Forest Machine Magazine April 2021

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APRIL 2021 + ISSUE 28 + ISSN 2398-8568

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WELCOME RAB EASTON Editor

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he magazine has had a bit of an overhaul for 2021, I hope you like the new layout and enjoy the features that our freelance writers have submitted and of course mine! We are anticipating being able to get out and about a bit more in the coming months so please let us know if there is something you would like to see featured and we will try our best to accommodate. If you have a few minutes to spare we would really appreciate you filling in and returning our feedback form. This will help us keep you supplied with features and news that are relevant.

I have had my first Covid Jag, it wasn’t too painful and I didn’t cry for too long. Luckily there was a sweetie shop on the way home and Wendy got me a Strawberry Mivi Ice Lolly and a Curly Wurly chocolate bar for being a big brave soldier. Fingers crossed that the worse is behind us and we can start to get on with our lives, I for one can’t wait to get out and about and start mixing again.

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The APF being cancelled was a bit of a blow, it would have given us something to look forward to. It’s not all doom and gloom though as there are working demos of some new equipment for you to visit in the pipeline which should help to satisfy your appetites. All the information you need on these will be announced on our website in good time. Our website is a dedicated forestry news channel which is updated daily to keep you abreast of everything happening in forestry so have a look if you get five minutes and let me know what you think.

Brexit has been a pain with a lot of confusion over paperwork and deliveries being delayed at customs. I think Brexit should have been postponed until Covid-19 was under control as disrupting international trade is detrimental to everyone. Our own international imports and deliveries have been a lot slower than before and many others we spoke to are finding it the same so please be patient if you are waiting for parts and blame Boris not your local dealer!

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Take care and keep safe

April 2021

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FOREST

MACHINE MAGAZINE WRITTEN BY LOGGERS FOR LOGGERS

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CONTENTS 6

News

Keep up to date with the latest industry news.

4

The next generation of Scorpions with 5G technology.

4 Komatsu C164

5

A big head for big wood!

0 Stihl MS400 C-M Wins top award.

2

5

6

Takes over Vermeer Forestry

7

Forestry goes green with electric cars.

0 Fecon

9 FLS

9

John Deere’s new 768L-II purposebuilt bogie skidder.

0 Training

Helping to train operators of the future with the new PONSSE simulator

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2 Young Loggers

Some fun and puzzles to keep the next generation entertained.

9

5 Classified

All the latest used equipment for sale.

1

2

FORWARDER ROUND-UP FIND US ON

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n this issue we take a look at some of the mid-sized forwarders that are used in UK forestry. These machines are normally in the 14-18 tonne weight class with a carrying capacity of around 14 tonne.

Our business directory at your fingertips.

This popular forwarder size is

www.forestmachinemagazine.com very versatile and capable of Anthony Carr has been involved in forestry since the early 1980’s. He

BY ANTHONY CARR

#homeoflogging

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8 Business Cards

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Anthony Carr interviews operators of mid-range forwarders.

working effectively in selective/ final thinnings and mature

better climbing ability and increases the operators safety.

For extracting on wet peaty and boggy soil conditions fitting flotation band tracks will reduce the overall ground pressure of the forwarder which will protect the forest floor from rutting and compacting the soil.

April 2021

Reporter, Anthony Carr, spoke

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2

Cable extraction in the Swiss Alps with Matthias Wüthrich.

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6

Jim Wilmer’s new workshop open for business.

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4

Spindle wedges on trial around Scotland.

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8 Wood-Mizer’s new wide

April 2021

slab saw mill.

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8

Westtech Woodcracker’s new feller truck.

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NEWS

WHY BUSINESSES IN THE FORESTRY SECTOR ARE POTENTIALLY MISSING OUT ON AN AVERAGE OF £48,000 IN R&D TAX CREDIT SAVINGS

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xperts provide insight for how companies in the forestry sector can use R&D tax credits to begin taking advantage of their innovation.

With HMRC data revealing that the UK agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors made up just over 1% of UK R&D tax credit claims, those operating in the industry are encouraged to consider whether they might be eligible. For those that did make a claim from the sector as a whole, the average value of a claim was just over £48,000 in 2018-19.

WHAT IS R&D TAX CREDIT FOR FORESTRY? In the UK companies are able to claim tax relief for their R&D activity. The schemes, for SMEs and larger companies, are both administered by HMRC. Typically SMEs get back up to 33% of the amount they’ve spent on qualifying R&D. Large companies could get more than 10% of their R&D spending refunded.

The misconception is that it’s an innovation tax credit only suited to those in white lab coats and in digital sectors, but in reality it’s applicable to any business that has developed and used innovation in its process. Here HMRC defines innovation in terms of overcoming scientific or technological uncertainty,

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something that couldn’t be worked out easily by a professional in the field. It can even be applied to for tax savings on innovation that has failed.

There are five broad categories which can classify forestry R&D claims; staff costs, subcontractors, externally provided works (EPWs), software and consumables like heat, light and power.

Dominic Bartholdi, Head of Business Development at R&D tax specialists GovGrant, provides expert insight into R&D in the forestry sector: We find that companies from all sectors have the potential to claim UK R&D tax relief. For tax purposes the definition of R&D is so much broader than you may think. We know that forestry businesses of all kinds are now benefiting from refinement through technology.

R&D tax claims can come from process improvements, production improvement and scalability and quality control.

And we see this happening in all aspects of agriculture, including: •

• •

Implementation of scientific advancements, including hydrology, biology and geology Disease prevention Management of forestland,

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including use of high-tech surveying and analysis tools • Post-harvest advancements to process raw materials into products • Hydrological and biological research Even when businesses are already claiming R&D tax credits, they might not have fully explored the potential of that claim. For example, we had an agricultural client who hadn’t considered a key project as R&D In this case, day-to-day work was carried out to monitor the crops under specific trial conditions and collect data, and that was time spent on R&D. It was similar with indirect personnel who were working to enable that R&D. So much activity that could be considered good forest management practice would qualify as R&D – for instance, gaining insight into growth conditions, , discovering novel ways to improve yield or ways to save money on the management of forestland.

In agriculture, forestry, and fishing there are so many examples where we’ve seen specific innovations which were all qualifying expenditure for R&D tax credits: •

Tracking pests and response to different pest control

April 2021

•

•

•

processes Investigating new ways to use waste materials in a novel bioreactor as a means to reduce energy costs How different varieties of tree grow and respond in the same/different growth conditions Looking at why pollination is low over the past few years, tracking bee populations and activity

If there’s a moment where something unexpected has impacted your land management whether through disease, climate change, pollution or any other factor, then any time spent looking into why this may be the case

could be qualifying R&D. Any machinery you’ve tweaked for working in a woodland or park, to improve a particular function or purpose specific to its situation, could be R&D.

making a claim, by reviewing your management accounts and tax computations. We don’t want to waste your time so we’ll give you realistic feedback from the start.

Anything you’ve tried as a way to save money or drive efficiency – whether it worked or not. Either way, it could be qualifying activity.

If there is a good chance of making a claim, we then arrange a meeting with each relevant department or site. This is when our specialists figure out what is qualifying R&D. We never ask the question ‘Tell me about your R&D’? We have a detailed conversation to understand your whole business and the projects you are undertaking.

When you meet our specialist, it will feel like you’re talking to a colleague rather than your advisor. Our one and only goal is to get you the maximum benefit you deserve for innovating.

Initially we will assess the viability from a financial point of view to make sure it’s worth

www.govgrant.co.uk/rd-taxcredits/ | enquiries@govgrant. co.uk

A TRIBUTE TO COREY

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would like to pay homage to a good friend’s very talented son, who has unselfishly helped to lift the spirits, of not only the locals of Penpont in Dumfries-shire but people from all over the UK and beyond.

Corey Anderson, is the elder son of Callum - known to many of us as Bongo, who drives a timber lorry - and Julie and older brother to Kyle. Every Thursday while the nation was clapping for the NHS and key workers, Corey dressed up in his Kilt and kept the people of Penpont entertained by playing his Bagpipes.

Corey began piping when he was just seven and is an accomplished and award winning piper who has been invited to play at several

April 2021

prestigious events.

Last year he was honoured to be chosen to pipe on remembrance Sunday as the military veterans laid their wreaths at the war memorial in Penpont. Corey was also part of the VE Day celebrations and was asked by the Major Tom Foundation to play at Captain Sir Tom Moore’s 100th birthday celebrations.

Soon after Captain Sir Tom’s passing he was overwhelmed to receive a thank you card in the post which had been personally handwritten by Sir Tom’s family.

Speaking to Julie she proudly said that Corey is rapidly becoming quite the internet star and has received more and more requests to play Bagpipe gigs over the internet for people celebrating a Birthday or special

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occasion during lockdown. He recently piped for a family based in Nigeria.

Well done young man, with your kind, caring and unselfish attitude you are a inspiration to us all.

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NEWS

CLIMATE CHANGE IS A THREAT TO EUROPEAN FORESTS

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n recent years, European forests have suffered greatly from the extreme climatic conditions and their consequences. Much of Europe’s forests are potentially at risk from various damaging events such as insect infestation. This is the result of a study by an international team in which Henrik Hartmann, scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, was involved. The results could help to make the forest more robust against advancing climate change.

A good third of the European land mass is covered by forests.

Forests play an important role in regulating the climate and water balance. They provide wood, are home to numerous species and offer people a place to relax. For some years now, scientists have even been discussing whether massive reforestation could mitigate man-made climate change, because a forest in the atmosphere has a lot of CO 2 in its growth phase withdraws. But currently it is rather the other way around: The climate change of the last decades is weakening the forests, because it is making them more susceptible to disturbances. How vulnerable a forest is to insect infestation or windthrow is primarily determined by its structure

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and the prevailing climate. The boreal coniferous forests of the cold climate zones and the warm, dry forests of the Iberian Peninsula are particularly sensitive ecosystems.

PLAGUES OF INSECTS ARE INCREASINGLY ENDANGERING THE FORESTS Researchers from Italy, Spain, Finland and Germany have now found that well over half of Europe’s forests are potentially at risk from windthrow, forest fires, insect pests, or a combination of several of these factors. The scientists came to this conclusion by analysing the susceptibility to malfunctions between 1979 and 2018 on the basis of satellite data and with the aid of artificial intelligence.

Henrik Hartmann, research group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, observes recurring patterns from an ecophysiological point of view and sums it up: “The experience of recent years, especially since 2018, has clearly shown us that the danger posed by pests to forests by the Climate change has increased particularly. We therefore fear that a progressive warming of the climate will exacerbate this tendency ”.

WHAT WILL THE FOREST LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE? Extreme weather conditions such as heat and drought weaken the trees and make them vulnerable to insect pests.

“This finding is not new, and forests are usually well armed against occasional climatic extremes. The fact that these extremes occur so frequently and repeatedly makes the

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exception the norm and the forest cannot cope with that,” explains the expert.

OLD TREES ARE HIT HARDER The data of the current study also show that large and old trees are particularly at risk from climatic extremes. One could observe this in the last years of drought in the Central European beech forests, where old trees suddenly died off.

“This is because your control system for water transport has to work under greater load in order to transport water via the roots out of the ground and up into the crown. As a result, large trees suffer more from drought and are then more susceptible to disease,” explains Henrik Hartmann. In addition, insect pests prefer large and older trees as hosts. For example, the book printer, who mainly attacks adult spruce trees, flies mostly to individuals. In addition, that large trees offer the wind a larger target area during storms. “The results of the study are therefore conclusive both from an ecological and an ecophysiological point of view,” summarizes Henrik Hartmann.

Against the background of advancing climate change, the study is important for improving adaptation strategies and forestry in order to make European forests more resilient in the long term. Existing European forests will not necessarily disappear, but most of them could suffer severe damage from accumulated disturbances. The loss of large and old trees in particular could also impair important ecosystem services. Source: Max-PlanckGesellschaft. www.mpg.de

April 2021

RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH IN THE FIGHT AGAINST SPRUCE BARK BEETLES

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or the first time, researchers have succeeded in characterizing odour receptors in spruce bark beetles.

The receptors respond to common bark borer pheromone and the hope is that the results will lead to better control of the pests and protection of the forest in the future.

Spruce bark beetles use the sense of smell to find trees and partners to reproduce with. The odours are captured by means of odour receptors (proteins) in the antennae. Researchers have long understood the connection, but so far they have not known exactly which fragrance receptors bind which pheromone substances. A knowledge that is important for the long-term development of more effective and more environmentally friendly pesticides and bark borer traps to protect the forest.

But now the researchers have identified 73 different odour receptors in the antennae of the spruce bark beetle and they have succeeded in characterizing the odour response in two of the receptors. One responds to the pheromone substance ipsenol, the other to ipsdienol.

“A large number of different bark beetle species use these pheromone substances when they communicate with scents, so that we have managed to characterize them is a breakthrough in research,” says

April 2021

Martin N Andersson who led the research group consisting of researchers in Lund, Germany and the Czech Republic.

FIRST IN THE WORLD The two receptors are thus the first to be characterized at all in bark borers. To put the result in context, Martin N Andersson says that within the entire insect order Coleoptera, beetles, with more than 300,000 species on earth, only three odour receptors have been characterized previously.

“Our results show that the pheromone receptors of different beetle species are evolutionarily unrelated, at least in the few species studied.

We also show that the odour response in these receptors is very specific. We are also the first in the world to be able to show exactly where in the receptors the pheromones are likely to bind.

The results make it possible in the long run to develop better and more environmentally friendly control of spruce bark beetles. One approach is to try to find other fragrances that bind even better than ipsenol and ipsdienol to the two characterized receptors. If such fragrances can be found, they can hopefully be used to disrupt the pheromone communication of spruce bark beetles. Either by activating the receptor stronger than the natural pheromone, or by blocking the receptor.

Another way could be to use

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the two characterized odour receptors in a kind of biosensor that is under development. Then you could quickly find spruce bark beetles and thus be able to pick out infested trees from the forest before the bark beetles spread.”

PRACTICAL USE According to Martin N Andersson, the practical application is a few years ahead.

“Screening for better substances or substances that block the receptors can begin in 2021. If we find such a substance, the results must be confirmed in the laboratory and then evaluated in the field. Practical use is probably at least two or three years ahead. Use in biosensors for monitoring and detection of attacks is probably even further ahead. But our discovery is in any case a necessary start towards these goals,” he says.

The results were recently published in an article in BMC Biology: Putative ligand binding sites of two functionally characterized bark beetle odorant receptors .

Source: Jan Olsson | www.lu.se

Get in touch if you have a story to tell.

Contact Rab on 07582 055 748 Page 9

NEWS

THE EU FOREST STRATEGY POST-2020 MUST ALSO BE A STRATEGY WITH AND FOR FOREST OWNERS AND MANAGERS!

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he main stakeholder organisations representing the forestry sector met with the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, to discuss the sector’s growing concerns on the way in which the implementation of the EU Green Deal currently addresses forestry issues. Our forests need to be responsibly managed, especially in the face of climate change and its impact on forest holdings. With the Green Deal, forestry issues are being debated ever more intensively in Brussels. The future of our forests is at the heart of many EU initiatives, whether it be the Forest Strategy, the Biodiversity Strategy, the CAP or sustainable finance. The European forest sector has welcomed the announcement of the Green Deal and is keen to play a key role in the implementation of its main policy objectives and targets.

Nevertheless, several recent debates show a worrying lack of understanding of the multifunctional role of forests and the importance of the work conducted by forest owners and managers on the ground. Often, key EU initiatives and strategies confuse global forest-related issues with the actual situation of EU forests, overlooking national forest inventory data which proves the successful implementation of sustainable forest management within EU.

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The latest Forest Europe report on the state of Europe’s forests gives clear indicators: the European forest area has increased by 9% over the last 30 years, the area of forests designated for biodiversity conservation has increased by 65% in 20 years, the volume of wood and the weight of carbon stored in European forests has grown by 50% over the last 30 years. It is therefore important that the implementation of the EU Green Deal builds upon the proven contribution of sustainable forest management (SFM) and the multifunctional forestry sector already fully operational in the field. The forest sector stakeholders are concerned with certain EU initiatives which emphasise almost exclusively the aspects of biodiversity and carbon sequestration while disregarding the balanced three-pillar approach of SFM developed by both the EU and the member states under the Forest Europe process. A concrete example of such a process is the Taxonomy Regulation and the related first draft delegated act under discussion. Similar approaches can be observed at the discussions related to the implementation of ambitious forest-related targets and objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

As we have tried to demonstrate in a recent campaign, we need to steer clear of myths

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surrounding forests. In the face of climate change, we must enable the resilience of our forests in order for them to play their full role as carbon absorbers, reservoirs for biodiversity and suppliers of local and sustainable woody biomass that replace fossilbased materials and further develop the bio-based circular economy in the EU. However, all this can only happen if the EU Forest Strategy supports forest owners and managers in managing their forests, including by promoting investments into the maintenance and the training of more than 2.6 million workers in the forest sector. In addition to a decreasing workforce, it is no secret that the forestry sector will have to face a generational renewal in the coming years. It is therefore essential that the Green Deal considers the social dimension as being equally important as the environmental and climate-related dimensions.

It is essential to evaluate the wider impact of the various policy initiatives put forward and to reward the good practices which this vital sector has already put in place to achieve the EU’s objectives.

There will be no viable Forest Strategy post-2020 without forest owners and managers as enablers of a vibrant forest sector in the EU. www.eustafor.eu

April 2021

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NEWS

BREATHING LIFE BACK INTO RARE BOGS IN WALES

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project run by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is removing scrub (small trees) scattered across 379 hectares (937 acres) of rare lowland raised peat bogs.

The LIFE Welsh Raised Bogs project aims to restore seven of the very best examples of lowland raised bogs sites in Wales, this work will improve the condition of this rare and important habitat to a more favourable condition. The sites have suffered due to poor wetland management in the past, causing invasive plants to take over, and crowd out important plants like sphagnum (bog moss). Invasive scrub, particularly birch and willow, has encroached onto five of the seven sites as they have become drier.

Patrick Green NRW LIFE Welsh

Raised Bogs Project Managersaid: “Trees can absorb up to 100 gallons of water a day that equates to just over two bathtubs This dries out the bog and stops crucial sphagnum from growing. Cutting and treating small trees will help keep these important bogs wet and spongy, allowing natural bog mosses and plants to survive.”

Scrub is being removed from Cors Caron National Nature Reserve (NNR) near Tregaron, Cors Fochno, part of the Dyfi NNR near Borth and Rhos Goch NNR near Builth Wells.

Almost 187 hectares (462 acres) of scrub scattered across Cors Caron NNR is being treated this year. This work involves cutting small trees and subsequently stem injecting the stump with

approved herbicide to stop them from growing back.

Stem-injection involves drilling a hole in the stem or stump of a targeted tree and injecting or placing a capsule of herbicide into the stem or stump. This releases the herbicide very slowly, and over several years the stem or stump decays and rots. Treatment of scattered scrub has been ongoing across 354 hectares (875 acres) of Cors Fochno over the last few years, with dense scrub removed over 5 hectares (12 acres) this year.

Work will continue on new areas of the site, and re-treatment of scrub and rhododendron treated previously in past years will also be carried out.

Contractors are also stem injecting scrub scattered across 16 hectares (40 acres) of Rhos Goch NNR near Builth Wells.

ROMANIA’S NEW TIMBER TRACEABILITY SYSTEM REMOVES PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY

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omania recently released a new electronic timber traceability system, an important step in its transition to a fully digital forest sector.

Unfortunately, the new system has inexplicably removed all public transparency. Following years of intense public pressure on the government to end the rampant illegal logging that is plaguing the country, the new SUMAL 2.0 traceability system promises unprecedented digital coverage of all aspects of

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timber supply chains, from forest management, inventories, harvest, transport, and processing. The new digital system transitions Romania’s timber sector away from a widely abused paper-based permit and management system, with the tantalizing promise of untangling many of the Byzantine administrative processes faced by companies.

Romanian law requires public transparency of a wide range of forest sector information.

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Prior to the release of Sumal 2.0, the government published data from the original version of SUMAL to Romania’s Forest Inspector website and mobile app, which provided Romania’s people with real-time data about harvest authorizations and timber transports; the app had thousands of daily users. The release of SUMAL 2.0 had promised that a new range of data would be made transparent, including links between transport and forest

April 2021

Evidence revealed in the peat core for Cors Fochno and Cors Caron has shown that woody tree species were not part of the natural vegetation cover of these sites.

Removing and treating trees growing on and near the bogs will help encourage more important bog mosses to grow, helping to keep the bogs wet and spongy and restore them to their natural state. Raised bogs in good condition can be viewed as a natural solution within our ecosystems. They help stop flooding by storing large amounts of water, they act as a filter to improve water quality.

The peat also stores carbon from the atmosphere helping in the fight against climate change.

To keep up to date with the restoration work please go to our Facebook page @ CyforgorsyddCymruWelshRaised Bogs or the Twitter page @ Welshraisedbog www. naturalresources.wales permits, authorized boundaries of valid permits, the GPS tracks followed by trucks, and photos of each loaded vehicle.

However, instead of making new data available, the government stopped publishing data altogether.

There is a good reason why Romanian law mandates public transparency of timber sector data - as a tool to combat corruption. Despite numerous massive protests by Romanians and intense scrutiny from the European Union (EU), Romania was once again found to be the most corrupt country in the

April 2021

APF 2021 POSTPONED

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ue to the ongoing uncertainties surrounding Covid 19 and after consulting with sponsors, exhibitors and visitors, the Directors of APF 2021 have reluctantly taken the difficult decision to postpone the event for a further year. The revised plan is to roll forward the show to 22/23/24th September 2022 at the same venue at Ragley Estate.

