International Forest Industries Magazine April - May 2015

LI A E GN ISSU

OW SH

APRIL / MAY 2015

CHIPPING IN

Chipper suppliers talk new technology

A CLASS BUNCH Feller buncher technology puts operators first

X-RAY VISION

Scanning & Optimisation technology updates

ALPHA MALE USNR buys a European headquarters

SAW TECHNOLOGY Manufacturers on display

Mobility Wins!

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New tracked Peterson 4810F Debarker paired with a Peterson Disc Chipper

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PA SUE SF IS

OW SH

38 SPRINGER

42 METRIGUARD

46 SÖDERHAMN ERIKSSON

34 COMACT

41 LUCIDYNE

45 MiCROTEC

40 DELTA COMPUTER SYSTEMS

43 LINCK

47 LMI TECHNOLOGIES

(Cont’d)

A PR I L / MAY 2 0 1 5

LUMBER PROCESSING

22 News

32 World Markets

96 Advertising Index

reliability and careful product handling.

Boards are unharmed due to larger surface area on clamping arms, which also facilitate a smooth transfer of the boards to the lug chain. This unit can be used for construction and visual grade lumber, for softwood and hardwood.

SH

The concept involves a singulating unit that keeps the boards under control through the feeding process for smooth and gentle manipulation and transport to the scanner or trimmer units. The reliable flow of boards enables maximum line efficiency. This leads to higher overall performance at lower comparable cycles for lower overall maintenance costs. The feeder unit’s main assets are high process

NASUE LIGOW IS

COVER: E-Feeder 200: new lug loader for mixed board dimensions CHIPPING IN

Chipper supp liers talk new tech nology

A CLA SS BUN

Feller buncher technology puts operators first

APRIL / MAY

2015

CH

X-R AY VISION

Scanning & Optimisation technology upda

tes

ALPHA MALE

USNR buys a European headquar ters

SAW TECHNOLOG Y

Manufacturer s on display

www.springer.eu

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 1

51 STENNER

56 LIMAB

48 AUTOLOG

54 WOOD-MIZER

52 USNR

94 SERRA

LOGGING • BIOMASS 58

81

58 Chippers

81 Feller Bunchers

Biomass professionals are becoming more sophisticated and so must their suppliers

The operator is at the forefront of feller buncher manufacturer thinking, according to this year’s technology review for the sector

92

13 - 12 June 2015 iUmeå Sweden

92 Tigercat - Operation Focus Jerry Sapp Timber relies on plenty of older machines, including this 244 loader. He cites Tigercat reliability as an important factor

REGULAR FEATURES

6 Logging News

2 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

16 World Markets

96 Advertising Index

We get to grips witH recovery

Scan. optimize. Align. cut.

May 11th - 15th, 2015 Hall 27 / Stand D53 Esterer WD GmbH www.ewd.de

Estererstraße 12 I 84503 Altötting, Germany I phone: +49 (0)86 71 - 5 03 - 0 I fax: +49 (0)86 71 - 5 03 - 386 Täleswiesenstraße 7 I 72770 Reutlingen, Germany I phone: +49 (0)71 21 - 56 65 - 0 I fax: +49 (0)71 21 - 56 65 - 400

TM

ISSUE 45 APRIL / MAY 2015

SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: +44 (0)1442 877 583 emma@internationalforestindustries.com Annual Subscription UK and Europe £160, €230 Rest of the world US$270 EDITORIAL T: +44 (0)1442 877 583 F: +44 (0)1442 870 617 www.internationalforestindustries.com 2 Claridge Court, Lower Kings Road Berkhamsted, Herts. HP4 2AF, UK Editorial Director John Chadwick john@internationalforestindustries.com Editor Chris Cann chris@internationalforestindustries.com Editorial Board Dr Patrick Moore – Chairman and Chief Scientist of Greenspirit (Canada) Darren Oldham – Managing Director Söderhamn Eriksson (UK) Professor Piotr Paschalis-Jakubowicz – Warsaw Agricultural University (Poland) Andre de Freitas Forest Stewardship Council Head of Operations Eduardo Morales South American Forestry Consultant ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS Lansdowne Media Services Ltd Advertising Manager Phil Playle phil@internationalforestindustries.com Group Advertising Manager David Lansdowne david@internationalforestindustries.com +44 (0)1442 87 77 77 Associate Editor Robin Peach robin@internationalforestindustries.com Advertising Production Enquiries Emma Smith emma@internationalforestindustries.com International Forest Industries is published

by International Forest Industries Ltd, 2 Claridge Court, Lower Kings Road Berkhamsted, Herts. HP4 2AF, UK International Forest Industries (ISSN 1755-6732) is published bi-monthly by International Forest Industries Ltd GBR and is distributed in the USA by Asendia USA, 17B South Middlesex Avenue, Monroe NJ 08831 and additional mailing offices. Periodicals postage paid at New Brunswick NJ. POSTMASTER: send address changes to International Forest Industries, 17B South Middlesex Avenue, Monroe NJ 08831 © International Forest Industries Ltd 2007 – 2014 IFI uses, as preference, SI units throughout.

All dollars are US unless otherwise stated.

4 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Alpha male USNR’s acquisition of Soderhamn Eriksson could signal an expansion of strategy for the sawmilling sector

M

ajor North American sawmill supplier USNR bought Swedenbased competitor Soderhamn Eriksson in March in one of the few pieces of significant corporate activity in our industry for some time.

Of course the other major acquisition in the sawmilling sector in semi-recent history also came from USNR, when it picked up Coe Newnes McGehee in 2008.

At that time, the acquisition was opportunistic – CNM had been a long-time competitor of significance in the North American market but found rocky ground when the bottom fell out of the US housing market.

That purchase, and CNM’s demise, allowed USNR to cement itself as the largest global supplier to the sawmill industry.

This latest acquisition is more interesting because it is more calculated. There is no pressure on USNR to make an acquisition and Soderhamn does not necessarily present a particularly vulnerable target.

The move is therefore the deliberate result of a strategy to take on the large European sawmills in their own backyard.

USNR President and Chief Executive George Van Hoomissen said he was “very interested in the opportunity to acquire Söderhamn Eriksson because he felt that Söderhamn Eriksson’s strong market position in Europe would complement USNR’s strong position in North America”.

Together, the enlarged group will attempt to also increase market share in South America, Australia/New Zealand, Russia, and Asia.

Besides being complementary to the USNR brand, it is Soderhamn’s “extensive sales, distribution, and service networks in Europe” that the larger company has specifically purchased in order to inject its technology directly into Europe from a trusted European base.

“Lack of local support infrastructure can be a challenge, but now the combined

organization has an extensive OEM support network spanning 15 time zones, three continents, 10 countries, and at least nine languages,” USNR Vice President of Sales, Chris Blomqusit, said.

Sales networks and service support are of course not the only advantages. There is a mountain of intellectual property to share and savings to be made on the expense of setting up a European base from scratch.

The timing of the move has been savvy.

We are mid-recovery and so USNR will have recovered plenty of balance sheet strength as the largest supplier but is still able to take advantage of assets that are relatively cheap.

Other large suppliers, too, will not yet be in an especially strong position to match this aggression. But they should think about it.

The advantages bought by USNR through this merger are real. They will only get more pronounced if they remain unchallenged at the apex of the market across Europe and North America.

This will not be lost on other suppliers in North America and acutely in Europe.

How they will react is unknown. Sawmilling has traditionally been an inward looking industry with suppliers choosing to focus on domestic or regional markets – international corporate manoeuvring does not come naturally to most.

The need for diversification was signalled with the financial crisis and USNR is emphatically leading the way forward in taking sawmill supply global. It would not surprise IFI if several major European sawmill suppliers were already having conversations about how best to meet this challenge.

Enjoy!

Chris Cann Editor

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LOGGING NEWS

Tigercat introduces 610E skidder Tigercat has just released the 610E skidder, its latest Tier 4 equipped offering. The 610E is designed to exceed expectations in the North American small skidder size class.

Tigercat’s Tier 4 solution can be packaged into a physically smaller engine enclosure, which provided the 610E design team with some flexibility to develop a machine layout that optimizes operator sightlines, while factoring in access to service points, machine balance, overall size and weight.

The 610E comes standard equipped with Tigercat’s exclusive EHS drive system. EHS is capable of providing exceptional tractive effort as well as high top speed.

This is accomplished with advanced

computer logic and the ability to take one of the drive motors offline when high tractive effort is not required. In this case all pump flow is directed to one hydraulic motor, increasing both travel speed and motor efficiency.

The compact 610E skidder leads its class in agility, durability and performance. It is ideal in tight spaces, soft soil conditions and selective logging applications. The ergonomic Turnaround equipped cab provides the operator with comfort and clear sightlines. High performance, responsive control, excellent service access and painless maintenance routines make Tigercat skidders a top choice among skilled operators.

Tigercat 610E

30-foot discharge and thrower option available for Beast XP-Series Recyclers The new discharge conveyor option for Beast recyclers provides both a 30-foot-discharge conveyor and a thrower, so operators can load both open top and end-loading trailers.

The 30-foot conveyor acts like a standard discharge on the Beast – providing a tall platform to pile mulch, chips, or other products or load them in open-top trucks. But with the thrower, operators can easily broadcast the end product across a jobsite or load open-end trailers quickly and efficiently.

“This is a unique option. No one in the industry has such a device,” said Bandit Industries President Jerry Morey. “The switch from discharge conveyor to the thrower is quick, taking less than a minute.

The 30-foot-discharge conveyor is a two-section discharge. When the thrower is operated, the end section of the discharge folds up over the top of the first conveyor and out of the way. The thrower is then hydraulically tilted into position. When the thrower is in place, material is top-loaded into the thrower and discharged at tremendous velocity.”

When in use, the thrower is adjustable up-and-down, and can swivel side-to-side to direct the

flow of material to fully load chip trailers.

The 30-foot discharge with thrower option is just one of the latest advances on the Beast line that makes them the most productive and versatile horizontal grinders on the market today.

“We are always looking for ways to improve our Beast

6 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

recyclers and all of our products to increase their productivity and utility to our customers,” Morey said. “We listen to our customers and their needs and design products or improvements to meet those needs. With all of the improvements that we’ve made in the Beast recycler in the last 18 months, we believe it to be the best

grinder on the market.”

Learn more about Beast XP-Series Recyclers and its many options by visiting www. banditchippers.com or by calling 1-800-952-0178.

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LOGGING NEWS

The new Komatsu C202 – a head for the most demanding logging assignments Whichever way you look at it, Komatsu Forest’s new Komatsu C202 harvesting head is a robust head designed for the most demanding logging assignments.

Everything from the sturdy frame through the two durable saw units to the reliable hydraulics reflect this fact. All built to ensure high reliability, long service life, and simple service.

The many solutions that make the Komatsu C202 a truly tough workhorse include a sealed bearing housing for increased service life.

The bar clamp for the main saw has been redesigned, as has the tensioner for the top saw, better stabilizing chain tensioning and simplifying service. The lubricant

pump is designed for high precision and simple service. The expander pins used for the feed roller arms and delimbing knives also help increase service life. As for the hydraulics, the cylinders have hard-wearing piston rods while the knife cylinder has a new design for additional durability. The Komatsu C202 is also equipped with a damping function when tilting upward to reduce loads on the head’s frame and felling link.

Another advantage of the new Komatsu C202 comprises the many optional extras, which enable the head to be tailored to meet many different requirements. Say, for example, that the base machine is a forestry excavator, the head can

be equipped with alternative saw equipment, with a sprocket, saw bar, and chain for .404” and ¾” pitch. The head can be equipped with two alternative vertical knives; either a straight knife for normal delimbing needs or a knife with a skid tip for more demanding delimbing, the latter shaped to better process crooked stems.

Aside from being robust, this head also features some smart technology such as the sensors that provide improved precision in the cutting cycle. Measurement accuracy is another distinguishing feature of the Komatsu C202.

The MaxiXplorer control and information system provides full control and automatically takes

care of everything from gripping force to length and diameter measurements. Most functions can be adapted to different tree species and stem diameters. All designed to increase service life and reduce costs for machine owners.

John Deere GoFell App available for M-Series Feller Buncher customers As part of an ongoing commitment to enhance efficiency in the woods, John Deere Forestry created the GoFell mobile application for M-Series Tracked Feller Buncher customers. The app was designed to assist operators in understanding machine controls, settings and diagnostics to help users get the most out of their

machine.

The free-of-charge GoFell mobile application is available for iPhone® and Android® devices and acts as an operator’s quick reference guide, providing loggers with instant access to information about their M-Series Tracked Feller Buncher. The application boasts a number of features, including

8 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

a guide to better understanding unique John Deere M-Series equipment features and tips to customize the operating experience to maximize productivity during regular operations or extreme conditions.

“Whether you’re an operator, site foreman, or fleet manager – this M-Series Feller Buncher app

will help make your life easier,” said Cliff Caudill, Manager, Product Marketing, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “GoFell will assist an operator in adjusting the machine to fit their operating style and site conditions, which translates to higher productivity.”

CHANGING THE GAME. AGAIN. At John Deere, we’re always looking for ways to improve the effciency of your logging operation. With expert insight from our Customer Advocate Groups (CAG), our new L-Series line of Skidders and Wheeled Feller Bunchers can do just that.

Their larger cabs feature keyless start and adaptable control options. And their improved serviceability features include easier access to critical components, JDLink™ and remote diagnostics. Forget best-in-class. We designed these machines be “best-in-forest.” Because at John Deere, We’re For Loggers.

We helped create a machine that’s even more durable, more effcient, and more operator friendly than we even imagined.

Jack McFarland, CAG member McFarland Timber. Winnfeld, Louisiana Learn more about our game changing machine lineup at JohnDeere.com/GameChangers.

LOGGING NEWS

Trimble introduces 4Loads application for forestry operations Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) has introduced its 4Loads™ forestry application, a mobile ticketing solution that simplifies the creation, access and sharing of harvested timber data for loggers, foresters and haulers. The new solution provides forestry workers a simple way to enter and manage load data that eliminates manual tracking, provides instant access to the data online, and reduces time to summarize load financial information.

Harvest operators enter load data on their iOS or Android mobile devices in the field, which automatically synchronizes with the Trimble mobile cloud service for timely access to data via the Trimble Forestry Mobile Website.

Forestry stakeholders can log into the mobile site to view data, run

reports and customize mobile form menus. 4Loads provides real-time access to harvest load data that historically has been captured via slower manual processes that can take weeks or months to produce data. This real-time insight into remote operations can shorten reconciliation cycles and provide clear load traceability.

“In response to industry feedback, Trimble has developed a purpose-built solution that addresses the challenges of tracking the raw materials supply chain,” said Brian Holley, mobile solutions sales manager for Trimble’s Forestry Division. “4Loads is a low-cost application that can be used by loggers, procurement foresters, mills and landowners to ensure loads of raw materials are properly tracked.”

The 4Loads forms are built on the new Mobile Builder platform for Forestry. Trimble’s Mobile Builder enables forestry clients to create customized forms for field workers to access enterprise data, update data in the field and synchronize date back to the office in real time.

Availability Trimble Forestry 4Loads is available as a standalone solution or it can be integrated with Trimble’s forestry enterprise solution, a key component of Trimble’s Connected Forest. Leveraging harvest load data through an enterprise system has proven to increase efficiencies, reduce human error and adds the ability to deliver critical information to management regarding remote harvest operations.

Brian Holley, mobile solutions sales manager for Trimble’s Forestry Division

Fecon expands with purchase of new building

Fecon, Inc. Lebanon manufacturer and International supplier of the Bull Hog® Forestry Mulchers, FTX Track Carriers and Grapples, Tree Shears and Stump Grinding Attachments for Vegetation Management has expanded once again with the purchase of 9.25

acres of land and a 40,000 sq. ft. building across the street. This addition will complement Fecon’s 111,000 sq ft facility. In addition to providing more room for engineering and tractor production, the new building will also offer an expansive research & development department.

Timber Forest - the exclusive Log Max distributor in Brazil

Log Max has signed an agreement with its current Brazilian dealer Timber Forest to become the exclusive Log Max distributor for all of Brazil.

Timber Forest has grown to become one of Log Max bestselling distributers worldwide.

They share the Log Max ground values of excellent customer

10 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

support and product knowledge, says Greg Porter at Log Max. Timber Forest is the forest division of Rodoparaná and has been a Log Max distributer for more than 9 years. With an excellent staff focused on forestry and dedicated to hard work Timber Forest and the Rodoparaná group has over the years grown and expanded the forestry markets in Southern Brazil. Log Max AB is a Swedish company that has been designing and manufacturing machines for mechanized forestry operations since 1980

Greg Porter, Log Max AB Export Manager

DELIVERING ON THE DAILY GRIND

WITH A REPUTATION FOR DURABILITY AND RELIABILITY, Vermeer has led the wood waste industry for more than a decade with horizontal and tub grinders that are built tough and backed by localized customer support from the Vermeer dealer network. From stationary plants to remote locations, Vermeer horizontal and tub grinders go where you need them and are built to meet the demands of your unique jobsite.

Visit Vermeer.com or your local Vermeer dealer to learn more.

Vermeer, the Vermeer logo and Equipped to Do More are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the U.S. and/or other countries. Š 2015 Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

LOGGING NEWS

Putting more power to the road Production start for Rexroth’s new HYDROTRAC GFT 8000 gearbox

Following extensive trials with pilot customers, Rexroth launched production of the GFT 8000 series with “off-the-shelf availability” at the start of the year.

About a ten percent increase in drive train performance for mobile working machines is achieved by the new HYDROTRAC GFT 8000 transmission units. In this series, based on a modular design, Rexroth is combining two- and three-stage planetary gearing with axial piston motors to match the needs of mobile working machines

that are often on the road. An optional internal brake reduces the amount of installation space needed and satisfies the safety specifications for worldwide roadworthiness certification.

Where mobile working machines travel a lot - examples include crop sprayers, heavy-duty transporters and paving machines roadway performance is important because of its direct impact on productivity. In the new series 8000 HYDROTRAC GFT transmission units, mechanical planetary drives transfer the torque from the hydrostatic drive to the wheels or tracks. In this modular concept, Rexroth uses the newest versions of either variable axial piston motors or fixed-displacement axial piston motors. They operate either in an open or a closed circuit. The higher fluid capacity of the motors and the higher hydraulic pressures, along with the exact matching

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Made in Germany! call +49 8051 96 40 00 www.serra-sawmill.com 12 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

with the two- and three-stage planetary drives, boost torques and thus performance by some ten percent. That improves travel capacities significantly. At the same time, vehicle manufacturers can sometimes select a smaller nominal size to achieve the same output. This saves installation space.

The option of an integrated multi-disk brake, located inside the unit, further reduces the space required. The brake requires little maintenance and is designed for protection against soiling, an important requirement in crop sprayers, for instance. In conjunction with the High Level Braking system HLB from Rexroth, the dynamic brakes satisfy the exacting safety requirements for speeds up to 50 kilometers per hour. In both Germany and the USA the standard machines featuring drive units equipped with Rexroth

dynamic brakes have already been certified roadworthy by the responsible authorities.

Following an extensive testing phase with pilot customers, two models in the 8000 series made their debut at the beginning of the year and are now available “off the shelf ”. They achieve nominal torques of 20 and 30 kNm. Seven further models are to follow in the course of the first half of the year, for an output range from 10 kNm to 130 kNm. Thanks to the modular concept devised for this platform, OEMs can vary the drive torques and transmission ratios closely, matching them exactly to the vehicle at hand. Rexroth delivers these drive units as complete assemblies, ready for installation.

This reduces the effort required for both logistics and vehicle assembly.

China’s sawnwood imports increased by 7% in 2014 Market China’s sawnwood imports totalled 25.65 million cubic metres in 2014 and were valued at $8 billion, up 7% in volume and 19% in value on the previous year. The average price for imported sawnwood was $373 per cubic metre, a year on year increase of 13%.

Of the total, coniferous sawnwood imports rose 4% to 17.64 million cubic metres, at a similar level with 2013, ITTO reported . Coniferous sawnwood imports from Russia and Canada together accounted for 78% of sawn softwood imports. Coniferous

sawnwood imports in 2014 from Russia were higher than from Canada for the first time.

The average price for coniferous sawnwood imports was about $217 per cubic metre in 2014, a year on year increase of 1.4% slightly.

The pace of coniferous sawnwood imports from Sweden, Germany and Brazil was significantly higher than in 2013 while imports from New Zealand were dramatically lower than in 2013. The main species of coniferous sawnwood imports were spruce, fir (40%) and scots pine (31%)

13 - 12 June 2015 iUmeå Sweden

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LOGGING NEWS

John Deere Introduces the gamechanging L-Series Skidders Backed by over a half-century of experience, inspired by loggers and proven in the toughest conditions imaginable, the new John Deere L-Series Skidders have officially entered the forest with features that promise to increase uptime and productivity, while lowering daily operating costs for loggers.

These game-changing machines are John Deere’s most reliable and productive ever, redefining expectations of what a skidder can accomplish for any logging operation. The introduction of the L-Series also marks the celebration of 50 years of manufacturing skidders for John Deere, a major manufacturing milestone that demonstrates John Deere’s forward thinking and ongoing commitment to developing solutions for the type of challenges loggers face in the woods.

To design the game-changing L-Series Skidders, John Deere collected invaluable input from loggers and dealers around the world to form Customer and Dealer Advocacy Groups (CAG and DAG).

The CAG and DAG provided realworld insights on what loggers need in a skidder to be successful.

Engineers then devoted 250,000 hours designing prototypes based on these fresh ideas, and continued to refine the machines until they got them exactly right.

“Since 1965, when we introduced our 440 Skidder, John Deere has continued to change the game for loggers with safer and more comfortable machines to increase productivity and make a tough job just a little bit easier,” said Brandon O’Neal, Product Marketing Manager, John Deere Construction & Forestry.

“Today, that customer-inspired commitment to quality lives on in the L-Series Skidders with advancements that came from the brightest minds in the industry our customers who live in these machines every day.”

Validated by over 11,500 hours of testing in real-world conditions, the L-Series Skidders are built for the way loggers work, and they seem to agree:

• “ Over the last few years, we’ve seen our brainstorms and ideas transformed into a machine that has conformed to the high standards we set. We helped create a machine that’s even more durable, more efficient and more operator friendly than we ever imagined.” - Jack McFarland, McFarland Timber, Winnfield, Louisiana • “ They’ve done pretty much everything we discussed. A big improvement is the size of the cab. Loggers will work longer and happier without strain.” Roger Ferguson, Sika Logging, Taupo, New Zealand In the forest, uptime is the name of the game, and the L-Series Skidders have several innovative features that deliver more uptime at a lower cost that will help loggers reach new levels of productivity like never before.

Power When You Need It John Deere has always focused on adding the right engine technologies at the right time built on enterprise wide experience and expertise, which is why the L-Series Skidders are the first John Deere Forestry machines to launch with Final Tier 4 engines.

This smart approach to meeting emission regulations optimizes performance, is fluid efficient and doesn’t compromise on power, reliability or ease of operation.

The transition to a Final Tier 4 engine also means the introduction of an innovative new John Deere designed Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) and drivetrain.

This industry exclusive enables a constant engine speed, reducing engine wear while ensuring excellent fluid economy. What this means for loggers is there is no need to shift gears. The operator sets his or her desired speed range and then lets the CVT transmission select the most efficient operating point. This allows the operator to focus on production and safety versus shifting gears.

Additional CVT highlights include: • Works with the engine operating

14 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

at a constant speed, which provides better engine efficiency, as well as improving durability • C onstant engine speed enables more robust and consistent hydraulic, cooling and electrical system performance as they are always running at their designed speeds • D elivers the smoothness and operating ease of a hydrostatic transmission with the fuel efficiency of a torque converter

Built For the Long Haul All L-Series Skidders feature more robust heavy-duty axles, including a rugged new Outboard-ExtremeTM axle (standard on the 848L and 948L, optional on the 748L) that sets a new standard for reliability.

These robust heavy-duty axles improve machine durability and extend life - with life expectancy up to 15,000 hours.

Additional features that increase machine durability include: • T ougher grapples that feature box-style tongs for maximum strength and harder wear surfaces for long life. This design also simplifies service as components are easier to access.

• S traight bushings with greasethru pins at all grapple, arch, boom and blade joints deliver longer, trouble-free life and are easier to replace.

• M ore durable components include a beefier roller-bearing articulation joint that has been designed for longer life. Arch hoses have been routed inside the arch where they are betterprotected and easier to access for fast repair.

• J ohn Deere ForestSightTM and Ultimate Uptime are also available as an option on

all L-Series machines. This integrated suite of technology solutions brings the machine, technology and the dealer together to help loggers better manage their equipment and operations with fast, accurate remote diagnostics, rapid service response and on-demand dealer support.

Drag More Wood The L-Series Skidders boast significantly more horsepower, stability and grapple options for superb responsiveness and steady multifunction performance. These new larger grapples - up to a massive 22.3 sq. ft. on the 948L - gives loggers more flexibility to configure a skidder to best match their application. A newly designed arch and boom configuration also provides a better view to the grapple for easier and more efficient operation.

The L-Series machines combine best-in-class horsepower and an impressive power-to-weight ratio with a constant engine speed. This allows for superb responsiveness and maximum efficiency. Finally, better machine balance optimizes pulling power, while improving stability when climbing hills, navigating adverse terrain or hauling bigger payloads.

Operate in Comfort The new operator station on all L-Series machines was designed by loggers for loggers. The bestin-class cab is 25 percent roomier and more than 50 percent quieter than John Deere’s previous models.

Other fatigue beating comforts include a more efficient HVAC system, more ergonomic controls and plenty of storage space.

Finally, an optional rotating seat with joystick steering helps reduce strain on the back and neck for less fatigue.

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LOGGING - WORLD MARKETS

JSC Latvian State Forests earned Euro 76.9 million in 2014 In 2014, “Latvian State Forests” (LVM) reports they turned over Euro 275.1 million and earned Euro 76.9 million “2014 was a successful year for both the company and the forest industry. In 2014, LVM managed to register the largest amount of young forest plantations in the company’s history – about 40,000 hectares. This is an important contribution to the quality of future forests and their development,” says Roberts Stripnieks, CEO of LVM, indicating that the annual wood growth of a well-managed plantation can be three times higher than that of an untended forest.

The total income of LVM in 2014 exceeded the initial budget expectations by Euro 18.5 million, which was mainly determined by an increased selling price of wood. With the falling prices of diesel fuel, forest management costs, as well as transportation costs, reduced, leaving a positive

impact on the company’s profit indicators. In 2014, LVM restored 18.8 hectares of forest land area.

39.9 thousand hectares of young forest plantations were managed periodically and intensely, as stipulated in the company’s agenda. “Market trends ensured stable prices for LVM’s main commodities – conifer saw logs, deciduous tree logs, and veneer blocks – which was processed by our clients into ready-made products and sold on the global market. A comparatively worse situation was observed in the fuelwood industry, which suffered low demand and low prices due to the warm winter.

The company faced an especially challenging situation in 2014, when under complicated weather conditions, it had to ensure wood supply to clients

following the coordinated supply schedules, which ended with great results,” Roberts Stripnieks says. In 2014, LVM finished a total of 297 km of forest roads, 119 km of which were reconstructed and 177 km were newly-built.

The said roads are included in the company’s balance, with the amount investments reaching Euro 19.5 million.

Roberts Stripnieks reveals that last year, LVM registered the largest volume of seedling exports in the company’s history – 8.8 million seedlings. “This was achieved thanks to focused investments in seedling cultivation technologies and their quality.

Our main foreign trade markets are Sweden, Estonia, Finland, and Lithuania,” the company’s CEO says. LVM manages commercially usable state-owned forests

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16 International Forest Industries | FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

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and, alongside with the forest management that includes timber selling, the LVM develops other kinds of activities as well. It offers hunting and recreation facilities and obtains seeds and planting stock to ensure forest regeneration.

