Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

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May 2014

Carrier’s Big River sawmill starts lumber flow

M and M Logging making things happen in Alberta’s fast-paced oil and gas industry

Tech Update: Mulchers and Roadside Vegetation Management Equipment

Alberta logging contractor diversifies after the downturn With this issue…

The Edge!

More Information? Action Card #100

FEATURES May 2014 Volume 45 • No. 3 Editor Paul MacDonald Contributing Editors Jim Stirling Tony Kryzanowski George Fullerton Tech Update Editor Tony Kryzanowski

Publisher Rob Stanhope E-mail: stanhope@forestnet.com Phone: (604) 990-9970 Fax: (604) 990-9971 Sales Associates James Booth (604) 990-9970 E-mail: jbooth@forestnet.com Perry Rosehill (604) 613-3001 E-mail: rosehill@forestnet.com

Circulation Manager Maureen Cole (905) 201-0853 Fax: (905) 294-8645 E-mail: mcole@idirect.com Design & Art Production Manager Sheila Ringdahl E-mail: artwork@forestnet.com Office Manager Betty Rosales E-mail: brosales@forestnet.com

On the Cover:

Millyards are busier than they’ve been in quite a while with the recovery in the forest industry now having a firm hold, with mills ramping up and starting up. You can read all about the start-up of the Carrier Group’s sawmill in Big River, Saskatchewan in this issue, beginning on page 10.

(Photo of Liebherr 934 sorting logs at a Tolko operation in the B.C. Interior by Paul MacDonald).

4 Spotlight:

Missed opportunity?

There’s an opportunity to deal with the growing volumes of greenhouse gas emissions in B.C.—with increased tree planting and restoration of the province’s forests—but it may be a missed opportunity, going by forecasted tree planting in B.C. and a provincial government focused on fossil fuel development.

10 Big sawmill news in Big River

Office PO Box 86670, 211 East 1st Street North Vancouver, BC V7L 4L2 Phone: (604) 990-9970 Fax: (604) 990-9971 Website: www.forestnet.com

The start-up of the sawmill in Big River, Saskatchewan—with its annual production target of 250 million board feet of lumber—is big news for the Carrier Group of Companies, and the community.

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18 Diversifying

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after the downturn

Veteran Alberta logging contractor Herman Derksen—having survived the downturn and made some investments in new logging equipment—is thinking diversification is part of the path to maintaining a sustainable business.

22

Casting the line further with new tong thrower A new tong thrower developed by young logger Eric Krume is proving to be productive and portable—it is self-contained and can easily be moved from machine to machine.

26 Ponsse batting 9,000

Logging equipment manufacturer Ponsse recently marked an impressive milestone, producing its 9,000th production machine, and the company continues to be known for its innovation. Just ask Quebec logging contractor Rejean Girard, who bought #9,000, an ElephantKing forwarder.

31 The Edge

Included in The Edge, Canada’s leading publication on research in the forest industry, are stories from Canadian Wood Fibre Centre, Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions, FPInnovations and Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures.

36 Back in the bush

Mike and Lana Daniels, having exited from the forest industry a few years’ back, are now back, but this time around they are applying M and M Logging’s skills to “make things happen” in the fast-paced oil and gas industry in Alberta.

62 The Last Word

If the regulators can figure things out, loggers could be laying out cutblocks with the assistance of drones in the not-toodistant future, says Jim Stirling.

DEPARTMENTS

Calendar.........................................................................................................8 Tech Update: Mulchers and Vegetation Control Equipment ..........................46 Suppliernewsline..........................................................................................58 Ad Index ......................................................................................................60 Classifieds / Employment Opportunities.......................................................60 Reader Service/Subscriptions.......................................................................60 Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

3

spotlight

Missed

opportunity?

There’s an opportunity to deal with the growing volumes of greenhouse gas emissions in B.C.—with increased tree planting and restoration of the province’s forests—but it may be a missed opportunity, going by forecasted tree planting in B.C. and a provincial government focused on fossil fuel development.

By Jim Stirling

F

orest companies in British Columbia are facing a timber supply crunch driven by the mountain pine beetles’ devastation of mature lodgepole pine forests. An estimated 16 million hectares of B.C. forest lands have been affected by the beetle. The implications for the forest industry and forestry dependent communities are potentially profound.

Meanwhile, increasing concerns about the growing volumes of greenhouse gas emissions being pumped into the atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide, are being voiced by scientists. Measurable atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have been steadily rising. The trend will 4

only continue for the foreseeable future with the federal government’s continued support of the oil and gas industries and the B.C. Liberals’ preoccupation with the establishment of a liquefied natural gas production and exporting industry in the province.

Restoring B.C.’s forests, however, could considerably reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide imbalances and help the forest industry long term. The concept was voiced with clarity by Dr. Robert Falls, a resource and renewable energy management scientist at the University of British Columbia’s Forest Science Centre in Vancouver. “Restoring and managing forest ecosystems is the only practical means known to science to remove large, measurable tonnages of Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,” said Dr. Falls in a recent opinion piece in the Vancouver Sun. “Over the past 20 years, forest scientists and carbon accountants have devised, tested, refined and validated robust tools to measure and substantiate those benefits. There is no question that restoring our forests and harnessing their capacity to bring dead atmospheric carbon back to life in living forest ecosystems represents a huge opportunity to create long-lived carbon removal and storage mechanisms of immense proportions,” he continued.

to page 6

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spotlight from page 4 Dr. Falls predicts a restored and robust forest sector and a strong, responsible energy industry would result from adopting such a strategy. “B.C. has virtually all the pieces of a comprehensive solution, including leadership in forestry education, reforestation capacity, advanced satellite technologies and systems for monitoring forest and carbon dynamics, innovative carbon management policies and world class forest carbon management know-how.”

There is, however, a rather significant fly in the ointment which the UBC scientist recognizes.”These are long term projects with long term benefits and it is critical that deliveries of environmental and economic benefits to future generations—primary tenets of sustainability—be recognized, valued and accounted for in provincial carbon offset policies, regulations and programming.”

It means making the strategy work requires a sustained political will.

The federal Conservative government has been so far reluctant to impose greenhouse gas regulations on the energy

industry. According to recent leaked reports, this has caused some high level federal civil servants to wave the cautionary flag. They say Canada is likely to face significant challenges to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions beyond 2020

because of the country’s intensive and export oriented economy.

In British Columbia, the Liberal government is single mindedly piling its economic eggs into one basket. The government says developing a liquefied natural gas

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spotlight

(LNG) sector in B.C. will generate up to 75,000 new jobs in the province and sustain a $100 billion prosperity fund during the next 30 years.

For that to happen, the Liberals are counting on the establishment of at least five LNG plants in B.C. None of the consortia investigating B.C.’s LNG potentials and advantages have made a final investment decision. The gas remains in the ground. The consortia are hedging their bets. They are seeing what deals can be made and tax and other concessions granted in jurisdictions competing with B.C. It places pressure on B.C. to match or better them in return for the investment.

Depending on how this high stakes poker game plays out, millions of additional tonnes of carbon dioxide a year into the atmosphere will result from the proposed LNG facilities and natural gas and oil pipelines the provincial government wants to see.

But as the provincial government courts the energy industry, it thwarts the restoration and management of B.C.’s forest lands. To embark on the forest restoration and management process Dr. Falls spoke about includes investing in forest lands and planting more trees and the most appropriate ones to suit an altered and warmer landscape. It doesn’t appear that is going to begin in 2014. “Based on sowing request data for planting in 2014, the Western Silvicultural Contractors’ Association (WSCA) is forecasting approximately 240 million seedlings planted in B.C.,” reports John Betts, the association‘s executive director.

The anticipated 240 million seedlings

are similar to the 2013 planting levels with the largest seedling numbers planted in the southern interior, followed by the northern interior, and the coast region trailing. Annual tree planting in B.C. topped 260 million in 2007, plunged

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to page 8

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spotlight from page 7 Interesting statistically—but worrying from a recruiting perspective for the silvicultural industry—tree planting wages have been in decline since 2003 and piecework rates are half what they were in 2000.

Pine plantation management and stocking standards were a timely subject for discussion at the at WSCA’s 2014 annual convention held in Kelowna, B.C. Timber supply challenges may require the

planting of pine seedlings at much higher densities in some of the province’s TSAs, suggested a panel of government and industry foresters. The panel also noted the appraisal system and post free growing inventory concerns were among other issues requiring attention. “At stake is the future timber supply and public confidence in our ability to manage forests for the long term,” warned the conference round-up notes.

The provincial government is facing

increasing costs and demands from most other sectors of the B.C. economy, led by health and education. The forest industry is nowhere near the head of the funding queue from the government’s perspective. Barring a sea-change in priority and planning from both Ottawa and Victoria, it seems Dr. Fall’s eminently sensible approach to forest land restoration and carbon dioxide retention will become just another good idea mired by a political agenda and will be effectively stalled.

CALENDAR May 30

Central Interior Logging Assoc.

AGM, Prince George, BC 250-562-3368, www.cila.ca June 3-5

World Bioenergy 2014 Jönköping, Sweden

4608 441 70 80 www.elmia.se/en/worldbioenergy June 4-6

Maritime Lumber Bureau 75th AGM, Halifax, NS 902-667-3889, www.mlb.ca June 7-8

Deming Logging Show Deming, WA

360-592-3051 www.demingloggingshow.com June 11-13

BioEnergy Conf. & Exhibition 2014, Prince George, BC 250.961.6611 www.bioenergyconference.org June 19

Alberta Registered Professional Foresters’ AGM, Edmonton, AB 780-432-1177, www.capf.ca June 19-21

Euroforest 2014, Bourgogne, France 03 85.73.0573 www.euroforest-2014.eu July 16-20

Interforst 2014, Munich, Germany

49 89 949-11548, www.interforst.de July 28-30

Pellet Fuels Institute Annual Conference, Asheville, NC

703-522-6778, www.pelletheat.org More Information? Action Card #104

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

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millstart-up

Big in Big River news

The start-up of the sawmill in Big River, Saskatchewan—with its annual production target of 250 million board feet of lumber—is big news for the Carrier Group of Companies, and the community.

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

millstart-up

By Tony Kryzanowski

T

he Carrier Group of Companies doubled its size with its acquisition of the idled—but modern—former Weyerhaeuser sawmill in Big River, Saskatchewan. And now, after three years of preparation, the mill at Big River is back producing lumber and Carrier Forest Products Ltd. is hiring a second shift to achieve its 250 million board feet annual production target.

Carrier Lumber Ltd., co-founded by William Kordyban Sr. in 1951, earned a reputation for its innovative, modular sawmill technology that could be trucked to a site in 50 to 100 semi-trailer loads, bolted together, and was able to produce lumber largely from fire and insect-killed salvage in remote areas. It was the opportunity to salvage timber from large forest fires that attracted its sister company, Carrier Forest Products Ltd., to Saskatchewan in 1995.

Now, under the guidance of Kordyban’s son, William Kordyban Jr., the company has set aside its nomadic ways in Saskatchewan with its investment in the Big River dimension lumber sawmill.

Carrier’s acquisition of this sawmill in 2010, located between Meadow Lake and Prince Albert, ended the drama surrounding this facility, which was built by Weyerhaeuser in 2001 but closed in 2006.

“What got us interested in purchasing the sawmill is that it was a relatively new, well-built mill and has a lot of USNR equipment, which we are familiar with because we have a lot of USNR equipment in the Carrier Lumber mill in Prince George,” says Kordyban.

Other factors related to the available wood supply also attracted Carrier’s interest in the Big River mill. These included the fact that there was a timber supply allocated to the mill for whoever purchased it, there was other timber reallocated to the sawmill from the previous Forest Management Agreement (FMA), the availability of wood from First Nations, and Carrier’s familiarity with the available timber supply in the province. This all gave the company confidence that they would have enough fibre to operate the sawmill profitably.

Most of the logs will be harvested within about a 160 kilometre radius of the sawmill, consisting of about 50 per cent jackpine and 50 per cent white spruce.

Kordyban says one big positive of operating in Saskatchewan—vs. the B.C. Interior—is that the Big River sawmill won’t have mountain pine beetle kill issues with its wood supply. Tongue in cheek, he added that, “I don’t think the beetle can survive the Saskatchewan winters.”

The jackpine averages 6” to 8” while the white spruce reaches up to 18” in diameter. to page 12

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

11

millstart-up from page 11 The sawmill produces lumber from 2 X 4 to 2 X 10 in lengths from 8’ to 16’. The highest volume product is 2 X 4.

