) 90 (120)
Motor: feedworks, kW (HP) 22+5x11 (30+5x15) 22+6x11 (30+6x15)

For technical details of Valon Kone Combi debarkers, please contact VK sales.

Media

VK9000 Brochure

Employees

Our People in the Main Office in Finland

General Contact

Tel.: +358 19 36 061/switchboard
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your contacts in finland

  • Debarker sales

    Teemu Tynkkynen

    Sales Director
    tel. +358 50 593 8191

  • Spare Part Sales, Field Service and Installations

    Lari Laakso

    After Sales Director
    tel. +358 50 478 6819 / +358 19 360 6210

  • Purchasing

    Jaana Sorola

    Supply Chain Manager
    tel. +358 40 578 9097

  • Manufacturing

    Jari Lindén

    Production Director
    tel    . +358 50 542 7539

  • Engineering and R&D

    Sebastian Buddas

    Director, R&D
    tel. +358 50 332 1406

  • Finance

    Minttu Ristiniitty

    Finance Director
    tel. +358 40 743 3701

  • Management

    Henrik Wikström

    Managing Director
    tel. +358 50 552 4014

    Tomi Hassinen

    Vice President
    tel. +358 400 440 761

Service

Reliable Operation

Regular debarker inspections to avoid unnecessary interruptions in your sawmill
Valon Kone maintenance services are available throughout the world. Our sales offices offer services that are tailored to local conditions. In addition, there are several VK agents that run their own maintenance organizations, providing swift help to customers locally. No matter if your machine is located in Siberia, British Columbia, or New Zealand, our skilled service team will assist you to get the best performance of your VK debarker.
Preventive maintenance is always less costly than remedying unexpected failures. Therefore, our service staff will visit you regularly to inspect the operation of your debarker and ensure that all unexpected faults and unnecessary production interruptions are avoided. We also focus on the continuous training of our customers, as the capability and knowledge of the operators remains the best guarantee for debarker reliability and customer satisfaction. Our experienced automation service team can also assist remotely.

VK’s maintenance services cover everything your debarker may require

  • Machine optimization (debarking quality and machine operation)
  • Diagnostics, repair advice, and repairs
  • Tool tip maintenance and repairs
  • Maintenance needs analysis
  • Regular periodical and annual maintenance and repairs
  • Equipment modernization and factory maintenance
  • Remote service
  • Training

Machine modernizations

Your debarking needs may change during the debarker’s life span and we want to support you with product improvements. We provide various modernization packages for nearly all debarker models, for example:

  • The old debarking rotor with hydraulic tool tensioning can be changed to a new rotor with pneumatic tensioning including tool pressure remote control and automatic tool opening.

  • The second debarking rotor can be added to a single-rotor machine, which allows a higher feed speed and better debarking result.
  • The machine can be retrofitted with a butt reducing rotor for handling butts. Butt reducing improves the debarking and sawing result by trimming the butt of the timber to ensure smooth operation.
  • The closed pressure system of the feedrolls can be converted into an active system. This improves the machine’s functionality in varying conditions and reduces log damage.

When inquiring about machine modernizations, please inform us of your debarker’s model/type, serial number, and year of manufacture so that we can serve you as quickly as possible.

E.g. Model VK5048HD, no. 345/2010: the machine’s type number can also be in the format 5000HD-480-6-450-RHP

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Parts

Original VK Spare Parts

Original high quality OEM parts for VK debarkers and flare reducers from several inventories worldwide
The availability of high-quality spare parts is essential in ensuring customer facilities operate without interruption. We maintain a comprehensive stock of parts in various locations throughout the world and this ensures a quick response to customer needs. All the parts delivered to sales offices, agents, and customers come from the central VK warehouse at our factory in Lohja, Finland.
By using original Valon Kone parts, you ensure that your VK machine works optimally during its guarantee period and achieves its maximum service life. We are the only company with 75 years’ experience in designing debarker parts and selecting the correct materials for them. By using VK parts, you can also benefit from our latest innovations and solutions.

Examples of product improvement:

  • VK debarkers can be fitted with improved safety solutions, like electric locking systems for guard doors and service platforms for rotors and even entire machines, to achieve improved and more safety usability of the equipment.
  • All VK debarkers can be fitted with new FibreMax feedrolls to achieve improved operation and minimal fiber loss. This also facilitates feedroll maintenance.

