NZ Logger May 2022

May 2022

A fine h s i n n i F esting

ISSN 2703-6251

Hybrid har

v

From prison to purpose

Electric chainsaws in the making

| $8.00

FIRST ANNUAL FORESTRY CUSTOMER TRIP

EXCLUSIV

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2023 FIORDLAND ADVENTURE

20 PL ACE S AVAILABL E

WHEN PU RCHASIN G SELECTE D FORESTR Y UNITS

HUNTING | DIVING | FISHING

Weiler

Wheel Skidders

Cat 330GC Excavators

Cat 336GC Excavators

Cat 568GF

Forest Machines

HERE’S HOW TO QUALIFY FOR THE TRIP To qualify for a ticket to join our exclusive annual Terra Fiordland Adventure Trip, you must purchase one of the selected first 20 x Cat or Weiler forestry units available. Available only while selected stocks last, so be in quick to be one of twenty exclusive forestry customers to attend.

0800 93 39 39

terracat.co.nz

T&Cs apply: 1. Terra Cat reserves the right to change the forestry machines available in stock that need to be purchased to qualify for the trip; 2. There is a maximum of two ticketed trip attendees per company if two eligible machines or more are purchased by that company; 3.Tickets cannot be transferred unless with prior approval fromTerra Cat; 4.To qualify you must purchase one of the selected first 20 x new Cat or Weiler forestry units available.The qualifying machines are Weiler Skidders, Cat 330GC Excavators, Cat 336GC Excavators and Cat 568GF Forest Machines; 5.This Fiordland trip package is not redeemable for cash; 6.Terra Cat is responsible for the costs incurred for the Fiordland charter tour including transfers from and to Queenstown, and one night’s accommodation in Te Anau. This excludes travel arrangements to Queenstown from within New Zealand which is to be paid for by each attendee.

contents MAY 2022

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FOREST TALK Immigration reforms inadequate; Punting productivity; Indian log exports in peril; Log load securing system underway; Risk-free virtual logging; Dunstan Downs Station returned to conservation land; Bioenergy market heats up; 500th machine milestone; Overseas investor eyes New Zealand; Primary industries hold strong in Marlborough; Business confidence high for some, says FICA; Obituary: A true gentleman; Think smarter.

SHAW’S WIRE ROPES IRON TEST The first hybrid-powered forestry machine to go to work in New Zealand

40 offers a taste of what low-carbon harvesting will look like in the future.

The Finnish-manufactured Logset 8H GTE Hybrid harvester is already impressing with its power and versatility at Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting.

30

BREAKING OUT Ex-offenders are reaping the rewards of the collaboration between the Department of Corrections and local forestry companies. The Department’s recruitment service, This Way for Work, facilitates job placements in forestry that provide new skills, a steady job and a chance to start over.

40

SPECIAL FEATURE: ELECTRIC CHAINSAWS The compact and powerful combustion engine remains the heart of a chainsaw, bringing with it a number of hazards. Despite romanticising the chainsaw’s sound, the potential of an electric tool has raised the interest of forestry professionals.

DEPARTMENTS 2 editorial 42 fica 44 top spot 45 new iron 50 classifieds

May 2022 | NZ LOGGER 1

from the editor May 2022

Finding solutions

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A fine h Finnis g

ISSN 1176-0397

PHOTO: JOHN ELLEGARD

Hybrid har

vestin

From prison to purpose

Electric chainsaws in the making

The Finnish-manufactured Logset 8H GTE Hybrid harvester is the first hybridpowered forestry machine to go to work in New Zealand.

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2 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

THOUGH IT WASN’T INTENTIONAL, IN PUTTING TOGETHER THIS MONTH’S edition, one theme slowly began to thread its way through the pages – the lack of skilled workers in New Zealand and ways to bring them into our industry.

It’s no secret that forestry struggles to attract workers, the silviculture sector in particular, with long, hard hours of manual labour. The events of the past two years have exacerbated the situation countrywide, as other sectors are now feeling the pinch. An ageing population and a growing economy are not a good mix, with the traditional solution to recruit offshore blocked by COVID-19 border closures. Shut the borders for an indefinite amount of time and you’ve got a bigger problem.

Not surprising then that the worker shortage is coming to a head. However, what may be surprising to some is that, thanks to industry lobbying, the government is finally taking notice. The recent announcement that exceptions will be made to the usual immigration rules to allow 1580 experienced workers into the forestry, meat and dairy sectors (580 of those spots earmarked for forestry) has been met with mixed reactions – too little too late, not sufficient to ease the country’s skills shortage and not widespread enough, are some of the responses, while others view this as a good start. See our Forest Talk pages for details, and you can make up your own mind.

Another solution to worker shortages is, of course, to boost skills within New Zealand – something the subject of this month’s Iron Test is passionate about. While our focus is on his newly acquired Logset 8H GTE Hybrid harvester, Mike Hurring’s Balclutha-based training programme is busy this year. Developed via a partnership between Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting and Competenz to address workforce shortages in the Otago/Southland regions, it is delivering recruits with practical skills.

Hand in hand with upskilling, is attracting younger workers to the industry… or perhaps workers from another sector. Our Breaking Out feature this month could be taken literally as we investigate the Department of Corrections’ employment placement programme which has placed over 200 ex-offenders into forestry and logging jobs since November 2016. It’s win-win says FNR Forestry 2019 Managing Director Jeremy Parkinson, who employs ex-offenders in his forestry crews. “They get employment, they get upskilled, they get a trade and we get some good guys.”

What more could you want? Perhaps some useful new tools to complement those skills. With power supply the biggest challenge off the grid in the forest, our feature on the advent of electric chainsaws is intriguing. There are still a few steps before a competitive electric model for large felling saws is available, but the potential is clear to see.

So, while the latest immigration reforms are a start and we hope the new Accredited Employer Work Visa promised for July delivers, Kiwi foresters aren’t resting on their laurels. As Mike Hurring says, “It’s important to invest in people, otherwise what happens to your industry? It’s everybody’s responsibility really.”

Until next time, stay safe.

forest talk

Immigration reforms inadequate THANKS TO INDUSTRY PRESSURE, GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED to allow up to 300 silviculture forestry workers and up to 280 wood processors and manufacturers to enter New Zealand. These workers must earn at least the median wage (currently $27 per hour).

This is part of a set of exceptions being made to usual immigration rules to ease critical skills gaps in the forestry, meat and dairy sectors to keep up the momentum of economic recovery by opening the door to 1,580 additional experienced workers in total.

“The forestry industry is a big presence in our rural communities and regional economies, bringing vital jobs to regions across the country,” says Forestry Minister, Stuart Nash.

“The forest planting season runs from May to September and a shortage of workers could limit the number of trees going in the ground, and their survival rates. Silviculturalists also add value to the wider forest nursery industry through their management of plantings.

“The forestry industry also needs skilled workers in wood processing and manufacturing, across a range of roles like kiln operators, electricians, sawmill workers, timber machinists and carpenters. Extra help from migrant workers will keep building and construction supply chains open and meet the growing demand for timber and wood products.

“The forestry sector employs around 35,000 people and skills shortages in one area have flow-on effects, given its highly integrated nature. These changes will help lift the wider performance of this sector of our economy, and ease pressures in rural communities,” he adds.

However, National’s Immigration spokesperson Erica Stanford says the new exceptions from immigration rules will do little to ease the critical skills shortage in New Zealand’s primary sectors and instead reflect the Immigration Minister’s incompetence offering “far less than the sectors desperately need”.

“This announcement is the Government admitting yet again that we have a severe skills shortage in New Zealand. While we are happy for the selected industries, which all desperately need workers, the announcement will do nothing for huge sectors of the economy which face major worker shortages.

“But rather than opening up the border to desperately needed workers across multiple sectors, the Government is picking winners and deciding who gets skilled workers based on who has the best lobby group.

“Why are we relying on a fairly small number of border class exceptions to fill skills shortages when the whole country is crying out for workers?”

Minister O’Connor explains: “Our food and fibre sector continues to lead the economic recovery from COVID-19. Food and fibre export revenue is expected to hit more than $50 billion by 30 June 2022, and it’s vital the sector has the experienced workforce it needs to achieve this.

“Our reconnecting strategy includes special immigration provisions to allow critical workers to enter New Zealand, ahead of a full reopening and the wider re-set of border rules later in the year.”

Ms Stanford says this is insufficient: “The latest round of class exceptions reflect the Minister of Immigration’s incompetence in failing to get the new work visa up and running before July. Kris Faafoi has had two years to prepare and he is the biggest handbrake on our economic recovery right now.

