NZ Logger September 2018

September 2018 | $7.20

New Cat 558LL

ISSN 1176-0397

Making the big move XLam ramps up production

End of an era at PF Olsen

WH400 winches Youtube

LG23583

Excavator Mounted Yarding System

contents SEPTEMBER 2018

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SAFETY SUMMIT There is still some way to go when it comes to improving safety in our

34 sector highlights the investments to boost cross laminated timber (CLT) production made by XLam, both here in New Zealand at its Nelson plant and in Australia.

forests and a number of ideas were put forward at the Forest Safety & Technology 2018 conference in Rotorua last month.

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SHAW’S WIRE ROPES IRON TEST After winning a major contract late last year, Woodlot Harvesting needed to upgrade its harvesting fleet for the high-production job in the Benhopai Forest, south of Blenheim, with Caterpillar machines featuring prominently. Most interesting among the purchases made by crew owner, Brad Pyer, is the Cat 558LL, one of the first of this all-new model to go to work in New Zealand.

NZ TIMBER Our quarterly focus on the New Zealand milling and processing

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TALL TIMBER One of New Zealand’s longest-serving forestry bosses steps down from his position as head of PF Olsen at the end of this month and NZ Logger sat down with Peter Clark to talk about his career and the future of the industry.

DEPARTMENTS 2 editorial 48 fica 50 top spot 54 new iron 59 classifieds

LG23583

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FOREST TALK Climate change will make our pines taller and thinner; log prices drop - should we worry? tree planting to be done by locals; another boost for one billion trees plan; billions more trees needed to meet Zero Carbon target; Pedersen Group targeted by Aussies; MPs to throw West Coat loggers a lifeline; Aussies buy into Otago forestry; giving truck drivers a break; wilding conifer app wins international award; forestry trainees to earn as they learn; new Husqvarna chainsaws lift performance; Eastland to trial EV truck; first driverless EV log truck unveiled.

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September 2018 | NZ LOGGER 1

from the editor

New Cat 558LL

Making the big move ISSN 1176-0397

PHOTO: JOHN ELLEGARD

September 2018 | $7.20

End of an era at PF Olsen

XLam ramps up production

One of the first Cat 558LL models to arrive in New Zealand is working with Woodlot Harvesting near Blenheim.

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2 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

RIGHT time to rethink safety W

ITH FOUR FORESTRY DEATHS ALREADY THIS YEAR AND SERIOUS harm injuries on the rise, is it time to rethink our approach to safety?

WorkSafe NZ, the nation’s official safety watchdog, believes it is.

Five years on from the horror year of 2013, when ten of our people were killed in the forest, it was hoped that we’d be getting much closer to the zero harm goal that the industry set itself in the wake of those tragedies.

Apart from 2014, when there was a dramatic reduction in both deaths (just one) and long-term injuries as everyone focused on strategies and actions to keep people safe, we’ve struggled to maintain that downward momentum. In the last 18 months, the trend appears to be heading up.

“Is complacency slipping in,” WorkSafe’s Chief Operating Officer, Phil Parkes, asked the attendees at last month’s Forest Safety & Technology 2018 conference in Rotorua. Or are there deeper issues that need redressing?

That’s something the industry itself is going to need to drill down into when it meets again next month at a mini summit being organised by WorkSafe to try and figure out why we’re not making the sort of progress everyone wants to see.

It’s not my place to second-guess the outcome of this summit, but in the course of my work I do have a few observations that might help shed some light on where the industry needs to focus its attention.

If there is one thing that stands out in all my visits to forestry crews, it’s the emphasis on paperwork – the development of written safety procedures and then making sure all the documentation is correct if and when the safety inspector wants to see it.

That’s all well and good, but it’s not the paperwork that keeps people from being injured, it’s how the crew as a whole and as individuals buy into the RIGHT way to do their job and to make sure their colleagues are doing it RIGHT, too. Note that I didn’t say SAFE, because if you do the job RIGHT, you will be safe. It’s only when you deviate from the RIGHT path that the odds of something going WRONG are increased.

And, yes, there will always be freak accidents that are beyond the control of anyone, but I would argue that most, if not all incidents could be predicted and prevented with the RIGHT preparation and approach. Documenting things on paper is only part of the process.

But it will take more than dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s to make it work.

We’ll only get there when we believe it is RIGHT. And we CARE. NZL

forest talk

Climate change will make our pines taller and thinner A CENTURY FROM NOW, LOGGERS IN NEW ZEALAND WILL BE harvesting Radiata pines a lot younger than today’s trees and they’ll be taller and thinner.

That’s the difference climate change will make to our future trees, according to a study recently completed by Scion and Landcare Research scientists.

Their report, which has just been published in the journal ‘Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research’, was sparked by concerns how climate change and future biosecurity threats might affect New Zealand’s plantation forests.

A warmer climate could have some positive effects, they say, increasing levels of carbon dioxide on photosynthesis, the productivity of Radiata pine could increase on average by 10% by 2040 and double that by 2090. That’ll be good for sequestering more harmful carbon dioxide and it will mean trees can also be harvested earlier.

Lead author, Scion’s Dr Michael Watt, says: “Increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere will increase the rate at which trees grow. An increased growth rate will result in trees becoming taller and more slender.”

Among the downsides highlighted by the study is increased wind damage as increasingly slender and taller trees will be more susceptible to windthrow by future storms. The risks of breaking or uprooting can be reduced somewhat by modified forestry practices such as timely thinning and earlier harvesting, according to co-author Dr John Moore.

Very high and extreme fire risk days are also predicted to increase, with the length of the average fire season increasing by about 70% by 2040 and 80% by 2090. Fire scientist, Grant Pearce, found the most fire prone regions (Gisborne, Marlborough and Canterbury) will remain the most at risk, but that the relative increase in risk is highest in Wellington and coastal Otago, where it could double and triple to 30 days and 20 days per season, respectively.

And whilst New Zealand is currently free of any significant damaging insects, population levels and damage may increase in the future as warmer temperatures may provide an environment for foreign species and accelerate insect development. Weeds are likely to expand their range under climate change and compete more strongly with plantations. NZL

Log prices drop – should we worry?

LOGS PRICES HAVE TAKEN A MAJOR HIT OVER the past month as the Trump-instigated trade wars affect our biggest export market.

The dramatic drop in At-Wharf-Gate (AWG) prices during August is a direct result of the depreciation of the Chinese Yuan currency against the US dollar, which has been falling amid disruption caused by the tariff spat between the two super powers.

That’s led to an 18% reduction in buying power for Chinese log purchasers, which has caused a knock-on effect on the prices they are prepared to pay for logs.

Even though the New Zealand dollar has also been falling recently, PF Olsen reports that the AWG prices for un-pruned sawlogs have still dropped an average of NZ$12-to-13/JASm³. Pruned logs have been hit even harder, dropping on average NZ$18/JASm³ as the clearwood products manufactured from these logs have been hit with trade tariffs imposed by the US. Surprisingly, the volume of logs being shipped to China has not been affected by the uncertain trade situation, according to PF Olsen’s Business Development Manager, Scott Downs, who says in the company’s latest market report: “The metrics still show the China log market to be buoyant.

“Total softwood log inventory has reduced to approximately 3.2Mm³ and daily port off-take is still very healthy for this time of year at over 70,000m³/day.”

The trade war has seen shipments of logs from US sources to China dry up and Mr Downs says this will help keep inventory down at Chinese ports. He thinks the situation will stabilise soon

4 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

and demand for logs in China should increase in September.

Log prices in India have also taken their lead from China and slipped. But all is not doom and gloom.

Mr Downs points out that in spite of the drop in AWG prices, the PF Olsen Log Price Index is currently level with the two-year average, $3 above the three-year average and $10 higher than the five-year average.

The reduction in export prices has inevitably flowed on to the domestic log market, where prices have come back a similar amount – maybe not good news for forest owners, but a relief for sawmillers, who have swallowed a string of increases in recent years. Expect some interesting negotiations between mill and forest owners around pricing for log supply in the fourth quarter.

There appears to be more volatility in log prices in the South Island, according to NZ Logger correspondent, Jim Childerstone.

He reports that principal southern buyers such as Dunedin City Forests, Wenita Forest Products, Rayonier, Log Marketing and Southern Forest Management have seen prices reduce by between $10 and $20 through the grades. The pruned grades taking the biggest hit.

He goes on to say Wenita is not looking for any new AWG log suppliers at the moment and this is causing woodlot owners in the Otago region to reassess their harvesting intentions.

“The big problem for logging contractors at the moment is if forest owners put off due harvest operations, hoping for better prices,” says Mr Childerstone. NZL

Tree planting to be done by locals THE GOVERNMENT HAS SIGNALLED that it prefers the massive expansion of new tree planting over the next ten years to be carried out by locals, rather than rely on imported workers.

Forestry Minister, Shane Jones, says the government wants to avoid bringing in foreign labour to do the tree-planting being under the ‘One Billion Trees’ programme.

He says a key part of the plan is about getting “my so-called nephs (nephews) off the couch” and into work.

Around 1,000 jobs, mostly based around seasonal planting, are likely to be created by the programme, however Jones acknowledges that unemployed youth in South Auckland might have to move to the regions to take the work if there aren’t enough people available closer to the new forests.

The current target should see close to 100 million of the targeted billion trees in the ground by 2020 and Mr Jones says funding is also required to allow nurseries to gear up seedling production, in addition to helping the forestry industry attract and train a larger workforce. NZL

forest talk

Another boost for one billion trees plan THE GOVERNMENT’S GOAL OF PLANTING MORE TREES TO create sustainable jobs and address climate change is receiving a $240 million boost, doubling the amount of money already committed to the scheme.

As part of the ‘One Billion Trees’ programme, Cabinet has approved the creation of a new grants programme and partnership fund to get more trees in the ground and provide training and employment opportunities.

“We’re allocating $240 million from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to support tree planting in areas where wider social, environmental, and regional development goals can be achieved,” says Forestry Minister, Shane Jones.

The $240 million commitment to plant some 60 million trees will be funded through the PGF with about $118 million set aside for grants and a further $120 million for partnership projects over three years and comes on top of the $245 million already committed to the ‘One Billion Trees’ project that kick-started the programme.

Mr Jones says: “The Government plays an important role in setting the right conditions for forestry growth and we need to work with everyday New Zealanders because they are the key to achieving our tree planting target over the next ten years.

“We’re strengthening our support for planting over the next threeto-four years in areas where there are currently limited commercial drivers for investment and where wider social, environmental or regional development benefits can be achieved.

“The new grants scheme will provide simple and accessible direct funding to landowners for the cost of planting and establishing trees

More funding is being made available for tree planting, but only a small amount will be going to plantation species such as Radiata Pine.

and regenerating indigenous forest. Private landowners, government agencies, NGOs and iwi will all be able to apply.”

However, the news may not be quite so joyous for those in the plantation forest sector, as it appears that a large chunk of the funding is earmarked for native plantings, not exotics for future harvesting.

Mr Jones says: “These grants will be available from later this year and we’re aiming to encourage the planting of natives, trees for erosion control and environmentally-focused planting – all ensuring we have the right tree in the right place for the right purpose.

“These grants will see an additional 60 million new trees in the ground over the next three years.

“On top of this, a new partnership fund will create an even closer working relationship between Te Uru Rākau (Forestry NZ) and regional councils, NGOs, training organisations, Māori landowners and community groups.

“This approach will allow us to leverage co-funding opportunities and existing know-how and experience.

“We’ll be looking at promoting innovation, securing sufficient labour to get trees in the ground and providing support and advice to landowners on how they can improve land-use.”

The new initiatives will be funded through the PGF with about $118 million set aside for grants and a further $120 million for partnership projects over three years.

This is in addition to the $245m already committed from the PGF to kick-start the programme, which includes funding for joint ventures and the expansion of the Hill Country Erosion programme. NZL

Billions more trees needed to meet Zero Carbon target THE AMBITIOUS PLAN TO CUT NEW Zealand’s greenhouse gases to become a zero carbon economy by 2050 will mean substantially more trees are needed than the current target of one billion.

Government-commissioned research projects an additional 10% of land may need to be reforested, according to Climate Change Minister, James Shaw.

The Minister’s comments came as the government prepares to introduce the Zero Carbon Bill to parliament, which began with a public consultation phase that finished on

July 19.

Mr Shaw says the zero carbon target provides New Zealand with an opportunity to show leadership in developing technologies to reduce emissions in the transport and agriculture sectors – the two largest emitters.

But technology break-throughs will take time to achieve and, in the interim, many more trees will need to be planted to help the country overcome its emissions deficit.

In fact, billions more trees will need to be planted to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, says Massey University’s Professor of

Energy Research, Ralph Sims.

He goes on to say that while agriculture has many opportunities for the future, the path to zero emissions would be an “incredibly difficult” one and “planting trees is only a short-term option, (but) once you keep planting trees and end up with the entire country covered in trees, what do you do?”

The government’s current plan is to plant one billion trees in ten years, which actually translates to 500 million new trees, as the other half would be made up from re-planting existing forests that have been harvested. NZL

September 2018 | NZ LOGGER 5

forest talk

Pedersen Group targeted by Aussies NEW ZEALAND WOOD BUSINESS, PEDERSEN GROUP, IS IN LINE TO be purchased by an Australian logistics company.

It has entered into a conditional purchase agreement with Sydneybased Linx Cargo Care Group for an undisclosed amount, with the deal expected to be finalised as NZ Logger magazine went to print.

Rotorua-based Pedersen was purchased from Paul Pedersen on his retirement two years ago by Auckland private equity firm Maui Capital.

Pedersen supplies chip to the Kinleith and Kawerau mills in New Zealand, Norske Skog’s pulp mill in New South Wales, the Maryvale paper mill in Melbourne and runs the Vanua Levu chip plant in Fiji.

Linx operates across Australia and New Zealand, with its C3 business specialising in forestry logistics and operating in 13 ports in New Zealand. It already has an existing joint venture with Pedersen

for wood yard management.

The latest deal would see Pedersen Group continue to operate independently under the Pedersen brand following the completion of the acquisition and all 140 Pedersen employees retained by the new owner, the two companies say in a statement.

“The acquisition of Pedersen Group by Linx Cargo Care Group will provide long-term stability for our employees and customers, and the operational and financial capacity to allow our business to pursue its growth aspirations,” says Pedersen Group Chief Executive, Gavin Hudson.

Anthony Jones, Group Chief Executive for Linx and Chair of C3, says the acquisition will help Linx improve its services to forest owners and wood processing businesses and extend its global reach. NZL

Aussies buy into Otago forestry

MPs to throw West Coat native loggers a lifeline?

IN ADDITION TO BUYING INTO OTAGO’S LARGEST WOOD producer, an Australian company has also purchased the land beneath 22,500ha of forests in the region.

A subsidiary of New Forests Australia, ANZFF2 Fund, has been given approval by the Overseas Investment Office to buy the land from United States-based Rohatyn Group, along with taking a 38% stake in Wenita Forest Products, which owns the cutting and management rights to the trees on the sites.

Wenita Chief Executive, David Cormack, told the Otago Daily Times he expects few changes from the deals, for either Wenita’s 14 staff or more than 110 contractors it has involved in silviculture, harvesting, road building and transportation. ‘’It’s business as usual for us. We’re not expecting any major changes,’’ he says.

“The Wenita transaction is a milestone for our ANZFF series of forestry funds as we complete full investment of ANZFF2, securing significant scale in both target countries of Australia and New Zealand,” says Mark Rogers, Managing Director for New Forests’ Australia-New Zealand business.

“New Forests has been selective and disciplined in creating the ANZFF2 portfolio. The Wenita acquisition complements the fund’s hardwood and softwood plantation exposure in Australia and brings our New Zealand estate to more than 48,000 hectares in total.”

The OIO says in granting consent there would be an ‘’identifiable benefit’’ to New Zealand, as more trees would be pruned to improve wood quality and supply to local sawmillers would continue.

The Rohatyn Group has owned its Wenita shareholding since 2005, which it held in a joint venture with Chinese logistics company Sinotrans and took 100% ownership of the land in 2006.

Following the OIO consent on that deal, the Rohatyn Group has decided to put eight freehold forests up for sale elsewhere in the Otago region. The Clutha Forest Estate, as they are collectively known, consists of 3000ha of mainly Radiata Pine, along with some Douglas-fir and Macrocarpa. NZL

6 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

LOGGING OF NATIVE TREES THAT HAVE BLOWN DOWN ON conservation land on the West Coast may be allowed to continue.

National MP Maureen Pugh is looking to introduce a bill to Parliament that would allow the Director-General of the Department of Conservation to authorise recovery of some windblown trees after storms.

A previous attempt by Ms Pugh earlier this year was blocked by the government, but now Forestry Minister Shane Jones has indicated that he would support the measure and also encourage his colleagues to do the same.

Logging of downed native trees on conversation land on the West Coast was allowed for five years from 2014 following a big storm and the last of those logs are now being harvested and many Coasters want to see this extended to future storm events as well.

Ms Pugh says she has been working with the West Coast Regional Council to facilitate her latest attempt to get the legislation across the line. NZL

Giving truck drivers a break TRUCK DRIVERS TAKE A LOT OF STICK FROM OTHERS ON OUR roads – and having been stuck behind many log trucks on long, winding stretches in the past, we can appreciate the frustration.

But they’ve got a job to do and it’s about time they had more recognition for the part all truck drivers play in our daily lives. After all, they deliver our food, fuel, clothes, homeware and just about anything you care to mention, including our precious logs and lumber.

NZ Logger’s sister-magazine, NZ Truck & Driver, is getting behind a campaign to support truckies around the country and celebrate the trucking heroes on our highways. It’s the first National Truck Driver Appreciation Week and it takes place on September 17-23. You might know a driver that you think should be rewarded for going the extra distance. Check out the advert on page 53 for how you can nominate them for an award. NZL

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forest talk

Wilding conifer app wins international award LAND INFORMATION NEW ZEALAND’S SPATIAL TOOL FOR tracking the spread of wilding conifers has picked up an international award for its innovative ability to capture data about one of the nation’s most invasive pests.

The Wilding Conifer Information System (WCIS) is a web-based mapping and monitoring tool designed to ensure control of this invasive species is carried out in the most efficient way possible.

It won a Special Achievement in GIS Award from the United States-based organisation Esri, which specialises in designing and developing geographic information systems. This is the second award for the system.

