International Forest Industries Magazine April - May 2018

LOGGING • SAWMILLING • EWP’s • BIOMASS

APRIL / MAY 2018

USNR HOLDS THE KEY Cellar-to-ceiling installation capacity proven

CAPTURING COLOUR LMI talks area & linear cameras

DEBARKERS Precision Husky upwardly mobile

NIMBLE AND NIFTY Feller bunchers slash time between trees

LOGGING GIRL Hannah Dehoog of Smithers, BC

CHIPPER CHARM OFFENSIVE Comfort prioritised by leading suppliers

M.T. SYKES LOGGING Salem, Alabama

GRINDING OUT A LIVING Homer Industries choose Vermeer

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Blower Trucks

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Chippers

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Grinders

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Screens

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Stacking Conveyors

LOGGING • BIOMASS

APRIL / MAY 2018

30 TIGERCAT - LOGGER GIRL

34 CHIPPERS

52 TIGERCAT - M.T. SYKES LOGGING

Passionate forestry equipment operator, Hannah Dehoog of Smithers, British Columbia

The latest offerings in the next generation of machines

Passion for working in the woods is contagious and continues to be passed down from generation to generation

56 FELLER BUNCHERS

62 DEBARKERS

64 VERMEER

Three major feller buncher suppliers compare wares as they battle for market share

Precision Husky believes in reliability, performance and the latest innovations

Tub grinders are heart of the operation for diversified organics recycler, Homer Industries

66 JOHN DEERE

69 PONSSE

70 CAT

Major press launch in Germany for the new 1170G & 1070G harvester’s and IBC now available on the 1170G model

The new PONSSE K121 loader extends Ponsse’s loader series to a completely new size range

Caterpillar announces the launch of two new Cat Forest Machine models, the 548 and the 548 LL

REGULAR FEATURES

6 Logging News 72 Advertising Index

LUMBER PROCESSING

CONTENTS

COVER: USNR - Catech 4000 TS Edger infeed system Cover image shows a board being scanned by a Catech 4000 TS Edger infeed system with BioLuma sensors, and optimized by USNR optimization. Catech edger systems were developed by Söderhamn Eriksson.

Models ranging from Catech 40 to 4000 are differentiated by speed and capacity, easily adapting to the market’s varying requirements and sawing patterns.

Available in transverse (TS) and inline (IS) scanning, these advanced edger systems add flexibility to modern saw lines, as well as the absolute highest yield from sideboards. The Catech 4000 IS capacity is up to 70 boards/min. Its transverse counterpart, the Catech 4000 TS, offers a capacity up to 75 boards/min.

LOGGING • SAW

MILLING • EWP

’s • BIOMASS

APRIL / MAY

2018

USNR HOLDS THE KEY

Cellar-to-ceiling installation capacity prove n

CAPTURING COLOUR

LMI talks area & linear came ras

DEBARKERS

Precision Husky upwardly mobil e

NIMBLE AND

NIFT

Y Feller bunch ers slash time between trees LOGGING GIRL

Hannah Dehoo g of Smithers, BC

CHIPPER CHARM

OFFENSIVE Comfort priorit ised by leading suppl iers M.T. SYKE S LOGGING

Salem, Alaba

ma

GRINDING OUT

Homer Indus

A LIVING

tries choose

Vermeer

www.usnr.com International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 1

LUMBER PROCESSING

CONTENTS

A P RIL / MAY 2 0 1 8

SAWLINES 24 USNR

24

For decades USNR has delivered turn-key projects to customers around the world, but have not had all the internal resources to manage and run multiple turn-key projects on a large scale. That changed recently when USNR acquired Mid-South Engineering. They are taking the extensive experience, expertise, capabilities, and industry knowledge that USNR and MidSouth possess, and establishing a combined force that can build a better result for their customers

SCANNING & OPTIMISATION

23

20

October 17-19, 2018 Portland, Oregon

20 AUTOLOG

23 JOESCAN

At the primary breakdown, it is a wellknown fact that proper gap management has a direct impact on production and bottom-line profits. Autolog has the answer

The JS-25 X-Series includes five models that provide flexibility in scanning solutions – standard and extended range, wide-angle, and two, three, or six-laser configurations

27

For full details please visit www.timberprocessingandenergyexpo.com

28 EXPO RICHMOND 2018 36th East Coast Logging and Equipment Exposition Friday May 18, 2018: 8:30am - 5pm and Saturday May 19, 2018: 8:30am - 3pm

27 LUCIDYNE

28 LMI TECHNOLOGIES

Only Lucidyne delivers an automated lumber scanner that uses deep learning artificial intelligence to grade lumber for maximum fiber and value recovery

Capturing accurate colour board scans for better value recovery with area cameras has become a far more efficient process

For full details please visit www.exporichmond.com

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2 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

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ISSUE 62 APRIL / MAY 2018

SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: +44 (0)1442 877 583 emma@internationalforestindustries.com Annual Subscription UK and Europe £160, €230 Rest of the world US$270 EDITORIAL T: +44 (0)1442 877 583 F: +44 (0)1442 870 617 www.internationalforestindustries.com 2 Claridge Court, Lower Kings Road Berkhamsted, Herts. HP4 2AF, UK Editorial Director John Chadwick john@internationalforestindustries.com Editor Chris Cann chris@internationalforestindustries.com Editorial Board Dr Patrick Moore – Chairman and Chief Scientist of Greenspirit (Canada) Darren Oldham – Managing Director Söderhamn Eriksson (UK) Professor Piotr Paschalis-Jakubowicz – Warsaw Agricultural University (Poland) Mr Kim Carstensen Director General Forest Stewardship Council Eduardo Morales South American Forestry Consultant ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS Lansdowne Media Services Ltd Advertising Manager Phil Playle phil@internationalforestindustries.com Group Advertising Manager David Lansdowne david@internationalforestindustries.com +44 (0)1442 87 77 77 Associate Editor Robin Peach robin@internationalforestindustries.com Advertising Production Enquiries Emma Smith emma@internationalforestindustries.com International Forest Industries is published

by International Forest Industries Ltd, 2 Claridge Court, Lower Kings Road Berkhamsted, Herts. HP4 2AF, UK International Forest Industries (ISSN 1755-6732) is published bi-monthly by International Forest Industries Ltd GBR and is distributed in the USA by Asendia USA, 17B South Middlesex Avenue, Monroe NJ 08831 and additional mailing offices. Periodicals postage paid at New Brunswick NJ. POSTMASTER: send address changes to International Forest Industries, 17B South Middlesex Avenue, Monroe NJ 08831 © International Forest Industries Ltd 2007 – 2014 IFI uses, as preference, SI units throughout.

All dollars are US unless otherwise stated.

4 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

EDITOR’S COMMENT Forestry in the new world The forestry sector is on the cusp of a major technology advancement but who will make the breakthrough?

A

conversation ‘around the water cooler’ the other day quite interestingly turned to the rapid rate of change in technologies available to industry, in which my exceptionally tech-savvy colleague, let’s call him David, referred to this technological change as the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

I didn’t want to flag myself up as an ignoramus so continued to nod along but I couldn’t help wondering: What is the Fourth Industrial Revolution and why was I not told there had been so many?

So, I did some research and, for those out there to whom the genesis of industry has also been a mystery, I’d like to briefly relate the industrial revolutions as I now understand them.

The first industrial revolution was, simply, The Industrial Revolution’, which started early in the second half of the 18th century and lasted about 70 years. It brought us the cotton gin and steam engines, along with a huge uptick in child labour and the slave trade.

The Second Industrial Revolution – always the bridesmaid in revolution-centric conversation – began about 90 years after the first one started (or just 30 years after it ended) and delivered mass manufacturing. This started with steel then moved into other sectors; the automobile assembly line remains iconic of this period.

Digitisation was the Third Industrial Revolution, which forced its way through only a decade into the current millennium and looks at more sophisticated software, advancements in robotics, and mind-bending internet technologies.

If we’re honest with ourselves, we are yet to get our heads around the changes hoisted upon us by the Third Industrial Revolution but that hasn’t stopped the boffins from already embarking on the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The person to most-famously call out this latest industrial facelift is Professor Klaus Schwab, who founded and runs the World Economic Forum and placed the Fourth Industrial Revolution at the heart of the 2016 WEF annual meeting. The trademarks of this

advancement are mobile supercomputing, artificial intelligence, and scary biological modifications of the genetics and brains.

This change, Schwab says, is happening at an exponential rate, which is the point that got me thinking.

While the first industrial revolution began some 1,350 years after the Iron Age ended and modern human history (as opposed to protohistory) was born, there was less than a hundred years between its onset and that of the second revolution – then roughly the same again before the third. The period between the third and fourth was less than five years.

In contrast, many would suggest the forestry sector has failed to make a industry-shaping technological breakthrough since mechanisation of harvesting took hold some 40 years ago, with the scanning and digitisation of wood processing perhaps an exception.

This suggests the industry is on the precipice of a major change. And this change has the potential to divide the industry.

My technically sophisticated colleague, David, explained this by pointing to another colleague of ours – a bald gent, we’ll call Phil, who sits in the corner and still uses his phone primarily for making phone calls.

“You see, Phil pretends to be contemporary,” David began. “He has a smart-phone, he tweets and has all but abandoned paper currency.

“However, his phone is a Blackberry, his tweets are always 24 hours after the fact and he’s scared of internet banking.”

His point, as far as I could tell, was that technology was presenting industry with tools unimaginable even a decade ago. To truly take advantage and move forward, we must fully embrace this change, rather pay it lip service to appear relevant.

As this moment of seismic change approaches, companies will determine for themselves if they going to be Davids or Phils.

Enjoy Chris Cann

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LOGGING & BIOMASS NEWS

Forestry a success story for KiwiRail KiwiRail is reaping the benefits of an innovative growth strategy for its NZ forestry business designed to make the best use of its wagon fleet. Its financial result released this week shows an 8% revenue increase in its overall forestry business in just the six months to December. That is being driven by strong growth in the volume of logs.

“We have been working closely with the industry to maximise our ability to meet the wall of wood now coming on stream, as the result of the large volume of trees planted in early 1990s,” says KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy.

“Our log wagon fleet has grown by 40% since 2011. We have some very clever thinkers on our team and have been able to do this in an innovative and cost-efficient way by converting wagons retired from our

container fleet.”

“This is happening as fast as possible, and we are running trains up to seven days a week in all our key forestry routes. However current demand is so strong we could be doing more.”

“There are more than 130 additional log wagon conversions coming on stream over the next six months, which will allow us to meet further demand this year; and a further 200 wagon conversions are planned for the 2019 financial year”.

“In the Bay of Plenty alone KiwiRail runs 60 forestry trains each week to the Port of Tauranga, from Murupara-Kawerau and Kinleith. Those trains are taking the equivalent of up to 340 trucks a day off eastern Bay of Plenty roads”.

“KiwiRail is continuing to work

with the industry to identify further opportunities to take more logs off the road and onto rail. We have already worked successfully with industry to develop log hubs in key locations on the network where local forests are not directly served by rail”.

“This sees significant volumes of logs now moving to Napier Port and CentrePort from log hubs in Masterton, Whanganui and Palmerston North, rather than travelling by road. Consolidating volumes and running to export ports by train is a cost-effective option for forestry owners/ harvesters.”

“Rail also generates 66% fewer carbon emissions compared to heavy trucks for every tonne of freight moved”.

Peter Reidy, Chief Executive, KiwiRail

Logset and PESA sign a dealership agreement Finnish forest machine manufacturer Logset Oy and Brazilian heavy equipment dealer PESA (Paraná Equipamentos S/A) have signed a dealership agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, PESA will sell Logset machines, parts and services for the products manufactured by Logset. PESA’s territory of action covers the Southern Brazilian states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Through Logset forest machines, PESA gains technology

leadership in CTL systems. Logset machines fit perfectly to PESA’s CAT machine range.

“We’ve wanted to improve our presence in Brazil for some time, and the talks we had with PESA developed smoothly into an agreement. The Brazilian forestry is expanding fast.

The Southern Brazilian states are rich in pine, which suits Logset’s harvester heads perfectly.

For the Southern eucalyptus areas, the Logset TH65 Euca is the perfect match with excellent debarking

results.

PESA is a partner with an existing customer base, capable and motivated personnel, and excellent resources, including their own rental fleet, for starting a successful collaboration with Logset. We were convinced by their product support capability, and their CAT machines fit well as base machines for our TH heads.

I believe that Brazil will become an even more important market for Logset,” says Tapio Nikkanen, Chairman of the board.

Tapio Nikkanen, Chairman

Tilhill Forestry appoints Julian Hollingdale as District Manager of its North Highland office Tilhill Forestry has appointed Julian Hollingdale to the role of District Manager for their North Highland District office based in Inverness.

He spent 7 years in Southern England within the Forestry and Landscaping businesses before moving to join the forestry team in Inverness in late 2010. Hollingdale

is also a professional member of the ICF since 2013 and an ICF assessor since 2016.

Tilhill Forestry firmly believe that in order to effectively grow the business they must grow their talent internally. In order to support staff, the Company run a Management Development

6 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

Programme that equips both new graduate recruits and senior managers with the skill sets required to run a successful forestry and timber harvesting company. Hollingdale’s appointment is a good example of this philosophy.

His comprehensive experience

across a range of disciplines and locations within Tilhill, together with the inheritance of a strong District team, will allow the Company’s North Highland office to expand further taking advantage of the opportunities that the large and varied geographical area provides.

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LOGGING & BIOMASS NEWS

Tigercat releases 602 cable skidder In 2017, Tigercat developed and released its most compact skidder platfrom, the 602 series.

The prototype 602 skidder was sent to France last summer to be fitted with a Belgian designed and manufactured swing boom for use in mountain regions of Europe.

Now the 602 is available as a cable skidder suited to pockets of North America and other traditional winch skidder markets. The 602 cable skidder is ideal for high value selective hardwood logging and for retrieving timber from steep slopes and gullies.

The 602 is equipped with the Tigercat FPT Tier N45 engine which provides full emissions compliance for Tier 2 and Tier 4f , along with excellent fuel economy.

Both engines deliver 125 kW (168

hp) at 2,200 rpm.

The machine has a fixed front axle with an oscillating centre section to achieve a very narrow overall width of 2,7 metres (106 in). The agility of the 602 is ideal in selective felling applications.

The machine can access high value timber in steep terrain, while minimizing damage to the residual stand.

Maximum fuel efficiency is achieved by the use of Tigercat’s load sensing hydraulic system – only supplying the amount of oil that the various functions require for reduced engine load.

The 602 cable skidder offering has already attracted a lot of attention in the United States, where the first machine debuted at the Paul Bunyan show in

Cambridge, Ohio this past October.

Bill Shufflebotham, based in Rockport, Illinois purchased the first 602 cable skidder. He states, “It’s the only quality small machine on the market. It’s easy to move at nine feet wide and it’s powerful”.

CN Rail to purchase 350 lumber cars CN Rail has announced it will buy 350 centrebeam lumber cars to serve growing demand from lumber producing customers across its North American network.

“We are investing to move the economy as we put the rolling stock, infrastructure and people in place to serve the growing needs of our valued customers,” said JJ Ruest, interim president and chief executive officer of CN. “These additional centrebeams, combined with our recently-announced acquisition of 350 additional box cars, give us the tools to put more capacity at the disposal of business partners such as West Fraser. CN needs to and will do better moving lumber to market.”

The new-build, 73-foot riserless centrebeams, with a maximum load capacity of 286,000 pounds, are expected to be delivered starting in September. CN is also looking at an option to purchase or lease an additional 300 cars. “West Fraser looks forward to continuing to work with partners who can provide an effective supply chain serving the solid U.S. housing market,” said Ted Seraphim, president and chief executive officer of West Fraser.

The new cars will be manufactured in Canada by

National Steel Car Ltd. at its assembly plant in Hamilton, Ont. “National Steel Car has been building new freight cars for CN since 1919 and we are honoured to have the opportunity to continue to support CN and the customers they serve throughout North America,” said Gregory J. Aziz, chairman and chief executive officer of National Steel Car Limited. “This order will result in the hiring of over 250 employees at our Hamilton assembly plant, which currently employs more than 1,500 people,

8 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

and will provide extended benefits for Hamilton and the Canadian economy.”

Bob Bratina, Member of Parliament for Hamilton East – Stoney Creek, said: “CN’s investment in new cars to be built at National Steel Car’s Hamilton plant is huge for the city, but its impact ripples far beyond the Ontario steel and manufacturing economy. This is an investment in the Canadian economy and workers across the country.”

Said Hamilton Mayor Fred

Eisenberger, “Hamiltonians are proud of the role CN plays in our community, and this announcement is another vote of confidence in Hamilton and our skilled workforce.”

As part of CN’s record $3.4 billion capital program in 2018, the company is investing in new trade-enabling infrastructure and equipment. In addition to rail cars, CN expects starting in June to take delivery of the first of 60 new GE locomotives due in service in 2018.

8

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LOGGING & BIOMASS NEWS

Roseburg promotes Keith Eibel to Director of Chips and Coos Bay terminal As part of the recent restructuring of Roseburg’s Resource business, Keith Eibel has been promoted to Director of Roseburg’s chip business and the Coos Bay Shipping Terminal.

“Keith has been instrumental in establishing Roseburg as the largest exporter of wood chips in North America,” Senior Vice President of Resources Scott Folk said. “He has spearheaded our strategy to successfully grow and diversify our chip business, and under his leadership, we have become a major player in the Japanese chip market.”

Eibel joined Roseburg in 2008 as the manager of Roseburg’s chip business. His expanded duties now include the procurement and sale of chips to both international and domestic customers, the operations of Roseburg’s Coos Bay shipping terminal, and

Finland: wood pellet production up in 2017 In 2017, in Finland, a total of 324,000 tonnes of wood pellets were produced. That is one fifth more than in the previous year and the third highest result in history.

The production volume was highest in 2008 at 373,000 tonnes, reports Natural Resource Institute Finland (Luke).

A new record was reached in the Finnish imports of wood pellets. In 2017, a total of 87,000 tonnes of wood pellets were imported to Finland, being 74% more than in the previous year. Exports of wood pellets, 37,000 tonnes, increased by 8% over the year before. The apparent consumption (production + imports – exports) of wood pellets in Finland amounted to 373,000 tonnes.

Deliveries by pellet producers based on domestic pellet production grew by 15% compared to the previous year, amounting to 349,000 tonnes, which is the highest volume ever.

The amount of wood pellets delivered to power and heating plants and large buildings increased by 18% to 288,000 tonnes. The amount of wood pellets delivered to small-scale housing and farms increased by 6% to 62,000 tonnes.

responsibility for our western fiber business including sawdust, shavings and woody biomass.

Prior to joining Roseburg, Eibel spent six years as chip manager for Weyerhaeuser and managed chip procurement for the company’s Albany and Springfield pulp mills. He worked for Willamette Industries for 23 years, primarily as fiber procurement manager. He graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Products.

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International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 9

LOGGING & BIOMASS NEWS

INTERFORST 2018 is back on the track INTERFORST 2018 is backed, at least indirectly, by an industry with considerable economic strength. In nearly 128,000 companies of the forestry and wood cluster, more than 1.1 employees generate annual sales of approximately 180 billion euros.

Thus, more people are working in this sector than for example in the mechanical engineering and plant manufacturing sectors or in the automotive industry, as the Federation of German Forest Owners Associations [Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Waldbesitzer, AGDW 2018] and the German Forestry Council [Deutscher Forstwirtschaftsrat, DFWR 2018] emphasize.

The forestry and wood cluster includes the following economic sectors: the forestry sector, the woodworking industry, the wood processing industry, wood processing in the building industry, the paper industry, the publishing and printing sector as well as the timber business. Even though the forestry sector, with shares of two percent in sales and eight percent in the number of employees, only plays a subordinate role, it forms the basis of the wood processing chain and its economic output due to sustainable forest management.

Great significance for rural areas “Particularly in rural areas, many workplaces depend directly or indirectly on the forest sector and the forest-based industries. They have a great economic importance here. Thus, this economic sector provides an income to approximately two million forest owners. Many companies from the forest-based industries have their location entirely or partially in rural areas”, states c Globalization has brought about an enormous boom for the forestry sector and the forest-based industries in the last few years, partly because of the increasing scarcity of fossil resources (cluster analysis, NWFVA 2007). “In this context, our forest owners, who are cultivating their forests in a sustainable and forward-looking manner, supply wood as a climate-neutral raw material. The used wood removes carbon from the atmosphere

and binds it in wood products.

In addition, it replaces energyintensive substances, such as concrete, steel or oil”, Georg Schirmbeck goes on to say.

48 percent of the forest is privately owned One third of Germany, namely 11.4 million hectares in total, is covered by forests. The basis for the high benefit of the forestry and wood cluster are sustainably cultivated forests. According to information provided by the Federal Statistical Office, there were 29,408 forestry operations in total in 2016. They cultivated a forest area (including short rotational plantations) covering 7,155,201 ha. A large part of the forest belongs to private forest owners (48 percent). Fifty percent of the private forest account for what is referred to as private micro forests, i.e. forests smaller than 20 hectares in size.

To be able to ensure sustainable forest management in spite of this unfavorable ownership structure, approximately 430,000 forest owners have organized themselves in some 3,600 forestry cooperatives.

Sustainable exploitation— timber reserves are steadily increasing Another 19 percent of the German forest area are part of the municipal and corporate forests. The rest of the forest area is broken down into the state-forest of the federal states (29 percent) and the federal government (4 percent). German forestry is considered as the cradle of sustainability, and the present generations profit from the fact that felling does not outpace growth in Germany’s forests. Approximately 122 million cubic meters of wood is growing in the forests annually; 7.0 cubic meter per hectare and year, or 76 million cubic meter of raw wood (cubic meters of harvested wood), are harvested annually throughout Germany, sometimes slightly more, sometimes less, but always below the forest growth rate. As a result, the timber reserves are steadily increasing.

