International Forest Industries Magazine April - May 2013

& D A OO UE N G W SS LI IA I M W EL HO S

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DOUBLE SHOW ISSUE!

CONTENTS APRIL/MAY 2013

44

24 Chippers Keeping foreign material out and chip quality up remains the focus of chipper manufacturers as Editor Chris Cann found out

44 Operation Focus – Canada EACOM’s new USNR edger line has expanded the company’s global market capability

48 74 48 Operation Focus – USA Adding the Lucidyne GradeScan system to the Charles Ingram mill has been an unarguable success

62

54

74 High Profile Former lawyer and current Norwood Sawmills President Ashlynne Dale sits at the head of a truly international success story for the forestry sector.

She tells Editor Chris Cann how she’s used her skills from her previous career to build Norwood into the company it is today

54 Feller Bunchers

62 Forest Machines

International Forest Industries has noted a shift towards meeting higher capacity demands in this year’s Feller Buncher technology review

R EG U L A R F E AT U R E S

SPRINGER

The uncompromisingly tough work associated with inwoods loading and processing needs equally durable machines

4 Sawpoints

16 World Markets

Ligna, Hall 27, Stand D31 New Trimmer launch at Ligna (See page 83)

82 Cutting Edge

96 Advertising Index

COVER: SPRINGER PASCAL 1200 The PASCAL strapping and pressing unit for

squared timber insertion unit or an edge

sawn timber is an essential part of SPRINGER’s

protection device can be incorporated as an

package transport systems. This unit has been

option. The system can also be equipped

developed to ensure ergonomic and efficient

with an automatic film dispenser that

wrapping of sawn timber packages. It is the

places the film on the package and cuts

fastest strapping and pressing unit currently on

it to the required length. More information

the market with an average working cycle of 1

on the product is available at

minute per package. Special modules such as a

www.springer.eu APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 1

OPERATION FOCUS ISSUE 33 APRIL/MAY 2013

SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: +44 (0)1442 877 583 emma@internationalforestindustries.com

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Annual Subscription UK and Europe £160, €230 Rest of the world US$270

Let’s get ready to rumble

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

Well, it’s finally here.

For sawmillers or forestry groups, that statement will relate to different events.

Chronologically, we’re talking about

there to critique the latest in harvesting equipment. That is, of course, why we’ll be

Editorial Director John Chadwick john@internationalforestindustries.com

Ligna, which is about kick off in Hannover,

Editor Chris Cann chris@internationalforestindustries.com

industries show has become an industry

promises to be an extremely anxious and

institution over almost 40 years and has

busy time for the industry: manufacturers

grown into the crucial meeting for

will show and receive feedback on

European wood producers and just about

technologies the release of which is likely

Editorial Board Dr Patrick Moore – Chairman and Chief Scientist of Greenspirit (Canada)

Germany (May 6-10). The Ligna wood

there, too.

The next few months, therefore,

anyone looking to establish themselves in

to have been timed to coincide with these

Darren Oldham – Managing Director Söderhamn Eriksson (UK)

the European market.

massive industry events; while forestry

Allan Hansard – Chief Executive of the National Association of Forest Industries (Australia)

include conferencing, lectures and

range of new machines to choose from

discussions covering topical industry

and determined to make the right

Professor Piotr Paschalis-Jakubowicz – Warsaw Agricultural University (Poland)

trends. And while these events will no

purchase decision for the business.

Andre de Freitas Forest Stewardship Council Head of Operations

exceptionally interesting – as they have in

crucial period for the forestry industry

This year, the range of activity will

doubt be well attended and prove to be

companies will be both excited at the

This northern summer represents a

past years – the real action will take place

during which order books need to be

Eduardo Morales South American Forestry Consultant

in the exhibition halls and out in the

bolstered and sawmills/harvesting fleets

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS Lansdowne Media Services Ltd

exhibiting lots – where the latest

need to be equipped to handle the volatile

technologies will be put through their

market conditions we’re currently

paces in front of potential clients. That’s

enduring.

Advertising Manager Phil Playle phil@internationalforestindustries.com Group Advertising Manager David Lansdowne david@internationalforestindustries.com +44 (0)1442 87 77 77 Design & Production CSDA – csims@nildram.co.uk 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 monthly by International forest Industries Ltd GBR and distributed in the USA by SPP, 17B S Middlesex Ave, Monroe NJ 08831. Periodicals postage paid at New Brunswick, NJ. Postmaster: send address changes to International Forest Industries, 17B S Middlesex Ave, Monroe NJ 08831. © International Forest Industries Ltd 2007 – 2012 IFI uses, as preference, SI units throughout.

All dollars are US unless otherwise stated.

2 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

where I’ll me stalking manufacturers to

For our part, we will do our best to

glean an insight into breakthrough

make sure our readers continue to be kept

technologies that may make wood

abreast of the latest machinery

production more profitable and could

developments so they are able to make

change the way the industry operates.

informed decisions. With the huge volume

Central to these technologies is likely to

of new equipment being released onto the

be the chipping sector. Chipping continues

market, this will provide a challenge for

to grow as both a primary and secondary

us. That challenge has already started

revenue stream, depending on the

with our team working overtime to

business, and will be a major presence at

produce the current edition – our biggest

Ligna. International Forest Industries has

ever – in time for the show season.

mirrored this focus with our bumper review of Chipper technology (pp.24-43) in this edition.

It will be a very similar story later this summer at Elmia Wood near the city of Jönköping in Sweden, where forestry companies will be engaged in lectures and discussion sessions on the challenges facing the industry, but will ultimately be

Enjoy Chris Cann E D I TO R

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SAWPOINTS

First logs processed at BSW Timber’s new Fort William site

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he latest phase of BSW Timber’s £37 Million expansion has been completed, creating a mill of “genuine world class standing”.

BSW Timber has begun the commissioning phase of this latest expansion at the Fort William sawmill site, creating one the largest and most advanced sawmill sites operating anywhere in the UK. The first logs have now been processed at the state-of-the-art mill, designed for an annual production of 300,000 m3 when the site becomes fully operational later on in the year. The expansion is a major part of BSW’s £50million company-wide investment program over a fiveyear period to 2015.

Since 2008, the Fort William

site has benefited from a wide range of infrastructure and plant investment. This has included the introduction of 10 new Mahild kilns and a battery of pressure treatment vessels - as well as two 5MW KIV biomass kiln heating plant and a high-speed planing and grading line.

To complete the current investment phase at the site, the latest in global saw line technology – a Hewsaw SL250 3.4 Trio line integrated with Kallfass sorting and stacking equipment – was installed last year and has since been extended to include an automated horizontal saw, allowing for maximum flexibility.

Marking the commissioning of the new mill after almost four years of development, Tony Hackney, CEO of BSW Timber said:

“These are exciting times for BSW Timber and everyone involved in creating a sawmill of genuine world-class standing at Fort William. Great credit must be given to the management team at the mill who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.

“Going for growth is a theme that has driven the strategy for BSW Timber since the 1990s. The development of flexible and high capacity mills with the latest technology to provide first class home grown products is an essential part of the company plans.

“Strategic investments, such as

Fort William, are a sign of the confidence in Tony Hackney, the mediumCEO of term that BSW BSW Timber has in the UK market. We are committed to being a highly competitive manufacturer of sawn timber and associated products and are expanding our portfolio of products and capacity to better serve the demands of our customers, as well as strengthening our partnerships with our chosen key suppliers.”

Drax to build two new pellet plants in US Drax Biomass International, a development and operating company focused on manufacturing wood pellets for renewable, low-carbon power generation from sustainable biomass, has announced plans for three projects in the Gulf ofMexico region. In the first half of 2013, Drax Biomass expects to begin construction of two pellet manufacturing plants in Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as a port storage and loading facility at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge.

The manufacturing facilities, Amite BioEnergy in Gloster, Mississippi and Morehouse BioEnergy in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana, would be expected to start full operations in 2014 with 4 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

combined capacity to produce 900,000 tpa of biomass pellets using fibre from actively and sustainably managed forests.

The port-side storage and loading facility at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge will have the capacity to store about 80,000 tof biomass pellets. The facility will be designed to accommodate delivery of pellets by rail and truck and is expected to be operational in 2014.

SAWPOINTS

Topping-out ceremony for Ponsse’s new logistics centre

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The construction work for Ponsse's new logistics centre reached the final stage with a topping-out ceremony held in Iisalmi on February 15. The new logistics centre, with a floor area of 4,500 m² and storage space of 42,000 m3, will be Ponsse's most important investment this year.

The cost estimate for the logistics centre is approximately €6 million. Each year, more than

100,000 separate shipments are sent from Iisalmi to the Ponsse service network. The construction work for the new logistics centre was started in autumn 2012, and the new premises will be taken into use during summer 2013.

The logistics centre will be an important part of the Ponsse services. The centre will accommodate a central warehouse for spare parts, maintaining Ponsse's local spare part supplies

6 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

tailored for each country and continent and taking care of regular frame deliveries for them.

Ponsse's international service network includes a total of 150 service and spare part centres. At the moment, the central warehouse is located in the Iisalmi service centre, next to the new logistics centre. The significance of the logistics centre is also emphasised by the inventory value: €20 million.

“The logistics centre is a very important investment for us,” Sales and Marketing Director Jarmo Vidgrén said. “The market situation is challenging for all forest machine manufacturers, Ponsse included. However, we want to invest in the constant development of services offered to our customers. Without investment, we cannot remain competitive.”

Quick access to spare parts is essential for forest machine entrepreneurs: a machine must not remain at standstill and unproductive for days. Because of the different customs regulations and transport times, Ponsse has extensive and locally customised spare parts supplies in the various markets. However, the central warehouse also needs to be able to accomplish fast deliveries. In the best case, a spare part can be delivered from Iisalmi to Sweden or Central Europe the next day.

According to Vidgrén, the logistics centre is first and foremost an investment in the delivery reliability and speed of spare parts, while also serving as an investment in the working conditions of warehouse workers.

New, automated functions improve the working conditions of employees and enable night and weekend work to be decreased.

Proximity to the factory ensures flexibility The storage facilities of the new logistics centre encompass 22,000 different items, 7,000 pallet spaces and modern materialshandling automation. Delivery management ‘24/7’ of this scale requires the use of high technology in logistics control and inventory management. In the new logistics centre, the flow of information and materials is controlled at all stages of the process, from the reception of goods to shelving, picking and automated shipment documentation. The new inventory management system also enables a gradual increase in the degree of automation as required.

The share of in-house manufacture in Ponsse machines is approximately 70 %, and the factory in Vieremä produces a large share of the spare parts for Ponsse forest machines. Ponsse's central warehouse is located 25 km from Ponsse's factory in Vieremä. The short distance is important so that cooperation between production and the service business runs smoothly and customers can be guaranteed a comprehensive spare parts service, also for older machine models.

Ponsse's service centre in Iisalmi includes approximately 100 employees, 25 of whom will move to the logistics centre currently under construction. In the design of the new logistics centre, special attention has been paid to environmentally friendly heating and recycling solutions. The logistics centre is heated using geothermal energy, and the recycling of waste materials will be brought to a whole new level.

The premises that will become free in the service centre will be used for repair shop and training activities later on.

SAWPOINTS

Australasian EXPO to host international technology talent

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lanning for Australia and New Zealand’s first business-to-business event for wood processing, timber manufacturing and panels companies, WoodEXPO 2013, picked up momentum in February and March. While exhibition space is still available, stand sales have already exceeded expectations.

Key equipment and product suppliers from Sweden, Germany, Austria, Italy, Indonesia, Canada, the USA, New Zealand and Australia have already signed up for this event.

An integral part of each WoodEXPO will be the technology workshops running during the two exhibition days. These workshops will provide detailed information on the very latest processing, manufacturing and product innovations suited to this part of the world. “Wood processing has been a cornerstone of previous FIEA technology events run over the last 13 years or so,” FIEA Director Brent Apthorp said. “A comprehensive workshop program has being designed with a wide

cross section of technology leaders, researchers and industry”. It’s just been released and can be viewed on the event website, www.woodexpo2013.com Local companies are going to be spoilt for choice. In eight two-hour workshops, leading technology providers from all parts of the globe will be covering innovations in; sawmilling, mill optimisation, finger-jointing, timber gluing,

timber laminating, kiln drying, wood based panels and engineered wood products, saw design, selection and maintenance, wood machining, timber handling and finishing.

Topics as diverse as full length log carriage scanning, vision optimisation in green and dry mill operations, powder coating advances for board products and using automation and robotics for

improving wood stacking, wood flow and storage operations are being covered as part of each technology workshop series.

WoodEXPO 2013 will also be hosting an industry dinner, entertainment, BBQ and beer tasting social activities. The event will run September 3-5 in Albury, NSW and in Rotorua, New Zealand, on September 11-13.

Diamond cutting for wood at Ligna Diamonds are at the centre of Vollmer's stand at this year's Ligna trade fair as PCD (polycrystalline diamond) tools are becoming increasingly important in the furniture and timber industry for machining wood and composite materials.

Together with its subsidiary Loroch, the company will be presenting equipment for sharpening carbide-tipped circular and band saws, together with a range of sawmill technology. Vollmer training, maintenance, servicing and finance services round off the portfolio presented.

At the Ligna 2013 international forestry and timber trade fair from May 6-10 in Hanover, for the first time Vollmer will be bringing together all its expertise on one stand. The redesigned stand of 500 m² will present Vollmer's latest portfolio in its four key segments: PCD rotary tools, circular saws, band saws and services. The open and transparent stand concept will guide visitors through each of the Vollmer business units. A

8 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

number of video installations will explain the company's technology and service portfolio using a wide range of examples.

This will offer visitors detailed insight into the current Vollmer range of grinding and erosion machines for sawmills, the furniture industry and the timber and woodworking sector. The focus of the stand will be the precise sharpening of PCD cutting tools for manufacturing processes in the timber industry.

The PCD tipped tools are extremely durable and enable the precise machining of wood and composite materials. With the latest innovations from Vollmer, PCD cutters can now be measured, ground and polished automatically in one single process. The Vollmer erosion machines have CNC-controlled axes and integrated software control for the production of these tools. This enables the manufacture of large runs of cutting tools with consistent quality, in an unmanned and fully automatic process.

Vollmer will also be exhibiting

its sharpening machines for carbide-tipped circular saw blades with a range of diameters and tooth geometries. The Swabian market leader will be showing customers from the sawmill sector all process phases in band saw machining, such as sharpening, stellite tipping, tensioning, straightening and planing.

Vollmer subsidiary Loroch will be rounding off the Ligna stand with the automatic K850 saw sharpening solution that can sharpen, re-tooth and automatically chamfer HSS/CV circular saw blades thanks to four CNC-controlled axes.

SAWPOINTS

Interest in Elmia defies global economics

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espite considerable uncertainty about the future of the forestry market, there is clearly great interest in participating in the Elmia Wood forestry fair from June 5-8 this year.

Organisers are now working to build extra stands for all the companies wanting to exhibit their products and services.

“The fair site is almost fully booked but we're receiving enquiries every day from more people wanting to exhibit,” Jörgen Andersson, who is in charge of stand sales at Elmia Wood, said. He and his colleague Johan Löfgren, who manages the planning and construction of the fair site, are now hunting for every possible place to build a stand.

“Last Elmia Wood we sold 69,460 m2 of stand space for the whole fair

but we're already up at 72,000 m2 now, so this year's fair will be crammed full," Andersson said.

Destination Jönköping, which is helping to arrange accommodation for long-distance visitors, is also extremely busy. Coordinator Helena Lindgren says her team has already booked far more guest nights now than at the same time prior to Elmia Wood 2009.

“We’re still getting many large bookings, maybe two or three big groups every day,” she said. She and her colleagues are arranging rooms in everything from hotels and hostels to residential study centres, camping cottages and private homes.

companies are from outside Sweden, with the majority from Finland, Germany and Austria.

Visitors who have booked accommodation are coming from a wide range of countries, Lindgren said.

“We've had large group bookings from countries like Brazil, Japan, Switzerland, the United States and Russia,” she said, adding that she is now expecting more bookings from countries closer to home.

Many Finnish and German exhibitors

Focus on innovations

About 30% of the exhibiting

Elmia Wood has always been

10 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

closely associated with new machine concepts and exciting technological innovations. This year will be no exception, promises Torbjörn Johnsen, who is responsible for overall coordination for Elmia's forestry fairs.

“We've made a special effort this year and have even published advertisements calling for innovators to participate in the fair,” he explained. He added that the campaign has had clear results and a number of interesting concepts will be unveiled at Elmia Wood in June.

SAWPOINTS

Jessie J announces West Country concert Jessie J has announced a special West Country date for the summer as part of Forest Live, organised by the Forestry Commission, where concerts are performed in spectacular woodland locations around the country.

Jessie is one of the hottest pop stars on the planet right now having hit the No.1 spot in 19 countries world-wide, selling 16

million singles and over 3 million copies of her multi-platinum debut album ‘Who You Are’. In the UK alone, Jessie has sold over 1.5 million albums and secured two No.1 singles with ‘Price Tag’ and ‘Domino’. Her single ‘Laserlight’ featuring David Guetta became her sixth top ten UK single from her debut album, and with it she achieved the accolade of being the

first UK solo artist to have so many top ten hits off one album.

Not content with dominating the top of the music charts, Jessie has experienced success in the literary world with the release of her autobiography ‘Nice to Meet You’ and has become established as a British fashion icon. Her second album is expected for release later in the year.

Jessie J plus special guests will be performing on Friday, July 19 at the Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury in Gloucestershire.

Bandit adds 24 dealers to North American market over 24 months Mid-Michigan manufacturer Bandit Industries continues to experience rapid growth, adding three new dealer locations to the North American market in the first quarter of 2013. In the past 24 months, the company has nearly doubled sales volume while adding 180 employees and 24 new dealers in the United States and Canada.

“Having qualified dealers committed to our products – and to providing our customers with the best possible parts and service

support – was a key to our record sales year in 2012,” Bandit Industries President Jerry Morey said. “Our dealers are continuing to contribute greatly to our growth as we move through the first quarter of 2013. We have invested considerable resources over the past two years to both improve and expand our dealer network, and our customers have really noticed.

Bandit has never been so well represented, not just in the United States and Canada, but around the

world. I can’t think of a better way to start our 30th year in business.”

Bandit’s newest dealers will serve customers in Northern Florida, Southern Florida, and

Husqvarna to invest SEK1 billion in core technologies Husqvarna Group has decided to invest in a new production facility for manufacturing of chainsaw chains in Huskvarna, Sweden, where the group already manufactures professional chainsaws, brush cutters and trimmers. The group will also invest in expanded capacity for manufacturing of cylinders for two-stroke engines for chainsaws at its Nashville (US) and in Huskvarna facilities.

“The investments confirm our long-term commitment to be a global leader of handheld forestry products,” President and CEO of Husqvarna Group Hans Linnarson said. “Saw chains are critical for chainsaw performance. They are also one of the largest aftermarket product categories. Through the investment, we will leverage our technical expertise to develop, design and manufacture chains, thus optimizing the full

12 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

Central Canada. All will carry Bandit’s line of hand-fed wood chippers and stump grinders in addition to complete parts and service support. The locations will also carry Zenith chipper knives and Revolution stump grinder cutting systems available for most major chipper/stump grinder makes and models.

performance of the chainsaw. The investment will also enable us to grow our offering in the replacement part market. Several sites globally were evaluated before deciding on Huskvarna.

Critical needs were access to technical know-how, skilled labour and a strong infrastructure.”

In 2015, the new facility in Huskvarna will employ more than 100 people.

“The facilities in Nashville and Huskvarna manufacture handheld products, such as trimmers and chainsaws. By further insourcing cylinder manufacturing, we obtain better control of a core component for these products,” Linnarson said.

The investments will amount to around SEK1 billion during 20132015.

SAWPOINTS

Deere & Company among top 50 ‘Most Admired Companies’ Deere & Company has achieved a ranking among FORTUNE magazine's Top 50 Most Admired Companies for the fifth consecutive year.

Deere is ranked 40th on the Most Admired list, which is created after an assessment of more than 1,400 companies around the world and a survey of business leaders worldwide.

FORTUNE includes the largest 1,000 US companies as well as non-US companies that are ranked in FORTUNE's global 500 database with annual revenues of more than $10 billion. Topping the list this year are Apple, Google, and Amazon.com.

“Being included among the World's Most Admired Companies is testament to the dedication of Deere & Company employees around the world,” Sam Allen, Deere Chairman and CEO, said.

“Through skilful execution of our

growth strategy and operating plans, Deere employees continue to successfully serve our worldwide customers whose work is linked to the land.”

The initial ranking of the 1,400 companies comes from assessments of innovation, people management, product quality, value as a long-term investment, fiscal soundness, employee retention, social responsibility, use of assets, and global competitiveness.

This quantitative work eventually ranks companies in 57 lists of various industries. For 2013, Deere ranks second in the ‘Industrial and Farm Equipment’ category. After the quantitative work is completed, several thousand business leaders are surveyed to determine the Top 50 Most Admired.

Deere & Company is the world's leading manufacturer of

14 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

agricultural equipment as well as a leading supplier of equipment for construction, forestry and turf care. The company has

approximately 67,000 employees worldwide and reported net sales and revenues of $36.157 billion in fiscal 2012.

Australia lags in forest residues use The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) this week called on State and Federal governments to promote the opportunities for woody waste to produce more renewable energy, provided these resources are sourced from sustainably managed forests.

Speaking at FIEA’s Residues to Revenues conference in Melbourne, AFPA Strategic Policy Manager Mick Stephens said; "Australia is lagging behind much of the world in the use of woody waste from forestry and wood processing activities, resulting in potentially higher costs for emission reduction strategies and missed opportunities for value adding across the industry."

"This woody waste includes the large volumes of sawdust, shavings and bark left over from sawmill operations of which a small amount is used for low value products such as garden mulch or burned on site. A major disincentive is the exclusion of wood waste from natural forests as an eligible source of renewable energy under the Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme. This was simply a political outcome between the Government and Greens Party that was not based on the scientific evidence."

"Overseas experience from North America and Europe has demonstrated the important contribution woody biomass can make to renewable energy. The use of forestry biomass is carbonneutral, because the carbon contained in wood originates from the atmosphere as a tree grows and is released when converted to energy."

"Furthermore, the link between excess fuel loads in the forest that can contribute to large scale wildfires and renewable energy is becoming increasingly apparent at an international level. The Californian 2012 Bioenergy Action Plan, for example, has multiple goals including a reduction in the cost to the community from large scale wildfires through fuel reduction by unlocking a potential 25 million (dry) tonnes of forestry biomass per year for bioenergy production."

"Some environmental activists claim that using wood waste to produce bioenergy will increase logging activity in our natural forests. This is simply not true, as the regulatory environment for using such material is strictly regulated and the wood waste is a by-product from normal harvesting activities for sawn timber and pulp and paper production."

