Silviculture in New Zealand got a boost with a support subsidy package announced last week from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) which will assist this sector to secure a workforce to meet the 2020 planting season labour requirements. Border closures as part of the NZ COVID-19 elimination strategy have meant the sector couldn’t rely on seasonal workers from the …
First woodchip shipment for Eden after the bushfires
Allied Natural Wood Exports (ANWE) has started loading the first woodchip vessel to dock since the bushfires forced the Eden facility to shut down in early January. The MV Cattleya arrived in Eden on 12 May and loading commenced on 13 May, making it the first of many vessels to return to Twofold Bay as the mill’s operation is temporarily …
Tasmanian authorities investigating spikes in logs
Tree spiking involves nails, bolts or other metal spikes or objects being hammered or drilled into trees to disrupt logging and milling. Two sawmills in Tasmania’s south have reported finding bolts in logs delivered to them by Sustainable Timber Tasmania from the Wentworth Hills area this week, and Tasmania Police and Workplace Standards are now both investigating. Wayne Booth from …
Timber industry’s race against the clock
Thirty thousand hectares of Forestry Corporation land burnt. Thirty-nine crews currently harvesting timber (up from 23 before the fires). Twelve to 18 months before the fire damage makes the logs unusable. The numbers surrounding Forestry Corp after the 2020 bushfire season are slightly grim, but Regional Manager Dean Anderson insisted he’s optimistic; “fairly,” he clarified. The fires last summer claimed …
A 5G roading solution for forestry roading
In New Zealand, there are many forests with thousands of km’s of roading spread widely across both islands, with many different types of soils and clays. Some are great for building roads on and others, not so great. Some of these roads require cut to waste and backfilling or thick pavement depths to bridge the poor sub-grades including the use …
Jack Kuru – the legend road builder
“Jack Kuru – the legend road builder”. These words are scribed on the wall of the Wairangi Whare as a reminder of Jacks time in Wairangi Forest road building in the early 2000s. I remember vividly the day Jack’s D8 bulldozer was on the transporter heading to Wairangi forest to embark on a new road line harvesting and road construction …
Forest Safety Conference to proceed – online
Forest Safety Conference confirmed for June; goes international The Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA) announced this week that its annual forest safety conference will be going ahead in June – in digital form. The new programme can be viewed on the event website. “While lockdown conditions have forced enormous restrictions on all of us, we have a large loyal following …
TracPlus announces NZ$5m investment
TracPlus has successfully closed a significant funding round with New Zealand’s most experienced technology investment firm, Movac, investing NZ$5m. TracPlus offers real-time tracking, communication and integrated solutions for those in the critical services sectors, including First Responders, Firefighting, Utilities, Military and Aviation sectors. Founded in 2007 and based in Dunedin, TracPlus’ global client base includes the likes of CalFire, San …
HarvestTECH News Issue 8
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. The last couple of months has changed the face of the planet. COVID-19 has highlighted just how exposed we are to viral pandemics and how interconnected the global economy is. There are some positive signs though. Both the New Zealand and Australian Governments have responded to the crisis perhaps better than other countries. We’re …
Forest Safety Conference goes international confirmed for June
The Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA) announced today its annual forest safety conference will be going ahead in June – in digital form. The new program is online now at https://forestsafety.events/#Program “While lockdown conditions have forced enormous restrictions on all of us, we have a large loyal following of safety leaders in forest management and their contractors. We think they’ll …
New harvester head launched by Ponsse
A new harvester head has been designed for the Ponsse Bear harvester, but it is ideal for track-based machines. The H8HD Euca is an effective tool in forests where the diameter of eucalypt stems can be up to 50 cm (19.7 in). The new H8HD Euca is able to efficiently carry out the task of debarking. The geometry of the …
Truck giants join forces on hydrogen tech
Large scale production and commercialisation of hydrogen fuel cells has been given a boost by a joint venture between two of the world’s biggest commercial vehicle manufacturers. Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group have announced they have signed a preliminary non-binding agreement to establish the new joint venture. The intention is to develop, produce and commercialize fuel cell systems for …
Southern Apprentice of the Year awarded
Wood Council’s across New Zealand this year have had to cancel their annual awards programmes. Measures to tackle the COVID-19 virus and the enforced lockdown of forestry and wood products operations has meant that unfortunately, annual regional celebrations to recognise business and training success have had to be put forward to 2021. It’s been a huge disappointment to all, particularly …
Electronic logging devices next year for Canada
FPInnovations, Canada, announced that a new federal mandate is expected to come into effect next year making electronic logging devices (ELDs) mandatory for federally-regulated motor carriers and their drivers. With few exceptions, anyone who currently uses paper logs to keep track of their hours behind the wheel will need to use ELDs beginning in June 2021. Transport Canada included the …
New CEO for Komatsu Forest
Jens Bengtsson will take up the position as CEO of Komatsu Forest AB. Jens has worked in the company for 11 years and has recently held both the role of CFO and COO. Former CEO Mitsuru Ueno is now taking on a new role as Senior Fellow for the Forest Division of the parent company Komatsu Ltd. During his time …
John Deere appoint NZ dealers
John Deere forestry equipment has a new home at two of New Zealand’s most respected machinery dealers to bring a greater range of sought-after machinery and cutting- edge technology to operators and contractors across the country. From 1 July, the full line of premium forestry equipment will be available at AGrowQuip (AGQ) in the North Island and Drummond & Etheridge …
Ponsse celebrates 50 years
From a small village workshop in Vieremä, Finland, Einari Vidgrén’s dream of building forestry machines has grown into an international business with reach around the globe. Vidgrén’s dream would materialize as Ponsse, which has become one of the world’s largest manufacturers of forestry machines based on the environmentally friendly cut-to- length method. This year, Ponsse is celebrating 50 years since …
Wire rope maintenance and inspection in winch assist operations