LINZ Director of Biosecurity and Biodiversity Dave Mole travelled to San Diego to receive the award and he says: “Having been chosen from more than 300,000 candidates, we were one of 180 organisations from around the world to receive an award. The accolade recognises the WCIS for its innovative use of mapping, data analytics and thought leadership.

“We designed the tool to support the work taking place as part of the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme. When research was first being carried out to establish the programme we had pockets of data across authorities, so it was difficult to accurately quantify the extent of the problem. Now the system has painted a complete picture across the country.

“Our mapping has shown the trees cover around 2 million

Dave Mole, left, and Jerome Sheppard with the Esri award. hectares and continue to spread.”

Around 10 different exotic tree species are classed as wilding conifers and they can be found in conservation areas, productive farmland and iconic high-country vistas.

Given their rapid spread, at a rate of about 90,000ha per year, it is estimated that wilding conifers would affect 20% of New Zealand within 20 years. Preventing their spread is becoming critical, which is why the national programme was established in 2015.

“The WCIS will play an integral part in measuring the success of the programme. We now have staff from a range of authorities out in the field using it to map wilding conifer distribution, density and control efforts,” says Mr Mole.

“We hope to eventually open the system up to the public so that anyone can log wilding conifers when they see them.” NZL

Forestry trainees to earn as they learn A SCHEME TO ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE starting off in forestry to ‘earn as they learn’ has been unveiled.

The innovative forestry training scheme sees industry, training providers and iwi coming together to provide a new pathway into training and Associate Minister of Forestry Meka Whaitiri, who formally launched the Tupu Ake scheme, says it could be replicated elsewhere.

Tupu Ake aims to improve training and increase the number of youth in the forestry industry where currently there is a shortage of skilled workers.

Led by Keven Ihaka’s Forest Protection

8 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

Services (FPS), the programme aims to offer 15-24 year-olds who want to work in forestry a chance to gain tertiary qualifications, life skills, and a job at the end of the 12-month programme.

FPS is partnering with Te Matarau Trust, which is providing the life skills and pastoral support component of the programme and Northtec, which is providing the classroom element to develop the technical skills.

Three of the five days are spent in the forest with FPS. The personal development and training days are funded by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment through He Poutama Rangatahi, a pilot

initiative focused on tackling youth unemployment.

“This transitional care is very important to the success of the programme,” says Mr Ihaka, Managing Director of FPS, which is putting the students on its payroll.

He says it not only gives trainees money to support themselves but enables them to qualify for additional pay incentives as they progress.

He hopes the programme will show young trainees the opportunities available in forestry and expose them to positive working conditions and the team environment. NZL

forest talk

New Husqvarna chainsaws lift performance The new Husqvarna 572XP chainsaw now on sale in New Zealand.

HUSQVARNA IS INTRODUCING A PAIR OF NEW PROFESSIONAL chainsaws that it claims will lift the bar on performance.

Featuring outstanding power-to-weight ratio and cutting, the new 572XP and 565AT have just gone on sale in New Zealand.

The 572XP is described as a game-changer for forestry professionals. With a better power-to-weight ratio than any other Husqvarna saw with similar displacement and a 12% higher cutting capacity than previous models it’s the most powerful 70cc chainsaw Husqvarna has ever made.

The engine gives users a 30% broader RPM range compared to previous generations; increasing the optimal range from a band of 2000 to 3000 rpm. The wider working range means that the engine, in a predictable way, delivers good power in all working situations and has a better response time when revving up or down.

The lighter and smaller diameter of the flywheel helps generate rapid acceleration and Husqvarna says it will power through logs faster than any similar-sized chainsaw.

Other features include a heavy-duty filtration system allowing for long running intervals before cleaning – optimised for extended usage, day-in, day-out – plus a rubber handle inlay for a

trustworthy, comfortable grip and an anti-vibration system.

The 572XP is fitted with the long-lasting X-CUT C85 3/8” chain as standard, which is easy to spot due to the golden tie-strap that helps loggers keep track of the start/finish of their filing loop.

Meanwhile, the 565AT is pitched at arborists and farmers, with its X-Torq engine technology reducing harmful exhaust emissions by up to 75% and increasing fuel efficiency by up to 20%.

It also has a good power-to-weight ratio and air filtration and among its features are a fuel purge to make it easier to start and, like its bigger brother, it has a 60% wider usable RPM range for peak performance under heavy loads. This makes for easier cutting due to more forgiving motor characteristics. Both saws are better suited for work with long guide bars.

They both also have a 20% percent higher cooling capacity plus a soft cut-out system, which means a longer engine life, easier restarts and will protect the motor from overrevving.

The Husqvarna-developed AutoTune has been updated to enable automatic adjustments to be made up to ten times faster.

The new processor in both saws delivers instant engine tuning for best performance and it automatically compensates for different fuels, altitudes, humidity, temperature and dirt in the air filter. NZL

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forest talk

Eastland to trial EV truck ELECTRIC LOG TRUCKS COULD BE SEEN in New Zealand sooner than many realise after the Gisborne-based Eastland Group was awarded $177,000 from the government’s Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund to carry out a trial.

The grant will go towards the purchase of New Zealand’s first all-electric water truck, which will be used to suppress dust at Eastland Port and log yards around Gisborne.

But the project has larger ambitions: it will gather data on the vehicle’s economic and environmental benefits and showcase electric innovation to logistics businesses and the public.

Eastland Group Chief Executive, Matt Todd, says the project is part of the organisation’s wider strategy around emerging technologies and the electrification of the transport fleet.

He says: “Along with the port, our businesses include geothermal power plants in Kawerau and lines company Eastland Network. We also have a significant

shareholding in retailer Flick Electric Co. “Through Electric Village, New Zealand’s first community-focused energy hub, we’re promoting the testing and uptake of EVs in all forms.”

Last year, with support from the fund and Eastland Group’s shareholder Eastland Community Trust, Eastland Group established a region-wide network of high speed electric vehicle chargers.

It has previously committed to ensuring at least 75% of its non-commercial vehicle fleet would be electric by 2019 – a goal reached a year ahead of schedule.

The next step is to rigorously investigate the potential of electric heavy vehicles within the infrastructure sector. At the moment this is largely unproven, due to the lack of data and technology available.

“We’ve identified an immediate opportunity at the port,” says Mr Todd. “The EECA CO2 emissions calculator showed that our current diesel water truck produces a sobering

0.77 tonnes of CO2 in just 35 days, so this new truck will have an immediate impact in reducing our emissions.

“We’ll also be trialling it on a number of other transport tasks. Logging trucks, for example, are a major contributor to the region’s noise and environmental pollution.

We envisage a future where these, and other heavy vehicles in the logistics and marine sectors, move from internal combustion engines to electric models.

“A range of economic and environmental advantages will follow. And from there, the whole community benefits. If a water truck can be electric, what else might be possible within diesel-dominated industries? We’re intending to find out.”

The project cost has been scoped at $379,000 and includes the purchase of an electric terminal tractor and an on-site charging point. The vehicle is expected to be delivered and operational by the end of the year. NZL

First driverless EV log truck unveiled AUTONOMOUS ELECTRIC LOG TRUCKS ARE GETTING CLOSER TO reality.

Hot on the heels of an article in NZ Logger magazine’s August issue that predicted we could see a driverless EV log truck in our forests as early as 2025, comes news of the unveiling of a prototype of such a truck in Europe.

Swedish tech company, Einride, chose the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed event in England to take the wraps off the T-Log, which it describes as an autonomous logging truck that incorporates “some off-road capabilities and is designed to navigate forest roads.”

Powered by a 300kWh battery pack that enables the T-Log to travel 192 kilometres on one charge, the all-electric truck can haul 16 tonnes of logs – not much by today’s standards, but it’s a start.

Just as interesting is the ability of the T-Log to pilot itself around the forest and out on the road without a driver.

Powered by the Nvidia Drive self-driving platform, the T-Log is capable of SAE level 4 self-driving. It has no driver’s cab but can be remote-controlled by a human operator from hundreds of kilometres away using Phantom Auto tele-operation safety technology. Connected to intelligent routing software, providing it with real-time traffic data, the T-Log can adjust its route to avoid congestion well ahead. A fleet of T-logs would be co-ordinated by that routing system, optimising delivery time, battery life and energy consumption, Einride says.

No driver’s cab enables a smaller vehicle, increased loading capacity, greater flexibility, lower production costs, lower operating costs and optimised energy consumption, allowing the T-Log to run solely on batteries, even in difficult environments.

“The driver’s cab is what makes trucks expensive to produce and having a driver in the cabin is what makes them expensive to

10 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

operate,” says Robert Falck, CEO of Einride.

“Remove the cabin and replace the driver with an operator who can monitor and remote-control several vehicles at once and costs can be reduced significantly. In addition, operating a vehicle from a distance allows for a much better working environment, as has already been demonstrated in industries like mining.

“With the T-Log, we’ve created a vehicle that can withstand the rigours of a demanding environment. It is uncharted territory for us, but also an enormous market for battery-powered AVs.” One thing the company will need to develop further if the T-Log is ever to make it into production, apart from being able to haul more logs and travel further on one charge, is the ground clearance – it might work well on Goodwood’s race track but would soon get stuck on any forestry road in New Zealand. NZL

Below: The all-electric Swedish-made T-Log can cart 16 tonnes of logs in its bunks.

Safety Summit

Forest safety to be

“re-set” WORKSAFE IS CALLING THE FORESTRY INDUSTRY TOGETHER for a mini summit next month to “re-set” the agenda on safety as recent serious injury and death statistics show a trend heading upwards, not down.

Phil Parkes, the new Chief Operating Officer at WorkSafe, says there needs to be a “pause” and a “re-think” about what we are doing because people are still dying and getting hurt and the industry needs to figure out why.

Speaking to the Forest Industry Safety & Technology 2018 conference in Rotorua last month, Mr Parkes highlighted recent statistics that point to a rise in worker harm, following the dramatic drop in the wake of the horror year of 2013, when ten people died.

The year after, just one person died and the serious harm injury rate decreased sharply.

“Unfortunately, not a lot of that improvement has carried through,” he says. “While we acknowledge a lot of good work has been done at all levels in the industry, there is still more work to do because the dramatic drop we got in fatalities has not been sustained – and it’s not just around fatalities it’s about all injuries in the workplace.”

Mr Parkes says there were a number of things that contributed to the dramatic improvement following 2013, including the major focus by WorkSafe on the industry that saw inspectors visiting every crew, meetings with forest owners who were told they needed to set the agenda and the establishment of the Forest Industry Safety Council where the industry itself became much more involved in leading the process.

“As a result, there was a deep and dedicated focus during 2014 and the impact was clear and direct and we saw the results of that,” he says. “So the question is: has complacency set in?”

Mr Parkes goes on to say that the recent upswing could just be short-term and that the general trend may be downward in the longer term, but WorkSafe doesn’t know if that is the case, nor does anyone else.

And he adds: “We don’t think we can wait to find out whether that’s going to continue or not, we think we need to re-fresh our approach and we need to think about what do we need to do more of or what do we need to do differently to reverse that trend.”

A survey of how forest workers think about safety was commissioned by WorkSafe and Mr Parkes says the results indicate that what people are saying is not always carried out in actions.

In the last 12 months 45% of workers experienced a near-miss incident and yet the survey shows that 94% feel safe at work, which seem at odds with each other and Mr Parkes wonders if this points to a situation of risk becoming normalised, adding: “If that

12 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

is the case then we have a problem, that’s got to change.”

Mr Parkes believes there is a “disconnect” between what people are saying about health and safety in the workplace and what is actually happening.

“For some reason, the indicators from our survey show there is a gap between the work as imagined and the work that is being done,” he says, “and by that I mean that people think they are safe at work, people are writing things in the hazard register, people are going on training, people are feeling good about what’s being done but when you look at the impacts and you look at the consequences, that’s not showing through.

“So our challenge is how do we translate the feelgood factor and the high amount of engagement into actions that result in less people being hurt.

“So our suggestion is that we need to pause and we need to think about what has worked and we need to refresh and regenerate our efforts, because what we cannot do is allow these statistics to go back in the wrong direction.

“We made good progress in 2014 and 2015 and a lot of good work continues to be done but unless it flows through to reduced fatalities and reduced harm on a sustained basis then all we’ve done is administer a temporary sticking plaster – if we just keep doing what we’ve been doing, those numbers are going to go back up.

“This has consequences for individuals and it also has consequences for businesses, it has consequences for the industry and it has consequences for the regulator. The reason being that all industry needs a social licence to operate and in 2013 the forestry industry was under pressure for that social licence. If we don’t continue to improve that social licence will be under pressure again.”

Mr Parkes says WorkSafe is redoubling its efforts and conducting visits to crews, as well as going back to the boardrooms to talk to senior industry leaders and to do more to understand what is behind the current trends and how improvements can be made.

WorkSafe is calling on the industry to work with it on a new collaborative development programme to drive those improvements.

A key to that outcome will be holding a mini summit with the industry in October to take stock of the current situation, assess the good work that has and is being done, and then to look at what needs to be done differently.

“Clearly we need to do more or do things differently if we are to push those numbers down and we don’t really have an option – it has to be done,” adds Mr Parkes. NZL

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Safety Summit

Growing a safety culture A SAFETREE PROGRAMME CALLED ‘GROWING OUR SAFETY Culture’ is being rolled out across New Zealand after trialling with a small number of contractors and forest owners.

It’s being championed by the Forest Industry Safety Council (FISC) as a way to help create a workplace culture among logging and silviculture crews that supports good health and safety practices.

The new programme was piloted with ten forest owners and contractors, large and small, in the second half of last year, with 364 people taking part.

Psychologist and safety expert, Dr Hillary Bennett was involved in the pilot study and told the Forest Industry Safety & Technology 2018 conference in Rotorua last month that “speaking up isn’t always easy, but it’s crucial” to improving safety in the bush.

She stressed the importance of “facilitated conversations” that allow members of the crew to talk freely about their experiences, what they see and what can be improved, and about making sure their input is welcomed, valued and acted upon.

One of the things that came out of the pilot study was that we do not learn well from incidents and she says we need to take that on board.

One participant, Timberlands, found the pilot so effective it has decided to run the programme with all its teams – including the board of directors.

FISC’s Fiona Ewing explains it further in a blog on the Safetree website, saying: “This programme helps businesses build a workplace culture that supports successful work and good health and safety outcomes.

“The programme can be used with crews to improve attitudes and practices. It helps build stronger relationships within the crew by improving things like communication, engagement and reporting.

These are all areas that have been identified by crews as crucial to having a good day at work.

“Importantly, this programme can also be used by forest owners and managers to help them understand how their behaviour might be supporting or hindering safety onsite.”

It builds on the Safety Culture tree initiative created some years ago and the original concepts have been updated and packaged into a programme that provides support to put them into practice (see the ‘tree’ illustration).

Ms Ewing adds: “This programme helps you understand the true state of health and safety in your business. It helps you harness the expertise in your teams to make improvements. It also enables

you to reap the wider business benefits of having more motivated teams.”

The programme involves: • A team assessment to uncover what’s really going on with health and safety • A report-back on the results of the assessment that highlights what’s going well and what can be improved • A feedback session to identify ways to make improvements and develop action plans.

Ms Ewing says it’s not an audit, “it’s about identifying practices that support or undermine health and safety, then supporting team members to come up with improvements.”

For more information go to the Safetree website. NZL

Contractor certification numbers grow AFTER A SLOW START, THE CONTRACTOR CERTIFICATION scheme is now getting up to speed, the Forest Industry Safety & Technology 2018 conference held in Rotorua last month was told.

Although the scheme kicked off mid-way through last year, it took several months before the first contractor was certified.

Fiona Ewing, National Director of the Forest Industry Safety Council (FISC), which administer the scheme, says 206 contractors have registered to undertake certification and 156 of those are currently undergoing field audits. To date, 43 have received certification and

14 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

seven more are conditionally certified.

The first to undergo the process was Gale Contracting in Marlborough and the company’s Health & Safety Manager, Lee Perry, told the conference they found it a good and positive experience and recommend it to other crews.

Mr Perry has since gone on to become a FISC Field Auditor himself, assessing others going through the certification process.

Those wishing to become a certified contractor can sign up on the www.safetree.nz website. NZL

No people equals no harm – contractor IF YOU DON’T HAVE PEOPLE WORKING IN dangerous jobs you won’t harm them reckons Nelson-based contractor, Dale Ewers.

So he is developing harvesting systems that can be operated from the safety of an office away from the forest with the aim of keeping his people out of harms’ way.

Dale unveiled his vision of what a remotelyoperated harvesting system could look like at the Forest Industry Safety & Technology 2018 conference in Rotorua last month.

It’s a vision he and his teams at Moutere Logging and Falcon Forestry Equipment have been working on for the last few years, developing machines and systems to be used in dangerous and challenging environments, including the Falcon Claw grapple carriage that’s used in place of breaker-outs and Falcon winch-assist to enable falling and bunching of trees on steep terrain.

And they’re planning on using more technology to further replace people on the ground with machines, and eventually take the people out of those machines.

“At the end of the day, how can you hurt someone if there is no one there?” says Dale.

By 2025, Moutere Logging workers could be sitting at one of these simulators in a building far away from the forest, rather than in an actual cab.

It all started back in 2010 when Dale was looking at reports on injury incidents and tasked his people to come up with ideas to drive down the serious harm trends.

The Falcon Claw came first and with 42 now operating they’ve clocked up a collective 200,000 operational hours with zero harm recorded. More than 55 Falcon winch-assist systems are also working and have clocked up 260,000 harm-free hours, leading to more than 84% of felling now being done by machines. That percentage will increase as the newly developed Falcon Felling Carriage enters service soon.

Another development is the upgrading of towers and swing yarders with new technology that will interface with other equipment and systems in the harvesting operation.

“You’ll be able to harvest a tree and return it to the landing with the push of one button, taking out all the complex part of harvesting,” predicts Dale, who says that GPS will also be harnessed to ensure the felling head returns to the same position on the skyline.

“We’re in the process of automating and

integrating all our machinery. When we designed our winch-assist we had a vision of how it would work with the rest of the equipment going out years ahead and have it fully integrated.

“Our goal is by 2025 to be logging from inside an office.”

