The Australian Forest Contractors Association’s (AFCA) Forestry Haulage Gap Analysis System will receive key funding through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), supported by the …

Iknow Machinery, Nippon Paper Industries and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha have conducted a cargo handling trial of the world’s first automatic crane operation system, which was developed for wood-chip carriers …

The Vienne Test System, followed by the use of simulators, results in productive operators being selected and their subsequent learning curve being quicker with less machine damage. Researchers used people …

Larry Bolduc has been a truck driver for more than 25 years and is now the head of the family business Transport Raoul Bolduc in Girardville, Que., in the Saguenay/Lac-St-Jean …

The Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) has announced that General Manager (GM) Stacey Gardiner had tendered her resignation on Friday of last week after six and half years in the …

Logging of native forests in Western Australia’s South West will be banned from 2024 thanks to a state government decision lauded by environmentalist groups. But the forestry industry lobby claims …

A deal has been finalised that will soon see the largest vessel to ever call at New Zealand for the loading of logs. The deal between South Pacific Shipping (SPS) …

It is no secret that electrification is the future. Over just a few years, electrification moved from being a concept to being a reality. And we’re not talking about cars …

For New Zealand and Australia, it’s been over 8 years since a wood residues programme has been run by FIEA showcasing new innovations around harvesting, bio-fuel handling and transport technologies. …

There are massive pay offs when you think outside of the box! By adding PolyCom Stabilising Aid, TPMS cut the metal requirements by a massive 54.2% over their standard pavement …

CEAC warns that use of trucks with biodiesel will cause far more damage to environment than using electric trucks, overseas studies have found that production of biofuels for use in …

A total ban on methyl bromide fumigation aboard ships in New Zealand is part of a comprehensive suite of new rules imposed by a Decision-making Committee of the Environmental Protection …

Hyzon Motors has signed a vehicle supply agreement with Australian industrial gases company Coregas to deliver two hydrogen fuel cell trucks. The Hyzon Hymax-450 prime movers should be delivered in …

A father and son duo from Southland have shown there’s value in getting back to the books, even after four decades in the game. Bobby Baird and his 65-year-old father …

Forestry researcher Trevor Best has written a summary of research he was involved in at Canterbury University on the impact of stress on the wellbeing of forestry workers, and how …

As part of #EVWeekinCanada, a $1.7-million investment in FPInnovations was announced to develop and demonstrate hybrid diesel-electric forestry harvesting trucks and help green transportation in Canada’s forestry sector. FPInnovations will …

COVID19 Lockdowns across New Zealand are expected to create further pressure on an already heavily disrupted shipping logistics. ContainerCo managing director Ken Harris said exporters and importers continue to take …

Komatsu New Zealand’s new South Island Hub facility in Christchurch officially opened on 27 July 2021. The state-of-the-art facility, which was commissioned late mid-2020, offers greatly enhanced service and support …

The 17,000th PONSSE forest machine has rolled off the production line in Vieremä. The milestone machine, a PONSSE Elk built in mid-August, will start its career in the sure hands …

A new era in highway safety regulation begins in Canada as electronic logging devices that track a driver’s hours behind the wheel become mandatory in semi-trucks traveling between provinces. The …

A new digital radio system from Motorola Solutions and communications partner Central Radio Services (CRS) is helping New Zealand’s City Forests to work more safely and efficiently while complying with …

Leading European commercial vehicle manufacturers have signed a non-binding agreement to install and operate a public charging network for battery electric, heavy-duty, long-haul trucks and coaches across Europe. The agreement …

In the latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast series, listeners will hear about a research project that took an in-depth look at the various elements of Australia’s log and woodchip …

(WorkSafe) Health and Safety Paramount On Forestry Sites. A tragic forestry fatality on the East Coast could have been avoided if industry guidance had simply been followed, says New Zealand’s …

School of Forestry staff members Rien Visser and Campbell Harvey recently gave a presentation on “Forest Roads in NZ” to an international audience. The presentation includes an overview, details current …

WorkSafe New Zealand are reminding people that they are obligated to comply with WorkSafe inspectors exercising their compliance powers under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. If people …