Wood as an energy carrier Increasing energy consumption with simultaneous shortages

10 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

of fossil resources and anthropogenic climate change are the great challenges of today.

In this connection, wood as a renewable resource is of particular importance. By reducing the energy consumption for the fabrication of timber construction products alone, almost twice as many emissions than by the substitution of fossil fuels by wood as an energy carrier could be saved in Germany in the last few years. In addition, there is the immense effect of the domestic forestry and wood sector as a huge carbon pool. (RÜTER, Thünen-Institut 2016)

More timber reserves than Sweden and Finland Thanks to the foresighted work of several generations of forest owners and foresters, timber reserves in Germany are high and even continue to increase (Forest Report of the Federal Government Federal Ministry of Food and Agricultures (BMEL) 2017). By means of a comparison, the high level of the reserves becomes particularly clear: actually, Germany has larger timber reserves than, for example, Sweden and Finland with their seemingly endless forests (AGDW 2018). Therefore, most of the German need for wood can be covered from its own forestry sector; however, Germany has been a net importer of (coniferous) raw wood since 2009. At the same time, Germany remains the largest exporter (predominantly to other EU countries) of timber and timberbased products, preceded by China and the USA. (Forest Report of the Federal Government Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) 2017).

Revenues from the sale of wood The main product for the revenues of German forest operations still is raw wood. Its share in the value of the products originating from forestry accounts for more than 90 percent. In 2016, for example, 52 million cubic meters were logged (calculated without bark).

Of this amount, 9.4 million cubic meters were used for energetic purposes, slightly above one million more than ten years ago

Georg Schirmbeck, President of the DFWR.

(Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture BMEL 2018). Even if the focus is meanwhile shifting for several forest owners, especially for those from urban areas, who consider nature conservation as a primary objective rather than the generation of revenues from the forest, the revenues generated from the sale of timber remain decisive.

The forest as a workplace Due to their forestry activities, private forest businesses as well as municipal and state-owned state forestry enterprises are employers for many other specialists and suppliers. There are more than 3000 forestry enterprises in Germany; their employees plant trees for the forest owners, care for their forest resources and finally harvest the wood, move it out of the forest and ensure its transportation. Despite all mechanization and digitization, forestry work still is one of the most dangerous and accidentprone activities of all. Safety at work and occupation-specific health risks will play an important role at Interforst 2018, too.

Likewise, high-quality equipment and advanced procedures will be on display at the show. In addition, leading organizations and associations of the forestry and wood cluster will present the latest figures and topical research results, and will discuss the most important topics from the spheres of politics and business. The complete range of the German and the international forest sectors and forest-based industries will present itself at Interforst.

LOGGING & BIOMASS NEWS

New factory representative for Pacific Northwest Tigercat has announced that Kusiah McCullough has been appointed to the position of factory representative for Washington and Oregon.

Based in Shelton, Washington, Kusiah has been involved in many aspects of the logging industry in the Pacific northwest for his entire working career. His specialties include steep ground logging application with a lot of seat time in both the Tigercat LS855C shovel and the L870 series feller

bunchers. Kusiah also has several years of experience managing field operations for various logging companies.

“I have operated almost every machine utilized in timber harvesting and I find Tigercat far superior to any competitive brand.

The customer service, quality and safety of the machinery and the fact that Tigercat is at the forefront of modern logging techniques makes them the pinnacle of all timber harvesting machinery,” Kusiah

comments.

With a somewhat unique perspective stemming from his experience as a machine operator and field manager, Kusiah will be primarily involved with product support and operator training.

“I want to enable customers to safely and efficiently realize the full potential of the equipment they have purchased and to teach new and innovative techniques especially as they pertain to steep ground logging.”

Kusiah McCullough

Roseburg names Pete Hancock as Roanoke Timberlands manager Roseburg announced that Pete Hancock has accepted the position of Roanoke Timberlands Manager, effective May 7, 2018. In this role, Hancock will oversee the day-today harvest and land management activities on Roseburg’s 158,000acre fee land base in North Carolina and Virginia.

A 2001 graduate of Virginia Tech where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry, Hancock has built an impressive 17-year consulting, industrial forest management, and supervisory career. He joins Roseburg from GFR Forestry Consultants, where he has provided clients in northeast North Carolina and southeast Virginia with high-level timber sale, forest management, strategic harvest, and land use planning services for the past 12 years. During college, Hancock spent his summer months interning for International Paper.

After graduation, he leveraged that experience into an Area Forester position in the Roanoke area until the properties were sold in 2006.

“On the operations side, Pete adds immediate value,” said Gabe Crane, Roseburg Director of Resource Operations and Marketing. “His extensive knowledge of local log markets and existing relationships with facilities and contractors in the area will seamlessly integrate our direct log and stumpage sales programs.”

“On the management side, Pete’s passion for best science-

based planning, loblolly pine silviculture and the Roanoke land base line up with our long-term management principles and vision,” said Phil Adams, Roseburg

Director of Timberlands. “Pete is a great fit for Roseburg, and we look forward to taking our management of the Roanoke timberlands to the next level together.”

Pete Hancock

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 11

LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

Suzano and Fibria to merge Brazil’s largest pulp producers, Suzano Papel E Celulose S.A. and Fibria Cellulose announced, the controlling shareholders of Suzano Holding S.A. and Fibria Celulose S.A. have agreed to a merger of the two companies.

Under the proposed terms of the deal: Suzano being entitled to the total share capital of Fibria;

and Fibria’s shareholders receiving, in exchange for each common share of Fibria the amount of R$ 52,50 (fifty two Brazilian reais and fifty cents), adjusted by CDI from March 15, 2018 up until the effective payment date, to be paid in one installment on the closing date of the transaction; and 0,4611 common share issued by Suzano to

be delivered on the closing date of the deal.

The closing of the transaction is subject to certain conditions typical to transactions of this nature, including the approval by antitrust authorities in Brazil and in other jurisdictions.

Fibria is the world leader in eucalyptus pulp production with an

annual pulp production capacity of 7.25 million tons.

Stella-Jones reports 4Q sales increase of 10.4% Stella-Jones Inc. announced financial results for its 4Q and fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. 4Q 2017 sales amounted to $377.4 million, representing an increase of 10.4% from $341.7 million a year ago.

Operating income totalled $29 million, or 7.7% of sales, in the 4Q 2017, versus $28.2 million, or 8.2% of sales, last year. The increase in absolute dollars reflects higher business activity, while the decrease as a percentage of sales is mainly attributable to the sales mix within each product category and softer pricing in certain regions.

4Q 2017 net income was $51.1 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, up from $18.5 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, in the prior year. The increase reflects the aforementioned tax benefit.

FY 2017 sales reached $1.89 billion, up 2.6% from last year’s sales of $1.84 billion. FY 2017 operating income was $207.4 million, or 11.0% of sales, compared with $233.2 million, or 12.7% of sales, in 2016. The decrease as a percentage of sales is mainly attributable to lower selling prices for railway ties, a less favourable geographical mix in the utility pole category and increased untreated

lumber costs in the residential lumber category. These factors were partially offset by a reduction in selling and administrative expenses, as well as favourable year-over-year variations in certain provisions and in foreign exchange gains and losses.

Net income for 2017 increased 9.1% to $167.9 million, or $2.42 per diluted share, up from $153.9 million, or $2.22 per diluted share, in 2016. The year-over-year increase reflects a one-off noncash tax benefit of $30 million recorded in the 4Q resulting from the remeasurement of deferred tax liabilities following a reduction

in the U.S. top federal corporate income tax rate.

Stella-Jones Inc. is a leading producer and marketer of pressure treated wood products.

The Company supplies North America’s railroad operators with railway ties and timbers, and the continent’s electrical utilities and telecommunication companies with utility poles.

Sveza completes the acquisition of the Tyumen Plywood Mill in Russia Sveza has completed the acquisition of the Tyumen Plywood Mill group. The deal was approved by the Russian Federal AntiMonopoly Service (FAS).

The Tyumen Plywood Mill is one of the most modern woodprocessing and plywood production enterprises in Russia. The mill produces about 92 thousand cubic meters of plywood every year. Its main production facilities

commenced operation in 2008. The mill specializes in the production of large-sized plywood. Its product range includes plywood of 16 different sizes.

“The purchase of the Tyumen Plywood Mill is yet another step in implementation of SVEZA’s strategy to increase production capacity including by means of expanding the portfolio of assets with a high growth potential,” says Anatoly

Frishman, SVEZA’s CEO. “We are planning to gradually integrate this business into our company’s structure by unifying best practices that we and the purchased asset possess. We believe the annual production capacity of the Tyumen mill can be increased up to 120 thousand cubic meters.”

Denis Trufakin has been appointed the director of the Tyumen Plywood Mill. Since

Rex Lumber adds profiling to its HSS Rex Lumber of Brookhaven, MS has invested in updating its existing horizontal shape sawing gang (HSS), and recently decided to add

profiling to this process. Adding profiling will reduce the load on the edger, eliminate the need for the sort station, and facilitate a much

12 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

more efficient process.

Profiling can be added to your primary breakdown or gangsaw process.

2007, he has worked at SVEZA Verkhnyaya Sinyachikha mill in the areas of process/quality engineering, maintenance, production management & planning, and investments.

LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

OneFortyOne Plantations to halt sawlog exports OneFortyOne Plantations (OFO) has announced that as a result of strong domestic demand and the continued outperformance across the building industry, it has advised customers that there will be no sawlog exported from its estate for the next financial year.

OFO’s CEO, Linda Sewell said: “The volume of sawlog we export has been steadily in decline in recent times due to high demand from our domestic customers.

Whilst demand remains strong, we will further support the local industry by retaining the logs

onshore.”

This announcement comes as the domestic timber industry continues to experience its strongest performance in 15 years, and follows OFO’s previously announced decisions in 2017 to cease exporting large saw logs and to formally withdraw from the Korean export market.

As the local industry processors have made significant investments in their mills and operating technology over the past five years, the Company has found its customers are seeking more fibre

than ever before.

“We have been meeting the rising domestic demand where we could do so sustainably. Our focus is to support the current capacity of the domestic industry and not compromise the longterm sustainability of our forests by expanding beyond its means”.

The Company has confirmed that it will continue to export surplus pulplogs produced from critical forest thinning programs that are needed to ensure healthy forests. Whilst domestic demand is currently strong, the Company does

not preclude exporting sawlogs in the future, if market conditions change.

OFO’s focus on the domestic industry has seen the company increase the number of local customers, and increase the volume supplied to those customers by more than 45% over the past five years.

Tolko invests in new USNR edger line with BioVision Tolko is investing in a new BioVision Edger line for its sawmill at Armstrong, BC. The new line will comprise an unscrambler, Maximizer positioning infeed with dual fetchers, 4-saw edger, and close-coupled picker tailer.

The optimizer is a BioVision system utilizing data from the new transverse scanner fitted with BioLuma 2900LV vision sensors.

Also included is a MillTrak™ lumber flow control system

comprising two sensors mounted above the unscrambler.

BioVision’s edger grade evaluation adds overall value through re-manufacture or rip, based on the final grade of the wood. For example, a #3 appearance due to knots can be edged to #3 wane with confidence, to maximize recovery. Likewise a low grade 2x8 may be worth more as two 2x4s, one being a higher grade.

Columbia Forest Products to expand its plywood mill in North Eastern Ontario Ontario is supporting Columbia Forest Products to expand its plywood mill in Hearst and Rutherglen, helping to create and maintain almost 350 jobs and boost economic growth.

With support from Ontario’s Jobs and Prosperity Fund, the

company will be able to grow its business and increase efficiency by modernizing its infrastructure and purchasing new equipment to maximize production capacity, increase competitiveness and expand into new markets, while ensuring resources are managed

sustainably.

Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child

care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

U.S. log exports to China jumped 24.7% in February U.S. log exports increased 15.5% YoY to 1.15 million m3 in February 2018, the exports value exceeded $238.2 million (+27.4%), according to the USDA. U.S. log exports to China, the

largest consumer of U.S. log, have jumped 24.7% to 544.3 thousand m3 and 33.1% by value ($126.0 million). The exports to secondlargest consumer Canada have declined 2.3% to 305.2 thousand

14 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

m3, and exports to Japan have increased 13.5% to 171.4 thousand m3.

The average price of U.S. log in February 2018 was $207 per m3, increase 10.3% from the same

period last year. The average price of log exports to China was $231 per m3 (+6.7%), to Canada was $98 (-2.9%), and to Japan was $266 (+21.6%).

LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

JoeScan continues to grow JoeScan, Inc., a market leader in 3D laser scanning technology for the sawmill industry, has announced the hiring of two new employees.

Brad Michael has taken over for outgoing marketing manager Christy Green and Vadim Kovalev has re-joined the team as a mechanical engineer and media production specialist. The two will work closely with the rest of the JoeScan team to design, test, and market new products, and to produce videos and other digital content.

“We were thrilled to bring Brad on board and have Vadim back to expand our capabilities,” says JoeScan founder and president Joey Nelson. “They both bring a lot of passion and fresh ideas that will help us deliver exciting new things for our customers.”

Kovalev is making a return to the company, after serving as an engineering intern while pursuing his degree at Washington State University, then as a full-time product development engineer working on JoeScan’s X6B laser

scanner. After exploring options for greater exposure in the sawmill optimization industry, he founded his own media production company Kovalev Films that specializes in video services.

“I was really happy to come back to JoeScan and work on product development with a team I consider to be my close friends,” says Kovalev. “Our product pipeline is pushing into cool new territory right now, so it’s a great time to be back.”

Michael joins JoeScan after beginning his career managing advanced R&D projects for aerospace and defense contractor Lockheed Martin, and later freelancing as a web designer and digital marketing consultant. He brings expertise in a wide variety of technical and creative skills, including writing, photography, and social media management and strategy.

“Nothing gets my creative juices flowing like working with a small group of talented people,” Michael says. “I’m still learning the ins

Kovalev, Nelson, and Michael examine a JS-25 X6B scanner at JoeScan HQ. and outs of the sawmill industry, but luckily I’ve got a bunch of incredibly knowledgeable folks at JoeScan to get me up to speed.”

JoeScan has big plans for 2018, and Kovalev and Michael stand to feature prominently in all of them.

We want to roll out a lot more content to leverage the thought leadership of our crew and share it with the rest of the sawmill world,” Michael adds. “Vadim and I are collaborating on a whole series of videos right now,

covering the basics down to the nitty gritty details of 3D scanning and optimization. Plus, there are some amazing things brewing up in engineering, so stay tuned because you definitely don’t want to miss out.”

Reach out directly to Sales@JoeScan.com, or sign up for their mailing list at www.joescan.com/signup to get a firsthand look at the changes these new hires will bring.

SCREW TECHNOLOGY the new generation of log handling systems

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Springer Maschinenfabrik GmbH | office@springer.eu | www.springer.eu | Hans-Springer-Strasse 2 | A-9360 Friesach | T +43 4268 2581-0 | F +43 4268 2581-45 Springer Microtec Inc. | office@springer-microtec.com | www.springer-microtec.com | 201, 1847 West Broadway | Vancouver, V6J1Y6 | Canada | T 604.879.4628

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International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 15

LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

West Fraser’s CEO Ted Seraphim to retire in 2019 West Fraser announced Ted Seraphim’s plan to retire as CEO at the end of the 2Q 2019. West Fraser also announced the appointment of Ray Ferris, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, as President and Chief Operating

Officer effective immediately. Ray will be appointed CEO upon Ted’s retirement next year.

Ray Ferris has been with the Company since 1997 and has progressed through a series of key leadership roles. He was

appointed West Fraser’s Executive Vice-President and COO in 2016 and before that served in several executive positions including as Vice-President, Wood Products, Vice-President, Solid Wood and Vice-President, Lumber Operations.

Brazilian wood product exports increased by 28.8% in January In January 2018, Brazilian exports of wood products (except pulp and paper) increased 28.8% in value compared to January 2017, from $183.7 million to $236.6 million, ITTO reported.

The value of pine sawnwood exports increased 23% between January 2017 ($33.6 million) and January 2018 ($41.2 million). In terms of volume, exports increased 18% over the same period, from

168,300 cubic metres to 198,900 cubic metres.

In contrast tropical sawnwood exports fell around 12% in volume, from 32,800 cubic metres in January 2017 to 29,000 cubic metres in January 2018. But unit prices were higher such that export values fell less than 1% over the same period.

Pine plywood export values increased a startling 55% in

January 2018 in comparison with a year earlier from $34.8 million to $54 million. The volume of plywood exports increased but by only 27% over the same period, from 133,000 cubic metres to 169,400 cubic metres.

As for tropical plywood, exports increased in both volume and value, from 10,600 cubic metres ($3.9 million) in January 2017 to 12,300 cubic metres ($ 5.1 million)

in January 2018.

The good news on exports continued with for wooden furniture where export values rose from $26.6 million in January 2017 to $32 million in January 2018, a 20% rise.

Latvijas Finieris increased its turnover in 2017 by 7% The consolidated turnover of Latvijas Finieris Group in 2017 reached Euro 229 million, which is 7% more than in 2016. With a steady demand, Latvijas Finieris exported a total of Euro 185 million worth of products in 2017, mainly to partners in the European continent (83%) and Asia.

The total amount of taxes paid

by Latvijas Finieris Group in Latvia last year was Euro 18.7 million.

Consequently, over the last ten years, the total amount of taxes paid to the Latvian budget has reached Euro 130 million.

In addition, as of 2011, Latvijas Finieris Group has been charged

a total of Euro 12.4 million as the Compulsory Energy Component to support renewable energy and security of the power supply in Latvia. Taking into account the changes in the calculation of this component, this year the planned amount is Euro 1.6 million (at the same level of economic activity in

Latvia).

Latvijas Finieris is one of the largest birch plywood producing companies in the world with production in all Baltic countries and in Finland.

Atlas Engineered Products appoints Bill Woods as CFO Atlas Engineered Products appoints M. William (Bill) Woods as CFO. Mr. Woods is a seasoned executive with management and executive experience in North American mining, manufacturing, biotech, telecommunications, transportation, and service

industries. He has over 20 years of experience in senior and executive roles with established companies, as well as with various start-up and expansion scenarios.

He previously held the positions of CFO and COO of Athabasca Minerals, CFO of Cardio-

Metabolics, CFO of Liberty Mines, and served as VP Finance for companies in the transportation, manufacturing, and business brokerage fields. His experience is diverse in both private and public company contexts.

Russian sawmills gain market share in Egypt Russian sawmills exported approximately 84 thousands m3 of softwood lumber to Egypt in January, analysis company Woodstat reported. This represents

an increase of 42% compared to January 2017. Deliveries from Sweden decreased by 7% during the month and Finland increased the export by 3%.

16 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

The Russian export to Egypt increased by 63% during the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to same quarter previous year.

With increased deliveries from

the Russian sawmills they are increasing their market share again in the Egyptian market after a significant loss during the first half of 2017.

LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

Russia sees a 60.7% increase in import of woodworking machines In 2017, Russia sharply increased woodworking machine imports (+60.7%) after a decline of 15.6% in 2016. This may indicate that companies of Russian forestbased industries have adapted to the current exchange rate of the national currency, according to the analytical report “Russian forestbased industries in 2017″, prepared

by Lesprom Network’s Research Department.

Investments in fixed assets in the production of paper and paper products increased by 33.3%, and investments in wood processing (excluding furniture production) up

5.5%. In 2017, favorable situation on foreign markets formed a steady growing demand for the main products of the Russian forestbased industries. At the same time, the turn of the national economy from a recession to growth (GDP grew by 1.5%) led to a revival of demand for products for domestic market. These trends are expected to continue in 2018.

China remains the main consumer of products of the Russian forest-based industries.

In 2017, China’s share in the Russian export of logs was 66%, in lumber exports – 55%, in pulp

exports – 58%. According to the World Bank, the growth of China’s economy amounted to 6.8% in 2017, and it is expected to grow 6.4% in 2018. According to the analytical report, the process of structural changes in exports (from raw materials to wood processing products) continues: Russia’s log exports decreased, but lumber exports increased by 10.1% in 2017.

Overproduction in the Russian MDF market led to an increase in MDF exports by 36.1% compared to 2016, and MDF exports grew almost 2 times compared to 2014.

Growth (+34.1%) of wood

pellets production in Russia in the coming years will continue at a rapid pace, due to Russian and foreign companies are planning to launch a new production facilities in the country, according to the analytical report.

Increased attention of the state to the development of the forest-based industries and the beginning of a number of incentive measures for the development of wooden housing construction can contribute to increased demand for lumber within the country in the next 3-5 years.

Green building meets green manufacturing with USNR’s CLT Press USNR’s new press for the manufacture of cross laminated timber panels (CLT) is robust and cost-effective, with key design elements that make it a great choice for those entering the emerging North American CLT market.

The modular design allows for infinite expansion along its length, HALCO AD:Layout 3 3/8/10

enabling this press to grow with your operation so you can meet the needs of the market today and tomorrow. The system can use hydraulics or the “green” option using air to achieve the necessary pressures, for an easy-tomaintain, environmentally friendly alternative.

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LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

Softwood lumber trade reaches record-high Global Lumber Trade

America

Trade of softwood lumber reached an all-time-high in 2017 as demand for wood was strong in most key markets around the world.

An estimated 126 million m3 of softwood lumber was shipped from forest-rich countries such as Canada, Russia, Sweden and Finland to markets with high consumption of lumber, including China, the US, the United Kingdom, Japan and Germany.

Since the global recession in 2008, international trade of lumber has gone up by as much as 50%.

With the economy forecasted to stay healthy in the US and Europe in 2018, this might be another good year for lumber exporters.

US softwood lumber production in 2017 reached the highest level seen in ten years. The biggest increase came in the southern states, but other regions of the country also had healthy production gains year-over-year.

The higher domestic production levels resulted in decreased demand for imported lumber as US lumber consumption was up by only one percent from 2016.

The strong market for lumber in the US led to record high lumber prices in both the US and Canada in late 2017 and early 2018.

