Forest Machine Magazine March 2023

FOREST MACHINE MAGAZINE

RAB EASTON Editor

WELCOME Y

ou have probably noticed we have been making changes to your bimonthly magazine. The biggest change is that both the print and digital copy will be

absolutely free. As you can imagine this has taken a great deal of sorting out, so please accept my apologies for the delay in getting this issue out to you. Normal bi-monthly service is now resumed ��

I have received some great comments from many of you, one subscriber congratulating me as he maintained I must have won the lottery. Others suggesting that it might be an idea for me to seek professional medical help! Believe me there is a reason behind the madness and it was always our intention to eventually publish a free forestry magazine.

There are visible changes within the magazine, the front page is a bit thinner, this is to keep the cost of postage down. We will also feature a photo sent in by you, our readers, with a £100 Amazon voucher for the chosen photo. It is such a difficult decision picking a winner so a selection of the rest will feature within our readers gallery. We will notify you on social media when the photo competition is open, we will also add the next deadline date to the current magazine - 31st March 2023 - and you can send your photo in by text, WhatsApp or email. Just label them comp and they will be entered. All aspects of forestry work, timber haulage and wood processing is included.

Each issue will see an adults competition with a great prize up for grabs and also a colouring in photo competition for our young loggers with a prize for the winner.

We will publish a list of places where you can pick up a free copy, but we will still offer a one or two-year subscription but you only pay £15 each year for six issues. This is purely to cover our postage and packaging costs. If you would like to be a distributer or know of somewhere that forestry people frequent and would take a box or more of magazines, please let me know.

We have some amazing features scheduled over the coming months and we will continue to keep you informed with all the current news and events. Remember if you would like to be featured in the magazine or have a story you would like to see featured, please get in touch as we would love to hear from you.

Thank you for all your patience and support during this transition period. Stay safe.

Connectivity: STIHL’s Advance ProCom X-Vent Helmet.

Peace of Mind: Husqvarna offer 2 year warranty on treecare and green space equipment used by professionals.

FEATURES

SUOHIRVIÖ: 12 wheel-drive forwarder for boggy ground conditions.

Road Test: How a Komatsu 875 with 11,000 hours is performing.

Old School Logging: Extracting by horse for minimal disruption.

Greener Future: Danish chipper for working in thinnings.

Work Smarter: Westtech Woodcracker ® CS750 grapple saw

Gassing Up: Volvo’s new truck that runs on liquified Bio-gas.

Dig It: JCB’s Hydrogen powered backhoe loader is ready to roll.

Rapid Hexa: Wallis Weir trials STIHL’s high cutting performance saw chain.

FIND US ON

TreEmme MM250X

Don’t settle for second best

ENGINE 245 SPEED KM/H 40

WHEEL DRIVE 4

For operators who need multi-purpose and high-performance machines that are easy to use but are not afraid of demanding work, the TreEmme MM250X is the machine for you. This versatile machine is intended for use with a wide range of attachments. A key application is that of high output mulching in conjunction with a heavy duty mulcher, shredding post-harvest debris, tree stumps, soil reconditioning and more. Find your local Merlo Dealer at merlo.co.uk to find out more.

SIR WILLIAM WORSLEY RE-APPOINTED AS FORESTRY COMMISSION CHAIR

Environment Secretary

Thérèse Coffey has confirmed that Sir William Worsley has been reappointed, by way of Royal Warrant, as Chair of Forestry Commission for a second term. His second term will run for three years from 10 February 2023 to 9 February 2026.

Sir William Worsley has been

Chair of Forestry Commission since 2020. From June 2018 to his appointment as Chair, Sir William was the Government’s Tree Champion. He began his career as a chartered surveyor and for several years worked with the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) as former President and Chairman of the Board.

NEW POST TO CO-ORDINATE SCOTLAND’S RAINFOREST ACTION

Anew Rainforest Action Co-ordinator is to be appointed to work with a range of partners in helping protect and restore Scotland’s rainforest, located down the west coast of Scotland.

These native woodlands are internationally important with some of the world’s rarest bryophytes and lichens found amongst its trees, boulders and ravines.

Working within Scottish Forestry, but aiming to facilitate broad co-ordination and action, the new appointee will develop a strategic approach to restore and expand the rainforest. The rainforest consists of ancient oak, birch, ash, native pine and hazel woodlands. The high levels of rainfall and relatively mild year-round temperatures gives the woodlands their unique

characteristics.

The main threats to the rainforest comes from invasive non-native plants such as rhododendron, and from the damaging effects of deer browsing.

The Scottish Government recently awarded £1.3 million to Forestry and Land Scotland to enable them to tackle rhododendron and deer within the rainforest areas that the agency manages.

The new co-ordinator will work across the number of agencies, private landowners, charities and wider stakeholders to develop a co-ordinated plan of action to protect and restore Scotland’s rainforest.

Adverts for the new post will appear shortly.

MASS

TIMBER CONSTRUCTION

Look what you can build in just six months with offsite-premanufactured mass timber! The 20 000m² St. Joseph’s School in Ekeren, Belgium was assembled in just six months for the entire structure with > 4 500 m³ crosslaminated timber (CLT) from Stora Enso.

“The decision to use wood was made mainly for reasons of speed and sustainability. Another reason was the biophilic effect wood has on the students. The school board was quickly convinced.”, said the CEO of CLT-S, Karel Verzelen.

NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL FINED FOR DEATH OF SCHOOLGIRL BUPA CARE HOMES FINED

Acouncil has been fined £280,000 after the death of a six-year-old girl who was hit by a falling tree in her school playground.

Ella Henderson was playing with friends at Gosforth Park First School in Newcastle upon Tyne on 25 September 2020 when a decaying willow tree collapsed. The Year 2 pupil was freed from under the tree by emergency services and taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, where she died the following morning. Several other children were hit by the falling tree but managed to escape,

some with superficial injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the tree had decayed and was in a poor condition. Newcastle City Council had failed to identify the extent of the decay or to manage the risk posed by the tree.

Newcastle City Council pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £280,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,020 by South Tyneside Magistrates on 10 January 2023.

TREE HEALTH PILOT IMPROVEMENTS MADE

The Tree Health Pilot has been updated to improve the support available to farmers and land managers dealing with tree pest and disease issues. The innovative Pilot, running between 2021 and 2024, provides land managers with grants, guidance and advice to reduce the impacts of tree pests and diseases and build the resilience of England’s trees, woodlands and forests ahead of the rollout of a future nationwide Tree Health Scheme. The Pilot is currently available in London, the South East, the North West and the West Midlands.

Following a successful first

year, in which more than 80 expressions of interest were received, Defra has worked with the Forestry Commission to evaluate user feedback and make several key changes to the scheme. These include simplifying the payments process, introducing higher payment rates, implementing a new advice package, and improving guidance.

The Tree Health Pilot covers five tree types, including ash affected by ash dieback, oak trees infested with Oak Processionary Moth, and sweet chestnut infected by sweet chestnut blight.

Acare home provider has been fined £400k after an eight-year-old girl suffered catastrophic injuries when a tree fell on her. The company was also ordered to pay costs of £3,275 and a victim surcharge.

Bupa Care Homes (CFHCare) Limited pleaded guilty after it failed to provide a system to manage trees on its site at Oak Lodge Care Home in Bitterne, Southampton.

West Hampshire Magistrates Court heard that on 8 July 2021, the girl was out for an evening jog with her father. As she was running on a pavement outside the entrance to the care home, a lime tree fell on her. She suffered serious crush injuries and her leg had to be amputated. It was subsequently found that the tree was diseased with a common fungus and had likely been rotting for several years prior to the accident.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that, over a number of years, Bupa Care Homes had failed to have in place a strategy to manage trees, including adequate risk assessment, proactive surveys, inspections, and monitoring of trees, to identify where remedial work may have been required to prevent risk of the tree falling. www.hse.gov.uk

STIHL LAUNCHES ADVANCE PROCOM X-VENT

STIHL has launched ADVANCE ProCOM

X-VENT which sees the popular ADVANCE ProCOM headset fitted as standard to its X-VENT safety helmet. This new product offers forestry and landscaping professionals clear, high-quality communications and top-of-the-range ear and head protection all-in-one. ADVANCE ProCOM is also available as an ear defender set, or as an accessory for the ADVANCE X-CLIMB and other 3M compatible helmets for a wide range of choice.