“Even the exception numbers announced aren’t enough. Plus,

4 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

order exceptions have proved to be horribly inefficient, with many allocations not bringing in the numbers they promised due to the overly bureaucratic process that involved multiple ministries.

“National is calling on the Immigration Minister to bring forward the employer accredited work visa scheme to allow all sectors to start to bring in the skilled workers they need to get this country moving.”

People crisis obvious National Road Carriers Chief Operating Officer, James Smith, agrees, saying New Zealand still urgently needs more overseas truck drivers to fill a growing shortage.

“The people crisis is becoming glaringly obvious,” says Mr Smith.

“We need thousands more people in the transport and distribution sector.

“People in the industry are giving up because they are exhausted.

Employees in their fifties are retiring – selling up in Auckland, making the most of the recent property boom to cash in and downsize out of the city. And the problem is compounded by overseas recruitment agents targeting New Zealand employees via LinkedIn and Facebook.”

He says New Zealand’s immigration processes to fill the gaps are slow and clunky. “Government officials are sitting on a whole pile of applications for residency and citizenship that are not being processed.

We desperately need these people. We should be making it as easy as possible for people to come here and stay here by giving them a pathway to citizenship. We’ve done it before.”

Mr Smith adds “with the best will in the world” truck-driver vacancies will not be filled by most long-term unemployed New Zealanders who would struggle to drive a heavy vehicle.

Meanwhile, Federated Farmers welcomes the changes. “They say good things take time, and Feds has been ratcheting up the pressure for this necessary step for many, many months,” says Federated Farmers employment spokesperson Chris Lewis.

“Let’s hope the system is agile enough to get these people into New Zealand and out into workplaces by the time we need them – particularly for the super busy spring dairy calving season.

“The Federation’s message to farmers is to take up these places,” he says.

“We know that with fuel and fertiliser price rises, concerns in some districts about supplementary feed, and other factors, there may be a temptation to try and struggle through with workforce gaps.

“But just remember the stress that puts on you and the rest of the team, the health and safety factors, and the difficulties of rostering to give people decent time off when your staff complement is deficient.”

The border class exceptions which took place from 12 April will address critical worker shortages in the lead up to implementation of the new Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) which opens on 4 July 2022. NZL

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forest talk

Punting productivity WE NEED TO REMOVE THE LETTER ‘T’ from can’t and won’t to get New Zealand off the bottom of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) productivity standings says National Road Carriers Chief Operating Officer, James Smith.

Mr Smith says Productivity Commission figures show New Zealand’s productivity has been falling since 1985 and is now among the lowest in the OECD, ranking alongside Turkey, Greece and Chile and well behind Denmark, Netherlands, Finland, the United States and Australia.

“Instead of telling people what they can do, we tell them what they can’t do – especially around the COVID pandemic. The rest of the world has switched to ‘can’, and New Zealand is losing ground fast.

“If you remove ‘t’ from won’t you get ‘won’.

The difference between the New Zealand and

Australian national psyche is that the Aussies focus on how good they are. You are in real trouble when you are constrained by fear,” he adds.

Mr Smith says there are pockets of companies and industries in New Zealand that are doing very well because they refuse to be told what can’t be done.

“Mainfreight is an example of a company demonstrating what can be done. The video gaming development industry is another where we punch way above our weight.

“The Government needs to be sending a very clear signal that there should be a greater emphasis on productivity – Gross Domestic Product per capita.

“To use the words of Sir Peter Blake, we need to look at any national decision in terms of ‘Will it make the boat go faster?’ If the answer is ‘No’, don’t do it. If the answer is ‘Yes’,

then what is stopping us from doing it?”

Mr Smith says one of the key missing enablers “to make the boat go faster” is migrant workers. Productivity Commission figures show migrant workers grew from under five percent of the workforce in 2012 to nearly eight percent in 2019, “but then the tap was turned off in 2020, when the COVID pandemic struck”.

“The economy is going to stall if we don’t get more people. We need to make New Zealand more attractive for people to work here. We need the same amount of effort applied to the immigration pathway to enable people to come to New Zealand to work and gain citizenship as we do to promoting tourism.

“We live in a highly competitive global economy and New Zealand should be attractive to people who want to get further away from the world’s trouble spots.” NZL

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forest talk

Indian log exports in peril THE FOREST OWNERS ASSOCIATION (FOA) wants a delegation of government ministers to urgently go to India to try to re-open the export log market there, following the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approval for ethanedinitrile (EDN) fumigation of export log stacks.

The EPA recently announced the approval for the use of EDN as a replacement for methyl bromide to fumigate logs in New Zealand before they are exported.

EDN is said to be a far more environmentallyfriendly fumigant. It is effective on insects and pathogens, but breaks down quickly in the environment. It is neither a greenhouse gas nor does it deplete the ozone layer.

India, however, still stipulates that methyl bromide must be used for log imports from New Zealand. No other fumigants are currently approved by India.

China is by far New Zealand’s biggest log

export destination, but other log treatments, such as debarking, have enabled log exports there to continue.

The President of the FOA, Grant Dodson, says the Indian requirement has meant the collapse of a quarter of a billion dollar a year log export market, as the use of methyl bromide has been increasingly restricted in New Zealand.

New Zealand log exports to India fell to only $28 million last year.

“It’s vital to get back into India. The longer we are out of that market, the harder it will be to get back in,” Mr Dodson says.

India is currently the sixth largest economy in the world, but is widely predicted to be global number three, behind only China and the USA, by 2030.

Mr Dodson says other log exporting countries, such as Canada, have been heavily investing in their Indian export markets.

“These countries will also work to keep us out for as long as they can. But with EDN approval here, we can now confidently go back to India and negotiate to compete on equal terms again.

“We still have to get through regional consent processes at the export fumigation locations here in New Zealand, before EDN can be used for any destination.

“But the real ‘log jam’ has been the wait for the EPA approval.” NZL

Log load securing system underway A PROJECT HAS COMMENCED TO DEVELOP A SAFE AND EFFICIENT alternative load securing system for logging trucks as part of the Forest Growers Research (FGR) programme in Automation and Robotics.

Many logging truck drivers suffer musculo-skeletal injuries that are caused by throwing chains over their load and then manually tensioning the load restraints. An improved method of load restraint is required with this project aimed at developing ways to automate chain throwing and tensioning.

In addition, as debarking in the forest becomes more common, there will be changes to the loads the trucks will be carrying with more debarked logs carted from the forest to the port. So, the industry must also consider any changes that may be required to current methods of load restraint to adequately restrain these more slippery debarked logs on logging trucks, says FGR. To date, the automatic chain thrower is well advanced with two trucking companies having developed working prototypes for field testing. In addition, two forestry companies have also built automatic chain lifters that lift all the chains over the load simultaneously. These machines are proving effective for use in log yards.

The project will develop a system whereby: 1. The chains are automatically thrown over the load.

2. The chain tensioning is automatically done by winches that are driven off the truck’s auxiliary power system.

3. Chain tension will be monitored automatically and if any load settling during the journey is detected the winches will automatically retention the chains without any intervention by the driver.

4. The status of the chain tension will be displayed on an in-cab system that will notify the driver if any corrective action is required.

This project is being undertaken with the support of the Log Transport Safety Council, in conjunction with Trinder Engineers of Nelson.

These developments implemented across the New Zealand logging

6 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

truck fleet should reduce driver injuries due to chain throwing and tensioning and result in longer driver retention in the industry, and safer log transport, a win for the whole industry, says FGR. FGR acknowledges co-funding in this project from the Ministry for Primary Industries. NZL

Above: Manual chain throwing and chain tensioning.

Below: The automatic chain lifter developed by Timberlands for use in the log yard.

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forest talk

The 959M tracked feller buncher is just one of many John Deere Forestry machines featured on the training simulator.

Risk-free virtual logging JOHN DEERE HAS RELEASED ITS NEW FORESTRY FULL-TREE Training Simulator which allows operators to explore interactive virtual logging sites as if they were in the cab of an actual John Deere machine. The simulator offers cost-effective and efficient operator training in a risk-free environment, while avoiding wear and tear on equipment.

This product offers realistic, true-to-life controls that can be swapped out to quickly convert the simulator to a different John Deere forestry machine type in a matter of minutes. The swappable controls allow quick interchange of joysticks and foot pedals to multiple machine types.

Operators can view the simulation through a single-display, 55” TV. The display screen offers highly detailed, realistic graphics allowing operators to create custom environments, switch between machines in the same environment or mimic stump to landing material flow.

“Our main focus for all operators is safety, comfort, and the

control needed to tackle any forestry job. This forestry simulator will be able to provide all three,” says Justin McDermott, John Deere Forestry Sales and Tactical Marketing Manager, US and Canada.

