Nicholson A8:  Many Advanced Features Provide Unmatched Value One of the most important features of the A8 is its rugged Unibloc frame.  Full height solid 3 inch thick steel plates carry the primary operating loads. The Unibloc frame is the key to reliable operation at the high feedspeeds that the A8 offers. The A8 is the heaviest Nicholson Debarker made,  and that is from a company known for very heavy and solid construction!  For example, the 35 inch single ring A8 weighs in at 113,600 pounds, ready to run. Thick steel doors on the feedroll side of the debarker are integral log guides, but can be opened fully for excellent feedroll access. The A8 comes with Nicholson's patented Fiberguard feedrolls with replaceable inserts that save fiber, mill air and can be rebuilt up to 8 times faster than standard feedrolls. Fiberguard technology is so successful that owners of other debarker brands are having us retrofit them to their debarkers. The A8 also features Carbide Leading Edge knife arms that keep working long after other arms need to be replaced.  These are plate arms so removal is much easier than standard arms with welded hubs. Localized air systems on the A8 put the valves and controls for the ring and feedworks air cylinders right next to them.  This speeds up the response times of both the ring and feedrolls and saves valuable log end and surface fiber. The proven and refined belt/gear/roll type feedworks of  the A8 is simple, smooth and very powerful.  Standard and easy to locate belts transfer power from an electric motor to heavy hardened steel spur gears. The gears are connected to heavy shafts that drive the feedrolls.  No complex and expensive gearboxes or chain are used.