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LOGGING - WORLD MARKETS

Global Timber and Wood Products Market Update A news brief from Wood Resources International LLC Softwood lumber prices fell towards the end of 2014 in the US, Japan and the Nordic countries, while import prices to China remained unchanged from earlier in the year, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly

according to the Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ). Of the top fifteen exporting countries, only Austria, the US, New Zealand and the Czech Republic reduced their export volumes in 2014 as compared to the previous year.

Softwood lumber exports were 5-8% higher in Canada, Russia and the Nordic countries in 2014 compared to 2013, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly. Prices for lumber trended down over the course of the year, mainly because of the strengthening US dollar and weaker wood markets in Europe and Asia.

Seattle, USA. Global trade of softwood lumber has continued to trend upward ever since the global financial crises in 2008. In 2014, export volumes were up 5-8 percent for a majority of the largest lumber-exporting countries in the world, including Canada, Russia, Finland, Sweden and Germany,

Lumber market update – North America Lumber consumption in the US increased 6.9% in 2014 as compared the previous year, according to WWPA. This increase came because of a rise in consumer confidence and an improved housing market. Higher demand for lumber resulted in increases in lumber production in the Western and Southern states, while sawmills in British Columbia reduced production in 2014.

In the US, lumber prices have gone through some ups-anddowns the past two years with southern yellow pine prices having

18 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

fluctuated between $198/m3 (actual size) and $284/m3 over the period. Prices averaged around $250/m3 in February, 2015.

Lumber market update – Northern Europe Lumber prices declined during much of the fall of 2014 in both Sweden and Finland because of the weakening of the export market during the second half of the year.

Despite the reduced demand from the foreign markets, the sawmill sectors in the Nordic countries did not cut back production as much as needed to keep the prices at the high levels reached in the first half of the year. As a consequence of a surplus of lumber in the market, prices fell about 13% during the fall.

Lumber market update - Japan The higher sales tax that was implemented in the spring of 2014

in Japan had a major impact on consumer spending, including the investments in new housing. The wooden housing starts were down 11 percent in 2014 from 2013. Lower demand for lumber impacted both lumber production in Japan and the importation of wood products in 2014, as reported in the WRQ (www.woodprices.com). With the reduced demand and weaker Yen, lumber prices in US dollar terms fell quite substantially during 2014.

Lumber market update – China The demand for lumber in China weakened during the second half of 2014 with import volumes of softwood lumber in the last quarter of the year falling nine percent from the 3Q/14 and six percent from the same quarter in 2013. The average import price for softwood lumber stayed fairly flat for most of the summer and fall of 2014.

LOGGING - WORLD MARKETS

FFIF: situation in main European markets remains challenging Forest-based sector announces substantial investments into Finland

Timo Jaatinen, Director General of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation The eurozone’s economic situation remained unstable in 2014. The decrease in demand for paper products slowed somewhat in the forest industry’s main European markets, according to new figures from Finnish Forest Industries Federation. Demand for sawn timber and plywood increased. Aggregate forest industry exports remained almost level with the previous year.

“We expect the next government to make decisions that strengthen the forest industry’s operating environment. It is imperative that the new government makes a commitment to avoid any industrial cost increases and cuts unnecessary red tape. If this does not happen, the gap between Finland and our competitor countries will continue to grow,” says Timo Jaatinen, Director General of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation.

More needs to be spent on transport route maintenance and repairs. In addition to the basic route network, also the lower-tier roads must be kept drivable so that timber can be delivered efficiently from forests to factories.

“Ensuring an adequate and steady supply of timber is an essential factor in the forest-based sector’s investment considerations. Demand for timber is forecast to increase by ten million cubic metres. State subsidies should not steer processable timber into energy use because this competes with real and growing market-based demand,” Timo Jaatinen underlines.

Flexibility at the workplace and modernised collective labour agreements are also required for the forest industry’s regeneration.

Paper demand continued to fall, pulp and paperboard production almost unchanged.

Some 10.4 million tonnes of paper and paperboard was produced in Finland last year, about 1.7% less than in 2013.

Demand for printing and writing papers continued to decline in the developed markets.

Finland produced almost 6.1 million tonnes of printing and writing papers in 2014. This is 3.4% less than in the previous year.

Production of packaging paperboard increased somewhat in 2014, thanks to a rising market for packaging materials. An annual growth rate of 0.6% was recorded.

Finnish pulp production decreased slightly compared to the previous year and came to some 7 million tonnes. The reduction from 2013 amounted to 0.9%.

Sawn timber and plywood production increased from 2013 There is still little sign of an upturn in

construction activity on the domestic market, which is important for wood products. There was growth in exports of sawn timber to Europe’s large destination markets the UK and Germany as well as to countries in North Africa and the Middle East in January-November.

Almost 10.9 million cubic metres of sawn softwood timber was produced in 2014, up 4.6% from the previous year. Plywood production has grown an estimated 6% to almost 1.2 million cubic metres.

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APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 19

LOGGING NEWS

ChipSafe now available on smaller chippers Morbark, Inc., has expanded the availability of its ChipSafe® Operator Safety Shield as an option to the Beever™ M6R and M8D model brush chippers. The ChipSafe device had previously been available on all new Morbark® 12-inch to 18-inch capacity chippers. Field kits to retrofit current model Morbark 6- to 18-inch capacity chippers with the ChipSafe Operator Safety Shield also are available through Morbark’s worldwide dealer network.

Consisting of plates mounted directly to the sides of the brush chipper’s infeed chute and used in conjunction with special work gloves and ankle straps (or straps on both the ankles and wrists), the ChipSafe Operator Safety Shield stops the chipper’s feeding mechanism if the operator’s hands or feet enter the defined ChipSafe sensing zone in the infeed chute, protecting the operator from possible injury. The chipper’s feeding mechanism is restarted with a simple swipe of the operator’s ChipSafe glove or wrist strap across a reset box located on the outer side of the infeed chute,

so high productivity is maintained.

“When we launched the ChipSafe last spring, we started with the most popular models,” said Larry Voelker, Morbark VP of Vice President of Engineering and Product Development. “We’re happy to offer this safety feature to customers of our smaller chippers now as well.”

The ChipSafe Operator Safety Shield has been recognized as an innovative product in the industry, winning the following awards: • American Public Works Association Best New Product of 2014

The ChipSafe Operator Safety Shield device is mounted directly to the sides of the infeed chute of a Morbark brush chipper.

• Arbor Age A+ New Product Award • Rental Equipment Register Innovative Product Award “Morbark and our dealers are deeply committed to safety, and strongly believe that the ChipSafe Operator Safety Shield helps protect our customers and their employees from injury,” said Voelker. “We are extremely honored to have the ChipSafe Operator Safety Shield recognized by those in the tree care equipment industry.”

If, while feeding the brush chipper, the operator’s hands or feet enter the defined ChipSafe sensing zone, sensors in the plates send a signal to interrupt the chipper’s feeding mechanism, protecting the operator from possible injury

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20 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

When preparing to use a brush chipper equipped with the ChipSafe device, operators must wear ChipSafe work gloves on their hands and ChipSafe straps on their ankles, or ChipSafe straps on both their wrists and ankles.

A reset sensor box is located on the outer sides of the infeed chute. By simply swiping their gloved hand or the strap on their wrist across the reset sensor box, the operator is able to reactivate the feed mechanism and continue the chipping operation with little or no disruption in productivity.

14.04.2015 12:37:12

LOGGING - WORLD MARKETS

Trimble acquires Fifth Element Trimble has acquired privately-held Fifth Element, a leader in forestry enterprise and mobile software solutions for logistics and harvest operations.

Based in Espoo, Finland, Fifth Element expands Trimble’s forestry presence in Northern Europe, one of the largest forestry regions globally. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Fifth Element provides integrated, scalable softwareas-a-service (SaaS) solutions to some of the largest global forestry companies. Fifth Element addresses the challenges of

tracking and delivery of remote forest inventory and creates backhaul opportunities for hauling companies to reduce costly empty travel miles. A common platform is leveraged to manage remote inventories, which allows hauling companies to provide services to many forestry companies without having to change systems. “By adding Fifth Element solutions to Trimble’s forestry portfolio, we can better address operational forestry challenges around the world,” said Ken Moen, general manager for Trimble’s Forestry Division.

“Trimble’s enterprise forest

management solutions are used by some of the largest landowners and wood consumers in the world.

Our fundamental focus is to provide solutions that drive integration of business data, improve efficiency and provide better visibility into forest operations to maximize productivity and profitability.”

Fifth Element is a technology solutions provider that specializes in developing software that focus on operational work processes in selected industries.

Trimble’s Forestry Division offers land, forest and fibre

management solutions, that improve the productivity and operations for some of the world’s largest integrated forest product companies, forest land owners, international food processing companies and conservation organizations as well as small and medium-sized businesses and state and federal departments involved in soil, water and biodiversity protection.

Prices for for hardwood chips traded overseas increased 1.3% in January, 2015, but were still 5.8% lower than in early 2014, according to the FOEX PIX-HCG Index Prices for hardwood chip shipped over the Pacific Rim and the Atlantic to markets in Asia and Europe have trended downward for more than three years. However, in December 2014 and January 15, prices moved slightly upward, according to the FOEX price index PIX-HCG. Overseas traded softwood chip have experienced declining prices since last summer and were 8.1% lower in January 2015 than in August of 2014.

Globally traded hardwood chips for the manufacturing of pulp and wood-based panels have trended downward for much of the past three and a half years. However, this trend broke in late 2014 and early 2015 when prices slowly started to increase.

The FOEX global hardwood chip price index, PIX-HCG, increased by 1.3% in January as compared to the previous month, and was 1.8% higher than in November last year. The Index, which is based on prices for hardwood chips traded overseas to markets in Asia and Europe, reached a four-year low in November 2014 when it was 16.6% below the alltime- high in November of 2011.

The PIX-HCG reached US$180.58/odmt (CIF) in January 2015, with the biggest price increases being those of hardwood chips shipped from Latin America and Vietnam to Japan and China.

The softwood chip price index, PIX-SCG, fell sharply during the fall of 2014, from US$185.73/ odmt in August 2014 to US$170.67/odmt in January 2015. This 8.1% decline over just five

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APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 21

LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

Timber Products invests in a new USNR veneer dryer Timber Products is investing in a new 6-deck, 12-section veneer dryer for its plywood operation at Medford, Oregon. The new drying system will feature Automatic Dryer Efficiency Control (ADEC) and Cooler Pressure Balance Control systems. Included in the order are veneer dryer feeding and unloading systems. The company is set to commission this new system from USNR in early 2016. Timber

Products processes a variety of hardwood and softwood species into high value plywood and wood panels, and operates nine manufacturing facilities in the US.

Siempelkamp to deliver equipment for particleboard plant in Italy

Siempelkamp Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH in Krefeld HAS received an order from the particleboard manufacturer SAIB S.p.A., Italy.

For its existing particleboard plant in Fossadello di Caorso, located in the Piacenze region south-east of Milan, SAIB ordered from Siempelkamp a complete forming and press line as well as the blending system, the cooling and stacking line and an intermediate storage system.

The new plant technology is adjusted to the raw material; SAIB uses 100% recovered wood for its particleboard production. The Siempelkamp scope of supply for SAIB starts with the resin blending system and in-cludes the dosing bunker, the resin blender as well as the resin preparation and dosing system. As resin SAIB uses formaldehyde-free melamine-urea resin exclusively.

Downstream of the press Siempelkamp will supply a double-diagonal saw, a cooling and stacking line as well as an intermediate storage system which will be connected to the existing finishing line. The Siempelkamp package is completed with measurement and control technology components, the steel structure, the wiring as well as the transport, installation and startup. The installation of the new Siempelkamp plant is scheduled to begin in October of this year.

IFI_2015-05_USNR-SE-Merger_half-pg.indd 1

22 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

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LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

Forestry technology exhibits more international and diverse than ever before – Wood Industry Summit gaining support from key international players LIGNA 2015, which runs from 11 to 15 May, will feature a forestry and forestry technology program that is more diverse and international than ever before. Among much else, the fair will showcase all key timber harvesting and wood-based energy technologies. This year’s fair also stands out in terms of the many companies that will be exhibiting for the first time. These include Zeppelin Baumaschinen GmbH, Grube KG Forstgerätestelle, HolzWert GmbH & Co. KG and Hase Safety Workwear GmbH from Germany, Norwood Industries Inc. from Canada, Peterson Pacific Corp. from the USA, Smartec S.r.l. from Italy, Pilous-Pásové Pily from the Czech Republic, FOREST TRACT S.A.R.L. from France and P.P.H.U.

Tex-Star from Poland.

On the visitor side, the organizers are expecting professionals and decision-makers from the forestry, sawmilling and panel-products industries as well as representatives of vertically integrated companies from the pulp and paper industries. And given LIGNA’s status as the world’s number one information source on the latest forestry and wood processing technology, the visitors will be coming from all around the world.

The Wood Industry Summit, LIGNA’s brand-new dialogue and matchmaking platform in Hall 13, will likewise be a highly international affair. The Summit’s combined dialogue and presentation format is designed

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LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS (cont’d) will in fact be the very first time that LIGNA’s displays of largescale forestry machinery have extended beyond the open-air site and into the adjacent Hall 13. The Summit is organized by Deutsche Messe in association with the German Forestry Council (KWF), a long-standing and trusted partner that organized a highly successful international matchmaking event at the last LIGNA show in 2013.

The inaugural Wood Industry Summit will be officially opened on Monday, 11 May, the first day of LIGNA, at 11 a.m. This will be followed, in the afternoon, by the Summit’s first event - a presentation on the potential of hardwoods in Germany’s forestry industry. Germany’s third nationwide forest inventory (BWI3) points to a rise in the proportion of hardwood forest and standing hardwood timber stocks. Against this background, the Wood Industry Summit presentation will analyze current and future hardwood timber volumes in Germany and make suggestions on ways of boosting

the innovative and competitive potential of companies in the hardwood segment of the German forestry industry. It will also put the spotlight on current and future markets for hardwood products and new product development methods.

The morning session of each of the next four days will focus on a different country or region, namely Eastern Europe, Brazil, China and Russia. In each case, the speakers will discuss local requirements and challenges and explore topical issues, such as “Modern wood industry logistics in Brazil” and “Boosting China’s timber and wood fuel supply via agroforestry and short-rotation coppice plantations.” In the afternoons, the participating companies will present their solutions in 20-minute sessions, followed by direct dialogue with attendees.

A number of delegations and representatives from business, politics and science from the four target regions - Eastern Europe, Brazil, China and Russia - are expected for the matchmaking event.

Baschild introduces ZOOM Baschild introduces ZOOM, the new control system. ZOOM is made in Italy and entirely developed by Baschild’s R&D Department.

The controller aims at changing the traditional timber drying, thanks to a user-friendly and customizable interface and new functions that simplify the process management. ZOOM allows to dry everywhere and from any device, without PC installation: a web browser is all you need. Drying professionals can create their

own settings, while inexperienced people can start using the set up suggested by Baschild.

ZOOM can manage up to three product lines: drying kilns, vaporizers and high temperature kilns. The new system retains all drying data, keeping track of procedures and safeguarding personal settings. Alarms are managed at different levels and sounded through various devices according to their importance.

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 25

LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

The Global Forest Industry in the 4Q/2014 Excerpts from the Wood Resource Quarterly (www.woodprices.com) Global Timber Markets • Sawlog prices were generally lower throughout the world in the 4Q as compared to earlier in the year. The Global Sawlog Price Index (GSPI) fell for the third consecutive quarter to $83.12/ m3, which was down 2.6 % from the previous quarter.

• In 2014, global softwood log trade reached an eight-year high of approximately 85 million m3, according to estimates by WRI. China increased imports in 2014, and now accounts for about 40% of total world imports.

Global Pulpwood Prices • A strengthening US dollar and relatively modest price adjustments of pulplogs and wood chips in most world regions resulted in lower WRI wood fiber price indices in the 4Q. • The Softwood Fiber Price Index

(SFPI) fell to $95.72/odmt, which was a decline of 3.0 percent from the previous quarter. The biggest prices declines occurred in Germany, Russia, New Zealand and Japan.

• The Hardwood Fiber Price Index (HFPI) declined 3.2 percent from the 3Q/14 to the 4Q/14 to reach a six-year low of $93.62/ odmt. Wood fiber prices fell in practically all regions outside North America.

Global Pulp Markets

• The world market prices for NBSK Global Pulp Markets in Japan, which was down four biggest price discrepancy in over pulp have remained practically percent, and the importation of 15 years. unchanged in Western Europe, • The world market prices for NBSK pulp have remained practically unchanged in wood products in 2014. Softwood North America and China over the Global North LumberAmerica Markets and China over lumber import volumes were In Europe, Western Europe, the past six months. past six months. In Europe, the 17% year-over-year • Gaveraged lobal trade $935/ton, of softwood lumber NBSK price or about fivedown dollars higher than tointheir the previous NBSK price averaged $935/ton, lowest level since 2009. has continued to trend upward quarter. or about five dollars higher than The price premium for NBSK over BHKP reached more than $200/ton i ever since thewas global financialprice discrepancy • The demandinforover lumber China fallprice of last year, which biggest 15inyears. in the previous quarter. The crises in 2008, according to weakened during the second half premium for NBSK over BHKP the Wood Resource Quarterly. of 2014, with import volumes reached more than $200/ton in Global Lumber Markets In 2014, export volumes were of softwood lumber in the last the fall of last year, which was up 5-8 percent for a majority of quarter of the year falling nine • Global trade of softwood lumber has continued to trend upward ever since the the largest lumber-exporting percent from the 3Q/14 and six global financial crises in 2008, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly. In 20 countries in the world, including percent from the same quarter export volumes were up 5-8 percent for a majority of the largest lumber-exportin Canada, Russia, Finland, Sweden in 2013. countries in and the Germany. world, including Canada, Russia, Finland, Sweden and Germany

•

Global Biomass Markets

• Lumber consumption in the

Lumber consumption theduring US increased 6.1% US increasedin6.1% the • Pelletduring exportsthe fromfirst Northeleven Americamonths of 2014 as compared themonths same of period in 2013. rose in the 3Q after a stable first first eleven 2014 as compared the same period in

half of the year. While pellet

2013. have gone through some up-and-downs exports to Europe were up just • US lumber prices the past two years wit Accurate. marginally, increase toand Asia$284/m3 ov southern yellow pine prices priceshave having betweenthe$198/m3 • US lumber gone fluctuated more noticeable. the two-yearthrough period.some Prices averagedthe around was $250/m3 in February, 2015. up-and-downs Reliable. past two years with southern • Prices for pellets in the three yellow pine prices major pellet in Europe,and Finlan • Lumber prices declined forhaving much of the fall of 2014 inmarkets both Sweden Affordable. fluctuated between $198/m3 Sweden, Austria and Germany because of the export market weakened in the second half of the year.

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and $284/m3 over the two-year have converged to a fairly period. Prices averaged around in early 2015.

Despite the prospects of substantially highernarrow profitsprice forrange Russian exporters, there $250/m3 in February, 2015.

This occurred because prices not yet been a surge in export volumes of forest products from either Eastern Rus have fallen in Sweden for more umber prices declinedorforfrom muchNW Russia to the major• Lmarket in China, to Europe. than three years, while Central of the fall of 2014 in both Sweden European prices have increased and Finland because of the export Lower demand for lumber impacted both lumber production in Japan, which wa slightly. market weakened in the second

down four percent, and the importation of wood products in 2014. Softwood lum half of the year.

• Discounts through our Retrofit program import volumes were down 17% year-over-year to their lowest level since 2009.

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26 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

• Despite the prospects of substantially higher profits for Russian exporters, there has not yet been a surge in export volumes of forest products from either Eastern Russia to the major market in China, or from NW Russia to Europe.

• Lower demand for lumber impacted both lumber production

2

June 10 - 12 Atlanta

LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

US sawmills production climbs 4.5% in 2014 US sawmills increased production by 4.5% in 2014 to 31.307 billion board ft. (bbf ) from 29.951 bbf in 2013, according to data from the Western Wood Products Assn.

(WWPA). Western U.S. sawmills contributed 14.062 bbf to the 2014 total, up 4.3% from 13.488 bbf in 2013, and sawmills in the South accounted for 15.790 bbf, a gain of 4.8% from 15.071 bbf a year earlier. In December 2014, total U.S. production was 2.355 bbf, an

increase of 8.0% from 2.181 bbf in November, and 7.7% higher than production a year earlier of 2.186 bbf.

U.S. softwood lumber consumption advanced 6.9% to 42.246 bbf in 2014 from 39.503 bbf in 2013. Consumption in December alone was 3.312 bbf, up 9.9% from 3.013 bbf in November, and 12.7% more than consumption in December 2013 of 2.938 bbf.

Canadian sawmills produced 24.646 bbf of softwood lumber in 2014, up 0.8% from 24.446 bbf in 2013. Sawmills in British Columbia accounted for 12.633 bbf of the 2014 total, a decline of 0.9% from 12.742 bbf in 2013.Sawmills East of the Rockies produced 12.013 bbf, up 2.6% from 11.704 bbf in 2013.

Softwood lumber consumption in Canada grew 1.6% in 2014 to 7.375 bbf from 7.257 bbf. In

December, consumption was 554 mmbf - down 11.7% from November (627 mmbf ), but up 60.1% from consumption in December 2013 of 346 mmbf.

U.S. production as a percentage of total capacity averaged 83% in 2014, up from 80% in 2013, while in Canada the level remained at 79% in 2013 and 2014.

Gallo Timber invests SEK 10 million to swell production Gallo Timber, a joint venture of Persson Invest and SCA Timber, has invested SEK 10 millions in a new control system for the saw line, in a new three dimensional log measuring system and in a system for turning and optimizing the yield of every single log.

Currently, the Sawmill in Gällo has a production capacity of 320

000 cubic metres of sawn timber of pine and spruce.

“This investment gives us the technology for making the best possible use of the wood raw material”, says Urban Wiklund, president of Gällö Timber. “We will be able to get the highest possible value out of every single sawlog.”

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APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 27

LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

SCA Timber constructs painting facility in Tunadal, Sweden To meet increasing demand for surface-treated exterior cladding, SCA Timber constructs a new painting facility in Tunadal, which is expected to be operational in June.

SCA Timber Supply Skandinavien, which supplies Scandinavian builders’ merchants with wood products, already has a painting facility in Stugun. To meet the growing demand from builders’ merchants for industrially primed

and intermediate-coated cladding, painting capacity is now being doubled with the addition of the new facility in Tunadal. SCA Timber’s exterior cladding, made of slow-grown Nordic spruce, is planed directly before basic surface

treatment to guarantee that the surface is completely free from pollutants. After priming, there is the option of treating the cladding with further intermediate coats and, if requested, it can be ready painted.

UK TTF and British Woodworking Federation cooperating, not merging The UK Timber Trade Federation (TTF) and British Woodworking Federation (BWF) are going ahead with plans to launch a new joint Confederation of Timber Industries (CTI), but they have decided not to continue discussions about a full merger of their organizations, as the European Timber Trade Federation The TTF said that there was membership support for the CTI as an ‘umbrella’ body, which would deepen collaboration with the BWF and potentially other UK timber

industry bodies. Its focus could include political engagement and lobbying on behalf of the wider timber sector, driving quality and also training and skills development.

As a result, this joint body will be launched on June 10. However, the talk of a formal merger between the TTF and BWF, which potentially would have created a timber federation (which was also to be called the Confederation of Timber Industries) of over 1,000 members, is now off the table.

28 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

“Our governing board has concluded that there is sufficient support across the [supply] chain to launch the CTI without the need to merge the organisational activities of the TTF and BWF into one entitiy,” said the TTF President Stephen King. “Discussions relating to the merger have now been suspended and all energy is focussed on the launch and development of the CTI.” He added that the CTI would have its own chief executive and board.

Stephen King TTF President

LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

Sawline upgrade and Edger ordered by leading UK sawmiller, A & J Scott A & J Scott Ltd who are based in Northumberland have ordered a major upgrade of their sawmill from Soderhamn Eriksson and Milltech.

For the sawline the order consists of a new 3D system that has a MPM scanner, auto-log rotation and a side-shifting LogPos infeed. This system will then feed a factory fully-refurbished Reducer Quad Bandsaw. This equipment will replace an existing 3D system and canter/double arbor circular saw.

For the edger we will supply a new Catech 400 with a 3-bladed sawbox to replace their existing line.

Besides supplying the electronic control system for the 3D sawline, Milltech will also replace the control electronics for the whole mill including tray-sorting and subfloor etc.

A & J Scott are a family run business and have now reached the milestone of being in business for 55 years. The company is currently led by Robert Scott who is the

third generation to be in charge.

Since Robert took over the reins the company has carried on with their plan of investing heavily for the future and the order SE have received is proof of this.

SE through our UK office, Soderhamn Eriksson Ltd, have been suppliers to A & J Scott for @20 years and are very proud to to be able to carry on doing so.

Robert Scott said that he placed the order with SE because “We have an excellent relationship

with Soderhamn Eriksson and these days you need to squeeze as much out of a log as you can so we look forward to seeing the improvements in both production and yield there machinery can provide. We at A & J Scott want to maintain our position of being a market leader in UK sawmilling and Soderhamn Eriksson’s machinery will help us do this”.

Delivery and installation will take place late 2015.

Raute receives EUR 31 million order from Latvijas Finieris Raute Corporation has received orders worth approximately EUR 31 million for the machinery and equipment from Kohila Vineer Ou, a company of Latvijas Finieris Group. The ordered machinery and equipment will be delivered to Estonia, for the expansion of the veneer mill in Kohila, near Tallinn.

The scope of delivery includes drying, composing, patching, scarf

jointing, lay-up and pressing, sawing, grading, overlaying and by-product handling lines.

The deliveries will commence in the autumn 2015 and plywood production in Kohila will start during the spring and summer 2016.

Latvijas Finieris is one of the largest birch plywood producing companies in the world with

production in all Baltic countries and in Finland. Latvijas Finieris has made investments during several past years to systematically increase its production capacity and develop the quality and productivity. Through this investment, Latvijas Finieris will expand the veneer mill in Kohila for plywood manufacturing. The annual capacity of the mill will be

45,000 cubic meters high-quality birch plywood.

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 29

LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

European/German Sawmilling technology is now operating in the U.S. South Can it revolutionize the U.S. Industry and impact markets?

With one mill now operating in Florida using 100% imported European log merchandising, sawmilling, drying and planing equipment, what does this mean to the U.S. industry and markets?

Could a new sawmill processing technology change the U.S. industry? The simple answer is: No. However, what has been proven in seven consecutive WOOD MARKETS’ Global Timber/Sawmill Cost Benchmarking Surveys is this: European sawmills have lower mill processing costs than North American mills due to the differences in log processing technology. So, one European sawmill can certainly change local log markets and impact neighbouring sawmills. And perhaps after a few more mills are in operation, the evidence will then show if these European-style sawmills can influence regional lumber markets since European sawmilling technology allows for more flexible processing and almost any specified thickness, width and lengths. So, the midterm answer is: Maybe, but time will tell.

So, what is this story all about and what does it mean?

WOOD MARKETS has been visiting European mills since 2000 and we will feature an industry tour in Eastern Austria to visit similar sawmills to the Florida mill as part of its Vienna International Wood Products Industry/Market Conference & Expo in Vienna, Austria on June 17. In Europe, sawmilling technology is different – and very different in some areas.

Simply put, European mills serve multiple markets that all require different sizes, lengths, grades and specifications. To be able to

produce lumber for these many European and export markets, European sawmilling technology has evolved to be different to North American technology – this has impacted not just costs, but allows for wider product lines, expanded markets and improved margins!

With log costs also very high in Europe (at least double U.S. log costs), the European sawmilling strategy is to reduce fall-down grades and maximize value from the expensive logs. To accomplish, all mills first sort and grade their logs through a log merchandizing line where logs are scanned and typically sorted by diameter class, grade and length. Many mills have 60 to 80 log sorts; some have 160.