“We built the forestry simulator based on the needs of operators.

Mississippi Loggers Association, the Mississippi Forestry Commission and Stribling Equipment are the first group to adopt the technology to advance their training programme. This will provide a safe and advanced training solution for their operators.”

The forestry simulator offers training for a number of John Deere machines including the 953M/959M tracked feller buncher w/FR22B head, 953MH/959MH tracked harvester w/H480 head, 953ML/959ML shovel logger w/Grapple and FL85 head, 843L-II wheeled feller buncher w/FD22B head, and 848L-II skidder.

This technological advancement is compatible with construction simulator controls and software, and is also available in desktop simulators. NZL

Dunstan Downs Station returned to conservation land TOITŪ TE WHENUA LAND INFORMATION NEW ZEALAND HAS announced that 99% of the Dunstan Downs Station, an iconic High Country station in the Lindis Pass, will be returned to conservation land. This is one of the highest percentages of a lease to become conservation land under the tenure review process, says Environmental Defence Society (EDS) solicitor, Cordelia Woodhouse.

The Lindis Pass, including the whole of the Dunstan Downs pastoral lease, is recognised as an outstanding natural landscape. It is an area viewed and enjoyed by many as it flanks the state highway

8 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

through part of the Lindis Pass – the gateway to the Mackenzie Country, she adds.

“The area contains a range of vegetation types, including the presence of full ecological sequences and provides important habitat for a number of threatened or declining species. It is also one of the best examples of tussock landscapes in the Canterbury region.”

In its submission EDS raised concerns that freeholding would open the land up to significant development pressure, including the possibility of plantation forestry. NZL

forest talk

Bioenergy market heats up THE CREATION OF WOOD ENERGY New Zealand, a strategic partnership between Pioneer Energy and the Niagara Sawmilling Company, reflects the growth in the use of bioenergy to replace fossil fuels, and how business is growing to respond to the demand for wood fuels, says Executive Officer of the Bioenergy Association, Brian Cox. Pioneer Energy and the Niagara Sawmilling Company are both wellestablished, accredited wood fuel suppliers and the partnership will combine their existing strengths, and assist them to meet larger wood fuel supply contracts.

Mr Cox says, “Currently around 10% of New Zealand’s consumer energy comes from biomass residues and it is expected that this will triple over the next few years as Government policies to transition from use of fossil fuels for process heat are implemented. While the existing supply of biomass for energy is sound, the increased demand for biomass is incentivising

companies like Pioneer Energy and Niagara to expand their businesses.”

Mr Cox adds that “there is enough biomass residue available from plantation and farm forestry but experienced companies like Pioneer Energy and Niagara are needed to get biomass, which is often left on the ground and wasted, collected

and delivered to customers”.

“These larger, experienced wood fuel suppliers will have the capability to supply wood fuel to the large food processors and hospitals who are in the transition phase and need the confidence that suppliers have the capability to supply the fuel they need,” he says. NZL

Grooved Drums and Sleeves

DIAGNOSE • DESIGN • DELIVER

forest talk

500th machine milestone CATHY MARSHALL, OWNER OF TAUPO’S CA & C MARSHALL LOGGING, recently took delivery of a new Tigercat 632H log skidder, the 500th Tigercat machine delivered into New Zealand.

Cathy says this is a great milestone for CA & C Marshall Logging as it is their fourth Tigercat log skidder over the last 20 years, and back in June 2002 Cathy took delivery of the first Tigercat machine shipped to New Zealand, which was a Tigercat Single Arch 620 log skidder. The company then traded up to a Double Arch Tigercat 620C log skidder in April 2008 and a Tigercat 630D log skidder in July 2015.

Don Newman (pictured second from right beside Cathy) sold the original Tigercat 620 log skidder to Marshall Logging, working for the previous dealer, and came out of retirement for the day to help with this delivery. Also pictured are Steve Mellar (far left), AB Equipment Taupo Branch Manager who sold the last two Tigercat skidders to Cathy, and Aaron Gregan who is one of the two Product Support

Representatives based in New Zealand for Tigercat Industries, Canada, where all Tigercat Machines are manufactured.

Over the past 20 Years the Tigercat product selling in New Zealand has gone from strength to strength. In the first nine years, from 2002 to early 2011, just 36 Tigercat machines were sold by the previous dealer whereas in the last 11 years 464 Tigercat machines have been sold by AB Equipment – 136 Tigercat levellers, 125 Tigercat 6 wheel skidders, 101 Tigercat 4 wheel skidders, 80 Tigercat processors, harvesters and log loaders plus 21 forwarders.

Tigercat is a privately-owned company that only manufactures purpose-built logging gear, gearing all its resources to tough, reliable and productive logging equipment.

AB Equipment has another 80-85 Tigercat machines on order to cover the strong demand, so the next 500 Tigercat machine sales into New Zealand may well happen in half the time of the first 500! NZL

Overseas investor eyes New Zealand AUSTRIAN ARISTOCRAT, JOHANNES Trauttmansdorff-Weinsberg, has been given the go-ahead to purchase the 445 hectare Te Maire Farm near Masterton according to the Overseas Investment Office (OIO).

Just over 300 hectares of the farm will be planted in pine trees which will be harvested in 2048, before a second rotation is planted.

Described as an experienced forestry investor by the OIO, Mr TrauttmansdorffWeinsberg purchased three farms in 2019

10 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

for conversion to forestry.

In August 2019 for just over $4.2 million, he bought sheep and beef farms Bushgrove and Glentarn Stations in Masterton to convert into commercial pinus radiata operations.

In September 2019, he bought sheep and beef farm Mangaaruhe Station in Wairoa for $7.2m and gained permission from the OIO to turn 706 hectares of the property into a commercial forest.

That same month he purchased Karaka

Station, a 373 hectare sheep and beef grazing property for $3.5m – 290 hectares of which was to be planted in commercial forest.

These sales were all approved under the Special Forestry Test – which the government recently announced it plans to make changes to.

In February, the OIO also approved Mr Trauttmansdorff-Weinsberg to buy 477 hectares of land in Taranaki which is already an established forestry operation. NZL

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forest talk

Primary industries hold strong in Marlborough DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19, MARLBOROUGH HAS been a strong performer according to the latest quarterly economic data released by Infometrics.

The report estimates Marlborough’s economy grew 6.8% over the year to December 2021 compared with 5.5% national growth. The report attributes this to a resurgence in activity following the September 2021 quarter lockdown, as well as the region’s underlying strengths such as consumer and tourism spending growth, a busy construction sector and a robust labour market. When compared to 2019 (pre-COVID-19), Marlborough was the strongest performing region in the country.

Statistics New Zealand figures show Marlborough recorded a regional gross domestic product (GDP) increase of 3.7 percent in the year to March 2021 – higher than the national increase of 0.8 percent over the same period.

While regional economies have seen varying impacts from the COVID19 pandemic and associated response measures, Marlborough’s GDP increase, one of the highest in the country, was reported to be driven by primary manufacturing, owner-occupied property operation and agriculture.

According to Statistics New Zealand, these three industries comprised 37 percent of Marlborough’s economy in 2020 and were less affected by the COVID-19 restrictions.

Mayor John Leggett says despite difficult times, Marlborough’s economy has shown itself to be resilient.

“Locals have continued to support locals, benefitting our economy while our New Zealand visitors and their spending in our region, have also helped keep us afloat in trying times,” he says.

According to Marketview data, consumer spending in Marlborough rose 5.5 percent in the December 2021 year, slightly ahead of 5 percent growth nationally. Spending by tourists in Marlborough rose 12 percent in the December 2021 year to reach $193M, surpassing the $183M spent in 2019 when international tourists were still part of the picture.

Mayor Leggett says strong local foundations put Marlborough in good stead against the challenges of COVID-19. “Our primary sector including forestry, viticulture, agriculture and fisheries, along with the science and technology sector and the construction sector have been key in our region’s strong economic performance.” NZL

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forest talk

Business confidence high for some, says FICA Story: David Evison, School of Forestry, University of Canterbury

The Forest Industry Contractors’ Association (FICA) Business Confidence Survey was carried out in March 2022, when 41 contractors (25 logging contractors and 16 silvicultural contractors, all FICA members) were contacted.

Participants were asked five questions relating to business confidence over the next six months. Because of COVID constraints the last survey was held in September 2020, so there was an 18-month gap between this survey and the last – previously the survey was carried out every six months. The survey has been conducted since 2009 – our thanks to all those contractors who took the time to participate.

LOGGING CONTRACTOR RESPONSES a. Business conditions “Do you think conditions for your business are going to improve, stay the same or get worse in the next six months?”