Kordyban says that overall, the company really focuses on capturing value from its wood fibre. In the case of Big River, the goal is to produce at least a premium #2 and better grade lumber product to satisfy Carrier’s customers: high end home builders, truss manufacturers, and lumber treatment companies in Canada and the United States. They also pull J-grade lumber for the Japanese market.

There were a number of hurdles to overcome from the time of the sawmill’s purchase to the shipment of Carrier’s first load of lumber from Big River this past January. The first was the successful negotiation of a collective agreement with the United Steelworkers Local 1-184 soon after the purchase. That was accomplished in November 2012.

“Without a more flexible collective agreement, the project was not going to proceed,” says Kordyban. He adds that there was a fair amount of give and take

during negotiations to make the agreement possible.

The second was finding a market for the sawmill’s chips. Kordyban says that

One of Carrier’s major challenges with the reactivation of the Big River sawmill was the installation of important upgrades to bring it up to the volume and quality standards expected by the company.

Carrier has negotiated a purchase agreement with Meadow Lake Mechanical Pulp.

The third challenge was banking on a better price for softwood lumber, considering the collapse of the American housing market in 2007. Lumber prices have bounced back significantly since then,

coinciding with the sawmill’s production launch, and the current plan is to add a second shift, creating total employment for about 90 workers.

The final challenge was to reactivate the sawmill, and install important upgrades to bring it up to the volume and quality standards expected by the company. That has been ongoing for about three years, with JDT Construction as the main contractor and K2 Electric as the main electrical contractor. As part of this process, Carrier Forest Products suspended operations at a sawmill north of Prince Albert to focus on the Big River operation, with staff at that facility offered jobs in Big River. The other mill may reopen at some future time.

The sawmill processes cut-to-length (CTL) logs exclusively, with logs arriving in the yard from 12’ to 16’. A Tanguay 460 butt-n-top loader mounted on rails unloads logs from trucks and feeds seven different sorting bins at the front end of the mill. Then step feeders transport the

to page 14

We’re growing What makes Saskatchewan a great place for forestry investment?

Our forest products sales have tripled since 2009. There is significantly underutilized Annual Allowable Cut and some exciting opportunities in new wood products and the bio economy.

To learn more, visit economy.gov.sk.ca/forestry

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More Information? Action Card #106 Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

2014-05-13 9:32 AM

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millstart-up from page 12

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4 new systems installed in BC, Canada, in 2013

logs for debarking through three, 22” Nicholson debarkers.

From the debarkers, the logs are then sorted into bins for either the small or large USNR log lines, with the break point being 7” diameter.

“Our large log line curve saws. So we will put some smaller diameter wood through our large log line if it has a lot of sweep,” says Aaron Parent, Big River sawmill project manager.

Parent adds that Carrier has significantly upgraded the Big River large log line, with a focus on optimization by changing out sensors and upgrading the controls—and replacing systems from two different companies to all USNR controls.

The logs proceed through the log turner and are processed through the chipper heads and then through a twin band mill to remove sideboards. Cants proceed past a group of sensors prior to final processing through a curved gangsaw.

At this point, the sawn material continues through a green sort either for processing through the edger, redirection to the slash pile, or further processing down the green chain.

Carrier has invested in a total optimization upgrade on its edger with what Parent describes as processor upgrades, a new repositioning decision engine, new LPL USNR sensors, and new controls.

“They had a lot of problems with it before, about making a proper decision on the edging,” says Parent. “When the mill was shut down, we also lost a lot of computers as far as getting them to reboot and trying to get the software to run again. We didn’t want to start the mill and have challenges with it, so we decided to proceed with that upgrade right away.”

The small USNR log line is essentially a straight throughput line with boards gathering with material from the large log line on the green chain.

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

millstart-up

The Big River sawmill produces lumber from 2 X 4 to 2 X 10 in lengths from 8’ to 16’. Overall, Carrier focuses on capturing value from its wood fibre. In the case of Big River, the goal is to produce at least a premium #2 and better grade lumber product.

The boards on the green chain then proceed through an unscrambler, which has been fitted with a new set of even ending rolls. This area also gives the mill the opportunity to pull smaller broken pieces before the boards proceed to a lug loader that propels the boards through

a scanner and then through a Gemofor board trimmer.

“We’ve done a bunch of upgrades at our trimmer, as well, by adding a USNR multi-track positioning fence and also a dual articulating gate after the trimmer, which allows us to run a little bit faster and we have boards with better trimming decisions coming out,” says Parent. “We also put an optimizer upgrade on the trimmer for process controls.”

Boards are then sorted through the upgraded USNR sorter and placed into the Comact stacker in preparation for kiln drying.

In addition to the sawmill, Carrier has also made many improvements to its planer mill. This includes a new lineal high grader infeed bridge and a USNR lineal high grader (LHG) computerized grading machine. After processing through the existing Yates planer, the lumber goes through the new USNR lineal high grader.

to page 16

What got Carrier Lumber interested in purchasing the Big River sawmill is that it was a relatively new, well-built mill and has a lot of USNR equipment they were familiar with; the company has a lot of USNR equipment in the Carrier Lumber mill in Prince George, B.C. Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

More Information? Action Card #109

15

millstart-up

from page 15 It decides where the best trimming decision is further downstream. For example, this could be for cosmetic trimming, which is a capability the new LHG system provides.

The planed lumber proceeds on to the slowdown belts to a landing transfer, then through a new USNR grade projector. It is a visual projector that projects the grade, trim lines and defects on the board. The LHG decision is then confirmed by a “Check Grader” employee.

The boards proceed through the new USNR multi-track fence to establish where they will be trimmed. Then the lumber goes through the Gemofor trimmer and is stamped with a new Samuel inkjet laser printer where logos, grade stamp and end print is put on each board. The lumber is then off to the Gemofor sorter, which has been upgraded with USNR controls and auto-bin dumping. After that, the lumber goes to the Newnes stacker and then to the Samuel strapper and wrapper.

More Information? Action Card #110

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Kordyban says that Carrier Forest Products has felt welcome in the picturesque community of 600 and he is impressed by the quality of the workforce in Big River.

“The local people really want to see this mill succeed and that is our goal too—to be there for the long term,” Kordyban concludes.

More Information? Action Card #111

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

Millwide. Worldwide.

More Information? Action Card #112

contractorprofile

Diversifying

after the downturn Veteran Alberta logging contractor Herman Derksen—having survived the downturn and made some investments in new logging equipment—is thinking diversification is part of the path to maintaining a sustainable business.

By Tony Kryzanowski

N

Northwest Harvesting owner Herman Derksen (left), depends on reliable and hardworking operators like skidder operator Ellie Venn, from Quebec.

18

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

orthwest Harvesting owner Herman Derksen has learned from experience that finding—and keeping—quality equipment operators is the difference between making it or breaking it in today’s logging environment, with its tight profit margins.

Speaking about logging today vs. when he first started out as a logging contractor in northern Alberta in 1998, he says: “Fuel, expenses and employee wages are way higher, so the potential for failure is way higher. Your operators and your production are so key. Now, if you don’t have exceptional guys in all your machines, you’re not going to survive.”

Derksen, who compensates his employees based on their production, says it’s sad to have to operate that way, but that’s the reality based on the way he’s being paid. “The rates are not set up for you to be training people,” he says.

The challenge, particularly in the Slave Lake area of northern Alberta, where motel rooms are filled with men and women working in the oil patch, is to find those loyal and productive operators.

Northwest Harvesting is a stump-todump contractor that logs eight months a year, but hauls timber nearly year round. They are based in the community of Canyon Creek, on the south shore of Lesser Slave Lake, about 30 kilometres northwest of the town of Slave Lake. They now produce a total of about 330,000 cubic metres annually, which is the most volume the company has ever produced.

About 230,000 cubic metres of that is for the Alberta Plywood plant, owned by

contractorprofile West Fraser Timber, and Derksen recently took a 100,000 cubic metre contract with Tolko Forest Industries to supply its re-commissioned oriented strandboard (OSB) plant. Both the plywood plant and OSB plant are located about 10 kilometres east of Slave Lake.

The company’s wood diet is about 50/50 softwood/hardwood, with the average log diameter in the 16” to 40” range.

It is handling fairly large diameter timber

by Alberta standards because it is supplying a high volume of peeler logs to the plywood plant. Typically, their logging occurs about an hour from Slave Lake, with employees living in camp.

The geography they log in varies from rolling terrain to steep slopes in areas like Swan Hills. The ground also has a fair amount of muskeg, which means that a good frost is critical for them to access all their areas. Otherwise, they must sometimes log by taking a lighter footprint approach. Also, because of softer ground conditions, they are sometimes required to log those areas within very tight timelines. And they find that they are having to log farther away from home because of the growing scarcity of peeler logs.

“It’s kind of a double-edged sword, because if you want to work in good wood, you have to go further back,” says Derksen. “You may make more money back here because the wood is better, but your timeframe is also shorter. So you have to make sure that you are making hay when the sun shines.”

They tend to harvest more hardwood in summer in areas with more solid ground cover.

When it comes to finding the right employees, Derksen is not averse to searching far afield. For example, one of his skidder operators, 69-year-old Ellie Venn, has been coming from Quebec to work for Derksen since 2005. Derksen describes him as one of the hardest working and productive skidder operators he has ever seen. His grader operator makes the trip north from Mexico, and all told, he has about eight Mexican employees with connections to the Mennonite community.

“I have a very exceptional team of workers, and I am very proud of that group,” Derksen says. “That means everything in this business.”

Derksen knows how to measure production because he has spent considerable time operating equipment himself, beginning as a 15-year-old working for others, and then at various times throughout the ups and downs of the forest industry since he stepped out on his own.

In terms of volume, Northwest Harvesting has experienced considerable growth, starting out with only an annual 30,000 cubic metre cut and now harvesting more than 10 times that amount. Despite taking on that extra volume, it took considerable effort on the company’s part to survive the recent industry downturn resulting from the housing collapse in the United States.

And as Derksen explains, it’s a struggle to try to make a profit from what forest companies have been offering for contract rates. But at least he has continued to work while others have been forced to shut down. The main reasons, he says, are that he had lower debt when the downturn hit hard and he was working as a contractor for a plywood plant, and not a sawmill producing dimension lumber.

“We went from a crew of 13 to a crew of six and I got into a machine myself for a couple of years,” he says, speaking of the impact the downturn had on the company. “We didn’t buy anything, and maintained low debt levels. We cut all the chaff. Having exceptional people is the only way you are going to survive a downturn. Average just ain’t going to cut it at a time like that.”

Having experienced employees also paid dividends in other ways, particularly because the company was operating older equipment. These veteran operators have a good feel for how the equipment performs, and when it might need some

to page 20

Part of Northwest Harvesting’s 330,000 cubic metre annual cut includes delivering hardwood logs to the recently recommissioned Tolko OSB plant near Slave Lake. And in its work for Alberta Plywood, Northwest Harvesting’s main objective is to harvest and process as many peeler logs as they can find.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

19

contractorprofile from page 19 preventative maintenance. They also know how to handle the equipment to avoid mishaps, and what to do if a breakdown occurs.

The company reduced its volume to about 90,000 cubic metres during the downturn, but slowly built it back up, hiring the occasional quality employee along the way, and also learning how to operate as efficiently as possible with the tools at hand. They now have 28 employees to deliver their 330,000 cubic metres.

Among the challenges during the downturn was dealing with a lack of logging trucks because no one could afford to operate them. The lack of trucks resulted in wood being stockpiled in a satellite yard, since there weren’t enough logging trucks available to deliver them to the mill on a more timely basis. Since Northwest Harvesting owned six trucks of its own, and because there were so few contract logging trucks available for hire, it meant that their trucks could now operate year round and make money. Its log haul division is managed by Herman’s brother, Abe. Northwest Harvesting logs both cutto-length (CTL) and tree length logs. On a typical block, they will have about five softwood sorts, and a single hardwood

sort. The desire to find quality peelers logs within the softwood pile, more than anything else, determines their softwood sorts.

With the opportunity to harvest more volume, Northwest Harvesting has purchased a considerable amount of new equipment recently. To harvest their logs, the company has a Tigercat 870C feller buncher, a Tigercat 860C feller buncher, and a Tigercat 845C feller buncher. To skid logs, they have two Tigercat 630D skidders, and one John Deere 748 GIII skidder.

To process logs, they use a Tigercat H855C carrier with a Waratah 624 processing head, as well as Caterpillar 325C

Tigercat equipment delivers the production and uptime that Northwest Harvesting needs to survive in a business climate with tight profit margins. The Alberta contractor is ramping up production and its fleet, with company owner Herman Derksen firmly convinced that the forest industry downturn is well behind them.