Since the logs are sorted into batches of similar diameter, grade and length, the optimum product and market solutions are matched up to these log sorts to maximize value back to the log. These log batches are run into fixed setworks in the mill, as since the logs are already pre-sized and graded, there is no need for moving and shifting setworks in log break down equipment as is extensively used in North America.

With fixed setworks and using batched logs, European mills can achieve higher lumber production output per hour, day, week, etc., as compared to North American mills. Instead of having a 2 to 3 metre (6-9 foot) gap between logs, European mills can have 0.5 metre (3 foot) gap that allows for greater linear production per hour. As well, processing pre-graded logs yields very little low grade lumber from every production run, optimizing value.

The cost advantages of European sawmilling have been documented in WOOD MARKETS bi-

annual Global Timber / Sawmill / Lumber Cost Benchmarking Survey since the first issue was released in 2002. In every survey (based on US dollars), European mills continue to have the lowest sawmilling costs in the world (US$/Mbf or US$/ m3) no matter what the exchange rate of the euro to the U.S. dollar.

And in the current situation with the euro and the Swedish Krona depreciating 19-20% since July 1, 2014, the cost advantages of European mills are becoming ultra-competitive today in export markets, including the U.S. market.

The other key advantage of European sawmilling technology is that mills are extremely flexible – they can essentially cut any size (thickness and width) of lumber that is being requested based on the sorted log inventory.

As a result, European mills are extremely versatile in selling to almost any market in the world since they are not constrained by fixed sawing programs or concerns about fall-down grades. As well, European sawmilling technology can easily produce square-edged dimension lumber and studs (i.e., home centre grade) and provide specified lengths (like a truckload of 16-foot) since they will take orders from the pre-sorted log (diameter, grade and length).

As a result, customers in Europe as well as in Japan, China, Middle East, North Africa, and also the U.S., have a strong preference in dealing with sawmills that produce lumber with flexible European technology. The answer is quite simple – these types of mills can produce lumber to the exact specifications of the customer.

And with the lowest sawmilling costs in the world, you can see why European lumber is found all over

Holmen Group names acting HR director After nine years at Holmen, HR director Ingegerd Engquist is leaving the company. As from 16 March Mats Nilsson will be

acting HR director for the Group, alongside his post as head of HR at Holmen Skog.

Holmen is a forest industry

30 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

group that manufactures printing paper, paperboard and sawn timber and runs forestry and energy production operations.

the world, limited only by market price (which is often a constraint due to the much higher European log prices).

But with a world-class European technology sawmill now operating in Florida, this could become a game changer for the U.S. industry. Logs costs are currently half the price in the U.S. South as compared to parts of Europe. This means that not only will a sawmill featuring European–technology equipment located in the U.S. South be very competitive in the U.S. market, it should be very competitive in a number of key export markets. U.S. South (as well as Canadian SPF) mills have traditionally had restricted export market opportunities due to their inflexible sawmill technology, aside from older headrig mills.

To fully understand and see the differences between European sawmilling technology and that in North America, you really have to see sawmills in operation.

WOOD MARKETS is offering this opportunity through its Eastern Austria Industry Tour on June 18 and 19 where visits to modern European sawmills, including one of the largest sawmills in the world, will take place. This is being held in conjunction with WOOD MARKETS’ Vienna International Wood Products/Markets Conference & Expo in Vienna on June 17 as well as the bi-annual Schweighofer Prize Awards Ceremony and Reception (June 16). There is a second option for an industry tour to visit Holzindustrie Schweighofer’s sawmill operations in Sebes, Romania that also features typical European sawmilling equipment that operates 24/7.

Visit us at

LIGNA

LUMBER PROCESSING WORLD MARKETS

USNR acquires Söderhamn Eriksson USNR has announced that it has acquired Söderhamn Eriksson and all of its subsidiaries from Cellwoodgruppen AB. Even before this acquisition, USNR was the world’s largest supplier of equipment and technologies for the sawmill industry, and the addition of Söderhamn Eriksson further cements USNR’s leadership position.

George Van Hoomissen, President and CEO of USNR, commented that he was very interested in the opportunity to acquire Söderhamn Eriksson because he felt that Söderhamn Eriksson’s strong market position in Europe would complement USNR’s strong position in North America, and that both companies’ positions would be strengthened as a result of a combination in South America, Australia/New Zealand, Russia, and Asia.

“We believe that Söderhamn Eriksson’s extensive sales, distribution, and service networks

in Europe will help USNR to more broadly introduce and support its products in Europe,” stated Chris Blomquist, Vice President of Sales for USNR. “Lack of local support infrastructure can be a challenge, but now the combined organization has an extensive OEM support network spanning 15 time zones, 3 continents, 10 countries, and at least 9 languages. No other company in our industry even comes close to matching this level of aftermarket support.”

Within the Söderhamn Eriksson organization, this acquisition is also viewed as tremendously positive and transformative.

Henrik Lefvert, Managing Director for Söderhamn Eriksson, stated “We have products that are very well-suited to the North American style of sawmilling, and we are optimistic that with the support of USNR, we will be able to successfully introduce these products into the United States and Canada.”

Lars Lindvall, International Sales Manager for Söderhamn Eriksson added, “We are also very excited to be able to creatively package solutions that combine products from Söderhamn Eriksson with those from USNR. We have of course been able to collaborate with USNR in the past, and have done so on a number of occasions, but we are now in a position to provide fully integrated, end-to-end solutions anywhere in the world.”

“The combination of USNR and Söderhamn Eriksson offers customers far more options when planning a project,” stated Chris Blomquist. “By combining our product lines and our service and support operations, customers will be able to design the solution that best meets their needs.”

Henrik Lefvert will continue as Managing Director of Söderhamn Eriksson, and no interruptions to on-going projects, services, or other operations are expected as a result of this acquisition.

George Van Hoomissen, President and CEO of USNR

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LUMBER PROCESSING WORLD MARKETS

Metsa Wood plans to launch Accoya® decking and cladding throughout France Metsa Wood plans to launch Accoya® decking and cladding throughout France. The decking and cladding ranges will be both available in a variety of colours including black, dark brown, grey and a translucent version.

Both come with Accoya’s 50 years above ground and 25 years below ground warranty.The decking range will benefit from invisible fixings and is double profiled, while the cladding range is texturised and comes with invisible face fixings. Manufactured by Accsys Technologies, Accoya is one of the

most advanced wood products on the market today.

Through a process called acetylation, Accoya is manufactured using wood modification technology to create a superior quality product with outstanding levels of performance, stability and durability. All Accoya wood is sustainably sourced and the finished result is a non-toxic product offering the same aesthetic appeal of tropical hardwoods.

Bryan Crennell, Director of Sales and Marketing at Accsys Technologies, said: “We are

delighted that Metsä Wood is to bring Accoya decking and cladding to the French market.

The products looks magnificent and with the wide variety of colours available combined with the invisible fixings I’m confident the ranges will prove popular. Accoya decking has been proven to avoid high thermal gain which can be a problem with some deck and terrace materials. Accoya decking is barefoot friendly making it the ideal material for outdoor decking in France.”

Bryan Crennell, Director of Sales and Marketing at Accsys Technologies

Slovenia: Value of purchased roundwood decreased by 17% in January 2015 Slovenia’s value of roundwood purchased in January 2015 amounted to Euro 2.9 million and was thus 12% lower than in December 2014 and about 17% lower than in January 2014, as reported by the Statistical Office of

the Republic of Slovenia The value of purchased sawlogs and veneer logs was lower by almost 2%, of wood fuel by about 32% and of pulpwood by 38%. The value of purchased other industrial roundwood was almost 7% higher.

The total value of roundwood purchased in January 2015 was about 17% lower than in January 2014, mainly due to lower quantity of purchased sawlogs conifers.

The value of purchased wood fuel was higher by about 16%. Lower

than in January 2014 was the value of purchased sawlogs and veneer logs (by about 19%), of pulpwood (by 18%) and of other industrial roundwood (by 26%).

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 33

SAWLINES: Scanning & Optimisation – Comact

Past leads to future Comact’s past experience is leading its latest innovations for scanning and optimisation technology

C

omact has more than 50 years’ experience in the wood processing industry under its belt, with over 20 involving scanning and optimisation technology. As such, the Canadian supplier places itself prominently among worldwide industry leaders.

The extensive experience of its optimisation experts, combined with a “remarkable grasp of the industry”, has allowed the company to successfully adapt its products in order to offer leading edge technological solutions along with established equipment.

“Current and future Comact clients alike are bound to be greatly satisfied,” the company said. Below are some of the key achievements from 2014.

3D Pro Laser heads for linear optimisation In 2014, Comact introduced the 3D Pro laser head for linear optimisation. The 3D Pro laser beams scan the piece so as to produce a geometric reconstruction that accurately reflects the wood’s composition.

The scanning rate, which can vary from 300 Hz all the way to 5,000 Hz depending on the application, makes the the 3D Pro faster, more accurate, and more thorough than laser heads of the

preceding generation.

A specialised 3D Pro model is also available with tracheid effect for the purpose of detecting vision defects occurring at secondary breakdown and edging.

The 3D Pro now comes as the standard linear scanning device for Comact. Its versatility means the head is perfectly suited for log scanners as well as scanners for cants or boards to edge.

Since these heads are precalibrated, they are simple to install and require very little maintenance. The all-new 3D Pro generation can also be installed on scanners of previous generations and thus give them a second life.

Comprehensive vision solution at sawing In the case of sawmills where producing superior grades is a key profitability component, defect detection through the use of a vision system turns out to be an extremely useful tool. For this purpose, Comact has developed a comprehensive optimisation solution with a vision system at the sawing level.

This solution consists of an end analyser, which takes pictures of either end of the log with a high-resolution colour camera with LED lighting. By analysing these

The Comact 3D Pro system laser beams scan the piece so as to produce a geometric reconstruction that accurately reflects the wood’s composition

pictures, the optimiser is able to identify the presence of cracks, blue stain, and decay as well as pith position.

These readings are combined with log side scans, which also detect cracks. The log is then reconstructed by the optimiser, which makes the optimal decision prior to primary breakdown.

Log information is also sent to a secondary breakdown optimiser, which takes into consideration the physical features of the log as well as the sawing performed at primary breakdown.

“Not only is this easy-to-install solution suitable for brand-new equipment, but it is also great for retrofits,” the company said. “Since the 3D Pro requires only a little investment and little maintenance, it allows sawmill operators to reach their utmost in profitability.”

Geometric decay detection

Due to our broad experience in terms of optimisation, with and without vision systems, our Research & Development team has managed to identify the typical physical characteristics of decay in order to implement this type of detection in their geometric scanners - R&D manager, Guy Morissette

34 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

For several years, Comact has been providing optimisation devices equipped with vision systems, such as the GradExpert, the TrimExpert, and the EdgExpert, which efficiently detect the presence of decay.

“Due to our broad experience in terms of optimisation, with and without vision systems, our Research & Development team has managed to identify the typical physical characteristics of decay in order to implement this type

of detection in their geometric scanners,” Comact said.

In 2014, those efforts helped them come up with a software algorithm to detect decay on a piece, solely from its geometric data. The various readings taken by the lasers allow the optimiser to reconstruct the piece in 3D with sufficient accuracy for the optimiser to identify the cavities whose geometry is typical of a decay patch.

Optimisation is then performed according to client-defined rules on the interface.

This kind of detection can be done as well by the trimmer scanner as the edger scanner.

For those who already have Comact geometric detection systems, a simple software update enables this new feature. Besides being easy to implement on existing systems, this state-of-theart technology does not require any additional maintenance and comes at “a very low cost”.

“It is a great solution for sawmill owners confronted with a substantial volume of decay in their raw material.”

Grain deviation detection Comact programmers have come up with an “entirely new” way of detecting grain deviation.

“In fact, built in tracheid detection found in scanner laser heads allows targeting grain

SAWLINES: Scanning & Optimisation – Comact

Shake detection on logs

deviation much more reliably as compared with former methods, which relied rather on the presence of cracks in the pieces,” Comact said.

“Grain deviation factor is assessed according to variations in fibre orientation as detected by means of the tracheid effect. This new detection method is reliable and prevents having to depend on wood graders to perform this task.”

The tracheid detection system is available on transverse optimisers and work is underway to make the system compatible with linear optimisers, too. As with many other Comact systems, software can adapt this system to

existing hardware.

Summary “Whether for sawing or planing, the Comact optimisation product offer meets the diverse needs of our clients, for whom our products are now their benchmark,” the manufacturer said.

“It is by pairing equipment featuring cutting edge technology to the know-how and experience of a seasoned team of specialists that we set ourselves apart. Sawmill and planer mill operators alike can count on Comact to deliver superior-quality products timeafter-time.”

Geometric detection: the decay that has been detected is in the white box. The decay has been trimmed off by the optimiser

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APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 35

SAWLINES: Exhibitions

If recent history is any indication, then North America will be well represented at LIGNA 2015 The Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America (WMMA) will continue its time-honored tradition of organizing an exhibition pavilion when LIGNA plays host to the global woodworking community, May 11-15, 2015 in Hannover, Germany For five days, the Hannover Fairgrounds will be transformed into the world’s largest showcase of woodworking machinery, cutting tools and accessories. The fair also will serve as a launching pad for innovative woodworking technologies and cutting-edge manufacturing solutions.

If recent history is any indication, then North America will be well represented at LIGNA 2015.

A record 3,000 plus North American woodworking professionals were among the more than 90,000 visitors representing 100 countries

LIGNA: H

all

that attended LIGNA 2013.

Woodworkers from around the globe visiting this year’s fair will find a diverse sampling of North American suppliers displaying their wares. Many of them are members of the WMMA, a U.S. trade association representing more than 200 North American manufacturers and suppliers of woodworking machinery and supplies.

As has been the case since 2003, the WMMA’s presence at LIGNA will be anchored by a pavilion, making it convenient for

643 V isit us!• SFPA: Booth # C58 27, Stand

36 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

woodworking attendees to talk shop with a wide array of product specialists. Many other member companies will either exhibit on their own or with one of their European distributors. Still other WMMA members will walk the show in search of new product lines to represent in North America and to see and learn what’s new.

‘Tremendous Forum for Introductions’ “For companies who would otherwise have a very small presence at such a large show, the WMMA Pavilion provides a larger footprint,” said Fred Stringfellow, executive director of the WMMA. “Many WMMA members that exhibit at LIGNA, inside or outside our pavilion, are seeking international distributors for their machinery and supplies. LIGNA provides a tremendous forum for introductions of this kind.”

John Schultz, immediate past president of the WMMA and owner of Super Thin Saws of Waterbury, VT, said his company will participate in the WMMA Pavilion for at least the fifth time, ready to discuss the benefits of its “eye-catchingly different” thin saw blades.

Schultz said every woodworker worth his sawdust should add a trip to LIGNA to his bucket list.

“Everyone in the industry would really enjoy this show. You have to weigh travel costs, of course, but even if you can only swing it once a decade, go! There’s a staggering amount of new stuff each year including prototypes. I find the new concepts very exciting.”

“LIGNA allows us to expand our brand awareness through the world and find new international

dealers,” said John Branch, vice president of Mereen-Johnson of Minneapolis, MN. Branch, who is gearing up for his seventh LIGNA, will help man the WMMA Pavilion ready to talk about his company’s ripsaws, optimizing and panel sizing systems.

When he’s not working the WMMA Pavilion, Branch said he looks forward to walking the show. “The amount of machinery that is displayed and running is amazing. It is worth the trip for any woodworker just to come and see all the different machinery for new ideas on how you could improve your factory.”

Brian Donohue, president of Safety Speed Manufacturing of Ham Lake, MN, said his company has exhibited at LIGNA for more than 20 years and has long since “graduated beyond the WMMA Pavilion.” Safety Speed will display vertical panel saws and routers in tandem with Vynkier Machine, its France-based European distributor.

“LIGNA is the central meeting point for the world. We get to meet with our dealers from all over the world, most of which we recruited at LIGNA. I hope to recruit more this year.”

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SAWLINES: Saw Technology – SPRINGER

E-Feeder 200: Springer presents a new lug loader for mixed board dimensions at LIGNA/Germany

S

pringer has developed a completely new lug loader concept for the lumber industry. Including a number of significant technical innovations, the concept presented at LIGNA 2015 contains a unique singulating unit with which the boards are kept fully under control through the entire feeding process, resulting in smooth and gentle manipulation and transport to the connected scanner or trimmer units.

“With this new feeder concept we have placed particular focus on the optimization of sawmills producing different dimensions on the same production line.

The efficiency of the process is increased substantially with the new E-Feeder simultaneously handling all products produced by the sawing line”, explains Timo Springer, CEO at Springer.

The smooth and reliable flow of the boards enables maximum efficiency of the lumber production line. This leads to higher overall performance at lower comparable cycles which result in lower maintenance costs regarding the

overall lumber production. The new feeder unit’s main assets are its high process reliability as well as its careful handling of the lumber products.

Board surfaces and edges remain unharmed due to the larger surface area of the clamping arms, which also facilitate a smooth and gentle transfer of the boards to the lug chain. This unit can be used for both construction and visual grade lumber in both softwood and hardwood.

Goldeneye 900: The E-Feeder is ideally connected to the new generation of Microtec’s Goldeneye 900. This scanner detects all geometric and visual properties relevant to the quality of the board transported in transverse orientation. The new, innovative transport design through the scanner allows scanning of the bottom of the board simultaneously with a chain occlusion width of only 3mm.

The space requirement of the whole system is kept very small; the new Goldeneye 900

38 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

can be installed on a single level only, allowing easy integration of the scanner in existing lumber manufacturing plants.

E-Cut 200: The innovative new trimmer was presented at LIGNA 2013 and has since proven itself successfully in the sawmill.

Combined with the new E-Feeder and the Goldeneye 900, the integrated system complies with the highest economic standards and ensures reliable and costeffective operation. The electrically driven trimmer works without belts, therefore exposing parts to a minimum of wear and tear.

Trimmed pieces are handled by the integrated transverse conveyor which manipulates them directly to the waste conveyor, guaranteeing smooth and jam-free operation.

The E-Feeder will be displayed together with Microtec’s Goldeneye 900 and the E-Cut 200 trimmer at this year’s LIGNA in Hannover/ Germany. The single modules are perfectly geared to each other and can be integrated into all production lines, either separately or as a complete

three-module system. The threeunit combination by Springer Microtec presently offers the most productive and cost-effective lumber production solution on the market. The mechanical and electronic interfaces are predefined, guaranteeing perfect integration into the existing sawmill, supplied from one source.

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For more information visit us at LIGNA/Hannover, booth D31, Hall 27.

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SAWLINES: Scanning & Optimisation – Delta Computer Systems

Optimised sawlines rely on coordinated motion control Shown are Delta’s twoaxis RMC75 and eight-axis RMC150 motion controllers

Managing bottlenecks to optimise throughput without compromising product quality is a passion for Delta Computer Systems

D

eveloping a highly-integrated sawline for maximum productivity can pose some technical challenges for the system integrator. Among the challenges may be coordinating the operation of many motion axes in order to eliminate bottlenecks, while enabling the line to implement an optimised cutting strategy for each log in order to maximise recovery from available feedstock.

“Precise saw positioning and cutting requires precise closedloop control of multiple hydraulic axes,” according to Washington State based optimisation expert Delta Computer Systems. “For these tasks, many system integrators and machine builders use our RMC motion controllers.”

Delta’s high performance motion control product line includes the RMC75 two-axis and RMC150 eight-axis controllers, which provide precise position, velocity, pressure, and force control, with the ability to synchronise the motion of multiple motion axes simultaneously.

The Delta controllers provide specially designed motion functions to produce non-linear motion profiles such as those required for curved cutting. Cutting a curved block along the line of

the curve will produce boards that dry straight. Curved cutting is supported by Delta motion controllers through standard features for producing curving motion profiles.

One such feature is the ability to execute spline functions. To do this, a log scanner provides a set of motion target points for the cut and the Delta controller ‘connects the dots’ with its spline function to move the saw’s position smoothly

through the specified curve.

“Using powerful functions such as splines, machine builders are able to build a high-level of functionality into the motion controller’s programs and thus produce desired results with a minimum amount of direction from an optimiser or supervisory PLC,” Delta said.

The controllers’ multi-axis synchronisation capability allows the performance of the system

to be scaled as required. One axis is set up as a master, and the others are set up as slaves to follow the master’s motion, either in a linear (gearing) or non-linear (camming) manner according to the relationship set by the programmer.

With synchronization, the sawline can speed up or slow down for maximum productivity depending on the material being processed.

Optimal system operation requires tuning of the motion axes. To simplify this task, the Delta RMCTools software has a feature called the Plot Manager that enables the user to graphically display the motion of any of the system’s axes versus time. Plot Manager graphs compare the actual motion of the system with the system’s optimal target motion, and when the motion is tuned perfectly, the actual and target curves overlap.

To further simplify the tuning process, RMCTools includes an automated Tuning Wizard that allows designers to tweak control loop gains via a slider bar on the screen of an attached PC.

The typical highly-integrated sawline has multiple motion axes that must be controlled. Above is a block diagram showing the axes involved in a curve-sawing ripsaw

40 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

SAWLINES: Scanning & Optimisation – Lucidyne

GradeScan sales signal market strength

Lucidyne believes increasing use of its GradeScan technology is a sign of improved market health for the sawmilling sector

A

s the economy continues to rebound, we find that the lumber industry is focusing on investments that have rapid and substantial improvement to the bottom line,” Lucidyne Chief Financial Officer Ellen Nelson said.

“Maximising fibre recovery and optimising the value of the final products is key to a mill’s success, and we see the industry taking advantage of technologies that give them that result.”

Lucidyne’s GradeScan is a perfect example of that type of technology.

“Running at speeds up to 1.22 km/minute (4,000 ft/minute) – the fastest on the market – and sliding into the existing production line in mere centimetres behind

the planer, GradeScan makes an immediate contribution to fibre and value recovery,” Nelson said.

“Our customers report impressive return on investment, making GradeScan a great value turning pure profit after the ROI period.

With a proprietary set of sensors not available on any other scanner, GradeScan collects data on all four faces of the board, including colour, board fibre, and defect information. Sensors also collect defect information on the surface and inside the board, including slope of grain, grain distortion and strength.

In addition, GradeScan measures board warp when the board is in its true, relaxed state so

you get the correct analysis of bow, crook and twist. A complete board solution is handed off before the board is lugged, so empty lugs can be created for cut-in-two solutions.

As boards move down the line, they can become crossed or mixed up. Lucidyne’s patented True-Q technology insures that each board is matched to its correct solution prior to reaching the saws. This is done without putting any marks of any kind on the lumber.

GradeScan installs typically over two weekends with little or no downtime, and requires very minimal installation space – only 62.5 cm (25 lineal inches) for GradeScan plus external feed rolls.

No modification to the lug chain is usually required, making the

GradeScan installation “practically seamless”, as major mill modifications are not necessary.

“We are seeing tremendous interest in our scanning systems, particularly in the US Southeast and Pacific Northwest, to use our technologies in the planer mill for final grading,” Nelson said. “In fact, GradeScan has become so much in demand that Lucidyne’s staff has increased substantially in the past two years, and we continue to add software developers, engineers, technical support staff, and scanning specialists.

“We’re proud of our reputation for providing ongoing support and development, and committed to continuing that tradition.”

This year marks Lucidyne’s 30th anniversary, with many of the staff having devoted their entire careers to the company. Nelson said Lucidyne was happy to boast this achievement but was equally proud of our new employees who “bring their talents and enthusiasm to our team”.

“We believe the lumber industry will continue to strengthen, and contributing to that strength is the implementation of technology that maximises our customers’ bottom lines,” she said. “We are proud to be a trusted partner to wood product manufacturers bringing this crucial technology to the industry.”

Celebrating 30 years of exceptional solutions, support, and service.

Visit us at Booth 845

SFPA Expo Atlanta June 10 - 12

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 41

SAWLINES: Scanning & Optimisation – Metriguard

A sound investment The Metriguard Model 2350 Sonic Lumber Grader at Simpson Lumber

Simpson Lumber has installed a Metriguard Model 2350 Sonic Lumber Grader

M

etriguard has installed a Model 2350 Sonic Lumber Grader (SLG) at Simpson Lumber Company’s Commencement Bay mill in Tacoma, Washington.

Greg McCoy, Dry End Superintendent, knew that machine stress rated (MSR) lumber could be an important product for the mill.

“Once we decided to use acoustic technology to produce MSR, we chose Metriguard,” he said.

“They have long been the industry leader and specialise in MSR.” McCoy recognises that Metriguard personnel are knowledgeable and have a long history in the MSR industry. In fact, one of the first Metriguard MSR installations was at a Simpson mill in the 1970s.

The Model 2350 SLG is a result of four decades of experience in acoustics and lumber grading equipment.

The Model 2350 SLG is a transverse flow grader that uses proprietary scales to compensate for off-axis loading, improving accuracy and repeatability in the

weight measurement.

A rugged electro-mechanical hammer, requiring no shop air, strikes the end of each piece of lumber. The resulting acoustic signal is analysed by software developed and maintained inhouse by Metriguard engineers.

Piece density and acoustic signal are used to determine the modulus of elasticity (E). In the Tacoma mill, data is handed off to an optical scanner for final MSR grade determination. Remote access capability allows for trouble-shooting issues as they arise.

McCoy values Metriguard’s input and candour regarding equipment capabilities and has found the company to be “aboveboard and honest”. He has been impressed with Metriguard’s efforts to ensure proper operation of the system. In short, he knew that Metriguard “would make it right”.

“I can’t say enough about how the guys have responded to questions, issues and concerns.

I would definitely recommend Metriguard to others.”

42 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

MPM Ad 04.2013_Layout 1 09/04/2013 19:50 Page 1

Linck New Launch! launches new product LINCK is using Ligna 2015 to introduce a newly developed compact processing center. With this machine four-sided cants can be produced with minimum space required.

The components used such as log rotation, log guiding and cutterheads have been tried and tested for years. For the new machine they have been arranged into each other.

The utmost compact design allows the application of LINCK Technology also in areas where it was not possible so far due to space restrictions. New sawmills can be realized with noticeable reduced building length.

All established processing methods are of course supported. Whether the logs are to be processed split taper, diagonally aligned ore curve sawn is determined through the LINCK process control software. The compact machine center is implementing the standards with high precision.

Through additional units for profiling and sawing a complete production unit is realized with minimum space required.

No compromises were made with regards to availability and accessibility. The robust design and the generously rated capacities of the components used guarantee maximum availability and a long service life.

Come see us at LIGNA - Hall 27 Booth C64 & SFPA Booth 501

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 43

SAWLINES: Scanning & Optimisation – MiCROTEC Heated, hermetic and dust-free aluminum housing

Goldeneye 900 sets the standard Multi-Sensor Transverse Quality Scanner for planed or rough lumber grading, in green, dry or planer mills

G

oldeneye 900 MultiSensor Quality Scanner features color cameras, laser scattering, grain deviation and 3D dimension scanning in transverse feeding. The Goldeneye 900 series provides – depending on the supplied modular multisensor channels – full 3D profile lumber scanning, light/shadow image processing, full HD color image processing, polarizing scatter processing. The scanner can be used for both planed and rough lumber grading and can be integrated for the optimization process of a trimming & sorting optimization process of green, dry or planer mills.

Goldeneye 900 Multi-Sensor Transverse Quality Scanner accurately identifies wood defects on all four surfaces in one pass, with no need to turn or incline boards. Value optimization in the

sawmill before kiln drying, in the planer mill or in remanufacturing are all possible since Goldeneye 900 grades planed as well as rough lumber. The scanner detects and localizes all types of knots as well as cracks, discoloration, pitch pockets, wanes, distortion and other dimensional defects. This allows customers to automate, streamline and optimize all downstream production steps.

The value optimization software implements customer specific grading, trimming and sorting rules.

“The Goldeneye 900 reduces costs in planning, installing, commissioning and servicing. Our optimization boosts both recovery and value, in transversal green & dry sorting lines. Parameters and grading rules can be refined together with our engineering teams in order to get the most out

of your production.” says Microtec CEO, Federico Giudiceandrea.