Exhibition Secretary, Ian Millward commented “It is heartbreaking that for a second time we have had to make this decision. No one wants a show with reduced numbers of exhibitors and visitors. It was very gratifying however that, despite over half of visitors preferring the event to be EU in 2020 by Transparency International, tied with Hungary and Bulgaria. In fact, Romania had the same score it had in 2012, showing a disturbing lack of progress in fighting corruption.

In areas where local corruption exists, mafia groups can exert pressure on police and judges through a combination of bribery and threats of violence.

In the past few years, six forest rangers have been murdered in Romania, and at least 650 violent incidents against rangers have been reported.

Transparency brings thousands of new eyes to bear in support of law enforcement, making it more difficult to cut illegally and sell stolen timber.

Alexander von Bismarck,

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postponed until 2022, 85% of visitors who replied to the survey said they would attend whatever restrictions were in place, which shows how important the event is to our industry.

“Although the decision to postpone will impact on us financially, we remain in a robust financial position and exhibitors will not be at risk of losing their site fees. We will roll these forward to APF 2022.

Any visitors who have already bought advance tickets can either carry forward their tickets to APF 2022 or request a refund.

By announcing the cancellation early we hope that we have minimised any possible costs which might have been incurred by exhibitors.” www.apfexhibition.co.uk Executive Director of the nonprofit Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), said, “If and only if Romania’s government returns public transparency to the country’s forest sector data, the new SUMAL 2.0 system can stand as a model for innovative, participatory, and effective forest management. Without this transparency, however, the government risks exacerbating an already dire illegal logging crisis.”

EIA urges the Romanian government to immediately restore transparency to its forest sector in order to fight the destruction of the largest and most diverse primary forests in the European Union. eia-global.org

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NEWS

HUBERT PRINCE ZU HOHENLOHE-WALDENBURG DECEASED

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he co-founder of Hohenloher SpezialMaschinenbau GmbH &Co. KG and long-time shareholder and technical director passed away at the age of 85 at his residence Waldhof in Obersulm. He is survived by his widow, four children and four children-in-law, sixteen grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.

Prince Hubert, as he was respectfully called at HSM, built up the company together with his brother from humble beginnings. As early as 1967, he

introduced the Timberjack brand of forestry tractors to the German market. The mobile log debarkers followed as his first own design. Here, his innovations of the tiltable structure of the debarking unit and the simultaneous use of two cranes for feeding and poling the debarked logs were trend-setting for the industry.

From the mid-eighties, the focus was on the company’s own brand HSM forestry machines, which were specially adapted to the Central European market.

From the nineties, HSM was

thus the market leader in Central Europe. The cooperation with the company Konrad Adler KG in Wolfegg already started with the installation of Adler forestry winches on Timberjack.

From the very beginning, HSM forestry machines were completely built at Adler, of

FORESTS’ LONG-TERM CAPACITY TO STORE CARBON IS DROPPING IN REGIONS WITH EXTREME ANNUAL FIRES

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esearchers have analysed decades’ worth of data on the impact of repeated fires on ecosystems across the world. Their results, published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, show that repeated fires are driving long-term changes to tree communities and reducing their population sizes.

Savannah ecosystems, and regions with extreme wet or dry seasons were found to be the most sensitive to changes in fire frequency. Trees in regions with moderate climate are more

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resistant. Repeated fires also cause less damage to tree species with protective traits like thicker bark.

These effects only emerge over the course of several decades: the effect of a single fire is very different from repeated burning over time. The study found that after 50 years, regions with the most extreme annual fires had 72% lower wood area - a surrogate for biomass - with 63% fewer individual trees than in regions that never burned.

Such changes to the tree community can reduce

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the forest’s long-term ability to store carbon, but may buffer the effect of future fires.

“Planting trees in areas where trees grow rapidly is widely promoted as a way to mitigate climate change. But to be sustainable, plans must consider changes in fire frequency and intensity over the longer term,” said Dr Adam Pellegrini in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Plant Sciences, first author of the paper.

He added: “Our study shows that although wetter regions are

April 2021

course with Adler winches.

Many HSM-typical features were developed by Prince zu Hohenlohe-Waldenburg, e.g. the design “narrow with wide tyres” by central twisting on the special forestry tractor and the special design of the narrow bogie axles on the forwarder.

In the company HSM, which he followed with benevolent interest until the end, his technical developments and his entrepreneurial commitment live on. His eldest son Felix has been running the business for over twenty years. All HSM employees are aware of how much they owe to Hubert Prinz zu Hohenlohe-Waldenburg’s decades of building up the company. www.hsm-forest.net better for tree growth, they’re also more vulnerable to fire.

That will influence the areas we should manage to try and mitigate climate change.”

Past studies have found that frequent fires reduce levels of nutrients - including nitrogen - in the soil. The new study demonstrates that this can favour slower-growing tree the possibility of species that have adaptations to help them survive with less nutrients. But these tree species also slow down nutrient cycling in the soil - they hold onto what they have. This can limit the recovery of the forest as a whole by reducing the nutrients available for plant growth after an intense fire.

Wildfires are playing an

April 2021

increasingly important role in global carbon emissions.

Fire burns five percent of the Earth’s surface every year, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere equivalent to 20% of our annual fossil fuel emissions. In the past, the majority of carbon released by wildfires was recaptured as ecosystems regenerated.

But the more frequent fires of recent years, driven by changes in climate and land use, don’t always allow time for this.

“As fire frequency and intensity increases because of climate change, the structure and functioning of forest ecosystems are going to change in so many ways because of changes in tree composition,” said Pellegrini.

He added: “More fire-tolerant tree species are generally slower growing, reducing the productivity of the forest. As climate change causes wildfires to become more intense and droughts more severe, it could hamper the ability of forests to recover - reducing their capacity for carbon storage.”

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The study is the largest of its type ever to be undertaken.

Researchers analysed data from a global network of 374 plots distributed across 29 sites throughout four continents, where plots have experienced different fire frequencies and intensities for multiple decades.

The network spans a broad geographical range of ecosystems from African and Australian savannahs and grasslands, to forests in Europe and North America. These are all ecosystems that experience natural burning, or would do if humans weren’t suppressing fires.

This research was funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Reference: Pellegrini, A.F.A. et al: ‘Decadal changes in fire frequencies shift tree communities and functional traits.’ Nature Ecology & Evolution, February 2021. DOI: 10.1038/s41559-021-01401-7 www.cam.ac.uk

Page 15

ESTABLISHMENT combat climate change through supporting UK forestry.”

Dominic added: “We’re looking at other ways to support the Welsh forestry nursery sector alongside our long-term contract with Maelor.

This could include using parts of the NRW-managed estate as sites for nursery business development or procuring trees for other projects activities beyond our contract with Maelor Forest Nurseries.

It’s all about continuing to develop a still more diverse, healthy and commercially successful woodland resource which will support green recovery, improve the quality of life for the people of Wales and help tackle the challenges of climate change.” www.naturalresources.wales for next year already approved.

It’s great news that we are on track to deliver on our planting target.”

With just three months left until outturn against the yearly target is announced, woodland owners across Scotland are also working hard to complete projects and claim by the 31 March 2021 deadline. In recognition of the difficulties caused by this winter’s snow, as well as Covid, Scottish Forestry will be offering increased flexibility to allow claimants to maximise planting by 31 March.

Forestry Grant Scheme Claims will still need to be submitted to Scottish Forestry by the end

Page 16

NEW TREE FUND FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES ANNOUNCED A brand-new funding initiative to increase tree planting and natural regeneration in local communities has been announced by the government with £2.7 million available this year, building the pipeline of projects for community planting in future years.

The fund will help the nation build back greener from the pandemic and will target landscapes that have of March, but a further period of two months until the end of May is being allowed for supporting documents and evidence to be submitted. This will allow projects to continue planting up until the end of March and two further months to complete site surveys, mapping and prepare the documents needed to support their claims.

The increase in tree planting is set to help in the global fight against climate change and to aid Scotland’s green recovery.

The forestry sector supports around 25,000 jobs in Scotland and generates £1 billion to the economy each year.

Scottish Forestry will issue a Forestry Grant Scheme update note w/c 8 March 2021 providing more details on the arrangements for flexibility, which will cover all Forestry Grant Scheme 2020 claims. www.forestry.gov.scot

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been neglected in the past, ecologically damaged or affected by tree diseases like ash dieback - with ash being the most common species of tree found in non-woodland locations. Grants are available for local authorities, working together with community groups, volunteers, NGOs. Bids will be accepted from early April 2021. Successful applicants will be informed by the end of July. www.gov.uk

COMMITMENT TO TREE PLANTING

W

ith just 235,000 Residents, Boise, Idaho, is not the biggest city in the United States.

But it has made an out-sized commitment to reforestation.

Boise is in the first cohort of cities that made a pledge in August to the U.S. Chapter of 1t.org, a global movement to conserve, restore and grow 1 trillion trees by 2030. The city pledged to plant 100,000 trees (one for every household) and 235,000 tree seedlings (one for every city resident) in surrounding Idaho forests by 2030.

Other cities to make pledges then to the chapter, which is led by American Forests and the World Economic Forum, are Tucson, Ariz., Detroit and Dallas. www.americanforests.org

April 2021

NRW ANNOUNCES NEW TREE SUPPLY CONTRACT

T

he ambitious restocking and woodland creation programme being carried out by Natural Resources Wales, requires a reliable supply of young trees to enable it to deliver its annual planting of some 1,500 hectares across Wales. To do this, NRW undertook a competitive tender process which has resulted in Maelor Forest Nurseries Ltd being awarded the 2022/23 – 2030/31 tree supply contract for restocking and woodland creation on the NRW Estate.

Dominic Driver, Head of Land Stewardship for NRW, said: “There is currently a high demand for trees from forest nurseries, given ambitious tree planting programmes across the

whole of the UK. Our current contract with Forestry England ends in 2022, and as it usually takes on average two years to grow a tree in a nursery, it was hugely important, that NRW secured a new supplier as quickly as possible.

Maelor Forest Nurseries Ltd is based on the Welsh Borders and we are confident they will not only provide us with the required quality and number of plants we need to meet our targets, but that this contract also represents the best value for money for the public purse.”

The contract was offered over nine years to help investor confidence and will be reviewed every three years.

Mark Appleton, Managing Director at Maelor Forest Nurseries Ltd, said: “We are tremendously pleased to have been successful in this important tender and be able to partner NRW in supplying over 30 million trees to them during the course of this long-term growing and supply contract.

This win recognises the significant investment Maelor has made over many years in improving our trees through science and genetic selection to offer Maelor trees with better form, yield and resistance.

Our dedicated Science Laboratories lead the way in developing the trees of the future for the UK as we continue to play our part in helping

ON TRACK TO MEET TREE PLANTING TARGETS

R

ural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has hailed the news that Scotland is on track to meet its yearly tree planting targets as a “remarkable achievement.”

Despite the challenges of Covid, Scottish Forestry’s staff have been working at a record rate. They have approved applications for over 13,000 hectares of new woodland for this year. It is now down to foresters, farmers and land managers to get their projects planted this month and help

April 2021

make this a record year for tree planting in Scotland.

The yearly planting targets were increased to 12,000 hectares last year and will rise to 18,000 hectares in 2024/25.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “This really is a remarkable achievement by all those concerned and I would like to pay tribute to everyone working in the sector – public and private – who are out there right now, working hard to deliver our planting targets.

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In a year of unprecedented adversity with COVID, Brexit and heavy, persistent snow at the beginning of this year - this is such positive news.

And this is not all down to the large forestry companies. We have had significant interest from smaller woodland owners, farmers and crofters who are planting almost 200 of the 320 woodland creation schemes we are funding this year.

There are 13,000 hectares of projects approved this financial year, and over 6,000 hectares

Page 17

120°

40°

The new Scorpion is here. The best features are the same as before, only further improved. Good visibility, high stability and excellent ergonomics make the Scorpion a popular choice. A roomier interior and high-quality materials raise the comfort to an entirely new level.

Once the door is closed to the outside world, all is quiet, elegant and in the right place.

Active Crane is like an arm that can reach for the trunk without needing to think through every motion. It makes the crane easier to use, helping new operators in particular to work more economically and without stressing the machine’s structures. The boom’s end damping prevents shocks in extreme positions. This reduces the stress on the crane and improves comfort. The solution is technically simple and remains reliable even in extreme conditions.

102°

40°

10° 0°

VISIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS 90° 88°

56° 44°

58° 56°

95° 88°

HARVESTING

THE NEXT GENERATION OF PONSSE SCORPIONS

A

offered a new level of operator comfort. The Scorpion has a forked overhead crane so the operator’s vision is completely unobstructed and he is looking directly at the harvesting head.

the 24th of February. Prior to the launch I had the opportunity to interview Juho Nummela, Managing Director and CEO of PONSSE Plc, to find out about the latest round of innovations.

This all changed in 2013 when one manufacturer dared to think outside the box and created a radically new design: the PONSSE Scorpion. A design unlike any others, this model is a “three hulled harvester” which keeps the cabin level in all types of ground conditions and

This is PONSSE’s flagship model and to date over 1,200 Scorpions have been manufactured and sold in 25 countries. Never a company to rest on their laurels, PONSSE began gathering important feedback from Scorpion operators to discover what further improvements could be made. The new Scorpion was officially launched online on

The following updates apply to both the Scorpion and Scorpion King:-

esthetically speaking, single grip harvesters have remained relatively unchanged since their onset in the early 1980s. The main differences are reliability and advancements in technology.

The cabin has been redesigned and a much larger front window has been fitted; the visibility surface of the previous Scorpions was 57% and this has been increased to 79% by fitting a large, curved, single pane three-layer 20.4mm

HARVESTING

polycarbonate window. This increases safety as the operator is able to see so much more, with excellent vision even in adverse weather conditions. The front window fulfils new chain shot test standard requirements and provides a much better view of the tops to the trees to check for any hung up debris that have the potential to cause damage during harvesting.

Low-level vision has also been increased so the operator has a better view of the wheels and chassis.

The working lights have been scientifically optimised so that, regardless of weather or light levels, the operator’s vision remains unimpaired.

Further redesign work has taken place within the cabin; the quiet, comfortable environment has been developed so that operators are far less fatigued at the end of their shift.

Safety while carrying out routine maintenance and working

Page 20

on the Scorpion has been increased; more fastener points for the service stairs and extra grab handles have been added to offer more secure footing and there are plenty of anchor points to secure yourself to when working at height on the cabin or crane.

Refuelling points for diesel, hydraulic oil, add blue and urea have all been relocated to a central hub for easier access.

One of the biggest advancements on this new harvester is the new Opti 5G user interface along with the Opti 8 computer. This is the fifth generation of Opti systems and is the most user friendly operating system to date. It has a 15.6” touch screen and works in a similar fashion to a smart phone, functioning as the most up-to-date operating system currently available. The new technology has enabled numerous new features to be added as programming is uncomplicated given the interface and usability.

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The Opti 5G sets a new standard for the machine information system; its simplicity means new users can pick it up quickly and it is easy for operators who have used previous Opti systems to make the transition. The advanced Opti 5G allows for the PONSSE Harvester Active Crane Management System and this is a game changer for harvesting timber. This gives a new dimension in effective crane control; the operator is able to concentrate on processing the timber rather than controlling the crane movements. One control lever controls the height of the harvester head while the other controls direction.

Damping has also been added to the beginning and end of each function, ensuring that the crane is smooth and precise during operation. Active Crane Management will be available for the full range of PONSSE harvesters in the near future.

The 5G Opti system has been a huge project for PONSSE – it was established in 2015 and

April 2021

The The new Scorpion  is here. A roomier interior and high-quality materials raise the comfort to an entirely new level. The new one-piece front window, which reaches all the way up to the cabin roof offers improved visibility and ensures safe working in all weather conditions. In addition, the unique crane solution provides excellent visibility in all directions.

has undergone extensive development and testing since then, and they are delighted that it is now up and running.

The demand for PONSSE’s products is extremely high and the company are currently manufacturing six machines each day. Production of the new Scorpions will start in earnest very soon.

The PONSSE Opti 5G information system will initially be available for PONSSE Scorpion harvesters in the Finnish and Swedish markets, with other areas to follow later.

The Ergo is still PONSSE’s bestseller but it is forecast that approximately 200 Scorpions will be made during the next 12 months.

April 2021

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There have been minor delays in obtaining certain components but this has not had any impact on production levels. The challenging situation and slowdown in sales during the first half of 2020 due to the pandemic has not had an adverse effect on PONSSE. Last year, the company performed very well given the circumstances by turning over €636.6 million (a fall of only 4.6% on the previous year) and maintaining a healthy 9% profit margin.

To date PONSSE have had no Covid-19 cases at their production facility; no visitors have been allowed on site and all white collar workers and secretarial staff have been working remotely. www.ponsse.com

Page 21

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April 2021

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HARVESTING

FORWARDER ROUND-UP

BY ANTHONY CARR

I

n this issue we take a look at some of the mid-sized forwarders that are used in UK forestry. These machines are normally in the 16-20 tonne weight class with a carrying capacity of around 14 tonne.

Anthony Carr has been involved in forestry since the early 1980’s. He began his career on the saw before moving on to operate machines. He joined Walton Logging in 1999 were he remains to this day as a harvester operator. When he is not working in the forest, he really enjoys mountain biking, rallying and playing the ukulele.

April 2021

This popular forwarder size is very versatile and capable of working effectively in selective/ final thinnings and mature clearfells. Mid-sized forwarders are powerful and strong without being too heavy and they are extremely proficient on a variety of ground conditions and soil types.

When extracting timber on steep ground, band tracks or wheel chains can be used to increase traction, this offers

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better climbing ability and increases the operators safety.

For extracting on wet peaty and boggy soil conditions fitting flotation band tracks will reduce the overall ground pressure of the forwarder which will protect the forest floor from rutting and compacting the soil.

Reporter, Anthony Carr, spoke to a selection of operators from several prominent machine manufacturers to get an honest insight into what they really think of the machines they operate.

The feedback is entirely from the operators point of view and is in no way an endorsement for any machine manufacturers.

Page 25

HARVESTING

PONSSE BUFFALO

OPERATOR: WAYNE ARMSTRONG

18 MONTHS OLD - 2900 HOURS - FUEL 11.3 LITRES P/H

TECH SPECS Weight: 18,600 kg Load Capacity: 14-15,000 kg Width: 2,895-3,085 mm Ground Clearance: 680 mm Power: 280 hp Steering angle: +/-44 8 or 10 wheel versions available

Page 26

A

fter leaving school at 16 Wayne started work in a sawmill before joining the forestry commission where he worked on a chainsaw, and latterly a forwarder for 13 years. After taking voluntary redundancy - a decision he has never looked back on - Wayne joined TPH in 1992, and has operated forwarders for the company ever since.

Wayne is very happy with his latest Buffalo. “This machine comes with the longer back bogies so although it climbs well on steep site’s, I do have to give the machine more power when climbing over obstacles, but this is balanced out by the machines improved performance on soft ground”. The other main difference on this machine is

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the Active crane, where the extension works automatically with the main lift and dipper control, “It’s brilliant, I would find it really difficult to go back to the conventional system”.

As Wayne regularly operates on soft ground, he commented on the 10-metre crane having the ability to reach two rows of produce from the one row being a huge asset. The grapple on the K90 crane is a Hultdins Super Grip “It is good to use and much stronger than versions of the Super Grip I have previously used”.

Although the hose layout on the crane is good, Wayne has had a few problems with the metal pipes failing on the dipper boom. This is down to vibration

April 2021

against a bracket. “The pipes are difficult to change, to make it easier, I sourced an extra clamp which I use to keep the three remaining pipes in line while I change the offending item”.

Comfort in the Buffalo is described as good, “There is plenty of room, the seat is the most comfortable I’ve had, and vision is excellent. The cab is extremely quiet, although for how long I do not know as mice are eating the soundproofing.

The computer is straightforward to use, I tend to leave the settings as they are, as the machine is set up so well. One

issue I do have is when facing forward, if an alarm sounds, I have to turn the seat around to see what the problem is on the computer”.

The Buffalo has been very reliable in the 18 months Wayne has had it. “The only other problems I have had apart from the pipes on the dipper, are a rotator hose which has just gone after 2900 hours, and wear on the outer extension”.

This problem was being sorted

by PONSSE when I interviewed Wayne. As it was such a rare occurrence, the parts had to come from the factory and had

JOHN DEERE 1510G

been delayed because of Brexit.

Back up and Servicing is provided by PONSSE UK and Wayne lends a hand. “The machine is straightforward to service although replacing the belly plate is awkward, I use a long bolt with a big washer to wind it up and keep it in place until I replace the bolts and cups.

“It is the best forwarder I have ever operated, it travels well, has a powerful crane and is very comfortable, I have no interest in changing to anything else”. www.ponsse.com

OPERATOR: GAVIN ROBERTSON

5 MONTHS OLD - 1000 HOURS - FUEL 11.5 LITRES P/H

G

avin has been around forwarders from a young age spending time helping his Father Colin, who

April 2021

is MD of the family company, Walton Logging LTD. On leaving school Gavin joined the company learning the ropes

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doing secondary forwarding. He then went on to operate various forwarders up to his current 1510G.

Page 27

HARVESTING Gavin is really pleased with his latest 1510 “28⁰ is the steepest gradient I have climbed so far.