Lumber markets of North

Lumber markets of China Over the past two years, prices for imported softwood lumber to China have been steadily rising

and in January 2018 reached their highest levels since March 2015.

Lumber supply from Russia and North America has generally been the lowest cost lumber imported to China, while lumber from Chile, Sweden and Finland typically is at the higher end of the price spectrum.

Russia and Canada continue to be the major suppliers, but their total market share has shrunk from 81% in 2015 to 76% in 2017, with particularly Nordic mills increasing their presence in this fast-growing market.

Lumber market of Japan Although lumber imports to Japan fell in the 4Q/17, the total volume for the year was up slightly for the second consecutive year. The

biggest changes in supply over the past few years have been reduced shipments from Canada and increased imports from Finland and Sweden.

Compared to most other major markets of the world, domestic and import prices for lumber have been surprisingly stable.

Ontario supporting sawmill in Killaloe Ontario is supporting Ben Hokum and Son Ltd. to upgrade and modernize its sawmill in Killaloe, helping to create and maintain 106 jobs and boost economic growth.

Ben Hokum and Son Ltd. is one of eastern Ontario’s largest lumber producers, and the largest producer of red and white pine in Ontario. Its lumber is used in flooring, framing, paneling, pallets and crafting material.

“As a fourth-generation mill owner, I realize the importance of providing meaningful employment for our community, and a chance for our employees to improve their skill-set through automation,” said Dean Felhaber, president of

Ben Hokum and Son Ltd. “With these value-added processes, we will further our company’s penetration into global lumber markets securing our future, as well as those who depend on us — employees, families, suppliers, community, customers.”

Through the funding, the company will be able to grow its business and increase efficiency by modernizing its infrastructure and purchasing new equipment. This will increase production capacity and increase competitiveness while ensuring resources are managed sustainably.

“Our government understands how important a strong forest

18 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

products sector is to Ontario’s economy and the key role it plays in many northern and rural communities,” said Nathalie Des Rosiers, minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.

The project will maintain 101 existing jobs and create five new positions at the mill in Killaloe.

“I am happy to see the investment we are making in eastern Ontario, and the support this will provide to families in Ontario,” said Steven Del Duca, minister of Economic Development and Growth.

Ontario is continuing its support for the forestry sector by investing $5.5 million over five

Dean Felhaber, president of Ben Hokum and Son Ltd. years in Ben Hokum and Son Ltd.’s infrastructure project.

By generating over $15.3 billion in revenues and supporting approximately 172,000 direct and indirect jobs, the forestry sector is a significant part of communities across the province.

Uruguay’s Agro Empresa Forestal chooses Inflor to manage its forest asset The possibility of integrating operational and management information from different planting areas was the reason why Agro Empresa Forestal S.A. (AF) has opted for the INFLOR Forestsolution. The Uruguayan company operates on more than 100,000 hectares of forest and agricultural plantations in Uruguay, Chile and Brazil. Agro Empresa Forestal’s main objective is to integrate the costing data to the forest asset register of the planting plots.

The implementation of the INFLOR Forest solution at AF began in January, with the activities planning. In this phase, the solution will encompass the Forestry Register, GIS and Siviculture modules, according to Carlos Albuquerque, Commercial Director at INFLOR. Jaime Flores, Forestry Planning Manager at AF, points out that the company’s goal − with the implementation of the INFLOR Forest − is to have an integrated system that concentrates information on operation and costs.

“Having a unique and integrated information system, according to international standards, is a

200 Series Jaime Flores, Forestry Planning Manager at AF challenge for a company like ours, which manages assets in different countries,” he notes.

Flores adds that there is a huge expectation for the beginning of the system deployment, for it is clear that the INFLOR Forest system will also ease the integration of new planting areas.

According to Jaime Flores, AF has plans after the implementation of the functions already contracted: to evaluate the expansion of the use of the tool for the Logistic, Harvest and Forest Inventory modules, in which the company is also interested. The implementation of the Forestry Register, GIS and Silviculture modules should be completed by the end of April.

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New Zealand increases log exports to China in February by 55.9% New Zealand has increased log exports to China in February 2018 by 55.9% to 1,17 million m3 with average price of NZ$164 per m3, according to Statistics New Zealand data.

China’s share in News Zealand log exports has gained 10 pp to 75.8%. The supplies to Korea declined 24.7% to 162.4 thousands m3, and to Japan dropped 38.1% to 98.8 thousands m3. In February

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2018, total log exports from New Zealand increased 34.2% to 1.55 million m3.

Gocator 200 series multi-point profile scanners allow you to create a scanning system based on a modular design.

Easily mix 3D profiles, tracheid detection, and color vision, running at up to 300 feet per minute (FPM) in transverse board applications.

Start out with profile data for volume recovery and upgrade to add color for grade-based recovery. Or leverage profile and tracheid scanning for excellent grain angle and knot detection, and then add color for further defect recognition. » Gocator 210 Basic profiling (every 1" at 200 FPM) » Gocator 230 High performance profiling (every 0.3" at 300 FPM) » Gocator 250 High performance profiling w/ tracheid running at 1.5 kHz » Gocator 205 Bolt-on color vision w/ 0.5 x 0.25 mm resolution at 300 FPM

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International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 19

LUMBER PROCESSING

SCANNING & OPTIMISATION – AUTOLOG

Gap management system by Autolog Sawmills

SERRA

A

t the primary breakdown, it is a well-known fact that proper gap management has a direct impact on production and bottom-line profits.

In essence, when the gap between logs is too small, the line must stop to position the cutting tools. When the gap is too long, throughput is reduced. Therefore, it is important to maintain a constant gab between the logs, which is easier said than done.

This is where Autolog’s solution comes in

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The camera for gap management is located at the log infeed of a sawing line. By adding the camera, it will detect with precision both the beginning of the log in the feeder, or the absence of the log, as well as the end of the log on the conveyor, maximizing the use of the sawing line while maintaining a constant gap between each log.

The system also eliminates virtually all log crossings. For example, a log that is too small to be detected by the other type of sensors may result in two logs crossing over one another in the

chain, triggering a production stoppage in order to separate these two logs.

Without this solution, customers must use several types of sensors to detect these two logs, for example photocells such as analog or single point, only to achieve average results.

Thanks to Autolog and the early adopters, customers achieve excellent results while reducing downtime and production costs.

“This may be the quick fix you are looking for and Autolog is ready to help” the company said.

October 17-19, 2018 Portland, Oregon For full details please visit www.timberprocessingandenergyexpo.com

LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

Skeena Sawmills to build pellet plant this summer A Terrace-based pellet plant may soon become a reality as Skeena Sawmills moves forward on its plans to begin construction this summer reports Terrace Standard. The mill is reserving its official announcement on the estimated $20-million pellet plant until construction starts, but operations vice-president Roger Keery has confirmed the project is going ahead.

“All the major equipment is ordered,” Keery said, estimating that the company has already spent roughly $2 million on permits and equipment deposits. The pellet plant will be built inside the large blue warehouse on the west side of Skeena Sawmills.

Construction is expected to start this summer, with the equipment arriving in June or July. Keery hopes to have it up and running by the end of this fall. Terrace has had a long history of false starts around pellet plants in the past 10 years, with about six attempts in partnership with the Terrace mill.

“No one has ever been in doubt that there needed to be one,” said Keery. “It’s just, how do you get to it?” The pellet business is tough and there’s not a lot of money in it, he said, adding that it can draw a reasonable return if it’s managed well. But it’s not the economics that is driving the Skeena Sawmills project forward.

“We’re building the pellet plant because it’s critical to our business,” Keery said. “We currently cannot operate our mill to its capacity because we haven’t got anywhere to dispose of the (waste) material we produce.” Keery says about 30% of harvested wood is unusable for lumber products, and until now Skeena Sawmills has been loading it into the Kitsumkalum landfill. “But it’s now full,” said Keery of the landfill, “so we can’t do that anymore.”

The sawmill is now stockpiling its waste wood in anticipation of what’s hoped to be the pellet plant’s fall startup. “There’s still some uncertainty (about the timeline),” said Keery.

Roc Holdings Ltd, the Vancouver-based investment company that owns Skeena Sawmills, is starting up a separate company called Skeena Biofuels to build and operate the pellet plant, but Keery says they are considering potential partnerships.

The plant will produce an estimated 75,000 tonnes of pellets per year, and although buyers have not yet been identified Keery said there’s been a lot of interest from markets in China, Japan and Korea.

So far three people, Gary Johnston, Nathan Bond, and Randy Coombes are employed to get the Skeena Biofuels plant up and running. Once

the plant is operational it will provide 12 to 15 jobs, probably two in management positions and 10-13 for operations and maintenance.

“We’ve put a lot of effort into designing our plant to be a state of the art pellet plant in terms of its efficiency, its environmental impact, and its impact on the neighbourhood in terms of noise,” said Keery. The belt dryer, as an example, will use natural gas instead of wood fuel to dry the pellets at a lower temperature, minimizing wood exhaust.

The complete line of equipment will come from Prodesa, a Spain-based pellet plant and biomass equipment manufacturing company.

Situated on the west side of Skeena Sawmills, the big blue warehouse on the left is the location of the planned Terrace pellet plant

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 21

LUMBER PROCESSING NEWS

Wood transportation expertise added to Woodflow 2018 As part of the upcoming twoyearly tech update for forestry, wood harvesting and transport companies around Australasia, the very latest international and local developments around vehicle fleet operations, planning and safety as they apply to the wood transport businesses are being unveiled. Included in the line-up for WoodFlow 2018 are; Alexander Mastrovito, Head of Sustainable Transport Solutions, Scania - Asia & Oceania, Hong Kong. Alexander is the project leader for Scania’s autonomous vehicle development in Singapore and the head of sustainable transport solutions for Scania in Asia and Oceania. He’s responsible for promoting and implementing future solutions; electric and alternatively fueled vehicles, connected transports and selfdriving trucks and buses. He heads up Scania’s regional work in Asia paving the way for electromobility, autonomous vehicles, ITS and mobility as a service. Prior to joining Scania Alexander was based in Beijing spending 11 years in the Greater China region working

in the automotive industry.

Max Blatt, Head of Business Development, LOTS Group, Sweden. As Head of Business Development for LOTS Group, a Scania company, Max has had 17 years’ experience in managing the implementation of strategic and operational improvement initiatives within forest products and other heavy manufacturing sectors across North America, Europe and Asia.

A former Director at Pöyry Management Consulting and Head of Western Operations for Perforex, Max has worked with over 100 companies in 25 different countries. Max’s focus with LOTS Group is in providing transport solutions that combine technology and methods to positively impact costs, safety and sustainability.

Fernando Paredes, Transport Manager, Forestal Mininco, Chile.

Fernando manages the transport area for the company CMPC, one of Chile’s largest forestry companies.

Over the last 10 years, Fernando has managed the supply chain, loading and transportation of timber to the industrial centres

of CMPC and other processing operations.

Fernando will be outlining an array of initiatives that have been employed by the company to improve efficiencies and safety, including utilizing technology available with on-board cameras being installed across their trucking fleet.

Andrew Rushworth, Managing Director, Zero Emission Vehicles, NZ. Andrew has an extensive background in new technology development, commercialization, manufacturing and sales of electric heavy vehicles worldwide.

His company, one of just a few in this region, is designing and manufacturing EHV’s.

Full details of the WoodFlow 2018 series can be found on the event website, www.woodflow.events.

The conference programme, including two workshops around transport planning the day before each conference, run in Melbourne, Australia on 20-21 June then again in Rotorua, New Zealand on 26-27 June.

Bergs Timber acquires Norvik’s timber operations in Latvia, Estonia and the UK Bergs Timber AB has signed an agreement with Bergs Timber’s principal owner, Icelandic Norvik hf, with respect to the acquisition of a number of companies within the Norvik group with operations in Latvia, Estonia and the United Kingdom.

The purchase price will be made

up of 170 million newly issued shares in Bergs Timber as well as a cash payment of SEK 270 million ($32.5 million).

“We have now, for a couple of months, had the opportunity to get to know and evaluate Norvik’s timber operations. These companies are well managed

22 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

and profitable with an engaged staff and quality products. I am convinced that the companies strengthen each other and that the acquisition is good both for our staff and our owners,” says Peter Nilsson, CEO of Bergs Timber

Peter Nilsson, CEO of Bergs Timber

SCANNING & OPTIMISATION – JOESCAN

LUMBER PROCESSING

The essential long-term investment for sawmills The JS-25 X-Series is just the latest in a long line of hardworking, dependable, and easy to use scan heads designed specifically for the rigors of modern sawmills

J

oeScan’s scan heads have been made for sawmills since the company introduced its first scanner almost 20 years ago. JoeScan is committed to the sawmill industry, and it stands behind its scanners to ensure they are a good long-term investment for sawmills. Every JoeScan scanner is backed by the company’s 5-year warranty and 10-year product support policy to protect against obsolescence. “Our long-standing reputation for quality, reliability and support is validated by JoeScan’s continued success,” says Joey Nelson, president and founder of JoeScan.

The company continuously enhances its scanners while preserving the quality that has remained at the forefront of its technology since Joey Nelson founded the company in 1999. The

JS-25 X-Series includes five models that provide flexibility in scanning solutions – standard and extendedrange, wide-angle, and two, three, or six-laser configurations.

The scan heads can be used in a variety of applications, including transverse, lineal, and short-infeed lineal scanning for machine centers throughout the mill.

In addition to product quality, JoeScan places a high emphasis on customer relationships and support. Customer commitment extends beyond JoeScan’s products. “In addition to the value that JoeScan scanners add to our customers’ operations, JoeScan offers customers a level of engineering support that is hard to match,” explains Nelson.

What’s next for the company?

“JoeScan is developing new technologies that will provide even greater value to sawmills and that are easier than ever to install and maintain,” says Nelson.

JS-25 X6B

JS-25 X3

In addition to the value that JoeScan scanners add to our customers’ operations, JoeScan offers customers a level of engineering support that is hard to match Joey Nelson, Joescan President

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 23

Mid-South Engineering

USNR ramps up turn-key capacity New Relationship; Key Win For Industry Processors

USNR is pleased to announce that it has acquired North America’s foremost consulting and industrial engineering firm – Mid-South Engineering. This marks a significant step forward for both companies, reinforcing and building upon both USNR’s and Mid-South’s capabilities for the execution of large scale turn-key projects.

24 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

This expansion in our capabilities resulting from this acquisition will increase USNR’s capacity to offer large scale turn-key solutions

MID-SOUTH ENGINEERING - USNR RAMPS UP TURN-KEY CAPACITY For decades USNR has delivered turn-key projects to customers around the world, but has not had all the internal resources to manage and run multiple turn-key projects on a large scale. That changed recently when USNR acquired Mid-South Engineering. USNR is taking the extensive experience, expertise, capabilities, and industry knowledge that it and Mid-South possess, and establishing a combined force that can build a better result for our customers.

USNR and Mid-South have worked together on sawmill and plywood mill projects for many years, and both companies have benefited from this strong relationship. As separate entities they inevitably focused on optimizing their respective segments of the project; together they can work to improve the execution of the entire customer project, reducing time, cost, and risk, while delivering a superior integrated turn-key system.

The players Mid-South is the largest full-service consulting engineering company in North America, established in 1969. It employs more than 100 multi-disciplined personnel, with expertise in the building products industry. The company is based in Hot Springs, AR, and has offices near Raleigh, NC and Bangor, ME.

Mid-South’s services fall into the categories of engineering, project development, project management, and construction. Its extensive list of services includes mechanical engineering and design, industrial project planning and development, electrical engineering, project management, production process development, civil engineering, construction, and structural engineering. The company boasts a who’s-who of clients in the lumber and panel industry, including Weyerhaeuser, West Fraser, Canadian Forest Products, International Paper, GeorgiaPacific, Martco, Louisiana-Pacific, Deltic Timber, Bowater Lumber, and many more.

Mid-South is also well versed in projects relating to biomass, pellets, power generation, pulp and paper, and mining.

Globally, USNR is the largest manufacturer of systems and services for the wood processing industries, with four manufacturing

plants in the US, Canada, and Sweden, and more than a dozen regional engineering, service, and sales offices across North America and Europe. Employing around 1,000 individuals worldwide, USNR is best known for providing end-to-end solutions for sawmills and planer mills, including log lines, curve sawing gangs, edger lines, trim-sort-stack systems, dry kilns, and optimization and control technologies to maximize the performance of that equipment.

USNR is also known for its Söderhamn Eriksson debarkers, sawlines, and high-speed edger systems, and its Coe- and Ventek-brand products used in the manufacture of plywood and other panel products.

Turn-key, or à la carte There is an industry trend toward more interest in turn-key capital projects. Wood processors are looking to concentrate more of their efforts

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 25

Today the market is seeing a new trend, with a lot of our clients interested in turn-key projects. This will be a win for all parties

on their business, products, and markets. They want to take less of a hands-on approach to project execution and let experts handle the details.

Whether looking for a turn-key partner, or wanting to run a project with an inhouse team, USNR is a strong option. If customers want to build a complete new greenfield complex, expand their existing lines, or replace a single machine center, USNR has all the elements required to take your project and run with it. Or customers can pick and choose the products and services they want USNR and Mid-South to provide.

Maintaining independence Although it is expected that USNR and MidSouth will collaborate on many projects, MidSouth will remain an independent company and will continue to be available to serve its clients as an independent consultant. Mid-South

26 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

will also continue to serve industry segments in which USNR has not traditionally been involved (biomass, aggregate, gypsum, power generation, etc.).

By preserving Mid-South’s independence, wood processors will continue to have the option to work with other equipment manufacturers as they have in the past with full confidentiality. Similarly, USNR will continue to work with other engineering firms according to customer preference.

to maintain normal operations throughout the project execution. Once the project is complete, the mill will produce over three times the current volume of lumber and replace the entire plant’s infrastructure, offices, and production lines.

PROJECTS IN THE WORKS

Making contact

USNR and Mid-South are currently working together on several major projects.

A customer in Arkansas is updating its sawmill with a horizontal shape sawing system, bucking optimization, vision scanning on two edger lines, Multi-Track Fence, and ElectraTong Lug Loader.

Another Arkansas mill is making a major investment to install a new primary breakdown line, horizontal shape sawing line, two CounterFlow dry kilns, 4200E electric planer, and Lineal High Grader (LHG).

A mill in Alabama is installing a complete new planer mill including tilt hoist, stick collection, planer infeed, 4200E electric planer, and trimsort-stack line. It is also investing in a sawmill line including optimization for log bucking and primary breakdown, horizontal shape sawing system, edger optimization, and green lumber handling line. Project planning allowed the mill

A customer in Mississippi is updating its curvesaw gang to add canting and profiling, while simultaneously investing in a new trimmersorter line.

There is no wrong way to make contact for either sales-related information or engineering services. Customers can continue to make initial contact with either Mid-South or your USNR account manager. Engineering services will be quoted and delivered by Mid-South unless they are part of a turn-key project. For turn-key projects, USNR and Mid-South personnel will work together to develop a scope and estimate, and to deliver the project. Adding Mid-South services to USNR’s portfolio brings a new dimension to what is possible in turn-key solutions. Customers now have a stronger choice for your next turn-key project. www.usnr.com www.mseco.com

SCANNING & OPTIMISATION – LUCIDYNE

LUMBER PROCESSING

Lucidyne uses deep learning to grade lumber

F

rom facial recognition to medical diagnostics to self-driving cars, artificial intelligence – and specifically the deep learning application of AI – is becoming more prevalent in our everyday lives. Lucidyne Technologies, Inc., the industry leader in technological advances, has brought deep learning to the lumber industry, with the first installation in February of 2017.

Perceptive Sight™ Intelligent Grading is available only on Lucidyne’s GradeScan. Perceptive Sight completely “re-thinks” the way lumber grading is done, and is quantum leap in the process.

Perceptive Sight learns to grade lumber the same way a human learns – by studying examples.

Our team of certified graders looks at thousands of boards sent in by our customers, defines the characteristics on the boards, and sends them to the Perceptive Sight system. By evaluating this information, Perceptive Sight learns the attributes that define each characteristics, and is quickly able to differentiate between, for example, a bark pocket and bark encasement.

The enormous leap has the advantages of unrivaled defect detection and keeping your output near perfect on-grade. And more, when something new shows up in your wood basket, you simply collect some samples using GradeScan’s QCAssist tablet, and immediately upload the samples to us and Perceptive Sight learns those new attributes and we add them to your lumber library.

No more waiting for a software developer to analyze the defect and write new code to integrate to the software.

Our customers are seeing significant recovery with

GradeScan and Perceptive Sight.

Existing GradeScan customers are upgrading to Perceptive Sight, and all new GradeScans are shipped with Perceptive Sight as standard.

In some cases, customers are reporting 100% on grade.

Only Lucidyne delivers an automated lumber scanner that uses deep learning artificial intelligence to grade lumber for maximum fiber and value recovery.

October 17-19, 2018

For full details please visit

Portland, Oregon

www.timberprocessingandenergyexpo.com

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 27

Area and linear cameras: a lesson

T Capturing accurate colour board scans for better value recovery with area cameras has become a far more efficient process

he use of 3D scanning technology in the wood industry has evolved significantly since first introduced into saw and planer mills. Initially, 3D scanners were used to measure the shape of logs and boards in order to extract the greatest amount of lumber from the wood (i.e. volume recovery).

Today, complementary technologies are used to extract the highest quality from the wood (i.e. value recovery). Colour imaging systems are essential in generating the high-resolution images required for surface defect detection, which leads to gradebased cutting decisions.

Building a colour scanning system Building a colour scanning system requires a colour camera, a lens, and lighting. The colour camera can use either linear or area scan camera technology. The choice of which of these two technologies to use affects the overall design of the colour system. Understanding linear versus area camera operation is the key to picking a lighting solution that offers long lifetimes.

Generating a 2D colour image of the board surface with linear cameras

A linear camera chip consists of one row of pixels. A lens is chosen to map this row of pixels to a suitable resolution across the board length – for example 0.5 mm/pixel.