WORLD MARKETS

North American lumber prices on the rise The lumber market in the US really took off in late 2012 and early 2013. Lumber prices in February were more than 60% higher than in late 2011. Increased lumber production has put upward pressure on sawlog prices and in the US northwest, douglas fir sawlog prices reached a five-year high in the fourth quarter of last year, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review

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umber production in the US and Canada improved during 2012, with total output in 2012 being 8% and 5% higher, respectively, than in 2011, according to WWPA. Sawmills in the Western region have been more fortunate than mills in other regions in North America since they have been able to ship lumber both to markets in the US and to Asia.

The US housing market is continuing to improve, with higher house prices, lower inventories and limited sales of foreclosure homes (increasingly turned into rental properties). These developments have resulted in an increased number of housing starts and higher demand for lumber. Canadian sawmills, which export a majority of their lumber to the

US, have been ramping up production during 2012 to meet the higher demand for lumber. This has been particularly true for sawmills in the eastern provinces where production in the fourth quarter of 2012 was up 16% year-over-year. The US lumber price developments during 2012 and into early 2013 have been quite remarkable with the Random Length Lumber Price Index increasing by over 60% from late 2011 to March 2013. This development has been drawing the attention from sawmills far away from the North American continent.

With substantially higher prices and a predicted increase in the demand for lumber in 2013, many foreign companies hope to be able to increase shipments of lumber to the US

shores in the coming year.

The strong lumber market has pushed sawlog prices upward throughout North America. As reported in the North American Wood Fiber Review, prices for douglas-fir sawlogs in the western US reached a five-year high in the fourth quarter and prices continued upward in the first term of this year because of higher log demand both from domestic sawmills and from log buyers in Asia.

However, with the improved housing market in the US and higher lumber prices, it can be expected that sawmills will increase the consumption of logs and that the southern states will follow the rest of North America with upward trending log prices during 2013.

Fibre costs down over Americas Lower pulp prices during last summer and an increased supply of sawmill chips put downward pressure on pulpwood prices in North America and Latin America in the fourth quarter last year, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly. The biggest declines occurred in the western US, British Columbia and Brazil

Wood fibre prices trended downward in the local currencies in many of the key pulp-producing countries of the world in the fourth quarter. However, as a result of the weakening US dollar, wood fibre prices actually increased in US dollar terms in a number countries and the Softwood Wood Fibre Price Index (SFPI) was up slightly (+0.1%) in the fourth quarter last year to $100.13/odmt. The biggest increases from the third quarter to the fourth quarter occurred in Eastern Canada, Finland, France and New Zealand, according to the WRQ. The price declines in the local currencies were mainly the result of an increased supply of softwood fibre in regions with extensive lumber production. In

16 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

the US northwest, chip prices fell as much as 27% during 2012 and pulp mills in the region had some of the lowest softwood fibre costs in the world in the fourth quarter.

Additional volumes of residual chips from increased lumber production, reductions in pulp production and pulpmill outages, and large supplies of pulplogs were all factors that contributed to the dramatic turnaround in fibre costs during 2012. A similar trend was seen in Western Canada, where prices in the fourth quarter were down 22% from late 2011, reaching their lowest levels in three years.

Hardwood fibre price movements were mixed, with hardwood pulplog prices generally trending downward in many of the

key hardwood pulp-producing regions in both local currencies and in US dollar terms. This resulted in a decline in the Hardwood Wood Fiber Price Index (HFPI) to $104.80/odmt in the fourth quarter. This was down 1.5% from the previous quarter and 7.8% from the fourth quarter of 2011.

The biggest decline in hardwood fibre prices occurred in Brazil where Eucalyptus log prices have fallen continuously for over a year from early 2011, when they were at their all-time highs. In the fourth quarter of last year, prices in US dollar terms were back down to same levels as where they were in early 2009. Few regions in the world currently have lower hardwood costs than Brazil.

WORLD MARKETS

Private funds to flow into Brazilian plantations The Strategic Affairs Secretariat (SAE) of the Brazilian government is developing ideas on mechanisms to stimulate more private financing in the forest sector, according to the ITTO’s Tropical Timber Market Report

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he SAE is investigating a variety of models appropriate for the long term investment that is necessary for plantation development.

The organisation says that it is necessary to identify or develop a credit mechanism offering a grace period for repayments for borrowers. At the same time the SAE recognises that there is a need to provide guarantees to investors since plantation development requires substantial investment for periods that can range from 7-35 years before income is generated.

The SAE Secretariat for Sustainable Development has held a series of meetings with financial analysts to assess options for financial instruments related to private financing for forest plantations.

According to an SAE advisor, at present there are a variety of financial models being applied in the agricultural sector but these often only address the short-term financing needs for agricultural crops. The key difference between the agricultural and forest plantation sectors is the time until

harvesting generates income.

A research program will be undertaken on possible private investment financing models for the development of forest plantations in Brazil. The aim of the SAE is that a new financing model should be included in a National Policy for Planted Forests, which is also being formulated by the group.

Alagoas State to ensure growth of furniture cluster The Alagoas State Planning and Economic Development Secretariat (SEPLANDE) recently met with representatives of Arapiraca’s local government, the Brazilian Service Support for Micro and Small Enterprises (SEBRAE) of Alagoas and the steering committee for the development of the furniture industry in the Agreste region to discuss ways to expand the furniture industry cluster in Arapiraca.

Through such a meeting the partnership between the state and the manufacturing sector is strengthened.

18 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

The State has invested resources to support the promotion of a furniture manufacturing cluster in the region and emphasised the need for effective participation of entrepreneurs in the management of activities in support of the cluster. Currently, the Agreste Furniture Industry Association (Amagre) is taking the lead in this undertaking.

The furniture cluster in this region has grown in recent years with the support of local and state governments and now extends to an area of 96,000 m2 with 45 plots

for micro-enterprises.

Many micro-industries cannot afford to invest in their own storage buildings and, to address this, a building will be provided through a partnership between the Arapiraca local government and the State Government.

The building of the community storage capacity will, it is hoped, encourage more small companies to the cluster and will result in greater employment opportunities in the municipality of Arapiraca, State of Alagoas, located in the Northeast Brazil.

German lumber production down in 2012 With production of almost 20 million m3 in 2012, the German sawmill industry produced roughly 8% less lumber than it had in 2011. The association DSH from Berlin reports that domestic consumption also declined parallel to the lower level of lumber production, with consumption at 17.3 million m3 . The DSH attributes the decline primarily to lower demand from the building sector and reduction of stocks by the trade and further-processing businesses. In contrast, the packaging sector maintained its previous buying level. On account of high pressure on prices and volumes on the most important sales markets, the decline on the domestic market was not compensated for by higher exports. For sawmills, the profit situation on the softwood market therefore remains alarming.

Source: EUWID

WORLD MARKETS

SP Maskiner strikes gold in South America

S

P Maskiner have signed it's largest single order ever.

The order is for 30 units of the harvester head model SP 591 LX G2 which is especially designed and developed for harvesting and debarking of plantation grown eucalyptus. SP 591 LX G2 is a further development of its predecessor, the SP 591 LX, and offers a variety of important improvements affecting both the debarking efficiency, productivity as well as its reliability and running costs.

Anders Gannerud, SP Export Manager

SP received the order through it's Brazilian dealer Tracbel who is one of the largest and most successful heavy equipment dealers in Brazil. Besides SP, Tracbel also represents renowned brands such as for example Volvo CE and Tigercat. The company purchasing the SP 591 LX G2 harvester heads is Suzano Papel e Celulose, one of the largest producers of eucalyptus pulp in the world.

The SP 591 LX G2 harvester heads will be installed on Tigercat H845C base machines. The harvesting units will be used to supply a completely new pulp mill currently being built by Suzano, located in the northern state of Maranhão Brazil, with raw material for the production of pulp for paper. The mill will need a monthly supply of 300,000 m³ of raw material during

20 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

the first phase in 2013. In 2014 the monthly need will rise up to 500,000 m³. At present around 10,000 workers are busy finalizing the pulp mill which is estimated to be started up at the end of 2013.

The mill will have an annual production capacity of 1.5 million tons of eucalyptus pulp.

“For SP the order is strategically

very important for the future since we by signing this order will have a great opportunity to both establish our brand as well as to reach substantial future sales on the large and very important Brazilian market”, says Anders Gannerud, Export Manager at SP Maskiner.

WORLD MARKETS

China Wood markets: a North American perspective China’s hunger for wood was less acute in 2012 than the previous year. In particular importation of softwood logs fell substantially from the record levels of 2011, as reported by the Wood Resource Quarterly. Importation of lumber was also lower in 2012, but the decline was much less than that of logs. The biggest changes in China’s wood imports from 2011 to 2012 were the sharp decline of Russian logs crossing the Chinese border and the reduced lumber volumes from the US lumber entering Chinese ports.

North America is a major supplier of softwood products to China, with the market share for logs and lumber in January 2013, accounting for 26% and 53%, respectively. In 2012, Canada and the US exported logs and lumber valued at $2.1 billion, which was down 17% from 2011. Despite the decline in shipments last year, it was still the second highest level on record and more than four times the level just three years earlier.

British Columbia sawmills had become the largest suppliers of lumber to China in recent years, surpassing Russia in 2010. The value of Canadian shipments was about $1.1 billion dollars in both 2011 and 2012, and the value is likely to be higher in 2013. Just five years ago, less than $100 million worth of lumber was shipped to China.

This new market has become increasingly important for many sawmills in Western Canada, which historically have been shipped most of their production to the US market. Five years ago, about 10% of the export volumes from the province were destined for China. This share had gone up to 32% in 2012. The still unanswered question is how sawmills in this region will choose to allocate their production in the coming years when lumber demand is expected to increase in the US. Log exports from Western US to China have jumped 10-fold the past five years, which has had a major impact on the Coastal log market in the states of Washington and Oregon. Despite relatively low production levels in the industry the past five years, sawlog prices in the fourth quarter of last year were about 60% higher than in 2009, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review. This development coincides with the period when log exports to China expanded rapidly. Although lumber price increases are good news for sawmills in the Western states during 2012 and early 2013, the bad news is that the log prices are increasingly as well.

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 21

WORLD MARKETS

Chinese influence on NZ log prices continues Log prices have continued to rise in China, though this is a slower and more steady rise than what was seen in 2011. A-grade logs are now fetching $140/JAS and industrial K-grade is at $127/JAS. This is around 6-8% above prices this time last year, and though it is still around 6-8% lower than in 2011, the volumes being shipped are around 40% higher than this time the last two years, and so the total value of exports is rising.

Volumes of exports are remaining very high and production in New Zealand is going flat out, though with offport takings in China stopping for the Chinese New Year this is leading to port inventories rising steadily. With more stock on port in China there will be caution around pushing prices up to far as it may curb the high volumes being exported. If log prices get too high, the concern is that there

Wood pellet market outlook looks bright Global wood pellet consumption forecasts to 2020 vary greatly.

Depending on the source, market growth for wood pellets is projected to grow by 200–300% from 2012 to 2020, rising from 16 Mt to 40–50 Mt. For the four key global consumption regions forecasts indicate that Europe will remain the major market at about 25-30 Mt in 2020 (versus 12 Mt in 2010).

An important market change during the next eight years is the huge consumption growth forecast for the Asian market by 2020: from less than a 1 Mt in 2010, it is expected to rise to about 15 Mt in 2020.

As global wood pellet output continues to increase, it is clear the low-cost production regions are becoming the major source of pellet exports. Which regions will

evolve to supply each of the rapidly growing export markets will depend to a great extent on the competitiveness of the two major cost components of every pellet manufacturing plant; the cost of raw material delivered to the plant and chipped/dried into small particles; and transportation and logistics costs to market.

Further updates on wood pellets and other options for woody biomass utilization are being covered in this regions twoyearly technology update, www.woodresidues events.com that ran in both New Zealand and Australia in mid-April. Full details on both programmes can be found on the website.

Source: International WOOD Markets Group, www.woodmarkets.com

22 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

will be price spikes and associated drops.

This will cause increased volatility and price swings. Slow steady price increases are better for the New Zealand export market. High prices may also have the effect of increasing competition for supply as it will draw higher volumes from the Pacific North West and Russia.

Previously prices of around $140145/JAS would start to draw

further supply from Canada, though this may not be the case due to more competition with the US for Canadian wood.

North Island • Domestic: Pruned Grades are up • Export: Unpruned grades are up.

South Island • Domestic: Flat • Export: Unpruned grades are up.

Source: NZX Agrifax at www.nzxagri.com/agrifax

Finnish exports up in 2012 Finnish exports of softwood lumber and planed products in December 2012 were 6.5% higher than the reference figure for the year before at a total of 526,000 m3 after a reduction of almost 3% had been recorded for the previous month. Exports to buyers within Europe were only raised

slightly in December by just under 2% to 164,000 m3 . Here, deliveries to France were stepped up by almost 14% and those to Germany by roughly 19%. In contrast, the volume of softwood lumber sold to the UK dropped by almost 20% to 37,000 m3.

Source: EUWID

Timber Regulation entered into application On March 3, the European Regulation 955/2010 (known as Timber Regulation) entered into application; it applies to timber and all timber products, including paper. The main goal is to ensure the legal origin of all timber and derived products, which are imported and/or traded for the first time within the European Union’s borders.

The regulation applies to whoever places timber and/or timber products on the European market for the first time

(‘operators’) and prohibits the introduction and trade of illegally harvested timber; operators will have to exercise a Due Diligence System in order to mitigate the risk of illegally harvested timber products by means of a risk analysis and mitigation approach.

Moreover, the Regulation provides an obligation of traceability for whoever trades within the European market, by keeping record of information referred to suppliers and customers involved.

Maintaining quality

Keeping foreign material out and chip quality up remains the focus of chipper manufactures as Editor Chris Cann found out The Bandit 2590 24 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

CHIPPERS

W

ith Ligna and Elmia Wood upon us, the battle for supremacy in the chipping sector is reaching fever pitch. The sub-sector has surged forward despite the shift away from green energy in many struggling economies. Emissions targets have remained in place,

demand for chips (and pellets) is high, and manufacturers are competing to provide the array of producing companies.

The focus in this year’s Chippers feature looks at chip quality as the primary target for the latest models of chipper, along with the standard aims of

easy maintenance and the rejection of foreign material to name a couple.

In recent years, there has been increasing utilisation of smaller diameter stems. The downturn in the housing market has reduced availability of sawmill residuals.

Both of these factors have

contributed to an increasing interest in the use of small, low quality round wood to produce fuel pellets. High fuel oil prices, coupled with an increasing demand for pellets have spurred significant growth in the pellet industry. Acrowood has used it’s experience in chipper

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 25

CHIPPERS manufacturing and focused on the production of small chips for the pellet industry.

“High quality chips can be defined as any chip that is compliant with the current standards and regulations,” according to Italian manufacturer Pezzolato. “Such chips are obtained with a sharp-cut, to produce a proper size with no fraying and free from fine particles and dust. Oversize pieces should also be rare.”

“Producing high quality chips means to be able to answer any market request, sometimes even earning more money – it is in fact applicable for both serving markets including home boilers, cogeneration power plants, gassifiers, pellets production plants, panels factories, paper mills and so on.”

The manufacturer points out that to access all the these markets, a company needs a consistently high quality chip. The medium and small size biomass home boilers, for example, must necessarily be fed with calibrated small size chips, since they are generally equipped with an automatic feeding system with collecting screw.

Pezzolato drum chipper cutting technology produces prime quality chips derived from not only logs but from branches, sawmill wastes and low-value material as well.

The Pezzolato cutting system is comprised of: a closed drum equipped with blades, a whole drum axis, a counter-blade, and an interchangeable output sieving grid for chip calibration.

This system, which so far has been mounted mainly on industrial stationary chippers, guarantees regular chips regardless of the material being cut. The closed drum guarantees a constant cutting length.

Once the distance between the blade and the drum (i.e. the cutting length) is set, the material is always cut to the same size each time the blade passes, thus ensuring high quality chips even when derived from branches or byproducts.

A large blade negates the presence of dust and fine particles in the chips. Pezzolato drum chippers cut sharp material with

The Pezzolato drum chippers ensure a good quality chip to service various markets

two blades, which are as long as the whole drum axis. This technology guarantees the production of high quality chips because the material is subject to the action of the blades and immediately passes through the calibrating sieving grid.

The ‘multi-blades’ cutting system chipper commonly on the market produce a high percentage of fine particles, since they engrave the wood in several steps and parts. Moreover, the oversize cut material is forced to run several times through the chipping chamber before passing through the calibrating grid, thus generating a lot of dust.

Pezzolato drums can be

This system, which so far has been mounted mainly on industrial stationary chippers, guarantees regular chips regardless of the material being cut – Pezzolato

provided with two different blades.

• Standard: the traditional blade that has always been mounted on Pezzolato drum chippers. It allows setting different cutting lengths and is easy to replace. It

The input for Pezzolato chippers can come from a variety of sources

26 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

can be sharpened up to 20 times and is applicable to a special drum for producing extra size chips.

• Quick & Smart: provided with a revolutionary fixing system, it is fixed directly to the drum, is

CHIPPERS easy to handle and quick to replace. It costs 30% less than a traditional blade (to buy and to maintain), and it can be sharpened up to three times.

The chipper can be supplied with a collapsible counter-blade mounted on a running slide and secured with adjusted shear bolts.

Whenever a hard body is accidentally entered into the chipper, the bolts are sheared and the counter-blade falls down, so that the foreign body exits before causing damage.

Our second generation of the Vermeer whole-tree chipper, the WC2300XL, has the same amount of power as our first generation

The Vermeer WC2300XL whole tree chipper, but has more bite for when working in more challenging material thanks to its enhanced infeed,” Vermeer said.

“By increasing the infeed roller diameter to 28 in (71.1 cm) the WC2300XL offers superior productivity whether working in slash or logs up to 23 in (58.4 cm) in diameter. Running material through the WC2300XL is easy and efficient, due to its variable-speed dual infeed conveyor chains, conveyor head pulley with integral grip bars and aggressive infeed roller with crush capability.

Peterson Pacific Corporation from Eugene, Oregon, has been manufacturing chipping equipment for pulp and paper production as well as biomass applications since 1991. With a full line of flails, disc, and drum chippers, Peterson’s diverse product line can suit most any chipping application.

Whole tree processors The Peterson 5000H delimber debarker disc chipper produces high quality low bark content chips for wood pulp and pellets, processing whole trees in one continuous operation. The large feed throat can accept up to a 56 cm (23 in) diameter tree or multiple smaller stems.

The standard three-pocket disc can produce chips from 16-32 mm (5⁄8 to 11⁄4in) long, while the optional four-pocket disc can produce chips from 13-25 mm (1⁄2to 1 in) long.

Chipping production rates up to 90 t/h can be achieved, depending on chip size and wood characteristics.

For operations that need even more production, or are chipping larger diameter feed stock, the Peterson 7900EL disc chipper is designed for high volume operations that require the ability to chip large diameter feedstock or multiple stems.

28 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

The largest disc chipper that Peterson has built to date, the 7900EL has the ability the produce chips from 6-32 mm (1⁄4 to 11⁄4 in).

When low bark or ash content is a requirement, the 7900EL can be paired with the Peterson 6830 Debarker. The extended deck of the 7900EL feeds the large feed throat capable of accepting up to a 76 cm (30 in) diameter trees, or multiple smaller stems.

Powered by a fully enclosed Caterpillar C32 engine rated at 1125 hp (839 kW), the 7900EL easily has the power to chip the largest diameter feedstock. A hydraulic clutch transfers the power to the massive 218 cm (86 in) diameter, 121 mm (4 in) thick, five-knife chipper disc equipped with replaceable wear liners.

When paired with a Peterson 6830 Debarker, the 7900EL is the

ultimate in-field clean chipping plant.

Flails Continuing Peterson’s long history of innovation, the 4800F is a sixth generation design that has the features that clean chip operations demand. The Peterson 4800F multiple log delimber/debarker is designed to be used in tandem with a Peterson 5900E disc chipper to produce high quality pulp chips.

Capable of processing multiple logs from 5-58 cm (2 to 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 4/Stage III B engine, the 4800F meets all US, Canadian, and European Union emission

Peterson in action in South America last year

CHIPPERS (a fourth flail is also available as an option). The two lower flails are fixed in location, and the upper flails float to match the log diameter. The 10-link flail chain is easily replaced through access doors.

Drum chippers

The Peterson 4310B chipper regulations.

The 4800F features upper and lower flails (similar to Peterson’s 5000H whole tree chipper), direct drive lower in-feed and out-feed rolls, and floating direct drive upper feed roll. The bark pusher has been redesigned and is now

1.5 m (5 ft) wide.

For operations needing even more production, the Peterson 6830 debarker is a dedicated chain flail debarking machine designed for long-stem chipping operations that require low bark or ash content. Designed for

multiple stems, or trees up to 76 mm (30 in) in diameter, the 6830 quickly and effectively debarks even the hardest feedstock.

Powered by a fully enclosed Caterpillar C18 engine rated at 765 hp (570 kW), the 6830 has the power to drive the three fail drums

Peterson’s 4300-series drum chippers are suited for high volume biomass producers who have a wide variety of feed material from brush and small feed stock to logs up to 61 cm (24 in) in diameter. The drum chippers are available in either a rubber tired, or tracked model depending on customer needs.

The 4300-machines are powered by a 765 hp (570 kW) C18 Caterpillar engine. The chipper utilises a diameter by 91 x 114 cm (36 x 443⁄4in) wide drum with either six or 12 knife pockets.

Traditional babbitt type knife systems are standard equipment.

Chip length can be set from 3-32 mm (1⁄8 to 11⁄4in) depending on rotor and knife configuration.

Other key features include a hydraulic clutch, sloped feed deck

“For operations that need even more production, or are chipping larger diameter feed stock, the Peterson 7900EL disc chipper is designed for high volume operations that require the ability to chip large diameter feedstock or multiple stems.�

The 7900E

30 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

The Peterson 7900EL in Chile APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 31

CHIPPERS The Peterson 6830

for ease of feeding the chipper, and wear resistant AR 400 wear surfaces on the drum pockets and shell. Optional material sizing grates further reduce oversize twigs and branches in the chips, and an optional chip accelerator helps with loading. The end load spout is standard, and an optional top loading spout is available.

Michigan-based Bandit Industries is celebrating 30 years of business through 2013, and much of that success stems directly from the company’s continually evolving line of large equipment for the forestry sector.

Whole tree chippers are the traditional machines of choice for loggers looking to process tops and slash, but many logging operations now supplement their chipper with a Beast horizontal grinder. These extremely versatile machines can be configured to produce mulch or dimensional chips to meet any size requirements for biomass boilers, and the durable, patented cuttermill is more suited to processing dirty or contaminated material that could damage a whole tree chipper. Bandit’s nextgeneration forestry mowers are also becoming a valuable, multifunctional tool for loggers. These advanced, all-terrain machines feature durable mower heads that can single handedly perform multiple tree take-downs, mulching, and below-ground

stump grinding.

