NZ Logger March 2022

March 2022|

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Smooth and stable

Farewell to five decades of forestry

Does fibre rope have a place in cable logging?

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contents MARCH 2022

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FOREST TALK Time to update Forestry Code of Practice, says coroner; Paying the price for poor safety; Omicron drives further Government financial support; “A kick in the guts for business”, says EMA; Rural games another COVID casualty; Forestry Awards delayed; Putting forestry to the test; Government’s role key; Look across the Tasman; Harvest volumes up; export revenue to increase; It’s not road versus rail; NZ company buys Nature’s Flame; $11 million investment in Jubilee Sawmill; Taking on timber; First 80-tonne electric timber truck put to work; Talking Tech; If a tree falls in the forest, should it be exported?

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SHAW’S WIRE ROPES IRON TEST Mahuta Logging’s Sany SH415H is the very first of this model in the country to be all set up for the forest.

The company wanted a reliable, yet simple, machine for processing.

They got that and more in the new Sany.

30

TALL TIMBER After half a century giving his all to forestry, Murray Braithwaite is signing off. Before he left his role as Forest Operations Manager for Summit Forests for the last time, we grabbed him for a quick Q&A.

36 36

BREAKING OUT Modern cable logging operations are fast and productive, but movement of the rope and the higher loading means they are susceptible to fatigue. Improvements in fibre rope provide opportunities for a significantly lighter rope to be used.

We investigate.

DEPARTMENTS 2 editorial 40 fica 42 top spot 46 new iron 50 classifieds

March 2022 | NZ LOGGER 1

from the editor March 2022|

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ISSN 1176-0397

PHOTO: JOHN ELLEGARD

Smooth and stable

Farewell to five decades of forestry

Does fibre rope have a place in cable logging?

First in the country, this Sany SH415H displays good stability with its high and wide conversion.

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‘She’ll be right’ WELL, I’M BACK TO SAYING “AS WE GO TO PRINT”, WITH THE NEWS SEEMING to change before the ink is dry on these pages. The world continues on its rollercoaster and I could not have dreamed up this one… As we go to print, Russia has invaded Ukraine, Tonga is dealing with an estimated US$90 million fallout from a massive volcanic eruption and, at home, COVID cases in New Zealand are up in the tens of thousands, the minimum wage has some up in arms and others raising their hands in thanks, and COVID protesters continue to swarm the Beehive.

Two things we can count on are that our trees keep growing and technology moves in leaps and bounds, illustrated by the wide range of Tech and practical applications showcased at the recent ForestTECH conference highlighted in our Forest Talk pages.

Already 15 years old, the ForestTECH conference took a different form this year as Omicron kept presenters virtual and delegates in their homes.

That didn’t stop some 300 foresters and managers from tuning in from 15 different countries. The future is here. Forestry has always been challenged by connectivity, but now, in a remote forest we are still connected. Individual tree assessment is already a reality and there are many opportunities ahead for our resource as drones even fly under the canopy.

Not flying under the radar this month is forestry stalwart Murray Braithwaite – a familiar face in the industry, who is hanging up his hard hat after 52 years in the bush. He has seen the industry go from pen and paper to technology and from axe to mechanised harvesting. A look back at some of the challenges of his career might make some think today’s bushmen have it easy.

Also featured this month is a fascinating case study on the potential of fibre rope in running skyline logging. While fibre rope certainly has a place in cable logging and is well suited when the rope is less exposed to friction, it is expensive with a shorter lifespan. The study confirms that cable logging, and logging in general, needs to keep innovating.

That innovation comes in many forms as we see in our Iron Test, as the Mahuta Logging crew corduroys the skid site to prevent the company’s new 40-tonne Sany SH415H from bogging down in wet and muddy conditions.

The world may be in as much turmoil as that freshly churned mud but out in the bush, we make a plan. Combine old school knowledge with the potentials of modern technology and ‘she’ll be more than right’.

Until next time, stay safe.

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forest talk

Time to update Forestry Code of Practice, says coroner also recommended urgent priority to the development A CORONER HAS ADVOCATED KEY IMPROVEMENTS TO of the next phase of the Health and Safety at Work forestry’s Code of Practice. This follows the inquest regulatory framework into the death of Niko Brooking-Hodgson who was In response, WorkSafe said it had taken on hit by a flying 9kg shackle that had snagged, then board the evidence from the inquest in relation pulled free under force, in a forest block near to the need for greater engagement and Napier in August 2016. He was just 24. participation of forestry workers when reviewing Coroner, Donna Llewell, says it is time that processes and amending the ACoP. forestry’s Code of Practice be updated. Niko’s The Forest Industry Safety Council’s (FISC) father, Richard Brooking, said at the inquest that Fiona Ewing says a new safety code will only be he wanted more regulation to see real change, worthwhile if it deals with underlying problems in particularly to the Approved Code of Practice for forestry; the causes, not just the symptoms, of harm Safety and Health in Forestry Operations 2012 (ACoP).

FISC’s Fiona Ewing. in our forests.

All parties at the inquest agreed that there was no The current ACoP was last revised in 2012 – before policy around line retrieval in the ACoP, and that prior to Mr Brooking-Hodgson’s death the forestry industry did not perceive mechanisation became common and before the 2015 Health and Safety line retrieval as a specific risk, or an operation that required specific at Work Act was passed. This Act included new requirements to involve workers in health and safety, new responsibilities for those further up training.

Following his death, a Best Practice Guide for Breaking Out in a Cable the supply chain and a new approach to risk management, she says.

She says for the ACoP to succeed it needs to: Harvesting Operation was published.

The coroner, Ms Llewell, made several recommendations, including • promote better understanding of risk; that changes be made to the ACoP, that mandatory use of straw lines • promote effective worker engagement; for retrieval be implemented where it was safe to do so, and the • promote ‘better work’ in terms of ‘higher order controls’, ‘safety in design’ and ‘upstream duties’. NZL creation of new unit standards for training around line retrieval. She

Paying the price for poor safety TAURANGA-BASED STEVEDORING COMPANY, C3, HAS BEEN ordered to pay a fine of $90,000 and costs of $20,000 for safety failings which resulted in an excavator being dropped overboard from a logging ship in 2018.

C3 had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of breaching its duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and was sentenced Friday, 4 February in the Wellington District Court.

Maritime New Zealand’s Central Compliance Manager, Blair Simmons, says that the incident, which took place at Wellington’s Centreport on June 2, 2018, was particularly disappointing given it followed a similar incident at Northport in 2017 where it was “incredibly lucky” that no-one was injured. The previous incident resulted in a prosecution of C3 and another person, with C3 being convicted and fined $240,000.

“The excavator, which was being moved between two cargo holds where it was being used to load logs, fell from its lifting arrangement attached to the ship’s crane, hit the side of the ship and fell into the water,” Mr Simmons says.

The Maritime New Zealand investigation found several factors contributed to the incident:

4 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

• C3’s standard operating procedure (SOP) for lifting heavy machinery was not developed or reviewed by a qualified engineer; • the lifting technique C3 was using has been identified as poor practice and is no longer being used by other stevedoring companies in New Zealand; • workers were not properly trained in the procedure; • the lifting lugs that were fixed to the excavator were not certified; • C3 did not have a system in place for regularly testing and monitoring its workers’ hearing and vision to ensure they were fit to operate machinery such as cranes.

Mr Simmons says the sentencing highlights the importance of staying up to date with industry best practice and having strong training and health and safety systems in place.

“While no single factor can be identified as the cause of the incident, there were clearly several serious health and safety failings that needed to be urgently addressed.”

C3 was charged under section 49 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 for a failure to comply with duties under sections 36(1), 36(2), 36(3). NZL

forest talk

Omicron drives further Government financial support A NEW TARGETED COVID SUPPORT PAYMENT HAS BEEN established for businesses struggling with revenue during the Omicron outbreak.

“As I said back in October when we announced the traffic light system, the Government has been monitoring the impact of the COVID Protection Framework on businesses and the economy,” says Deputy Prime Minister, Grant Robertson.

“With the settings of the framework most businesses can open and operate relatively normally, even at red. We can see that the majority of the economy is operating close to normal, but in some sectors, like hospitality and events, there has been a significant drop-off in business. There are a range of reasons for this, but it is clear that the impact is putting a number of viable businesses at risk of not being able to operate.

Each COVID Support Payment will be $4000 per business plus $400 per full-time employee, capped at 50 full-time equivalent’s (FTE’s) or $24,000, this is the same rate as the most recent Transition Payment.

Applications for the first payment opened on February 28, with payments starting from March 1.

“It will be available on a fortnightly basis for six weeks – so three payments in total. This reflects the international experience that the peak of the Omicron outbreak should pass after about six weeks.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation and have the option to extend the payment if this is necessary.

“We have set a higher threshold in terms of revenue loss than

previous support in order to target those most affected. Firms must show a 40% drop in seven consecutive days within the six weeks prior to the shift to Phase 2 of the Omicron response on February 15.

“We looked closely at whether we could offer sector specific packages but the definition of who is in what sector, and the need for cashflow to be provided quickly meant that was not a feasible option to reach the most affected,” Mr Robertson says.

Revenue Minister, David Parker, adds that changes are also being made to the Small Business Cashflow Loans Scheme to increase the amount of funding available to eligible businesses through the introduction of a ‘top up’ loan.

“The top up loan will allow those firms that have already accessed a loan to draw down an additional $10,000 with a new repayment period of five years and the first two years being interest free,” he says.

“Cabinet has also agreed to remove the first two years of accrued base interest from all borrowers who have, or will, take out a loan under the scheme. This change will mean interest will only start accruing at the beginning of year three.

“We are also extending the Commissioner of Inland Revenue’s ability to apply flexibility for tax payment dates and terms to assist firms with cashflow pressures.”

Any businesses struggling to pay tax because of the impacts of COVID should log on to myIR to see if they can delay starting payments to a later date, or if any part of the tax could be written off. IR can help with both GST and provisional tax due, he says. NZL

“A kick in the guts for business”, says EMA THE EMPLOYERS AND MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (EMA) says the minimum wage increase from $20 per hour to $21.20 per hour from April 1 is “another kick in the guts for businesses that are already on their knees”.

Chief Executive, Brett O’Riley, says the impact of COVID-19, disrupted supply chains, the inability to find skilled workers and rising inflation on small business is crippling.

“This has the potential to shut more people out of work than result in people earning more, because business simply can’t afford it,” he says.

“At a time when we’re talking to the Government about extra financial support as a result of COVID-19, it is unbelievable and frankly cruel that it is going ahead with this additional cost.”

Mr O’Riley says it is the burden of the cumulative costs that will break business: “If you put wages up, prices go up, fuelling inflation.

If the Government wanted to do something about rising costs, there were other ways to alleviate the pressure,” he says.