To scan a board moving on a conveyor along the board width (transverse scanner), an encoder is used to track motion and trigger the camera one row at a time, at a suitable resolution across the board width – for example 0.5 mm (Figure 1). This is how a 2D colour image is created of the board surface with 0.5 mm x 0.5 mm pixel resolution.

To produce colour, an RGB mask is applied over the pixels to deliver a repeating sequence of red, green, and blue colour pixels (Figure 2).

In some cases, a linear camera may offer three rows of pixels – one for each colour (Figure 3). This is called a trilinear camera.

For trilinear cameras, you will need three times the encoder trigger rate to achieve the same colour density as a linear camera.

Aligning the encoder triggers so the same board surface is sampled by each colour is difficult to achieve and often leads to colour artifacts.

For a linear camera, you will need three times the number of pixels in a row to get the same colour density as a trilinear camera.

With today’s linear cameras, high pixel density along a row is easily achieved.

Continuous lighting and the duty cycle Both linear and trilinear cameras require a continuous source of white light to illuminate the board surface. Since linear cameras are always capturing the next row of data while the previous row is being read out, the lighting system must always be on (Figure 4).

The ratio of time that the light is on, to the period of the camera frame rate (period = 1/frame rate), is called the duty cycle (duty cycle = exposure time/period). The duty cycle largely determines the lifetime of a light source. Due to heat, a high-duty cycle will require more frequence light replacement than a lower-duty cycle.

Linear camera-based scanning designs have a high-duty cycle, which results in shorter light lifetimes. In these scanning designs the light source is inefficient, with high powerloss due to heat. Heat shortens component lifetime. This is why it is common to see LED light bars with large heat sinks to dissipate heat.

In addition, the light source in linear scanning designs must be very close to the board surface for maximum illumination brightness, creating a mounting strategy where the cameras are high up (say 1-2 m), and the light is relatively close to the oncoming board. This is not a desirable configuration.

Figure 2: A single row of pixels encoded by a colour mask

Figure 1: Pixels are mapped from the board surface to a liner camera with tranverse board motion

Figure 3: Trilinear cameras offer three pixel rows, or, one for each R, G, B colour 28 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

Figure 4: The light source must always be on when using linear or trilinear cameras

SCANNING & OPTIMISATION – LMI TECHNOLOGIES

LUMBER PROCESSING

Figure 5: Area cameras read a “patch” of pixels rather than a line

Figure 6: W ith an area camera, the light is only ON during the time it takes to expose one row

Figure 7: Low duty cycles and strobed LED lighting allow light placement close to the camera

Figure 8: 2D data is white balanced and scaled based on 3D height variation

Area cameras and longer lighting lifetime

physically out of the way of board movement (Figure 7).

Once we have generated a 2D colour image, the data is further white balanced for accurate colour representation, and scaled based on the height variation of the board using profile data taken from a 3D scan of the same region (Figure 8).

A colour pixel has a different physical size on the board surface at one height than at another height. If colour pixels are not corrected for height, then the dimension of defects (e.g. knots) will be incorrect.

The alternative to a linear camera is an area camera. An area camera is composed of a 2D array of pixels that are mapped by a lens onto an area of the board surface.

Area cameras use a colour mask to encode pixels into R, G, and B elements in a pattern known as a Bayer filter. This Bayer pattern is decoded later by software to produce colour for every pixel on the 2D array.

For the purposes of this discussion, assume we use a 2D array with 10 rows (note: a 2D array is just a linear with more rows). If we wanted 0.5 mm resolution for each row, like we did in the linear example, then the encoder will trigger the capture of an area when the board moves every 5 mm (0.5 mm/row x 10 rows = 5 mm) (Figure 5).

Now we are reading a small ‘patch’ of pixels – not just a row.

Each patch is then stitched to build a 2D colour image based on encoder stamps that identify the exact start location of each pixel patch.

Now, let’s consider what happens with the lighting in this type of system design. We still need white illumination to produce colour images, but the duty cycle is very different. The ON time of the light spans the duration it takes to expose one row (since we want to ‘stop’ motion for 0.5 mm – just like in a linear camera). The rest of the time (9 rows), the light is OFF while we wait for the 5mm of board motion to complete (Figure 6).

During the time the light is ON, all 10 rows are exposing. The duty cycle is therefore very low (1/10 or 10%), not the 100% cycle of a linear system. This means the light can be strobed for a very short period – ON for one row, and OFF for nine rows. Strobing an LED light can lead to very intense light output as long as the duty cycle is very low, so the LED never heats up, which results in a much longer lifetime (e.g. 10 years versus one year).

With strobed LED lighting, LEDs can be overdriven at a much higher current to produce five times more intensity. This allows lighting to be conveniently mounted and wired close to the cameras, and kept

Modular, area camera system design with easy bolt-on lighting At LMI, the Gocator 200 series of modular scanner systems is designed around the area camera principle. An LED light bar generates white light illumination and is strobed for a short ON time but at high intensity to scan even the darkest board surfaces.

The timing of LED lighting is synchronized to the area camera exposures precisely. The resulting colour patches are stitched into

a single seamless image, white balanced, and then scaled based on board height variation.

The 3D profiling scan data from a Gocator 210, 230, or 250 scanner is aligned to the colour scan plane of a bolt-on Gocator 205, so 3D data can be used to scale the colour-image data.

All of the software needed to capture 2D colour with 3D profile and tracheid is provided to customers in an open source SDK. The SDK shows how to manage the many sensors in an optimizer in order to build high definition data models.

These models are processed by machine vision algorithms (supplied by OEM) in order to extract wane and defects, and compute optimal cutting patterns.

Gocator makes it easy to mix 3D with 2D colour in order to build custom solutions for a variety of machine centres in saw and planer mills.

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 29

women in logging

Logger Girl Passionate forestry equipment operator, Hannah Dehoog of Smithers, British Columbia Samantha Paul begins a new series on women in logging with hopes to inspire young women to consider logging as a career. First up, an interview with BC based operator, Hannah Dehoog that explores how she got into the logging industry, what life is like for a woman in logging camps and what she loves about being an operator.

H

annah Dehoog – AKA Logger Girl and Hanimal – of Smithers, British Columbia, is catching a lot of attention in the logging community. It’s not just her engaging presence on social media, but her determination, bravery and skill as a young female heavy equipment operator working in a decidedly male dominated industry.

Growing up Hannah has been exposed to and involved in various aspects of the 30 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

forestry industry for the majority of her life. Before she was even old enough for school, Hannah was marching around the bush alongside her father, a log buyer at the time. In high school she worked at a tree nursery and a sawmill, and now at the age of 22, Hannah works as an equipment operator for Groot Bros. Contracting Ltd. out of Houston, British Columbia.

The first question Hannah usually gets asked when someone discovers what she does for a living is, “How did you get into that?”

Although her father, Chris Dehoog is a log buyer for West Fraser, she was introduced to operating equipment by an ex-boyfriend.

While visiting him at a remote logging camp, a crew member suggested that she get a job on the crew. “No one thought I would take the suggestion seriously but as soon as the idea of running equipment came into my mind, it lit a fi re in me. This is what I want to do,” she says.

Hannah wasted no time. Before making the long drive home, she found the name and address of the contractor and stopped at his house to beg him for a job. She had no operating experience but was extremely determined. She recalls that after some persuasion the contractor said to her, “I will give you a chance, just don’t piss me off.” She was ecstatic. She couldn’t wait to tell her Dad. “Guess who’s going logging Dad?” Hannah yelled. He was thrilled.

Hannah’s father, Chris, is well known in the logging community and is a huge motivator for Hannah. She works hard every day, not only to prove herself as a female operator but to make her Dad proud. “That drive will never change,” Hannah states. “Most people think the start of my career as an equipment operator got

Hannah loves her ‘office’ view and says she never gets sick of seeing the mountains from her cab window

handed to me by my Dad, but it didn’t. I did it all on my own,” she explains. “My Dad will be the fi rst to tell you that he did not lift a fi nger. He did not make a phone call or be a reference.”

Life in camp How many young women could survive life in the middle of the bush, with no cell service, infrequent showers and only the company of an all-male crew for weeks on end? Hannah happily took on this challenge. “It was intimidating being the only girl in the camps. It is defi nitely more challenging for girls,” says Hannah.

“It took a while to get used to only showering every ten days,” she said.

When BTB spoke with Hannah she had just fi nished eight months of night shift, working alone with just a satellite SOS phone and the stars. “I got used to it. Some nights I got freaked out but I did what I had to do. It was an adventure.”

Dream machine Hannah started out on an excavator, learning simple hydraulic controls and basic machine maintenance. On day three she got behind the seat of a processor operator and by day

four she was on her own operating the processor. She recalls her boss telling her not to fi re a log through the cab.

After two years operating a variety of machines including excavators, processors, skidders and loaders, Hannah fi nally got her hands on a Tigercat feller buncher, an LX870C. Hannah had always wanted to run a leveling machine. “I’ve tackled some pretty steep ground with that tilter and loved every minute of it,” she states. Tigercat quickly became her favourite brand.

Having run an 880 logger, several Tigercat skidders and both an LX870C and 870C, it was clear to her that Tigercat manufactured for the operator. “Life changing,” is how she describes the Turnaround® skidder seat. “And I love how accessible everything is with the buncher. The hood fl ips open, the auto hydraulic pump is great and all the doors and guards are easy to use.”

When mechanic, Dave Hunter and Hannah were both working at Matt Hromatka Contracting, he gave her the nickname Hanimal and it has stuck with her over the past three years. When asked what type of Hanimal she is, she always responds with, “I’m a Tigercat.”

She considers herself a bit of an animal – a little wild and outgoing

My heart is like a compass that points to anything that feeds adrenaline Hannah Dehoog, operator, Groot Bros. Contracting Ltd.

Adrenaline junkie Hannah popping a wheelie down a logging road International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 31

in almost every aspect of life.

What fuels her?

Hannah is an adrenaline junkie.

“My heart is like a compass that points to anything that feeds adrenaline,” she states. “When I am not logging, I am sledding with my family, dirt biking or hanging out with my boyfriend and pit bull, Phoenix.”

She loves taking on new challenges. “There is nothing a guy can do that I can’t do. That is what fuels me,” explains Hannah. “If someone doesn’t think I can do it, I want to prove them wrong.”

The power of social media “I am very proud of what I do as a female forestry equipment

operator and so I want to share it with the world,” explains Hannah.

“I also don’t think there is enough promotion for women in logging.”

Since she started sharing her logger girl lifestyle on social media, other women have been curious about what it is like to be a woman working in harvesting. Hannah provides them with candid insight whenever asked.

Due to Hannah’s social media presence, she often gets recognized around Smithers and Prince George, British Columbia.

She loves the attention but understands other young women are watching her so she tries to behave online. “I have a cheeky way about explaining some of the challenges I face but I absolutely

Day in the life of a logger girl TIME

ACTION

2:15am

Alarm goes off, then snooze!

3:00am

Out the door to work

4:00am

Arrive at the cut block, check fluids, warm up the machine

4:30am

Start bunching

4:00pm

Finish daily service

4:30pm

Complete maintenance and drive home

5:30pm

Cheers!

love my job and truly encourage other women to give it a try.”

What’s next The next step in her career is to get certifi ed to low bed equipment as she feels that would be a useful skill. She could also see herself working steep terrain abroad and has had job offers in New Zealand.

It takes a certain type of person to log every day whether you’re a girl or a guy. “I don’t think women are superior to men and I don’t think men are superior to women.

We are equal and we all need the same opportunity,” she says.

Hannah is driven, hard working and tough. She is proud of what she does and isn’t going to stop

Making more than the average twenty-two-year-old, Hannah spends a lot of her pay cheque on toys that keep her playing outside all year round 32 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

promoting her logger girl lifestyle anytime soon.

This article originally appeared in Between the Branches, November 2017, the official publication of Tigercat Industries Inc.

Expoforest 2018 – a synonym for success!

The only dynamic forestry fair in Latin America took place between April 11th and 13th, with 30,645 visitors

F

orestry professionals from all over the world came to Santa Rita do Passa Quatro (Brazil) on April 11th, 12th and 13th to visit the 4th Expoforest – Brazilian Forestry Fair. In total, 30,645 visitors (1st day: 10,318 | 2nd day: 13,632 | 3rd day: 6,695) followed the product launches of 240 exhibitors. Visitors from every Brazilian state were present at the fair, as were professionals from the following countries: Afghanistan, Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Germany, Finland, France, Kenya, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay, the UK, the USA and Venezuela.

According to information provided by the exhibitors,

negotiations at the fair resulted in over BRL 310 million in business deals and prospections. “This result is 101% higher than the business volume at Expoforest 2014, which totaled BRL 152 million. This growth proves the potential of the Brazilian forestry sector,” says Ricardo Malinovski, Marketing & Events Director at Malinovski (the Expoforest organizer).

The Brazilian Forestry Fair brought 240 exhibitors to showcase their machinery and equipment in static displays and dynamic operations. “When we were organizing the 2018 edition, we presented the motto Extreme Forestry Fair. We’re certain those who visited the fair were able to witness in loco the best live timber harvesting, transportation and biomass demonstrations in

the world,” reiterates Ricardo Malinovski.

In an innovative way, the 4th Expoforest hosted the 1st South American Forwarder Operator Championship, which emphasized the key role played by the professionals who work on the

frontlines of the forestry sector.

The champion was Klabin operator Rodrigo Lemes da Silva. Carlos Alexandre Gomes Pereira, from Duratex, placed second. “The finals were very exciting. I came to compete, but I’m very happy I’ve won. If I have the chance, I’ll be back to try to win twice,” celebrated the winner.

According to Malinovski, the next Expoforest will take place in 2022.

For more information, access: www.expoforest.com.br

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 33

Chippers

Manufacturers line up their latest machines 34 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

The CBI 5400BT gives end users more bang for their buck and a better return on investment

The CBI Magnum Force 5400BT is one of the latest offerings in the next generation of machines, where owners can select from four different field-swappable rotors to accommodate changing materials and processing demands.

This unique design provides the flexibility to process an exceptionally wide variety of materials and generate the products that clients demand – all with a single machine. To further its unique design, the PT Tech hydraulic PTO and hydraulic engagement replaces the need for a clutch.

Extreme versatility Users can go from making high quality mulch from trees and stumps, to chipping stemwood into chips in custom sizes ranging from a constant 1/8 in fibre length to constant 1-3/4 in fibre length. The 5400BT drew large crowds at ExpoForest 2018 as

it powered through eucalyptus and produced 3 mm microchips.

Machine operators can also grind highly-contaminated C&D or railroad ties by swapping rotors and screens. “This versatility guarantees that operators will always have the right machine for the job when the market demands

daily maintenance (say ‘goodbye’ to scraped knees, sore backs, and banged heads).

This feature offers a direct line to lift and remove screens, and greatly simplifies rotor removal through the top of the machine.

The screen has been specially designed to be easily removed by unbolting the support plate and pulling the screen out without having to remove the screen frame. The hog chamber has a heavy-duty reinforced housing with 100% continuous welds for strength and corrosion resistance.

High strength rotors

The grinding chamber of the 5400BT change and opportunities come knocking,” CBI stated in a release.

The CBI 5400BT gives end users more bang for their buck and a better return on investment. With the push of a button, the unique design of the hog box provides service-friendly, full access for easy

The 40 in diameter x 48 in long downturn rotor has a forged, thick, high-strength rotor core with 24 weld-on hammers protected by replaceable tip mounting faces. The faces are arranged in a patented offset helix pattern that cuts the full width of the rotor, drastically increasing throughput over the conventional pinned rotor design.

CBI’s unique bolt-on reversible tip grinds more material for less cost than any other tooth style in the world. The Replace-

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 35

INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY WITH LESS HANG-UPS. Vermeer, the Vermeer logo and Equipped to Do More are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the U.S. and/or other countries. © 2018 Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Built for land-clearing and pipeline right-of-way operations, the new HG6800TX horizontal grinder

by Vermeer offers 950 hp (708 kW) in a compact package. Featuring a new infeed design with low sidewalls and an aggressive feed roller, this machine is built to offer a better view of the product, and allow the operator to spend less time manipulating tough material.

Visit VERMEER.COM or your local Vermeer dealer to learn more.

The CBI 5400BT in action in Brazil

A-Face hammer system allows the end user to swap out the face independent of the rest of the hammer for quick, easy, and inexpensive repairs.

Metal detection system A problem for any industrial grinder has to do with tramp metal entering the grinding chamber and causing significant damage, which

97% 3mm Microchips from a CBI 5400BT.

leads to downtime. The Metal Detection System (MDS) engages within milliseconds whenever the grinder’s rotor makes contact with tramp metal.

The rotor is monitored by an adjustable electronic sensor to alert the control system when tramp metal is detected. It will automatically raise the top feed roller and reverse the infeed to allow the operator to find the tramp metal.

Chipmax 484BT on display at ExpoForest 2018, Brazil

38 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

Komptech’s key message at this year’s IFAT trade show – the premier event for raw material management – is ‘Even more customer benefit’. The official motto is ‘Green boost your business’, but there is much more to it than that.

After a very successful 2017, the Austrian technology leader is intent on continuing to help its customers develop sustainable businesses and on making its own contribution to even more effective environmental technology.

The company’s lineup at IFAT this year is extensive, from the VDMA Practice Days ‘Biomass’ and the introduction of a ‘Minerals’ to a booth full of new and interesting things. This large fair footprint also represents the start of a new market offensive. Komptech reserved additional outdoor space just in time, where it will present a new machine.

Communication that connects Since January this year, Komptech’s innovative Connect! monitoring and communications technology has greatly enhanced the availability and efficiency of its machines.

Based on the further development of its condition-monitoring system, Connect! is designed specifically for Komptech machines and the

conditions they are used in.

With continuous monitoring, machines can be continuously maintained based on their condition. Contingency costs can be reduced to a minimum, and partial real-time sensor data analysis provides for a reliable and fast-reacting information system.

The two central objectives are safety and machine efficiency, which pay dividends for users in every respect.

Staying with the programme Komptech has never stood still, but has always placed a priority

The newly developed Axtor 4510 shredder weighs only 19 t with all options, making it much easier to transport

on continuous development of its technology to meet customer needs.

This can be seen with the new Topturn X5000, which expands Komptech’s lineup of triangular windrow turners. This new 5 m-machine comes in two power versions. Its one-piece plough blades simplify switch from work to transport position. The drum wear parts can swing through 180°, giving longer use and thereby lower operating costs.

“In brief, customer benefit has been boosted once again,” Komptech said in a statement.

The same could be said for the completely redesigned Axtor 4510 shredder, which now weighs only 19 t (with all options) and is thus much easier to transport. Its two-axle configuration also gives it great manoeuvrability. The intake and shredder rotor have been repositioned for a more compact, yet just as capable, machine.

Komptech has also updated its screening machine park. Based on the successful Nemus 2700, the brand-new Nemus 3000 is a drum screener that sets new standards in maintenance and servicefriendliness. Longer discharge belts and the ability to use screen drums from competitor machines are

CONTINENTAL BIOMASS INDUSTRIES

CHIPMAX 484BP INDUSTRIAL WOOD CHIPPER

• Available as tracked, portable, & truck-mounted • Produces premium quality fuel and micro chips • Infeed accepts logs up to 24” in diameter • Production rates up to 120 tons an hour • CAT C-18, 755 HP Tier 4 final engine

CBI • 22 Whittier Street, Newton, New Hampshire 03858 USA • (603) 382-0556 • www.cbi-inc.com International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 39

The Topturn X5000 5m machine comes in two power versions just what the name implies – it separates nonferrous metals out of all kinds of waste streams. Three different mobility configurations make it very flexible. And not only does it remove valuable nonferrous metals for recycling, it can also take an FE separator to do even more. The applications range

from pre-shredded wood and bulky waste to shredded green cuttings.

Komptech will be in Hall B6, Stand 405/504 at IFAT; outdoor Stand 810/13; and at the VDMA Practice Days open-air area F8 near the entrance East.

The innovative monitoring and communication system Connect! further enhances the availability and efficiency of Komptech machines

further benefits of this resolutely practical piece of equipment.

No compromises in safety and functioning The efficient shredding of a very wide range of materials like household and commercial waste, green cuttings and waste wood with just a single machine was the goal behind the development of the new Terminators Type V.

“V stands for versatility, and this innovative machine delivers it,” Komptech said.

One example is the optional retrofit of a post-shredding unit under the drum, adding greatly to the range of grain sizes. The very broad utility of Type V is exactly what many operators need.

The same goes for the likewise all-new Metalfex non-ferrous metal separator. The Metalfex does

40 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

The Topturn X5000 5m machine comes in two power versions

Energy in Balance with Nature

“For the forestry and timber industry, the performance, robustness and flexibility of the machines are essential for profitability,” according to Daniel Kürten, Product Manager in charge of the Doppstadt shredding division.

“We have expanded the range of precision chippers by two solutions that suit the market needs. The tracked DH 811 K for forest and farmland applications and the DH 910 SA-B chipper with semitrailer chassis for semi-stationary use produce a maximum output of high quality products in next-to-no-time.”

Maximum throughput and reduced fines content The new Doppstadt precision chippers show their strength in sawmills as well as in chip board production or in the wood.

The machines can be adjusted to various kinds of timber by means of different knife arrangements and screening baskets, thus always producing “perfect” wood chips. They process log

timber, slabs and forest residues.

Since they are provided with state-ofthe-art engines that comply with Euromot IV/Tier 4, these self-propelled or road-going machines cover all the ranges of application in the forestry and timber industry.

Stable in operation on Rough terrain: DH 811 K The tracked version of the DH 811 with compact design is about 6 m long, 2.5 m wide and 3.3 m high. Therefore, it fits on any low-loader. The chipper can cope with narrow forest roads as perfectly as with overgrown or muddy forest tracks, where it does its job steadily.

“Since the upper carriage can be swivelled by up to 270°, the DH 811 K assumes an optimum working position even on most difficult terrains,” Kürten said.

