Victoria is the first state or territory in Australia to announce the permanent removal of one of the main hurdles for heavy-duty electric trucks to operate on local roads. The …
State-of-the-art renewable hydrogen refuelling station launched
Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, and Swinburne University of Technology’s Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) have today launched a state-of-the-art clean hydrogen refuelling station, purpose-built for enabling hydrogen research. The $2.5 …
Australia´s first eFuels plant announced
HIF Tasmania eFuels facility is expected to start producing up to 100 million liters of carbon neutral eFuels per year in 2028 HIF Global, the world’s leading eFuels company, on …
NZ log export prices firm in November
Prices for NZ log exports are slowly improving, but a forestry consultant says the sector must find new international markets to reduce its reliance on China. Export prices have firmed …
Log & lumber markets may be worse than you think
Russ Taylor, Russ Taylor Global My personal view is that the real situation is probably worse that what is being reported. European demand will be about 11% lower in 2023 …
Drone lifts tree! A groundbreaking milestone in forestry
AirForestry, renowned for its pioneering work with drone technology for harvesting trees, has recently showcased that its drone can attach to a tree top and lift a tree trunk. “We’re …
November 2023 NZ log market update
Opinion Piece: Marcus Musson, Director, Forest360 Rugby world cup aside, there’s a bit of good news starting to stir some fizziness amongst us tree huggers and, while not at shaken …
Prue Younger retiring as FICA CEO
After six years at the helm, Forest Industry Contractors Association CEO Prue Younger will retire from her role on 31 March 2024. During her time as FICA’s CEO, Prue has …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 47
Welcome to the latest issue of HarvestTECH.News. We have three major themes this month: One, there’s no question whether electric, dual fuel or hydrogen-powered trucks are the future for the forestry …
Victoria paves way for heavy duty electric trucks with permanent axle weight concessions
Victoria is the first state or territory in Australia to announce the permanent removal of one of the main hurdles for heavy-duty electric trucks to operate on local roads. The …
Wood salvage a race against time
Forestry crews are in a race against time to harvest 6500 hectares of trees blown over around Taupō and Tūrangi area in the central North Island during Cyclone Gabrielle. Since …
Continued decline in Australia’s plantation estate
Australia’s plantation estate is still on a worrying downward trajectory, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Agricultural Economics (ABARES) figures. Australia’s total plantation area contracted to 1.716 million hectares …
Forestry company displayed high level of carelessness
A forestry company that showed a “high level of carelessness” involving the use of heavy machinery in streambeds and leaving slash and debris on steep and erosion-prone slopes in Gisborne, …
Vale Dr Tom Mulholland
Dr Tom Mulholland, a celebrity physician and beloved Kiwi campaigner for physical and mental health, died suddenly at the weekend. Known affectionately as Dr Tom, the medical practitioner had helped …
Accelerating Australia’s hydrogen-transport future
A new report released by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and GHD Advisory calls for Australia to focus on hydrogen-powered transport – alongside electric vehicles – or risk being left …
The commercial transport revolution – it’s underway
Advanced technology will pave the way to exceed what was previously thought possible. The commercial transportation industry faces rapidly changing regulations and evolving customer needs. Cummins examines the future of …
October 2023 NZ log market update
Opinion: Marcus Musson, Forest360 Kiwibuild may be the best thing we can export to fix the housing crisis in China, lots of hui but not much doey. Since the early …
Unique timber for new Spirit of Tasmania vessels
More than 6000 lineal metres of Celery Top Pine sourced from below the waters of Lake Pieman on Tasmania’s west coast will be used as feature wall cladding on two …
4th Green Triangle Timber Awards celebrated
The atmosphere was nothing short of spectacular as the 4th Green Triangle Timber Awards Gala Dinner unfolded on 27 October 2023 at The Barn Mount Gambier, South Australia. With a …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 46
Welcome to the latest issue of HarvestTECH.News. Australia is gearing up for another hot and dry bushfire season, with NSW already dealing with a blaze over the last week. It’s an …
AI, robots & satellites fighting wildfires
This year has been a challenging one for Phil Schneider, who hasn’t seen wildfire behaviour like this in his 47-year firefighting career. Blazes raged through more than 2,000 acres of …
Powering vehicles of the future – hydrogen vs electric
Trelleborg enters the discussion on which technologies will be appropriate to power the vehicles of the future. Pick any data point and the growth of electric cars looks like a …
Early EOI – Wood Transport & Logistics 2024
This year, well over 250 forestry and log transport delegates from companies across Australasia, North and South America and Europe met up in Rotorua, New Zealand. The occasion? The long …
Tasman region forestry study important for the industry
A seven-year forestry study looking at the impact of sediment in rivers from harvesting and earthworks has entered its fifth year. The NZ$2.7 million study is jointly funded by Ministry …
Hybridised drivetrains & electrification of tower yarders?