Fixed to the X-VENT for optimum comfort and safety, the ADVANCE ProCOM headset offers seamless on-site communication with up to 16 other ADVANCE ProCOM users. It also boasts a range of up

to 600m between two users, dependent on terrain; with each headset acting as a repeater to extend the range should more than two headsets be in use at once.

Its intuitive ambient mode allows users to hear and react to potential dangers around them, with automatic de-activation, should loud noise be detected, for maximum protection.

The design, which puts user safety at the forefront, not only offers the ADVANCE ProCOM’s industry-leading ear protection, but hard-wearing head protection, complete with reflective strips, in the form of the X-VENT. The vented helmet comes with a sturdy spring steel mesh visor which allows up to 80% light visibility for a clear,

A83 TASKFORCE UPDATED ON PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS

Transport Minister Jenny

Gilruth chaired the latest meeting of the A83 Taskforce in Arrochar to provide an update on medium term solutions for the Rest and be Thankful.

The Minister confirmed that realignment work to the south end of the existing Old Military Road through the Glen Croe

corridor will get underway later this year.

This work is part of the medium term solution to the challenges at the Rest And Be Thankful, aiming to make it a more resilient diversion route, until the long term solution to the problems at the Rest and Be Thankful is constructed.

protected view. For ease of use, it also comes with a ratchet adjustment headband and a twist lock to adjust its size and height.

The ADVANCE ProCOM X-VENT also features qualities such as smartphone voice assistance, an integrated FM radio and app customisation. Additionally, it offers both open-mic and pushto-talk options to suit the level of communication required. www.stihl.co.uk.

The Forestry Commission, Forestry England and Forest Research are calling for the general public to submit photos of modern day ‘Lumberjills’ – pictures of women working in the forestry sector – to create a People’s Picture in a first of its kind celebration of women in forestry.

The images will go on display at the forthcoming Women in Forestry, The Lumberjills Story exhibition at Grizedale Forest this May. The People’s Picture

HUSQVARNA GROUP LAUNCHES TWOYEAR WARRANTY PROGRAM OPTIMIZED FOR PROFESSIONAL CUSTOMERS

Husqvarna Group launches a comprehensive two-year warranty program designed to provide extended protection for equipment used by commercial green space and tree care professionals. The two-year warranty is a significant benefit for professional chainsaw customers, as the coverage is the longest commercial warranty in the market.

Additionally for commercial zero-turn mowers and standon mowers, the first two years of ownership will be covered under warranty with no hour limitations on usage. Customers can immediately take advantage of this program and benefit from two full years of warranty coverage for Husqvarna 300 and

500 series professional handheld and wheeled products.

“Husqvarna’s revamped warranty program is another demonstration of our commitment to our commercial customers,” said Carlos Haddad, Vice President of North America, Professional Products at Husqvarna Group. “Green space and tree care professionals can continue to count on an exceptional level of coverage for tools being used as designed and can rest assured that their vital equipment is protected.”

Professional Husqvarna products covered under the warranty program include:

• 300/500 Series Handheld -

EXHIBITION CELEBRATING WOMEN IN FORESTRY TO OPEN

will illustrate the connection today’s women have with forests and woodlands by inviting them to submit photos showing themselves at work. The exhibition will also celebrate the contribution of the WWII Lumberjills: a group of women who played a vital role in maintaining the supply of timber during the Second World War. People who have pictures

of working Lumberjills from WWII are also invited to submit their pictures for display at the forthcoming exhibition.

Women have long played a role in modern forestry but are under-represented. As tree planting across the country increases, so does the demand for a larger skilled domestic forestry sector to deliver

• Excludes Husqvarna 330 series trimmers.

• Pro Batteries (BLi100Bli950x)

• Pro Split Boom Attachments

• W500 Walk-behind Mowers

• Z400 Zero-Turn Mowers

• V500/Z500/P500D Stand on, Zero Turn and Articulating Riders

Husqvarna’s warranty services cover defects in machinery or workmanship that may occur under normal use during the Warranty Period. During this Warranty Period, Husqvarna will repair or replace any defective product or part because of a defect in material or workmanship, under normal use and maintenance, at no cost to the owner.

www.husqvarna.com

Government tree planting and net zero ambitions. There are a wide range of careers in forestry available for women from all backgrounds, from being a forester, ecologist, or tree surgeon, to working in conservation to scientific research. There are also lots of exciting wider roles linked to our nation’s forests, from business planning and management to leisure and tourism.

To take part, please submit a photograph by Friday 31 March 2023 to thepeoplespicture.com/ forestry-england/.

FOREST MACHINE MAGAZINE

#homeoflogging

March 2023 Issue 39

ISSN 2398-8568

Editor and Publisher

Robert Easton

Advertising

Rab Easton

Social Media Manager

Rab Easton

Layout and Design

Wendy Easton

Subscriptions

Wendy Easton

Photography

Wendy Easton

CONTACT US

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(0)7582055748 / +44 (0) 7951 473 846

Website: www.forestmachinemagazine.com

Address: 33 Holm Gardens, Bellshill, ML4 2PB. UK

Forest Machine Magazine assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate information, errors or omissions. Forest Machine Magazine considers its sources reliable and verifies as much data as possible. However, reporting inaccuracies can occur and consequently readers using this information do so at their own risk. The opinions expressed in each article are those of its author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Forest Machine Magazine. Therefore, Forest Machine Magazine carries no responsibility for the opinions expressed thereon. Through the magazines you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Forest Machine Magazine. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites.

The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. No part of this publication and/or website may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without prior written permission of the Publisher.

© 2023 Forest Machine Magazine. All rights reserved.

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TMK TREE SHEAR IS NOW TMK MACHINERY

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SUOHIRVIÖ SWAMP MONSTER

What a brilliant response we had to our first ever magazine front cover photo competition. With over 500 photos sent in, it made for an exceedingly difficult decision picking an outright winner. But, after much deliberation, I finally decided on the photo of the Valmet Swamp Monster sent in by Tanel Tuulmees from Estonia and what a cracker it is!

Tanel is 25 years old and has been operating forwarders for the last seven years. His first forwarder was a Valmet 840.3 which he operated prior to the arrival of this specially adapted

forwarder in 2021.

The Swamp Monster was modified by Finnish Engineer, Jani Karvanen, of Reformet Oy, for wet and boggy conditions. It was built on a 25,000-hour Valmet 860 S2 frame at the end of 2014. Two pairs of wheels and the control technology of their axles were added to the machine in combination with roller tensioning. The machine was tested at a few wet sites in 2015, which resulted in some minor structural changes. In 2017, the number of drive wheels was reduced to four, aiming for a half-lighter drivetrain and even more

responsive manoeuvrability, and the results were good.

When entering load-bearing land (e.g., on a rocky transition track), the tension of the rollers is adjusted to a looser one by pressing the button to save the rollers. When going soft, the rollers are tightened to achieve sufficient traction between the wheel and the roller, as well as to achieve a uniform loadbearing capacity of the rollers, making it easy to travel.

The machine turns well, based on the equal traction, as well as the load capacity of the front cab and rear bunk. On load-

bearing ground, the machine’s manoeuvrability is more agile than on a standard machine. On soft ground, the turning ability is of the same order as a standard machine. The axles can be adjusted to an equal position regardless of the direction of travel of the machine.

In addition to special equipment, logging on soft soils requires special skills all year round. Careful planning and implementation of the work plays an equally important role as the equipment, to obtain the best possible end result.

The swamp monster has been classed as an experiment, but Jani still claims it to be the best application for logging softsoils as it was used daily in the “wettest of times” with great success.