Less fines thanks to gentle belt discharge: DH 910 SA-B The semitrailer chipper DH 910 SA-B is ideally suited for the continuous industrial operation on wood yards. The machine shows its high throughput capacity in industrial wood, but it can also process logs

Development and production of Heizohack-wood chippers since 1989 Quality made in Bavaria Heizomat GmbH Maicha 21 91710 Gunzenhausen / Germany Fon +49 (0) 98 36 / 97 97 - 0 Mail: info@heizomat.de HM 6-300 VM

HM 8-400 KF

HM 14-860 KTL

HM 14-860 KL The Doppstadt 811 K can cope with narrow forest roads as perfectly as with overgrown or muddy forest tracks

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 41

Since the upper carriage can be swivelled by up to 270°, the DH 811 K assumes an optimum working position even on most difficult terrains Daniel Kürten, Doppstadt

The 811 K is well-suited to tough terrains

with up to 90 cm diameter.

A belt, which can be swivelled by up to 90 °, discharges the wood chips care-fully thus producing high quality wood chips with a reduced fines content.

The Doppstadt 910 SA-B shows its high throughput capacity in industrial wood, but it can also process logs with up to 90 cm diameter

The Doppstadt 910K on display at Expoforest 2018, Brazil, photographed by IFI associate editor

42 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

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The engine on the latest model HM 14-860 KL has been upgraded to the more powerful Arocs 3353 AK, 6x6 with an output of 530 hp (390 kW)

For more than 36 years, Heizomat has produced high quality wood chip boilers in Bavaria, Germany.

To date, over 35,000 heating systems in the 15kW to 1,000kW power range have been installed worldwide.

After the first woodchip heating systems had been sold, Heizomat discovered that the disc chippers currently available in the marketplace did not produce the required uniformity of chips. From this necessity arose the idea of developing a chipper that produces even chips. This was the birth of the Heizohack drum chipper.

44 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

Almost 30 years ago, the first Heizohack was launched into the market. In the meantime, the chippers have become the second pillar of Heizomat. Almost a third of the annual turnover is now generated by the extensive Heizohack product range.

HM 8-500 KFL: an ideal entrylevel machine for contractors The Heizohack product range has been expanded to meet multiple customer requests and today Heizomat is pleased to introduce the new HM 8-500 KFL. Based on the proven singleaxle chassis of the HM 8-400 KFL, the HM 8-500 KFL can now also

be equipped with a loading crane on the drawbar. The handling and operation of the loading crane has been significantly simplified compared to the previous machine, where a 6.7 m loading crane was built behind the wood chipper on an A-frame.

The Palfinger Epsilon C45F84 with 8.4 m offers considerably more range and is used in combination with the four-finger energy log grab, Heizogreif HG 1000. This grab has been specially developed for the ‘small’ cranefed Heizohack wood chippers, HM 8-400 KFL and HM 8-500 KFL. With an opening width of 1,021 mm, it is ideal for feeding the HM 8-500 KFL.

The robust, clear and easy-to-maintain Heizohack wood chipper HM 8-500 KFL is the optimal machine for the start of professional wood chip productions Heizomat

suspension, spring-loaded, air braked system taken from the testing centre, 560/45 R 22.5 tyres are installed. The drawbar with variably adjustable trailer heights is a fresh addition. The drawbar was specially developed for the HM 8-400 KFL and is now also suitable for other chippers.

“The robust, clear and easy-to-maintain Heizohack wood chipper HM 8-500 KFL is the optimal machine for the start of professional wood chip production,” the manufacturer claimed.

Innovations on the Truck Chipper HM 14-860 KL

Wood waste such as slats, edged pieces, pieces of wood, rinds, branches but also whole tree trunks can easily be processed into high-quality wood chips with a feed width of more than 700 mm and a pull-in height of 800 mm. Whole trees can be processed up to a diameter of about 500 mm.

Powered by a 10-groove V-belt countershaft, two power bands transmit power to the chipping rotor. The rotor is equipped with eight quick-release blades. Built-in special sieves ensure nearly slitherfree and homogeneous wood chips.

Thanks to the large flywheel in the throwing fan, the machine can be operated with little effort, saving

fuel and making it tractor-friendly.

The proven control unit HE002 is used as load and intake control. All other machine control units are also simple and like all Heizohack assemblies, are solidly constructed. A smooth but aggressive in-feed is ensured by the large upper feed roller, the powerful intake chain conveyor and the hydraulically driven feed roller, upstream of the infeed chute. An intake chain integrated in the infeed chute is available as an option.

The wear plates installed in the machine are available both in a Hardox version and as an armoured version. With the 40km/h

The HM 14-860 KL truck chipper, introduced two years ago, has seen several improvements. The original carrier and drive vehicle Mercedes Benz Arocs, is now being replaced by the more powerful Arocs 3353 AK, 6x6 with an output of 530 hp (390 kW). Of course, this engine also fulfils the Euro 6 emissions standard.

The slightly longer wheelbase now allows the installation of a larger (500 litre) diesel tank and can also take the capacity of the hydraulic oil tank, which has been increased to 500 litres. As an innovation, two hydraulic oil pumps are now being installed, which enable separate supply of the assembled loading crane and the oil circuit for the wood chipper via two separate oil circuits.

Also new is the installation of

a robust safety glass pane from Kasiglas. The modified glass panel offers the operator the best possible protection and improved all-round visibility. Additional to the four LED headlamps on the driver’s cab, a new completely overrouted lighting package will now be installed on the outside of the truck cab. A light bar with 22,300 lumens on the cab front and a light bar with 3,300 lumens on the side of the cab rear wall ensure excellent illumination of the workplace. Two yellow front strobes integrated in the grille and a yellow warning light on the driver’s cab make it possible to secure the danger spots around the vehicle.

The Ringfeder automatic towing hitch now has a 40 mm bolt diameter, and the two doubleacting hydraulic connections at the rear of the vehicle can now be used while driving, if required.

As an option, the wood chipper can be equipped with a 700 mm telescopic ejection tower and the fan of the truck engine can also be equipped with reversible fan blades on request. The fan blades are automatically turned and clean the radiators by reversing the air flow. This fan system saves the need to frequently clean the filter pack whilst also reducing fuel consumption, since the truck engine operates at its ideal operating temperature.

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 45

Our customers are very satisfied with this function and the high comfort of the cabin Uwe Hempen-Hermeier, Jenz

For many years, the chipper manufacturer Jenz has been building its chipping units on truck chassis. In addition to Chippertrucks, where the chipper is driven by the truck engine, socalled ‘hybrid machines’ are also produced. At Jenz, ‘hybrid’ refers to the double-engine technology used. The machines are driven by the truck engine and a separate add-on motor.

While the smaller chipper series HEM 583 and HEM 593 are offered with both one and two engines, the largest series HEM 821 DQ is only available in the latter version. The chipping units are designed with an infeed opening of 1,200 mm x 820 mm for the crushing of hardwood to 60 cm and softwood up to 80 cm.

“The reason for this is quite simply that the removable power of the truck engine would not be

46 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

enough for the large chipping unit,” Managing Director of the family-owned company, Uwe Hempen-Hermeier, explained. “We therefore only offer the HEM 821 DQ with double-engine technology.

“Nevertheless, there are of course various equipment options.”

The most noticeable difference in equipment is the driver’s cab.

The HEM 821 DQ-Truck can be equipped with a cabin with mowing window or a separate crane cab.

The HEM 821 DQ Cobra hybrid, on the other hand, is equipped with a swivelling and optionally also liftable Cobra cabin. This results in a difference in operation.

If the customer wishes a standard truck cabin and operates the chipper out of the crane cabin, the machine operator has a very good view of the working area due to the high position of the crane cabin.

“Customers praise the good overview here, but criticize the

comfort of the cabin, which is very small and not user-friendly, especially at high temperatures in the summer,” explains Uwe Hempen-Hermeier. “The cabin with mowing window is a bit more comfortable here, but the view is of course somewhat more limited than from the crane cabin.”

In the Cobra version, a CLAAS X10 is built instead of the MAN standard cabin. This means that there is only one work space for driving and chipping. When working, the cab is simply turned in the desired direction, a change from the transport to the work seat is no longer necessary.

“Our customers are very satisfied with this function and the high comfort of the cabin.”

As standard, both vehicle versions are built on a manoeuvrable MAN TGS 8x4-4 chassis. The chassis is sufficient for most applications.

“Finally, you have to ask yourself how much capability is

The HEM 821 DQ Cobra hybrid

needed at all, because the removal vehicles must also be able to follow the terrain,” says HempenHermeier.

There has also been progress made in the engine technology used. So far, Jenz has used the Mercedes Benz engine OM 473 with 625 hp in its chipping unit HEM 821 DQ. Now the machine company also offers the same chipper with the Caterpiller CAT C18 and 776 hp.

“From our customers we generally receive positive feedback on both engines,” says HempenHermeier.”

“The OM 473 is praised [because it] works very well and quietly. The CAT C18, on the other hand, is loud and powerful, because emissions also play a role.

Higher diesel consumption in CAT engines has not been confirmed to us by our customers.”

In principle, however, the choice of the on-site service of the respective workshops should always be taken into account and this can, of course, vary in its availability and quality, adds the managing director.

“No matter which engine is installed, the HEM 821 DQ is designed with a system power of over 1,000 hp for large orders and high-performance chipping in extreme continuous operation, for this purpose both engines are suitable.

“In addition, we have the

advantage of having our total weight at 32 t and therefore no special permits are required. This is not only an advantage when buying, but also increases the resale value.”

In order for the complex special machines to be operated in as userfriendly a way as possible, Jenz not only relies on innovative cabin concepts and high-performance engine technology in its HGVchippers, but also on its new machine control system.

“At the Agritechnica in

November last year, we presented our new machine controller ‘easy2’ for the first time as a successor to the previous ‘easygreen’ control system,” explains HempenHermeier.

The easy2 not only scores with improvements in the field of hardware, such as a large-scale touch display or new multi-function joysticks, but also includes many new features on the software side.

In different display menus the operator can arrange settings

The HEM 821 benefits from the hybrid engine system

according to their wishes. In addition, limit values can be defined, display instruments set and various operating data for business analysis or in case of malfunctions determined.

“The machine controller is the interface between human and machine and therefore enormously important so that the machine can also be used optimally and economically. Especially in the area of large machines, as with HEM 821 DQ ,” Hempen-Hermeier, said, emphasizing the importance of the new developments.

The HEM 821 DQ is designed with a system power of over 1,000 hp for large orders and high-performance chipping in extreme continuous International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 47

Peterson Pacific Corp, a manufacturer of industry-leading wood grinding and chipping machines has announced the introduction of the new Peterson 3310B drum chipper.

“The new-3310B drum chipper is smaller and lighter than our previous model, but still packs impressive performance,” said Jody Volner, President of Peterson. “The 3310B can operate on even tighter landings for biomass and land clearing operations.

“We are excited about the capabilities of this remarkable machine.”

With a 540 hp (402 kW) Tier III or Tier IV Caterpillar engine, the 3310B has the power to handle up to 24 in (61 cm) diameter logs. With large access doors on both sides of the machine for serviceability, the fully enclosed engine compartment keeps things clean.

The 3310B’s transverse design allows for a much smaller operations deck, providing flexible production configurations in diverse terrain. With 230° of rotation, the end-load or optional top-load spout design allows trailers to be loaded in a variety of positions,

48 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

depending on the demands of the job site.

Using the proven drum and knife design from the larger 4300-series drum chippers, the 3310B’s main components are robust and offer long life. The 3310B is available with a four-pocket drum for typical biomass chips, or an eight-pocket drum for microchipping applications. The chips exit the machine from an innovative auger system which feeds an accelerator to increase payload density.

The 3310B is available with an optional powered feed deck, allowing for shorter stems and tops. Both the powered- and standard fixed feed deck can be stowed for transportation purposes.

The Peterson 3310B drum chipper is also Peterson+ enabled – a new remote monitoring solution providing machine owners access to real-time and historical data of their machine’s performance and location.

The new-3310B drum chipper is smaller and lighter than our previous model, but still packs impressive performance Jody Volner, Peterson

3310B Specifications* DIMENSIONS A Operating length*

20’ 11” (638 cm)

B Operating height*

13’ 0” (396 cm)

C Operating width*

17’ 1” (521 cm)

D Travel length*

21’ 11” (668 cm)

E Travel height*

10’ 3” (312 cm)

F Travel width*

8’ 5” (257 cm)

WEIGHT Machine weight

40,000 lbs (18,144 kg)

POWERTRAIN Engine

Caterpillar C15 Tier III or Tier IV

Horsepower

540 hp (402 kW)

Clutch

PT Tech SCT2500

Fuel tank capacity

175 gallons (662 L)

Main hydraulic tank capacity

85 gallons (322 L)

Diesel exhaust fluid tank capacity (Tier IV only)

12 gallons (45 L)

*See Peterson brochure for full specifications

Superior Product Sizing

Innovative Anvil Design

4- or 8-Pocket Drums Available

Heavy-Duty Knife Assemblies

Peterson’s grate system provides ultra-consistent chip sizing; twigs and small stems which can be difficult to size are easily fractured through our innovative system.

The robust, two-sided anvil is easily serviced through an access panel from ground level. Adjusting the anvil position can be completed by one person in a matter of minutes.

Featuring durable AR400 wear surfaces, the 3310B comes standard with a 4-pocket drum rotor with one Babbitt knife per pocket. An 8-pocket drum rotor is available for chipping microchips.

Produced from the highest quality alloy chromium steel, heavy-duty Peterson knife assemblies achieve uniform production of wood chips with high accepts and minimal losses.

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 49

Microchip and Macrochip drum options provide greater range of wood chip sizes

From countries adopting policies to help reduce greenhouse gases to people looking for more natural, sustainable solutions for heating their homes and feeding their plants, quality processed wood material is in high demand.

Capitalizing on the growing number of revenue streams for wood chips requires more than just a connection with customers — forestry and logging companies also have to be able to produce a variety of material sizes to meet the needs of the end user.

A common issue forestry companies face is not having the ability to produce the appropriate size of material to meet the needs of their wide variety of customers.

For example, the biomass industry usually prefers smaller or micro-

sized wood chips to accommodate pellet stoves, wood burning plants and so on, but the chippers that crews use in the field are not able to produce the appropriate size, resulting in the need to regrind material. Regrinding material multiple times can significantly impact a business and requires additional equipment.

Manufacturers like Vermeer have recognized the market demand for wood chips of varying sizes and have developed equipment that delivers more sizing options.

According to Vermeer applications specialist for Recycling and Forestry Brad Van Rheenen, the design of Vermeer whole tree chippers gives contractors the ability to produce a broader range of chip sizes. “We offer two different drum options on Vermeer whole tree chippers — a microchip drum to produce a range of smaller sized chips, and a macrochip drum

50 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

that can also be easily adjusted to produce different, larger sizes of chips,” he explained.

Two drum options The main difference between the Vermeer microchip and macrochip drum options is the number of pockets. “The microchip drum has two full width pockets, while the macrochip drum only has two,” Van Rheenen said. “Producing smaller chips requires more cuts per revolution, so by doubling the pockets and knives on the microchip drum, we are able to produce smaller chips in one pass.”

Operators can add spacers under the knives for each drum size to make additional sizing adjustments. “Whether a company selects the microchip drum or a macrochip drum, the ability to make quick adjustments between jobs or in the field is important,” Van Rheenen added. “Making a few small adjustments can help reduce the amount of regrinding that has to be done to fill an order with

different material size requirements.”

Selecting the right drum The Vermeer microchip drum produces chip sizes between 1/8” (3.2 mm) to 5/8” (15.9 mm), which is suited for producing wood pellets for residential and wood fuel plants, as well as chips for landscaping, gardening, animal bedding, composting and playground applications. The macrochip drum can produce chip sizes between 5/8” (15.9 mm) and 11/4” (31.8 mm). Applications for wood chips in that size range include silt socks, erosion control, capping landfills, mulch, wood fuel plants and land clearing.

To determine which chipper drum is right for a company, Van Rheenen recommends contractors evaluate how the processed material is being used and which markets are they being sold to.

“If the chips are simply going

back to the forest floor as part of a land clearing project, it may be more efficient to use a macrochip drum and a large depth of cut,” he said. “Larger chips will not decompose as rapidly as smaller ones. However, if a company is selling the chips to an end user, the drum type will depend on the needs of customers. The goal should be to create a size that most closely matches the needs of the customer.”

Making adjustments While having different drum types provides companies with a lot of flexibility, the ability to easily make size adjustments to the drum is equally important. On many chippers, making adjustments or performing routine maintenance can be time-consuming and laborintensive because the process of babbitting requires working with molten lead. Vermeer developed a new approach with its patented

pusher bolt knife design.

“Knives on Vermeer whole tree chippers can be positioned quickly with just a wrench,” Van Rheenen said. “We use threaded holes in the end of the knives where pusher bolts take the place of babbit.

This design makes it much easier to make adjustments and sharpen knives.

Our unique pusher bolt system helps prevent knives from sliding outward toward the shear bar.

“Another unique feature of the Vermeer microchip and macrochip drums is that they are completely threadless,” Van Rheenen added.

“Instead, we use a replicable hex nut for knife retention, which makes it much easier to replace a knife if it gets damaged.”

The design of Vermeer chipper drums makes it easier to efficiently make adjustments, which is beneficial for forestry and logging operations that cater to a wide range of customers. It also helps reduce the need for regrinding.

Growing demand As more and more countries, communities and individuals discover the advantages associated with using natural and renewable wood chips, markets will continue to grow, and new ones will emerge. To create chip sizes for a broad range of applications and help minimize operation costs, choose wood processing equipment that can be quickly and easily adjusted.

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 51

From generation to generation Four generations of Sykes loggers. (L-R) Bill, Cooper, Cam, Marvin and Colton

– Samantha Paul

BTB spoke with Marvin Thomas Sykes, owner of M.T. Sykes Logging and twenty-seven-yearold son Colton Sykes to learn more about their all-Tigercat harvesting operations

S

ALEM, Alabama – Passion for working in the woods is contagious and continues to be passed down from generation to generation in the Sykes family.

M.T. Sykes Logging started with Marvin’s father, Bill Sykes in 1974.

Marvin took over the business in 1999 when his father decided to retire. Today the company runs a thinning crew and a clear fell crew and both are all Tigercat.

Four generations Running equipment starts young in the Sykes family. “I started running equipment when I was twelveyears-old,” says Marvin. “I would get on the skidder when they were eating lunch and pull a drag. It would take me about the whole lunch break to get one drag to the landing,” he laughs.

Just like Marvin, his son Colton grew up watching logging equipment run throughout his childhood. Colton worked with his father every chance he could: over Christmas break, on weekends and all through the summer. He started full-time after high school at age seventeen.

Marvin’s grandchildren, seven-year-old Cam and six-yearold Cooper, can’t wait to start

52 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

operating.

“We want to work in the woods with Daddy and Big Daddy,” they both say. At Christmas, the boys love unwrapping a new Tigercat die cast model. They hope to get the newest 724G feller buncher this year.

Marvin’s nephew, Edd Willingham runs the thinning crew and the clear fell crew is run by Colton. Marvin’s wife, Christie, handles the books and Marvin himself fi lls in wherever he is needed. One day Marvin will be running the bulldozer building roads. The next day he might hop on the loader or drive a truck. M.T. Sykes owns seven trucks in total.

Marvin owns six and Colton now owns one, purchasing his fi rst log truck from his father two years ago.

In addition, the company contracts three trucks from Marvin’s brother Wayne, who owns a trucking business.

The iron The thinning crew consists of a 724E drive-to-tree feller buncher, a month-old 620E skidder and a 234 loader. The larger clear fell crew has a 620E skidder, an older 620D skidder, a 724G feller buncher, a 234 loader and a 250 loader.

Marvin was introduced to Tigercat in 2001 when the company purchased two Tigercat 240 loaders. Next came a Tigercat feller buncher in 2002. And in 2011, the company fi nally purchased its fi rst Tigercat skidder. “To be honest it took me a while to get into the Tigercat skidders because of the price. But as competitor models increased in price, I recognized the true value in the Tigercat skidders.

Once I tried one I liked it and they hold up a lot better,” explains Marvin.

Marvin’s son Colton runs the newest 724G feller buncher. “I have run them all but we like Tigercat the best,” he says. He loves having all the controls on the joystick versus having the arm control on the foot pedal like the 724E. “It is still just as strong and powerful as the older model but the upgrades to the cab are really nice. The seat is so comfortable,” Colton adds.

All Tigercat equipment has been purchased through long-time Tigercat dealer Forestry 21. Marvin and 21 owner Ricky McConnell go back over twenty years. “I knew Ricky when he was a logger with his brother, before he started selling equipment.

I get good service from Forestry 21,” says Marvin. “Ricky is always there to help when we need him.”

Forestry 21 took Colton to visit the Tigercat factory two years ago in 2015. “I was already a 100% Tigercat fan but after visiting the factory I was at 200%. Everyone was so nice and helpful. Tigercat runs its business like we run ours, valuing its employees and their hard work. It really meant a lot when the owner took us around his steel factory where it begins, which was very cool to see. Everything seemed to work like a well-oiled machine,” Colton expressed.

Hard work Marvin believes his business has

stayed steady and successful over the years from working hard and fi nding hard-working employees.

“I try to take good care of my employees and help them out,” he says. The company employs fourteen people, including truck drivers. Employees are supplied with health insurance, good vacation pay and uniforms.

Marvin makes sure his operators are versatile and can operate all equipment on the jobsite. This allows them to rotate over the lunch break to keep the fl ow of the operations moving.

“This way nothing ever comes to a complete stop during the day,” Colton explains.

“My father always taught us to

work hard and don’t quit. I think our success boils down to hard work and making hay when the sun shines. Whenever you have the opportunity to get a bunch of logs out, you got to seize it and stay until dark if you need to.” The crew won’t leave for the day until a load of logs is ready to go for the next morning.