As you many of you will be aware, Brian Tuor, a Canadian cable logging specialist has been travelling to NZ for the last 30 years providing training and consulting to the cable logging sector of the NZ forestry industry. In a recent email sent to us in early April he said that in fact he had “just returned to the …
HarvestTECH News Issue 7
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. So, what a difference a month makes. When the last monthly issue came out there were rumblings about our country’s borders potentially being closed. Incoming passengers were increasingly being tested for COVID-19. There were also, of course, the very real issues in getting our logs into China’s congested ports so harvesting crews and those …
Changes to HarvestTECH 2020
HarvestTECH 2020 was scheduled to run in Melbourne, Australia on 16-17 September 2020 and then again in Rotorua, New Zealand for local harvesting & wood transport operations, on 22-23 September 2020. Because of current restrictions around COVID-19 in both countries and the uncertainty in the weeks and months ahead, it has been decided that the technology series has to be postponed. The programmes had largely been completed …
Positive messages for contractors during lock down
The Log Transport Safety Council, Forest Industry Contractors Association and Forest Industry Safety Council have been working together to get positive messages out to New Zealand forestry contractors in these uncertain times. A local expert, Pio Terei, has been called in to produce a series of light hearted every few days while we’re all in lock down. See below for the first in …
Stay home, stay well, stay sane social media campaign
Safetree, FISC and FICA plan to support forestry contractors while New Zealand goes on its ‘stay home’ journey. So, over the next few weeks, they’ll be posting interesting and entertaining videos and other resources on social media. These aim to help you and your family look after your physical, mental and social wellbeing during the lockdown. They focus on ways …
Video: Voice-operated heavy truck inspections
Technology is now making truck inspections far easier. Schlumberger Trucks perform assisted inspections on heavy trucks and trailers using a head mounted tablet, the RealWear HMT-1. Technicians use the voice-operated interface to log inspection results in real-time. The HMT-1 includes a 16mp camera that can visually annotate inspection steps to provide thorough documentation of the inspection process. Upon a satisfactory …
RDO Equipment delivers new support to Australia’s largest contractor
RDO Equipment delivers new machinery and customised service support to one of Australia’s largest standalone forestry contractors RDO Equipment has delivered a fleet of brand-new John Deere forestry machinery to one of Australia’s largest forestry contracting companies, while supporting them with a full-scope service and parts support package for their Hervey Bay operations. Queensland-based Sunchip Group has accepted a fleet …
John Deere ends Cable Price agreement
John Deere Construction & Forestry and Cable Price (NZ) Limited end distribution agreement in New Zealand. John Deere Construction & Forestry and Cable Price (NZ) Limited (CPL) agreed to end their distribution arrangement of Deere branded and manufactured construction, forestry, and compact machinery in New Zealand. As the joint businesses expanded over the years, so have each company’s priorities in …
Waratah releases new app
The new app provides more accessibility to information for owners to set up and service their Waratah 600 Series machines. Waratah Forestry Equipment has released the new WaratahPlus mobile app, available as a free download on the App Store for Android and iOS platforms. It is intended to help with daily maintenance and other in-field procedures. The WaratahPlus app helps …
Tigercat Releases 602 Grapple Skidder
Quick, compact and fuel efficient, the 602 grapple skidder is ideal for high value selective logging in tight or challenging terrain. The size and agility of the 602 grapple skidder makes it ideal for selective felling applications. The machine can access high value timber in steep terrain, while minimizing damage to the residual stand. A fixed front axle with an …
John Deere: New felling head for steep slopes
With the continued growth of the steep slope machine felling, John Deere has announced its new large-class directional felling head, the FL100. The new model provides customers with a larger, more durable directional felling head solution. “Our customers are continuing to tackle more challenging terrain, and we want to provide reliable, durable equipment that is designed to meet their unique …
Timbeter expanding to SE Asia and Latin America
Estonian company Timbeter, who have been involved in previous FIEA Technology events (and who have confirmed that they will be presenting in this year’s September series, HarvestTECH 2020 in Australia and New Zealand, has closed a seed round of approximately €920K. Timbeter, founded in 2013, is a global industrial timber measurement, logistics and reporting platform. Timbeter’s precision forestry platform eliminates …
HarvestTECH News Issue 6
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. Already, we have just started to pull together the programme for September’s HarvestTECH 2020 series – this time running in both New Zealand and Australia. Last year’s event in Rotorua, New Zealand, focussed on harvesting technologies and systems. It sold out – well before it ran. Close to 500 harvesting contractors, harvest planners, forestry …
Early interest: HarvestTECH 2020 – Wood transport
Early expressions of interest to present at this year’s HarvestTECH 2020 event are now, for the first time, being sought. The HarvestTECH conference and exhibition that ran last year SOLD OUT well in advance of the event being run. It was the largest gathering of its type ever seen in New Zealand. Close to 500 harvesting contractors, harvest planners, forestry …
Australian trucking industry driving diversity change
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) and Teletrac Navman are driving diversity change, announcing a ground-breaking initiative that will celebrate industry diversity, develop diversity champions, and improve industry image. “With the support of Teletrac Navman, the program will showcase diversity champions to the trucking industry and wider community, promoting positive perception of industry and encouraging new entrants into the workforce,’ ATA …
MOU to advance logging automation
Canada’s FPInnovations and the Forestry Research Institute of Sweden (Skogforsk) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Sweden-Canada Innovation Days symposium held in Montreal late last year. The signing creates an opportunity for the international exchange of research on automated harvesting and advances their respective interests in forestry innovation. The MOU also allows the organizations to combine their …
Tigercat: Harvesting head product line expands
Tigercat continues to expand its range of harvesting heads with the new 568, a robust, productive four-wheel drive harvesting head for roadside processing. The new Tigercat 568 harvesting head offers excellent productivity and reliability. Optimized harvester head hydraulics maximize performance and efficiency, while robust, high quality components provide long term reliability. Large diameter hoses and large capacity valves provide ample …