Worsen

Same

Improve

36%

56%

8%

b. Employees “Are you likely to increase, maintain, or decrease number of employees over the next six months?”

Decrease

Same

Increase

4%

72%

24%

c. Spending on capital equipment “Over the next six months are you likely to purchase any new machinery/equipment for replacement or expansion, make no changes, or sell machinery/equipment?”

d. Feedback from customers “Do you receive adequate information from your major customers so that you can plan for change in your business?”

e. Recommendation “Would you recommend your industry as a good place to work?”

Commentary on the five business confidence measures • Compared to the previous survey, more respondents expect business conditions to worsen over the next six months, increasing from 20% to 36%. The majority of respondents believe conditions are going to stay the same over the next six months. Over the phone some respondents expressed the view that their selection represented their hopes and that they were also concerned that conditions would deteriorate more than they indicated in the survey. Only 8% of logging contractors believed business conditions are going to improve.

• Expected changes to employment are more positive than those seen in the previous survey. Most contractors (72%) are looking to maintain their current staffing numbers.

Sell

No change

Buy replacement

Buy expansion

8%

36%

44%

12%

Not enough

Just enough

Well informed

12%

36%

52%

Not recommended

Neutral

Recommended

8%

20%

72%

• The proportion of contractors looking to purchase machinery/ equipment for replacement has increased from the last survey while the proportion purchasing to expand has declined. Together, 56% of contractors are looking at purchasing new machinery/equipment in the next six months.

• The proportion of respondents feeling they are well informed by their principals/customers has increased from 37% to 52%. Participants who feel like they do not get enough feedback is down to 12% from 28% in the previous survey.

• The number of contractors who would recommend their industry as a good place to work has increased from the last survey, up to 72% from 69% but this is still well below the levels recorded in 2016 to 2019.

Trends in logging contractor business confidence (Jun 2010 to Mar 2022) The percentage net positive response rate provides a summary of business confidence for the period.

Note: The percentage net positive response is calculated as (percent of respondents giving an optimistic response, minus the percent of respondents giving a pessimistic response).

12 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

forest talk

Commentary on trends The assessment of overall business confidence for logging contractors is at a historic low (-28% compared with -29% in June 2019). Recommendation is still the most positive indicator, but it is down on the very high levels from 2016 to 2019. Investment, employees and feedback are all improving from the September 2020 values SILVICULTURAL CONTRACTOR RESPONSES a. Business conditions “Do you think conditions for your business are going to improve, stay the same or get worse in the next six months?”

Worsen

Same

Improve

19%

50%

31%

b. Employees “Are you likely to increase, maintain, or decrease number of employees over the next six months?”

Decrease

Same

Increase

6%

38%

56%

c. Spending on capital equipment “Over the next six months are you likely to purchase any new machinery/equipment for replacement or expansion, make no changes, or sell machinery/equipment?”

d. Feedback from customers “Do you receive adequate information from your major customers so that you can plan for change in your business?”

e. Recommendation “Would you recommend your industry as a good place to work?”

Commentary on the five business confidence measures • The proportion of contractors expecting business conditions to improve has increased from 10% in the last survey to 31% now.

• A greater proportion (56%) of silvicultural contractors are looking to increase the number of people they employ in the next six months, up from 20% of respondents in the last survey. Correspondingly, the proportion of respondents looking to decrease employee numbers is down to 6% from 45% in the previous survey.

• Investment intentions are more positive than the previous survey, with buying for expansion being the predominant action over the

Sell

No change

Buy replacement

Buy expansion

6%

25%

25%

44%

Not enough

Just enough

Well informed

6%

25%

69%

Not recommended

Neutral

Recommended

19%

19%

63%

next six months. A total of 69% of respondents are intending to buy new equipment over the next six months • The perception of feedback from principals/customers has become much more positive with 69% of contractors feeling well informed. Only 6% felt they did not get enough feedback.

• The proportion of respondents who would recommend their industry as a good place to work has increased to 63% from 50% in the last survey. This is the best result since the survey started in March 2009.

May 2022 | NZ LOGGER 13

forest talk

Trends in silvicultural contractor business confidence (Mar 2009 to Mar 2022) The percentage net positive response rate provides a summary of business confidence for the period.

Note: The percentage net positive response is calculated as (percent of respondents giving an optimistic response, minus the percent of respondents giving a pessimistic response).

Commentary on trends There has been a big turnaround in business confidence for silvicultural contractors since the last survey (carried out in September 2020) – the assessment of overall business conditions, the wish to take on more employees and feedback from customers are all markedly more positive than the previous survey. Net positive scores for recommendation and investment have also increased slightly. All scores are net positive, which last occurred in February and June 2019. NZL

Obituary

A true gentleman THE PASTORAL AND FOREST INDUSTRIES ARE MOURNING THE recent passing of Rob McLagan, who served as Chief Executive of both Federated Farmers and the Forest Owners Association (FOA).

Rob was CEO of Federated Farmers between 1979 and 1993. He then went on to become CEO of the Forest Owners Association for eight years between 1997 and his retirement in 2005.

Federated Farmers President, Andrew Hoggard, says the entire Federation community passes on its condolences to Rob’s family.

“There’s no question around his commitment to the Federation and all farmers. His tenure was long and through the troubled times of the 1980s reforms. He is remembered with the utmost respect,” Andrew says.

14 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

Current Forest Owners Association Chief Executive, David Rhodes, says Rob was widely respected for both his advocacy and his style.

“Rob placed a heavy emphasis on building and maintaining relationships and thus always had an open door ready to talk.

“In all his dealings with a wide range of folk from landowners to officials and government he invariably elicited the same description – a true gentleman.

“It is some comfort to me that Rob was able to attend the 50th anniversary of the FOA in 2019 because he will forever be an important part of that history,” says David. NZL

forest talk: opinion

Think smarter

Story: Ian McKelvie, National Party forestry spokesperson.

I AM THOROUGHLY ENJOYING MY ROLE AS NATIONAL’S spokesperson for Forestry. It’s an industry close to my heart as a long-time farm forester myself, and having witnessed significant change and amazing technological advances over the years.

The Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison recently referred to forestry as a “critical national treasure” and doubled-down by highlighting the need to ensure future supply for future generations.

Meanwhile in New Zealand, the Labour Government shows neither commitment nor consistency. Forestry policy is a moving feast; and mixed and contradictory messages have become the norm in respect of this vital industry. For example, the significant decline in log exports to India over the replacement of methyl bromide as a fumigant is a real concern. The longer we’re out of the market in the world’s sixth largest economy, the tougher it will be to get back in. Yet it’s an issue that could, I’m sure, be resolved with a mixture of investment, diplomacy and efficiency – particularly on the part of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

If our goal as a country is a carbon zero economy by 2050 then we need to think smarter. We need clear and equitable policies when it comes to farm forestry, whole farm conversions, carbon farming and new exotic planting. We can’t set targets and not have a realistic plan to get there – expanding our exotic forestry footprint, it would seem to me, is vital to getting enough carbon, but it’s not the only solution.

Farm Forestry Association President, Graham West, put it well when he said, “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 meddle.”

Global demand for timber products is expected to quadruple by 2050. Forest owners in New Zealand just want to be able to get on with the business of growing trees; and to be in the best position to meet growing world and economic demand.

In future it’s likely wood in some form or other could be used to

Ian McKelvie, National Party forestry spokesperson.

replace current gas-emitting alternatives. Think Fonterra burning wood not coal at their facilities; and high-end timber products replacing steel and plastic in the construction industry.

The increasing cost structure the forestry industry is facing can’t be ignored. The cost of land has increased significantly, while the cost of production – including labour, transport, compliance, improving technology, road building and so the list goes on – has increased too.

The forestry sector demands and deserves clear and concise policies that will build confidence and at the same time boost public support. National is watching developments in the sector closely and we are working hard on a Forestry Platform that will deliver for forestry in New Zealand, today and into the future. This outstanding industry currently contributes in excess of $1.6 billion to our nation’s economy and is vital to our future bio-economic health, wealth and prosperity. NZL

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Iron Test

The 8H makes light work of some heavy wood.

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Story & photos: Randall Johnson

A fine Finnish BANNER BANNER BANNER 1 21 W

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THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER TO NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY

May 2022 | NZ LOGGER 17

NEWLY ARRIVED INTO NEW ZEALAND is the Logset 8H GTE Hybrid harvester with, you guessed it, a mix of electric and diesel power.

It’s the first all-new hybrid-powered forestry machine to go to work in New Zealand and is a taste of what low-carbon harvesting will look like in the future.

