4 minute read
editorial
from NZ Logger March 2022
by nzlogger
FIRST IN, FIRST SERVED
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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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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