Researchers examined the potential of hybridized drivetrains for tower yarder applications. Radical changes are necessary to address challenges related to global warming and pollution. Ever-tightening emission standards for combustion engines …
Yellow jerseys of the fireline: A day fighting wildfires
For three weeks in July, the world’s most elite bike racers climb steep mountains and sprint along historic cobblestones to capture the coveted yellow jersey or the race leader in …
Hydrogen powered muscle truck: The future’s HERE!
For all of you petrol heads out there. Hydrogen is already making itself felt with hydrogen and dual fuel (hydrogen-diesel) trucks being rolled out onto NZ roads. Check this video …
Komatsu Forest appoints new Australian Sales Manager
Komatsu Forest has appointed Dean O’Connor National Sales Manager for Australia. He will also retain responsibility for Komatsu Forest operations in New Zealand. Dean is an experienced timber industry professional …
The trees come back – looking back 42 years
Some of the worst eroded pasture land in New Zealand can be seen in the East Cape region of the North Island. This film, produced 42 years ago, explains in …
Wood fired steam powering wilding conifer business
Developing commercially successful projects from environmental challenges is bread and butter for the Central Otago social enterprise Wilding & Co. By extracting high value essential oils from invasive Douglas fir, …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 45
Welcome to the latest issue of HarvestTECH.News. Decarbonisation is no longer just a worthwhile future project, but one that is now an essential upgrade for heavy transport fleets as we address …
August 2023 NZ log market update
Opinion Piece: Marcus Musson, Director, Forest360 Moving into electioneering season we are starting to see our political masters throw cash promises at potential voters like candy to kids, seemingly without …
Hybridised drivetrains & electrification with tower yarders?
Researchers examined the potential of hybridized drivetrains for tower yarder applications. Radical changes are necessary to address challenges related to global warming and pollution. Ever-tightening emission standards for combustion engines …
Accelerating Australia’s hydrogen-transport future
A new report released by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and GHD Advisory calls for Australia to focus on hydrogen-powered transport – alongside electric vehicles – or risk being left …
Safety using the T-Winch harvesting downhill
Zane Knight, owner of Knight Logging, and his operator Johnson Peri, talk about their new T-Winch, which can be operated from the cab using a remote control. Zane says the …
Record nominations recognise forestry’s top talent
Heralding the success of the inaugural awards last year, the Central North Island forestry industry stepped up to bring in a record number of nominations for the second year, with …
Repairs & maintenance of mobile forestry machinery
Great videos covering key tips on repairs and maintenance. See these short clips that cover key tips for staying safe when repairing and maintaining forestry machinery. They summarise messages contained …
AI company partners Nordic Forestry Automation
Södra Ädla is a new partner of Nordic Forestry Automation (NFA). The company develops next-generation operator support systems for forest machines based on sensor technology from autonomous vehicles and AI …
Australian review of tree felling skills standards
Forestry operators, arborists and emergency workers may all need to draw on skills to manually fell trees with a chainsaw when using large machinery is unviable. These skills are described …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 44
Welcome to the latest issue of HarvestTECH.News. Residues2Revenues 2023 ran last week and saw over 250 attendees discuss the significant bioenergy and bioproduct market opportunities that are available to forest owners …
Waka Kotahi to audit excessive RUC purchases
Waka Kotahi will be auditing and invoicing RUC users for excessive Road User Charges purchases made during the temporary reduction scheme. The Government reduced RUC rates by 36% from 1 …
Event Summary – Residues2Revenues 2023
As anticipated, the turnout to the second Residues2Revenues 2023 was a standout for the industry. Around 250 delegates attended the wood residues event, principally forest owners and managers, harvesting and log cartage …
TRT Made Possible Brand Promise
Overcoming challenges is precisely how TRT got started. Clever, practical people solving complex engineering problems with ingenuity and relentless hard work. Making something from nothing, and then making it better. …
Accusations on plundering timber from Tasmania
The Andrews government is being accused of plundering timber from Tasmania after announcing the closure of the Victorian industry. The Heyfield Mill, part-owned by the Victorian Government and operated by …
CNI Generation Programme students graduate
The third Generation Programme run at Toi Ohomai Institute NZ Tokoroa completed on Thursday 15 June with a ‘Matariki’ celebration. The Matariki cluster of stars signifies the start of the …
Plantma Forestry commercial planting trials expanded
Successful trials with the Swedish manufactured mechanised planter have already been undertaken in a number of countries. The last few months where their machines have been operating have been a …
July 2023 NZ log market update
Opinion Piece; Marcus Musson, Forest360 Director Sentiment’s a funny thing. A month ago, we were staring down the barrel of a long and protracted export market ‘crash’ as prices plummeted …
Potential of satellite broadband for rural NZ
The Commerce Commission’s latest Measuring Broadband New Zealand report shows the potential of low Earth orbit satellite (LEO) broadband internet as an option for the 13% of Kiwis who are …
Young apprentice grows new forestry skills
NZ forestry apprentice Neihana Brewer is a man of few words, preferring to leave it up to others to speak of his attributes, including Graeme Benge, his employer at Fast …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 43
Welcome to the latest issue of HarvestTECH.News. This month’s news revolves around compliance in New Zealand’s harvesting sector, technological advancements in log tracking and the need for market diversification. We are …
Nationwide first bond for slash management
The NZ Government has ordered a ministerial enquiry into forestry practice and the which has filled beaches and destroyed roads in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle. But in a nationwide …
GNSS for more accurate machine & log location
Digital developments unfold at a fast pace, and for forestry this means opportunities for new, smarter ways of working. Thanks to developments in the satellite positioning technology GNSS, MaxiFleet, Komatsu …
Bioenergy funding to better utilise forestry slash