Logset is a Finnish-made machine that is still relatively unknown and certainly uncommon among forestry operators on our shores in 2022. But never one to simply follow the crowd, Mike Hurring took a punt and now he and his operators are big fans and proud owners of the first machine in the country.

Maybe it’s time forestry operators sticking with the ‘tried and true’ took a closer look at what’s now available on the global machinery market?

The Logset GTE Hybrid is a powerful medium-sized harvester with a diesel engine that runs at a constant pace, while the hybrid system provides up to 142hp of extra power required in felling and processing.

This modern mix allows the hybrid harvester

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to easily perform several tasks at the Above: Window space has been same time, while keeping the engine load maximised. constant. And saving fuel at the same time.

Below: Logset is a Finnish-made machine The machine is owned and was imported that is still relatively unknown in into New Zealand by Balclutha-based New Zealand.

Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting, and it’s currently getting some heavy use on a demanding job in central Southland.

Beginning in 1986 with a couple of machines and chainsaws clearing farmland in the Catlins, Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting has more than 60 staff spread across eight crews in the Southland and Otago regions. His crews have done jobs across the Tasman in Canberra and as far north as Geraldine, Canterbury.

Mike puts a major focus on training his staff well. He has two machine simulators and runs courses with two qualified trainers throughout the year.

Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting operator, Alistair Hudson, was hard at work on the Logset 8H on a steep and fairly rugged forestry block in Gowan Hills, about SERIOUS POWER FOR BIG TIME LOGGERS an hour’s drive north of Invercargill, when NZ Logger visited.

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Main: The 8H is very responsive, matching the operator’s movements exactly, with no real lag or delay.

Inset: The Logset TH65 harvesting head has an excellent saw.

“When the block was first planted, the owners wanted it done quickly as they couldn’t get enough good quality seed; they mixed the good seed with the bad seed and expected it would all straighten itself up over time, but it didn’t really, so it’s an interesting mix in here,” Alistair explains.

Still, the smile on his face says it all. He’s proud of the machine he operates, the first hybrid he’s ever run and he keeps it clean – despite the conditions. He’s been fairly impressed with its power, visibility, versatility and overall performance, too.

He asked to have some additional lights put on the rear of the harvester, as it gets quite dark in that part of Southland in the Winter

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and Mike, being the good sort that he is, obliged – other than that “she’s stock standard”. Delivered around Christmas time, Alastair got the New Year off to a good start in a brand-new machine, with the latest in hybrid engine technology. And it’s already making a good impression.

“The visibility is good,” Alistair says. “The cabin doesn’t rotate as far (55%) as the John Deere 1470 that I was using previously (85%) but it’s definitely got better visibility.”

He also rates the controls. Some harvesters can feel a bit numb, in SERIOUS POWER TIME that they are not as responsive as youFOR mightBIG expect, butLOGGERS he reckons the automations and controls are pretty much spot on. And if the

SERIOUS POWER BIG TIME LOGGERS

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cabin rotated a bit more, it would well be getting close to the ideal machine for its application, he adds.

“When John Deere bought Timber Jack out, a few of the engineers went and worked for Logset, and you can see a bit of that DNA in this machine,” he says.

He also likes the fact that it’s very straightforward to run. Having said that, all machines have quirks, so let’s get into a few of those.

Control-wise, it uses a Danfoss digital displacement pump system that integrates into the excavator hydraulics using fully electrohydraulic controls. In addition to ensuring the hybrid system runs seamlessly, the DDP also improves energy efficiency, productivity

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and controllability.

While Alistair is still adjusting to the Logset, he appreciates its smart design but he still keeps reaching for the park brake instinctively, which is automatic in the Logset.

Hybrid technology in focus The 6-cylinder AGCO 7.4-litre engine is an EU Stage V unit, meaning it requires AdBlue to run cleanly. But that doesn’t affect performance, because it packs a real punch and has been upgraded especially to be compatible with the hybrid system. On its own, its pumps out 214kW (291hp) of power and 1280Nm of torque. But when mated

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May 2022 | NZ LOGGER 21

Above left: The Logset TH65 harvesting head is very versatile.

Above centre: Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting operator, Alistair Hudson.

Above right top: Great access to hydraulics and safety equipment here.

Above right bottom: The onboard control surface gives you all key information as is easy to read. to the electric motor, the operator has a whopping 315 kW (422hp) of power and 1780Nm of torque to play with.

That means the Logset hybrid harvester offers a 45 percent increase in power and 39 percent more torque. Effectively, the hybrid system has allowed the manufacturer to increase overall power of the entire machine, without the need to increase the size of the diesel engine. And the electric motor is quite small, so it doesn’t take up much space under the bonnet and, being sealed, requires little in the way of servicing.

Still, economy is key. All the peak loads on the 8H’s working cycle are assisted by the electric motor, giving a notable power boost to the harvester when required. When the diesel engine runs at a constant pace the harvester is also saving fuel.

The fuel saving can be up to 25 percent when compared to modern diesel harvesters, which means lower running costs. The hybrid harvester maintains a regular working pace even with large trees, further increasing its productivity.

The environmental benefits of running hybrid machines are not lost on Mike and his forestry crews. The team at Logset believes that there is an urgent need to

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easily via the computer.

The robust Mesera 240H parallel crane adds to the good overall stability of the machine and the crane allows up to 11-metres of reach. It can be operated in a fast yet precise fashion, making the most of the grunty AGCO Power engine’s high torque at low engine speed.

The transmission is controlled and optimised by the TOC 2 control system. The combination of reliable NAF bogies on the Key features front and back, and the powerful frame lock Aside from the hybrid engine, this harvester system, which uses large hydraulic cylinders, ensures perfect stability. Hydraulically has a number of other notable features.

An upgraded work light guard protects balanced front bogies or mechanically the work lights and cabin roof, with the new balanced bogies all around are available as design decreasing the transportation height options.

In terms of hydraulics, the Logset 8H GTE and giving the cabin an eye-pleasing, round profile. The cabin’s low noise level is a plus Hybrid offers up to 585 litres a minute at 1,500 rpm, which is ideal for achieving high for operator comfort.

Logset’s own control system, the Total productivity without harming fuel economy.

Alistair is very satisfied with the harvester Operation and Control Measuring Device 2 (TOC-MD 2) for the harvester head helps to head. Buyers can select a head that best maximise production and is easy to navigate meets their needs. The most suitable sizes for and very user-friendly. Features such as the Logset 8H GTE Hybrid are the heads TH55, the adaptive feed optimisation make the TH65 and TH75. Alistair and Mike opted for operator’s work easier and the machine more the TH65 because it’s a happy medium in that SERIOUS POWER BIG TIME LOGGERS it’s notFOR too heavy or bulky, which could slow productive. Like all modern controls, speed and sensitivity can be dialled up or down production, and not too light either. reduce the environmental footprint of harvesters. As pioneers in the manufacture of hybrid harvesters, Logset is setting the pace in sustainable forestry, delivering a real sustainable way to produce timber without compromising productivity. Simply put, the hybrid technology of the Logset hybrid harvesters significantly reduces both fuel consumption and emissions per cubic meter felled.

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What does the boss say?

Mike says he’s been more-than impressed and will be looking to replace all his harvesters and forwarders with the Logset machines.

“These things (this harvester and a Logset 8F forwarder) rolled off the boat, went into the forest and haven’t needed a thing done to them since really. They were just ready to go, head and all and when you’re running forestry crews, that’s exactly what you want and need really,” he says.

“The mechanic that come out from Finland, Pekka Saloranta, left John Deere and started working for Logset. He suggested I take a look at the Logset machines and I thought… well, hybrid is the way of the future.

“Pekka came out here and met up with Alistair after fixing some long-time machine issues. Alistair and his family took him to Queenstown and looked after him when Pekka was with John Deere/Cable price and built a friendship.

“I was pretty impressed with what I saw in the Logset and trusted Pekka’s recommendation and now that we’ve had both machines running for a few months, it’s worked out really well.

“I ordered them both together but the forwarder ended up coming in October roughly and the harvester in December.”

Mike says he’s the only contractor in New Zealand running Logset forestry machines, and he’s got spare parts for them too.

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“If any forestry guys out there are interested, we can order them in and we also carry the parts. Going hybrid has been a very positive experience for us. For those who are concerned about power, don’t be… they have plenty!

“The forwarder has full race car-style suspension throughout, that’s why it’s good in the cut over and has that stability that you need on the slope.

“The fully rotating cabs can give you issues, so that’s eliminated that problem.

“I’ve already told Logset that I would buy 10 machines off them if these ones go well and they have – so that’s where we are at.”

