Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

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October 2014

Lind Logging takes Cat’s new 555D skidder through the paces Dynamic duo: Link-Belt/ Southstar combo times two at Moffat Falls Contracting

Mill upgrade: Newfoundland’s Burton’s Cove Logging and Lumber With this issue…

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FEATURES October 2014 Volume 45 • No. 6 Editor Paul MacDonald Contributing Editors Jim Stirling Tony Kryzanowski George Fullerton Tech Update Editor Tony Kryzanowski

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On the Cover:

When it comes to their logging operations in B.C.’s rugged Southern Interior, Reid and Mac Lind of Lind Logging are looking for power and size, and Cat’s new 275 hp 555D skidder delivers on both those fronts. The large size of the 555D is helpful in keeping the machine stable in the adverse ground they work in, to supply wood for the Weyerhaeuser sawmill in Princeton, B.C. (Photo by Paul MacDonald)

4 Spotlight: B.C.’s beehives

At one time, just about every B.C. sawmill had a beehive burner—well-remembered for showering red sparks into the air on cold winter nights—but most of them have now vanished, due to higher and better residual wood utilization in the industry.

10 Cat’s new D series skidders

B.C.’s Lind Logging has a long tradition of running Caterpillar equipment—and that tradition is continuing, with the logging outfit now running the first Cat 555D skidder in Canada, after having been involved in helping Cat design features into their new D series skidders.

18 On their way to hitting mill production goals

Newfoundland’s Burton’s Cove Logging and Lumber has an ambitious goal: to reach annual production of 20 million board feet. With recent mill upgrades— and a team effort—they are well on their way.

23 Dynamic duo

A Link-Belt carrier/Southstar head combo times two is working out nicely for Moffat Falls Contracting, processing wood for Tolko Industries in B.C.’s Cariboo country, delivering good production numbers— and fuel efficiency.

26 Converting low value … to high value

A Peterson 5900 disc chipper—the first 5900 machine in B.C.—is proving to be a consistent and reliable converter of low value pine beetle-ravaged timber into high value wood chips in the B.C. Interior.

33 The Edge

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

38 Tech Update

Millyard Equipment

Millyard equipment is key to the efficient operation of any sawmill, and in this issue’s Tech Update, we review the Millyard Equipment that keeps logs moving at the sawmill.

54 The Last Word

Tony Kryzanowski suggests some bulletproof strategies for retaining logging employees.

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

3

spotlight

B.C.’s

beehives

At one time, just about every B.C. sawmill had a beehive burner— well-remembered for showering red sparks into the air on cold winter nights—but most of them have now vanished, due to higher and better residual wood utilization in the industry.

By Jim Stirling

M

ost long time sawmillers have a story or two to tell about beehive burners. Some of them might even be true. Everyone’s who’s ever lived near a sawmill back in the day has their own memories of the sometimes cantankerous burners.

All of them share evocative images of a beehive burner, incandescent red, showering sparks into a cold northern night.

Beehive burners are a potent symbol of their time. But they’ve become victim to the forest industry’s maturation.

For decades, the conical-shaped wood waste burning sentinels of steel dominated the landscape around every size of sawmilling operation in British Columbia and beyond. Now most of them have vanished.

The beehive burner has been elbowed into obscurity through a more progressive attitude toward utilizing the total wood resource. Today’s sawmillers strive to produce no residual “wastes” from the conversion of logs to lumber. Those “wastes” have become merchantable byproducts, removing the raison d’être for the beehive burner.

The tell-tale coating of fly ash over everything downwind of a beehive burner is consigned to yesterday’s memories, much to the relief of folk with susceptible lungs.

“It’s the social implications of beehive burners that first caught my imagination and then fascination,” recalls Trelle Morrow, self-published author of The Big Smoke, B.C.’s and probably Canada’s first—and only—book devoted to the beehive burner. Morrow adopted a thoughtful, measured approach to his subject. The result is a thorough examination of beehive burners since their introduction into central B.C. around 1922.

Through the examination of the bee-

4

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

An example of imaginative beehive burner restoration is near Malakwa in B.C.’s southern interior. After the nearby Beaumont mill closed in 1999, the burner was taken apart and reassembled, with a post and beam inside conversion. The Burner is now a licenced restaurant with its own distinct atmosphere. hive burners’ social context, a fascinating glimpse emerges of the forest industry’s growth and development. The Big Smoke is liberally illustrated with colour and historical photographs and is a useful new reference for regional historians.

Morrow, a long time Prince George resident, retired from a successful career

to page 6

More Information? Action Card #101

spotlight from page 4 as an architect about 15 years ago. Since then, he’s researched, written and published more than half a dozen books, although The Big Smoke is the only one directly connected with the forest industry.

Morrow’s focus is on historical archaeology. “It’s concerned with our built environment, the nuts and bolts of our material culture,” he explains.

Most of the sawmills the burners served are long gone but the derelict beehives remain. “They were the largest piece of architecture on the mill site. They were a visual signal and now an icon.”

There is a heritage value in these structures, he continues. “People need a link with the past, to their old workplaces.”

Morrow did work in the forest industry as a teenager but both his grandfather (sawfiler) and father (planerman, small mill manager) had careers in the industry in the east Kootenay and north Okanagan regions of B.C. So there’s sawdust in the pedigree.

Morrow’s research indicates the first large beehive burner was introduced to

Trelle Morrow (left) self-published author of The Big Smoke, B.C.’s and probably Canada’s first—and only—book devoted to the beehive burner. The Big Smoke is liberally illustrated with colour and historical photographs, and provides a fascinating look at the forest industry’s growth and development.

the Fort George Region in 1922. It was manufactured by Colby and installed at Giscome Sawmills, a few kilometres east of Prince George on the Grand Trunk Pacific rail line. Morrow says beehive burners averaged 50 to 60 feet in height but some towered up to 100 feet high and 100 feet at the base. At least one burner is still operational in the Fort George area, near Valemount. And there are others still functioning west of Prince George.

In an ironic twist of fate, the beehive burner at Babine Forest Products near

Burns Lake, like the mill’s planer, escaped the horrific explosion and fire of January, 2012 which killed two sawmill workers and injured 20 others. The 90 foot tall Lamb-Cargate burner, installed by Alvin Scarff Steel Erectors, was pressed into use as a storage facility for furnish to help feed the nearby Pinnacle Pellet plant.

An example of imaginative beehive burner restoration is near Malakwa in B.C.’s southern interior. After the nearby Beaumont mill closed in 1999, the burner was taken apart and its 48 steel panels reassembled into a structure 70 foot tall and 70 wide at the base with a post and beam inside conversion. The Burner is now a licenced restaurant with its own distinct atmosphere.

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

spotlight Provincial governments have been imposing regulations on mill operators to clean up their waste wood burning operations since the 1970s. “But the marketplace has been the main agent causing the demise of the burners,” believes Morrow. “The economy has changed and wood waste is now merchantable.” The most recent sliding date for the final phasing out of beehive burners is 2016.

Morrow says the technology behind beehive burner operation significantly evolved from the earliest days of their use.

In those early days, air for combustion was simply introduced at the burner’s base. But as burner operators strived toward a more complete combustion and to accommodate the different burning characteristics between wood species, additional air sources were used. These included adding cyclones high to the outside of the burners to deliver shavings or other materials into the chamber.

The temperature inside the burners was critical to the success of the burn. “Depending on the variables, you needed about 700 to 900 degrees Fahrenheit to get good combustion. The burners were fitted with dampers— the early ones were

A few beehive burners are still operational in B.C. The burners had an average height of 50 to 60 feet, but some towered up to 100 feet high, and were 100 feet at the base. manual, motorized later on—to control the temperature,” continued Morrow.

Creating the most appropriate “atmosphere” within the structure for a successful burn of a specific material edged closer to an art form through the years. It was the subject of much experimentation,

discussion and later automation to improve burning conditions, he adds.

Lamb-Cargate of New Westminster and Rees and Mainland Foundry & Fabricating to page 8

More Information? Action Card #104 Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

7

spotlight in Vancouver were prominent manufacturers of beehive burners. Interior Mill Equipment of Grand Forks was one of the prominent manufacturers upcountry, said Morrow. In Prince George, Fraser Fabricating & Engineering and Ward Steel Erectors were prominent beehive burner developers.

Today, many of the surviving derelict

beehive burners are on private property.

Sometimes they’re accompanied by nearby sawdust piles shrouded by bush and colonized by weeds. Elsewhere, the land owners use beehives for animal shelter or storage, noted Morrow. With others, local people feel proprietorial and protective of the beehives and want to see the structures preserved. They recognize their connection to a largely bygone era, says Morrow.

The author notes near the beginning

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Associated California Loggers 42nd Annual Meeting, Reno NV,

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10th Annual BC Natural Resource Forum, Prince George, BC

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of The Big Smoke: “There is no time limit for retaining memories of the sawmilling industry. Today we still have limited visual evidence but scant documentary evidence of past installations and usage of beehive burners found at numerous sawmilling operations spread throughout the early and mid 20th century Fort George region.

If our preservation efforts fail, soon there will be nothing.”

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

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loggingequipment

A Cat tradition

in logging equipment

B.C.’s Lind Logging has a long tradition of running Caterpillar equipment— and that tradition is continuing, with the logging outfit now running the first Cat 555D skidder in Canada, after having been involved in helping Cat design features into their new D series skidders.

By Paul MacDonald R (Mac) Lind Logging of Princeton, British Columbia, has a long history with Caterpillar equipment—and a history of being willing to try something new to make their operation even more efficient.

Mac Lind did the field follow-ups for the new Cat 525 skidders in the 1990s.

Fast forward to 2014 and Mac’s son, Reid, recently did field demos for the new Cat 555D grapple skidder—and has now purchased the first 555D machine in Canada. Reid was also part of a small group of logging contractors from throughout North

America who were selected to help Cat design new features into the company’s new D series skidders.

“My Dad is a long term Cat guy, so we know the equipment well,” says Reid, who at the age of 35 now runs the day-today operations of Lind Logging.

B.C. Cat dealer Finning Canada asked Reid to be part of the logging contractors group, to participate in focus groups, and try out the new D series machines.

“They were looking for someone who runs skidders, as well as owns them,” says Reid. And although Reid is busy overseeing logging operations these days, he started out as a skidder operator while still

10

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

G

A bird’s eye view of the new Cat 555D at work in the Lind Logging operation in B.C.’s Southern Interior region. The Lind Logging equipment can face some tough working conditions, including hip-deep snow and minus 30 Celsius temperatures, at times.

in his teens, and still gets in the operator’s seat, when needed.

Being part of the group involved travelling to Cat operations in Georgia. Reid explained that the first trip back in 2012 involved looking at prototype 535D skidders, with the contactors making suggestions about how the equipment could be improved.

“I wasn’t sure how it would work when I first went down there, but they were genuinely interested in what we had to say,” he says. “We all put together our lists of pro’s and con’s about the equipment.

There were way more pro’s than con’s.”

A common comment was improving the accessibility for servicing on skidders.

The Cat people came away from the contractor focus groups with a To-Do list, and some homework to do.

On the second trip, many of the suggestions had been acted on, including improving service accessibility. And the contractors, including Reid, had a chance to try the equipment out. “It was good— the Cat people were responsive, and listened to what we said.” Cat engineers addressed each of the contractors’ suggestions individually and systematically, about how changes were made or in some cases, not made, because it would impact the performance of the skidders.

“When we came back down the second time, about 80 per cent of the

changes we suggested were made—and with the other 20 per cent, Cat had good reasons why the changes could not be made.”