The NZ Government is making a start on a more sustainable forestry industry with investments into a bioenergy plant, research into biomass and better forestry practices, Forestry Minister Peeni Henare …
Australian Pine Log Price Index report released
The latest Australian Pine Log Price Index for the July to December 2022 period has just been released. The Australian Pine Log Price Index is compiled by KPMG using data …
Mechlog launches new forestry training programme
MechLog, a leading provider of forestry services, has announced the launch of Skills Enhancement & Employee Development, a new training programme aimed at improving the skills of people entering the …
Kiwi logging equipment manufacturer acquires Madill
New Zealand-based logging equipment manufacturer DC Equipment has acquired the renowned Madill brand from B.C.-based Nicholson Manufacturing, who have held the brand for the last 12 years. The Rich Madill …
Australian log exports unlikely to reach historic highs
At the end of 2020, China banned the importation of plantation pine logs from Australia, stating that bark beetles had infected the logs. This decision resulted in a collapse of …
Komatsu launches new harvester for steeper terrain
The Komatsu 951XC is a new harvester for final logging in steep terrain and on soft ground. The eight-wheel design, combined with the stable Komatsu concept, ensures a machine with …
Sawmills face temporary closures as demand dives
Several New Zealand sawmills producing housing timber are temporarily halting production, as the construction sector slows. Forest manager and log marketer Allan Laurie said demand for building new houses had …
Discover Forestry NZ launched
New Zealand’s eight Wood Councils have joined forces to launch the joint forest education organisation – Discover Forestry New Zealand. Work around the country has already been undertaken with school …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 42
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. A car park full of large rigs and new technologies. Wood Transport & Logistics 2023 attracted over 250 people from forestry, wood harvesting and …
Event Summary – Wood Transport & Logistics 2023
Wood Transport & Logistics 2023 returned to a packed audience, a car park full of large rigs and a range of next-gen technologies on display. Over 250 forestry and log …
Robots – the wave of a digitized forest industry future
Virtual machine operators can utilize 5G connections to remotely harvest forests The robots are coming to the B.C. forest sector. It’s the undeniable wave of the future for forestry companies …
PONSSE EV1 technology receives 2023 Automation Prize
Ponsse’s and Epec’s technology concept PONSSE EV1 has been rewarded with the Finnish Society of Automation’s Automation prize. The prize is given every two years by society to reward significant …
Dive in log prices making harvesting uneconomic
NZ log prices dropped 14 percent between March and April as China’s usual seasonal increase in consumption failed to materialise. Logging exporters are being blamed for the current dive in …
Celebrating training & business success
It was a well-timed event for the Southern North Island Wood Council to hold their Forestry Awards on the night of 12 May 2023 in Palmerston North. 410 members of …
23 year old forest contracting business pulls the pin
In NZ, a Gisborne-based forest contracting business owner is “devastated” by having to pull the pin on his 23-year-old company. Robert Stubbs (photo) owns Stubbs Contracting and forestry has been …
NZ forestry contractors at breaking point
New Zealand’s forestry contractors are at breaking point, with compounding pressures from the last three years mounting. Some are already in liquidation and many more are at risk of losing …
PF Olsen NZ Log Market – May 2023
Market Summary At Wharf Gate (AWG) prices for export logs further decreased an average of $22 per JASm3 in May. The AWG prices have now dropped to their lowest prices …
Russian timber exports see steep decline
According to recent data from Roslesinforg, the Russian forest regulator, foreign sales of Russian timber experienced a further decline in the first quarter of this year, dropping by over 20 …
Waratah appoints new NZ Area Manager Retail
Waratah is pleased to announce the appointment of Barry Gates as Area Manager Retail for Waratah Forestry Services of New Zealand. Barry will take up the leadership of the New …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 41
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. In log transport this month, conversions of heavy transport fleets from diesel to electric, hydrogen and hybrid fuelling options continue at pace. Last year, …
Log Haulage Skills resources being created
ForestWorks has commenced work on a project to update the forest industry’s Log Haulage Manual and produce instructional videos to support some important knowledge and skills required to transport harvested …
Dual fuel truck powered by diesel and hydrogen gas
New Zealand’s largest privately owned transport company has launched what is believed to be Australasia’s first dual fuel truck which is powered by hydrogen gas and diesel. The HW Richardson …
New funding for contractors for biomass innovation
EECA has a new fund which could be of assistance to those looking to make a start in the biomass business in New Zealand or increasing production of an existing …
Saw logs moved more than 900km by rail to supply bushfire-impacted Riverina mills
Logs are being transported more than 900 kilometres by rail from northern New South Wales to prop up supply to sawmills on the south-west slopes as part of bushfire recovery. …
SpaceX to provide 100% mobile coverage of NZ
Vodafone has reached an agreement with Elon Musk’s SpaceX satellite business to provide mobile coverage of the whole country for its customers via Starlink. The telco announced the landmark deal …
Kenworth celebrates century of truck making
From logging truck beginnings to battery-electric trucks and fuel cell pilots Kenworth, which began as a maker of logging trucks in 1923, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Kenworth Truck Co. …
Forest company cleared of RMA breaches
The owner of a NZ forest company who has been cleared of breaching the Resource Management Act says the charges were without merit. Forestry company John Turkington Ltd was found …
Forest contractors want input to slash solutions
New Zealand’s forestry contractors are asking to be included when investigating solutions for slash / woody debris. Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA) CEO Prue Younger says FICA is keen to …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 40
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. Next month we’ll be hosting this region’s largest wood transport and logistics industry event, Wood Transport and Logistics 2023. This is timely and is …
The slash traps debate – solution or even more damage?