Fuel economy is excellent and the up-front cost of them is very reasonable, so that, combined with having minimal downtime from mechanical issues means Mike is set to order another Logset hybrid harvester and even get some of the bigger Logset gear into his clear fell operations to link up with a John Deere skidder arriving from the D&E Invercargill branch soon (the skidder is going into the hauler crew for two-staging).

Mike has eight forestry crews running and in spite of the COVID interruptions, it’s been a busy year! The site visited by NZ Logger at Gowan Hills is one of his larger thinning operations, with 4,000ha.

He says: “We’ve had a bit of a change in the forest where we used to have a smaller mid-size hauler and a larger ground base but they’ve swapped roles now. The ground

Above: Fuel economy is excellent and the up-front cost of the 8H is very reasonable.

Below: The AGCO 7.4-litre engine pack a real punch.

Bottom: Heavy duty tyres and track chains are a must in the forest.

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May 2022 | NZ LOGGER 23

base has dropped back in volume but the hauler’s ramped up.”

His wheeled fleet now sits at seven wheeled harvesters, six John Deere 1470’s (D, E and G) and now this 8-wheeled Logset 8H GTE Hybrid.

He says his team has a great attitude to their work and Mike is taking on new recruits all the time. His training school is

busy this year in Balclutha: “It’s important to invest in people, otherwise what happens to your industry? It’s everybody’s responsibility really.”

To say Mike and his operator Alistair are happy with the Logset harvester would be an understatement.

When a forestry operator switches to a new brand and then basically commits to gradually replacing the entire fleet with a new manufacturer’s machines; you know they must be well designed and built… and doing something very right over there in Finland! NZL

To say Mike and his operator Alistair are happy with the Logset harvester would be an understatement.

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iron test: Stephen Unahi

Plenty of power

I

AM IMPRESSED, ESPECIALLY WITH the power of the Logset 8H hybrid powered harvester, given it’s a hybrid.

It’s got plenty of power; you wouldn’t know it was a hybrid just going by the feel of it.

This harvester is the next size down from the 270hp John Deere 1470, but it’s got more power. This has about 300 hp even without the electricity (nearly 430 hp with it) and you can feel it.

There’s a wee graph on the screen that shows you your electricity remaining and as the power goes down, the engine charges it up, so Alistair tells me it never seems to go below half.

It’s got a very simple set-up in the cabin so it would be easy for any operator to get used to it pretty quickly.

It’s very responsive. It matches your movements exactly with no real lag or delay that I could notice and that’s not always the case, even in brand new harvesters.

The other thing I really noticed was the visibility. You can see everything around you

1

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very well, so the designers have paid attention to that very important safety aspect. It’s also really quiet in the cabin.

The saw on the head is good, because it has discs instead of wheels and that makes a difference.

Having easy access to all maintenance points is a big thing, for doing your oil changes and that. A lot of machines need a lot of parts to be removed first, not the case here.

The controls are also customisable to suit the operator. It feels a bit like a Waratah. So, you push the saw button and it’ll just clamp onto the tree or harvest up. Alistair had it set up pretty sensitively with the foot pedal set up for driving the stem backwards and forwards.

Also, the hand controls are Danfoss, a bit like harvester controls, while the drive wheels are like discs that grip the stems, instead of thumb nail wheels. The saw is very quick when cutting and the saw cuts away from the cab so it reduces chain shot directed to the operator cab. It also travels very well in the cut-over. NZL

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Above: Iron Tester Stephen Unahi is impressed with the power and responsiveness of the hybrid harvester.

Below: 1. All the peak loads on the 8H’s working cycle are assisted by the electric motor.

2. Easy access to all controls at your fingertips.

3. The engine and all key components can be easily accessed.

4. The fuel saving can be up to 25 percent when compared to modern diesel harvesters.

5. Operator comfort has been made a priority.

6. Visibility on the front and sides is very good.

6

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IFICATION

SPEC S

SPECIFICATIONS – LOGSET 8H GTE HYBRID HARVESTER ENGINE

PROCESSING HEAD

6-cylinder AGCO 7.4-litre diesel engine Power Max torque Tractive effort

214kW (291hp) @ 1,850rpm 1280Nm @ 1,500rpm 190Kn

ELECTRIC MOTOR Power Max torque

104kW (142hp) @ 2,000rpm 500Nm @ 0-2,000rpm

Model Max. felling/cutting diameter Weight Saw bar Saw unit Max. pressure, bar Max. opening, upper knives Delimbing diameter tip to tip

Logset TH65 720mm 1,150 kg 820mm SuperCut 100 280 (4061 psi) 680mm 450mm

REFILL CAPACITIES (LITRES)

HYBRID SYSTEM 314.6 kW (422hp) @ 1,850rpm 1780Nm @ 1.500rpm

Power Max torque

Fuel tank Hydraulic oil tank

400 240

DIMENSIONS (MM)

HYDRAULICS

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Put your name on it!

Max flow Hydraulic oil tank

210 + 180 Lpm (1,000 rpm) 240L

Operating weight

23,000 kilograms

BOOM

Model Reach Lift capacity

Mesera 240 H 10.3 or 11 metres (optional) 240kNm

For new forestry equipment

ot a need for it? your name on it!

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Breaking Out

FROM LOCKUP TO LOGGING Story: Hayley Leibowitz

30 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

W

HEN YOU’RE ON THAT PATH OF almost going to jail or, worse, in jail, you know you gotta make some radical changes. Life has changed for me for the better... I think, through growth, learning from past mistakes and trying to get ahead to better the future for myself and my family,” says Cruz Hobson of his job placement with FNR Forestry 2019 Ltd through the Department of Corrections.

Starting there in silviculture and now cutting logs to length in an 875 Tigercat Machine for Mold Logging, he adds, “It feels good being in the bush. Time goes quick in the fresh air.”

Cruz, 29, is one of many ex-offenders who have found their way in forestry thanks to the Department of Corrections’ own recruitment service, titled This Way for Work. Though he didn’t spend time behind bars, he was on

home detention on electronic monitoring for four months.

Julie Wilson, Manager Employment Services for the Department of Corrections says since November 2016, over 200 people have been placed into forestry and logging jobs, with 36 people into employment in forestry between 1 June 2021 and March 2022.

Explaining how the programme came about, she says, “We have a duty of care to

New recruits at FNR Forestry 2019's first day of planting in June 2020.

May 2022 | NZ Logger 31

Breaking Out

1 people managed by Corrections in prisons and the community – not only to keep them safe and well, but also to give them every opportunity to turn their lives around.

“We know that when we give people support and assistance with employment, as well as with education, accommodation and life skills, they leave our management with a strong foundation from which they can establish a life free from crime. This reduces reoffending and keeps our communities safe.”

Since the majority of prisoners have no formal qualifications and limited education or work experience prior to coming to prison, throughout their time in custody, they are provided with educational opportunities ranging from intensive literacy and numeracy support to tertiary level qualifications.

The range of qualifications covers primary industries, creative industries, construction and infrastructure, manufacturing and

2 technology and tikanga Māori. Short courses include driver licences, first aid, health and safety, scaffolding, and forklift operation.

“Many prisoners undertake employment within prisons. We try to ensure that the skills and experience people gain during their time in prison are a good match for their employment upon release. Forestry has been one of the business-like industries operating in prisons for a long time, so it made sense to include forestry as part of the This Way for Work recruitment service when it was launched in November 2016. Along with forestry, there are over 140 businesslike industries operating in prisons across the country, ranging from laundry to kitchen work to dairy farming,” says Julie.

A win-win In Cruz’s case, since he was on home detention and already had his forestry qualifications, he didn’t need to undergo

training. Raised watching his father and brother fixing cars, rebuilding gearboxes was his first occupation at the age of 19.

“Fixing everyone's cars, I didn’t have time to do my own, so my brother got me into the Forestry industry when I was 21. We worked together for a few years right up to when he had an accident in the bush…”

After tragedy struck, Cruz moved to Australia for three years: “I moved over to Australia to try and put that behind me as it was hard losing my brother at our workplace. He was the one who introduced me into the forestry field. He worked in there since he was 15 years old. I also have an uncle in the bush, and mates. Forestry runs through our blood.”

After a car accident resulted in Cruz finishing up work over there, COVID hit “and I knew it was time to come home”.

Back in New Zealand, Cruz says he started renovations on his house, found himself in

1. Cruz Hobson (left) with FNR Forestry 2019 Managing Director, Jeremy Parkinson.

H

D

2. Part of the role of the crew at FNR Forestry 2019 is fighting fires.

3. Working in the horticulture training nursery at Rimutaka Prison.

4. FNR Forestry 2019 Managing Director, Jeremy Parkinson (left), with Department of Corrections Employment and Training Consultant, Adam Manukau.