Full quality grading Goldeneye 900 provides accurate 3D reconstruction as well as precision and reliability in determining quality of the surface of green and dry boards in transverse feeding. The seamless integration of color and laser scanners into one multi-sensor system delivers a gapless view of the lumber surface.

The optimization software enables individual management

of real and virtual optimization parameters for peak recovery.

The evaluation of the scanned information is done using Microtec’s powerful image processing and optimization algorithms in order to maximize recovery of downstream production processes.

The Goldeneye 900 reduces costs in planning, installing, commissioning and servicing. Our optimization boosts both recovery and value, in transversal green & dry sorting lines.

- Microtec CEO, Federico Giudiceandrea

44 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

3D dimension scanning, laser scattering, colour and strength grading

T E C H N O LO G I E S F O R T H E S AW M I L L I N D U ST RY

www.linck.com

new compact processing center presented at Ligna 2015 Innovation. Quality.

Profitability.

MADE IN GERMANY

May 11 - 15, 2015 Hall 27 - Booth D32

SAWLINES: Saw Technology – Söderhamn Eriksson

Söderhamn Eriksson delivers Catech 4000 TS-5 edger optimizer to Norra Timber

N

orra Timber, the industry division of the northern Swedish forest owner association, invests in a Söderhamn Eriksson’s Catech 4000 TS-5 edger optimizer for installation in its sawmill in Sävar, one of Norra Timber’s two sawmills with a total annual production of some 400,000 cubic metres lumber.

Decisive for this purchase were the unmanned edging solution and the high capacity. Norra SAWMILL PERFECTION Timber believes in bandsaws and edger optimizers in the long run, primarily when it comes to yield but also in terms of productivity. The investment in a new Catech opens

up the possibility of increased capacity and availability both in the edging process and in the saw line.

The new edging line will be delivered in mid-September 2015. Catech 4000 TS sets a new standard for high-performance edger optimizers with capacities up to 75 boards/min. Söderhamn Eriksson’s new edging program includes edger otimizers for crosswise and for longitudinal Catech TS board measurement.

Catech TS

Catech TS - Transverse scanning edger optimizers Catech TS is the collective name for Söderhamn Eriksson’s transverse scanning edger optimizers. These high-tech edger optimizers have been developed to satisfy the need for increased availability in modern saw lines, apart from the fact that edger optimizers give the absolutely highest yield from sideboards.

The Catech TS is moduledesigned for easy adaptation to the market’s different capacity requirements and sawing patterns.

The optimizers are equipped with doublesided high-resolution profile scanners and optional automatic grade detection of the upper side

of the board to allow full value optimization. The edger optimizer’s board singulator function can be unmanned thanks to integrated systems correcting skewed boards and boards on top of each other.

The optimizing system comes with a state-of-the-art, userfriendly interface complete with simulating functions and database for statistics and reports.

The Catech 4000 TS sets a new standard for high-performance edger optimizers and its capacity of up to 75 boards/min proves that Söderhamn Eriksson is leading the market for edging technology.

Catech TS technical specifications Capacity up to 75 boards/min Feed speed up to 450 m/min Board length 2.4–6.1 m Board width (incoming) 90–400/530/670 mm Board thickness 12–50 mm These data are approximate and given without obligation.

Transverse scanning edger optimizers 46 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015 Catech TS is the collective name for Söderhamn Eriksson’s transverse scanning edger optimizers. These high-tech edger optimizers have been developed to satisfy

SAWLINES: Scanning & Optimisation – LMI Technologies

S

ierra Pacific Industries (SPI) is a major user of the latest generation of LMI’s chroma+scan 3D scanners for transverse board and log optimization. LMI has been supplying 3D scanners for saw mill optimization for both logs and boards for over 35 years.

In October 2011 SPI determined they needed to upgrade legacy scanners for their linear edgers.

The legacy scanners had limited scan density, and were no longer supported by the manufacturer. SPI approached LMI Technologies (LMI) about the feasibility of utilizing Gocator 3D line profile sensors to upgrade their scanners for higher resolution scanning.

A review of SPI’s stringent specifications showed that the recently introduced Gocator 2300 series would meet their specifications and implementation schedule. The simplicity of implementation of Gocator was attractive to SPI. SPI began preliminary software integration work. In August 2012 Gocator 2380 sensors were provided to SPI for final integration testing. By October 2012 a first solution with two Gocator 2380 sensors was successfully tested at SPI’s Oroville, CA operation.

A production system was built and put into production at Oroville in March 2013. The improved data density led to a documented

significant increase in recovery.

The new scanners increased point density by a factor of 5 or more.

Rigo Pasillas is SPI’s Electronics Technician who installed and commissioned the SPI linear edger optimizer systems with the Gocator based scanner. He says “Going online with a Gocator to check settings or make changes is very easy; all you have to do is to type the Gocator’s IP Address on your favorite web browser. The user Interface/GUI is user friendly; all the Gocator’s available options are well labeled. Upgrading the Gocator’s firmware is very easy; all you have to do is to select the “Upgrade Firmware option under the “Maintenance” menu.

The Gocator’s scan data is very accurate. The accuracy of the scan data helps our software to make better decisions.”

Based on the results, SPI went on to upgrade lineal edger scanners at five other mills. SPI is now investigating Gocator sensors for log optimization applications.

Gocator sensors have proven to be ideal as retrofits to update older scanning stations with the latest technology. They provide higher density point cloud data, improved reliability and modernize older scanning systems with only minor mechanical and electronic modifications.

In today’s competitive lumber market, it is critical to maintain

high production volume throughput with maximum value recovery. The Gocator sensors focus on ease-ofuse, providing faster scan rates and

higher density data than sensors typically used in log and lumber scanning applications in the past.

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 47

SAWLINES: Scanning & Optimisation – Autolog

Autolog optimisation keeps Stag competitive

With today’s technological advances and fast-paced productivity, sawmills have come to rely on systems to help optimise their output – that is where Autolog comes in

A

s a world-class optimisation and process control systems manufacturer, Autolog offers “high value-added solutions to all who wish to maximise their productivity, flexibility and ultimately their profitability”, the company told International Forest Industries.

One valued customer, Stag Timber of the Teal-Jones Group in British Columbia, was looking to do just that by optimising its carriage.

The management team chose Autolog not only for the “superior quality product” but for the “superior quality of service and personal approach”, according to the supplier.

“It was very well appreciated how Autolog listened to all of our needs and did exactly what we wanted 100%,” Allan Bose from Stag Timber said.

“They are a well-established and reliable company that we can depend on. We highly recommend Autolog.”

Among the many key features Autolog’s Carriage Optimiser has to offer, Stag Timber chose the system for its quick, high precision scanning, which is facilitated by a high frequency multiple laser lines

full-profile scanner.

It is easy to set up and operate and because of well mounted scanners that are close to one another and easy to get to, simplified architecture and a userfriendly interface.

“Not to mention great support,” Autolog said.

Bose said Autolog’s approach was “a cut above the rest” as the company not only demonstrated the quality of the system through state-of-the-art technology, but through the very competent and knowledgeable field technicians who are backed up by the office personnel, who are also part of the start-up team.

“We appreciated how they answered to our needs by adapting the solution accordingly,” Bose said.

Challenge in this project The customer produces a multitude of different products and therefore had to reprogram the parameters to support the large quantity of changes in their orders.

The technical solution involved reducing the reprogramming effort and the risk of error by redesigning part of the software to provide the customer with the possibility of

48 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

Key features of the Carriage Optimizer system • High precision ScanMeg full-profile scanner reaches an accuracy of 0.025” • Visible class II eye safe laser technology • Linear scan with encoder or snapshot scan function modes • Will fit any mechanical configuration • True Shape modelling • Best opening face (BOF) or Minimum opening face (MOF) optimisation modes • Supports curve sawing systems • Unlimited production parameter files • Unlimited number of products configurable and optimisation based on price or volume • Configurable prioritisation of the boards produced in the cant vs those produced in the slab • Full optimisation of the log considering the turning sequence • Considers wane and skip of the boards in the optimisation • Possibility of excluding products in predetermined logs (for example, not doing 8’ long boards in longer logs) • Optimises according to planer target dimensions • User can simulate and do board capture without interfering with the production • Customisable, independent and secured by password user session • Fast and easy calibration • Logfile, alarm history and automatic save archives • Integrated report system

SAWLINES: Scanning & Optimisation – Autolog

The Proliant computer

generating unlimited production parameter files to support the large quantity of changes. This upgrade is now offered in all optimizers as a standard off-the-shelf item.

The start-up at Stag Timber was over a weekend and it was quick and on schedule.

All of Autolog’s quality and technology elements are focused on providing the customer with the most value for investment. The Autolog strategy is to optimise total cost of ownership and return on investment, and to develop long-lasting partnerships with their customers, through customised products, services and training.

Meanwhile, Autolog continues to work on its board tally systems, which have been around for many years and are still being used as an important management tool by almost all sawmills.

It was very well appreciated how Autolog listened to all of our needs and did exactly what we wanted 100%” - Allan Bose, Stag Timber

“Initially these systems were simple and sold to the industry by control suppliers ranging from single person owner up to large sawmill manufacturing companies,” the supplier explained.

“In the early years, the needs were minimal and the objective was to replace the traditional pointer grader by generating simple reports at the end of each shift.

Over time the needs increased

and, thanks to the technology, the possibility of such tools became a must have for almost all sawmills especially in hardwood.”

Autolog started its operation in 1987 and its first system sold was a lumber sorter control with reporting software (tally). Right from the beginning, the company became an important supplier for tally systems and today considers itself a reference point for the industry with this technology.

User interface computer The user interface is a powerful Human Machine Interface which is used to: communicate with all the Autolog systems in the mill, program, validate and save all the grading/sorting parameters; diagnose the system and generate extensive production reports with MS SQL Report Centre; and communicate with the Autolog

CUSTOMIZED

• Sawmill Optimization

for the lumber

• Planer Mill Optimization • Automation & Control Systems

SOLUTIONS

industry around the world

TECHNOLOGY

The primary tool in an Autolog Sorter & Tally system is the user interface. This unit consists of a powerful computer and software developed specifically for the lumber industry that provides all the necessary features required to grade, sort and manage the mill production.

Autolog has come up with a newly updated tally system design that greatly augments the overall robustness of both the software and hardware components, offering peace of mind and maximum uptime.

(Softwood & Hardwood)

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

QUALITY

VISIT OUR STAND D26/1

VISIT OUR BOOTH #137

VALUE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY, QUALITY & CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE T. 450 434.8389 • info@autolog.com • WWW.AUTOLOG.COM 1240, Michèle-Bohec, Blainville (Qc) J7C 5S4, Canada

1-450-970-2113

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 49

SAWLINES: Scanning & Optimisation – Autolog The Sorter & Tally system • Supports up to eight banks of products • Each bank contains seven tables; - Thicknesses - Widths - Lengths - Grades - Colours - Special Widths - Special Lengths

The user interface

• Provides a species table for 30 different species • Ability to create up to 150 sorting tables • Supports several active sorting tables simultaneously for the same production • Each sorting table provides 200 sorts • User can specify four different products in each sort

etc.

It is a mechanism provided to add robustness to the system and cut downtime assuring the second computer can take over quickly when needed. Other Autolog files (such as applications, resources, etc.) are synchronised regularly (not in real-time) so that updates are propagated to the secondary computer.

• The percentage of a product in a sort can be limited by the user • The maximum count for a sort can be specified by; - piece count - linear width - board feet - linear foot • A sort can be sent to the sorter or in any other specified destination (reman gate, custom gate, etc.)

• Supports up to 200 bins or pull-chain carts

Alarm messages

• User can create sorter areas and specify which sorts are allowed to go in each of these areas

In the improbable case of a problem, the system automatically sends an email message to the mill manager using the customer email server.

• One sort can be sent to several bins simultaneously, the incoming flow will be spread evenly between all those bins • The system provides immediate data and historical information about production using Report Centre from the UI and gives production information and alarms via the production display • Multiple sorting tables, which save time when switching over from one production to another • Downtime and lug utilisation monitoring • All data is saved in the event of a power failure

service department for service, program updates and system diagnostics.

The tally system is integrated in the main tally computer.

Main system server computer The core element of the system is a HP Proliant G8 server type computer with the following technical specs: • Intel Xeon processor, 16 Gb RAM DDR3 1600 MHz • RAID 6 configuration with four hot swappable 300Gb SAS hard disks • Extremely high data fault tolerance

applications • Two hot swappable power supplies • One Uninterruptable Power Supply.

RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks and is a data storage virtualisation technology that combines multiple disk drive components into a logical unit for the purposes of data redundancy or performance improvement.

RAID 6 is any form of RAID that can continue to execute read and write requests to all of a RAID array’s virtual disks in the presence of any two concurrent disk failures.

• Can sustain two simultaneous drive failures

Main back-up server

• Best solution for mission critical

A second server computer is part

50 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

The Proliant main server computer unit

of the system and is generally located in the customer computer room adding redundancy while safeguarding the data. This information, which is synchronised continuously, contains the report data pertinent to package and ticket reports, control files for sorting tables and bin contents,

New customers This new generation high efficient system is already in operation in a mill located in North East US with another system ready to be installed in the same area.

“More and more customers are asking for this technology and Autolog, with more than 28 years of experience, is the pioneer leading the technology.”

Autolog Tally System – security data protection • One user interface • One tally computer • One tally computer back-up • One digital production display • One measuring device interface • One ticket printer • One control computer (Allen-Bradley) PLC (option) • One remote user interface (option) • Measure system (can reuse existing if in good condition).

SAWLINES: Stenners latest MHS10 on display at LIGNA Stenner Ltd, based in England, is a brand name recognised worldwide as a producer of quality wide band resaws. The company has been manufacturing machines from their Devon base for over 100 years. From the early days it was acknowledged that to compete in International markets the company had to innovate and this same spirit exists with the current workforce. In the early nineteen nineties they identified the requirement for providing multiple boards in a single pass without using the traditional vertical resaws and the MHS (Multi-Head Horizontal Resaws) concept was born with the first saw units going to a large well respected Scottish Sawmiller. This four head machine continues to operate today and has been followed by over 900 more MHS machines. The early machines were based on 915mm diameter (36”) pulleys but now versions in 1050mm (42”), 1200mm (48”) and 1370mm (54”) are available. With high feed speeds and relatively low kerf the MHS9s (36”) are the highest selling units with applications ranging from pallet board, fencing materials and other “lower end” products up to high value flooring lamellas and components for “top end” furniture production.

The MHS10’s are a “beefier HALCO AD:Layout 3 3/8/10 “machine giving higher feed

speeds and, because of this, they often require an automated infeed and outfeed to capitalise on the capability of the machine whilst also reducing the requirement for labour to destack the raw material and stack the finished product after passing through the machines.

MHS10’s have also been included in sawmill chipper canter lines and after bandmills to increase the throughput of finished boards.

Whilst the development of the horizontal concept has been a very important addition to the Stenner portfolio the company is still very dependent on the manufacture of their range of standalone vertical resaws commonly known as the “ST Range”. The ST concept has evolved from the hugely successful VHM36 machine which was born in the same year as the famous “mini” motor car. Over 7000 machines were sold all over the world and many sawyers have learned their trade on this machine.

The ST100R and ST130 are classic vertical radial arm resaws with innovations that include pressure sawguides, pneumatic saw straining and intelligent electronics giving excellent sawing quality with minimum saw kerf. All three in the range require no foundation pit and have main motors ranging from 11kw (ST80) to 30kw (ST130). Other innovations that are available as 17:22 Pageinclude 1 optional extras automatic

Optimise your production plan...

Whatever your mill...

Maximize profit by resolving trade-offs between recovery, production rate, and value

spray lubrication of the blades and pulleys, variable pulley speed to allow the processer to saw a wide variety of timber species and an electronic system to position the fence at the touch of a button.

Centre cutting Single and Twin resaws complete the range of standard machines. The feedworks on these machines can operate in dimension mode or centre cutting mode providing the operator with a high degree of flexibility. These machines can be hand fed or, more typically, are surrounded by an automated infeed and stackers at the outfeed. In centre cutting mode any errors on the incoming board is “shared” on the sawn boards produced. The pulley diameter on these resaws range from 950mm (36”) up to 1370mm (54”) and are capable of cutting at feed speeds up to 120m/minute.

The Stenner company will be exhibiting at the Ligna Exhibition which takes place from 11th – 15th May 2015 in Hannover, Germany.

On the stand will be MHS10 Horizontal resaws equipped with the latest automatic control system for the positioning of the saws and the latest generation automatic spray lubrication system.

Stenner staff will be pleased to have customers, old and new, visit them in Hall 27 Stand B27

VISIT US AT

HALL 27 STAND B27

www.halcosoftware.com

Optimise your operations

HALCO

Software Systems

Vancouver, Canada • Tel: 1 604 731 9311 APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 51

SAWLINES: Scanning & Optimisation – USNR

THG aims for world domination

USNR has recently put its transverse high grader (THG) under a stress test for pleasing results. Here, the leading North American supplier presents its case for the technology

U

SNR’s engineers have spent countless hours developing a transverse automated grading solution that would provide the equivalent world – class performance to its proven Lineal High Grader (LHG).

“We were not satisfied until it offered the most potent combination of features for the highest level of achievement of any automated lumber grading system on the planet,” the manufacturer said.

Below are 10 key elements USNR believes sawmill managers and owners should consider when evaluating an automated grading system for the mill.

Experience

DataFusion offers a level of peace-of-mind that you won’t find in other automated grading systems - USNR

THG is backed by over 20 years of experience with scanning for grade in wood. It uses many of the same scanning technologies and software algorithms as USNR’s complete family of automated grading systems – for green lumber in the sawmill, dry lumber in the planer mill, and for chop and rip applications in secondary wood processing operations.

52 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

Proven software defect analysis and classification USNR’s THG offers the industry the same high value and recovery performance that is proven the world over in the LHG. The THG uses the time-tested technology derived from the LHG’s image analysis and optimisation software and combines it in a transverse package.

DataFusion USNR pioneered the DataFusion concept in the LHG. With DataFusion, all of the data collected from scanning – laser profile data, colour vision imagery and GrainMap laser mapping – is correlated and verified from one technology to another to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data.

“DataFusion offers a level of peace-of-mind that you won’t find in other automated grading systems,” USNR claimed.

BioLuma 2900LVG+ scanning system The THG uses the industry’s most advanced scanning system.

BioLuma 2900LVG+ sensors integrate GrainMap technology, XHD colour vision and HD laser profiles. They collect ultra-high resolution images and precise geometric and grain angle measurements along the entire four surfaces of the boards − the highest resolution and fastest sampling rate of any transverse sensor available today.

End grain scanner The THG uses an end grain scanner positioned at the lumber line that scans the end of each board. It provides the THG with information about which part of the log the board originated from, allowing the THG to determine the location of the pith relative to the board.

The ability to determine pith location ensures much more accurate knot sizing than any system that lacks this capability.

Full four-face scanning with two rows of sensors USNR’s integrated, multitechnology scanning system (BioLuma sensors) allows the sensors to be turned off-axis,

SAWLINES: Scanning & Optimisation – USNR system is an innovative way to display lumber grades on boards.

The system uses a projector mounted above the flow to project the grade determined by the optimiser directly onto each board, and tracks that projection with the board as it passes by a check grader.

“Boards are not marked in any way, so freshly planed lumber remains clean and bright.”

WinTally integration “Integration between the THG and WinTally sorter management system is a powerful combination that offers a wide variety of lumber processing, sorting and packaging options not available with other suppliers’ solutions,” according to USNR. The mill enters the products and quantities it wishes to make into the WinTally computer.

The optimiser’s board solution is automatically relayed to the

and scan two faces of the board with each row of sensors. This configuration accomplishes full four-face scanning with only two rows of sensors.

“This is one of the key attributes of a simple design, making the scanning system easier to calibrate and easier to maintain.”

LED illumination

transport system is designed to accommodate the highest piece rates.

“In most mill layouts this configuration can easily be dropped into the existing flow for minimal disruption and minimal downtime.”

Grade projector USNR’s new Grade Projector

WinTally system for sorting the boards into the appropriate bins in the quantity that is called for.

Further, if a mill is cutting to order once the order is filled the optimiser no longer makes that product. Instead it will select the next most valuable product per the mill’s inputs.

The mill can specify the parameters of any package.

For example, it may choose to pull a mixed product package for a special customer, and create the package with an even dispersion of a particular product within the pack.

“The options are limited only by the mill’s imagination and its customers’ desires.”

THG’s scanning configuration accomplishes full four-face scanning with only two rows of sensors. This is one of the key attributes of a simple design, making the scanning system easier to calibrate and easier to maintain

LED is a long functioning light source that is clean, stable and easy to maintain. THG is configured with four separate light bars to ensure even coverage over each face of the board, and is positioned off-axis for highlighting cracks and splits. Unlike other light sources such as halogen, LEDs don’t degrade over time and run relatively cool for reduced fire hazard.

Flat transport “Simpler is better,” according to USNR. The company’s THG uses a short, flat transport system to move boards through the scan zone. THG’s simple, level

This 3D illustration shows the THG’s model of the inside of a board; knots are depicted in purple, laser dots in green, and the log’s pith (red, yellow) which is located outside of this board APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 53

SAWLINES: Saw Technology – Wood-Mizer The new SLP2 semi-automated log processing line boosts production and yield from small to medium sized logs.

LIGNA 2015 will showcase growth of sawmill product range for Wood-Mizer Celebrating 25 years in Europe, Wood-Mizer aims to impress at LIGNA 2015 with new products and updates to their well-known products, and has reserved their largest stand ever after 20 years of attending Europe’s largest wood industry exhibition.

A circular cutting blade from Wood-Mizer’s new ‘Tools’ brand that will be introduced to the European market.

54 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

V

isitors to LIGNA 2015 will be treated to the latest in thinkerf sawmill technology at Wood-Mizer’s stand (FG J03) in the outdoor demonstration area, near the entrance to Hall 27.

Highlights will be the latest in the cost effective, semi-automatic SLP2 log processing line and Wood-Mizer’s very own wide band WB2000 sawmill. Both of these products were shown as prototypes at LIGNA 2013, and now will be shown in their final forms.

These two products are currently available in Europe, Africa and Asia.

A new product line of circular blades and other cutting blades for wood will be debuted as ‘WoodMizer Tools’.

Wood-Mizer’s well-known orange product line will be on full display, and they are planning to demonstrate at least one new

prototype model. Visitors, whether they are woodworking enthusiasts or timber business owners, will find that the range meets a variety of needs and budgets.

The LT10 and LT15 sawmills are versatile and affordable sawmills that are a favourite for small businesses, workshops and even the more serious wood hobbyists.

The LT20b (available only from Wood-Mizer Europe) is designed specifically to help the mediumsized timber business meet production goals at an affordable price. Electronic head functions combined with a low profile bed form a combination to reduce costs while keeping production flexibility high. The LT20b is especially popular in developing timber markets such as Africa and Asia.

The LT40 and LT70 sawmills will also be present at the stand,

SAWLINES: Saw Technology – Wood-Mizer

Wood-Mizer Europe celebrates 25th anniversary in 2015.

International visitors inspect the new WB2000 wide band sawmill that features a 6 tonne log capacity.

A Wood-Mizer LT70 in action at LIGNA 2013. demonstrating how productive and easy-to-use a sawmill can be - hydraulic log handling functions, more powerful motors, and mobility will be showcased. Wood-Mizer reports that sales of large mills increased in 2014, signalling that economic conditions are improving and timber businesses feel more confident about the future.

Along with sawmills, blades are just as important to the success of timber businesses worldwide, and Wood-Mizer will be showing two new blades developed for the best possible performance – the premium MaxFlex blade (available only from Wood-Mizer Europe), and the BiMetal blade for industrial sawmilling. The whole range of blade maintenance equipment will be shown, and will include some new products.

The new WB2000 wide band sawmill in action.

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 55

SAWLINES: Scanning & Optimisation – Limab

Limab evolution continues

Limab is moving toward what it considers to be the next step in measurement evolution

S

wedish based scanning company Limab has been manufacturing laser measurement systems for the wood processing industry since 1979, attempting to make a crucial difference in arguably the most important component of the sawmill.

Limab is one of the pioneers in

non-contact laser measurement through sensor development, SW engineering, design and manufacturing, which is all done inhouse. The company has developed several innovative measurement solutions for the wood industry from smaller systems such as Length and Cup and more complex systems like the BoardProfiler

56 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

and LogProfiler for optimisation of boards and logs.

A steady market growth and an increased demand for better process control and quality requirement from end users, forced Limab to adapt its facilities for both development and production and for the last two years, systems for larger dimensions have been

produced at the new assembly area.

“Limab’s non-contact dimensional measuring systems are well known by sawmills, planning mills and the wood industry to optimise the process and improve production yield,” Limab Business Area Manager for Wood Industries, Christian Tellvik,

SAWLINES: Scanning & Optimisation – Limab

Sensors perform well in dry or wet conditions told International Forest Industries.

“We have produced sensors and systems for wood and other business areas for more than 30 years and have experience in all kinds of laser based optimisation anywhere in the sawmill.”

Limab’s latest transversal and lineal 3D systems includes five major product launches for different applications, according to Tellvik.

Full trimmer optimisation, dimension and shape control The high measurement resolution of the ProfiCura 600 sensors ensures that every millimetre of the board is scanned even on high speed lines.

Detecting the precise 3D model of each board, the BoardProfiler 3D-TT will calculate the best trimming position based on the mill’s rule tables. This ensures the best possible trimming and will maximise production yield whilst maintaining the best quality products for customers.

Edger/Rip-saw The BoardProfiler 3D system measures the board from any direction to provide data for cutting in systems from 1-5 saw blades.

“The advantage of the system is its high thickness accuracy,” Tellvik said.

When defining a cut decision in an optimisation, it is important to correctly detect the board thickness and separate wane

from cup. A correct and accurate cutting decision will result in yield improvements.

Cross-cut

was previously possible. Defects such as holes, cracks and knots as small as 2 mm² can now be detected.

All systems measure boards with high accuracy at production

The BoardProfiler 3D-LC system optimises any kind of wood in speeds up to 400 m/minute. The geometrical defects of the board, such as thickness, width, wane and shape will be measured according to the sawyer’s specifications. The system optimises any size of board for exact cutting.

speeds up to 400 boards/minute and are unaffected by board movement or vibrations.

“The new 3D system can combine 2D sensors with 1D sensors to provide a more cost effective solution than can be provided by using other systems such as multipoint or camera based systems,” Tellvik said.

One major advantage is the sensors “high dynamic performance” in detecting very light and dark colours in dry and wet conditions.

Limab systems such as the BoardProfiler for transversal or lineal processes and the LogProfiler are very easy to install in the existing production lines, due to a modular design with sensors that are easy to mount on any standard beam or frame in the sawmill.

Limab has installations in many different markets, such as Japan, Germany, Russia, and North America, as well as a large number of installations in Europe, including Nordic countries.

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Hit & Miss The overall dimensions of the finished board are scanned with high scan resolution. This data is used by the BoardProfiler 3D-LH to accurately determine the overall dimension of the boards.

“With the Hit & Miss system, we find small geometrical errors which are not accepted in the process,” Tellvik said.

These defects are evaluated for sorting or classification in, for example, planer lines or floor production lines. It detects thickness defects of 0.05 mm after planers etc.

“The above products builds on the success of the earlier generation BoardProfiler that is used in around 200 sawmills all over the world,” Tellvik said.

Limab has used its expertise in sensors to develop the new ProfiCura 2D laser sensor that provides a much more accurate and detailed analysis of the board than

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APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 57

Chippers

The latest and greatest Biomass professionals are becoming more sophisticated and so must their suppliers

C

hipper technology is largely predictable, but that doesn’t mean that providing customers with improved machine solutions is easy. Far from it.

The breadth of function and requirements demanded by the modern day biomass professional – and by those using biomass production as a subsidiary business division – means that manufacturers are faced with a major challenge in meeting these needs in one machine.