Although it climbs well it could do with more ground clearance.

When reversing up steep slopes I have to be careful climbing over obstacles due to the long back bogies not being balanced, they keep climbing up past their balancing point which can make the forwarder unstable.

The machine performs well on soft ground with the extra floatation of the longer back bogies, and the bunk widening kit gives it a lower centre gravity, If the machine does go down on one side when loaded, it does not sink as far as it would with a conventional bunk. One downside of the bunk is if I don’t remember to put the headboard extension up early enough, especially when loading downhill, the ram hasn’t got the power to push it up with logs stacked against it”.

The crane on the 1510 G comes with Intelligent Boom Control. “The crane is sharp and responsive, and the IBC is brilliant. Although I find the slew power lacking a little on steep slopes, the ten-metre crane is a great asset especially when stacking on the roadside from

the inside of the wood. It is good for moving brash and also has the ability to reach two rows of wood from one row. The grapple is a Gripen 035 HD, it is wider, and opens further than grabs I have used in the past, I wouldn’t have anything else” Operator comfort is provided

by John Deere’s self-levelling, rotating cab, and has all the mod cons of a modern-day forwarder. “Comfort is good, storage is good, and the computer is well thought out and easy to use - although I would like to see a split screen option that constantly shows the mapping as well as the work screen. I would also like the radio moved to a more accessible position. Overall vision is excellent, although moving the computer to the right-hand side of the cab and removing the reflective strip along the bottom of the window would improve downward vision”.

“We do the 750-hour services ourselves and John Deere carry out the 1500 ones. The machine is easy to service with all filters easily accessible. The belly plate being a lot smaller than on previous machines makes it easy to take off and put back on.”

TECH SPECS Weight: 18,230 kg Load Capacity: 15,000 kg Width: 2,956 mm Ground Clearance: 660 mm Power: 220 hp Steering angle: +/-44 Long bogie versions available

Back up is provided with our own service van and John Deere are there when we need them.

With us being located close to John Deere’s Carlisle depot, Dad usually picks up the parts and delivers them to site” “Overall performance is excellent, and I haven’t had so much as one burst hose in the first 1000 hours” www.johndeere.com

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Page 28

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April 2021

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HARVESTING

KOMATSU 875

OPERATOR: KENNY FERGUSON

2 YEAR OLD - 3500 HOURS - FUEL 13.5 LITRES P/H

TECH SPECS Weight: 19,900 kg Load Capacity: 16,000 kg Width: 2,980-3170 mm Ground Clearance: 632 mm Power: 255 hp Steering angle: +/-44 6 or 8 wheel versions available

Page 30

A

fter two years on a welding apprenticeship Kenny took a 6 month’s forestry course at the Barony college where he qualified as a forwarder operator. He then went on to join the family company A G Ferguson, initially gaining experience alongside his father Kenny and Uncle Alistair, before going on to operate various forwarders up to his current Komatsu 875.

Kenny is very content with the 875, “Ground clearance is good and the machine is well balanced crossing soft ground when loaded. The machine has cruise control which came in handy a while ago when I injured my Achilles, it allowed me to drive without using the foot pedal. The machine is exceptional on the steep, it

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climbs well and is very stable coming downhill loaded”.

“The larger crane on the 875 is a real game changer. Slew power is extremely good on steep ground, the smaller crane on my 860 used to get away from me, but that never happens with this version. I have the crane set up fast, but it is still smooth and easy to control. The grapple is a Cranab G36. I had this grapple on the 860 and it felt heavy, but it is perfectly matched to this crane”.

Kenny commented on the improved hose layout on his latest Komatsu, with the long hoses from the valve chest to the crane now coming with a join in them, making them a lot easier to change.

Locking and unlocking of the cab

April 2021

door and all the hatches is done with a key fob. “Apart from opening everything, it also turns on the computer and loads my operator settings. If my Dad is operating the forwarder, he uses his own key fob which activates his settings. Another option on the fob is its ability to set the night heater from the roadside which comes in handy when I have forgot to set it, as long as the machine is close enough.

The computer is straightforward to use, with a display in the front as well as the back. Vision

in the new cab is excellent, with the longer windows I can now see the top of the kingpost without having to lean forward.

“We do the interim services ourselves and Komatsu do the big services with our help. The belly plate is easy to take off and put on and the oil is drained via a tap with no need for spanners.

When lifting the cab, it can now be connected to the hydraulic tank so both can be lifted as one. Back up is provided by Komatsu. Engineer Mark

LOGSET 6F

Gilmore does most of our work.

Parts are sent to our yard in Denny.” Kenny described the reliability of the 875 as brilliant.

“In the two years we’ve had it, apart from a few hoses, the only issue was a stuck rotator at three months old, which was replaced by Komatsu the next day.

I like to cover the ground quickly and find the 875 really comfortable to sit in. Overall, it is by far the best forwarder I have operated.” www.komatsuforest.com

OPERATOR: WENDY SMITH

3 MONTHS OLD - 500 HOURS - FUEL 10 LITRES P/H

W

endy’s love of the woods started when she realised it was part and parcel of being with her husband Darren, owner of Mid Somerset Forestry. Wendy’s

April 2021

early career took in various jobs including working in several shops and in a factory making circuit boards. She also raised three daughters and found the time to train as a holistic

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therapist. Wendy’s forwarding career started 12 years ago.

Alongside Darren she has operated various forwarders up to her new Logset 6F which arrived early November 2020.

Page 31

HARVESTING This is Logset’s first forwarder in the UK that is fitted with the Smooth Ride cab suspension.

“I am really impressed with the Smooth Ride, that horrible back breaking feeling I used to get when sliding off a stump is now a thing of the past. We are currently doing a thinning job with rocky ground conditions, running on tyres, and I am comfortably taking out 14 tons a load. Capacity will be increased on clear fells when I am using the bunk widening kit. There is storage in the front pod for the tow chain, toolbox and grease gun. One oversight is that there is nowhere to put the spill kit.

use and is well positioned on the right-hand side of the cab which I can see while facing forwards as well as backwards”.

Wendy and Darren carry out the interim services with main services being done by R J Fukes. “The machine is straightforward to service. The only issue is that the AdBlue pump filter is badly situated and difficult to access. We use R J Fukes for all our back up needs, they are always there whenever we need them. When we require parts, they either deliver them or we go and collect them,

sometimes meeting halfway.

Another plus with R J Fukes is they are open on Saturdays so if we do need anything repairing, it is worth taking the three-hour journey up to the workshop.

Although it took a bit of getting used to after my last machine, I can’t say anything bad about the 6 F, it’s bloody marvellous”. www.logset.com Weight: 17,000kg Load Capacity: 14,000kg Width: 2,780-3100 mm Power: 230hp Ground Clearance: 660mm

We have had to get a cover made specially for the spill kit which we strap to the slew pods on the crane. I find the Mesera crane and Cranab G 36 grapple a good combination. It is nice and smooth to operate, and easy to grease.”

One issue Wendy has found with the crane is the work light on the underside of the dipper boom. It has a flap to stop the light shining into the operator’s eyes when folded back over, but when working the crane, the flap moves to and fro, distorting the light.

The 6 F cab is a comfortable place to work. “The game changer is the Smooth Ride making traveling so much smoother. The seat is comfortable with big cushions on the sides that really hold me in place and the armrests are a lot more robust than they used to be. The long windows provide excellent vision, and the low sills allow me to see the front wheels. The computer is easy to

Page 32

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April 2021

D E M O N S T R AT I O N S During 2021 we will be demonstrating the hybrid harvester, forwardersindustry and timbermax OfferingLogset the forestry traction system throughout the UK and Ireland.

MORE Please get in touch for more details!

rjfukes.co.uk rjfukes.co.uk Llandovery: 01550 721 641

Llandovery:01550 721 641 Longtown: 01228 791 111 Longtown:01228 791 111

HARVESTING

ROTTNE F15D

OPERATOR: ALEC HENRY

3 MONTHS OLD - 500 HOURS - FUEL 11 LITRES P/H

TECH SPECS Weight: 18,700 kg Load Capacity: 15,000 kg Width: 2,890 mm Ground Clearance: 668 mm Power: 220 hp Steering angle: +/-43

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A

lec spent the first 20 years of his working life in various agricultural roles before, at the age of 36, he decided on a career change. His forwarding career started with A. A. Davies of Castle Douglas where he worked for two years.

He later went on to operate forwarders for various other contractors before joining Jim Wilmer & sons in July 2016.

After previously operating a John Deere 1510, Alec got his new Rottne F 15 in November and is so far very pleased with it. “I am currently working on a steep, boggy and rocky Galloway site. I had an initial problem with the transmission blowing off but a few adjustments were made by the Rottne engineer and the

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machine now climbs very well. I find the machine exceptionally stable; I have had the back end of the machine right over to the stops while fully loaded and it was nothing like going over. The headboard is good, it is higher than the pins so there is no chance of timber sliding forward.”

The crane on the F 15 is Rottne’s own RK 125. “I had a double extension on my last machine so I was expecting a lot more power with the single extension crane. I was a little disappointed at first, but after a few tweaks it is better than I thought it would be. It is especially good on the steep; it lifts up and over the high headboard rather than having to come in from the side like on previous forwarders”

April 2021

The cab on the F 15 comes with Rottne’s tried and tested comfort line cab. “This is the first forwarder I have operated with cab suspension; I really like it. It gives a much smoother and more comfortable ride than a conventional cab. The cab is so tall I can stand up in it and the windows are long which provides excellent vision.

The machine is opened and activated with a key fob, the computer which is situated on the seat is turned on via an access code, and the forwarder is started with a button, as there is no key. Once the engine is running the R button is turned, one way to activate work mode or the other way which activates test mode. Test mode allows certain functions to work with the door open for servicing etc.

The cab is exceptionally quiet, and the climate control is as good as I have used, with very little need for adjustment.”

Jim Wilmer & sons carry out the servicing with Alec assisting. “The machine is very user friendly for servicing. A cupboard door opens at the back of the cab becoming a ladder that provides access to the refuelling points. Both diesel and hydraulic tanks swing to the sides giving easy access to the hydraulic filters etc. The belly plate lifts up and down on a ratchet strap and the engine filters are all easy to get too”.

“The F 15 is a really well made and well-thought-out machine which has exceeded my expectations so far.” www.rottne.com

April 2021

JIM WILMER & SONS ROTTNE UK DISTRIBUTOR T: 01465 811600

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U K AG

LO G F O R E S E N T S F O R EC O

T RY M AC H IN

T S F O R V IK ES | U K AG E N

IN G H EA D S

SALES AND SERVICE CONTACT SCOTT BURTON

Parts: 01483 906 913 | Sales: 07795 438 341 | Lauder, Scotland |

@SBForestry

sales@sbforestryltd.co.uk | service@sbforestryltd.co.uk | parts@sbforestryltd.co.uk

www.sbforestryltd.co.uk

Forestry of tomorrow

HARVESTING

ECO LOG 574D

OPERATOR: ADAM HAYWOOD

5 YEARS OLD - 13,000 HOURS - FUEL 9.1 LITRES P/H

O TECH SPECS Weight: 20,000 kg Load Capacity: 14,000 kg Width: 2,640 mm Ground Clearance: 650 mm Power: 252 hp Steering angle: +/-44

April 2021

n leaving school at 18, Adam began his career in firewood production before progressing to a ten-year stint of chainsaw and skidding work. After this he began operating a forwarder and joined Home Forestry two years ago, initially operating a Valmet 840. He went onto the Eco Log 574D in October 2020.

Home Forestry LLP acquired the five-year-old, 574 from Sweden last year. The machine undertook a Loler test that was carried out by S B Forestry of Lauder. Any defects which were flagged up in the test were rectified before the forwarder was delivered to its new owner.

Adam is very happy with the 574D. “The machine has three work modes, but I leave it in

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mode one as it has more than enough power for the work we do. Our work consists of a wide variety of thinning and clear fell Estate jobs ranging from 100 tons upwards.

Because a lot of our jobs are relatively small, we choose to only have three sets of bolsters on the machine. This system works really well for us. It not only gives better manoeuvrability for loading big hardwoods, but with only carrying one bunk of produce, it also makes for much faster load cycles. The 10m double extension FC12 crane is good to use and has plenty of power.

On clear fell sites we use the load widening kit which allows us to carry bigger loads. The forwarder is narrower on 710 tyres than the harvester and

Page 37

HARVESTING we only need to fell a single row when thinning to avoid damage to the standing timber.

After years of happy usage with another make of grapple, this is Home Forestry’s first experience with the Gripen grapple, so far. they are very impressed with it.

The Eco Log cab is spacious and comes with cab suspension which makes for a comfortable working environment. “The Comfort Ride, along with good machine stability makes traversing the ground much more comfortable than with a conventional cab. The cab is situated higher up than I am

used to but it gives good allround vision, especially over the load bay. The easy-to-use computer is at the back of the cab with a screen up front.

Storage is good, and the cab is a lot quieter than previous machines I have operated.”

“The forwarder is over engineered” said Nathan Home, owner of Home Forestry. “I initially decided to go with the Eco Log brand of machines because to me they have a simple idea, create machines with more power and more hydraulic flow than required and then you are never left wanting more.

HSM 208F D

ue to covid-19 it has been difficult to find an operator of a HSM to interview. I chatted to Rab instead about the 208F as he had the opportunity to operate

Page 38

one in Germany. “HSM forwarders have a high speed drive system. First gear has a 0-14km/hr driving range for travelling off road and the higher second gear allowing

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The back up from SB Forestry is second to none. The company takes care of all our service, spares and repairs and Scott is always available at the end of the phone for advice.

I especially like the way that they designed a full machine loler and worthiness test for a user’s machine. In my eyes this is ground breaking. The 574D was completely gone though in every sense of the word in their workshop and came to site looking and operating perfectly. It gives me as a buyer and operator the absolute best chance with a used machine.” www.ecologforestry.com

OPERATOR: RAB EASTON 0-30kn/hr for travelling on smoother ground and road surfaces. 30km/hr doesn’t sound that quick but let me reassure you that when you are sat in the seat hurtling down a forest road

April 2021

flat out it certainly gets the old ticker pumping.”

All HSM machines have the option to have a factory fitted traction assist winch. On forwarders this is fitted under the crane base with the cable routed through the chassis for protection. The winch uses 14mm cable and will operate up to a distance of 240m.

Automatic winding technology preserves the cable and with a drum camera fitted, which is linked to a cab monitor, it means the operator is in full control.

“It is a quiet and comfortable cabin, well laid out and spacious. All the information on temperatures, levels rpm’s are displayed on the Ecommand colour monitor. Five operator’s programmes can be stored and it can offer full diagnostics and error indication. The stability brake works well, the cab barely moves when loading large grabfulls of sawlogs at reach.

Vision is good, 14 LED cabin lights and another four on the crane make it easy to work and drive in the dark.”

tilts out of the way for access to hydraulic pumps, electrics and the transmission. I especially liked the fact that you could access all the cooling radiators without lifting the bonnet; they were easy to keep clean with an airline in dry dusty conditions.

“This forwarder was fitted with a few extras including the front dozer blade and front bogie lift for easier turning. It is strong and well built without being over engineered and is equipped with all the creature comforts that we have come to expect.

This is a forwarder I would look forward to operating on a regular basis.” www.hsm-forest.net

TECH SPECS Weight: 18,000 kg Load Capacity: 14,000 kg Width: 2,860 mm Ground Clearance: 661 mm Power: 252 hp Steering angle: +/-45

“A standard feature is the reversing camera with colour monitor, also handy when unloading as it eliminates blind spots and you can see if anyone is entering your risk zone.

This 208F was fitted with an Epsilon 10.1m reach X120F102 crane and a .36 grapple.

Customers can choose from Epsilon or Mesera cranes with a selection of length and lifting configurations available. “ It is a very smooth and powerful crane to use” said Rab. “Re-fuelling and greasing points are very easy to get to and the cabin

April 2021

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Page 39

HARVESTING

JOHN DEERE UNVEILS ITS POWERFUL, PURPOSE-BUILT 768L-II BOGIE SKIDDER

J

ohn Deere expands its skidder lineup with the new 768L-II Bogie Skidder, a purpose-built machine designed to navigate wet and steep slope conditions. The 768L-II features heavy-duty bogie axles, outstanding tractive ability and floatation, increasing durability and performance in challenging

conditions. Additionally, a new arch design expands visibility while a long wheelbase and improved boom-arch envelope increase dexterity and manoeuvrability in the woods, significantly boosting productivity and performance.

The bogie skidder incorporates the customer-favourite features

found in the L-II machines, including a comfort-boosting cab, redesigned electrical and hydraulic systems, and industryexclusive Continuously Variable Transmission.

“Profitability and productivity are critical in the woods, and as loggers take to new areas for

TIGER CAT EXPANDS HARVESTING HEAD PRODUCT LINE

T

igercat continues to expand its range of harvesting heads with the new 568, a robust, productive four-wheel drive harvesting head for roadside processing.

The new 568 head offers excellent productivity and

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reliability. Optimized harvester head hydraulics maximize performance and efficiency, while robust, high quality components provide long term reliability. Large diameter hoses and large capacity valves provide ample strength to match the greater hydraulic flow

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and power of Tigercat carriers.

Timed knife arms and triangulated wheel arms allow the operator to pick quickly from the pile and to maintain positive tree contact when feeding. The floating front knife and fixed back knife ensure

April 2021

jobs, they need dependable machines that are built with these niche applications in mind,” said Matthew Flood, product marketing manager, John Deere. “With our new 768L-II Bogie Skidder, we’re delivering a purpose-built machine that can navigate tough terrain, such as swamps or steep slopes. Providing distinct features, the John Deere bogie skidder helps loggers maximize their potential, regardless of the conditions.”

WARATAH DEBUTS HTH616C SERIES III HARVESTING HEAD

It’s just all-around better in my book for productivity and ground disturbance,” said Jason Dawson of Triple J Logging.

“With the 768L-II, you can carry twice as much of a load, especially in wet conditions and on the steep terrain, without tearing the ground up. It is twice as good as a regular four-tyre skidder.” www.johndeere.com

Waratah Forestry Equipment introduced a new generation of its HTH616C harvester head – the new HTH616C Series-III, which features many new service and accessibility upgrades and is highlighted by a new main control valve designed to increase performance, responsiveness, and compatibility to a greater

good quality delimbing. Single or dual-track measuring wheels with a horizontally pivoting trailing-arm design, along with priority-flow length measuring, provide superior length accuracy.

seamlessly with no operator input required, all the while maintaining precise and accurate length measurements.

Tigercat’s patented Autoshift™ drive system provides extra power and positive grip when feeding large trees, fast speed in smaller trees, and full manual control when needed. The 568 starts in 4WD, maximizing feed force for faster acceleration and to quickly power through bigger trees. As the load drops, it automatically shifts to 2WD, improving efficiency and increasing feed speed. The system shifts back and forth

April 2021

D5 CONTROL SYSTEM The 568 harvesting head uses the Tigercat D5 control system. The system allows the operator to monitor lengths, diameters and species in realtime to ensure maximum productivity with a simple and intuitive Tigercat-developed user interface. The Tigercat D5 control system is available in three levels of bucking control and reporting: Tigercat D5 Prio, Tigercat D5 Prio PC and Tigercat D5 Optimization, allowing operators to tailor the system to their needs. www.tigercat.com

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range of carriers – including WCTL (Wheeled Cut To Length), and smaller, lower powered carriers having limited flow.

“Boosting productivity and profitability is what the HTH616C Series-III is all about,” said Brent Fisher, product marketing manager for Waratah.

IMPROVED PERFORMANCE With a weight starting at 1,800 kg (3,968 lb.), the HTH616 Series-III features a new, more efficient main control valve that can be configured with various options to fit performance needs on wheeled or tracked machines alike.

New cast delimb arm design improves limb shedding, and can be configured in processing or harvesting profile with a maximum delimb opening of 68.5 cm (27 in.).The H616C Series-III has optional twin diameter sensors that provide better measuring when small end diameters are critical.

A larger oiler filler improves the ease of filling bar and chain oil and helps shorten daily servicing. www.waratah.com

Page 41

HARVESTING felling. The machine is powered by a Stage V John Deere diesel engine that comfortably fulfils applicable emission requirements for current diesel engines.

Improvements and new features: •

UPDATED ROTTNE H8D THINNING HARVESTER

R

ottne H8D is a small and versatile harvester with unique characteristics including exact tracking, swing arms on the wheels, variable transmission and automatic anti-spin. This makes it very easy-to-operate with minimum space requirements, providing the conditions for smooth

• • • • •

and fluent thinning and an undamaged stand as well as high productivity.

•

This is an ideal harvester for stand-operating thinning and with various working route system options it can handle strip road distances without manual intermediate zone

•

•

•

Variable transmission with anti-spin Lower noise level Improved hose routing New oil cooling New hose routing and new cylinders on Rottne EGS406 Stage V engine with reversible fan Electrically operated cab-tilt and engine hood Larger fuel tank (one tank instead of two as on H8B) Reinforced crane with new hose routing Large water tank for the stump spray application

www.rottne.com

STIHL LAUNCHES SERVICE KITS FOR PETROL TOOLS

S

TIHL’s service kits contain everything needed to carry out routine servicing on a STIHL petrol hand held power tool engine. The service kits include an air filter, spark plug and fuel filter, and additional items depending on the specific machine. The kits also come with a QR code and short URL so users can quickly access how-to videos to give them step-by-step instructions for replacing the air filter, spark plug and fuel filter.