The company harvests primarily softwood and some mixed tracts with softwood and hardwood. The thinning crew hauls 50-60 loads per week and the clear fell crew hauls an average of 80 loads per week but has reached up to 160 loads. “We have been off and on quota but it seems like right now things are steady,” says Marvin.

We want to work in the woods with Daddy and Big Daddy!

– Marvin’s grandkids (seven-year-old Cam and six-year-old Cooper)

Marvin, 49, is content with the size of his operations with no plans to add a third crew. His son Colton, who will take over when he is ready to retire, is currently taking more

M.T. Sykes had its 724G arrive on-site in February 2017. Since then the company added a new 620E skidder to the line-up International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 53

The thinning crew with Forestry 21 staff and Tigercat district manager Johnny Boyd. (L-R): Ricky McConnell, Edd Willingham, Zane Plair, Russell McCullers, Bubba Beckwith, Johnny Boyd, Marvin Sykes and Forestry 21 sales specialist Lewis Greer time in the offi ce to learn all angles of the business. Colton respects his father and the knowledge he has gained over the years. “He is the boss and owner but he’s not your typical boss. He works hard and will get in there and help out with everything,” Colton states. Colton plans to continue to encourage the strong interest his children already have in the forestry world. Marvin and Colton both recognize that passion starts young and if guided correctly, will last a lifetime with generations to follow.

This article originally appeared in Between the Branches, November 2017, the official publication of Tigercat Industries Inc.

Tigercat runs its business like we run ours, valuing its employees and their hard work.

The clear fell crew (L-R): Justin Adams, Colton Sykes, Marvin Sykes, DJ Thompson and Zack Howze

– Colton Sykes

54 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

SHOWTIME FOR FUCHS & DOPPSTADT

LOGGING NEWS

Fuchs show latest MHL model handlers at ISRI 2018 FUCHS continues to drive momentum in the North American scrap, waste, forestry and port sectors

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uchs exhibited at ISRI April 1419, 2018 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, in booth A6. Two machines were on display: the MHL340 F2 and MHL350 F2 material handlers.

Commenting on the lineup Todd Goss, General Manger for Fuchs in North America, said the features and solutions on these machines enable customers in the four core segments of scrap, waste, forestry and port industry to operate efficiently and boost return on investment.

He says Fuchs has continued to focus on growing distribution globally, to ensure customers experience more responsive service and parts support locally.

Currently, there are 23 Fuchs equipment dealers throughout North America.

MHL340F: A top performer in the recycling business Even heavy recycling loads requiring precise handling within a specific work radius are easily dealt with using the MHL 340 mobile material handler. The particularly solid undercarriage,

with its larger outrigger cylinders and a stabilization footprint measuring 16ˈ9” x 14ˈ1”, ensures stability when heavy ton-loads are to be handled, utilizing a reach of up to 41´11”. This makes it so that in such situations neither speed nor precision is compromised, slewing motors and slewing gears are fine-tuned, and the lifting and stick cylinders come equipped with special end-position damping.

MHL350F: Outstanding stability for the toughest jobs Cutting-edge engine technology combined with intelligent hydraulics make the MHL350 one of the fastest and most sensitive material handlers in scrap handling.

With an operating weight of up to 78,263 lbs, a reach of 52ˈ6” and an undercarriage width of 9ˈ10”, the The MHL 350 is a particularly stable machine, with its statistics conclusively bearing out its performance. The high-output 215hp turbo diesel engine and powerful hydraulics operating in a notably efficient dual-circuit system ensure that even heavier loads are handled with precision

and speed. Alongside its near legendary ruggedness, state-ofthe-art technology and maximal occupational safety are further advantages offered by this machine.

“These are exciting times for the Fuchs business,” commented Goss. “We have significantly strengthened the Fuchs team, increased local support by growing our distribution network, broadened and updated our purpose-built handler line for the market, and customized

Todd Goss, General Manger for Fuchs in North America our equipment to meet specific application needs for our customers. It’s a good time to be a Fuchs material handler customer.”

Doppstadt to showcase the “INVENTHOR Type 9” shredder at IFAT Doppstadt’s INVENTHOR Type 9 shredder, from the SMART SHREDDING LINE, is a new highperformance machine that is setting new market benchmarks when it comes to quality and performance. By bringing together the most innovative mechanical developments, innovative control and regulation systems, and a brand new noise emissions concept, Doppstadt has created an environmentally friendly costeffective one-stop solution for the recycling sector.

Thanks to its modular serviceoriented construction and range of suspension variants, this machine is equally suited to use as a stationary fixture or in the service industry sector.

A new concept for the smart shredder generation The INVENTHOR Type 9 is the first machine in an entirely new

generation of Doppstadt shredders.

Everything, from the drive to the housing and the quick-change tools has been designed with an eye to the future.

The new VarioDirect Drive demonstrates its quality right from the start. It handles even the toughest shredding tasks without any loss of performance, giving it scope for future development and job-specific programmes. From shut-down to running at maximum power, the shredding roller gets to work immediately, even under a full load.

One of Doppstadt’s highest priorities is to reduce exhaust and noise emissions: The INVENTHOR Type 9 meets the Euromot Stage IIIA and IV exhaust emission requirements and will also meet Stage V, when updated. It also performs all its tasks with very little noise. This shredder also features

The Inventor Type 9 shredder is a high-performance solution for processing a range of waste materials, including biomass, scrap wood and mixed construction waste. a new range of solutions when it comes to accessibility.

The shredding comb provides generous access to the shredding space, meaning tools can be exchanged quickly and ergonomically. Large new glass fibre doors make daily maintenance tasks easier.

Strong and innovative: this new shredder’s name says it all.

Doppstadt fused “inventor”, representing ingenuity, with “Thor” the Norse god, for strength, when naming the machine. Here, “Thor” stands for Thor’s hammer, his magical weapon.

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 55

Hard & fast

Three major feller buncher suppliers compare wares as they battle for market share

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he industry has been treated with a range of feller bunchers focused on durability or speed, though none of the suppliers featured in this year’s technology review fall down in either category.

If anything has been left behind in recent research and development efforts, it is arguably operator comfort. That said, this area of refinement and advancement has come so far in the past half-a-decade, it is difficult to see where the next significant leap can be made.

Caterpillar Forest Products track and wheel feller bunchers help loggers boost production in the woods, and their efficiency and durability help increase profitability. The company offers four proven track machine models as well as the new D series wheel feller buncher.

Cat track feller bunchers are designed with an industry-leading combination of lift capacity, swing torque and tractive effort ratios to 56 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

boost production in the woods.

The Cat 541 and 552 Series 2 machines are full tail swing machines designed for highproduction clear-cutting or final fell applications in rough environments; the 552 Series 2 is a levelling machine for improved operation in steep terrain.

The Cat 521 and 522 B Series machines are near-zero tail swing machines, which are more attractive for felling and bunching in select cut and thinning applications because they help reduce damage to the residual stand. The 521B is a non-levelling model best suited for plantation thinning, biomass harvesting, and medium-production select or clear-cut applications; the 522B is a levelling machine for select or clear-cut logging.

The 541 and 552 Series 2 and 521 and 522 B Series machines are equipped with the Cat C9 ACERT 226 kW (303 hp) engine, which has a proven track record of reliability and durability. Power-management software is tailored for the unique engine-hydraulic interactions in a forestry application and delivers a

high level of machine performance.

The closed-centre hydraulic system includes fully adjustable electric over hydraulic controls and plentiful flow capacities. Three pumps power the hydraulic system to give loggers smoother multifunctioning.

An on-demand reversing fan helps keep the radiator debrisfree, and the high-capacity cooling system keeps the engine running at the proper temperature, optimizing performance, durability and fuel economy.

Large structures such as swing bearings and booms have been designed for longer life and durability. The tracks and all undercarriage rolling components are high-grade to extend track life, reduce repair costs, and increase stability. The machines have excellent ground clearance and an open car body design, increasing mobility by eliminating interference with obstacles.

The Cat PRO (Parallel Reach Operation) System gives operators the ability to complete a smoother, fluid harvesting motion. One joystick either extends or retracts

Cat 522B with HF201B bunching saw

Feller Bunchers

Cat 541-2 track

the work tool by combining both the main and stick boom functions.

For feller buncher configurations, the head is kept level as well.

By combining these functions on one joystick, the operator can efficiently move the head in a planar, parallel motion relative to the ground. The Cat PRO System helps new operators learn faster, and it increases efficiency and reduces fatigue for seasoned operators.

LED lights are standard, and the purpose-built forestry cab offers operator protection and comfort. It meets ROPS, FOPS, OPS, OR-OSHA and WCB regulations and standards. The ISO mounting system reduces noise and vibration, increasing operator comfort.

Both track buncher lines feature the only two-way simultaneous levelling system in the industry.

The unique three-cylinder system design significantly reduces stress loads into the leveller structure, lower frame, and track frames.

Extended service and maintenance intervals reduce machine service time, increasing

machine availability and cutting operating costs.

Caterpillar steep-slope harvesting enhancements for the 552 Series 2 enable more efficient, productive, and reliable performance and enhance safety and comfort on steep terrain. The 552 Series 2 features extended track roller frames that lower the machine’s centre of gravity, increasing overall stability, and significantly increasing lift capacity over the back of the machine.

An optional dual-anchor point, cable-assist mount may be connected via cables to a winchassist machine at the top of the harvest area to enhance traction and stability. Optional engine and hydraulic updates enable operation on a continuous grade of 100% or 45°.

Caterpillar offers two reliable, productive versions of the HF201B felling attachment for its track feller bunchers. They are designed to fell and bunch a wide variety of tree species in almost any application, from plantation thinning to select cutting of large diameter wood. One option

Cat 522B track feller buncher

features a 40-degree partial lateral tilt while the other is offered with a 330-degree full lateral tilt for improved production.

The new Cat 563D and 573D wheel feller bunchers, which meet US EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards, provide increased reliability and durability along with greater customer value in performance, comfort, and serviceability. The patented transverse-mounted engine and low centre of gravity provide rocksolid stability.

Combined with the industry’s shortest wheelbase, Cat wheel feller bunchers provide industryleading cut-and-carry capability and superior application versatility.

Product Link, the remote monitoring solution, enables efficient and effective fleet management of Cat forestry equipment. The easy-to-use interface, VisionLink, enables customized health and utilization reports, enhanced mapping, and mixed-fleet capabilities.

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 57

Tigercat 724G drive-to-tree feller buncher working in Virgina

Tigercat offers one of the broadest range of both track and drive-totree feller bunchers in the industry.

Along with innovative features like the ER boom and WideRange, Tigercat’s feller bunchers offer long service life, high machine availability rates, excellent service access and the clear operator sightlines.

855E and L855E feller buncher For plantation eucalyptus applications, Tigercat offers the 855E carrier equipped with the 2000 series bunching shear. This combination is a low cost-pertonne solution for harvesting eucalyptus pulpwood on account of the fast shear cycles and extremely efficient carrier hydraulics.

The 2000 shear accumulates large parallel bunches, improving skidder productivity. In addition, the shear is a lower cost, lowermaintenance alternative to a disc-saw felling head. In rocky

58 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

or abrasive soil types, the maintenance and wear benefits are even more pronounced. The shearequipped feller buncher also burns less fuel compared with a disc saw.

The 855E can also be mated to the Tigercat 5185 directional felling saw for an extremely fuel-efficient machine to fell and shovel large, high value timber.

The L855E features Tigercat’s patented forest-duty levelling undercarriage, providing exceptional stability on steep slopes. It uses two massive hydraulic cylinders and heavy steel sections for a solution that is simple, robust and reliable.

An important advantage common to Tigercat track feller bunchers is ER boom technology.

ER technology provides increased production compared with conventional boom systems – especially in high-cycle applications.

The patented ER boom system allows the machine operator to extend and retract the boom on a horizontal plane smoothly and

quickly using a single joystick. The introduction of the new 3-mode ER boom control allows the operator to choose between ER, semi-ER and conventional.

The new semi-ER function allows the operator to extend the boom on a horizontal plane using a single joystick but retracts the boom with the increased power of both cylinders, doubling the pull force. The stick boom or ‘reach’ joystick controls both the main and stick booms simultaneously, resulting in the attachment moving either away from or toward the operator. The main boom and tilt functions operate in the traditional manner to adjust the height and angle of the attachment.

Key to this technology is reduced energy consumption. The ER system transfers energy back and forth between the main and the stick boom functions, reducing the total energy needed to move the boom system. This translates to reduced demands for power, pump flow and system cooling.

“Competing solutions do

module and better airflow for air conditioning and defrost.

Visibility has been enhanced with a 10% larger front window and 21% larger rear quarter windows.

The view over the back tyres is one of the best in the industry – an asset in thinning applications.

Only Tigercat offers WideRange, the infinitely variable transmission for drive-to-tree feller bunchers.

Drive-to-tree feller bunchers spend a great percentage of the total duty cycle driving – to the next tree or to and from the bunch pile. WideRange allows the operator to travel more quickly than conventional two-speed transmission equipped feller bunchers.

Quicker travel boosts productivity and reduces cost

per tonne in high production thinning and final fell applications.

Tigercat’s unique WideRange drive system is standard on all G-series feller bunchers. A two-speed transmission is optional on the 720G and 724G Tigercat drive-to-tree feller bunchers are often equipped with bunching saws and shears for plantation applications with smaller diameter timber. In high cycle, multi-stem bunching applications, Tigercat bunching saws and shears contribute to significant productivity gains by increasing the number of stems per cycle.

The ER system transfers energy back and forth between the main and the stick boom functions Tigercat

not offer the simplicity and fuel savings of Tigercat’s design,” the manufacturer said.

Drive-to-tree feller bunchers Tigercat builds three models of drive-to-tree feller buncher models for the full range of thinning and final felling duties. The 720G and 724G are designed for thinning and clear fell applications and the large capacity 726G fells large-diameter timber in tough terrain.

The G-series machines have been updated with a redesigned cab to improve productivity and operator comfort. There is a new heated and cooled seat, an easily repositioned electronic control

A Tigercat 2000 shear bunching eucalyptus in Australia

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 59

Rapid Cycle System on the M-Series feller bunchers can reduce operator fatigue

Packing the power and productivity needed to tackle the toughest of applications, the John Deere M-Series tracked feller bunchers and L-Series wheeled feller bunchers are redefining machine performance, according to the manufacturer.

Built with features that boost operator efficiency and improve machine reliability, loggers all over the world have tested the John Deere wheeled and tracked feller bunchers and are apparently raving about the machines.

“Deere is at the forefront of listening to its customers and you can see that in the M-Series, with all the changes and new configurations,” said Dustin Clauson, from Clauson Logging.

“The design, the features, the comfort – they really sweated the small stuff, so we could focus on getting the job done.”

M-Series tracked feller bunchers

the logger in mind, incorporating a variety of features to boost performance and meet customer demands.

“Good equipment is everything to me, and the M-Series machines are not just good – they’re great,” said James Godsoe from Marlo Logging. “They’ve got more power and more tractive effort. They’re more stable on hills – they won’t creep back.

“The boom is more robust and the machine is built to last. It takes all of the stress off my shoulders when I know the machines are running, the operators are happy, and the mechanic doesn’t have to do anything.”

One of the most notable

features is the redesigned operator station. Ergonomically designed, the tracked feller bunchers are equipped with fully adjustable armrests with fingertip controls, an air-conditioned seat and a climatecontrolled cab.

With floor-to-ceiling front and side windows and an overhead skylight, the M-Series machines provide 44% more visibility to the cutting area compared to earlier models.

“The operator station on the M-Series is phenomenal. Visibility is improved – the windows go right to the floor, so you can see the tracks a lot better than before,” noted Godsoe.

The longer, wider undercarriage

So many things impress us about the L-Series feller bunchers – the strength, speed, agility, and structural integrity Kip Smith, Kip Smith Forest Services

The 800M and 900M-Series tracked feller bunchers were designed with 60 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

on the M-Series tracked feller buncher increases machine stability and traction, while optional auto-tilt and levelling cabs maximize operator comfort, even in demanding steep slope applications.

“The minute you get on hills and steeper terrain, it really shines,” said Roy Isley from D&J Isley and Sons. “Stability and tractive effort are superb. You don’t have to constantly fight the machine, so you can get more done.”

The M-Series machines feature a powerful Final Tier 4 engine, delivering premium performance, fluid efficiency, reliability and economical operating costs. The 900M-Series machines have a redesigned engine enclosure, improving structural strength while maintaining the excellent serviceability.

Additionally, all of the 900M-Series bunchers boast 330 HP. Optional Rapid Cycle System (RCS) combines automated fellinghead arm cycling with simple boom control, dramatically reducing operator fatigue while increasing efficiency and productivity. RCS can

be tailored to individual skill levels and specific harvesting conditions.

“It’s so much faster,” said Lucas Melcher, Harry Melcher & Sons. “There’s no fatigue at the end of the day because you are not moving your arms back and forth all day.

“You just push the ‘magic button,’ as we call it, to engage the system, and then simply use a single joystick.”

L-Series wheeled feller bunchers Understanding the challenges loggers face daily, the L-Series wheeled feller bunchers are reliable and productive machines designed to tackle tough jobs.

“So many things impress us about the L-Series feller bunchers – the strength, speed, agility, and structural integrity,” said Kip Smith from Kip Smith Forest Services.

“I keep going back to the speed.

The faster and more efficiently an operator runs the machine, the more we produce. And the machine is very capable in that respect.”

Boasting an impressive power-to-weight ratio, the L-Series machines offer steady multifunction performance even in wet or hilly conditions. The optimal weight distribution and longer

wheelbase improves machine balance, increasing stability.

Customers have been impressed by the increased head tilt, which provides operators with the ability to put the weight of the trees over the top of the machine while keeping the rear wheels on the ground for better traction when backing up on hills.

“You can tilt the head back further, which really helps distribute the weight better and improves balance coming up the hill with a full bundle of wood,” said Buddy Lominick from Big Pine Logging.

Strength, speed and agility are hallmarks of the John Deere L-Series feller bunchers

The power-to-weight ratio of the L-Series feller bunchers improves performance on steep slopes

The L-Series cab is 25% larger, increasing operator comfort. Featuring a larger front window, the cab is quieter than previous models. Additionally, the L-Series machine feature a more efficient HVAC system, operatorconfigurable controls and ample storage space.

“The front window on the feller buncher is much bigger,” said Austin Collins from McGill Timber Company. “I can see almost anywhere. And that’s important when thinning because you don’t want to scar up a tree you don’t intend to cut.”

The L and M-Series machines are compatible with JDLink, John Deere’s machine monitoring system that is now available five years in base. With JDLink, customers have access to remote machine monitoring, allowing them to track machine health, hours and maintenance needs, even from miles away.

Additionally, the feller bunchers can be more productive if used with TimberNavi, a jobsite mapping solution that increases the operator’s spatial understanding of the jobsite. Key features include the integration of internet-enabled wireless data transfer, remote display access capabilities, and location history viewing of other JDLink-enabled machines.

Power and tractive effort epitomise the John Deere M-Series machines

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 61

Industry-leading debarking done with Precision

Precision Husky believes in reliability, performance and the latest innovations

F

or 50 years, Precision Husky has been known for building top quality forest products, a reputation of which the company is truly proud.

“But we aren’t satisfied with what happened yesterday,” Precision President Scott Smith told International Forest Industries recently.

“We never stop improving the toughest, most tested forestry equipment in the world. We design it for the payout and we mean for it to work as hard as our client do, and for years to come.”

The company’s heavy-duty, enhanced-technology flails for mills and woods are prominent within the industry for many reasons, including some that might surprise even the most knowledgeable woodsman.

In fact, Precision flail debarkers/delimbers are nearly “flawless”, according to the manufacturer, with efficiency by reducing bark content to as low as

62 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

0.3% on average. That’s the lowest bark-per-tonne and cost-per-tonne in the industry.

“If you’re using any other machine, you’re simply paying too much,” Smith said, who implores the market to review the company’s line-up of flail and rosserhead debarkers.

“Like every single piece of our world-class forestry equipment, our flails and rosserheads are better engineered, built heavier and stronger and offer you more overall production with far less down time,” he said.

“We’re the heavy weights of the logging industry and have no plans to go on a diet.”

Flail Debarker 2600-4 The large capacity four-flail debarker can process multiple logs from 3 in up to 26 in in diameter (76-660 mm) and now, thanks to recent upgrades, operators are able to adjust the feed rate based on a dual wireless CAN+ link and camera system linking the flail with a whole tree chipper.

The operator sees the action on monitors. They see the feed coming

Operators of the 2600-4 are able to adjust the feed rate based on a dual wireless CAN+ link and camera system linking the flail with a whole tree chipper

Debarkers in and going out into the truck.

The touch of a button can vary the speed of either end for smooth, continuous flow.

Flail Debarker 2300-2 The other member of Precision’s in-woods flail debarker family is smaller but just as tough. The 2300-2 can process multiple logs from 3 in up to 23 in in diameter (76-584 mm) and with the same exceptional efficiency as the 2600-4.

Recently equipped with Sauer Plus 1 technology, the 2300-2 is undergoing a top-to-bottom overhaul with the latest hydraulics that allow for easy and instant control of infeed, flail drum and outfeed speeds. Improvements to the 2300-2 include the addition of a hydraulic bark pusher, which keeps the debarking chamber clean.

Rosserhead Debarkers For precise work in the mill, Rosserhead debarkers ensure clean, adjustable-length convenience and “tough-asnails” durability, according to the manufacturer.

“We engineered them to exceed expectations and they do on a daily basis in cutting-edge operations

around the world,” Smith said.

Low cost, low maintenance and clean-running, Precision Rosserheads are flexible, with adjustable barking head size, hydraulic power and overall machine dimensions to suit the size and specific needs of the mill. Diesel-powered engines are available, as are motors suited for 380/3/50 operation overseas.

first-hand experience using the technology the company develops.

