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 solution for customers looking for a machine that provides the best combination of engine horsepower and hydraulics capability, while maintaining a machine weight of less than 90,000 lbs. “We are …
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 in Tasmania’s northwest are racking up the benefits, continuing the development of forestry-based carbon methodology, growing construction timber, and pushing innovation boundaries. Forestry and Carbon Forico is believed to be …
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 almost 30% of the national forestry plantation. While the full extent of damage to the forestry industry is still being assessed, reports of forestry contractors being under immense pressure are …
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 and combines lower soil compaction, increased productivity and better work environment. The work to develop the Centipede machine is one of forestry’s most important development projects where the issue of …
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 Trust is counting the cost, with around 6,000ha of radiata at Rangipo wrecked in the powerful winds. It looks after around 80,000ha across the region, with up to 60% of …
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, 2023, an increase of 42% (+1.6 million m3) from the prior month, as follows: • Radiata pine log inventory volumes from New Zealand and South America amounted to 3.55 million …
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 (CONEXPO) 2023 in mid-March. The hydrogen combustion engine from JCB has been revealed during a media event in England. Initially, the company designed an excavator that used a hydrogen fuel …
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 remain unable to get back to work, reliant on landowners to grant re-entry to the forests. While roading accessibility and safety remain key concerns, forestry contractors still have bills to …
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 market. The At Wharf Gate (AWG) prices offered by the different exporters ranges between $NZ134 and $NZ142/m3 for Export A grade which is the largest spread we have seen in …