And he says that with the one-button process, it would be possible for a single person to be controlling more than one harvesting operation at a time from that office.

There’s still a little way to get to that goal, but Dale says the next step is to refine the current harvesting operation with the technology that is now being introduced so that the yarder, felling carriage, processor/ loader are more integrated and the number of crew required would drop down to two or three – they could even double-shift with five people.

To those who say this approach is taking jobs away from people, Dale says it’s hard enough getting new people into the industry and this way will make forestry more attractive to the next generation. NZL

What a tailgate meeting is really for LES BAK HAS A MESSAGE TO CREW BOSSES AND FOREMEN ABOUT how to conduct better tailgate meetings: throw away the checklist.

That’s just going through the motions and it’s not helping your guys – they can’t wait to get out of there quick enough, says the Nelson Forests Health & Safety Facilitator.

He told the Forest Industry Safety & Technology 2018 conference in Rotorua last month that when his company instituted tailgate meetings they were excellent and there was strong involvement among participants.

But as time passed, tailgate meetings have become just a series of checklists that get ticked off and are not fulfilling their purpose.

“Tailgate meetings are meant to set the plan for the day,” says Les. “It’s to discuss the important things that need to be done that day.

And if you just ask if everyone is OK, that is the wrong question to ask. What you need to be asking is ‘what do you need to make this job safe?’ That’s straight out of the mental health handbook and it gets them thinking and most of the time you’ll get a response to that.”

Les advises crew bosses and foremen not to go over the same risks every day – those should already be known if previously discussed.

Instead, focus on the weather today, do they have enough people to do the work, make sure everyone knows about what they’ve got to do, are they fit for the job and do they have the tools to do the job. Have a discussion about those topics instead of reading from a checklist, he says. That way the crew will get more value from a tailgate meeting and they’ll be thinking more about the risks involved and how to manage them. NZL

September 2018 | NZ LOGGER 15

Safety Summit

‘Weapons’ for keeping loggers safe OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS WIREMU EDMONDS has been urging members of logging crews to ‘stand in the gap’ to help keep their mates from harm and now he’s talking about ‘weapons’ to keep everyone safe.

At the Forest Industry Safety & Technology 2018 conference in Rotorua, Wiremu spoke of the next stage of his family’s plan to drive safety in the industry, in the wake of his stepson’s death in 2013.

His powerful and highly personal safety style has seen Wiremu and his partner, Marsella, complete 298 ‘standing in the gap’ presentations and been involved with more than 200 leadership programme delivered to 135 companies here and around the world.

In order to develop a long-term sustainable safety culture, Wiremu draws on his Maori warrior heritage to tell loggers they need to use all their ‘weapons’.

But the weapons he’s talking about are not the Patu or Mere, instead, they include: • Leadership • Safe & healthy work culture • Risk management • Contractor & worker certification • Crucial conversations NZL

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G Virtual reality goggles allow the wearer to get very close to a processing or harvesting head in action.

Southstar shows off virtual harvesting SOUTHSTAR HAS CREATED A VIRTUAL world where its harvesting and processing heads can be seen in action without the need to go into a forest.

People attending the Forestry Safety & Technology 2018 conference in Rotorua last month were able to try the experience first-hand using virtual reality goggles.

Southstar Equipment Engineering Manager, Jeremy Disher, says those

who tried it were “amazed at how close they were to the action and were able to look in all directions and see every aspect of the operation.

“It lets them look closer than anything that would be possible in real life,” he says.

SouthStar is currently in talks with a technology company to incorporate the VR experience into a simulator to become a training tool in the future. NZL

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Mechanisation puts more strain on loggers THE MOVE TO REPLACE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND WITH machines for safety reasons is having some unintended H&S consequences that the industry needs to address.

That’s what Paula Nordstrom has discovered after recently completing research as part of her Graduate Diploma in Occupational Safety & Health into whether mechanisation has actually made New Zealand forests safer.

Ms Nordstrom, who owns the Taupo-based Safe T Works consultancy, told the Forest Industry Safety & Technology 2018 conference in Rotorua last month that more focus needs to be placed on the long-term effects of mechanisation on workers.

She says that while mechanisation can assist by bringing down injury and fatality rates international studies show that it places different physical, mental and psychosocial demands on operators.

For instance, mechanical felling machine operators on steep slopes suffer more discomfort and pain through constant activity and less muscle rest. As many as 30% suffer from back pain through operating their machines, whilst many suffered neck, shoulder and wrist pain, and up to a quarter report feeling numbness or tingling.

Ms Nordstrom says operators feel pressured to push themselves and their machines to work on steeper slopes and ground-based crews are increasingly working in steeper blocks designed for hauler crews.

Putting machines onto ground that is less stable is a challenge

16 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

and operators say they also need consistency about the maximum slope level they should be working on – something they expect the regulator to set.

A lack of proper training for machine operators has also been identified as a concern, with added pressures to get up to speed in high production crews.

She also says her research identified that forestry crews appear to be working longer hours and that travel times need to be taken into account, adding that whilst there are guidelines for truck drivers, who have to keep log books, there is nothing covering harvesting and silviculture workers. Some are working 12-14 hour days plus travel.

Ms Nordstrom identifies fatigue as a common issue in forestry, with 78% of workers reporting that they experience fatigue at some time during the day.

The industry needs to do more to improve working conditions and the health, as well as safety of frontline loggers and silviculturists, she says.

These range from including annual health checks and how to manage and eliminate pain/discomfort. Ms Nordstrom suggests machine manufacturers could develop rest break reminders that can be set for prescribed intervals when machines are in constant use.

And more research is needed into the use of machines on steep slopes and better guidelines need to be developed. NZL

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Woodlot Harvesting’s Cat 558LL is one of the first to go to work in New Zealand.

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Tuesday

It can get very wet here at the head of the Waihopai Valley, south of Blenheim, but the ground conditions on the skid are very firm.

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S THE SKIES EMPTIED ON THE ALREADY SATURATED skid site overlooking ‘Spy Valley’, where the 5-Eyes satellite dishes are based south of Blenheim, Luke O’Hagan wasn’t about to abandon the warm, dry comfort of the new Cat 558 cab to come and talk to us.

And neither were we in any hurry to venture outside the ute for a closer look at one of the first of these new models to land on New Zealand shores.

So we just eye-balled each other through the driving rain and bided our time.

It turned out to be a great opportunity to talk a little further with Woodlot Harvesting Ltd crew owner, Brad Pyers, about the phenomenal growth his business has undergone this year, culminating in the arrival of the 558 – his fifth brand new Cat in the past 12 months.

Not bad for a crew that was still operating with just a couple of second-hand machines doing small forests and a bit of roadlining not so long ago.

Brad must have a very understanding bank manager……….and wife!

“I’ve been told by Lisa I can’t buy any new machines for a while,” he laughs as we enquire about the extent of his borrowings.

Well, you’ve got to be doing the business in order to have a business, which means you need the tools to make that business work. For Brad, Caterpillar equipment is the preferred tool for his business.

“I like my Cat machinery, it suits us,” he says. “Seems to go really well and does the job we need it to do, and we’ve got good back-up from Goughs.”

Brad inherited his Cat preference from father, Ray, who has been harvesting in the greater Nelson and Marlborough regions for years and always swore by the yellow American brand. He now works for Brad. The family has a long association with logging in these parts, as Brad’s grandfather and two uncles also managed crews.

With such familial connections, forestry was always going to be the career of choice for Brad, who says: “I was pretty much born into forestry. I didn’t really have much option.”

But he did make the smart decision to start a forestry engineering

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degree down at the University of Canterbury after leaving school to improve his career opportunities. He just never got around to completing the course.

“I finished my first year at uni but realised after I came back and was working in the bush during the holidays that I didn’t really want to leave,” says Brad.

“I worked for my old man for a while and got a bit of hauler experience with Simon Raywood, then I went to Aussie and spent nearly 10 years there managing a land clearing company outside of Brisbane. We started out with two and ended up with 55 guys – it got very busy. But then I figured I might as well be doing it for myself and we came back here, formed a logging partnership.

“We started doing woodlots (hence the name of the business) around five years ago with a digger and a skidder, me, my business partner and my brother in-law. We’ve recently gone our separate ways and I’ve bought him out.”

Brad had big ambitions to grow the business and it’s fair to say he’s been on a meteoric rise since taking on the whole company himself.

The big expansion plans were spurred after landing his current contract last Christmas, which saw Woodlot Harvesting take on a twoyear road building and harvesting stint in the Benhopai Forest at the end of the Waihopai Valley. That necessitated a massive splurge on new equipment, much of it wearing the Cat logo and purpose-built for the task, which resonates strongly with Brad.

“My old man had Cat gear and I’ve always been a fan of it,” says Brad, adding that while he’s got yellow blood coursing through his veins, he has been impressed with some of the other equipment they’ve used.

“This Hyundai here – our first machine ever – was second-hand when we got it, with about 500 hours and has now done 10,000 hours and is remarkably unscathed for a machine that was out doing shovelling at the start – we like to look after our gear. And we also had a (John Deere) 648 skidder.

“But as we progressed we started off down the Cat path and bought a second-hand Cat skidder. Then a 324DFM, which is our shovelling machine, and we’ve just got a new skidder, a 545D. We bought a new

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320DFM (32-tonne loader) in the middle of last year and a 552 Series 2 felling machine with a SATCO 325T head. We took delivery of the 558 around March.”

The new 558 heralded a shift to becoming a fully mechanised operation. Before its arrival, a chunk of the log-making was done by hand, with the 552 felling for a couple of days and then using the SATCO head to process on the skid for three days each week.

That 325T head has gone onto the 558 so it can process full time, while the 552 has received a new SATCO 325M, which still gives it measuring capability but without the topping saw, thus providing some back-up ability for both processing and felling. Brad is pleased with that decision because the stems dragged out for log making are already de-limbed, which saves time and also slash from building up on the skid.

And if that little shopping spree wasn’t enough, Brad recently purchased a Cat 928K wheel loader to speed up load-outs. Oh, and before we forget, around Christmas the crew also received another present from Santa, a Falcon winch-assist system built onto a Hitachi 280 base to enable the 552 to harvest some of the steeper slopes.

As well as building up the harvesting crew, Brad recently expanded the existing roading /earthworks crew, which now consists of a Cat D8T dozer, Cat 323FL excavator and a Hyundai 290-9 excavator which are leased for now, and a Cat 311FL, which was purchased back in February 2017. On top of that, Brad also manages a harvesting operation on the West Coast. Busy boy.

For someone in his mid-thirties, he seems to be in a hell of a hurry to create a sizeable business empire, but Brad says the growth spurt is at an end. For now.

And while it’s all come together very quickly, Brad seems to have no trouble coping with the growth, adding: “Having started out small it was good to get that experience running your own crew and managing a contract.”

It helps having good people around him. Foreman Luke has been in the bush a good number of years and has experience in most machines. And the roading / earthworks crew also runs under its own experienced foreman, Kain Percy.

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“We worked for this forest manager three-and-a-half years ago and when we came back we picked up the earthworks job as well, so we do that and roadlining,” says Brad.

“That’s helped our production pick up quite dramatically and we’re their top producing crew now.”

Brad’s forest engineering course at uni has also come in handy, he says: “With this block I worked with the forest manager to plan it all, so I had input into where the skids and roads were going and when you get to build them yourself you get them in the right shape, the right spot and something that actually works.”

Makes life a whole lot easier, doesn’t it? And right now, life is just about to get a bit easier for the NZ Logger Iron Test team.

With the rain starting to ease, it looks like we may actually get to see the new 558 up close without getting ourselves drowned.

The 558 and its smaller brother, the 548, are the latest models in the 500-series expansion programme undertaken by Caterpillar.

Whilst the 33-to-35-tonne Cat 548 replaces the 324DFM, the 42-tonne Cat 558 succeeds the previous 325DFM in the Cat forestry line-up and some contractors might also view it as an option to the 336, because of its wide-ranging versatility that adds heavy-duty loading and shovelling to its potential as a mainstream processor.

He did consider the smaller 548 and says: “It needed to have enough oil to run that head, that was the main thing.

“And while there was talk the 548 could potentially do it, I didn’t want to be a guinea pig, I wanted to make sure I had a machine that would do the job.”

Brad was also offered a 336 but says that when he did the sums on guarding and prepping the machine for the forest, there wasn’t much difference from the price of a 558 and going down this route meant getting the rear-entry cab which he wanted for access-safety.

“I just like being able to buy something out of the factory and put it straight to work,” he adds.

“This guarding stuff and all that sort of thing, it’s not built for purpose, it needs to be built from the ground up for the sort of work we do. I went to the factory back in February and you saw that they are built from the sub-frame right up and that’s important, especially for a

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Facing page: Some of these stems are arriving at the skid site with root balls intact, but that doesn’t worry the Cat / SATCO combo.

Above left: Matched with a SATCO 325T head, the new Cat 558LL is producing plenty of wood for Woodlot Harvesting.

Above right: There’s plenty of oil flow from the Cat 558LL’s new hydraulic system for the SATCO head to cope with some of these larger stems. processor that you are going to have for a long time. You want it to be solid and long-lasting.

“This one will probably go to 15,000 hours with us, but ultimately I have a goal of trying to roll them over at 6,000 hours if I can, to keep them under warranty, although it would more than likely be 8,000. Be nice if I can achieve that.”

Brad never got to see his new machine going down the line at the factory as it was already on its way to New Zealand, but he says the trip reinforced his purchase decision.

And when it did arrive, the new 558 was able to head out into the bush very quickly, with just the SATCO head needing to be plumbed in. Among it’s standard equipment is a 1.2m riser under the cab and a

rear door entry.

“It came with pretty much everything I wanted, the rear-entry cab, which I like because there’s a spot you can attach a dicky seat to the wall, so someone can sit in behind the operator, or stand, as they do now,” says Brad.

“Currently our foreman (Luke O’Hagan) drives it and it’s quite handy for him because he can still be operating and the guys can pop in and have a yarn while he’s working. The rear-entry cab is good – just compare it to the 320 on a similar high riser, which is too high to be climbing up the side. We’ve used a fishing rod for the operator to hand over load dockets to the truck driver out of the door.”

Not that his 558 is ever likely to be used for loading logs, but Brad

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does have a point about high cabs. Just think what it would be like if he had ordered the 558 with the optional 1.83m (that’s 6ft) riser for loading trucks – a fishing rod for handing over dockets would be obligatory.

For Brad and Luke, the 1.2m riser is quite tall enough. From the ground it puts the driver’s eyeball level at 4.3m, so the bigger riser would take it to almost 5m.

Brad has operated the new 558 himself, noting that the cab on his machine still provides an excellent advantage point for the operator to see the entire skid. Another good feature is the cab-over centre cam locks, which means no more bolts to hold the cab down, making it easy to shift, tighten and check.

Although the 558 now spends most of its time planted on the skid site spitting out logs, it has done some falling and trim work, too.

“This is a new setting and Luke has walked it down the track to grab what he can off the side to fall and process, helping out when there’s an opportunity – it’s still quite capable of doing felling and that reach is good for grabbing trees from the track.”

The 558 is not having to strain because, Brad says, “the piece size is supposed to be 1.5 tonnes but from the figures we’re seeing it’s probably a

little bit less, especially with these skinny trees along the edges.”

Right now, the 558 is having to work with some stems that have been plucked off the hills by the 552 and dragged behind the skidder with their root balls intact. On a compact skid like this you wouldn’t want too many of those to dispose of.

Fortunately, the rain has now stopped and during a pause in processing we trudge through the pooling water and mud to inspect the tall Cat and chat to Luke.

Standing next to the 558 you appreciate the size, even though it’s not the biggest model in the 500-series Cat range – that honour goes to the 568. But it’s still bigger than the 325DFM it replaces, especially with the larger tail that now houses a 989-litre fuel tank instead of 520 litres to provide more counterweight.

I leave our guest Iron Tester, Matt Goodall, talking to Brad and Luke while I get a much closer look at this newcomer, starting with the climb up to the cab.

Once up onto the tracks, the walkway is easy to negotiate thanks to handrails on either side and nice, wide steps to accommodate big boots. Speaking of boots, there’s a 3-sided cleaning brush bolted onto the top deck so the operator and any visitors can remove most of the mud before entering the cab. Great idea.

Plenty of space to open up that big heavy door into the back of the cab, and once inside it really is a nice warm and cosy space.

I see what Brad

Above: It’s tall, but the new Cat 558LL is very stable, even when working with some of these larger stems.

Below: The stems arrive on the skid site very clean, so there’s little slash that needs to be cleared and much of it is cut over the side by Cat 558LL operator, Luke O’Hagan.

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meant about having enough room to put a small dickey seat behind the operator, as it really is roomy, with built-in storage for all Luke’s paperwork and other paraphernalia. No pie-warmer or fridge though.

A later addition, maybe.

Sometimes these purpose-built rear-entry cabs can be a little narrow, making it hard for the operator to walk past the seat to sit down, but not in the 558 (unless you’re a Sumo wrestler). Love the big glass windows set into the floor either side of the levers, which give a great view of the ground and tracks.

In fact, the view all round is pretty good, especially to the left and forward, with minimal use of bars, thanks to the Lexan glass. The big boom does obscure the right a certain amount and there’s not a lot of vision behind when seated. But I’ll leave Matt to describe the operating environment in detail in his Iron Test column on page 32.

Back out on the top deck, a wide steel hatch opens up to the engine, allowing great access around it, as well as the cooling system to the right and exhaust to the left.

The Cat C7.1 ACERT engine in the 558 is the latest Tier 4 Final unit, capable of producing 178kW (239hp) of peak power, up a solid 17% over the old Tier 3 C7 in the 325DFM. It also makes dollops of torque, reaching its 1,039Nm peak very quickly and staying up there across a broad swathe of the rev range.

Among the many improvements are a side-by-side cooling system that boasts an increase of 33% over the previous machine, incorporating a better radiator package and standard auto-reversing fan that pushes

out service intervals, as well as maintaining proper engine operating temperature.

The 558 also features isochronous speed control to maintain a constant engine speed of 1,750 rpm, regardless of load, for improved fuel consumption, even while driving a larger pump that produces more hydraulic oil flow.