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

and Caterpillar 325D carriers equipped with the same processing head.

To load logs, they use a Komatsu 270 loader, a John Deere 2554 loader, as well as a Hitachi 250 loader. Their truck fleet consists of six Kenworth trucks. Three have tri-drive axles.

The predominance of Tigercat equipment among his production machines is no accident as Derksen says they deliver the tonnes per hour that he needs. In addition to productive workers, it also takes the best tools available to help achieve the production targets necessary to maintain profitability. He has operated a variety of equipment brands over the years.

“The Tigercat’s cost per tonne of production delivered is better than anything else, in my opinion,” says Derksen.

Other factors that he considers in a purchasing decision are operator comfort and equipment uptime, since both of these considerations have a direct impact on production.

He feels that the timing was good to expand his fleet and take on more volume, based on what he sees happening primarily in the American housing market.

“My confidence in the forest industry has definitely gone up,” says Derksen. “I think there is pent-up demand in the U.S. I don’t think you could hold that market back now even if you wanted to—it has been held back so long, it is bursting.”

For that reason, he feels “a lot more comfortable” expanding his own operations and taking on more volume. Also, as a bigger contractor, Derksen believes this gives him a bit more negotiating power when it comes to discussing rates.

“As long as the business is profitable, I feel that I’ll be logging for a long time. But my goal is to build a sustainable business,” says Derksen, “a business that can run on its own, allowing me time to expand and diversify.”

More Information? Action Card #105

loggingattachments

Casting the line further with new

tong thrower

A new tong thrower developed by young logger Eric Krume is proving to be productive and portable—it is self-contained and can easily be moved from machine to machine. The distance from the drum to the slack kicker is also much shorter, which means that the kicker doesn’t have to work as hard and can throw the line farther.

By Bob Bruce

A

pparently there’s no such thing as retiring from the logging industry.

At least that’s the way Bruce Skurdahl of Summit Machinery in Sherwood, Oregon, tells it.

“I’ve been in the winch business since about 1981,” he says. “I helped start Allied Power Products in Beaverton, Oregon, and was there for most of 15 years.

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Then I left and went to work at Jewell Attachments in Portland where I was sales manager for close to 10 years.”

The thing is he also owns a farm in Sherwood, Oregon, that has been in the family for nearly 100 years. They raise hazelnuts and cider apples, and Skurdahl has always spent part of his time running the farm—along with everything else.

When he decided to work the family farm full time, he soon discovered that Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

loggingattachments 20 years of work in the timber industry wasn’t going to let go of him that easily.“People kept calling me up and saying ‘Help me with my winches.’”

One of those people was Eric Krume, owner of Krume Logging & Excavation out of Castle Rock, Washington. Krume called Skurdahl, asking him to help design a different kind of tong thrower. Actually, it wasn’t the first time Krume had made such a request.

“When I was at Jewell, Eric had approached us to build a new kind of tong thrower, but the ones we were doing worked just fine so we figured why mess with success?”

The “traditional” type tong thrower that Jewell had come up with back in the day was developed primarily for loggers in Idaho, according to Skurdahl.

“They called them jammers back then,” he says. “They had the winch mounted on the boom, and the cable kind of fair-leaded over the back of the main and the stick.”

All in all it was a good design, but Krume’s idea looked like it might work

even better. Instead of the winch being an integral part of the machine, it is now a pin-on attachment, which means it is portable from one machine to the next.

Also, the distance from the drum to the slack kicker is much shorter, which according to Skurdahl, means that the kicker doesn’t have to work as hard and can throw the line farther. “If a guy is a pretty decent machine operator, he can pick up throwing tongs in one or two hours and be pretty darn proficient within a week,” says Skurdahl. “The control scheme is very simple, and it’s very responsive and easy to operate.

“The big disadvantage to the older jammers based on line machines is that they are limited to sitting on the road,” he added. “They are flat track, chain drive cranes, and they can’t get off the road and go boonie bashing. But with an excavatorbased tong thrower, you can go anywhere you want to go.”

to page 24

Eric Krume talks to timber company reps during a machinery demo of the innovative attachment.

Above Left: Bruce Skurdahl says of the attachment, “If you have a conventional tong thrower on your machine and you want to sell the machine and move the thrower from your old machine to a new one, it will cost you. With our design, you can take the heel rack assembly off Machine A and put it on Machine B in just a day or two.”

Standing on the left side of the TH300 is Eric Krume, owner of Krume Logging & Excavation, and on the right is Bruce Skurdahl of Summit Machinery.

Logging & & Sawmilling Sawmilling Journal Journal -- May May 2014 2014 Logging

23 23

loggingattachments from page 23 Skurdahl is also a strong believer in the efficiency of a tong thrower for close-in situations. “Over in Idaho around the Boise basin, tong throwers are often the preferred way to log,” he says. “They use them mostly in designated skid trail bunching situations as grapple skidders. Over here in western Washington, Oregon, and California, you see them working around landings, in the corners,

and the draws where the wood isn’t worth setting up the big tower or even bringing in a two-drum yarder.

“Where these machines do best is in the zero-to-300-foot range roadside gullies,” he says, “the deep stuff where you would work your shovel logger too hard and tear the ground up.

“With a tong thrower, it’s very common to skid a log a minute,” he continues.“When used efficiently, there is nothing that’s going to get logs faster—

More Information? Action Card #114

24

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

they’re the cheapest logs you’ll get as opposed to doing it with a typical yarding system. I know a lot of guys on the landing don’t want to hear that, but the other way is you’ve got this big machine and six or eight guys standing around not doing anything.

“With one guy in the machine and a hooker on the ground, you can skid those logs in just as fast or faster. That’s especially the case in thinning or selective logging where you’ve got a lot more rig-up time because you’ve got corridors you’re dealing with and you’ve got to go sideways and things.

“With a tong thrower you do that first couple hundred feet, and before you know it, you’ve got it all skidded out, and then when you start your corridor work you’ve got wide open country to deal with.”

If there is one thing that really sets Krume’s design apart from others that Skurdahl has engineered and brought to market, it is the fact that it is essentially self-contained and can easily be moved from machine to machine, rather than turning the machine into a purpose-built device good only for tong throwing.

“If you have a conventional tong thrower on your machine,” says Skurdahl, “and you want to sell the machine and move the thrower from your old machine to a new one, it will cost you a good solid $30,000 to pull off the equipment and transfer it. With our design, you can take the heel rack assembly off Machine A and put it on Machine B in just a day or two.”

It also makes sense for the occasional job, Skurdahl says. “Let’s say you’ve just got two or three days of tong throwing on a particular job. If you have to move an entire machine in and out for just three day’s work, who makes money on it? The lowboy guy, that’s who. With this you can haul it out on a car trailer or the back of a log truck, set it on the ground, swap it over, use it, and then bring it back and put it in the barn.”

He continues, “You might not use it for another three weeks or three months, but meanwhile the heel rack just sits there ready to go, and your shovel goes back to being a shovel.”

The Summit Attachment and Machinery tong thrower are ideal for a 22-ton carrier like a 324 type or 260 class machine. “Hydraulic winches like horsepower,” he says, “and more horsepower is more performance and more speed.”

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More Information? Action Card #122

harvestingequipment

Ponsse harvesters on the production line at the manufacturing plant in Vierema, Finland. The Ponsse factory is meticulously clean, and well-lit and ventilated. True to the forest industry, it’s heated by a biomass plant located in the industrial park.

Ponsse batting 9,000

Logging equipment manufacturer Ponsse recently marked an impressive milestone, producing its 9,000th production machine, and the company continues to be known for its innovation. Just ask Quebec logging contractor Rejean Girard, who bought #9,000, an ElephantKing forwarder.

By George Fullerton

J

ean Trottier, sales director with Quebec-based equipment dealer Hydromec Inc., likes to tell people it only took him eight minutes to sell Ponsse’s 9,000th production machine.

“I got a call on my phone at 7:39 am on August 14 while I was driving to a meeting in Quebec City, and it was Ponsse’s North America rep, Marko Mattila,” says Trottier. “Marko explained he was in a meeting and they were discussing the ElephantKing forwarder that I had on order. It was going to be the 9,000th Ponsse machine, and Ponsse wanted to have a celebration around that machine.”

26

Trottier explained that there were several prospective customers for #9,000, but he had no confirmed buyer to give to Mattila at that moment. Then Trottier realized he was driving through the community of one of his prospective customers, Rejean Girard, and he asked Mattila if he could call him back in a few minutes.

As it turned out, Girard was driving toward Trottier on the same stretch of road, and they stopped for an impromptu meeting in a gas station parking lot.

“I told Rejean that the ElephantKing I ordered is going to be the 9,000th machine that Ponsse has built, and they are looking for a special customer to put his name on it. We cannot find a better Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

customer than you!’’ explained Trottier.

“Rejean has a very good reputation as a high producing contractor, and along with his wife Kathy Lemieux, and their sons, they operate a very successful business. After we talked for only a few minutes, Rejean agreed he would purchase the machine. We shook hands and then I took our photo with my phone.”

Trottier immediately sent the photo to Mattila, with a note saying this is the customer for the ElephantKing. “Eight minutes had passed since Marko had first called. When he told the people attending the meeting that I had found a customer for the machine, they could not believe it; a machine could not be sold in

harvestingequipment such a short period of time. Mattila said his reply was, ‘When Jean says he has a deal, you can believe he has a deal. We now have a customer name to put on the machine.’

Trottier said it was a pleasure to accompany Rejean and his sons Christopher and Andy to the Ponsse factory in Vierema, Finland, to help celebrate the production of the 9,000th machine, to see the Ponsse factory and all people who work to produce such great machines.

The history of the Ponsse brand of forestry machines extends back to Einari Vidgren, who was born to a farm family near the village of Vierema in eastern Finland in 1943. Einari’s son, Juha Vidgren, the current chairman of the board of Ponsse, explained that growing up on a small farm taught his father the value of hard work, incremental expansion and changes to improve the family enterprise.

As a young adult, Einari obtained his own farm and when winter came and farming activities were reduced, he hitched the horse to sleds and headed to the woods to supply fibre to expanding wood processing industries.

Juha related that while farming offered little better than a marginal living, wood production generated cash to invest in farm improvements. One of those improvements was the purchase of a farm tractor in 1962, which not only improved

productivity on the farm; it also served as a more productive forestry machine.

As industrial demand for wood increased, Einari realized the broader business potential in the forest industry, and became a harvesting contractor and built his crew to more than two dozen chainsaw operators. While the demand for wood expanded, Einari was frustrated by the poor reliability of farm tractors and early production skidders for wood forwarding.

That frustration developed into a personal challenge, and in 1969 Einari hired a local mechanic to help him design and build a purpose built forestry forwarder that would be productive and reliable.

There was a good deal of local speculation about Einari’s machine, and on launch day, a crowd had assembled to see his creation.

Finland has a long tradition of using dogs to track and locate game for hunters.

At the time, there was a legendary dog in the Vierema region. This dog, while being a mixed breed with a low stature and notably unattractive, enjoyed an enviable reputation for strength, endurance and results. The dog was known affectionately as Ponsse.

When Einari’s creation emerged from the shop, a friendly voice deep in the crowd blurted out, “Well Einari, you have built a real Ponsse, haven’t you?”,

commenting on the unconventional design.

With the name of the machine now coined, Einari put it to work and soon built a reputation for reliability and production: the Ponsse brand was established.

The Finnish government realized the need for productive forestry machines to support the growing processing industries.

They approached Einari to see if he would build a new prototype forestry machine, which could be considered for mass production.

In 1970, with encouragement and financial support, Einari rented a building and hired technical staff, including a quality control manager. Among the first hires was a young engineer who was tasked to make detailed drawings of the various components of the machine. Ponsse’s early production was five machines per year.

In those early years, Einari made a point of directing his engineers to go to harvesting operations, to talk with loggers and machine operators to gain a clear understanding of the problems and challenges they were facing with their equipment. He wanted them to bring that

to page 28

It was a proud moment for both the Girard Family and Ponsse as the 9,000th production machine was handed over. Above are Andy and Christopher Girard, Jean Trottier, sales director with Quebecbased Ponsse dealer Hydromec, Rejean Girard and Marko Matilla of Ponsse. Rejean Girard completes the deal (right), handing over a cheque to Jean Trottier for the Girard’s new ElephantKing forwarder.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

27

harvestingequipment from page 27 information back to the factory, and develop technology to address the machine problems. That tradition of customer feedback continues to this day at Ponsse, and it continues to drive innovation.

By the early 1980s, production expanded and the S15 forwarder had established a reputation for productivity.

By 1990, Ponsse was producing the S15 and an early model of the Ergo harvester.