He adds that the EMA would rather work with Government, unions and other business groups on improving productivity, and rapidly increasing skills in the workforce as a pathway to raising wages. NZL

March 2022 | NZ LOGGER 5

forest talk

Rural games another COVID casualty

Dunedin’s Brad Pako – the STIHL Timbersports Rookie of the Year in 2021 – at the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games in Palmerston North.

THE FORD RANGER NEW ZEALAND RURAL GAMES, ORIGINALLY scheduled to be held in The Square, Palmerston North this month is the latest national event to fall victim to the predicted spread of the COVID. New Zealand’s largest rural sporting event was on track to draw crowds of over 50,000 to the free-to-the-public three-day event. In addition, the Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports Awards dinner, a seasoned favourite set for the Friday evening, had been well sold out to over 400 guests for six months.

New Zealand Rural Games Founder, Steve Hollander, says although he and his team were gutted, the decision was a no brainer.

“With the whole country moving to the red traffic light, it was clear that we could not proceed. The Agri Futures and Clash of the Colleges were going to be a huge drawcard to hundreds of

secondary school students. The risk to vulnerable people was just way too great for the popular ‘have a go’ events for children and parents, plus the opportunity for so many elderly people to be able to sit and watch.”

He adds, “Knocked down but never knocked out – once the cancellation process is completed, the team will take a break and come back together mid-year to start planning for 2023. Only 400 days to go!”.

Though the games are cancelled, Stihl is holding a private event – 2022 Stihl Timbersports – for the 2022 champs in a bid to keep competitors safe.

The New Zealand Rural Games Trust runs and operates the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games, the Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports Awards, the Allflex Clash of the Colleges and the Westpac Agri Futures careers day. NZL

Forestry Awards delayed THE HAWKE’S BAY FORESTRY AWARDS have once again been pushed back thanks to COVID, this time to the end of the year.

“This announcement comes on the back of a crazy start to 2022 and with the development of Omicron and the unknown few months that lie ahead,” says Steve Bell, Chair of the Hawkes Bay Forestry Group.

“We have to take advice from the Ministry of Health and advisors suggesting that the spread of COVID is going to be fairly tumultuous and contagious especially for

6 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

large events. Knowing we have already postponed our awards from last November 2021 due to Delta COVID, we think it’s best to again push the event out to the end of this year,” he adds.

“We hold over 22 nominations which is great and continue to receive them. We will file these and contact all nominators to reconsider content and update as we get closer to the closing date. The nominations will remain open and once a month we will be reminding industry

to consider applications until closing in September.

“We apologise for this inconvenience again but consider the health of our industry paramount. While we are able to operate under this traffic light system and hopefully markets continue their upward trend, we want to make sure that enables us all to enjoy the Awards when they do happen and we most certainly want to be able to have more than 100 in the room celebrating our workforce,” says Mr Bell. NZL

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forest talk

Putting forestry to the test ASSOCIATE MINISTER OF FINANCE, DAVID PARKER, HAS announced changes to the Overseas Investment Act 2005 that mean “Benefit to New Zealand” will be the test for forestry conversions by overseas investors. This will help ensure the right forest gets planted in the right place for the right reasons, Mr Parker says.

“The changes to the Act, approved by Cabinet, mean that proposals by overseas investors to acquire land for conversion to production forestry will be considered under the Benefit to New Zealand test, rather than under the streamlined ‘special forestry test’.

“This change will apply only to forestry conversions, such as where overseas investors look to acquire existing farmland for planting into a new forest. There will be no change to investments in pre-existing forests.

“Our overseas investment screening regime recognises what a privilege it is to own sensitive New Zealand assets,” Mr Parker says.

“The current settings for investing in land to be converted to production forestry, however, do not require overseas investors to

demonstrate the benefits of their proposed investment in the same way the Act does for other land-based investments.

“High quality foreign investment in forestry, and a strong forestry sector, remain important — and we continue to welcome this investment. However, as economic and regulatory contexts change, it is important to consider the impact of particular kinds of investment in forestry to ensure that all stakeholders continue to benefit.

“By retaining the more streamlined special forestry test where the investment does not involve a change in land use, the screening regime will continue with allowing for high-quality foreign investment in existing production forestry,” Mr Parker says.

The Bill is expected to be introduced to Parliament in a few months.

“At the same time, some minor and technical improvements will be proposed to the Act to help with the operation and effectiveness of 2018 forestry-related changes,” he adds.

First published in the Gisborne Herald. NZL

Government’s role key FORESTRY MINISTER, STUART NASH, should incentivise farmers to plant more trees to combat climate change, says the Farm Forestry Association.

Association President, Graham West asks: “Why isn’t the government working with farmers to plant their own trees, rather than Stuart Nash seeming to have a priority of restricting landowner choice on species and land class?”

“Focusing on regulation may be a government role but so too is leadership.

Farm forestry needs confidence that the government will promote it rather than

8 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

meddle.”

Mr West believes forestry is the only technology capable of reversing at scale the accumulation of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

“As we have left this problem to this late hour, we now must act decisively. There is no perfect solution. I suggest the government simply incentivise farmers through a guaranteed 10-year carbon price scheme.”

“Guarantee to buy the carbon at an agreed price with half up front to cover establishment costs. This would encourage farmers and give them confidence to plant

whatever land they liked with whatever species they choose. It’s in their interest to solve this and they will.”

He argues that the farm forestry model is well proven and most farmers know this: “We have 1300 members, in every district, with the practical examples and the knowledge.

But many farmers just don’t have the time, the cash flow to pay someone to do it, and a sense the government is backing them.

“Neither pastoral farming nor plantation forestry can afford climate disasters. Nor can New Zealand’s economy. We can be a model to the rest of the world.” NZL

forest talk

Look across the Tasman AUSTRALIA’S SUPPORT OF PLANTATION FORESTRY IS IN SHARP contrast to the increasingly restrictive measures being promised in New Zealand by our government says the Forest Owners Association (FOA).

Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has announced an $86 (Aust) million package for forestry in Tasmania.

Scott Morrison says the biggest government forest support package for more than 30 years, will leverage ‘at least $300 million in total investment into plantations’.

He termed forestry a ‘critical national treasure’ with supply needed for future generations and global demand for timber products ‘expected to quadruple by 2050’.

FOA President, Phil Taylor, says the New Zealand industry is not seeking the type of financial support being delivered in Australia.

“Basically, all we want to do is get on with growing trees and responding to strong world and local demand. Our problem is a sequence of messages from the government on new rules to restrict forest expansion.’

“A modest expansion of the exotic plantation estate is vital to provide enough carbon sequestration capacity for the government to budget for a carbon zero economy by 2050. The right signals have to be sent to farmers and other landowners to ensure this happens and these are not the signals we are getting at the moment,” says Mr Taylor.

“Then there is the economic aspect. Forestry and horticulture are predicted to lead the way to export recovery over the next few years.”

He echoes the expectations of the Australian government for a huge increase in wood demand for new products: “It’s already happening with biofuels. Our industry is going to struggle to just meet the demand from New Zealand dairy processors to deliver enough wood material for heating powder driers as the processors move out of burning coal.

“On top of that there is the emergence of a global bioeconomy, where wood is going to be used much more widely to replace greenhouse gas emitting substances, such as concrete, steel and plastics. We should be leading in producing these products, not adopting policies which would result in having to import them.

“Scott Morrison seems to be getting this. I do hope our government does too.” NZL

Harvest volumes up; export revenue to increase THE LATEST SITUATION AND OUTLOOK FOR PRIMARY Industries (SOPI) report from the Ministry of Primary Industries forecasts Forestry export revenue to increase three percent to $6.7 billion for the year to 30 June 2022.

Harvest volumes for the year to 30 June 2021 reached an all-time high of 37.6 million cubic metres, up 18% compared with last year due to robust demand and high prices. The report is forecasting harvest volumes to slightly reduce for the coming year as demand eases.

Growth in the Chinese construction industry and the US housing market are showing signs of a slowdown, reducing log demand this year, according to the report. However, the Chinese and US Governments’ targeted measures to boost their economies and infrastructure development are projected to support demand for New Zealand’s major forestry products in the medium-term. In addition, domestic timber demand is expected to remain strong due to robust housing demand.

Residential construction investment in the US is likely to cool.

However, the medium-term demand for sawn timber is expected to rise, driven by a rebound in non-residential building, which is underpinned by a fiscal infrastructure spending spree.

In China, slowing credit growth is expected to weigh on the construction output, particularly the housing construction sector.

The property market is the single-largest driver of China’s economy.

The slowdown in property market lending growth negatively impacts short-term construction activity and demand for logs.

The downturn in the property market is forecast to be offset by increased infrastructure investment by the Chinese Government. This will likely boost Chinese construction activity and, as a result, demand for logs in the medium-term.

In New Zealand, rising interest rates and stricter loan-to-value ratio regulations are projected to dampen domestic demand for wood products. NZL

forest talk

It’s not road versus rail NATIONAL ROAD CARRIERS (NRC) IS NOT SURPRISED BY THE findings in a report commissioned by Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand titled Road and Rail – delivering for New Zealand.

NRC COO, James Smith, says it is “shocking” the Government is still pushing the “road vs rail barrow”.

“We have an integrated supply chain where all modes play a role and all deserve to be funded appropriately. The carbon debate ignores the exponential growth in low or zero carbon road transport.

“Nothing beats road transport for resilience and given our highly unstable geology with many overdue ‘big ones’ combined with increased adverse weather events the need to invest in a road system that is resilient and productive is critical.”

Mr Smith says National Road Carriers has many members that would use rail more if it was more reliable and cost-effective. The same members also need good quality roads.

“So I agree 100% the narrative needs to change. Stop taking dollars from one mode to prop up another as it simply defers the cost.” NZL

NZ company buys Nature’s Flame NORSKE SKOG HAS AGREED TO SELL THE Nature’s Flame pellets company for some $47.8 million to the Talley’s Group, a New Zealand-based dairy, fishing, produce and food company.

“Nature’s Flame is an excellent company producing high quality and sustainable energy pellets from wood residues, and thus the sales process generated significant interest,” says Sven Ombudstvedt, CEO of Norske Skog.

“Under our ownership, we have expanded the capacity from producing some 20,000 tonnes when acquired to currently 90,000 tonnes, and we are very pleased that

Talley’s has indicated interest to continue the ongoing project to further expand the capacity to 150,000 tonnes. This will support the ongoing decarbonisation of New Zealand industries by transitioning from fossil coal energy to renewable energy like wood pellets.

“Following the closure of the Tasman mill in 2021 and the sale of the Nature’s Flame business, the site at Tasmania is now our only operational asset in the region. The site will continue to service the regional publication paper markets and develop its industrial footprint within energy and bio products.”