Brad says he’s impressed with the economy of the 558, especially since it ticked over 500 hours, and Luke told us later that he fills up on average once every three days. It’s something we’ve come to expect when talking to contractors running Cats with Tier 4 Final engines – their advanced, high-pressure fuel systems are much more economical and cleaner than their predecessors. Even though it means the unit now requires a dose of Diesel Exhaust Fluid, also known as AdBlue, with every refuel, consuming around 30-to-35 litres of the blue stuff each week.

The filling point for the AdBlue is under a small flap in the first large step on the walkway leading up to the cab, which is easy to reach from the ground. And on my way down Luke points out the large storage box hidden under the top step for keeping saw chains, tools etc.

The next-door flap opens to reveal easy access to filters and hydraulic pumps and valve banks. The main pumps, control valves and hydraulic oil tank are located close together to allow for shorter tubes and lines between components, which reduces friction and pressure drops.

On the other side of the Cat a cavernous storage space sits within the riser (and the mechanism used to tilt the cab for transportation), next

The tall cab on the new Cat 558LL outranks its Cat 320D sibling and provides foreman / operator, Luke O’Hagan, with a commanding view of the skid site.

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1: A flap opens up to the AdBlue filler point set into the first step; 2: The new Cat C7.1 ACERT Tier 4 Final engine is more economical and greener than its predecessor; 3: The large storage box hidden under the top step on the right and a swing door opens to the filters and hydraulic pumps / valves to the left; 4: Plenty of storage in the riser for the oil and DEF containers, along with access to the cab tilt mechanism; 5: Handy boot cleaner fixed to the outer edge of the deck; 6: All the controls are well within reach of the operator, and there’s even a great view of the ground / tracks through the two glass panels in the floor. to a pair of flaps that open to the batteries and radiators.

As we stand back to take it all in, I ask about the LED lighting package and Luke says it lights up the skid like a Christmas tree on early morning starts. Best of all, he’s got a remote-control device so he can switch on the lights from a distance when he arrives, which is a nice safety feature.

Shame he can’t remotely switch on the heated or cooled seat before he sits down to work as well.

We all agree that the 558 looks the business, with a rugged frame and use of heavy-duty components throughout, from track gear to carbody, to boom/arm set.

It’s built like the proverbial. With the stony ground conditions found in these parts, tracks also need all the protection they can get from rocks, as well as woody debris and the thick steel plate covers should do the job.

Furthermore, the 349 HEX HD track links are 216mm in pitch and are greased for added durability and reliability. Cat says the grease-lubricated tracks allow more usable horsepower because of reduced internal friction and this also extends internal bushing, sprocket and system wear life, reducing noise and minimising the chance of frozen track joints.

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Being able to put more power down onto the ground also contributes to the improved drawbar pull, which now hits a maximum of 321kN (72,230lb). Cat has fitted more durable final drives to enable the operator to make use of that drawbar pull when climbing some of the steeper tracks.

Whilst on the subject of protection, it’s good to see Cat has engineered a big, strong corner guard on the front, ahead of the boom, rather than leave it for the contractor to get made locally. It’s such a vulnerable area on any processor. Additional guards are also fitted to the arm to protect the cylinders and hydraulic lines from wayward branches.

Perhaps the only thing that hasn’t improved in the 558 is the ground clearance, which has gone down from 760mm on the 325DFM to 749mm. Probably not a biggie here on the skid, but every millimetre counts if the machine has to go out into the cutover.

Our attention turns to the SATCO dangling under the drop nose stick, which had a tough life working predominantly as a felling head before going onto the 558. In spite of that, the 325T hasn’t given them any trouble over the 1,500 hours already racked up.

“We’ve had a pretty good run with it and they have good back-up service – if we need any parts we can get them down overnight,”

says Brad.

The close alliance between Caterpillar and SATCO means the 558 hydraulics and plumbing is optimised to be compatible with the Tokoroa-built heads.

Talk time over, Luke needs to get back into the cab to deal with the pile of stems that built up during our inspection. He’s going to give us a quick processing demo while we watch from a safe distance and then call Matt into the cab for a close-up view and to provide operating instructions before the next phase of our Iron Test begins.

As Luke powers through the stems, cutting them into a range of 11 sorts destined for either the local mill in Blenheim or export, we’re struck by how quiet the 558 engine is.

It was the same when we tested the smallest of the new 500-seres, the 538, last year.

It doesn’t take long for the stem pile to disappear, allowing Matt to join Luke for a while in the cab. Matt helps run a doublesize crew operating within the Moutere Logging family near Motueka. Although he isn’t a regular processor operator, he does have wide experience with many different types of machines/heads and has been very keen to see how the 558 goes.

He’s got his chance now, because Luke has just walked over to the office container while I replace him in the standing space

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behind the operator’s seat to observe his efforts on the stems just delivered by the skidder, which also arrive with root balls attached.

In spite of the extra weight of the root, the Cat doesn’t flinch as Matt grabs each stem and watches the SATCO screen to see what the optimisation system advises him to cut.

He’s surprised and delighted by how much power the hydraulics are feeding into the head, as well as the slew and lift – thanks to a 16% increase in hydraulic flow. Yet, the whole operation is incredibly precise.

Cat uses an electric swing priority circuit on the 558 to improve finer swing control and head movements. This also works with the Negative Flow Control (NFC) system and the main control valve to smooth out the whole operation. The NFC valve opens slowly during small movements of the joystick and opens rapidly when movement is faster.

There’s actually 35% more power in the swing, compared to the 325DFM, so it should be able to handle much bigger stems with the same amount of ease.

If Matt had wanted to vary the power, he has three modes to select from; high power, standard power and eco mode, which are

selected on the console switch pad sitting on the left pillar. He’s decided to leave it in the power setting because it works so well.

In addition to the impressive swing, the 558 has plenty of lift. Like other manufacturers, Cat has also fitted an electronic boom regeneration valve that minimises pump flow when the boom lowers by regenerating oil from one end of the boom cylinder to the other. This saves energy and improves fuel efficiency.

And if there is a particularly heavy object to shift, Matt can call on the heavy lift mode, which delivers an extra 6%.

The only thing that takes Matt a little getting used to is the control for the main and top saws, which confuses first timers by requiring a switch to the top saw then a switch back to the main saw. It was Matt’s first experience of a SATCO, after all.

Luke admits he got caught out with the same issue when he first started using the 325T head and says you need to watch the screen to make sure you know which saw is engaged.

It’s only one very small gripe about a combo that is otherwise outstanding, or

“unbelievable”, in Luke’s words “It’s a big machine and when you see how nimble and well it moves, it’s unbelievable for its size,” says Luke.

“It has made a big difference to the operation. Although we did have the 552 processing part time, we were smaller and weren’t producing very much, but now we are a full-size crew and we’ve got to do the numbers this is the machine to do it.”

And Luke couldn’t be happier with his new ‘office’ environment, pointing out the two coat hangers on which to hang jackets and explaining how efficient the heated/cooled seat is and the A/C, adding: “It can make it too hot in here and you’ve got to turn the cooling on.”

The storage scores top marks as “being the foreman I’ve got a lot of paperwork I need to keep in the cab and when I haven’t got drags arriving I can whip it out, do it and store it away safely, so it isn’t loose flying around the cab.”

Luke is also enjoying the view from his new ‘office’, although there is a bar right at the point where he is looking at the head, so reckons it could come

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Good view of the side steps and rails up to the rear-entry cab on the Cat 558LL.

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IFICATION

SPECIFICATIONS - CATERPILLAR 558LL ENGINE 6-cylinder, 7.01-litre, Caterpillar C7.1 ACERT, Tier 4F Bore / stroke 105mm x 135mm Gross power 178kW (239hp) @ 2,200rpm Max torque 1,029Nm @ 1,400rpm Max travel speed 3.7km/h

Max. de-climb capacity Max. head opening Rotation Main / Top saws Max. cut Weight

660mm 1,000mm 360° continuous ¾”, 43” bar 690mm (27”) 4,200kg

REFILL CAPACITIES (LITRES)

HYDRAULICS Main pumps Max flow Auxiliary pump Max flow Swing speed Swing torque

Two variable displacement axial piston pumps 2 x 240L/min Independent of main pumps 53L/min 7.5rpm 117,000Nm

BOOM / ARM Model Reach

Caterpillar processing model 12.84m

PROCESSOR Model Drive motors De-limb knives

SATCO 325T 4x synchronised 3x

down a wee bit.

As for the way it operates, he says: “The machine has loosened up a little bit since it arrived. At the start it probably wasn’t as fast as it is now. Having done 570 hours, I am finding I have a lot more pace out of it.”

Fuel tank Engine coolant Engine oil tank DEF tank Hydraulic system (inc tank)

989.3 30 24 46 310

DIMENSIONS (MM) Shipping length Shipping height Shipping width Ground clearance Track length Track shoe width Tail swing radius Operating weight

15,967 3,498 (cab tilted) 3,621 749 5,072 700 3,653mm 42,264kg (minus head)

It’s only when he has to move the machine that he wishes it was a bit faster, but slow walk speed is only to be expected with bigger machines.

So long as the 558 continues to shift wood at pace, neither Luke nor his boss are likely to complain. Not when it is capable of processing up to 670 tonnes in perfect conditions during a sevenhour shift, which it recently achieved.

Now that is moving in a big way. NZL

That’s not the biggest riser available on the Cat 558LL – there’s an even taller 1.83m version that can sit under the cab.

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iron test: Matt Goodall

On top of the world IN 20 YEARS OF FORESTRY WORK I CAN definitely say I have never sat in a taller cab.

You do feel like you’re on top of the world looking out from the operator’s seat. Just a great view of the whole site, even close in to the machine because the windows are so deep. And a good view of the tracks through the glass in the floor, although they’d be hard to clean behind the mesh.

As with all diggers, the view to the right is masked by the boom and I had to keep a special eye out for the skidder bringing in more stems. Also, you can’t see what’s directly behind, but a rear-view camera would fix that.

Overall though, I’m very impressed by the new Cat 558.

There’s tonnes of room in the cab, you could almost fit a wardrobe in behind the operator. The seat is nice and comfortable, the controls and switches are within easy reach, all where they should be, and the screens have the information you need but don’t distract from what’s happening outside.

All the access and exits points are great, very easy to get into from the side walkway

to the rear door – there’s even steps on the track frame. A boot cleaner on the deck. Nice little touches.

But for me, the mark of a good machine is if you can sit down and get to work without having to stop and think all the time. You’ve got that with the 558.

Although I’ve never used a SATCO head before, the SATCO grips work just like on any other machine I’ve operated and it answers quickly. The faster you work those joysticks the faster it gets and if you slow down, the machine shows down with you. And it’s got power to boot. Generally, speed and power don’t usually go together – you get one or the other. This felt like a small machine on steroids.

The SATCO head is nice, too. Probably not the fastest rollers I’ve experienced, but it is smooth and both saws are lightning quick, when I remembered which one I was supposed to be cutting with – just look at the screen, doh.

One of the most noticeable things is that phenomenal reach. For a processor it stretches out a long way and even at its limit

Iron tester, Matt Goodall. you’ve still got the power to lift a heavy load.

Without tipping, too. Yes, it did rock a bit if you stopped in a hurry, but not worryingly so. A very stable machine in my book. It was picking those root balls up and throwing them around like tennis balls.

I never got to try out the radio, but you wouldn’t have to turn up the sound much because you can hardly hear the engine when the cab door is shut – just a bit of a ‘whoosh’ from the AC fan.

No opportunity to try walking, but Luke seems satisfied and looking at the drawbar pull figures, it’s certainly got the grunt.

But most of the day it will be sitting on the skid dealing to stems and for that task the new Cat 558 is extremely well suited. NZL

Below from left to right: 1: Iron Tester, Matt Goodall, checks the screen to make sure the SATCO head is cutting the right size logs. Note the expansive view from this vantage point; 2: Excellent storage behind the seat of the Cat 558LL cab; 3: Luke O’Hagan, Woodlot Harvesting’s foreman and Cat 558LL operator; 4: Brad Pyers is very happy with his mostly Cat fleet.

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Timber Focus

XLam ramps up for NZ boom under KiwiBuild Story: John Ellegard

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September 2018 | issue 36 Main pic: The main structural support and shear walls of the Plant & Foods Research centre in Nelson comprise XLam 5-layer 130mm thick CLT panels.

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IWI HIGH-TECH WOOD COMPANY, XLam, is primed for growth following a multimillion dollar investment that will enable it to further ramp up delivery of pre-fabricated buildings to help with New Zealand’s housing shortage and the ambitious KiwiBuild project.

XLam is Australasia’s largest manufacturer of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) – largeformat structural building panels and elements created by bonding together timber boards in orthogonal layers.

The company has invested around $5 million in upgrades for its Nelson facility, with 15 new staff also joining the team, on the back of the opening of its $30 million Australian manufacturing facility. And following extensive testing, the Australian operation can also supply treated timber to comply with New Zealand Building Code requirements if necessary.

The investments come as New Zealand experiences a resurgence in demand for sustainable timber construction and one of the busiest times seen in this country for construction of prefabricated businesses, homes and buildings.

XLam CEO, Gary Caulfield, says: “CLT is a key building block in the delivery of prefabricated buildings, which offer the potential to address New Zealand’s current housing shortage, providing safer, high quality, faster builds.”

Mr Caulfield says demand for XLam’s products and services has risen dramatically in the last 18 months, with 2017 turnover increasing in line with expectations.

“While Europe has been using CLT for more than 20 years and the United States has seen a strong uptake in the last few years, New Zealand has lagged behind in adopting the more efficient, higher quality building material and the associated construction methodology,” he says.

“However, with New Zealand’s current housing shortage and high demand for lower cost housing, along with a construction industry staffing and skills shortage, demand for CLT prefabricated houses is

Above: CLT supplied by XLam is used in this Housing New Zealand multi-unit residential development in Auckland. Below: CLT was used in the walls and staircase in the Bealey Lodge Backpackers Hostel in Christchurch. expected to soar – indeed we’re already seeing the increasing demand.”

XLam’s CLT panelised solutions are already being used by Housing New Zealand in its new prefabricated houses. XLam is currently being suggested as an option to enable the government to deliver on its flagship KiwiBuild programme, which promises to build 100,000 houses over the next 10 years.

In March this year, industry body PrefabNZ released a report showing prefabricated housing could deliver around 7,000 homes

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Timber Focus

a year in New Zealand from 2020 if the wider prefab industry scales up.

A PrefabNZ statement claims that prefabricated houses can reduce construction time by up to 60% and provide approximately 15% cost savings, while also having significantly fewer defects and providing around a 25% waste minimisation saving. Another significant advantage of prefabrication construction is that it reduces time in which builders work ‘at height’ on building sites, reducing health and safety incidents. Onsite construction is also quieter due to the very different way in which prefabricated construction occurs compared to more traditional forms of building.

XLam’s recent investments include $3

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million for another Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) cutting machine, to custom cut CLT panels to designers’ specifications.

The new CNC machine, which allows precision cutting to tolerances within a millimetre went into operation in June, increasing capacity in New Zealand by more than 30%. The Nelson plant is currently capable of producing around 250m of CLT a week – enough for more than eight houses or a full apartment block. Typically, on-site building assembly rates exceed 100m per hour using products like CLT. Ancillary equipment is also being added, with a further $300,000 investment in quality test equipment.

“Given the massive potential for CLT in

Above: This award-winning architect-designed rural work studio in the Waimea Inlet, in Tasman district, was conceived with CLT in mind.

Below left: XLam CEO, Gary Caulfield.

Below right: The inside of the Waimea studio shows off the CLT wood panels.

Opposite page: Use of prefabricated CLT panels allows buildings to go up faster, with less labour.

New Zealand, we have significantly expanded both our staffing and our production capacity,” says Mr Caulfield.

“The new CNC cutting machine will provide us with a large amount of extra capacity to take on additional projects and ensure we can meet market demand for our products.”

Configuring the business to Industry 4.0, or the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), XLam has implemented a new $1.2 million ERP system to ensure the highest level of systems integration assisting with the translation of design through to manufacturing, thus increasing productivity.

XLam partners with companies like Arrow International for large builds, with Mr Caulfield noting that the uptake of new technologies requires different thinking, new forms of contracting, intelligent procurement and generally a new non-traditional attitude.

“The leadership shown within the vertical construction market by companies such as Arrow International on a large scale and Christchurch’s Miles Construction in the medium scale is to be commended,” he adds.

XLam CLT panels are treated in accordance with regulatory requirements for New Zealand, adding to the durability and longevity of the products. Mr Caulfield says untreated timber used in the past in New Zealand raises questions about professional indemnity insurance for the industry.

“There are still a lot of questions around who is liable for specifying a 50-year-old structural product that is untreated,” he goes on to say.

“There is more to robust design than simply specifying treated timber. However, until detailing, staff skills, training, systems and workmanship are improved the use of treated timber is, unfortunately, a required part of the timber construction solutions ensuring adequate durability is achieved and mitigating the risks.

“This is the best time in New Zealand’s history for wood construction and offsite manufacturing, and XLam is investing heavily to ensure we can help bring better, more affordable housing to more New Zealanders.”

As part of its growth programme, XLam has also expanded its senior management team with the appointment of John Eastwood as the head of business development for both New Zealand and Australia.

Mr Eastwood has previously held country manager and senior commercial management roles with a number of multinational and national building material manufacturers and suppliers to commercial and residential construction sectors. NZL

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Timber Focus

XLam Aussie CLT plant up and running

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HE MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY advanced Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) plant in the world is now up and running in Australia, with production underway at XLam’s new Wodonga facility.

CLT is part of a new wave of pre-build construction technologies and is produced from timber, a renewable and sustainable material. CLT is often manufactured as largeformat structural building elements, including walls, floors and roofs, created by bonding together timber boards in orthogonal layers.

CLT is currently part of a global phenomenon and is experiencing a high rate of uptake across Australia and New Zealand. Nelson-headquartered XLam has been manufacturing the product since 2012, filling a gap in an industry where demand for a sustainable, easy-to-use and fast building solution has increased.

XLam, which is Australasia’s largest manufacturer of CLT, has already begun commercial production at its new custombuilt AU$30 million factory across the Tasman and CEO, Gary Caulfield, says the facility is already experiencing demand for product.

A key to success in using this new technology is communication, so that the efficiency of all projects can be maximised to their fullest potential.

“We have seen a steady flow of orders

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for the new facility and production is well underway, however, we are taking more orders for projects of varying sizes,” says Mr Caulfield.