In New Zealand, could slash traps help curb the flow of woody debris that has battered and cloaked the east coast of the North Island during recent storm events? Forest …
The future of electric semi trucks
Canadian Company takes the transportation industry by storm. Edison Motors is a revolutionary company that specializes in the design, development, and production of electric semi-trucks. Founded by Chace Barber and …
Issues around phasing out native logging in Victoria
Three years ago, the Labor Government of Victoria announced that it would be phasing out all native forest logging by 2030. Now both environmentalists and industry are worried that this …
Deere & Co donates US$50,000 to NZ Red Cross
In an effort to help provide relief and recovery to Waratah Forestry Equipment’s home country following the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, Deere & Company recently announced a US$50,000 donation to …
New aerial imagery – before and after Cyclone Gabrielle
Cyclone Gabrielle left a trail of destruction in its wake as it swept through the Hawkes Bay area, and now with the power and accessibility of satellite imagery we have …
Rising costs driving fleet management evolution
A Teletrac Navman survey of more than 1,800 global fleet operators has revealed that rising fuel costs (39%), disruption due to the impact of COVID-19 (32%), and supply chain pressure …
PF Olsen NZ Log Market – March 2023
Market Summary At Wharf Gate (AWG) prices for export logs increased $18 per JASm3 (14%) in March. This price increase was due to a shortage of logs to fill ordered …
International study tour grants opened
Funding to explore industry innovations and best practice: Who’s doing what and doing it well The WIDE Trust is pleased to launch the opportunity for persons actively pursuing a career …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 39
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. In New Zealand, the news over the last month has been dominated by Cyclone Gabrielle and its aftermath. The cyclone cut off communities and …
Mobile log scaling innovation at Tauranga
ISO Limited is readying another significant technology investment, at the Port of Tauranga. The Mobile Log Scaler is a semi-autonomous robot which will image and scale logs, on rail wagons. …
John Deere Introduces New Mid-Size Crawler Log Loader
MOLINE, Ill. (Feb. 20, 2023) — Designed for logging contractors of all sizes, John Deere is excited to introduce the new 2956G. The 2956G crawler log loader is an ideal …
Plantation thinning for carbon, timber and innovation
Plantation thinning may not be new in the forestry sector, which has been thinning to improve tree growth and vigour for years. But the operations being carried out by Forico …
Fears for forestry contractor livelihoods
New Zealand’s forestry contractors in the Tairawhiti, Hawkes Bay, Coromandel and Northland regions are facing immense pressure and compounding challenges post-cyclone Gabrielle. Planted forest in these combined regions makes up …
SCA test-drives centipede forest machine
SCA has been test-driving the Centipede concept machine, which Komatsu and eight Swedish forestry companies are jointly developing. The machine is seen as the sustainable forest machine of the future …
Drone footage shows forestry windthrow from cyclone
Great swathes of forestry in the central North Island of New Zealand have been obliterated by Cyclone Gabrielle, with drone footage showing the scale of destruction. The Lake Taupō Forest …
FEA Update: China softwood log inventories
China’s Softwood Log Inventories at Ocean Ports. FEA industry sources in China report that softwood log inventories at the country’s main ocean ports totaled 5.4 million m3 on February 3, …
Hydrogen technology to debut on international stage
JCB will feature its new hydrogen combustion engine—the company’s solution for zero carbon emissions for construction and agricultural equipment on the international stage at North America’s largest construction show, CONEXPO/CON-AGG …
Forestry contractors chipping in with clean-up
New Zealand’s forestry contractors are mucking in to help clean up post Cyclone Gabrielle while unable to get back to work as normal. Some forestry contractors affected by Cyclone Gabrielle …
February 2023 NZ log market update
Opinion Piece, Marcus Musson, Director, Forest360 As expected, February has seen another solid lift in export prices courtesy of some increased in-market sales prices (CFR) and a reasonably subdued shipping …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 38
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. As we begin 2023 there’s plenty to catch up on as we look ahead to the upcoming year. In a couple of months’ time, …
Transport trends companies can’t ignore in 2023
Global transport is on the cusp of substantial changes driven by constant innovation in technology, the need to deliver more, a powerful surge in customer expectations, and pricing. In New …
Electrifying 8,500 Hilux and Landcruiser Models for Mining Industry
Press Release SEA Electric has made the next step in its journey to electrify the world’s commercial vehicle fleet, by signing a significant Memorandum of Understanding with MEVCO, a leading …