The point is made in this year’s review that only the latest technology can deliver for the

58 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

biomass industry, and that is was International Forest Industries has assembled in this massive feature.

As mentioned, it is near on impossible to provide everything in one machine and so various manufacturers have focused their energies on different functions, dependent on their existing strengths and their specific customer feedback, as well as tuning into different market segments.

The larger throughput end of the market is catered for by international giants such as Peterson Corporation, Continental Biomass Industries (CBI), Bandit, Morbark and Vermeer,

while the smaller-to-medium segment is dominated by companies such as Pezzalato and Rayco.

The priorities across segments include manoeuvrability, blade strength and general durability, and throwing capacity of the discharge.

Of course paramount amongst all these is the quality of product – the chip or micro-chip.

The biomass professional may feel they have a difficult task discerning the technology on offer to determine the right unit for a specific operation, but at least they are not starved for choice.

The 4300B drum chipper is the latest in a long line of high quality chipping and grinding machines produced by Peterson. The 4300B drum chipper is suited for high volume biomass producers who have a wide variety of feed material, from logs up to 26 inches (61 cm) in diameter, to brush and small feed stock.

Powered by a C18 Caterpillar engine, the 4300B is powered by 765 horsepower (570 kW). At 52,000 pounds (23,586 kg) and 8 feet 4-3/4 inches (255 cm) in width, the 4300B is a high production chipper whose dimensions do not require any oversize permits for road transportation.

Peterson Corporation has multiple solutions for biomass applications – from horizontal grinders, to disc and drum chippers – providing a processing solution for almost all conceivable feed stocks.

Drum chippers “If the application is just for making biomass fuel chips, few machines will beat the productivity of a Peterson 4300-series drum chipper,” the company stated.

Processing tops, unmerchantable wood, and residues left over from a logging site is the drum chipper’s specialty and, depending on the way they are setup, can produce a chip from 3-31 mm (1/8-1¼ in).

Peterson drum chippers use a heavy-duty knife that produces a clean, cut edge to the material and a more consistent product size compared to ground material. The 4300-series drum chippers offer secondary screens to process twigs or branches that may get missed.

These ‘spears’ can cause material blockages in a biomass plant’s

augers. Product consistency is extremely important to biomass chip buyers, so it is very important for the biomass chips not to have too many fines or spears in the product.

Like a disc chipper, Peterson drum chippers have adjustable knives that allow for a wide variety of chip sizes, depending on what end product the company is looking for. Peterson drum chippers can be equipped with a top load or end load spout depending on how the truck fleet is configured. Chip accelerators are used to increase load density in the chip van.

Peterson’s 4300-series drum chippers are equipped with a six-pocket drum in standard form, but for applications looking to make a 3-6 mm chip, Peterson offers a 12-pocket drum to make ‘microchips’.

“As more pellet producing plants come online, procurement buyers are seeing the advantage of a machine that can make 0.25 in chips which can go directly to the dryer,” Peterson said. “Many pellet plants today start with longer more conventional 1 in chips that need to go through a costly hammermill reduction stage before the dryer.”

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 59

CHIPPERS Production from Peterson drum chippers will vary with wood species, chip length, and tree size.

Typical production from a Peterson 4300-series machine with a six pocket drum making 22 mm (7/8 in) length chips will be about 80 t/h. Microchip production making 6 mm (0.25 in) chips with a 12-pocket pocket drum will be about 50 t/h.

The fuel consumption will range from 0.76-1.9 litres/t depending on the wood species, size and moisture level. Fuel consumption of 0.76 litres/t) will be typical for fresh wood.

Disc chippers Though primarily used to make clean pulp and paper chips, Peterson disc chippers can also be used to reduce wood into short fibre chips. Disc chippers are the main type of chipper used to produce high quality wood chips for the pulp and paper industry.

“Peterson disc chippers provide a more consistent chipping angle which results in more uniform chip thickness and length,” the manufacturer stated.

The anvil gap, knife extension, counter knife angle, and attack angle can all be readily adjusted with a disc chipper to produce the highest quality chips.

A typical chip length specification for the pulp industry is between 16 mm (5/8 in) and 28 mm (1-1/4 in). Modifications must be made to the disc, counter knife

and chipping speed to produce 6-9 mm (¼-3/8) in microchips.

Peterson has developed a microchip configuration for the 5900E Disc Chipper and 5000H Whole Tree Chipper. Production with these machines will vary with wood species, chip length, and tree size.

Typical production with a four pocket disc making 6-7 mm (1/4 in) length chips will be 50 t/h.

Production making 9-10 mm (3/8 in) chips with a four pocket disc will be about 70 t/h. The fuel consumption will range from 0.76 to 1.9 litres/t) depending on the wood species, size and moisture level. Fuel consumption of 0.76 litres/t will be typical for fresh wood.

The most common feedstock for direct fired wood boilers is 76 mm (3 in) minus ground wood. Low moisture and low ash content are desirable. Dry wood has a higher net heating value. Dirt in the wood may cause boiler damage and increase the amount of ash to be disposed.

Minimum fines, particles less than 3 mm (1/8 in), may also be desirable for maximum boiler efficiency depending on the boiler type. Urban wood waste and forest residuals are common feedstock.

Horizontal grinders are the most economical machine type to reduce wood for this application. They are more tolerant than chippers to any contamination in the feedstock.

The 5900E is transported easily to the next site 60 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

The Peterson 4810F-5900E making clean chips

Peterson continues to refine in-field chipping with its 4800F chain flail debarker and 5900E disc chipper combination. The popular pair can be found producing clean pulp and paper chips around the world.

Recently, these machines have seen excellent success in eucalyptus plantations in South Africa. The machines have been set-up to run with low chain speeds to promote longer chain life and lower running costs, making clean pulp and paper chips with very low bark content.

The pair’s compact and nimble size makes it easy to relocate with a skidder. The 4800F’s flails are specifically designed to match the capacity of the 5900E disc chipper and both machines are linked wirelessly to match feed speed

and direction. The pair makes for a compact, nimble and very productive chipping system.

Peterson 4800F chain flail debarker Continuing Peterson’s long history of innovation, this sixth generation design has the features that clean chip operations demand.

The Peterson 4800F multiple log delimber/debarker is designed to be used in tandem with whole tree chippers to produce high quality pulp chips.

Capable of processing multiple logs from 50-580 mm (2-23 in) in diameter, the 4800F increases productivity while reducing bark content, product handling time, and fibre loss.

Powered by a 350 hp (261 kW) CAT C9 Tier III or Tier IV engine, the 4800F meets all US, Canadian, and EU emission regulations.

The 4800F features upper and lower flails, direct drive lower in-feed and out-feed rolls, and a floating direct drive upper feed roll. The bark pusher has been redesigned and is now 1.5 m (5 ft) wide.

The machine also features a dedicated 511 litre hydraulic oil tank, and a 662 litre fuel tank to allow the 4800F to run an entire shift without refuelling.

The 4800F is controlled by an IQAN operating system, which provides the operator the information to efficiently operate the unit. The IQAN system provides self-diagnostics for faulty sensors and open circuits, and can communicate complete engine and system parameters.

With a retractable gooseneck, the highway legal 4800F is easily

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BUILDING EQUIPMENT THAT CREATES OPPORTUNITIES

CHIPPERS

The 4800F and 5900E pair produce clean pulp and paper chips world wide moved between jobs and has a curb weight of 19,350 kg (42,660 lb). The four fixed landing gear (with floating pads) allow the 4800F’s operating height to be adjusted. The operator can operate the machine with a wireless remote which also can pair with the Peterson 5900E disc chipper.

Peterson 5900E disc chipper The Peterson model 5900E disc chipper is built to produce high quality paper chips when used with a Peterson 4800F debarker or fuel chips as a stand-alone fuel wood chipper. The same high quality chipping components have been used for many years in Peterson’s 5000H delimber/debarker/chipper.

The 5900E has a large feed throat that is capable of accepting up to a 563 mm (23 in) diameter tree or multiple smaller diameter stems.

The 5900E has a standard three knife disc, and is also available with an optional four knife disc.

The standard three pocket disc can produce chips from 5/8 to 1 1/4 in (16-32 mm) in length, and the four pocket disc can produce chips from 1/2 to 1 in (1,325 mm) in length.

Optional sheave diameters of 1,020 mm, 1,520 mm and 1,650 mm (40 in, 60 in and 65 in) are available if a slower feed speed is required to match the capacity of a flail delimber.

Peterson’s heavy-duty 1,676 mm (66 in) diameter 121 mm (4.75 in) thick chipper disc has a replaceable 1/2 in (13 mm) thick wear plate. Chipping production rates from 55-90 t can be achieved depending on chip size. The 5900E

is designed with a minimum of complication for reliable low cost long term operation. The chipper disc is directly driven from a highcapacity dry-disc clutch and belts.

The six-cylinder Caterpillar C18 engine is more economical and requires less maintenance than twelve-cylinder engines.

Peterson’s Adaptive Cooling system is used to adjust the fan pitch to match the engine cooling requirements. At full pitch the fan power requirement is 53 hp (39.5 kW) so adjusting the fan pitch can significantly reduce fuel costs over the life of the machine. Cooling air is directed over the engine to minimise any dust build up on the engine.

A twelve channel radio remote control permits control of the 5900E by the loader operator. The machine can be also controlled from the control box on the chipper.

The new HM14-800KL chipper truck from Heizomat is based on the Mercedes Arocs.

“With the higher torque Euro VI engine and its 6x6 wheel drive, it’s built for professionals,” the company stated.

The whole chipper is operated from within an air-conditioned truck cab with a 3m2 rear panel of laminate safety glass. The seat is air suspended and swivels for easy positioning and access. The auxiliary functions of the chipper discharge chute can be operated remotely from outside by a second

62 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

person using radio remote control, particularly useful when filling a trailer or chip bunker.

With the new software developed for the proven HE002 control, the infeed speed control is optimised and significantly reduces the number of stop-starts of the infeed, thus saving wear on the infeed system and fuel.

“This consistency of feed produces better chip quality,” Heizomat said.

Power for the chipper comes of the NMV (direct PTO output at gearbox), minimal power loss and full engine torque is delivered to a special V-belt transmission, ensuring a smooth power delivery and extreme efficiency.

Wood is fed into the chipper by the combination of a powerful and large diameter (800 mm) top feed roller, working in conjunction with a driven feed bed chain inside the chipper. At the drop down in-feed table, a powered edge roller assists longer lengths into the chipper.

Control of the upper feed roller and

lower feed chains is covered by a variable potentiometer control, operating a full hydraulic motor/ gearbox system.

Clever support design under the in-feed chain provides long-life and reduces wear. This large top in-feed roller weighing in at 1,000kg (2,200 lb), applies plenty of pressure and grip when in-feeding all types of material. This size of roller also makes easy work of brash and bushes that are bulky and awkward. The in-feed width is 1,215 mm (48 in) the top roller lifts to a height of 800 mm (31.5 in).

Whole trees up to a diameter of 500 mm (20 in) can be completely chipped, and shorter lengths of timber with a diameter of 800 mm can also be chipped if under 1,215 mm in overall length by feeding them in parallel to the cutting rotor.

“With the Heizomat chipper truck now in its 10 year of production, it is a well proven professional machine,” the manufacturer stated.

“The industry leading efficiency of the blade and cutting system mean that few chippers can deliver the quality and throughput of the Heizohack chipper for the fuel used. Often, competitors’ machines offer no more output, but need considerably more power to drive them.”

The cutting system has been further developed with the quick change shearbar, which has simplified the process to replace individual sections of the shearbar from inside the machine to reduce downtime and increased operator efficiency. The shearbar segments have hardened surfaces at the edges, again improving chip quality and extending life.

Another development from

The Heizohack provides a stable base without being excessively heavy

CHIPPERS Heizomat is an additional sieve, this 25% extra sieve area increases throughput by some 15% for the same fuel consumed and also a reduction in fines. This technology can also be retrofitted to earlier machines.

“We are constantly looking for ways to implement improvements to our machines, giving the customer cutting edge chipping performance,” the company said.

After the chip is passed through the sieve (various sizes available), it is then moved through three mechanically driven augers, that feed into the flywheel housing.

The flywheel with a mass of 1,000kg (2,200 lb) is equipped with replaceable paddles made from Hardox, providing the powerful ejection of the woodchip.

Additional paddles can be installed to provide a greater throw of chip should they be needed. All the main contact surfaces around the inside of the flywheel housing and ejector chute are made from Hardox and are constructed from replaceable panels.

Epsilon forestry cranes are fitted, with the most common model being the M70F101, with a

powerful lift and 10.1 m (32.8 ft) reach. The use of Danfoss Profi1 joystick controls, allow fine-tuning for the operator and additional function buttons at the joysticks to control the chipper directly.

A powerful cone-type splitter with extreme splitting force powered by three high torque hydraulic motors is optional. The complete weight of the HM14800KL comes in at some 24,000 kg (52,900 lb).

“It’s a solid base without being excessive in weight,” Heizomat said.

The HM14-800KML is the same chipper unit as is fitted to the Arocs base. This chipper is built onto a trailed chassis with its own engine.

“The advantage of this is that you only need a towing vehicle with approximately 130 kw,” the manufacturer said.

The tandem axle chassis is from a long line of proven chipper chassis going back over many years. The combined weight of the chipper, chassis, drive engine and crane comes in at 17,000 kg (37,500 lb). Power is provided by a water-cooled six cylinder Deutz Diesel TCD12 with an 11.9 litre

The Heizohack chipper from Heizomat

displacement and providing 295 kw (395 hp) of direct power into the chipper with minimum power loss. This latest generation engine is equipped with common rail and SCR exhaust gas treatment.

“The Heizohack chipper is summarised by its extreme reliability and low maintenance.

Highest quality Chip is produced with minimum fuel consumption, sturdy maintenance friendly professional wood chipping machines.”

On the road… AND off the beaten track!

DOPPSTADT‘S DH 811 L – TruckChipper

“At Vermeer, we listen to our customers’ feedback,” the manufacturer told IFI. Employees of the US manufacturer based in Iowa and representatives of its independent dealership network are continuously exploring how they can enhance their equipment.

Customer feedback, technological advancements, market changes and governmental regulations all can spur an update.

“What it boils down to is a

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l Doppstadt DH 811 L Chipper – 530hp (390kW) built in engine l 32 tonne 4 axle – all terrain lorry truck l Chipper mounted on turntable for both side working l Self-loader crane with various forestry grabs - 10m range l Hydraulically powered infeed conveyor l Ideal for producing quality wood chips and forest Biomass 14:42:44 APRIL / MAY 2015 | International26.03.2015 Forest Industries 63

CHIPPERS

The Vermeer WC WC2300XL desire to give customers the best product possible,” Jeff Bradley, Product Manager for the Recycling and Forestry Segment at Vermeer.

“Basically, we not only want them to be more productive, but we also want them to be more effective at how they’re doing their job.”

An example of this can be seen in recent enhancements made

to the Vermeer WC2300XL whole tree chipper. This past winter, Vermeer updated the model with an engine that meets forthcoming US emissions requirements, and also offers enhanced remote capabilities to improve productivity, a larger display screen, fewer pieces of hardware in the drum and an easier-to-ship design for

Development of the WC2300XL was the result of customer consultation

64 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

international customers.

Initial design The initial WC2300 whole tree chipper was released in 2010, and the design was aimed at the burgeoning biomass industry. It was well received, with contractors liking its compact size, its ability to be moved around a jobsite with

a log skidder rather than requiring a truck and an infeed system that included dual-infeed conveyor chains with variable speeds.

But as happens with any piece of equipment, as its use became more widespread, operators began sharing what they’d like to see enhanced.

Those types of comments are

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welcomed by Vermeer. Bradley says a major part of his job, as well as the jobs of sales representatives and dealership employees, is to talk with contractors and visit jobsites.

“We learn the most when we quit talking and start listening,” he says.

One of the things they heard was that operations processing slash or tops were having some challenges getting the fine material into the feed roller of the WC2300. So, in 2012, Vermeer changed the feed roller configuration, increasing the diameter from 48.3 cm (19 in) to 71.1 cm (28 in).

Vermeer also increased the pull-in force on the feed roller by about 70% and the infeed chain by 25%, which in turn increased the downforce on the feed roller. That enabled the machine to better grab material and push it through, reducing material backup and the need to reposition material. It also improved the efficiency and productivity of operators because they could put material in and then go get another load rather than wait to make sure the first load went through.

Recent updates Nearly three years later after the model WC2300XL was introduced, Vermeer has made more enhancements to the WC2300XL. One was adding the option of an engine that meets Tier IV Final emission standards. Emission regulations have been gradually phased in over the past two decades throughout the world, and the last phase, Tier IV Final, concludes this year.

The WC2300XL has a 440 hp (328 kW) C-13 Cat engine, with the option of a Tier IV engine for lesser regulated countries.

At the same time Vermeer introduced the new engine option, it made several other enhancements, many of which were in response to customer feedback.

One was the ability to disengage the clutch on the WC2300XL with a remote control.

Operators said they didn’t like having to get off the loader to perform that action. Another update was allowing operators to use the remote to turn on and off the lights on the whole tree chipper. Vermeer also made the display screen larger on the chipper’s control panel.

Another thing Vermeer heard from customers was that the lid of the drum had too many pieces of hardware. The company was able to reduce those by adding an interlock to the door.

Vermeer also put a tool storage area near the drum so the tools are near the work being completed.

Finally, in a move aimed at shipping the units to global locations for international customers, four full lift points were added to the WC2300XL to help lift the units on and off cargo ships.

Vermeer has customers in more than 60 countries, and its international philosophy is similar to what it does domestically.

“Not only do we listen to customers regardless of where they’re at, we’ll go visit them, we’ll watch them operate the equipment,”

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CHIPPERS

Not only do we listen to customers regardless of where they’re at, we’ll go visit them, we’ll watch them operate the equipment – Jeff Bradley

Bradley says.

Future updates Without getting into specifics on the future of the whole tree chipper, Bradley said Vermeer is always looking for improvements that will positively impact the industry. That includes working to identify possible ways to reduce cost of operation, assessing regional needs around the world, as well as the changing market needs.

“In order to continue to offer products to help our customers be productive and efficient on their jobsites, we’ve got to continually review our product offerings for possible new enhancements,

new features, new cost-saving ideas and new productivity improvements,” he said. “All those things need to happen in a timely manner to be able to make sure that we’re providing our customers with advanced and cost-effective machinery in the market.”

Morbark recently released its redesigned 30/36 whole tree drum chipper. Building on the success of the redesigned 40/36 whole tree drum chipper, Morbark has taken these innovations to the smaller, transport-friendly 30/36 model.

“The improvements we’ve made to the 30/36 drum chipper

Morbark’s smaller and transport-friendly 30/36 drum chipper 66 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

are focused on the moderate-sized contractor,” John Foote, Morbark VP of Sales and Marketing, said.

“We’ve made it easier to feed, easier to manoeuver in-woods with a truck or a skidder, and more productive while increasing the consistency of the end product.”

The redesigned model includes an aggressive, sloped live floor and large top (750 mm diameter) and bottom (350 mm diameter) feed wheels to ensure positive feed of brushy tops and limbs.

Super Single tyres and a reduction in the 30/36’s overall width to 1.42 m make the model easier to transport.

The Morbark 30/36 whole tree drum chipper’s high production

rate lowers operating costs by increasing fuel efficiency. The model retains the high-quality standard features Morbark is known for, including Morbark’s Advantage 3 Drum to produce more consistent chips, and the heat-treated, AR-400 steel drum skin to provide longer wear life for lower replacement costs and less downtime. An optional, operatorfriendly, slide-in forestry grate system reduces oversized chips and improves chip quality and consistency even further.

The Morbark Integrated Control System (MICS) is the “ultimate diagnostic system”, according to Morbark, monitoring hydraulic pressures, temperatures, clutch

The improvements we’ve made to the 30/36 drum chipper are focused on the moderate-sized contractor – John Foote, Morbark

CHIPPERS systems and engine efficiency to maximise performance. The directional flow discharge chute is hydraulically adjustable by remote control; use this in conjunction with the optional mechanically driven chip accelerator for maximum chip loads.

Additional features include an externally adjustable anvil for longer life and easier maintenance and increased horsepower options for greater production.

“Using chippers for land clearing is fast and can process more wood with less fuel than traditional grinding equipment,” according to leading manufacturer, Fecon Chief Product Officer, Mike Slattery. “But limitations can exist for chippers.”

Material may be too small and cumbersome to fell or feed into the chipper, material may be larger in diameter than the infeed will allow, typically material must be felled by other equipment, and in many cases material has to be brought to the chipper for processing at a landing or staging area. Fecon advocates using chippers in concert with forestry mulchers to create a winning combination in land clearing.

Using chippers for land clearing is fast and can process more wood with less fuel than traditional grinding equipment – Mike Slattery, Fecon

“Mulchers can be mounted on wheeled tractors that present fast travel speed and the ability to cross roads or go reasonable distances without being trailered or towed,” Slattery said.

“Different forms of tracked vehicles can provide low ground pressure capability, steep climbing capability, and sometimes both. Excavators provide reach and less ground disturbance as well as the ability to use a thumb to also pick and place material for the chipper.

“Material that is too small and cumbersome for a chipper can be mulched and incorporated into the ground or left on the surface to help against erosion. Higher HP mulchers have the production capacity to tackle material that may not fit into the throat of the chipper, and are often used to plane off stumps or grind windrowed root balls and slash that would not be conducive for chipping.”

Fecon’s HDT paddle style and FGT smooth drum style rotors come with standard double carbide tools and provide robust carbide rock tool options and knife tool options for versatility across different applications. Fecon’s new chipper style Depth Controlled Rotor (DCR) system was introduced in 2014 as a solution to provide efficient faster cutting and more uniformly chipped particle size where chipped material is not intended for collection. The company’s Bull Hog mulchers can be used on mulching tractors, excavators, PTO tractors, tracked feller bunchers, and excavators to reduce standing or fallen trees and vegetation.

Standard double carbide teeth in the HDT and FGT rotor systems provide long life and highly productive overall use with forgiveness against abrasion and impact with rock or foreign metal debris. The rock tool options provide a stronger carbide that is larger and withstands more extreme impact with rock and foreign debris while providing strong cutting performance. The larger carbide of the rock tools also provide greater protection against wear in more abrasive conditions. Knife tools provide faster cutting and finer particle size in fewer passes. Like a chipper the knife tools require more maintenance than will be necessary on carbide tools, a small trade-off for substantially greater production.

The Samurai knife is unique to the FGT and DCR rotor systems. The innovative shape of the

the pioneer Development and production of Heizohack Wood Chipper since 1987 Quality made in Bavaria Heizomat GmbH Maicha 21 91710 Gunzenhausen / Germany Fon +49 (0) 98 36 / 97 97 -0 Mail info@heizomat.de

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APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 67

CHIPPERS

The Fecon FTX600 & RTC22 500-8 available for most suitable carriers but also come mounted on Fecon’s line of purpose-built track carriers from 100HP-600HP, and the new RTF230 wheeled prime mover.

Fecon’s new RTF230 goes a step further by offering options for rear PTO power and a rear mounted 270° crane and grapple. The RTF230 can tow a PTO powered 170HP chipper and feed it with the crane and grapple from the tractor. There is also an option for a grapple saw to fell the trees that can be fed into the chipper.

The Fecon FTX600 & RTC22 500-8 The interchangeable blade system has a long tradition at Jenz.

Different types of cutters have successfully been fitted to chippers for more than 30 years so it’s no surprise to find that the latest

Samurai edge is tapered rather than straight to slice as it chips.

The curved face of the tool below the knife edge helps material flow in order to reserve energy for cutting. The overall shape uses material flow to self-shape for efficient cutting even as the tool wears. The DCR rotor is exceptional in production capabilities and

shares characteristics with traditional drum chippers like higher tip speed, inertia, and a controlled bite. Heavy steel rings welded into the rotor at the sides of each Samurai knife contribute to rotor inertia and create a controlled depth to the bite of the Samurai knife as it enters material.

Fecon Bull Hog mulchers are

68 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

The open drum or helix drum application for the Jenz HEM 821 DQ Cobra + chipping knife

release, the HEM 821 DQ Cobra+, is also equipped with this blade system, either. A brief look back at the history of the well-established system illustrates its development.

“Up to around 1982, we had the cutters in the drum, and they had to be re-ground once they became blunt,” Uwe Hempen-Hermeier from Jenz told IFI. “This also applies to the first mobile chipper which we built in cooperation with Algol in 1977.”

The machine was constructed for the Finnish state forestry administration at that time.

Finland wanted to find out whether residual forest timber could be used as an energy source for heat generation through subsidisation with state development funds.

“The requirement was that the wood chippings could be produced outdoors in the forest using mobile means and with the highestpossible performance,” HempenHermeier explained.

The trials showed that producing the wood chippings was not a problem, but improvements with regard to handling the machine for use in the forest itself were required. Changing the cutters turned out to be extremely difficult.

Requirements on cutter replacement Unlike the stationary machines which had been produced up to then, which always worked under consistent deployment conditions, there were special factors to be taken into account for mobile chippers. Changing environmental conditions in the form of moisture, dirt, cold and the associated problems such as frozen stones provided a challenge for the manufacturer, as did handling the cutters requiring grinding which meant a continuous hazard potential for the machine operator

CHIPPERS

The Jenz HEM 821 DQ Cobra + chipping knife

due to their weight.

“On top of this, standstills resulted in negative consequences for the logistics chain.”

Developing the Jenz blade system When planning further machines, the Finnish state forestry demanded that all wear parts on the rotor were capable of being replaced in the forest. The birth of the interchangeable cutter system practised nowadays was

approaching.

In 1982, Jenz delivered the first HEM 300-1000 WEA with a corresponding system. The basic idea was just as simple as it was ingenious: the cutters, which were fixed in a very complicated way, were replaced by sharp blades clamped in place using relatively small clamping pieces. The 3 mm blades used at first broke very quickly. The problem was the thin material incapable of resisting the extreme deployment conditions

in Finland, especially during the winter. The 5 mm blade developed as a result proved sufficient for the fragmentised softwood mostly produced in Finland.

At the beginning of the 1990s, the 5 mm blade was reinforced to 7 mm. The reason for this was the proliferation of the Jenz mobile chippers in Germany where a lot more hardwood such as beech, oak and acacia was being chipped.

These blades proved to be reliable even when working with frozen

wood in winter and have since established themselves as the backbone of the Jenz chipper, as demonstrated by the sales figures.

“The 7 mm blade is our bestselling wear part,” Spare Parts Sales Manager Silvio Patzsch said. “Our customers confirm that the price-to-performance ratio is particularly good. The other convincing thing is the simple replacement system.”

Grinding has also been optimised over the course of

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APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 69

CHIPPERS Transportability and dependability

Our customers confirm that the price-toperformance ratio is particularly good. The other convincing thing is the simple replacement system – Silvio Patzsch, Jenz

time. The current Jenz blade program therefore also includes a softwood and thick wood blade with special grinding in addition to the bestselling all-purpose blade.

Recently, a reinforced 12 mm thick wood blade, which is particularly suitable for the most extreme weather conditions, has been introduced.

Blades can be used for different drum types Jenz uses its blade system in different drum types, the open and the closed drum as well as the helix drum. Due to the construction of the open drum, the chips are less compressed, finally leading to a reduction of the fine and finest particles. Moreover, a good chip flow for coarse chips is created.

The closed drum mainly avoids excessive lengths of shrubbery.

Using the available cutting force based on the model of the nature in an even more optimal way – that was the motivation for the development of the helix drum.

For this purpose, the blades on the drum cylinder have been arranged helically, similar to the helix spiral. Thus, operators cut consecutively and the cutting force is optimally concentrated on a small area. The strong impacts of blade hitting wood are distributed in a better way leading to a considerably smoother running with fewer vibrations.