Harvest residue assessment using Remotely Piloted Aircrafts
Post-harvest forest residue surveys are crucial for assessing harvest efficiency; accounting for merchantable waste, marketable fiber for secondary use, or available bioenergy biomass; compliance of ecological objectives such as coarse woody debris or understanding carbon budgets. Conventional ground methods are intensive and could be considered demanding in terms of resources and cost. Democratization of new disruptive technologies such as remotely …
New app for hydraulics industry
BOA Hydraulics is giving forestry and civil workers more say and control in their daily work through an innovative new app. For the past five years, BOA Hydraulics, owned by brothers Simon and Greg Boakes, has provided contractors with everything they need to repair and maintain their own hydraulic hoses on-site in a container setup or workshop. They then took …
Getting to know our Toroawhi
Safetree’s Toroawhi, Richard Stringfellow and Wade Brunt, have started their new jobs working to get New Zealand forestry workers more involved in health and safety decision-making. Richard is based in Taupo covering the Central North Island, while Wade is based in Gisborne covering the Gisborne/Tairāwhiti region. Richard and Wade will be offering practical advice based on their considerable experience and will …
Timbeter to expand internationally
Estonian forestry startup Timbeter collects $1 million to expand in Southeast Asia and Latin America – Timbeter, an Estonion startup working in precision forestry, has raised $1 million toward its goals of optimising forestry, securing legal trade and fighting illegal logging. The seed round was led by TMT Investments and Change Ventures, with EigenKapital, Contriber Ventures and Wiser participating as …
HarvestTECH News Issue 5
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. This is our first issue for 2020. To start the year, a heads up on two major technology events being planned this year for forestry, wood harvesting and wood transport companies across Australasia. The Forest Industry Safety Summit 2020 is being run in May of this year and registrations are already open and rolling in. In …
Tigercat Releases 850 Processor
Tigercat introduces the highly anticipated 850 roadside processor. The Tigercat 850 processor is a purpose–built roadside processor delivering outstanding performance and impressive fuel economy. Designed for high volume roadside processing, the Tigercat 850 offers many advantages over excavator conversions including better service access, higher cooling capacity and processor head optimized hydraulics. The Tigercat FPT N67 engine delivers 159 kW (213 …
Plus.ai’s Autonomous Truck Crosses US in 3 Days
Plus.ai (www.plus.ai), a leading provider of self-driving trucking technology, today announced that it has completed the first coast-to-coast commercial freight run with an autonomous truck on behalf of Land O’Lakes, Inc. Spanning 2,800 miles, Plus.ai’s L4 autonomous truck completed the hub-to-hub trip from Tulare, CA to Quakertown, PA in less than three days. This is the first L4 U.S. cross-country …
New Cable Harvest Planning Software Released
Softree Technical Systems Inc., a world leader in forest road and engineering software, announced the release of RoadEng Version 9. This updated version offers a variety of new features for planning cable harvesting operations. Cable harvest planning and analysis using RoadEng 9 can help determine landing locations and road infrastructure. Working off of a high-resolution digital terrain model (such as …
How Fonterra stopped workplace fatigue
When driver Malcolm Burkes first started at Fonterra it was all about getting out there, getting the job done and getting back as quickly as you could. “Now I don’t hesitate to call Fonterra up and tell them I’m going to stop and have a sleep. Fonterra’s whole attitude towards making me feel alright about managing my fatigue makes me …
The benefits of drones in logistics
Danish logistics and international shipping giant, DFDS, has been combining drones and AI to streamline terminal operations. DFDS provides transportation services, supply chain solutions and warehouse management, handling millions of trailers every year. The company has been exploring the potential for drones to be used to improve freight inspections at their harbour terminals. Locating individual trailers has long been a …
AUSTimber2020 rescheduled to November
Another casualty of the recent bush fires in Australia is the four-yearly forestry show, AusTimber 2020 that was scheduled for early April. It’s now being postponed to later in the year. The response and recovery efforts to the bushfire crisis are significant and many people and businesses from our timber industry have been directly affected or are working tirelessly to …
Douglas fir felled early for wilding effect
Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) announced a contract for the harvest of Coronet Forest has been awarded to Mike Hurring Logging Ltd last week beginning immediately. Established over several years between 1984 and 1996, Coronet Forest consists of 172.5 ha of Douglas fir and is a significant seed source contributing to the wilding pine problem on neighbouring indigenous tussock grassland. …
Cat dealer launches new brand
New Zealand’s Cat® dealer marked a new era at a special event in Auckland last week where Chief Executive Grant Whitelaw revealed a new company name, Terra Industrial New Zealand Ltd, and outlined a vision for a revitalised future based on new ownership, customer passion for Cat® products and expanded customer solutions. “We are building on a magnificent legacy of …
Pilot to increase woodlot owner’s awareness
WorkSafe New Zealand is working with industry to ensure woodlot owners are aware of their obligation to notify them when undertaking felling or logging operations on their properties. Sadly, the reality is that too many people are being killed or seriously hurt harvesting forests. The pilot focuses on small operators who are likely to have woodlots on their farm properties …
Treemetrics launch innovative forestry App
Treemetrics, the pioneering forestry software company, has announced the official opening of its new Global HQ on the South Mall in Cork city. An Tánaiste, Mr Simon Coveney, TD, Minster for Foreign Affairs and Trade, marked the occasion, as guest of honour, by unveiling a commemorative plaque and also by launching Treemetrics latest mobile product innovation. The HarvestSync App enables …
HarvestTECH News Issue 4
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. This will be the final issue for 2019. Whilst just set up following this year’s HarvestTECH 2019 event, HarvestTECH News has already grown to over 6,000 direct subscribers and more than 18,000 regular readers. As a reader, we appreciate your support. We aim to continue to bring you updates on breaking news, research results, reports, …
Trifecta for Women in Forestry in awards
They say its woman’s intuition and having that natural ability to relate to tree fallers in the forest that has been a real skill that Kere Elliot from Elliot Logging has and that has gone a long way to backing her win as the Skilled Forestry Professional of the Year for 2019 at the Hawkes Bay Forestry Awards. Kere has …