As focus has shifted in Estonia to the harvesting of energy wood, there has been less use for the monster. Resources are not enough either to develop the machine into a commercial product, so Reformet Oy are open to various collaborations regarding the monster.

Although the badge clearly says Valmet 840.3, that was put on for a bit of fun to confuse, it is really a Valmet 860. It is a full 12-wheel drive and is 11m long and 3.6m wide. The engine is the standard R6 with an OEM hydraulic system.

The tracks, which are made by Kopa and specifically made for maximum flotation, are 1m wide on the front and 1.2m wide on the rear. The loading bay has been extended to 4.1m wide. The forwarder has undergone a

recent overhaul and is looking smart and shiny. Tanel enjoys operating this swamp monster which is able to extract timber

from wet and peaty areas where conventional 8WD forwarders would be constantly getting bogged.

THE FOREST: A PLACE TO RELAX AND WORK

This is exactly how forest professional and hunter Robert Brunnauer describes the forest habitat. Harvesting timber means you’re out working in all kinds of weather conditions. Whether rain, sun, wind or snow – your place of work is the unpredictable outdoors, so you need a strong, reliable partner to cope with all of these conditions.

Robert decided to become self-employed 30 years ago and has been pursuing his passion, working in and around the forest, on a daily basis ever since. To run a successful lumbering company, the Salzburg native relies on quality and outstanding performance. He has been a satisfied EPSILON customer for 15 years and couldn’t be happier with his current EPSILON S120R. “I have had the S120R on this machine for 5 years now, it has a lot more power and is simply one

of the best cranes available from EPSILON,” says Robert.

Robert’s working day normally starts early in the morning firstly farming then hunting followed by his forestry work. After fuelling and maintaining the machines, it’s time to start work in the forest which continues until late in the evening. It is mostly five days but during extremely busy periods this can stretch to seven days a week.

The EPSILON S120R is a highlight

for Robert. During his time as an EPSILON customer and crane specialist, he can state categorically that he has had no major repairs - clearly a sign of the highest quality. On his S120R, he particularly likes the large FG57X grab, this is the biggest that EPSILON has to offer. “The grapple is a perfect for my type of work because I need to be able to carry large grabfulls. I can carry either five logs at a time or transport tons

of branches. It can be used for so many different applications and that’s why I wouldn’t want any other,” states the forestry expert enthusiastically.

With the help of the EPSILON crane, the clear up operation of the bark beetle-infested forest outside of Salzburg was handled effortlessly. The damaged wood, which had been under observation for some time, was quickly felled and cut to the desired lengths by Robert and his team, so that it could be used quickly. Since the infested trees were huge, a powerful and strong crane was essential.

Once the work is done, he puts the big machine aside and walks through the forest with his dog. Robert sees the forest as not only as a place to work, but also as a place to relax and hunt. The peace and quiet of hunting gives him the necessary balance in his life after completing an actionpacked day.

PLANNING WORK UNDERWAY FOR TREE FELLING IN GWYNEDD

The trees, between Bala and Dolgellau, near the village of Rhydymain, have become infected with Phytophthora Ramorum, commonly known as larch disease.

A Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN) has been issued which requires NRW to act within a set period of time to control the disease, which can spread

quickly through a woodland or forest, killing whole trees. The trees have to be felled before they become unstable, while some conifer trees in the area will also be felled for safety reasons.

This work, expected to start in summer 2023 with completion by early 2026, will remove the risk of trees falling onto the A494 in the future.

NRW is currently working with partners to obtain the necessary permissions and consents to be able to undertake this project. Planned periods of traffic management will be needed to ensure the safety of contractors and the general public

Once the harvesting has been completed NRW will be replanting the area with broadleaf trees.

During 2023 we will be demonstrating the Neuson 264HVT throughout the Uk and Ireland. Please get in touch for more details!

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: KOMATSU 875 WITH 11,000 HOURS

Timber harvesting has to be one of the most challenging professions out there!

Cut-throat contract prices, slow payments, staff shortages, equipment failure, theft, vandalism, difficult foresters and irate members of the public are just some of the problems contractors face on a regular basis.

Having good reliable equipment is paramount to running any successful business, a bogus

machine doesn’t take long to have a negative impact on your finances and reputation. Unfortunately, when choosing equipment not everyone can afford to buy, or have enough work in front of them, to make the repayments on the latest all singing and all dancing shiny new machines. This leaves some contractors with no alternative but to look to the used equipment market where hopefully they can find a good, well-maintained machine that sits comfortably within their budget.

Just recently I have been helping a friend out by operating his six-year-old Komatsu 875 forwarder which had just over 11,000 hours on the clock. I thought that this would make an ideal contender to see how this forwarder has stood up to the test of time. The present owner has had the forwarder for about three years and so far has had no problems or expensive breakdowns.

The forwarder was working not far from the village of Strachur in Argyll. My first impressions

were that I thought it looked around 3 years old and had probably done about 5-6,000 hours of work. It was in first class condition, there were no visible dents or bashes, and the paintwork was still bright and shiny.

Ground conditions were typical for Argyll, steep and wet. On the plus side it was large volume trees that had been growing yielding oversize and regular saw logs and a small proportion of chip. Some of the oversize 4.9m logs were in excess of 2m³. All the timber was being extracted uphill and it was a long hard pull with a few steep clicks thrown in for good measure. I was fortunate as a lot of work had been done on the main extraction track prior to me arriving; drains had been opened on the high side with bridges built at intervals across the track to prevent water running down the brash mat and plenty of thatching had been done in the wetter areas.

The forwarder was having to run with two sets of band tracks. I had operated two other Komatsu’s earlier in the year so was reasonably familiar with the controls but this model had the advantage of a weigh link which was fitted just above the rotator.

Although it was a cold frosty morning the AGCO 6 Cylinder 256hp engine started immediately and had a nice crisp note to it. Once it reached running temperature, I set off backwards down the hill in search of timber.

This 16 tonne load capacity forwarder is fitted with the bunk

widening kit, which is ideal for getting your weight on without having to load the forwarder too high. The loading crane was a Komatsu 145F single extension dipper with 8.5m reach.

The steering is quick and precise with no play and the forwarder had a good solid feel to it when driving. Although I was reversing down the twisty track it was easy to manoeuvre, this was just as well as there were some substantial drops off the edge of the track if I got it wrong!

Once I arrived at the timber and started loading I found the crane was a pleasure to use. I like the quick set up Komatsu has where you can speed up and slow down all the crane movements

with the +/- button on the left handset. I find 70% is a nice speed as it is reasonably quick and controllable but still very smooth to use.

There was no play whatsoever on any of the pins and bushes and the kingpost had no signs of wear and no sideways movement when you stopped slewing. The 145F crane was incredibly powerful as there was a lot of oversized 4.9m logs in excess of 2m³ which it was easily capable of loading.

It was difficult to believe the hours this machine had done, I would have sworn the hours were wrong but this is a machine that has been well maintained and used by good

operators who weren’t shy of using a grease gun.

The weighing system was handy as there was a steep click on the way out and loading around 1415 tonne was perfect, any more weight and you required the use of diff locks and had to slow the potentiometer right down to increase traction.

I couldn’t fault the forwarder as it pulled like a train on the long steep uphill extraction. Most of the hours were done in hard frosty ground conditions but even when the milder, wetter weather arrived it still performed perfectly with no drop in production whatsoever. I was helping out whenever I could and averaged over 100 hours on this site with the forwarder proving to be very reliable. I stopped only once to replace a hydraulic pipe.

A tank of diesel lasted my full ten-hour shift using the Eco Drive. Fuel consumption averaged around 13.9ltr of diesel an hour - which I thought was very good considering the ground conditions - extracting approximately a load an hour. AdBlue usage was around 15 litre each day. Someone at Komatsu has really thought out the refuelling process too. First you lower the rear steps to get access to the flap you open where you attach the refuelling hose. This flap locks the top cover in place which is lifted to gain access to the fuel cap which needs to be vented to prevent a pressure build up in the diesel tank.