“Precision Husky is showing the industry just how outstanding one company can be,” Smith said. “From humble beginnings, we now work from a 165,000 ft2 manufacturing facility in Leeds, Alabama.”

Smith is a second-generation

innovator like his father, company founder and CEO Bob Smith.

Together they have overseen Precision’s growth from a small regional provider to a worldwide leader in timber processing technology, with customers in 120 countries.

Innovation at work Smith says the bottom line at Precision is its clients’ profitability.

This simple yet often-overlooked principle drives all innovation spending and development at the manufacturer.

“After all, Precision is more than our name,” he said. “It’s our number one goal.

“With this in mind, we’re committed to bringing our customers the latest, most advanced equipment in the world.

We never rest because today’s technology won’t allow it.”

To maintain this standard, Precision employs more than 100 experienced, highly dedicated and motivated professionals. To ensure efforts remain on track, many of these people are former loggers and wood processors with

Precision Rosserheads are flexible, with adjustable barking head size, hydraulic power and overall machine dimensions to suit the size and specific needs of the mill

The large capacity four-flail 2600-4 debarker

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 63

Part of the team at Homer Industries, with one of their TG9000 Vermeer tub grinders, from left: Todd Hahn, Chad Wallace, Kimberly Bell, Sam Elder and Josh Doherty.

Homer Industries branching out with Vermeer grinders Tub grinders are heart of the operation for diversified organics recycler

F

or Homer Industries, “roots were planted” in 1950 when Joseph Reposh began offering Lockport, Illinois residents and businesses tree care services.

Known then as Homer Tree Service, the little family-owned company slowly grew over the span of more than three decades before Ronald Reposh purchased it from his father in 1985. Under his watchful eye the company continued to grow steadily; the business really took off in 1997 when it expanded into land clearing services.

Reposh was able to predict an emerging market again when he established their mulch and grinding division, Homer Industries, in 2003. The company expanded again in 2013, creating an environmental division committed to reestablishing natural native habitats around the Midwest U.S.

64 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

Grinding out profits

Heart of the operation

Today, Homer Companies employs more than 200 people across its four different divisions and operates a fleet of 400 pieces of equipment.

According to Todd Hahn, COO of Homer Industries, the division he works for was established to make use of all the raw material the tree service division was producing.

“The business went from having one to two loads of chips per day to producing 20-plus loads every day,” he explains. “By adding a few more pieces of equipment, we were able to create a new service for current customers and establish several new partnerships.”

Homer Industries receives most of its raw material from its land clearing operations but has also opened its yard up to other tree care professionals, municipalities and landscapers for wood waste disposal. The material is then turned into a variety of mulch products, including playground surfacing, colour-enriched mulch and hardwood mulch.

According to Hahn, around 80 percent of their products are sold in bulk, by the truckload. The rest is bagged and sold locally.

“Wholesalers, landscapers and cities make up the largest percentage of our customer base,” he says. “We also sell to do-ityourself homeowners in the area who need a small truckload of mulch from time to time.”

With all the competition in the mulch industry, Homer Industries believes it’s the quality of its end product that makes them stand out.

“There are a lot of variables involved with making high-end mulch products,” Hahn notes.

“To ensure customers are getting exactly what they want, we have invested in the right equipment.

It is those machines that help us sort material and control size consistency.”

Homer Industries uses Vermeertub grinders to process most of the raw material it receives. The company runs a Vermeer TG7000 and three Vermeer TG9000 tub grinders.

“While we do use chippers and some horizontal grinders in our land clearing operations, back at our yard we use all tub grinders,” Hahn explains. “They are fast, efficient and can handle a variety of material.”

Homer Industries purchased their Vermeer TG7000 tub grinder shortly after expanding into mulch and grinding. As business increased, so did the amount of raw material on hand that needed to be processed, which led them to investing in two TG9000 tub grinders over the course of the next several years. In the fall of 2017, Homer Industries determined it was time to increase its processing capabilities again and purchased a third TG9000.

The TG9000 is the most powerful tub grinder Vermeer produces. It features a large diameter opening with an inside diameter of 3.4 metres (11 feet).

For Homer Industries, that means they can process large pieces of material and regrind material processed on jobsites quickly. Also, the Vermeer patented thrown object restraint system (TORS) helps limit the amount of thrown debris while working. “It’s a great safety feature in the yard and when we have one of our grinders working in the field,” adds Hahn.

According to Homer Industries, their reasons for choosing Vermeer tub grinders were due to the quality of the machine build, as well as the support they receive from Vermeer Midwest, their local dealer.

“When Homer Industries started, it was a constant struggle to keep up with demand, so we didn’t have room for downtime,” explains Hahn. “Vermeer Midwest’s

Homer Industries runs Vermeer TG9000 and TG7000 tub grinders to process land clearing and other wood waste into high-end mulch and other products.

The TG9000 features a large-diameter opening with an inside diameter of 3.4 metres

Aurora location is just 20 minutes from our facility and I really could, at times, get a mechanic from there to the yard quicker than I could get one of our guys. So, service has been over-the-top.”

Land clearing Homer Companies’ land clearing customers include private development companies, city municipalities and state highway departments. Its crews have been involved with several of the largest Illinois and Indiana highway expansion projects over the last two decades. They are usually the first contractor on a job preparing the land for development.

Homer Tree Service was a part of the recent I-69 expansion project from Bloomington to Indian Creek, Indiana where crews cleared 21 miles of right-of-way so the road could be expanded from two lanes to four.

According to Hahn, the terrain was rough on most of that project and Homer Tree Service crews processed a lot of big timber.

On jobs like these, smaller material is processed onsite using chippers. Feller bunchers are used to clear large trees. Eventually, all the material is transported back to the yard in Lockport for additional processing. Large material is cut and fed through the TG9000 and blended with other material.

Then, everything gets reground, sorted and either prepared for bulk shipping or bagged.

Working together In addition to clearing land for development, the Homer Companies team is also extremely knowledgeable about restoring land back to its natural state.

Homer Environmental specializes in restoring, replenishing and replanting sites where old abandoned infrastructure once stood. Of course, before restoration can begin, overburden needs to be removed. Homer Tree Service’s land clearing crews are again the first on the scene to give the environmental team a fresh slate to work with.

The two divisions worked together recently to help transform the old Joliet Arsenal in Will County, Illinois, into Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, the first national

tallgrass prairie in the U.S., and one of the newest units of the U.S. National Forest System. Homer Tree Service cleared several acres of land, and then Homer Environmental restored the area with native plants. The site is now home to around 60 bison.

“The Midewin project is just one example of how our different divisions work together to provide a single-sourced solution for our customers,” Hahn says. “We also work with the tree care division after major storms hit local communities. They are often the first ones on site, and we’ll follow with a tub grinder so a community can clean up as quickly as possible.”

Growth has spurred Homer Companies to branch out from

the little tree care company it once was. But the company hasn’t changed in many respects. The company remains rooted in meeting the needs of customers, whether they need tree care service, land clearing or environmental restoration expertise.

This article was reprinted with permission from Recycling Product News, March, 2018, Volume 26, Number 2.

Homer Industries is a diversified wood waste recycler with a speciality in land clearing and restoring contaminated land back to its natural state International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 65

PRESS EVENT GERMANY March 2018

Jounalists given close up look at the new 8W 1170G, 1070G and testdrive IBC IFI, along with over twenty representatives from the international forestry press, were invited to a press event hosted by John Deere in Klink, Germany in early March

Control of boom movements is on a totally new level. The boom is much easier to use and the operator is able to maintain good productivity in the long term says contractor Villa Hänninen

A

t the early morning press conference Tommi Ekman, General Manager, marketing and order fulfilment, led the presentations initially talking about the global trends affecting both forestry and construction, the German market place, how John Deere had full order books followed by an explanation of the new innovations in the G -Series harvesters which we would see first-hand in the forest in the afternoon. He also outlined several ‘exciting’ new John Deere products due to be launched later this year but strictly embargoed for the time being. Watch this space!

John Deere introduced the longwaited 8-wheeled 1170G harvester as well as the revolutionary Intelligent Boom Control (IBC) for the 1270G harvester at the 2017 ElmiaWood fair. Later in 2017, the IBC option became available for the John Deere 1170G harvester. Both of the mid-sized G series – 1070G and 1170G – have now entered serial production.

pumps. In both models, the engine has been turned 180 degrees, the hydraulic oil and fuel tanks, and pumps have been placed in front of the engine, and the fan at the rear of the machine. The changes make the cabin very quiet and, as the engine hood is lower, the operator’s visibility to the rear has significantly improved.

John Deere 1170G is also an outstanding choice for soft terrain and slopes The new 1170G harvester is available as a 6 or 8-wheeled

version. The 8-wheeled 1170G is the industry’s most versatile harvester for thinning and regeneration fellings, and especially for soft terrain and slopes. The harvester offers outstanding stability, low surface pressure, agile forward movement, climbing ability on slopes, and excellent productivity in all these conditions. Updated with many improvements, the 6-wheeled version replaces the highly popular John Deere 1170E. The 6-wheeled model’s front frame can now be equipped with either 24.5 or 26.5 inch tires. The

Mid-sized G-series harvesters are easily recognized for their new rear chassis design The new John Deere 1070G and 1170G harvesters feature a totally new rear chassis with a new layout for the engine, hydraulic oil and fuel tanks, and placements of the

66 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

In both models, the engine has been turned 180 degrees, the hydraulic oil and fuel tanks and pumps have been placed in front of the engine, and the fan at the rear of the machine

1170G

PRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Engine

John Deere 6068, Final Tier 4 / Stage IV Maximum power @ rpm 155 kW (208 hp) @ 1900 Torque @ rpm 978 Nm @ 1500

Tires

6W - Front 24.5” or 26.5”, Rear 34” 8W - Front and Rear 24.5”

Power train

Tractive force, 8W: 160 kN, 6W: 150 kN

Work hydraulics

Pump capacity 190 cm3

Boom

John Deere CH6, Maximum reach 10/11.3 m Lifting torque 165 kNm

Cabin

Rotating and levelling, or fixed

Harvester heads

John Deere H412, H413, H414

Measurements

6W Length 7240 mm Width with 650-Series tires 2720 mm Ground clearance, at middle joint 580 mm Weight with harvester head [H412] 17800 kg 8W Length 7450 mm Width with 650-Series tires 2720 mm Ground clearance, at middle joint 580 mm Weight with harvester head [H412] 19500 kg

bigger 190 cm3 work pump gives the machine more hydraulic power than its predecessor. The CH6 boom is available with a 10 or 11.3 meter reach, and the machine can be equipped with an H412, H413 or H414 harvester head. The weight of the 8-wheeled machine with the H412 harvester head and without tracks is about 19,500 kg, and the 6-wheeled machine with the H412 harvester head weighs about 17,800 kg.

John Deere 1070G is the most agile machine for thinnings The new 1070G harvester is ideal for thinning even in sensitive terrain. Thanks to its compact size

and easy maneuverability, the machine can operate in logging areas with dense growth while the wide tires and well-balanced frame protect the terrain from damage.

The 180S boom is available with an 8.6, 10, or 10.8 meter reach, and the machine can be equipped with an H412, H413 or H414 harvester head. The weight of the 6-wheeled machine with the H412 harvester head and without tracks is about 16,000 kg and the 4-wheeled version weighs about 15,200 kg.

FOREX Gmbh & Co. KG Lindenallee 18 17213 Malchow www.forex-malchow.de

Adaptive Driveline Control improves drivability Adaptive Driveline Control is another unique feature from John Deere and available as standard equipment in the G-Series harvesters. The system improves the machine’s drivability and productivity by automatically adjusting the engine’s RPMs to correspond with the engine load.

High RPMs are used only when needed which also reduces the machine’s average noise level.

During high-load situations, Adaptive Driveline Control ensures that the diesel engine runs smoothly and maximizes the tractive force.

Factory tour Forex have 25 employees and are responsible for servicing approximately 1,100 machines.

They store over 10,000 different parts. Each technician has his own personalised van!

More powerful and more fuel efficient engine The mid-size G-series harvesters are equipped with a 6.8 liter John Deere 6068 engine which is compliant with the Final Tier 4/ Stage IV emissions regulations. The more powerful engine combined with the totally new control system make harvester work more

Gunther Jost our main dealer host explains how if a customer requires a part outside of business hours (6.45 am to 5 pm), the part would be deposited in the box for the customer to collect, using a given code

6W 1070G

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 67

1070G

precise and efficient, and increase the machine’s productivity. The Diesel Particulate Filter and Diesel Oxidation Catalyst are familiar from the previous models, and now a Selective Catalytic Reduction and a urea tank have been added to the exhaust gas treatment system to meet the more stringent emissions standards. The new engine technology significantly improves the fuel efficiency in relation to the machine productivity.

In Europe, the Stage V emission regulation for new forest machines with engine power over 130kW becomes effective in the beginning of 2019. The John Deere G-Series forwarders and harvesters already meet these Stage V requirements.

More effective and responsive machine control All John Deere G-Series machines are equipped with new MECA control modules, simple CAN busses and an optimized electrical system to make the machine functions more efficient. The Processing Power Control (PPC) system adjusts the processing power and fuel economy to correspond with the work requirements. The system has three different power levels to choose from, and it anticipates the engine load and responds with the right power boost for each situation, thereby improving both productivity and fuel efficiency.

PRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Engine

John Deere 6068, Final Tier 4 / Stage IV Maximum power @ rpm 135.5 kW (182 hp) @ 1900 Torque @ rpm 850 Nm @ 1500

Tires

4W - Front and Rear 26,5” or 34” 6W - Front 22,5”, Rear 26,5”

Power train

Tractive force 130 kN

Work hydraulics

Pump capacity 160 cm3

Boom

John Deere 180S, Maximum reach 8.6/10/10.8 m Lifting torque 143 kNm

Cabin

Rotating and levelling, or fixed

Harvester heads

John Deere H412, H413, H414

Measurements

4W Length 6500 mm Width with 600-Series tires 2600 mm Weight with harvester head [H412] 15200 kg 6W Length 6990 mm Width with 600-Series tires 2660 mm Weight with harvester head [H412] 16000 kg

Intelligent Boom Control (IBC) The Intelligent Boom Control (IBC) is a unique boom operation system available only from John Deere. It is not just an automatically operating boom extension or damped valves; it is a truly intelligent system with sensors that detect the position of the harvester head and algorithms that adjust the boom’s trajectory in one continuous and efficient motion. IBC also serves as a platform for new features to be launched in the future to boost and make the operator’s work more enjoyable.

The IBC operation automatically follows the harvester’s work cycle. The boom’s trajectory and operation are adjusted as the harvester head is taken to a tree and when the tree is in the harvester head. There is no need for the operator to control the

different sections of the boom individually. IBC ensures the most efficient and precise operation practices. The boom’s electronic end damping makes for smooth work which reduces stress on the entire boom. IBC improves work ergonomics and remarkably increases the machine’s productivity.

“IBC makes it really easy to operate the boom. You don’t have to manage each function separately, and it virtually takes no time to take the harvester head to the tree. At the same time, you are able to also monitor more than just the harvester head operation”, praises a Finnish contractor Rauno Kuusinen.

“Similar to forwarders, most of the customers want to have IBC in their harvester. For example, for 1170G, the IBC take rate is over 90%”, Tommi Ekman, General Manager, Marketing, from John Deere Forestry.

The demo area consisted of 1.5 hectares of pine, age 99 years with an average height of 25.4 metres and average diameter of 32 cm.

The last operation on the site was ten years ago, in 2008.

Note the new colour scheme going forward - grey and green

There was plenty of opportunity to get up close with both machines

Tommi Eckman directed proceedings

Press attendees were able to chat, dine and drink with John Deere staff and dealer representatives from Germany, Austria, France, Sweden and Finland in the magnificent Schlosshotel Klink

Similar to forwarders, most of the customers want to have IBC in their harvester. For example, for the 1170G, the IBC take rate is over 90% Tommi Eckman The operator maneuvers the harvester head to the desired position and the system automatically adjusts the 1) lift, 2) slew, 3) extension and boom trajectory for optimal operation

68 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

Report by Robin Peach, IFI Associate Editor

PONSSE

K121 - more efficiency to forwarder load handling

INNOVATION

makes it easier to efficiently handle and move large logs, for example when loading onto freight trains.

Thanks to the high torque, lifting power and stronger reach, trees can be lifted from even further away than before. This reduces the need to move the machine closer to the trees, or having to bring the cut logs to the ground next to the machine before lifting.

A new and tested even stronger structure

Ponsse presents the new loader for Elephant and ElephantKing forwarders. The completely new K121 loader offers a new level of efficiency and speed for load handling in tough conditions

T

he new PONSSE K121 loader extends Ponsse’s loader series to a completely new size range. The new loader combines high slewing torque and lifting power, increased reach, and a new type of loader geometry that is easy to control.

These innovations come together to create the most powerful loader on the market. It enables shorter loading and unloading times, facilitates working in conditions where load handling takes up a large proportion of the working time, and makes it easier to work on sites where large trees must be handled and on slopes that demand great power of loaders.

Fast load handling for short driving distances In conditions where load handling takes up most of the working time, loader capacity is of great importance. On the other hand, at work sites where the driving distances are short and the load sizes are large the usage time of the loader can be as much as 60% of the actual working time.

This is the case on plantations, for

Technical specifications: Lifting torque: 195 kNm Slewing torque: 48 kNm Reach: 8m/10m (S/M models) (26ft/33ft) Tilting base tilt angle: -12°…+24° Large grapple surface area: 0.50 m2 Available for Ponsse Elephant and Ponsse ElephantKing forwarders

example, where driving distances are very short.

In these working environments, loader efficiency is particularly important to forwarder productivity.

The improved geometry of the K121 loader, easy control system, and the ability to install a grapple with a surface area that is 16% larger ads up to significantly increased load-handling performance.

More power to working on slopes Harvesting on slopes is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, and Ponsse’s forest machines have opened up a completely new range of possibilities. By making it possible to work on steep slopes and in similarly demanding conditions, Ponsse forest machines make it possible to harvest timber on previously inaccessible land.

The new K121 loader further improves the work performance on slopes, by providing the high loader power that is essential for steep conditions. Such conditions also demand a large tilt angle for the crane pillar in order to ensure smooth load handling. The tilt stand available for the K121 loader has a larger tilt angle, guaranteeing that the loader works at the right angle even in steep environments.

The K121 loader has been designed to handle the toughest working conditions. The loader has been field tested in demanding conditions in Canada, Russia and the USA, where they have been put to work for thousands of hours.

The results of these field trials have been very successful and encouraging. The loader has a great amount of power, it is easy to control, and because of its heavy duty design is highly reliable. In designing the new kind of structure, the geometry of the loader has been comprehensively rethought to ensure that it is highly manageable, even with very heavy loads.

The hydraulic system, its hoses and pipes have been placed inside the boom for added protection.

The extension cylinders are also protected inside the boom, and the piping of the rotator has been protected by passing the pipes directly through the hanger.

In addition, hydraulic end damping has been added to the lifting cylinder to make the operator’s work easier when working at the extreme limits of the cylinder movement, for example on steep slopes. The overall aim of these new structural innovations is to maximise the usage rate and ease of maintenance of the machines.

The K121 loader was premiered at ExpoForest fair in Brazil, Ribeirão Preto area, 11-13 April 2018.

Efficient handling of large and long logs Ponsse Elephant and Ponsse ElephantKing forwarders are also widely used on work sites where extremely large saw log are handled. The new loader model

Further information: Juha Haverinen, Product Manager, Forwarders juha.haverinen@ponsse.com

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 69

Cat launches 548 & 548 LL

The 548 LL is a log processor as well

Caterpillar has introduced two fresh models of forest machines to the market that it feels will surpass its previous offerings in terms of efficiency and power

C

aterpillar announces the launch of two new Cat Forest Machine models, the 548 and the 548 LL. These machine platforms increase profitability for loggers by maximizing efficiency, increasing production, and reducing owning and operating costs.

The Cat 548 and 548 LL and other 500 series Forest Machine models meet US EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards and feature

The Cat 548 LL in the millyard 70 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

outstanding fuel efficiency and optimized work tools while increasing horsepower, swing torque, lift capacity, and tractive effort.

Cat Forest Machines are versatile, purpose-built track machines that can be customized to perform a complete range of tasks for forestry operations and contractors. Over the last 20 years they have become the industry standard in many logging

applications.

The Cat 548 forestry excavator is configured for forestry tasks ranging from road building and site preparation to processing logs roadside or at a landing.

The Cat 548 LL is configured as a log loader and can perform log handling tasks, such as shovel logging, loading, power clam/buttn-top applications, and millyard activities.

The 548 and 548 LL provide

SPECIALISED FOREST MACHINES provide excellent fuel economy.

With automatic engine speed control, the machines will revert automatically to a lower idle speed when there is a lull in operation.

Regeneration valves minimize oil required from the pump, which maximizes efficiency.

Swing torque increases almost 20%

ultimate machine efficiency coupled with enhanced performance. Cat components, purpose-built upper and lower frames, and application specific linkage configurations increase machine up time and reduce machine operating costs.

Enhanced hydraulics aid fuel economy, deliver more power An enhanced hydraulic system delivers a higher level of efficiency and power. Upsized pumps, the layout of components, and back-toback main control valve all optimize hydraulic oil flow. The result is powerful, multi-functioning hydraulics for strong machine performance, ensuring that work tools function quickly and smoothly to complete work faster with greater fuel economy.

The hydraulic updates enable the 548 and 548 LL engine to run at a lower steady state rpm while maximizing power. Operating at a lower rpm provides significant fuel savings and lowers operating costs.

At the same time, Tier 4 Final technology and features like a variable pitch fan, variable power modes, automatic engine speed control, one-touch idle, and boom and stick regeneration valves

The 548 and 548 LL are built to perform, powered by a Cat 152 kW (204 hp) C7.1 ACERT engine with increased horsepower that maintains maximum performance under load. Strong hydraulic horsepower allows the 548 and 548 LL to handle a variety of work tools.