C3 Limited, part of LINX Cargo Care Group, has officially opened its new checkpoint facility at Port Nelson in New Zealand’s South Island. The new facility is a complete upgrade …

Waratah Forestry Equipment has just announced the new H425, H425HD and H425X – a trio of rugged harvester heads built for tough jobs. With a powerful control valve and four …

Did you know that a forwarder operator spends as much as 70% of their working day operating the crane? This means there is much to be gained by finding ways …

Native forest barriers will be planted on New Zealand’s East Coast in a game-changing initiative to protect waterways against forestry slash and silt in future storms. East Coast landowner Aratu …

The Australian Forest Contractors Association wants Federal and State governments to assist contracting businesses on New South Wales’ South West Slopes. AFCA general manager Stacey Gardiner said that the forest …

New web service shows real-world scenarios for fleet operators to consider commercial EVs – Critchlow Geospatial has launched SwitchMyFleet, a free-to-air website for fleet operators who are considering switching to …

C3 New Zealand, part of LINX Cargo Care Group, has won the prestigious Best Collaboration Between PCBUs Award at the 2021 New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards. Announced at …

Northport is to invest NZ$8m in infrastructure needed to support the growth of container traffic through the port. It is buying container-handling equipment and a simulator module to train staff …

Mercedes-Benz Trucks is set to launch an Australian and New Zealand validation programme for an Actros that can help steer itself. The active drive assist technology will be showcased at …

Authorities in Chile’s southern province of Arauco have intercepted a string of trucks carrying massive loads of stolen pine wood, revealing just how common it for timber traffickers to pilfer …

Robotic Research, a global leader in Automated Driving Systems (ADS), and FPInnovations, a Canadian private non-profit research and development centre have announced their collaboration to develop an off-road truck platooning …

Japanese equipment maker Komatsu hopes to generate 140 billion yen ($1.27 billion) in revenue from forest machinery after four years, which would mark a 40% increase, due to robust housing …

A third of New Zealand’s plantation forest estate is in the hands of woodlot owners. Harvesting can be a stressful time for some woodlot owners with little knowledge and experience …

Mosaic Forest Management is announcing its partnership with local Vancouver Island service provider, EcoWest Driven, to introduce several Tesla semi-trucks into log hauling. There are currently no commercially available electric …

Waking up to the news that the local mill is not accepting wood for the next three weeks can throw an operations manager’s morning into chaos. Suddenly, the manager must …

The last log truck carrying salvaged, burnt logs from the 2019/20 bushfires was waved into the Hyne Tumbarumba Mill on Tuesday. The unprecedented, 15 months of salvage harvesting has seen …

Ponsse is launching a new debarking PONSSE H7 HD Euca harvester head alongside the previously released H8 HD Euca. The new powerful harvester head further strengthens Ponsse’s strategy to be …

Pedersen Group, part of LINX Cargo Care Group, has welcomed an impressive piece of new machinery with the Sennebogen 875E – the first in Australia – already delivering improved safety …

For the past decade, Nelson businessman Dale Ewers’ goal has been to get workers in the logging industry out of harm’s way. In 2010 Ewers, the chief executive of Moutere …

Oberon-based Mangan Logging & Haulage has reached a major milestone with the Australian-owned business marking 60 years of operation and welcoming its fourth generation into the family-run business. Established in …

Russia has been one of the largest roundwood traders globally for many years by exporting roughly 15-20 million m3 per year between 2010-2020. The main importers of the Russian roundwood …

In line with the focus this week on log transport as part of the just completed HarvestTECH 2021 event, below is a new trucking induction video developed by New Zealand’s …

The current pandemic made clear, once again, that digital transformation is one of the most relevant matters in the industry, and the forestry industry is not free of this challenge. …

Further enhancing the machine operation in demanding forestry applications, John Deere adds its Smooth Boom Control (SBC) technology to its M-Series Tracked Feller Bunchers and MH-Series Tracked Harvesters. Developed in …

Asia Pacific freight giants VISA Global Logistics and Mondiale Freight Services have announced they will be merging to form a significant international transport and logistics entity. The merged company will …