Translate this into baseball terms, and Cat was batting a very high .800.

“The D Series was developed over the course of 4 ½ years with extensive input from loggers and Cat dealers,” summarized Matt McDonald, product specialist for Caterpillar Forest Products. At every stage of the machine’s development, they provided feedback so Cat could be sure

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

11

to page 12

loggingequipment from page 11 the skidders were going to do what they needed them to do, he added.

The third time down to Georgia, more tweaking had been done, and the equipment was put through the paces, in kind of a mini-demo.

It was a varying group of contractors, and some of them, from the southern U.S., were looking at working with prototypes of the more mid-sized skidders, the 525Ds and 535Ds. The southern contractors work a lot in plantation forests, where the skidding trails are more like wellestablished country roads.

But in talking with the Cat people, and Brian Mulvihill, director of forest products with Finning, Reid said he wanted to go big with using a new Cat D series skidder—the 275 hp 555D. When it comes to their logging operations in B.C.’s rugged Southern Interior, what Reid and Mac Lind are looking for are power and size. “From the start, I said to Brian, let’s get the big skidder.”

And Reid was the first one in the cab running the 555D in their operations. “It gets into the steep places that we need to go, and it’s very stable,” says Reid. “For us, big is the way to go.” The large size of the 555D is helpful in keeping the machine stable in the adverse ground they work in.

They also ran another machine, the new 545D in their operations last summer, in some field trials. “We had it working with three processors, and it was a bit challenging for the skidder operators, but they were able to stay ahead of the processors, even though we were working in some small wood.”

At the time this story was being put together, they had not done specific fuel monitoring on the 555D, but Reid expected it would be about the same as the 545C. But even if it is the same, he said, the 555D does quite a bit more in terms of production, so they are ahead in terms of production per litre of fuel consumed.

And they need to keep productivity high, as they can sometimes be working in small wood. This year, they were working in areas with volume of .2 cubic metres per tree, but last year, around Oliver, B.C., to the east, they were working in smaller, .14 cubic metre a tree wood.

They still get some bug wood in the areas they work in. “The mountain pine beetle was kind of hit and miss in this area, and Weyerhaeuser has gone after the bug wood fairly hard,” explained Reid. “There is definitely some bug wood

still out there, but overall, the wood is fairly green. And we’re working in areas that also have spruce, balsam and fir. I think we’re going to be doing a lot of fir in the next couple of years.”

While some of the Cat people who visited the Lind Logging operation had been to B.C. before, some had not, and were impressed with how the operation delivered solid timber production in tough slopes, and challenging weather conditions. Equipped with chains, the skidders move around in hip deep snow,

12

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

Reid Lind (above, with the 555D) runs the day-to day operations of Lind Logging.

B.C. Cat dealer Finning Canada asked Reid to be part of a logging contractors group, to participate in focus groups, and try out the new D series machines. and minus-30 Celsius temperatures in the winter months. In the summer, the temperatures can easily be in the high plus-30’s. Princeton and the other towns in this part of B.C., such as Lillooet, are often the hot spots, temperature-wise in Canada in the summer months.

The Cat people were especially interested in seeing how the Cat ACERT Tier

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More Information? Action Card #107

loggingequipment

Cat’s strong presence is evident throughout the equipment line-up of Lind Logging, including Cat 541 bunchers. The operation recently signed up for Cat Product Link, the equipment maker’s telematics system, to help it monitor production rates and equipment fuel consumption.

It’s been a busy time for Lind Logging and their Waratah head-equipped processing equipment, as they recently took over another logging operation—and that involved meshing the operations together, both in terms of people and equipment. With the additional wood volume, they will do around 250,000 cubic metres this year, and possibly upwards of 300,000 cubic metres in 2015.

14

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

from page 12 4 engine on the 555D performed; results have been good, to date. “We haven’t had any troubles with it,” says Reid.

Mac Lind is still involved in the logging operation these days; he looks after the right-of-way crew, and runs loader a fair bit. “He’s still a part of the business,” says Reid.

They’ve had a right-of-way program going with Weyerhaeuser Princeton that Mac oversees that does five or six loads of logs a day with one buncher, a single skidder, a couple of processors, and a loader.

Reid runs equipment once in a while, but most of his time is taken up managing the business. This year, that involved some extra co-ordinating as the company took over Dennis Cook’s logging operation, which involved meshing the operations together, both in terms of people and equipment. That has worked out well, reports Reid.

They now have additional wood volume, and additional people and equipment to do that volume.

On the equipment side, their line-up is mostly Cat equipment: in addition to the new Cat 555D, they have a Cat 535B grapple skidder, a Cat 545C grapple skidder, a Cat 535C grapple skidder, a Cat D6R dozer, a Cat 324D FM loader with a Weldco-Beales power clam grapple, a Cat 320C FM loader with IMAC grapple, a Cat TK741 feller buncher, two Cat 541 bunchers, two Cat 320D processors, a Cat 320D FM processor, and a Cat 320C excavator for roadbuilding work. They also have two Cat graders, a 14M and a 160M.

to page 16

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loggingequipment from page 14 The expansion included bringing some John Deere equipment into the fold. Their Deere equipment now includes two 2054 processors, a 2154 processor and a Deere 2454 log loader.

“It was a good opportunity to bring on some more volume,” says Reid, of purchasing the Cook contracting operations. With the additional wood, they will do around 250,000 cubic metres this year, and possibly upwards of 300,000 cubic metres in 2015.

All of their processors are equipped with Waratah 622 heads, which continue to be proven performers. Their mechanic, Clint Gibson, knows the Waratah heads well, and the Finning mechanics are also right up to speed on the heads.

Lind Logging has a service shop in Princeton, but much of the required work is done in the field, with heavy duty mechanic Clint Gibson and the service truck.

With purchasing the Dennis Cook operation, there is no shortage of work for Lind Logging. In addition to the harvesting they did for the Weyerhaeuser Princeton sawmill on their tenured land, they also did some timber sales for Weyerhaeuser last year, too.

As compared to 20 years ago, in his Dad’s day, they have to

be a lot more flexible with their logging operations now, says Reid. Back then, the logging areas were more fixed, and loggers pretty much knew where they would be working from one year to the next. But things can change quickly now, and they need to respond—and do so readily. “That’s just the way it is these days—we go with it, and accommodate any changes,” says Reid.

A change on the equipment side is that they recently signed up for Cat Product Link, the company’s telematics system. “A big reason why we’re doing it is it allows us to monitor fuel consumption, and we want to use that to help out with rates with the mill.” This also helps in determining rates based on actual production rates on the ground, vs. expected production rates on paper.

As any logger knows, what’s down on paper on a logging plan can differ from actual production due to real time ground conditions, and unexpected issues, such as weather.

Reid, who at 35 is part of the younger generation of loggers in the industry, says they are fortunate in that they have both some longer term, very experienced equipment operators and young guys who have caught on to equipment operation very quickly.

A few of the guys have tried working in the oil patch, and in mining, but they eventually decided they preferred logging.

They have about half-a-dozen equipment operators who are under 30, and a handful of guys who are over 50. “I’ve had quite a few people comment on how young our crew is—they are surprised at that.”

And Reid himself was pretty young when he took on management of the operation eight years ago, at the age of 27. Reid said he initially did a lot of listening. His Dad, Mac, was there as a resource—as he still is now—and he had a lot of experienced loggers working for them; some of them had worked for Reid’s grandfather. These guys had seen it all—and then some, and had lots of experience to share with Reid, and the younger operators.

And it is truly a family affair at Lind Logging. In addition to Reid and Mac, Mac’s wife, Lani, and Reid’s sister, Courtney Garton, take care of the books and office matters. An uncle of Reid’s drives logging truck, as does a cousin. A cousin of Mac’s runs the grader. All in, they have about 22 employees.

Reid said their long term relationship with Cat and Cat distributor, Finning, has been a good one—and that through being involved with initiatives such as the D series development, they feel they are directly engaged in equipment design. It reinforces that Cat is always looking at ways of improving their equipment—so contactors such as Lind Logging can improve their logging operations and be more efficient.

They get a high level of service from the nearest Finning branch in Kamloops, and their sales and customer service rep, Trevor Dueck. “They’ve always looked after us on the parts and service side.”

And having mostly Cat machines works out well on the service side, says Reid. “We have five Cat 320 machines, and it’s the same filters, the same everything, and it makes servicing that much simpler. And with the Cat 320 processors, they seem to run forever without any trouble.”

When it comes to their logging operations in B.C.'s rugged Southern Interior, what Reid and Mac Lind are looking for are power and size. "For us, big is the way to go," says Reid.

More Information? Action Card #109

16

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

INTRODUCING THE NEW CAT® 555D WHEEL SKIDDER

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Newfoundlandsawmilling

On their way to hitting production goals

Newfoundland’s Burton’s Cove Logging and Lumber has an ambitious goal: to reach annual production of 20 million board feet. With recent mill upgrades—and a team effort—they are well on their way.

By George Fullerton urton’s Cove Logging and Lumber has a clear goal: to grow the annual production of their sawmill to 20 million board feet. They have the innovative team, an affinity for technology and are reaching out to serve new markets. It’s a very good bet they will soon be hitting their goal.

Fred Osmond is a third generation sawmiller (and former logger) who along with his wife, Zeta, owns and manages the mill located at Hampden, at the head of White Bay, on the east coast of Newfoundland. The sawmill directly employs 40 residents of the Village of Hampden.

Fred follows the family business initiated by his grandfather James, who operated a water-powered sawmill at the outport of Burton’s Cove on White Bay, a considerable distance from Hampden.

“In those days they would log through

the winter and saw in the summer, and in the autumn a schooner would come into the cove, load the lumber and sail off with it,” he explained.

James’ sons—including Fred’s father Hubert—continued the sawmilling tradition but moved operations out of the outport, as land transportation developed. Fred shared the passion for the woods and sawmilling, and following high school and technical college, ran a chainsaw/skidder harvesting operation and a seasonal sawmill. He eventually expanded to a couple of harvesters.

Similar to other logger/sawmillers in the White Bay region, Fred sawed primarily square stock with a mobile turndown carriage. The low-tech mill operated mostly through the summer, and moved often, following harvesting operations.

Fred’s operation borrowed the family heritage, taking the name Burton’s Cove Logging and Lumber Ltd. Pulpwood from

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

B

the logging and sawmilling operations was delivered to the pulp mill at Corner Brook. Square timber was sold to milling operations like Jamestown Lumber, who would saw lumber products from the square stock, kiln dry it, and dress and market various lumber products.

Fred’s brother Corey (the current sawmill manager), joined the operation and he noted the talent that their father, Hubert, and Hubert’s brother Solomon lent to Burton’s Cove Logging and Lumber.

“When we moved the mill often, our father and Solomon would be around and they would take care of getting the carriage set up and level, and then they would work on it until it was sawing right,” says Corey. “They had an amazing amount of knowledge and they knew what it took to get it sawing right.”

Even at 103 years of age, Hubert continued to exercise his love for sawmilling,

Newfoundlandsawmilling making visits to Fred’s new mill. “Yes, Hubert loved to come see the mill, and he would have a look around, then come into the office and we would all have a cup of tea,” explained Zeta.

While the small mobile sawmills generated lumber stock, and created significant employment, the forest industry raised the concern about fibre loss through slabs and trim from the small sawmills, and lobbied and promoted the concept of integrated sawmills which would debark and produce pulp chips from milling residues.

In the 1990s specifically, the small milling operations came under pressure from government and industry to modernize their operations into efficient integrated mills which would debark logs and produce chips to supply the pulp mill on a year round basis.