In the 2000s, equipment offerings were further expanded, and Ponsse was selling machines and harvesting heads across Europe, and in North and South America.

While Ponsse continues to expand their marketing globally, their headquarters and manufacturing base remains firmly rooted in the village of Vierema (pop. 4,000) in eastern Finland. Between 3,000 and 5,000 people visit the factory annually and in the main lobby they have the opportunity to look at the first production Ponsse forwarder, fully loaded with birch logs.

Ponsse President and CEO Juho Nummela says that Finland and Sweden continue to represent the major portion of the Ponsse customer base. While the European market for forestry equipment

While Ponsse continues to expand their marketing globally, their headquarters and manufacturing base remains firmly rooted in the village of Vierema (pop.

4,000) in eastern Finland.

28

is currently slow, Russian demand for Ponsse gear is up, and they are seeing the North America forest industry recovering, increasing the demand for new machines in Canada and the U.S. Ponsse is also developing marketing opportunities in South America, China and Japan.

Ponsse’s marketing and product support systems vary, depending on the technological capacity and cultural influences in the country. In certain South American markets, for example, Ponsse offers a full service program to their clients, even to the point of fueling machines. In Europe and North America, Ponsse has centralized parts distribution centres and an ever-expanding dealer network.

The tour reveals that the Ponsse factory is remarkably clean and well lit, with very good air quality. The high level of order and cleanliness of the factory floor is taken to another level in the hydraulic assembly unit, where positive air pressure eliminates the possibility of dust contamination entering from the factory floor.

While Ponsse celebrates their highly trained and productive workforce, they also rely on advanced technology, including robotic machining and welding on certain components. And before a completed machine is shipped out to a dealer, it spends six to ten hours on a local harvest operation to ensure it is woods ready. Such was the case with every Ponsse machine that Rejean Girard has ever purchased for his harvesting operation in Quebec.

Rejean Girard and Kathy Lemieux purchased their first Ponsse machines, a Buffalo and a Buffalo King, in 2007. Their current harvesting gear includes a 1998 730 Prentice carrier and a Landrich carrier purchased in 2011, each equipped with a H7 Ponsse head. Girard operates in steep terrain and has historically operated with tracked machines. The Landrich was his introduction to Ponsse heads which he thought—up to that time—were too small to handle the mixed species wood he was harvesting.

“Rejean was so impressed with the H7 on the Landrich, he bought one for his Prentice,” says Jean Trottier. “He’s impressed by the speed and measuring accuracy of the head.

“In 2009, Rejean traded his Buffalo forwarder in on an Elephant,” added Trottier. “Their operation has exceptionally high production—they sort a lot of different products and they haul very heavy loads, so the bigger machine fits his operation well.

“The new ElephantKing (machine Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

#9,000) will give them even greater load capacity and with big 750/50 x 26.5 tires, they can travel over rough ground a lot faster and easier. Where a Buffalo King travels at 2.5 km/hour, the ElephantKing can travel at 4 km/hour, and the ride is much more comfortable for the operator.

The bigger machine costs more, but on rough ground it is much more productive and much more profitable for the contractor.”

The presentation of machine #9,000 had its own share of drama.

The North America forest media were enjoying a Ponsse factory tour which was scheduled to end at 1:30 pm, when they would join the factory shift change. All 400 Ponsse employees, including administrative staff, were to assemble in the yard with the 9,000th machine, along with the customer and the dealer. Around midmorning, Trottier contacted Ponsse staff to confirm he had landed with the Girards at the regional airport, and they were on the highway for the one hour trip to Vierema.

At 1:30 pm, as the factory workers began filing into the backyard and assembling around the celebratory ElephantKing, Trottier, with a flair for the dramatic, placed a call to Ponsse staff to inform them he was lost in the Finnish countryside. Ponsse staff met the news with a roll of their eyes and an understanding nod.

As the last of the workers were moved into position for the celebratory photos, Trottier and the Girards burst on the scene and took their positions standing on the front bogie, accompanied by Ponsse’s Marko Mattila, for the grip and grin photo session.

As the camera flashes slowed and the grins were fading, Rejean rekindled the celebratory mood—and smiles all around—when he extracted a check from his shirt pocket, and handed it to Trottier, who, in turn, passed it on to Mattila. A class act, all the way!!

The history of Ponsse makes for a remarkable story, considering the current business managers and engineers are only the first generation following Einari Vidgren, who started the whole thing with a hand saw and horse, graduated to a chain saw and tractor—and through necessity produced his own purpose built forestry forwarder. That pioneering and entrepreneurial ingenuity remains at the heart of this truly global enterprise. Ponsse remains dedicated to their brand, their customers and innovating new technology. Like the equipment’s namesake dog, they continue to be renowned for their strength, endurance and results.

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*Additional terms and conditions apply. For offer details, visit Globalstar.com/getfreephone or call (844) 655-4562. ©2014 Globalstar.

More Information? Action Card #116

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Action Card #117

More Information? Action Card #117

The Edge

May 2014

Aerodynamic modelling reduces forestry truck fuel consumption

F

PInnovations’ research shows reducing forestry truck fuel consumption is possible with aerodynamic modelling.

With funding from Natural Resources Canada, FPInnovations was able to initiate research and develop several concepts for reducing the aerodynamic drag on trucks, thereby improving the fuel efficiency of tractor-trailer combinations used in the forest industry.

The concepts were analyzed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the most promising concepts were tested in Laval University’s scaled-wind tunnel.

The concept that showed the most

potential to reduce drag and fuel consumption was identified to be folding down the stakes of an unloaded log truck.

This was further validated during FPInnovations’ fall 2013 Energotest campaign at the Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Test Centre test track in Blainville, Quebec.

The concept was shown to have the potential to reduce aerodynamic drag by 28 per cent, for a fuel savings of 14.6 per cent. Over the course of an entire year, this could translate to a fuel savings of up to $3,400, with a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of up to 8 tonnes (per trailer).

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

As a next step, FPInnovations will work with trailer manufacturers to develop prototype foldable stakes or bunks that can fold into a horizontal position in unloaded conditions. The design will include operational and safety features while maximizing the potential fuel savings.

For more information on this topic, please contact Mithun Shetty at FPInnovations at mithun.shetty@fpinnovations.ca

31

The Edge

Using AITF commercial-scale panel lab can bring products to market faster

By Tony Kryzanowski

D

oes your company have an idea for a new engineered composite panel product, want to test an existing product for its potential use in new applications, or evaluate its ability to supply a new market?

Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures (AITF) operates one of the world’s only commercial-scale panel production plants—and contracting the services of this research facility could help fast track an idea from the drawing board to the marketplace. The pilot plant is located at 250 Karl Clark Road in Edmonton, Alberta.

According to Grant Reekie, AITF Pilot Plant Coordinator, the Tech Futures’ facility also provides an opportunity for panel producers to conduct research and development in a controlled environment without interrupting production at their own facilities.

“When a plant shuts down production for an hour or two for a research trial, it costs a lot of money,” says Reekie. “Alternatively, they can pay a fee to use our facility for a day or two in a controlled research environment and at commercial scale, without halting production at their own facility.”

AITF offers two types of services to its clients. One is a fee-for-service contract where the customer provides their own raw material and recipe, and uses the Tech Futures plant and employees to test various panel production and performance parameters. The second is where the customer has an idea for a panel product, and AITF’s in-house technical staff develop a product design and production model to deliver a product based on the client’s needs, using the pilot plant to test and verify the product’s performance parameters.

32

The Tech Futures research facility consists of an entire production line typically used within most commercial engineered composite panel production facilities, with the capability to produce a 4’ X 8’ sheet to a maximum of 6” thickness. It can reproduce any panel product commercially available today, with the equipment designed so it can be retrofit-

ted to prepare the raw material to customer specifications. The production line consists of raw material processing and screening, resin and raw material blending equipment, a forming line with adjustable orienting heads capable of delivering a wide range of raw material, and a panel press with steam injection capability to cure the resin right to the mat core. The pilot plant also houses a wide selection of in-house panel testing equipment to evaluate material to any international standard.

As part of its service, Tech Futures provides the technical staff to operate the line. They have considerable accumulated experience working with a wide variety of raw materials, resins, and pre-press and press parameters to operate the production line under the client’s supervision and to their specifications. AITF is also noted for keeping its fee-for-service work completely confidential.

Tech Futures offers its facility and Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

services to industry, other research and technology institutions, and government clients anywhere in the world. For example, AITF has an agreement with FPInnovations, Canada’s forest products research institute, to support its engineered wood panel product research program.

AITF’s in-house technical staff also work within a consortium of panel producers to address specific issues that members might be experiencing, with the research results shared with all members.

Rob Wellwood, AITF’s retired forest products branch manager and currently a panel product consultant, says there is considerable potential for the development of new engineered panel products. This is particularly the case in appearance applications in the Asian market, considering that China alone built about 17 million homes in 2013. The most the U.S. has ever built in one year is about 2.2 million homes. Tech Futures is eager to work with its clients to conduct the product development and performance testing they need to potentially supply this huge and growing market. For example, it has already helped clients develop a new product that functions as a core for panels used in decorative applications, with China being the target market. AITF also helped to develop a panel that is being used successfully as a core material in the manufacture of shipping container flooring, also aimed at Chinese customers.

For more information about AITF’s engineered panel research services and facilities, visit their website at www.albertatechfutures.ca, or call Siguo Chen, Program Lead, Composite Engineered Products, at (780) 450-5482 or siguo.chen@albertainnovates.ca.

The Edge

AI Bio supports research aimed at protecting landscape biodiversity in Alberta

By Tony Kryzanowski

G

Cassidy Van Rensen, University of Alberta.

iven the high level of resource exploration and extraction activity taking place throughout Alberta— and a population expected to grow by 40 per cent in 20 years—the province’s landscape is changing, which may have an impact on biodiversity.

Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions (AI Bio) is helping to fund research that will identify potential impacts that resource activity may be having on biodiversity and what can be done to mitigate those impacts.

It has supported the creation of two Alberta Biodiversity Conservation Chairs at the University of Alberta, which have been filled by Dr. Stan Boutin and Dr. Scott Nielsen, who are professors in the Biological Sciences and Renewable Resources Departments. The Chairs are the research arm of the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI), a program unique to North America that is designed to look at how biodiversity is changing the landscape as activities unfold.

“The ABMI can tell us that a species or biodiversity in general may be declining because of our activities, and then we need to find out whether that is in fact the case and what we can do to change the activities,” says Dr. Boutin.

Alberta biodiversity researchers want to find ways to minimize the impact of seismic lines on wildlife populations.

Dr. Nielsen adds that Alberta is experiencing “unprecedented changes” in its landscape, and trying to find solutions is important for sustaining the province’s international reputation and its biodiversity.

Industry, through Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) has teamed up with AI Bio, as well as Alberta Innovates Energy and Environmental Solutions (AIEES), the University of Alberta, and the province through Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development to support these Chairs.

“This endeavor fits well with our focus of supporting development of Alberta’s bioindustries in a sustainable manner,” says Stan Blade, AI Bio Chief Executive Officer.

“It’s a sign of the province’s commitment to biodiversity sustainability that government, academia and industry are all working in collaboration on this research program.”

While Alberta has put the ABMI and the Land-Use Framework in place, there is no dedicated science capacity to test cause-and-effect relationships related to the monitoring information that ABMI generates. Research is necessary to support policy decisions and to ensure that industry has the information it needs to develop and implement solutions.

“The Chairs are an approach to build the collaborations to make that happen and to communicate solutions to the public and industry,” Nielsen says. They are also the hub of a broad-based research program that will extend the province’s research and innovation network.

The Alberta Biodiversity Conservation Chairs will focus on key biodiversity challenges related specifically to the energy sector with a number of projects under four research themes. These are: rare and endangered species monitoring and conservation; cause-and-effect assessment of biodiversity changes as the foundation for effective management; improved monitoring, modeling, and management of biodiversity for land-use planning; and integrated restoration from site to landscape scales.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

One issue the Chairs will work on through research projects that is of particular interest to industry is woodland caribou conservation. Industry wants to reverse the decline of herds and is interested in options it can undertake on its own. Dr. Boutin will design a number of experiments to test the effectiveness of various strategies.

Seismic lines, which are common in Alberta’s forest environment, are known to have a negative impact on caribou populations because they increase habitat for moose and white-tailed deer, which increases the populations of predators such as wolves. Dr. Nielsen is leading a project to understand patterns of natural reforestation of seismic lines and what can be done to speed recovery. The project will result in software that categorizes areas and tells decision-makers where they should focus restoration efforts to achieve the most benefit to the forest and the caribou.