23 variants of service kit are

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available, covering the most popular STIHL petrol chainsaws, brushcutters, blowers, pole pruners, hedge trimmers, cut off saws and earth augers. In addition to professional and domestic users, the new service kits can also be used in-store by STIHL approved dealers, making the process of ordering and carrying out a service quicker and more cost-effective.

For more information on STIHL’s new service kits, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

April 2021

NEW DEALERSHIP IN ENGLAND AND WALES FOR HOME FORESTRY LLP

H

ome Forestry LLP are very pleased to announce their new dealership in England and Wales for the Finnish Harvester head company Syketec LTD. Home Forestry LLP are based in Shropshire, England and are a Forestry machine sales and timber harvesting company est. 1996. Syketec LTD produce stroke heads and tractor mounted processors referred to as the JOBO range. These processors can have wheel motors fitted to speed up delimbing if the base machine has the required oil flow. The Jobo 50 ST and Jobo 75 ST are available to be mounted on forest cranes and the EX-models are designed for excavator bases.

The Jobo 50 ST Bambi is a small stroke harvester, due to is low weight and compactness it can be mounted on a 3-tonne excavator or any tractor-based crane.

April 2021

It is specifically developed to be fitted on small to medium size base machines making it ideal for mini forwarders like the market leading Swedish Alstor 840 pro combi, which Home forestry llp are the UK agents for.

The Jobo ST 50 requires 30-60 litre/min oil flow and has good ergonomic design and delimbing force for its size. It can fell up to 30cm and delimb up to 25 cm trees. It has 4 movable knifes and a spring-loaded top knife to allow better delimbing in bent timber, all made from Hardox steel, with good profile design.

Optional length measuring wheel, and diameter measuring is available along with CAN-bus control units for multiply tree species and pre-set lengths.

Optional feed wheels, with 200cc motors can be added to the combi models, to speed up production, and aid delimbing.

Both heads use 2.0mm .404 chain.

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The Jobo ST75 Jumbo is a larger head, capable of felling up to 40 cm and delimbing up to 35 cm.

It requires 80-120 Litre/min and has a longer stroke @ 75 cm.

The Jobo 75 has a larger saw motor and has the option for 4 x 315cc wheel motors in the Combi version. Also available with optional measuring equipment. Syketec also produce a range of accessories including excavator boom extensions and quick couplings, control systems, tractor hydraulic PTO pump & tank kits and boom packages.

Home Forestry LLP are very impressed with the Syketec build quality and ergonomic design. The company believes the product is well balanced and strong, with lots of excellent features. Home Forestry are looking forward to the delivery of the first unit, a Jobo St50 will arrive in late April and will be fitted to their Alstor 840 pro as a demonstrator. www.homeforestry.co.uk

Page 43

HARVESTING

KOMATSU C164- A NEW HARVESTER 5.3.2021 HEAD FOR DEMANDING OPERATIONS s new applications of timber trailers

K

nufacturer Kesla Oyj is introducing a bioenergy platform intended position is designed for optimal omatsu C164 is a brandatform is an accessory that can be easily detached, if necessary. felling performance new model in the range 3 and is equipped with a hydraulic tailgate and a tipper.

With theand the of the saw bar is new of C heads and a perfect er can be increased particularly outside the position forest environment.

match for the Komatsu 951

compared to other C heads. This

e wide-ranging applications for itshead tractor particularly gives a better felling cut in the harvester.

The robust is forest equipment, ns is now increasing because the company is introducing a direction of new the head, which in specially designed to handle LA forestCOMBI bioenergy platform.

The platform be the usedsaw for bar better turncan gives large trees, big root flares and wood, wood chips, feed or snow. The platform is also equipped with a longevity whilst also reducing rough limbs. Still, it has a design g it easy to empty the load from the tractor cabin.

the risk of log splitting. For that makes it smooth and easy increased durability and service to handle.

The C164 design is er trailer, the platform enables utilisation of all the features and life the chain tensioning of the bytraction. the features of other ding beaminspired control or saw bar has been improved.

C models, but it is a completely The saw bar mount has a more ber trailernew head where many parts robust design, stronger saw are optimised for the size and bar clamp and increased bolt of the head. he bunks ofapplication the timber trailer. dimension to hold the saw bar. atform can Constant be conveniently on its stabiliser legs,” says Product Cut, theparked saw motor hen you want to use theensures platform, you need to detach the posts the The rotator has aofstronger and control that that neath the platform.”

Using lift cylinders, the plate is lowered on top of more robust design as well as a the head has a constant and new hydraulic motor and bigger efficient saw motor speed throughout the complete cutting slew bearings to cope with this e just as easily. trailer developed along with the is of driven to the logging type demanding cycle,The is further for platform opened andC164 the platform is long liftedsaw to an upright position by means of operations. to handle bars s are lockedand andbroad the trailer can be driven away.

To make the head more fuel stems. The saw bar

duct or. It can KESLA A eral

efficient, the C164 also has a new type of hydraulic control valve that can handle a high flow, which reduces energy losses.

The C164 is a “carry style” head, where the stem is carried by the feed wheels and the delimbing knives are mainly used for delimbing the stem. The head’s feed system allows good contact between head and stem, which reduces the clamping pressure and makes the feeding procedure energy efficient.

Komatsu C164 comes with the option of two different feed roller motors. The bigger motor is standard and gives a high traction force which improves the productivity of the head.

The smaller motor is optional and gives a more aggressive

KESLA OYJ INTRODUCES NEW APPLICATIONS OF TIMBER TRAILERS

ness

Page 44

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April 2021

feeding start, but with less force than with the bigger motor.

Upon customer request, the Komatsu C164 has a completely new tilt lock function, i.e., the ability to lock the tilt link at the desired angle, which facilitates access to difficult branches or tree forks. The Find End function makes it possible to reset length measuring without needing to make a first cut and lump a part of the log. This reduces forest residues and minimises value loss. It is particularly useful when processing pre-felled trees.

www.kesla.com

KESLA TIMBER CRANES

Sin

ce 196

ET

0

CH

S

April 2021

IF

L

K

esla Oyj is introducing a bioenergy platform intended for use with a timber trailer. The forestCOMBI bioenergy platform has a volume of 23m³ and is equipped with a hydraulic tailgate and a tipper making it easy to empty the load from the tractor cabin.

With the platform the use of the timber trailer can be increased, particularly outside the forest environment.

#YO UR

The head has several features designed to minimise unplanned downtime and thereby improve productivity. The frame is designed and verified to stand the force from heavy operations. Components like the head unit are well protected under the hood. Cast iron is used for strategic components and ORFS couplings on hoses.

Overall, the head with all its features, in combination with the Komatsu 951 harvester, is a useful tool for demanding operations. www.komatsu.com

6 0 YE A R

A IMEM

T

Kesla has been manufacturing cranes for timber handling for already 60 years now. Durability as well as usability and service friendliness have been the strengths for Kesla from the very beginning. The KESLA cranes are manufactured with Finnish expertise.

SALES IN UK AND IRELAND: Caledonian Forestry Services Ltd PERTSHIRE caledonianforestryservices.co.uk Mark Beach Forestry LANCASHIRE markbeachforestry.co.uk Oakleaf Forestry PORTADOWN oakleafforestry.com

The platform can be used for transporting content such as energy wood, wood chips, feed or snow and can be easily detached.

The forestCOMBI is installed on the bunks of the timber trailer.

Using lift cylinders, the plate is lowered on top of the bunks.

The platform can be moved elsewhere just as easily. The trailer along with the platform is

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driven to the parking place, the stabiliser legs are opened and the platform is lifted to an upright position by means of cylinders. After this, the stabiliser legs are locked and the trailer can be driven away.

KESLA forestCOMBI is a Finnish product implemented by a Kesla subcontractor. It can be acquired for timber trailers in the KESLA 144 series. www.kesla.com

Page 45

HARVESTING

THERE’S BEEN A LOT GOING ON IN THE MAD HOUSE

BY RAB EASTON

I

t has been a couple of years since I last visited Jim Wilmer at his workshops in Daily and the place is barely recognisable.

Gone are the old buildings which were situated next to the main workshop, replaced by another large modern workshop adjoined to the existing one.

Large signs on the front of the building show that Jim Wilmer & Sons Timber Harvesting Ltd (JWS) are now the UK agents for Rottne, EcoForst TWinch, Olofsors, and Mesera. The company also supply Pewag Tracks, Jacrac rubber tracked LGP thinning equipment, and the German Impex tracked excavator harvesters for working in big timber. The yard was immaculate with nothing lying around or out of place – even the vehicles and service vans were all neatly lined up.

Page 46

I must admit, I was a bit apprehensive regarding my visit as we would be indoors. All our recent trips have been out in the forest where social distancing is not really a problem. However, once our tour of the facilities commenced my initial fears were laid to rest. Jim is taking the safety of his employees and customers regarding Covid-19 very seriously, engaging in some excellent solutions that allow his staff to continue working with minimal risk.

One-way walking systems are in place so social distancing can be adhered to and there is no chance of accidentally ‘bumping into anyone’ in a corridor or stairway. Antiseptic hand wash and disposable face masks are available at numerous points throughout the different buildings and entry to the upstairs offices is strictly

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prohibited except for the staff who are working there. The parts department has a simple but effective system in place; shelves are fitted onto the wall near the exit for placing parts as needed, when engineers phone through an order it is labelled and placed on the shelves ready for collection.

Jim met me as I arrived and it was patently obvious how excited he was to show me all the changes that had taken place. We entered a light, airy space which is the recently opened Rottne shop and spare parts department. A good selection of Rottne clothing was on display as well as a bench and stools where, postCovid-19, customers will be able to sit and have a bit of a blether over a cup of coffee.

In the original workshop, there

April 2021

L-R: Newly built workshop with 3 large work stations, engineering department and tyre fitting bay.

Under ground illuminated pit for better working conditions.

The original workshop with a John Deere forwarder in for repairs and a T-Winch being serviced.

The training centre with simulators. was an EcoForst T Winch being serviced and a John Deere 1510 Forwarder minus a dipper boom which was in the process of being re-bushed by an engineer.

This is a far superior system compared to carrying out large repairs in the forest. It might cost more in the short term collecting machines with a low loader and transporting them back to the workshop, but with a clean, dry workplace and all the proper equipment to hand the job can be done properly and in half the time.

We then visited the store, which is a modern logistic centre with an amazing array of spares for all the equipment that the company uses and sell. As a contractor, Jim realises that having good backup is essential when selling equipment. Jim pointed out that one of the reasons he is so excited to be the Rottne dealer is the cost of their spare parts – they are half the price of some other manufacturers. Rottne also have a unique X Parts exchange system which covers almost every component (cranes, ,

April 2021

rotators, pumps saw motors, roller motors, engine, transmission, bogies, computers, etc). If a component fails a replacement (reconditioned) can be ordered from a local dealer, and if the part is not in stock one will be sent by express delivery so the machine in question is functional as soon as possible.

The customer then sends the faulty part to Rottne within 30 days, who in turn will recondition this part and charge for the repair. This is normally around 60% of the cost of a new part and Rottne guarantee it will never be more than 90%. The new part is covered by a one year or 2,000 hour warranty – whichever comes first – while the repaired part is now ready for the next customer.

We continued through to the new workshop and I was surprised at just how big it was.

There were three bays in use.

The first bay contained a JWS low loader and V8 Scania unit getting new brakes fitted – Jim had created a full length pit for his engineers which was fully

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illuminated and ran the complete length of the trailer and unit.

The second bay included a powerful lifting ramp with another Scania unit undergoing work. This truck was part of the JWS timber haulage fleet and was being serviced.

The third and final third bay contained a shiny new Rottne H21D harvester getting its final inspection and having some extra exhaust guarding fitted - designed and made at the workshop - before delivery to one of the company’s harvesting sites.

The workshop has its own engineering area where hydraulic cylinders can be manufactured and other specialised machining projects are undertaken. There is also a tyre bay where Jim carries his own stock of tyres for the company’s trucks, service vans and company vehicles. It is kitted out with the latest tyre fitting and wheel balancing equipment.

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HARVESTING

Whenever parts fail or are badly damaged a new part is sent out to get the machine or vehicle up and running again.

The damaged part is repaired or reconditioned straight away and placed into stock. This system saves the company valuable time and money. The workshop and engineers are available for carrying out servicing and repairs for everyone who needs them, alongside servicing contracts with local companies.

As Jim has nine fully equipped service vans with experienced engineers and welders, the company is able to offer customers a five-star backup service.

Currently JWS has 16 timber lorries, the low loader, 29 harvesters, 29 forwarders, two T Winches, a selection of excavators, skyline equipment, skidders, nine service vans, and several other company vehicles.

This can change day-to-day as the timber haulage operation is continuously expanding.

Running and organising a company this size would be almost impossible for one person and Jim admits he is extremely lucky to have such a great team. Jim runs the

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haulage side while his son David runs the harvesting operation with help from Allan Christison, who purchases standing timber.

They are supported by his forestry operation managers Allan Brown, Martin Henry, and Gordon Mitchell. Scott Gierson is the workshop manager and keeps on top of all the servicing and any repairs of JWS and customers equipment and Steven Cesford is the workshop manager for the harvesting equipment, Ronnie Curran takes care of sales for all the products on offer.

Ronnie was quick to point out that although many of the new Rottnes and T Winches are put to work on their own sites, they are all available for sale once they arrive in the UK. Customers have the option of purchasing new or a variety of used equipment, thus catering for all types of budgets.

Our tour took us to the training centre where there are currently two John Deere simulators for training apprentices. The plan is to take delivery of the latest Rottne simulators in the near future. These will be available for both customer and staff training.

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Six apprentices are currently undergoing harvester and forwarder training. Jim has had to do this at his own expense as it is one area of the industry that has been swept aside and ignored by the powers at be.

The head honchos in charge of the purse strings or those who are able to lobby politicians to arrange the requisite funding will tell you all about how no one wants to do the job, or stay away from home, or work long hours; however, as far as I am concerned this is all a smoke screen. Any apprenticeships being offered for forest machine operators are being inundated with applicants; Jim initially advertised for four trainees and received over 160 applications from young locals. A similar training scheme took place in Northumberland and they were also overwhelmed by the number of applicants. For Jim it was almost impossible to whittle it down to four as so many of them were eager and desperate for an opportunity to work in timber harvesting; ultimately, he took on six apprentices.

Allan Brown looks after the trainees in the forest: four on harvesters and two on forwarders. They work alternate

April 2021

shifts so they all get time on the simulators as well as firsthand experience working in the forest. All six are progressing well and are paid the minimum wage throughout their training.

Jim’s timing for his expansion could not have come at a worse time. The Rottne’s began arriving on a regular basis and construction of the new workshop was underway just as Covid-19 landed on our shores. “I always enjoy a good challenge,” said Jim, laughing, “but this one was a bit more than even I had bargained for.

Although we had to implement major changes in the way we carried out some of our work to protect our staff and customers we were lucky that the demand for timber remained strong.

We purchase a lot of standing timber and market the wood ourselves, contracting our services to Glennon Brothers

April 2021

and forest management companies Scottish Woodlands and Tillhill.”

“Having our own fleet of timber lorries to move wood to the mills has been a lifesaver in terms of keeping roadside timber stocks under control. We have our own independent crane lorry which loads our own and our subcontractor’s flatbeds and skellys; this week we will have loaded in excess of 75 loads. Our other lorries will move further 200-250 loads, of which about 120 loads will be our own timber.”

“Although we are the UK dealers for Rottne we are still purchasing machines from other manufacturers. It is sometimes very difficult to get operators to change brands. One of our operators who is green through and through wouldn’t entertain operating anything else. He was offered a new Rottne but was

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L-R Rottne shop with a good selection of clothing and accessories.

Rottne H21D undergoing pre delivery inspection.

JWS’s designed and made exhaust guard. Adopted by other Rottne dealers.

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HARVESTING adamant that it wouldn’t live up to his John Deere. I came to an agreement with him to deliver a Rottne H21D and leave his 1470 on site as well, allowing him to revert back at any time if he didn’t like it. I heard nothing from him for a few days, which was quite surprising, but I decided to leave him be. After about a week he contacted me and announced the Rottne was staying and the other harvester was to be taken away. I was gobsmacked as I thought he was the one operator that I would never get to change colour.”

This is one hugely impressive operation; in addition to all that I had seen on my tour, JWS have five 22-tonne excavators with 12-tonne Boughton winches mounted on the H frames for de bogging as well as seven tonne winches on the main boom for high leading and skidding. He also has a classic Highlander County Skidder, a fleet of excavators to assist the harvesting machinery with constructing access ramps, turning circles, track building and water management, two TWinches for steep slope

harvesting, and a traffic management service for harvesting near rural and urban roads.

“I am in my element when faced with adversity,” admits Jim. “I love the challenge and having a great team of people behind us all pulling together is brilliant.”

Somehow, I don’t think this will be my last visit to JWS – when I asked Jim what the future held I got a knowing smile and cheeky wink, so I imagine the JWS journey is “to be continued”. www.jimwilmer.co.uk

STIHL CHAINSAW WINS TOP AWARD FOR MAGNESIUM PISTON TECHNOLOGY

T

he STIHL MS 400 C-M, the world’s first chainsaw with magnesium piston technology, has been recognised by the International Magnesium Association (IMA) with the prestigious Award of Excellence 2020.

The IMA’s Awards of Excellence is an annual award ceremony that brings together companies who demonstrate outstanding magnesium products and innovative manufacturing technologies. The component and the production process specially developed for the magnesium piston technology utilised in the MS 400 C-M was the winner of the Commercial (non-automotive) Cast Product or Process category.

Paul Hicks at STIHL GB, said: “At

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STIHL, we have more than 60 years’ experience working with magnesium and fabricating it and we constantly strive to set new benchmarks in machinery development and production.

the Euroguss 2020 industry trade fair in the “magnesium components” category.

“Although we use magnesium in many products, the desire to continue to enhance machinery performance led us to using magnesium piston technology in a chainsaw for the first time.

Thanks in no small part to this and the consistent lightweight design, we have succeeded in reducing the weight of the piston and increasing the rpm in the STIHL MS 400 C-M, providing more power and torque to the pro user.”

The MS 400 C-M chainsaw has been designed with forestry and arb professionals in mind, offering the highest maximum speed (14,000 rpm) in the 60cm3 class. The lightweight and durable piston weighs just 70g, helping contribute to the machine’s excellent powerto-weight ratio of 1.5 kg per kilowatt, making it ideal for use when working in a forest, particularly over prolonged periods.

The IMA Award of Excellence win quickly follows the MS 400 C-M receiving the top prize at

For more information on STIHL’s extensive range of forestry saws please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

www.forestmachinemagazine.com

April 2021

NEW to the market. The Guerra range of tough and reliable Logging Grabs. Proven over many years

A range of timber grabs available to suit your forwarder, tractor & trailer cranes and truck cranes.

We also supply the full range of Guerra Hydrostatic Bogie Driven Trailers. Designed and built for the most arduous and difficult of terrains. Features include diff-locks, hill decent to maintain control on steep inclines using minimum braking effort. Oil immersed disc brakes and a range of cranes to suit your chosen trailer configuration.

These trailers are built to last and serve the most demanding customers.

3 Point linkage cranes also available for mounting to your forestry tractor.

Visit our website to see what other great products we have to serve the forestry and associated industries. Or simply call today for more information.

Tel. 01434 230852 www.forestmachineservices.com

HARVESTING

LOGGING IN THE SWISS ALPS

BY MATTHIAS WÜTHRICH

I

Matthias Wüthrich is from Switzerland and is part of the technical stuff of a scientific experiment concerning forest and climate change. He began his career in forestry 15 years ago as an apprentice forestry worker before becoming an operator of forwarders and skidders - HSM, Dasser and Timberjack. He followed this with a Bachelor’s degree in forestry and spent half the year as an exchange student at UHI in Inverness. When he is not working in the forest, he really enjoys the outdoors especially hiking, swimming in a lake or river and snowboarding.

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t was obvious that I was heading up to a snowy worksite after speaking to Ivo Pfiffner, the cable crane operator, to ask for directions to where they were working. He asked if I would be driving a 4x4, and when I replied no there was a deep sigh at the other end of the phone line: “You can give it a go” said Ivo “but I think you will be walking.”

production but acts as a natural shield to protect the main road in the valley below.

I would like to give a special thank you to the inventor of snow chains as, luckily on the day, my car made it to the top of the hill where they were working.

As the closest road is at the log landing area the loggers have to access their work area by small footpaths carrying all their equipment with them. Felling is always a risky and physically demanding task and steep slopes and lot of snow increases the challenge.

The logging site was located on the slope above the village of Churwalden in the canton of Grisons in the Swiss Alps. It is accessible by a gravel forestry road with an inclination of approximately 10%. The road is roughly cleared of snow but still remains icy and slippery.

After 1.4km I arrived at the hairpin bend where the skyline landing area is located, this is at an altitude of nearly 1400m above sea level. The skyline cable extends for about 600m uphill into a stand that is predominately Norway Spruce with a DBH of up to 90cm.

Small areas of this forest are to be felled to allow natural regeneration to occur as this forest is not solely for timber

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The trees had been felled by Hemmi Forst`s logging crew before the cable line was installed. Any trees exceeding the capacity of the carriage were cut in half and there was around 400m³ of timber harvested for this cable line.

As the wood on the first cable line starts to get yarded, the loggers are felling the next adjacent area. Multiple cable lines are used in the same area which reduces transportation.