Whole tree chippers remain the primary machines for loggers processing tops and slash—especially with the continued global expansion of biomass energy—and Bandit has always maintained a bold, industry-leading presence in this market. Bandit currently offers no less than nine whole tree chipper models, disc or drum style, with chipping capacities ranging from 450 mm (18 in) up to 900 mm (36 in) in diameter and engine options over 1000 hp.

Bandit pioneered the selfpropelled chipper market by introducing the industry’s first track whole tree chipper in 1990, and the company continues to dominate the segment by offering self-propelled track undercarriages as an option for every Bandit whole tree chipper.

The most popular whole tree chipper in Bandit’s lineup is the Model 2590. It is rated as a 22inch capacity machine, but it features a large 261⁄2- by 30-inch throat opening to easily accept bulky, awkward material.

Additional engine options up to 540 hp and features like over-thetop discharge chutes have added to the capability of this impressive chipper, giving it an unbeatable combination of manoeuvrability, performance, and value.

The popularity also stems from

32 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

The Peterson 5000H chipper goes to work in Chile three key advantages that all Bandit chippers have over the competition – efficiency, productivity and longevity. It all starts at Bandit headquarters, where high-strength steel and heavy-duty components come together with extensive welded construction as opposed to bolttogether assembly. This creates a stronger chipper that’s less prone to vibration, ensuring the machine has the longevity to withstand the rigours of the job for years to

come.

Bandit’s patented Slide Box Feed System is designed to move straight up and down with the flow of material entering the chipper, providing direct down pressure to grip, pull, compress and crush large limbs, wide crotches and irregular shaped trees. On the Model 2590, it works in conjunction with a 900 mm (36 in) long by 675 mm (27 in) diameter top horizontal feed wheel and a 900 mm (36 in) long

The Bandit 2590 on brush

CHIPPERS

The 2590 on full trees by 260 mm (10 5/8 in) diameter bottom wheel. Powerful hydraulic motors drive these wheels to deliver not just adequate, but excessive feeding power that Bandit machines are known for.

The Model 2590 uses Bandit’s proven 925 mm (37 in) diameter

reinforced chipping drum with six knife pockets. Bandit drums have always been built big and tough – the drum skin is one-inch thick and uses extensive internal baffling, which is why Bandit drum failures are virtually non-existent.

Bandit has used this tried-and-

true design for years; the larger drum makes for smoother, more efficient chipping with less machine vibration while creating a high-quality, dimensional chip ideal for biomass boilers. Knife life is also exceptional on these machines, with some operators

throwing 1000 tons of material between sharpening. This amazing drum is also the basis for Bandit’s industry-leading five-year ‘GUTS’ warranty, which covers all internal components including the drum and feed system.

Proprietary designs in the drum housing and discharge chute help ensure material is forcibly sent out as quickly as it comes in.

Depending on the material being chipped, the Model 2590 running a 540 hp CAT C15 can easily load a 40 t van in about 20 minutes.

For 30 years, logging and tree care professionals have trusted Bandit for hard working equipment. Whether it’s a Model 1850 Track disc-style chipper working in the mountains, a Model 3590XL drum-style chipper processing large trees in a thinning operation, or the midrange Model 2590 packing trailers with biomass chips, Bandit continues to be the chipper manufacturer of choice for professionals around the world.

The location doesn’t matter. The

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 33

CHIPPERS helps extend machine life • An operator can choose whether to use double-edged cutter knives or babbitted single-edge cutter knives, to best suit the job conditions.

The crane fed Heizohack chippers

by Heizomat can cope with all types of wood such as slab wood, sawmill waste, brash and biomass, logs or entire trees with a diameter of up to about 500 mm (20 in) and short pieces up to a diameter of about 800 mm (32 in).

By varying the quickly interchangeable sieves, woodchips of all sizes and grades Vermeer WC2300XL

The Heizohack 400 series terrain doesn’t matter. With nine whole tree chippers, four Beast horizontal grinders and four forestry mowers to choose from, Bandit offers an exact solution for any job.

“Our second generation of the Vermeer whole-tree chipper, the WC2300XL, has the same amount of power as our first generation whole tree chipper, but has more bite for when working in more challenging material thanks to its enhanced infeed,” Vermeer said.

“By increasing the infeed roller diameter to 28 in (71.1 cm) the WC2300XL offers superior productivity whether working in slash or logs up to 23 in (58.4 cm) in diameter. Running material through the WC2300XL is easy and efficient, due to its variable-speed dual infeed conveyor chains, conveyor head pulley with integral grip bars and aggressive infeed roller with crush capability.”

Features and benefits • The WC2300XL features an infeed system that includes variable-speed dual infeed conveyor chains, conveyor head pulley with integral grip bars, sloped infeed table and aggressive diameter infeed roller with crush capability. These provide efficient feeding of difficult material types, reducing the number of times an operator has to handle the material • High wear material flow areas of the machine, such as drum knife pockets, discharge chute, cutter housing and infeed conveyor floor are designed with replaceable wear parts. This 34 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

can be achieved. Due to recent developments, logs of almost any diameter can now be chipped.

The reason for this is a cone cutter, which can be fitted to both the tandem chassis and the Mercedes truck for the Heizohack chippers. In comparison with conventional log splitters, the greatest advantage of cone cutters is that they can be used to split logs with a significantly larger trunk diameter. The concept of the easy to drive drum chipper rotor with a large flywheel to create draft and chip discharge, therefore, remains unchanged. It is also particularly advantageous that, after cone splitting, even larger trunks can be reduced to wood chips in the usual way with an efficient and low power consumption.

Heizomat offers a powerful, self-propelled professional chipper in the HM 14-800 KL. A 324 kW (430 hp) Mercedes Benz Actros 3344 AK Euro 5 with 6x6 all-wheel drive is used as a base vehicle. The control of the entire chipper takes place inside the fully air-conditioned cab, which has a comfortable rotary seat for

CHIPPERS

Heizohack HM14-880k the machine operator. The window for the operator is made from bulletproof glass. Auxiliary functions such as raising and lowering the in-feed table, adjusting the height of the discharge chute and rotation as well as the operation of the chute end flap can be additionally controlled via remote control. This is particularly helpful when containers are being filled by a second person.

The powerful in-feed process is achieved via a combination of a toothed in-feed roller above, and a similarly toothed in-feed chain belt below, an assistor roller on

the outer edge of the in-feed table helps longer lengths of timber into feed table. It is also optionally available to have an additional infeed chain belt integrated into the in-feed table. All in-feed mechanisms are hydraulically powered. The in-feed table can also be simply lifted hydraulically and even used as a hopper during chipping.

The drive of the drum chipper rotor takes place via the highly elastic V-belt intermediate transmission, powered by the auxiliary drive (PTO) of the Mercedes Actros 3344 which can then utilise maximum engine

torque. The 14 quick change wear blades located on the chipper rotor are staggered radially around the chip rotor and can be easily sharpened in their fitted state, without being removed, using an angle grinder.

The shear bar of the crane-feed Heizohack chippers can be delivered as a one-piece shear bar, as standard. As an optional extra, instead of a one-piece shear bar, a multi-piece shear bar can also be used. By using this new optional multi-piece shear bar system, which is new to Heizohack, not only is the maintenance interval of the blades extended, but also the

maintenance and care of the machine is simplified.

The varying size of the wood chips can be achieved by either simply adjusted in-feeding speed or by changing the quickly replaceable sieve. The use of the sieve additionally provides chip of uniform size and more or less eliminates slithers and large pieces.

Using the remote control, the in-feed speed and the direction of both in-feed components can be reversed independently of one another. The HE002 electrical control of the chipper has a userfriendly, load dependant no-stress device, the parameters can be easily changed for different types of timber and varying tractor or engine hp the HE002 control also has two hour counters current chipping session hours and a total operating hour’s counters. There are also other readouts achievable from the HE002 control for monitoring and on-board diagnosis.

An Epsilon Palfinger M70F101 Timber Loading crane is used for the feeding of the HM 14-800 KL Heizohack chipper. The Prof 1 joysticks made by Sauer-Danfoss are used for its operation.

In addition to the crane-feed chippers, Heizomat also manufactures a variety of smaller, hand-feed Heizomat chippers.

These chippers are primarily used by landscape gardeners, local authorities, machinery syndicates or village communities. However, these machines are also ideally

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 35

CHIPPERS suited to the commercial creation of wood chips. Just as with the larger crane-feed chippers by Heizomat, the hand fed series will handle all types of wood such as slab wood, sawmill waste, brash and biomass, logs or entire trees a diameter of up to 300 mm (12 in) or 400 mm (16 in), depending on the model.

The in-feed system of the hand-fed chippers relies on the same combination of hydraulically driven in-feed roller and lower feed chain as the crane fed units above.

These compact Heizohack chippers are also equipped with an easy to drive chipper rotor. This makes effortless operation possible even with minimal available drive power and fuel consumption is reduced. The drive can be via a PTO shaft, a static diesel engine or, for stationary use e.g. in a saw mill, via a 3-phase electric motor.

The supply of the hydraulic power for the infeed system is all via integral on-board hydraulics.

No external oil supply is required.

The size of the wood chips can be influenced by the individually adjustable in-feed speed as well as by the simple to replace sieve.

The discharge of large pieces is also prevented by the sieve.

The shear bar can be used on four sides and the quick change wear blades can be sharpened in their fitted state.

The feed hopper and the discharge chute can be folded away on the standard machine the lifting of which are assisted with a gaspressure damper. Since last year the 400 series chippers have been capable of being equipped with a hydraulic height-adjustable discharge chute. The discharge height can be set from between about 2.9 m to 4.10 m.

Operation takes place using a hand pump via a double action

Maintenance on the Terex chippers is made easy

hydraulic cylinder.

Discharge chute rotation and end flap adjustment are possible via remote control, if required. In this case, the drive takes place via an electric motor for the chute rotation and a linear actuator for the end flap.

The feeding speed can be adjusted via a flow divider and the direction of the infeed can be reversed via the in-feed safety bar.

The same HE002

Terex Environmental Equipment manufactures a comprehensive line of biomass whole tree chippers. The Terex biomass chipper 400 series has three different models and supports customers from biomass plants, logging operations, sawmills, forest services, site clearing and land development.

Kris Snyder, Terex Environmental Equipment’s Biomass Sales Manager:

The Terex biomass chipper 430 can produce up to 80 t/h of quality biomass and is able to accept short end cuts up to 750 mm (30 in) in diameter – Terex electrical control is used as in the crane-feed machines.

“The machine is equipped with an in-feed safety stop system for hand-feeding and is the only hand-feed chipper that carries the GS approval mark for tested safety from the gardening trade organisation,” the company said.

36 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

“What sets Terex biomass chippers apart from other manufacturers is the drum in the 400 series. These are the largest diameter in the industry, which helps improve efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.”

The heart of the Terex TBC 400 series chippers is the massive 125 mm (50 in)

The TBC 460 on average can fill a 15.8 m (52 ft) chip van in about 8 minutes

CHIPPERS

The TBC 460 on average can fill a 15.8 m (52 ft) chip van in about 8 minutes diameter drum in all three models. This drum has a 25 mm (1 in) drum skin, full pocket cutting surface, and bolt in replaceable wear parts. This drum gives Terex TBC 400 series chippers a mechanical advantage in cutting attack angle, wear, longevity, kinetic energy, and fuel efficiency.

“The large in-feed system and opening enables efficient feed of slash, limbs, short wood, and whole trees. Terex chippers use a full knife pocket across the face of the drum to produce superior high quality chip and faster load times,” Snyder.

Terex biomass whole tree chippers are simply designed with fewer moving parts. With our durable heavy duty construction and powder coat paint process our products are robust to work in any logging environment.

Terex biomass chippers have pressure compensated hydraulics with simple componentry. The machine and hydraulics are controlled by the Terex Eaton FX control system that monitors and diagnoses the machines operating functions. Terex has also designed-in manual hydraulic overrides that can be operated without the computer. These industry leading designs make maintenance and serviceability of our products much easier, reducing our customers operating costs and down time.

Standard features include a computer control hydraulic feed system, full knife

pocket drum for chip quality, heavy duty 125 mm (50 in) diameter chipping drum, which is designed to run at a lower rpm giving minimal vibration, and a high torque reverse pivot feed system for ease of loading.

Optional features include a two, three or four knife pocket drum, screen option for chip sizing, 300° discharge for chip placement on right ways.

Available in two configurations; the standard tow behind or track driven.

Both can be equipped with optional knuckle boom loaders and or screen and blower system.

The Terex biomass chipper 430 can produce up to 80 t/h of quality biomass and is able to accept short end cuts up to 750 mm (30 in) in diameter. The TBC 430 cuts with a 125 mm (50 in) diameter by 750 mm (30 in) wide drum and turns at 700 rpms for smoother cutting and less wear and tear on the machine.

The Terex biomass chipper 440 can produce up to 160 t/h of quality biomass. The full knife pocket reduces overs and stringers made by the voids left when stagger knives systems pass by the anvil. It cuts with a 125 mm (50 in) diameter by 112 mm (45 in) wide full pocket cutting drum. Two, three and four knife pocket drums are available to give producers their perfect chip.

The TBC 460 is capable of producing 250 t/h of biomass. Some 800-1200 hp Cat engines are offered on this unit. The chipper drum is 125 mm (50 in) diameter by 150 mm (60 in) wide. On

average it can fill a 15.8 m (52 ft) chip van in about 8 minutes.

Standard features of the TBC 460 include: dual front stabiliser legs, electronic clutch, reverse pivot feed system, tri axles with air brakes, bolt in replaceable wear items, and the Terex Eaton FX control system.

Available as a standard fifth wheel towable unit or a track driven unit, each model is offered with a cab and loader option. To facilitate top loading the TBC 460 can be equipped with a folding discharge chute.

Our products are designed to be durable, dependable and with our excellent customer support we deliver equipment that works for you.

Acrowood has long been known as a chipper manufacturer. From 105 mm (42 in) diameter disc rechippers to 437.5 mm (175 in) diameter whole log chippers, Acrowood and its predecessors, Black Clawson and Sumner Iron Works, have supplied chippers and forest products equipment for over 100 years. “Since the 1970s, our slant disc chippers have seen wide spread acceptance and use in waste wood chipping applications,” the manufacturer said.

In recent years, there has been increasing utilisation of smaller diameter stems. The downturn in the housing market has reduced availability of sawmill residuals. Both of these factors have contributed to an increasing interest in the use of small, low quality

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 37

CHIPPERS

Acrowood produced ‘mini chips’ The Acrowood slant chipper round wood to produce fuel pellets. High fuel oil prices, coupled with an increasing demand for pellets have spurred significant growth in the pellet industry. Acrowood has used it’s experience in chipper manufacturing and focused on the production of small chips for the pellet industry.

Producing smaller chips using a disc chipper reduces the horsepower required for the primary breakdown of the logs.

The smaller chips are dried more easily and require less milling to

be converted into a size suitable for pellet production.

Acrowood slant disc chippers have been producing mini-chips commercially since 2008. Pulp chip applications of slant disc chippers have been in operation since 1979.

When configured to cut a small chip length, a slant disc chipper produces uniformly small chips.

The following photos compare the 1 ⁄4" chips from the test centre chipper with those from a production chipper running a 3⁄8" chip length with a worn anvil.

The chips produced by both chip lengths were consistently thin and maintained roughly the same thickness to length ratio that is typically found in larger pulp chips produced by a disc chipper. Both 1⁄4" and 3⁄8" chip samples were reviewed by a dryer manufacturer who indicated that either size would work well in their dryer. The very few overs present in either chip sample were still thin and would pose no problem for drying. A rotary screen with single deck could also be used to remove the largest overs.

The Acrowood slant disc chipper has long been used to efficiently reduce wastewood from sawmills, producing high quality pulp chips from sawmill residues.

Typically fed using a vibrating pan conveyor in waste wood chipping applications, the chipper is selffeeding and requires no powered feedworks.

Many chipper manufacturers believe that in order to manufacture micro-chips, a proven and reliable chipper for conventional chips only needs to be set up to cut a small size chip.

This thinking comes from their experience making conventionalchip chippers for the pulp and paper industry. What these suppliers fail to recognise is that cost effectively making true microchips is far more difficult and complex than this.

Because of CEM machine’s extensive knowledge of chipmaking, CEM recognised immediately that true micro-chips form and behave differently in many ways from conventional chips. CEM therefore invested in researching and developing new patented technology for efficiently

38 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

producing true micro-chips specifically for the pellet and biomass industries.

“Largely because the primary end product of bio-energy processes is an energy source, the total energy and biomass consumed in producing the system’s end product becomes critical in the entire process’ competitiveness,” the manufacturer stated. “While clearly only energy-positive systems can survive, those which are more energy positive will outsurvive others in market hard times.”

While making micro-chips from logs requires more energy than making conventional chips from logs, it is well known that refining conventional sized chips to microchips through the use of reducing machines requires substantially more total process energy, unnecessarily creating fines and dust, which often become biomass system losses.

Such inefficiency and cost can rarely be borne by most bioenergy processes, as the additional processing machinery carries with it problems associated with the equipment’s initial cost, wear, and maintenance (e.g. replacement of wearing parts such as hammers and knives) and invariably results in lower system uptimes and increased total energy consumption.

The preparation process that will survive when others do not, will in a single cut, substantially reduce a whole log to a small particle size such that only minimal additional processing and energy are needed to refine the chip, for instance, to drying mill feedstock.

“Anyone entering into a biofuel business needs to investigate why CEM’s equipment and the microchips it produces is the best solution for this process.”

GreenMech continues to be a leader in innovative technology for the arboricultural industry with the introduction of its Arborist range of 150 mm (6 in) hydraulic wood chippers. The series of two road-tows and one tracked unit have each been engineered to meet the tough demands of

CHIPPERS

CEM – The total energy consumption is reduced by producing microchips from logs today’s arboricultural professional and designed in response to recent industry demands.

The professional Arborist range has been specifically manufactured for disposal of waste brash, as over the last few years, an increase in the market for firewood has meant that contractors are generally keeping any useable wood for log production.

The simple to use and cost-effective models all come in a traditional in-line format with a wide letterbox-style throat of 150 mm x 230 mm that allows bulky and heavily forked branches to feed in easily.

Using a remit that includes durability, performance and ease of maintenance, the British-built Arborist range ticks all the boxes and comes at a price that gives value for money.

Each model is fabricated to a high quality engineering standard and comes with a choice of diesel engine from Kubota or petrol engine from either Honda or Briggs and Stratton.

“GreenMech’s wood chipper research and development has always focused on consumer feedback and the latest Arborist range has been the product of close collaboration with our respected customer base situated across the globe,” GreenMech Sales Director Martin Lucas said. “This series has been value engineered to appeal to a broad section of the arboricultural industry that is looking to reduce its capital expenditure in the current economic climate.”

conventional straight blades or GreenMech’s patented disc blade system, which has been proven to give in excess of 900 hours of chipping before replacement.

In-feed chute and control bars The 150 mm x 230 mm letterbox throat enables heavily forked branches to be easily processed, thus significantly reducing the number of chainsaw cuts per day. The vertical hydraulic rollers powerfully crush the material giving a

Individual units: • The Arborist 130 is below 750 kg in weight and comes with a 23 hp Briggs & Stratton petrol engine or 20 hp Kubota diesel engine • The Arborist 150 is below 750kg and comes with a choice of either a 26 hp or 34 hp Kubota diesel engine • The ArbTrak 150 comes with a 34 hp Kubota diesel and designed to complement the existing SafeTrak 16-23 and QuadTrak 160 tracked options.

Build quality and engine The deep-beam high tensile steel chassis construction gives strength and durability when operating the machines on rough terrain. A varied choice of engine provides flexibility for each end-user to choose a power source that matches each application and budget.

Blades The Arborist range comes fitted with

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 39

CHIPPERS

This series has been value engineered to appeal to a broad section of the arboricultural industry that is looking to reduce its capital expenditure in the current economic climate – GreenMech

The Aborist 150

protection when the machine is in operation. When activated, the electronically controlled ‘no stress’ feed system reverses the feed rollers to relieve the chipper blades, allowing rotor speed to recover quickly increasing output.

A large re-set button is centrally mounted on the top of the in-feed chute for simplicity of use.

Noise reduction and maintenance

The ArbTrak 150 smooth controlled flow to the chipping system, whilst a large outer opening of 970 mm x 790 mm allows bushy material to be easily fed through. The in-feed hopper height stands at 5,900 mm from ground level and a top control bar eliminates nuisance

tripping caused by bottom bars fitted to the vast majority of other chippers.

Controls The control box is located in a safe and convenient position on top of the in-feed chute offering good

The engine is protected by insulated steel panels which provide strength and offer good noise reduction. GreenMech has produced some of the quietest chippers on the market and noise level on the Arborist range is 116 Lwa (dBa). The panels are designed to be easily removed enabling good access for routine maintenance.

Paint quality All metal components which are manufactured in-house by GreenMech are shot blast, primer and powder coated in a special baking process which provides the machine with protection to reduce rusting caused by chips and scratches.

Monocultures that exhaust the soil, limited agricultural area, and landscapes of nothing but cornfields as far as the eye can see – the cultivation of energy crops is running up against limits, in Germany and elsewhere. This is making landscape-neutral resources more attractive, such as forestry residue and untreated waste wood. Before these materials can be used to create energy, they need to be shredded, using as little energy and retaining as much of their structure as possible. This is where Komptech’s Crambo dual-shaft shredder comes out ahead.

The Crambo’s high performance has much to do with its extra-large shredding compartment, where 2.8 m long counter-rotating drums actively draw in the material, which is usually bulky and coarse.

As they pull it in they press it against the cutting ledge and the screen baskets underneath it, splitting and cutting the material.

The slow speed of the drums minimizes fine fractions and reduces dust and noise emissions.

With its two drums, the Crambo is highly resistant to contraries. The quick-change screen basket system ensures that the material is shredded to the desired granular size.

Structure-retaining shredding of woody biomass The Komptech Crambo 40 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

The Crambo is especially well suited to shredding green

CHIPPERS

dependent speed control ensure that the Crambo always works at maximum output while using fuel extremely efficiently. The new BioBasket XL reduces the already low fuel consumption even further, so that with this screen basket the Crambo uses up to a third less fuel for processing green cuttings. At the same time, throughput is about 30% higher.

The Komptech Crambo is especially well suited to shredding green cuttings, untreated waste wood, driftwood and rootstocks, and the new Bio-Basket XL enhances performance still more cuttings, untreated waste wood, driftwood and rootstocks, and the new Bio-Basket XL enhances performance still more. Developed

by Komptech, the system consists of a modified screen basket cartridge, a wide-mesh screen basket and the cutter.