Midway officially opens wood fibre export plant
Tasmania’s sustainable forestry sector is going from strength-to-strength with the official opening Tasmania’s newest wood fibre export facility at the Bell Bay Industrial Complex last week. The facility, owned by …
Wahine in Forestry – Answers to a long standing challenge
The question of how to address the gender inequality that exists in our forest sector is not a new one, you only must read, “A Path Through The Trees”, the …
Awards return with accolades to industry winners
Good things take time and two and a half years since the inaugural event in 2019, the Hawke’s Bay Forestry Group celebrated with the local sector community the second forestry …
Death a reminder to keep an eye on field staff
A forestry services company has been ordered to pay NZ$536,000 for the death of a worker on a site near Wairoa in 2020. The victim, a 48-year-old father and husband, …
Waratah marks 50th anniversary
Waratah Forestry Equipment is celebrating 50 years of innovation within the forestry industry and thanking its customers for decades of trust and loyalty to the brand. “We’re proud to celebrate …
Brandt Tractor acquires AGrowQuip
The Brandt Group of Companies is pleased to announce that they have successfully acquired the assets of AGrowQuip NZ Ltd., effective January 30, 2023. This transaction ensures access to the …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 37
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. As 2022 comes to a close, it’s been a year where Covid-19 and disrupted supply chains have been replaced by a return to ‘normal’ …
Major log transport event planned for May 2023
In log transport, we continue to ramp up coverage of an array of new innovations in electric, hydrogen and diesel-hybrid powered vehicles, truck automation and platooning. Right now, there’s a …
Contractor’s training school to address skills shortages
A shortage of skilled machine operators across New Zealand motivated contractor Mike Hurring to open his own training school in Balclutha. The school runs 5-week machine operator courses that cover …
Brandt to Acquire Agrowquip NZ
In New Zealand, the Brandt Group of Companies is pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement to acquire the assets of Agrowquip NZ Ltd. The acquisition combines the …
Revamping hauler operation to improve safety
When central North Island contractor Brian Rutgers from Loggabull, decided to refit his old hauler, the first thing he did was ask his experienced operator and foreman for their ideas …
Expressions of Interest: Residues2Revenues 2023
Early expressions of interest to present at next year’s Residues2Revenues 2023 event are now been called for. This year saw record numbers of forestry, wood harvesting, timber products companies and wood residues extraction …
New debarker for Northport
C3 Limited and Pedersen Group are scheduled to install their new Debarker at Northport in early December 2022. Commissioning of the new Pedersen Group Debarker at Northport is planned for …
$40k raised for forestry mental health
More than NZ$40,000 was raised to lead a mental health initiative for forestry at a charity auction dinner held in Rotorua, New Zealand on 18 November. Brought together by the …
November 2022 NZ log market update
Opinion piece: Inflation is front and centre of everyone’s minds at present and is more than likely causing Grant Robertson many sleepless nights. One of his biggest worries (and he’s …
Natural gas versus hydrogen as a transport fuel
Many commercial fleet operators are thinking about transitioning their vehicles to hydrogen or natural gas engines. These fuels can be great ways to reduce emissions. Both fuel options present similarities …
Record shipments of Russian timber arriving via China
Timber from Russia has in recent years been sent through China for processing but since the Ukraine invasion by Russia, and the declaration of Russian timber as conflict timber, the …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 36
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. In log transport, we continue to cover an array of new innovations in electric, hydrogen and diesel-hybrid powered vehicles, truck automation and platooning. Right …
HiVision 2.0 camera system for forestry cranes launched
Hiab’s HiVision™ for forestry cranes uses external cameras to show the cranes surrounding. The operator sees the surroundings using virtual reality (VR) goggles inside the truck cabin. This improves productivity, …
Autonomous agricultural modular vehicle launched
Multi-use, modular platform Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) automates tree and vine crop tasks, starting with intelligent spraying Robotics Plus, a New Zealand-based agritech company, on 20 October launched its autonomous …
Celebrating long-term evergreen harvesting contract
In what must be one of the longest partnerships in NZ forestry, Safetree Certified Contractor Gamble Forest Harvesting celebrated 50 years working for City Forests in 2021. Safetree Toroawhi Richard …
Napier Port successfully trials prototype log grabs