The logger/sawmillers recognized that their industry was changing and they saw the future was one integrated mill in the region, or, maybe no sawmills at all. Fred Osmond took on the challenge to build and operate an integrated mill, and other logger/sawmillers agreed to halt sawing and, for the most part, focused on logging and supplying logs to Burton’s Cove and pulpwood to Corner Brook.

Hampden, the Osmond’s’ home base, was the logical place to establish the integrated sawmill since it is located in the centre of the regional wood resource, has good road access and is an hour-and-ahalf from the Corner Brook pulp mill.

Fred began construction in 1997, and the mill started up in 1998. The new mill set-up included a 24 inch debarker, a Forano twin saw, a PHL bull, a PHL style resaw, trim saw and an enclosed manual green chain. While the mill was a major step up from the old turndown carriage, the Osmonds realized there was opportunity for greater efficiencies and higher production.

In 2012/13 the mill got a major upgrade with the addition of a HewSaw R200 A.1 MSA (Moveable Saw Assembly) with a mechanical prefeeder, a Prologicbased scanning and sort system and a 170,000 board foot Sechoir MEC hot air kiln matched to an Ideal Combustion biomass burner.

Bryant Hollins from 100 Mile House, B.C., was contracted to undertake the construction and installation of the HewSaw, and the scan and sort system, while HewSaw technicians from the company’s Abbotsford, B.C. office were also on site for the start-up and commissioning of the HewSaw infeed and machine.

Fred settled on HewSaw technology after visiting and assessing a good number of

highly efficient sawmilling operations outside the province, and determining it would be the most efficient system to process the log resource in the White Bay region.

Fred understood that one step to achieving high potential from the HewSaw would be to sort logs by diameter and length, program the sawing profile in the HewSaw and saw batches of sorted logs.

Rather than scan and batch logs in bins inside the mill as they emerged from the debarker, Fred’s strategy was to scan and sort logs as they came off trucks, stage the batches of logs in the mill yard, then feed the batched logs into the mill.

Fred’s logic convinced him that if he was making the investment in 3-D scanning logs as they come off the truck, why not use that scanned data to calculate the log scale and make required payments to truckers, producers and Crown, based on that highly precise and expensive 3-D scanning.

While the theory may sound logical and practical, it does not necessarily sound like, or fit easily with, the log scaling regulations of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“When you are sawing ten million board feet of lumber, you are handling a lot of logs. With the provincial scale system, we had to spread all those long logs down, then stick scale top end - inside bark diameter of every single log. That takes a lot of manpower, and our scalers were out in every kind of weather.

“When you handle logs that way, in wet weather, there is always mud and

dirt. On occasion, we had been forced to shut down the mill, simply because the logs were getting so dirty, we could not keep the saws sharp. To keep the mill productive, we had to find a better way to scale logs, and getting the scale from the 3-D scan looked like the best bet to us,” explained Fred.

Ultimately, Fred took the proposal to use the 3-D scan data for scale volume to the Department of Natural Resources and they agreed to work with Burton’s Cove to develop and test a system, and protocol, for deriving log scale volume from 3-D data.

Terrance Fudge is Burton’s Cove chief scaler. In addition to scaling, he also oversees the log scanning/sort system and yard inventory. Terrance was the central talent who worked hand-in-hand with DNR officials to build, test and fine-tune the ‘3-D scaling’ application.

The Prologic system scan measures volume (and other attributes) outside the bark of the log, while log scaling measures inside the bark. Terrance manually stick scales samples of purchased logs and develops a co-efficient between the Prologic 3-D outside the bark volume and the inside the bark - conventional stick scale measurement. The co-efficient is used to calculate the log scale from Prologic data.

The co-efficient calculation for individual species is not a simple one-off

to page 20

Fred Osmond (above) is a third generation sawmiller (and former logger) who along with his wife, Zeta, owns and manages the Burton's Cove Logging and Lumber mill located at Hampden, at the head of White Bay, on the east coast of Newfoundland.

Fred is following the family business initiated by his grandfather James, who operated a water-powered sawmill at the outport of Burton’s Cove.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

19

Newfoundlandsawmilling from page 19 measurement that is used continually through the year. Terrance explained the coefficient changes from dormancy to growth season. He adds that even the same tree species from different regions of the wood supply area will produce subtle differences in co-efficient calculation. As a result, samples from loads are stick scaled often, to calculate the co-efficient figure.

To ensure the Prologic 3-D scanning remains consistent, a steel template consisting of a large rectangle to represent large logs, and a small rectangle representing small logs, is scanned at the start of each workday.

Terrance maintains detailed calibration and other data records, for DNR’s oversight. While the system seems to be working well for long logs, DNR continues to require Burton’s Cove to stick scale loads of eight foot logs (trucked piled across trailers).

Burton’s Cove recognizes they get less recovery on eight foot logs because stick scaling does not account for sweep and crook which the Prologic scan picks up.

On the drying side, when they decided to buy a kiln, it came down to looking hard at three options, and in the end they decided a MEC hot air application would be the best fit for the operation, explained Fred.

Ideal Combustion supplied the two stage burner (using planner shavings).

Kiln operator Hardy Fudge explained the burner is highly efficient and combusts the gases produced from the initial shaving burn. The system expels very little

20

Chief scaler Terrance Fudge (above) looks over scan scale records. Lumber orders are communicated to Terrance, who ensures the right logs are feeding into the new HewSaw (below, left). particulate from the chimney and very little ash.

Hot air is circulated into the kiln (170,000 bf capacity), and then circulates back through a heat recovery system, brought back up to working temperature and circulated again into the kiln.

Hardy, who gained his kiln operating credentials in mills in Alberta, likes the hot air drying technology. “It is a very fast system, twice as fast as a conventional steam system. We don’t use weights and we have very little loss as a result of twisting.”

Hardy, along with Robert Osmond (Corey’s son), operates the kiln and have pagers that alert them if there is an issue with the kiln.

“If we are home when the pager goes off, one of us goes on our home computer and checks out the system, and usually we can fix it right then. Anything we do on the kiln computer, we can do from our home computers. It is a very nice system,” said Hardy.

Bob Dingwall, who formerly owned a sawmill at Jamestown, Newfoundland, hired on with Burton’s Cove to handle lumber sales. Bob gets daily reports on log inventory and lumber production, and in turn, communicates lumber orders to the mill, more specifically to Terrance Fudge, who ensures the right logs are feeding into the HewSaw, and the right kind of lumber is coming out the other end to meet the lumber orders.

If necessary, Terrance will tweak the log sort to the saw, to see that the right mix of lumber is produced to make the orders.

“You can’t simply operate by throwing Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

logs at the mill,” Bob says. “You have to have a strategy to have a successful operation, and everyone in the team needs to know the plan, so everyone is working toward the goal.”

Bob went on to say that while Burton’s Cove is a very modern and efficient mill, they understand there is no sense to saw lumber that does not have a market. He pointed out that the data accumulated on the log sort and the efficiency of the HewSaw—combined with communications on sales—makes the entire operation highly productive.

While the ultimate scenario is to have the mill produce exactly what the order book dictates, such is never the case.

There is always lumber in the inventory that sells slowly. In an effort to expand their marketing opportunities, Burton’s Cove secured CFIA certification for their kiln, so they are able to sell into U.S. market.

“Newfoundland has a small population, and is a relatively small market,” explained Bob. “We need other markets to take pressure off our inventory. We already sell some loads into New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and the U.S. market is vast—and with certification, we have an additional market.”

While mill production has climbed to over 12 million board feet, Fred and Zeta are still looking towards 20 million. Toward that 20 million goal, a new DK debarker will be added in 2014, in addition to an edger tool for the HewSaw. Fred adds that there are also plans to modernize the green chain and add a new office building.

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Action Card #111

BClogging

Dynamic Duo A Link-Belt carrier/Southstar head combo times two is working out nicely processing wood in B.C.’s Cariboo country, delivering good production numbers—and fuel efficiency.

By Jim Stirling ike a pair of giant praying mantis, the two log processors worked rhythmically at their respective wood decks, one on the hill’s upside, the other on the cusp of the valley’s sweep.

L

The Link-Belt 240X2 working above the road was fitted with a Southstar QS500 processing head. A larger version of the combination, a Southstar QS600 head on a Link-Belt 290X2, was working across the way and having no problems pulling the stems uphill to be processed.

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

Craig Chapman closely watched the two machines at work. He’s the principal in Moffat Falls Contracting, a specialist log processing company based near Williams Lake in British Columbia’s Cariboo country. He owns the Link-Belt 240X2 with the Southstar 500 head along with the same

BClogging Craig Chapman (below) heads up Moffat Falls Contracting, a specialist log processing company based near Williams Lake in British Columbia’s Cariboo country.

He owns the Link-Belt 240X2 with the Southstar 500 head (at left). “It’s been a solid performer,” says Chapman.

model of Link-Belt carrier fitted with a Waratah 622B processing head.

Chapman was also managing the operation of the QS600/290X2 at the site off the Nazko Road west of Quesnel, B.C., on an approximately 35,000 cubic metre licence held by Tolko Industries Ltd. Chapman reported the Southstar 500 head had clocked about 600 hours of productive operation without any significant hiccups. “So far, so good. It’s been a solid performer.” He added the LinkBelt in tandem with the Southstar head

“produces really good hydraulics and has awesome power.”

That is generated by the Link-Belt’s 177 hp Isuzu engine which, said Chapman, is proving itself to deliver very favourable fuel efficiency.

“The balance of the head is excellent and it stays level. The operators really like them,” continued Chapman.

Part of that is attributable to the LinkBelt’s heavy duty undercarriage which by placing a larger amount of the 27.5 inch track shoes on the ground delivers more Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

stability and therefore operator comfort.

Today’s sophisticated log harvesters and processors have the ability to multi stem when operating in homogenous sized wood. The Southstar QS500 is no exception. It’s been designed with a sturdy frame and four-wide drive rollers to increase the surface area when multi stemming. Southstar says its system offers more traction and less fibre damage as a result.

“I believe the multi stemming ability is definitely an asset,” said Chapman.”If you could get into a uniform size stand, well, that would be the ultimate.” As it was, in the stand west of Quesnel, operators were able to run two compatible stems at a time approximately 20 per cent of the time, reckoned Chapman.

Single stemming trees to 23 inchesplus in butt diameter was no problem for either of the Link-Belt/Southstar processing combinations. One of the potential concerns around multi stem processing— typically two, occasionally three suitable

to page 24 23

BClogging from page 23 stems—is the impact on processed log lengths and quality. Licencees have strict parameters for both with which logging contractors are obliged to comply.

“Our lengths have been excellent, about 98 per cent,” reported Chapman “Quality really depends on the stands themselves.” He added: “It’s important to have a good crew but these Southstar heads have done real well so far.”

Apparently, getting used to the control feel for the Southstar has not been an issue. “If an operator is a video game player, he catches on right away.”

Although Chapman’s machines have enjoyed a smooth baptism, support for both processing head and carrier has been available in spades. “Inland (Kenworth Parker Pacific, the Link-Belt dealership in Williams Lake and around the province) has given us very good service all along,” vouched Chapman. “And the Southstar guys have been on top of any issues we’ve had and dealt with them.”

The Southstar line of harvesting and processing heads are relative newcomers to the B.C. scene. The heads are engineered in New Zealand and assembled in Kamloops, B.C. Southstar says its equipment is durable and “built to last.” Chapman would concur that routine maintenance is a breeze on the heads. “The access for maintenance is excellent and well designed in modules. Little things like that help.”