Its large 640 x 200 mm holes prevent material from circling around in the shredding

compartment, so that the woody biomass output retains the desired coarse structure. Thanks to the low friction losses there is no excess fine fraction, for high quantity and quality of the fuel.

Bio Basket XL cuts fuel use by a third and boosts throughput by 30% The hydraulic drive and load-

Integrated screen basket cartridge change system now standard Komptech is now delivering all mobile and stationary Crambos with an integrated change system for screen basket cartridges. This lets users quickly switch screen baskets regardless of how dirty or clean they are.

Heinola Sawmill Machinery has extemsive experience in the manufacturing of highly effective and durable chippers. “Our chipper product range is versatile

including both stationary and mobile chippers,” the manufacturer said.

The stationary HEINOLA 1310RS chipper produces chips from roundwood for heating boilers and for pellet manufacturing processes. The chip quality is excellent and with unbarked logs the chips are suitable raw material for first class pellets. The efficient infeed system and big knife drum with 1,300 mm diameter ensures high capacity for roundwood – up to 350 m3chip/h. In case the material to be chipped is smaller, like in sawmills, our other chipper models can also be used. The smallest model is equipped with 500 mm diameter drum.

Heinola mobile chippers have been working decades by the forest roads and also in the terminals producing chips to be transported to local heating boilers. The latest chipper model is manufactured in two different sizes. The bigger one is HEINOLA 1310 ES and the smaller one

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 41

CHIPPERS Largest chipper in the range. Equipped with 1300 mm knife drum and large chip output chute. The chipper is designed for long-lasting and energy efficient operation.

The chipper’s yield is up to 400 lm3/h.

HEINOLA 97 RSE Stationery chipper – The chips meet the strict quality requirements of the pulp industry.

The yield is high because the quantity of the fine fraction is small

HEINOLA 910 ES with 900 mm knife drum.The chipper’s yield is up to 300 lm3/h HEINOLA 910 ES. Correspondingly, the drum diameters are 1,300 mm and 900 mm. These chippers are extremely strong, so-called heavy-duty machines with long lifetime and high capacity. “We have minimised the amount of the rotating parts and the result is a chipper with low operating costs and energy consumption,” the manufacturer said. “Also with these mobile chipper models we reach the excellent chip quality.”

The Heinola stationery chippers have been popular among sawmills. These high quality chippers produce valuable pulp chips from the sawmill byproducts. The drum diameters of their chippers range is between 500 mm up to 1,300 mm. Also, the plywood industry has become aware of the chip quality produced by the Heinola chippers and they have developed a special chipper model for them for waste veneer chipping.

At Elmia Wood Continental Biomass Industries will be displaying the Chipmax 484V series. Compact yet enormously productive, the 484 is an extremeduty biomass production workhorse. It’s main components such as the rotor, chipper box and feed system are significantly stronger than most chippers in its class, providing owners with years of trouble free service. Featuring

two rotor options, the ChipMax can make high-quality fuel chips custom sized from 19–30 mm or “micro-chips” from 3–12 mm.

These “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.

Feed Conveyor and Rotor The 12' x 48" feed conveyor is designed with troughed sides, impact plate in the bottom, heavy duty head and tail pulley and is driven by an extreme high-torque Poclain hydraulic motor (an optional 8' conveyor is available.)

Owners have a choice between an apron-style conveyor (prevents material spillage) or four-strand heavy-duty chain (allows rocks and dirt to be screened prior to chipping.) The 30" upper feed roller with a built-in high-torque Poclain hydraulic motor lifts for full and easy access to the heavyduty rotor and anvil. The 48" wide x 40" diameter 2-knife or 4-knife drum rotor is engineered with a 6" flame cut pocket design, making it significantly stronger and more durable than anything in the industry.

Discharge Chute The collapsible hydraulic operated chip discharge chute facilitates top loading of chip trailers. It also features a hydrostatic driven

42 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

blower for stronger chip discharge that automatically increases power when needed (without any wear or excess power consumption) and a chip deflector that is hydraulically actuated into position when top loading. The discharge chute hydraulically rotates 290 degrees to distribute chips in multiple areas, which minimizes truck relocation during loading.

Power Unit The ChipMax is powered by a Cat C-18, 765 hp diesel engine (EPA Flex for USA). To further its unique design, it is equipped with an extra-large AKG radiator, Flexxaire

autoreversing fan, PT Tech PTO, IntelliGrind control system by Parker IQAN™for increased monitoring and protection, and radio remote control with full mechanical backup to run all vital functions of the machine.

General Adding to its versatility, the ChipMax V is available as a portable [pintle hook or 5th wheel mounting hitch], track, or truckmounted unit and is road legal in both width and weight (for frequent moves between jobs.)

OPERATION FOCUS – CHIPPERS

Doppstadt’s DH910 demonstrates raw power in Portugal

Porto

a new chip off the old block! –

I

n southern Europe - very near directly shredded in the forest. to Porto, Doppstadt machines Eucalyptus wood features a very have been involved in the high strength and hardness in implementation of a sustainable particular and therefore demands energy supply. There in Portugal, a great deal of power from the Doppstadt has undertaken a machine during chipping. series of trials concerning the Doppstadt’s DH 910 was deployed processing and chipping of some in Portugal and provided the best rather stringy eucalyptus wood. option for processing both trunk Eucalyptus trees have provided wood as well as any other waste raw material for the Portuguese wood left lying around (up to a paper industry for many years and max. diameter for softwood: are renowned for their fast growth 900mm and hardwood: 680mm) and good quality of wood. But into a quality defined chip-sized they also provide an excellent product which offered a good option for biomass production source of energy. This made the which can then be used as a DH 910 absolutely perfect for the renewable energy resource for processing of the eucalyptus. At generating power. For this, the the heart of the DH 910, trees are chipped and then burned a heavy solid steel in local power plants. The high rotor equipped with concentrations of resins and oils high-quality chipping make the material highlyknives beavers away to combustible and an ideal fuel produce only the very source with a high calorific value. best results.

The trees are firstly harvested using a fellerbuncher before being pre-sorted into similar sizes and then stacked in piles. The trees’ trunk, logs created from the branches and the crown material are all processed. The Minor or continual repositioning made latter is usually easy with a DH 910K tracked version seen here at a different project The Doppstadt precision chipper DH 910 is used for the economic production of wood chips and for the cultivation of woods and forest stands. A robust steel construction with fixing points for drive unit, chipping tools and other components guarantee stability and a long service life. The heavy rotor in the Doppstadt DH 910 consisting of a full steel construction with high-quality chipping knives is mounted on a triaxial central-axle trailer chassis with ABS. The DOPPSTADT DH 910 offers the possibility to process logs and residual wood (max. diameter 900 mm (2'11'') in case of soft wood and 680 mm (2'3'') in case of hard wood) into high-energy quality

On site near Porto the 910 processes crown and crud

products with defined chip sizes.

• Chipping is carried out by a rotor consisting of a solid full steel construction. The chipping blades can easily be adjusted outside the machine by a blade adjustment gauge. The large screening basket and the rigid cutter bar achieve a homogeneous product. Power is transmitted to the shredding drum by V-belt drive.

• The grain size of the chips can quickly be regulated by changing the material transport speed or by choosing the suitable screening basket.

• The precision chipper is ready to go in no time. All the control elements are centralized

in one control panel. By means of a remote control the most important functions can be controlled from the loader.

• Integrated impeller blower with cast range adjustment.

• Hydraulic pumps located in the engine compartment supply the control units and the hydraulic consumers.

• The combination radiator (water, charge air, oil cooler) is reversible thus permitting an automatic cleaning at regular intervals.

• Large, smooth-running doors and centralized lubrication points facilitate maintenance.

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 43

OPERATION FOCUS

The new EACOM sawline has an updated state-of-the-art scanning technology

Edge out the competition EACOM’s new USNR edger line has expanded the company’s global market capability The BioLuma 2900L advanced HD Laser profile sensor

W

hen EACOM contracted with USNR to provide a new state-of-the-art edger line for its Nairn Centre mill, it expected to be well satisfied with the outcome.

Now several months later it reports that recovery, throughput and product flexibility are “right on the money”.

EACOM Timber, a major lumber producer based in eastern Canada, recently invested in its Nairn Centre mill in Ontario, installing a new optimised board edger line. This project aligns with the company’s strategic direction to take advantage of the long-awaited upswing that has begun in the forest products industry.

EACOM Timber has five sawmills in Ontario and three in Quebec, Canada. From its Eastern spruce and pine logs, it processes dimensional lumber and shop products for the construction industry, as well as specialty export products geared to the UK and European markets. The Nairn Centre mill’s capacity is in the range of 150 mmbf annually.

The mill wanted to replace an old 2-saw edger line that was not able to keep up with the capacity of the primary equipment, and missing recovery opportunity due to the outdated scanning technology and inhibited with only 2saw capability. Mel Lemky, Vice-President of Manufacturing for all of EACOM’s Ontario mills, said of the existing edger line: “It was probably the first style of optimised edger in existence.

The line was inadequate in terms of recovery and too slow to keep up with the demand put on it.” USNR was vendor of choice for the new line because in Lemky’s words, “USNR manufactures the best edger process in North America”.

New edger line The new edger line receives material from a 4sided canter line and trimmer re-edge feeding 44 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

the edger infeed from the lumber line side; an outside re-entry feeds the line from the clearline side. A radius back unscrambler is first in the new supply and is fitted with speed up chains at the top to assist in singulating the boards ahead of the lug loader. A MillTrak lumber flow management camera is mounted above the lug loader area, and ensures a smooth flow of

Three saws offers us the capability to get two boards out of some of the flitches and better scanning and optimisation also helps us recover more lumber per flitch – Mel Lemky, EACOM

material. An even ending transfer aligns the boards and flitches to lumberline prior to entering the scanner. A Super-G2 (SG2) charger positioning table positively picks each flitch and advances it onto the feed chain to rapidly accelerate it into the edger.

The edger is equipped with 3 saws on a top arbor, and a top reman chipper head. It is designed to edge 2.5 cm (1 in) through 10 cm (4 in) material with shifting, guided saws. The shifting reman chipper head is vertically adjustable using a linear positioner. The

outfeed is a standard USNR edger picker design that transfers edged material to a slow down belt.

Lemky explained that EACOM chose the reman head option and 3-saw arbour for the edger because the company has a strong export market for a variety of specialty product sizes. “We wanted the 3-saw edger to improve on the value we could get out of the flitches,” he said. “Three saws offers us the capability to get two boards out of some of the flitches. And better scanning and optimisation also helps us recover more lumber per flitch.”

Lemky went on to say that when the mill does a run of a specific export product it generates a lot of edger material because of the mill’s log size diet. “So we get the one piece of product that we are looking for, and then everything else coming out of that log has to be re-edged because typically it has too much wane. It used to be if we went after any specific product we backed up the mill immediately due to the outdated and slow edger line. With the new line, we just recently finished an export product run and the mill was never backed up. The system scans the specialty product, and if it doesn’t make minimum grade the top head will reman it down to a North American product. Now we are able to resize that product right there instead of having to deal with it at the planer.”

Scanning & optimisation Lemky said they chose the combination of BioLuma 2900L sensors and the Newnes Sawmill Suite optimisation platform because it offers the latest technological advances, and should afford the longest lifespan before having to consider an upgrade. “We’ve had very good results out of the edger system at Timmins that we operated with the Newnes software, so we were expecting similar results,” he said.

OPERATION FOCUS

The new scan frame is outfitted with 18 BioLuma 2900L laser profile sensors. These state-of-the-art full-coverage sensors are USNR’s latest release. For applications that don’t require grade classifications, the BioLuma 2900L provides revolutionary results in 3D modelling with far more detail than any other scanning platform currently on the market today. This results in the optimiser providing solutions that maximise the fibre for the highest recovery possible.

The system includes the fastest high density scanning system and a single optimisation computer. A second computer is included for

The SG2 charger positioning table positively picks each flitch and advances it onto the feed chain then rapidly accelerates it into the edger sawbox

We had a limited amount of time for the installation, and we actually started up the mill before the edger was ready to run – Lemky

Challenges

A radius back unscrambler is first in the new supply and is fitted with speed up chains at the top to assist in singulating the boards ahead of the lug loader analysis and as a backup to the main processor.

An interface screen on the mill floor allows operators to access the system from a convenient location, while the computers remain secure in a controlled environment inside the computer room.

The edger optimiser is based on the Newnes Sawmill Suite software platform. The optimiser

is proven to improve recovery and increase uptime with simplified calibrations, improved diagnostics, and supportable hardware. Proven algorithms provide the most valuable cut solution using product set-up information as input by the mill user, board measurements from the sensors and available operator inputs.

Lemky explained the difficulties the mill overcame during the execution of this project.

“We had a limited amount of time for the installation, and we actually started up the mill before the edger was ready to run. During that time we took the material destined for edging and stored it until the new edger installation was complete, and then we metered it back in during the normal operation of the sawmill.

That was by far the biggest challenge because we didn’t want to have a lot of downtime.”

He went on to say that the mill was only shut down for one week, and the edger was ready to run a week later.

Turn-key installation The contract charged USNR with supplying the project on a turn-key basis. This included the

A MillTrak lumber flow management system camera is mounted above the lug loader area, ensuring a smooth flow of material. This unique system outperforms photo-eyes and limit switches, and allows significantly-reduced operator intervention in areas of the mill where it is employed

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 45

OPERATION FOCUS The main edger at the EACOM mill

We’re at about 101% of our target recovery, so the numbers were right on the money

following in addition to supply and installation of the equipment.

• Engineering and installation of the equipment sub-structure • Mechanical equipment installation • Electrical installation • Dismantling of existing equipment • Modifications to existing walkways, platforms and handrails and stairs • Equipment guarding and barriers to meet OSHA standards • The supply and installation of debris, sawdust, chips and tailing containment • The supply and installation of hydraulics, saw lube, water and pneumatic tie-ins • Surface cleaning and painting of all installation welds and exposed steel.

The tight schedule called for a maximum of seven days from the start of demolition to installation completion. John Jacques, USNR project manager, reiterated that the tight timeline for installation and commissioning was the major challenging aspect for this project.

“Turnkey projects can be challenging in the way that you are always having to react to issues that arise, and react in such a way that you do not impact the cost or the schedule,” he said.

“There are many actions taking place at any one time, and it can be challenging to balance out the priorities of things that have to happen in a certain order.”

Results are “right on the money” Lemky is very pleased with the outcome of the project and the performance of the new edger line.

“The performance test actually exceeded the requirements of the contract,” he said. “Our target was about 40 pieces/minute, or an average of about 1200 pieces/hour.

Some days we get up to 1,500 pieces/h, but we can have heavy surges so it varies quite a bit.”

Lemky went on to say that the mill’s goal was to be able to handle the piece count, and to improve recovery between 10-12 points.

“We were expecting to get a solid recovery increase because we could then adjust our primary cutting equipment to maximise the capability of the new edger line, and we did,” he said. “We’re at about 101% of our target recovery, so the numbers were right on the money. The project was carried off just about flawlessly. That doesn’t

46 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

mean there were no surprises, but the surprises were dealt with properly and immediately.”

He is also very satisfied with the level of support EACOM has received from USNR. “Within the company, our Timmins mill is largely a USNR mill now, and that level of support has always been very good. USNR has provided better support than other vendors.”

Team effort Personnel from EACOM that were involved in the project include the following. Pierre Bows was Project Coordinator and is also the Nairn Centre Site Superintendent. He was responsible for the organisation and execution of the project from the mill’s side. Harrison Wicks, Mill Manager, was involved in overseeing the project.

Lemky explained his role as VP of Manufacturing for EACOM’s Ontario mills. “I consult with the mill managers and crew, outline goals and discuss what type of equipment we need, how it will be laid out and how to have it installed so we minimise downtime. Then I source the equipment they need to achieve the mill’s target goals. It’s my responsibility to give the mills and mill managers the tools to achieve the goals the company holds them accountable to.”

Formed in 2008 during the bottoming out of the forest products market, EACOM Timber is strategically investing to retool the mill operations it acquired with the purchase of Domtar Forest Products Division in 2010. IFI

OPERATION FOCUS

Newnes Sawmill Suite optimisation platform offers the latest technological advances

OPERATION FOCUS

Charles Ingram aims for accuracy and nets value Adding the Lucidyne GradeScan system to the Charles Ingram mill has been an unarguable success

T

he rationale for the Charles Ingram mill to turn over the grading process to an automated grading machine was to eliminate the speed and grading limitations attributed to human grading. An additional requirement critical to success was the expectation that no matter what method was chosen, Ingram’s mill would be capable of generating more value-added products. Stated in a different way, Ingram wanted to be able to end up with a system that would allow it to make frequent changes at the planer mill so it could quickly respond to sales opportunities that would generate more profit.

Human graders are amazing in that they can make complex decisions very quickly and accurately. Through repetitive experience, a person’s brain can be trained to build up efficient neural pathways that allow them to process what they see, hear, and feel because they develop shortcuts. However, performance takes a hit when a human is suddenly asked to make dramatic changes to incorporate a different set of rules. For example, the results of human graders are not so good right after a planer mill changes from a ‘dimension’ to an ‘appearance’ grade, or if the supervisor asks graders to increase the number of 8 ft No.1 boards to fill an order, but not to sacrifice too many long boards to get them – “Oh, and make sure you don’t make too many cut-in-twos in a row because our production volume will drop too much”.

Charles Ingram produces about 100 mmbf annually at its single site facility in Effingham, South Carolina. The bulk of its products include 48 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

The GradeScan system has allowed the mill to attract new customers Dimension grades of southern yellow pine as well as multiple appearance grades, with nominal sizes ranging from 1x4s and 1x6s, 5/4 in radius-edged decking, 2x4s to 2x10s, 4x4s and 4x6s, plus 6x6 timbers. Its planer line required three or four people to keep up with the production volume because graders needed at least two to three seconds on any one board to maintain a quality output.

There was an opportunity to serve a highervalue market, but that meant meeting more exacting customer expectations. So not only were the graders being asked to make more

important decisions in less time, but the frequent changes to satisfy special orders required graders to quickly ‘reprogram’ themselves.

The mill realised that it was using scanners and computers at almost every step of the breakdown process in the sawmill to get the best value out of the fibre, but depended on real-time human decisions for determination of the value for each board once the lumber reached the planer mill. That meant that even though they had some of the latest technologies at work during the green sawing

OPERATION FOCUS

process, any additional gains they generated were still restricted by the inefficiencies in the planer mill. It was apparent that automating the grading process was the solution.

The mill put together a team representing management and quality control, and set off to select a scanning system supplier. Their intention was not to pick the fastest or simplest scanner. Instead, they wanted to focus on accuracy. They believed that if the accuracy was there, the obvious result would be increased value from their fibre. They stressed that in choosing a scanning system they would place a lot of emphasis is on how the system makes money and that they would rely heavily on input from their quality control people for input on grading results, flexibility for future changes, and ease-of-use.

The evaluation Charles Ingram’s own lumber was graded by hand and then sent to both lineal and transverse scanner suppliers for evaluation.

Several days were spent visiting each supplier’s factory or running the lumber through a production scanner in a mill. This was a challenging undertaking, as each supplier’s situation was different. For example, one supplier fed boards through its scanner by hand, while another had a large facility with material handling equipment to automate the test process.

Although Ingram was very interested in calculating a return on investment so they could justify the initial expense of a scanner project, the primary emphasis for the evaluation was to develop a good understanding of what could be seen by a scanner. The expectation was that if it could identify enough of the fibre correctly to take over the grading process, it would make them money.

Therefore, instead of shipping a batch of mill-run lumber and comparing grades between man and machine, approximately 200 boards were carefully selected to represent fairly common but difficult characteristics that were typical of a production run. Included in this lumber were some ‘easier’ high-grade boards, too. Worm-eaten pitch and blonde knots were present on the more difficult boards as the occurrence of these was expected to increase in the future as more plantation fibre would be the norm. In case accuracy might vary over a range of sizes, narrow and wide ‘dimension’ samples were included and a 5/4 ‘decking’ sample represented appearance products.

Each board was given a unique number and its characteristics recorded, noting any differences between defect identification and sizing between man and machine. For example, various knots, shake, and wane areas were measured with callipers and steel tape with discrepancies noted. Although not the goal for

Since GradeScan is certified for stand-alone MSR/MEL this testing, the scanner’s optimised solution for each board was helpful for identifying critical areas to investigate. Answering the question: “Why didn’t this board make a No.1”, was a typical step in flagging potential problem areas since the answer might lead to a knot displacement or light skip defect that might have been measured or identified differently between the scanner and the Ingram team.

After doing the rounds the first time, Ingram’s purchase decision was delayed a year because it decided that scanners were close but not quite good enough, and the depressed market increased the perceived risk. This delay forced a reconsideration of the testing process – with the result being a significant change that Ingram felt could not have been foreseen without first going through the initial effort.

And the key factors driving the adjustment were ‘weathered’ wood and training.

A production scanning system located after a planer expects to see lumber that is bright, clean, and at production size. The fibre analysis depends on some consistency, or it cannot identify and locate fibre characteristics

grading, the mill expects to take advantage of this feature if they are required to or can benefit from adding strengthgraded products to their offering in the near future

accurately. By the time the lumber had been shipped multiple times and exposed to various handling actions, it was dirty, greasy, damaged, and had shrunk so badly that each successive supplier had an increasingly more difficult time adjusting their system to ignore weathering that would not be present in a real application.

Another realisation was that the same log sent through two different mills does produce a different looking board – and there are regional differences between where a tree is grown that show up after planing. For example, consider

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 49

OPERATION FOCUS

The expectation was that if it could identify enough of the fibre correctly to take over the grading process, it would make them money

Lucidyne President, George Carman

the sawmill process – there are always differences in how a mill effects the conversion from log to board. Just a few of the differences that show up on a planed board originate from the debarker leaving bark and related gouges, sawing patterns and log sizes changing the kinds of knots, drying damage, handling differences causing marks, direct-fired kilns leaving black areas on unsurfaced sections, and planer knife patterns shaping the surface.

These differences between mills require that a scanner be customized for each site. Therefore, the lumber Ingram was packing around was going to be seen differently at each scanner supplier, depending on how similar their

GradeScan saves 50,000 boards in memory 50 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

experiences matched the Ingram boards. That didn’t level the playing field for the suppliers and the results were even more skewed by how much effort a supplier could/would put into customised training for the Ingram wood.

So the big shift Ingram made was to leave its own lumber home and visit mills to see a potential supplier’s scanner in production, analysing how well it did on lumber that it was already trained for. Assuming they could be trained for Ingram’s situation, potential scanners were evaluated in the mills, with the team spending sometimes several hours looking closely at the solutions to learn the strengths and weaknesses.