Norske Skog acquired the Nature’s Flame business in 2015 for a consideration of NZD 6.7 million, and has invested an additional NZD 7.8 million to expand the capacity to 90,000 tonnes. The sale is expected to close during the first quarter of 2022. NZL

$11 million investment in Jubilee Sawmill ONEFORTYONE, MOUNT GAMBIER, SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST private employer, has committed to investing over $11 million in its Jubilee Sawmill over the next two years. Jubilee Sawmill General Manager, Paul Hartung, says the modern manufacturing investment is a continuation of the re-investment programme that started in 2016.

“OneFortyOne has invested close to $40 million since purchasing the mill in 2018, on state-of-the-art technology projects such as Sorter Bins, a Lucidyne Scanning System, reducing boiler emissions and upgrading to Continuous Drying Kilns,” says Mr Hartung.

“This most recent commitment will extend to an equipment and technology upgrade for Drymill A, replacing and modernising equipment as it reaches end of life.”

He says the new equipment will be manufactured in New South Wales under a licensing agreement, a first for Australia.

“By investing in new technology, we are continuing towards our objective of valuing every strand of wood fibre that we process.”

10 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

OneFortyOne estimates that through this upgrade Jubilee Sawmill will reduce its emissions by approximately 268 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. These savings will be generated by reduced electricity consumption.

“It’s an exciting project for our team here at Jubilee,” Mr Hartung says, adding, “The innovative technology that will be installed at the mill presents an amazing opportunity to train and upskill our people in robotics and automation.

“One of the motivating factors for this project was the chance it provided to shift the Drymill team to a four-day week. This development means that both Drymill A and the Greenmill will operate on four-day weeks. We know this has been an important issue for our Drymill team and we are really pleased to support their wellbeing in this way.”

The project is scheduled to begin this year and will take two years to complete. NZL

Taking on timber A VESSEL NORMALLY USED TO TRANSPORT CARS AND TRUCKS turned its hand to wood at Northport last month to load some 5,000 cubic metres of triboard from the Juken Mill in Kaitaia. The m.v. Istra Ace sailed from South America and is destined for Japan.

The Pure Car, Truck Carrier (PCTC) is a purpose-built vessel for the transportation of different types of rolling cargo, such as cars and trucks, heavy construction equipment and other heavy loads.

These vessels are usually configured with 10-13 decks for the loading of different vehicle types with axle loads from 1.2 tonnes to more than 22 tonnes. The Istra Ace loaded the triboard on the main cargo deck, which is designed for heavy loads, providing the vessel with a ‘backload’ to Japan rather than having to sail the entire route empty.

A fleet of four trucks operating in rotation drove loads of triboard up the vessel’s stern ramp into the ship where they were unloaded.

There the cargo was safely stowed and secured by Northport staff and equipment.

Northport Chief Executive, Jon Moore, says this unscheduled call demonstrates Northport’s ability to receive and handle car carriers and roll-on/roll-off vessels.

“We have been talking to vehicle importers for some years now about how they could restructure and future-proof their business model using Marsden Point as a single hub for vehicle arrival, storage, preparation and distribution,” he says.

“We have used our port and harbour simulator to demonstrate how we might handle such vessels, so it was good to put the modelling into practice.” NZL

First 80-tonne electric timber truck put to work EUROPE’S LARGEST PRIVATE FOREST owner, SCA, and Scania are together developing the first electric timber truck with a technical capability of up to 80 tonnes total weight as a sustainable transport solution.

It is now possible to drive longer distances with heavy electric transports. Scania and SCA are proving that with the new battery electric vehicle capable of total weights of up to 64 tonnes on public roads and 80 tonnes on private roads. The electric truck will transport timber in the Swedish region of Västerbotten, between SCA’s terminal in Gimonäs and its papermill in Obbola outside Umeå, starting this year.

For SCA, which produces sawn wood products, packaging materials and pulp, electrifying road transport is an important part of work to reduce its environmental impact. Each year, SCA transports some 8.5 million cubic metres of wood to industries, utilising 265 timber trucks in collaboration with 87 haulage contractors. ”The cooperation with Scania is an important way for us to jointly find innovative solutions for sustainable transport. Electric timber trucks will be a strong contribution to

SCA’s work with sustainability, where we are part of the solution for a fossil-free world.

By running just one electric truck between Gimonäs and Obbola, we can reduce our carbon emissions by about 55,000kg per year,” says Hans Djurberg, Head of Sustainability, SCA. Fredrik Allard, Head of E-mobility at Scania adds, “The key to reaching zero emissions in transport is electrification and we will get there together with customers and other stakeholders that share our values.

Partnerships like this one with SCA, where

we are early out and demonstrating what is possible, are a clear sign of the change of pace that is needed for us to be fossil free and deliver on the targets of the Paris agreement.”

“An electric timber truck is a symbol for something pretty cool. Transport of timber specifically has been talked about as something that may never be possible to electrify. The developments of the past few years, together with what we are now presenting with SCA, show just how quickly things are progressing with regard to both vehicles and batteries,” he says. NZL

March 2022 | NZ LOGGER 11

ForestTECH 2021/22

Talking Tech ALREADY 15 YEARS OLD, THE FORESTTECH conference took a different form this year as Omicron kept presenters virtual and delegates in their homes and offices. That didn’t stop some 300 foresters and managers from tuning in from 15 different countries.

It may not have been what the organisers envisaged, but after already rescheduling once, with technology developing so quickly, another delay waiting for the 100-person cap to change, could well have resulted in a different conference altogether, said organiser and Director of the Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA), Brent Apthorp.

And this virtual event did not disappoint.

In addition to the usual focus on remote sensing, forest inventory and new data collection technologies, a second day was set up to cover the latest developments and trials on mechanised planting and automated silviculture.

The keynote speaker, David Herries, General Manager of Interpine New Zealand spoke on the past, present and future with his presentation titled ‘Technology on Steroids’. Having presented each year, since ForestTECH started, he took a look back at the technologies that once seemed impossible, ranging from simple satellite to LiDar, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and beyond. Driven by practical purposes like mechanisation, forest firefighting and information management, the technology is developing in leaps and bounds.

Increased use of satellite imagery for forest management combined with technologies like drones for mapping and now machine learning brings its own challenges.

“With satellite imagery moving from monthly to daily, all these things have combined and changed the way we manage and evaluate our forests and operations,” said David.

So, he asked, how do we interpret and use this technology going forward? Trees grow slowly, how fast do we innovate?

It comes down to “the internet of things”, he says. “Forestry has always been challenged by connectivity, but now, in a remote forest we are still connected. The Internet is an enabling technology set to

change the way we operate in forestry.

“We are looking towards fully mechanised forests with no man on the ground, taking the office to the forest and making planning, logistics and production easier.

“It’s a game changer,” says David, “especially in remote environments.”

And the result is rich information like burn extent via satellite imagery and even monitoring storm events. With satellites photographing our forests every day we are able to monitor forests and operations remotely – which means safer operations, less travel and keeping the industry in touch.

The future is here with automated deep learning and machine learning approaches.

Individual tree assessment is already a reality and there are many opportunities ahead for our resource. Drones are even flying under the canopy. “It’s a wonderful future,” says David.

With 1.7 million hectares of advanced forest imagery already collected between Australia and New Zealand, technology is changing the way we can see, value and measure the forest. Training too, has changed. Forest inventory can be done by one person in a matter of minutes with a Lidar backpack scanner. Future foresters will take these technologies even further. So, what’s next? The broad scope of presentations demonstrated just how these technologies are being put into action in our forests and their potential for the future.

A range of options A focus on remote sensing and data capture technologies began with a case study in Kenya looking at smaller farm plots with a mix of species and biomass. Remote sensing with stereo imagery and ground-truthing played a vital role.

Closer to home was a look at national LiDar mapping for land managers which has jumped from the best available data being based on 20-metre contours in 2015, to a national specification working with Councils for a single access point of a massive database of consistent national digital data.

Benefits are that the data is free to access, curated and consistent; it’s good for smaller blocks, doesn’t age, combines well with

other data sources and is easy to find.

Other talks got down to the nitty gritty of technologies like mobile laser scanning.

Lightweight handheld technology allows checking for density, regeneration, habitat suitability, fuel load and fuel hazard rating (in terms of fires) even in a complex Eucalypt forest. Useful tips included walking in a spiral pattern and being sure to close the loop.

Other technologies highlighted in a talk from Australia were the use of subcanopy autonomous drone and ultrasound technology to test native hardwood species.

This took a look at internal defects like hollows and pipes, and collecting information using non-destructive testing and drones.

Not surprisingly, drones developed for use in mines didn’t work well for understory vegetation and with field trips restricted by COVID and poor weather, not all deliverables were achieved.

Practical application and operation of remote sensing data was further explored with a look at a mobile laser scanning unit used to collect valuable data, processed through algorithms with some old school human intervention to refine the data. Time spent in the field has been cut by half, with accuracy of tree and stand measurements through mobile scanning building up a library of data.

Data also allows one to see how forests are changing over time and monitor plantations at scale. Active learning with putting humans into the machine loop came to the fore with a look at lessons learned from a large-scale forest inventory of 7,500 forested areas in New Zealand. The model largely understood the landscape and land use eg, cropland, cutover, grass, pasture, horticulture or mature forest, but had to be retrained by a human hand where it didn’t.

On to silviculture Day Two of the conference took a look at innovations in forest establishment, planting and mechanised silviculture. GPS advancements are good for seedlings too, with real-time data allowing for more operational control.

Lessons from mechanised planting over two seasons in Kinleith Forest, Tokoroa

12 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

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ForestTECH 2021/22

showed that there is a definite learning curve. Trialled as early as the 1960s in first rotation forests with no stumps or slash to traverse, modern planters have come a long way. While productivity improved from 600 to 1400 planted a day over time, and poor quality planting dropped from 25% down to less than 5%, it is clear we are continuing to understand and extract the full value of mechanised planting.

Testing hydrogel products to extend the planting season, adds a new dimension.

Finally, the conference took a look at innovations in establishment and postplanting techniques. A new canopy foliage sampling tool using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) (or suspended under a drone in plain language) improves efficiency and safety in canopy sampling. The prototype went through several iterations and challenges, not least of which were tree tops and the weather. With the entire cutting system automated, it requires minimal training and can even remove insect nests.

It’s still proving its real efficiency in the world.

A last vital topic ended the conference with a look at aerial spray drift management

A Virtual Reality headset garners plenty of useful information from our forests.

for forestry operations from a scientific perspective and through the eyes of a daily operator. With pesticide spraying around in New Zealand since the 1950s and the days of DDT and hormone sprays, many concerns have been raised over spray drift, movement of droplets and wash-off from foliage over the years – even banning aerial application of pesticides in many countries.

Modern technology allows us to track individual droplet trajectories to develop specific buffer zones for drift mitigation.