On Friday 2 September, Napier Port’s senior crane operators safely and successfully loaded logs onto the Norse Mobile bulk cargo vessel using log grabs custom-designed and built for use on …
Rangatahi growing in forestry with iwi trust training
In New Zealand, a training initiative implemented by a central North Island iwi trust is taking rangatahi (youth) to new heights, three years since its launch. Rotomā No. 1 Incorporation’s …
Forest360 NZ log export market update
It would be nice to be reporting on a rebound in the export market on the basis of solid demand and improved overall global macro-economic factors, but that would be …
International softwood log trade declines 20%
Global trade of softwood logs plunged by 20% during the first half of 2022 y-o-y. Much of the decline was because of the Russian log export ban that came into …
Diesel-electric hybrid trucks for logging industry
If one guy can call his electric-car company Tesla, why not call theirs Edison, a couple of Merritt enrepreneurs figured. While the real-life Tesla and Edison, ground-breaking inventors, became fierce …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 35
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. After years of progress, electric heavy trucks are finally on the road in this part of the world. Australian log harvest and haulage company, …
Volvo marks series production on heavy-duty EVs
Swedish manufacturer Volvo Trucks is beginning series production of its heavy-duty electric models with global deliveries set to ramp up. And customers in Australia and New Zealand can expect to …
Fennell Forestry commissions world’s 2nd electric log truck
As a follow up to the local electric log truck story that we ran in the 9 September issue of Friday Offcuts, we’ve built in more information this week on …
Mental wellbeing resources from Safetree
Safetree has some forestry-friendly resources to support good mental wellbeing: • Where to get help: Contact details for organisations that can help if people are struggling • Tailgate health cards: …
Next generation harvesting head control
The Tigercat D7 control system combines a solid and field proven hardware and bucking control system with a Tigercat developed head control and user interface. The system offers powerful functionality, …
Forest360 NZ log export market update
Last month I made the comment that there was some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of increased export log prices, but we weren’t quite sure what …
Yamaha’s beefed-up unmanned helicopter can carry up to 50 kg
Yamaha recently announced that the company has further strengthened the functions and performance of the industrial-use unmanned helicopter FAZER R G2. Specifically, the transport & delivery services have been enhanced …
Super-fast 10-minute electric car charging
Despite the growing popularity of electric vehicles, many consumers still hesitate to make the switch. One reason is that it takes so much longer to power up an electric car …
Using biomass to take cane trains beyond diesel
Diesel is impressive. Impressive in its abundance, energy density and liquid transportability. These unique features have made it ubiquitous to heavy transport and traction in the 20th and 21st centuries. …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 34
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. As part of the record turnout of forestry and wood harvesting companies at the recent Residues2Revenues 2022 event in New Zealand, the very latest …
Ponsse launches an electric forest machine
Ponsse and Epec are introducing the PONSSE EV1, an electric forest machine technology concept. While the forest machine will be commercially available later, Epec’s technology can already be used in …
OneFortyOne to export sawmill woodchips
OneFortyOne’s New Zealand’s Kaituna Sawmill and Marusumi Whangarei Co. Ltd, have signed an agreement to export wood chip to Japan with the first vessel expected to depart from Port Marlborough …
NZ’s first hybrid harvester operating
Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting in Balclutha, has begun operating New Zealand’s first diesel-electric harvesting machine. Not only is the machine cheaper to run and better for the environment, it …
Leadership change at Tigercat
Tigercat founder Ken MacDonald takes on the role of president, Tigercat Industries. On August 2, 2022, Grant Somerville stepped away from his role as president of Tigercat Industries. The timing …
Pedersen Group unveils log debarking facility
A reliable, environmentally friendly, and sustainable alternative to methyl bromide. August 2021 saw the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announce revised regulations regarding the use of methyl bromide. Fumigation of logs …
Introducing the Tigercat 6900 Grinder
Tigercat officially has introduced the 6900 grinder, the first regular production offering in Tigercat’s material processing category. The 6900 is the first production grinder designed and built by Tigercat. The …
New zero-emissions truck showcased
Imagine a truck that only emits water vapor, produces its own electricity onboard and has a range of up to 1 000 km. It’s possible with fuel cells powered by …
Worksafe: Close scrutiny or radical over-reach?