The advancement of forestry equipment has typically focused on generating more powerful machines. Now, John Deere has launched a new tech-driven initiative that will marry strength with intelligence. Through the …

An Australian mining group has advanced the future of mobility (in mining at least) with the deployment of a fleet of fully-autonomous Ford Rangers at one of its mines. Fortescue …

Sprinklers have been activated at the dam on its Macgill property where KIPT plans to store more than 100,000 tonnes of pine. The pine logs, harvested from the fire-damaged Gosse …

The no-compromise 875E logger introduces several new features, including an updated operator station, two undercarriage options, and various grapple configurations to tailor the machine to your specific needs.The 875E logger …

Leaders of New South Wales (NSW) forest contracting businesses came together last week for the launch sessions of the ForestFit training program pilot (training pilot) in Tumut (16 March) and …

A pilot project that we reported on recently aiming to address a severe shortage of logging truck drivers through telemetric wizardry may lead to new jobs being created, not their …

Bridges traditionally sit above the water at all times, providing continuous access even in severe weather. But the potential for flash flooding in two streams in the Kopua Forest in …

Anyone who knows machinery understands the value of proper hydraulic servicing – especially now. It is a fast moving and demanding field of expertise, currently evolving ever faster and in …

PhD student in forest engineering, Campbell Harvey, is this year’s New Zealand nomination for the International Council of Forest and Paper Associations Blue Sky Award. Campbell has been using drones …

ACC’s Impact Investment Fund has taken a share in one of the world’s top 50 innovative robotics companies in a partnership to improve the wellbeing of those working in some …

A forestry company has had a NZ$2.89 million debt set aside by the NZ High Court after failing to harvest on deadline for a contract written on bad advice from …

With a couple of exhibition spaces becoming available, two new exhibitors have just been added to the record turnout that’s expected in Rotorua in a few months as part of …

Ponsse has announced that it’s responding to the need for the development of training by modernising its simulator product range. The new PONSSE Full Simulator is a full-range training system. …

Robot trucks are coming to Northwestern Ontario in 2021 Nawiinginokiima Forest Management Corporation says it plans to use a pair autonomous logging trucks, led by an experienced driver in a …

John Deere introduces the new six-wheel 768L-II Bogie Skidder, a true woodland warrior designed to conquer wet conditions and steep slope terrain. Incorporating the proven, durable features found on the …

Vinnova, Sweden’s Innovation Agency, together with the forest industry and researchers, invests 20 million SEK (approx. 2 million EURO) on development of an autonomous planting system, the Autoplant. The project …

A leading shipping container supplier Royal Wolf and New Zealand’s KiwiRail have jointly developed a bespoke logging container that significantly improves efficiencies and capacity when transporting logs to the Port …

Very rarely do you get anything for free. Here is one offer though. The offer was eagerly picked up by students for the ForestTECH 2020 event that ran in Rotorua, …

Trimble Forestry has announced that its widely used Log Information Management System (LIMS) now integrates seamlessly with the Connected Forest™ Xchange (CFX). The integration allows load ticket information from LIMS …

Jacob Allum, who completed his degree in Forest Engineering last year, has just been co-awarded the Civil Contractors New Zealand Prize in Pavement Engineering for 2020. “The University of Canterbury …

For all harvesting contractors and harvest planners who’ll will be in Rotorua, New Zealand for the major HarvestTECH2021 event that will be running in mid-April, an extra workshop (no charge …

Australian forestry services company Harvestco has been awarded the contract to harvest, store and stockpile the first 200,000 tonnes of pine in the Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers estate. Harvestco started …

The evolution of forestry practices has greatly evolved over the last decade. One of the leaders in innovation is SFM Environmental Solutions, a leading provider of independent plantation management across …

In line with the eagerly awaited Forest Safety event that is running in New Zealand, Forest Safety & Technology 2021, on Tuesday 13 April, attached is an article that recently …

John Deere expands job site visualisation to include Waratah H-16 production data John Deere will now offer TimberMatic™ Maps and TimberManager™ as a standard offering for tracked harvesters or forestry …