UAVs offer a new drift management

opportunity, flying relatively slow and low ® – to push spray downwards and reduce drift potential. Nozzle technology and location is also key.

However, the speaker from Scion cautioned, “Never forget that the rules of drift management still apply”. So use precision technology, he said. He concluded that basic principles of spray drift management are well understood and models combined with data enable a more quantitative approach to spray drift management and buffer definition. NZL

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forest talk: opinion

If a tree falls in the forest, should it be exported?

Story: Marcus Musson, Director, Forest360 and John Stulen, Director, Innovatek

EXPORTING PRIMARY PRODUCTS FROM NEW ZEALAND HAS LONG been celebrated and underpins our economy and way of life. We all hail increased dairy and meat exports, are more than happy our best fruit and crayfish go offshore but throw our toys out of the cot about log exports.

Most elections will see some ill-informed politician standing in front of a wharf full of logs pontificating about keeping the logs for our local industry. Builders are quick to point the finger at log exporters for high lumber prices and supply issues, assuming they are caused by the log exports.

For perspective, think of trees as sheep and cows. They’re all cut into different products for different markets. Your favourite restaurant in Parnell isn’t likely to serve you up a medium-rare sheep bladder and the pet food factory probably doesn’t have much demand for a lamb rack. Logs are no different except, unlike the fruit and fishing industries, we keep most of our good product here for our domestic sawmills and export bladder and brains grades of logs.

One tree may have as many as 10 different log grades within one stem. Wood quality/value diminishes the further up the tree you go.

Local sawmills can’t make money sawing lower grade logs, whereas export markets such as China have much lower production costs, so they can afford to spend more time reconstituting lower grade logs into usable products.

To put forestry’s valuable export earnings into perspective as well as its importance in reducing emissions, it’s essential to understand that log exports are a vital part of its functioning. As with the sheep and beef industry, you need a solution for the whole animal, you can’t just sell medium rare bladders to Parnell and throw the lamb rack away.

It’s easy for Joe Average to get a slanted view on log exports as our industry differs from many others in that logs are very visible

14 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

Photo: Innovatek

on trucks, trains and in ports – timber is not. Timber is delivered to retailers dry, wrapped in plastic and transported in curtain sider trucks which are indistinguishable from those carrying cornflakes.

Log exports are part of a much more diversified set of products that just aren’t that visible to people in port cities. Locally manufactured wood products are, however, a big part of many of our daily lives whether we notice it or not. If you write on it or wipe on it, build with it or burn it, wood products from our radiata pine forests around the regions are generally taken for granted.

So next time you’re listening to someone spout off about all our logs going offshore and a lack of framing timber in New Zealand, you can rebut their ill-informed opinion with the following facts: 1. Local timber shortages are due to lack of domestic sawing and kiln drying capacity, not log exports. New Zealand’s entire log production could never be sawn locally.

2. Log exports are just one part of the log (usually the top half or less) that is produced and sold.

3. Forest owners, like every other private business, have the right to sell what they own to whomever they want.

4. Logs go into many products, some are solid wood which store carbon over their lifetime; others of lower quality are valued by overseas buyers for a range of uses, but mainly as formwork in the construction of high-rise buildings in China.

5. Logs are valued by manufacturers in China because radiata pine is a versatile product.

6. Countries like Russia have imposed export tariffs on log exports – this is outside our control, and something our small and vulnerable government would never consider in a market economy.

7. Forest and wood products are a vital piece of our economy and fit well into our way of earning a living for rural communities and respective forest owners, large and small. NZL

Iron Test

Mahuta Logging’s Sany SH415H is the very first of this model in the country to be all set up for the forest.

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FIRST IN, FIRST SERVED Story: Randall Johnston Photos: John Ellegard

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The Sany SH415H displays good stability with its high and wide conversion.

OU HAVE TO ADMIRE CONTRACTORS WHO GO out on a limb to try a new brand of equipment instead of staying with the tried and trusted.

And although Chinese manufacturer, Sany, is not completely new to the market, it still has a long way to go to become recognised in New Zealand forestry circles. But there are promising signs.

Sany is one of the world’s largest producers of excavators and Shaw’s Wire Ropes didn’t miss a beat by picking up the distribution rights to sell Sany excavator-based machines to forestry operators in New Zealand about two years ago.

With manufacturing facilities in Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine and United States, the company now employs more than 90,000 people. The brand has already gained a foothold across the ditch and is now gaining recognition here among forestry operators Shaw’s Product Manager, Jonny Edwards, says Sany has been very well received by Kiwi forestry operators, including Fast Logging in Tokoroa (with three Sany machines), Steven Stokes has five Sany units out working, one unit at Moutere Logging in Nelson and another six working as DC winch tether machines. And now Mahuta Logging has purchased a 40-tonne Sany SH415H, the very first of this model in the country. Another two SY415H arrived in New Zealand in late 2021, one of which has gone to EMS to become a Harvestline setup and the other is at Ensign receiving another processor package with a Woodsman Pro 850 head. Shaws also has four SY305H grapple packages completed by Ensign as stock units.

After landing in the country, the Mahuta machine underwent a full high and wide conversion and had a forestry cab and extensive guarding package fitted by Ensign in Rotorua.

While Ensign now supplies its high and wide design to Sany for the smaller Sany 245 and 305 models, it’s just not cost-effective for

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the Chinese factory to carry these out on the SH415H, due to smaller production runs, so the entire forestry conversion on this model continues to be done in New Zealand.

Not that Mahuta Logging owner Hayden Wilson is complaining. He’s rapt with his latest acquisition and how it is already making a substantial dent in the current job at Port Waikato, adding that if his operators are happy and the client is happy, then he’s happy.

His crew was busy processing logs on the skid at a huge woodlot site, just south of the Port Waikato settlement, when NZ Logger visited during the always busy lead-up to Christmas.

“We’ve been in this forest for three months now and it’ll probably take us another two years,” Hayden explains.

“We’ve got another 150ha under PF Olsen. The terrain here is a mix of really steep and challenging-to-rolling hills, you have to bury a lot of wood (corduroy) up here to keep your machines out of the muck. Plus, it can be hard to find good operators up here that will look after your gear and who aren’t put off by the travel time here.”

Based in Ngatea, Hayden is a young boss. At just 31 years old, he’s already got 13 years of experience under his belt, having worked all around New Zealand.

Cutting his teeth in the industry with DT King in Southland before a three-year stint working with the Gale’s in Marlborough, then Ross Davis and BJ Tohaia in the Hauraki area — he’s ‘been there and done that’.

When Hayden eventually went out by himself in 2018, he started with just a little pole hauler, an aged digger and an old harvester. Fast forward to the present day and he has a crew of six and a modern fleet that includes a Falcon tether purchased just six months ago, as well as a fully mechanised, 52-tonne Madill 123 swing yarder, which had only done SERIOUS POWER FORbyBIG TIME 1,800 hours on its rebuild (completed Shaw’s) andLOGGERS came complete with a new motor and transmission.

ALWAYS SWING A BIG STICK

EST EST 1909 1909 | TOCALL WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 944 894 THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 18 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

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In spite of owning the operation, Hayden prefers to let his brother-inlaw, Jessie Jensen, run the crew while he brings the trees down in the felling machine. But that is going to change soon, as Jessie is making a return to dairy farming this year.

Taking a punt Processing the logs on site at Port Waikato before the arrival of the brand new Sany was a second-hand 2014 Caterpillar 336-D, which Hayden purchased from Mark Cross. But after securing this job it was time for an update.

“The relationship we have with Shaw’s is solid. Jonny called me up and talked to me about the Sany. I had never heard of them, but he said he was going to get one built as a processor and did I want it? I said yeah and that was it!”

The Sany has been matched with a Woodsman Pro 850 processing head which, according to Hayden, makes for a smooth and highly productive combination.

“The running gear in it (the Sany) is pretty common and I trust Jonny, he backs his gear 100% so we just went for it,” adds Hayden.

“We bought a hauler off him and that’s worked out well and we’ve built a good relationship. We will probably replace most of the fleet with Sany eventually; apart from the felling machine and hauler. They’re affordable and they’ve got plenty of power and I think Sany is going to do pretty well over here.”

Hayden’s current fleet encompasses Caterpillar, Sumitomo and Hitachi excavators, along with the Madill swinger and a John Deere 909 felling machine. He also has another smaller 30-tonne Sany that is fitted with

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the aforementioned Falcon winch package from DC Equipment for use as a Winch-Assist that arrived a couple of months prior to Christmas.

The affordability is a big factor. Hayden estimates that he has saved himself around $250,000, by pulling the trigger on the Sany 415, as opposed to what might be considered a ‘top 3’ make.

“That could go a long way to help buy myself a loader,” he points out.

“The high and wide is really good, it just keeps it up out of the muck and it feels more stable.

“They did a great job on the cab too; it’s got good visibility and it’s spacious. And it’s got plenty of power. There’s some rough wood in there (averaging 1.1-tonne piece size) and it just runs that head really well.

When we were over at Klondike it was running 2.5-tonne logs no worries.

The main thing for me is that Shaw’s are always good to deal with and they back their products.”

St ON

In the hot seat The Sany had clocked over 1,000 hours at the time of our Iron Test and has not disappointed.

Operator, Mark Maiti, has really looked after it. Apart from a bit of mud on the track gear it looks as if it could have been delivered the week NZ Logger visited, an impressive feat given the crew has been working in extremely muddy conditions prior to Christmas, processing about 220 tonnes a day on average. Most of it is loaded into containers and shipped to India — an arrangement that has been in place for about a year.

“It’s been really good,” says Mark. “I’d never operated one before so I didn’t really know what to expect. It’s got heaps of lift, plenty of power and is pretty economical on the fuel until you hit the halfway mark.

SERIOUS POWER BIG TIME LOGGERS

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EST EST 1909 1909 |TOCALL WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 944 894 THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 20 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

NZ Log

Facing page: Iron tester, Stan Barlow, makes light work of processing and stacking the 1.5-tonne average size logs on site.

Above: Ensign’s high and wide provides excellent ground clearance.

Right: Operator, Mark Maiti (left), with Mahuta Logging owner, Hayden Wilson.

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I would’ve appreciated some window wipers and maybe a slightly more comfortable seat but currently a new style seat is underway for Mark.

“It’s a good match for the Woodsman, too. I haven’t had a single issue or breakdown and it’s getting some serious use. We mainly get a lot of A-grade and K-grade in this forest and it’s been ideal for that really.”

Shaw’s Wire Ropes’ Jonny Edwards says the 30- and 40-tonne Sany excavators have been the most popular models among forestry operators in New Zealand and he expects future demand to be pri-marily for these two sizes.

“We’ve seen the most uptake of the Sany machines in the central North Island, but we’ve also got quite a few operating over on the East Coast, here in the Auckland region and a few in Northland,” Jonny explains.