The research work conducted by the Alberta Biodiversity Conservation Chairs is expected to have a number of positive outcomes. These include providing industry with objective scientific assessment and analysis of various issues that will lead to innovative solutions, and increasing research capacity in Alberta.

It will also give stakeholders a forum to exchange and discuss scientific information; develop research partnerships between government, industry and academia; and develop the next generation of talent in the area of biodiversity conservation.

For more information about the Alberta Biodiversity Conservation Chairs research program, contact Dr. Stan Boutin at (780) 492-1297 or stan.boutin@ualberta.ca, or Dr. Scott Nielsen at (780) 492-1656 or scottn@ ualberta.ca

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The Edge

CWFC investigates woody biomass densification to improve transport efficiency

By Tony Kryzanowski

W

hat are the most efficient ways to process woody biomass at the source so that it can be transported to end users efficiently and economically?

At the same time, can it be processed and transported in a form so that end users can convert the woody biomass easily into a variety of potential end bioproducts like briquettes, pellets, biochar, bio-oil or activated carbon?

These are questions that the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre (CWFC) will try to answer with two field trials later this spring; they are aimed primarily at investigating whether densification of woody biomass at the source is a step in the right direction to making the transport of woody biomass from the source to the end user more economical.

These case studies will be held in northern Ontario and Nova Scotia as part of the first phase of CWFC’s “Innovative Woody Biomass Mid-Supply Chain Optimization” research program. Both trials will include the use of innovative and novel equipment like on-site densification units, processing various types of woody biomass. Each trial will use biomass harvested from short rotation plantations and woody biomass residue from harvest block landings that would be regularly disposed of by burning.

“The goal is to investigate portable systems that will economically handle woody biomass so that we are transporting as much process-ready material in a truckload as possible,” says Tim Keddy, CWFC Wood Fibre Development Specialist.

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He adds that they are also considering the variety of end products that can be manufactured from the woody biomass and investigating various on-site processing and densification methods that will deliver a raw material best-suited for manufacturing a particular product.

“The purpose of our research is to try to link woody biomass harvesting and processing options to the end product, and to develop an entire system that determines the best mid-supply chain options for delivering woody biomass in a format that best suits the production of specific end products in the most cost effective manner,” says Keddy. “And we’re not just looking at using woody biomass to create heat and power anymore.” He added, however, that heat and power have not been ruled out either if that is the most appropriate use of the densified woody biomass in some areas.

One densification system that will be investigated is the production of densified cylindrical biomass ‘logs’. They can be produced in a variety of lengths depending on transportation requirements. To produce the densified logs, the woody biomass will first be ground up to approximately 3” diameter chips using a horizontal bed grinder and then passed through a dryer to achieve the desired moisture content. During the densification phase, a hammer mill further reduces the material to a size that will allow for its compression. The final step is to compress the material, using the wood’s own resins as a binding agent to produce the densified log.

As part of its work in Nova Scotia, CWFC has partnered with researchers at Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

the Verschuren Centre at Cape Breton University (CBU) and BioEnergy Inc. in Sydney, who together have developed and tested novel equipment to produce briquettes, torrefied pellets, bio-char, bio-oil and activated carbon from woody biomass. Their experience will assist CWFC in determining what type of feedstock characteristics work best for the manufacture of particular end products. This is allowing CWFC to conduct its research from the perspective of first looking at potential end products, then working backwards toward the best and most appropriate technologies that should be used at the woody biomass source to produce a feedstock with the right consistency that is also economical to transport.

As part of this trial, CWFC will also utilize CBU’s capacity to complete physical and chemical analysis of the woody biomass and the end products being produced.

Video blogs of these trials will be available online as part of Natural Resources Canada’s Innovation Hub. Anyone interested in watching the densification field trails in real time can sign up for a quick video blog presentation that CWFC is offering as part of its research trials.

For more information about these two field trials and to be notified about the live presentations, contact CWFC Wood Fibre Development Specialist Tim Keddy at (780) 435-7212 or Tim. Keddy@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca or Derek Sidders at (780) 435-7355.

More Information? Action Card #118

contractorprofile

Back in the woods Mike and Lana Daniels, having exited from the forest industry a few years’ back, are now back, but this time around they are applying M and M Logging’s skills to “make things happen” in the fast-paced oil and gas industry in Alberta.

After years working as logging contractors for the forest industry, Mike and Lana Daniels, along with their sidekick, Skidder, now market their wood management skills to the oilpatch.

By Tony Kryzanowski

W

hile Mike and Lana Daniels have retired from contract logging for the forest industry, they are now applying their skills in Alberta’s fast-paced oil and gas industry and are enjoying the new wood management challenges that this entirely different work environment brings.

Based in Slave Lake, Alberta, the couple sold their logging fleet a few years ago, which put them in a good financial position. But being fairly young and still enjoying work life, the allure of applying their skills in new ways and working as masters of their own destiny was too much to pass up when it became clear that there were business opportunities in the oilpatch. So M and M Logging, which was established almost 30 years ago, came back to life.

“Our goal is to be the wood guys, and no matter what your situation, we can accommodate you with harvesting and clearing,” says Mike. This includes mechanical harvesting and decking, particularly on oil lease roads and pad sites, and for log hauling, mulching, and horizontal grinding to make hog fuel. They also buy and sell sawdust, which is used primarily in the

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

contractorprofile oilpatch for environmental remediation.

In addition to contract wood management work in the oilpatch, they also bid on Fire Smart contracts offered by the Alberta government to mulch and thin potential fire fuel in forests surrounding communities like Slave Lake, which two years ago suffered the worst fire disaster in Alberta history when a wildfire destroyed over 300 homes. And because of the unique nature of their current equipment fleet, they will accept contracts with local forest companies for such tasks as using the company’s horizontal grinder to create hog fuel from waste fibre.

To some extent, Mike Daniels is living the Alberta dream, having moved to the province from Nova Scotia in 1980 to operate a bulldozer for a family member. That put him in touch with the logging industry. When Slave Lake Pulp began advertising for logging contractors, Mike applied and was able to secure a contract, which started his career as a contract logger. He believes that his interest in mechanical harvesting and an aptitude related to all things mechanical helped him win the bid. Mike has written and passed the Alberta Journeyman Mechanic’s competency exam, and over the years has developed a number of innovations in his shop to improve mechanical equipment.

At the start of his logging career in 1987, Mike purchased a Bell Equipment three-wheel directional feller from a company in Savannah, Georgia, which he says was one of the first forays into mechanical harvesting seen in the Slave Lake area.

This technology was developed in South Africa and was actually geared toward handling sugarcane. It was challenging to learn how to use the directional feller at first, but Mike says it was a successful experiment. It was the answer to a growing lack of hand fallers at that time.

“It was something totally different,” says Mike. “Everybody laughed at us and said that our chainsaw on wheels would never work. It didn’t in the beginning, but I’m the type of guy who will somehow figure out a way for it to work and I did. I have never been a hand faller.”

Eventually, M and M Logging developed into a fully mechanical, stump-todump logging contractor. But over time, the challenge of competing for labor with the area’s oil and gas industry just got to the point where it wasn’t fun logging for the forest industry any more. So when the opportunity to sell to another contractor presented itself in 2005, they accepted the offer and settled temporarily into

retirement mode with a nest egg in the bank.

“But we were too young to retire,” says Lana, who works as partner, office manager, and dispatcher for M and M Logging’s current operations. Mike adds that although they were tired of the contract logging business, he still enjoyed the mechanical aspect of how logging equipment works. “He can’t sit still,” Lana says.

They also had retained the Bell directional feller and a skidder, as well as a

valued employee, Steve Holland, when they sold their logging fleet.

“We had done a bit of work in the oilfield before we sold the operation,” says Mike. “I realized that there was opportunity there—with a lot less stress—that paid by the hour and had a variety of work. It’s always small, short term jobs in

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More Information? Action Card #119 Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

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contractorprofile from page 37 different places and represented a business niche.”

Mike says the types of opportunities presented by salvage logging for the oilpatch was a good fit for them because one of the biggest challenges to working as a logging contractor for the forest industry is boredom resulting from repetitive work.

“So we decided to play around with it a little bit,” Mike says.

“And he said, ‘we’ll stay small’,” Lana adds, regarding their initial plans for the oil and gas wood management company.

“Mark those words.”

Now, they’ve built back their company fleet to almost as large as when they sold out, but it is designed specifically for work in the oilpatch. They are able to work within the cramped confines of a road or pad site, and the equipment can be moved easily from site to site.

“There is also some pipeline easement clearing work available and it’s hourly work—there’s no night time work involved, with a job typically lasting two to three weeks,” says Mike.

Lana adds that once they got started in the oilpatch, they began to meet a lot of people with industry connections, which generated more business opportunities.

They met many consultants who simply wanted trees salvaged from roads and pad sites by someone who knew what they were doing in advance of the arrival of a rig.

The main philosophy that has served M and M Logging well with its transition to the oilpatch is its focus on service.

“When we went into the oilfield, we could see that there was a need for

Mike Daniels has modified three Lamtrac 6125 mulchers (above) to the point where they can practically ‘walk on water’ for wood management on oilfield leases in muskeg. A quick coupler on a Tigercat feller buncher (below) allows M and M Logging to switch from bunching to mulching in a matter of minutes. someone to provide service because it seemed that those doing the wood management work were only there for a cash grab,” Mike says. “We decided to go out and supply a service and get professional at this, with some better equipment and taking some experienced loggers into the oilfield.”

“Our motto is, ‘we make it happen,’” says Lana.

The company deals with all types of wood fibre from unmerchantable wood

to sawlogs, which is one reason why their fleet is so diverse.

They make it happen because like their initial purchase of the Bell three-wheel directional feller, M and M Logging will search for and purchase the right tool for the job, or as Mike calls it, the “weird stuff”.

For example, their Morbark 3600 tracked, remote-controlled, horizontal grinder is something new for the Slave Lake area while there are thousands in use in the U.S. They also have two boom mulchers, having equipped these carriers with quick attach devices on their booms for conversion from harvesting to mulching. One is a Tigercat 726 wheeled feller buncher and the other is a Tigercat 860 tracked feller buncher. Their fleet also includes a Bombardier VR350 SnowCat for freezing access trails, a Tigercat 845 tracked feller buncher, a John Deere 748E skidder and a John Deere 748 GIII skidder, a John Deere 644 wheel loader and a Komatsu 250 wheel loader, a Supertrak 450MX mulcher, a John Deere 790 excavator, a John Deere 200 carrier with a Denharco DM4400 mono-boom delimber, a Caterpillar 320C log loader with a powerclam attachment, a Volvo skid steer

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

More Information? Action Card #120

contractorprofile

Alberta’s M and M Logging wants to be known as the ‘wood guys’ when it comes to fibre management on oilfield leases. But in addition to using their wood management equipment on oil leases, Mike Daniels also bids on Fire Smarting contracts with the Alberta government to keep the equipment busy. from page 38 and mulcher, four self-unloading chip vans, and a self-loading log truck.

“We also have a Timbco 820C clambunk forwarder out there,” says Mike.

“Nobody has clambunks anymore, but now and then we have a job where we need some big, ugly wood skidded up and down hills and we have the weird stuff to do that.”

He will also modify brand new equipment so that it performs to his specifications. For example, Mike cut three new

Lamtrac 6125 mulchers apart to widen the undercarriage and put wider pads on the units so that they can now practically ‘walk on water’. This has created a niche for the company because they can take these units into muskeg areas for pipeline easement prep work in the fall far earlier than anyone else.

Mike also modifies equipment for multiple uses. One current project involves having the ability to mount a dangle head harvester on the Timbco forwarder so that one machine can both fall and skid trees on small jobs.

More Information? Action Card #121

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

“That’s my hobby,” Mike says. “I study this stuff. I don’t golf and I don’t curl. I go to the shop for a day off. I’m always looking at equipment to see how I can make it better.”

The Daniels are excited about their new venture, but have already reached the point of having to decide just how big they want to get at this stage of their working lives. But that is a new chapter still to be written.

More Information? Action Card #115

smallscaleforestry

Innovator

Walter Rodler’s innovative ATV splitter/transport trailer, which has the engine and hydraulic pump in a covered compartment at the back of the trailer. The sides fold down to access wood easily.

and ideas man

Nova Scotia’s Walter Rodler is a true wood products innovator, and his work has resulted in improvements in production and safety for equipment from chainsaw mills through to wood splitters—and he’s still working away on new innovations.

By George Fullerton

W

alter Rodler is inspired by an energy conservation and sustainability ethic to refine small scale forestry equipment and tools. To cut to the chase, he likes to create and make improvements on small scale equipment that allows people to more safely and economically produce wood products.