All the maintenance is straight

forward, greasing points are easily seen with good access, bonnet and cab are lifted by hydraulics with the push of a button.

The cab is a spacious, comfortable workstation with good all-round vision. The controls are well laid out and easily identified, I do like the well placed large front and rear information screens with the integrated MaxiVision mapping system. This is a great help in negotiating unfamiliar territory.

The forwarder was moved to another site near Stirling after Christmas and I have done almost another 100 hours since then. This is a flat site running on rear band tracks with higher production, up to now I have been averaging around 20 tonne/hour. There are a few more sizes including some horrible little 1.7 fencing posts and some extraction distances around 1,000m. Fuel consumption is down to around 12ltrs/hr with a lot less AdBlue usage at around 8-10 litre per day.

I can’t fault this Komatsu 875, as far as I am aware it has never had any serious problems or mishaps, it is still under the MaxiFleet contract where Komatsu come out and service it every 500 hours.

This proves that using quality operators and carrying out regular servicing and maintenance is the answer to getting the maximum service life out of a machine. I am thoroughly enjoying operating this forwarder, it is everything

you would expect and more.

It is tons at roadside that pay the bills and this forwarder has proven to do that from day one. I would have no hesitation in recommending Komatsu forestry machines to others and I would imagine this forwarder still has many thousands of hours work and hundreds of thousands of tonnes left in the tank. I have operated many Valmet/Komatsu’s over my career and found them all to be of an excellent build quality and had very few problems with any of them. They are a very stable forwarder with good ground clearance, plenty of power, good traction and are great forwarders for working on wet and boggy ground conditions.

Although not fitted on this model, the one feature I would recommend is the Comfort Ride. This takes a lot of the cabin shock and vibrations experienced by operators when working on uneven ground and will help to increase productivity.

The only negative point I could find was had that the transmission can be a little bit noisy when pulling hard on an uphill extraction, on the flat site it is working now it is pretty quiet.

So many operators are brand loyal and will slate other manufacturers but in all fairness Komatsu are manufacturing machines that if properly looked after will give contractors a long and profitable service life whether purchasing new or second hand.

Win a Komatsu Forwarder or Harvester model

How to win: Find the word that is not in the word search and WhatsApp your answer to 079582 055 748. Closing Date: 31st March. All correct answers will be put in a hat and the winner will be picked at random. The Judges decision is final.

FRONT COVER PHOTO COMPETITION

FRONT COVER PHOTO COMPETITION

Ben Hines

Jamie Churchill

Ben Symes

Charles Pirson

Davy Wilson

Chad Woo

Ben Humphries

Graham Miller

Jack Davidson

La Foresta Società Cooperativa

Jack MacNeil

Luke Simpson

Kelly Doran

Jack Osbourne

Glyn Alun Elis Williams

RARE SUFFOLK PUNCH TAKES NORFOLK ESTATE’S PARKLAND BACK TO ITS ROOTS

The striking horses – a Suffolk and an Ardennes Comtoise cross – are helping make space for native broadleaf trees and the creation of new habitats for butterflies and birds by opening up the area’s dense canopy to increase flora biodiversity.

Using horses and specialist equipment to drag the pine logs out of the plantation ensures minimal disruption to the local soil and wildlife located throughout the current pine plantation, as their unshod hooves allow for a less invasive distribution of weight compared to logging machinery.

The area of the pine plantation, which was planted in the 1970s for timber production, will be repopulated with native mixed broadleaves including hazel, oak, walnut, and sweet chestnut to increase the woodland’s resilience to climate change and

disease, helping to lessen the risk of trees being wiped out by one single illness and preventing severe damage like that caused by ash dieback.

Tom Day, the National Trust’s Area Ranger for Oxburgh Estate said: “This is a crucial time for us to double down on our parkland conservation efforts. Right now, the area of the pine plantation is severely lacking in biodiversity and contains 50 per cent less wildlife than in the rest of our woodlands. Including a Suffolk Horse in the management of the property’s woodlands the project also serves as an important contribution to contemporary conservation efforts for this rare breed and mirrors how such work would have been carried out, as long as 400 years ago.”

Suffolk Horses, also historically known as the Suffolk Punch, are native to the region, and is

one of only four English breeds of heavy horse bred specifically for ploughing and pulling loads. It is these “gentle giants” that helped to shape the area’s rural landscape.

However, due to the mechanisation of farming, the Suffolk Horse’s numbers rapidly declined in the twentieth century and with less than five hundred horses registered in the UK today they are classed as critically endangered by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and listed on the priority watchlist.

During select phases, the Suffolk Horses’ work will be accompanied by a timber harvester.

The project is part of the National Trust’s ten-year sustainable woodland management plan for the region, which will run until 2029 across various locations in East Anglia.

Rare Suffolk Punch pulling a tree log on the Oxburgh Estate, Norfolk | © National Trust / Mike Selby

For many of us, social media offers a greater convenience and connectivity. Here at FMM it also gives us the opportunity to build relationships that we wouldn’t normally make. One such, is with Danish engineer, Nikolai Simonsen. In January, Nikolai sent me some photos and a video of an interesting chipping concept by Green Chip A/S, which is designed for working in first and second thinnings. The post created such an interest that I decided to find out a bit more.

It is a clever concept which has been developed onto a forwarder chassis. The offset crane and chipper are attached to the front of the forwarder,

while the processed chips are fed directly into a rear mounted container.

The original idea came from the Danish company Silvatec Skovmaskiner who were one of the pioneers of forestry equipment with roots going back 40 years. There are around 25 to 30 of the original Silvatec chippers in use today, but the company were unable to find a buyer in 2017 so declared bankruptcy.

In October 2018, new Danish company Green Chip, was established by CEO Kaj J Poulsen who now owns all of the original drawings and rights of Silvatec. Also on board is Martin Nielson, one of the original Silvatec engineers who has been involved with every one of the 50 chipping units made.

This new chipper, the Green Chip 838, is designed for chipping up to 38cm diameter trees in first or second thinnings or for brash recovery on

thinnings and clearfells. The 838 can be used with a grapple for picking up pre felled trees, or with Green Chips own felling grapple, meaning the whole process of felling, chipping and extracting the woodchips is by one man and one machine.

The 838 is built on German machine manufacturer’s HSM 208 Bigfoot Forwarder - Green Chip are the Danish distributers for HSM machinery, LOGMER cranes and PEWAG band tracks and wheelchains - with specially designed NAF bogies so that the optional extra wide low ground pressure 940mm tyres can be used but still keeps the overall width at under 3m. Other tyre options are 710mm, 800mm or 1200mm for extremely boggy sites.

This very low ground pressure machine prevents soil compaction and rutting in the forest and with minimal impact on forest roads it allows for higher driving speeds and lower fuel consumption than when

used with band tracks. This makes the machine much more comfortable for operators when travelling on rougher terrain as the wider tyres are better equipped to absorb obstacles reducing the shock felt by operators in the cabin.

The 838 is driven by a sixcylinder stage V320/230KW hp Mercedes engine with a NAF hydrostatic/mechanical two speed transmission with driving speeds of 0.8.3 km/hr and 0-25 km/hr. The bogies are also made by NAF and are the narrow version HSM13 type with a full 8WD, differential lock front and rear providing 165kN of traction force. Although the chassis, bogies and cabin are from HSM that is where all the similarities end.

The engine is mounted behind the cabin to accommodate the front mounted chipper and crane. The crane is a modified Logmer 6-7 US, the main boom is slightly shorter for added strength and extra hoses have

been added for the grapple saw.

At the heart of this machine is the front feeding Chipper manufactured by Green Chip, the disc diameter is 1200mm,with a feeding speed of 70m/min. The feed opening is 380 x 350mm with a feeding power of 20kN and has a feeding tunnel with a tiltable bottom plate and produces woodchips 20-35mm long.