The effort needed for installing a second cableway is much less which helps to reduce costs.

The installation of the cable line using one support and an anchor took them about two days. “Normally we do it in one” says Pfiffner, “but we had one metre of fresh snow!” With a smile on his face he tells the story of the two skiers passing by. “I was working on the support as they came down into the forest, asking me for

April 2021

Above: John Deere forwarding timber to the stacking area.

Right: LL40-1 LiftLiner extracting a heavy spruce. directions to the next village.”

He laughs and adds: “Lucky for them that we were here as they were completely lost.”

With everything set up it’s show time for the Konrad Liftliner LL40-1carriage. “It is brand new; it’s just the 4th cable line we have done with it.”

The Liftliner is equipped with a 55kW VW diesel engine driving a winch with a pulling force of up to 4.5 tons. The strong pulling force was essential on this site. “We had felled all the trees and were surprised by an unexpected heavy snowfall” said Pfiffner, “and now the trees are all stuck in a layer of frozen

April 2021

snow which is really annoying!”

Sometimes the winch has to work really hard to free the logs from their icy grip. With the power of the winch the main skyline cable is pulled down and to the side and when the logs are released it snaps back very fast.

This is a stark reminder that working with cables under tension can be dangerous and requires well trained skilled operators with a special awareness for safety.

The carriage and skyline crane are both radio controlled and with the separate winch integrated in the carriage it

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HARVESTING is possible to lift or lower the load while travelling. This is appreciated by Pfiffner as It allows him to quickly and easily circumnavigate around obstacles and avoid any damage to the remaining timber stand and natural regeneration.

The skyline crane features an automatic drive function for the carriage. This means that it automatically reduces its speed when passing a support.

In addition, stopping points can be programmed so the carriage comes to a halt and control will be passed to the chokerman or to the operator of the excavator.

The Konrad skyline crane is situated on the hairpin bend with a small area for stacking the timber. It is a Konrad KMS 40-2 skyline mounted onto a tandem trailer. Hemmi Forst`s Konrad KMS is equipped with 3 cables. The third cable allows for downhill yarding and is very effective when working on flat terrain.

As it is positioned at the lower end of the cable line the trees have to be yarded downhill but have to overcome a small little counter slope in the middle of the coup. The cable line has a length of about 600m but realistically this could be increased to 800m. “We normally use the skyline over 500-700m. If longer distances are needed we use a Wyssen cable winch”, says Pfiffner.

Once the trees arrive at the landing the operator doesn’t have to leave his seat as they use radio controlled chokers.

These are more efficient, and a much safer option as the operator isn’t scrambling about

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Alpine logging - nice to have Christmas card scenery as your workplace.

on the slippery trees.

For processing the trees the company has a Liebherr wheeled excavator which is equipped with a Konrad Woody 60 harvesting head. This is a clever head which is capable of folding up the saw unit and the feeding rollers. It can then be used as a grapple for stacking timber. This is a perfect solution for working with the skyline.

The timber quality is mixed.

Spruce at this altitude tends to be quite knotty but the short summers under alpine conditions cause slow and steady growth of the trees which can lead to high quality trunk wood. “The best quality logs are going to Florinett AG, a local sawmill”, explains Ivo Pfiffner. With a little pride in his voice he adds, that some of them might even make Tonewood, this is the best quality special lumber for making instruments. Only knot free, slow grown timber from high altitude forests is used.

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Logs of lesser quality are going to Schilliger AG, one of Switzerland’s biggest sawmills which is situated about 150km away.

Lesser quality wood but still suitable for milling is being exported to northern Italy.

As the canton of Grisons is bordering Italy and Austria, sawmills there are often closer than their Swiss counterparts and therefore exports are important for the local timber market.

Wood unsuitable for milling, is chipped and will be used in biomass boilers operated by local villages to heat schools and town halls.

With limited available stacking space by the skyline, timber has to be removed constantly.

There is insufficient room for lorries to turn around and arranging a constant removal of timber would be very difficult.

To combat this they use a John Deere tractor with crane and

April 2021

Above: KMS 40-2 tower yarder & Liebherr with Woody 60 harvesting head.

Right: Chokerman setting another drag trailer. It picks up the logs and stacks them near the main road where there is turning room and good access. To work safely while travelling in the snowy and icy conditions the tractor and trailer has been fitted with snow chains.

Harvesting wood under alpine conditions is demanding. It requires well trained and motivated professionals using suitable machinery designed for such circumstances. To see a good system like this in operation is impressive, everyone is working together with precision just like a like a Swiss clock although not as quiet!

April 2021

COMPANY PROFILE Hemmi Forst is a logging company founded 40 years ago.

It is located in Lenzerheide, a village well known for skiing and its beautiful mountains.

Hemmi Forst offers a wide array of services, from planting and thinning through to harvesting, they cover the whole lifespan of the forest. The company specialises in high altitude Alpine logging while caring for the environment by using cable cranes, winches, excavators with harvesting heads, tractor/trailer combinations and one grapple skidder. They offer a timber marketing service and are firewood merchants. In addition

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HARVESTING the company builds avalanche barriers and other structures to protect against natural hazards.

Hemmi Forst employs 12 people including one apprentice. www.hemmi-forst.ch KM40-2 SKYLINE The compact tilting mast system (KMS) KM40-2 is a radio-controlled rope crane system mounted on a tandem trailer. It combines a high degree of occupational safety with excellent productivity and is extremely flexible when it comes to changing the place of use. All machine functions are carried out by radio remote control, which significantly shortens the set-up times during cable car assembly. Once the rope crane system has been installed and in operation, the KMS impresses with its performance thanks to its high trolley speeds and comfort functions such as automatic track automation and automatic radio transmission.

An optional hydraulic auxiliary drive assists the towing vehicle in reaching the site. Due to the

virtually without train and rope wear.

• Uphill and downhill operation • Fast upgrade time • Separate lifting winch • Allows simultaneous driving and lifting/lowering • Minimal wear on the carrying rope • Double roller for safe overrunning of supports • Easy to use with the KONRAD remote control • Radio receiver with integrated converter for larger working area

complete self-supply of the auxiliary drive by the hydraulic system of the KMS, the towing vehicle has its entire power at its disposal. The KMS, type KM40-2 is available as a 2-rope, as well as a 3-rope version.

Options such as mounting winch, long rope design or additional clamping rope winches show how versatile this compact machine is.

LIFTLINER LL40-1 With the radio-remotecontrolled trolley Liftliner it is possible to work with the functions “lifting/lowering” and “driving” at the same time.

This allows particularly gentle and efficient work in crawls as well as precise placement of the logs at the unloading point.

Due to the separate lifting rope winch, the cable and circulating rope are attached to the trolley and thus have only the task of pulling the trolley.

RADIO • Handheld radio transmitter with display • Extremely light with large battery capacity • All settings possible via handheld radio transmitter • Fault diagnosis, display of operating data of diesel engine and hydraulic system via display • Display of radio frequency and signal strength • Universal for all Konrad machines with KFS 16 www.foresttechnik.at

The carrying rope clamp is only switched when the rope breakage fuse is triggered or by manual actuation. As a result, the Liftliner LL40-1 trolley works

www.forsttechnik.at

Highlander Highlander Combi-Yarder

Next Generation Harvester Harvester The Next offroadGeneration alpine yarder.

Combi-Yarder Combi-Yarder Combi-Yarder The offroad The offroad alpine yarder.alpine yarder.

The offroad alpine yarder.

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www.forsttechnik.at www.forsttechnik.at

Woody

WoodyWoody

The head for thinning workhead with The head The grapple thinning for thinningfor function. work with

work with grapple grapple function. function.

We We willwill be happy be happy to assist to assist you!you!

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www.forsttechnik.at

Highlander

Woody

Next Generation Harvester

The head for thinning work with grapple We will be happy SalesSales function. to assist you!

Service Service AgentAgent Williams Williams Forestry Forestry Phone Phone 0777507775 833636 833636 Mail williamsforestry@hotmail.co.uk Mail williamsforestry@hotmail.co.uk

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Service Agent Williams Forestry Phone 07775 833636 FranzFranz Buchsbaum Buchsbaum Mail williamsforestry@hotmail.co.uk

Phone Phone +43 664 +4380132202 664 80132202 Mail buchsbaum@forsttechnik.at Mail buchsbaum@forsttechnik.at

Sales Franz Buchsbaum Phone +43 664 80132202 Mail buchsbaum@forsttech

April 2021

Multiple chip A selection from our range of extremely strong Chippers

AX9045 In combination with a 20m³ Chip box, this is a hack of a PTO-Chipper that feels at home on any terrain.

AX6060 The Axsel 6060 is a very practical chipper that manoeuvres through the forest with ease.

AX10045 AXSEL has designed this large Chipper especially for the heavier tractors.

AX6545 Our medium range Chipper, equipped with a Heavy duty drum which makes it extremely suitable for chipping logs.

Choose your favorite chipper. For example, the above checked AX9045.

www.axsel.com

A brand of

BIO-ENERGY

FELLERTRUCK: POWERFUL, VERSATILE, NEXT TECH.

W

ESTTECH have designed the new FELLERTRUCK in close collaboration with their customers, as they usually do, to meet the requirements of a mobile crane on a truck chassis.

The licensed lifting crane can be used as a standard crane as well, allowing many possible uses and reducing downtime.

Many attachments can be mounted for example the grapple saw Woodcracker® CS750 smart and the gimbalmounted grapple saw Woodcracker® CS510 crane.

The FELLERTRUCK is new to the WESTTECH product range and represents a special milestone in the companies history.

Unlike the products so far, the FELLERTRUCK is a complete concept of carrier vehicle and attachment.

The application areas are versatile: safe removal of trees in parts, tree felling in urban or suburban areas, tree care works along streets and traffic roads and dangerous tree fellings. The

JAMES JONES & SONS FURTHERS ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS

J

ames Jones & Sons has recently completed installations of new biomass plants at its Mosstodloch and Aboyne sawmills, with a combined investment of £5.4m.

providing heat for buildings, kilns and timber treatment. This replaces an existing gas boiler and the additional heat supply will provide capacity for future investment on the site.

standards, but also allows the site to burn a wider specification of fuel, including forest residues, to heat sawmill buildings, kilns and the timber treatment facility.

The new 2.5 megawatt plant at Mosstodloch will provide sustainable biomass from the Group’s own operations,

The 3.3 megawatt replacement boiler at Aboyne incorporates electrostatic emission filters to achieve future environmental

James Jones & Sons already operates biomass plants across its Group operations and the combined biomass energy

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www.forestmachinemagazine.com

April 2021

lifting force at 360° operating radius. The supports are flexibly controllable and make it easy to work in narrow and small places. The FELLERTRUCK was deliberately designed for high stability in all work situations and not especially optimized for payload.

truck goes into action where space is limited. It provides maximum safety in urban areas, since surrounding buildings are not damaged.

The customer can choose between various all-wheel concepts for more off-road capability. If there is more lateral reach than 19 metre needed, a Fly-Jib can be attached.

Instead of the usual 6-pointsupport, the FELLERTRUCK has an X-support to reach 100%

for kilning at these and other sites in Forres, Lockerbie and Hangingshaw reduce CO2 emissions by more than 17,200 tonnes per annum when compared with previous fossil fuel supply.

Joint Managing Director, David Leslie, said “enhancing our environmental credentials has always been part of our Group strategy, and the recent biomass installations are just one of the many environmental beneficial projects being developed currently”.

April 2021

When using an excavator for forestry work, you need a lowloader to move the excavator to the work location. This effort is minimized since the new FELLERTRUCK is approved for road use. To keep operating costs very low, Westtech chose a standard truck as a basis.

The truck has in all respects standard specifications: outer width, axle loads etc. and doesn’t need a special permit for road use. Setup times are reduced drastically as the work machine can easily travel from one location to another with a speed of 80 km/h.

The operator can control the truck crane via radio control

from any position giving unrestricted view on the work process.

The grapple saw Woodcracker® CS750 smart from Westtech is perfectly suitable as attachment for tree felling in a vertical position, up to a reach of 19 metres. The saw cuts trees up to 750mm in diameter. If a lateral reach of 19 metre is not enough, you can use a Fly-Jib, on which the gimbal-mounted grapple saw Woodcracker® CS510 crane is attached. The grapple saw cuts trees up to 540mm in diameter.

The crane can be used ideally right through the year with no downtimes since various attachments can be mounted to the crane.

Westtech offers individual solutions for any starting position and all requirements.

For more information, visit www.fellertruck.com

NEW GRANTS TO USE MORE WOOD FIBRE

T

he Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) has allocated $3 million in new grants throughout the province to support jobs in the forestry sector and increase the use of wood fibre that otherwise would be burned as slash.

“This new funding is part of the government’s $1.5-billion economic recovery plan, which reflects our ongoing

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commitment to help British Columbians deal with challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. “The grants will support local jobs and help make better use of wood debris left behind after timber harvesting.” www.fesbc.ca

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BIO-ENERGY

FECON LLC PURCHASE VERMEER FORESTRY MULCHING PRODUCT LINE

F

econ LLC recently announced the purchase of the Vermeer forestry mulcher product line and through this arrangement has established a global distribution agreement with the company.

This distribution agreement with Vermeer, which will be rolled out on a controlled basis throughout 2021, will provide their dealers access to the robust line of mulching equipment that leverage’s the best of Vermeer and Fecon mulching technology. This distribution strategy leverage’s the scope and size of traditional Vermeer dealerships by focusing on market segments with differentiated product needs.

Blending the learnings and engineering expertise of both teams provides dealerships and

customers with products that are easy to buy and own.

“Adding Fecon engineering and technology will make it easier for customers to buy the equipment best suited to their needs,” said Fecon LLC CEO Bob Dieckman. “With their extensive coverage and high standard of customer support, as well as the professional and strategic Vermeer sales organization, we are certain that both organizations will benefit from the partnership.”

Fecon will start the process with a select, yet global group of Vermeer dealers in 2021, as well as strategically specify products and methodically expand from there. The company will assume production and support of the

Vermeer model FT100 and FT300 forestry mulching tractors, and has begun moving these functions to their Lebanon, Ohio factory.

“Fecon’s forestry innovation and product line-up is a great complement to our equipment portfolio,” said Vermeer President of Industrial Solutions Doug Hundt. “With a line-up of products that support the land clearing, utility right-of-way and fire mitigation markets, their mulching attachments and tractors will give our dealers a broader portfolio to support those customers we are already working with in those markets.”

Established in 1992 near Cincinnati, Fecon manufactures the Bull Hog® the #1 selling

INVERCLYDE COMMUNITY FUND SECURES £700,000 INVESTMENT FOR LOCAL GROUPS THROUGH WIND FARM PARTNERSHIP

T

he new multimillion pound wind farm, which was bought by James Jones & Sons in a joint deal with London-based specialist asset manager, Gresham House Asset Management in December 2020, is set to generate significant funding for local voluntary and community groups, thanks to decade-long partnership agreement between

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Inverclyde Renewables LLP and Inverclyde Community Fund.

One of the obligations of the new wind farm is to ensure the creation of community benefits for Inverclyde residents resulting from the development.

Commenting on the new partnership, Eleanor Robertson, Chair of Inverclyde Community Fund, said: “This is a wonderful

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boost following a very tough year for so many, and we are delighted to secure such a significant level of investment for our Inverclyde communities.

Since the discussions started in early 2020, the ICF Trustees have viewed this as a fabulous opportunity to create a strong working partnership with the wind farm owners.

We would like to thank BayWa

April 2021

forestry mulcher. They also manufacture tracked carriers and tractors, as well as a full range of attachments and other equipment for vegetation management. Their products are sold through equipment dealers and distributors worldwide. For more information on Fecon products visit www.fecon.com.

ABOUT VERMEER CORPORATION Vermeer delivers a real impact in a progressing world through the manufacturing of high-quality tree-care, agricultural, underground construction, surface mining, and environmental equipment.

With a reputation for durability and reliability, that equipment is backed by localized customer service and support provided by independent dealers around the world. To learn more about Vermeer, products, the dealers network and financing options, visit vermeer.com.

r.e. for its initial support and both James Jones & Sons Ltd and Gresham House Asset Management for showing their commitment to giving something back to locals.

We look forward to releasing further details of the fund and how groups and organisations will be able to apply for support for their projects.”

Reflecting on the new partnership, Chair Tom BruceJones said:“We are delighted to partner with Inverclyde Community Fund and see this as the start of a long and successful partnership.

April 2021

We have a very strong ethos of supporting all the local communities where we operate, and this investment into Inverclyde should make a significant impact locally and we look forward to following the ICF’s proposed projects and their progress.

“As a company, we are very committed towards enhancing our carbon negative credentials and this investment is another very strong realisation of that strategy.“ Wayne Cranstone, Investment Director at Gresham House

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Asset Management added: “We are delighted to be working with James Jones & Sons Ltd and supporting the development of this wind farm project.

“It will provide a significant boost to Inverclyde’s economy and community, and is a positive step in building a more sustainable and greener future for the UK in line with the government’s net-zero emissions targets set out last year.”

The 24 MW wind farm will displace more than 18,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. www.jamesjones.co.uk

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BIO-ENERGY

NEW BIOMASS HARVESTER BMH 480 -H600 IS CATCHING ON IN CUBA

I

n many countries’ investments have been put on ice on account of the Coronavirus and its accompanying economic uncertainty. We can rejoice even more that PRINOTH has received the contract to supply new biomass harvester BMH 480 with H600 attachment!

The vehicles will expand the already existing PRINOTH fleet in Cuba, which is being used to harvest the Marabù plants. The biomass from the harvested weeds will be burnt as fuel to heat giant water boilers. Cuba can thus abandon expensive imported heavy fuel.

Since April 2019, our customer has produced electricity at its new power station in Cuba and now a second boiler has gone into operation. We have already succeeded in increasing production with the existing PRINOTH fleet: only last week 1,000 tons biomass per day

NO MORE HIBERNATION FOR THIS MOWING ARM! Page 62

www.forestmachinemagazine.com

April 2021

were produced. 60,000 tons biomass are already in store.

With our support productivity will increase even further.

These introduced invasive weeds have plagued Cuba for over a century: they are multiplying out of control and are threatening native plants, some of which are used in agriculture. Cuba’s governments have sought for decades with various measures to overcome the pest, but so far without success. PRINOTH was the only one to succeed in finding a solution to the problem that had continued for over one-hundred years: the BMH480-H600 tears out the growth, including the root, so that it does grow back shortly afterwards – this is almost impossible for normal tractors because of the thick hardwood undergrowth. markus.speiser@prinoth.com, +49 7557 9212 72

U

fkes recently delivered a Forestcutter 300 to Veluwenkamp Bedrijven which is attached to a Herder arm. This mowing arm can now be used to the maximum all year round. The combination will be used especially during the winter along roads and inspection paths to neatly deposit wood and prepare it for the chipper.

The Greentec Forestcutter 300 can cut trees up to 300 mm.

Thanks to the special wood clamp, the sawn product is quickly gripped. To grab several bundles of branches, this Forestcutter is equipped with a collection unit with reversing bracket. www.ufkes.net

April 2021

JAMES JONES & SONS LTD AQUIRES GT TIMBER LTD

J

ames Jones & Sons Ltd has announced the acquisition of GT Timber Ltd, the holding company of Taylormade Timber Products Ltd and Kerr Timber Products Ltd which operate sawmills at Sherburn Hill, Durham and Annan respectively. The acquisition will increase James Jones & Sons Ltd’s annual sawn output to 800,000m³ thereby consolidating its position as the UK’s largest privately owned sawmill, timber engineering and pallet manufacturing company.

“We are delighted to have concluded this transaction,” commented Tom Bruce-Jones, Chairman of James Jones & Sons Ltd. “On behalf of our shareholders and employees, I am very pleased that GT Timber Ltd will become part of the James Jones Group.” said Jilly Wentworth, Managing Director of GT Timber Ltd, “Their extensive timber industry experience and financial strength will allow the

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investment programme that we have already started to reach a successful conclusion. The sale process was completed quickly and smoothly, reinforcing our long-held views that James Jones & Sons Ltd is a family company, who shares the same values, ethos and philosophy.

We are very excited about the future.”

The combined group will now operate eight sawlines, supplying the most technologically advanced secondary processing facilities in the UK, offering quality, value added products and employing 1,225 people. The Group’s Timber Systems Division manufactures JJI-Joists from its operation at Forres and has the capacity to supply engineered floors for 200,000 new house builds per annum. The Pallet and Packaging Division has 16 sites located across the UK and manufactures pallets and packaging as well as inspection and repair sites for each of the major pallet pools in the UK.

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BIO-ENERGY

TREE FELLING WITH THE WENG GROUP

BY FLORIAN ATTENHAUSER

T

he german term “Straßenbegleitgrün”, meaning plants and trees alongside roads, is a word that probably only exists in German. In any case, it is this roadside greenery that keeps the Weng brothers busy every day and keeps them working.

For around 10 years, the two brothers Torsten and Marco have been pioneers in North Rhine-Westphalia in the care of trees and greenery along traffic routes. In addition to numerous other machines, it is above all a SENNEBOGEN 830 demolition with a cutting head and a reach of around 17 m that can bring down even the largest and heaviest trees along the roads.

For a good three years now, the Weng Group has been successfully using a SENNEBOGEN 830 demolition, a machine that is not an everyday occurrence in this work area, for its demanding problem tree felling operations. Developed with the appropriate reach height and load capacity, the

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830 also cuts a fine figure as a felling machine. We meet the two brothers Torsten and Marco Weng on a wet and cold January day along the A44 freeway, where the task today is to fell numerous diseased alders and American oaks dangerously leaning into the roadway over a total length of around 1 km.