Rodler sees chainsaws and ATV’s as a couple of the basic tools that can allow a woodlands owner to generate value added wood products for their own use, or to generate products that they can market.

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Rodler’s backyard and workshop in the Village of Debert, Nova Scotia, is busy with numerous projects in varying stages of development. And if nothing, the projects are eclectic. They range from a hydraulic powered winch that quick attaches to a restored vintage Pettibone wheel loader, several iterations of wood splitters, adaptions to chainsaw mills, a conventional carriage sawmill with a chainsaw bar replacing the original circular saw, just to mention a few. Additionally there are experimental stoves, modified and created shop tools, and not to miss, a homemade duplicate lathe.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

Rodler grew up near Stewiacke, Nova Scotia, in a large family with immigrant parents. He recalls that the entire family pitched in to help on the farm. Because cash was in short supply and their equipment line consisted of used equipment, that meant lots of time spent repairing gear. As the eldest child, Rodler was often at his father’s side repairing and modifying that aged equipment.

That background in repairing farm equipment prepared him for a career as a machinist, engine fitter and metal worker at the Halifax shipyard, where he works with engineers and talented designers and

smallscaleforestry other skilled trades people. Rodler brings a combination of skilled tradesman and working on old equipment to his passion for innovating tools and equipment for small scale forestry operations.

“My father had natural mechanical skills and in addition to repairing equipment, he also modified machines to work better and even built machines from scratch,” he says.

One of Rodler’s pet innovation projects includes his own adaptations to improve the utility and accuracy of Granberg Manufacturing’s Alaskan chainsaw mill.

The Alaskan mill consists of a compact frame, with an adjustable depth guide,

Walter Rodler (above) holding the clapboard milling attachment for his chainsaw. The attachment saws clapboards from a cant milled with the Alaskan mill. Lumber milled with the Alaskan chainsaw mill (above right).

attached to a conventional chainsaw bar.

The Alaskan Mill allows the operator to mill lumber from logs, either in the backyard, or in very remote sites. While not nearly as productive as a portable band saw mill, the Alaskan mill is far more economical and infinitely more portable for those remote distance and micro-sized projects.

In its original design, the Alaskan mill used a pair of 2 x 4 planks as a frame to guide the mill along the top of the log.

While Granberg has developed a tubular aluminum frame, like the 2 x 4 frame, it has a fairly complicated dogging and leveling system that relies on attaching boards to the end of the log to set up the frame, and re-attaching boards if frame sections are added or moved.

“Using 2 x 4’s for guide rails might work ok if in fact you can find two dimensionally

act as the base for a wooden hinge mechanism that is shallowly toenailed, or screwed into the top of log, to add stability to the frame.

Rodler changes the length of the threaded rod frame cross members, depending on the diameter of the log being sawed. With large diameter logs, longer cross member threaded rod sections are used, to ensure stability and to saw dimensionally accurate lumber.

The aluminum rails are light and durable, and along with threaded rod and bolts, are readily available through local machine shop and or metal suppliers.

Rodler’s chainsaw mill frame is adjusted to match the length of the log being milled, by simply bolting on additional frame sections. He uses a machinist’s laser level to level the frame, and maintains level by

identical pieces to begin with,” says Rodler.

“If the 2 x 4’s are not identical, it will be very difficult to adjust them so that the log is cut accurately.”

He added that as time goes on, the 2 x 4’s inevitably dry out or take up water, and change dimensionally. Rodler pointed out that some chainsaw mills use aluminum ladders with levelling mechanisms that can be very complicated to work with, and hard to match with different length logs.

Rodler’s adaption for the Alaskan mill uses 2 ½ inch by 1 inch by 5/16 aluminum channel for frame sections. Walter uses 3-inch long 5/16 inch bolts threaded through a nut welded to the inside of the frame rails for height adjustment and for levelling his frame. The height adjustment studs are located at 16 inch intervals, and are extended to the top of the log to level the frame.

Rails are held parallel by pieces of threaded rod. The threaded rods also

extending the leveling bolts on the frame.

He has added a number of his own subtle modifications to the Alaskan mill itself to provide increased safety, accuracy and productivity.

While explaining the details of the chainsaw mill and frame, Rodler brings attention to the hydraulic lifts that raise the log to a comfortable and safe working level. His lifts are, in fact, two hydraulic ATV service lifts, direct from his local Canadian Tire store.

Rodler has fabricated and attached a folding ramp system to each of the lifts using the same 2 ½ x 1 inch aluminum channel stock that he uses for the mill frame. Once a log is rolled up the shallow ramps and on to the frame on the lifts, it is raised to the desired work height and

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

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smallscaleforestry from page 43 the ramp is folded, so that the chainsaw mill operator can walk unobstructed around the log and mill.

The hydraulic lifts are raised individually, so their height can be set to compensate for uneven terrain. Rodler often mills his lumber right at the stump, pointing out the fuel savings in not forwarding the log out of the woods, and equally, leaving the milling debris in the woods.

“In conventional woodlot operations, there is a lot of investment in equipment and energy put into forwarding logs, piling them at the road side, then bringing a truck in on a constructed road to take the logs to the mill. A woodlot owner, or cottage owner, who wants lumber for their own use, or to sell to a neighbour, can avoid a lot of that expense and use of fuel with a simple chainsaw mill. Everyone has a chainsaw, so why not do some milling with it?”

Rodler likes milling wood in frozen conditions, explaining that it produces lumber with a finer finish.

He uses conventional chainsaw chain, explaining that he sees no advantage in using ripping chains. He contends that ripping chains are more susceptible to breaking, and present a serious safety concern. He also keeps his filing angle at five to 10 degrees, rather than a conventional 30 degrees, explaining it gives a smoother finish to the cut and the saw chains last longer.

Rodler mounts his Alaskan mill to the nose of his saw bar with a bolt through the tip of the saw bar, rather than relying on the manufacturer’s sandwich type clamp, saying the bolt provides a more secure mount. The bolt hole is drilled clear of the roller nose mechanism, so there is no tendency to squeeze the roller

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The milling frame that Walter Rodler developed (above) is extendable for any length log—more frame sections can simply be bolted on. and cause any heating and subsequent failure issues.

Rodler has achieved a lot of personal satisfaction with his modified Alaskan milling system. In addition to having several thousand board feet of high quality hardwood lumber in dry storage, Rodler and his family also enjoy an extensive deck on their house, a garden shed and other construction materials generated by the mill.

The Rodler garden shed came about as result of salvaging four hemlock trees which were toppled by Hurricane Juan.

Rodler estimates he invested ten gallons of gasoline in his 066 Stihl chainsaw to mill the trees where they had toppled on his woodlot. After milling the necessary 2 x 4, 2 x 6 and boards for the shed, he decided that it required clapboards, to finish the project off properly. He retired to the workshop, emerging several hours later with a clapboard milling attachment for his chainsaw.

The clapboard attachment is a fixed apparatus, which saws clapboards from a cant milled with his Alaskan mill.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

When Rodler begins speaking about wood splitters, he draws attention to his little finger, which is bent in a rather awkward shape. He relates that the misshapen digit is the result of a wood splitter accident in his youth.

“Wood splitters can be dangerous, so I build splitters that offer a good measure of operator safety and energy efficiency,” he says.

His splitter rams are guided by rails on each side that are attached above the main frame, so that bolts of wood are cradled in position; there is no need to keep a hand on the bolt to keep it in position. He also locates the valve operating handles so that the operator is encouraged to keep hands clear of the splitter danger zone.

One of his splitters features a log lifter, which operates on the same hydraulic circuit that also runs the ram. He incorporated a bidirectional valve that diverts oil pressure to lift wood; once the block of wood is on the splitter, the valve is switched and the splitter ram is ready for work. Rodler also incorporates a fold-away drawbar on his splitters, so an operator can walk unencumbered around the machine.

Another splitter is built into an ATV trailer. It features fold down sides which allows the unit to travel into the woods, split a load of wood, then return to the woodshed for unloading. A significant saving in wood handling, compared to most backyard fire wood operations, and a lot of the debris, again, stays in the woods.

Rodler says he gains a lot of satisfaction in making machines safer, productive and with a good degree of sustainability. He hopes his development work will inspire woodland owners to get more value from their wood and maybe inspire their entrepreneurial spirit.

More Information? Action Card #123

TECHUPDATE

By Tony Kryzanowski

Mulchers and Vegetation Control Equipment PRINOTH

With over 20 years of experience in mulching, PRINOTH offers innovative products that the company says will exceed users’ expectations in productivity, reliability and safety.

The company’s mulching equipment is developed for the harshest conditions and the most difficult tasks: land clearing, right-of-way clearing, oil and gas exploration, vegetation management, seismic exploration, and site preparation where subsoiling is necessary. PRINOTH offers a unique mechanical drive line and power belt system.

Robust box section frames and a field-proven centre hitch with large dual-tapered roller bearings and 76.2 mm diameter pins provide a solid foundation. The tractor’s weight is distributed evenly over the axles for rock-solid stability, and the cab is positioned between the axles for a smooth ride. www.cat.com

PrimeTech

The patent pending power belt system provides up to 30 per cent more efficient power transfer compared to equivalent hydraulic systems, translating into more productivity and less fuel consumption. PRINOTH says the power belt system is very reliable and easy to maintain, providing lower overall operating costs.

Its vehicles undergo rigorous safety testing to ensure worryfree operation. The mulchers include safety features like certified ROPS/FOPS structures.

PRINOTH offers a full line of mulching equipment, including the RT 200 (173 hp), RAPTOR 500 (440 hp), the RAPTOR 800 (630 hp), soil rotovators, as well as biomass recovery vehicles with attachments. www.prinoth.com

PrimeTech offers four multi-purpose tracked carriers.

The smallest, the PT-175, is equipped with a Cummins engine producing 160 hp, and features a unique, fully tiltable engine hood for easy access and excellent serviceability.

The medium, low ground pressure PT-300 is powered by a John Deere engine with 275 hp. This flagship model underwent a recent major design overhaul. Key technical improvements included: a brand-new tiltable cab with more headroom; LED headlights; and a flat-faced front windshield instead of the

Caterpillar

The new Cat 586C site prep tractor is described as having the muscle to run power-hungry attachments, like the Cat HM825 mulcher and BR624 brushcutter. The 350 hp engine and oversized hydraulic system push more flow to the attachment for faster recovery without slowing other functions.

The high capacity cooling system and on-demand reversing fan keep the machine running cool. The oversized, hydraulically driven fan spins at a slower speed overall and only turns as fast as needed to maintain proper hydraulic and engine temperatures.

The machine is segmented into pressurized compartments to prevent debris from entering. The pressurized airflow also keeps electronics, sensors and other key components cool.

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curved windshield of previous models. Other changes include a new Berco-quality D4 oscillating undercarriage with ground clearance increased from 16” to 18” and better access to components for easier maintenance with swing out radiator guards and winch.

The PT-400 tracked carrier is for heavy duty applications, thanks to its 12.5 L Caterpillar C13 engine, producing 415 hp.

The PT-600 is a tracked carrier designed for the hardest and toughest jobs, and is equipped with a Cummins QSX15 turbocharged in-line six cylinder diesel engine producing 600 hp. www.prime-tech.com

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

techupdate C.M.I. Mulching

Tigercat

Tigercat recently added a new model to its line of mulcher carriers.

The track-driven 470 mulcher is equipped with the Tigercat FPT C87 Tier 4i 245 kW (328 hp) engine. It is narrow and agile with extremely low ground pressure, rated at 20.9 kPa (3 psi). The 470 is best suited to tough terrain and sensitive site right-of-way, pipeline maintenance and oil and gas exploration projects. Weighing just over 12,000 kgs, the machine is also easy to transport.

The 470 is equipped with an efficient, high capacity cooling system with a variable speed fan and automatic reversing cycle, a dedicated attachment pump and an efficient closed loop track drive system. Inside the cab, the operator has ergonomic electronic joystick steering and excellent sightlines.

The counter-rotate function (CRF) allows the 480 to pivot about its centre axis at the touch of a button for quick, effortless “on a dime” turns at the end of a row. The heavy duty steel engine enclosure and precleaner guard eliminates the requirement for a rear canopy. All structural components are designed for full time forest duty. www.tigercat.com

C.M.I. has added the new C 400L model to its product line.

With its unique design in the mulcher carrier industry, the high drive system is said to provide the highest ground clearance (23’’/58 cm) and one of the lowest ground pressure (4.5 psi) of its category. The C 400L is at its best in the roughest ground conditions, says the company.