Chapman started concentrating on wood processing operations around 2003.

“Prior to that, I did a little bit of everything.” That included diverse skills from working on salvage programs for mills to yarding.

It was while working on an early beetle salvage program for Lignum near Moffat Falls in the Horsefly area of B.C. that he borrowed the location for his company name. Chapman acquired the Link-Belt 240 with the Waratah 622B head about three-and–a-half years ago and the combination continues to do the job well for him.

Chapman said he agonized about making the critical decision to go from a single owner/operator to owning a second machine and the expense implications arising from it. One of the persuading factors was something that didn’t happen. Chapman had worked in a remote area up around Williston Lake, north of Mackenzie. If your one and only machine goes seriously down in that type of area, you can be hooped for days.

“If you have another machine, you can still work, have some revenue coming in,” he reasoned. Cash flow is oxygen for any small business. That, and performance.

The relevance there harkens back to the ability of the Southstar/Link-Belt machine combination to produce quality measured stems. “It means you can produce those quality reports to any new potential employers,” explained Chapman. And that can only help down the line to open opportunity’s door and keep the machines working productively.

Link-Belt/Southstar combo gets another thumbs-up

T

More Information? Action Card #112

24

he Link-Belt carrier/Southstar processor team receives a thumbs-up for performance from another specialist contractor working in the B.C. Interior.

Shane Bremner was double shifting the two pieces of equipment near Clearwater in the southern interior. Bremner was working on a 250,000 cubic metre licence awarded Clusko Logging Enterprises Ltd., with the fibre destined for processing at Canfor’s recently upgraded sawmill/planer complex at Vavenby, B.C. Operating conditions in the region vary in some key ways compared to the predominantly bug killed pine stands dominating the Cariboo, said the 13-year veteran of the logging business. “We have pine, spruce, fir, cedar and balsam so there’s lots of sorts required,” he noted. “And there’s bigger, greener wood to deal with.”

Added to that are terrain changes.”The ground is more hilly and broken.” But so far it doesn’t seem to be slowing down the Link-Belt/Southstar processor.

Bremner, like fellow contractor Craig Chapman, noted the Link-Belt’s miserly fuel consumption, a big factor when prorated across a year’s operating time. “And the machine’s cab is roomy and offers good visibility.”

The Southstar head’s multi stem capability is employed “whenever it makes sense” and Bremner is impressed with the head’s rugged construction.”It’s structurally good. Really well built.”

The all-important back-up service performance for carrier and head has been very good as well, added Bremner. “If the Southstar guy’s in the area, he drops by anyway just to make sure the machine’s working well.”

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

More Information? Action Card #113

woodchipping

Converting low value …

to High Value A Peterson 5900 disc chipper—the first 5900 machine in B.C.— is proving to be a consistent and reliable converter of low value pine beetle-ravaged timber into high value wood chips in the B.C. Interior.

By Jim Stirling

O

Ian Gibson (above, right), northern sales manager with Peterson dealer, Woodland Equipment, and Mark Boisvert, product specialist with Woodland Equipment, with the Peterson 5900 disc chipper, which is now producing chips for the Paper Excellence pulp mill in Mackenzie, B.C. 26

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

ut at the Windy Point Reload, the Peterson 5900 disc chipper was delivering what it promises.

The machine was processing low grade predominantly lodgepole pine beetleravaged timber and converting it to high value chips. The chips were destined for Paper Excellence’s pulp mill at nearby Mackenzie, in north central British Columbia.

Paper Excellence’s acquisition of the machine represents the first deployment of a Peterson 5900 chipper in B.C. The machine was proving itself a good fit.

One advantage the 5900 brings to its to page 28

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woodchipping

The Peterson 5900 processes low grade predominantly lodgepole pine beetle-ravaged timber and converts it to high value chips for the Paper Excellence pulp mill at nearby Mackenzie, in north central British Columbia. The chipper is remotely operated through a 12 channel radio. from page 26 task is versatility. “It has a large feed throat and is capable of accepting a tree up to 24 inches in diameter, as well as multiple smaller diameter stems,” explained Mark Boisvert, the Peterson product specialist

with equipment dealer Woodland Equipment Inc., based in Vernon, B.C. The feed system for the woody material uses upper and lower direct feed rolls which can operate at speeds up to 47 metres/minute.

Within its approximately 30 foot

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length, the 5900 machine converts a broad diet of raw material into wood chips of specified lengths. The machine’s standard three pocket disc produces chips from 3/4 inch to 1.25 inches in length.

The optional four pocket disc can deliver chips from one half-inch length to one inch.

Key to the process is Peterson’s heavy duty chipper disc (66 inches in diameter and nearly five inches thick) to help mesh high production with consistent chip quality.

The word ‘consistent’ crops up a lot in discussions about chipping machines.

Chips for use in pulp mills must be the required size, thickness and consistency, said Boisvert. When that quality of chip is achieved on a consistent basis, it leads to a more even baking of the process chemicals in the pulping system, he continued.

“The four knife disc option in the chipper means it can operate faster but you don’t want to alter the consistency of the chip,” he continued.

The challenge lies in balancing speed without compromising chip quality.

Limiting bark content to meet the mills’ tightly prescribed parameters is a further challenge for the pulp making process. Boisvert noted wood types vary but the drier wood consistent with bug killed timber usually makes bark easier to remove.

The Peterson 5900 is powered by a fuel efficient six cylinder Cat C18 engine.

Further fuel economies can be achieved

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to page 30

“I’ve been running the SATCO head really hard, even processing much larger diameter wood than the rated 22”. It’s definitely built strong and built to last just like the 320D FM it’s mounted on. The machine has great power and is super stable even on rolling steep slopes.”

You need equipment that will hit the ground running. And stay running. The Cat® 320D FM with SATCO 322T processor head is fully supported by Caterpillar with Cat parts. The beefy threeroller head has the reliability and durability to match the Cat 320D FM. Hoses from the carrier to the head are routed through the linkage protecting them from damage. The main valve is rated at 6100 PSI and easily handles carrier pressures, reducing wear on the hydraulics and seals. The drive motors are equipped with a heavy-duty bearing hub that absorbs the loading from the weight of the tree, so the motors last longer. Complete, durable harvesting systems — that’s what we’re built to deliver.

Look to your Cat dealer for financing and all the machines, attachments and parts you need for road construction, logging, millyard and forest management. Total support from one source.

Gary Anderson

www.cat.com/forestry

© 2014 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, BUILT FOR IT, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” the “Power Edge” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission. www.cat.com www.caterpillar.com

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Gary Anderson, operator Hansen Logging LLC Chewelah, WA

woodchipping

One advantage the 5900 brings to its task is versatility. It has a large feed throat and is capable of accepting a tree up to 24 inches in diameter, as well as multiple smaller diameter stems. The feed system for the woody material uses upper and lower direct feed rolls which can operate at speeds up to 47 metres/minute. from page 28 through the Peterson’s cooling system which adjusts the pitch of a Flexxaire fan to match engine cooling requirements.

Cooling air is directed over the engine to reduce dust build up.

The chipper also has an IQAN adaptive control system. Boisvert called it “the brain” of the machine as it helps regulate the hydraulic and engine functions on the 5900 and contributes to a troubleshooting, self-diagnostic function.

He said the machine has been designed for easy servicing with spaced access platforms for routine maintenance functions.

Choosing the right time to sharpen the 5900’s knives is a further factor influencing chip quality and consistency, continued Boisvert. “The key is not to waste fibre.” He estimated the knife change process takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

The 5900 is remotely operated through a 12 channel radio, he added, and is

a mobile unit weighing around 46,600 pounds.

Mac Anderson is general manager of Mackenzie Fibre, a corporation owned by Paper Excellence Canada and a private group of local investors.

Mackenzie Fibre’s raison d’etre is to provide Paper Excellence’s Mackenzie pulp mill with access to the region’s fibre resources, explained Anderson. “We manage a forest licence, awarded to the McLeod Lake Indian Band, but we have no sawmill. We use sawlog sales to leverage fibre sales for the pulp mill.”

To help it achieve that, Mackenzie Fibre operates three regional sort yards, including the Windy Point Reload where the Peterson 5900 was working.

“Fibre for the 5900 right now is about 85 per cent softwood and 15 per cent aspen,” explained Anderson, “with about 80 per cent of that coming from the licence we manage.”

Salvaging the pine killed by the beetle is a licence priority and as a result there’s a 70 per cent diet of dead wood for the

30

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

Peterson 5900. Anderson said bark content permitted for the Mackenzie pulp mill is typically under 0.5 per cent while the chip sizes required correspond with the mill’s seven and 16 millimetre screen sizes. Material like oversize and fines are screened out.

Ideally a target production for the chipper is 36 oven dried tonnes an hour “We’re a long ways off that,” said Anderson. That speaks to the debarking systems set up ahead of the Peterson 5900 chipper. Anderson said the latest addition, a rotary debarking system, has experienced start-up issues which have resulted in the Peterson having mainly inconsistent, stop-start periods of log supply with which to work.

“It’s been lots of work and slow progress.” But when it’s had the opportunity, the 5900 has shown it can keep up, noted Anderson. “It has lived up to our expectations so far.”

Contact: Olofsfors Inc. Tel: (519) 754-2190 Fax: (519) 757-1100 Email: info@olofsfors.com More Information? Action Card #117

ECO-Tracks™ is a trademark of Olofsfors AB

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October 2014

The Edge CWFC mixedwood group tour focuses on growth and yield curve development

By Tony Kryzanowski

A

field tour and knowledge transfer event featuring management of mixedwood stands in the Candle Lake, Saskatchewan area was recently hosted by the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre (CWFC) for members of the Western Boreal Growth and Yield Association (WESBOGY).

CWFC is a member of WESBOGY, which is a regional co-operative of industrial, federal and provincial agencies interested in evaluating the dynamics of stand development and the yield implications of silviculture practices. The group manages a long-term study on the development and dynamics of young aspen-spruce mixedwood stands in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories with a focus on the development and dissemination of growth and yield modeling technology, and information for both natural and regenerated stands in the boreal region.

The technology transfer tour was held to demonstrate the impact different mixedwood management regimes may have on the future forest.

Attendees visited sites that were commercially harvested at different times, ranging from 1953 to recent operations, completed in 2013. The sites all originated from mixedwood stands with similar characteristics, predominantly trembling aspen stands with a component of white spruce growing in the understory, but different harvesting and regeneration treatments have resulted in different forests today.

“The purpose of the tour wasn’t to say that one management objective was better than another, because it really comes down to what the management objective of the stakeholder may be—whether it is

a focus to regenerate coniferous, deciduous or mixedwood forests for the future,” says Tim Keddy, CWFC Wood Fibre Development Specialist.

The location, north of Prince Albert, has a long history of Saskatchewan forest operations and has a diverse range of mixedwood management treatments and consequential forest stands in the same geographic area. It provided an excellent opportunity to link focused and applied research with operational Boreal Plains mixedwood management.

“The tour highlighted studies established 20 to 60 years ago and provided a great opportunity to view and discuss long-term impacts of management practices on stand composition, yield and wood properties,” says Phil Comeau, WESBOGY Chairman and Professor of Silviculture and Stand Dynamics at the University of Alberta’s Department of Renewable Resources.

He was among the 25 people who participated in the tour, hosted by Tim Keddy and Phil Loseth from the Forest Development Branch of the Government of Saskatchewan, following WESBOGY’s 2014 annual meeting. Other attendees included foresters from three member companies, growth and yield specialists from the province of Alberta and Saskatchewan as well as from Natural Resources Canada, local Saskatchewan Environment staff, four post-graduate students from the University of Alberta, and two university staff members.