“You’ve got to have good gear but loggers really do need and expect that back-up and after-sales service, that’s essential. Any downtime is expensive for them so you need to be really responsive and build those relationships and trust.”

Smart design This Sany has the standard boom and arm, as Shaw’s and Hayden didn’t think it would require a straightened or lengthened boom and arm, because it is only working on the skid. That turned out to be the case once the machine was put to work on site, as the operator is able to easily position the machine to grab stems without having to move too often.

It also has stairs up the side of the boom, which is safer for the operator and easier to use when climbing up to open the bonnet. By incorporating these stairs into the

design of the machine it means other contractors could easily request a rear-entry cab – again, safer for the operator to enter the work station, compared to steps up the side of a tall cab.

Hayden didn’t think it was necessary to put a high riser under the cab as he felt the operator had enough vision from his seat to see what’s going on around the skid, so the climb up on his machine isn’t too bad.

The cab itself is another piece of impressive design and engineering from Ensign, being well appointed and extremely spacious for a purposebuilt. Iron Tester, Stan Barlow, reckons there’s enough space for someone to sit behind the operator and Mark makes full use of it for storing gear.

See Stan’s Iron Test column for his comments on the rest of the cab and the general operation of the machine on page 26.

From our vantage point just above the skid, we’ve already been impressed with how well the Sany 415 has been coping with some larger stems being dragged in by the skidder.

Mark mentioned the good slew speed and power, saying it doesn’t appear to drop, even when he is running wood through the head. There’s a separate pump devoted to running the processing head to avoid flows to the slew and lift pumps being affected.

It looks pretty well balanced, too. That’s down to a combination of longer tracks fitted to the base, a lot of extra beef in

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Good lift and reach, even with the standard factory boom and arm.

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MADE IN CANADA FOR NZ CONDITIONS

EST EST 1909 1909 |TO CALL WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 944 894 THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 22 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

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Above: Mahuta Logging wanted a reliable, yet simple, machine for processing and they’ve got that in the Sany SH415H. Right top: Smooth and fast processing speed is one of the features of the Sany SH415H and Woodsman 850 combo.

Right: The 6.4-tonne counterweight helps balance the Sany SH415H when processing heavier stems.

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the high and wide conversion and 6.35 tonnes of counterweight on the rear.

Also, as mentioned Hayden and Jonny opted to retain the standard boom and arm, instead of going for more reach, to keep the 5-tonne Woodsman head closer to the machine.

The LED lighting package works well for Mark, too, who reckons that it lights up the skid very well on dark early morning starts.

In spite of its relative newness, the Sany brand hasn’t been a tough sell in New Zealand. With proven Isuzu engines, Kawasaki pumps and valve bank; the components are high quality, even with the modest price tag.

In addition to trusted components, a fair bit of smart design has gone into this model, too. That includes an auxiliary cooling unit on the pump that runs the processing head, keeping the running tem-peratures well down in the summer with high intensity use.

With a rated power of 257kW/2000 rpm, the 6-cylinder, 9.84-litre Isuzu engine has plenty of grunt and while this machine was originally aimed at

mining operators, it’s as solid as anything you’d find on any forestry site, especially with the Ensign fit out.

Ease of maintenance and repair has also been a focus, with good access to key maintenance components from the ground. Diesel mechanics will find Sany machines a breeze to service and repair, too. It doesn’t have a fold-out bonnet, like most purpose-built competitors, but the engine compartment volume on this latest model has increased by 20% over the model it recently replaced and is very roomy.

The space for replacing the external air filter element is 30% larger than that of the general excavator model and the filter element can be replaced without the need for any specialised tools. Similarly, the pump chamber volume has increased by 30%, and the operating space for filter element replacement is increased by 20% compared to the previous model.

With a ‘positive flow’ system and a ‘DOMCS’ enginepump-valve integrated dynamic hunting intelligent

The Mahuta Logging crew needed to corduroy the skid site to prevent the Sany’s 50-tonne weight from bogging down in the wet and muddy conditions.

SERIOUS POWER FOR BIG TIME LOGGERS

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ALWAYS SWING A BIG STICK

EST EST 1909 1909 | TOCALL WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 944 894 THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 24 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

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matching control system, the fuel consumption is 10% lower than comparable makes, according to Sany. In practice, the Mahuta machine is consuming fuel in the mid-20s, so with a 690-litre fuel tank, the big 415 can go for at least three days between refuels.

The Isuzu 6UZ1X is one of Cummins’ new-generation engines and it copes well under pressure, with a maximum torque output of 1363Nm, giving operators’ confidence to tackle big logs without fear of the pump supplying the head running out of steam.

Adopting a high-efficiency, large-capacity filtration system, the SY415H is forgiving in harsh operat-ing conditions and can even cope with sub-optimal oil quality.

The large radiator system has a cooling capacity 20% higher than that of previous Sany models.

This essentially means the machine is always working under optimal temperature, keeping efficiency high and fuel use

to a minimum.

Ensign’s high and wide has added to the tough car body design, thus ensuring that the structure will match the toughness of the internal working parts.

While all this adds up to a pretty attractive package, at the end of the day it is the operator and owner who decide what works well onsite and what doesn’t.

Overall, Hayden is happy with the performance of his 40-tonne Sany SH415H (and the 30-tonne Sany), as he looks to gradually replace his fleet with Sany machines where possible over time. A decision based not just on performance, but also on continued back-up and support from Shaw’s. Jonny confirms that Shaw’s has already brought a large quantity of parts into the country.

“Sany is building a big parts warehouse in Melbourne – they’re really serious about that market and we will be able to draw parts from there, plus Sany have put a huge consignment stock in our warehouse which means very little delay in getting stuff that we don’t have,” he says.

That’s a big drawcard for loggers who place a huge emphasis on the support they get from their suppliers. NZL

Above: Spacious and comfortable forest cab from Ensign Engineering.

Below: Good visibility for the operator, with a minimum of guarding bars over the front screen.

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SERIOUS POWER BIG TIME LOGGERS

EST EST 1909 1909 |TOCALL WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 944 894 THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY

March 2022 | NZ LOGGER 25

iron test: Stan Barlow

Affordable and most definitely cheerful

I

HAVE TO BE HONEST. AS SOON AS you hear Sany it’s “oh well that’s a cheaper machine”, but there’s nothing wrong with it from an operator’s perspective.

Plenty of power, plenty of visibility. The first thing I noticed was just how amazingly spacious the cabin is. I could happily spend all day in there and that’s just as well, because you do!

Ensign Engineering has done a great job on that. I have been in older Ensign-made cabins before (in legacy model processors) but this one is way more spacious and much more operator-friendly. I have checked out the smaller Sany machines and I liked them as well, but I have to say that in this instance size does matter and makes a difference in terms of operator comfort and just having that space.

This is the first Sany I’ve used with a processing head on it and the balance with that Woodsman 850 on the end of it was fine, and that’s a big head so definitely plus points there.

The power to the head was excellent.

Even with the standard boom and arm, it still reaches out to 10.5 metres, which meant that I had no trouble reaching around for stems delivered by the skidder and then placing cut logs in their respective piles.

The seat did seem a little basic and maybe not the most comfortable I’ve sat in. But that’s a fairly cosmetic thing that could be upgraded easily.

On the exterior, as a trainer-assessor what I’m looking for is accessibility. Things should be in the right place and be intuitive and they are. The guarding is good and the machine has great clearance, which is awesome if you need to get out into the cutover and you need to get

Iron Tester, Stan Barlow. over the stumps. And while I didn’t venture from the skid site, I noted that the 415 does have a good walking speed and power for this size of machine, of 5.3km/h in rabbit.

Other things I like: The Cat-pattern joystick is really responsive. It’s got power to burn and that power does translate through the hydraulics.

Overall, I think it’s fair to say that I was expecting it to be good, but it turned out to be better than good. NZL

Left: Regular maintenance checks can be done from the ground.

Below left: Stairs up the side of the boom are safer for the operator and easier to use when climbing up to access the bonnet.

Below centre: The Tier 3 Isuzu engine packs plenty of power and is relatively economical.

Below right: Good access to the hydraulics behind the boom.

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EST EST EST 1909 1909 1909

THE THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER SUPPLIER TOTO NEW TO NEW NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 26 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

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IFICATION

SPEC S

SPECIFICATIONS – SANY SH415H SPECIFICATIONS: ENGINE 6-cylinder, 9.84-litre, Isuzu 6UZ1X Tier 3 Bore/stroke Power Max torque Max travel speed Tractive Effort

120mm x 145mm 257kW (192hp) @ 2,000rpm 1363Nm @ 1,500rpm 5.3 km/h 74,100 NM

HYDRAULICS Main pumps Max flow Swing pump Swing speed

Two variable displacement axial piston pumps 800 Lpm Axial piston 8.3 rpm

BOOM/ARM Model Reach

Sany standard boom/arm 10.5 metres

PROCESSING HEAD Model Max de-limb opening Main saw

Woodsman Pro 850 874mm ¾” pitch, 36”, 38” 40” or 43 bar options

Max saw cut (main) Top saw Max saw cut (top) Rotation Weight

930mm ¾” pitch (0.404” option), 28” bar 590mm continuous 5,263 kg

REFILL CAPACITIES (LITRES) Fuel tank Engine coolant Engine oil tank Hydraulic tank

690 40 36 400

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

11,700 3,700 3,360 980 5,320 600 4,750 6,350kg 40,800kg (factory standard), 50,000kg approx (forestry built, incl head)

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Tall Timber

1

Signing off after five decades of forestry Story: Debbie Harrison

M

URRAY BRAITHWAITE IS A FAMILIAR name in the forestry industry. His 52-year career in forestry has seen the industry go from pen and paper to technology, and from axe to mechanised harvesting. After half a century giving his all to forestry, Murray is signing off and retiring. Before he left his role as Forest Operations Manager for Summit Forests for the last time, we grabbed him for a quick Q&A...

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30 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

How did you end up in forestry?

My grandfather (who I had a lot of time for) worked in a sawmill pit, sawing timber.

He encouraged my decision to work in forestry, telling me it was a growing industry and there would always be work

there. I started as a trainee woodsman in Kaingaroa Forest in January 1970 and spent two years there, learning the basics of the different jobs: planting, pruning, thinning and harvesting.

Can you share a brief history of your career?

In 1972 I transferred to Forest Research in Rotorua and spent a year there, working in the mensuration department. Here, we measured trees and recorded the measurements to produce volume tables.

I then transferred to Rotorua Conservancy Office and joined a team that was Timber Cruising. We measured out sawmill areas and measured all the trees in that area to establish the volume of wood by tree

2

species. New Forest Service would then sell these trees to the sawmill for processing.

