October 2026
ISSN 2703-6278
| 9.50
Learning from a tragedy
Students’ conference reflections
Iron Test
The terrain at Morepork Forest Harvesting’s Whanganui operation.
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The grapple camera is bright and clear.
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NEXT GEN CAT ON THE EAST COAST This new Next Gen Cat 548LL forest machine is the latest acquisition for Black Stump Logging. Thanks to Ange and Wayne McEwan for purchasing it for their East Coast operations in Mangapehi Forests. It features a Cat modified heel and Duxson GX172 grapple. It has impressed with its overall performance since delivery. Heath Stewart at Terra Cat sold the machine.
KOMATSU-WOODSMAN PAIRED IN WAITARERE FOREST Shaun and Helen Erni have taken delivery of a Komatsu PC350FX fitted with a Woodsman 750. It is working in the Waitarere Forest.
SANY WITH ENSIGN PACKAGE The team at DG Glenn Logging has taken delivery of another SANY SY305H. Featuring a full Ensign package and a 1730 grapple, this machine joins the team in Napier. Sold and serviced by Shaw’s.
HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE FELLING SOLUTION Hawke’s Bay logging contractor Gone Bush Logging has a new Tigercat LS857 shovel logger. Featuring Tigercat’s levelling undercarriage, it’s the perfect machine for tackling challenging terrain. Fitted with a SATCO SAT630E directional felling head, it is already hard at work in the Kaweka Forest. Sold and delivered by CablePrice’s Tyler Allen. 44 NZ LOGGER | October 2026
GRAPPLE CARRIAGE AT SPEIRS A new APEX grapple carriage has been delivered to Blake and the team at Speirs Logging. They are already experiencing the benefits with a noticeable increase in production.
NEW CAT HEADS TO GISBORNE
PATUNAMU FOREST’S NEW POWERHOUSE
Another new Cat forest machine has arrived at Gisborne-based Speirs Logging. Delivered into Waikatea Forest, the Next Gen 548 LL is fitted with a Duxson GX172 grapple and a Cat heel. It joins a recently delivered Cat 568 FM. The machine was sold by Terra Cat Territory Account Manager Heath Stewart, with thanks to the Napier team which supported delivery.
Working in Patunamu Forest, northwest of Wairoa, this recently delivered Tigercat LS857 is proving its worth at Ridge High Logging. Fitted with a Duxson FX142 grapple, the crew wasted no time putting the new machine to work on cable-assisted felling and shovelling duties. Sold and delivered by Tyler Allen of CablePrice.
CAIRNS FORESTRY LOGGING’S NEW ACQUISITION Cairns Forestry Logging has a new Sumitomo 4640 series with a new Woodsman Pro 850 head. It replaces an existing Sumitomo 4640 with a Woodsman 850. It is working in Tarawera Forest, Kawerau. Cairns are extremely happy with the power and smoothness of the total package.
SEVENTH WOODSMAN AT JENSEN LOGGING
NEW KOMATSU IN TINIROTO
Jensen Logging has expanded its fleet with a seventh Woodsman Pro 560 harvester head, installed onto an existing John Deere 803MH base. Powered by the Loggic 2 control system, built into all WP heads, the machine is undertaking production thinning operations in Tarawera Forest for Kaingaroa Tipu. The head was sold and supported by Woodsman Pro.
A new Komatsu PC350HW live heel has gone to Big Bark Loading, Gisborne. It is working in the Tiniroto area and has replaced an older PC300 live heel.
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