Ponsse celebrate 15k machines built
The 15,000th Ponsse machine was completed at Ponsse’s factory in Vieremä and delivered to Lespromindustria from Russia. The machine delivery also represented a step towards Ponsse’s 50th anniversary to be celebrated next year. Fifty years of logging will be celebrated by a global roadshow together with Ponsse’s customers and other forest industry professionals. The 15,000th machine is a Ponsse Buffalo …
Hazard alert: Slip could have been far worse
A reminder to all drivers to take extra care when unchaining log loads at log yards – There has been an incident where a log has slipped off a truck while the driver was walking away from it, after releasing the last chain of the bunk. In other circumstances this could have been a very serious incident indeed. As the …
Two key acquisitions for RDO Equipment
RDO Equipment is excited to announce the consolidation of its business interests in Australia and the appointment of Julie Whitcombe as CEO of the newly formed RDO Australia Group – The changes come as the business acquires 100% ownership of Queensland-based machinery dealer Vanderfield and Vermeer Equipment Holdings. It currently owns 50% of each of these businesses. RDO is a …
John Deere: New steep slope felling model
A direct result of the continued growth of the steep slope logging market, the new John Deere 959ML Shovel Logger is designed for felling and log handling in difficult terrain. Available in one of two configurations from the factory – shovel logger or directional feller – the 959ML machine boosts productivity, even in the most challenging of applications. “We are …
Hyundai puts platooning self-driving trucks to the test
Autonomous driving technologies could significantly shape the future of trucking over the coming decade, and as we’re continuing to see through various trials around the world, platooning may play a big part in this transformation. By sending a pair of self-driving trucks down a test highway in South Korea, Hyundai has now carried out a platooning trial of its own, …
Commitment to training and people top priority
Rosewarne Cable Loggers (RCL) was one of the big winners at the recent 2019 Northland Forestry Awards taking out the UDC Training Company/Contractor of the Year crown. Company health and safety coordinator Kerry Pellegrom says that the win demonstrates RCL’s successful and purposeful commitment to people development through industry training. “Our aim is to have a multi-skilled workforce as training …
Tigercat introduce power clam grapple
The new Tigercat power clam grapple series is here. Designed for use on the 875 and 880D loggers, the three models – PC08, PC10 and PC12 – are sized for load capacities of 0.8 m², 0.9 m² and 1,1 m². Using fatigue resistant welded construction, Tigercat power clam grapples feature durable box-style tongs fabricated from high strength steel. All weld-on …
HarvestTECH News Issue 3
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. In this month’s issue, we cover the NZ-based harvesting company, Stubbs Contractors, who successfully overhauled their traditional business model and moved to ‘Lean manufacturing’, with some pretty impressive results. Both Robert Stubbs and Trev Hall spoke on the journey and impact that this change had on their contracting business at the recent HarvestTECH 2019 …
Pedersen brings in Sennebogen 830 material handler
The Pedersen Group has improved its efficiency and fuel consumption by bringing into Australia a first-of-its kind material handler from the Group’s long-standing German manufacturing partner, Sennebogen. The Pedersen Group is part of the LINX Cargo Care Group, a diversified logistics infrastructure and solutions provider with over 4000 employers across Australia and New Zealand. The company consists of 150 employees …
Rewarding times for forestry ‘family’
A major focus for Lloyd Logging since it started in 2017 has been to invest in staff and training. It’s no surprise then that company staff member Channing Green took out the emerging talent award at last year’s Northland Forestry Awards and was up for the trainee of the year in 2019. “Channing has only been in the industry for …
Austrian logging conference report
The Symposium Formec “Forestry Mechanization” was held in Sopron and Forchtenstein (Hungary & Austria) from the 6th – 9th October, crossing over with the Austrofoma machine demonstration (held every four years). The conference is organised by Boku University, Vienna. The purpose of Formec is to combine experience from worldwide scientists, researchers and practitioners in forest operations and planning on close-to-nature …
C3 secures five-year contract with FCNSW
C3, part of LINX Cargo Care Group, has commenced operations under a five-year softwood clearfell harvest contract with Forestry Corporation NSW (FCNSW) in the Walcha Management Region in NSW. This is the first contract that C3 has secured with the company and C3 is looking forward to delivering on its promise to FCNSW in Walcha and furthering the new relationship …
Family spirit at heart of logging firm
Love, care and a true family spirit are at the heart of Subritzky Clark Logging’s successful Northland operation, New Zealand. Winning last year’s Forestry Family of the Year at the Northland Forestry Awards was proof of the pudding that family does matter. Owned by Willy and Bronwyn Subritzky Clark, the logging business operates a four-man crew, including the couple’s twin …
Making it ‘Lean’ pays dividends
Implementing a series of management principles made famous by the Toyota Motor Company has helped turn a NZ East Coast business into a “lean logging machine”. Since Stubbs Contractors overhauled its traditional business model for a new approach based around “Lean” manufacturing principles, owner Robert Stubbs said the company was now winning accolades, attention and new business. Robert Stubbs and …
Logger Rhythms Video
When Kaingaroa was the biggest – In the early 20th century forests of fast-growing exotic pines were established in the North Island, making one of the world’s largest timber plantations. This short film explores timber work in Kinleith and Kawerau: from planting to felling to finished product. Directed by NFU veteran Hugh Macdonald, Logger Rhythms is notable as the first …
New harvester from Tigercat
Tigercat introduces the highly anticipated smaller wheel harvester – The 1165 is a mid- sized harvester well suited for thinning, selective cut and final fell applications. With strong swing and levelling capabilities that exceed the competition, the 1165 is well suited for steep slopes. The machine is available in both six-wheel and eight-wheel drive configurations. Powered by the Tigercat FPT …
HarvestTECH News Issue 2
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. I hope you all enjoyed our first monthly issue of HarvestTECH.News sent out last month. Thanks to all of the positive comments sent back to us. As outlined, the aim is to complement annual technology events being run by FIEA and to more regularly communicate with harvesting contractors, harvest planners, wood transport operators, forestry …
RealWear for forestry or wood products?