The rotor body consists of welded steel discs. Those discs are now equipped with deflectors for a better protection again foreign matters. As a result, the risk of important consequential damages by penetrating foreign matters is considerably reduced.

equipped with the Jenz blade system as well. The customer can choose between an open, closed, or a helix drum.

The highlight of this machine is the new Cobra+ truck chassis. The normal driver’s cabin of the MAN TGS 35.480 8x6-4 is replaced by a rotating and height-adjustable cabin. Through the swivel range of 270°, the driver has an optimal view of the work area for the 821 DQ. “The hybrid drive system underscores a system performance of some 900 hp and is therefore designed for continuous operation under the toughest conditions.”

Across the globe, CBI’s ChipMax 484 Series has proven to be an enormously powerful solution for companies looking to produce wood chips. From Chile to Ghana and France to Finland, this compact industrial wood chipper has challenged loader operators in keeping up with its processing capabilities.

The CBI ChipMax 484VR is no exception, as its high production rate exceeds 100 t/h. For over 25 years, CBI has prided itself in designing and manufacturing some of the most durable and innovative industrial wood chippers that are available on the market.

Multiple rotor options As with all CBI machines, this truck-mounted wood chipper was engineered with the customer in mind. Customers have a choice of implementing a two-knife or four-knife chipping rotor that is specially designed for producing fuel chips (19-30 mm) or wood micro-chips (3-12 mm).

These wood micro-chips produce a consistent fibre length that dramatically reduces the overall cost of producing pellets as well as improves the function of small boilers. The 484VR drum rotor is engineered with a 150 mm (6 in) flame cut pocket design, which makes it significantly stronger and more durable than any other drum rotor currently in the industry today.

“The 4-pocket drum can

The CBI 484 series has proven hugely popular

Jenz presents the HEM 821 DQ Cobra+ with hybrid technology The latest development, the mobile chipper HEM 821 DQ Cobra+ is

The truck-mounted 484VR is primarily designed and manufactured with the European market in mind. The aged infrastructure of Europe means that land-clearing projects do not include as much open-space opportunities as North America currently does.

“The logging roads we use are very narrow but we can still transport this machine very easily,” Jarmo Ylijoki of Ylijoki Kuljetus, a third generation transport agency that processes and transports wood chips used to heat power plants located across southern and western Finland, told IFI. “The power plants need wood chips 24 h/d, seven days a week, so we have to ship these chips during that time. This machine is very strong and reliable to make sure that production is uninterrupted.”

Ylijoki runs his CBI ChipMax 484VR 24 h/d, five days a week between the months of November and April to keep up with market demands. The company first purchased its 484VR nearly two years ago.

“Jarmo said he has found the right solution,” CBI Europe Sales Manager Ulf Österroos said. “He’s always looking for new things in the biomass industry. If Jarmo tells a customer that he’ll have something for them, he will do it. Keeping his promise is very important to him.”

“We’ve always gotten help when we’ve needed it, but we don’t need it a lot because our machine is always in working order,” Ylijoki continued. “If we do need some assistance, we get all of our parts from CBI.” As CBI’s ChipMax line continues to expand, both the ChipMax 484BT and ChipMax 484BP are available for 2015. Like the 484VR, these machines are compact and enormously productive. However, they are the only two machines on the market that are capable of top or end loading chip trailers with CBI’s patented flex discharge chute, the manufacturer stated.

The CBI 484BT chipper

70 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

produce a short fibre length chip which is much better in pellet operations,” CBI Regional Sales Manager Ed Donovan said.

“The small chip has the right surface area to allow it to go directly into the dryer and come

CHIPPERS

The CBI 484VR chipper

out with the right 8-12% moisture content in order to go into the pellet process further. The fact that it not only has the right surface area, but is already a short fibre length, also adds to the benefit of reducing the requirements to grind it down after the dryer. It takes a lot of horsepower to shorten the fibre length after the fact.

“CBI is synonymous with machine performance and reliability and earning that reputation comes from working directly with its customers.”

CBI offers 484VR machine owners with two feed conveyor options: an apron-style conveyor and a four strand heavy-duty chain.

The apron-style conveyor is an attractive option for the European market as this conveyor prevents fine material from spilling onto the truck frame that the 484VR is mounted onto. The four-strand heavy-duty chain serves as a screener to prevent any fines from entering the chipper box.

“The apron style chain enables a higher percentage of the material to go through the chipper or

grinder that would otherwise fall on the ground with the box type chain,” Donovan said. “Typically, Europeans want to get as much material as possible and don’t want to waste anything. They typically don’t want to leave anything behind.”

Discharge chute Loader operators regularly work under time-sensitive conditions knowing they have to get the most out of high-value loads. The 484VR features a hydrostatic-driven blower for stronger chip discharge that automatically increases power when needed (without any wear or excess power consumption) and a chip deflector that is hydraulicallyactuated into position when top loading chip trailers, which is facilitated by its collapsible hydraulic-operated discharge chute.

To minimise truck relocation during loading periods, the 484VR includes a discharge chute that hydraulically rotates 290° to distribute chips in multiple areas.

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Material in abundance: Throughputs up to 300 m3 per hour A huge mouth: 1450 x 850 mm feed opening with aggressive feed rollers Neat and tidy feeding please: Huge feed table (5.7 x 1.4 metres) with hinged hopper

From shredding to chipping: Change tool elements, switch speed and away you go!

Always the right particle size: Simple screen basket exchange with screen basket rotatable to the rear Yellow powerhouse: CAT® engine with 590 HP in maintenance friendly underoor position Of course we´re not the only people helping to make the world a greener place. But we´re still very proud of our solutions for handling waste and biomass!

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APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 71

Bandit has a series of chipping units for multiple applications that have been well established in the industry

North American manufacturer Bandit Industries claims its ‘clean feed system’ has the ability to increase chip yield by about 5%.

“Don’t dump some of your profit on the ground,” Bandit President Jerry Morey. “Bandit’s new clean feed system will capture the chips that fall between the in feed

conveyor and anvil on most whole tree chippers and deposit them in the chip trailer, increasing chip yield by as much as 5%.

“It’s like getting a 5% increase in your chip price,” he said.

This new feed system eliminates most of the mess from the discharge of chips under and at the end of the infeed, while maintaining the unmatched pulling and crushing power of the Bandit feed systems. Dirt is discharged

72 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

leaving leaves and trash in the chip trailer.

The system is standard on the Bandit models 3090, 3590, and 3590XL. The system is particularly appropriate when producing a micro-chip because the smaller micro-chips have more of a tendency to fall between the infeed conveyor and anvil.

Another Bandit development centres on a 9.1 m (30 ft) discharge

This is a unique option – no one in the industry has such a device – Jerry Morey, Bandit

and thrower option, which has been released for Bandit’s Beast XP-Series recyclers so operators can load both open top and endloading trailers.

The 9.1 m conveyor acts like a standard discharge on the Beast – providing a tall platform to pile mulch, chips, or other products or load them in open-top trucks. But with the thrower, operators can easily broadcast the end product across a jobsite or load open-end

trailers quickly and efficiently.

“This is a unique option. No one in the industry has such a device,” Morey said.

“The switch from discharge conveyor to the thrower is quick, taking less than a minute. The 30 ft (9.1 m) discharge conveyor is a two-section discharge. When the thrower is operated, the end section of the discharge folds up over the top of the first conveyor and out of the way.

“The thrower is then hydraulically tilted into position.

When the thrower is in place, material is top-loaded into the thrower and discharged at tremendous velocity,” he said.

When in use, the thrower is adjustable up-and-down, and can swivel side-to-side to direct the flow of material to fully load chip trailers.

The 9.1 m discharge with thrower option helps make the

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 73

CHIPPERS

The Bandit Beast

Beast line one of “the most productive and versatile horizontal grinders” on the market today, according to Morey.

“We are always looking for ways to improve our Beast recyclers and all of our products to increase their productivity and utility to our customers,” he said.

“We listen to our customers and their needs and design products or improvements to meet those needs. With all of the improvements that we’ve made in the Beast recycler in the last 18 months, we believe it to be the best grinder on the market.”

“A self-propelled chipper with specific functioning devices that are a real novelty on the Italian and European market” is how Pezzolato describes its PTH AllRoad chipper. An essential part of the design, especially studied for

the agriculture/forestry system, is centred on biomass energy production, where the chipper units represent the main and basic components for the production and management of the wooden combustible material.

A compact design is made for industrial use in areas with infrastructural limits, such as narrow roadways and the reduced operation areas. Similar models assembled on forwarders are not allowed to road circulation, while those mounted on trucks cannot move in fields.

“This new model is ideal to operate in the plantations outside the forest and is able to satisfy all the necessities of a fragmented and diversified property, i.e. orchards, poplar forests, and copses,” Pezzolato said.

The drive is four-wheel and three different steering modes are possible: both axles separately, together, or only frontal axle.

The low position of the feeding

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74 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

inlet increases throughput for either “little heaps of material”, such as the ones present in poplar forests or orchards; and “great piles of the wooden material”, such as those collected on the road sides.

“This peculiarity highlights once more the machine versatility in so many different situations,” the manufacturer said. “In order

to facilitate the introduction of voluminous material such as branches, the inferior introduction roller has been changed with a longer feeding chain, able to transfer the material directly to the drum.”

The drum has been designed to produce premium quality chips, thus meeting the growing demand of the more up-to-date biomass

The drive is four-wheel and three different steering modes are possible

CHIPPERS

A newcomer in a hotly contested market

The inferior introduction roller has been changed with a longer feeding chain, able to transfer the material directly to the drum

Specifications Diesel engine power

Hp/kW 551 hp/405 kW

Maximum chipping diameter

560 mm

knives

5

Hourly throughput

110/130 m3/h

Drum diameter

820 mm

Drum width

1,330 mm

Feeding chain width

1,330 mm

Feeding chain length

1,700 mm

Hopper width

2,100 mm

Hopper height from the ground

1,050 mm

Weight

26,000 kg

Dimensions (L x W x H)

9,500 x 2,550 x 3,400 mm

stations – particularly gasification units that are increasing diffusion and are actually threatened by the difficulty in finding chips of the right dimension – opens up a profitable market in desperate need of supply.

The width is 1,400 mm with a weight of 3,500 kg that is sectiondivided in order to better distribute the machine stress on the different components, reduce vibrations, noise and consumption (30% less compared with like machines).

The chip expulsion fan with continuous speed regulation allows speeds to be adjusted according to requirements, decreasing energy consumption.

The 550 hp turbo-charged motor Stage IV (Euro VI) is equipped with the EGR (exhaust emission blow-by) and SCR (Ad-Blue) systems, and avoids

drawing on the diesel particulate filter, which would reach high temperatures during the regeneration, exceeding those required to be assembled safely on a chipper working in sawdust conditions.

The wholly glazed box is equipped with controls for total machine management – both for machine movement and for chipping – with two 325 mm(12.1 in) coloured touch-screens. In order to broaden the area accessed by the crane and to better the visibility of the area where the wood is loaded, the box can be lifted and turned by around 45°.

A ‘moistmeter’ for the real-time reading of product humidity is standard, delivering a precise estimation of the energy value of each load and its product quality.

The Axtor 6010 from Komptech is ready to set new standards, according to the manufacturer. But before going out to customers, it must prove its capabilities in tough benchmark testing.

Since its market launch, the Axtor has been one of the most flexible machines out there for biomass processing.

“Wherever the material is right for a high-speed chipper, the high-performance Axtor 8012 has demonstrated its versatility,” Komptech reported. “Now it’s getting a stablemate, the new Axtor 6010. With the same functionality but more compact while packing 590 hp of power, the Axtor 6012 is designed specifically for the medium to high output category.”

“Obviously we’re not the only manufacturer going after this market, so there’s just one way to find out who delivers the goods – with a benchmark test,” the manufacturer stated.

The competitor was a well-known European-based manufacturer that runs a high speed chipper with some 600 hp of power that is well established in the market.

“We tested the machines in typical applications. In addition to throughput and consumption data, we looked at the ‘soft factors’ – using it is like for the operator and how easy it is to set up for different jobs, like screen basket or blade changes,” Komptech said.

New chipper series HEM 593 Bigger flap for more power

JENZ GmbH Maschinen- und Fahrzeugbau Wegholmer Strasse 14∙ 32469 Petershagen∙ Germany +49 5704 / 94090 ∙ info@jenz.de ∙ www.jenz.de

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 75

CHIPPERS

less desirable when the woody component is intended for sale as biofuel.

Less bother, more throughput

Cutting edge technology has given the 6010 unit an advantage over many existing products

The Komptech Axtor 6010 is an aggressive chipping unit

Bulky green cuttings the yardstick The importance of efficient feed function is immediately obvious in what is perhaps the most common application – shredding green cuttings. At this time of year cuttings consist mainly of bulky and woody branches and brush.

The competitor often didn’t feed these in well, making it necessary for the operator to actively push in

the material. Patience was lost with a small rootstock that just would not go into the feed, and tossed it out of the hopper with the gripper – it’s in times like these when you know why they tell operators to stay at a safe distance.

The upwards rotating drum with free swinging impact blades works like a hammer mill and gives a fibrous shred. That’s not at all a bad thing for composting, but

Axtor 6010 features A huge mouth:

1450 x 850 mm feed opening with aggressive feed rollers

Material in abundance:

Throughputs up to 300 m3/h

From shredding to chipping:

Change tool elements, switch speed and away you go

Always the right particle size:

Simple screen basket exchange with screen basket rotatable to the rear

Yellow powerhouse:

CAT engine with 590 hp in maintenance friendly underfloor position

Neat and tidy feeding:

Huge feed table (5.7 x 1.4 m) with hinged hopper

76 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

The operator and the machine formed a team: he put the material in the hopper, and the Axtor did the rest. The fixed shredder blades gave the output the desired fuel chip shape, and also gave a remarkable difference in performance – almost 60% higher throughput, with almost 40% lower specific consumption.

On both machines, switching screen baskets for the subsequent bark processing was problem-free, and the neutral stopwatch showed that it even went a little bit faster with the competing candidate.

But the output was another story. Here again, the competitor didn’t give the bark the desired chip shape for use as a mulch for soil covering. The two machines were neck-and-neck only with waste wood, but for this the Axtor was fitted with free swinging blades. It took about three hours to change the Axtor from fixed to free-swinging blades; on the other hand, that made the Axtor a truly all-purpose machine.

Summary The competing chipper is a tough, dependable machine, but is not equipped with cutting edge technology and therefore doesn’t meet the requirements of the modern biomass market.

“This is the strength of the Axtor 6010, which delivers top performance as both a shredder and a chipper,” Komptech stated.

“It gets the green light to go to market as another green efficiency machine.”

The Bruks 1006 drum chipper has a robust and flexible design

Bruks mobile chippers has launched the 1006, a mobile chipper with high power and capacity.

The Bruks 1006 is a drum chipper in a bigger class. With its robust construction, the big chip drum with a diameter of 1 m, a very large in-feed and a powerful motor, this chipper is built to meet the toughest of challenges, according to the manufacturer.

Bruks’ well-known chipping technology and intelligent steering control, guarantees high production capacity, low fuel consumption and produces

We have developed Bruks 1006 to meet the customer needs to chip larger log dimensions at a higher torque capacity, at terminals or on the side of the road – Ola Galfvensjö, Bruks

CHIPPERS

premium quality chips. The 1006 has been developed for chipping whole trees and not just tops and branches – there is an increasing demand from the fast growing European market and to meet the quality requirements of the bioengineering industry. The chipper also meets the demand for

chipping at high capacity at the log dump and on terminals.

“We have developed Bruks 1006 to meet the customer needs to chip larger log dimensions at a higher torque capacity, at terminals or on the side of the road,” Ola Galfvensjö, Bruks Business Manager, said.

“Bruks 40 years’ experience of producing and manufacturing mobile chippers has developed extensive knowledge in combination with customer experience, which has driven the development of this new chipper.”

The 1006 is powered by a 565 kW (768 hp) Volvo diesel engine with low fuel consumption. It has a robust design – the parts exposed for wear and tear are made with Hardox steel.

The upper feed roller has a diameter of 811 mm and can be adjusted in height. The upper roller is powered by a hydraulic motor.

The in-feed is in height and width 750 by 1,200 mm. The drum has a maximum rotor speed of 750 rpm, which enables chipping at a high torque level. This also allows for chipping of branches and treetops as well as full-length trees or logs with a diameter of up to 60 cm.

The chipper drum has four full-

Experience BRUKS 1006 – our latest Mobile Chipper 1006 has the capacity to chip whole trees up to ø60 cm.

With outstanding effecivity and low fuel consumption, BRUKS 1006 meets the requirements for production of biomass fuel on terminal or directly at the logging site.

See the BRUKS 1006 live at:

HANNOVER, GERMANY 11-15 MAY

JÖNKÖPING, SWEDEN 4-6 JUNE

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Stand 949

Watch the 1006 in action Scan the QR code to watch the video from our premiere demonstration event, or visit:

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APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 77

CHIPPERS

“Whether landfill, processing plant, contractor or building material supplier: we can offer our customers today an individual and economically efficient, durable solution. This true for waste such as MSW and debris as well as for products made from waste such as compost and biomass fuels and besides for raw materials such as wood chips, sand, gravel and earth“ Karsten Runge reports, product manager from Calbe (near Magdeburg), one of the production sites of the internationally operating german enterprise.

Valuable solutions for continuous operation

length knife blocks, which makes it easy to change between four or eight knives for production of fuel chips or micro-chips.

With the new screen SM 518 plus, environmental specialist

Doppstadt has updated uts series for separation and sorting in the raw materials processing.

The range of possible applications of the mobile and stationary screens does not only include the requirements of classical recycling, but even tasks in the field of agriculture and forestry and of sand and gravel mining, for example.

Doppstadt SM 518 application

78 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

For nearly 50 years, the Doppstadt engineers and technicians have been developing machines that achieve high throughput every day.

The magic phrase in the design offices and production halls of the machine manufacturer is ‘Quality made in Germany’, as Karsten Runge explains.

“Machines must make money in the daily operation and mustn’t cost money. But they can only do so if they run reliably and for a long time, ideally with a high resale value after many years.

“Therefore at Doppstadt we count on high quality for machines, accessories and service, which

is ensured by using premium materials and components of European suppliers. Intense controls during production guarantee a high quality level.

“Patented spare parts and CE marks for the machines providelegal certainty and maintain the manufacturer product liability.

Of course, quality comes at a price, but it will pay off thanks to the high and long availability of the screens.

“With regard to the economic efficiency during operation, Doppstadt machines beat comparable products and come off well at the calculation of ‘costs per tonne of processed material’.

“If you consider output and costs of our machines the economic efficiency is above average. All our screens achieve a high output at low operating costs because they render their service at low maintenance costs, they are very durable and work with fuel efficient engines.”

24-hour service for original spare parts But the Doppstadt customer service does not end after the machine sale. A worldwide, promptly working maintenance and repair support guarantees a quick delivery of original spare parts. A dense network of sales partners

CHIPPERS

enables this customer service.

Service technicians trained on Doppstaft machines go to the customers’ sites with original spare parts are trained specialists.

“We are of the opinion that every machine is as good as its service,” Runge said. “This makes a world of difference between Doppstadt and the competitors.”

The Doppstadt Group The Doppstadt family enterprise founded in 1965 with headquarters in Velbert, Wülfrath, Calbe and in Austria, near Vienna, serves customers in more than 40 countries worldwide using the distribution network and offering intelligent shredding, chipping, screening and sifting technology

and water processing solutions in the field of environmental technology.

As a second generation, Ferdinand Doppstadt directs the international operating group of companies together with his executive staff. As a specialist in the field of environmental technology, Doppstadt develops innovative and reliable high-quality products. Customers who decide to buy a Doppstadt product will also profit from a perfect service.

Based on many years of practical experience and competence, the Doppstadt team assists and advises the customers in a solution-oriented and individual way.

Rayco specialises in lightweight yet durable machines.

“When you want a lightweight, 300 mm (12 in) brush chipper at an economical price, you don’t have to sacrifice performance,” the company stated. “The RC1220G is the solution.”

The RC1220G features a powerful feed system, using a planetary drive motor to power

wheel itself is 500 mm (20 in) in diameter, allowing it to climb over limbs and logs easier than smaller feed wheels.

Rayco’s X-Charge discharge system packs chips tight and helps to prevent plugging. To reduce maintenance costs, traditional clutches are eliminated. The drum engagement is provided by a reliable belt-tensioning PTO. Drive belts can be accessed easily, without tools to save maintenance time. The lighter weight of the RC1220G also makes The Rayco RC1220G

the feed wheel for years of dependable service with very little maintenance. To reduce trimming, the throat opening is 500 mm (20 in) wide all the way through to the drum, eliminating neck-downs behind the feed wheel. The feed

it well suited for towing, reducing loads and using less fuel in the tow vehicle.

“The RC1220G offers performance and labor saving features in a package that can fit almost any budget.”

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www.duratechindustries.net APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 79

Falling The operator is at the forefront of feller buncher manufacturer thinking, according to this year’s technology review for the sector

80 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

T

he past few years have seen power regain the ascendency for contractors operating feller buncher technology as customer demand has once again homed in on the need for greater yields.

This year, however, has seen at least a partial return to a time when operator comfort rose to the fore, as manufacturers renew their efforts to engage with their customers and provide an evermore pleasurable operating experience

to aid productivity for small contractors and operator retention for the larger firms.

Amongst a range of advancements released across new series of machines from the major suppliers are clear improvements to the operating environment.

John Deere’s cabin is 25% larger, Tigercat claims to have established the clearest operator sight lines, Cat believes it has reduced operator fatigue, while Komatsu believes it has improved headroom, view

Feller Bunchers

for comfort and illumination of the working area. Combined with other general advancements across power, efficiency and serviceability, now is a great time to go tree length harvesting.

Cat track feller bunchers are designed with the best combination of lift capacity, swing torque

and tractive effort ratios to boost productivity in the woods, according to the manufacturer.

Four models are available to suit diverse logging applications and environments around the world.

Recently, the entire model line was upgraded with new software that controls boom, stick and head movements. Operators can complete a smoother, more fluid harvesting motion. One joystick extends the main and stick boom, while keeping the head level; the

other joystick is used for minor height adjustments.

“This upgrade is very beneficial for new and less experienced operators,” Jared Dunn, Caterpillar Forest Products Product Application Specialist for Track Feller Bunchers, said. “They can learn the machine more quickly and boost their speed and productivity because of the simplified joystick movements needed to fell a tree.

“The simplified movements also lessen operator fatigue.”

The system is adjustable for differing applications and can be turned on and off easily with a button on one of the joysticks or a button on the display. The feller bunchers also have new power management software tailored for the unique engine-hydraulic interactions in a feller buncher application.

“This software delivers a new level of machine performance in the track feller buncher product line,” Dunn said. “Operators tell

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 81

FELLER BUNCHERS

The Caterpillar 563C wheel feller buncher us performance and therefore efficiency has greatly improved.”

LED lights as standard equipment is another upgrade to the full line, which “perform better than halogen in night time operations and are favoured by customers around the world”, according to Dunn.

The line consists of two nearzero tail swing feller bunchers, the Cat 521B and 522B, and two full tail swing machines, the Cat 541 Series 2 and Cat 552 Series 2. The 522B and 552 Series 2 are levelling machines.

As part of the upgrades, the 541 Series 2 has been reengineered to increase hydraulic flow to the stick and main boom cylinders to boost the speed and overall productivity of the machine. On average, cycle times are now 18% faster, while maintaining strong lift performance.

“The 541 Series 2 — especially with this update — is well-suited for harvesting lodgepole pine and other species in western Canada.

The machine is also ideal in highproduction eucalyptus plantations where boom speed is critical,” Dunn said.

The Series 2 and B Series machines are equipped with the 226 kW (303 hp) Cat C9 ACERT engine. The C9 is a common engine design with a proven track record of reliability and durability in the woods. A high capacity cooling system and on-demand reversing fan keep the feller bunchers debrisfree and running at the proper operating temperature, optimizing performance, durability and fuel efficiency.

Two hydraulic pumps power

the hydraulics to give loggers smoother multi-functioning.

“The combination of swing and lift capacity along with multifunction ability reduces cycle times and increases production, and the balance between lift and tipping load capacity, along with the wide track gauge, provides for excellent stability,” Dunn said.

“The strong swing torque gives the operator the ability to swing large loads uphill.”

Large structures such as swing bearings and booms have been designed for longer life and durability. The tracks and all undercarriage rolling components are high-grade components that extend track life, cut repair costs and increase stability.

Both the B Series and Series 2 machines have a full 889 mm (35 in) of ground clearance from front to back.

“Strong drawbar pull, along with this ground clearance and the ‘open tunnel’ undercarriage design, makes for a highly manoeuvrable machine that easily climbs steep slopes and clears obstacles such as large stumps and rocks,” Dunn said.

Both lines also feature a unique three cylinder levelling system, which is the only one in the industry that provides two way simultaneous function throughout the full range of motion. The design of this system reduces stress loads into the car body and roller frames.

The Cat C Series wheel feller bunchers are more productive while burning less fuel than previous models. PowerDirect Plus, new technology that optimises machine efficiency and productivity, delivers power where and when it is needed.

Simultaneous lift-tilt and liftsteer functions are significantly faster than major competitive machines. Saw recovery time is also significantly faster. The engine is positioned at the back for better weight distribution and balance between the front and rear axles.

“This revolutionary design gives the C Series unprecedented stability — even when carrying big

The Caterpillar 573C wheel feller buncher

82 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

timber on steep or uneven terrain,” Matt McDonald, Caterpillar Forest Products Product Application Specialist for Wheel Feller Bunchers, said.

The C Series is the first wheel feller buncher that can be serviced standing on the ground, including fuelling. Hydraulic oil also is added at ground level with a standard electric hydraulic oil fill pump and a quick coupler hose stored on the machine.

The tilt cab and hinged doors on three sides and at the bottom of the engine compartment provide ground-level access to the engine, hydraulic pumps and other key components. The machine is segmented into pressurised compartments that prevent debris from entering.

“Less debris build-up means less time required for cleaning and better performance,” McDonald said. “The pressurised airflow keeps electronics, sensors and other key components cool during long workdays.”

Komatsu America Corp has developed the next generation XT-3 Series track feller-bunchers and harvesters, which boast a modern forestry cab that features a state-of-the-art control system and superior ergonomics.

SP 761 LF - compact and heavy duty all-rounder

The SP 761 LF is a compact, heavy duty and high performance harvester head, designed according to SP´s Low Friction principle for minimum friction and maximum productivity. The high capacity in combination with the compact, protected and heavy duty design makes the SP 761 LF able to handle a variety of different demanding harvesting applications with great performance. Regardless if the task at hand is in large diameter soft wood, crooked and limby hardwood or dense mixed wood stands you can count on the SP 761 LF to get the job done. The SP 761 LF truly is a compact and heavy duty all-rounder.

www.spmaskiner.com

FELLER BUNCHERS brilliant white LED lights deliver up to three times more illumination in all directions.

The XT-3 cab design is even more spacious and quieter. It is pressurised with fresh, filtered air for the new automatic heating, cooling and defrosting system. The ergonomic seat and easy-to-reach instrumentation add convenience, and provide easier access to newly integrated storage areas including a lunch box cooler and thermos bottle.

IQAN-MD4 control is ‘first in the forest’

The Komatsu XT460L-3 with 37% more lift improved fuel economy, extended hydraulic component life and reduced maintenance costs.

New XT-3 cab design With Komatsu’s continued focus on improving productivity, the XT-3 has a totally new cab that was designed with an “attention to detail” focus on the operator.

Changes include a sloped roofline that reduces overall transport height while increasing headroom

The XT-3 Series features the new IQAN-MD4 programmable digital control system, among the most advanced systems on the market.

All former analogue gauges and warning lights are now prominently displayed on a durable 18 cm (7-in) LED colour touchscreen monitor.

Joystick controls are adjustable to individual preference settings for multiple operators. The IQAN-MD4 records machine harvest data and provides advanced system diagnostic reports. Highly intuitive Komatsu programming makes the system very easy to use.