The CWFC sees tours of this nature as a key method of transferring technology and knowledge obtained through focused and applied research to forest stakeholders. Ongoing research being conducted

by CWFC staff is answering questions concerning the impacts past and present management treatments have on future

fibre characteristics and wood quality. One such research project is the Boreal Plains Mixedwood Fibre Initiative which has researchers evaluating the impacts various mixedwood management treatments have on white spruce and trembling aspen fibre quality. The study includes a wide range of sites located in the three Prairie Provinces, one of which was showcased on the final stop of the Candle Lake tour.

“The 1953 site is a fire-origin mixedwood stand where all the aspen had been removed in 1953 to release the understory white spruce,” says Keddy.

“The purpose of our research trial was to evaluate how that treatment impacted on the fibre characteristics by opening up the stand and releasing the spruce.”

The stand has now grown to contain trees 35 to 40 centimetres in diameter and through non-destructive sampling, the CWFC have been able to evaluate the treatment impacts on growth and fibre quality. Keddy says what’s interesting is that the data shows that this treatment did result in an increase of stem volume but had very little impact on fibre characteristics when compared to trees that were not released. But he also adds that there perhaps could be a few issues with knot size depending on the intended end use of the wood fibre.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

33

For more information about the Saskatchewan tour, contact Tim Keddy at (780) 435-7212 or tim.keddy@ NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca, CWFC Regional Coordinator and Program Manager, Derek Sidders at (780) 435-7355 or derek.sidders @NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca, or Phil Comeau, WESBOGY Chairman at (780) 492-1879 or phil.comeau@ ualberta.ca.

The Edge

Partial cutting in softwood forests: where do we stand?

P

artial cutting includes different types of intervention in the forest; whether regular or irregular shelterwood, commercial thinning or selection cut, all are based on the partial removal of forest cover.

A cutting method involving maintaining standing trees is used, among other reasons, to support the annual allowable cut (AAC) level, but also for wildlife management or to protect sensitive landscapes.

Partial cutting can also play important roles in the harmonization of social, environmental and economic values ​​ in a given area.

While there is increasing interest in this type of cutting, the questions of efficiency, productivity and profitability of these kinds of operations remain. But FPInnovations and partners have been doing research and development in this area for decades, and it’s now possible to take stock.

The facts

FPInnovations researchers from the Harvesting Operations research program and from the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre have dedicated most of the last two decades to research projects related to partial cutting treatments and operations.

The overarching goal has been to study the forest’s biological response to partial cutting (growth of residual trees, regeneration establishment, etc.) to develop work practices and harvesting methods, and to facilitate their implementation.

Many questions have been answered and innovative approaches have been developed, such as the 1-2-3 method to implement shelterwood systems and the selection systems for uneven aged management of softwood forest, or the multi-treatment approach for heterogonous forests.

In the case of commercial thinning, 34

studies focused mainly on thinning from below under various conditions, and a wide variety of tools and processes. Results were used to develop productivity functions for the most efficient harvesting systems, and to identify the best conditions for operation viability. They also established the limits of this treatment,

and development of alternative methods of thinning that may be advantageous for supporting fibre production.

In regard to shelterwood cutting, studies have shown that the costs of intervention could be moderated by using regular harvesting equipment for shortwood or full-tree. This treatment has shown to be economically advantageous when establishing natural regeneration. The 1-2-3 method, now widely used, has demonstrated the advantage of maintaining good equipment productivity. A guide to implementing the 1-2-3 method for operators and supervisors was also produced from the results of these studies. This method has also been proven efficient for selection cut of softwood stands.

Recent studies show that the 1-2-3 can be used in tolerant hardwood forests and more development is expected for mixed wood treatments.

Questions remain

FPInnovations recently met with a group of industry partners involved in the management of partial cutting operations, Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

mainly in softwood forests. These industry members and governmental partners were asked to contribute to the development of the research program by raising the most urgent questions for researchers on unresolved or new issues.

A short list of questions was developed in terms of forest biological response: • Does regeneration really settle as desired after partial cutting treatment?

• Is it necessary to scarify under cover to promote seed germination?

• How do we avoid invasion by hardwood species?

• How do we target stands that respond positively to partial treatment?

• How do the old forest attributes evolve in treated stands?

• How resilient are the stands?

Here are questions raised related to forest operations: • What are the costs and conditions of site preparation under cover?

• What are the economically successful conditions needed to do this type of treatment?

• How much is this type of treatment feasible and profitable under various conditions?

• How do we improve the control method?

• What are the costs of supervision and how can we improve it?

• Do we need to adapt the machinery fleet and how?

• How much does the road network maintenance cost for a ROI in 10-15 years?

• What is the potential value of products from partial cutting?

And what about you? Do you feel you know enough about partial cutting? What information do you need to evaluate if this treatment type is suited for your business?

For more information on partial cutting treatments, please contact Philippe Meek at 514-782-4542 or philippe.meek@fpinnovations.ca.

The Edge

Fueling the forest industry's trucks with LNG

L

iquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks are nothing new, but recent technological improvements and cost increases for conventional fuels are justifying the renewed interest in these vehicles.

In addition to offering potential cost savings, natural gas-powered trucks can emit 25 per cent less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to diesel. Recent developments in the natural gas extraction process have increased North American reserves and current low prices are expected to continue into the near future.

What about security?

In case of leakage, LNG is not readily flammable. It must first pass into a gaseous state, be mixed with air in a proportion of five to 15 per cent and be exposed to an ignition source. Also, auto-ignition happens at temperatures of 537°C, similar to propane, and at higher temperatures than petrol and diesel (250°C). Furthermore, LNG will not explode in an open space. This risk exists only in a closed environment.

LNG can therefore be considered as safe as any other motor fuel currently used. In addition, spills will not pollute groundwater nor create a lasting toxic effect.

Apart from the engine and the fuel system, with its dual wall cryogenic tanks, each LNG truck must be equipped with a methane leak detection system. Sensors are placed under the hood, in the driver’s cab as well as the sleeper, with a dashboard display relaying essential information regarding the status of the fuel system.

Moreover, when tank pressure exceeds operational safety limits, the excess gas pressure is discharged through vent stacks protruding above the truck’s roof.

Because of the possibility of leakage, the LNG truck’s gas detection and fuel systems are checked at each maintenance interval.

LNG trucks cost about $ 0.01 more per kilometre in maintenance. Maintenance facilities must be equipped with methane detection systems, explosion-proof switches, fans and other automated ventilation

system components that can be quite expensive to install. Therefore, most scheduled maintenance is performed at the truck dealer’s shop, with private retrofitted facilities being the rare exception.

Technology and use

A recent example of Canadian technology developed for LNG trucks comes from Westport Innovations, a Canadian company that supplies natural gas engine technologies for heavy highway tractors.

They use a high-pressure direct injection technology (Figure 1) that can replace 95 per cent of the diesel consumed in their 15L compression ignition engines. Diesel fuel is still required and serves a pilot ignition role during initiation of the compression cycle.

The truck is still capable of running on diesel exclusively, albeit at lower power and for a short twenty minute duration trip.

The HPDI engine outputs 475 HP and 1750 lb-ft torque and is suitable for Class 8 trucks operating in corridors with established refueling. This Canadian technology can be integrated into Kenworth, Peterbilt, and Freightliner truck chassis at truck assembly facilities and as such is regarded as an OEM offering.

Unfortunately, the lower energy density of natural gas fuels could lead to range concerns. While current LNG tank capacity as offered by the OEMs cannot match that of diesel, decent range can be had and should be able to meet most transport needs. It is estimated that the range for a truck with a GVW of 67 tons equipped with two 454 liter tanks is 735 km based upon a consumption rate of 65 litres per 100 km.

Drivers report excellent power with natural gas engines and a driving experience identical to that of conventional diesel trucks. Refueling can be carried out by drivers after they’ve received training provided by the fuel station manufacLogging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

turer. As LNG fuelling stations operate at temperatures of -162°C, operators must wear personal protective equipment and be specifically trained to ensure safety.

Canada has a network of approximately 80 public refuelling stations for CNG, but only a handful of LNG stations; clearly more will be needed to grow LNG fleets.

What is LNG?

More commonly used in the residential sector for heating and cooking, natural gas or methane is considered a safe and clean fuel. It liquefies when cooled at -162oC, thus creating LNG. LNG takes up about 1/600th the volume of natural gas in the gaseous state. It is odorless, colorless, non-toxic and non-corrosive.

Although diesel has 1.6 times higher energy density than LNG (36 MJ/L vs.

22.4 MJ/L for LNG), LNG still represents significant savings considering a current pump price for diesel of $1.35/ litre. Currently, LNG can be purchased for half the price of diesel on an energy equivalent basis.

FPInnovations’ Transport and Energy research group can provide interested members with a spreadsheet tool to help evaluate the potential costs and savings associated with LNG trucks.

Each situation is different and the most relevant information must be considered to properly evaluate the needs of each fleet. For more information, please contact Cameron Rittich: 604-222-5740 or cameron.rittich@ fpinnovations.ca 35

The Edge

FPInnovations' new executive vicepresident says the timing is right to capture more value from innovation

By Tony Kryzanowski

D

r. Trevor Stuthridge has joined FPInnovations as its new Executive VicePresident, and is pleased that he will be part of the senior management team that will guide Canada’s forest sector research and development organization along its strategic path at this particular time.

“I think it is a really interesting time to capture real value from innovation,” he says, now that the industry has moved past the collapse of the U.S. housing market and adapted well to the challenges posed by the mountain pine beetle infestation.

Stuthridge says there appears to be a strong desire among policy makers, industry and the research community to ensure that the forest sector remains healthy through programs like Investments in Forest Industry Transformation from Natural Resources Canada, the Wood First Initiative— tall buildings research, and investments in pilot scale projects for such biomaterials as lignin and cellulose nanocrystals.

“I think that Canada is the exemplar of how a bioeconomy can be built on a sustainable forestry resource,” he says. “I don’t see that convergence in many other parts of the world.”

Most recently, Stuthridge was a senior research leader and executive manager at Scion, a New Zealand Crown Research Institute, specializing in research, science, and technology development for the forestry, wood product and wood-derived materials and biomaterial sectors. Scion is engaged in similar research to FPInnovations, but is about half the size and is a government-owned research institute, whereas FPInnovations is a memberdriven, not-for-profit organization.

Stuthridge is well acquainted with Canadian forestry, having worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto since 2006 and he has over 20 years of experience collaborating on research with Canadian industry, universities, and research organizations like FPInnovations.

Headquartered in Vancouver, Stuthridge will lead the development and delivery of FPInnovations’ Strategic Plan, as well as oversee the four science and business development operational divisions, while managing the organization’s Preventative Health and Safety Strategy.

“I am extremely pleased that Trevor has decided to join our team at FPInnovations,” says Pierre Lapointe, President and CEO, FPInnovations. “As FPInnovations continues to evolve to better serve longtime partners while creating and seizing opportunities beyond traditional forest sector markets, Trevor’s experience in collaborative research management and innovative product development and licensing will be a significant asset to our organization.”

Stuthridge says taking the position at FPInnovations offers the opportunity to shape the future of the organization’s operational direction and reinforce its strategic value for a broad range of industry and sector stakeholders.

“Hopefully, what I bring to FPInnovations is broad interactions and knowledge of the industry across all parts of the value chain, combined with a lot of direct experience with colleges and universities,” he says. “So I can offer perspective as both an industry stakeholder and a research provider.”