“Our time window for this work is very limited. We are only allowed to enter this area between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; from 3:00 p.m., when rush hour traffic starts, the road must be completely clear again,” Torsten Weng explains one of the challenges.

FAST, PRECISE WORK IN TIGHT SPACES IN A SHORT TIME The three men in the felling troop are used to the traffic that rushes past them in the direction of Essen. While Torsten Weng steers the material handler and safely puts down the large trees overgrown with ivy, his two colleagues

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Stanislaw Sawada and Grzegorz Jacek make sure that everything around the trunk is exposed.

Piece by piece, the trees, which are up to 16m high, are removed in a controlled manner.

The last cut is made by the man with the chainsaw, because the cutting head has to be protected from stones and debris so close to the ground. In order not to obstruct the traffic too much, only the hard shoulder and the entrance to the highway are closed. The traffic can continue because the trees are removed and deposited in a controlled manner.

REACH AND LOAD CAPACITY ARE DECISIVE Why a SENNEBOGEN 830? The question is quickly answered: “The SENNEBOGEN 830 offers us everything we need for our daily challenges. Thanks to its long reach of over 17m, we can safely reach even the most distant trees and work on where others reach their limits. With the comfortable load capacity of around 4.5 t at 10m reach, for

April 2021

L-R: The Weng Group uses a SENNEBOGEN 830 demolition for controlled tree felling. Even large trees can be removed quickly and safely and the traffic flows on.

Marco and Torsten Weng (2nd and 3rd from left) have been active in tree felling for about 10 years. They are supported in this work by the employees Stanislav Sawada (right) and Grzegorz Jacek (left)

WOODCRACKER

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example, and a high hydraulic power, we can also operate large attachments safely and reliably”.

The SENNEBOGEN 830 E itself is equipped with a 168 kW diesel engine with exhaust gas level 4 and can reduce its track width from 3.80m to 2.30m for transport by means of the telescopic undercarriage. Driver Torsten Weng always has an optimum view of his working area from the cab, which can be raised by 2.7 m and tilted by 30 degrees, and is also optimally protected at his workplace with FOPS protective grids and bulletproof glass.

For about 10 years the Weng brothers have been pioneers in road and tree care. Whereas in the past, the company’s activities also included the felling of individual problem trees and the maintenance of greenery, today Weng specializes in roadside greenery along freeways and expressways. Thanks to an extensive machine park with several excavators, shredders and tractors, the felled material can usually be shredded and

April 2021

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disposed of or recycled directly on site.

FULL-SERVICE PROVIDER IN THE RUHR AREA The company also takes care of machine transport and shut-off measures itself, thus offering an all-round service from a single source. So it is no wonder that Weng has numerous annual contracts with the communities around the Ruhr metropolises to manage the growing stock of trees and greenery. In addition to the large SENNEBOGEN 830, Weng also has a SENNEBOGEN

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821 with 11m reach and an SENNEBOGEN 825 with 14m reach for tree felling.

“The quality and reliability of the SENNEBOGEN machines convinced us completely. We have to work quickly and efficiently on our jobs, we cannot afford downtime. The good service and support provided by the sales and service partner BRR Baumaschinen Rhein-Ruhr here in the Ruhr area also helps us in this respect,” summarises Torsten. www.sennebogen.com

Page 65

enquiries@kingwell-holdings.co.uk

Tel: 01376 550989

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WOOD PROCESSING

SCA PERMANENTLY CLOSES PAPER MACHINE AT ORTVIKEN PAPER MILL.

O

n February 4, SCA permanently closed the paper machine LWC1 at Ortviken paper mill. The company decided to discontinue publication paper production and are in the process of closing all three paper machines on the site. LWC1 produced coated publication paper for magazines and commercial print. It started production in 1990 and had a capacity of 250 000 tonnes of

publication paper per annum.

SCA has decided to invest SEK 1.45 bn in the production of chemically pretreated thermomechanical pulp on the Ortviken industry site.

Paper Machine 5 which has already closed, produced uncoated publication paper for newpapers, magazines and commercial print and had a capacity of 255,000 tonnes per

annum. The paper machine started production in the year 1985. PM5 has now be dismantled in order to make room for the company Renewcell and its recycling of textile fibre, which is expected to come on stream on the Ortviken site in 2022.

SCA Ortviken in Sundsvall is one of the world’s largest publication paper mills. www.sca.com

EGGER DONATES £14,000 TO TWO HEXHAM CHARITIES.

H

exham’s largest employer helps local charities maintain vital support in the community. Local charities, Gateway into the Community and Chrysalis Club Tynedale, have each received a £7,000 donation from EGGER Hexham.

Both charities offer people with learning disabilities and dementia the opportunity to take part in social, leisure and learning activities,and offer support to those caring for them. EGGER employees nominated and selected the charities for three years of financial support in 2019.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, both charities have faced challenges due to not being able to provide the usual services they offer and reduced funds. They have both worked

April 2021

hard to reinstate their support in the community, albeit in a different way.

In 2019, the chipboard manufacturer donated £3,000 to each charity so they could purchase new equipment for group sessions. Last month EGGER donated a further £7,000 offering support and reassurance to those involved with the charities.

Bob Livesey, Commercial Director of the Western Europe Division at EGGER commented, “It is more important than ever to support our local charity care groups. Over the last two years we have donated £20,000 to Gateway into the Community and Chrysalis Club Tynedale, which has helped them to maintain the fantastic support they offer to our local

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community.”

Helen Ord, Trustee, Chrysalis Club Tynedale said ”We are genuinely overwhelmed by the generosity of Egger and their employees. We are currently offering online and telephone support to those living with dementia, their carers and loved ones. This funding enables us to plan for the future and we are extremely grateful.”

Julia Ferguson, Chief Executive, Gateway into the Community said “We cannot thank Egger enough and are absolutely thrilled to be one of their chosen charities. The funding we are receiving is making a huge impact on the support we provide to our members within the local community.” www.egger.com

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WOOD PROCESSING

WOOD-MIZER INTRODUCES LX250 WIDE SLAB SAWMILL

W

ood-Mizer introduces the LX250 wide slab sawmill designed for sawyers and woodworkers that need to saw massive slabs and boards up to 138 cm wide.

Joining Wood-Mizer’s worldleading range of narrow band sawmills, the LX250 is the second largest capacity sawmill offered by the company, with the popular WM1000 sawmill capable of sawing 170 cm diameter logs.

Designed in the USA and manufactured in Poland, the LX250 is a robust sawmill with powered saw head controls for ease of operation, adjustable presets for quick and accurate blade height control, and a massive 138 cm width of cut ideal for sawing wide, live edge slabs.

A key innovation of the WoodMizer LX sawmill series includes the rigid LX Frame sawhead

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tower that holds the control panel, engine, and the sawmill head. Designed to accommodate a larger width and depth of cut, the LX Frame travels on twin parallel hardened steel rails on the bed and allows the operator to have better visibility while sawing.

“Wood-Mizer is dedicated to providing best-in-class sawmill and wood processing equipment that fits the diverse needs of our customers,” said Roman Frontczak, Engineering and R&D Director. “With the growing demand of wide, live edge slabs and boards, the LX250 provides customers a large capacity sawmill at an affordable price that can efficiently produce these high-value wood products.”

For more information, contact your local Wood-Mizer representative or visit www.wood-mizer.com

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April 2021

Quality Machinery speaks for itself

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR ALL OUR PRODUCT INFORMATION www.marshalllogging.co.uk Tel: 01892 770 788 | Mobile: 07836 274 164 | sales@marshalllogging.co.uk Maschinenbau GmbH

Made in Austria

MADE IN

SWEDEN

HAULAGE

F.T.M INSTALLS ALUCAR SUPERSTRUCTURES FOR THE UK MARKET

F

orestry Transport Maintenance serves logging transport companies in Wales and England. The companies close cooperation with Alucar allows them to develop their own extensive design work for the end user and exciting projects for the future.

Forestry Transport Maintenance F.T.M), which acts as an Alucar dealer in England and Wales, have years of experience in the field and know the British timber transport sector like the back of their hand.“I have worked in this field for 30 years and fitted out a lot of logging trucks myself”, says F.T.M’s owner and founder Peter Williams.

F.T.M has been installing Alucar superstructures for decades and, since 2019, has worked in direct and close cooperation with Alucar. “Alucar is a big name in the UK. Brits have quickly realised that Alucar’s products and sub-frames are the best in the field. The quality

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of their work is excellent; we need products like these in this sector”, he says.

F.T.M Is a family business with 16 employees and it serves UK logging truck drivers in many different ways. As well as timber trucks, F.T.M sells, repairs and builds cranes, timber trailers and other related equipment.

Its customers range from oneperson enterprises to transport companies with a fleet of 25 trucks.

Over the last year, F.T.M has reached a new level in its design of logging truck setups. Alucar and F.T.M’s design departments are in direct contact with each other and carry out projects in very close cooperation.

“These days we customize logging trucks ourselves to fully meet the customer’s needs.

That means we take care of the design, buy the sub-frame package and other products from Alucar according to the plan, and fit out the truck ready for immediate use” said Peter.

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Two members of the F.T.M team are Will and Amanda, who are adding exciting new services to the company’s portfolio: the marketing of the completed truck on social media, with the superstructure and other accessories fitted. Amanda’s daily routine mostly consists of making sure deliveries come and go on time, whereas Will operates in the field as an active partner in customer projects, listening in person to what the customers need.

Peter is confident that it is F.T.M’s excellent service and topquality products that bring its customers back again and again.

Because of the company’s years of experience in the field and their expertise, they know how to avoid common stumbling blocks and always produce a top-quality result. “We don’t need to market our services so much; our customers find us through word of mouth. We always fit out the timber trucks correctly and think everything carefully through to make sure we produce excellent, well-

April 2021

finished work”.

VIRPI HATTULA, Export Sales Manager at Alucar, is very happy with the company’s excellent, collaboration with F.T.M. ”Our cooperation with F.T.M is an important link that helps us understand the needs and wishes of logging truck owners and users in Southern England and Wales. Listening to truck

drivers’ user experiences and designing the best possible setups for them is a priority to both of us. That’s why we talk to each other often. I’m sure Alucar has a lot of solutions used in Finland that we will be able to adapt to British circumstances for use by F.T.M in the future”, she says.

Both Brexit and the coronavirus are threatening to disrupt the logging truck market, but Peter is positive the company will overcome these challenges without difficulty. “Our family business will ride out the storm, and we are confident the future is bright. My wife, daughter and even two grandchildren work with me in the company, and we will continue to serve our customers in the best possible way”, he says, and continues:

F.T.M has faith in the future.

“Whilst times are currently unsettled, we are looking to the future and remain positive that FTM and Alucar will work well together. We already have enquiries for new builds in the coming year and look forward to Virpi visiting us on our stand at the APF show in September 2021”. www.alucar.com

and MX-11 engines and PACCAR transmission. Improved comfort will have drivers feeling right at home on the road with a 10% quieter cab and sleeper, additional storage, a new smart steering wheel and an improved Bluetooth microphone.

Highlighting the New 579s innovative technologies is a class-leading 15” Digital Dash

Display, delivering all the information drivers need in a clean, intuitive interface. In addition, the new 579 features Advanced Driver Assistance Systems providing drivers the latest safety technologies in the form of collision mitigation, lane departure warning and the new lane keeping assist (LKA), among others. www.peterbilt.com

PETERBILT UNVEILS A NEW ERA OF CLASS WITH NEW MODEL 579

P

eterbilt designers and engineers have delivered the most technologically advanced truck Peterbilt has ever built. The new 579 is also the most aerodynamic and fuelefficient Peterbilt thanks to the new exterior design featuring a new sloped hood and optimized aero components, as well as the new 2021 PACCAR MX-13

April 2021

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HAULAGE

DOLL WIND BLADE TRANSPORT SYSTEMS: FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR CHALLENGING SITUATIONS

D

OLL is offering specially designed wind blade transport systems based on its proven series of trailers, suitable for all types of blades on the market.

Growing numbers of renowned transport companies are being won over by the benefits of these systems, which combine mechanical or hydraulic lifting adapters with special bolsters and trailers. Bolk Transport B.V. and Universal Transport are recent additions to the roster of companies that have opted for DOLL’s self-steering trailer combinations. Both chose hydraulic lifting adapters on a dolly, giving themselves enough reserve capacity to accommodate the steady increase in rotor blade length and weight that the industry is experiencing. With a dead weight of approximately 7.0 to 7.3 tons (depending on the choice of equipment) and a maximum fifth-wheel load of 30 tons, the dolly has a remaining

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load capacity of around 23 tons.

Working at the other end of the system, the four-axle vario self-steering trailers boast a load capacity of around 32 tons with a total technical weight of 40 tons. Quite simply, these trailer combinations make it easy to plan for an extensive range of rotor blade sizes – even those approaching the 100-metre mark.

A POWERFUL TRIO Based in the Netherlands, Bolk Transport put no fewer than three of these systems into operation a few weeks ago. “We collected the last two before Christmas”, says managing director Joop Savenije. “Wind turbines have three blades, but it’s not like you transport one to its destination, then go back for the other two”, he adds with a touch of dry humour. “So you need three vehicles – one for each blade.” Previously, Bolk had relied solely on telescopic trailers to transport wind

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power components. As rotor blades began growing to more than 65 metres in length, however, it knew it had to find an alternative solution. “We’re now increasingly seeing blades approaching 75 metres long – and they’re getting heavier too”, says Savenije. “We found that DOLL’s self-steering trailer combinations offered the best solution for what we needed and were great value for money.” In mid-January, the Seaport of Brake in Germany provided the location for the first trial loading operation, with Bolk project manager Emil Leushuis carefully monitoring progress and taking notes.

“What makes the trailer technology so good is that the rotor blade is self-supporting and there are much more flexible options for navigating obstacles. There’s also a tiltable lifting adapter at the front, and the equipment is able to get round bends much more smoothly. The extensive slewing

April 2021

angle and attached turntable make it possible to position the dolly and self-steering trailer at an almost entirely transverse angle to the bolster, while the vehicle keeps on going”.

AGILE AND FLEXIBLE The specialists at Universal Transport in Paderborn, Germany have been making use of their three latest DOLL selfsteering trailer combinations since August 2020. Driver Ronny Knoblauch can attest to the benefits that the system brings in practice: “We’re currently using the trailers to carry rotor blades measuring as much as 65 metres long, on vehicles with a total length of up to 77 metres.

The extendable cable and rope systems provide 120 metres in length, so there’s practically no limit to how far you can take the system – which isn’t the case with telescopic trailers”. He cites yet more advantages to using the DOLL system as opposed to telescopic trailers or extendable semi low-loaders: “As there’s no telescopic beam, you’re left with much more room to cross over obstacles underneath the load. That means we don’t have to move nearly as many crash barriers aside when we encounter them on our outward

April 2021

and return journeys. The system is also a lot more agile. I can navigate roundabouts relatively easily with the traction unit and dolly, for instance, and the self-steering trailer simply follows me round. The turntable on the trailer gives you a huge slewing range at the rear, so you can keep driving straight at the front for a long time. The nature of the system means it’s even more important to have a second person involved so that they can give you feedback and intervene in the steering at any time – but on the whole, the handling is much smoother than it is in a telescopic trailer.

And the system’s actually fun to drive”. The hydraulic lifting adapter on the dolly also has a vital role to play: “I can release it by as much as 80 centimetres, which is handy in situations like manoeuvring over a traffic island or crouching down to road level to get under a low sign gantry”.

Holger Dechant, managing director of Universal Transport, backs this up: “The new combinations have consistently shown us how reliable they are.

Rotor blades are getting longer all the time, and we have to respond to that”. He openly

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breaches a subject that has had an impact on the entire sector of transport involved in wind energy: “The goalposts in the wind energy industry are moving all the time – partly as a result of policy and partly because of equipment manufacturers.

That means the volumes of transport to do with the industry are always changing and we’re constantly having to rise to new challenges to do with equipment dimensions – that affects rotor blades most of all, but it also affects towers and nacelles, of course. Conventional telescopic trailers just aren’t cutting it anymore. The equipment is getting more and more specialised, and it’s no secret to say that it’s becoming more expensive too”.

To ensure investments pay off in the face of a fluctuating market, equipment needs to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility alongside its specialist features. “We combine the trailers with different dollies to transport other long materials such as concrete parts and bridge girders. If rotor blades do get to the 100-metre level, we’ll have what it takes to cope with that.” www.doll.eu

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HAULAGE

A PBS truck parked by offloading waiting zone at a pulp mill.

3 KEY INGREDIENTS FOR A COST EFFECTIVE TIMBER SUPPLY TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN SOUTH AFRICA

BY JUSTIN NYAKUDANGA

W Justin holds a Bachelor’s degree in TechnologyForestry and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business management. He has 20 years experience of Commercial and Extension/Community Forestry.

Page 74

hen commercial plantations reach the felling age, 8-10 years for pulpwood species (gum and wattle) and 20-25 years for the sawmill pine species in South Africa, the next step is the tree felling, marketing and transportation of the timber to a pulp mill, sawmill, or chipping mill. Currently, 85% of South Africa’s annual harvest of 16 Million tons is moved by road and 15% by rail. Transport is a major cost within the timber value chain in South Africa.

According to the Forestry South Africa research, transportation of timber to primary processing plants account for 35-45% of the Mill Delivered Price (MDP).

Among some of the major cost, contributors (to road transport) include the distance from the mill, the high cost of fuel, and the replacement of tyres.

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Therefore, three key ingredients are paramount for a means of cost-effective and reliable timber transport, that is, a competent driver, a wellplanned combination of vehicle and load, and a suitable road network.

The driver has many responsibilities and choices to make; from the selection of 16 manual gears or just depressing the accelerator or brakes if the truck is automatic, selecting the most suitable road, strapping the load, sleeping in his cabin, changing tyres to avoiding idiots on the roads. He or she is put in charge of a vehicle worth between 3-4 Million Rands hence the driver must have the correct training, should be mentally and physically fit, and have a good attitude and aptitude for the job. It is often said that in Africa truck drivers

April 2021

are the lifeline of the economy as most goods are moved by road.

PBS trucks are used to transport timber within the forestry industry. PBS stands for Performance-Based Standard. The PBS program was launched in the year 2007 by the Department of Transport in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The PBS system specifies the performance required from a vehicle on a road network without prescribing how the specified level of performance is to be achieved. This allows for innovation on the part of truck manufacturers. A PBS truck is capable of moving a 47-ton payload compared to a standard 30-ton truck, thereby reducing the truck numbers on the road as 4 PBS equal 5 Standard combinations while moving the same volume product resulting in a costsaving of 15%. As a result there is a saving in time spent on the road, money, wear and tear on the roads, and improved safety.

PBS combinations are 23m long with a GCM of 67500kg which allows a payload of 47 tons. PBS trucks have a big red signage bearing an ‘abnormal load” on the front and back of the truck.

Due to the bigger payloads PBS trucks carry, these trucks have reduced the number of trips from depot to market in 2018/19 by 11,385 trips. The total number of PBS trucks has also increased from 2 in 2007 to over 300 by 2018. They are also referred to as “Smart trucks” with a fitted onboard weighing system and linked via Telematics to a tracking control room. The control room liaises with the

April 2021

Typical national highway often used by trucks to deliver timber.

3 truck-trailer combination for plywood in South African forestry.

Railway wagons laden with eucalyptus plywood.

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HAULAGE driver with regards to the most suitable route from the timber depot to market.

Although rail transport is in general much cheaper than road transport, sadly many rail routes previously used for transportation of goods have been decommissioned due to theft of signal and power cables, removed or stolen rail tracks or accessories that often find their way to scrap metal yards and a depleting or redundant rail fleet. South Africa’s freight rail system degenerated significantly after investment was curtailed in the mid 80’s.

All the foregoing makes the rail transport unreliable, less flexible and difficult to track goods. The forestry industry in the foreseeable future is likely to increase the volume of timber moved by rail to alleviate congestion on the road infrastructure as the number of trucks moving goods in South Africa is forecasted to double by year 2040.

A self-loading timber forwarder infield. Offloads at a timber zone were trucks at loaded.

Pulp mill in Kwa-Zulu Natal province which consumes about 2.5 million tons of gum plywood annually.

A LOGGING TRUCK THAT IS RECORDBREAKINGLY LIGHT

W

hen Scania launched its new 13-litre engine, the idea of

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building a logging truck that is as light as possible was born.

The resulting truck is not only

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light, but also has low fuel consumption and excellent handling characteristics.

April 2021

The less a truck weighs, the more payload it can carry and the more money it helps you earn. This gave Jimmie Furunäs, Vehicle Manager at the Scania Demo Centre, the idea to build a light and competitive truck with excellent handling characteristics.

“Right at the start of the project, I contacted Alucar. From my previous experiences with them I knew they do more than supply great logging trucks – they are also great at developing innovative solutions. Together, we started to think about what we could do to reduce the weight of a truck,” Furunäs explains.

explains.

HIAB’S innovative HiVision crane technology also makes the truck lighter. HiVision makes a separate crane cabin unnecessary, as it allows the driver to control the crane from the truck’s cab using virtual reality goggles. This saves another 400 kg from the gross weight, while making the working environment safer and more pleasant. The 80-litre cyclone hydraulic oil tank also brings the weight down.