  • VK debarkers featuring active hydraulics and a power pack can be equipped with a feedroll prestaging system, minimizing damage to log ends.

When ordering or enquiring about spare parts, please inform us of your debarker’s model/type, serial number, and year of manufacture so that we can serve you as quickly as possible.

E.g. Model VK5048HD, no. 345/2010: the machine’s type number can also be in the format 5000HD-480-6-450-RHP

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Careers

Are you the next VK employee?

Valon Kone is a pioneer in the rotor debarking technology industry, and we are constantly seeking new experts for various tasks in the company. The main office in Lohja, Finland, employs nearly 110 production and administrative staff. In addition, we have offices in Austria, Sweden, and the USA.

We take care of our staff and the company is characterized by the low staff turnover. We are actively investing in our organization’s advancement and the professional development of our staff.

Employee stories at VK

A committed and skilled staff is a very important part of Valon Kone’s success. Decades-long careers are common at VK, where experienced senior staff members guide new juniors and, in turn, help us guarantee the quality of VK products.

Over 40 years in debarker manufacturing

It was year 1980 as Jukka and Martti entered the Valon Kone’s main gate in Lohja, Finland for the first time. Jukka wanted to apply for a job at the company after hearing positive feedback about Valon Kone from his from acquaintances. Martti did not know much about Valon Kone but had come for a job interview. Jukka received a job as a packer and Martti was hired in as a welder. “I was lucky, as I made it to Valon Kone. Sometimes it is enough to be in the right place at a right time”, Martti says.

In 1980, Valon Kone was already strongly positioned in the woodworking industry as an international debarker supplier. The company exported heavily e.g., to the Soviet Union of that time. The volumes of the logs to be debarked in the sawmills were much less than experienced today and this affected the debarker size. So, small machines fit well into plywood boxes, as they were delivered in tens of containers from the Lohja train station to the customers in Eastern Europe. “At that time Valon Kone had a separate packing department for machines”, Jukka explains. “And, Bruno Valo, the founder of the company was involved in the business. Although the management was shifted mainly to his sons”, he adds.

Jukka’s and Martti’s tasks in the manufacturing have shifted during the last four decades and the working environment has changed in many positive ways including improved working methods. The company has invested in the manufacturing facilities and the production process has been automated. This all affects well-being at work. “In the earlier days, working in a workshop was much dirtier and heavier than it is today”, says Martti.

In the last forty years Valon Kone also has experienced ownership changes. Despite the owners or business cycles, the personnel have always been considered important at Valon Kone and there has been a continued focus to invest in the employees. Valon Kone has been considered as a reliable employer and has managed to avoid laying employees off as best as possible during slower periods. “In the Lohja area, Valon Kone has a reputation as a safe employer”, says Jukka. “During all these years I have been laid off only once and then only one week”, he adds.

Long careers are common at Valon Kone, even today. It is not uncommon for employees to have 15 plus years of employment with Valon Kone. So, why has Jukka and Martti stayed working for the same employer for four decades?

Both men highlighted that Valon Kone has a good work community. Both, existing and previous colleagues, and supervisors get a big thank you! “In the past, the company management was clearly higher in the hierarchy than other employees, but nowadays it is different”, says Jukka. “And the well-being at work is emphasized more today than earlier”, he adds. “Independent and free work, as well as interesting content of the work improve the satisfaction at workplace”, Martti says in the end.

vk employee

Job openings

If we can’t offer you a suitable job right now, but you are interested in the varied and interesting tasks in the international business environment, please send us an open application with your CV to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will contact you!

News

History

75 years of debarking excellence

The history of Valon Kone (“Valo’s machine”) began in the end of 1940s.
In those days, taking bark off the wood was very laborious work and debarking was done manually by hand. Bruno VALO, living in Lohja, Finland was a technically skilled village blacksmith who developed innovative technical solutions for all sorts of problems – like snowmobiles and wood-gas generators for automobiles. Bruno also had a very good business acumen and he started the industrial scale of manufacturing of log debarkers in 1949. The VK brand was born.
Manual log debarking by hand

1950-1960s

  • The first VK debarker model was named as VALO and a systematic product development on rotor debarkers started.
  • There was a global interest in the Valon Kone machines, like the portable VK16, and exporting was started first to South Africa and Soviet Union. Debarking was carried out still mainly in the woods.