Versatile application

The Komatsu IQAN-MD4 Touchscreen control “Combined with high lift capacity, powerful swing torque and robust Komatsu undercarriages, the XT-3 series provides significant improvements in operator comfort, ease of operation, productivity and reliability,” according to the manufacturer.

Komatsu’s pioneering setback boom design and zero-tail swing allows an operator to work in confined spaces and cut close to the machine to maximise lift capacity. The independent hydrostatic track drives introduced the first ‘true’ multifunction cut, travel and swing performance machine.

The company claims its original design revolutionised mechanical felling with the industry’s first engine-up 4-way cab levelling track carrier. Cab levelling maximises operator comfort, increases harvesting productivity

and improves lift and swing torque performance on slopes.

All Komatsu track carriers feature full 360° rotation for enhanced manoeuvrability.

Komatsu’s purpose-built XT-3 Series machines carry a lineage of high-production and superior multi-function performance in the most demanding forest environments. Models include the XT430-3 (non-levelling), XT430L-3, XT445L-3 and the larger new XT460L-3 ranging in operating weight from 28,232 kg (62,240 lb) to 33,710 kg (74,320 lb).

The machines feature a 300 peak HP (224kW) Cummins 8.3 litre engine and (79.1 k/Nm) of swing torque. Each model includes a high capacity cooling package with thermostatically controlled auto-reversing fan to keep hydraulic oil cool under extreme work conditions. Cooler oil results in optimum engine performance,

84 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

The Komatsu XT-3 widescreen cab view above and forward of the seat. A 10% larger floor-to-ceiling front window, larger side windows with up to 90% greater viewing depth, and a 60% larger skylight window all provide a widescreen field of view. For night operation, 11

flexibility The XT-3 series can be equipped to meet a wide range of customer needs. There are up to nine hydraulic system arrangements, two heavy-duty boom and four

FELLER BUNCHERS Undercarriage and hydraulic improvements The XT-3 series machines include the latest Komatsu undercarriage and hydraulic improvements for greater reliability and durability Undercarriage: • 1-2 additional bottom rollers improve track chain support and load distribution • Upgraded chain guide (rock guard) material extends service life • Track chain alignment has been optimized by using; - Continuous straight-line chain guide profile, lengthened at idlers and sprockets - Removable track roller guards provide easier access on XT445L-3 & XT460L-3 models.

Hydraulic System: • The XT460L-3 model features the series’ largest levelling system and its lift capacity has now increased by 37% at full reach.

heavy-duty arm options that accept a broad range of disc saw, bar saw and processing head cutting attachments.

Komatsu’s advanced parallel boom geometry allows fast boom movement and smooth control, which increases operator productivity and reduces fatigue.

Convenient maintenance and serviceability Three heavy duty swing-out service doors feature triple-hinged and positive dove-tail lever latch designs. Doors provide easy access to all service and maintenance points including fluid fill locations, filters, batteries, hydraulic pressure checkpoints, and hydraulic hoses and pumps. Easy access to grease fittings provides simple routine maintenance to extend bearing life.

systems – especially in high cycle applications.

ER allows the operator to extend and retract the boom on a horizontal plane using a single joystick. In doing so, ER transfers energy back and forth between the main and the stick boom functions, reducing the total energy required and freeing this energy up for other machine functions or fuel savings.

“No other equipment manufacturer has comparable technology,” Tigercat claimed.

Steep slope feller bunchers The 822C/L830C series machines are Tigercat’s high production,

zero tail-swing feller bunchers – well suited to thinning and final felling. The manufacturer will soon be releasing the 822D and 830D model for Tier IV markets, equipped with the high performance Tigercat FPT C87 245 kW (328 hp) Tier IVf engine.

“The closed loop track drive X-model provides even higher performance in steep terrain with quicker track speeds when climbing, improved turning performance, better multifunctioning and greater hydraulic efficiency,” Tigercat stated.

The L830C and LX830C share the same R7-150-2 undercarriage and levelling components as the full tail-swing L870C/LX870C bunchers.

All-around solution The all-around 845 series is well suited to most applications and excels in high cycle, small stem applications. The 845C/L845C is available for Tier III markets and the 845D/L845D is now available for Tier IV markets, equipped with the Tigercat FPT N67 210 kW (282 hp) Tier IVf engine. The 845 series bunchers are fuel-efficient and offer excellent service access, especially for a limited tail-swing machine.

“With more boom lift and reach capacity, the larger, full tail-swing 860C is often the machine of choice

in southern hemisphere high-cycle plantation applications,” according to the company.

Severe duty bunchers For tougher terrain and larger timber, the FH400-based 870C provides the extra track power, stability, boom reach and lift required to maintain the highest levels of production. The Tigercat 870C feller buncher is a high production machine suited to steep, rocky, soft or otherwise challenging terrain. Field proven at both high and low temperature extremes, the 870C provides around-the-clock performance in the most hostile clear fell applications in the world. The efficient twin swing drive system provides powerful swing torque combined with low pinion loads for extended swing system life.

855C feller buncher For plantation eucalyptus applications, Tigercat offers the 855C carrier equipped with the 2000 series shear. This combination is proving to be a low cost per tonne solution for eucalyptus pulpwood on account of the fast shear cycles and extremely efficient carrier hydraulics. The 2000 shear accumulates large, parallel bunches, improving skidder productivity. In addition, the shear is a lower cost, lower

Tigercat has an extensive feller buncher offering for “every conceivable application”, according to the manufacturer.

Tigercat has established its C and D-series feller bunchers on a base of extremely long service life, the highest machine availability rates, thoughtful component arrangement and service access, the clearest operator sightlines and high capacity variable-flow cooling.

An important advantage common to all models and unique to Tigercat feller bunchers is ER boom technology. ER technology provides increased production compared with conventional boom 724G feller buncher with 5702 felling saw APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 85

FELLER BUNCHERS

performance and improved fuel economy.

Drive-to-tree feller bunchers

L855C with the 5185 directional felling saw

maintenance alternative to a disc saw felling head.

In rocky or abrasive soil types, the maintenance and wear benefits are even more pronounced. The shear-equipped feller buncher also burns less fuel compared with a disc saw. The 855C can also be mated to the Tigercat 5185 directional felling saw for an extremely fuel efficient machine to fell and shovel large, high value timber.

LS855C feller director configuration Tigercat’s extremely durable 5195 directional felling head, along with the feller director boom system for the LS855C with integrated stick boom hose guarding is very effective in a number of applications that are not an ideal fit for a conventional disc sawequipped feller buncher.

In steep slope applications, the LS855C can fell and extract

Tigercat 860C track feller buncher 86 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

independently, fell for a yarder or fell and bunch for a skidder. With a 950 mm cutting capacity, the directional felling head becomes especially advantageous when steep slopes are combined with oversize timber, allowing the operator to avoid the extra time and machine repositioning associated with double cutting.

In addition, the LS855C has a unique closed loop swing drive with energy recovery for high

Tigercat builds four drive-to-tree feller buncher models for the full range of thinning and final felling duties. The 718E is the lowest cost, lightest weight, simplest and most agile machine in the line-up. The 720G and 724G are versatile for thinning and clear fell applications and the 230kW (308 hp) 726G fells large diameter timber in tough terrain.

From the 720G up, the machines are equipped with the high capacity cross-flow cooling system and a thermostat controlled variable speed, reversible cooling fan. The rear frame is compartmentalised for clear separation of engine, hydraulics and cooling system components.

One of the greatest advantages of Tigercat feller bunchers is the optional WideRange drive system.

“Only Tigercat offers an infinitely variable transmission for drive-to-tree feller bunchers,” the manufacturer said.

“Drive-to-tree feller bunchers spend a great percentage of the total duty cycle driving – to the next tree or to and from the bunch pile. WideRange allows the operator to travel more quickly than conventional two-speed transmission equipped feller bunchers.

“Quicker travel boosts productivity and reduces cost per tonne in high production thinning and final fell applications.”

Tigercat drive-to-tree feller bunchers are often equipped with bunching saws and shears for plantation applications with smaller diameter timber. In high cycle, multi-stem bunching applications, Tigercat bunching saws and shears contribute to significant productivity gains by increasing the number of stems per cycle.

“The result is more trees felled per hour, less travel, reduced wear on drivetrain or swing components, lower fuel consumption and optimized skidder bunches,” Tigercat said. “With the recent Tigercat shear enhancements, cycle times are approaching the speed of a disc saw head with far less cost and maintenance.”

FELLER BUNCHERS

The John Deere M-Series track feller bunchers

Three years in the making and backed by over a half-century of experience in the woods, the John Deere M-Series Tracked Feller Bunchers and L-Series wheeled feller bunchers have officially made their debut.

To develop the latest additions

to the John Deere family of tracked and wheeled forestry machines, the company enlisted loggers from around the world to form a Customer Advocacy Group (CAG).

The CAG provided real-world insights on what it needs in a machine to be successful.

“Inspired by the feedback and validated by thousands of hours of testing in every day conditions, we listened and responded with

machines that change the game in terms of uptime, productivity and low daily operating costs,” John Deere said.

M-Series tracked feller bunchers John Deere’s M-Series tracked feller bunchers include the 800M, which “sets a new standard in midsize machines”, along with the 900M, which “improves upon John

Deere’s industry-leading largesize machine”, according to the manufacturer.

In an effort to simplify maintenance and repairs, the 800M-Series shares many common components with its 900M counterpart, including the engine, undercarriage, boom and cab.

A key feature that maximises productivity on the M-Series is John Deere’s Rapid Cycle System (RCS).

THE XR-PROGRAM is ready for the market The XR-program consists of compact and powerful rotators with strong bearings. Thanks to the proven vane motor technology the XR-rotators are high torque, have good compliance and also have balanced braking.

Their compact and robust construction provides an ability to withstand heavy static and dynamic loads, both positive and negative forces as well as side forces.

The XR-rotator provides high oilflow for grapple cylinders due to large channels – ensuring high productivity and overall economy. indexator.com

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 87

FELLER BUNCHERS RCS combines automated fellinghead arm cycling with simple boom control, which dramatically reduces operator fatigue while increasing efficiency and productivity. RCS can be tailored to individual skill levels and specific harvesting conditions, from large single-tree harvesting to high-speed, multisystem cutting.

Multiple RCS settings can be saved according to individual operator preferences. RCS is standard on all 800M-Series machines and as an option on the 900M-Series.

Another highlight on the M-Series machines is the completely redesigned operator station that was “designed by loggers for loggers”. It’s roomier and more comfortable, with ergonomically designed controls.

Fully adjustable armrests provide fingertip control of all machine

functions, and an air-suspension seat provides exceptional daylong comfort in the climate-controlled cab. Floor-to-celling front and side windows plus an overhead skylight provide 44% more visibility, providing an “outstanding” view of the cutting area.

The M-Series tracked feller bunchers also feature a host of uptime increasing features. All machines feature John Deere’s field-proven boom design from the 900M-Series models. These booms are strong and robust with thick plates and large pins and bushing to ensure long life.

The new machines also include a through-nose harvester head plumbing option that routes hoses up and out of the way to extend hose life, as well as an optional undercarriage-mounted toolbox

The John Deere M-Series track feller bunchers

88 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

that provides convenient storage for tools, additional saw bars and other spare parts, minimizing trips to a service truck. The 800M fuel tank capacity has been increased by 50% to extend intervals between fill-ups, allowing loggers to run up to 24 hours without refueling.

L-Series wheeled feller bunchers “The L-Series Wheeled feller bunchers redefine uptime, productivity and low daily operating costs, changing the expectations of what a logging operation can accomplish,” John Deere said of the series new in 2015.

Two new models – 643L and 843L – were developed based on insights direct from John Deere’s

customers and thousands of hours of testing. In addition to being designed with the logger’s needs in mind, the L-Series wheeled feller bunchers are the first John Deere Forestry machines to launch with Final Tier IV engines.

“This smart approach to meeting emission regulations optimises performance, is fluid efficient and doesn’t compromise on power, reliability or ease of operation,” John Deere stated.

For increased productivity, the L-Series models feature a bestin-class power-to-weight ratio, providing significantly more HP for superb responsiveness and ensuring steady multifunction performance in wet or hilly conditions. The ‘one-button quick dump’ allows operators to open both accumulating and grab arms

FELLER BUNCHERS

The John Deere L-Series wheel feller bunchers simultaneously at the push of a button, releasing trees from the pocket.

Optimal weight distribution and longer wheelbase improve balance for better stability when climbing hills and controlling trees, and six high-intensity halogen lights are standard, allowing loggers to extend their day beyond daylight when necessary.

The L-Series wheeled feller bunchers also deliver increased uptime. Key features include robust hydraulic and electronic systems to keep loggers up and running, and a simplified electrical system featuring a sealed switch module (SSM) that incorporates many cab switches in one location for faster service. Automatic turbo cool-down extends idle time for a predetermined interval at shutdown when the engine is hot, and larger pins and bushings on the boom and mast extend pin lift, increasing durability and making replacement easy. Finally, more robust life and tilt hydraulic cylinders with heavy-duty wiper seal minimise contamination.

“John Deere recognises another

key factor to increase productivity is the ability to operate in comfort, which is why the new operator station on the L-Series wheeled feller bunchers was designed by loggers for loggers,” the company said.

“The best-in-class cab is 25% larger, features a larger front window and is twice as quiet to keep loggers comfortable and in control. Other fatigue beating comforts include a more efficient HVAC system, more ergonomic controls and plenty of storage space. Joystick steering helps reduce strain on the back and neck for less fatigue.”

Finally, the new L-Series Wheeled Feller Bunchers feature best-in-class serviceability, decreasing time spent in the shop and keeping loggers up and running. Easy access to service components help ensure daily checks and preventative maintenance get done on schedule, minimizing costly repairs. The hydraulic filter service has been extended from 2,000 to 4,000 hours, decreasing planned downtime and expense.

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 89

OPERATION FOCUS – PrimeTech

PrimeTech presents the new PT-175 model

Over the last years the PT-175 built a welldeserved reputation as a compact, reliable tracked mulcher for light to medium duty land clearing jobs.

PrimeTech has worked hard to continue and improve this reputation and the new model has all the makings of being a stateof-the-art unit that combines the very best of PrimeTech’s longlasting know-how

From 5th to 6th March 2015, one of the biggest events for heavy equipment, road building and construction - the National Heavy Equipment Show - was held in Toronto, ON, Canada and PrimeTech presented the new PT-175.

“Our stand was, as usual, in the centre of attention of those people who are either working in the construction sector or in the forestry field to reclaim land for road preparation or to build and maintain gravel and forestry roads” says Area Manager Riccardo Camatta “Lot of visitors were formerly familiar with our PT-175, its cutting edge technology and the easy access to all components.

This 160 hp tracked carrier features indeed a fully tilting hood, hinged side doors and swing-out rear winch that opens effortlessly for daily maintenance” and concludes “One of the biggest improvements that our customers have appreciated is the lower weight of the carrier itself. Lower weight means less stress on the undercarriage, lower ground pressure, less fuel consumption and ease of transport”.

In fact, the new model of the

90 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

PT-175 preserves all the features of the previous model, with stunning new additions:

Introduction of a proportional / reversible fan: This new fan is not just reversible (ON/OFF), but it is also proportional (so-called variable pitch). Based on radiator temperatures (coolant, intercooler and hydraulic oil) the blades will automatically adjust their position in the most efficient and effective way. This results in less power absorbed by the fan and eventually in lower fuel consumption.

Introduction of a sucker fan: By changing the fan from a blower fan to sucker fan, the airflow inside the engine compartment changes completely with the advantage of keeping both engine compartment and radiator much cleaner.

Cleaning of radiator is necessary less frequently.

a brand of FAE Group

Improved software for steering and counter rotating: The software has been modified and the flow to travel motors has been increased in order to improve steering, counter rotating and max speed for better manoeuvrability of the carrier.

Introducing a lubricated track chain with split master link: The previous “DRY” track chain has been replaced with a “LUBRICATED” track chain version.

The benefits are: • Significant increase of track chain lifetime, as the joints pin-bushing are lubricated; • Reduction of noise; • Increasing of machine fuel efficiency;

Mulching rotor sticking out more:

• No weight difference between dry and lubricated track chain;

The rotor has been lowered by 30 mm / 1 1/4” to make ground penetration easier

• Easier removal and installation of the track chains (split flange connection)

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OPERATION FOCUS - TIGERCAT

Going for the burn

Jerry Sapp Timber relies on plenty of older machines, including this 244 loader. He cites Tigercat reliability as an important factor

A

s the US economy continues its sluggish but steady climb back to respectability, several industries are seeing a corresponding uptick in business.

One of those is the US biomass market which, in 2013 alone, added more than 230 megawatts of power to the nation’s energy grid, more growth than it has seen in four years. In addition, wood pellet exports from North America to Europe have doubled in two years to reach 4.7 million tons in 2013, with southern states accounting for 63% of the volume, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review.

To help make all that happen, a growing number of loggers who had been enduring hard times are now in demand, supplying chips to mills and plants throughout the country.

For Jerry Sapp it has meant growing his business from seven people to one that employs nearly three dozen. It has also meant slowly building up a fl eet of forestry equipment capable of meeting this new found demand for biomass product. Today, aided by no fewer than fourteen Tigercat

machines, (some new, many bordering on vintage) Sapp’s Land & Excavating is poised to become one of the Florida panhandle’s premier suppliers of microchips for biomass use.

Legacy in Logging First formed in 1978 as a logging company called Jerry Sapp Timber, the company expanded to offer land clearing and excavating in order to accommodate residential and commercial development in the region. But, according to Sapp, logging has always been in his blood.

“My father, Richard, was a logger so I grew up with wood harvesting as a big part of my life,” he says. “In fact, I worked with him for seven years before starting my own business. I operated both of my companies for more than 20 years, but in 2000, we decided to cut back and focus on land clearing rather than logging.”

For several years, Sapp’s stayed busy building subdivisions, clearing lots, constructing lakes and fi sh ponds, all the while operating with

92 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

just a three or four person crew.

With the economic downturn, the housing and commercial development industries fell on horrifi c times, and Sapp was once again turning to logging to keep the ship afl oat.

“We still had an old Tigercat skidder we’d bought in 1996, then picked up a used Tigercat feller buncher and loaded trucks with our excavator for some time before we even bought a loader,” he says.

“We really got back to our roots.”

Push for Biomass Chipley, Florida based Sapp’s Land & Excavating is a family company by nature. Jerry’s wife Sharon has been with him since the company’s inception and son Jeremy is active on a daily basis in many parts of the operation. Upon re-entering the logging market, Sapp called upon some of his old logging agent contacts to re-establish a working relationship and secure some work.

Eventually, however, he found that working directly with mills in the area made more sense.

“Soon we were clearing and

logging for only a couple of key companies, one of which was Green Circle Bio Energy,” he says.

“We didn’t know it at the time, but aligning ourselves with them would change things dramatically for us.”

Green Circle Bio Energy, Inc., is a major producer of fuel pellets which are sold to the European powergenerating industry for co-fi ring in coal-based power plants.

Opened in 2008, the Cottondale, Florida based company generates upwards of 580,000 tons of fuel pellets per year against a maximum production capacity of 600,000 tons per year. With those kinds of volumes, a steady fl ow of specialty chips into their facility is critical; the company secured that fl ow – and capitalized on an opportunity – with a call to Jerry Sapp.

“In late 2012 Green Circle contacted us asking us to tackle a number of round wood tracts of timber that they needed to get cut by a certain date, apparently to take full advantage of an impending tax situation,” says Sapp. “By that time, we had grown our business, but were still just doing 40 to

OPERATION FOCUS - TIGERCAT

45 loads of round wood a week.

In early 2013, however, a new agreement with Green Circle quickly got us into large-scale chipping, doing as many as 150 loads a week.

At that point, we had become a totally different company, but we were happy to be growing at a time when a lot of other companies were still struggling to recover from the downturn.”

Committed to Excellence To meet Green Circle’s needs for a specialty chip – one that is generally 13-20 mm (0.5-0.75 in) in length and width and about 3 mm (0.125 in) thick – Sapp relies upon a pair of Morbark 40/36 Whole Tree MicroChippers.

“We typically get about 110 loads of microchips a week between two chipping crews,” says Sapp. “When conditions are ideal, however, I’ve seen a crew get more than 80 loads a week with a single chipper.” On the logging and clearing side of the operation, as business grew, a loyalty that started with that one Tigercat machine developed into a full-on commitment. The company currently owns and operates a Tigercat fl eet consisting of fi ve feller bunchers (four 720E models and one 720D), four skidders (one 620E and three 620C models) and fi ve loaders (three 240B loaders, one 230C and a 244).

“This is a demanding environment with literally no room for downtime, so I need my equipment to be both productive and durable,” he says. “I get that with Tigercat; it’s reliable and outperforms anything else on the market today. I differ from a lot of other logging fi rms in that I

prefer to purchase used equipment rather than new, and the folks at the Thomasville, Georgia, branch of Tidewater Equipment, have been great in helping me get the equipment – both new and used – that I need.”

He adds that the bottom line for him is a level of confi dence in Tigercat equipment that has never been shaken. “Even though a Tigercat machine is three or four years old and out of warranty, I know I can still count on it for years and years of solid performance.

That’s made a huge difference for us.” Indeed, most of Sapp’s fl eet is equipment built between 2005 and 2008 with a couple of new units in the mix and that 1996 model still working today. Not long ago, because of a deal he felt he couldn’t pass up, Sapp says he purchased a competitive brand skidder. “I probably should have passed it up,” he says. “It was brutal compared to our Tigercat units – within six months we sold it and replaced it with a new Tigercat 620E.”

junky material up to 30 feet tall that is not of any interest to a logging company. In cases in which replanting is the goal, the landowners need to get that product off site just to see which areas are even worth being sprayed with an herbicide and replanted.

They have a couple ways to do that: they can pay someone to come in and take it down with a dozer or have us come in and clean it up for nothing.”

Left alone, says Sapp, most of the land they deal with would look like it does for another fi fteen to twenty years until anything of value could be pulled from it.

The alternative they offer is much better: clean it up, replant and in

ten years get a good income from it.

“Everyone benefi ts from what we do,” he says. “It gets a lot of acreage that would otherwise just be wasted back into production and eventually ends up yielding a higher-quality product as well.

There’s a lot of land like that within the 60 mile radius we work, so I can see us being busy for quite a while.

Our Tigercat equipment has played a huge role in helping make all this happen and will continue to do so as we move forward.”

This article originally appeared in Between the Branches, November 2014, the official publication of Tigercat Industries Inc.

Making a Difference Sapp says the push to create more and more biomass – including the pellets generated and exported by Green Circle – is prompting them to consider converting a third chipper currently used for larger, standard fuel chips to a microchipper. He says he sees the work they do as benefi ting the forest industry in their area both now and into the future.

“A good portion of the acreage we’re cutting is land that people fi rst cut fi fteen years ago and simply let sit,” he says. “As a result it’s gotten overgrown with APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 93

SAWLINES: Saw Technology – SERRA

SERRA

Another SERRA Sawmill installed in the Jungle of Peru On February 22nd, The SERRA team (Mr. Lautenschlager and Mr. Filatov) left from Munich to Lima Peru. After sleeping one day in Lima they took a plane to the city of Pucallpa where they stayed one night, leaving the next day on a 5 hour trip on a boat that started in the Ucayali River and ended in the Utuquinia river.

The Utuquinia river, is amazing.

If it rains 1 ½ hours its bed will rise more than 2 meters but if it stops raining for one day it will lower its bed for 2 meters.

As soon as they arrived at the camp in the jungle it started raining and they had to build up their camping tents where they slept the next 3 nights.

The main reason for this visit was to train a new customer, assist to another inauguration of a new SERRA Sawmill and to travel around the whole country in order to visit potential customers.

Of course like we say no pain no gain on the way back through the river with the boat the engine got totally damaged so instead of the trip taking 5 hours, it took 10 hours.

Concerning the training of the customer. (1 SERRA Sawmill Africa XE160) They do cut an extreme hardwood called Shihuahuaco with diameters of 1,6 m. The SERRA team was amazed by looking at the SERRA Africa XE160 cutting

day after day and each day with 18 hours, one hardwood log after another one. The machine had such a capacity that the two edgers (From another manufacturer) and the two cross cut saws (From other manufacturer) cut not hold on with the capacity of the sawmill. Mr. Lautenschlager and Mr. Filatov stayed three days in this encampment sleeping in camp tents in the jungle supervising the operations of the customer.

Concerning the inauguration (another SERRA Sawmill Africa XE160) this was in the city of Pucallpa. The customers name is Mr. Chacaltana and he produces pallets for several industries.

Of course inauguration without cutting is not possible at all, therefore the SERRA team together with the Peruvian SERRA Dealer decided to get a shihuahuaco log of 1,3 cm of diameter and to cut it in front of all the visitors. People were impressed of the accuracy, the cutting quality of this machine and its output.

After finishing this two stages of the trip, Mr Lautenschlager and the Peruvian SERRA Dealer decided to visit some potential customers around Peru. They travelled back from Pucallpa to Lima and from there they took a plane to Madre de Dios (Puerto Maldonado) in Peru of course with a stopover in

94 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

Cusco, just after landing they took a pick up and travelled 4 hours up to a very small town at the border between Brasil and Peru.

There they did a presentation of the SERRA Machinery to all the forest people and they visited afterwards a couple of them, being really welcome because they were all looking for this kind of quality machinery.

Well after flying more than 25000 Km and driving more than 3000 Km in a total of 14 days the SERRA Team travelled successfully back to Germany. Like the SERRA team says it is not an easy trip and full of stress but we accomplished our goal by keeping the customers happy and satisfied and giving them the service they deserve.

And this service is not only in Peru, from Siberia up to Dubai, from Tahiti up to Iceland. Till now we are talking to about 75 countries worldwide where the SERRA team has installed SERRA Sawmill and trained the customers. With some of this customers there will be soon a meeting than from May 11 up to May 15, 2015, there will be celebrated the LIGNA fair at Hannover with lots of international specialized customers and there they will see the most recent technological developments of the company SERRA.

CUTTING EDGE

New forestry mulchers MINIFORST & MIDIFORST from Seppi M

MIDIFORST dt

Updated to the latest and highest standards, the SEPPI M line of small and medium hydraulically driven forestry mulchers achieve the SEPPI M goal: More power, longer life, and more productivity

Taking the best qualities from the successful Miniforst and Midiforst skid steer mulchers, the new MINIFORST cl sets a new standard.

With a low, compact design, CL designates “compact loader.” The MINIFORST cl is equipped with a standard SAE interface, and is suitable for any skid steer with available hydraulic flow between 50 and 140 l/min.

This versatile mulcher is available with several hydraulic motor options. The most powerful and efficient of which, the variable displacement M-BOOST™ motor, offers 40% more torque than standard motors. A high-flow

circuit is recommended.

With a new generation, patented, aggressive rotor, and efficient MINI DUO™ tungsten carbide tipped hammers, the MINIFORST cl can mulch wood and brush to 15 cm diameter, at working speeds up to 5 km/hr.

A strong frame, made of wear resistant steel, heavy duty belt cover, well protected hydraulic cylinder and protection chains all assure a long working life.

The highly productive, exposed rotor working in concert with five rows of tempered counter cutters provide perfect mulching results.

With working widths of 150, 175 and 200 cm [59”, 69”, 79”], the MINIFORST cl is available with a mechanical guard frame for felling operations and other optional features.

Suitable for various applications in forestry, agriculture and green space maintenance, the stronger, more powerful Midiforst MT is suitable for hydraulic systems with 110 – 200 l/min oil flow.

Fitted with efficient MINI DUO™ tungsten carbide tipped hammers, the MIDIFORST mt can efficiently mulch and shred wood to 30 cm diameter.

Available with mechanical and hydraulic guard frames for felling operations, and to protect the tractor, the MIDIFORST mt is available in working widths of 150 and 175 cm [59”, 69”]. Standard with universal attachment interface, other optional features are available.