I spent two-and-a-half years doing this job and really enjoyed it. I moved on from this job when it became controversial to log native trees. I then transferred to Aupouri Forest (now called Te Hiku) in 1975 and, other than a relieving job in Pouto Forest, I have been there since – forty-six years!

What kinds of work have you done at Aupouri?

When I first arrived in Aupouri it was just raw sand from Hukatere Road, north. Tree planting was in progress south of the ramp at Waipapakauri and had been planted up to Steeds Road.

The sand needed to be stabilised before tree-planting, so there was a large programme each winter that saw up to 1000 hectares of raw sand being established each year, achieved by planting marram grass and then lupin. Tree-planting was done generally about five years later.

To plant marram grass it first had to be dug out, then carted to site for planting.

This usually involved three digging crews and each man was required to dig a tonne of grass each day. Three to

Clockwise from top left: 1. Forestry stalwart, Muray Braithwaite.

2. Murray (second from left) in orange high-vis, at a harvest site in Te Hiku with visiting members of the Japanese Summit Forests executive team, including Chairman Kuniharu Nakamura (centre).

3. Murray next to a Firedam beside Hukatere Road, which offers a water source should a fire develop.

4. Stills from a 1970 Country Calendar story which featured young Murray Braithwaite in a story about transforming marram grass-filled sand into productive forest in Northland.

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March 2022 | NZ LOGGER 31

Tall Timber

four 4X4 Bedford TK trucks would carry the grass and two six-man planting crews with D6-sized bulldozers would pull the planting machine over the raw sand, creating three furrows for the crew to plant in. There were also three-wheeled tractors that did the wet flats where there was likely quicksand. On top of that, there were hand planters that planted the areas too steep for the bulldozers to access.

The tree-planting was mostly done with small bulldozers – either Allis Chalmers HD6 or D4 Caterpillar – towing either

32 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

a trailing arm or Louther tree-planters.

Each machine would plant around 10,000 seedling pines per day. I first worked these jobs, then later supervised the operations.

In later times I have organised and supervised the land preparation for second rotation planting which includes forward budgeting, determining what chemicals are required to control the different weeds on each block setup, the prescriptions, notifying neighbours, and organising the helicopters to spray. I would also organise the seed to be grown

in the nursery, have these available for the planting season and then arrange our silvicultural crew to do the planting.

This crew would also do any thinning and releasing that was required.

I would also organise areas to be foliagesampled and fertilised again by helicopter when required, along with aerial releasing to control weeds. I corresponded with neighbours over boundary fencing and was a Rural Fire Officer actively involved in arranging Fire Permits and attending wildfires.

It’s been a job with variety, that’s for sure!

What kinds of changes have you seen in your time?

There’s been a massive change in how jobs are managed. When I first came to Aupouri, the only documentation was a diary that was filled out each day, recording what each crew was doing and the timesheets for everybody. Now we spend most of the time in the office making sure everything is documented. Also, back in the 70s and early 80s there were no computers and to do the pays you’d have to punch figures into a calculator.

I learned how to cut trees down with an axe.

The chainsaws available back then were the Canadian chainsaws which were heavy and unreliable. There was also a lot more heavylifting in those times, loading truckloads by hand-lifting 50kg bags of fertiliser; they now come in 20kg bags. Crews travelled to work on the back of trucks in canopies – think of the health and safety now!

Opposite page: Murray and former colleague, Camryn Stewart, at the ‘Money Tree’ near North Cape. People passing by would leave coins on the tree for good luck.

Above: Murray standing beside a six-man planter. This was used for planting marram grass in large areas of raw sand. It was towed by a D6-sized bulldozer attached to a winch. The planter carried around 80 bundles of marram grass and six people to plant handfuls of grass in the furrows left by the three ploughs.

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Tall Timber

Another change is that there is a lot more attention given to environment and what impact our industry has on it.

Very robust systems have been formed to minimise any effect our operations are likely to cause.

What do you wish didn’t change?

I have seen a lot of change in the forestry industry over my time and, even though I do struggle with the new technology, I believe that as long as it is done well it has huge advantages, especially for data collection. GPSs have also been a great innovation and have made the industry much more efficient and accountable for both ground and aerial operations.

because sand was all through the working components of the bulldozer.

Your advice for young people looking to get into forestry?

Get a good education then a degree. The forestry industry is still developing so it needs great minds to help it along its way.

What will you miss when you retire?

I will miss the people in the industry.

I have worked with some great people

over the years – people who have got great innovation and want to make things happen.

What are your plans for retirement? Any projects on the list?

I want to have a bit more family time and also get more involved in helping with community projects. I also love my fishing so I can now spend some of those nice days fishing instead of being at work spraying.

Some of the highlights or most memorable moments?

Seeing large areas of sand being stabilised and growing trees… then having those same trees cut down thirty years later, not with chainsaws but with mechanical harvesting machines.

The worst moment?

Trying to extinguish large fires burning through the forest. A lot of work was put into the areas that were burnt so it was crushing to then see them go up in smoke.

Anything you’re particularly proud of?

My son has obtained a forestry degree and he is currently working for a forestry company. His role is to supervise harvesting operations.

Any good yarns to share?

One thing people do not appreciate today is that the forest area was once prone to quicksand. When working these areas, all vehicles, tractors and bulldozers would get stuck at some stage. I remember being a planter on the six-man planter when the International TD20 bulldozer dropped the winch rope but didn’t move off – when I got out of the planter to see what was going on, the bulldozer had sunk in the sand. It was like placing something heavy where it bends but doesn’t break. Then the sand collapsed in and engulfed the tracks of the bulldozer, sinking it down close to two metres. In an attempt to get the bulldozer out, they strapped a strainer post across its tracks.

On full power the bulldozer could just turn one track only. They needed another bulldozer to anchor and winch it and even then, it took several days to retrieve it. It then had to be completely stripped down

34 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

Murray checking on a trial tree in the protection zone in Te Hiku. The protection zone is created along the coastline to protect the production forest behind it from harsh salt winds. Summit Forests would like to have this area re-established in native trees and is doing trials as to which species will survive in this harsh environment.

SUMMIT SUMMIT FORESTS STARTED ITS NEW Zealand operations in 2013. Today, it is the seventh-largest forestry business in New Zealand with over 50,000ha of forestry. The estate is spread throughout iconic landscapes in Northland, the Coromandel, Whanganui, and the Gisborne and East Coast regions. Summit’s main areas of business include harvesting, exporting logs and private woodlots, and investing in New Zealand forestry assets for the future. Along with export volume from its own estate and managed forests, 80% of Summit’s annual harvest is supplied to the domestic market. This is spread across seven local processing sites.

The company employs over 200 staff and contractors around New Zealand and is currently building teams in Gisborne after a recent acquisition of forest in the area. NZL

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Breaking Out

Fibre rope in running s A NORWEGIAN CASE STUDY

T

HE STRENGTH OF ROPE REQUIRED to successfully extract trees from the forest over a long distance results in larger diameter ropes being used. Wire rope has traditionally been used for cable logging because of strength and durability characteristics, but it is very heavy for forest workers to handle, making it timeconsuming and physically demanding to

work with. Rigging accessories required are also large and robust, and the weight of the rope and carriage over a longer reach is detrimental to payload capability.

Modern cable logging operations are fast and productive, but this movement of the rope and the higher loading means they are susceptible to fatigue. Improvements in fibre rope provide opportunities for a

significantly lighter rope to be used. In New Zealand synthetic rope is already common as strawline on yarders, in central Europe as guylines and in Eastern Europe for cable skidders.

Synthetic rope has several benefits compared to traditional steel rope; a very high strength to weight ratio, reduced manual workload and easier to handle and repair. However, synthetic rope has low abrasion resistance and costs more.

Put to the test

The forwarder mounted Owren T3 cable crane with a running skyline. The yarder has a pulling force of 5 tonnes and a drum diameter of 400mm.

36 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

Professor Rien Visser from the University of Canterbury was able to support his Norwegian colleague, Dr Halvor Torgesen, in evaluating an Ultra-High-MolecularWeight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre rope in a downhill, running skyline, cable logging operation. The equipment used was a forwarder mounted Owren T3 cable crane with a running skyline, owned and operated

by Rørvik Taubanedrift AS from Norway. The yarder has a pulling force of 5 tonnes and a drum diameter of 400mm.

The fibre rope tested was 12mm diameter, 0.11kgm and with a minimum breaking load of 17.7 tonnes. This was used for both the main and haulback lines. The cost of the fibre rope used in this study was just over twice that of the equivalent steel rope.

By using synthetic rope, the running skyline configuration could use a customised slack-pulling carriage weighing only 35kg, with a 50m line for lateral hauling. This was a significant weight saving as the carriage required for a wire rope was a 360kg Owren drum carriage.

The extraction was whole trees; run by a team consisting of a winch operator, a harvest machine operator, one chainsaw worker and one choker-setter. The yarding study took place in two different forests (Frøyset and Herje, west coast Norway) harvesting Norway spruce. At one site logging was more challenging as it was close to live 22kV power lines, but the use of synthetic rope reduces the risk of arcing. The average tree sizes were 0.41 m3/tree and 0.51 m3/tree on; small trees by New Zealand

g skyline logging:

Story: Prof Rien Visser and Dr Halvor Torgesen

The custom-made running skyline carriage weighing only 35kg, but still capable of supporting loads of 3 tonnes.

March 2022 | NZ LOGGER 37

Breaking Out

standards. As they were building loads using typically 3 chokers, loads were 1.7-2.6m3 which is similar to many larger scale grapple operations here. The extraction distances were between 240 and 440m and lateral hauling was up to 50m.

Synthetic rope chokers were also used.

During operations, there were a few breaks at the end of the dropline where the sliding sling lines (chokers) were being attached. To solve this, the rope was spliced to double thickness at its end and this proved very effective.

Splicing the synthetic rope proved very easy, especially in comparison to wire rope.

Promising results

12mm HMPE rope on the mainline drum. The amount of rope in use can be adjusted by using the storage compartment (on left) so that the drum can generate the largest force through to the rope by keeping the effective diameter low.

The harvest system operated with the new synthetic ropes for a period of five months and was monitored over that time for wear. The first rope failure occurred after 6,680 m3 was harvested, or after 1,280 winch hours. At that stage the rope was clearly worn as the rope needed to be spliced a further three times over two days. The rope was replaced with a wire rope and the trail completed.

The yarding study took place in two different forests (Frøyset and Herje, west coast Norway) harvesting Norway spruce.

38 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

During operations, it was noted that there were some problems with spooling onto the drum, as well as some risk of abrasion as the rope spooled onto and off the drum under tension and at speed. To overcome this, the rope was lubricated with oil in an attempt to improve spooling and reduce abrasion during spooling. However, the lubrication caused problems with the rope jamming on the winch drum (i.e. pinching into the spool).

Therefore, the rope was rinsed to get the original surface friction back.