NZ

5. Rimutaka Prison.

5

32 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

PuN MaP

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3 trouble and eventually got back on track and into the workforce with the help of his probation officer.

Along with helping people with an offending history find and maintain employment, This Way for Work supports the employers who hire them. Managing Director at FNR Forestry 2019, the exclusive silviculture contractor to Summit Forests operating in the Far North, Jeremy Parkinson

says the arrangement has been win-win: “We picked up Cruz in November last year.

He had worked in forestry before as a machine operator, but no-one wanted to give him an opportunity, so we gave him one. He was really good for us. He was still on an ankle monitor on a night curfew. At any given time, we can have seven or eight guys with monitors. They have to check in with Corrections once a week, so we’ve got

4 a relationship with the Department.

“You’d be staggered at how many guys don’t have driver’s licences. So, we normally pick them up between 6 and 6:30 in the morning and during the winter we don’t get back in until 6 at night. Given the long days, we don’t want the guys to take a day off work to go see their probation officers, so we work with Corrections and check in with them to help support the guys.

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Breaking Out

Above: Chainsaw operation is part of the upskilling offered at FNR Forestry 2019.

Below left: FNR Forestry 2019 Crew Supervisor, Alf Preuss, hard at work.

Below right: Working in the horticulture training nursery at Waikeria Prison.

A lot of them have drug and alcohol issues so they’re on programmes for that as part of their sentence. We free them up for a day if they’ve got to go and do that.

“When Cruz arrived, our crews were picking avocados in the orchards on ladders, working at heights, so he joined them. He’s also got a fire ticket, so he worked on fires with us. After that, he picked up a job with a logging crew, harvesting, which is actually what he wanted to do. So, it’s been good for both parties. He worked three or four months for me and did a really good job.

He’d say he got an opportunity with us that worked out well and now he’s been able to progress onto what he wanted to do.”

And that’s what it’s all about says Julie. “The key benefits of having a job are becoming financially independent, and building a sense of purpose and pride, which can be a big motivator in staying away from crime. Forestry is a particularly good option because many people will have had opportunities to gain relevant skills and experience while they were in prison. Forestry jobs are also available in many parts of the country, so there are employment opportunities for people in a range of locations. The role also often appeals to people because it provides the opportunity to work outside, and because it is a physically active job.”

In transition Most New Zealand prisons offer Level 1 to Level 4 horticulture qualifications. “Where appropriate, we utilise this training by placing job seekers into planting or silviculture roles. From there, there are many career

opportunities available. We also offer prisonbased employment in timber processing and wood processing, and this can lead into roles in these areas upon release,” says Julie.

When a prisoner is nearing the end of their sentence, the case manager assigned to them will discuss a release plan which includes employment. If the person wants assistance with finding employment, they are then referred to the employment service. An Employment and Training Consultant (ETC) will assess the individual and, if suitable, accept them into the service.

The service starts with goal setting, developing a career plan, and identifying what knowledge, skills and experience are required in order to reach the person’s employment goal. If the job seeker needs further education or training, they are supported to enrol in it. If this is not required, they move into preparing for a job. ‘This includes creating a CV, mock interviews, and establishing local support networks. The next step is finding a job, where the job seeker is supported to connect with suitable employers and complete applications,” says Julie.

Once a suitable job is found, the job seeker moves into the placement stage, where they attend interviews. ETCs provide support with interview preparation and are able to attend interviews as a support person if necessary. ETCs also help with contract negotiations. After a job placement is finalised, ETCs continue to provide in-work support to both the employer and the new employee for at least three months.

And support is supplied on the job too, says Jeremy: “We meet with the new guys within the first few weeks of their release

34 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

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and first of all screen them and have a chat.

Kaitaia’s a pretty small town so most of them know one or two of the guys that work for me. We emphasise basic foundation skills such as nutrition and hydration, as well as health and safety requirements. Next, we see if they can get through our planting programme which can be up to five months.

If they can do that, we know they’ve got it.

“The process has been really beneficial. It’s good watching guys work. A lot of them get into trouble when they don’t work; they’re sitting around with time on their hands, so this is a great way to keep them occupied as well as earning money.

“We’ve got our own in-house trainer and Operations Manager, Anthony ‘Shorty’ Murray. As a 63-year-old Maori man he’s really highly respected… you know got a lot of mana. He’s really good at relating to young Māori and Pacifica boys which is 85% of our workforce. We’re a whanauorientated business. All the guys get on really well, so we’ve got a really good culture and environment going.”

To start, everyone goes straight into planting, Jeremy continues: “In an ideal world like this year, it’s looking like we’ve

Working in the orchard at Hawkes Bay Regional Prison. got a big planting contract in Gisborne, so I’m going to go not just Northland-wide but probably mid-central New Zealand too. I’ll look at recruiting a mobile team that will go to Gisborne for a couple of weeks, plant there and have a weekend where they go

back again… guys that are unattached that can move around.”

Overcoming challenges As to the challenges, Jeremy says those with an offending history face the same

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Breaking Out

challenges as anyone else wanting a career in forestry. “The hours are long, the work is physically demanding, and is often in remote locations so transport can be an issue. In addition, there are significant health and safety risks associated with forestry roles.”

As Director of FNR Forestry 2019, he ought to know: ‘We plant from May to September and we’ve got around 20 guys that are ticketed to operate chainsaws. We have an eight-to-10-man avocado-picking crew and I have a five-man spray crew. During our busy planting times we can go up to 45 guys.

We also do firefighting. It’s a high turnover business as it’s very physical… brutally hard.

The planting is one of the most difficult jobs with a box of trees on your back.”

And that’s why FNR Forestry 2019’s relationship with the Department of Corrections began. With staffing a challenge, having initially brought workers on through Work and Income’s Mana and Mahi programme – which was getting people started in forestry and offering wage subsidies to transition them to work – it wasn’t long before Jeremy was introduced to ETC, Adam Manukau. FNR Forestry fostered a relationship with him and, in 2020, ran a programme working with 14 of his men.

“We picked them up in April and started

running classes for them, so they got all their tickets to go into the forest. It’s a drugfree industry so we drug-tested 14 guys on a Friday afternoon and 12 of them passed.

There were a lot of man hugs and high fives and yahoos. Everyone who works for me has to have a clean drug test and there’s random testing throughout the year, so guys can get tested up to six or seven times a year.

Those 12 guys started work the following Monday. We lost three guys the first week because it was brutally hard and, over time, during that first year I think we ended up with four guys that we held onto and put into the orchards over summer… then started training the guys up on chainsaws. So, we did the same last year, brought more guys on for planting.”

A step up Jeremy says forestry often serves as a stepping-stone to move on to other careers: “They come and work for me for a couple of years and prove they’re reliable. Like I said, it’s really tough, the planting and then the chainsaw work is very taxing as well.

We’ve probably had 20 candidates through Corrections that have come through various degrees of work. Cruz is the most recent one and I’ve got a guy who is currently away on

Above: FNR Forestry 2019’s first intake from the Department of Corrections in 2020.

Above right: Fighting fires at FNR Forestry 2019.

Right: Planting at FNR Forestry 2019. It isn’t easy with a box of trees on your back.

36 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

ACC and another, Rex Smith, whose been with me a while, just come back from ACC after a motorbike accident.”

Some do stay long-term Jeremy says.

“Yeah, I do have a couple of guys that are now ticketed to operate chainsaws who have been through the Corrections programme. they’ve also got their fire tickets and it’s really pleasing to see them thrive in our company.

“So yeah, it works out well. They get employment, they get upskilled, they get a trade, they become chainsaw operators and they get certification that can get them a job

Carbon farming permanent forest, Tokorahi.

pretty much anywhere in New Zealand and potentially throughout the world.”

Asked if he or his staff had reservations working with ex-offenders, Jeremy is quick to answer, “Not at all”. He says the trouble with the law his workers have mostly encountered has been alcohol-related. “So, all I say to them is ‘everyone deserves a chance’. We don’t really get too much into their offences. We just ask for a bit of a character reference and we’ve got a good relationship with Adam where he only puts candidates forward he knows will fit in with and relate to our guys.

Julie elaborates, “Potential employers provide us with information on the type of person they are looking for, and this includes sentence type and offending history. We match job seekers with each specific employer’s requirements.”

And that does the trick, says Jeremy: “If you look after me by turning up, communicating and working hard I will look after you. And if this job’s not for you I totally understand but you need to come and say, ‘it’s too hard, I can’t handle it’. You know, that’s fine but it’s when guys just don’t turn up and don’t respond to communication, that’s

the upsetting thing. Everyone deserves an opportunity, so they get an opportunity and if they put their hand up and impress me and my key foreman, we look after them and we offer them long-term employment and potentially the opportunity to work their way up through our company.