“With project number six now underway, we are confident of maintaining more reduced lead times when compared to European supply.”

Mr Caulfield says the opening of the 12,000m2 facility represents a milestone for the company and the industry, adding: “The Wodonga facility will produce 60,000m3 of CLT each year, which is enough to construct the equivalent of Melbourne’s 10-storey Forte Living green apartment block every week.

“It’s a game changer for the local market and will enable us to meet the significant demand for CLT. Our product is made in Australia, from Australian timber, by Australians.”

The opening of the new factory also has benefits for New Zealand, adds Mr Caulfield, with the plant able to supply treated timber to comply with New Zealand Building Code requirements.

The facility is located in the Logic industrial estate north of Melbourne, enabling XLam to deliver product to 80% of Australia within 24 hours.

The factory was supported by the Australian government, securing a AU$2.5 million grant

from the Commonwealth Government Next Generation Australian Industry Grants and a AU$450,000 grant from the Victorian Regional Development authority to support job development. Fifty-four jobs have been created through the new facility, including 30 direct and 24 indirect.

“The new plant is not only providing direct employment opportunities but having a knock-on effect to suppliers and services providers, including the Australian forest and wood products industry and transport,” Mr Caulfield says.

At the same time, XLam has been upgrading its original plant in Nelson and Mr Caulfield says: “Our investments signal not only the demand we’re seeing in the Australian and New Zealand markets for CLT, but also our commitment to these markets and the fulfilment of forward orders.” NZL

Above: The new XLam manufacturing plant in Australia.

Below left: The XLam Australia team inside their new plant, before the machinery was installed.

Below right: The first shipment of CLT leaves XLam’s new Wodonga facility.

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Tall Timber

Story & photos: John Ellegard

A lifetime with

PF Olsen I

F THINGS HAD TURNED OUT DIFFERENTLY FOR PETER CLARK he might have ended up being a fencing contractor instead of running one of Australasia’s largest forest management companies, PF Olsen.

At the end of this month Peter Clark steps down as CEO of PF Olsen after nearly 20 years at the helm – one of the longest serving forestry bosses on either side of the Tasman. Before he departs, NZ Logger caught up with him at the company’s Rotorua head office to discuss his career.

As a teenager, Peter spent many happy holidays on a family friend’s farm in the King Country watching over stock, scrub cutting, fixing fences and learning about trees on the property.

“I quite liked fencing,” he says, adding that he wasn’t too interested in the stock, but the trees grabbed his attention.

“I came from a farming background in Southland and had been exposed quite a bit to sheep and beef. But when I got involved in pines I thought these things are better than sheep and beef because for a start they smell better, they are easy to count because they don’t move around and it was about as simple as that, really.”

40 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

Well, not quite that simple. No one at Auckland Grammar School seemed to be able to point him in the right direction towards a career in forestry, apart from suggesting the University of Canterbury, which had just started up its School of Forestry.

“It’s a shame they didn’t point me towards the Forest Service as I went through that whole 4-year course without any assistance, just working in the holidays to help pay my way,” says Peter. “Yes, the fees were less than they are now, but you still had to live and pay hostel money. There were actually scholarships available, but I never got told about them.”

Peter continued to work on the King Country farm in the holidays until graduating in 1977 with a Bachelor of Forestry Science (Hons) degree.

Above: Peter Clark, retiring head of PF Olsen, outside the company’s Rotorua headquarters, appropriately built with timber.

Ironically, after completing university Peter was offered a job by the Forest Service and thought “cheeky buggers, you didn’t help me at all and I didn’t show much interest in that”.

He goes on to say: “So I formed a little silviculture crew and also did some more fencing, scrub cutting in behind Willow Flat, plus a little bit of work for Fletchers.”

He also cut short pulp from thinnings by hand for NZ Forest Products in Mangakino, which he described as “really hard physical work but quite rewarding”.

Hard work it may have been, but it actually provided the platform for the next stage of his life.

He says: “I’d learnt a fair bit in that contracting work. You learned how to run a small business, you had chainsaws to maintain, spare parts, had to be responsible for people and be able to keep everyone motivated and fed, as well as plan the jobs ahead.

“But after a couple of years of doing that sort of work I decided I had better get a real job and use my degree.”

Living in a hut in the King Country with no power, where the only phone connection was a party line and the mail was a bit slow – “every three days if you were lucky” – he responded to a couple of newspaper job adverts.

“One of them was for Kaingaroa Logging Company and the other for Peter Olsen,” Peter recalls. “I applied for both and Peter Olsen replied straight away by letter and I think I was still waiting for a reply from KLC after I accepted a job with Peter.

“He was based at Ngongataha. I had a lot of trouble finding the office – it did have a sign but that had been overgrown by the hedge. I went to the local post office and asked if they’d heard of this company and was pointed in the direction of a little building opposite the quarry.

“I showed up there and he said ‘actually your job’s in Gisborne’.

I thought OK. I had my Vauxhall, my post hole borer and my dog and a stereo and off I went to Gisborne that same day. I slept in the office for three or four months until my new boss over there kicked me out and I had to go get myself a flat – I think he was worried because I was surrounded by Paraquat drums where I was sleeping.”

And that was Peter Clark’s initiation into PF Olsen, where he has worked for close to 40 years.

He only stayed in Gisborne for two years but remembers how plantation forestry was starting to take off in the region and also how things were done a little differently back then.

Peter says: “My boss, Peter Wallace, took off to the Solomon Islands to do some work and left some unburnt land that had to be planted that winter and it was already about April/May, no tracks into it and that was hard.

“I was just a young forester, not long out of university and we were doing a lot of physical work and some of the stuff we did then you wouldn’t do now. I was carrying out burns with a flamethrower on my own, starting at the top of a gully and would run down through the rivers, lighting either side and then go home and think it was a good day’s work, having just burned 250 hectares. On my own. We did have a permit, by the way.

“The most important thing for me about Gisborne was that I met my wife there. Then Peter Keach came along to run that office.

He’s still blaming me for all the mess.”

Back at the Ngongataha head office, Peter was put in charge of the newly formed consulting division with a brief to “go and find some work and do it – and that’s what we set out to do”.

That work consisted of contracts with the Ministry of Foreign

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Tall Timber

and External Affairs (MFAT) using NZ Aid money around the Pacific, as well as in South East Asia, including China, under the Asia Development Assistance Fund and also working for the Asia Development Bank. Peter and his team travelled the regions looking at opportunities for afforestation and advising on how to go about it. Whilst the work was interesting, it was complicated by the fact that many of the countries he visited suffer badly from not having clarity about land ownership and many projects failed to fire as a result.

It was during one of his overseas trips that Peter Clark was called back to New Zealand after learning that his employer and mentor, Peter Olsen died in late 1998 of natural causes.

“Peter was a good mentor – he was an entrepreneur so was always trying new things. We lurched from opportunity to crisis and back, but it was interesting times for a young forester like me,” says Peter Clark.

In a bid to improve the business model while Peter Olsen was still alive, the young Peter Clark was also tasked with the job of setting up the company’s forest management systems.

“I studied ISO and TQM and started documenting things and how to use standard forms and processes,” he says. “That was all done before Peter died and afterwards I went back into consulting again.”

A long recruitment process identified a successor for Peter Olsen who turned the job down and the company faced the most challenging time in its history.

“The company wasn’t in great shape at that time, we had a few crises on,” says Peter Clark.

“So after the only candidate that we had identified decided not to take the job, Peter Keach and I discussed it and neither of us were sure we really wanted to do this. The company had a few challenges, we’d just lost a big contract which was a big part of our work and there was a court case that was proving expensive to fight.”

As we all know, Peter Clark agreed to fill the vacancy as CEO and set about putting the company back on a sound footing and preparing for growth.

He says: “We had five years of just stabilising the company, getting things tidied up and then we started to grow and used all of our dividends in those days to buy down shares from the Olsen family, because that’s what our constitution required us to do. But the family still own just under 5% and it’s good that they remain involved.”

It wasn’t just PF Olsen that were under pressure during the 1990s. That was a decade of major disruption in New Zealand forestry, with the demise of the Forest Service followed by the splintering of large companies like Fletcher Challenge. But it was also a decade of opportunity, with private investors flocking to put their money into newly established plantations throughout the country to cash in on good log prices.

“There was a lot of disruption at the time, but we were beneficiaries of that,” says Peter.

“There was a bit of consulting work coming out of the restructuring but more importantly for us, it was quite easy to pick up good staff who had been made redundant or left as a result of all the changes.

“We picked up some good people and hung onto them. That was a competitive advantage for PF Olsen and it put us in a good position for growth. It’s much tougher to get those sorts of people now.”

One strategic move steered through by Peter and his team back

Above: Peter Clark has been CEO of PF Olsen for almost 20 years. then was a switch from consulting to a focus on forest and land management – “that’s something I did deliberately” – and build up the capability to do that well.

Peter adds: “We made a lot of investment in IT, GIS, upgraded our computers and we started developing what we now called FIPS (Financial Information Processing System) and we still use that. It is an integrated system that enables us to track job costs – before that we really wouldn’t know how profitable jobs were until they were finished or well into the following month.

“Once we started FIPS we had live validity on how individual jobs were going across multiple clients and multiple forests. We are using other decision-making software now but FIPS is still there and it’s still the core of our business. It’s brilliant.”

Another strategic move came in the following decade when PF Olsen decided to set up shop in Australia at a time when many private forests where being established there under the controversial MIS (Managed Investment Schemes).

“The move to Australia was prompted around 2005 because we felt we had already picked most of the low hanging fruit in New Zealand and we were looking to grow still, so why not Australia?” explains Peter.

“We went in there a bit early. They don’t have the long tail of

42 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

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Tall Timber

small-to-medium forest owners that we have and their boom in forestry was because of the MIS schemes, which were tax-driven.

They looked a little bit like a pyramid scheme and we didn’t know when they were going to collapse but you could see it was going to happen with all the heavy borrowings going on and they seemed to have very high overheads – top heavy in promotion fees, senior staff salaries and so on.

“It looked wrong, because forestry can’t handle that type of high overhead for very long and you’ve got to watch your costs.

We could see that something would probably break. It was those MIS schemes that were really the target, or what might fall out of them, because the rest were state forests and we weren’t going to get them because they come with a management team.

“Anyway, we hung in there for a few years and eventually the GFC came along and the MIS schemes collapsed and that’s how we got our leg up in Australia. I have to say Australia is going very well, we’ve got 60 staff there, adding to the 147 we now have in New Zealand, with offices in 13 locations here.”

Peter Clark also ticks off other significant achievements for PF Olsen that continue to be an important part of the company’s portfolio. These include the seed orchard at Seddon, in the South Island, which was established under founder Peter Olsen and has since doubled in size, being one of just three suppliers to nurseries and forest owners around New Zealand.

Another achievement, carried out under Peter Clark’s tenure, was the development of the plantation tree nursery at Glenbrook, south of Auckland, which has also increased in size recently and upgraded with more mechanisation. This year PF Olsen will supply 4.8 million young trees to forest owners and is gearing up to take that figure to 6.3 million in 2019.

During his reign, Peter Clark has seen the business grow significantly on both sides of the Tasman and the most tangible sign of that is the impressive PF Olsen headquarters on the Scion campus in Rotorua. It replaced the cramped Ngongataha building in 2008 and showcased much of the wood products grown by PF Olsen clients.

He, like many others in the industry, thanks the heavens that when the Global Financial Crises hit that same year it was a country he knew well that rode in to rescue New Zealand forestry and many of our other exporting industries.

“China absolutely saved New Zealand in the GFC because it was keen on our food and our trees at a time of austerity around the world,” says Peter.

“Even though China’s appetite for commodities can turn out to be a double-edged sword when prices get ahead of the market and we get collapses – which has happened three times since 2008 – we are still in a pretty good space. But let’s not kid ourselves; we are still in this commodity business and we’ll suffer at some point.”

That won’t be under Peter Clark’s watch. He says 20 years at the helm is long enough – “too long, really” – and after giving the PF Olsen board a one-year notice of his intention to resign and take some well-earned sabbatical leave before looking for a new role, that task will fall to new CEO, Te Kapunga Dewes, from the end of September.

He’s happy to be leaving the company in good shape for

his successor, adding: “I think I always had the idea that New Zealand is a country of SMEs, there’s tens of thousands of them, that’s great and there’s lots of entrepreneurs, but I think that if you are going to make a difference you need to be of a scale that has a balance sheet and can try things and take some risks that aren’t going to put the company at risk.

“And that is about where we’re at now. That bit has been achieved. We’ve gone from a very small company to something that can look at new technology, new ways of doing things and help train people, which is the hot button now. I don’t think the growth story is over though; there is plenty of growth opportunities ahead on both sides of the Tasman.

“Recruitment is one of the major constraints on the industry – it needs new blood to ensure its future success. This is something that Te Kapunga is very conscious of. We are not alone in this, a lot of sectors are facing the same thing. Dairy has responded through the Federated Farmers apprenticeship and perhaps we need something like that.”

Maybe that is an idea that Peter could follow-up in the future because he isn’t turning his back on forestry completely. At 62 he still has plenty of energy and a love for this business and after a well-earned break he will look for new opportunities in the industry. NZL

NE

M IN OI

Right: Peter Clark is keen to pursue other opportunities in forestry.

44 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

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Tall Timber

Can New Zealand become more than a log exporter?

Story: John Ellegard

N

EW ZEALAND FORESTRY WILL remain vulnerable as long as its fortunes are tied to exporting a commodity that is subject to wildly fluctuating demand and prices.

PF Olsen’s retiring CEO, Peter Clark, believes it is possible for the industry to wean itself from some of the commodity business in the future and make more finished products here, but reckons we will still need to export a certain amount of logs.

“We’ll always be a log exporter, because the industrial grade logs are really hard to make

profitable products from in a New Zealand sawmill and sell them against Canadian ‘sausage mills’, which are much more efficient and faster,” he says.

Some of those industrial-grade logs we export now could be diverted to be made into the new engineered wood products being introduced to market, such as Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels.

Chinese board manufacturer, Fenglin, will also soak up some of the central North Island supply for its planned mill at Kawerau. And he thinks there are opportunities for Bio Char

HOW 1 BILLION TREE PLAN CAN SUCCEED

T

HE GOVERNMENT’S MUCH-VAUNTED ONE BILLION Tree planting programme will only work if New Zealand has an effective Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in place, says PF Olsen’s retiring CEO, Peter Clark.

A strong supporter of the ETS, Peter Clark says the only way New Zealand can meet its Paris Accord commitments by 2030 without incurring a huge cost to the nation is to plant millions of fast-growing trees to suck up more carbon.

“Carbon is a fantastic thing for forestry because it’s fundamentally changed the timeframe between investment and return,” he says.

“That makes a huge difference to anyone that understands NPVs (Net Present Values). With the ETS review that is under way, a part of its mandate is to try and make it easier for existing land owners, like pastoral farmers, to understand and make money out of carbon. The

46 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

and Activated Carbon made from wood.

But as long as wood processors in China are prepared to pay US$100 for chip logs it will be hard for any New Zealand mill to compete against the Chinese advantage of being very close to the end market or the massive Canadian and Russian producers. NZL

Above: Logs exports will still form an important part of the forestry business in New Zealand for many years to come, says Peter Clark.

Story: John Ellegard

one billion trees won’t happen unless there is a carbon element to it.

“And I think that if we are to have trees on farms, rather than farms converted to trees, then we probably need some signals about whether and when farmers come into the ETS as well, because trees are a natural hedge against rising carbon prices.”

Peter also says most of the new trees that need to be planted will have to be fast-growing conifers, like Radiata Pine, otherwise they won’t consume enough carbon to prevent New Zealand from having to buy carbon credits on the international market.

He accepts that slow-growing native trees should be planted in key locations, such as the highly erosion-prone hills on the East Coast and they would never be harvested. But he also suggests that other long-lived species, like Redwoods and Douglas-fir, could be part of the carbon planting equation. NZL

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Prue Younger, CEO Message This month we are all about crew culture. At the safety conference last month in Rotorua, Hillary Bennett, Director at Leading Safety believes the heart of health & safety is around purposeful conversations. On top of that, to build a good culture means building a good work environment that maintains a sustainable workforce and given circular reference this then goes on to build trust, build genuine conversations to feel good and feel valued. If you don’t work to build a good culture, then the flow will look quite different and I would imagine the health & safety results could reflect that. So let’s ask our contractors what their take on crew culture means to them. Check out Safetree for more information around “Growing our Safety Culture” - https://safetree.nz/safety-culture/

Regional Voice Matt Winmill, Gillion Logging - Oamaru Crew culture has meant a huge mind shift for our guys but it was a task of taking it bit by bit then opening the doors of communication and on the other side listening to what is being said and action it.

Wiremu Edmonds and Neal Thomas tackled the change in culture for us and demonstrated just how important it is and now that we have embraced it, no one is scared to step up and speak out. I give a huge thanks to Port Blakely who have lead the change from the top.

The whole company reflects a culture that has filtered down and about five years ago they were one of the first companies that made that monumental shift and gave a consistent message to new employees. It’s really giving up that “old school mentality” and changing the environment.

One needs to get with it otherwise there is a chance contractors could lose contracts going forward. If there are crews that are not getting on, it is important to communicate, sort it out or risk losing your staff. We have staff that have been with us for 14-15 years and they understand the value of these tools. Gillion Logging received Contractor Certification and our values are now written on the wall of our smoko room. “Speaking up is certainly allowed to happen here”.

Rob Wooster, Moutere Logging - Nelson Crew culture is important and although we have improved immensely through the leadership of Dale Ewers, we still have a way to go. Going through the exercise of developing a mission and vision statement and a set of values has created the cornerstone to making decisions. It has got everyone on the same page and rather than looking after oneself, we ensure that the culture is about looking after each other.

We used the DuPont™ Bradley Curve™ which identifies four stages of safety culture maturity: 1 - Reactive Stage - People don’t take responsibility and believe accidents will happen.

2 - Dependent Stage - People view safety as following rules and accident rates decrease.

3 - Independent Stage - People take responsibility and believe they can make a difference with actions.

Accidents reduce further.

4 - Interdependent Stage - Teams feel ownership and responsibility for safety culture.

No one can underestimate the effect of leadership on a great culture and it is key to lead by example.