The new light logging truck made its first public appearance at the Mittia Wood Transportation Expo in Ljusdal, Sweden in 2017. Ever since then, this demo truck has attracted a great following. One of the key differences of this light truck compared to Scania’s normal logging trucks is its 13-litre engine, which weighs less than a traditional V8 one.

The second difference is the lack of a sleeper cab, which makes the truck’s cab shorter and lighter. Thanks to the shorter cab, the distances between the truck’s axles can be made shorter without affecting its load length capacity. This improves driving comfort on narrow forest roads.

People at both Scania and Alucar were surprised by how much a truck’s weight can actually be reduced. “At Alucar, we have always worked hard to make our superstructures lighter. That’s why it was so illuminating to be involved in planning the building of a whole truck from start to finish,” said Thomas Partanen, Alucar’s Export Sales Manager. “The truck’s kerb weight is 14,200 kg, which means that we managed to reduce its weight by about 1,500 kg compared to the Demo Centre’s logging truck built in a more traditional way. This new, lighter logging truck will bring a good deal of extra income per year, considering that its payload can be increased in proportion to the savings in kerb weight. The cooperation project was extremely interesting and educational.”

“A sleeper cab is not necessary, as logging truck drivers rarely spend the night in their truck. A 13-litre engine of this calibre is also completely sufficient for a gross weight of 64 tonnes and also works with a 74 tonne gross weight,” Jimmie Furunäs

Jimmie Furunäs also found the project very rewarding. “Alucar demonstrated their great commitment, and we engaged in close dialogue throughout the project. As always, their work was of the highest quality.” www.alucar.com

April 2021

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Scania reduced the weight of the truck’s chassis by fitting it out with a smaller cabin. The truck also has no crane cabin; instead, the crane is controlled from the truck’s cab.

Page 77

www.ncdequipment.com The TMK range now offers shears that fit on 2 to 30 tonne excavators.

The TMK 300 will also fit onto Telehandlers.

The TMK now offers shears that fit on 2 to 30 and tonne excavators.

TMK shears canrange cut between 200mm - 400mm softwood between 180mm to TMKcapabilities 300 will also onto Telehandlers.

350mm hardwood. The Cutting arefitdependant on the model of shear being TMK shears can cut between 200mm used.

- 400mm softwood and between 180mm to 350mm hardwood.

Cutting capabilities dependant on the cut model being Each shear comes with a fixed grapple,are which holds onto treeoforshear vegetation before and after it has been cut, allowing used. the operator to safely place it onto the ground.

Each shear comes with a fixed grapple, which holds onto the cut tree or vegetation before and after it has been cut, allowing the operator to safely place it onto the ground.

“Half the cost, half the time”

AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE “ Half the cost, half the time”

“ Halfsales@ncdequipment.com the cost, half the time” Email TMK Attachments Follow us: Email sales@ncdequipment.com Followextension us: Hydraulic beam suitable for the TMK 300 07956 087549 Call Nick 07535 211338 or Emma Call Nick 07535 211338 or Emma 07956 087549 Tree Shear The TMK Hydraulic extension beam offers a further 3.6m reach when cutting those difficult to reach branches. As pictured on the machine.

Collector suitable for the TMK 200, 300 & 400 Tree Are you involved in hedgerow management or tree cutting?

Shears Are you to involved inshear hedgerow management orfor tree cutting? need see this working!

Contact us more info Opens and closes with a separate control to the shears need to see this shear working! Contact us for more info grapple to allow the user to hold onto what has been cut while the grapple opens again to cut the next branch, tree etc. This is TMK’s most popular attachment.

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Delimber suitable for the TMK 200, 300 & 400 Tree Shear The delimber is ideal for stripping smaller branches from straight trees and can be used without electricity.

The TMK Tree Shear can cut up to 400mm softwood and fits on 2-30 tonne machines, dependant on model.

Tree Shears are available for hire.

Are you involved in hedgerow management or tree cutting? If so, you Are you involved in hedgerow management orfor tree cutting?

If so, you need to see this shear working!

Contact us more information The TMK range now offers shears that fit on 2 to 30 need to see this shear working!

Contact us for more information The TMK 300 will also fit onto Telehand Cone Splitter

The TMK now offers shears that fit on 2 to 30 a TMK shears canrange cut between 200mm - 400mm softwood TMKcapabilities 300 will also onto Telehand 350mm hardwood. The Cutting arefitdependant on th TMK shears can cut between 200mm used.

- 400mm softwood a 350mm hardwood.

Cutting capabilities dependant on th Each shear comes with a fixed grapple,are which holds onto before and after it has been cut, allowing used. the operator to safel Each shear comes with a fixed grapple, which holds onto th before and after it has been cut, allowing the operator to safel

www.ncdequipment.com * fits on 1.8 - 10 tonne machines (dependant on model). * Cone screw with interchangeable head * No drain line required less expensive mounting. * CanFollow be supplied with us: timber grab, as pictured Follow us: Call (optional).

Call

“ Half the cost, half the time” “ Halfsales@ncdequipment.com the cost, half the time” Email Email sales@ncdequipment.com Nick 07535 211338 or Emma 07956 0875 Nick 07535 211338 or Emma 07956 0875

NEW

The TMK range now offers shears that fit on 2 to 30 tonne excavators.

The TMK 300 will also fit onto Telehandlers.

Mulcher The TMK now offers shears that fit on 2 to 30 and tonne excavators.

TMK shears canrange cut between 200mm - 400mm softwood between 180mm to * Fits on 1.8 - 13 tonne machines 350mm hardwood. The TMKcapabilities 300 will We also onto Telehandlers.

Cutting arefitare dependant on the model of shear being (dependant on model).

TMK shears can cut between 200mmexcited - 400mm softwood and between 180mm to used. to hardwood.

Cutting capabilities are dependant on the cut model being Each shear comes with a fixed grapple, which holds onto treeoforshear vegetation * Self leveling independant linkage 350mm be supplying Auger before and after it has been cut, allowing used. the operator to safely place it onto the ground. (floating head).

Torque attachments Each shear comes with a fixed grapple, which holds onto the cut tree or vegetation before and after it has been cut, allowing the operator to safely place it onto the ground.

“ Half the cost, half the time” Email - sales@ncdequipment.com “ Halfsales@ncdequipment.com the cost, half the time”quoting FMM Email Email sales@ncdequipment.com Call Sales - 07561 649614 Call Nick 07535 211338 or Emma 07956 087549 Follow us: Follow us:

Call Nick 07535 211338 or Emma 07956 087549

VEHICLES

NEW ELECTRIC VEHICLES FOR FORESTRY AGENCIES

T

he latest batch of electric vehicles for use by the Scottish Government’s forestry agencies has been delivered, eight Kia ENiro’s cars and three Nissan eNV200 light commercial vans. Purchase of the eleven new, zeroemission vehicles was made possible through the Transport Scotland’s Switched on Fleets & Infrastructure 20/21 Funding, and is a step towards Forestry and Land Scotland and Scottish Forestry continuing their journeys towards becoming a net zero organisations by 2045 or sooner.

The latest acquisitions takes the agencies’ electric vehicle total to almost 10% of their combined admin fleet; FLS’s electric vehicle up to 22 vehicles and Scottish Forestry’s to six vehicles.

Simon Hodgson, FLS Chief Executive, said; “While our dayto-day business of planting trees and looking after Scotland’s national forests and land is an important part of Scotland’s Climate Emergency mitigation effort, there is always more that we can do. Shifting our fleet to electric vehicles will help reduce our overall emissions as an organisation and with an ever increasing choice of electric

April 2021

vehicles coming to market, we’re able to source the right vehicles that we need. Thanks to the Switched on Fleet Funding from Transport Scotland, we’ve taken another step towards our zero emissions target.”

Chris Champion, from Transport Scotland’s, Low Carbon Economy Directorate, said: “We are delighted to further support Forestry and Land Scotland in transitioning its vehicle fleet to zero emission alternatives.

The technology that powers these vehicles has improved considerably in the last two to three years, which makes them an increasingly attractive option for organisations that run a vehicle fleet.

“We were pleased to be able to offer FLS £84,000 to increase their electric fleet. Bringing more and more of these cleaner vehicles into public service will help Scotland meet its net zero ambitions.”

Scottish Forestry’s electric vehicles will be used by Woodland Officers who need to visit woodland sites for inspections and as part of their everyday duties in promoting woodland creation projects.

Dave Signorini, Chief Executive

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of Scottish Forestry added: “We all have a corporate duty to reduce our emissions as Scotland strives to be a net zero nation by 2045. Not only are we working hard to deliver increased carbon sequestration in woodlands, but we are also taking more direct action in our own business. Switching to electric vehicles is just one of a number of important measures that our agency will be taking to reduce our footprint for future years. We will be exploring the potential for more home working to avoid travel emissions and considering the best use of office space. We also plan to work with Zero Waste Scotland to identify other emission reducing activities that we can undertake.”

FLS’s new vehicles will be used from its offices in Selkirk, Dumfries, Newton Stewart, West Calder, Inverness, Fochabers and Durris. FLS and SF are working towards expanding their charging point infrastructure across Scotland in support of plans to increase the proportion of electric vehicles in their admin fleets.

Electric vehicle charging points are already installed at 12 FLS locations and at a further three SF locations. www.forestryandland.gov.scot

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VEHICLES

LAND ROVER DEFENDER CELEBRATES EXPEDITION LEGACY WITH UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

L

and Rover Classic is continuing the formidable expedition legacy of the original Defender with a limited production run of adventureready Defender Works V8 Trophy vehicles for an exclusive competition at Eastnor Castle in 2021.

Based on the re-engineered 2012-2016 Defender Works V8 specification developed by Land Rover Classic, including 405PS / 515Nm 5.0-litre V8 petrol powertrain, eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and comprehensive uprated suspension, steering and braking packages, the Trophy vehicles feature a wide range of additional upgrades specifically tailored for off-road use.

Twenty-five examples of the Defender Works V8 Trophy, in a mixture of 90 and 110 Station Wagon body designs, will be exclusively finished in a unique Eastnor Yellow paint colour

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with matching 16-inch steel wheels. Contrasting Narvik Black paintwork features on the wheel arches, bonnet and rear door. The purpose-built vehicles also receive LED headlamps, a Heritage front grille, unique Land Rover Trophy badging and event participation graphics personalised to each customer.

The Defender Works V8 Trophy is designed to tackle the most demanding endurance challenges. Additional all-terrain kit includes a front winch, multipoint expedition cage, roof rack, underbody protection, A-bar, raised air intake, LED spotlights and mud-terrain tyres.

Inside, the instantly recognisable 4x4 benefits from full black Windsor leather upholstery with Recaro sports seats, contrast yellow stitching and a bespoke Land Rover Trophy clock face by Elliot Brown. Land Rover Classic’s own Classic Infotainment System

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with integrated navigation and mobile device connectivity is also fitted.

Later this year, Defender Works V8 Trophy customers will be invited to compete in an exclusive three-day adventure at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire – the spiritual home of Land Rover all-terrain training, testing and development. This will be the first time customers drive their car.

The Land Rover Defender has always been more than just a vehicle, its engineering capability and suitability for overland expedition and allterrain competition means it’s renowned with getting away from it all. The new Land Rover Trophy will bring this to life for a new generation of adventurers.

Experiences are a key part of Land Rover Classic’s DNA and this whole concept comes directly from feedback we’ve

April 2021

ENGINEERED FOR EXTREMES: THE NEW TOYOTA HILUX AT35 received. Our customers want to create their own stories, battle scars and patina with their Works V8 Trophy vehicles from day one, fuelling campfire chats with like-minded enthusiasts.

“We’re looking forward to an exciting and memorable event, full of camaraderie, and continuing the Land Rover Trophy legend for years to come. Seeing the silhouette of these vehicles which you’ll instantly know as a Land Rover, traversing the hills at Eastnor, will be a defining moment of the adventure” said Dan Pink, Director, Land Rover Classic.

On seeing their Defender Works V8 Trophy for the first time, customers and their co-drivers will make their first marks by adding their names and country flags to the vehicle.

They will then embark on a range of challenges inspired by famous global adventures and competitions spanning more than seven decades of Land Rover production.

Expert one-to-one tuition will be provided as part of the adventure, giving customers a unique opportunity to develop extreme driving techniques and

April 2021

skills in their own vehicle, before putting their training to the test. Everyone will compete for a range of prizes, including a grand prize for the overall winner – to be announced later in 2021.

Familiar faces from Land Rover’s adventure heritage feature in the Defender Works V8 Trophy launch film, including racing driver, stunt driver and Land Rover ambassador Jessica Hawkins, alongside Camel Trophy participants such as 1989 event winner Bob Ives. A number of these experts will also be on-hand at the Land Rover Trophy to share their knowledge and experiences.

The Land Rover Trophy event will be supported by the New Defender and carefully selected brand partners Elliot Brown, Fat Face and Musto, who have created complementary products specifically for Defender Works V8 Trophy customers.

Both 90 and 110 wheelbase Defender Works V8 Trophy derivatives are now available to order direct from Land Rover Classic, with prices starting from £195,000 for a 90 in the UK. www.landrover.com/classic

www.forestmachinemagazine.com

T

he tough all-terrain qualities of the Toyota Hilux are taken to another level in a new authorised version developed by extreme engineering specialists Arctic Trucks. The Toyota Hilux Arctic Trucks AT35, based on the recently launched 2.8-litre Invincible X Double Cab, features extensive chassis, suspension, handling and styling upgrades that deliver even greater off-road capabilities and amplify its powerful looks.

Established for 30 years, Arctic Trucks has world-leading experience in its field, true to its slogan “Explore Without Limits.” Its many formidable achievements include the first vehicle to be driven to the Magnetic North Pole (the Hilux featured in BBC Top Gear’s famous expedition) and the first passenger vehicle to cross Antarctica.

The new Hilux AT35 benefits from many new and updated features, including changes that increase its running ground clearance (by 65mm) and its approach and departure angles (+9 and +3 degrees). Key elements include re-engineering of the vehicle’s frame, inner

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VEHICLES

arches and bodywork and the fitting of 17-inch Arctic Trucks alloys with 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tyres. The Arctic Trucks Bilstein performance suspension system, featuring front springs and dampers, anti-roll bar adjustment and rear dampers with extended shackles, has been updated, producing an extra 40mm of front and 20mm of rear suspension lift. Torque and drivability are optimised with re-gearing of the front and rear differentials.

The benefits include an elevated driving position, superior

mobility from the wider front and rear tracks, wider tyres and a larger, “lighter” footprint for more secure driving over soft and delicate terrain. The larger tyres provide an increased suspension effect, giving a smoother and faster ride over rough surfaces. They also have a greater range and flexibility for using lower pressures to gain better traction in challenging conditions. The new 201bhp 2.8-litre diesel engine and sixspeed automatic transmission are carried over from the standard Hilux Invincible X, making this most capable Arctic Trucks Hilux yet to be offered

through the Toyota retailer network.

Extra practicality is provided by a rear height bar with an integrated two-inch receiver hitch for quick and easy deployment of tow balls, winches, steps, gear carriers or other accessories.

The Arctic Trucks styling features include the company’s signature flare package for the front and rear wings, extended-profile side steps, AT35 badging and a 30th anniversary decal. Each vehicle comes with an individual Arctic Trucks certificate of authenticity.

NEW DEAL FOR MOTORSPORT TO ACCESS THE NATION’S FORESTS

A

fter comprehensive stakeholder consultation and an independent review, Forestry England today announces that motorsport will continue to benefit from access

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www.forestmachinemagazine.com

April 2021

A range of fully fitted Arctic Trucks options is also available, including full underbody armour, Vision X grille-mounted light bar and Truxedo low-profile load cover. The tyre specification can be upgraded to BFGoodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tyres and an on-board inflation/deflation kit can be installed, with a 12V performance compressor mounted in the engine bay.

All conversion features are carried out by Arctic Trucks technicians to original manufacturer standards, maintaining Toyota’s fiveyear/100,000-mile new vehicle warranty. The model is fully type approved and retains commercial vehicle status, with no compromise in payload or towing capacity.

The Arctic Trucks Hilux AT35 is available to order from Toyota retailers now as a conversion for the new Invincible X Double Cab automatic model, priced at £18,780 plus VAT. www.toyota.co.uk to the nation’s forests.

The review highlighted a number of areas of mutual interest between Forestry England and motorsports and all parties agreed to collaborate closely, evolve working practices and sustain motorsport in the forest.

The chief executive has approved in principle the new, strategic approach and Forestry England will now need to develop a long-term plan to make it happen. It has committed to keep talking and listening to the motorsport

April 2021

sector and other forest users.

Mike Seddon, Forestry England Chief Executive explained: “The nation’s forests have in the past found themselves at the leading edge of motorsports in England. Our review has made it clear to me that we must take the opportunity to become leaders again.

I’m excited for the future with the welcome support from Motorsport UK and the ACU. Together, this is our chance to reduce the environmental footprint of motorsport and improve its financial support for the forests and local businesses.

We’ll better understand what the right event in the right place looks like, the true costs and how we deal with them.

Perhaps we can bring some new audiences too.

I know first-hand the passion and support that the motorsport community has for the nation’s forests and we’ve worked together for a long time. This is a strong base from which we can, together, lead the changes necessary to secure the future of motorsports in the nation’s forests.

communities. I am delighted that with Forestry England we have secured a pathway that will enable us to build upon that strong cultural heritage, and also ensure that the communities in cities, towns and villages continue to benefit from the significant economic return they derive from local motorsport events.

Our members have a deep respect for the unique nature of the forest stages and we are committed to playing our part in their preservation. We are fully dedicated to ensuring the long-term future of motorsport on the nation’s forestry estate through this crucial partnership.”

Roy Humphrey, ACU Chairman, added: “The ACU are pleased to receive the news that, following a review of motorsports in the nation’s forests, the CEO of Forestry England has confirmed that a new agreement will be struck to support motorsport into the future.

Finally, thank you to everyone that took the time to give us their views: some 1,700 individuals and organisations.”

As the recognised Governing body of motorcycle sport, we look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with Forestry England to manage and organise quality events whilst encouraging access to the nation’s forests.

Hugh Chambers, Motorsport UK CEO, commented: “For decades the nation’s forests have hosted a wide variety of motorsport, from international rallies to grassroots entry-level club events, and everything in between. For so many there is a deep bond between our

Over the next five years, we are committed to improving our sustainability and environmental impact, and will be working with stakeholders, organisers, manufacturers and other forest users to secure our sport into the future.” www.forestryengland.uk

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TRIALS

A PUSH IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

BY RAB EASTON

J

osef Strobl, a professional timber faller from Bavaria in Southern Germany, has developed several products to improve the productivity and safety of tree fellers. The Val Fix and ValFast are from the felling range of products that meet these criteria. FMM has had both these spindle wedges for trial over the last few months.

The ValFix is the smaller and lighter of the two felling wedges and has a 15 tonne lifting capacity and weighs just 1.4kg, the larger ValFast has a 26 tonne lifting capacity and weighs 5.5kg. The ValQuick cone wedge can be used in conjunction with the Val Fast and will hold the tree in place if the ValFast needs a second bite to gain more lift, this is ideal for trees with a backward lean.

I have done my fair share of felling over the years on both thinning and clear fells and there is nothing worse than working in a coup where just about every tree requires some physical effort to get them on the ground. Some of the smaller trees would go over easy enough with a breaking bar but others required a hammer and wedge and a shitload of energy

April 2021

to get them past the point of no return. Such jobs are particularly harder work during the summer.

After a lot of exertion you are likely to experience “hill hunger”, where you get light headed and your legs turn to jelly. The only way I found to combat this was to get a quick sugar boost in the form of a Mars Bar or can of Coke. Felling was on piece work, usually on a price per tree basis, so obviously spending more time and energy felling each tree would affect your pay packet at the end of the week.

The BaSt-Ing spindle wedges are a big help in improving safety.

When they arrived, I thought they looked simple but wellengineered and would stand up to extensive use. However, the proof of the pudding is in the eating so I was looking forward to getting feedback from our testers.

Our first visit was to Doune, not far from Stirling, to see Kenny Ferguson who was harvesting a mature crop of Sitka Spruce with his Komatsu 931XC harvester. Kenny’s chainsaw operator, Stewart Walker, was working ahead to clear any trees that were too big to fell or too heavily branched to process.

Stewart decided to try the smaller ValFix wedge with the Milwaukee 12-volt impact driver on some of the Spruce within this area.

The ValFix worked really well. Its narrow design meant it needed just a slight angled cut above the felling cut to allow the wedge to slot into the back of the tree. Stewart was surprised with the lifting power: “I have been using a sledgehammer and

April 2021

wedge to help fell most of these trees. Having to carry so much equipment from tree to tree and swinging the sledgehammer for a large part of the day certainly takes its toll on you. Being able to carry the ValFix (standard wedge holster) and the Milwaukee impact driver (Gunni Tool Holder) attached onto your logger’s belt saves a huge amount of time and energy.”

“It really is a powerful wedge and I was very surprised at how effortless it was to fell the trees – I thought you might need a couple of bites to get the desired lift but fully opened it is wider than my felling wedges. It is strong and really well made, yet not overly heavy.”

Watching Stewart working I could see the many advantages of using the ValFix over the sledgehammer and wedge.

Combining the ValFix with the impact driver, he was able to look up at the top of the tree when lifting it and see if there were any overhead obstacles or branches with the potential to cause injury. This is not possible when swinging a sledgehammer

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L-R ValFast with the impact driver locked in place with the ValLink adapter.