In the end, they chose Lucidyne’s GradeScan system. According to the selection team, there were two primary reasons driving the decision, with the first being the stated goal of accuracy.

The second was the Lucidyne staff. The selection team’s overriding belief was: “Despite

the higher cost of the Lucidyne scanner, its accuracy was excellent and its people were phenomenal. The Lucidyne engineers were enthusiastic about doing the very best they could at grading each board.”

The preparation The largest part of the customising necessary to prepare the GradeScan system for Ingram’s specific production requirements and fibre required analysing Ingram’s wood.

Ingram sent a couple-hundred boards to Lucidyne’s home in Corvallis, Oregon, for training. The lumber was scanned through Lucidyne’s in-house GradeScan and the results reviewed by both companies over the period of a few days. Lucidyne’s staff made adjustments to its scanner image processing program to suit Ingram’s needs. This was also the ideal time to identify any optimisation-related modifications necessary for customisation. Lucidyne worked with Ingram to develop sets of grade rules that would satisfy the mill’s requirements for standard industry grades as well as proprietary ‘house’ grades.

Once Ingram’s new GradeScan was built, a second batch of lumber was sent through the scanner as part of a training exercise for Ingram personnel, and as an acceptance test. It was important to both companies that once the scanner was installed that it work immediately.

Ingram sent a team that included technical and management personnel and all participated in learning how to do everything from calibrating

OPERATION FOCUS Boards are even-ended for presentation to the GMR (closest to lumber line) and True-Q

the scanner, making grade rule changes, operating the system on a day-to-day basis, and basic troubleshooting. The Ingram team learned that although the system was simple to operate, there was a lot of flexibility and power accessible just underneath the surface that they could tap for fine tuning and future opportunities.

Management’s representation at the training wasn’t merely ceremonial; it was understood that the scanner would be making decisions that directly affected Ingram’s bottom line. So the more their top managers knew about its capabilities and what it could do on a day-to-day basis would be critical to their directing of the entire Charles Ingram operation.

The installation Lucidyne’s lineal GradeScan system was installed in line with Ingram’s planer in March of 2012.

The sorter control system was installed two weeks before by Lucidyne and utilised Rockwell’s ControlLogix. Then the mill shut down on Friday morning for the mechanical changeover. The scanner mechanical and planer outfeed conveyor changes were started on Saturday, electrical on Sunday, and testing began Monday morning. The scanner was running its first production run Monday evening. They had an ALS inspection three weeks after startup and the inspector said that it started up better than any he had seen. He also said that it looked like the mill already had it dialled in. But from the mill’s view, they were just getting started because there still were lots of ways to tune the system to do even better.

The scanner itself is located about 5 m (16 ft) from the planer and fed by a rollcase, which places it outside the planer room and eliminates a lot of debris.

Most of the mechanical changes to downstream equipment were done during normal downtime and tested with the trimmer/sorter system start-up to work out any kinks, especially the new trimmer infinite fence.

Lucidyne’s new Warp Tunnel was installed after the scanner on the planer outfeed belt to measure warp when boards are relaxed and not being confined by rolls or fencing. The mill staff said it had been surprised a few times when a board or timber looked like a top grade but was downgraded for warp. In fact, it wasn’t obvious by just looking at them until they laid them on the floor and actually ran a string to measure the bow, crook, and twist. One comment was, “The warp measurement is more accurate than a human, in fact it is too accurate. It can measure warp that a person can’t see”.

Ingram had Lucidyne upgrade its Grade Mark Reader (GMR) and uses it on re-entry lumber since that material does not pass through the scanner. The GMR is used far less than before, in part because there are fewer partial packages to re-run. The GradeScan system has some optional features that make it possible to reduce the number of these incomplete packages so they don’t end up displacing valuable production time later.

A ‘Check Grader’ monitors material flow between the planer and the sorter to watch for

problems with lumber handling.

They also will manually grade lumber that is re-entered so they must be qualified to grade. A large colour monitor mounted near the grading area shows the status and performance of the system. The Check Grader’s role is important due to the nature of managing wood flow and they can be a ‘first responder’ if any problems to arise, although their actual grading skill is rarely utilised.

A 150 cm (60 in) display over the Lug Chain shows board

images, sensor health, board tracking status, grade-out specs, alarms, warp data, and other valuable production data so the Check Grader knows all is well.

Lumber is tracked from the scanner to the trimmer lug chain using a patented invention Lucidyne calls the ‘True-Q’. True-Q tracks lumber using the ‘fingerprint’ of the board, with no ink or paint marks. It looks like a GMR and has a simple camera system in it to take a detailed snapshot of a small section of the

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OPERATION FOCUS

board once it gets to the lug chain. This picture is compared to what the GradeScan saw; the scanner looked at all four faces of the board so it doesn’t matter if the board flipped over (or rolled in the case of a 4 x 4 or 6 x 6) before it got to the True-Q camera. The end result is a very low reject rate compared to other methods, with essentially zero maintenance.

Another benefit is GradeScan’s ability to have a solution ready before a board gets to the lug loader – so the Trimmer/Sorter Control system can create empty lugs when needed for cut-intwo solutions. This eliminates the need to split the lug chain or install a recirculation system to get the necessary empty lug.

The results The most important benefit to Ingram is how GradeScan benefits their business. Going in, it was clear that the scanner had to be simple enough that Ingram’s current staff could learn to run the scanner. Ingram has found that indeed, one person can easily manage the system on a day-to-day basis. They sent three people to be trained so they would have some depth during vacations and shift operations.

The three represent quality control and management, but curiously no technicallyeducated personnel were included in the system training. Mill management: “You need a techno-country boy to run this machine. One person can easily do it, but they need to have some grading experience and not be afraid of computers.” When asked if they need an

The warp measurement is more accurate than a human, in fact it is too accurate. It can measure warp that a person can’t see – Charles Ingram staff

engineer, one response was: “Hell no, you don’t even need an electrician for calibration or replacing a camera. But you do need someone who has common sense.”

The system has been in operation for less than a year but the Ingram team has already made the following bottom-line observations: • Planer setup is critical. It used to be that with manual graders the second shift production results were behind the first shift because the more experienced employees worked days.

But when the scanner took over, the second shift volume of their highest value product would occasionally be double that of the day shift. It quickly became obvious that now success can hinge on one person getting the planer dialled-in correctly • 5/4 Decking Common and Better went up 10%

• 5/4 Decking Premium grade volume went up 25% • No.2 & Better Dimension volume went up an average of 6% • No.2 & Better Commons volume went up an average of 11% • DSS grade volume increased 25% • Above Grade in No.3 Dimension went from about 11% down to 7%. The average over all grades is about 4% • GradeScan saves 50,000 boards in memory.

When their machine-graded lumber hit the market, the mill received no complaints, even though their above-grade values dropped significantly. There was one new customer that they didn’t approach before they had a scanner because it would have been very tough to satisfy his custom grading requirements.

However, the mill recently approached him and was able to set up some rules for his product so the first pass got them pretty close to what he wanted – at 4% below grade because of a pitted knot defect. Apparently this was a lot better than what he was getting from another mill that had a different brand of grading scanner because he said he would buy all Ingram could make. After some more some additional adjustments, the next pass got the below grade down to 1%. Needless to say Ingram’s customer is pretty happy.

Other ways the mill benefits from GradeScan are through trimming boards with wet pockets and having the option to use the scanner’s

A 150 cm display over the lug chain shows board images, sensor health, board tracking status, grade-out specs, alarms, warp data, and other valuable production data so the check grader knows all is well. The new trimmer accommodates 17 saws including a precision end trim saw, and is fitted with extended as well as standard hold-down shoes for processing the maximum piece size of 60 mm x 300 mm x 8 m

52 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

OPERATION FOCUS

ability to strength-grade lumber for MSR and/or MEL. Since GradeScan is certified for standalone MSR/MEL grading, the mill expects to take advantage of this feature if they are required to or can benefit from adding strengthgraded products to their offering in the near future. Continuous data from a Wagner in-line moisture meter is currently processed by GradeScan with the scanning solution to identify areas that exceed predetermined moisture limits. Instead of automatically downgrading the whole board, these pockets are treated like other defects with specific rules to limit their size and location – many times the best valued solution is a trim instead of simply downgrading the whole board.

behind the next new scanner. And if our customers are successful and stay competitive, it is good for Lucidyne, too. We have been in business for over 25 years and are growing conservatively as we take on more scanning opportunities.”

The Charles Ingram mill claims that production has increased with automated scanning. The mill did not see a need to speed up the process before automating the grading process so did not prepare for higher rates – but now they plan to install a new planer and increase their speed. Today they believe that they made a good decision with GradeScan. An important measure is that there has been an increase in high grades with no increase in lower grades. And at the same time, this has

been a tough year – the mill has been in the process of changing over kilns over to continuous, so has had a lot of wood sitting in the yard too long getting moldy. Once the kiln conversion is done, even better results are expected.

The claim is that they continue to see improvement in the bottom line the more the staff learns how to use their GradeScan’s capabilities. The Ingram team firmly believes that if a mill has a good grading system it offers an important edge in a poor market when survival is the goal. An improving lumber market leverages that advantage even more.

IFI

The summary Ingram does not need to have any assistance when they adjust parameters or even design a custom grade for a new product. Whenever they do need help, Lucidyne has watched remotely through the Internet to answer questions and step in if needed. The mill had one part failure right after start-up when they lost a geometric camera – and replaced it themselves. Other than daily cleaning procedures, the scanner only gets calibrated once every six months; usually when Lucidyne is there for regularly scheduled maintenance service.

A telling comment from the staff was that the toughest part was learning the new terminology for scanning. They also said: “We probably haven’t used half of the capabilities that the machine has, so we haven’t run into any limitations.”

Ingram expects to see continuous improvements with grade results as the staff learns more about operating the system. It also has already seen value from new software for lumber tracking that was just installed by Lucidyne, six months after start-up. This improved algorithm was part of the continuous upgrade philosophy of Lucidyne’s maintenance program, and all installed (and new) GradeScan owners will benefit as they too, get their new software. Lucidyne’s perspective is that mills will profit more from incremental upgrades since they will always have the “latest and greatest” in their machine rather than just let the system lag behind for 10 years and then install a major retrofit.

Lucidyne’s owner and President, George Carman commented: “The technology and software techniques used in an automated grading system are as advanced as any other industry, and as such are constantly changing.

Unlike a straight-forward geometric scanner for an edger or trimmer, complete fibre analysis requires far more information from sensors to truly understand the make-up of a board. It’s a shame for a mill to spend millions of dollars for the best there is and a few months later fall

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54 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

FELLER BUNCHERS

Capacity returns as a concern for manufacturers International Forest Industries has noted an encouraging shift toward meeting higher capacity demands in this year’s Feller Buncher technology review

S

everal new trends in mechanised cutting are now being seen in various markets around the world that use the full tree harvesting technique, according to global equipment heavyweight, Komatsu.

At the top of its list are GPS technology and rotating felling heads.

GPS technology is developing a new following with precise “situational awareness” providing obvious advantages.

“Knowing where a machine is in relation to cutting boundaries, sensitive ground areas and landings without having to stop production to find a map and figure out where the machine is eliminates non-productive time,” the manufacturer commented.

“Systems in use range from simple low-cost hand held GPS units to sophisticated software that can automatically add log production on an electronic map display inside the cab.”

For heads, it was the full 360° rotation wrists in felling head configuration that had attracted interest from not only Komatsu but the wider industry, which it said was increasingly recognising and using the technology.

“The ability to always lay timber down in the direction of skid trails

regardless of machine cutting direction can significantly improve production efficiency,” Komstasu said.

“New lighter weight, larger cutting capacity felling heads are also coming into the market. These heads are designed to reduce the need for double cutting in timber stands that contain oversized trees.”

Other manufacturers have happily weighed into the debate. Tigercat has moved its focus for feller bunchers toward a high cycle machine and Caterpillar has chosen a similar route, also promoting a more heavy duty, high capacity unit. The optimist may suggest that this is a response to a pick-up in the sector as contractors move onto larger, high volume jobs in response to demand.

The other trends were a continuation of recent years, with fuel efficiency again a concern and manoeuvrability of chassis and boom taking centre stage in IFI’s 2013 Feller Buncher review.

The new Cat B Series zero tail-swing track feller bunchers/harvesters feature a new, upsized undercarriage, more horsepower and a new hydraulic design for improved multifunctioning performance.

“Major enhancements to these track feller bunchers will give

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FELLER BUNCHERS loggers faster cycle times, more uptime and longer machine life,” Keith Hicks, Caterpillar Forest Products Product Performance Engineer, said.

All the undercarriage rolling components of both models have been upgraded to D7 size hydraulic excavator type. “Track shoes, link assemblies, idlers, track rollers and undercarriage frame structures have all been upsized. Undercarriage life expectancy even in tough terrain is going to increase significantly,” Hicks said.

The B Series machines have the same industry-leading strong drawbar-to-weight ratios as the previous models and a full 889 mm (35 in) of ground clearance from front to back. “Strong drawbar pull, along with even better ground clearance and the ‘open tunnel’ undercarriage design make for a highly maneuverable machine that easily climbs steep slopes,” Hicks said.

The 522B can be ordered with a high drawbar option, boosting drawbar performance by 13% for logging in extremely demanding

The Cat 522B steeper terrain. The swing capacity of 82.7 kNm (61,000 lb-ft) is another advantage of the Cat track bunchers when working on steep slopes.

“The strong swing torque gives the operator the ability to swing big loads up slopes,” Hicks said.

“The combination of swing and lift

The Cat 563C

56 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

Major enhancements to these track feller bunchers will give loggers faster cycle times, more uptime and longer machine life – Caterpillar Forest Products capacity with improved multifunctioning will reduce cycle times and increase production.

And the balance between lift and tipping load capacity gives the machine the stability loggers need to be safe working in steep conditions.”

A complete re-configuration of both the implement and travel hydraulic circuits and new compensator valve spools smooth out and improve multifunctioning.

“The operator can maintain a steady rhythm when activating several functions simultaneously.

A more efficient hydraulic system also requires less horsepower, so fuel consumption is reduced.”

The hydraulics can be configured for either high or low flow attachments. The Cat HF B Series felling head operates on low flow. This frees up oil to run other machine functions while simultaneously maintaining maximum open and close arm speeds.

The B Series machines are equipped with the Cat C9 ACERT engine delivering 226 kW (303 hp) of gross power. The C9, which meets U.S EPA Tier 3 emission regulations, is a common engine

FELLER BUNCHERS design with a proven track record of reliability and durability in the woods.

The 522B features the only twoway simultaneous levelling system in the industry. This unique three-cylinder design significantly reduces stress loads into the leveller structure, lower frame and track frames, and lasts longer than two-cylinder levelling systems.

The cab has all the convenience and comfort features built into other Cat forestry machines. The monitor has been downsized slightly to improve the operator’s line of sight out the right front corner of the cab. “The operator has a clear view of the work tool and area to the right side of the cab for lining up a cut or repositioning the machine and linkage,” Hicks said.

Full tail-swing track feller bunchers are also available from Caterpillar Forest Products. The Cat 541 Series 2 and the Cat 552 Series 2 are designed for high production clear cut and for clear or select cut in rough terrain. The 552 is a leveling machine for more comfort on steep terrain. The Series 2 machines are also powered by the C9 engine and provide the same best-in-class

combination of lift capacity, swing torque and tractive effort-toweight ratios as the zero tailswing machines.

Redesigned from front to back, the Cat C Series wheel feller bunchers deliver significant improvements in performance, reliability and serviceability. The 563C and 573C are equipped with the new Cat C7.1 ACERT engine and are available in North America. The 553C, which is equipped with the C6.6 ACERT engine, is available worldwide.

The C Series is more productive while burning less fuel than previous models. Power is delivered where and when it is needed as a result of PowerDirect Plus, new technology that optimizes machine efficiency and productivity. Operators will have better performance in all functions on both steep and flat ground.

Simultaneous lift-tilt and lift-steer functions are significantly faster than major competitive machines.

Saw recovery time is also significantly faster.

The engine is positioned at the back of the C Series machines providing better weight distribution and balance between the front and rear axles. This revolutionary design gives the C

Series unprecedented stability – even when carrying big timber on steep or uneven terrain.

Tigercat has an extensive feller buncher offering for “every conceivable application”, according to the manufacturer.

The Tigercat C-series feller bunchers are well known for extremely long service life, highest machine availability rates, thoughtful component arrangement and service access, the clearest operator sightlines and high capacity variable-flow cooling.

An important advantage common all models and unique to Tigercat feller bunchers is ER boom technology. ER provides markedly increased production especially in high cycle applications compared with conventional boom systems.

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 said.

The C-series operator’s cab is spacious and refined with a floorto-ceiling front window that provides a clear view of the tracks and excellent right-side visibility.

The pumps and valves are housed separately from the engine and easily accessed. Swing-out doors provide quick access to daily service points.

The line-up The 822C/L830C series machines are Tigercat’s high production, zero tail feller bunchers – well suited to thinning and final felling.

The closed loop track drive Xmodel provides even higher performance in steep terrain with quicker track speeds when climbing, improved turning performance, better multifunctioning and more hydraulic efficiency. The L830C and LX830C share the same R7-150-2 undercarriage and levelling components as the super duty L870C. The all-around 845C is well suited to most applications and excels in high cycle applications.

The 845C is extremely fuelefficient and offers excellent service access, especially for a

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FELLER BUNCHERS equipped machine burns less fuel than a disc saw. In rocky or abrasive soil types, the benefits of the shear are even more pronounced. The ability of the 2000 shear to accumulate large parallel bunches also improves skidder productivity.

Drive-to-tree feller bunchers

Tigercat feller bunchers have an optional WideRange drive system

No other equipment manufacturer has comparable technology – Tigercat

limited tail-swing machine.

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 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 shear carrier For plantation eucalyptus applications, Tigercat offers the 855C carrier equipped with the 2000 series shear. This machine is proving to be an extremely low cost per tonne machine for eucalypt on account of the fast shear cycles and extremely efficient carrier hydraulics. In addition, the shear is a lower cost, lower maintenance alternative to a disc saw felling head and a shear

58 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

Tigercat got its start in the driveto-tree feller buncher business.

Today the company builds four models for the full range of thinning and final felling duties primarily in plantation applications occurring on dry and relatively favourable terrain.

The 718E is the lowest cost, lightest weight, simplest and most agile machine in the line-up. The 720E and 724E are versatile for thinning and clearfell applications and the 224 kW 726E works in terrain and tree sizse that many would consider track buncher territory.

From the720E 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-totree feller bunchers.

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 ton in high production thinning and final fell applications.

FELLER BUNCHERS The Komatsu XT450-L with customised 600 mm, full-rotation Quadco Hot Saw

return on their investment by knowing and understanding the limitations of their machine and cutting attachment. It has been documented that performance efficiencies and product life can decrease when felling timber beyond the machine and cutting attachment limitations. Knowing when to leave oversize timber for a hand cutting crew has a direct

A bar-saw is used primarily in the Western US for felling big trees. It is very productive and perfect for dry/arid regions exposed to fire risk. In the Eastern US, bar-saws are used to cut large diameter hardwood trees

Komatsu’s purpose-built track feller bunchers deliver superior manoeuvrability, multifunction capability and high-production in the most demanding forest environments.

The XT series is engineered and manufactured at Komatsu’s Chattanooga facility in Tennessee, USA. Over the last couple of years, Komatsu’s focus on product design and manufacturing processes has resulted in many significant improvements to the XT product line.

The XT series models include the XT430-2, and the levelling models XT430L-2, XT445L-2 and XT450L-2. The XT450L features a larger levelling system designed for severe applications in big timber.

Base weights for the XT series machines range from 24,500 kg to 33,565 kg. Each of the models are powered by 246 kW (300 peak hp) Cummins Tier 3 engines.

These Komatsu machines have a high capacity cooling package with thermostatically controlled auto-reversing fans to keep hydraulic oil cool in high production applications. Cooler oil results in improved engine and hydraulic component life, reduced maintenance and improved fuel economy. A new remote oil filter location with easy access

The Komatsu XT430L improves serviceability.

The XT series swing-system drives run in a sealed grease bath for improved pinion lubrication with hardened gears for longer life. Dowels and a pilot hole align swing gears and provide easy service adjustment if needed. Easy to access grease fittings provide easy maintenance for extended bearing life.

The XT series has a reinforced carbody design for added strength, stability and longevity.

The undercarriage design provides improved serviceability, including: • Roller guards extended to the front and back with improved track shoe support plate clearance, which reduces track chain side loading on uneven ground • Track frame cut-outs reduce debris packing and improve

60 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

roller maintenance • Track drive sprockets with mud/snow relief reduce packing • Long track sliders with larger surface area extend idler life • XT430L has two additional bottom track rollers for better weight distribution and improved roller and track link life The cab in the Komatsu feller buncher is quiet, spacious and ergonomically designed for efficient operation. Programmable hydraulic controls deliver smooth and quick machine response.

Komatsu’s purpose-built forestry machines are known for their performance and durability and configuring an XT model to the application is vitally important.

Customers experience a greater

impact on the service life and reliability of a machine.

The XT family is designed for a wide range of felling and harvesting applications with five boom and arm options and nine hydraulic configurations. These machines can be easily outfitted with many different felling, harvesting or processing attachments.

“When it comes to harvesting applications, Komatsu’s new 580 mm (23 in) capacity 398 three roller drive harvesting and processing head is an ideal match to the XT product line,” the manufacturer stated.

FELLER BUNCHERS

As John Deere puts it their new Feller Buncher K-Series means business, and after a ride in these new wheeled or tracked feller bunchers you’ll have put in the most intense and productive work day ever — all done in comfort.

Excellent grip with the air-ride suspension seat, one of the largest skylights in the industry, and joysticks with smooth, responsive hydraulics. Swing or drive to the trees with ease and speed thanks to the 9.0L engine that delivers 300 or 330 horsepower and fuel economy that only John Deere can bring. These cutting machines feature best-inclass accumulation, and saw recovery that accelerates in the blink of an eye.

A 903K seen here in Western Australia The 903K Tracked Feller Buncher provides loggers with maximum productivity and uptime out of their equipment shift after shift. It features a powerful fuelefficient engine, fast hydraulics for

superb multifunction operation, deep cutting swath, and best-inclass head accumulation for maximum productivity. Quick, wide-open access to service items and major components along with

simplified maintenance help maximise uptime. Plus, the spacious, well-appointed cab provides everything operators need to bring out their very best.

Contd page 87

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 61

Fit for the forest

The uncompromisingly tough work associated with inwoods loading and processing needs equally durable machines

62 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

FORESTRY MACHINES The LS855C is a versatile forestry machine

A

s a highly focused forestry equipment manufacturer, Tigercat dedicates significant resources to specialty and niche-market machines.