C.M.I. Mulching says the 400 hp John Deere 6090 Tier III engine combined with the four hydraulic pumps provide an unsurpassed mulching performance and tractive force for pipeline clearing, power line and lease vegetation control.

Its cabin offers comfort and ease of operation and regarding safety requirements, the company says it positions the operator for the best visibility on the market.

C.M.I. offers five more models ranging from 125 to 600 hp that are currently used in a variety of different mulching applications. www.cmimulching.com to page 48

CarbonBite

The CarbonBite tungsten carbide tooth is a heavy duty, long lasting tooth that is simple to maintain and easy to change thanks to the unique boltless, wedge lock mulching system between the tooth and holder.

FORESTRY MOWER/MULCHER AND GRINDER TEETH TO FIT MOST APPLICATIONS.

The extra large tungsten carbide face offers maximum protection and provides superior durability, resulting in reduced downtime. Not only are they heavy duty and long lasting, but the teeth are simple to maintain and replace after serious wear and tear. With over 50,000 hours of intensive research, development, and field testing, CarbonBite can outfit its teeth on any carrier using its multiple holders to fit any application. www.carbonbite.ca

Available for ASV®, CAT®, Bobcat®, FAE®, Fecon®, Rayco®, CBI® John Deere®, Morbark®,Peterson®, Precision Husky® Lamtrac®, DiamondZ®,Vermeer®, DuraTech® & of course our own.

For more information about this or other QUADCO products, please visit us at www.quadco.com or call 800.668.3340.

More Information? Action Card #124 Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

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techupdate from page 47

DAVCO Solutions

Choosing a brushcutter for compact equipment is an important business decision.

For efficiency and money making productivity, DAVCO says customers will want to make that selection based on what they will be cutting, the terrain, desired end results, and ultimately, the cost per acre cleared.

the energy built up from their tremendous flywheel inertia. This design spreads out the weight for better floatation.

The DAVCO BC705HS, BC705SS and BC604SS brush cutters can be loader mounted with a quick attach to most skid steers with adequate hydraulic requirements.

They are rated for a 6” cut and have a 70” or 60” cut width.

They consist of four reversible cutting knives and they are direct drive. These brush cutters are suited for use on power and pipeline right-of-ways as well as seismic applications. www.davcomanufacturing.com

Pro Mac Manufacturing

DAVCO brushcutters are well suited for clearing vegetation. These heavy-duty brush cutters are fast cutting, easily mounted and low maintenance. They use tremendous flywheel inertia generating torque and do not require a high rpm to give them their optimum cutting speed. This enables the brushcutters to compete with larger horsepower machines because they store

Pro Mac Manufacturing has introduced its new 62” skid steer unit for 80 hp to 120 hp units.

Its frame is rigid box-type construction. Its main arbor shaft has fixed teeth with choice of teeth, the drive system can be equipped with variable or fixed displacement motors, and it has optional dual drive for maximum torque and productivity. www.promac. bc.ca

More Information? Action Card #125

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More Information? Action Card #126

techupdate from page 48

KMC-KOOTRAC

benefits of KMC tracked vehicles, because of their torsion bar suspension system, has always been and continues to be their minimal environmental impact. www.kmc-kootrac.com

The versatile KMC High Speed Steel Track (HSST) vehicle, which was originally designed to be a log skidder, has now been adapted to become a carrier for front or rear-mounted mulcher attachments.

Rayco Mfg.

The vehicle, when rigged with a rear-mounted mulcher attachment, can be used for fuel reduction, fire reclamation, vegetation clearing and fire guard construction.

The KMC Rear-Mounted Mulcher can have the same positive impact on fire suppression work by rapidly cutting fire lines and temporary access without the costly post-fire remediation commonly required. The vehicle can later be converted back to being a tracked log skidder.

The KMC tracked vehicle is capable of working on steep slopes as well as in sensitive soil conditions. One of the major

It says its customers demanded a mulcher that was capable of crossing roadways and sensitive turf but still had the power and in-woods characteristics of a dedicated forestry machine. The C100R answers that call, says the company.

Rayco says its new C100R forestry mulcher is the answer if companies are looking for a purpose-built mulcher but need the versatility of rubber tracks.

More Information? Action Card #127

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to page 52

More Information?

Action Card #128

techupdate from page 50 It rides on a 17.7” wide steel-imbedded rubber track. A 99 hp Kubota diesel engine supplies power, while Rayco’s exclusive Super Flow, closed loop hydrostatic system delivers mulching power the company says is not found in ordinary compact track loaders.

Purpose-built for mulching, the C100R features a heavy duty rear door, hydraulic winch, and Rayco’s exclusive elevated cooling design, which places engine radiators in both the rear of the engine compartment and in the limb-riser for maximum cooling performance in the harshest climates. The cab is certified ROPS/ OPS/FOPS with escape hatches in the roof and rear window. www.raycomfg.com

RWF BRON

The BRON Mulcher is the right machine to tackle jobs such as right of way clearing for seismic lines, pipelines, electric and hydro lines, clearing for commercial sites as well as forestry fireguards. The BRON Mulcher has wide tracks that provide stability plus lower ground pressure The BRON Mulcher is designed with

an upfront cab, providing clear visibility with fingertip controls.

Its Mulcher surrounds the operator in comfort with an ergonomic seat, climate controlled environment as well as easy to read gauges. The BRON Mulcher is available in many various models to suit each company’s unique needs. www.bronrwf.com

Supertrak

Supertrak offers a product line of high performance power packs for excavators. It has launched a new line of Tier 4 power packs to fit tracked excavators from the 12 ton to 30 ton class.

These power packs range from 140 hp to 450 hp depending on excavator base carriers.

engine delivering 100 gpm @ 5500 psi.

Its cooling system features heavy duty hi-debris combination charge air, radiator, and oil cooler. Roof louvers get air out of the enclosure quickly. It has a large intake area with optional debris screens. With a track mounted power pack equipped with a mulcher it becomes a very high production land management machine. Depending on excavator reach, users can clear and maintain steep side slope of remote areas, ditch banks, power lines and gas lines. When the power pack is not in use, the excavator will perform all day to day functions as normal. www.supertrak.com

The St. George Company

The St. George Company through its SGC attachments division is the distributor for the Seven E Series line of premium carbide hammer mulchers for hydraulic excavators.

The Seven E Series mulchers feature a close ratio carbide hammer configuration and replaceable internal counter blades, resulting in long hammer life, lower required horsepower and the production of fine “Class 1” mulch. The company says that being able to produce Class 1 mulch will allow the Seven E Series mulchers to meet the most demanding mulching specifications. Class 1 mulch gives good ground cover and returns to nature quicker.

The Seven E Series mulchers feature oversize, external loading main bearings, and a fully enclosed body of “Domex” steel with hydraulic operated gate and skid pads made from 20 mm thick Hardox steel giving the mulcher a long and productive life in the toughest of conditions.

There are four model ranges in the Seven E Series, fitting hydraulic excavators from 5 to 40 tonnes, with mulcher widths of 3’, 4’, 5’ and 6’. Wood material up to a maximum 10” can be mulched. Fixed and variable displacement hydraulic motors are offered.

The St. George Company has been distributing mulchers for over 25 years and was the first to install a mulcher on an excavator in Canada, says the company. www.thestgeorgeco.com

Gilbert

Supertrak has been one of the pioneers in the vegetation management industry since 1986. It has developed several custom-built mulching tractors and wheeled product lines over the years and has evolved with the industry to offer maximum horsepower in small packages.

Supertrak’s new SK350PP is equipped with a Cat C9.3 Tier IV 52

Gilbert now offers the new GM-6 brushcutter-mower. This new model is the latest addition to the Gilbert GM series brushcutter-mowers, which are recognized for their cost effectiveness in roadside vegetation management.

The GM-6 is mounted on a folding boom arm, which offers excellent manoeuvrability with a total reach of 16’. It is the ideal tool to brush cut ditches, back slopes and trim the trees as

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

to page 54

PrimeTech’s PT - 300

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More Information? Action Card #129

a brand of FAE Group

techupdate FAE

from page 52 needed on forestry, municipal and secondary roads, says Gilbert.

It cuts stems up to an 8” (20 cm) diameter easily at an average operating speed of six km per hour, thanks to the patented concept that cuts vegetation as opposed to mulching it.

According to an FPInnovations study, the GM Series is the most cost effective roadside maintenance equipment available on the market: it is up to four times faster than any other application at a cost per km many times lower, which results in very low operating costs, says the company. The head can be installed on most graders or carriers using the standard hydraulic and fixing points for easy fitting and removal. www.gilbert-tech.com

Gyro-Trac

For 2014, Gyro-Trac has expanded its product line to include updated and re-engineered mulchers with the addition of two new models, the GT-30 (300 hp) and the GT-35 (350 hp).

With the added horsepower and the proven features that operators loved from the GT-25XP, these Gyro-Trac machines include the Plus+1 compliant graphical display monitoring system and a re-designed cooling system. These new models are perfect for use in traditional forestry applications with the added benefit of being compatible with Gyro-Trac’s patent-pending Biomass Baling System (BBS), which collects mulch, resizes it, and packages it resulting in a bale weighing approximately one ton that can easily be transported to a location of choice.

Gyro-Trac has purpose-built mulchers for any situation from light-duty to heavy-duty with horsepower ranging from 140 hp to 400 hp. All Gyro-Trac mulchers have a low ground pressure Captive Track System and operate on a closed-loop hydraulic system. Cutting widths range from 64”/163 cm to 88”/224 cm depending on mulcher size.

With more than 20 years of product development and manufacturing, Gyro-Trac continues to offer purpose-built mulchers that are on the edge of emerging technology.

54

The FAE product line is recognized worldwide for its robustness and reliability, which provide efficiency and operational productivity, says the company.

Its wide range of products include wood mulchers, stone and asphalt crushers as well as soil stabilizers. All of FAE’s products

are available with either the PTO system or with hydraulic drive.

The new multi-task machines ‘’MTM’’ or ‘’MTH’’ are designed to grind frozen ground in winter and grind asphalt or reclaiming gravel roads during summer time.

FAE mulchers are recognized as a premium product in domains such as agriculture, construction and forestry, says the company.

The versatility of FAE’s products reduces the operating costs while increasing the productivity. www.gbequipment.ca

NOKAMIC

Nokamic offers excavator and front-mounted mulching heads.

The company’s unique hybrid rotor, which features either steel teeth or carbide hammer teeth, provides extreme mulching power.

Cutting tools, rotor rpm and torque can be selected for specific applications.

It offers two models for its excavator series, the NKX1100v for 12 to 20 ton excavators and NKX1500v for 20 to 30 ton excavators.

The NKX2600v2 mulching head is suitable for 200 hp to 350 hp mulchers, and is designed to fit most common twin track mulching carriers. It comes with a unique hydride rotor, equipped with carbide hammers or sharpe forged steel teeth that can be sharpened. www.nokamic.com

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More Information? Action Card #130

techupdate from page 54

Seppi M.s.p.A.

Since 1939, Seppi M says it has produced among the world’s most innovative and productive vegetation control equip-

ment. These include mulchers for wheeled and tracked prime movers and excavators, and machines for above and below ground work, stone crushers and soil stabilizers. It supplies purpose-built roadside mowers and mulchers that can be PTO or hydraulically powered, from 20 to over 550 hp. www.seppi.com

Fecon

Fecon now offers the FTX128L mulching tractor as the newest member of its FTX tracked carrier line.

Built in their Lebanon, Ohio facility, this new tractor is strong on cutting power with 60 GPM to supply the Bull Hog forestry mulcher. The compact FTX128L features 20” tracks that work effortlessly while cutting up hill. The low ground pressure at 3.8 psi is said to be ideal for soft conditions resulting in minimal ground disturbance.

Serviceability is made easy with full access side doors and engine compartment roof. The Cummins QSB4.5 diesel engine running at 128 hp coupled with Fecon’s latest hydraulic technology allows the FTX128L to outperform machines with higher horsepower, says the company. Fuel consumption remains under 4.5 gallons per hour. www.fecon.com

More Information? Action Card #131

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

137

The number of applications for the forestry industry that are delivering cost savings.

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The number of dollars we have saved companies with our innovative forestry solutions.

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The number of companies that can deliver this kind of industry performance.

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More Information? Action Card #132

SUPPLIERNEWSLINE New Silvana saw chain sharpener: just set and start

Silvana Import Trading has released the newest member of its Markusson brand saw chain sharpeners.

This new saw chain sharpener—the Triplematic—is said to provide numerous benefits. It is a fully automatic saw chain sharpening machine, grinding the cutting link at three key points—the cutting edge, the raker, and the gullet, all in one cycle.