The hydraulic system from Bosch Rexroth has twin 95 cm² pumps; one for the crane, lifting the container and steering and the other for the feeding system. There is a 250ltr capacity hydraulic tank with oil cooling and circulation and filter system with a working pressure of 210 bar. The cabin is ROPS, OPS and FOPS approved with LEXAN safety screens and has an air suspension seat, air conditioning and radio.

It is easily transported with a width starting at 2.55m up to 2.9m (depending on tyre size options), 11m long, 2.7m high and weighs 27,000kg.

My only real concern was that as the chipper was mounted on

the front would there be a lot of vibration and noise in the cabin so I spoke to Kaj to find out. “The chipper is fixed tightly to the forwarders chassis” clarified Kaj “which minimises vibrations. The cabin has rubber mountings where it is fixed to the chassis for additional comfort. The cab soundproofing is excellent and is no noisier than operating a conventional forwarder. We appreciate that operators work long arduous shifts so we have spent a lot of time making sure we can offer the most comfortable, quiet and stress-free working environment possible.”

Kai went on to explain “The first unit we built was in 2020 and it was sold to the company AB Skovservice Carsten Villadsen, we have completed four in total with number five under construction in our workshop. Each machine takes about 1,200 hours to assemble which equates to us manufacturing two or three machines a year. There is currently me and four engineers at our production plant in Nørager and we will look to increase our workforce to keep up with customers demand.

“We haven’t strayed much from the original design and the fact that so many of the original Silvatec chippers are still in existence is testament to that. Our 838 is easily capable of chipping up to 120m³ per hour with a 20m³ container with a 5m high tip which can tip directly into 40m³ containers.”

I asked Kaj where he saw the best markets for this chipper. “Here in Denmark but we also have an agreement in place with a dealer in Finland. Other markets we are exploring are South Sweden, Germany, France, the UK and Ireland.”

This is a brilliant concept for off road chipping with excellent unimpaired vision with the front mounted offset crane. It will be a lot easier on the operator as you are always looking forward and not having to constantly turn your head from side to side when using the crane.

HSM are famous for their strength and long service life and coupled with a chipping unit that has stood the test of time I am sure this venture from Green Chip will go from strength to strength. www.greenchip.dk

Kaj Poulsen

L-R: Nikolai Simonsen, Niels Gertsen and Martin Nielsen

FELLING TREES IN TOWN WITH THE CS750 SMART

Removing trees from towns and urban areas is quick and easy with the Woodcracker® CS750 smart grapple saw and Merlo’s rototelehandler.

The flexible telescopic loader has a range of 30m and the individually extendable supports require little space for the telehandler to position itself.

The attached grapple saw does the rest.

This particular grapple saw was specially designed for attachment to a Roto telescopic loader for Doug’s Tree Service. The CS750 smart is equipped with a strong gripper that presses down during the cutting process and securely holds the cuttings. This ensures the safety of all workers and residents. The grapple saw enables trees to be safely removed in sections and is ideal for special tree removals in urban areas or towns.

Although the Woodcracker® CS750 smart is equipped with a tiltator, which makes the machine infinitely rotatable and thus enables it to approach all tree parts and branches, the heart of this machine is the saw box. This is spring-mounted and thus prevents the saw blade from bending when force is applied. An automatic chain tensioner was also installed, which always ensures that the saw chain is correctly seated and prevents it from jumping off.

The saw chain is lubricated with grease. Compared to oil lubrication, chain lubrication with grease does not result in oil mist that causes dirt on the driver’s cab, especially on the disc. The grease also stays on the chain much longer and is therefore more economical and longer-lasting.

FÖRST ANNOUNCE NEW DEALERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH SPECTRUM PLANT

Först, Europe’s leading wood chipper manufacturer, are delighted to announce a new dealership agreement with Spectrum Plant. Spectrum Plant, already well known and highly regarded within the arboricultural industry in the north of England, will join the Först family as the official dealer for both sales and service, in Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Isle of Man.

Incorporating a handful of dealer partners in strategic locations, into their otherwise direct selling model, is a relatively new direction for

Först. Historically, the company has sold direct to their customers across the UK in order to maintain the very highest level of customer service. However, following a successful partnership with ILH Groundcare Machinery in

Scotland, Först recognised the benefits to customers in areas of significant distance from their head office in Andover, of having a local and arb focused dealer.

FörstAssist remains available to all customers, no matter where they’re located, and will still be the first port of call for all technical enquiries. However, where hands on technical support is required in the north of England, these enquiries will be passed on to the relevant Först approved dealer.

Spectrum, will be offering full sales, service and parts support to customers within their region and are conveniently based in Warrington. Spectrum Plant joins existing dealers Pro-Arb Machinery, in York, who cover Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and Yorkshire and ILH in Scotland, which will ensure that the whole of the northern part of the UK is covered.

www.forstglobal.com

MODVION RAISES MONEY TO TAKE WOODEN WIND TURBINE TOWERS TO MARKET

Swedish wood technology company Modvion has raised 125 million SEK to take its wooden wind turbine towers to the market. Leading global wind turbine manufacturer Vestas, Almi Invest Greentech, the European Commission’s EIC Fund, Course Corrected VC and Symbia VC invested in this round.

The new capital was raised through an oversubscribed convertible note issue. There was strong support from current shareholders, including Vestas Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Vestas, and the European Commission’s EIC Fund. They were joined by a consortium of new investors including Swedish climatefocused investors such as Almi Invest Greentech and Course Corrected VC, alongside Symbia VC, an Austrian corporate venture capital fund focused on innovation along the wood value chain. Among the participating investors were a group from Falkenberg, looking to support Swedish industrial initiatives.

Wood is a renewable material that enables radical reductions in emissions. Producing a wooden tower reduces emissions by 90% when compared to a conventional steel tower of the same height and load. Considering that wood is also storing carbon, the tower becomes carbon negative, since it is binding more CO2 than it

emits during manufacturing. Modvion’s patented technology enables taller towers and increased electricity production. Wind turbines are expected to double in size in the coming years, going from a global average of 3.4 megawatts to 6.6 by 2030. Significant markets in Europe are already well ahead of the curve and bigger wind turbines need taller towers, where Modvion’s solution is the most competitive.

The wooden towers are built in modules, which are easy to transport to sites that would otherwise be inaccessible.

The modules are made using an engineered wood product called Laminate Veneer Lumber (LVL) that has a higher specific strength than steel, allowing for a lighter tower construction.

Modvion’s next milestone is building their first commercial installation later this year. The 2-megawatt wind turbine will stand at 150m total height, including the blades. Following that there are plans for a 6-megawatt wind turbine, one of the largest platforms used on land, while in parallel scaling up production capacity.

www.modvion.com

POWERFUL BIOGAS TRUCK: LOWERING CO2 ON LONGER TRANSPORTS

Volvo Trucks is now launching a new, stronger gas-powered truck that can run on liquified biogas. The new truck can carry out demanding, long distance transport tasks, while reducing overall CO2 emissions.

Five years ago, Volvo Trucks launched its trucks that can run on liquified biogas, often called bio-LNG, which is a renewable fuel that can be produced from many types of organic waste, including food scraps. The fuel can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 100%.

“Biogas is a great complement to electric transports, helping hauliers with their sustainability ambitions and aims towards climate neutral transports,” says Daniel Bergstrand, product manager for gas-powered trucks at Volvo Trucks.

The gas-powered trucks, the Volvo FH and FM are getting a new power level of 500 hp, joining the previous 420 and 460 hp engines. The gas engines also get major technical upgrades that makes them up to 4% more fuel efficient, which together with a new 10% larger gas tank, contributes to a longer range.

“Our efficient gas-powered trucks have a performance comparable to their diesel equivalents. Fueling up is almost as fast as a diesel truck and

the growing network of more than 600 fuel stations for both bio-LNG and LNG in Europe makes them ideal for long-haul transports,” explains Bergstrand.