Recent examples include the 1135 in-stand harvester, the 880 logger and the 855C track carrier married to the revamped DT2000 shear. Each of these machines fulfils a specific function related to application and geography.

The 1135 is primarily used in Scandinavia on private wood lots where landowners insist on the lowest impact machines capable

of thinning between widely spaced forwarder rows in order to maximise the value and aesthetics of the stand. The 855C-DT2000 combination was developed to provide contractors with the highest production, lowest cost felling solution for high cycle eucalyptus plantations where disc-saw wear, rocks and stump height are issues.

The 880 logger filled a void in the marketplace for a purposebuilt, super-duty forestry carrier suited to loading, shovel logging and processing in large timber

and high volume loading applications in specific geographic markets like coastal British Columbia, the Pacific Northwest and New Zealand.

Another such product is the LS855C shovel logger. Tigercat identified a need for a machine to effectively shovel log on steep slopes with greater efficiency, while increasing comfort levels and ergonomics for the operators. “It was determined that a full forest-duty, levelswing machine would go a long way toward accomplishing these

goals,” Tigercat Marketing Manager Paul Iarocci said. “With virtually no comparables in the market, the LS855C is a specialty machine designed for steep slope shovel logging.”

Traditionally, shovel loggers have been excavator-based.

Regardless of terrain, these machines are not equipped with a levelling undercarriage, causing neck and back strain when operated on steep slopes.

This also requires the need for very large machines with high swing torque in order to be able

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 63

FORESTRY MACHINES

to swing uphill on steep slopes.

Low engine horsepower limits performance and the hydraulic systems are designed for digging, not shovel logging and loading.

With the high horsepower LS855C, the operator stays level, greatly reducing operator fatigue compared with excavator-based machines. The LS855C is capable of reaching areas felled with similar sized L830C and L870C feller bunchers.

The LS855C is an extreme duty cycle machine, with the same undercarriage and upper structure as the well-proven Tigercat L870C feller buncher. To optimise fuel efficiency, Tigercat developed an ER shovel logging boom and equipped the machine with an energy recovery swing system.

Tigercat has used its patented ER boom system in track feller bunchers and harvesters for a decade. “No other manufacturer can offer an energy efficient boom system,” Iarocci said. “Fast and efficient, ER increases productivity and saves fuel.” The boom moves in and out on a horizontal plane with a single joystick for reduced operator fatigue. Depending on conditions and operator preference, ER can be turned on and off by a switch in the cab.

The energy recovery, closed loop, hydrostatic swing drive feeds power back to the engine during swing braking, for improved overall machine performance and reduced fuel consumption. A dedicated swing

Tigercat has released a new grapple design to complement the LG4053, which has been equipped on Tigercat knuckleboom loaders for many years (see page 94)

No other manufacturer can offer an energy efficient boom system – Paul Iarocci, Tigercat

pump leaves all main pump oil for the boom system, providing smooth control of machine functions. The dual swing drive gearboxes increase swing torque while reducing gear stress levels, providing longer transmission and swing bearing life.

The patented levelling system improves side stability without complicated linkages or electronic levelling controls. It is constructed with super-duty pivot frames and joints to minimise flexing and bouncing in the upper frame.

Levelling axis pivots use large bearings and pins for long life and

roller bearings eliminate the irritating slop that plagues many levelling system designs.

with a skidder to retrieve timber from inaccessible areas and prebunch where the skidders can easily access without excessive manoeuvring. This increases skidder productivity in soft or steep terrain. In certain applications it has been demonstrated that a shovel logger can deliver wood to the deck at a lower cost per tonne than a skidder over a skid distance of up to 100 m.

Specialised and versatile Interestingly, as the field population has grown so have the uses for the machine. Some consider it a multi-purpose utility machine that can be slotted into to a number of different areas and functions, increasing the overall productivity of the whole system.

Shovel logging and pre-bunching The LS855C can work in tandem

Sorting and stacking for processors The LS855C can sort, align and optimally position unprocessed trees for the processor, improving both skidder and processor productivity. The LS855C can also stack processed logs higher to save space when roadside decking areas are space constrained.

Komatsu offers a full range of Tier 3 emission certified excavators

The Tigercat LS855C works in tandem with a skidder to work through inaccessible areas

64 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

FORESTRY MACHINES

Low maintenance costs and minimal downtime were the key objectives in the development of this new harvesting head – Komatsu

The 398 head for forestry machine applications and three purpose-built forestry excavators for road building, processing, log loading and general forestry work. The forestry excavators all use swing system, upper frame and undercarriage components from the larger Komatsu excavator model. All have high/wide undercarriages with larger track motors for a stable platform, high ground clearance and tractive effort; and all excavators feature Komatsu’s exclusive KOMTRAX vehicle

monitoring system, which is a wireless equipment monitoring system and a secure, web-based, application used for reviewing vehicle operating and maintenance data. KOMTRAX data is packaged specifically for easy and intuitive analysis in maps, lists, graphs and charts that are ready for viewing at the operator’s convenience.

Three forestry excavator models are available in road builder, harvesting head and log loading

66 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

configurations with turn-key factory packages.

The PC200LL-8 rated at 143 hp, equipped with an 11 m (36 ft) reach live heel boom is an ideal loading machine with operating weight up to 25.5 t (65,000 lb) and 55,607 ft/lb of swing torque.

The PC220LL-8 rated at 168 hp, equipped with a 11.5 m (38 ft) reach live heel boom is an ideal intermediate sized machine for processing heads of off road shovelling with operating weight up to 36.3 t (80,000 lb) and 75,903 ft/lb of swing torque.

The large PC350LL-7E0 rated at 246 hp, equipped with up to a 13.1 m (43 ft) reach live heel boom is the large log shovel and loading machine with operating weight up to 47.6 t (105,000 lb) and 97,024 ft/lb of swing torque.

Each crawler model can be customised with a variety of track shoes and loader options from the factory.

398 Specifications Weight from 2,785 kg Maximum feed diameter750 mm Tip-to-tip delimbing diameter 630 mm Rated feed force

40 kN

Rated feed speed 5.4 m/second

New Komatsu processing head for large wood Komatsu’s new 398 head is equally at home in harvesting or processing applications. The 398 is designed to handle a large range of wood, from selective harvesting to clear cuts, working as a harvesting head or a processor for pre-felled timber.

The 398’s well thought out design is based on tried-andtested components and a new strong main fame. It is designed to handle timber with diameters in excess of 585 mm (23 in). Suitable carriers for the 398 include excavators in the 27 t class and upward, or purpose built levelling tracked harvesters such as the Komatsu XT450L or non-levelling harvesters like the XT430-2.

“Low maintenance costs and minimal downtime were the key objectives in the development of this new harvesting head,” the manufacturer said. “The well thought out frame design and fully protected hose routing through the rotator are prime examples of incorporating these objectives in the design.”

The 398 uses a well proven high flow capacity main valve bank and is fitted with o-ring face seals (ORFS) for better sealing of hydraulic connections.

FORESTRY MACHINES

The PC350LL-7E0

The head has a carry style design feed system with three driven rollers and four motors. The main feed rollers cradle tree stems and pulls them into the head while the powered centre roller reduces friction for greater feed power. The result is a secure grip and constant contact with the measuring wheel for superb measurement performance. The feed rollers are controlled by two

cylinders and an equaliser bar.

The standard Komatsu 398 has three delimbing knives. Optionally, two additional delimbing knives can be mounted in the rear section of the head. A topping saw is integrally designed into the main frame structure and can be removed for harvesting applications if not needed.

Saw bar lubrication is controlled by Komatsu’s unique

EcoOiler, an innovative system that provides programmable control over the amount of lubricant fed to the chain and bar.

The Komatsu 398 is designed for use with the MaxiXplorer Head control system.

John Deere’s knuckleboom Loaders have been bulked up to offer greater durability and performance. Productivity-

increasing features include the fuel-efficient John Deere 6068 PowerTech engine with a highpressure common rail electronic fuel injection system for improved cycle times; and new Pressure Compensated Load Sensing (PCLS) hydraulic pumps with a dedicated swing pump to deliver responsive, efficient hydraulic power to all functions.

Other features of the D-Series 335D and 437D knuckleboom Loaders include: • Heavy-duty swing bearing and pinion with taller gear teeth reduce the torque load on each tooth for robust performance and unsurpassed reliability • New improved hydraulic manifold • New standard display monitor delivering the same information as earlier models with the addition of engine diagnostic information • Auto idle, which shifts the engine into low idle when levers haven’t been operated for a few seconds, conserving fuel • All John Deere cylinders.

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FORESTRY MACHINES

The John Deere 437 knuckleboom loader

Swing machines John Deere swing machines combine proven and reliable excavator technology with strong purpose-built structures to provide today’s loggers with highly reliable and durable logging solutions. They are available in four models and can be configured from the factory to work in a wide array of applications, such as log loading, shovel logging or hoe chucking, processing, harvesting and road building.

Four models – the 2154D,

2454D, 2954D and 3754D – make up the John Deere D-Series swing machines line, each featuring a durable structure, next-size-up hydraulic components and Tier 3compliant engines. They are designed to offer the perfect combination of productivity, durability, and fuel efficiency.

All machines are equipped with John Deere Tier 3 engines, ranging from 6.8 litre and 159 hp to 9 litre and 296 hp, and a standard 1,260 litre (277 gallon) fuel tank. With increased efficiency and fuel capacity, they extend the time

The John Deere 2154D swing machine is based on proven and reliable excavator technology

68 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

between refuelling.

Other product features include an updated hydraulic system that advances attachment performance and machine smoothness, and facilitates faster cycle times. Other improvements, such as easily accessible external debris management screens, heavy duty structures, hardened pins and tighter tolerances in critical joints, and better component protection, all help to reduce downtime and increase machine life.

The D-Series swing machines incorporate many of the hydraulic

features of John Deere construction excavators – maintaining its reputation for best-in-class hydraulic control and multifunction ability and advancing hydraulic performance.

Productivity is increased through next-size-up swing and drive systems and the engine/hydraulic management system that maximises power and hydraulic output, saves fuel, and delivers smooth multifunctional hydraulic operation.

By using next-size-up excavators’ undercarriage and drive system, the swing machines have superior strength as well as enough track power to get them where they need to go. The propel motors are located well within the track frames and are heavily guarded.

Heavy gauge perforated and removable inlet screens are mounted externally, adding protection from damage as well as minimising cooling system plugging.

The ‘smart cooling system’ is hydraulically driven, with a coolon-demand variable-speed fan that runs only when needed. This cooling technology keeps the machine operating at optimum temperature, while reducing noise

and fuel consumption. Optional reversing fan back blows cooler cores to reduce debris build-up and increase uptime.

Protection from the harsh forest environment is essential to the uptime of forestry equipment. A heavy-duty three-piece engine hood protects the engine, promotes debris shedding, and provides easy access to components for daily maintenance.

Additional guarding protects the exhaust stack and hydraulic oil fill cap.

Other features that increase uptime include: • Strengthened mainframe that boasts a stronger boom tower with increased edge distance, thicker sections that are machined after welding to improve frame to boom tolerances and overall machine durability • Strengthened log loader boom structures, and turned and ground pins in critical joints • A heel rack completely redesigned from the larger wide flat heeling plates to the grapple end, with 2.5 times the strength • An improved plumbing system betters hydraulic flow to attachments and heightens piping integrity • The Butt-n-Top and power grapple fronts, , now have OEM grapple tool cylinders, which will not only increase productivity but will also improve durability and serviceability • Roadbuilder purpose-built, heavy-duty fronts provide extended service life to these fronts, which sport a plate thickness 2-3 mm thicker than previous models and fewer welded joints.

The Cat® 320D, 324D, 325D and 568 Forestry Machines (FMs) are versatile track machines that can be customized to perform many forestry applications, including roadside processing.

The latest and largest model, the Cat 568 FM, delivers more performance — while consuming less fuel — than the 330D FM model it replaces. The 568 is available in a general forestry configuration for road building, site prep and processing; and in a loader version for log loading, shoveling, butt-n-top loading and millyard applications.

The 568 is powered by the 319 net hp Cat® C9.3 ACERTTM engine, which provides increased power and torque as compared to the C9 engine in the 330D FM. The 568 also has more horsepower than competitive machines in the same class.

In designing the C9.3 engine to meet U.S. Tier 4 Interim emissions regulations, new technology was incorporated to ensure that changes to meet emissions requirements would not reduce the life of the system, increase operating costs or reduce productive uptime. The new engine is more powerful and burns less fuel than the previous C9.

The electronic-controlled high-pressure air system includes a new turbo, a new cylinder head design and an integrated valve cover APRIL/MAY 2013 | IFI 69

FORESTRY MACHINES

A 568 on site in Western Australia

The 568 structure is purpose-built for duty in the woods with a wide, tall, reinforced carbody, rugged swing bearing, heavy doors and extra guarding.

and thermostat. The fuel system includes a new high-pressure pump, electric priming pump, injectors and high-durability fuel lines. The standard fuel capacity has been increased to 317 gal.

The 568’s hydraulic efficiency is 10 % higher than with the 330D FM. Pumps and other system components are improved and reduce parasitic power losses. The hydraulic valve arrangement and the resized and reshaped oil passages — unique to Cat

hydraulic excavators and the 568 — enable freer oil flow. Operators will notice the machine runs more smoothly and responds more quickly. Also, less engine effort is required to move oil through the hydraulic system, which translates into fuel efficiency gains of up to 5 % over the 330D FM, depending on application.

The Flexxaire programmable reversing fan to blow debris out of the radiator and maintain optimum engine temperature, is

70 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

now included as standard equipment. Also included as

standard is the starting aid for cold weather, which includes two

extra batteries, high capacity starter motor, heavy-duty cable, jumper start lines, ether aid and block heater.

The redesigned one-piece engine hood and larger filter, cooling and hydraulic compartments make servicing components easier. Spin-on fuel and oil filters are accessed from the ground level. Hydraulic housing, including filters, is now situated inside the hydraulic tank to help prevent contamination.

Ports and valves are easily accessed to extract fluid samples for analysis through Caterpillar’s S·O·SSM Services Program.

The 568 structure is purpose-built for duty in the woods with a wide, tall, reinforced carbody, rugged swing bearing, heavy doors and extra guarding. Track frames are 13 in. longer than in the 330D, resulting in 18 % more stability and load handling performance. The upper structure weight and stresses are distributed evenly across 10 track rollers, as compared to nine track rollers in the 330D. The excavator mass and reach linkages and purpose built log loader boom and stick sets are built for heavy-duty applications. Increased steel thickness on the rear and centre section of the boom, the side sections of the stick, and internal reinforcement plates increase the durability of general forestry HEX linkage arrangements.

The 568 is available with either over/under or under/under log loader linkage with matching heel arrangements. Over/under (heel boom cylinder on topside of stick and stick cylinder on underside) provides more lift height, maximizes reach and tucks the heel up closer to the stick for more clearance for highdecking in a wood yard.

The swing priority circuit on the 568 uses a new electric valve that’s operated by the machine’s improved Electronic Control Module (ECM). Compared to using a hydraulic valve, an electric valve allows for more finely tuned control when loading or shoveling.

Changes to the cab enhance functionality and operator comfort. The LCD monitor is 40 % larger than in the 330D FM and is equipped with a buzzer to warn the operator of critical events, such as low engine oil pressure or overheating. The AC unit and ducting is improved and the new heated and cool vented seat is standard. IFI

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 71

OPERATION FOCUS

The heavy duty timber crane scale handles all conditions of timber loading

Tamtron’s timber crane scale improves productivity and control High loading efficiency and accurately measured material flow are two key success factors in today’s forestry business. Optimal loads for transporting trucks are important not only for costefficiency but also avoiding fines due to overloads.

Weighing the logs with an accurate onboard scale already on the loading site is the best solution. Designed in co-operation with crane and rotator manufacturers and tested extensively in the field, Tamtron’s timber crane scale is recommended for this task.

Tamtron Timber scale is easy to install, simple to use, accurate in weighing and has a long working life. With this timber scale business is improved remarkably

72 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

I

n tough loading conditions mechanical impacts, lifting and swinging forces, and temperature variations can all damage the weighing link quickly if it is not constructed rugged like the timber weighing link. The unique hydraulic weighing link made of special hardened steel guarantees to withstand all the challenges in log handling. The hydraulic weighing link is sometimes proven to be stronger than the original link which was replaced by it. Naturally the weighing link can be equipped with an optional swing brake.

With Tamtron Timber you weigh accurately and fast The accuracy of better than ± 2% is achieved with the hydraulic measuring circuitry that is not influenced by neither oil temperature variations nor surrounding radio interference.

Variations in loads due to different operators’ working style are eliminated with individual user profiles. Tamtron Timber’s accuracy is one of the best in the market. The weighing is dynamic and quick – there is no need to stop the loading for weighing. The scale instrument reads the signal coming from the link and with a special algorithm automatically determines the weight. For clarity, the operator hears and sees a signal when weighing is registered.

The Timber scale is easy and versatile to use Timber scale with a large, clear colour display has several main memories available for sorting out weighing data per stack of truck or trailer, partial bundles, timber type, loading site and so on. Characters in the display are large and clear to read. The instrument suits both cranes with or without cabins. For cranes without a cabin the delivery includes a rugged weather box, which protects the weighing instrument from humidity and also makes the installation of the scale faster.

Install the scale yourself if you like Tamtron Timber can be installed in any timber crane and can be used in every forwarder. The measurements of the weighing link fit directly to the majority of crane models and with small modifications to all known crane brands.

Installation of this scale is not complicated.

Experienced users of forest machines can install and service the scale themselves if they like. The delivery contains all the necessary installation parts. Tamtron dealers provide technical service, including installation, when necessary. In those rare cases where a suitable place for hydraulic hoses is not to be found one can install the wireless Bluetooth data transfer option between the weighing link and the weighing instrument – naturally by customers themselves with detailed instructions provided

by Tamtron.

Convenient USB data transfer All deliveries of Tamtron Timber scales include USB data transfer from the instrument to PC. The scale stores weighing data in the USB drive from where it easily can be imported to Excel.

In tough loading conditions mechanical impacts, lifting and swinging forces, and temperature variations can all damage the weighing link quickly if it is not constructed rugged like the timber weighing link

OPERATION FOCUS

Tamtron represents the top of the industry in weighing solutions designed and manufactured in Europe

Stored are not only the completed weighings but also each individual lift and the customised settings for each operator. Available are also optional XML and PRL data transfer functions.

Tamtron is an acknowledged manufacturer of high quality scale equipment Tamtron represents the top of the industry in weighing solutions designed and manufactured in Europe. Its world-wide customers trust the strong brand Tamtron has built over the years. Tamtron's price-toquality ratio has always been unbeatable.

Tamtron Group consists of Tamtron Oy, Tamtron Systems Oy, Tamtron Solutions Oy and Hand Held Systems Oy. It also has subsidiaries in Germany, Sweden, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and in Estonia.

Tamtron Group has excellent competence in working with weighing solution in demanding environments and with on-board computers, data tracking and navigation systems.

Tamtron is exporting its products to over 60 countries world-wide and has delivered over 25,000 scales. Choosing a Tamtron scale is a safe and reasonable investment. IFI

Luminous and versatile Timber weighing instrument is handy to use

Durable weighing link is tested and developed with the leading forestry manufacturers

Optional equipment for the Tamtron Timber – swing brake, weather box, Bluetooth data transfer

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 73

HIGH PROFILE – BIOMASS SPECIAL

Forestry’s First Lady

Former lawyer and current Norwood Sawmills President Ashlynne Dale sits at the head of a truly international success story for the forestry sector. She tells Editor Chris Cann how she’s used her skills from her previous career to build Norwood into the company it is today; why forestry professionals are more enlightened than lawyers and judges; and why she never takes a day off work

74 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

International Forest Industries: Your law background is slightly unusual for the forestry sector. Is wood processing an unusual sector for you to end up serving?

Ashlynne Dale: I fell into forestry because Norwood is a family-run operation. It had never been my intention to go into this particular line of business – in fact, this business didn’t exist when I went into law. When I started my law degree, it was always with the intention of practicing for only a limited period and using my legal training as a stepping stone into the business world. Assuming this role at Norwood could be described as an afterthought.

My father, Peter Dale, started the business in 1992 with a single product – Norwood’s flagship LumberMate portable bandsaw mill. He’s an extremely resourceful individual and entrepreneur, and started up Norwood as an alternative to the only portable band sawmill line available at the time, which was much larger than needed by most small producers and too expensive. He thought,

Dale promoting the Norwood range at an industry event in South Africa

bollocks to that, I’ll make my own more financially accessible mill.

The natural conclusion he drew from there was that if he felt like that, then others must too, and so he began manufacturing portable mills. That was actually the birth of the affordable portable bandsaw mill world – where the average guy could own his own bandmill.

My father first approached me to take it over in the mid-90s but I didn’t come into the business until almost 2000. Then the process of the handover took a little bit of time, as these things tend to do, but it’s been my baby for a while now. When I first came into the company, it was still a one-trick pony with the single bandsaw model and no corporate branding.

We needed to do more to grow the business.

IFI: How has your previous life as a lawyer helped you in your current role?

AD: I only ever wanted to do business and, in law school, I trained purely for commercial law.

Originally, I started practicing corporate, commercial and securities law, but realised that was a dreadful bore so I moved

BIOMASS SPECIAL – HIGH PROFILE

In my experience, people in the forestry sector are usually more progressive in their treatment of women; they could care less about gender

have something to do with law being an old boys club or, perhaps, more people go into law who have ego problems.

A potential client tries out the LumberPro over into commercial litigation which was, firstly, a lot more interesting and, secondly, a great environment to gain business experience as a 25-year-old. I moved through my schooling earlier than most so, after I graduated with my book-smarts, I was able to expose myself to the real commercial world at a young age. As a commercial litigator, I parachuted into a myriad of company problems and was able to get a first-hand look at the way many businesses were run. I saw real-life employment issues, contract, banking and insurance law – all those things. You really do learn a lot about the nuts and bolts of how the real world works.

The other thing about commercial litigation is that you get kicked around a lot so, more than anything, you pick up streetsmarts. That gave me the ability to move into a management role in the business world faster and younger than most, and to perform somewhat competently.

IFI: Do any of your technical skills as a lawyer transfer to the forestry sector specifically?

AD: I chose to become a lawyer as a step to becoming a business person because someone once told me that law teaches you how to think. That was good advice – my legal background trained me to quickly analyse facts, identify possible opportunities, solutions and consequences, and make decisions.

Our business happens to be in the forestry sector but I am not sure that really matters; at the end of the day, we’re manufacturing and selling equipment. Forestry equipment is really just another thing to sell and the same basic business principles apply and need to be

IFI: Is Norwood’s focus on a broad international market something you have established for the company? AD: My father started

The LumberPro infeed done well. If I went into the service industry, on the other hand, I would likely sink a company within three months because I have little understanding how that kind of business model works. But when it comes to manufacturing and marketing equipment, whether it’s sawmills or wheelbarrows, I’d probably apply the same general skills set.