In comparison, previously used wire rope in the same configuration lasted for approximately 10 to 20,000m3, or one year depending on the setup. As such we can conclude the useful life of a synthetic rope as a running skyline under these test conditions is approximately half to a third of a wire rope.

Using a rope that costs at least twice as much and only lasts half as long might not seem like a good deal. However, rope is only 3-5% of the total hourly operating cost for a cable yarder, so a payload increase of only 5% will offset this – easily obtained with a

weight saving in rigging of 1200kg. There is also the ergonomic benefit for the chokersetter with the light and flexible rope.

Benefits when shifting location, changing rope and splicing were also appreciated by the crew, as was a reduced fuel use. This does need to be balanced with breakage risk during operation.

This study confirmed that fibre rope has a place in cable logging. While it is very well suited when the rope is less exposed to friction, it is expensive and can have a short lifespan. In a bigger forestry perspective; cable logging needs technical progress to cope with the limitations of today’s technology. Wheel-based machines are becoming more steep- terrain capable, so cable logging needs to keep innovating to stay competitive and remain the preferred logging method with lowest ground impact.

About the authors: Rien Visser is a Professor at the School of Forestry University of Canterbury, Christchurch, and Dr Halvor Torgesen is an engineer at the Norwegian Skogbrukets verdiskapningsfond that also funded the study. NZL

The chokers are also synthetic rope and are simply clipped on to the dropline.

Rope breaks are readily repaired with a pocket knife and a knot.

Owner operator, Vidor Rørvik, with the forwarder mounted Owren T3 yarder.

March 2022 | NZ LOGGER 39

www.fica.org.nz

Business Continuity And What That Means To You? Prue Younger, CEO Message In this climate where we are constantly influenced by the markets and now on top of that COVID and the many variants that the world is being tried and tested with, there is not much we can do as contractors, service providers or employers to change any of it.

However, we can anticipate, plan and respond. You will be hearing the words ‘Business Continuity Plans’ inserted into everyone’s communications now, but really what does that mean for us?

Business continuity may be defined as “the capability of an organisation to continue the delivery of products or services at pre-defined acceptable levels following a disruptive incident”, and business continuity planning (or business continuity and resiliency planning - BCP) is the process of creating systems of prevention and recovery to deal with potential threats to a company.

As well as prevention, the ideal state is to enable ongoing operations before and during the execution of disaster recovery. Business continuity therefore is the intended outcome of proper execution of both BCP and disaster recovery.

As a business reviews its sustainability, it should also be looking at the organisation's resistance to failure or the ability to withstand changes in its environment and still function. You may also hear this being referred to as the resilience of a business. You need to ask yourself: ‘Can our business endure environmental changes without having to permanently adapt, or do we find ourselves in a situation that we need to adapt to a new way of working that better suits the new environmental conditions?’.

COVID and market fluctuations are events that could negatively impact operations and should be included in the plan, as well as supply chain interruption, loss of or damage to critical infrastructure (major machinery or computing/ network resource). A Business Continuity Plan outlines a range of disaster scenarios and the steps the business will take in any scenario to return to regular trade. These plans should be written ahead of time and can also include precautions to be put in place. They need to be written with the input of key staff as well as stakeholders, with a set of contingencies to minimise potential harm to businesses during adverse scenarios.

I guess one could use some other terminology to explain continuity planning. Some call it strategic resilience, and more commonly let’s use preparedness, responsiveness and recovery plans too. Are you getting the idea now that it’s a relatively generic business technique but the question is whether we as employers, business owners, contractors have ever thought to do this ahead of the events?

Components of continuity and resilience include: • Creating a sense of normality • Ensuring workplace culture and identities are maintained • Continuing communication networks • Downplaying negative feelings, yet recognising these at the forefront 40 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

And when a crisis occurs there are a number of groups that a business needs to recognise and cater to, namely, the individual, the organisation and the national network that it operates in. Proactive resilience is preparing for a crisis and creating a solid foundation for the company.

Post-resilience includes continuing to maintain communication and check in with employees. Proactive resilience is dealing with issues at hand before they cause a possible shift in the work environment and post-resilience involves maintaining communication and taking the learnings after an incident has happened.

You can be assured that there will be several businesses that do not have plans and there is no reason why the industry cannot get together to collectively discuss this rather than thinking the individual contractors must do it in isolation.

So, in simpler layman’s terms, some Q & A’s: Why is Business Continuity Planning Important?

Businesses are prone to a host of events and disruptions that vary in degree from minor to catastrophic and BCPs are an important part of any business. BCP is typically meant to help a company continue operating in the event of threat and/or disruptions. This could result in a loss of revenue and higher costs, which leads to a drop in profitability. And businesses can't rely on insurance alone because it doesn't cover all the costs and the customers who move to the competition.

What Should Business Continuity Planning Include?

BCP involves identifying all risks that can affect the company's operations. The plan should also determine how those risks will affect operations and implement safeguards and procedures to mitigate the risks. There should also be testing of procedures to ensure these safeguards and procedures work. Finally, there should be a review process to make sure that the plan is up to date.

What Is Business Continuity Impact Analysis?

An important part of developing a BCP is a business continuity impact analysis which identifies the effects of disruption of business functions and processes. It also uses the information to make decisions about recovery priorities and strategies. The analysis should summarize the impacts—both financial and operational—that stem from the loss of individual business functions and processes.

They also identify when the loss of a function or process would result in the identified business impacts.

There will be support around you to help with this and you may well be a good way down the track of having this plan in place but if not, ask your accountant, your bank manager and check out: www.business.govt.nz Type in Small Business Continuity Plan — Is Your Business Prepared?

top spot

Celebrating individual a Safety/performance/quality

THEY SAY A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND words so, this issue we bring you a series of photographs celebrating both individual and team achievement rather than talking about it.

We also welcome Opotiki based STR Logging to the 2022 programme. They have watched and thought about this and the crew has decided to take on the challenge!

is to get out and support those businesses that support New Zealand.

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. The best way to keep our industry working

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, Wenita Forest Products, Ernslaw One, OneFortyOne New Zealand, Crown Forestry, Forest View Contracting, Makerikeri Silviculture (2020), Mitchell Silviculture, Puklowski Silviculture, Gutsell Forestry Services, Johnson Forestry Services,

Top Yarder Crew for 2021, the team from Lahar Logging.

McHoull Contracting, Wayne Cumming Contracting, Howard Forestry Services, IntaWood Forestry, Heslip Forest Contracting, Otautau Contractors, X Men Forestry, Proforest Services, FM Silviculture, Tane Mahuta, Waikato Forestry Services, Rai Valley Silviculture, Thomassen Logging, Forest View Logging, Griffin Logging, Penetito Forestry, Pride Forestry, Mangoihe Logging, CMH Contracting, Kaha Logging, Roxburgh Contracting, Te Waa Logging, Mike Hurring Logging, Bluewood Logging, Storm Logging, Onward Logging, Down and Out Logging, Forest Pro Logging, Eastside Logging, Lahar Logging, Moutere Logging, JD Harvesting, Whisker Logging, Kimberly Logging, Dewes Contractors, Dempsey Logging, Into safety?

Into performance?

Into quality?W

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

Lindon Blake from Lahar Logging with Steve Couper, Regional Manager Ernslaw One.

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42 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

top spot

l and team achievement Safety/performance/quality

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Simon Katene of Lahar Logging with Ernslaw One’s Noel Meads.

George Hinana of Lahar Logging with Noel Meads.

Harlem Hawira of Lahar Logging with Noel Meads.

Daniel Cole of Lahar Logging with Steve ????????????

Couper.

Andre McDonnall of Lahar Logging with ????????????

Steve Couper.

Richard Carmichael of Kaha Logging.

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March 2022 | NZ LOGGER 43

top spot

Safety/performance/quality

Chris Winter of Kaha Logging with Noel Meads.

Paneta Wiari of Kaha Logging with Steve Couper.

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Phillip Hansen of Kaha Logging with Steve Couper.

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Smiler Katene "the boss" - Lahar Logging with Shane Perrett.

Scott Wise of Te Waa Logging.

Chauncey Owens Te Waa Logging.

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Matiu Williams Te Waa Logging.

44 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

Robert Hogarth Te Waa Logging.

Laurence Teka Te Waa Logging.

QB2500

QB3500

QB4400

0800 784 787

www.quadco.com

LG31424

Southstar Equipment New Zealand, 03 View Rd. Rotorua

new iron

SUMITOMO 3740 FOR CT MACHINERY James and the Team at CT Machinery have taken delivery of one of the first Sumitomo 3740’s in New Zealand. This has replaced a SH240-5TLFS and the huge upgrades were noticeable from Day 1, says James. He adds that he is rapt with the smooth and responsive operation, power of the machine when lifting, stability when loading on uneven ground and the comfort of the seat and cab.

MOUTERE LOGGING’S FIRST SANY SY305H Moutere Logging of Nelson has taken delivery by Shaw's of its first Sany SY305H grapple machine. Ensign of Rotorua carried out the full forestry package plus grapple. The team say they absolutely love the machine.

NEW JOHN DEERE FOR CABLE LOGGING Cable Logging, Geraldine has taken delivery of a new John Deere 948L-II. It wasn’t the best of days for a delivery but that didn’t stop the John Deere getting straight to work. Sold and supported by the team at Drummond & Etheridge.

LOGGABILL GETS REPLACEMENT SATCO

SHARPLES LOGGING HARD AT WORK

Loggabill has taken delivery of a new Satco 630E as a replacement for its 630H which had been doing the heavy work for the last few years.

Operator, Shagga, says he is impressed with the improvements Satco has made to the 630 “making a great product even better”.

Solomon from DC Equipment is pictured with Carl Erceg, felling machine operator for Sharples Logging, working in a windthrow block on the Canterbury foothills with the company’s new JD 959 felling machine.

46 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

new iron

NEW CAT FOR THOMASSEN GROUP

HYUNDAI FOR PURE LOGGING

New Cat iron has arrived for Crew 33 as part of the Thomassen Group, working in the Waikato district. The Cat 336 is impressing with its speed and power which, when coupled with a Woodsman Pro 750 harvesting head, is proving to be a powerhouse combination, they say.

Sold by Brent Van Der Burg, Territory Account Manager from Terra Cat.

Porter Equipment Territory Manager, Selwyn Tilly, has delivered another Hyundai FX custom forestry model for Ngapuhi, Hokianga, to Mangamuka Marae for Pure Logging. This FX3230G is designed and built for the toughest forestry conditions, featuring a newly enhanced cabin and heavy-duty factory guarding package.

NEW DELIVERY FOR LEALAND LOGGING Lealand Logging has taken delivery of the first John Deere 624P to go to work in New Zealand. It is fitted with Ensign log forks, loading trucks in the Kaingaroa Forest.