1970-1980s

  • Customers’ needs for higher feed speeds in the sawmill industry grew and a new generation of VK debarkers was launched. In addition to the model VK450, sliding ring debarkers for big logs were brought into the market.
  • “Valon Kone Brunette” was established in North America and other sales offices in Sweden and Germany.

1990-2000s

  • The sales network was broadened and the production plant in Lohja was expanded. The emphasis in the product development became even more important.
  • The robust KODIAK series was launched in North America and the COMBI concept with air seal debarkers in Europe.
  • New office was grounded in Russia.

2010-2020s

Valon Kone continues its story as a technical leader and a supplier of reliable and innovative solutions for the woodworking business worldwide. The new robust VK100 model and heavy-duty and modular machine series, VK5000 and VK8000, were launched. 

A new generation of VK debarkers, the VK9000 series, was launched in 2023. The VK9000 follows the VK5000 and VK8000 series.

Today, we are a part of Kadant Inc.

Processing frozen logs with tractory driven debarker in the woods

Research & Development

in the long term

Valon Kone began systematic development work on debarkers in the 1950s, and by the 1970s a decision was made to focus on the development and manufacturing of rotor debarkers. Focusing on just one product has allowed large-scale and long-term development, and through it, our worldwide success.

Customers play a key role in R&D

As a leader in the debarking technology, we invest a significant part of our turnover into debarker R&D. An important part of this work is continuous and close cooperation with customers to optimize their raw material and maximize the productivity. This has laid the foundations for new product families as well as the development of existing products. We design effective and reliable solutions for customers, so that even in the planning stage of the machine debarker, the life cycle costs are taken into account.

One of our strengths is finding customer-specific solutions for different needs in the sawmills and plywood factories, and this is supported by a very wide range of products. Our VK9000 and VK5000/8000 series are the latest outcome of a completely new machine families, which includes innovations for higher capacity, lower bark content, and higher reducing speed.

Priorities for the future development work

Our main focus on R&D at Valon Kone has shifted during the last several years from the tool geometry and hydraulics/pneumatics into the development of debarker controlling. Feed speeds at sawmills are still increasing and demands for minimum log damage results in more accurate control.

Environment friendly solutions and safety issues will become even more important in the future. This has already been taken into consideration at VK and the oil collecting system for the rotor can be obtained in some machine models. In addition, remote monitoring and IoT will play a more significant role in debarking technology in the future.

We have developed significant research and development cooperation with universities and high-schools, and we are glad to provide an internship or a possibility for diploma work for a few students yearly. For further questions, please contact our R&D Director.

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Own R&D department

Manufacturing

75 years in operating machinery works

Valon Kone has over 75 years of experience in manufacturing debarkers. The production of our machines and equipment is concentrated in a modern workshop in Lohja, Finland, where the total factory area is around 10,000 m2. Even though some of the process is outsourced, most of the fabrication is kept in our own hands at the Lohja plant.

Modern production technology

During the last decades, we have become one of the world’s leading manufacturer of rotor debarkers, in large part because we invest in modern fabrication technology and continuously develop our manufacturing methods.

Our factory is divided into eight work cells in which work is focused on machining, welding, assembling, and surface finishing. The machining of the parts is organized in our own FMS (Flexible Manufacturing System) which consists of an automatic stacker crane, storage, and efficient machining centers. The Multi-Level system enables high productivity of the machine tools and unoccupied operation during the nighttime. Large main components for the rotors are machined within their own machine center.

At our factory, the welding is done mainly for plate thicknesses of more than 10 mm. Both manual and robot-welding is done with MIG/MAG technology. Robot welding is utilized when volumes are large enough or there are a lot of weld beads. In addition, there is a stress relief oven to release internal residual stresses after the welding.

Our production department employs about 40 staff members, with most working in machine and parts manufacturing. Long lasting careers are common at Valon Kone. The decades-long know-how and experience guarantees the quality of our products.

At Valon Kone, debarker manufacturing is carried out based on orders. A big part of the components used in VK debarkers are stored and a substantial amount of the capacity at the Lohja factory is reserved for manufacturing of these spare parts. In connection with the factory, there is the main spare part stock from where subsidiaries, agents and end-users are served worldwide. Even with the same day deliveries, if needed.

We cooperate with schools and universities in the industry and we are glad to provide an internship for a few students yearly. For further questions, please contact our manufacturing manager.
(UPDATED 12/2025)

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Modern VK production facilities for debarker manufacturing

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