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 and flight control programmes to capture imagery of landing slash piles – followed by image processing and then overlaying outputs with engineering survey software to automate volume/shape calculation. He is …

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 the Marlborough District Council. Zindia Limited signed the contract in 2016, to harvest pine trees on Arapaoa Island, previously known as Arapawa Island, between Tory Channel/Kura Te Au and Cook …

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 this year’ s major log transport and wood harvesting event, HarvestTECH 2021. It runs in Rotorua, New Zealand on 13-14 April 2021. Full details can be found on the event …

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. Its realistic forest environment and detailed graphics create a perfect platform for professional training. The upgraded simulators offer a modern learning environment for harvester, forwarder and PONSSE Opti information 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 third vehicle, on logging roads, to bring felled trees to nearby mills in the Pic and White River Forests, in partnership with Provectus Robotics Solutions Inc. Testing is expected to …

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 John Deere L-II skidder lineup, the new 768L-II maximizes productivity, performance, and comfort when carrying hefty loads over long distances in challenging conditions. “Profitability and productivity are critical in 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 is expected to improve forest planting with regard to precision, environmental impact and working environment. Autoplant is the second step in a research program that aims to solve societal challenges …

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 of New Zealand’s most dangerous industries. Tauranga-based Robotics Plus is the first successful opportunity for ACC’s new Impact Funds which has twin objectives – to improve the health, safety, and …

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 of Tauranga for export. The 484 logging cradle cassette containers, built by Royal Wolf’s Intermodal Business Unit, were specially designed as a replacement for KiwiRail’s old log wagons which were …

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, New Zealand in mid-November last year. We were in fact blown away by the number of applicants. This unique opportunity comes with a free conference registration for two days, refreshments …

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 to sync to the cloud-based CFX portal, which can be accessed from any device, any place. With CFX’s flexibility, easy-to-view dashboards, and mobile accessibility, key operational data, such as electronic …

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 has a strong Civil Engineering programme that attracts very academically talented students, so it is great to see one of our forest engineers at the top of their class”, notes …

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 to HarvestTECH 2021 delegates) on the afternoon before the event runs on Monday 12 April has been set up. It’s titled “Developing an Intelligent Roadmap for Harvest and Wood Flow …

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 work on the Island in December 2020, clearing rows of trees alongside powerlines, as part of KIPT’s fire prevention work in conjunction with SA Power Networks. Soon the harvest proper …

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 Australia. SFM has implemented a new software platform that has elevated their chain of custody tracking giving their customers peace of mind- in real time. LOGR is a haulage and …

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 appeared highlighting a workplace health risk, the impact on someone working in a manufacturing environment and the steps he’s taken to highlight the often-overlooked issue and develop a device that …

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 swing machines with a factory-installed Waratah H-16 Measuring System. The move will enable the onboard TimberMatic™ Maps and cloud-based TimberManager™ programs to incorporate production data from the Waratah H-16 Measuring …

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 beginning June 12, 2021. While U.S. regulators allow suppliers to self-certify that equipment meets underlying technical standards, Transport Canada requires third-party certification to help ensure the devices are not prone …

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. In a recent statement, the Russian President Mr. Putin ordered the government to strictly control the exportation of roundwood and low-value forest products, and to clamp down on the illegal …

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 of its kind to call to Tasmania and has a total cargo capacity of 60,000 tonnes. The maiden visit signifies confidence in the forestry export sector and the criticality of …

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 its extensive forestry operations in New Zealand. FMG’s installation of LIMS includes access to the Connected Forest Exchange (CFX), a collaborative cloud solution that allows log load and scale information …

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 development of Tapanui-based Dynes Transport. Throughout her five decades in the transport industry, working alongside husband Jim, her substantive work ethic, tenacity and family values were pivotal in the company …

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 165 kW (221 hp) at 1,900 rpm. The 865 logger can be configured as a loader with boom options for various grapple types, or as a high capacity processor, capable …

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 advance of it actually running. It was the largest gathering of its type ever seen in New Zealand with close to 500 harvesting contractors, harvest planners, forestry managers and equipment …

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 launched the first harvester head adapted for eucalyptus, the 370E, which was equipped with a more robust frame construction and a felling link dimensioned for the power of an excavator. …

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 softwood plantations. Forestry Corporation’s Acting Snowy Regional Manager, Louise Bourke, said the milestone represents around 46,700 truckloads of logs and was a significant boost for communities recovering from the devastating …

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 Station near Tolaga Bay still has piles of logs and debris that will cost it NZ$160,000 to remove at its own cost. The company managing the pine forest that was …

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 have replaced everything that humans do with intelligence on the machine; with computers working together and controlling it. We have created conditions for the machine to be better than humans, …

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 the appointment of two “roving reps” in the forestry sector to help increase worker representation in health and safety with an aim of ultimately reducing harm occurring in the sector. …

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 traditionally male-dominated industry. The Gisborne Herald takes a deeper look at the benefits of the EWC Generation programme with programme manager Siobhain Fyall and some of the women who have …

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 in Gippsland, Victoria. After what has been an unpredictable and extraordinary year, RDO and John Deere are both celebrating the success of achieving 50 sales in just over 12 months …

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 Gisborne site. The proposed site for the bridge necessitated engagement and approval from several stakeholders including Kiwirail, New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA), and Gisborne District Council. A high priority bridge …

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 decreased during the start of the pandemic, but trade is again flowing through deep-sea ports in Australia. Photographs supplied to the ABC show softwood resource — sourced from the Green …