Stewart trialling the ValFix and ValFast on some reasonably sized Sitka spruce.

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TRIALS as the operator’s vision is directed to the base of the tree to make sure the wedge is struck. The ValFix is a continuous, gentle lift as opposed to the shock travelling up the tree by striking the wedge – a far safer system when dealing with dead and dying trees or diseased Ash. We decided to finish off the day by felling a heavily branched edge tree which was leaning against the felling direction.

Stewart decided to use the larger ValFast wedge as the tree was quite large. The ValFast needs a slightly wider entrance to allow the wedge to secure itself into the sapwood; a narrow cut above and below the back cut keeps the wedge level in the tree and allows it to work more effectively, while the metal plates have small, round, aggressive ridges so that it lifts the tree rather than winding itself out.

There was a lot of back lean and when the wedge was fully extended it still couldn’t quite achieve the balancing point, so Stewart inserted plastic wedges to hold it in place; this allowed him to unwind the wedge and insert it further in the tree for extra lift. A few more winds on the spindle shaft were enough to encourage the tree to fall in the intended direction.

Stewart was mighty impressed: “It would have taken a fair bit of work with the hammer and wedge to fell that tree but with this wedge it was effortless.

You are able to look around more and make sure no one is entering the risk zone. It’s also quiet enough to use that you

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can remove your ear defenders and hear a lot more of what’s going on.”

smaller ValFix wedge with the lighter Milwaukee ½” impact driver.

“We all know that regardless of what we do to alert people to the risks of entering a working harvesting site and even with diversions in place some people will still choose to ignore the warnings and come through.”

“These Beech trees are not that big, probably about half a tonne each,” Blair said, “but some of them need a bit of help to go over and getting a secure footing to gain some lifting pressure on a Cant hook or to use a hammer and wedge is nigh on impossible.”

“This is something I would definitely consider purchasing as it saves a lot of physical effort and being less tired reduces the chances of things going wrong.”

Our next trip took us to a hardwood forest near Kelso in the Scottish borders, a severely steep site being hand felled by Blair Amos. William Laing was helping to extract the wood with his Tigercat 615 Grapple Skidder and thought it would be an excellent site to trial the wedge. We met Blair at the top of the very steep valley (this was a huge relief – if it had been at the bottom I would probably still be there trying to climb back up today).

This was probably one of the most awkward felling sites I have ever come across and Blair certainly had his work cut out.

To avoid tumbling down the slope, he had to secure himself with a climbing rope which was anchored at the top and attach it to his climbing harness. For the same reasons, his chainsaw was attached to his harness by a rope strop. He had to use the rope both to abseil down to the trees at the bottom of the slope and to pull himself back up to each tree to be felled in turn.

Blair was keen to try out the

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Blair fuelled up his Stihl 500i, put the ValFix into the wedge pouch, and clipped the impact driver onto his belt and proceeded down the slope.

Having watching Blair fell a few trees it was clear that he is an exceptionally skilled chainsaw operator, a real professional.

He had two bearer trees about 8m apart straight up the hill, which were then used to slide the felled trees down to the bottom of the valley. Another chainsaw operator de-limbed them and then William moved them with his grapple skidder to the opposite side, at which point the third chainsaw operator crosscut them ready for collection by the forwarder.

On this type of job the operator requires a good team that can work together and look out for each other, as demonstrated by this group with everyone working safely and good production being achieved.

Blair’s Stihl 500i had been ported and, although a bit noisier than standard, it sounded very responsive and pretty damn nice from where I was. I spent some time trying to think up a good reason to justify why we needed yet another chainsaw, but as a geriatric

April 2021

woodcutter who uses the saw once in a blue moon I was at a complete loss! Blair was certainly making good headway through the standing trees; there were one or two leaning in the right direction that went over unaided, but most needed a bit of persuasion. After about an hour, Blair climbed up to the top to refuel his saw and I asked what he thought of the ValFix: “When I heard you were coming down I was pretty sceptical and thought it would be another expensive gadget to prise more money out of us cutters, but this is the real deal and works brilliantly. It’s light, powerful, and easy to use and lifts these Beech trees over quickly and effortlessly.”

“I was using a hammer and wedge to get the trees over and trying to find a secure footing on banking like this is not easy. The ValFix is brilliant and a much safer alternative.”

Blair had nothing negative to say regarding the wedge, with work completed faster due to reduced felling time. Everyone has to get well out of the way before Blair can fell each tree – they slide down the bank on

April 2021

Blair felling Beech trees with the smaller valFix on the steep and slippery conditions. the bearer trees at a fair speed and no one is sure exactly where at the bottom they will end up.

A few minutes saved on felling each tree can add up to a lot more trees felled and processed each day.

Regrettably, there was only about a day’s felling left; otherwise, Blair said he would have purchased a ValFix spindle wedge. He must have been impressed though as before the week was out the Logset Forwarder operator, and the Skidder operator, had both ordered a wedge on his recommendation.

Our final trial for this issue took us to see Joe White of White

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Tree Services just outside Lockerbie, where mature Larch trees in mixed species woodland were being removed. This site was being worked in a combined effort by Joe’s team and Graham Hodgson. The contract itself was Graham’s, with Joe extracting and processing the trees and helping with some of the felling.

The felling at this location was not straightforward as the felling direction for each tree was determined by the smaller hardwoods that had to be left undamaged.

As some of the trees had a significant back lean, Joe and Graham were using the ValFast spindle wedge. It was proving very effective at persuading

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TRIALS

Directional felling of the Larch trees to avoid any damage to the young hardwoods.

Remote operation of the ValFast and impact driver using a loggers tape and ValLink. Operators are out of harms way from hung up or falling debris. the trees in the desired direction. Graham was enthusiastic about the performance and could clearly see the benefits of the ValFast.

He thought the ValLink, which locks the impact driver and wedge together for remote operation using a logger’s tape, is a particularly useful innovation. The tape attaches to the ValLink in such a way that it is routed over the trigger for the impact driver. The chainsaw operator can then walk a safe distance away from the tree and any possible debris that might be dislodged from the crown of the tree.

Pulling gently on the tape operates the trigger and expands the wedge to assist

Robust and waterproof case with a specially designed insert suitable for carrying the ValFast, impact wrench and spare battery. Also space to carry chainsaw and the option to securely attach a Combi can.

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with the felling of the tree; this is a simple and inexpensive solution for dealing with diseased, unstable and brittle trees - like we are seeing with Ash dieback.

We spent some time with Graham and the other chainsaw operators, who all took the opportunity to try the system.

The feedback was excellent during all three trials with both wedges – although purchasing them involves a substantial initial outlay, the general consensus is that they would soon pay for itself. Both wedges are labour-saving felling aids which make directional felling easier while also helping to protect chainsaw operators. forestmachinemagazine.com

Further trials are planned for the Southern part of the country as soon as travel restrictions are eased. If you would like to participate please get in touch.

Contact Rab on 07582 055 748 www.forestmachinemagazine.com

April 2021

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2 lever crane radio remote boom mounted winch, hydraulic tipping4trailer, fully serviced. reverse833 drive, bunks.120 • 2017 Alstor ex-demo hrs CAT 3 cylinder diesel, • full 2015 Alstor 3 cylinder CAT Diesel bar,boom 4.2m mounted crane radio • 2017 Alstor 833 ex-demo 120 hrs CAT 3 roll cylinder diesel, ROPS FOPS, OPS, cab 4.2m crane, 2 lever crane control, radiocrane, remote boom mounted winch, full ROPS FOPS, OPS, cab 4.2m boom mounted radio remote winch, reverse drive, 4 bunks, LEDs, bluetooth radio. reverse drive,LEDs, 4 bunks. remote winch, reverse drive, 4 bunks, bluetooth radio.

Contact Nathan for more info and prices.

• 2017 Alstor 833 ex-demo 120 hrs CAT 3 cylinder diesel, Contact Nathan for more info and prices. full ROPS FOPS, OPS, cab 4.2m crane, boom mounted radio remote winch, reverse drive, 4 bunks, LEDs, bluetooth radio.

Used Alstor mini forwarders

TT.01746 718456 M 07966 365157 www.homeforestry.co.uk E nathan@homeforestry.co.uk T. 01746 718456 www.homeforestry.co.uk E. nathan@homeforestry.co.uk 01746 718456M.M.07966 07966 365157 365157 www.homeforestry.co.uk E. nathan@homeforestry.co.uk Contact Nathan for more info and prices.

Home Forestry llp, Willowdene Farm, Chorley, Brignorth, Shropshire, WV16 6PP. Home Forestryllp, llp,Willowdene Willowdene Farm, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16WV16 6PP 6PP Home Forestry Farm,Chorley, Chorley, Bridgnorth, Shropshire T. 01746 718456 M. 07966 365157 www.homeforestry.co.uk E. nathan@homeforestry.co.uk Home Forestry llp, Willowdene Farm, Chorley, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 6PP

EDUCATION & TRAINING

PONSSE’S NEW FULL SIMULATOR

P

onsse has responded to the development needs of education by renewing its simulator product family. The new PONSSE Full Simulator is a comprehensive training system whose real forest environment and precise graphics create the perfect platform for professional training.

In addition to the new PONSSE Full Simulator, the product family includes PONSSE Basic and PONSSE Compact simulators. All three provide a modern teaching environment for the training of harvester, forwarder and PONSSE Opti information systems. The simulator is a cost-effective and safe environment for training new drivers, forest machine professionals and service technicians. It also serves as an

excellent tool for developing and researching work, as it can repeat the same situation and compare, for example, different harvesting methods.

“The new Full Simulator includes a completely new kind of digital technology that makes simulator learning smooth and meaningful. Accurate and realistic graphics make the training environment feel like you are in a real forest,” says Jussi Jurvanen, Ponsse Oyj’s simulator expert. “The simulator’s training

management system, or Sim Trainer, includes various levels where you can progress as skills accumulate, and teach safe, efficient and productive ways to use a forest machine from the very beginning of teaching,” Jurvanen continues.

PONSSE simulators make it possible to train the work steps of the entire machine chain. In the forwarder section, you can practice driving, loading and crane control with a forwarder.

The PONSSE Full and PONSSE Compact simulators are also

NEW YOUNG FACES FOR FORESTRY

F

our new students who are eager to start a career in the forest industries have taken their first steps up the ladder by joining Scottish Forestry. Each student will be continuing their forestry studies whilst gaining invaluable on the job training, leading to a job within the agency. The move is part of the Scottish Government’s drive to create additional employment opportunities for young people.

As part of their year-long programme, each of the new

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Assistant Woodland Officers will get practical experience working in Scottish Forestry, Forest Research and Forestry and Land Scotland.

Each of the four students fought off stiff competition to get onto the graduate programme, with their skills, past experience and positive attitude making them ideal candidates. Welcoming the new students, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “This is brilliant news and I’m so pleased for each of the students

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who will get a first class grounding to start their career.

It is a fantastic time to be working in forestry. The benefits that trees bring to our environment, our economy and our communities have never been so important. I wish all the new recruits the very best.”

The Scottish Government increased the budget for forestry next year which enabled Scottish Forestry to double its intake of students to their training programme.

April 2021

ideal for training service personnel.

NEW FORESTRY CAREER TOOLKIT

New digital technology in a simulator environment • 3 x 55 ”vertical displays • Familiar with forestry machines PONSSE Opti information system • Ergonomics that makes learning meaningful • The touch screen of the measuring device is similar to a real forest machine • Can be adapted to excavator training by changing handles and pedals.

A

PONSSE Academy At Ponsse, continuous competence development is one of the success factors. Ponsse Academy’s global training network trains thousands of hours each year for its own staff, partners (dealers, educational institutions) and customers.

Continuous training and training development ensures the safe and cost-effective use of PONSSE products around the world. www.ponsse.com

It complements the on-going efforts in the public and private forestry sector to attract more people into the industry.

Stuart Blackhall, Scottish Forestry’s Skills Development Manager added: “It’s very important that we continue to bring in new people to the world of modern forestry and equip them with a rounded set of skills to do the job. We have been particularly keen to introduce more women into the sector to reduce the gender gap so it’s great that we’ve been able to attract both men and women to these roles. Hopefully they will all inspire others to think of forestry as a career too.”

Graeme Hill (Edinburgh), Jane

April 2021

new online toolkit has been produced to help anyone in the forestry sector speak to young people about a rewarding career in the industry. The Working with Trees and Timber toolkit gives tips on engaging youth at various years of age, outlines the many jobs in the forestry sector, and pulls together audio visual and infographics already available.

Sally York, Scottish Forestry’s Education Policy Advisor said: “Those of us working within the industry are very well aware that we need to inspire and attract more people into forestry. The sector is growing and will continue to do so substantially in the coming years so we need to demonstrate this is a fantastic industry to work in, with jobs for the future. One way to do this is taking part in career events which involve Gibson (Coldstream), Tabitha Ewing (West Lothian) and Ross Wilson (Inverness-shire) have all been selected to undertake the new placements with Scottish Forestry. Speaking on behalf of the students, new Assistant Woodland Officer Tabitha Ewing said “We are all really pleased to

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children and young people. The toolkit is there to help anyone in the industry who might be speaking to young people in the future. We hope it gives useful hints and tips, and points speakers to useful resources that are available.”

The Working with Trees and Timber toolkit has been produced by Scottish Forest & Timber Technologies and Scottish Forestry. www.forestry.gov.scot/forestspeople/working-with-trees-andtimber In an effort to encourage more people in the sector to sign up to be a Forest/STEM Ambassador, the toolkit will also feature on LantraScotland’s Forestry Ambassadors webpage. www.stem.org.uk be joining the team at Scottish Forestry. Getting on the job training whilst undertaking our studies is a superb idea and we are all looking forward to getting out and about and being involved in forestry decisions and operations.” www.forestry.gov.scot

Page 91

YOUNG LOGGERS

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Draw three straight lines across the wood to separate each tree.

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Which squirrel is different from all the others?

 April 2021

Word Search chestnut poplar willow ash oak

birch holly cherry elder hawthorn

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CLASSIFIED

FORWARDERS / SKIDDERS / TRACTORS

Gremo 1050F 2012. 8600 hours £110,000 Lauder, Scotland 07795 438 341

Forwarder Ponsse Wisent. Year: 2008.

19300 hrs. Crane: K70. €71,100 www.xgielda.pl | Marek: +48 796 775 300 | Gdynia, Poland

TimberJack 360C (John Deere 540). Year 2000 18,400 hours Loglift 121 7.2 m reach crane, 16 tonne single drum winch. €59,900 +VAT. Germany Tel: 0049 1624 999 599

Massey Ferguson 1200 Articulated Skidder Year 1978 Double Drum Winch, Germany €19,800 + VAT 0049 1717 777 051

VALTRA TRACTOR with BOTEX forestry crane T150, red, 2006.

Ref. KX56HFL. Price £35,000.00 plus VAT Gregory 07831 185 952 or gregredman1964@ gmail.com

Valtra T131 2011 Valtra T131, 148hp, 9731 hours, 50k, front suspension, 90 days major parts.

Contact Ian Brown on 01556 612233 ian.brown@ jaspwilson.co.uk

Komatsu 855.1 2015.

11,500 HOURS. One owner from new.

Serviced by Komastu.

Condition Grade A. One set of tracks included. P.O.A Tel: 01550 721 641

John Deere 1710 Forwarder Year 2006 Excellent condition with full set of Band Tracks €60,000 +VAT Cork, Ireland 00 353879 212 489

Forwarder John Deere 1510E VLS. 2013 15600 hrs Crane: CF710S. €129,500 Marek: +48 796 775 300 | Gdynia, Poland

Moheda- S/H Moheda M91 Trailer With K35 Crane. 9 ton Timber Trailer With 6.2m Reach Cane. 4 Bunks / 8 Stakes. 2019 £16,500.

Excellent condition, for more information please call 01926 484 673 or email sales@fuelwood. co.uk

April 2021

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Forwarder John Deere 1110E. Year: 2010.

26000 hrs Price: €75,333 www.xgielda.pl | Marek: +48 796 775 300 | Gdynia, Poland

1979 County 764 Forwarder £10,000 +VAT Cornwall 01503 777 010

Valtra T151 2008 Valtra T151, 6614 hours, front linkage, front suspension, 50k, 90 days major parts.

Contact Ian Brown on 01556 612233 ian.brown@ jaspwilson.co.uk

Free Listings

Contact us at forestmachine magazine@mail. com Page 95

CLASSIFIED

HARVESTERS / HEADS / ACCESSORIES

Ponsse Ergo Harvester c/w Ponsse H73e Harvesting Head (2005) 17,300 Hours Very good condition throughout Regularly serviced Crane tight, Head tight Ready to go to work Price £40,000.00 + Vat o.n.o. Finance available subject to status Contact Stephen Clark @ Eagle Asset Finance Ltd on 07967 588739

Head John Deere H414 Year: 2012. 22500 hrs Price: €22,000 www.xgielda.pl | Blazej: +48 730 320 118 | Gdynia, Poland

Mainfold/Valve Block for H754 Head F072000 / F054217 – USED. €4400 www.xgielda.pl | Blazej: +48 730 320 118 | Gdynia, Poland

Page 96

Logset 8HGTE. 2016, 6754 hours. One owner from new. Fully serviced by Logset.

Condition Grade A. TH75 harvesting head.

P.O.A 01550 721 641

Harvester Timberjack 1270D. Year: 2004 21000 hrs.

Head: 758HD Crane: TJ210 (9,7m) Price: 69 300 EUR www.xgielda.pl | Marek: +48 796 775 300 | Gdynia, Poland

Kesla 25SH Harvesting Head 4,500 Hours.

Monmouth £16,000+VAT 0789 1319 761

Harvester John Deere 1070D. Year: 2008 19405 hrs. Head: H754 Crane: TJ 180 (9.7m) Price: 70000 EUR www.xgielda.pl | Marek: +48 796 775 300 | Gdynia, Poland

Harvester John Deere 1170E. Year: 2013 18,600 hrs. H414 Head Price: 104 222 EUR www.xgielda.pl | Marek: +48 796 775 300 | Gdynia, Poland

MOIP Roller for H480C Head F703756 – USED Price: €880 www.xgielda.pl | Blazej: +48 730 320 118 | Gdynia, Poland

Logset 10H Timber Harvester (2006) c/w Logset TH75 Harvesting Head 2013 14,560 Hours £48,000.00 + Vat Contact: Stephen Clark 07967 588739

Harvester Ponsse Fox Year: 2011. 22000 hrs Head: H6. Crane: C22 Price: €73,400 www.xgielda.pl | Marek: +48 796 775 300 | Gdynia, Poland

ACTIVE SUSPENSION MODULE 1631450A – REPAIRED. Fixed active suspension module for Ponsse Ergo machine Price: €1650 www.xgielda.pl | Blazej: +48 730 320 118 | Gdynia, Poland

Check out the latest used forestry equipment for sale every Friday on our website www.forestmachinemagazine/classified/ www.forestmachinemagazine.com

April 2021

VARIOUS

Wood-Mizer SAWMILL LT40HD Mobile 2004 Price £10,900.00 + VAT Gregory 07831 185 952 or gregredman1964@ gmail.com

Hyundai R125 C/W boom mounted winch Remote controlled 7t pull winch 3 Buckets. 2016 model. 4160 hrs £48000 + VAT Please call for details – 01434 230852

AMR- HPF 28 ton Log Splitter. Tractor PTO drive. 2019. £7,750 Tel: 01926 484 673 | sales@fuelwood.co.uk

Woodmizer LT40 Bandsaw Year 2008 €13,500 +VAT Poland 0049 15129 451 265

Doosan DX225 CW with boom mounted Traction winch Remote control Franz Hochlietner 0 – 12 Te variable capacity Ideal machine for tethering. 2016 model.

4420 hrs Please call for further details and price on 01434 230852

3 X 9.5 Tonne, Bolt Fastening Bar Shaped Shackles. Never Been Used £25 + vat Motherwell 07582 055 748 17 X Plug Coupling Joining Links for Wheelchains £20 + vat Motherwell 07582055748

April 2021

Billy Goat TKV650SPH Woodchipper Self propelled with a Honda petrol engine and will chip up to 5cm diameter £1,416 +VAT 01603 397 560

Forst TR8 Tracked Woodchipper 2016 991 hours Edinburgh £19,500 +VAT 0774 010 6584

Scania R560 V8 Tractor Unit (2007) c/w Loglift Crane (2012) & Debolt trailer (2009) MOT Feb 2022 £36,000.00 + Vat Contact: Stephen Clark 07967 588739 Eagle Asset Finance Ltd

Palax C700 Combi, 2018 model in very good condition. Pto firewood processor with circular saw blade, 700m diameter.

250mm max cutting diameter, 5.6 tonne splitting ram, 2/4 way splitting knife. £6,000 Call: Nick Marshall 07967 342028

Heizohack- HM14860KTL & Fendt 942 Combo. 2018.

Complete Chipper Package. Can be sold as complete ready to go unit or chipper and Fendt 942 tractor separately 01926 484673 or email sales@fuelwood.co.uk

Fuelwood Splitta 360, 2015 model in excellent condition.

Automatic machine.

Includes “Manual Bagga” netting chute.

Hydraulic powered but can supply a 3-phase hydraulic power pack if required. £10,000.

Nick Marshall: 07967 34202

www.forestmachinemagazine.com

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CLASSIFIED

Page 98

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April 2021

WEB STORE CHECK OUT WHAT’S HOT AT OUR WEB STORE

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