FPInnovations will be the first body to certify Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) as Canada prepares to mandate the technology. Federally regulated carriers will need to equip trucks with certified ELDs …

Softwood log exports from Russia have been in steady decline for the past 15 years and could reach zero in 2022 if President Putin’s new log export ban is implemented. …

TasPorts has welcomed one of the world’s largest dedicated woodchip bulkers, China Express, to the Port of Bell Bay. Launched in early 2020, the 215 metre vessel is the first …

Forest Management Group, which includes Forest Management (FML), Tasman Forest Management (TFM), and Forest Management North Island (FMNI), has selected Trimble Forestry’s Log Inventory & Management System (LIMS) to manage …

Anita Dynes is the first woman to be inducted in the NZ Road Transport Hall of Fame for 2020. Dynes, originally from Balclutha, is credited as being crucial to the …

A purpose-built logger, the Tigercat 865 will offer many advantages over excavator conversions, including better service access, stronger swing torque and superior operator visibility. The Tigercat FPT N67 engine delivers …

If you’re involved in wood harvesting, you’ll remember well the major harvesting event, HarvestTECH 2019. It ran in Rotorua, New Zealand last year and the event SOLD OUT well in …

Forestry Corporation of NSW has reached an important recovery milestone – two million tonnes of fire-affected timber has been harvested, hauled and sold from the organisation’s bushfire-affected Tumut and Bombala …

The forestry company has paid nearly NZ$400,000 towards the clean-up and a judge has labelled the local council’s lack of monitoring as “disgraceful”. But the Māori Incorporation that owns Paroa …

In Sweden, researchers at Luleå University of Technology (LUT) have designed and built an autonomous forest machine that they say is now ready for in the woods field testing. “We …

New Zealand’s forestry health, safety and wellbeing pilot, Toroawhi, has been given a six-month extension following COVID-19 restrictions. The joint pilot between WorkSafe and the Forest Industry Safety Council saw …

In New Zealand, an Eastland Wood Council forestry training programme aimed at keeping pace with the demand for forestry workers has had an unexpected boon — boosting diversity in a …

Komatsu Forest presents a brand-new harvester head specially adapted for the harvesting of eucalyptus. The new model head is a Komatsu S162E, (E for eucalyptus). 20 years ago, the company …

RDO Equipment delivers its 50th forestry machine since launching in Australia. RDO Equipment celebrated a big milestone in September, delivering its 50th John Deere forestry machine to loyal customer Austimber …

Time sensitive harvest operations and restricted road access were key factors in the decision of Aratu Forests to engage Bridge It NZ to deliver a customised bridging solution for their …

A South Australian regional timber processor has warned thousands of tonnes of softwood resource are bypassing mills and heading to China, despite long-term shortages facing some businesses. Softwood export volumes …

Silviculture workers are crucial to the success of New Zealand’s forestry industry. However sometimes the important work they do can be over-shadowed by the harvesting end of the business. But …

A bridge designed to carry heavy forestry loads is a substantial capital investment – but what if you could relocate that bridge and use it across multiple harvests? That’s exactly …

Forest management company PF Olsen has been fined NZ$198,000 for poor harvesting practices that contributed to the devastation caused by forestry waste at Tolaga Bay in June, 2018. The company …

Tractor giant Deere & Co. plans to expand in Australia and New Zealand, with its one-time chief economist leading the charge. Luke Chandler, who has become managing director for the …

The Komatsu 845 12-tonne forwarder is a versatile machine that performs well in thinning, but also in lighter final felling.The 2021 model has been updated with new components, including a …

Any business conducting work near live powerlines must consider the risk they pose as part of its safety planning, says WorkSafe. Logging company Mike Harris Earthmoving Limited was fined $100,000 …

HVP, Australia’s largest private timber plantation company, with 240,000 ha in production, has partnered with Trimble Forestry to implement a paperless ticketing solution to help address safety concerns presented by the …

The TA15 – part of the TARA autonomous transport solution from Volvo Autonomous Solutions – has won a coveted Red Dot Award for product design – the most globally-recognized mark …