An almost 20% boost in swing torque, depending on the model, provides more power to move trees, increasing production and efficiency. Heavy lift mode and other updates enable greater lift capacity to handle larger payloads with improved control, and tractive effort has improved by as much as 13% to allow efficient manoeuvring when working away from the road.

temperature in any weather.

Other features include a satellite radio, 12-volt power supply socket for charging, a larger monitor, and LED lights. Standard tool control software enables quick, efficient selection and swapping of tools.

New rear entry cab options provide convenient access on a fully lit platform through the use of a key fob. For these rear entry

INNOVATION

Purpose-built durability and reliability Like other Cat machines, the 548 and 548 LL are designed and built for reliable, durable performance in the severest of forestry applications. Cooling capability is increased 12% for trouble-free operation, and the variable pitch, reversing cooling fan maintains optimum fluid temperature.

Validated, proven excavator

Boom, hydraulic configurations for specific applications With boom arrangements and hydraulic systems for specific applications, the 548 and 548 LL are more optimized and effective at road building, loading, processing, shovelling, or millyard unloading and stacking.

New track options meet shovel logging and low ground pressure application requirements, and ground saw hydraulics are available for log loader applications. In addition to the standard cab, a purpose-built processor cab option is available for both machine models, and two premium rear entry cab choices are available for the 548 LL.

Cab keeps operator working comfortably, productively The Forest Machine cabs have features and technology to reduce fatigue and keep operators working comfortably and productively all day. An air ride seat, which is fully adjustable, includes heating and cooling capability, and a bi-level air conditioner, heater, and defroster keep the cab at a comfortable

The 548 LL shows off its ability in logging applications

cabs, a new cab forward riser and optimized window design improve visibility for shovel logging and other applications, while an innovative cab lock down system increases machine uptime by increasing cab tilt efficiency and minimizing transport time.

Easy to access, easy to maintain The Cat 548 and 548 LL are designed for serviceability. A one-piece engine hood design with two opening angles allows easy access to engine and cooling compartments. The side-by-side engine and hydraulic coolers are convenient for cleaning due to a cooler that hinges out of the way, and fewer cooling fins per inch improves debris flow-through and reduces clogging.

Plentiful storage space at ground level allows ready access to tools, equipment, and supplies that operators use daily.

technologies ensure overall machine reliability.

The purpose-built upper frame, high-wide carbody, robust linkage configurations, and heavy-duty enclosures feature thick doubler plates, extra gussets, and other weldments and reinforcements.

Upsized 216 mm (8.5 inch) pitch (336 HEX) grease-lubricated tracks provide excellent life in forestry applications.

Caterpillar worldwide support Cat Product Link allows for remote location of a machine and tracking of fuel consumption and other indicators.

Caterpillar customers are supported by the industry’s largest network of dealers who will keep them and their machines running with parts availability, field services, state-of-the art diagnostic programs, remote monitoring, and more.

International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018 71

ADVERTISERS INDEX SALES OFFICES UK, Europe, South Africa, US East Coast

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CONTACT: Phil Playle or David Lansdowne Lansdowne Media Services Ltd Tel: +44 (0)1442 877 777 Fax: +44 (0)1442 870 617 Email: phil@internationalforestindustries.com or david@internationalforestindustries.com

Japan CONTACT: Yuko Ishihara

CAT ������������������������������������������������������ 5 Peterson �������������������������������������������IFC www.cat.com/forestry www.petersoncorp.com CLEANFIX ������������������������������������������ 59 Precision Husky ���������������������������������� 7 www.cleanfix.org www.precisionhusky.com Continental Biomass Industries ������ 39 Serra ��������������������������������������������������20 www.cbi-inc.com www.serra-sawmill.com

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CONTACT: David Lansdowne Lansdowne Media Services Ltd Tel: +44 (0)1442 877 777 Fax: +44 (0)1442 870 617

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Western USA (MT, ID, OR,WA) & Canada CONTACT: Bob Warren Lansdowne Media Services Ltd Tel: +44 (0)1442 877 777 Fax: +44 (0)1442 870 617

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US Mid-West, Central & Mountain CONTACT: Kevin Lapham J.P.Media Inc 1163 E.Ogden Ave, Ste. 705-359 Naperville

October 17-19, 2018

IL 60563, USA

Portland, Oregon

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South America

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CONTACT: Ricardo Cortés

EXPO RICHMOND 2018

Editec S.A.

36th East Coast Logging and Equipment Exposition

Avda del Cóndor 844 Of. 205, Cuidad Empresarial Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile Tel: +56 2 757 4200 Fax: +56 2 757 4201 Email: rcortes@editec.cl

72 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2018

Friday May 18, 2018: 8:30am - 5pm and Saturday May 19, 2018: 8:30am - 3pm For full details please visit www.exporichmond.com

IFI WEB VIDEO DIRECTORY

FORESTRY

a brand of FAE Group

POWER TO PERFORM

BRON Mulcher

BRON 475 Mulcher with SEPPI Mulching Head

Leveling everything in their paths are BRON mulchers - grinding trees, brush and stumps into fine mulch, quickly and easily. Low ground pressure and powerful hydraulics are standard on all models, ranging from 275 hp to 700 hp.

Richardson Service_Frances Marion tree thinning

Seppi Midiforst dt 225 Mulcher on the Bron 275 was a perfect combination on a tree thinning project in the Frances Marion National Forest in Huger, SC. The Bron handled flawlessly on the saturated ground while the Seppi Midiforst dt 225 is an easily manueverable and very efficient mulching head. This video was brought to you by Richardson Service and Seppi Partners LLC

BRON 275 Mulcher with Seppi Midiforst Mulching Head

www.rwfbron.com

John Deere G Series - Harvester and Forwarder

Road Map to Success

Fleet management systems have put Mid Atlantic Tree Harvesters “on the map�.

2013 John Deere 843K Feller buncher at Forestry First 05-02-13

This 2013 model Deere 843K is working in Pine Plantation.

We filmed this cutter working on a second thinning job where the stems are 6 inches or so average, many less.

This feller buncher is very impressive. The owner has been pleased with fuel consumption and the speed and power of this feller buncher is more than adequate in his thinning and logging operations. The operators are also making positive comments about the cab interior which has recently been much improved. The old steering column is gone and it opens everything up in terms of visibility and space for your legs. If you have not sat in one of these you should do yourself a favour and hop into one.

www.deere.com

4300B Drum Chipper Making Micro Chips

s5710C horizontal grinder with Terra Select S6 E Star Screen

The new Peterson 4300B drum chipper has been updated for 2014 with new features that high-volume biomass chippers demand. The 4300B can be equipped with either a 6-pocket (to make standard biomass chips) or 12-pocket (to make microchips) drum depending on your material needs.

A Peterson 5710C horizontal grinder feeds ground wood pallets into a Terra-Select S6-E star screen. The three fraction Terra Select S6-E sorts the ground material into fines, accepts and overs.

Both machines are ideal for processing mulch, compost, or other organic material.

6700B Mid-Speed Grinder

5710C Pallet Grinding

This Peterson 6700B horizontal grinder is equipped with our new Mid-Speed C&D package, and is doing primary grind in surplus railroad ties. The second grinder (a Peterson 4710B) is processing the material to meet the product spec which is being used for energy production.

This Peterson 5710C horizontal grinder is grinding pallets for mulch production in Indiana. The machine uses a cross belt magnet to pull the nails from the material (watch for a follow-up video on this process soon!)

The Mid-Speed C&D package is designed for highly contaminated material and features several new innovations that have not been seen on high-speed horizontal grinders before. This operation is seeing consistent 300+ tons per hour of production in this material.

The 5710C is Peterson’s latest generation of high production track grinders. Powered by the Caterpillar C27 or C32 engine at 1050 horsepower, this grinder provides the highest power to weight ratio of any Peterson grinder. At approximately 83,000 pounds (37650 kg) the 5710C was designed for operations requiring high production and frequent moves between jobs.

www.petersoncorp.com

Pine harvesting system in Tasmania

1135 wheel harvester: blowdown clear fell

An all-Tigercat pine harvesting system owned by B.R. & K.F. Muskett & Sons. The three-machine system working in the southern part of Tasmania consists of a Tigercat L830C feller buncher, a Tigercat LH855C harvester processing infield and a 1075B forwarder equipped with a Tigercat crane and grapple.

A Tigercat 1135 wheel harvester felling and processing in a tough blowdown clear fell salvage application in Scotland. Although the 1135 wheeled harvester was designed for specialty thinning, the machine is highly capable in a variety of selective felling and clear fell applications.

1075B scarifier in Sweden

25, a film by Tigercat

A Tigercat 1075B forwarder base carrier equipped as a scarifier.

This 1075B scarifier is operating in Sweden in tough, rock strewn terrain. Durable Tigercat forwarders are ideal carriers for heavy duty cycle scarification applications.

25, a film by Tigercat, was made in conjunction with Tigercat’s silver anniversary. The film explores the importance of the prototype 726 feller buncher, the machine that started it all and launched a company that would go on to change the business of harvesting timber around the world in very significant ways.

www.tigercat.com

ROTTNE SKÖRDARE

Skotare ROTTNE F13C

Rottne F18

www.rottne.com

FT300 Forestry Tractor

WC2500XL Whole Tree Chipper

Vermeer forestry tractors offer tough, effective solutions for your land-clearing needs. Whether you work on small-scale residential jobsites or large right-of-way clearing projects, the Vermeer forestry tractor line has what you need. From the above-ground mulcher with a ringed rotor and multiple tip options, to the accessible tractor design for convenient service, Vermeer forestry tractors are built to provide superior versatility and productivity.

Expand your revenue stream with more flexibility to produce valuable end-product from logs or slash with the WC2500XL whole tree chipper. Featuring a chip drum with an adjustable bite size that produces chips for pellets and biofuel chips, faster and easier knife setup and a PT Tech clutch, the WC2500XL whole tree chipper offers a powerful and effective solution for producing wood chips in a compact footprint. Material can be handled efficiently with variable-speed dual-infeed conveyor chains and SmartCrush technology.

HG8000TX Horizontal Grinder

HG6000TX Horizontal Grinder

Municipal waste facilities, pallet and sawmill operations, and compost contractors alike will appreciate the cost of operation-minded qualities of the all-new HG4000 horizontal grinder. Among is the 445 hp (332 kW) Tier 4i (Stage IIIB) Fiat Powertrain Technologies diesel power plant that has shown considerable fuel savings over similarly powered engines in this application.

Watch here how the HG6000TX horizontal grinder processes waste more efficiently using either 20�/ 51 cm or 24�/ 61 cm double grouser track pads. Its high ground clearance and sealed rollers help to keep material from building up in the track system. An optional discharge blower system distributes processed wood over a large area or can fill a covered trailer from the rear end.

www.vermeer.com

a brand of FAE Group

The Best of PrimeTech PT-175 forestry mulcher

The Best of PrimeTech PT-300 tracked carrier

The PT-175 is also an impressively innovative PrimeTech PT-300 is a medium, low ground mulcher, built around cutting-edge technology pressure tracked mulcher powered by a John with easy access to all components.

Deere 6068 HF485, 6.8 L turbocharged and aftercooled engine, with 6 in-line cylinders and 275 hp.

The Best of PrimeTech PT-600 tracked carrier

PT-400 the movie

PrimeTech PT-600 is a tracked carrier for the hardest and toughest jobs out there, equipped with a Cummins QSX15 turbocharged in line 6 cylinder diesel engine producing 600 hp.

Depending on the front attachment, PT-600 can be used for land clearing and site preparation operations (with mulching head) or for removal of stumps and roots and for land conversion (with forestry tiller / subsoiler head).

PT-400 is a tracked carrier for heavy duty applications thanks to its 12.5 L Caterpillar C13 engine, producing 415 HP. It can be equipped with a variety of front attachments: mulching heads, soil stabilizers and rock crushers

www.prime-tech.com

FAE Forestry Mulcher Kubota KX 80

FAE forestry mulcher in action 1

The DML/HY from FAE is the best of its category, this mulching head can be mounted up to a 10 ton excavator. G.B Equipment inc is the Canadian distributor for FAE, contact us via our website www.gbequipment.ca to know your local dealer.

FAE Forestry And Mulching Heads

FAE forestry and land clearing heads. Forestry Mulchers, forestry tillers, rock crushers. Mulching machines.

www.fae-group.com/

Aciers JP - Installation belge 2015

Mobile rotary log debarker is a portable system is installed on a three-axle trailer for easy transport. It consists of three rotors that ensure contact between the debarking plates and the surface of the logs over a 10-foot length.

The system is designed to debark various types and diameters of wood year-round. European Homologation.

Mobile rotary log debarker http://www.acierjp.com/en/new-releases/products-details.cfm?ProduitID=8 Les Aciers J.P. inc.

15, 3rd Avenue East La Reine, Quebec, Canada J0Z 2L0 Phone: 819 947-8291 Fax: 819 947-6321 E-Mail: info@acierjp.com Owner: RenĂŠ Perreault

www.acierjp.com

Doppstadt Expo 2015 - a Bird’s-eye View

50 years of Doppstadt: More than 5,000 guests from the environmental and recycling sector experienced two unforgettable days: on 24 and 25 June 2015.

Environmental technology company Doppstadt staged what was arguably the largest European trade show of 2015 in this field on its 220,000 sq.-metre works site (Saxony-Anhalt). On show were over one hundred machines for the shredding, sorting and treatment of waste and biomass. What was unique thereby

was that more than half of the machines could be seen in action. In two-hour live demonstrations, the guests saw how coarse shredders, screening machines and exact hackers shredded tree trunks into sawdust, separated waste from recyclables and sorted pebbles from sand heaps. In doing so, Doppstadt demonstrated its problem-solving skills through combined processes: material collected by machines was initially shredded, then separated into its various components by means of separation processes such as screening, washing or air separation.

Doppstadt AK 510 BioPower

Doppstadt AK 510 BioPower high speed shredder showing awesome power in wood applications

www.doppstadt.com

Precision Husky Kwikchip 58’’ Disc Chipper, KWF Tagung 2016

Precision Husky Progrind 5100

48” waste wood chipper with 55 KW motor, chips logs up to 28 cm.

This is the biggest of the mobile tub grinders from Precision Husky, USA. Fully road capable this unit can also be fitted with own loader, everything powered by own onboard diesel.

Suitable for biofuel production from bulky objects like tree stumps and pallets.

Precision Husky Chipper & Flail Debarker

Precision Husky Horizontal grinder 3045

Suited for shredding bulky timber horizontally for small shreeded wood suitable for biofuel. Comes with own diesel and set as a mobile trailer that can be towed on roads. Outfeed conveyor folds for road transport.

www.precisionhusky.com/

IFI WEB VIDEO DIRECTORY

LUMBER PROCESSING

Comact GradExpert

Comact Stacker

Comact Log 3D Scanning

Comact Transverse 3D Board Scanner

www.comact.com

Integrated Log Loader

MyMill™ - Changing the way you work

USNR’s Integrated Log Loader is positioned at the last step in the log feeder, and precisely manages the gap between logs.

MyMill is a new software suite developed by USNR that enables mill personnel to interact with mill equipment using mobile devices, such as iPads and iPods. This new mobile functionality will change the landscape of today’s modern mills.

6-Deck Jet Veneer Dryer - time lapse construction

Murray Timber 4-sided canting log breakdown line

This new 6-deck jet veneer dryer, located at Martco, Chopin, LA, is the largest dryer to date in the southern yellow pine region. This dryer will accomplish the equivalent production of two dryers, reducing labor costs by one-half. At the same time it will reduce thermal energy consumption by 10%, and exhaust fugitive emissions by 15%.

This mill is located in Ireland.

The dryer was erected off-line, and once complete it was towed into place and connected to all services under a projected expedited schedule. This allowed Martco the advantage of choosing the optimum time to disrupt its production schedule to install the additional capacity, and allowed the plant to utilize the existing building structure to house the new dryer.

www.usnr.com

Sweep reducing

Log positioning

The importance of cant positioning is often overlooked.

Only one infeed position will result in maximum product value. Deviation from this position will result in lower output. With a True Shape optimization system the best position is accurately determined.

Söderhamn Eriksson´s positioning system ensures the correct rotating position is maintained and carries out the side positioning which is calculated by the optimising system.

System Edger - versatile and reliable Bandsawing technology edger optimizer

Söderhamn Eriksson´s edging systems with high capacity and maximum yield generates the most valuable product out of each board.

Söderhamn Eriksson´s bandsaws offer the highest accuracy, very thin kerf, short built-in length, easy to set and efficient curve sawing of cants.

- Systems for all capacity requirements - Highest capacity on the market - Designs for unmanned operation - High resolution scanning on both sides of the board - Unlimited edging options - Split and reject modules

- High-strain bandsaws with high accuracy at highest feed speed - Saw kerf 3 mm or less - Reducer band saw combinations with 2,3 or 4 bands - Resaw combinations with 1 to 4 saw bands - Feed speeds up to 180 m/min

www.se-saws.com

Microtec CT Log 360° X-ray CTSawing Optimization

Microtec Goldeneye Multi-Sensor Quality Scanner

CT Log optimized sawing • 100% optimum cutting solution based on highest value of final products • Increased value in every sawn log compared to any other breakdown solution • Maximization of lumber recovery quality that significantly increases revenues & resale value

Multi-Sensor Quality Scanner for lumber Grading, Chopping and Sorting for joinery and wood component manufacturers – doors, windows and wood furniture, high performance planer mills and manufacturers of glulam and lumber construction products Goldeneye 300 advantages • Worldwide-accredited strength grading Multi-Sensor Quality Scanner • Increased lumber utilisation while reducing labor costs • Optimal utilization of your machinery capacity • Next generation sensors, state-of-the-art cameras and components with Full HD resolution, faster image acquisition and on-chip image processing • Including X-ray technology • Award winning design and functionality, long product life thanks to a smart design • Fast return on investment • Integrates seamlessly with all cross and chop saws as well as sorting and packaging lines

Microtec CT Log Virtual Grading

Microtec Goldeneye 900 no. 1 transverse lumber scanner

High-speed 360° X-Ray industrial CT-Scanning for high added-values sawmills by the industry leader Microtec.

• Full digital log reconstruction and virtual grading to determine quality at conveying speed of 180 m / min.

• Virtual cutting solutions to asses multiple break-down angles and cutting masks for value optimization.

• For all types of logs • World leading scanning solutions Microtec is the global leader in optoelectronic wood grading technology.

As one source solutions provider for all sawmilling processes, we optimize, automate and streamline all processes for the wood working industry using optoelectronic Multi-Sensor Quality Scanning technologies. We have provided personalized solutions for our customers for over 35 years.

Innovation is our drive. Wood is our passion!

The world’s no.1 Multi-Sensor Quality Scanner in transverse transport, the Goldeneye 900, is a showcase of the innovative technological capabilities of Microtec.

Goldeneye 900 determines the overall quality of green, dry or planed lumber in one pass from all four sides.

Value optimization before and after kiln drying is possible as the Goldeneye 900 grades both rough and finished lumber.

www.microtec.eu

Industrial Sawmill Business Spotlight SLP2 at LIGNA - Ohio Valley Veneer

For six years, Ed Robbins struggled to make his high grade lumber mill profitable. Finally he turned to Wood-Mizer industrial thin-kerf headrigs and his employees thought he was crazy... See what happened in the video.

Wood-Mizer debuts the SLP2 (Small Log Processing system) at Ligna 2013, in Hanover. Thin-kerf blades and higher automation result in a profitable combination.

WM4000 ENG

WM1000 with new hydraulic system

WM4000 – Wood-Mizer’s latest thin-kerf headrig.

WM1000 – Break down big logs accurately and efficiently with a 1.7 metre (67”) center capacity cut.

www.woodmizer.com

The Westervelt Story

True-Q Patented Board Tracking System

www.Lucidyne.com

Wood Processing Industry: Springer System Fitness Check

SPRINGER - a step ahead through productivity

When correctly serviced and controlled, a system ensures reliable and efficient operation.

That’s why a steadily increasing number of customers is opting for our system fitness check. Following inspection of the system, measures for improving state and performance are suggested. These activities form the basis for a successful and complete system checkup during summer or winter breaks. For that reason, the inspection should ideally be carried out 2 or 3 months before the scheduled system check in your plant.

SPRINGER is well known for machines and conveyor systems and produces innovative wood processing solutions worldwide.

Innovative CLT production lines

SPRINGER - automation of layer press @ Tilly (A)

To optimize the production of natural wood panels with multi-layer technology, SPRINGER was commissioned with the design and construction of an installation, enabling automation of its existing layer press at Tilly Plant I in Althofen, Austria.

Excellent ease of handling, low maintenance effort and, most of all, minimized material input – these are the key characteristics of the innovative CLT production lines made

by SPRINGER. We develop CLT production lines that take cut-outs and chamfers into account early on in the process, specifically during the provision and automatic positioning of lamellas.

This means minimized material consumption thanks to solutions that are tailored to the requirements of our customers.

www.springer.au

Autolog Carriage Optimizer

Autolog Gang Optimizer

The Autolog Carriage Optimizer allows for the best log scanning in the industry with its fullprofile scanner with 5” density.

The Autolog Gang Optimizer allows for the best cant scanning in the industry with an outstanding 0.25” scan density at 45°.

Autolog High Speed Lug Loader Control System

Autolog Linear Planer Optimizer – ProGrader

The Autolog control system offers a high speed and precise operational sequence at the sawmill lug loader.

Our ProGrader is a linear optimizer designed to fully automate the grading process of dressed lumber at the planer.

www.autolog.com

1085C FORWARDER

CONFIDENCE BY DESIGN. The 1085C forwarder carries the heaviest loads and excels in the toughest terrain.

Tigercat designed and manufactured bogie axles and Tigercat’s exclusive WideRangeŽ drive contribute to powerful tractive effort. Be confident that the 1085C will deliver power and poise when you need it most. No forwarder moves wood uphill like a 1085C. Contact your Tigercat dealer today to learn more.

www.tigercat.com