IFI: Have you found it difficult to be a woman in such a male dominated industry?

AD: In the forestry world, I’ve often dealt with people who have not had the education that I’ve enjoyed but almost universally they are more respectful of me as a woman – or, more accurately, they’re indifferent to my gender as compared to the lawyers and judges that I had to deal with when I was practicing law. I find that really interesting – you have these people with all this education, multiple degrees, with professional designations and they feel themselves mightily superior because they believe themselves to be educated and enlightened. But, in my experience, people in the forestry sector are usually more progressive in their treatment of women; they could care less

about gender. Law was quite the opposite; I had all sorts of discriminatory incidents in the legal profession, the kind that I have never experienced at any other time in my life. I think it may

immediately with the US-Canadian focus. When a lot of people first start out, they only think about supplying their local community; generally their focus isn’t as wide as a whole country or beyond. My father didn’t blink an eye at immediately going America-wide and was quickly selling internationally on an individual basis.

But neither one of us felt that North America alone was going to

There’s never been a more important time to be an international player with exposure to international markets than right now, with the global economy in such a fragile and unpredictable state

The Norwood LumberPro is regularly used for veneer production APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 75

HIGH PROFILE – BIOMASS SPECIAL be able to sustain our growth at the rate we were going and, of course, there are forests all over the world; it made clear sense for us to tap into those markets. In the mid-2000s, we started to make really concerted efforts to forge alliances with sophisticated partners with whom we could work in various international markets. That’s an on-going process and we’re still looking to fill out that stable of partners, but we also need to recognise that we have come a long way toward achieving our goal. It’s a longwinded process to establish these sorts of global relationships but, for us to continue to thrive, it’s absolutely critical.

IFI: Many companies maintain a domestic focus; why do you see international markets as critical?

AD: People say you should diversify your investment portfolio because, when bonds are down, stocks might be up; when gold is down, your energy portfolio might be stronger; and so on. It’s the

exact same thing when running a business – if we have all our eggs in the one basket, then we’re more vulnerable. There’s never been a more important time to be an international player with exposure to international markets than right now, with the global economy in such a fragile and unpredictable state. When North America was tanking in 2008, Europe was still going relatively strongly, and now, as North America is recovering, Europe is struggling. Being able to straddle many markets is critical.

So the real purpose of Norwood’s international focus is, firstly, a buffer or form of insurance through diversification.

The other thing it should do, ideally, is to grow our brand awareness and ultimately our sales.

IFI: Does that make Ligna a very important event for Norwood?

AD: We’ve had a presence at Ligna for the past number of years via Logosol, our northern and western European partner. And while being

We’re in a new era in which you have to work twice as hard to stay in the same place and four times as hard to enjoy any growth and take a step forward

part of industry shows such as Ligna forms a part of our strategy, we’re looking for any and all international exposure we can get.

We have a very strong partner in northern Europe and have just established a very promising partnership with Austro, the leading distributor of woodprocessing equipment in southern Africa.

We’ve been very fortunate to have attracted some excellent companies to work with. They aren’t official partners in a legal sense – they’re dealers and distributors – but I view them more as partners because we have to work closely together to make

the ventures a success.

We’re still looking for partners to meet our customers’ needs in several regions in South and Central America, Asia and elsewhere around the world.

We welcome any international distributorship inquiries from wellestablished wood-processing or landowner-focused companies with broad market penetration and proven distribution experience.

IFI: Do you see any blue sky for the global economy and forestry in general?

AD: One thing I don’t think we’ll see any time soon in the Western economies is a typical return from

The thing about commercial litigation is that you get kicked around a lot so, more than anything, you pick up street-smarts

Exposure for Norwood at international shows is an important part of Dale’s role as President and are a key component of the company’s global marketing strategy 76 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

recession as we have enjoyed over the past 40 years; I don’t believe that we will see that steep growth curve. But I think we’ve found the bottom and we’re crawling our way out.

If you look at Japan for example, it has been on the ropes for well over a decade and, while they’re not collapsing, they’ve struggled to find any growth and, in fact, have experienced stagnation. My fear is that Western economies may experience something similar to what Japan has been going through.

What we went through in 08/09 was globally cataclysmic – it could

BIOMASS SPECIAL – HIGH PROFILE have been worse and the world escaped that poorer scenario by the skin of our teeth. In general, I can’t honestly say I see clear blue skies but I forecast fewer storm clouds.

IFI: What is Norwood doing to prepare for the next sixto-18 months given your market projections?

AD: In a sense, our product line appeals to the current market better than the massive machines because they are more financially accessible. But that doesn’t mean we’re pulling back on our R&D – on the contrary, that is moving full steam ahead. We’re in a new era in which you have to work twice as hard to stay in the same place and four times as hard to enjoy any growth and take a step forward.

Companies that have continued to work at the same rate as they were four years ago have either been very lucky or they’re not around anymore. So our R&D department is at full capacity and will be for the foreseeable future.

IFI: What can you tell me about what the Norwood R&D team is working on?

AD: I can’t tell you a lot – our competitors watch us like hawks!

IFI: As head of an international group you must travel a lot; do you have a favourite airport?

AD: I like Amsterdam because it’s particularly easy to get through; it’s well organised and run efficiently and smoothly. Zurich is actually pretty good too, for similar reasons.

IFI: Any you don’t like?

AD: I can’t stand Heathrow.

IFI: All terminals?

AD: Heathrow drives me bonkers. I think it may have something to do with the UK’s refusal to sign on to the EU border control protocol, the Schengen Agreement, which eliminates internal EU border checks. When you get off the plane, you have to go through additional security lines, even if you’re only getting a connecting flight. There is a lot of extra processing.

IFI: Do you get a chance for the occasional holiday?

AD: You know what, I take days away from the office but I’m never out of touch. There isn’t a day that I won’t be on the emails or phone.

For me, a holiday just means I’m not in the office and I only do a couple hours of work.

IFI: Is that a requirement for your position or for your personality?

AD: Probably a bit of both.

IFI: If you ever take two weeks off, where do you go?

AD: I never take two weeks off. I’ll take a few days at most. The most I’ve done is a week – five working days – and that’s decadent. And again, that’s with the laptop and Blackberry. I’ll sometimes take my family away for a week or combine some holiday-time overseas with a business trip. So I’ll be meeting whoever in Europe and then we’ll have a few family days in Amsterdam or Zurich or wherever.

It’s good to do it that way.

Dale enjoys some time away from the laptop but the Blackberry is no doubt still within reach!

IFI: Have you always been like that?

AD: Yes. You know, I don’t mind work. I get a lot of satisfaction out of my work; that’s something that my personality craves. There are times, of course, you wish you could just walk away; those are the days when all hell is breaking

Heathrow drives me bonkers loose. But, generally speaking, there’s a heck of a lot of satisfaction in moving the company forward. IFI

The flagship LumberPro APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 77

SHOW PREVIEW

LIGNA 2013 – a hot spot for the key industry sectors Innovations, Solutions, Efficiency LIGNA is the world’s most important trade fair for the timber and woodworking industry. It is known for its international appeal – more than half of all exhibitors come from outside Germany. This makes LIGNA the ideal platform for generating new business leads world wide, exploiting synergies and securing a foothold in new international markets Whether you are involved in the woodworking industry and trades, the forestry sector or the production of bioenergy from wood, you’ll find that LIGNA is the perfect place to present your solutions and impress potential customers.

Match & Meet LIGNA’s matchmaking services are there to help exhibitors manage their contacts before, during and after LIGNA – from searching for a specific person to making initial contact and setting up actual meetings with business partners worldwide. Save you time and effort by initiating promising new contacts on your behalf. More details are available at www.ligna.de/en/match-and-mee

78 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

Comact is the North American leader in the design and manufacturing of sawmill technology and equipment for the lumber industry. The company offers the largest line of products anywhere, from basic conveyors to complete automated production lines, for both the softwood and hardwood sawmill industries.

Comact has delivered over 70 fully automated planer optimizers since 2004. We are proud to be the number one supplier worldwide with graderless system in every commercial species.

Our GradExpert uses state-of-the-art technology to detect visual defects such as knots, white

Visit us at Booth 207

speck, honeycomb, stain, decay, bark, splits-shakes-checks and pith. As a transverse system, the GradExpert also measures wane and bowcrook-twists perfectly.

We believe that transverse systems are still the way to go for grading lumber properly.

We also have a solution for the board edger application called the EdgExpert that is already in operation in BC for bug kill wood. Then finally the TrimExpert which is a complete Trimmer Optimizer including color cameras for defect detection.

COMACT Équipements Comact Inc. 4000, 40e Rue Ouest, Saint-Georges (Québec) G5Y 8G4 Tél: 418 228 8911 x 115 Fax: 418 228 7466 Cell: 418 225 7176

Acrowood Corporation – More than just Pulp and Paper Acrowood Corporation of Everett, WA has a long history of supplying chippers and chip screens for the pulp and paper industry, along with the sawmilling industry. Our heavy duty equipment is also used in the pellet and biomass industry. Acrowood first produced mini or micro-chips for pellet production in 2008 at a plant in Kilkenny, Ireland.

This plant also uses an Acrowood Dual Drive suspended rotary screen.

Acrowood slant disc chippers have operated for decades in sawmill wastewood applications.

Acrowood disc scalpers remove grossly oversized material and pass acceptable material to by-pass hogs equipment in the biomass/fuel industry.

Acrowood Dual Drive suspended screens have applications in chip screening, sawdust screening, and even bark scalping. Our DiamondRoll screens offer compact, non-vibrating means of screening wood chips or other materials for thickness or fines removal.

Contact Acrowood on (425) 258-3555 or visit our web-site www.acrowood.com for further details.

Visit us at Booth 700 MPM Engineering is a leading supplier of log optimization software and controls for the wood processing industry. MPM offers state-of-the-art scanning, optimization, and automation systems for log merchandising, sorting, rotation, and primary breakdown, as well as board edging and trimming.

#200-5465 192nd Street Surrey, British Columbia V3S 8E5, Canada Tel: (+1) 604-574-1397 Fax: (+1) 604-574-0627

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 79

Visit us at Booth 407 Since introducing the JS-20 in 2002, JoeScan has revolutionized how sawmills use scanners. We pioneered Ethernet communication for scanners, which is now the industry standard. We were first to offer a 5-year warranty. And we led the evolution to higher-density snapshot scanning with 6-inch spacing.

In today’s complex and demanding work environments, mills need 3-D scanning that’s reliable and easy to use.

No one can afford to waste time with complex and unreliable scanning, and that’s why more mills are relying on JoeScan JS-20 scanners. Besides

providing accurate and detailed data, JoeScan scanners come with the best guarantees in the industry: a 5-year warranty and 10 years of product support.

The feedback we hear from customers utilize phrases like “operating consistently every day with little upkeep,” “one of the simplest and easiest to work on I’ve ever used,” and “the kind of company that will help you figure out any question or issue you ever have.”

JoeScan 4510 NE 68th Dr, Ste. 124 Vancouver, WA 98661 USA Tel 1.360.993.0069 www.joescan.com

Visit us at Booth 117 Lucidyne designs and builds lumber grading systems for green and dry lumber. We have successfully installed many lineal scanner systems that grade Dimension, Boards, Decking, Timbers, and Shop in 1-6 inch thick sizes plus several species. GradeScan is certified for strength grading in the US market and the company recently invented two new sensor technologies for strength and decay applications. Its patented True-Q Lumber Tracking System identifies individual boards using their unique grain patterns to follow lumber between machine centers – no ink or paint is required!

Headquartered in Corvallis, Oregon, Lucidyne is already well-known for its Grade Mark Readers and control systems. The company has been in business for 30 years and takes pride in its ability to design and build its own sensors when necessary. One of Lucidyne’s systems is operating at 3800 feet/minute (1160 meters/minute) grading Dimension Spruce/Pine/Fir lumber!

Learn more at www.lucidyne.com or email us at info@lucidyne.com.

Lucidyne Technologies, Inc. 155 SW Madison Ave. Corvallis, OR 97333 Phone: 541-753-5111 Fax: 541-766-8444 www.lucidyne.com

Visit us at Booth 927 Saw Mill Blades & Filing Equipment Oleson Saw Technology (OST), a division of York Saw and Knife, is a precision manufacturer of saw mill band saw blades and circular saw blades. OST also sells, services, and installs saws, saw maintenance equipment and supplies for the

filing room for the timber processing and saw mill industry.

Oleson Saw Technology is the exclusive stocking distributor for all Iseli Precision Saw Filing Equipment.

Contact: Mat Harris mharris@olesonsaw.com Oleson Saw Technology, a division of York Saw & Knife Co., Inc. 295 Emig Road York, PA 17406 Phone: 717-767-6402 x238 Toll Free: 1-800-233-1969 Fax: 717-764-2768 www.olesonsaw.com

80 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

CUTTING EDGE

NEW!

Linck is presenting their new Double Arbour Circular Gang MKS at Ligna On the occasion of the Ligna 2013, the company Linck is presenting their new Double Arbor Circular Gang MKS. This new machine is a circular resaw with fixed saw arrangement for splitting of two- and four-sided cants.

The machine includes several innovations.

Adjusting the saw arbors in vertical direction clears the machine working space completely. The complete new design of the saw arbor bearing and a special lubricating system allow higher speeds.

An automated tool changing system guarantees a fast and reliable tool change. The modular design of the in- and outfeed systems makes it possible to adapt the machine to nearly every existing application.

Another focus is on the Linck reducer sawlines.

With sawlines in operation Linck is showing the range of applications of this technology. Flexible cutting possibilities, the coverage of the various sawing quantities with the possibility of later extension characterize this kind of sawing concept.

Interesting line concepts result from combining this technology with different optimising systems.

Ligna – Hall 27, Stand D32 LINCK Holzverarbeitungstechnik GmbH Appenweierer Str. 46 77704 Oberkirch Germany Phone: +49 7802 933 0 Fax: +49 7802 933 100

Linck reducer sawlines

82 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

NEW!

CUTTING EDGE

Springer set to light up Ligna with exciting new launch Springer Maschinenfabrik AG has developed a wellthought-out new trimmer concept. The E-CUT 200 will be presented to the public for the first time at the SPRINGER booth at LIGNA. Main characteristics of this trimmer are the central drive, electrically actuated saws, beltless and therefore low-maintenance swinging arms and the absolutely new dust-shielding case of the trimmer component Springer Maschinenfabrik AG has developed a well-thought-out new trimmer concept. The E-CUT 200 will be presented to the public for the first time at the SPRINGER booth at LIGNA. Main characteristics of this trimmer are the central drive, electrically actuated saws, beltless and therefore low-maintenance swinging arms and the absolutely new dust-shielding case of the trimmer component.

“We have developed a ground breaking trimmer solution allowing us to meet the demanding requirements of our customers.

The design of the E-CUT 200 is very simple and robust and, in a problem-oriented approach, we have placed particular emphasis to the type of drive, actuation and maintenance.

The E-CUT 200 is an extremely low-maintenance device due to the innovative design of the swinging saw arm. Thanks to the electrical actuation we attain a perfectly controllable sawing movement and, consequently, temperature effects, actuation

times and efficiency issues observed with existing models no longer pose a problem in wood processing,” says Timo Springer, director of SPRINGER Maschinenfabrik AG. And Roger Timms, ACORA RENECO, Australia adds: “In my 35 years in the industry, this is by far the most innovative design advancement I have witnessed for Mutli-Saw Trimmers and I have seen a few - it ticks all the boxes. I know the industry will love it. It will definitly be a highlight at LIGNA.” The standard version of the ECUT 200 has 21 saws for modules of 300 mm and can be used for boards up to a standard final length of 6 meters. Individual excess lengths can be produced with additional modules of proven reliability. Owing to its modular design, the E-CUT 200 can be adjusted very easily thus allowing the production of special lengths What is new about the trimmer?

The trimmer actuates the swinging arms by means of two centralized, externally positioned motors designed as a unique gear unit

capable of setting the saw blades in rotation: consequently, maintenance costs can be reduced substantially in comparison with standard belt drives.

As an additional benefit, the remarkable electrical actuation of the swinging crosscut saw arms allows higher efficiency than comparable hydraulically or pneumatically driven models. A controlled and accurate actuation curve now allows optimum control of the crosscut saws and high precision positioning of the saw blades in the corresponding sawing process.

With its maintenance-friendly features the E-CUT 200 can score bonus points: all drive components are positioned on the outside and can be accessed

easily. The inside working zone is sealed in order to prevent damage to components caused by the movements of wood parts. The innovative design of the trimmer’s linear motion dust-shielding case does not require additional construction height even when opened. One of the benefits of this new dust-shielding case is its compact design. This feature turns out to be an essential advantage for the installation and positioning of the trimmer unit in existing systems. Furthermore, the concept of a linear opening mechanism allows unlimited access to the maintenance catwalk as the saw blade can be changed rapidly and effectively at any time. www.springer.eu

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 83

NEW!

CUTTING EDGE

LIMAB take cost efficient scanning to a new level LIMAB the Swedish manufacturer of laser sensors and measuring systems for the wood market have announced two major product launches for this year’s LIGNA exhibition. 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.

The BoardProfiler-3D is a new product from LIMAB for 2013 and is a board scanning system for dimensional measurements and detection of defects. This product builds on the success of the earlier generation BoardProfiler that is used in more than 170 sawmills all over the world. LIMAB have used their expertise in sensors to develop a new 2D laser profile sensor that provides a much more accurate and detailed analysis of the board than was previously possible. Defects such as holes, cracks and knots as small as 2 mm can now be detected. The system measures boards with high

Installation at Ölmstad Träförädling, Sweden

accuracy in all production speeds up to rates of 200 boards per minute and is unaffected the board movement or vibrations. The system is Windows based and provides the user with all measurement values required, including complete vane information, optimization of cutting for trimmers, reject/turning before edgers and much more. The new system will provide a more cost effective solution than can be provided by multipoint or camera based systems.

The LogProfiler is another new product from LIMAB and will also be shown for the first time at this year’s LIGNA. The product was first introduced in mid 2012 and there are now several systems running successfully in sawmills. The LogProfiler incorporates innovative new features that moves log scanning and sawing optimization to a new level. The system uses a unique secondary scanner before the log turner. This scanner identifies the actual rotational position of the log by matching the surface to the original 3D model.

The use of this method means that it doesn’t matter is the logs have

rotated on the conveyor.

The LogProfiler is the first measurement system available that is able to automate transfer line log rotation without the need for log marking. The system will calculate the optimum log rotation position and provide control signals to the log turning control system. The innovations result is much more accurate log rotation a higher production yield for the sawmill. The system is easy to install and has a quick payback.

Meet us at LIGNA in Hannover.

Hall 27, Stand D11 and B30 e-mail:sales@limab.se www.limab.se

Software from laser, showing defects

84 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

Visit us at Booth 804

Clark Tracks 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 web site has been provided to offer assistance, both in track selection and in use. The information will help you to achieve maximum performance as well as trouble free operation throughout the working life of your tracks.

All of Clark Tracks Forest Machinery Tracks are manufactured from special boron alloy steel. The durability and toughness of the steel is maximised using specialised induction heating processes.

Specifically designed and manufactured steel sections and forgings are used to give high performance combined with the longest possible working life. Each set of tracks has been manufactured for use with a particular tyre and should only be used as recommended.

Clark Tracks Ltd Irongray Park, Dumfries DG2 0HT Scotland, UK Tel: 01387 722370 Fax: 01387 720978 Email: clarktracks@clarktracks.com

Visit us at Booth 132

Pezzolato S.p.A. was founded in 1976 and, thanks to the quality of its products, it has become in a short time a leading player in Europe.

The company has three production ranges, A strong vocation for mechanics guides the projects and the construction of all its machines.

Great attention is paid to customers’ requirements. A considerable part of the turnover is invested in research and development programs which are at the base of the growing success of the company.

Today Pezzolato S.p.A., with two factories, an area of 70.000 m2

(28.000 of which under roof ) and 150 employees, can operate with great flexibility, guaranteeing product solutions specially designed for meeting customers requirements.

These are only some of the reasons that have made Pezzolato a leading company in European and the world markets.

PEZZOLATO Officine Costruzioni Meccaniche S.p.A. Via Provinciale Revello, 89 - 12030 ENVIE [CN] - Italy Tel. +39 0175 27 80 77 - Fax +39 0175 27 84 21 - E-mail: info@pezzolato.it - P. Iva: 00756630042

Visit us at Booth 755

Thrity employees work at SERRA and are dedicated to look after its customer both german and international. At SERRA each sawmill is custom fitted and build accortding to the requirements of each customers.

Propsective and existing customers are ecouraged to visit the factory located in one of the most beautifull areas in germany.

From the smallest machines for logs with up to 90 cm diameter up to the biggest, logs with 160 cm diameter, SERRA has a solution for it. Softwood or hardwood we have the experience with it.

It doesnt matter if mobil, stationary

or industrial sawmilling plant. Just contact us we have the solution for you.

Visit us and test all of our sawmills!!!

The new SERRA Bavaria SE 135

SERRA Maschinenbau GmbH Bahnhofstraße 83 D-83253 Rimsting Phone:+49 (0) 80 51 / 96 400 – 16 Fax: +49 (0) 80 51 / 96 400 – 50 E-Mail: roberto.lautenschlager@serra.de APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 85

ELMIA WOOD 2013 Elmia Wood is the world's largest forestry fair. It is constructed out in the forest every fourth year and welcomes visitors from around the world. So if you want to find out the latest trends in the global forest industry, Elmia Wood is a “must”. Here you can update your knowledge of technical innovations, both from all the major machinery manufacturers and from small-scale producers, refresh your contact networks, become inspired and acquire masses of new ideas.

Elmia Wood offers the forest industry lots of room to showcase itself and present new products and practical solutions. But “the forest” is not only about machines, tools and methods. Advisors and experts show forest owners and contractors efficient ways to improve their profitability.

The fairgrounds are located in Bratteborg, Småland, close by the E4 highway, 30 kilometres south of the city of Jönköping. You can travel to Jönköping by car, bus, train or plane. Shuttle buses run between the fairgrounds and central Jönköping as well as to some close-by towns.

Despite considerable uncertainty about the future of the forestry market, there is clearly great interest in participating in the Elmia Wood forestry fair from 5 to 8 June this year. Organisers have built extra stands for all the companies wanting to exhibit their products and services.

“The fair site is almost fully booked but we're receiving enquiries every day from more

OPENING TIMES Wednesday – Friday: 9:00 – 17:00 Saturday: 9:00 – 16:00

people wanting to exhibit,” comments Jörgen Andersson, who is in charge of stand sales at Elmia Wood. He and his colleague Johan Löfgren, who manages the planning and construction of the fair site, are now hunting for every possible place to build a stand.