Many of our foremen and supervisors have been through the Frontline Management Courses run by Competenz. However, just like the shortage of frontline workers, there is a shortage of

Prue

leaders and maybe we need to be looking for people with different skill sets.

Nathan Fogden, Inta-Wood Forestry Limited – Te Puke The starting point to a good culture is to be clear on your key values as culture comes from values. Up front we give a s*#t about our people. We acknowledge our people first then it’s processes and systems. Under a pilot programme run jointly by ACC, P F Olsen and the then DOL and facilitated by Hillary Bennett, we worked hard on getting on that right pathway to good culture.

One needs to walk the talk when you are the owner, then take that philosophy down to the foreman then the guys will look up to their leaders and they are more likely to learn.

It’s a challenge but the reality is silviculture is a people business, our people must be valued as fundamental assets, no different than the heavy equipment that harvesting contractors employ.

It is important to also ensure crews understand the cause and effect of down time and time off and that the whole crew suffers when short staffed. H & S is not just a tick box exercise, it’s more than that. Being able to talk openly and form clear communication channels, more often at tailgates is when this can be effective on the team culture. Having the right leaders is very important, yet leadership must be embraced to be effective.

Rob Coulson, Bushline Forest Harvesting - Masterton Crew Culture does not only start with contractors but also the forest owner and it’s about “respect” of each other and others around you. If productivity KPI’s are to too hard to achieve, then that pressure is what literally kills people and it’s detrimental to culture.

Productivity requirements are aligned to our social responsibility and recognising that our greatest assets are the guys who are key to my business. Over and above that are their families and whanau and ensuring partners come home at the end of the day. Every day those in the crews are respected, are listened to and fairly remunerated which supports the effectiveness around H & S. Despite the public thinking forestry is dangerous, the industry has some strong values, steadfast processes and they take care of their workforce far greater than other industries.

The challenge is to get the public to recognise the good that is going on.

It’s not the right thing to make money to the detriment of others and there should not be the desire to produce the biggest volume - I don’t want to be to the logger that makes that phone call to a family about their loved one, just because I put pressure on. Social responsibility is key to what my wife and I put at the top of the priority list for our staff.

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FORESTRY AND CONTRACTING SPECIALISTS Providing specialist solutions to forestry contracting for 30 years including Harvesting, Trucking, Roading, Silviculture

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Sponsor Profile Thank you to all of the organisations who support FICA, which in turn works to promote business growth and improved safety and efficiency amongst forestry contractors for the benefit of New Zealand’s Forestry Industry.

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top spot

Safety/performance/quality

Latest Top Spot results are in THE RESULTS FOR THE SECOND PERIOD are in and the competition continues to be very tight around the country.

Plus, we’ve just realised that there was something missing from our first period results – the Yarder operator placings.

So apologies for those who weren’t recognised in that first period and here they are on page 52, along with the full results for the second period, including Yarder. Celebrate the achievements, support each other, but keep an eye on maintaining your standards.

Sponsors – They don’t have to do this but they choose to!

Awesome companies, awesome people and awesome support!

They back you and your workmates to succeed as professionals, so why wouldn’t you support them.

They believe in what we do and what you do.

So a big ongoing thank you to our Strategic Partners – STIHL and NZ Logger and sponsor SWAZI.

Adrian Van't Wout, of Brand 101, was firstequal in Machine Operation on the Landing in the Second Period.

50 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

The best way to keep our industry working is to get out and support those businesses that support New Zealand.

Participating Companies This competition wouldn’t be what it is without our participating companies.

We understand the commitment it takes from them to be part of Top Spot and value their ongoing support and feedback.

Our ongoing thanks to Rayonier/Matariki Forests, Nelson Forests, Wenita Forest Products, Port Blakely, Crown Forestry, Brand Logging, CMH Logging, Phillips Logging, Hauraki and Moehau Logging, Thomassen Logging, Te Waa Logging, Lakeland Cable Logging, Logged on Logging, Pakiri Logging, Rosewarne Cable Loggers,

Allen Dalziel, of Brand 101, was first in Forwarding in the Second Period.

Inta-Wood Forestry, Otautau Contractors, SAW Contracting, Heslip Forest Contracting, Waikato Forestry Services, Hodgson Silviculture, SFNL, Makerikeri Silviculture, NJ Simns Forestry Services, SAS Forestry, XMen Forestry, Central Forestry Services, Mangoihe Logging, Kohurau Contracting, Tohaia Forestry Harvesting, Kuru Contracting, Dennis E Hayes Logging, Swain Logging, Lumberjack Logging, Ernslaw One, Bluewood Logging, Forestry Contracting Ltd, Dewes Contractors, Eastside Logging, Storm Logging, X Men Logging, Forest View Harvesting, Mike Hurring Logging, Penetito Forestry, Pro Forest Services, Johnson Forestry Services, McHaull Contracting, Kaha Logging, JBD Logging, Veal Contractors, Lahar Loging, AR Dempsey, Hautapu Logging, Whisker Logging, Moutere Logging and Norwest Logging.

Into safety?

Into performance?

Into quality?

Contact Shane Perrett on 0274 781 908, 07 3483037 or at primefm@xtra.co.nz. NZL

Kaha Log 15 colleagues, from left, Bronson Hiroti was fourth in QC / Skidwork, Wiremu Stevenson was first-equal in Machine Operation on the Landing and Corey Carmichael was first in Shovelling in the Second Period.

top spot

Safety/performance/quality

Clockwise from above left: • Karyn Davies celebrated placing first-equal in QC / Skidwork in the Second Period with her Norwest Harvesting crew boss.

• Brand Logging 103’s James Cochrane was first in Mechanised Processing in the Second Period.

• Leighton Buchanan, Whisker Log 2, was first-equal in QC / Skidwork in the Second Period.

• Luke Eder, of Brand 103, was first in Mechanised Felling in the Second Period.

• Matthew Katene, of Lahar Log 4, was first-equal in QC / Skidwork in the Second Period.

• Norwest Log 1’s Ricky Pearce was first in Yarder in the Second Period.

MORRIS CHAIN BAR OIL Morris ET Chain Bar Oil is a unique formulation.

Most chain bar oils are equivalent in viscosity to a 30w-40w engine oil with a tackiness additive.

Morris ET Chain Bar Oil is a new product formulated using a full range of ant-wear additives, viscosity improvers and friction modifiers. This means that bars run cooler with less friction wear and the oil does not lose viscosity as the bar heats or thickens in cold or start-up conditions. Some of the largest logging contractors in New Zealand are successfully using Morris ET Chain Bar Oil.

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SPECIAL

top spot

Safety/performance/quality Steven Hawira, of Lahar Log 4, was first in Manual Felling in the Second Period.

Christopher Winter, of Kaha Log 15, was second in Manual Felling in the Second Period.

Period One Harvesting Results FUNCTION YARDER

ESTATE Jo

h n Tu r ki n g t o n Er n sl a w R a yo

O n e

n i e r / M a t a r i ki

CREW

PARTICIPANT

PLACING

M a n g o ih e 5

HAMISH THOMPSON

1

D e w e s 3

QUINTON COLLINS

2

M o e h a u 9 9

MICHAEL ALLEN

3

Period Two Harvesting Results BREAKING OUT CABLE FORWARDING GROUND BASE EXTRACTION SHOVELLING

MECHANISED FELLING MECHANISED PROCESSING MACHINE OPERATION ON THE LANDING

MANUAL FELLING POLEMAN / SPOTTER QC / SKIDWORK

YARDER

52 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

ESTATE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE RAYONIER/MATARIKI RAYONIER/MATARIKI ERNSLAW ONE RAYONIER/MATARIKI ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE RAYONIER/MATARIKI RAYONIER/MATARIKI ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE RAYONIER/MATARIKI RAYONIER/MATARIKI ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE ERNSLAW ONE

CREW NORWEST LOG 1 EASTSIDE 17 PAKIRI 26 BRAND 101 BRAND 101 KIMBERLEY 22 BRAND 107 JBD LOG 16 KAHA LOG 15 PAKIRI 25 KIMBERLEY 22 BRAND 103 WHISKER LOG 2 BRAND 107 BRAND 103 NORWEST LOG 1 WHISKER LOG 2 KAHA LOG 15 BRAND 101 NORWEST LOG 1 JBD LOG 16 LAHAR LOG 4 KAHA LOG 15 KIMBERLEY 22 LAHAR LOG 4 NORWEST LOG 1 LAHAR LOG 4 NORWEST LOG 1 WHISKER LOG 2 KAHA LOG 15 NORWEST LOG 1 LAHAR LOG 4 MOUTERE LOG 8

PARTICIPANT TYLER BARHAM DALLAS FRENCH TURANGA MAUHENI ALLEN DALZIEL SAM ABEL MUNRO PERE LEE TOMLINSON CHRIS STEELE COREY CARMICHAEL SIMON COLLIER AARON RAURETI LUKE EDER KIT BRADLEY LUKAS ASHBY JAMES COCHRANE WILLIAM BOUSKILL COLIN WROE WIREMU STEVENSON ADRIAN VAN'T WOUT RAYN WORKMAN MATE NGAROTATA STEVEN HAWIRA CHRISTOPHER WINTER BEN HOHEPA DENNIS HAWIRA RINGIA MAKIAKAMA MATTHEW KATENE KARYN DAVIS LEIGHTON BUCHANAN BRONSON HIROTI RICKY PEARCE SMILER KATENE GLEN COLE

PLACING 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1= 1= 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 1= 1= 1= 4 1 2 3

TD28440

FUNCTION

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new iron

FIRST SUMI FOR FORCO Chris Auchlin and Ian Wilton, of Forco, have put this new Sumitomo SH240-5TLFS loader to work in their ground-base shovelling operation up the Coromandel Peninsula in Otapaurau. Given the load-out requirements of versatility in fleeting, loading and shovelling, the Sumi came out on top because of features like the HD-straightened forestry boom that provides excellent reach, and the high tractive effort and slew torque achieved from the oversized factory components. The new workhorse is paired with a Duxson GX171 grapple supplied and plumbed by Donaldson Mechanical.

Putting the new addition through its paces is operator, Glen Sunnex. Marcus Bourke, of AB Equipment, made the sale.

CAT & WOODSMAN PRO FOR CROSS Mark and Liddy Cross, owners of Oraka Logging in Tokoroa, have a new CAT 336F processor. The unit was built up by Ensign with a Woodsman 750 head. The sale was made by Paul Roche of Gough Cat.

VOLVO FOR DONGWHA Dongwha’s new Volvo L220H and L50H, pictured facing off at the Mataura plant in Southland, replace an L90F Volvo that had been on site for about four years. With ever-changing roles on site it was deemed that two machines with pre-determined roles would best fit future plans. Procurement Manager, Dean Cochrane, considered several brands with Volvo’s proven log handers, power, performance and comfort preferred. The log grab and bucket were manufactured by Ensign. The L50H is the first H-model in NZ with a Tier 4 Final engine, and among its duties are to clear the bins should the plant shut down and the product starts to back up and become a fire hazard. The machines were sold by Mark Hopwood, with Brent Mitchell providing driver familiarisation and training.

KOMATSU FOR GRAHAM

M M

Chris and Melissa Graham, of C & M Graham Logging, have taken delivery of a new Komatsu 875 for their production thinning operation in Matahina Forest. The man in the driver’s seat, Steve Saunders, reckons it’s “a pleasure to operate”. Pictured, from left, are Steve Saunders, Melissa Graham, Chris Graham and John Kosar (Komatsu Forest NZ). Photo: Jake Graham.

Mi ma Me tog do

LEA Gat

CO ma 54 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

new iron

FIRST DOUGLAS SUMITOMO

MEGALOG HITACHI Gary Jones and Steven Palmer, of Megalog, have taken delivery of a Hitachi ZX250L-5. Working in remote areas of New Zealand requires good strong, robust and reliable machinery and the Hitachi L-5 series delivers exactly that. The new machine, pictured operating with the crew near Potaka, on the East Cape, was sold and supported by CablePrice, Gisborne.

MATCHED HYDRAULIC SYSTEM MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE Mixing and matching hydraulic hose and couplings from different manufacturers can compromise performance and safety. Gates MegaSysÂŽ matched hose and coupling products are designed together to increase efficiency, improve safety and avoid costly downtime.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GATES MATCHED HYDRAULIC SYSTEM: GatesAustralia.com.au/megasys CONTACT US FOR YOUR NEAREST DISTRIBUTOR: marketingAUS@gates.com

Northland’s Douglas Logging has taken delivery of its first new Sumitomo, an SH240-5TLFS log loader with Duxson GX171 grapple, for fleeting and shovelling duties in the high production ground base crew based in Ngatawhiti. Having established an excellent relationship with AB Equipment over the years, Peter and Brad were more than happy to consider a Sumitomo as an option when they needed to replace an older asset. With the straightened heavy-duty forestry boom, purpose-built cab and heavy-duty factory high/wide undercarriage, the Sumitomo offers excellent reach, visibility and stability, which are key features in a log loader. Pictured with the new addition is operator Kevin McFarlane, who is really happy with his new workhorse.

new iron

PAKIRI KOMATSU WILD CHERRY KOBELCO This new Kobelco SK300LC-10 High and Wide specification excavator was recently delivered to Lincoln Ellis and the team at Wild Cherry Logging and went straight to work at the 8 Mile in Lake Taupo Forest.

The machine is fitted with an Active guarding package and Ensign 1730 Grapple (Devine Engineering install).

Mark and Kiritea Nyhoff, of Gisborne-based Pakiri Logging, have taken delivery of a new Komatsu PC 400LC-8, which has an Active guarding package and is fitted with a SouthStar QS630 processing head. Operator, Prince Wills, is very impressed with the “effortless� way it goes about its work. Pictured, from left, are Tihei Patuwai, Jade Tidy Rewita, Lance Porter, Te Waa Puke Puke, Prince Wills, John Kosar (Komatsu Forest NZ), Moana Jay Kenworthy and Tinus Barnard (Komatsu Forest NZ). Photo: Mark Graham (Heavy Equipment).

COMBINED JOHN DEERE

WISE SATCO & CAT

Pae and Chris Clark, of Combined Logging, have added a new John Deere 1910E to their ground base operation and kept the other unit for further duties in another crew. Seen here on delivery at Ahipara, where the crew is logging the golf course right on the coast are, from left, Clifford Urder, forwarder operator Adam Gee, Pae Clark, Tony Curl and Marty Ward.

Chris Wise, from Havendale Logging, has fitted this new SAT325T with Dasa5 optimiser to the CAT 336F processing under his swing yarder in the Masterton area. Operator, Richard Neuman, was all smiles when it arrived and he says the balance of the two is just right, adding that he is very impressed with the speed of the head and how easy it was to set up.

56 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

new iron

CURTIS TIGERCAT Hemi and Wiki Curtis, of Curtis Logging, have taken delivery of a new Tigercat 625E skidder spec’d with band tracks and chains for their ground base crew working north-west of Whangarei. The 625E is a recent addition to the Tigercat 6-wheel drive skidder family that generates 231hp from its Tier 2 FPT engine, has a longer wheelbase than competitors and a massive 21ft² plate tine grapple. The new 625E is keeping good company, hauling away from a Tigercat H855C harvester to feed another Tigercat H855C processing on the skid. After only a few drags operator, Glen Hauraki, was already impressed with how quiet the engine was, how stable it felt and how much wood he could pull. Pictured with the new beast, from right, are Glen Hauraki and Cullen Curtis who also gets behind the joysticks when required.

SINCLAIR SATCO Russel Sinclair has taken delivery of SATCO 325MT head. SATCO has an option with this series of heads to put two single knives instead of the double knife, which gives room for a small top saw and weight doesn’t change. Operator, Lance Holden, in centre of picture, is impressed with the new design, including the new hosing configuration and he says there is no loss of holding power when felling.

DOWN & OUT SOUTHSTAR

CAT FOR HUBBARD

Dean James, owner of Down & Out Logging, has put this SouthStar QS635 Grapple Processor head onto a Sumitomo SH350HD-5.

This is the first Grapple Processor to be sold in to New Zealand, combining the versatility of a grapple and the functionality of a processor into one effective head, which reduces the amount of equipment required.

Johnson Hubbard, of Hubbard Logging (son of Rodney and Ngahuia Hubbard of Ronga Logging, Rotorua), has taken delivery of his first owned and operated machine, a Cat 552 leveller with Woodsman 750 processing head. The decision was made for a full multipurpose machine that spends most of its time falling, trimming and bunching in the Mamaku forest. This 552 also has the ability to walk onto the skid and process timber for the log loaders to fleet and load out. Sold by Shayne Kennedy from Gough Cat.

September 2018 | NZ LOGGER 57

new iron

VOLVO FOR C3 GISBORNE C3 has put a new Volvo L220H wheel loader into the Optilog operation in Gisborne, where it is unloading the stem trucks at the yard. The loader features the well-known Volvo TP linkage that gives unmatched torque and lifting power enabling the big L220H to handle these large stems. The machine was sold by Ewen Satherley of TransDiesel and delivered by Karl Scraggs into Gisborne.

WOODSMAN PRO FOR MANGOIHE This WoodsMan PRO® 750 harvesting head, fitted to a new Tigercat LH855E, is a new addition for Mangoihe Logging operating in Manawatu. This machine is Mangoihe’s first to be installed with the new Loggic™ control system, which has since installed Loggic to control their other Woodsman Pro heads.

CROSBIE SUMI Crosbie Contracting owners, Nathan and Megan Crosbie, have taken delivery of their new SH210LC-6 Sumitomo. Local engineering company, Bullied Engineering, fitted walkways, off-side guarding, high lift boom, added an extra two lower rollers under each side, ROPS and Side Intrusion etc. And, along with Hydraulic Solutions Southland, they have fitted an extra three hydraulic systems to run grapple, tree shear, mulcher, plate compactor, tilt bucket and quick hitch implements, making this one very versatile machine, allowing Nathan to offer a full package to tackle any task, from the farm to the forest. This photo shows Nathan clearing a block of young trees with the shear for a local farmer. This is the third Sumitomo for Crosbie and the sale was made by Dean Cousins of AB Equipment.