NO SINGLE SOLUTION CAN SOLVE CLIMATE CHANGE

The strengthened gas-powered line up fits well with Volvo Trucks three-path strategic roadmap to reach zero emissions: battery electric trucks, fuel cell trucks and combustion engines that run on renewable fuels like biogas, HVO or even green hydrogen.

“Several technical solutions are needed because the availability of energy and fuel infrastructure differs greatly between countries and regions, and also because the requirements for each transport assignment can vary,” comments Bergstrand.

MASSIVE PLANS TO REPLACE FOSSIL LNG WITH BIO-LNG IN EUROPE

European production of bio-LNG is expected to ramp up quickly to shift away from the use of fossil LNG. The EU Commission has put forward a plan called REPower EU, where the focus is on creating greatly increased domestic production capacity for different kinds of energy. The plan is to boost annual biogas production ten times by 2030 and the sector has already started a rapid growth phase. Also outside of Europe the potential for biogas is gaining interest.

Facts about liquified gas: Bio-LNG (also called LBG) is a renewable fuel that is liquid biogas (biomethane). Any organic waste can be digested to produce biogas, for example sludge from treatment plants, food waste, manure and other residual products. The EU Commissions goal is to boost annual biogas production ten times to 35 billion cubic meters by 2030.

£10 MILLION TO SUPPORT INNOVATION IN TRANSPORT DECARBONISATION

Anew research hub, backed by £10 million in government funding is being launched to boost innovation and decarbonise transport. Applications are now open for organisations to host the new hub.

Currently, transport accounts for 27% of the UK’s emissions and

the Net Zero Transport for a Resilient Future Hub will drive decarbonisation solutions, such as greater use of recycled materials and reducing the carbon footprint of repairs and maintenance.

is resilient and meets the challenges of climate adaption, such as changes to weather and water levels.

It will focus on the UK’s transport sector’s needs over the next 25 years as the government works to meet its 2050 net zero goals, helping to ensure the sector can build UK skills, jobs and innovation.

PALFINGER: FIRST FLAGSHIP STORE IN GERMANY

The world’s leading provider of innovative crane and lifting solutions is building a new location in Poing near Munich on a site of almost 12,000 square meters. Here, PALFINGER combines product presentation, service and the future-way-of-work in a holistic architectural concept.

PALFINGER is growing worldwide and at the same time is expanding its footprint in existing core markets, such as Germany. In Munich, the international technology company is applying an innovative concept and is building its first PALFINGER flagship store. “We are combining several functions - a large showroom, efficient service workshops that meet all requirements and modern offices - in an eye-catching new building and offer all services

The hub will also develop and implement innovative ideas to ensure future transport integrated into one location,” explains Gerhard Sturm, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Service, PALFINGER AG. The company is therefore giving its customers and partners the unique opportunity to get to know its latest product innovations and to see them in action in the outdoor area.

“With this exclusive offering, our PALFINGER flagship store is absolutely state-of-the-art, not only in Germany,” says Sturm.

During the first phase of construction, offices and a workshop for service and bodywork will be built by 2025. In a second construction phase, this complex can be significantly expanded.

Munich is also one of the most important research locations in Germany; there is a tradition here of cooperation between university, non-university and industrial research.

DOOSAN LAUNCHES B60NX/B80NS HEAVY-LIFTING ELECTRIC TRUCKS

Doosan, the leading manufacturer of robust high-performance forklift trucks, has launched two new ranges of high capacity electric counterbalance forklift trucks within the NXE Series, providing industrial users with a wide choice of zero-emission, low-noise level, environmentally friendly trucks capable of tackling heavy duty tasks. Both ranges have a compact new design for greater manoeuvrability in tight spaces and are built to Doosan’s exacting standards on durability and robust, reliable performance.

THE POWERFUL B80NS

Available in capacities from 8.0 to 10.0 tons, businesses across a broad spectrum of industries will benefit from the improved capability, power and performance of Doosan’s latest heavy-lifting B80NS electric trucks. The versatility of electric power is now available in a durable and reliable heavy-lifting vehicle, built for working long-shifts in arduous conditions, making it a viable alternative to increasingly regulated IC Engine equivalents – all of which helps to save time and costs.

For those businesses requiring a truck for light to medium duties, Doosan has introduced a lowcost electric truck specified for

the task.

THE COST-EFFICIENT B60NX

The B60NX ‘value’ range, with three models covering a capacity range from 6.0 – 8.0 ton, offers the simple clean performance of electric power in a series of competitively priced high-capacity models – giving occasional users a reliable ‘buy new’ alternative to purchasing a second-hand or reconditioned forklift truck. Designed for light to medium duties, the B60NX range offers all that’s needed to get the job done – without needing to spend large. These compact zero-emission trucks are clean and quiet in operation, delivering safe, reliable performance exactly when it’s needed.

EXTRA DURABLE

Durability for outside duty is catered for in both ranges with IP65 rated controllers and motors, offering maximum resilience to water and dust. Also included as standard is an industry leading sealed, oil-cooled disc brake system, which is virtually maintenance free and lasts up to five times longer when compared to conventional shoe brakes. The sealed units protect against outside elements such as dirt, water and grit, ensuring toprate braking performance for enhanced safety and increased productivity.

With zero emissions, low noise levels and a reduced total cost of ownership (TCO), the new models across both ranges will appeal to businesses looking to

boost environmental performance, while reducing costs.

ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY

A major productivity-boosting feature across the range is a compact design and tighter turning radius, giving a strong competitive edge over the average diesel truck of the same capacity. Smooth and responsive acceleration are assured with the 96V or 80V AC drive system, where a single or dual, powerful motor gives the unbeatable combination of power, performance and functionality. The all-round efficiency provided promises to boost productivity inside and outside the factory or warehouse.

SAFETY FIRST

Doosan places a strong emphasis on safety in the design of their trucks, prioritising allaround visibility. The clear-view overhead guard and lower seat position provides 360 degrees of visibility. A prominent safety feature included as standard is the Automatic Speed Control

function which adjusts the travel speed for safer cornering.

STRONGER ERGONOMICS

The compact new design is combined with good ergonomics – taking safety, driver comfort, ease of maintenance and productivity fully into account. The spacious cab is designed for operator comfort and to reduce fatigue, with a fully adjustable premium Grammer seat as standard and excellent all-round visibility for safer manoeuvring with greater awareness. Other features included are an adjustable steering column, a low seat position for easy access and plenty of legroom. Everything a driver needs for maximum comfort during long shifts.

Further, optional features within the cab include: MP3 radio player, HVAC integrated heating/ cooling/ventilation system and a fingertip console with twoaxis cross levers or ergonomic fingertip control.

EASY MAINTENANCE

The new design takes ease of

maintenance into account too.

A tiltable cab (optional) on the B80NS provides simple, clear access to core components, along with improved accessibility to the controller and electric components, and a fast detachable backplate facilitates a swift battery change for multi-shift operations. The B60NX series comes with a fullopening side door, which makes battery replacement simple and straightforward using a pallet truck.

The new Doosan B60NX and B80NS ranges offer everything a business needs to feel confident in making the transition to using electric powered trucks for the heaviest of lifting duties.

Jan Droogendijk, Marketing Supervisor, Doosan Industrial Vehicles, says: “Electric trucks have come a really long way in the past few years and are now, with these new additions, a highly viable alternative to IC Engine trucks for most applications.”

www.doosaniv.com

WORLD’S FIRST HYDROGEN-POWERED DIGGER SET TO DRIVE ON UK ROADS

The world’s first digger, powered by a hydrogen combustion engine, will soon be on UK roads and building sites following recent government approval, helping to decarbonise the UK’s construction industry.

The UK government has given special dispensation, under a vehicle special order, that allows JCB, the British construction equipment manufacturer, to test and use its world-first hydrogenpowered backhoe loader on UK roads. The vehicle special order given by the Transport Secretary allows JCB to test its new hydrogen-powered machine on the public highway. This backhoe loader is the first of its kind and offers a pioneering solution to help reduce emissions on construction sites.

With 25% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions coming from the built environment, it’s vital the entire construction industry looks to decarbonise at every stage.