New Zealand workers are still being maimed and killed in huge numbers, but WorkSafe’s boss is ambitious to deliver change. Phil Parkes was trained as a regulator in the ways …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 33
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. First up, thanks to all of you who attended the Residues2Revenues 2022 event last week in Rotorua, New Zealand. An outstanding turnout (considering Covid …
Maersk to launch NZ coastal shipping service
Shipping giant Maersk is launching a dedicated New Zealand coastal service to help strengthen the supply chain and improve vessel schedule reliability. It’s the first time the company has offered …
Forest360 NZ log export market update
June is never a fun month in this game. We’re generally kidding ourselves that it’s going to be a dry winter or that we’ve had enough rain already and there …
World’s first electric log truck rolled out
SCA has, together with Scania, has developed the world’s first electric timber truck with a capacity of 80 tonnes. The world’s first electric timber truck with a capacity of 80 …
Fiona’s final forest safety blog
After seven great years this is my last Safetree blog. What an experience it’s been overseeing Safetree/FISC’s growth from a recommendation in the 2014 Independent Forestry Safety Review to an …
Heavy transport fleet de-carbonising with hydrogen
A new partnership is helping one of New Zealand’s largest heavy transport fleets decarbonise with hydrogen technology. New Zealand transport company H.W. Richardson (HWR) is partnering with Christchurch-based zero emissions …
Self-driving robotrucks rolling onto US freeways
After lumbering through a gravel parking lot like a big blue bull, one of Aurora Innovation Inc.’s self-driving truck prototypes took a wide right turn onto a frontage road near …
Before chainsaws – hand felling monster trees
Before chainsaws were invented, the logging industry in the United States & Canada was a seriously challenging occupation and we are only talking about 125 years ago. In the Pacific …
Launch of two firsts for the NZ transport sector
New Zealand’s Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods celebrated the launch of two firsts for energy decarbonisation in the transport sector in New Zealand; an electric milk tanker and …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 32
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. First up this month is the release of a new online guide, The Ultimate Guide to Motorised Grapple Carriages for Mechanised Forestry Harvesting by …
Ponsse impacted by Ukraine conflict
Ponsse Plc is inviting its personnel to cooperation negotiations pursuant to the Act on Co-operation within Undertakings. The negotiations concern adaptations to the current situation. The needs for adaptations are …
Making full use of a Grapple Carriage
Motorised Grapple Carriages seem to have been around for ages and have revolutionised the way many steep forests are harvested around the world…….and yet, there is still some reluctance to …
Einride E-Trailer concept unveiled
Autonomous EV freight company Einride introduced their new E-Trailer concept along with new software and hardware products at its first Einride Mesh technology conference. This includes updates to its Saga …
An extra $4400 per trip: fuel price woes bite
Well-known veteran Australian outback truckie Steve Grahame says that while owner operators are already feeling the pinch of rising fuel costs – he believes the effects are likely to get …
Scania NZ welcomes first electric trucks
Scania New Zealand is putting two of its very first fully electric trucks on local roads and marks our country as the very first outside of Europe to have the …
No stopping 60-year logging industry veteran
One of nine brothers who, along with their father, were all involved in the log transport industry, Dave Siddle, 76, knows the roads that lead to the APM Mill at …
The CEO who gave up his salary
Alex Rodrigues, CEO of Embark Trucks, donated his 2022 salary and bonus to fund Little Robots. After a long career, many of us feel the need to help future generations …
Helping workers recover from addiction
When Joe* failed a random drug test one Monday he expected to lose his contract. But his client Forestry Solutions Group offered him an alternative – sign up to a …
New forestry dozer from Tigercat
Tigercat Industries develops purpose-built forestry dozer and launches new brand Tigercat Industries has developed a forestry dozer. The new TCi 920 will be making the rounds at several US forestry …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 31
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. This month we have several new product launches covered by Tigercat, Komatsu and John Deere. As you move into the forest, a number of …
NZ’s first Green Hydrogen refuelling site
Construction of New Zealand’s first high-capacity green hydrogen refuelling station has started in Palmerston North. The site, adjacent to Palmerston North Airport, is the first of four hydrogen refuelling stations …
MyKomatsu brings visual data to contractors
With Komatsu’s new digital hub, My Komatsu, contractors can get easy-to-interpret visual analyses of data collected from numerous sources displayed on easy-to-read dashboards. It’s designed to collect, visualize and monitor …
Exciting addition to In-field chipping workshop
Forest-based biofuels are occupying an increasingly important role in energy supply. Conversions of large sale industrial heat plants to renewables, including biomass is ensuring that local forest owners and wood …
A 6.2m electric drone for forest thinning
Airforestry has been in stealth mode since the start of 2020. But now they finally reveal their pioneering technology for forest management. “We have been working in secret for almost …
Tigercat develops forestry dozer and launches new brand
Tigercat Industries has developed a forestry dozer. The new TCi 920 will be making the rounds at several US forestry industry tradeshows this spring. The dozer will be branded under …
New harvester features intelligent boom control
John Deere is pleased to announce its latest operator assistance control feature, Intelligent Boom Control (IBC), for the 900 MH-Series Tracked Harvester. The development of this model is a result …
Transport company tackling driver fatigue