It is easy to use; just set and start.

Silvana says the Triplematic creates chain that is sharper than new with no more overheated blue teeth, and it can handle stiff chains with its new tensioning system.

The Triplematic builds on the success of the Grindomatic V12, renowned for its workhorse reliability and ease of operation, as well as last year’s new entry, the Combimatic 3/4” chain specialist. www.silvanatrading.com

Morbark debuts slow-speed shredder

Morbark Inc. has partnered with its European dealer, OBMtec, to produce the Barracuda, a single-rotor, slow-speed shredder for markets outside of Europe.

The Barracuda was developed by OBMtec and is manufactured at Morbark’s Winn, Michigan, factory. The company says the new shredder offers a universal solution for industrial, construction and demolition, wood and other waste streams, providing a high-quality end product with low operating, maintenance and fuel costs.

The Barracuda is designed with serviceability in mind. All daily maintenance, such as cleaning the air filter, and checking and changing fluids, can be done while standing at ground level.

The Barracuda’s ground-level adjustment door allows for grates adjustment in as little as two minutes, reducing downtime and increasing productivity. The counter knives can be repositioned to five different heights—higher for waste wood or lower for industrial waste. Available set-up options from 20 to 40 hammers and counter knives give users multiple alternatives to find the right mix of speed, fuel economy, and output quality to best fit their needs.

The Barracuda’s single rotor and bolt-on hammer inserts for reduced maintenance times, the internal rotor gearbox with high torque for greater fuel efficiency and the large hydraulic reservoir for lower operating temperatures all play a part with the many other key features to reduce operating costs in this new design. www.morbark.com 58

By Tony Kryzanowski

Brunette BioSizer grinder built for maximum bite

The Brunette BioSizer is a rugged, extreme-duty, high-speed, secondary waste wood grinder, specifically designed for production of a fine, consistent product. Built with a strong emphasis on low-maintenance, this biomass grinder comes equipped with a highinertia rotor and fixed strikers—four rows of staggered hammers which provide maximum bite with every revolution.

The Brunette BioSizer allows for processing a variety of materials including: oversized ‘bush-grind’ hog fuel, trim blocks, wood chips, pre-ground demolition materials and typical urban wood waste, all of which it converts to a fine, accurate, consistent product size for the biomass industry.

The main frame is protected with internal bolt-on replaceable wear liners and is equipped with an extreme-duty, swing-away anvil. The grate has a progressive rectangular hole pattern, and can be easily changed out to other hole patterns to suit required product size. Available in different models, 40”, 52” and 64” wide, for varying production requirements. www.brunettemc.com

Trelleborg Wheel Systems investing heavily in forestry sector

Trelleborg Wheel Systems’ strategy involves a combination of high-quality, continuous product development, complete customer focus, and a global presence.

The company has long been a leading player within the forestry tire sector. It is investing heavily in further developing its range of products. It has upgraded the load capacity of the existing range and is also introducing new products.

Development of its product range is based largely on the continuous contact it has with customers and manufacturers. The company says it also takes an active interest in general research and development within the forest industry.

Trelleborg’s ambition is to supply high levels of service and support in fields where these tires are used. This local presence improves its understanding of the regional market, so that it can quickly pick up on any changes in attitude, demand and preferences. www.trelleborg.com

Book on history of Canadian forestry launched

‘A History of Forestry in Canada’, a book written by Gilbert Paillé—forest engineer, former associate deputy minister, former president and CEO of the Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada (FERIC)—that tells the story of the Canadian forest industry was launched recently by FPInnovations, Natural Resources Canada, and the author.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

suppliernewsline The book celebrates both the importance and the history of Canadian forestry. ‘A History of Forestry in Canada’ provides a detailed chronology of the main events that marked the Canadian forestry industry over the last 150 years. The book also profiles forest management philosophies, national forest strategies, management of public forests and private woodlots, and domestic and international wood trade.

Dr. Paillé is an authority on the Canadian forest industry. He is a forest engineer who graduated from Université Laval and the University of British Columbia. He was a resident engineer at Forêt Montmorency, a professor of forestry at Université Laval, a consulting engineer at Blais-McNeil in Québec City, the director of forest research at the Canadian International Paper Company in Montréal, the regional director of the Canadian Forest Service for the province of Québec, an associate deputy minister at the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, the Québec delegate to Scandinavia and the CEO of FERIC. In addition to being the author of numerous scientific papers and technical reports, Dr. Paillé has also given some 100 lectures on forestry to a variety of audiences. He retired in 2005.

‘A History of Forestry in Canada’ can be purchased through FPInnovations’ website at publications.fpinnovations.ca

Diacon provides turnkey solutions for lumber mold protection

Diacon is a leading supplier of mold inhibition products to the North American sawmill industry for the control of mold on lumber and wood composites. The company provides turnkey solutions, protecting lumber from mold growth with industry leading names in mold prevention.

Diacon customers treat over five billion board feet of green and kiln dried lumber each year. The company’s Mycostat products are used throughout the North American sawmill industry.

Mycostat is designed for worker and environmental safety, and cost effectiveness.

Diacon’s Diaplex Lineal and Transverse Spray Systems provide state of the art, turnkey spray systems. Diaplex Spray Systems are robust, made of high quality stainless steel, complete with the most advanced technology in spraying. Today, there are many Diaplex spray systems that are over 20 years old and they are running as well as the day of installation, says Diacon.

Smart Flow Computer Systems provide state of the art information on a real time basis on all facets of the Diaplex Spray Equipment. Smart Flow provides customers with consistent reliable feedback from the Diaplex Spray System. www.diacon.com

JDLink Locate allows a logger to access asset location and set-up a geofence around a machine, so they can be alerted if it travels outside the virtual boundary.

JDLink Express includes these same machine location and geofence features, and adds distance traveled and engine hours so loggers can track utilization and schedule periodic maintenance.

JDLink Express also lets a logger “ping” the machine for real-time data updates. Two different hardware options cover everything from light-duty trucks to skid steers to heavy-duty haulers.

Both JDLink Locate and JDLink Express provide easy remote access to machines through a single, simple-to-use website.

Alerts are sent via email or text message, and escalation logic enables additional contacts to be added to receive alerts in the event an alert is not acknowledged during a preset time period.

JDLink Express information can also be viewed in the JDLink mobile app for Apple iOS or Android devices. www.johndeere.com

John Deere introduces new value-priced telematics solutions

John Deere’s user-friendly JDLink machine monitoring system is now available for all makes of stationary and mobile forestry equipment with two new Universal Telematics subscription levels. JDLink Locate and JDLink Express boast value-priced hardware and subscription costs, the company says.

“JDLink Locate and JDLink Express allow logging professionals to track and protect all pieces of equipment on their jobsites with the same JDLink application they use for the rest of their John Deere machines,” says Tom Trone, director of global WorkSight Solutions, John Deere Construction & Forestry.

“The hardware can be installed on both powered and nonpowered assets and will keep companies informed on location, help protect jobsite assets, and boost profits.”

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

59

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113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125

126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138

139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151

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100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112

FOR SALE

classified

INDEX Ac# 121 113 109 100 105 117 111 108 128 125 127 116 115 122 110 130 104 107 126 102 120 118 129 124 131 106 101 114 134 132 112 133 103 123 119

Advertiser Page BK Two-Way Radio.......................40 Brandt Tractor................................9 Brunette Industries.......................15 Can-Am Chains..............................2 Canadian Western Bank...............21 Caterpillar....................................30 Cleanfix NA..................................16 Comact........................................14 DK Spec.......................................51 G.B. Equipment............................48 Gilbert-Tech.................................50 Globalstar....................................29 Jiangsu Zhengchang......................41 John Deere..................................25 K2 Electric....................................16 Kubota.........................................55 Liebherr.........................................8 Linck GmbH.................................13 Log Max.......................................49 Olofsfors - Iggesund.......................6 Peterson.......................................39 Ponsse.........................................35 PrimeTech Shredding Equip...........53 Quadco.......................................47 RWF Bron....................................56 Sask. Econ. Devpmt......................12 Sennebogen...................................5 Summit Attachments & Mach.......24 Tigercat........................................64 Tsubaki........................................57 USNR...........................................17 Waratah.......................................63 Wood-Mizer...................................7 Woodland Equipment Inc.............45 Woodland Supplies Ltd.................37 Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

61

thelastword

Laying out cutblocks—with a drone?

By Jim Stirling

D

rones have a sinister reputation.

They were originally used for delivering death, inflicting damage or for eavesdropping and espionage during times of conflict. But like other wartime equipment and methods, drones and the principles behind them have been adapted for more peaceful purposes.

Uses for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)—as they are more politely called in their newer guises—seem limited only by the imagination. And, as it turns out, by regulation.

Drone technology has been applied to delivering aid and packages to rural and isolated areas. More imaginatively, a scientific team from John Moores University in Liverpool, England uses drones to help calculate the densities of orangutans in the Indonesian rainforests.

Even Facebook is considering getting in on the drone movement. The social network wants to spread its reach ever further and reckons drones can be employed to that end by beaming wireless internet access to the most undeveloped corners of the world.

UAV uses are also applicable to forestry. In theory, they offer an enticing menu of possibilities. For instance, the technology has been successfully applied to efforts designed to reduce deforestation in Brazil.

Much closer to home, UAV can be useful tools for industrial applications such as timber cruising, silviculture, cut block layout, detailing vegetation stress and forest fire hot spot identification.

J.R. Canadian Mapping Ltd., based in Prince George, British Columbia, employs UAV as part of its services for the delivery of precision mapping and close range photogrammetry to clients worldwide.

The company’s UAV are fitted with digital and video cameras that can take high resolution photos every second. The UAV typically flies slowly, averaging about 15 metres/second and can traverse about 250 hectares of forest in 45 minutes. The

62

vehicle takes two people to deploy.

“We don’t design or build the individual components,” explained John Rankin, president of J.R. Canadian Mapping. “We order the components from all over and assemble them here in town. They are completely off the shelf. We are not in the UAV development business. We are mapping professionals.”

J.R Canadian Mapping’s UAV can effectively cover about 1000 hectares in a single flight and provide detailed photos down to a six to 10 centimetre resolution.

“We can tell you complete tree cover information, including density, distribution, detailed tree heights, elevations and the complete topographical features under the trees,” he continued.”We also use UAV in many other industries, including mining and agriculture: anywhere where customers require high quality, three dimensional surfaces to work with.”

The UAV can be especially economic for specific forestry applications. “We can use the UAV to fly, say 2000 hectares, where it’s a one-time thing and not worth the cost of bringing in an aircraft.”

But there’s a more fundamental—not to mention frustrating—restriction on the more widespread forestry applications for UAV. “We’re limited to how high we can fly.

Transport Canada has established a ceiling,” noted Rankin. “We are also limited by line of sight even though visual restrictions make no sense in the vast majority of cases.”

It’s a phenomenon not restricted to Canada. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S. bans the commercial use of UAV with some exceptions, like hobbyist use under operator line of sight in non-populated areas. Lobbying both for and against more open commercial use of UAV is gathering momentum south of the border.

The opening up of the skies side of the issue is being driven by growing commercial demand for the use of UAV weighing Logging & Sawmilling Journal - May 2014

under 25 kilograms. The FAA is going to select six sites across the U.S. to help the agency better understand the implications of integrating UAV into American airspace. That process comes with a September 2015 deadline.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International believes UAV have a huge potential to boost the U.S. economy by tens of billions of dollars each year.

Even the FAA estimates there could be 10,000 UAV flying around as early as 2017. In the meantime, North America is losing ground to Europe in the range of applications and regular deployment of UAV. Civil UAV have their own designated airfields in some European countries.

Such occurrences are alarming for those parties gathered on the anti-drone side of the debate. Many are concerned about the privacy impacts of UAV use.

Drones have a lingering reputation as a front for spying. Many individual states have considered bills designed to restrict UAV use. Individual cities have outright banned them. And it seems the Wild West syndrome is alive and flourishing in some quarters.

A town in Colorado, for example, is apparently seriously looking at allowing its citizenry to shoot down any UAV flying the skies above them. Rewards would even be offered for recovering the bits and pieces of any vehicle ambushed from overhead and turned in to the authorities.

Given the past history between the U.S. and Canada, if the more sensible heads prevail in the U.S. and the FAA experimentation with a cautious loosening of UAV restrictions proves successful, similar moves could follow north of the border. That in turn, could permit companies like J.R. Canadian Mapping to adapt and refine the range of UAV delivered technologies and services to the forest industry in B.C. and other forested regions across the country.

More Information? Action Card #133

E - SERIES

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