58 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

OLSEN SOUTHSTAR Sam Olsen, owner of Olsen Cable Harvesting, has taken delivery of a SouthStar FD750 directional felling head mounted onto a Cat 552. It arrived complete valve in head package and dual high-pressure harvest cylinders with harvest down activation for optimum control and increased safety when falling. This machine is working near Ongarue, in the King Country. Pictured from left are Ben Addenbrooke (SouthStar), Aron Tucker and Chris Hodgson (Columbus).

new iron

HURRING’S BIG MACHINE BUY Mike Hurring, of Balclutha-based Mike Hurring Logging, has put on a number of new machines recently. They include a new John Deere 1910E, John Deere 3756G with a Waratah 626, John Deere 2656G with a Duxson FX142 felling head, John Deere 1470G wheeled harvester with an H415 processing head, Hitachi ZX250L-5 with Duxson grapple and a Hitachi ZX290L-5. Some of his purchases are seen here at a recent open day.

NZ LOGGER classified

September 2018 | NZ LOGGER 59

GEAR TAC 300 / 380 / 460 The Ultimate Replacement for Black Tac

415 Lower Queen Street, Richmond, Nelson Office: 03 544 4172 Mobile: 021 811 057 sales@drdiesel.nz | www.drdiesel.nz

GT-460 MULTI GOLD

5th Wheel / Turntable Grease Replacement

COO COO T T

HAULER PARTS NZ AIR VALVES / CONTROLLERS

1003 1003 WILLIAMS WILLIAMS WM318-G WM318-G VALVE VALVE & & REPAIR REPAIR KITS KITS

1251 1251 WILLIAMS WILLIAMS WMR318 WMR318 REPAIR REPAIR KIT KIT

1019 1019 WILLIAMS WILLIAMS WM-607-C1 WM-607-C1

1020 1020 WILLIAMS WILLIAMS WM90DM WM90DM PRESSURE PRESSURE MODULATING MODULATING VALVE VALVE & & SERVICE SERVICE KITS KITS

1189 1189 KOBELT KOBELT CYPRESS CYPRESS & & 1031REBUILD 1031REBUILD KIT KIT

1207 1207 WM512C WM512C -- HYDRAULIC HYDRAULIC THROTTLE THROTTLE CYLINDER CYLINDER

1007 1007 REXROTH REXROTH HD-2-FX HD-2-FX CONTROLAIR CONTROLAIR & & SERVICE SERVICE KITS KITS

1 1 MADIL MADIL CHAIN CHAIN SPR SPR

BRAKE AIR VALVES / TREADLES

1058 1058 1262 1262 HUMPHREY HUMPHREY AVENTICS AVENTICS 70 70 CONTROL CONTROL PILOTAIR PILOTAIR 2-HA-2 2-HA-2

1265 1265 MAXI MAXI BRAKE BRAKE SWITCH SWITCH

1270 1270 WM498P WM498P REPAIR REPAIR KIT KIT 1252 1252 WM472/352 WM472/352 CARTRIDGE CARTRIDGE

TWIN TWIN DISC DISC TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION CONTROL CONTROL VALVE VALVE GASKETS GASKETS

1279 1279 1266 1266 TWIN TWIN DISC DISC 5 5 TWIN TWIN DISC DISC 2 2 SPEED SPEED SPEED SPEED TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION COIL COIL COIL COIL

1178 1178 WM WM 305 305 SINGLE SINGLE TREADLE TREADLE DUAL DUAL VALVE VALVE & & REPAIR REPAIR KITS KITS

1047 1047 WILLIAMS WILLIAMS 472 472 & & WM325 WM325 // WM472 WM472 REPAIR REPAIR KITS KITS

1177 1177 BENDIX BENDIX DUAL DUAL ACTION ACTION BRAKE BRAKE TREADLE TREADLE

1176 1176 WILLIAMS WILLIAMS WM352F WM352F MODULATING MODULATING VALVE VALVE

1 1 DE DE

AIR DUMP VALVES

1208 1208 WPT WPT DUMP DUMP VALVE VALVE

1174 1174 WILLIAMS WILLIAMS QUICK QUICK RELEASE RELEASE VALVE VALVE

1186 1186 DUMP DUMP VALVE VALVE

1026 1026 TWIN TWIN DISC DISC CLUTCH CLUTCH DUMP DUMP VALVE VALVE & & REPAIR REPAIR KITS KITS

1 1 DE DE 1 1

1052 1052 FAIRCHILD FAIRCHILD MODEL MODEL 20 20 HIGH HIGH CAPACITY CAPACITY VOLUME VOLUME BOOSTER BOOSTER

1179 1179 WILLIAMS WILLIAMS AIR AIR DUMP DUMP VALVE VALVE & & REPAIR REPAIR KITS KITS

1172 1172 BENDIX BENDIX T-240004-D T-240004-D DUMP DUMP VALVE VALVE

1 WICH WICH WATE WAT AD AD

AIR COMPRESSORS

MA M WM80A WM80A SHUTTLE SHUTTLE VALVE VALVE

1276 1276 BENDIX BENDIX DF596 DF596 MAJOR MAJOR SERVICE SERVICE REPAIR REPAIR KIT KIT

1109 1109 BENDIX BENDIX DF-596 DF-596 COMPRESSOR COMPRESSOR

1226 1226 1190 1190 CAT CAT CUMMINS CUMMINS COMPRESSOR COMPRESSOR BRAKE BRAKE AIR AIR COMPRESSOR COMPRESSOR

1187 1187 QUINCY QUINCY 325, 325, 350, 350, 370 370 NEW NEW & & EXCHANGE EXCHANGE

1230 1230 1229 1229 PILOTED PILOTED BENDIX BENDIX AIR AIR UNLOADER COMPRESSOR COMPRESSOR UNLOADER CHECK VALVE VALVE GOVERNOR GOVERNOR CHECK

1192 1192 BENDIX BENDIX SHUTTLE SHUTTLE VALVE VALVE

1225 1225 AVANTICS AVANTICS SHUTTLE SHUTTLE VALVE VALVE

WICH WIC 19", 19", W W PA PA SP S

HYDRAULIC PUMPS / MOTORS

FINAL FINAL DRIVES DRIVES VOLVO VOLVO EC290, EC290, CAT CAT 329, 329, EX300 EX300

1212 1212 MADILL MADILL 124 124 SLEW SLEW MOTOR MOTOR AND AND GEARBOX GEARBOX

1077 1077 1077 1077 ENSIGN ENSIGN MADILL MADILL 123/124 123/124 HYDRAULIC HYDRAULIC MOTOR MOTOR GUY GUY WINCH WINCH HYDRAULIC HYDRAULIC MOTOR MOTOR

GUY GUY ROPE ROPE MOTORS MOTORS

1154 1154 WARATAH WARATAH 626 626 MAIN MAIN DRIVE DRIVE MOTOR MOTOR

1202 1202 SATCO SATCO 630 630 SAW SAW MOTOR MOTOR

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WIC WIC

14 14

ULTRAA DEGREASER 1000

OLD

COOLING COOLING SYSTEM SYSTEM TREATMENT TREATMENT

1241 1241 COMPLETE COMPLETE DIESEL DIESEL FUEL FUEL TREATMENT TREATMENT

Dissolves Black-Tac

1164 1164 POWERUP POWERUP GEARMAXX GEARMAXX

1214 1214 MADILL MADILL 122/123 122/123 CHAIN CHAIN ADJUSTER ADJUSTER SPROCKET SPROCKET

EXCHANGE EXCHANGE TORQUE TORQUE CONVERTERS CONVERTERS & & REBUILD REBUILD KITS KITS

S

2 2 IX IX 04-D 04-D ALVE ALVE

WM80A WM80A HUTTLE HUTTLE VALVE VALVE

1004 1004 OREGON OREGON 3/4 3/4 HARVEST HARVEST CHAIN CHAIN

NEW PRODUCTS

1053 1053 EATON EATON PISTON PISTON SEALS SEALS 18” 18” 24” 24” OLD OLD & & NEW NEW STYLES STYLES

4 4 POINT POINT HARNESSES HARNESSES & & LAP LAP BELTS BELTS

BUTTON BUTTON GREASE GREASE NIPPLES NIPPLES AND AND CHUCKS CHUCKS

SILICONE SILICONE TURBO TURBO HOSES HOSES

TALKIE TALKIE TOOTER TOOTER AIR AIR SOLENOID SOLENOID

DEUBLIN VALVES

1009 1009 DEUBLIN DEUBLIN 1” 1” NPT NPT

1129 1129 DEUBLIN DEUBLIN

1010 1010 DEUBLIN DEUBLIN 5/8”-18 5/8”-18

1011 1011 DEUBLIN DEUBLIN 5/8”-18 5/8”-18

1017 1017 DEUBLIN DEUBLIN 3/8” 3/8” NPT NPT

HIGH HIGH TEMP TEMP WICHITA WICHITA WATER WATER BRAKE BRAKE O-RINGS O-RINGS 18” 18” 19” 19” 21” 21” 24” 24” 30” 30”

SUPPLIER SUPPLIER OF OF ALL ALL BEARINGS BEARINGS & & OIL OIL SEALS SEALS FOR FOR HAULERS, HAULERS, SHAFTS SHAFTS & & SHEATHS SHEATHS

FX FX &

76 76 AMS AMS 52F 52F ATING ATING LVE VE

1055 1055 FULLER'S FULLER'S EARTH EARTH POWDER POWDER 250G 250G

WATER PUMPS

1012 1012 DEUBLIN DEUBLIN 3/8” 3/8” NPT NPT

1016 1016 DEUBLIN DEUBLIN 1/4” 1/4” NPT NPT

1203 1203 ACT ACT 8 8 WATER WATER PUMP PUMP 90252008 90252008 ++ KITS KITS

1057 1057 1159 1159 WICHITA WICHITA CLUTCH CLUTCH DEUBLIN DEUBLIN AIR AIR TUBE TUBE BLANK BLANK THUNDERBIRD THUNDERBIRD ADAPTER ADAPTER WATER WATER UNION UNION

1081 1081 1206 1206 1082 1082 1194 1194 ACT ACT 06 06 WATER WATER MONARCH MONARCH BE70-85 BE70-85 WATER WATER BRAKE BRAKE BREAK BREAK PUMP PUMP ++ NT2L8S NT2L8S WATER WATER BREAK BREAK RETURN RETURN KITS KITS PUMP PUMP SCREEN SCREEN FILTER FILTER

MADILL MADILL 009/046/071 009/046/071 FUEL FUEL // HYDRAULIC HYDRAULIC PUMPS PUMPS

AIR RAMS 1156 1156 WICHITA WICHITA LONG LONG WATER WATER UNION UNION ADAPTER ADAPTER

1013 1013 DEUBLIN DEUBLIN WICHITA WICHITA CLUTCH CLUTCH 18”, 18”, 19”, 19”, 21” 21”

1035 1035 MADILL MADILL 122/123 122/123 SPRING SPRING MAXIBRAKE MAXIBRAKE M2475 M2475

1014 1014 DEUBLIN DEUBLIN 1” 1” NPT NPT

1205 1205 THUNDERBIRD THUNDERBIRD TMY50/70 TMY50/70 GUY GUY WINCH WINCH MAXIBRAKE MAXIBRAKE

1015 1015 DEUBLIN DEUBLIN 1”-14 1”-14 NPT NPT

1204 1204 12/16 12/16 STRAWLINE STRAWLINE MAXIBRAKE MAXIBRAKE

1021 1021 MADILL MADILL 122/124 122/124 GUY GUY WINCH WINCH AIR AIR RAM RAM

1025 1025 WABCO WABCO // BENDIX BENDIX AIR AIR DRYER DRYER

1181 1181 STRAWLINE STRAWLINE PADS PADS

1022 1022 MADILL MADILL 122 122 GUY GUY WINCH WINCH AIR AIR RAM RAM

1153 1153 THUNDERBIRD THUNDERBIRD TSY TSY 155 155

1193 1193 BRAKE BRAKE PARTS PARTS WILLIAMS WM-325 WM-325 4”, 4”, 4.5”, 4.5”, 5”, 5”, 6”, 6”, WILLIAMS PARKING PARKING BREAK BREAK 7”, 7”, 8” 8” CONTROL CONTROL VALVE VALVE

1242 1242 // 1243 1243 CHOKER CHOKER BATTERIES BATTERIES CR-P2 CR-P2 & & CR2 CR2

1199 1199 MADILL MADILL 124 124 HYDRAULIC HYDRAULIC PUMP PUMP DRIVE DRIVE SHAFT SHAFT

W ED E N OV N R G P SI IM DE

25 25 NTICS TICS E E VALVE VALVE WICHITA WICHITA 18", 18", 19", 19", 21", 21", 24" 24" WEAR WEAR PACKING PACKING SPACER SPACER

REACTION REACTION DISCS DISCS 14”, 14”, 16”, 16”, 18”, 18”, 24” 24”

1087 1087 WICHITA WICHITA 18”, 18”, 21” 21” ALUMINIUM ALUMINIUM REACTION REACTION DISC DISC

COPPER COPPER PLATES PLATES EATON EATON 18”, 18”, 24” 24” WICHITA WICHITA 18’, 18’, 19”, 19”, 21”, 21”, 24“, 24“, 30”, 30”, 36” 36”

1045 1045 TWIN TWIN DISK DISK CLUTCH CLUTCH SEPARATOR SEPARATOR PLATE PLATE KIT KIT

1184 1184 1163 1163 ADT ADT WICHITA WICHITA EATON EATON 118 118 -- 218 218 WICHITA WICHITA 19" 19" 18”, 18”, 19”, 19”, 21”, 21”, 24” 24” NUT NUT BOLT BOLT SET SET FRICTION FRICTION PLATE PLATE PANCAKE PANCAKE STYLE STYLE 5/16 5/16 X X2 2 INNER INNER KIT KIT AND AND OUTER OUTER COPPER COPPER PLATES PLATES

30 30 OR OR

nz

WICHITA WICHITA // TWIN TWIN 1188 1188 DISC DISC WICHITA WICHITA 16" 16" 14”, 14”, 18”, 18”, 21”, 21”, CENTER CENTER FRICTION FRICTION 24”, 24”, 36” 36” TWIN TWIN PUCK PUCK

1070 1070 EATON EATON 224 224 RUBBER RUBBER DIAPHRAGM DIAPHRAGM

1161 1161 ADT ADT WICHITA WICHITA VENTED DRIVE DRIVE VENTED DISC DISC

1065 1065 EATON EATON 18” 18” // 24” 24” FRICTION FRICTION DISC DISC

WICHITA WICHITA 3 3 SPUD SPUD TUBE TUBE 18”, 18”, 19”, 19”, 21”, 21”, 24” 24”

BFG BFG OIL OIL TUBE TUBE // BAG BAG 20¼ 20¼ X X 5, 5, 22 22 X X 5, 5, 26 26 X X 5, 5, 26 26 X X7 7

1191 1191 BFG BFG OIL OIL BAG BAG BLOCK BLOCK 22X5, 22X5, 26X5, 26X5, 26X7 26X7

HAULER PARTS NZ

W

of the

Equipment MONTH HITACHI ZX400LCH-3 2011. Ensign 1730 log grapple, live heel, Gary Douglas side door guarding package, hydraulic door on cabin ROPS fr ame. Tidy machine for hours. 15,181 hrs.

Palmerston North #E0818078

$150,000.00 VE SA 000!

$5,

OBO!

CATERPILLAR 525C

CATERPILLAR 330L

HITACHI ZX350L-3

2006. Recovery winch (no rope), 80% rear/5% fron tyre wear remaining, comes with set of front tyre chains. New radiator fitted.

A/C working ROPS cabin. 14,500 hrs.

00 $87,500.00 Palmerston North #E0818080

Has good track gear, full length track guards, waratah boom.

Waratah 234 Big Wood. 27,640 hrs.

2012. Shovel Logger with factory high and wide, Pro steel log build, ROPS over cab with steel side door, Ensign 1730, Pro steel live heel, double bar grousers. 9,200 hrs.

00 $150,000.00 Gisborne #E0618054

JOHN DEERE 903KH

JOHN DEERE JD624K

2011. Fitted with a Southstar TS610 processing head. 330hp Tier II engine, 24" single grouser. 9,600 hrs.

2010. Trinder Log Forks, Groeneveld auto lube, rear radiator guard, full mud guards, one owner driver from new. 16,342 hrs.

Hastings #E0218021

00 $380,000.00

Invercargill #E0318024

Nelson #E0718076

00 $75,000.00

00 $79,500.00

JOHN DEERE 748H 2007. Direct drive skidder in good mechanical condition. 6000 series winch. 7,849 hrs.

Whangarei #E0818088

Contact your local CablePrice sales representative for all enquiries Northland: Phil McKenzie 0276 202 505 | North Shore: Luke Larsen 0275 884 064 | Auckland / Coromandel: Malcolm Pascoe 0275 949 941 Auckland / Hamilton / Taranaki: Simon Birchall 027 809 6211 | Central North Island: Terry Duncan 0275 943 550 Hawke’s Bay / Gisborne: Paul Laird 0272 047 289 | Lower North Island: Cameron Wait 0275 427 250 Nelson / Marlborough: Todd Blackwood 0275 223 445 | West Coast / Canterbury: Andrew McCoy 0275 320 238 | Otago / Southland: Daryl Highsted 0275 771 264 *Terms & conditions apply. All prices exclude GST

00 $180,000.00

W

Finance rates available 0800 346 275

$30 SAVE ,0 0 0!

TIGERCAT 630D 2014. Excellent example of a late model 630D Tigercat Skidder. Winch & grapple.

3,900 hrs.

Hastings #E0917063

$350,000.00 OBO!

VOLVO G730VHP

JOHN DEERE 848H

CATERPILLAR 535C

2001. Good Volvo grade has come off long term maintenance contract, ready to go back to work 11,794 hrs.

2012. Popular John Deere Grapple Skidder on 35.5 tyres, includes 6,000 series winch. 9,800 hrs.

2012. Tidy low hour grapple skidder, near new Firestone Forester special tyres. 4,027 hrs.

Palmerston North #E0118009

00 $85,000.00

Rotorua #E0518052

00 $210,000.00

Christchurch #E0618059

00 $230,000.00

JOHN DEERE 909KH

VOLVO EC360CL

VOLVO G730

2010. Tidy machine. Well maintained. Fire suppression system.

South Star FD750 felling head. 13,883 hrs.