Dynes Transport are on a mission to save lives and livelihoods. They paired together smart technology solutions from Seeing Machines and EROAD, and reduced their risk of driver fatigue and …
Solid biofuel powered tractors being developed
A prototype tractor which can run on solid biofuel is being developed for the primary industries by AgLoco®, a start-up company based in Christchurch, New Zealand.AgLoco® is developing advanced steam …
Autonomous pruning: the future of forest management
With anticipated future innovations, this type of technology could be used to support bushfire risk management, improve the economic value of the nation’s timber resource, and overcome occupational health and …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 30
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. As previously highlighted, the Australian mining industry is leading the way in large vehicle automation and site-wide innovation. Small, continuous improvements can lead to …
Wood Energy New Zealand Partnership formed
A partnership between Pioneer Energy and Niagara Sawmilling Company Ltd in the lower South Island of New Zealand has been formed to meet the demands of the biomass market to …
Giant 180-tonne robot trucks are mining
As global demand soars, extractive industries are embracing automation. A mining outfit in Australia is making a big bet on big robots. Following a recent proof of concept at a …
Revised compensation package for WA forestry
The WA government has tried to ease the pain on forestry businesses affected by a logging ban by announcing a revised multi-million-dollar compensation package. ln September the government announced it …
Remsoft partners with ForestPHD
Remsoft has announced a new collaboration with Australian-based company ForestPHD, the developer of STICKS, to enable the use of forest machine data in Remsoft Forest IntelligenceTM solutions. The partnership will …
More details on Methyl Bromide & EDN decisions
In August 2021 a decision on the Reassessment of methyl bromide for fumigation of New Zealand logs was released by the EPA. This was followed more recently by the release …
Stirling Logging on building a good team
How can forestry companies look after their teams? See how Gisborne-based contractor Stirling Logging does it with things like top gear, hot food, smart targeting of bonuses and being a …
Forico improves harvest operations planning
With Forico’s implementation of cloud-based Remsoft Operations, planning pressures can be predicted 6-12 months in advance and the scheduling process is more efficient, taking 50% less time. Forico, Tasmania’s largest …
Swedish centipede forestry machine developed
A new type of forest machine is currently driving around the forests of Sweden. It combines a low-impact approach, increased productivity and an improved operator environment and is the result …
Tigercat enters yarder market
Tigercat Enters Yarding Niche with 180 – The new Tigercat 180 swing yarder is purpose built from the ground up. It combines the speed and stability of conventional yarders with …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 29
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. While electric vehicles are still a way off for the sector, technology is rapidly improving and there are numerous electric heavy vehicle trials underway …
Bush fire-fighting efforts – from 70 years ago
A couple of weeks ago we built in links to three extensive reports covering three major bush fires in Australia. Collectively they burnt over 120 million ha compiled and written …
Trial of new silviculture mentoring programme
Ten silviculture crews around New Zealand have completed a trial of a new mentoring programme developed by the Forest and Wood Processing Workforce Taskforce, with funding from the Forest Growers …
Volvo’s electric truck gets tick of approval
The first electric Volvo truck on Australian roads is getting a tick of approval from one of the most authoritative voices in the transport industry – a truck driver. It …
Switching from paper to digital communications
PF Olsen has recently adopted the Assura Software platform to support their Health & Safety needs in challenging environments, plus solve a number of other business issues. Check out the …
Pre-training prepares job seekers for forestry work
Nathan Fogden has 2,000 hectares of land to plant and prune in 2022 but not the staff to complete the work. “It’s a really competitive labour market these days,” says …
Stihl our top wood chopper
Top Axeman makes the cut for tilt at coveted 10th World Title – An emotional Jason Wynyard has cut his first step towards claiming a 10th world title by winning …
Challenges of switching to electric vehicles
This article appeared recently and puts into perspective some of the challenges being faced in switching from fossil fuels to electric vehicles. The range of new EVs available in this …
Waratah to offer Moipu products in Europe and Asia-Pacific
Waratah and Moisio Forest Oy, a Finland-based forest machine attachment and accessory manufacturer, have signed a co-operation agreement for sales, marketing and distribution of Moipu branded products. Waratah will begin …
Debris flow study indicates landslide risk
Marlborough District Council recently commissioned University of Canterbury researchers to map the North Marlborough area for river and stream catchments that may be susceptible to debris flows or debris floods, …
HarvestTECH News | Issue 28
Welcome to the latest issues of HarvestTECH.News. Biofuel announcements on both sides of the Tasman continue to pop up – almost daily now. Better utilisation of forest residues has moved from …
Specialist wood fuel suggested by Genesis
Genesis Energy believes converting part of the Huntly power station to run on biofuel could be economic, but it will need a source of the specialist wood fuel needed to …
Car and truck carrier loads wood products
A vessel normally used to transport cars and trucks called at Northport this week to load approximately 5,000 cubic metres of triboard from the Juken Mill in Kaitaia. The m.v. …
John Deere introduces new full-tree simulator
John Deere has announced the release of the new and innovative Forestry Full-Tree Training Simulator. This development offers cost-effective and efficient operator training in a risk-free environment, all while avoiding …