editorial

August 2021 | $7.20

A modular marvel

Changing it up

ISSN 1176-0397

PF Olsen: The Man Tough iron in British Columbia

This new Eltec 317LL tall cab processor, complemented by a Woodsman Pro 750 head, is working with Tohaia Forestry Harvesting in Maramarua Forest.

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SUBSCRIPTIONS: $70 (incl. GST) for one year (11 issues) within NZ. Overseas rates available on application. Sue Woolston: accounts@trucker.co.nz PUBLISHER: Trevor Woolston, 027 492 5600, trevor@trucker.co.nz ADMINISTRATION: Sue Woolston, accounts@trucker.co.nz EDITOR: Hayley Leibowitz, 027 211 5048, hayley@trucker.co.nz ADVERTISING SALES CONSULTANT: Trish Barnett, 021 925 600, sales@ nzlogger.co.nz DESIGN: Luca Bempensante, Helen Scott PRINTING: Bluestar DISTRIBUTION: Ovato Retail Distribution NZ Logger is published on the second Tuesday of every month except January. NZ Logger is published by Allied Publications Ltd. CONTRIBUTIONS: Editorial contributions are welcomed for consideration, but no responsibility is accepted for loss or damage of submitted materials (photographs, graphics, printed material etc…). If the return of material is required please include a stamped, selfaddressed envelope. Please contact the editor by mail or email prior to submitting material. NZ Logger reserves the right to edit submitted material. COPYRIGHT: Articles in NZ Logger are copyright and may not be reproduced in any form – in whole or part – without the permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by, the publisher or editor.

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Our own best watchdogs

THE RECENT NATIONWIDE PROTESTS BY THE RURAL SECTOR GAVE PAUSE for thought. The breaking point was a ute tax, but freshwater regulations and workforce shortages were already placing pressure on farmers.

Are foresters going to follow suit and down tools anytime soon? Shifting decisions on land classes for plantation and carbon forests; the question of more wood processing and use within New Zealand versus sending whole logs overseas; that painful initial decision that forestry would not be classed as an essential service during COVID… there are certainly bones to pick. Most bush workers though, would sooner pick up a chainsaw, relying on Government to make the right choices.

A fair expectation, but how our industry progresses is not only down to Government Bills and regulations. Sometimes we need to be our own best watchdogs, and never more so than in the area of Health & Safety. In our Forest Talk pages you’ll find an article on a tragic logging fatality that could have been avoided, after safety audit results had previously identified clear issues on site. If we expect Government to do better, we need to do better too.

On a lighter note, this month we take a look at one man’s journey to become a forestry legend at a time when there was a distinctly pioneering element about the New Zealand Forest Service. Peter Francis Olsen may have come from humble beginnings, but he left us with New Zealand’s largest independent forest management company and one of Australia’s significant land management companies.

Also in this issue are some impressive images of tackling harvesting in thick snow, as we take a trip to British Columbia. The dedicated team and tough iron at Tyler Backer Contracting and Pro-Link Logging are a match for the elements in this steep, forbidding land.

Our Iron Test this month takes a look at changing things up. Modern technology lets forestry equipment manufacturers build off a common platform that can be easily tailored to suit a specific task. Tohaia Forestry Harvesting’s Eltec 317LL was originally designated as a log loader but has taken on a life as a processor. Perhaps there’s a lesson to be learnt here in adaptation in the face of change, something our farmers may be struggling with…

Until next time, stay safe.

TL775D

Leveller

The TL775D… the very latest Timberpro expands the tail-swing carrier range in joining the already successful TN765D & TL765D models. It comes with the same boom sets and new cab but the undercarriage has been extended to 10 rollers, over 5.3 metres in length for added stability in steep terrain. It can be supplied with either feller-buncher, shovel and harvester boom sets, with suitable attachments ranging from fixed bar saws, directional felling heads, disc saws and harvester heads for all extreme logging applications, especially tethering.

The TL775D has the standout benefits for all logging contractors: • Stability....... Longer 10 roller heavy duty undercarriage • Slew Power.. Twin slew motors with external slew ring • Speed.......... New Lohman final drives & closed loop system

The Crawford history has led the way in track forest machines.

Komatsu Forest Pty Ltd 15C Hyland Cres Rotorua, New Zealand John Kosar M: 0274 865 844 E: john.kosar@komatsuforest.com Paul Roche M: 021 350 747 E: paul.roche@komatsuforest.com