Waratah HTH626 Big Wood head. Devine engineering ROPS, FOPS, OPS and forestry guarding. Approx. 11,000 hrs.

2001. Rear rippers, 12 foot mouldboard. 13,500 hrs.

Whangarei #E0718073

00 $317,000.00

Hastings #E1217095

Branch Network

00 $250,000.00

Palmerston North #E0818082

00 $80,000.00

Rotorua 117-131 Tallyho Street (07) 349 0610

Palmerston North 20-28 El Prado Drive (06) 356 1880

Greymouth 65 Preston Road, Blaketown (03) 769 9005

Whangarei 43 South End Avenue, Port Whangarei (09) 470 0433

Auckland 1102 Great South Road, Panmure (09) 270 1360

Gisborne 15 Solander Street, Awapuni (06) 867 0928

Wellington 41-51 Bell Road South, Gracefield (04) 568 4289

Christchurch 29 Waterloo Road, Hornby (03) 349 0610

North Shore 39 Anvil Road, Silverdale (09) 426 1280

Hamilton 29 Norman Haywood Pl (07) 850 8429

Hastings 1400 Omahu Road (06) 879 8170

Nelson 5 Kotua Place, Richmond (03) 541 0200

Invercargill 203 Clyde Street (03) 211 0256

NZ LOGGER classified

LG26875

W

Bra hea fell

STRONG & RELIABLE GRAPPLES STRONG && RELIABLE RELIABLE GRAPPLES GRAPPLES STRONG Made in NZ

• M SERIES 852 AND 864 – STRONG & RELIABLE GRAPPLES

Grapplesand andall allspares sparesinin Grapples stockwith withovernight overnightdelivery delivery stock

Tim Lo

• GRAPPLES AND ALL SPARES IN STOCK WITH OVERNIGHT DELIVERY

LG27145

•SERIES PROVEN AFTER 852 and864 864 MMSERIES 852 and SALES SERVICE STRONG&&RELIABLE RELIABLE STRONG GRAPPLES GRAPPLES

64 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

ProvenAfter AfterSales Sales Proven Service Service ContactMarty MartyororBruce Bruce Contact Ph027 027324 3249091 9091 Ph 79Chambers ChambersStreet, Street,Tokoroa Tokoroa 79 enquiries@cdlloggrapples.co.nz enquiries@cdlloggrapples.co.nz

Ap Lo

A DIVISION OF

W

P 0

d e t i m i L s e c i v r e S y r t s e r o F h a t Wara Floor Stock on Hand Rebuilt 626 Bigwood 2007 New motors, line bore, new pins, hydraulic valve bank reseal, repaint. New TimberRite automation system.

Location Rotorua New Zealand

$180,000 + GST Rebuilt 626 Bigwood

New FL95 Series II

New FL95 Moving Saw Box

Brand new Rotorua floor stock, Fixed saw box felling head with 1000mm log cut. Ready to replace any existing felling head plug and play. Auto tension main saw NZD $85,000 + GST

HTH622C

Brand new Rotorua floor stock, The ultimate shovel logging felling head with moving saw box. Ideal for steep country logging, shoveling and bunching.

NZD $85,000 + GST

FL85 Series II

TimberRite Head Only Approx. 5000 hours.

Location Rotorua New Zealand.

As is price NZD $103,190 + GST

Approx. 500 hours.

Location Rotorua New Zealand.

As is price NZD $40,000 + GST

Waratah 622B

Waratah 622C

Approx. 6330 Hrs. TimberRite Head only.

Location Australia

Approx. 2349Hrs. TimberRite Head only.

Location Australia.

As is price AUD $40,000.00 + GST

As is price AUD $120,000.00 + GST

Waratah Forestry Services Limited Parts/service 0800 492 728

Product support helpdesk 0800 492 728

New FL85 Series II Brand new Rotorua Floor stock, small felling head ideal for small 20 ton carrier, auto tension saw NZD $69,000 + GST

Waratah 622B Approx. 16000 Hrs. TimberRite Head only Location Australia As is Price AUD $25,350.00 + GST

Waratah 622C Approx. 2850Hrs. TimberRite Head only.

Location Australia As is price AUD $114,000.00 + GST

t

super tough

seat covers

Forestry Equipment • Trucks • Utes – Vans – Commercials Construction Machinery • Agriculture Machinery • Quad Bikes

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0800 158 479

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Chain Protection Services Ph: 03 338 1552 • E: chainpro@xtra. co.nz • www.chains.co.nz

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visit us on

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Ph: 07 348 0501 Email: Info@rwfs.co.nz Mob: 027 817 9448 Workshop 41 Riri Street, Rotorua 66 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

LG26859

• • • • • • • • •

Clark Grouzer Super Grip with 28mm links for 30.5x32 Firestone tyres is the single wheel track that delivers maximum climbing capability for 6-wheeled machines.

GSG’s give exceptional traction and require less maintenance than tyre chains. $10150.00 + GST per pair while stock lasts.

35.5x32 tracks also in stock.

L G 2 7 8 3 3

• Ge n u i n e h i g h q u a l i t y 1 2 o z c a n v a s

L G2 7 8 5 2

UPER OUGH

NZ LOGGER classified

NZ LOGGER classified

CONTRACTORS PLANT NZ LTD 59 Broadlands Rd - Taupo

EQUIPMENT SALES

NEW STOCK

BROKERS

HIRE

NEW STOCK

Caterpillar 336DL Woodsman 800 Processor: Excellent service history, new undercarriage, full guarding package. $P.O.A

Komatsu PC300LC-8 / Waratah 625C: Moderate 7,200 hours. Ideal medium weight processor set up for Woodlot harvesting.

ROTORUA

Cat 527 Track Skidder: NZ new, genuine 4,000 hours, full forestry guarding, Cat winch and fairlead. Later ball Caterpillar 325DFM Waratah 624 Processor: 7,360 hrs, FM trunnion PAT blade Purpose built Forestry machine, 624 Processor with Logrite $P.O.A $P.O.A measuring system. $P.O.A PALMERSTON NORTH CONTACT: PHIL TODD

E: philt@heavymachineryservices.co.nz

M: 027 595 0019

P: (07) 345 4343

LG28612

Cat D6KXL: Komatsu PC220LC-8 Log Loader: 11,000 hrs, full guarding Cat 511 / Southstar Processing head: 5,800 hours, forestry guarding, logging winch and fairlead. Higher hours but cheap purpose built machine with near package, Ensign grapple, good undercarriage. $135,000 plus GST new undercarriage ready for work. $125,000 plus GST $P.O.A

John Deere 909KH Level Swing Feller Buncher: Only 6,800hrs, harvester boom and arm, Satco 424T Processing head with measuring. $515,000 plus GST

John Deere 648GIII Grapple Skidder: 30.5’s, dual function, winch.

John Deere 548GIII Grapple Skidder: 5,700 hrs. NZ new, genuine low hour machine presented in excellent condition. $85,000 plus GST Popular size for woodlot harvesting. $175,000 plus GST

Trades Considered – Finance Available (normal lending criteria applies)

Contact: Peter Wilson Mobile: 0274 948 742 or 07 378 6844 Email: cplnz@xtra.co.nz Contact: Phil Todd Mobile: 0275 950 019 or 07 345 4343 Email: philt@heavymachineryservices.co.nz September 2018 | NZ LOGGER 67

NZ LOGGER classified

2008 WOODSMAN PRO® 800

harvesting head

• •

Very versatile high capacity forwarder ideal for cut to length in the bush or 2 staging from hauler. Tidy Machine ready for work 16k hours with extensive service records Can come with Clark band tracks

68 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

$175,000 + gst

LG28602

$260,000 + gst Located in tokoroa Contact Gareth 027 450 0041

• • • •

Fully refurbished after 15,000 hours Includes new control valve, hose kit, wiring loom, saw motors and feed wheel motors Ideally suited for 30-45 tonne excavator with diameters up to 800mm Continuous 360 degree rotation Includes our new LOGGIC® control system software Superior back-up service and field support

Contact Adam if you are interested P: 07 3481286 or 027 475 0558 E: adam@ensign.co.nz W: www.woodsmanpro.co.nz

LG28480

For Sale

For Sale

Timberpro 840b Forwarder

9,500 hours on base, 7,000 hours on the head, Satco 424 fall & delimb head & additional forestry guarding.

2010 Volvo FC3329C Processor

Volvo ECR325CL Log Loader

10,500 hours aprox. Blade, 1500 series Ensign grapple.

Ex Palmerston North

9,000 hours, winch, front band tracks, new rear rubber, 19ft grapple.

Caterpillar 525C

6,500 hours, band tracks, new front tyres to be fitted, grapple, no winch.

Log Skidder

2013 Tigercat 630D

Harvester

Log Skidder

5,500 hours, NZ new one owner, 19ft grapple, Allied winch, new rear t yr es, fr ont t yr es 3 0 % r emaining, good mechanical history.

Ex Gisborne

Ex Whangarei

HAMILTON Tony Hennessy 027 839 8153 TAUPO Steve Mellar 027 565 3956 MT MAUNGANUI Andre Muller 027 550 1729 HASTINGS Ben Kendrick 021 658 554 Richard Walker 027 553 9216

Caterpillar 545

Log Skidder

$320,000 + GST

WELLINGTON/PALMERSTON NORTH Mardi Pritchard 021 335 873 NELSON Chris Jones 027 574 1712 CHRISTCHURCH Nic McLennan 027 275 6252 Steven Varcoe 021 969 323 DUNEDIN Cory Hellyer 027 288 1952

INVERCARGILL Dean Cousins 021 932 246

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! AB EQUIPMENT

13,000 hours (approx), 30.5 tyres in good condition, grapple & PTO winch.

Ex Taupo

$195,000 + GST

2014 Tigercat LH855C

WHANGAREI Marcus Bourke 027 241 6126 NORTH HARBOUR Charles Dryden 021 751 158 James Maunsell 021 937 304 AUCKLAND Colin Saunders 027 593 2661 Byren Ware 027 287 8902

$280,000 + GST

Ex Taupo

$180,000 + GST

$660,000 + GST

Ex Dunedin

$100,000 + GST

Ex Dunedin

Harvester with Woodsman Pro700 Processing Head, 8,100 hours, 700mm Single Bar Grousers with Extensions, Pattern Changer, Electric Grease pot system, Fire Suppression.

4,200 hours, Satco 223T processor, grapple, high & wide, full guarding package including hydraulic bonet.

Ex Taupo

$205,000 + GST 2010 Tigercat 630D Log Skidder

2015 Hyundai R290LC-9 Processor

$135, 000 + GST 2017 Caterpillar 545D Log Skidder

With 2,165 hours, 1.97mt Box section Grapple, Full Winch, 35.5 Tyres at 50% remaining

Ex Nelson

$430,000 + GST

P

S n 9

Are your Skidders & Fowarders getting stuck?

GET A GRIP & PULL MORE WOOD THIS WINTER WITH OUR LARGE RANGE OF CLARK TRACKS FOR HARVESTERS, FORWARDERS & SKIDDERS

S

Benefits of CLARK Tracks: n Increased stability & traction

n Protection for your tyres

n Extra capacity & pulling power

n Reduced fuel consumption

n Heavy duty design for longer life

n Less ground disturbance

NZ wide distributor for:

6 t w

CALL 0800 654 323 NOW TO SECURE YOUR SET OF TRACKS

LG28588

4 7

Correct Size Single Page Clarks.indd 1

04/04/2018 14:20:39

C

PURE LOGGING R320-9 PROCESSOR 2013

648H JOHN DEERE GRAPPLE SKIDDER 2011

Satco 325 processor head, new pump at 7500 hours, new track chains and grousers at 8000 hours.

9750 hours.

300,000 plus GST

MADILL SELF LEVELER HT2250C 2015 Satco 630 felling head, 5500 hours. $650,000 plus GST

MADILL SELF LEVELER HT2250C twin head 2017 630 auto saw felling head, 325M auto, saw, fell, trim and measure processing head, interchangeable within 1 hour. 2500 hours. $985,000 plus GST

TIMBER PRO840 8WHEELER FORWARDER TF8408 2011

LG28588

4 new track bands,new hydro pump at 7400 hours.

7700 hours. $495,000 plus GST

Reconditioned motor at 8000 hours, new chains on front.

11400 hours.

180,000.000 plus GST

HYUNDAI R320-9 ENSIGN GRAPPLE DIGGER 2011 re-sealed main pump at 7000 hours. 11700 hours. $195,000 plus GST

2012 HYUNDAI R290-9 FELLER BUNCHER Satco 630 felling head, new track chain and main pump at 8000 hours. 9000 hours. $150,000 plus GST

MITSUBISHI FUSO CANTER 6 SEATER 2010 80892ks, will come with rucs, rego, cof. air, grease, waterblaster lines. 1000L diesel tank +pump. 200L water tank, endless storage, compressor. $55,000 plus GST

Contact Gerard Harris 027 426 3331 Located in the Hokianga

NZ LOGGER classified

Tyres that mean business.

STAYS ON THE JOB.

Nokian understands the cost of downtime for a busy contractor. That’s why the entire Nokian foresty tyre range is built to stand up to the harshest of conditions and heaviest of applications. To get the best from your gear, choose Nokian.

72 NZ LOGGER | September 2018

LG25750

Call us on 0800 NOKIAN (0800 665 426) or email info@nokian.nz to find a dealer.

FOR SALE: Clark F665, 666, F667, Cat 525B Grapple Skidder, JD648G, TJACK 460, 560.

DOZERS: Caterpillar, D4H, D6C, D6H, Komatsu D65 + D85, tie back dozers, D85/21.

Excavators: Caterpillar 320, 322, 325, 330, B,C & D. Hyundai 250/9 Volvo 240C log rigged.

Teebar manufactured and sold. Wheeled loader WA470/3.

Lakeland Heavy Machinery Ltd

Branches now in the NZ LARGEST RANGE OF SKIDDER FOR SALE: Clark 664, 666C, 666B, F67 Grapple Skidders No rth & South Island CHAINS, HEAVIER HEA AND BETTER Komatsu D65/6 and D85/21 log rigged, CAT 936, 950B and Komatsu WA470/ wheeled loaders, buckets or forks.

Forestry Tyre Chains NZ LARGEST RANGE OF SKIDDER

Branches noNZ w in LARGEST the North & South IslSTOCKS and

Super Heavy DutyHEAVIER AND BETTER CHAINS, 35.5x32 - Weight 10000kg 30.5x32 - Weight 950kg 29.5x32 28L Super Heavy Duty 23.5x26 30.5x32 - Weight 950kg

Forestry Tyre Chains

OF DOZER

NZ LARGEST + DIGGER STOCKS CHAINS, OFROLLERS DOZER + DIGGER IDLERS, CHAINS, SPROCKETS ROLLER available Roller rebuilding/reshells Track press service IDLERS, Mini Excavator tracks SPROCKETS

35.5x32

Heavy 29.5x32 Duty

30.5x32 -23.5x26 Weight 650kg Heavy Duty Machines

30.5x32 - Weight 650kg

Zaxis 270Standard with teebar. Teebars in stock.

D7H with30.5x32 winch - Weight 365kg Machines

Roller rebuilding/reshells available Track press service available Mini excavator tracks also available

PC350/6 with teebar or grapple DYH with winch

Cat and Komatsu Pumps Komatsu Pumps

WE QUOTE HEAVY TRACK CHAINS WE DUTY QUOTE HEAVY DUTY TRACK CHAINS BONING OUT DISMANTLING 525 CAT 518,CAT 525A B & C, Clark, WRECKING, SKIDDERS, John Deere TJack.

BULLDOZERS, LOADERS, Excavators all makes, CAT EXCAVATORS All Models, 3x 33OD Cat, FOR SALE: Dozer parts

NYLON / FIBRE DRIVE GEARS NYLON / FIBRE DRIVE GEARS

CAT D5B, D6D, D7H D65 & D85 KOMATSU POA TRY US WE ARE FOR WORTH IT! SALE: More Machines On Our Website NEWParts PARTS, CAT, KOMATSU, New Clark off the shelf MACHINES $2476-$6884 + gst.

Grouser Bar From $36 per 3 EXCAVATORS metres HITACHI & SUMI ADJUSTERS DOZERS + DIGGERS Scrap Handling units also 32.5x32 FIRESTONE available Used Tyres RECOIL SPRINGS AVAILABLE 126-136 View Road, PO Box 1976, Rotorua Email: info@heavy-machinery.co.nz • Phone: 07 347 0765 • Fax: 07 349 2325 • Mob 0274 945 886 ROTATING GRAPPLES TO FIT 1 TO 40 TONNES ROTATING GRAPPLES MACHINES $2476 to 30K + gst.

TO FIT 1 TONNE TO 15 TONNE Shears, dredge buckets

126-136 View Road, PO Box 1976, Rotorua Email: info@heavy-machinery.co.nz

• Phone: 07 347 0765 • Fax: 07 349 2325 • Mob 0274 945 886 Check our website for more info www.heavy-machinery.co.nz

Check our website for more info www.heavy-machinery.co.nz

EXCAVATOR WORLD

Hokitika South Island BULLDOZERS EXCAVATORS SKIDDERS

ALL NEW STOCK

ORS EXCAVAT FOR SALE

er in 0/3 30 tonn Hitachi EX30 et or grapple. ck bu r de or nice + GST $39,000

LG25750

• • • •

Buckets Cabins Final Drive Parts Grapples

• • • •

Pump Parts Ram Seal Kits ROPS Slew Drives

ALL MAKES, NEW WINDOWS, NEW DOORS + PANELS, NEW RADIATORS AND COOLERS, ENGINE KITS + GASKETS, COMPUTERS, FINAL DRIVES AND PUMPS

Running a Grapple Yarder and not using Swage 6x31?

If this is you, then you are not achieving the full potential of your yarder.

Swage 6x31 out performs any other swaged rope on the market in bend cycle tests, and with that increases your productivity.

CALL US NOW: 027 474 6032

SPEAK TO THE TEAM THAT KNOWS PERFORMANCE ROPES Northland Lana Power 029 773 0744

Tauranga Lance Godfrey 027 480 9589

Upper South Island Mike Beleski 027 479 6806

Auckland/Waikato Andy Palmer 027 474 6032

Rotorua/Lower North Island Dave Caulfield 027 474 2809

Canterbury/Lower Sth Island Steve Marshall 027 434 7148

www.cookes.co.nz