February the 9th not only marks a new direction for reducing emissions but will help grow the economy, with JCB having already created 150 new jobs in the Midlands with the promise of hundreds more as the company’s hydrogen project advances. These developments also help to equip the country with the skills and expertise to not only reduce emissions but

provide learning to would-be apprentices, future-proofing the nation’s skillset.

JCB’s prototype hydrogenpowered backhoe loader is an important first step in the construction industry’s efforts to decarbonise in what is a ‘hard to decarbonise’ sector. Hydrogen combustion machines can play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions in settings where other types of clean power may not be the most practical or efficient.

The pace of JCB’s hydrogen developments showcase a level of commitment to decarbonisation that is needed across all sectors of the UK economy.

Hydrogen is just one of the many ways that the UK government is looking to accelerate decarbonisation.

The recent announcement of second phase of the Tees Valley Hydrogen Hub builds on previous commitments to best explore how hydrogen can be utilised as an alternative fuel, whether that be through the use of hydrogen fuel cells on road or hydrogen internal combustion engines for off-road construction machinery.

The work seen as part of the hub in Tees Valley will work to address challenges such as providing refuelling infrastructure at scale and integrating that within a wider decarbonised energy network.

As hydrogen technologies develop here in the UK, it’s vital this knowledge helps shape the next generation of apprentices. JCB’s expanding apprenticeship programme shows how apprentices can play a part in shaping a net zero future.

MUNRO – WORLD’S MOST CAPABLE

ALL-ELECTRIC 4X4 MAKES PUBLIC DEBUT AT LOW CARBON AGRICULTURE 2023

Munro Vehicles, a manufacturer of all-electric 4x4s, and Scotland’s only volume production car company, gave its first vehicle, the Munro MK_1, its public debut at the Low Carbon Agriculture 2023 show at NAEC Stoneleigh on Tuesday 7th to Wednesday 8th February.

The Munro MK_1 combines a state-of-the-art 280kW electric powertrain with a proven, robust, simple-to-maintain mechanical driveline. Ultrautilitarian and explicitly userfocussed in nature, the Munro is engineered to provide a unique solution for those wishing to minimise their environmental footprint without compromising off-road ability, performance and practicality.

“Meeting the demanding needs of the agriculture sector was foremost in our minds when we were developing the Munro MK_1,” explains Munro CEO Russell Peterson, who co-founded the company with Head of Powertrain Ross Anderson in 2019. “Spending much of my formative years on a farm and then running my own agricultural contracting company, I know only too well how important it is to have proper, proven kit that you can rely on whatever the weather and the conditions, and that

won’t let you down no matter how much abuse you throw at it. And every Munro is engineered around those enduring values.”

Priced from £49,995 with deliveries due to commence later this year, the appeal of the Munro MK_1 extends far beyond field and farmyard. Offering an optimum range of up 190 miles and the flexibility to operate off-road for up to 16 hours on a single battery charge, the Munro’s unique attributes are equally suitable for those working in challenging sectors such as forestry.

Munro takes an equally innovative and disruptive approach to the marketing and maintenance of its products. The company will select a global series of agents and will

recognise the customers’ right to repair and maintain their vehicle without invalidating its full five-year / 100,000-mile warranty.

The company has already established a partnership with Marc Monsarrat, director of Oxfordshire-based Off-Road Electric, which specialises in supplying fully electric utility vehicles to working farmers, landowners, and institutions in the UK. “The ability to transport a crew of five over all terrains, operate for up to 16 hours on a single battery charge and provide a 3500kg towing capacity makes this a highly durable vehicle engineered to offer real workhorse capability, day after day, decade after decade, without any tailpipe emissions” said Monsarrat.

www.munro-ev.com

RAPID HEXA: HIGH CUTTING PERFORMANCE

SAW CHAIN WITH FAST SHARPENING

As a cutter based in the UK I’ve always been used to conventional, full-comp chains in either full chisel or semi-chisel configuration, sharpened with a round file of differing diameters, dependant on which chain is being used. In more recent years the advent of the internet has exposed me to new ideas such as skip chain, which I use on longer bars, and even square ground chain which seems to require some form of magical ability to sharpen, which I have not used. Stihl’s latest offering in the way of chains – the HexaChain - seems to be a kind of a half-way house between round and square ground chains, using a hexagonal file to create a v profile in the gullet.

I’ve used the Hexa-Chain a bit over the last couple of months, initially on a Stihl 462 supplied by Rab at the Forest Machine Magazine and latterly on my own 572, both have been with a 20” bar. My initial impressions of the chain were pretty good. It cuts well straight from the box and is smooth to use, however, there’s no wow factor with the chain - it doesn’t really live up to any hype about being faster or easier to sharpen. I know there have been direct comparisons done between Hexa-Chain and conventional chain cutting cookies, but I haven’t tried this myself, instead I’ve just used

the chain in normal day to day work and can’t honestly say I’ve noticed it being significantly faster. It was for this reason I bought an adaptor and fitted a Stihl bar to the 572 to try and gain a like for like comparison on a saw I’m used to using. It has to be said that I still didn’t notice any significant increase in cutting speed over the Oregon full-chisel chain that I normally use on a 20” bar.

The Hexa-Chain is relatively easy to sharpen using the special hexagonal file. Initially it takes a little getting used to, but once you get into the habit it is relatively easy. The flat bottom of the file sits at the bottom of the gullet and the tabs on the opposite face to this ensure that it can’t be used the wrong way around. The filing angle is easy

BY WALLIS WEIR

to maintain by following the top plate angle and using the bottom of the tooth. Due to the nature of the file each side sharpens one side of the chain and I’ve found a tendency for one side of it to wear more than the other which can lead to uneven sharpening.

Stihl also claim that the HexaChain will stay sharper for longer and this is something that I did find was true. It is also quite resilient to damage, I have been surprised at the state of the teeth on occasion when sharpening and how well it was cutting.

So, is the Hexa-Chain worthy of the stir that Stihl claim it has caused? I can’t say that I think it is anything all that special. Yes, it cuts well, quickly and smoothly, but so does any properly sharpened chain. Yes,it is easy enough to sharpen, but no more so than sharpening with a round file. It does perform well after a bit of damage which would dull a round filed chain significantly. In terms of value for money a

loop of Hexa-Chain is almost twice as much as Oregon, while a Hexa-File is over eight or nine times as expensive as an Oregon or round Stihl file. Unfortunately, I can’t say that either the Hexa-Chain or HexaFile last correspondingly long enough to make them value for money.

In short, I’m a little disappointed with the Hexa-Chain. It’s very

expensive for a chain that only offers a mediocre improvement in performance. In times of belt tightening and uncertain financial futures I don’t see it having a future with me. I do like the stiffness of the Stihl bar on the 572 however so I’ll probably be sticking with Stihl chains for a little while yet, just not Hexa-Chain. Find out more about Hexa here: www.stihl.com/hexa.

FREE PRACTICAL FORESTRY TRAINING COURSES MADE AVAILABLE

Courses will help grow our skilled domestic forestry sector, which is worth over £2 billion to UK economy, and deliver Government tree planting and net zero ambitions.

Courses funded by government teaching skills like chainsaw maintenance, coppicing, woodland management, and marketing and selling timber are available from the 4th of February.

The Forestry Training Fund is for people considering a change of career or those who are seeking to build and diversify their skills in forestry. The UK forestry and primary wood processing sectors support 32,000 jobs

and contribute £2 billion to the economy every year, whilst secondary wood processing businesses support a further 60,000 jobs.

The short, practical training courses will be paid for a by £700,000 allocation from the £750m Nature for Climate Fund and will help grow the forestry sector so that we have enough people with the right skills to plan, plant and manage new woodlands.