He envisions four key roles for FPInnovations: a trusted broker for industry and its intellectual property, an objective evaluator of sector growth options, an efficient innovator through strong

36

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

Dr. Trevor Stuthridge

R & D partnerships, and a facilitative leader through strategic engagement. He believes that, going forward, the organization can play a greater role in longer term, future foresight of potential new fit-for-purpose opportunities for industry.

Stuthridge has led research that encourages value chain optimization and improved forest management practices within industry. He has also worked with New Zealand First Nations communities to maximize the economic development potential of their natural resources.

He also has considerable experience in organizational governance and taking technologies and products from the lab bench to the commercial development stage. He initiated, co-invented or oversaw eight technical/product opportunities in the Clean Technologies and Information Systems fields that went through pilot scale, full scale, and commercial development in the past five years.

“I am a strong believer in taking a systematic, evidence-based approach to how we do research to get the most effective outcomes for technology commercialization,” Stuthridge says. “I’m also a very strong believer is engaging early with your end users and their markets so that they can play a key role in shaping priorities and outcomes within research programs.”

Stuthridge recognizes some real opportunities within Canada’s forest sector for world-leading value chain convergence, such as creating novel biomaterials and integrating them into advanced building systems.

“One of our strengths at FPInnovations is our diversity,” he says. “So leveraging our strong focus on tall buildings and advanced wood products and combining them with some of our work around advanced biomaterials and bio-based chemicals offers a unique potential opportunity to get more wood-based materials into our everyday lives.”

To contact Dr. Trevor Stuthridge, please call (604) 222-5700 or trevor. stuthridge@fpinnovations.ca

The Edge

Al Bio support for NAIT program resulting in better well site, road reclamation

By Tony Kryzanowski

E

arly financial support from Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions (AI Bio) for the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s (NAIT) Boreal Reclamation Program has delivered a major environmental dividend to the province in how Alberta’s oil and gas companies reclaim their abandoned well sites and resource roads.

In 2009, Alberta’s guidelines became much stricter, requiring that abandoned sites be reclaimed to a fully forested state, using native plant species. The question for the oil and gas industry was how to meet this new reclamation standard economically. That’s where the NAIT program, operated today from its new $4.5-million Boreal Research Institute building and laboratory in Peace River, has played a vital role.

AI Bio helped this program become established by providing $1.8 million in support in 2009, allocated through the national Community Development Trust Fund.

“Reclamation and sustainable production within the boreal forest certainly falls within the purview of AI Bio,” says Steve Price, AI Bio Executive Director of Bioindustrial Innovation. The NAIT program’s work on propagating indigenous species for use in reclamation applications was also something new, and fit well within AI Bio’s mandate to grow and diversify Alberta’s bioindustries through research and innovation, Price adds.

“Advances in this area also create potential opportunities for forest companies to get into the business of reclamation,” he notes.

NAIT was able to leverage the AI Bio funds to gain support from other organizations such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to establish a fully developed research program that is helping oil and gas companies make good choices for their specific sites to meet the government’s new reclamation standards.

“The Boreal Reclamation Program has now grown three-fold from when it was

Spruce and fireweed trials in the NAIT Boreal Research Institute greenhouse. originally established in 2009,” says Hugh Seaton, Director of the Boreal Research Institute. There is no doubt that AI Bio’s initial support was critical to the program’s success and its ability to diversify beyond the forestry sector to become a leader in oil and gas land reclamation, Seaton says.

He notes the institute is now able to offer industry alternatives to dealing with unique challenges, such as site preparation where there is significant soil compaction, so that plants are able to grow and flourish. The institute can also offer various approaches to successfully establishing understorey and canopy layers so that reclaimed sites resemble the natural boreal forest, thereby enabling oil and gas companies to obtain reclamation certification from the province.

“An important milestone for us was moving from plot scale research to the full well-site level,” says Seaton. “So in terms of deliverables for oil and gas companies, our trials are really set up on full, operational scales and we are really tracking economic costs.”

The institute’s work has also helped to shape specific operational directives from the province to industry as the government implements its new reclamation standard.

Initially, the Boreal Reclamation Program was a collaboration between NAIT, Shell, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, AI Bio, Daishowa Peace River Pulp Division, the Woodland Cree First Nation, FPInnovations and the Woodland Operator Learning Foundation (WOLF).

Today, Seaton says, their reach has

extended much further, including more industry stakeholders, universities and other research institutes. The NAIT program is directed by 10 dedicated researchers and provides employment for 35 summer students. It has been segmented into various areas of inquiry: forest reclamation, peat land restoration, plant and seed technologies, and a technology transfer/education program.

Tech transfer occurs through Tech Notes, videos, field seminars and information posted on the institute’s website.

“What we’re hearing more and more from oil and gas companies is that they have looked at our Tech Notes and they have adopted specific approaches that we have recommended,” says Seaton. The institute is now developing support tools that can be used to make decisions related to the whole lifecycle of vegetation management on reclaimed sites.

The institute has focused primarily on northwestern Alberta, where at the time of the program launch there were an estimated 15,000 abandoned well sites.

Seaton says the institute is now expanding its research into the Lower Athabasca region south of Fort McMurray.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

37

For more information about the Boreal Reclamation Program, contact Hugh Seaton at (780) 618-2602 or HSeaton@NAIT.ca. To learn more about AI Bio and its support for this program, contact Steve Price at (780) 427-2567 or steve.price@albertainnovates.ca.

TECHUPDATE Millyard Equipment LeTourneau Technologies

Since the 1950s, LeTourneau Forestry Products has been meeting the material handling needs of the forest industry with new, rebuilt and used log stackers. In addition to equipment, the company provides parts and service for the existing fleet of log stackers in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. These machines offer advanced designs, high reliability and solid performance even in the most demanding conditions, says the company.

All LeTourneau Forestry Products machines are built from the ground up at the Troutdale, Oregon facility, where high levels of craftsmanship and quality assurance contribute to long equipment life.

LeTourneau is continuing its efforts to improve the production and functionality of its log stackers in any log yard. The maximum travel speed for its 3594 log stacker has been increased by 17 per cent to 14 mph, and it is now able to attain that speed 50 per cent faster. The hoisting speed is 100 per cent faster at 60’ per minute, compared to the previous 30’ per minute. Cycle time has improved 80 per cent through increased hoist and grapple speed, says LeTourneau. In addition, the optional 101 or 124 cubic foot grapple system allows single pass unloading on highway or off, even for crowned loads. www.letourneau-inc.com

Caterpillar

Caterpillar builds machines for handling everything from logs, chips and scrap to finished products in a range of sizes to fit any millyard.

Forest industry operations can unload trucks in a single pass or sort wood with Cat wheel loaders. Caterpillar offers over a dozen models that feature log handling packages with larger lift and tilt cylinders, heavier counterweights, heavy-duty transmissions and joystick steering with single axis lever controls for precise log handling.

Cat FM equipment incorporates Caterpillar’s excavator technology into a machine designed for many material handling

By Tony Kryzanowski

tasks. With the lift capacity and strong swing torque, cycle times are fast and trucks can be moved in and out of the yard quickly.

For large millyards, Cat wheeled material handlers cover ground quickly. Logs can be high decked to shrink a woodyard footprint and reduce transport distances. Long reach booms allow operators to pile higher and cab hydraulic risers give them a bird’s eye view of the yard. www.cat.com

Liebherr

The Liebherr L 580 wheel loader in Log Handler format has been developed especially for operations in the timber handling sector.

The newly designed lifting gear means that the logs can be taken up from above at a great height, which makes the Log Handler particularly well-suited for work such as the loading and unloading

of trucks or feeding bark removal and sorting installations. The grab can be rotated through 360 degrees as well as pivoting forward and backward. Depending on the requirement, a very wide range of shapes and sizes of grab and grapple tools are available.

The driver’s cab has a roof window, fitted as standard with a protective grille, to provide the best possible view upwards. The protective grille for the front windshield is integrated directly into the lifting gear.

Like all Liebherr wheel loaders, the new Log Handler has a stepless hydrostatic drive system, which achieves impressive fuel savings. Other advantages are the practically wear-free service brake and the extremely low tire wear. www.liebherr.ca

Mussell Crane

Mussell Crane Manufacturing is among the industry leaders in custom built material handling equipment.

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

Samuel Strapping Systems

SAVINGS AT THE SAWMILL & KILN THE BENEFITS OF USING STRAPPING IN SAWMILL AND DRY-KILN APPLICATIONS Deformation of stacked green lumber during kiln drying costs sawmills significant amounts of money in degraded material and labour. Solutions have been put forward to resolve this, such as concrete slabs or hydraulically actuated kiln-mounted plates, but the former is dangerous and time consuming and the latter is only limited to certain facilities.

However, these solutions are not ideal for high-capacity continuous dry-kilns. While effective and efficient, continuous dry kilns present their own unique fire and safety hazards--especially from boards that fall off during the continuous drying process.

Polyester strapping is a much more practical and cost-effective solution. It is much safer and maintains package integrity even when the load is being moved around the yard. This eliminates fallen pieces and the resulting safety issues and labor costs.

It also helps prevent fires at the continuous kiln by ensuring each load maintains its integrity throughout the drying process.

Other benefits include: Q

Reduce downgrading due to twisted, crooked and warped pieces (can provide up to a 4% increase in kiln yield)

Q

Secured package right after stacking

Q

Helps maintain stickers in place

Q

Reduced labor costs and increased workplace safety

Q

Increases fire safety by preventing boards from falling into the kiln

Samuel Strapping Systems

More Information? Action Card #119

Packaging and Unitizing Solutions

www.samuelstrapping.com

U.S.A. - 1-800-323-4424 Canada - 1-800-607-8727

www.youtube.com/samuelstrapping

techupdate from page 38 Located in Chilliwack, B.C., they have supplied quality cranes and equipment to the forest industry for over 23 years. A trailer reload was installed at the Weyerhaeuser sawmill in Princeton, B.C. last year. The custom 12-tonne capacity trailer reload is equipped with a Stahl true vertical lift hoist and a protective housing that shields the hoist and electrics from harsh elements.

All stages of a new project, from the initial design, fabrication and machining, to the final on-site installation, are performed in-house, allowing Mussell Crane to provide the most comprehensive and cost effective service. www.mussellcrane.com

Komatsu

Komatsu offers two versatile loaders equipped with high and wide undercarriages, long reach, powerful swing torque, and optimized hydraulic systems. The new forestry cab is spacious, quiet and comfortable.

Komatsu’s PC240LL-10 weighs 83,985 lbs and has flywheel horsepower of 177 horsepower, coming from a Komatsu SAA6D107E-2 engine that is EPA Tier 4 Interim emissions certified.

It offers five per cent more horsepower while decreasing fuel consumption up to 10 per cent compared to the PC220LL-8.

The PC390LL-10 weighs 106,920 lbs. It has flywheel horsepower of 257 horsepower, which comes from a Komatsu SAA6D114E-5 engine, EPA Tier 4 Interim emissions certified.

The engine has five per cent more horsepower, seven per cent greater displacement and up to 10 per cent lower fuel consumption than the PC350LL-8.

Major options include 48” and 7” cab risers, live heel forestry booms, and multiple excavator booms and arms. www.Komatsuforest.ca

Tanguay

The reliable Tanguay electric loaders are known for their low operating cost and long life.

The large 72” X 60” ergonomic cab with plenty of room for extra screens and mill controls creates the opportunity for a single operator to look after additional mill processes. They have up to 19,500 lbs of lift capacity at 30’ with the standard 44’ reach booms.