The new P Series John Deere loaders offer more space in the cab which was well received by the operator. Sold and serviced by Agrowquip Rotorua.

NEW HYUNDAI FOR PRIDE FORESTRY The team at Pride Forestry has welcomed a brand new Hyundai R25Z9 mini excavator, complete with forestry guarding. Machine sold and delivered by Porter Equipment Territory Manager, Colin Duley.

SATCO 630H FOR NIGEL BRYANT Nigel Bryant has taken delivery of a new SATCO 630H to add to its fleet of forestry equipment. Operator, Jarrod, has been operating an earlier model SATCO 630H and says he is impressed with the new SATCO auto saw system. The SATCO 630H has been put to work falling, shovelling and stacking stems ready for extraction.

March 2022 | NZ LOGGER 47

new iron

NEW MACHINERY FOR FORWEDA LAND CLEARING ELTEC/WOODSMAN COMBO FOR LUMBERJACK LOGGING Dan and Erika Herries of Lumberjack Logging have taken delivery of an Eltec FHL277L tilter fitted with a Woodsman Pro 1350c.

Shaw's delivered the machine to the East Coast crew where Les will be carrying out all the felling and bunching duties for the hauler operation.

Pete and Lorraine of Forweda Land Clearing recently upgraded their old processor to a new rear-entry Sumitomo SH370-5 fitted with a refurbished Waratah 626. The team is stoked with the extra reach and stability on the skid, saying the extra height of the cab adds another dynamic of vision around the skid too. The whole family made it out to the delivery which spread over a few generations.

Awesome!

BOAPOD FOR MECHLOG MechLog provides customised timber harvesting systems to plantation forestry across Northern Tasmania and the Green Triangle, South Australia. This BOApod is currently servicing MechLog’s North Eastern Tasmanian crews. Working in remote locations means an onsite solution is ideal for MechLog’s operation. Director, Anthony Brown, had this to say: “We are assembling hoses in no time at all and doing a hose repair is such a breeze. With the BOApod readily available, downtime is minimal. It is taken to major services which is ideal for preventative maintenance and it is well-built to handle forestry roads.”

TIMBERPRO/ENSIGN COMBO FOR WILD CHERRY LOGGING

FALCON FOR NIGEL BRYANT LOGGING

Binky and Wendy Ellis of Wild Cherry Logging have recently taken delivery of a new Timberpro TL 775D fitted with an Ensign FH 1350C felling head. Operator, Paraki Davis, commented to John Kosar (Komatsu Forest NZ) that “it’s got a ton of track power”.

Pictured from left: Tinus Barnard (Komatsu Forest NZ), Ngaraima Brown, Dayne Nathan, Lincoln Ellis, John Kosar (Komatsu Forest NZ) and John Van Boven (Ensign). Photographer: Paraki Davis (operator).

TDF Solutions is stoked to supply Nigel Bryant Logging with the first ever production two-speed Falcon winch assist. It was delivered to Tim and James at Stag Crew, pictured with Solly from Falcon Forestry Equipment. The winch has the flexibility to work the 552 Cat or be connected to a skidder with more line speed.

48 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

new iron

NEW HYUNDAI FOR YARDING SOLUTIONS Yarding Solutions has taken delivery of a new Hyundai F3230LL, sold by Porter Equipment Territory Manager, Colin Duley. This 30-tonne log loader is designed and built for the toughest forestry conditions and comes standard with heavy duty guarding throughout, LED safety lights and extra-strength upper body and maintenance covers.

NEXT GEN CAT FOR MANGOIHE LOGGING COMPANY Delivery day is always exciting and this new Next Gen Cat 538LL forest machine is pictured on arrival with the crew from Mangoihe Logging Company. Bryan and Olivia McCarthy purchased the 538LL for logging operations in the Hunterville region. Sold by Terra Cat Territory Account Manager, Heath Stewart.

WEILER/WOODSMAN COMBO FOR H&R HARVESTING Rotorua-based H&R Harvesting has taken delivery of a new Weiler B758 feller buncher which is running a Woodsman fixed felling head. It features leading lift capacity throughout full reach, a key benefit in big wood. Operator, Johnson Hubbard, is looking forward to putting some hours on the machine.

Sold by Terra Cat Territory Account Manager, Mark Costello.

NEW MACHINERY FOR LUMBERJACK LOGGING

CAT 330GC FOR HAVENDALE LOGGING

Dan and Erika from Lumberjack Logging in Gisborne have taken delivery by Shaw's of a Sany SY305H with a DC equipment tether winch package currently hooked to their brand new Eltec FHL277L tilter, making for great combination.

Chris and Kirsten Wise from Havendale Logging recently acquired this Cat 330GC excavator with a PFS guarding package and an Ensign heel and grapple. The machine has been put to work in the Wairarapa region and is impressing the team with its performance.

Sold by Terra Cat Territory Account Manager, Heath Stewart.

March 2022 | NZ LOGGER 49

new iron

DOUBLE CATS FOR MACFARLANE CONTRACTING

SATCO 3L2T FOR CENTRAL LOGGING

Zeke Macfarlane of Macfarlane Contracting has added his fifth and sixth Cat 320GC excavators to his fleet, with the new machines now working in the KT Estate. Based in the Rotorua region, Zeke says he is happy with the performance and reliability of the next generation 320GC’s, which replace older Cat 320DL units. Sold by Brent Van Der Burg, Territory Account Manager, Terra Cat.

Central Logging has taken delivery of a new SATCO 3L2T harvester which will be working on the landing cutting to length. Mike already has a SATCO 3L2SC which has been doing falling, delimbing and shovelling ready for extraction.

NZ LOGGER classified

Forestry Insurance Solutions LG23616

0800 55 54 53 info@stal.co.nz

www.sweeneytownsend.co.nz

Forestry Insurance Solutions

50 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

IN-FIELD HYDRAULIC HOSE EMERGENCY REPAIR KITS

NZ LOGGER classified

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

Grapplesand andall allspares sparesinin Grapples stockwith withovernight overnightdelivery delivery stock

LG31252

SERIES852 852and and864 864 MMSERIES STRONG&&RELIABLE RELIABLE STRONG GRAPPLES GRAPPLES

52 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

Knight Logging Ltd

• M SERIES 852 AND 864 – STRONG & RELIABLE GRAPPLES • GRAPPLES AND ALL SPARES IN STOCK WITH OVERNIGHT DELIVERY • PROVEN AFTER SALES SERVICE

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

A DIVISION OF

NZ LOGGER classified

54 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

NZ LOGGER classified

PROTECT YOUR POLYCARBONATE WINDOWS

BEFORE

Polycarb windows are prone to scratching causing severe reduction in visibility for the operator creating health & safety issues.

AFTER

► Extend the life of the polycarbonate,

► Reduce need for screen replacement, only film when necessary

► Restore visibility for operator,

► Enable use of windscreen wipers

MOBILE SERVICE

CONTACT: SHANE 027 626 2231

NATIONWIDE

extremewindowtints@xtra.co.nz

@ExtremeWindowTints Extreme_Window_Tints

LG31921

By applying our protective window film to your machine windows, you will:

USED FORESTRY EQUIPMENT - AVAILABLE NOW #207954

#208014

John Deere 909MH Harvester

Volvo EC300D Excavator

$475,000 +GST 2017, 7000 hours Contact Brodie Keen - 027 214 6599

$302,500 +GST 2017, 6800 hours Contact Mark Blakemore - 027 201 1031

w/ Woodsman Felling Head

w/ Satco Felling Head

#207835

John Deere 1910E Forwarder 2014, 12200 hours $240,000 +GST Contact Brodie Keen - 027 214 6599

#207756

Hyundai 210LC-9HC Excavator 2010, 12721 hours $89,995 +GST Contact Matt Mills - 021 579 129

#207834

#207803

John Deere 648H Skidder

Tigercat 625E Skidder

$99,500 +GST 2007, 13252 hours Contact Brodie Keen - 027 214 6599

$415,000 +GST 2018, 5000 hours Contact Brodie Keen - 027 214 6599

View our full range online

www.dne.co.nz March 2022 | NZ LOGGER 55

NZ LOGGER classified

EXPOSE YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE

LG18594

Get the right exposure through NZ Logger magazine and capture the Forest industry buyers directly.

CONTACT TRISH TO ADVERTISE

mobile. 021 925 600 phone. 09 571 3544

Hauler Engineering Ltd 021 365 812

Brightwater yarder parts + servicing – 70 main/tail shafts in stock Sept – genuine Witchita 19kk parts in stock Sept – Gears all engineered parts available

LG29851

Brightwater yarder grapples + parts

service@hauler.co.nz

Engine + trans setups with chaincases

Yarder Rebuilds

Yarder clutch convertions with BFG clutches thunderbird 155, 255, 355, TTy70, TMY70-50

SPECIALISING IN BRIGHTWATER YARDERS

56 NZ LOGGER | March 2022

Nor Mec

Ble Ons

H215E debarking head suitable for Tracked & Wheeled carriers 15 to 25 ton.

Priced from $154,234.00 For more information contact: Karl 021 1926 567 North Island Gerard 0274 794 664 South Island

Waratah H215E Debarker

Waratah H212

Waratah 626 Series II

POA

Priced $110,634.00

Priced from $134,413.00

Priced $150,000.00

Waratah 625C

Waratah 626 Used 626 - soon to be rebuilt POA

Currently under rebuild POA

Priced $50,000.00

Arriving Soon – to be rebuilt.

POA

10% OFF

10%

Waratah Grapples From $4279.38

OFF Delimb Covers From $2461.76

Pallet of 12 Colour Marking Dye

Northland Mechanised logging services

Gisborne AB Diesel Ltd

Hawkes Bay Forestry Maintenance HB

Nelson Tasman Heavy Diesel

Blenheim Onsite Mechanical

Greymouth SM Hydraulics

Dunedin Heavy Diesel support

Southland Heavy Equipment Repair

Auto Tension Kit

Komatsu PC300HW

WG Boom Set Internal Hose Routing

Forestry Cab Options • Komatsu • EMS • Active • Ensign Komatsu HD Cooler Package Options

Komatsu Integrated Control System

Komatsu High/Wide

Optional Guarding Packages

Komatsu Forest working closely with Komatsu Ltd Japan have developed two new Forest Xtreme models the PC270HW & PC300HW. These two models feature unique forest specifications from the Komatsu Osaka factory; • High & Wide undercarriage / Forestry Boom Set / Forestry Cabin Options supplied from KF are; • Large HD Cooling / Guarding Packages / Forestry Cabins

Komatsu’s unique ‘Forest Combinations’ Komatsu Forest Pty Ltd 15C Hyland Cresent Rotorua, New Zealand John Kosar M: 0274 865 844 Paul Roche M: 021 350 747 E: info.au@komatsuforest.com