“Last Elmia Wood we sold 69 460 square metres of stand space for the whole fair but we're already over 72 000 square metres now, so this year's fair will be crammed full,” Jörgen says.

IFI MARQUEE 888

86 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

FELLER BUNCHERS

Contd from page 61 • Redesigned felling head wrist • 9.0L engine offering either 300 or 330 horsepower • Robust crank and link boom lines up the felling head • Extended oil and axle-service intervals Gross Power: 222 kW (300 hp) Max. Boom Reach: 6.71 m (22 ft. 0 in.)

Tractive Effort: 331 kN (74,300 lbf.)

Felling Head Options: FS22B and FR22B The felling head is one of the most vital components affecting a wheeled feller buncher’s efficiency and value, according to John Deere. It directly influences the equipment’s ability to harvest different sizes and species of trees, thus affecting its productivity. With a well-designed head, feller bunchers can handle any kind of tree in their path.

John Deere has introduced the highly anticipated FD55 disc saw felling head (DSFH) to the market, empowering loggers with more versatility and durability for fulltree timber operations. Available to order now, the FD55 felling head is compatible with 643K and 843K John Deere wheeled feller buncher machines and is ideal for

The new FD55 disc saw felling head as seen on the John Deere 843K wheeled feller buncher thinning, final harvests and anything in between. (See IFI Dec Jan 2013 for full report) Deere manufactures two series of wheeled feller buncher the 600 and 800.

The 843K feller buncher is tough, robust and reliable – a real gogetter in the woods designed to boost your uptime and handle any job up to heavy timber on adverse terrain.

The 643K The robust hydraulic and electrical systems, air-intake design, and front and rear 1400 heavy-duty axles see to that.

The aim is to deliver increased production, maximum uptime, and lower daily operating costs.

And, with the addition of JDLink™ Ultimate, the innovative Deere machine-monitoring system, you'll stay on top of productivity, too.

• Fast ground speed and saw recovery • Durable, reliable hydraulic and electrical plumbing • Best-in-class cooling system and fuel efficiency • Heavy-duty axles deliver under the toughest circumstances Engine: 181 kW (243 hp) Transmission: Infinitely variable hydrostatic with two-speed gearbox

Wheelbase: 2794 mm (110 in.)

Disk Saw Felling Heads: FD22B single post.

The 643K • Fast ground speed and saw recovery • Durable, reliable hydraulic and electrical plumbing • Best-in-class cooling system and fuel efficiency • Heavy-duty axles deliver under the toughest circumstances Engine: 141 kW (189 hp) Transmission: Infinitely variable hydrostatic with two-speed gearbox Wheelbase: 2794 mm (110 in.)

Disk Saw Felling Heads: FD45 twin post, FD22B single post IFI

The 903K with Quadco felling head APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 87

CUTTING EDGE – ELMIA WOOD

Komptech launch a new generation of mobile drum screens Komptech NEMUS 2700 mobile drum screen With the Nemus 2700, Komptech has launched a new generation of mobile hydraulic drum screens. As the successor to the Mustang the Nemus combines all the positive features and experience of its predecessor, while adding new features from the Cribus series.

The large hopper in the design of the Cribus, the screen drum with its improved material feed and the one-piece corrugated edge fines discharge belt harmonize perfectly with the proven, robust dieselhydraulic drive.

Redesigned controls make operation easier, and the extended discharge belts included as standard equipment give more flexibility in use.

Practical details like the easycleaning two-stage radiator induction screen, larger material intake support wheels and the new low-wear collecting conveyor scraper reflect customer experience.

Advantages at a glance • 5 m3 hopper for unbroken operation • Efficient, low-wear hopper belt drive on the intake side • 30 m3 screening area for higher throughput and more efficiency per m3 • DRUMGRIP drive, combining the toughness of a chain and the smoothness of a friction drive • Uses Mustang and Doppstadt SM 620 drums • One-piece corrugated edge fines discharge belt eliminates transfer loss • New control design for easier, self-explanatory operation www.komptech.com

88 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

NEW!

NEW!

ELMIA WOOD – CUTTING EDGE

Prime Tech add new model to their prime mover range The new PT-175: the most compact and manoeuvrable model of the PrimeTech range.

The Prime Tech tracked prime mover range was recently expanded to include the new PT-175, the most compact and lightweight vehicle of the PT range, designed for operators already familiar with compact vehicles (such as skidsteer loaders) but who require a more powerful and productive alternative for expanding their operating options.

The PT-175 features the same technology and components as other models of range, though it encompasses a series of improved features and solutions that turn it into an even more advanced vehicle.

Main components: • Engine: Cummins QSB4.5 with 160 hp and 4 in-line cylinders.

• Hydraulic circuit: Sauer Danfoss components with 100 cc mulcher pump.

• Undercarriage: Berco MF 200, available in the STD version (with 500 mm wide track shoes) and LGP version (with 700 mm wide track shoes), both featuring an extremely low ground pressure. Moreover, it only takes a few hours of work to switch to a different undercarriage version.

• Forestry mulcher: FAE 140/U available in three different models: - model 140/U-140 (and 1465 mm working width) - model 140/U-175 (and 1820 mm working width) - model 140/U-200 (and 2060 mm working width)

Cutting-edge technology and easy access to all components Perfect accessibility to the machine and its components, both for straightforward checks and for more thorough maintenance interventions, is an advantage that only PT-175 can offer, as it uniquely boasts the following features: • a completely openable hood and tilting cabin driven by an electric pump, which allow for inspecting all components in the engine compartment and beneath the cabin; • hinged side doors that can be effortlessly opened for daily maintenance of the vehicle; • rear winch and hinged radiator guards that can be opened for quicker and easier radiator cleaning.

Extreme comfort The operator is at the centre of every action and manoeuvre. An operator who loves his work and can perform his tasks in optimal conditions is a better operator. This has a direct, instant impact on operating costs, on-site safety and environmental protection. PT-175 is distinguished by: • Perfect control and manoeuvrability thanks to the vehicle's optimal balancing, ideal weight distribution, reduced dimensions and low centre of gravity.

• The roomy, soundproof driving cabin features excellent operating visibility coupled with a low level of perceived vibrations.

• The functions and controls are clear and easy to use.

Fields of application PT-175 is designed to perform medium-light duty work in the forestry sector. Its strong point essentially lies in its dimensions, which enable it to work on sites having stringent restrictions regarding vehicle width (<= 1750 mm). PT-175 is mainly used for vegetation management, for cleaning undergrowth, cutting and eliminating bushes and shrubs and for creating seismic lines.

An increasingly varied offer With its 160 hp power, PT-175 completes the PrimeTech prime mover range, which also includes the 275 hp PT-300, the 415 hp PT-400 and the powerful 600 hp PT-600. www.prime-tech.com

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 89

NEW!

CUTTING EDGE – ELMIA WOOD

JENZ develops new chipper model HEM540 Chippertruck with two axles for managing smaller jobs JENZ expands its sucessful Chippertruck range with the development of this new chipper model HEM 540. This new development will offer increasing number of uses for the machine operators. In comparison to the bigger Chippertruck models, this HEM 540 scores with a lower puchase price and highly efficient running costs.

To stick to the maximum permissable weight of 18,000 kg, a new range of HEM 540 was developed. With an infeed width of 790 mm and a max infeed height of 650 mm this model defines its class anew and sets a new benchmark for efficiency. The base of the new Chippertruck HEM 540 R is the MAN 18360 4x4 which, unlike other tuck based chippers, has only two axles.

The development of the new chipper unit resorted to the tried and trusted components of the known model range HEM 500. It stands out due to its huge screen area which is an optimum requirement for a high throughput rate. The big screen area opens hydraulically and ensures quick and simple maintenance access.

The screen basket is changed using only minimal assistance and without special.

This technology has been taken over from the bigger mobile chippers. On top of that, the HEM 540 R-Truck has an optimised infeed table, which is particularly suited for bulky materials, e.g. shrub cuttings, with its funneltype shape directing input material straight towards the infeed rollers.

The drive has a performance of 360 hp and maximum torque of 1,800 Nm, akin to the level of performance of todays heavy duty tractors and offers the best possible connection between performance, low initial outlay and efficiency (running costs).

The new machine´s performance is very convincing: more than 100 loose cubic meters can be processed per hour.

Maximum permissible diamter for hardwood is 42 cm and soft wood 56 cm.

The MAN TGS 18.360 4x4 truck is equipped with all-wheel drive, differential lock and special tyres for maximum traction – on top of that it meets current Euro 5-Norm.

A roomy driver’s cabin with special windows allows for better working conditions and high comfort levels whist working.

The advantages of the new Chippertruck HEM 540 R-Truck are obvious during daily use –

90 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

including the small dimensions and the capability to move easily between places of work. “Our experience shows that over 50% of a working day are spent transporting the chipper from one job to the next. To use the machine to its best advantage, it is imperative to keep those transfer times as short as possible,” explains Stefan Müller, construction designer.

With a maximum speed of 80 km/h it can use German motorways and is therefore able to go from one job to the next without much effort. Even smaller jobs in the private or communal sector will become more interesting whereas in the past

they would be uneconomical due to long journey times. “In the past, when journeys between jobs are between 30 to 40 kms but the jobs only take a couple of hours, contractors had to decline.

Running costs are considerably lower with the new Chippertruck so those jobs now become more feasible,” explains managing director Uwe Hempen-Hermeier.

New job opportunities open up such as landscape conservation jobs along roads and motorways.

Materials collected there can now be used cost effectively by communes/councils for energy use. www.jenz.de

NEW!

ELMIA WOOD – CUTTING EDGE

BRUKS new 806 chipper – exactly what customers want

BRUKS officially launch their new chipper, the BRUKS 806, at ElmiaWood in June. The first prototype underwent extensive trials following which serial production started recently.

The requirements for reduced emissions in internal combustion engines drove this project; the choice fell on a Scania diesel engine with an exhaust with catalytic converter and AdBlue additive. The engine has 500 hp, more than in the previous models, and it is more fuel efficient. With this engine, they reduce emissions to levels according EU Stage IIIB/Tier 4i but it is also prepared for the Stage IV / Tier 4f that is valid from 2014.

A number of other improvements were also made together with the engine change. The new chipper is built in modules; engine and chipper unit is basically

identical for both models, STC and ST. With the modular way of thinking they have created the opportunity to build bespoke machines according to customer requirements in a cost effective way. The customer only select, according to their needs, chiptube, infeedtable, drum, etc.

Other improvements on the 806 are the new chipper-, engine cover- and mounting frames. A new, longer version of the infeed table is also available.

BRUKS designed a new chip drum; a combination drum that gives customers more flexibility, but is still based on their proven chipping technique.

With the new drum it is also possible to get longer chips, something that is increasingly required from heating plants. Furthermore they can now offer drums with 3- or 4 knives to make “Micro Chips”.

The hydraulic-, electric- and steering systems are all new, the chip bin for the STC is improved

and strengthened and the chip accelerator has got a new kind of drive to insure a constant and stronger chip-output.

All this comes in the new colour, “The New Bruks Blue” The first tests were very successful.

A skilled chipper driver who had the opportunity to run the tests was very satisfied, and the only question raised was, -When can you deliver the first 806 to us…? www.bruks.com

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 91

CUTTING EDGE – ELMIA WOOD

NEW!

Morbark, Inc. Produces First Boxer® Compact Loader

A

midst much excitement and fanfare, the first Boxer compact utility loader rolled off the Morbark®, Inc., production line. Morbark, a leading manufacturer of tree care, sawmill, recycling, forestry and biomass chipping and grinding equipment, had acquired Boxer® Equipment, a product line of Mertz Manufacturing, LLC at the end of 2012.

Morbark’s staff gathered to watch as the first Boxer unit completed at the Morbark factory in Winn, Mich., a model 320 compact loader, was unveiled with a boxing-themed introduction.

“It’s been an amazing journey and a real testament to the teamwork and dedication of our staff,” Jim Shoemaker, Jr., President, Morbark, Inc., said. “In the 84 days since we received the intellectual property, we have moved inventory from Oklahoma to Michigan, invested in additional long-lead inventory, set up aftermarket parts and service support for existing Boxer customers, created a production line— including weld and assembly fixtures—created marketing material, completed our first dealer training sessions, and today, completed the production of our first unit. A lot of people played a role in making this a reality. In fact, I sat down and started listing the Morbark employees who have played a role in helping with the Boxer acquisition and production line, and I stopped counting at 50. It was truly amazing how many of the team came together to pull this off.”

Currently Morbark is working to fill Boxer back orders, as well as working with their authorized dealer network and previous Boxer dealers to ensure that customers receive unmatched service, after-sales support and fast, efficient parts fulfillment. In June, Morbark is scheduled to reach its full production capacity.

“This product line will fit like a glove with the rest of the tree care products that we make,” continued Shoemaker, “as well as allow Morbark, our dealers and our customers to penetrate new markets and create new opportunities for their businesses.”

First_Boxer_TCP-Staff.jpg: Morbark Tree Care Products Sales team; from left: Jeremy Beatty, Jason Showers, Casey Gross, Justin Longtin, Ryan Sanders, Kevin Kowallic, Kevin Edwards

About Boxer Equipment Boxer equipment has four model series available, including the 118 dedicated trencher and the 300, 400 and 500 series, which are built to handle a full complement of more than 50 universal compact utility attachments. The Boxer’s standard quick attach system enables the user to quickly and easily switch from a bucket to forks to auger or other tools for optimum on-the-job flexibility and bottom line performance. A feature unique to the Boxer 500 series is its variable-width, rubber track undercarriage, which allows the units to enter through gates as narrow as three feet wide. For complete Boxer Equipment product information, go to www.boxerequipment.com.

Cutting the RibbonFrom left: Chris Gruss, Line Supervisor; Casey Gross, Tree Care Products Sales Manager; Debbie Lehmann, Vice President, Finance; Jason Showers, Product Manager; Mike Jolman, Welder; Craig Swan...

92 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

NEW!

ELMIA WOOD – CUTTING EDGE

NOKIAN – KING OF THE FOREST Nokian Forest King TRS LS-2 tyre for Skidders Nokian Heavy Tyres will introduce the new 35.5L-32 Nokian Forest King TRS LS-2 tyre to complement the tyre selection for skidder equipment.

– So far, we have been lacking a tyre of the size 35.5L-32. It is a common size, however, and they are especially sold to North and South America, says Sales Manager Vesa Sampakoski from Nokian Heavy Tyres.

The new tyre is five inches wider than before, and when the diameter is 2,010 millimeters, the total weight amounts to nearly 600 kilograms’. The loadbearing capacity is high, meaning that the tyre meets today’s standards.

Size is not the only new feature of the latest Forest King.

The tread pattern has been

developed for even higher traction.

The tread is now straighter than before, creating traction across the entire surface. At the same time, the tyre shoulders have been strengthened. Also more attention has been paid to rim protection. New design prevents wood from penetrating between tyre bead and rims flange. Chain use has been improved by structural means, as the use of chains is very common in tyres of this type.

• Tyres for log skidders, wide tread with traction lugs • Special cut and crack resistant compound • Steel fortification against punctures

Nokian Nordman Forest F – Reliable and cost-effective solution for Forestry Machines In February 2013 Nokian Heavy Tyres introduced the Nokian Nordman Forest F tyre for forestry machines. It is a new type of costeffective solution for forestry. The price and quality ratio of this new product has been optimised without compromise in terms of reliability or functionality.

The new Nokian Nordman Forest F was born from customer demand. We wanted to introduce a tyre that would be easy and functional for customers to use when they need a spare tyre that works reliably under demanding conditions, or a competitive alternative for a forestry machine that is being overhauled. The Nokian Nordman Forest F answers this need, says Jarkko Heinämäki, Product Manager for Forestry Tyres at Nokian Heavy Tyres.

The same tracks and chains are compatible with both the Nokian Forest King F and the Nokian Nordman Forest F. The recommended rims and inner tubes for the Nokian Nordman Forest F are the same as for its design basis, the Nokian Forest King F. • Reliable tyre for demanding conditions • Excellent cut and puncture resistance • High load-bearing capacity

Nokian Forest King F2 – track and grip for demanding forestry use Nokian Forest King F2 – track and grip for demanding forestry use Nokian’s new Forest King F2 provides tested, better track grip for demanding forestry. During product development, special attention has been paid to making the tyre work well with tracks.

– The Nokian Forest King F2 offers perfect track support at every point, keeping the track links straight on the surface of the tyre. The grip between the tyre and track has been improved by increasing the straight section of

the ribs and the grooves on the centre part. Together with the shape of the shoulders, the new pattern improves support for the tracks and helps them stay on, says Jarkko Heinämäki, Product Manager for Forestry Tyres at Nokian Heavy Tyres.

• Track grip like never before • Improved puncture resistance • Entirely new tyre size, 780/50-28.5 PR 24, for heavy-duty forestry machine tyres.

New Nokian Nordman Forest F APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 93

CUTTING EDGE

New Tigercat loader grapple Tigercat has released a new grapple design to complement the LG4053, which has been equipped on Tigercat knuckleboom loaders for many years. The new LG5057T has a 127 mm (5 in) close (or minimum opening) and a 1,450 mm (57 in) maximum opening as well as an all-new tapered tong profile.

The grapple was conceived and developed in order to improve loader performance and productivity in sorting applications. In first and second thinning operations there are often many types of logs that must be merchandised and sorted, ranging from pulpwood to super pulp to chip-and-saw logs.

The most noticeable feature of the LG5057T grapple is the tapered tongs. The narrow grapple tong tips significantly improve the ability to efficiently and quickly pick logs out of a pile. The new arm profile is also more rounded at the tips allowing the logs to roll up into the grapple easily. This increases the holding capacity of the grapple when gathering numerous smaller diameter logs.

The most noticeable feature of the LG5057T is the tapered tongs

The LG5057T is equipped with cylinder guards to protect the rods from truck stakes and other hazards that could scratch or bend the cylinder rods.

The rotator assembly is the same as the current LG4053. www.tigercat.com

at s 8 t u 90 si d Vi tan S

Optimum machine output and fuel-savings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at the touch of a button The timer-controlled Flexxaire TAC2000H hydraulically actuated fan is now available for the Caterpillar 950K. Flexxaire fans automatically reverse the cooling airflow to purge debris from radiators and other heat exchangers, resulting in reduced engine overheating, operating downtime and repair and maintenance costs. Moreover, Flexxaire fans monitor the coolantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s temperature and reduce the airflow if not necessary. This can lead to lower fuel consumption and noise levels as well as an increase in the machineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efficiency.

Protecting a Tigercat in Western Australia

94 International Forest Industries | APRIL/MAY 2013

CUTTING EDGE

Heavy Duty Protection Kit for Log Max 6000B and 7000C Log Max has introduced the Heavy Duty Protection Kit for its 6000B and 7000C heads.

The Heavy Duty Protection Kit consists of three cylinder covers, two cylinder rod guard plates and a saw dust protection kit.

With the introduction of the Heavy Duty Protection Kit for Log Max 6000B, the company has also introduced a new cover for the feed roller arms. The new cover is designed to give protection to the cylinder rod.

This cover is included in the Log Max 6000B Heavy Duty Protection Kit. Heavy Duty Protection Kit is an accessory and will therefore not be included in standard versions of Log Max harvesting heads andmust be specified when placing a new order.

A new hose guard for the rotator unit is now available for Log Max 6000B, 6000Twin, E6 and 7000C. The new hose guard is designed to give protection for the couplings when they are attached to the rotator base. The new guard fits Indexator rotator AV 17S and H 172.

Hose guard for rotator is an accessory and will therefore not be included in standard versions, it must be ordered separately when placing a new order.

Note that with the hose guard mounted the fitment thickness will increase by 6 mm, therefore switching to longer mounting bolts for the rotator unit is required when retrofitting on Log Max 6000B and 7000C. Mounting bolts to be used: 6x MC6S M16x150 12.9, Log Max part number #501146. www.logmax.com

Hose guard for rotator unit for Log Max 6000B, 6000Twin, E6 and 7000C

APRIL/MAY 2013 | International Forest Industries 95

ADVERTISERS INDEX SALES OFFICES

ADVERTISERS INDEX

UK, Europe, South Africa, US East Coast

Acrowood Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 www.acrowood.com

Komptech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

CONTACT: Phil Playle or David Lansdowne

Bandit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 www.banditchippers.com

Limab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Barko . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 www.barko.com

Linck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

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

Bracke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 www.brackeforest.com

www.komptech.com www.limab.com www.linck.com Logmax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Bruks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 www.bruks.com

www.logmax.com

Cat Forest Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 www.cat.com/forestry

www.lucidyne.com

CEM Machine Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 www.cem-machine.com Chaco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 www.chaco.ch

Lucidyne Technologies Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 MPM Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21/79 www.mpmeng.com Microtec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 www.microtec.eu

Clark Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 www.clarktracks.com

Morbark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

CLEANFIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 www.cleanfix.org

Multisaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

www.morbark.com www.multisaw-sawmilling.com

Western USA (AZ, CA, NV, UT) Australia, & New Zealand

Comact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 www.comact.com

Norwood Sawmills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

CONTACT: George Roman

Combilift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 www.combilift.com

Nokian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

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

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

Dasa Control Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 www.dasa.se

CONTACT: Ricardo Cort茅s Editec S.A. Avda del C贸ndor 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 2013

www.nokianheavytyres.com Peterson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC

Doppstadt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 www.doppstadt.com

www.petersoncorp.com

Dynalyse AB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 www.precigrader.com

www.pezzalato.it

John Deere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 www.deere.com/forestry

www.prolenc.com

Pezzalato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Prolenc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Elmia Wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77/86 www.elmia.se/sv/wood

Resch & 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

ESRI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OBC www.esri.com/forestry

Select Sawmill Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

EWD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 www.ewd.de

SERRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6/80

Flexxaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 www.flexxaire.com

Seppi m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Forest Products Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 & Equipment Exposition www.sfpaexpo.com

Soderhamn Eriksson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

www.resch-3.com www.selectsawmill.com www.serra-sawmill.com www.seppi.com www.se-saws.com

GreenMech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 www.greenmech.co.uk

Springer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FC

Halco Software Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 www.halcosoftware.com

SP Maskiner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Heinola Sawmill Machinery Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 www.heinolasm.com

South America

NorwoodSawmills.com

www.springer.eu/ www.spmaskiner.com Tamtron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Heizomat GmbH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 www.heizomat.de

www.tamtron.fi

Indexator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 www.indexator.se

www.tigercat.com

Jeffrey Rader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 www.jeffreyrader.com Joescan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/80 www.joescan.com Komatsu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 www.komatsuforest.com

Tigercat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 USNR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 www.usnr.com Ventura . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 www.venturamaq.com WoodEXPO 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83/IBC www.woodexpo2013.com

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