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 silviculture is where the forestry cycle starts. The planting, pruning, thinning and other work silvi crews do, has a huge impact on the crop as it matures. Good silviculture crews …

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 what Juken NZ Ltd (JNL) decided to do when commissioning two new bridges. In a first for Bridge It NZ, both crossings are designed to be disassembled in the years …

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 was sentenced by Environment Court Judge Brian Dwyer in Gisborne on 15 September. It pleaded guilty earlier this year — a day ahead of a scheduled judge alone trial — …

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 two countries, said he’ll target growth in construction and forestry, including road building and government infrastructure projects. The Moline, Illinois-based firm will also boost its business in precision agriculture — …

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 new chassis, a new engine and a new control system, bringing it fully in line with the larger forwarders, albeit in a slightly smaller package. New Komatsu 845 options include …

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 at the Rotorua District Court on Friday after a worker suffered burns from an electric shock that left them without full use of their right hand. In November 2018 Mike …

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 COVID-19 pandemic. The companies worked together to transfer a system that was reliant on paper ticket exchanges into a seamless, paperless exchange from harvest to delivery. Digital transactions are more …

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 for industrial design quality. The revolutionary TA15 autonomous electric hauler from Volvo Autonomous Solutions has wowed a panel of design experts in Essen, Germany, to win a Red Dot Product Design Award 2020 – …

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 found on the event website. Background: If you’re involved in wood harvesting, you’ll remember well the major harvesting event, HarvestTECH 2019 that ran in Rotorua, New Zealand last year. The …

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. Four log trucks blocked the entrance to their local Bunnings’ car park in protest of Bunnings’ heartless and ill-informed decision announced earlier this month to stop stocking local hardwood timber …

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 based on Swedish technology, aims to replace paper log tags with a unique punch code that will enable log identification and tracking from the time log is made in the …

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 COVID-19 pandemic. The companies worked together to transfer a system that was reliant on paper ticket exchanges into a seamless, paperless exchange from harvest to delivery. Digital transactions are …

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. Much of the forestry equipment in use dates from designs that originated in the 70s, with improvements made along the way. In an industry-leading move, the automated-harvesting team is developing …

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 three quarters, deliveries already totaled more than 4.5 million sm³. The delivery volume of round softwood is 3.7 million sm³ or 534% more than Europe shipped to China in 2018. …

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 a cooperation agreement and launched the first joint project for the automation of timber trucks measurement. Timbeter uses Artificial Intelligence and machine learning for timber measurement, combined with Cloud Computing …

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. The first SME pilot implementation is underway with a leading producer of hardwood products in Canada. Research for the project is supported by the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation’s (NBIF) Innovation …

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 extent of stem breakage associated with two different types of harvest system machinery. The study was conducted by the University of the Sunshine Coast Forest Research Institute and focused on …

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 now have access to trusted and reliable sales and service from AGrowQuip (AGQ) in the North Island and Drummond & Etheridge (D&E) in the South Island, to offer the full …

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, a Timaru-based director for Forest Management (FM) said “an estimated 30 per cent drop in price” will impact companies and contractors. “There’s not an abundance of optimism out there, and …

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 (which are being featured in next month’s WoodTECH 2020 on-line webinar series that we have set up for dry-mill and wood manufacturing operations. This week, here’s one out of the …

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 new machine ensured the company’s export log operations were more efficient and ready to meet future changes to environmental standards. The debarker is owned by China Forestry Group New Zealand …

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 region. A seasoned business leader with a track record in delivering innovative solutions for complex problems, Corinne brings more than 20 years of experience in leveraging software and analytics to …

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 network, and TR’s heavy fleet lease, rental, and maintenance management expertise. The companies will offer fuel-inclusive lease packages that offer greater flexibility to heavy vehicle operators and companies looking to …

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 our customers providing another configuration to suit their needs and bolster uptime within the size class of 400 Series model Waratah heads,” said Brent Fisher, product marketing manager for Waratah. …

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, to the position of president of Worldwide Construction & Forestry and Power Systems.  Stone will begin his new role on July 1. He will be responsible for the overall management …

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 Caterpillar’s automation and autonomy strategy and demonstrates its commitment to the next generation of jobsite solutions. Building on its leadership in autonomous mining, the company plans to leverage the deep …

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 truck was built by the Forestry Unit, which brought the technology from Australia and, in partnership with a specialist company, deployed it in the company’s truck, adapting it to the …

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 largest forest products logistics providers and part of the LINX Cargo Care Group of companies, has secured a multi-million-dollar deal to provide log marshalling services in Portland, Victoria. The deal …

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 most innovative and transformative robotics companies of the year. Tauranga-based agricultural robotics and automation company Robotics Plus has been named a Global Top 50 Robotics Company for its industry-changing Robotic …

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 were given 10 years, until 28 October 2020, to find alternative fumigants or to recapture methyl bromide after the treatment. A requirement of 5ppm remaining in the headspace after fumigation …

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 and warmer winters. In combination with frequent windstorms, this created ideal conditions for the spread of spruce bark beetles, especially at lower elevations. The damage is across many countries, including …

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 on the log trade in the Pacific and South Atlantic. The vessel was named in February 2020 by lady sponsor, Mrs Kaori Imoto, the wife of John Swire & Sons …

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 have a positive impact on the industry for years to come. In this article, Ron Finemore Transport consider it a mandatory investment. Automated in-cab driver monitoring and how it has …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

“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 …

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 …