editorial

September 2021 | $7.20

BACK ON TRACK

Solid and stable

Paving the way in forestry roading Managing hand-arm vibration risk

KFT Logging’s Sharon Knowles and son, Steven, with their new Hitachi ZX290L-5G loader/ shoveller.

ADVERTISING, ADMINISTRATION, SUBSCRIPTIONS

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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 Hayhurst 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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Official Magazine of

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DOWN TIME

TOOLS ARE DOWN, MACHINES STAND STILL AND OUR FORESTS are eerily quiet as COVID Level 4 lockdown swiftly takes hold of the industry. The settings for this Alert Level 4 are very similar to those of last year, which means forestry is still not an essential service.

The hope is that by the time you pick up this magazine, industry will be up and running again but with the Delta variant making its way swiftly through Auckland, and now on to Wellington, predictions for next week or the week after are anyone’s guess.

‘Communicate, communicate, communicate’ is the message from FICA. For now, this is a three-day lockdown, and in the Auckland/Coromandel areas a little longer with a ‘more intense, more thorough appproach to see ourselves out of this situation’.

Since it is out of our hands, make the most of this time with your family. Sleep late, hug your kids in the morning and tuck them into bed at night. And get some well-earned rest, ready for the bush to welcome you back with open arms.

What will we come back to? Well, as you’ll see in our Forest Talk pages, demand for logs from China is still strong but the winter slowdown is upon us, and woodlot owners and contractors are being more cautious. On the plus side, the Government is taking note of the warning bells signalled by the recent port build-ups, allowing ports to continue loading ships during the COVID Level 4 lockdown with the associated positive knock-on effect down the forestry supply chain.

Also in this issue, you’ll find a forestry roading legacy left by roading legend, Bob Taylor. Half a century after he bought his first bulldozer, Taylors Contracting is thriving, specialising in forestry infrastructure construction and maintenance, earthmoving, civil engineering construction, and quarry services throughout the South Island.

And no one will deny that a hard day’s work takes a toll on our bodies. When you pick up a chainsaw or any other power tool, hand-arm vibration doesn’t immediately come to mind, but by the time numbing, tingling or lack of strength show-up, it may be too late. We hope our Worker Wellness article this month reminds you to take care of your body and be aware of risks and how to manage them. It’s the only body you’re going to get.

Until next time, stay safe.

The MARKET Leader…

Komatsu 875 & 895

Komatsu Forest have maintained a very strong market position with their two most popular forwarders being the Komatsu 875 (16 tonne) which really compliments the 895 (20 tonne). These two current models have been further refined to meet expectations and to cover all the contractors’ extraction requirements with the latest developments in these key areas.

• New transmission system for greater traction and control. • Improved crane performance with a large bunk area. • Introducing Maxifleet to provide the ultimate service and production tool. • New electric engine hood and new access panels for much improved serviceability • Stylish and modern cab with central locking and remote key.

The latest Komatsu forwarders have been taken to another level in lifting the overall standards for forwarding which make them the best in their class.

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