Company-X has become the first and only Australasian reseller for head-mounted tablets from established global innovation leader, RealWear. The agreement, covering Australia and New Zealand, adds additional capability to Company-X, which purchased augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) expert Pepper Creative in June. RealWear is a leading manufacturer of head-mounted tablets. The lightweight headset has a narrow “boom arm” with a …
NZ’s first all-female forestry crew
It’s a girl group of a very different kind – meet New Zealand’s first all-female forestry team. Source: NZ Herald
A contractor’s guide to electronic logging devices [Part Two]
This is the second of a two-part series by Kamloops, B.C., log hauler and logging contractor Greg Munden, sharing his company’s experience implementing electronic logging devices (ELDs). Part one was added to this site a month ago. Part 2 covers implementation and driver buy-in, ways to harness the power of an ELD telematics system, as well as telematics features and …
Videos added for local harvesting operations
HarvestTECH 2019, run in Rotorua, New Zealand on 26-27 June 2019, was sold out. Details on the event can be found on the event website. As well as an outstanding array of exhibits and equipment on display, presentations were given throughout the two days by leading equipment providers, technology specialists and logging contractors – both local – and international. Details on how …
World’s largest electric vehicle – the eDumper
This story is probably timely considering recent announcements on encouraging more electric vehicles onto our roads. While a single computer used to take up a whole room, now they comfortably fit inside your backpack to be easily carried around. From computers to mobile phones, developments in modern technology mean everything has got smaller. But the “eDumper” is a very different …
Bigger T-WINCH coming….with NZ in mind
The T-WINCH traction assist machine was unveiled to local logging contractors at the HarvestTECH 2019 event in New Zealand few weeks ago. With the first cab-free T-WINCH machine already working in New Zealand, a new and larger model has just been developed which should be well suited to markets like ours. A forestry operation north of Gisborne has been operating …
Improving the health of NZ forestry workers
Improve the health and wellbeing of NZ workers and you also improve safety and productivity. That’s the thinking behind the pilot of a health programme for forestry workers being run by FISC and Rayonier Matariki that has now been extended – thanks to funding from the Forest Growers Levy Trust. The pilot involves the KYND mobile phone app, which enables …
Trimble Acquires 3LOG Systems to Expand its Forestry Solutions
Trimble (TRMB) announced, on 4 September 2019, that it has acquired 3LOG Systems, Inc., a leading supplier of timber management software solutions. The acquisition complements Trimble’s forestry business software portfolio and further expands the Trimble Connected Forest™ solutions, which offer a complete end-to-end ecosystem for forest management, traceability and timber processing. Financial terms were not disclosed. Headquartered in Vancouver British Columbia, 3LOG has …
John Deere expands technology solutions
Building upon the positive momentum of the original launch of TimberMatic™ Maps and TimberManager™, John Deere announces the expansion of the technology offerings to full-tree equipment, including feller bunchers and skidders. These streamlined software solutions offer loggers enhanced machine visibility and communication for a productive work day. “The addition of full-tree machines to the TimberMatic Maps and TimberManager offering is an example of …
Plans for a Toroawhi H&S forestry pilot
The Forest Industry Safety Council is looking for someone to be a health and safety forestry champion for a pilot project aimed at ensuring a strong workers’ voice in New Zealand’s forestry sector. Workers know what makes work successful on a day-to-day basis and they play an essential role in reducing work-related injuries and ill-health. Therefore, good worker participation is …
HarvestTECH News Issue 1
Together with industry, the Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA) will be communicating much more regularly with harvesting contractors, harvest planners, wood transport operators, forestry managers, forest owners and equipment and technology providers across New Zealand and Australia. This is the first of future monthly updates that will be provided to you – free of charge. Because of the huge support …
New service for harvesting & wood transport operators
Together with industry, the Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA) will be communicating much more regularly with harvesting contractors, harvest planners, wood transport operators, forestry managers, forest owners and equipment and technology providers across New Zealand and Australia. The HarvestTECH conference and exhibition that ran in June 2019 sold out well in advance of the event being run. It was the …
EWC programme opens forestry pathway
The shake-up of vocational training in New Zealand has been welcomed by the forestry industry here, just as its own apprenticeship programme takes off. Eastland Wood Council’s Generation Programme last week celebrated the first of their graduates to go on to sign up for a Competenz forest industry training apprenticeship, with 21-year-old Tahi Hiroki the first to move on to …
Taranaki forestry course attracts trainees
Digging in Pinus radiata seedlings on a steep, slippery slope as an icy wind whips off Mt Taranaki is helping provide future work skills in New Zealand’s forestry industry for ten young trainees. Those trainees are gathered on a cold, overcast morning at a sheep and beef farm behind Stratford. It’s their fourth week of a 17-week New Zealand Certificate …
First production trial of helicopter slash grapple
Erosion and debris flow from forestry operations is currently a live topic. Severe weather events in the Nelson and Gisborne regions of New Zealand last year caused localised debris flows of mud and ‘slash’ (woody debris from windthrown trees, broken tops and branches, and residues from harvesting operations) beyond the forest boundary on to neighbouring properties. Concerns have been raised …
Gough family sells Caterpillar dealership
Gough family to sell Caterpillar dealership after nearly a century – The wealthy Gough family has sold Gough Group for $211 million to a Malaysian company after a 90-year history in New Zealand owning the Caterpillar heavy machinery dealership. The Gough family fortune is collectively valued at nearly $400m but members have been split in recent years and been embroiled …
Tree seedling deliveries by drone tested
David Herries from Interpine was able to open the minds of many of the harvesting contractors and forest managers who attended the New Zealand HarvestTECH 2019 event that ran in late June. The opportunities of using drones operationally in a raft of forestry activities was outlined to those attending. Already in New Zealand, some 118 foresters have successfully gone through …
Hi-tech shirt for forestry workers
A shirt with built-in sensors could help reduce fatalities in New Zealand’s forestry industry. Researchers at the University of Waikato are developing a hi-tech way to keep forestry workers safe on the job, with a ‘smart shirt’ the leading contender. Using sensors on the front of the shirt to monitor heart-rate variability and others on the back to measure perspiration, …
Trucking start-up wins race to run driverless