Tanguay offers custom booms and a wide choice of attachments to handle all types of wood and general material.

Mounting base options include single pedestal, dual pedestal and the flexible rail trolley to increase working range and wood storage area.

Tanguay offers a choice of 150 to 200 horsepower electric

motors with electrical wiring packages to suit world-wide electric services. Experienced Tanguay people work with customers to optimize loader location and boom geometry to maximize production. www.tanguay.cc

Terex Fuchs

The Terex Fuchs MHL350 E HD log handler boasts a purposebuilt undercarriage design and reach configuration to increase log handling efficiencies at the mill yard.

The rugged undercarriage includes a broad outrigger base of 17.4’, 10 per cent wider than a standard MHL350 E, for excellent stability when loading and unloading trailers or charging the infeed deck. Independently controllable four-point stabilizers deliver exceptional machine support on uneven terrain, while broad 16.9” X 23” stabilizer plates spread machine load over a large area.

The MHL350 E HD’s boom/dipperstick combination offers a 45.9’ reach configured specifically for high volume log handling.

It is capable of lifting up to a 15,600 lbs load at a 30’ reach, and a variety of pulpwood and combination grapples are available to tailor the machine to meet specific log handling requirements.

Attachment live-heel operation is conveniently controlled via a foot pedal inside the operator’s cabin. www.terex.com/construction

Tigercat

The Tigercat 880 logger is a multi-purpose, no compromise carrier purpose-built to eliminate the design compromises found in excavator conversions. The upper frame assembly and undercarriage are designed for full forest duty or mill yard use.

The cab forward design combined with the main boom curvature provide excellent visibility throughout the operator’s working sightline. The expansive, comfortable, ergonomic cab interior is designed to minimize operator strain and fatigue during long shifts.

One of the innovative design features of the new 880 is the closed loop swing drive system. This system eliminates energy

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

More Information? Action Card #120

techupdate Volvo

from page 40 loss from swing relief valves during swing acceleration and recovers energy stored in the swinging boom and upper frame assembly during braking.

Georgia-based Battle Lumber Company has purchased two 880 loggers, custom-designed with a slasher saw hydraulic system and a Rotobec live heel grapple, for cross-cutting, sorting

and stacking logs in the mill yard. According to Tigercat, Thomas Battle, operations manager of Battle Lumber Company, has been very pleased with its performance so far, commenting: “This machine is very good for millyard applications. I plan to buy many more for the same purpose in the near future.” www.tigercat.com

Sennebogen

With a starting lineup of 10 basic models, Sennebogen offers among the widest choice of purpose-built log handlers.

This range, from 44,000 to 89,000 lbs, is expanded even further when taking into account the choice of mobility platforms and optional boom and stick configurations. Sennebogen’s modular engineering and manufacturing concept make it easy for customers to have their log loaders built to suit any application or log yard without the additional cost of custom building.

While every Sennebogen material handler is designed to serve

multiple jobs, the 830 M-T is uniquely engineered for heavy-duty trailer pulling. The undercarriage of the 830 M-T provides the extra strength and rim pull to pull trailer loads up to 100,000 lbs.

Its front and back axles are each equipped with their own transmission to share the load stresses. The dual transmissions ensure longer service life and provide true all-wheel drive to pull trailers through heavy mud and steep grades.

Built to lift maximum loads through 360 degrees of swing, every Sennebogen machine allows operators to pick faster, carry more and stack higher with minimal maneuvering between or around stockpiles, says the company. www.sennebogen-na.com 42

The Volvo L110H wheel loader features a Tier 4 Final/Stage IV-certified engine and improves fuel efficiency by up to 18 per cent with the OptiShift transmission.

The inherent fuel efficiency of the Volvo D8J engine is enhanced by the well-matched Volvo powertrain and intelligent hydraulics, which only supply power on demand. The load-sensing hydraulics also ensure fast response for outstanding control over the load, and shorter cycle times. Another intelligent feature, the

Reverse-By-Braking (RBB) function, automatically reduces the engine rpm and applies the service brakes when the operator changes the direction of the machine. This not only conserves fuel but also reduces stress on the drivetrain, thereby extending component life.

Volvo OptiShift technology combines the RBB function with a lock-up torque converter to create a direct drive between the engine and transmission, eliminating power losses in the torque convertor and reducing fuel consumption by up to 18 per cent. www.volvoce.com

Konecranes

Konecranes acquired the Morris material handling line of P&H brand log handling cranes in 2006 and is a leader in log handling crane technology and product support.

Products include conventional straight track portal cranes with spans from 100’ to 250’, rotating portal cranes and log boom type cranes, all available in one-bite and two-bite design.

Konecranes log handling cranes feature the latest technology for safe operations, ergonomics, control efficiency, diagnostics, and inventory management. Konecranes service branches are

located across the U.S. and Canada, so technicians are only hours, if not minutes, away when needed, says the company.

Konecranes offers operator, maintenance, and inspection training classes, and provides a complete log handling system from start to finish. www.konecranes.com

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

JOHN DEERE FORESTSIGHT.™

YOU’LL NEVER SEE YOUR FLEET THE SAME WAY AGAIN.

With John Deere ForestSight, you can see through the woods, inside your machines, and straight into the future. Its true next-generation technology lets you remotely see exactly where your entire feet is any time of day, and also what’s happening inside each machine.

Only John Deere ForestSight proactively suggests solutions to potential problems and allows technicians to diagnose and sometimes even repair machines from afar. Best of all, John Deere ForestSight is included in base on all our forestry equipment.

JohnDeere.ca/ForestSight More Information? Action Card #121

SUPPLIERNEWSLINE Automated option available for saw pouring

The automated Babbitt pouring machine is a fully enclosed robotic cell which completely automates the Babbitt pouring process, removing the operator from the hazards of Babbitt pouring and completely eliminating fumes.

Saw filers simply program the number of Babbitt pads, push a button and walk away, dedicating themselves to safer and

By Tony Kryzanowski

more important tasks and returning once the process is complete. The machine is also equipped with numerous sensors to monitor quality, ensuring that the final result is not jeopardized.

Williams and White Equipment says that the automated Babbitt pouring machine is an exciting addition to the industry. www.williamsandwhiteequipment.com to page 46

Canadian loggers tour Hyundai facilities in South Korea The Canadian contingent of the Hyundai 2014 VIP South Korea tour in September was impressed with both the enormous manufacturing capabilities of their host, major multi-national Hyundai Heavy Industries, as well as the company’s capabilities in manufacturing high quality heavy equipment for the construction and forest industries.

There were 57 Canadians on the Hyundai VIP Tour, and about half were logging contractors from B.C., Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime Provinces. Logging and Sawmilling Journal Publisher Rob Stanhope represented the magazine on the four-day tour.

After flying into the city of Pusan, the group toured a number of Hyundai facilities in South Korea, including the company’s massive excavator and wheel loader manufacturing plants in the city of Ulsan. The excavator plant produces the 9 Series of Hyundai Robex excavators. The company produces a range of wheel loaders at its manufacturing plant in Ulsan, from 125 hp to 335 hp, all of which are powered by Cummins engines with ZF transmissions.

The tour included an impressive demo

of a variety of the company’s mobile equipment machines. Hyundai also manufactures backhoe loaders, forklifts and more than 150 models of heavy equipment and industrial vehicles.

The plant tours highlighted Hyundai’s highly advanced factory automation, zero-tolerance quality control inspection system, and innovative engineering.

The group had a first-hand look at the new Hyundai Cummins Engine Co. (HCEC) joint-venture engine production facility, in the city of Daegu. The engines built at HCEC will be supplied to the Hyundai construction equipment facilities, for installation in excavators and wheel loaders. This facility has the capacity to ramp up production to over 50,000 engines per year, spanning a broad power range from 133 hp to 365 hp.

They also had a tour of the world’s largest shipbuilding yard in Ulsan, which covers a massive 1,780 acres. In addition to being a major manufacturer of heavy equipment, Hyundai Heavy Industries is the world’s largest shipbuilder. This facility also manufactures marine engines for 45 percent of the world’s shipping fleet.

While the tour left attendees impressed

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

by the current capabilities of Hyundai, the company and the hosts of the tour, Sam Yoon, President/CEO of Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas, Kirk Gillette, vice-president, and Curtis Goettel, North American marketing and dealer development manager, emphasized that Hyundai has a strong commitment to research and development, and that it is working on innovating in the heavy equipment area, to develop products that meet the needs of its heavy equipment customers in Canada, the U.S., and around the world. An example of this is Hyundai’s Hi-mate, the company’s newly developed remote management system, which allows customers—including logging operations and sawmills—to remotely evaluate machine performance and verify machine locations, at the touch of a button.

In addition to viewing manufacturing facilities, the tour also included numerous cultural events, such as the tour of the Asian Memorial Hall, and several dinners, at which the North American VIP Tour delegation attempted to sing a traditional Korean folk song. www.hceamericas.com

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Komatsu America launches new C93 thinning/harvesting head

Komatsu America’s Forestry Division describes its new C93 harvesting head—the first model in its new C-series family of “carry-style” heads—as a versatile, all-around head.

The C93 head, which weighs in at 2138 lbs., replaces the prior 350.1 model, and offers significant improvements for better handling of thinning projects as well as crooked stem and multistem harvesting applications, says the company.

With a recommended DBH working range of 6” to 15” diameter, and a maximum cutting capacity up to a diameter of 23.6”, the C93 is available installed on Komatsu 911.5 and 931.1 harvesters. The head is also available as a loose head for installation on other carriers.

The C93’s new robust frame design enables the head to more closely follow the tree trunk. The increased rearward tilt angle, which is 40 degrees versus 25 degrees, provides faster feeding performance while reducing head frame stress when harvesting and/or reaching on downhill slopes.

The high-performance, three-driven roller, four motor carrystyle feed system is said to provide excellent log wrap for multistem processing, while generating up to 5688 lb/f of feed force at up to a 16.4 ft/sec. feed speed.

The C93 is equipped with one lower and two upper hydraulically controlled delimbing knives, and a fixed vertical top knife.

The upper knives are designed especially for handling trees with tough limbs, such as lodgepole pine.

Komatsu’s new ‘Constant Cut’ saw control system features a 29.5” saw bar, which includes a new 19cc saw motor with an integrated valve that delivers precise control of saw hydraulic flow and pressure. This constant management of flow and pressure allows the chain speed to be maintained at a constant 130 ft/sec throughout the entire cutting cycle. Komatsu says this Constant Cut system, along with automatic chain tensioning and automatic ‘EcoOiler’ chain oiling, delivers faster cutting performance, reduced fuel consumption, reduced chance of splitting and/or cracking, reduced saw maintenance, and longer saw motor life.

Optional multi-stem accumulation, stump treatment and color marking systems are available to meet specific customers’ needs. www.komatsuamerica.com

Autolog Carriage Optimizer

The Autolog Carriage Optimizer allows for among the best log scanning in the industry thanks to its high frequency multiple laser lines full-profile scanner, says the company.

Its features include: • Linear scan with encoder or snapshot scan function modes • Best opening face (BOF) or Minimum opening face (MOF) optimization modes • Supports curve sawing systems • True Shape modelling 46

• Unlimited production parameter files The characteristics of the Autolog Carriage Optimizer include: • Unlimited number of products configurable and optimization based on price or volume • Configurable prioritization of the boards produced in the cant vs. those produced in the slab • Will fit any mechanical configuration • Full optimization of the log considering the turning sequence • Consider wane and skip of the boards in the optimization • Possibility of excluding products in predetermined logs (for example, not doing 1” thick boards in 8’ and longer logs) • High precision ScanMeg full-profile scanner reaches an accuracy of 0.025” • Visible class II eye safe laser technology • Optimizes according to planer target dimensions • User can simulate and do board capture without interfering with production • Customizable, independent and secured by password user session • Fast and easy calibration • Logfile, alarm history and automatic save archives • Integrated report system www.autolog.com

New Tigercat forwarder crane and grapple options

Tigercat has released new crane and grapple options to enhance the Tigercat 1075B forwarder.

