April 2018 | $7.20
s g n i r l Bel s e g n a h c e h t
ISSN 1176-0397
R TESTED SUPER FORWARDE
Coasters’ native logging plea
How to own a forest
iron test
t s g n i r l Bel
The ability to transport 30-tonnes of logs over long distances in very short time makes the Bell a ‘super forwarder’.
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s e g n a h c the rd
ga tos: John Elle
Story & Pho
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West Coast Natives
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age on
Left: Heli-logging ensured there was no damage from cutting tracks and using heavy machinery to extract wind-blown native logs from the West Coast bush. Above: Another log is lifted out of the West Coast bush by helicopter.
Story & photos: Jim Childerstone
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HE CONTINUATION OF NATIVE LOGGING on the West Coast depends on an extension of the current salvage laws And “an outbreak of practical common sense�, according to Kumara-based saw miller, Mike McGrath. This sentiment was echoed throughout the coastal logging fraternity after the clean-up following Cyclone Fehi in early February, and then the remnants of Cyclone Gita a couple of weeks later, which dumped more trees on the ground. Locals say that these latest cyclones illustrate that the West Coast Windblown Timber (Conservation Lands) Act, introduced to allow selective logging of trees flattened by Cyclone Ita in April 2014, should be extended. The Act, introduced by the National Government to allow for valuable timber to be salvaged, rather than rot on the ground, applied only to damage by Ita over a five-year period, which comes to an end next year.
"Why can't this be continued to cover other major weather events?" Mr McGrath asks. He urged the new Forestry Minister, Shane Jones, to take a serious look at the situation when he visited the Coast in March. Mr McGrath and his fellow loggers want to know "where do we go from here" when the current salvaging Act ends. He says his team only had about 500m3 of wood left to recover, mostly from privatelyowned forests. And most other salvaging operations throughout conservation land has already been completed, due to general deterioration of the wood on the ground. But in the short timespan allowed for salvaging, Hokitika-based Department of Conservation officials report that more than $1.1m in royalties had gone into DoC coffers. The department's head of the salvaging programme, Tim Shaw, reports this had significantly boosted DoC's biodiversity work
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new iron
SATCO PAIR FOR POINT Point Lumber, of Timaru, has taken delivery of a pair of SATCO heads for its operation; a 325T (pictured on a Sumitomo SH 300) and a 630E with a Plus1 controller, along with auto saw tensioning on both heads. Their arrival takes the SATCO count to five for Point Lumber.
SOUTHSTAR FOR MJ Matthew Jordon, owner of MJ Logging, has put this new SouthStar 4X4 QS450 harvester/processor onto a CAT 320D working in the Mackenzie Country in mid-Canterbury, the third of a run of SouthStar attachments to enter the South Island. Pictured, from the left, are Phil (Pirtek), Blair Adamson (SouthStar Equipment), Matthew Jordan, Dan, Mike and Ryan.
SUMI FOR D & K Daryl Diack, owner of D & K Contracting, has taken delivery of a new Sumitomo SH240TL to work with his second crew, D & K 2, which is run by Matt and Warwick. This crew works with forestry company FML in Southland woodlots pulling logs for local Riverton sawmiller, Pankhurst Sawmilling. Daryl chose the 240TL as this machine is required to cover numerous tasks, from felling assist, delimbing, shovelling and loading. The 240TL is based on a 240-size upper with the larger 330 lower track and drive components, along with a high and wide 3.64m track frame. Daryl’s machine was guarded by Bullied Engineering in Winton. Pictured, from left, are Matt, Warwick and Daryl. Dean Cousins, of AB Equipment, made the sale.
TIGERCAT FOR BUTTON
DUXSON FELLER FOR HAYES This Madill 2250C has been fitted with a DUXSON FX142 felling head and delivered to Jeremy Hayes of DH Logging, which is working near Dunedin.
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Dave Button, of Canterbury-based Button Bros Logging, has taken delivery of another new Tigercat, trading up to the new 632E skidder to replace his old 630D. Operator, Mark Sharpen (pictured), can’t believe how quick this machine is compared to the 630D, especially down hill due to the new EHS transmission. He says it’s going to be hard for Tigercat to improve these skidders in the future, as he thinks they have now nailed it! The machine was sold By Steve Varcoe of AB Equipment.
new iron
KOMATSU FOR GOODMAN FARMERS’ JOHN DEERE & SOUTHSTAR The Farmers Forestry team proudly pose with their new John Deere 959MH harvested, which is sporting a SouthStar QS600 head. Cam Negus and Mike Cornwell have put this new combo to work in their central North Island operation. Terry Duncan, of CablePrice, made the sale.
Paul, Carol and Nick Goodman, of Goodman Logging, recently took delivery of a new Komatsu PC 270LC-8, which has an Active forestry guarding package and is fitted with a Duxson grapple. Butch (operator) is very impressed with his new steed. Pictured, from left, are Nick Goodman, Butch Amohia, Kelly Goodman, Paul Goodman and John Kosar (Komatsu Forest NZ). Photographer: Craig Pulman (Duxson).
HITACHI & SATCO FOR CHARLES When Kev and Jill, Ben and Mel Charles decided to update their ageing processor they decided on a Hitachi ZX400L-5 and SATCO 325T combination. This combo has proved to be very successful, increasing productivity on the landing. Working way out the back of Broadwood, in Northland, productivity along with reliability and back-up support were three key areas Charles Logging looked for when making the decision and the ZX400L-5 / SATCO package, and support from CablePrice was a winner. The Charles Logging crew is pictured here, with Ben Charles on the far right and Warren from SATCO at the back with the head.
ANOTHER TIMBERPRO FOR DOUGLAS
CAT & SATCO FOR MOIR
Peter and Raewyn Douglas, of Dargaville-based Douglas Logging, have taken delivery of a new Timberpro TF 840C, which is working in a cut-to-length operation in Pouto Forest. Operator, Mike Stevens, reckons “there are features on these machines that are unique, like the360-degree rotating cab, ‘very useful – like driving an excavator”. Pictured, from left, are Mike Stevens and John Kosar (Komatsu Forest NZ). Photographer: Peter Douglas.
This new Cat 326D2L is now working in the Nelson region for Moir Logging. Featuring an Active guarding package and SATCO 420 felling grapple head, the 326D2L is set up to tether and is proving to be fast and more than capable on the hill. Features of the 326D2L are quiet operation and pinpoint accuracy in the hydraulics, which set new standards in technology for Cat equipment. Scott Bonnington, from Gough Cat, sold the machine. April 2018 | NZ LOGGER 57