Starsky Robotics is now testing autonomous trucks that have no driver inside, the San Francisco Bay Area start-up announced. As of June 16, Starsky began operating truly driverless semi-trucks on the Florida turnpike. It’s a first in the industry. To be sure, there are plenty of autonomous trucks on the road. TuSimple has a fleet of more than 50 trucks …
A contractor’s guide to electronic logging devices [Part One]
This article recently appeared in a North American industry magazine, Canadian Forest Industries. It will we think be of interest to harvesting and haulage companies in this part of the world. It’s been written by Kamloops, B.C.-based Munden Ventures. With the impending passing of regulation mandating the use of electronic logging devices (ELDs, also known as ELOGs) in 2020 in …
Forest supply chain survey
Scion is planning a research project to better understand and assess New Zealand forest supply chain capabilities including visibility, agility, and flexibility. This project aims to identify some key supply chain problems and provide alternative reconfigurations to integrate supply chain systems, e.g. improving collaboration and information sharing. The expected outcome of the project is to contribute to business management and …
Gym in a truck concept unveiled
At a global launch of its S-Way range truck cabins, IVECO has unveiled the Fit Cab concept designed to incorporate exercise and gym equipment under a healthier push to help long distance drivers, a group long associated with an ordained, sedentary lifestyle. Upcoming workshops for the concept were tested as part of a research project coinciding with the European Truck …
Wood derivative improves unsealed roads
Rugged, remote and astonishingly beautiful, Te Urewera is the largest wilderness region in the North Island, a primeval forest prized for its ecological systems, biodiversity and cultural heritage. The kaitiaki (guardians) of Te Urewera are Tuhoe, said to be descended from Te Mauna (the Mountain) and Hine-pukohu-rani (the Mist Maiden). Tuhoe – the Children of the Mist – are renowned …
Falling log prices impact on woodlot harvesting
In-market prices for logs in China – New Zealand’s largest export market – have fallen in recent weeks and ANZ Bank warns the drop will make the harvest of some woodlots unprofitable. While some price softening is not unusual at this time of year as construction activity slows in the hot months, “the scale of the correction was unexpected,” said …
Contractors encouraged to access support
The Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA) and Forest Owners Association (FOA) are encouraging New Zealand contractors to access support early during the logging downturn. The price drop has been felt across the industry in recent weeks. FOA President Peter Weir says “Woodlot owners and managers are highly likely to reduce or cease log harvesting in the short term in response …
Fatigue management guidelines released
The Logging Investigation and Training Association (LITA) has released guidelines for developing and implementing a fatigue management policy for the forestry industry. The material aims to assist forestry industry participants to identify, assess and manage the risks associated with fatigue. The guidance material offers a structured approach to the development of a fatigue risk management system including a fatigue policy, …
Truck platooning: New trials on the way!
Encouraged by what they learned during last year’s test campaign, FPInnovations and its partners plan to continue evaluating cooperative truck platooning technology in the coming months. This year’s goals are more ambitious. Researchers, in addition to confirming developments in the technology since last year, will be focusing on steering control in the following trucks. The data collected will be used …
World-first robotic logging truck scalers
The world’s first two automated logging truck scalers, commissioned by Mount Maunganui-based ISO Limited, are now scanning logs at Port of Tauranga, New Zealand. The Robotic Scaling Machines (RSM) give a faster, safer and more accurate measure of logs on the trucks and trailers than the manual process. Tauranga-based agritech company Robotics Plus designed and built the automatic logging truck …
Paige picking up top forestry award
Paige Harland was born to be in the bush. Miss Harland (21) comes from a Southland family who have sap in their blood over three generations. Named apprentice of the year at the recent 2019 Southern Wood Council Forestry Awards, she works for Harland Brothers Logging. The business was established by her grandfather and great-uncle, later taken over by her …
HarvestTECH 2019 Sold Out
HarvestTECH 2019 has officially sold out. This two-yearly harvesting event also sold out in both the 2015 and 2017 events. Close to 450 logging contractors, forestry managers, forest owners, harvest planners and equipment suppliers will meet next month in Rotorua, New Zealand. This is truly an international gathering. The New Zealanders will be joined by large contingents from Australia and Canada …
Connected C-me vest enhances driver safety
Truck driver safety takes big steps forward with the introduction of the technology laden safety vest. The Scania C-me vest is a connected safety vest that features automatic lighting when exiting the cab. If the driver falls while outside the truck and becomes inactive a sensor in the Scania C-me will trigger a call for help. Final verification tests are …
Featured Sponsor: Onsite Hydraulic Hose Repair & Maintenance
Do you ever ask yourself “Where does the time go?” How can I create more time to achieve tasks or spend more time with friends & family? At BOA we believe we have a solution which helps loggers “turn wasted time into profit”. We’re focused on solving the problem of large hydraulic repair bills, expensive hose and fittings, and most …
Featured Sponsor: Applied Teleoperation
Applied Teleoperation Limited (ATL) was established with the goal to apply teleoperation and vision systems to improve safety and productivity in the forestry industry. ATL is dedicated to delivering practical solutions for loggers. We provide a number of products as well as custom solutions to meet each Customer’s needs. ATL’s products include the CutoverCam, Teleoperated Anchor Machine (TAM), WinchEye and Full Teleoperation …
Featured Sponsor: McFall Fuel
McFall Fuel is a committed & dedicated family fuel & lubricant distribution business. McFall Fuel has developed great relationships with people at all levels of the forestry industry. We are a family business who take great pride in our exceptional customer service, the quality products we offer, and our ability to meet the needs of the sector. As a fuel …
Caterpillar selling purpose-built forestry business
In August 2018 Caterpillar Inc. announced plans to sell its forestry business to Weiler Forestry Inc. Caterpillar and Weiler have now entered into a definitive agreement to sell Cat’s purpose-built forestry business. The deal will close in Q3 2019. In November last year, Gough Cat announced that they’d entered into an agreement with United States company Weiler Incorporated to distribute …
Meeting the workforce needs of American loggers
American Loggers Council welcomes launch of Future Logging Careers Act, saying allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to work in mechanized logging operations under parental supervision will help meet future workforce needs while supporting small family businesses The American Loggers Council (ALC) has applauded the introduction of the bipartisan Future Logging Careers Act in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. …