APPLICATIONS: • land clearing in the oil and gas industry • maintaining of power and communication lines • improve arable fields and other land • vegetation management • clearing forests after harvesting wood MINIFORST cl

• right-of-way clearing and much more.

APRIL / MAY 2015 | International Forest Industries 95

ADVERTISERS INDEX SALES OFFICES UK, Europe, South Africa, US East Coast CONTACT: Phil Playle or David Lansdowne Lansdowne Media Services Ltd Tel: +44 (0)1442 877 777 Fax: +44 (0)1442 870 617 Email: phil@internationalforestindustries.com or david@internationalforestindustries.com

Japan CONTACT: Yuko Ishihara Japan Advertising Communications, Inc. Star Bldg., 3-10-3 Kanda Jimbocho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051 Tel: 81-3-3261-4591 Fax: 81-3-3261-6126 Email: ishihara@media-jac.co.jp

ADVERTISERS INDEX AJP �������������������������������������������������������� 5 www.acierjp.com

Lucidyne Technologies Inc ���������23/26 www.lucidyne.com

AHWI Prinoth ������������������������������������ 16 www.ahwi.com

Metriguard ����������������������������������������� 28 www.metriguard.com

Autolog ����������������������������������������������49 www.autolog.com

MiCROTEC ������������������������������������������� 39 www.microtec.eu

Bandit �������������������������������������������������� 7 www.banditchippers.com

Morbark ����������������������������������������21/61 www.morbark.com

BABAC Traction Products ����������������89 www.babactirechains.com

MPM Engineering Ltd ����������������������� 43 www.MPMEng.com

BRUKS ���������������������������������������������� 79 www.bruks.com CAT �����������������������������������������������������17 www.CAT.com/forestry Continental Biomass Industries Inc ��69 www.cbi-inc.com

Western USA (AZ, CA, NV, UT) Australia, & New Zealand

CLEANFIX ����������������������������������������� 88 www.cleanfix.org

CONTACT: George Roman

Comact ���������������������������������������������� 27 www.comact.com

Roy McDonald Associates, Inc 4779 Luna Ridge Court, Las Vegas NV 89129, USA Tel: +1 (702) 515 7247 Fax: +1 (702) 515 7248 Email: george@roymcdonald.com

DELTA ������������������������������������������������ 35 www.deltamotion.com Doppstadt ����������������������������������������� 61 www.doppstadt.com DuraTech �������������������������������������������� 47 www.duratechindustries.net

Western USA (MT, ID, OR,WA) & Canada CONTACT: Bob Warren Lansdowne Media Services Ltd Tel: +44 (0)1442 877 777 Fax: +44 (0)1442 870 617 Email: bob@internationalforestindustries.com

US Mid-West, Central & Mountain CONTACT: Kevin Lapham J.P.Media Inc 1163 E.Ogden Ave, Ste. 705-359 Naperville IL 60563, USA Tel: +1 (630) 420 9752 Fax: +1 (630) 420 9763 Email: lapham@jpmediainc.com

South America CONTACT: Ricardo Cortés Editec S.A. Avda del Cóndor 844 Of. 205, Cuidad Empresarial Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile Tel: +56 2 757 4200 Fax: +56 2 757 4201 Email: rcortes@editec.cl

96 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2015

Epsilon ���������������������������������������������� 18 www.palfingerepsilon.com EWD ������������������������������������������� 3/ IBC www.ewd.de Fecon ������������������������������������������������� 13 www.fecon.com Halco Software Systems ������������������ 51 www.halcosoftware.com Heizomat ������������������������������������������ 67 www.heizomat.de Indexator ������������������������������������������ 87 www.indexator.se Jenz Gmbh ���������������������������������������� 75 www.jenz.de

Norwood ��������������������������������������������� 29 www.norwoodsawmills.com Peterson �������������������������������������������� IFC www.petersoncorp.com PROLOGIC+ ����������������������������������������� 33 www.prologicplus.com Rottne ��������������������������������������������������91 www.rottne.com Select Sawmill ������������������������������������� 8 www.selectsawmill.com Seppi M ��������������������������������������������� 74 www.seppi.com Serra ����������������������������������������������������12 www.serra-sawmill.com SP Maskiner ��������������������������������������� 83 www.spmaskiner.com Söderhamn Eriksson AB ������������������� 22 www.se-saws.com Springer ��������������������������������������������F/C www.springer.eu Stenner ����������������������������������������������� 24 www.stenner.co.uk Terra Source ����������������������������������������19 www.terrasource.com Tigercat �������������������������������������������� OBC www.tigercat.com USNR ����������������������������������������������������31 www.usnr.com

JoeScan ���������������������������������������������� 36 www.joescan.com

ÜSTÜNKARLI ������������������������������������� 25 www.ustunkarli.com

Komptech ������������������������������������������ 71 www.komptech.com

Vermeer ��������������������������������������������� 11 www.vermeer.com

John Deere ������������������������������������������ 9 www.deere.com/forestry

WAGNER ����������������������������������������������15 www.alliedsystems.com/L60

Linck �������������������������������������������������� 45 www.linck.com

Westtech ��������������������������������������������� 65 www.westtech.at

LMI Technologies ������������������������������ 37 www.LMI3D.com

Wood-Mizer ��������������������������������������� 32 www.woodmizer.com

In 2015 IFI will be attending the following shows:

LIGNA 2015 11 - 15 May, Hannover

13 - 12 June 2015 iUme책 Sweden

June 10 - 12 Atlanta

10th - 14th October 2015 Istanbul

LIGNA 2015 The world’s leading trade fair for the woodworking industry

LIGNA 2015 11 - 15 May, Hannover

SITE MAP

Making more out of wood

TM

Your Partner for turnkey sawmill projects made in Germany

Bandsaw Technology

Edger Optimizer Technology

CircularSaw & ProfilingTechnology

www.ewd.de

Esterer WD GmbH Estererstraร e 12 84503 Altรถtting, Germany

phone: +49 (0)86 71 - 5 03 - 0 fax: +49 (0)86 71 - 5 03 - 386

IFI WEB VIDEO DIRECTORY

FORESTRY

The

Level Headed Approach to

Land Clearing

Manufactured to endure the most extreme & demanding terrains POWER TO PERFORM

Terra

Grouser

Rocky

TXL

TXCL

CLARK TRACKS

Clark Tracks specialise in providing a wide range of forest machine tracks to suit numerous applications for the worldwide forestry market that we serve.

www.clarktracks.com

E: clarktracks@clarktracks.com T: +44 (0) 1387 722370

high performance for maximum work life

a brand of FAE Group

Flotation

POWER TO PERFORM

BRON Mulcher

BRON 475 Mulcher with SEPPI Mulching Head

Leveling everything in their paths are BRON mulchers - grinding trees, brush and stumps into fine mulch, quickly and easily. Low ground pressure and powerful hydraulics are standard on all models, ranging from 275 hp to 700 hp.

Richardson Service_Frances Marion tree thinning

Seppi Midiforst dt 225 Mulcher on the Bron 275 was a perfect combination on a tree thinning project in the Frances Marion National Forest in Huger, SC. The Bron handled flawlessly on the saturated ground while the Seppi Midiforst dt 225 is an easily manueverable and very efficient mulching head. This video was brought to you by Richardson Service and Seppi Partners LLC

BRON 275 Mulcher with Seppi Midiforst Mulching Head

www.rwfbron.com

Can Your Tractor Do This in 10 mins?

Fecon, Inc FTX600

Introducing Fecon’s all-new “FTX 128L High Performance” forestry mulcher! Visit http://fecon.com or call 1-800-528-3113 for more information. This 128 horsepower mulching machine was designed and built from the ground up right here at our Lebanon, Ohio, USA factory to deliver the highest performance and greatest fuel efficiency in its class.

The FTX600 is Fecon’s flagship tractor. This tractor brings the best combination of cutting performance, track power, ground pressure and serviceability in the 600hp class of mulching machines.

FTX148L Forestry Mulcher - Mulching Machine - Fecon - Bull Hog

RTC22/500-8 - Pine Trees

Attached to a Fecon FTX148 Mulching Machine, the Bull Hog Forestry Mulcher is perfect for clearing trees and brush. Bull Hog attachments excel at clearing right-of-way, lines of site, invasive species and fire breaks as well as many other in Forest applications.

Fecon’s® RTC22 is a purpose built mobile chipping system like no other. This dedicated carrier is specifically designed for chipper weight, center of gravity, and serviceability. The high mobility of the RTC22 is welcomed on remote jobsites that could be hard to get to with other vehicles. With a top speed of 12 miles per hour, the RTC22 is three times faster to the job.

You will find unmatched versatility, power, and durability from the FeconFTX 148 Mulching Machine. Jobs normally requiring 2 or 3 pieces of equipment can now be completed with just one due to the machines’ high versatility and rate of production.

www.fecon.com

Bandit visits R.J. Nathe & Sons

Parker Kligerman visits Bandit 2013

Bandit visits R.J. Nathe & Sons on a job site near Ocala, Florida to see how their Bandit Whole Tree Chipper Model 3590 is working for them.

NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver Parker Kligerman visits Bandit Industries and gets behind the wheel of a few other machines.

Bandit Model 2400 XP (24” Disc-Style) Whole Tree Chipper

Operations looking for a high production chipper with a large chipping capacity should take a look at the Model 2400. The Model 2400 is designed for those land clearing operations whose main goal is production, and those loggers looking to produce a high quality, dimensional chip. Like the Model 1900, the 2400 features a five feed wheel system that gives this unit unmatched crushing and pulling power. To aid in this capability, the 2400 features a Caterpillar or Cummins 700 horsepower engine.

Revolution Cutter Wheel

The Bandit Revolution stump grinder cutter wheel is now standard issue for all new Bandit stump grinders, and it’s available as a retrofit for older machines. Don’t have a Bandit stump grinder? No problem—this amazing wheel is also available for a wide range of other stump grinder makes and models so you too can be part of the Revolution.

www.banditchippers.com

848H Skidder

King of the Hills

With industry-leading axles, super sturdy frames, and innovative options like dual-mode steering, the H-Series skidders continue John Deere’s unwavering dedication to being the leader in the woods.

Neiman Enterprises has emerged to become the leading forest products company in the Black Hills region.

2013 John Deere 843K Feller buncher at Forestry First 05-02-13

Road Map to Success

This 2013 model Deere 843K is working in Pine Plantation.

We filmed this cutter working on a second thinning job where the stems are 6 inches or so average, many less. This feller buncher is very impressive. The owner has been pleased with fuel consumption and the speed and power of this feller buncher is more than adequate in his thinning and logging operations.

The operators are also making positive comments about the cab interior which has recently been much improved. The old steering column is gone and it opens everything up in terms of visibility and space for your legs. If you have not sat in one of these you should do yourself a favour and hop into one.

Fleet management systems have put Mid Atlantic Tree Harvesters “on the map�.

www.deere.com

6600 Track Wood Hog

Morbark 5048 Drum Chipper

Morbark 6600 Track Wood Hog. Footage taken at the 2013 Morbark Demo Days.

Morbark 5048 Drum Chipper equipped with a 10 knife Advantage 3 drum and a Cat C-27 1050hp diesel engine. Footage taken at the 2013 Morbark Demo Days.

Morbark, Inc. I Make America

3200 Wood Hog Demo Days May 2013

Aimed at wood and green waste recycling applications, the Morbark 3200 Wood Hog is a compact and aggressive unit. A smaller, lighter, and more affordable unit with all of the benefits of our larger grinders, the 3200 can handle green waste, regrind, sawmill residue, pallets, and logs up to 14� in diameter ease.

Available as a tracked unit for greater mobility or with electric power, the 3200 can be built with Morbark’s most popular options.

www.morbark.com

4300B Drum Chipper Making Micro Chips

s5710C horizontal grinder with Terra Select S6 E Star Screen

The new Peterson 4300B drum chipper has been updated for 2014 with new features that high-volume biomass chippers demand. The 4300B can be equipped with either a 6-pocket (to make standard biomass chips) or 12-pocket (to make microchips) drum depending on your material needs.

A Peterson 5710C horizontal grinder feeds ground wood pallets into a Terra-Select S6-E star screen. The three fraction Terra Select S6-E sorts the ground material into fines, accepts and overs.

Both machines are ideal for processing mulch, compost, or other organic material.

6700B Mid-Speed Grinder

5710C Pallet Grinding

This Peterson 6700B horizontal grinder is equipped with our new Mid-Speed C&D package, and is doing primary grind in surplus railroad ties. The second grinder (a Peterson 4710B) is processing the material to meet the product spec which is being used for energy production.

This Peterson 5710C horizontal grinder is grinding pallets for mulch production in Indiana. The machine uses a cross belt magnet to pull the nails from the material (watch for a follow-up video on this process soon!)

The Mid-Speed C&D package is designed for highly contaminated material and features several new innovations that have not been seen on high-speed horizontal grinders before. This operation is seeing consistent 300+ tons per hour of production in this material.

The 5710C is Peterson’s latest generation of high production track grinders. Powered by the Caterpillar C27 or C32 engine at 1050 horsepower, this grinder provides the highest power to weight ratio of any Peterson grinder. At approximately 83,000 pounds (37650 kg) the 5710C was designed for operations requiring high production and frequent moves between jobs.

www.petersoncorp.com

Tigercat TH575 mixed stand in Nova Scotia

KBM, Chile: Infield chipping

Tigercat TH575 harvesting head on a Tigercat H855C carrier in a mixed stand in Nova Scotia. E&R Langille Contracting Ltd. owns four TH575 heads. The company cites long-term durability and multi-stemming capability as primary advantages. E&R Langille’s original TH575 was purchased in 2007 and has over 21,000 operating hours.

KBM, Chile infield eucalyptus chipping operation featuring a Tigercat 860C feller buncher, two Tigercat 630D skidders and a Peterson-Pacific flail/chipper. Get the full story in Between the Branches, November 2013. BTB is available online, by subscription or at your local Tigercat dealer.

880 logger in Pacific northwest

Bull Creek: LH822C

The Tigercat 880 logger in a high production shovel logging (hoe chucking) application in western Washington.

Montana-based Bull Creek Forestry operating a new Tigercat LH822C harvester in a selective felling application. Get the full story in the July 2013 issue of Between the Branches.

www.tigercat.com

ROTTNE SKÖRDARE

Skotare ROTTNE F13C

Rottne F18

www.rottne.com

Vermeer BC700XL Brush Chipper

HG6000 Horizontal Grinder

Vermeer continues to respond to the demands of the rental, landscape and tree care professionals with the BC700XL brush chipper. The smallest machine in the Vermeer brush chipper line, the BC700XL design is based on operator feedback and focuses on productivity advantage and ease-of-use. The brush chipper features a centrifugal clutch system, 25 horsepower (18.6 kW) Kohler EFI engine, bottom feed stop bar and Vermeer exclusive SmartFeed feed-sensing control system. The new member of the chippers line offers the compact size operators are looking for and the performance they want to achieve a job efficiently.

Process wood waste efficiently with the HG6000 horizontal grinder. Get started with the touch of a button to activate the microprocessor-controlled HPTO clutch. Fifth-wheel towing configuration provides mobility, and the openended, extra-wide feed table allows you to load wood waste over the side. State-of-the-art wireless remote lets you operate the machine from up to 300’/91 m away.

HG8000TX Horizontal Grinder

HG4000TX Horizontal Grinder

The HG8000TX horizontal grinder from Vermeer boasts the largest infeed opening in its class, helping to increase your productivity and expand job possibilities. Powered by a 950-hp (708.4 kW) CAT Tier 2 engine, this unit handles big diameter wood and large, brushy debris with ease. Plus, its innovative design incorporates several features to help reduce material spillage and jobsite cleanup time.

The HG8000TX is equipped with a tracked undercarriage with 28” (71.1 cm) wide double or triple-grouser track pads. Designed to tackle tough jobs, the HG8000TX enables productivity for the long-haul.

Take the self-propelled HG4000TX horizontal grinder to tough jobsites. With its 20”/51 cm double grouser track pads, high ground clearance and sealed rollers, it can get into remote areas easily, without material building up in the track system. A fully enclosed engine helps reduce noise. Infeed over-pressure/auto-reverse function reduces jams. Extra-wide, 48”/122 cm V-cleat discharge conveyor neatly discharges processed material from the machine.

www.vermeer.com

a brand of FAE Group

PT-175: the most compact and manoeuvrable PrimeTech model.

Breaking new ground with PrimeTech’s PT-400

Equipped with a Cummins QSB4.5, 4.5 L turbocharged and aftercooled engine with 4 in-line cylinders and 160 hp, PT-175 is the most compact and lightweight vehicle of the PrimeTech range of tracked carriers. PT-175 is designed to perform light to medium duty work in the forestry sector. One of its strong points lies in its dimensions, which enable it to work on sites with width restrictions (<= 1750 mm). PT-175 is mainly used for vegetation management, for cleaning undergrowth, cutting and eliminating bushes and shrubs and for cutting seismic lines. The PT-175 is also an impressively innovative mulcher, built around cutting-edge technology with easy access to all components, thanks to a fully tilting engine hood, hinged side doors and swing-out rear winch that opens effortlessly for daily maintenance of the vehicle.

The exceptionally high productivity of the PT-400 is provided first and foremost by the perfectly synchronized engine and hydraulic system that reaches a high level of efficiency. The 12.5 l CAT C13 engine with 415 hp below the bonnet caters for the necessary reserves of power. The oscillating undercarriage and the perfect distribution of masses reduce strain to the structure and provide better control of the vehicle. The spacious and soundproofed cabin helps the operator to work better and with greater precision. It has a series of comforts including the ergonomic position of the seat, the ease use of joysticks and an efficient air conditioning system. Reliability, low maintenance costs and consumption, high performance, low ground pressure, comfort and safety: these are the reasons for choosing PT400 for land clearing/mulching!

PT-300: PrimeTech’s top-of-the line unit for forestry mulching and more

PrimeTech PT-600: Power, performance, productivity for land clearing/mulching!

The flagship PT-300 model, powered by a John Deere 6068HF485, 6.8 L turbocharged and aftercooled engine with 6 in-line cylinders and 275 hp, recently underwent a major design overhaul. Key technical improvements included: A brand-new cab “more head room” (fully tilting and equipped with LED headlights and a flatfaced front windshield instead of the curved windshield of previous models); New Berco-quality D4 oscillating undercarriage with ground clearance increased by 6cm/2”: from 40cm/16” to 46 cm/18”; Optimized easy access to all components for easy maintenance and more.

The PT-600, equipped with a Cummins QSX15 turbocharged in line 6 cylinder diesel engine producing 600 hp, has been designed to work in the most extreme and severe of working conditions and for the toughest jobs, guaranteeing maximum productivity and high performance. Like all the other PrimeTech models, the PT-600 guarantees the same exceptional levels of manoeuvrability and agility even on extremely difficult terrain thanks to its oscillating undercarriage, to the low ground pressure and to the machine’s exceptional load distribution and balance.

www.prime-tech.com

Terra

Grouser

Rocky

Flotation

TXL

TXCL

CLARK TRACKS

Clark Tracks specialise in providing a wide range of forest machine tracks to suit numerous applications for the worldwide forestry market that we serve.

www.clarktracks.com

E: clarktracks@clarktracks.com T: +44 (0) 1387 722370

high performance for maximum work life

Clark Tracks Ltd - Forest Machine Tracks. Boggiband. Bogieb채ndern

Clark Tracks Ltd specialise in providing a wide range of Forest Machine Tracks to an ever expanding market. We provide designs and sizes to suit numerous applications for the worldwide forestry market that we serve. This short video will give you an insight to our tracks being used on John Deere, Ponsse, Komatsu and Tigercat forwarders and harvesters.

www.clarktracks.com

RAYCO C260 Mulching

The C260 is a mid-sized mulcher that delivers 260 hp in a compact, low ground pressure package. This mulcher is suited for clearing small trees, underbrush, and a variety of unwanted vegetation across a wide range of environments. The heavy-duty steel undercarriage and powerful final drives allow operators to tackle difficult terrain with confidence. Raycoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exclusive elevated cooling design keeps engine and hydraulic temperatures within their limits in the harshest of environments. To minimize maintenance, a reversing fan can be activated from the cab to clear the limbriser debris screens. This helps to extend service intervals even when operating in hot, debrisfilled environments. When manual cleaning of the debris screens is necessary, they are easily removable and the rear door opens to allow unrestricted access to the debris screen and engine radiator.

The cabs are climate controlled and sealed from dust and debris to maintain operator comfort. Operators appreciate the high-backed, heated seat with adjustable armrests and air-ride suspension.

For safety, the cab is certified to meet ROPS, FOPS, and OPS specifications and is equipped with a roof-top escape hatch. LED lighting facing front, sides and rearward. A backup camera enhances rearward visibility.

www.raycomfg.com

FAE Forestry Mulcher Kubota KX 80

FAE forestry mulcher in action 1

The DML/HY from FAE is the best of its category, this mulching head can be mounted up to a 10 ton excavator. G.B Equipment inc is the Canadian distributor for FAE, contact us via our website www.gbequipment.ca to know your local dealer.

FAE Forestry And Mulching Heads

FAE forestry and land clearing heads. Forestry Mulchers, forestry tillers, rock crushers. Mulching machines.

www.fae-group.com/

Les Aciers J.P.inc Rotary debarker REV2

Démêleur rotatif | Rotary unscrabbler - Les Aciers J.P. inc (ONE by ONE wood logs Machine)

www.acierjp.com

IFI WEB VIDEO DIRECTORY

LUMBER PROCESSING

TM

Comact GradExpert

Comact Stacker

Comact Log 3D Scanning

Comact Transverse 3D Board Scanner

www.comact.com

Integrated Log Loader

MyMill™ - Changing the way you work

USNR’s Integrated Log Loader is positioned at the last step in the log feeder, and precisely manages the gap between logs.

MyMill is a new software suite developed by USNR that enables mill personnel to interact with mill equipment using mobile devices, such as iPads and iPods. This new mobile functionality will change the landscape of today’s modern mills.

6-Deck Jet Veneer Dryer - time lapse construction

Murray Timber 4-sided canting log breakdown line

This new 6-deck jet veneer dryer, located at Martco, Chopin, LA, is the largest dryer to date in the southern yellow pine region. This dryer will accomplish the equivalent production of two dryers, reducing labor costs by one-half. At the same time it will reduce thermal energy consumption by 10%, and exhaust fugitive emissions by 15%.

This mill is located in Ireland.

The dryer was erected off-line, and once complete it was towed into place and connected to all services under a projected expedited schedule. This allowed Martco the advantage of choosing the optimum time to disrupt its production schedule to install the additional capacity, and allowed the plant to utilize the existing building structure to house the new dryer.

www.usnr.com

Sweep reducing

Log positioning

The importance of cant positioning is often overlooked.

Only one infeed position will result in maximum product value. Deviation from this position will result in lower output. With a True Shape optimization system the best position is accurately determined.

Söderhamn Eriksson´s positioning system ensures the correct rotating position is maintained and carries out the side positioning which is calculated by the optimising system.

System Edger - versatile and reliable Bandsawing technology edger optimizer

Söderhamn Eriksson´s edging systems with high capacity and maximum yield generates the most valuable product out of each board.

Söderhamn Eriksson´s bandsaws offer the highest accuracy, very thin kerf, short built-in length, easy to set and efficient curve sawing of cants.

- Systems for all capacity requirements - Highest capacity on the market - Designs for unmanned operation - High resolution scanning on both sides of the board - Unlimited edging options - Split and reject modules

-H igh-strain bandsaws with high accuracy at highest feed speed - Saw kerf 3 mm or less - Reducer band saw combinations with 2,3 or 4 bands - Resaw combinations with 1 to 4 saw bands - Feed speeds up to 180 m/min

www.se-saws.com

M3Scan

MiCROTEC CTLOG Virtual Grading

Inline Moisture Meter: - Determines accurately moisture content of lumber - Works in lineal and in transversal transport - Measures contactless and independently of environmental influences and conveyor speed - Sorts automatically lumber based on individual quality parameters - Fits in any production line - Features open interface standards for transparent data exchange - Enables easy and intuitive control on touchscreen

Full digital stem and log description 3D analysis of wood defects virtual breakdown virtual grading value optimisation

ViScan-Plus

CT.LOG and Viscan.XL - Full value optimisation

First class Strength (Stress) Grading integrated with inline density meter: - Determines accurately and reliably MOE/MOR of lumber - Grades lumber non-destructively, optically and independently of interfering ambient conditions such as noise - Works at a repeat accuracy of over 99 % - Grades at your production pace in transversal transport - Is a worldwide accredited stress grading solution - Maximizes recovery in combination with other MiCROTEC systems, such as GOLDENEYE - Complies already to the main grading standards

Published on Oct 4, 2012 Highspeed Computer Tomography (2m/s) For Stems and Logs Diameter up to 650mm Digital stem and log description Continuous, qualitative and 3D log reconstruction Virtual breakdown and grading Value optimisation

www.microtec.eu/

Industrial Sawmill Business Spotlight SLP2 at LIGNA - Ohio Valley Veneer

For six years, Ed Robbins struggled to make his high grade lumber mill profitable. Finally he turned to Wood-Mizer industrial thin-kerf headrigs and his employees thought he was crazy... See what happened in the video.

Wood-Mizer debuts the SLP2 (Small Log Processing system) at Ligna 2013, in Hanover. Thin-kerf blades and higher automation result in a profitable combination.

WM4000 ENG

WM1000 with new hydraulic system

WM4000 – Wood-Mizer’s latest thin-kerf headrig.

WM1000 – Break down big logs accurately and efficiently with a 1.7 metre (67”) center capacity cut.

www.woodmizer.com

Grade Scan 2013/2014

The Westervelt Story

True-Q Patented Board Tracking System

www.lucidyne.com

TM

EWD Reducer Quad, First logs

Today we cut the first 5 logs on the new EWD sawmill. first the sides of the logs are chipped off, then four bandsaws go to work cutting the log into the desired sizes.

www.ewd.de

Wood Processing Industry: Springer System Fitness Check

SPRINGER - a step ahead through productivity

When correctly serviced and controlled, a system ensures reliable and efficient operation.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why a steadily increasing number of customers is opting for our system fitness check. Following inspection of the system, measures for improving state and performance are suggested. These activities form the basis for a successful and complete system checkup during summer or winter breaks. For that reason, the inspection should ideally be carried out 2 or 3 months before the scheduled system check in your plant.

SPRINGER is well known for machines and conveyor systems and produces innovative wood processing solutions worldwide.

Innovative CLT production lines

SPRINGER - automation of layer press @ Tilly (A)

To optimize the production of natural wood panels with multi-layer technology, SPRINGER was commissioned with the design and construction of an installation, enabling automation of its existing layer press at Tilly Plant I in Althofen, Austria.

Excellent ease of handling, low maintenance effort and, most of all, minimized material input â&#x20AC;&#x201C; these are the key characteristics of the innovative CLT production lines made

by SPRINGER. We develop CLT production lines that take cut-outs and chamfers into account early on in the process, specifically during the provision and automatic positioning of lamellas.

This means minimized material consumption thanks to solutions that are tailored to the requirements of our customers.

www.springer.au

Wagner L60 Logstacker

Wagner is proud to introduce the revolutionary, purpose built, 60,000 lb, L60 Logstacker. Perfect for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cutto-length loads, Wagner has taken our customers years of experience and devised answers to day-to-day, year-to-year operational challenges. From fuel consumption to ease of maintenance and operator comfort, Wagner offers the lowest cost of ownership in the industry. The Wagner L60 Logstacker is in it for the long haul!

www.alliedsystems.com

LOAD FAST, UNLOAD FASTER

The new low-wide bunk and hooked crane are now available for the 1075B and 1085B forwarders.

Designed for quicker loading and unloading times, the new configuration provides clear sight lines to the top of the load and substantially increases the working area of the crane.

Visit www.tigercat.com to find out how this innovative new system can improve your forwarding operations.

+1.519.753.2000

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www.tigercat.com

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