Early expressions of interest are being called for to present at next year’s major wood harvesting and log transport event, HarvestTECH 2021. Early details on the planned event can be …

An exciting new log tracking project for New Zealand’s Forest Growers Research is getting underway within the Automation and Robotics programme, led by Dr Glen Murphy. The project, which is …

There is widespread timber worker, contractor, and community support across the country for the COVID-19-Safe action that took place on Wednesday morning at Bunnings Traralgon in defence of forestry jobs. …

HVP, Australia’s largest private timber plantation company, with 240,000 ha in production, has partnered with Trimble Forestry to implement a paperless ticketing solution to help address safety concerns presented by …

FPInnovations, Canada, is moving full speed ahead with its automated-harvesting project to usher in a new era of forestry machinery with an eye to one day operating fully autonomous machines. …

Europe’s flow of damaged wood to China: Plus 534% in 2019 – In the 2019 calendar year, Europe was shipping enormous volumes of damaged wood to China. In the first …

Timbeter, an Estonian company providing an AI-based digital workflow management solution for the timber industry, and the Swedish image processing technology provider Cind (a spin-off from SAAB AB) have signed …

The Northern Hardwoods Research Institute (NHRI) and Remsoft have partnered to support best practice implementation of the Remsoft Operations Cloud within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the forestry sector. …

Damage to trees and logs during harvest and transportation can result in significant losses of wood volume and value. To prevent this, researchers are investigating productivity losses, costs and the …

Two well-known and respected John Deere dealerships have hit the ground running as the new homes of John Deere Construction and Forestry Equipment in New Zealand. Construction and forestry customers …

A sharp fall in log prices has raised concerns of job losses but a South Canterbury logging company director believes the industry will recover with minimum damage done. Evan MacClure, …

We like to bring you stories on tech advancements. Last week we covered the first large scale operational use of robotics in wood processing operations in New Zealand and Australia …

The installation of a debarker machine at Port Taranaki means full log vessels can now be loaded there. In an emailed statement, Port Taranaki chief executive Guy Roper said the …

Remsoft has announced the appointment of Corinne Watson as General Manager, Asia Pacific. In her role, she will support customer success on the ground and drive growth within the Australasia …

Hiringa Energy and TR Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to offer Heavy Fuel Cell Electric Trucks for the New Zealand market powered by Hiringa’s nation-wide hydrogen refuelling …

Waratah Forestry Equipment unveiled the new H415HD, a heavy-duty harvesting head with new features and options to suit customer feedback and rugged application needs. “The new H415HD extends durability to …

John Stone is the new president of John Deere Worldwide Construction and Forestry and Power Systems.  Deere & Company has announced that its board of directors has elected John Stone, 50, …

Caterpillar Inc. has announced they’ve acquired select assets and hired employees from San Francisco, Cal. based robot and autonomy technology solutions company Marble Robot, Inc. The acquisition is part of …

Innovative truck designed by the company’s forestry area starts tests this month In mid-June, the first folding truck in Brazil starts operating at Klabin’s planted forests in Paraná. This innovative …

C3’s Portland log marshalling operation has increased throughput by 300% since the deal was completed despite C3 purchasing equipment and commencing operations during the COVID-19 pandemic C3, one of Australia’s …

A world-first robotic innovation that scans and measures export logs on trucks has landed its Kiwi developers on the 2020 RBR50, Robotics Business Review’s prestigious global list recognising the 50 …

In 2010 regulations were introduced to reduce methyl bromide emissions to the atmosphere as part of NZ’s commitment to international agreements we are signatory to. The users of methyl bromide …

Between 2017 and 2019, over 270 million m3 of standing timber in Central Europe was damaged by a combination of factors: primarily, changing climate conditions that featured hotter, drier summers …

Swire Bulk, the bulk division of The China Navigation Company, has taken delivery of its new, log-fitted bulk carrier into service. MV Singan is traded worldwide with a strong focus …

Guardian, the in-cab fatigue management system from Seeing Machines, recently was part of a breakthrough study into driver behaviour at Monash University, the results of which are likely going to …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

“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 …

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 …