Results from latest Forest Contractors Business Review
The Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology has recently completed another update of their New Zealand Forestry Contractors Business Review. The results are summarised below and a copy of their latest full report is attached. This review represents the views of more than 115 contractor crews from all regions in New Zealand. Of these, 24 per cent state the risk of …
Minimising stem breakage on steeper slopes
There’s nothing more frustrating than watching an impressive 35-m tall Radiata pine topple to the ground and then shatter into two or more pieces. That stem has now not only lost a chunk of its value, it has also become harder to get those fractured pieces back up to the landing or skid site, compared to a wholly intact tree. …
Competenz calls for forestry industry feedback
The New Zealand government’s proposal to reform vocational education could undermine the success of training and apprenticeships at a time of critical skills shortages in forestry, says industry training organisation (ITO) Competenz. Chief executive Fiona Kingsford is encouraging the forestry industry to this week provide feedback on the plan, which includes replacing all 16 polytechs with a new national organisation …
CNI company establishes all-female forestry crew
A group of New Zealand women have found employment together in an unlikely industry as new figures show job advertisements in the Bay of Plenty are soaring. CNI Logging has been working with 18 women as part of a process to choose an 11-strong, all-female team to work in silviculture. Health and safety recruitment officer Joe Taute said he believed …
Support key to success forestry training programme
Nearly a year after its official launch, New Zealand’s Eastland Wood Council-driven Generation Programme is proving its worth in multiple ways. Launched in April last year the programme had its first intake of 14 trainees in October, with most of those now gainfully employed within the industry. The programme is now accepting enrolments for its second intake. Generation Programme manager …
Tigercat unveils largest machine in forestry line-up
Tigercat continues to set the bar high with the introduction of the new 890 logger – the largest machine in the Tigercat forestry equipment line-up – a heavy duty, purpose-built forestry carrier that can be configured for loading, shovel logging or processing. Weighing 47 900 kg (105,600 lb), the Tigercat 890 is the largest, highest capacity machine in Tigercat’s purpose …
Distractions slow your reactions campaign underway
Forestry Corporation of NSW kicked off 2019 with a series of safety campaigns and workshops to put safety first after the holiday break. The Safe Start campaign was targeted at forestry drivers, operators and staff to help everyone make the transition back to work. The campaign focused on two key driver risks – fatigue and distractions, said Forestry Corporation Haulage …
Komatsu buys forestry machine manufacturer
Komatsu America Corp. a leading global heavy equipment manufacturer, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire TimberPro, Inc. The acquisition is expected to close on April 1st 2019, subject to completion of the closing conditions. Established in 2002, TimberPro is a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of purpose-built forest machines and attachments, offering tracked feller bunchers and harvesters, forwarders, …
Report out on new excavator-based yarder
Smaller scale forest owners in New Zealand (those owning less than 1000 hectares) made up 30% of the national plantation forest estate in 2017 (MPI, 2017). Recent forecasts indicate that the potential harvest volumes available from these small-scale owners’ forests could increase from 8 million cubic metres per year to around 15 million cubic metres per year from 2020 through …
Health and fitness pay off for forestry truckers
A healthy and safe crew is a happy crew. Warwick Wilshier knows that all too well through the extra measures he has put in place to benefit drivers at his logging truck companies Williams and Wilshier and Pacific Haulage. Starting work an hour later on Mondays and an annual three-month fitness programme called Lose Your Load have proved hugely successful. …
John Deere appoints AFGRI in Western Australia
As outlined in an earlier release a couple of weeks ago, John Deere Construction & Forestry and Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia) Pty Ltd had announced they were ending a successful 29-year distribution arrangement of Deere branded and manufactured construction, forestry, and compact machinery in Australia. In line with this change, AFGRI Equipment has been appointed by John Deere to distribute …
Scania and Rio Tinto trial autonomous truck
Commercial vehicle manufacturer, Scania, is testing a new generation autonomous transport system at Rio Tinto’s Dampier Salt operations in Western Australia. The first phase of the trial started August 2018, involving a Scania XT 8×4 autonomous tipper working separately from Dampier’s active operations. During this initial stage, a safety driver reportedly rides in the vehicle to observe the truck’s performance …
Dyneema rope testing for load restraint
A recent project undertook load restraint testing to ascertain the engineering qualities of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE e.g. Dyneema®) rope as an effective mean of load restraint for industry and to continue to collect data to build on previous load restraint testing. The overall intent of the load restraint testing was to refine existing load restraint methods to improve …
Why LEAN? Lessons from a NZ logging contractor
If you have a business that is experiencing the following ‘symptoms’ read on…… – Are your costs rising? – Are mistakes on the increase? – Are your efficiency levels unsatisfactory? – Are your profits evaporating? – Could the morale and culture of your people be better? The good news is that it’s all reversible, but the first step is to …
Early NZ logging – an added bonus for HarvestTECH 2019
In addition to the very latest in harvesting technology, new innovations and new operating practices that are making such a huge difference to New Zealand, Australian and North American harvesting contractors, an extra bonus for harvesting crews, harvest planners and forest managers has been added to the HarvestTECH 2019 event running in Rotorua on 26-27 June. The logging historian, Paul …
New Cat app delivers streamlined equipment data
Caterpillar launches the industry’s first mobile app designed to allow customers who spend their time in a truck, at the job site and on-the-go to take advantage of equipment telematics data. The new Cat® App delivers simplified, streamlined data directly to mobile devices, helping customers monitor machine location and health, react faster to fault codes and maximize uptime. The culmination …
Deere and Hitachi end Australian partnership
John Deere Construction & Forestry Company (Deere) and Hitachi Construction Machinery (Hitachi) have had a long and successful global partnership spanning multiple continents and product lines. This partnership has served both companies well and supported each company’s global growth over the multi-decade relationship. However, after 29 years of distribution Deere, Hitachi, and HCA have agreed to end the current distribution …
Fatigued log transport drivers and sleep apnoea