Designed and built by Tigercat, the new heavy duty F195T85 crane is capable of lifting 20 to 30 per cent heavier loads and has 22 to 66 per cent more slew torque than any other competing crane on the market, says the company. The crane geometry is optimized for quick loading and unloading cycles with excellent grapple clearance above the load. It is also the only crane that can handle a 0.53 m2 grapple, says Tigercat, a great advantage in smaller diameter log applications.

The F195T85 is the only crane with standard end-of-position dampening sensors on the stick and main booms to prevent impact loads. The tapered roller bearing in the slew base is designed to last the life of the machine, a vast improvement over the plain bearing and spherical rollers used in other cranes, according to the company. It is also the only crane with swivels on the pillar hoses for extended hose life, thick walled bushings used at all pivots and a cushioned telescopic cylinder.

The new Tigercat 430 and 530 series grapples complement the new crane with larger load area capacities at 0.43 m2and 0.53 m2 respectively. www.tigercat.com

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

to page 48

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Fecon’s LOG JAW wood splitter gets new excavator capabilities

Fecon Inc now offers the excavator mounted Log Jaw wood splitter in its forestry attachment product line. The Log Jaw is a hydraulic-powered wood splitting attachment that is also made for skid steers and loaders.

The Log Jaw will rip apart long, large diameter logs and stumps into manageable pieces for chippers, wood grinders, or for firewood processing and is Fecon’s low cost, high return solution for handling oversized and difficult to process logs and stumps that would otherwise require expensive disposal fees.

Splitting logs into optimallysized pieces improves the efficiency and production of chippers and grinders, while putting less stress on and requiring less horsepower from the processing equipment.

The Log Jaw attachment, weighing approximately 995 lbs, mounted on an excavator has a 40” jaw opening tip to tip and 360 degrees of rotation, allowing the operator to attack oversized wood from any angle. Made for 8 to 16 ton excavators, a mount will be built to the excavator’s specifications for easy installation. www.fecon.com

New Husqvarna pro-range 543 XP lighter, faster and compact

When forestry professionals need to do serious work, one chainsaw feature becomes more important than any other: weight. Ready for any professional grade task, the new Husqvarna 543 XP can be used for hours at a time, without the burden of heavy equipment.

Extraordinary limbing performance has been a main characteristic of Husqvarna pro chainsaws for years. Now, with the launch of the 543 XP, a new weight standard of 4.5 kg has been set in the pro-range. This extends the gap to the closest competing product to 0.2 kg.

Outfitted with X-Torq, the 543 XP has 20 per cent less fuel consumption and up to 75 per cent less emissions, the company says. Couple this with Husqvarna’s Smart Start technology, which reduces pull cord resistance allowing for a quick start, and the 543 XP is designed to save time and money. www.husqvarna.ca 48

John Deere 1110E forwarders now equipped with Intelligent Boom Control

Intelligent Boom Control (IBC) is now offered as an option on all of John Deere’s 1110E forwarders.

John Deere says this technological breakthrough significantly increases forwarder productivity and efficiency, while providing best possible fuel economy and boom lifetime.

IBC has been praised for its ability to operate the boom with more precision, making it easier for the operator and easier on the equipment. Using the IBC system, the operator controls the boom tip directly instead of controlling each of the independent boom joint movements manually. This makes boom operation accurate, fast and easy. By eliminating extra movements, this system also increases the durability of boom structures and hydraulic cylinders. These features significantly improve an operator’s working speed, resulting in higher overall productivity and lower costs.

The IBC system can also accelerate the learning curve for operators. Intuitive and easy to learn to use, the technology reduces the amount of time it takes to become a skilled operator, resulting in less training time, says the company.

John Deere’s 1110E forwarder with the IBC option is now available in North America. IBC is also offered as an option on all of John Deere’s 1210E and 1510E forwarders. www.johndeere.com

Turbo precleaners protect forestry equipment engines

Turbo precleaners are designed to extend the life of engine air filters, reduce downtime, lower maintenance costs, and installing a precleaner will help keep logging equipment running efficiently in dusty, debris-filled environments.

Turbo precleaners protect logging equipment and sawmilling machinery engines from highly-damaging dust before it can enter the engine.

What sets Turbo precleaners apart from other precleaners is a straightthrough airflow pathway which creates less air intake restriction, to optimize engine power and reduce air filter replacements. Engineered paddles create centrifugal force which ejects up to 85 per cent of contaminants through discharge ports, effectively removing airborne debris such as dust, dirt and moisture, including particles as small as one micron.

For logging equipment configurations, Turbo precleaners are available with a bull-nose option, which allows them to be mounted inside an enclosed compartment. Tigercat installs Turbo precleaners on their 726D feller bunchers inside a protective “dog house” where the precleaner efficiently prevents fine dust, wood chips and debris from entering the engine, keeping Tigercat equipment up and running with less maintenance time and expense. www.turboprecleaner.com

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

More Information? Action Card #124

For more information, please contact: Mark Cusack, National Show Manager mcusack@mpltd.ca • 1-888-454-7469

More Information? Action Card #125

More Information? Action Card #126

classified

FOR SALE

Request For Proposal The Cheslatta Carrier Nation, located in central British Columbia, is issuing a RFP to interested parties for the construction and operation of a sawmill in the Burns Lake area. The Cheslatta have significant sustainable green timber holdings, previous sawmilling experience and capital including financial and other assets such as industrial lands.

The Cheslatta are seeking an experienced partner who will bring sawmill construction and operational expertise, product marketing excellence, and additional capital.

If you meet these qualifications, please contact Ben Wilson for more information.

250 208 4627 • forestryonline@gmail.com

Pierce Pacific Appoints Shukla to Sales Position in Western Canada Greg Hildebrandt, General Sales Manager of Pierce Pacific Manufacturing is pleased to announce the addition of Mark Shukla to the position of Western Canadian Sales in BC, AB, SK & MB. Already well known in the forest and construction industries through-out western Canada, Mark Shukla has over 18 years of heavy equipment sales, marketing and service experience. Mark can be reached directly at 250-826-5218 E-mail: mshukla@piercepacific.com Pierce offers a broad range of processors including stroke delimbers, the new Grapple Processor (GP), forestry work tools, and forestry boom & conversion packages to North American loggers and dealers.

In addition, Pierce designs and manufactures specialty purpose-built conversions for the scrap, demolition, material handling and construction industries.

www.piercepacific.com 52

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

FOR SALE

classified

INDEX Ac# Advertiser Page 100 Autolog Sawmill Automation.... 3 106 Brandt Tractor......................... 9 116 Caterpillar............................. 29 108 Chrysler................................ 15 102 Cleanfix NA............................. 6 125 CNRE.................................... 50 122 DK Spec................................ 45 110 Finning CAT........................... 17 114 Ford...................................... 27 104 HewSaw.................................. 7 120 Jiangsu Zheng Chang............. 41 121 John Deere............................ 43 101 Les Aciers J.P. Inc..................... 4 107 Log Max................................ 13 126 Madison's.............................. 51 109 MEC Kiln Dryer..................... 16 117 Olofsfors............................... 31 123 Parker Pacific......................... 47 124 Peterson................................ 49 113 Ponsse................................... 25 105 Quadco.................................. 8 119 Samuel Strapping Systems...... 39 115 Smithco Co........................... 28 118 Southstar Equipment............. 32 128 Tigercat................................. 56 127 Waratah................................ 55 103 Wood-Mizer............................ 6 111 Woodland Equipment............ 21 112 Woodland Supply Ltd............ 24

Check out Logging & Sawmilling Journal at www.forestnet.com

# October 2014

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

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

142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155

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100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113

53

thelastword

Bullet-proof strategies for retaining logging employees

By Tony Kryzanowski

O

ne of the most bizarre employee stories I’ve heard recently was about a processor operator who quit, but didn’t bother to tell his employer that he was quitting. Two weeks later, he re-surfaced—working for another contractor.

But that’s not the end of the story. Six months later, the employee has the gall to return and ask for his job back because it turned out that the grass wasn’t as green with the other logging contractor as he had thought.

My guess is that many Canadian logging contractors can relate to this story and have at least one that’s similar in their back pockets.

One of the biggest complaints I hear in my travels—particularly among logging contractors—is how difficult it is to find and retain good operators. Compounding the problem is that according to the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC), the Canadian forest industry will need to hire at least 60,000 workers by 2020, to replace 40,000 people lost to retirement and another 20,000 needed to grow the industry.

Furthermore, the Conference Board of Canada says the industry’s 160,000 strong workforce is older than average because of downsizing over the last decade.

I have visited with over 100 logging contractors of various kinds in my travels.

Over time, I have seen a number of work environments, and based on my experience, there are some strategies that seem almost bullet-proof for retaining good employees.

While I often hear contractors blame other industries for stealing employees

they have trained by offering them more money, overall, I’d have to say that losing employees to the size of a paycheque is largely a myth.

Yes, every contractor will lose some employees to the oil and gas and mining industries because of money, and the faster individual contractors accept that fact, the better. The fact is, though, that when offered a good work environment in forestry—particularly close to someone’s hometown—the industry has also demonstrated that it can attract employees that are generally less transient away from those industries.

Here are a few suggestions based on my experience that seem to work particularly well at retaining good employees.

Blood Is Thicker Than Water – The best way I’ve seen for logging contractors to develop a workforce with very little turnover is to involve as many quality family members as possible as operators, mechanics and management. It seems that family ties have a way of building closer relationships between owners and employees that go beyond the employer/ employee bond. However, the downside is that if the family member isn’t cut out for forestry, you, as the owner, have to let them go. This makes it tough if it is a son or daughter. The best approach is to ‘try them out’ for about three months, with the understanding right upfront that if they are not working out, then they will have to go because you can’t afford to keep them on.

Not Everyone Is In Love With Long Hours And Overtime – In most instances, employees often don’t mind working longer hours like 12 to 14 hour days,

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - October 2014

especially in a camp situation, as long as there is a payback allowing them to spend time with spouses and family on the back end. Planning the work week is one of the most important jobs any owner has, and what seems to work best is knocking off by 1 pm on Friday, with no weekend work. While some logging contractors may scoff at this practice, researching operator productivity through organizations like FPInnovations can be a real eye opener.

Help Quality Employees Become Owner/Operators – It’s a mystery to me why more logging contractors don’t use this option. Most say that developing a sub-contractor within their employee ranks makes them nervous because it gives the sub-contractor too much negotiating power over how much they are paid. Granted, this is a legitimate concern, but surely after working with an employee for five or ten years, doesn’t an owner have a strong sense of their character?

The key is to pick the right employee in the right circumstances, such as someone with a young and growing family with a good head on their shoulders and a strong sense of business management. The upsides of this arrangement far outweigh the downsides, and one of the greatest benefits is that the logging contractor may actually be developing the person who will buy them out eventually.

From my perspective, these are the top three strategies that work best to retain employees. But here’s a final word on one often ignored issue—the camp. Keep it clean, pay the money to attract a good cook, and keep the camp within an hourand-a-half, if possible, from home or a major urban centre.

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