Examples of courses which are covered by the fund include:

• coppicing

• chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting

• managing your woodland

• planning and planting a new woodland

• marketing and selling timber

• fence and hedge laying

We are offering 100% funding for eligible courses and expect grants to be in the range of £150-£3,000. Funding will be paid directly to the training provider. Applications for funding to cover training courses can be made multiple times as long as it can be demonstrated that individual courses are developing a person’s career. Courses will be available until March 2025. Applications are open from today. To view a list of training providers and apply for funding visit GOV.UK.

NEW - ‘RANGER IN A BAG’ ACTIVITY FROM FORESTRY ENGLAND

Forestry England have launched a new resource called “Ranger in a bag” as part of their education offer. The nation’s forests are the ideal place to inspire and encourage young people to gain real-life skills and knowledge through hands-on activities and Ranger in a bag is a brilliant tool-kit for teachers to hire and use as part of self-guided school visit. Aimed at teachers with preschool aged children and KS1&2 primary aged children, these activity themed backpacks

provide teachers with all they need to run a successful educational visit in the nation’s forests. Designed to take half a day to complete, each activity bag contains games and activities for a class of up to 35 children and costs from £35. All the activities are easy to follow and have clear learning outcomes with links to the national curriculum.

In addition to the learning topics that are currently available for teachers, including amazing animals, natural art and

fantastic forests, Forestry England have developed 5 different themed bags that are based around a career with Forestry England. Through experiential learning children will be able to take on a variety of trainee roles including forester, ecologist, wellbeing champion and woodland artist allowing them to gain career awareness in a fun and engaging way.

To find out more visit: www.forestryengland.uk/ ranger-bag

Trailer. Year 2018

17 tonne capacity

Flatbed body

Complete with 3 skeleton chassis (2 x 20ft, 1 x 22ft)

Heavy duty axles

Rear steering axle

Only travelled c. 50 miles since new.

Exceptional condition ready to go to work.

£33,000.00 + Vat

Contact Stephen Clark Eagle Asset Finance Ltd

07967 588739

Mus-Max Wood Terminator

10XL Mobile Chipper. Year 2016. 1731 Hours

£130,000.00 + Vat

Shear bar, 3 set of blades and wear plates in spout recently replaced. Good chipper still being used every day and ready to go to work

Contact Stephen Clark Eagle Asset Finance Ltd 07967 588739

King GTS 44/3 Tri-axle Low loader trailer. Year 2013

£21,000.00 + Vat

44 Tonne Capacity

In very good order - hardly used in the past year. Ready to go to work

Contact Stephen Clark Eagle Asset Finance Ltd 07967 588739

TMK 300 Tree Shear For Sale

Palms 410 Timber Grapple For Sale

Palms 410 Timber Grapple approximately 6 years old, in good condition, hardly used. £5,000 or nearest offer.

Pronar

Lift Trailer. Year 2018

17 tonne capacity

Flatbed body

Complete with 3 skeleton chassis (2 x 20ft, 1 x 22ft)

Heavy duty axles

Rear steering axle

Only travelled c. 50 miles since new.

Exceptional condition ready to go to work.

£33,000.00 + Vat

Contact Stephen Clark

Eagle Asset Finance Ltd

07967 588739

TMK 300 tree shear fitted with tilt and headstock, was on a Merlo but would fit on any machine with a flow of 80 – 150 LPM Pressure 180

-220 Bar

£7000 ono

Text or Phone 07774628473 for more information.

2 Vermeer stump grinders { 1 for spares } in good condition a very reliable machine for sale

£1500 ono. Text or Phone 07774628473 for more information.

Contact Wendy at wendy@ muirhousefarm.co.uk for more details.

Pronar T285/1 Hook Lift

T285/1 Hook

�orestr�

�arvesting

�orestr� �arvesting �nvestment �tilities � �andscaping

�nvestment �tilities � �andscaping

�e are currentl� inviting applications for the follo�ing full time positions�

�e are currentl� inviting applications for the follo�ing full time positions�

As a �e� mem�er of a high performing team� operating in a competitive� commercial environment �e are see�ing an �����S�AS��C A�� S��� �����A��� ��������A�S to �oin our e�isting SP�� vegetation management teams. �or�ing throughout �ife� �din�urgh and Central Scotland.

As a �e� mem�er of a high performing team� operating in a competitive� commercial environment �e are see�ing an �����S�AS��C A�� S��� �����A��� ��������A�S to �oin our e�isting SP�� vegetation management teams. �or�ing throughout �ife� �din�urgh and Central Scotland.

Applicants should have...

Applicants should have...

As �usiness in the �tilities division continues to gro�� �e have a continuous recruitment drive open for ��perienced Ar�orists� �orestr� �peratives� Surve�ors� �arvester � �or�arder �peratives to �oin our e�panding team.

As �usiness in the �tilities division continues to gro�� �e have a continuous recruitment drive open for ��perienced Ar�orists� �orestr� �peratives� Surve�ors� �arvester � �or�arder �peratives to �oin our e�panding team.

�ased from home and travelling to client locations� �ou �ill �e responsi�le for carr�ing out high �ualit� ar�oricultural �or�s across a �ide variet� of sectors – from �or�ing on trainlines and po�erlines to assisting �ith harvesting sites �� operating tractors and harvesters. �o �e successful in this role� �ou must �e self motivated and hard �or�ing individual� sho� initiative and �e capa�le of �or�ing as part of our professional team. �hile e�perience is preferred� candidates �ho demonstrate the right �ualities ma� �e accepted and full training �ill �e provided.

�ased from home and travelling to client locations� �ou �ill �e responsi�le for carr�ing out high �ualit� ar�oricultural �or�s across a �ide variet� of sectors – from �or�ing on trainlines and po�erlines to assisting �ith harvesting sites �� operating tractors and harvesters. �o �e successful in this role� �ou must �e self motivated and hard �or�ing individual� sho� initiative and �e capa�le of �or�ing as part of our professional team. �hile e�perience is preferred� candidates �ho demonstrate the right �ualities ma� �e accepted and full training �ill �e provided.

All applicants �ill �e re�uired to undergo an emplo�ment medical e�amination including a drugs and alcohol screening. Applicants should also hold a full driver’s licence. ��pical �or�ing pattern is �onda� to �rida� and attracts overtime� �ith occasional night shift �or�ing.

All applicants �ill �e re�uired to undergo an emplo�ment medical e�amination including a drugs and alcohol screening. Applicants should also hold a full driver’s licence. ��pical �or�ing pattern is �onda� to �rida� and attracts overtime� �ith occasional night shift �or�ing.

Scottish �oodlands offer ...

Scottish �oodlands offer ...

An attractive salar� and �enefits pac�age commensurate �ith e�perience. �his includes pension scheme� life assurance� emplo�ee assistance programme� c�clescheme� and the opportunit� for e�uit� participation.

An attractive salar� and �enefits pac�age commensurate �ith e�perience. �his includes pension scheme� life assurance� emplo�ee assistance programme� c�clescheme� and the opportunit� for e�uit� participation.

�he compan�� recentl� ran�ed ����00 of Scotland’s top Private Companies and is 80% o�ned �� staff. Applicants �ill also �e given e�cellent personal and career development opportunities and �ill �e part of a highl� professional� motivated team.

�he compan�� recentl� ran�ed ����00 of Scotland’s top Private Companies and is 80% o�ned �� staff. Applicants �ill also �e given e�cellent personal and career development opportunities and �ill �e part of a highl� professional� motivated team.

�mail� hr�scottish�oodlands.co.u�

�mail� hr�scottish�oodlands.co.u�

�o appl� for this role�

�o appl� for this role�

more information� visit�

Scottish �oodlands is a leading forestr� management compan� �ith a long tradition of serving forest o�ners and investors in Scotland and the rest of the ��. �or more information� visit�

�or details of information gathered during our recruitment process� please see our �o� Applicant Privac� �otice on the careers section of our �e�page.

�or details of information gathered during our recruitment process� please see our �o� Applicant Privac� �otice on the careers section of our �e�page.

Scottish �oodlands is a leading forestr� management compan� �ith a long tradition of serving forest o�ners and investors in Scotland and the rest of the ��. �or