In December we were fortunate to get an update on the very popular work being delivered to log transport companies and their drivers up and down New Zealand. This is important initiative being led by the Log Transport Safety Council (LTSC) in New Zealand. In the course of the meeting, LTSC’s Bruce Nairn made mention of the high levels of …
Generation Z – the key to meeting skills shortages
The last wood harvesting event ran two years ago in New Zealand. It was a sell-out. Same story two years before this in 2015. Over 450 met at both events in Rotorua, New Zealand. Both also saw the largest gathering of logging contractors, forestry managers, forest owners, suppliers and harvest planners ever seen in New Zealand. It wasn’t only the …
The attraction of operating multi-million-dollar machines
Scott Thomas is a young man with an exciting future. Aged just 21, he is currently working for Gamble Forest Harvesting in a fully mechanised 8-man hauler crew in Otago. Scott has found his passion, and that is driving big harvesting machines. I caught up with Scott in Flagstaff Forest, part of the City Forests estate high above Dunedin, during …
Logging in a living technology laboratory
A few years ago, American logger Eric Krume expressed some frustration that technology had not moved quickly enough to adapt to Pacific Northwest conditions and dynamics. A lot has changed since then. To address this, Eric constantly seeks technology with flexible solutions to suit the differing forest conditions his logging crews encounter from one setting to the next. His inventiveness …
HarvestTECH 2019 details now on line
Following on from the early announcement at the end of last year, full details of the two-yearly wood harvesting event, HarvestTECH 2019 have now been set in place and full details can now be found on the event website, www.harvesttech.events. The 2015 harvesting event, HarvestTECH was a SELL OUT. The 2017 event likewise sold out. Both at the time were …
New research collaboration on steep slope harvesting
Networking is an investment in business development and a recently published paper on tensile force monitoring in steep slope harvesting jointly written by Canada’s FPInnovations’ steep slope initiative (SSI) scientists and researchers at an Italian university exemplifies that golden rule. The seed for the collaboration was planted at the Forestry Mechanization (FORMEC) conference, held annually in Europe. Initial discussions at …
Harvesting operation’s completion celebrated
Rayonier Matariki Forests and Crew 21, from Maungawaru Logging this month celebrated the completion of an extremely challenging harvesting operation in Oponae Forest, New Zealand. Crew 21 has had to navigate steep terrain and unstable ground, manage unpredictable weather patterns and cope with flooding of the Waioeka Gorge over seven years of intense steep slope harvesting in Oponae Forest. Rayonier …
Gough Cat signs dealer agreement with US company
Gough Cat has announced this week an agreement with United States company Weiler Incorporated to distribute its forestry product line in New Zealand. Founded in 2000, Weiler has a long history of successfully manufacturing equipment distributed through the global Cat dealer network, says Gough Cat Executive General Manager Chris Heaton. “These products complement the Caterpillar forestry machines that Gough Cat …
Forestry truck platooning tested in Canada
FPInnovations and its partners took truck platooning research a giant step further and earned a spot in history by successfully road testing the emerging technology in the deep forests of Quebec in the first trial of its kind in Canada. The day-long trial in late October took place in Rivière-aux-Rats, Quebec and signals the beginning of a transformation of the …
Waratah Forestry Equipment celebrates 45 years
Waratah Forestry Equipment is proudly celebrating 45 years of innovation and serving customers in the forestry industry. Established in Tokoroa, New Zealand in 1973, the company transitioned to meet local loggers’ heavy-duty delimbing needs, creating a delimber-feller-buncher featuring a four-roller fixed head. Following that innovation, a red grapple processor for the Canadian markets marked the beginnings of the 600 Series …
Forestry apprentices growing the industry
In last week’s issue we asked for more good news stories to profile the industry, particularly to the younger generation. Attached is one supplied by Rayonier Matariki Forests. The company is stumping up tuition fees for its Southland contractors to train their apprentices in a bid to encourage school leavers to join the NZ forestry industry. Tuatapere brothers, Jackson and …
MOU for NZ and Canada on steep slope logging
FPInnovations, Canada has announced the renewal of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Forest Growers Research (FGR) of New Zealand to widen the scope of their information exchange in the area of steep slope harvesting, and to facilitate the international exchange of their combined research. FPInnovations and FGR are mutually interested in forest technology and will share expertise in cooperative …
Volvo’s self-driving Vera concept – with no cabin
Much is said about the emergence of autonomous cars on our streets, but enclosed areas like ports, factories and corporate campuses may well be where they are put to work first. With this in mind, Volvo has just announced a new electric vehicle concept built to tow loads around these kinds of environments all on their lonesome, so much so …
EOI to Present – HarvestTECH 2019
You know just how popular it was when last run in 2017. HarvestTECH 2017 SOLD OUT well in advance of the event even running. Over 450 harvesting and wood transport contractors, harvest planners, forest managers and equipment and tech providers met up at one place, Rotorua, New Zealand over a couple of days. It was the largest gathering yet seen …
Caterpillar announces plan to sell forestry business
Caterpillar, Inc. announced last Wednesday that it has entered into a preliminary agreement with Weiler, Inc. to sell the Cat purpose-built forestry business. The sale is subject to negotiation of a final agreement, the closing of which is expected by early 2019. Caterpillar will continue to provide forestry excavators designed for log loading, processing and other forestry applications, in addition …
Truck driving rates as most dangerous job
Truck drivers are in one of the unhealthiest and deadliest jobs in the country with a 13 times higher risk of dying at work than other Australians, a landmark study has found. The 12-year Monash University study of more than 120,000 insurance claims between 2004-2015 for work-related injury and disease found truck drivers were at higher risk of illness, psychological …
Einride reveals driverless all-electric logging truck
New start-up, Einride, recently participated as an exhibitor at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Future Lab, together with Roborace, Jetpack Aviation and others. The T-log was unveiled by Einride CEO Robert Falck and Charles Gordon-Lennox, the 11th Duke of Richmond, who has hosted the festival at his estate since 1993. Showcasing the world’s first autonomous, all-electric logging truck, Einride was …
Event Summary – WoodFlow 2018
The Woodflow series is Australasia’s premier technology event run every two years. It provides insights into innovations and new tools being developed and employed by leading forestry, wood products and transport companies. We had a record turnout for WoodFlow 2018, with well over 300 attendees from all the major wood harvesting, wood transport, scheduling, planning and logistics companies throughout Australasia. …