Of course, some recruits land up back in trouble with the law. “Like I said,” of the intake we took in 2020, we only ended up taking on four. A number of them did start using marijuana again so they failed drug tests. Unfortunately, that’s instant dismissal.

The forest management companies we work

Breaking Out

for need you to be drug-free, so it’s not 100 percent success rate.

“There’s also a pretty big dropout rate because a lot of them haven’t been working and if they’ve been in a facility for a while they’re out of condition. One of my good guys lost 20 kilos in his first six months planting. The guys that really want to make a success of it are the ones we want to hold onto because they’re driven to succeed, and they’ve made those changes. It’s good to see guys take an opportunity and forge a bit of a career for themselves.”

Back on track With over 8,800 people having been placed into jobs through This Way for Work since it started in November 2016, the service is clearly successful. “We do not hold data on how long people stay in the jobs they are placed into beyond the initial three month period, but anecdotally we hear lots of stories of long-term success, with both employers and new employees very happy with the placement,” says Julie.

“We also operate a Release to Work programme which allows minimum security prisoners, who are assessed as suitable, to engage in paid employment in the community. Prisoners participating have previously taken part in prison-based

activities and education to ensure they are well-prepared for community-based employment and that the public are safe.”

In terms of that programme, they are given temporary release during the day to work which provides the opportunity to maintain, develop or re-establish work skills and habits necessary for stable employment.

Based on his experience, Jeremy is all praise: “I want to commend the work that the Ministry of Social Development and Department of Corrections do at reintegrating people back into the workforce. They bend over backwards and support people to get back into work, so I’ve got nothing but praise for both those organisations, especially the people who

Top: Horticulture qualifications are offered at most New Zealand prisons.

Above: Northland Region Corrections Facility.

38 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

work out of Kaitaia and Adam Manukau at Corrections up here. They do a really good job.”

As for Cruz, with a stable job processing a daily log target from 5am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, a partner, children and one on the way, he says the transition was “easy”.

“Forestry is where my strengths lie. It feels like I never left after being out of the bush for six years. It was getting the motivation back into the workforce after my car accident in Australia that took a while. Now I feel like I’m getting back on track. Work life and family life are good.

There are no lows really. I just mustn’t get too content in the machine and put on weight,” he jokes. NZL

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Silence in Special Feature: Electric Chainsaws

The advent of electric chainsaws Story: Dr Stephan Hoffmann, researcher at NIBIO in Norway, and Professor Rien Visser, head of the Forest Engineering programme at the University of Canterbury.

F

OR MANY PEOPLE, THE ROMANCE OF FOREST WORK IS THE sound of a two-stroke engine. While the concept of a chainsaw was first used 200 years ago in medicine to cut bone, portable gasoline-driven chainsaws for cutting wood became commercially available from the 1930s. This is considered a milestone in forestry that improved efficiency and reduced labour effort. The bulky twoman chainsaws of the early days are not comparable to modern standards; numerous improvements in a short period made the chainsaw the logger’s first choice.

Today with technical features such as chain break, quick start, vibration damping, even electronic fuel injection, chainsaws have progressed to compact, hi-tech machines. Even with our focus on mechanising all aspects of operations, chainsaws remain relevant in professional operations e.g. for large dimensional trees or cut blocks of small scale, where mechanised operations are not efficient.

Source: FNR Forestry 2019.

40 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

Despite continuing technical improvements to reduce hazards, the compact and powerful combustion engine remains the heart of a chainsaw. While Hand-Arm Syndromes are significantly reduced by anti-vibration systems, they cannot be fully eliminated due to the piston movements in the engine. The use of alkylate fuels has reduced the toxicity of exhaust fumes, but fuel emissions cannot be eliminated from a combustion engine. And despite romanticising the chainsaw’s sound, hearing damage due to noise strain over the entire work day is still an issue.

Electric power tools have the potential to reduce, and in terms of exhaust fumes, even completely avoid these hazards. Interestingly, the first chainsaws pioneered by Andreas Stihl were electric driven, but energy supply and compact construction issues gave precedence to two-stroke petrol engines in forestry. The recently increased power range and improved battery capacities has raised the interest of forestry professionals, creating a general market opportunity for the next generation of cordless chainsaws.

New developments are being brought to market targeting professional users, for example the Stihl MSA 220 C-B, with powerful 36 V lithium-ion batteries and a chain speed of 24 m/s. First field trials in Germany are evaluating this as a potential alternative to the conventional MS 201 C-M, a professional grade thinning saw with a displacement of 35.2 cc and 2.4 hp. Both saws are comparable in their operational capacity for early, pre-commercial thinnings, with the battery load and tankful lasting about the same time intervals. General handling of the saws is similar, since both have

Above: The uprising of electric power? Stihl’s MSA 220 C-B cordless saw (front) competing with the combustion model MS 201 C-M (back). Image: M. Huber.

Left: Power supply is the biggest challenge off the grid in the forest.

the woods:

an operational weight close to 5 kg, excluding guide bar and chain.

Besides the general occupational health advantages of the electric saw, another asset is the direct start and availability of the full power range, making cold start issues and related wear a thing of the past.

In terms of cost, there is already not much of a premium for electric powered saws. For example, the Stihl 241 C-M (42.6 cc and 3.0 hp), costs about 15% less than the electric MSA 220 C-B saw (with AP 300 S battery, AL 300 charger and spare battery). Electricity is cheap compared to fuel, especially compared to alkylate fuels, but obviously under our current operating practices, not as convenient.

Extensive trials are currently underway in Europe to ascertain, not only an economic comparison, but to also establish the ergonomic benefits for saw operators. First results were good and feedback from experienced loggers in the trial positive. Thus, the loggers were excited to hear about the release of STIHL’s new battery power saw, the larger MSA 300, promising a chain speed up to 30 m/s and a bar length of 18 inches.

The non-fossil fuel energy revolution in forestry has had a slow start, with power supply being the biggest challenge off the grid in the forest. There are still a few steps before manufacturers can present a competitive electric model for large felling saws. Higher capacity batteries and smart concepts for recharge and exchangeability between pieces of equipment are crucial developments. However, the potential of electric motorised hand tools is manyfold. NZL

Above: Authors, Dr Stephan Hoffmann (left) and Professor Rien Visser.

Below: Chainsaws today have progressed to compact, hi-tech machines.

Source: FNR Forestry 2019.

May 2022 | NZ LOGGER 41

www.fica.org.nz

Trial of new mentoring programme for silviculture Understanding Risk workers proves successful Prue Message Prue Younger, Younger, CEO CEO Message

Ten silviculture crews around the country have completed This month I approached Safetree contributors about the a trial of a new mentoring programme developed by the up-and-coming Risk Workshops that are going to start up Forest and Wood Processing Workforce Council, with again around the country and asked for an overview on what funding from the Forest Growers Levy Trust and support one might expect going along to them. So, this what they told from MPI. me (relax, I promise you this isn’t another Health & Safety Mentoring Programme Manager, Greg Steele, says the article).

Council is looking to improve the status and mana of the silviculture sector.

“We want to formalise mentoring in the forestry training infrastructure, especially as some good crews already do take on this role.

“Using the process, we aim to get new people more skilled earlier in soft and practical skills. We selected crews who were interested and had a new entrant to put through.”

Currently new entrants are encouraged early on in their work to achieve unit standards to meet compliance standards.

“We thought if we identified other key interpersonal, communications and induction skills andthree packaged them on Risk, Health and Safety have become words almost a time-serve basis, for example within the first month, that guaranteed to turn off an audience and stop people from could work.

A person following the programme will reading any further.

So, over the last fivefull years we have been achieve seven to eight full introductory unit standards as trying to get people to think about risk in a different way. Why? well as achieving time-served milestones. They will be What we at have is thatbeginning the morewith we adevelop risk recognised eachfound milestone, one-month management processes the less people become. certificate. Some of the guys haveengaged nothing in the past from The process programmes the team to complete that process school.” often for as the of the process itself or infor “evidence”.

As well thesake presentation of a certificate front of their Evidence, youelements ask. Well,achieved of course, need to bevia able to peers, their areyou downloaded App prove you have managed risk credentials when thingsasgo wrong. onto athat smart-card which showsthe these a part of The is it of hasn’t prevented incident. theirirony record learning.

A QRthe code allows scanning and immediate access to credentials held.

Think back to the first risk you learnt to manage. It was The mentoring programme is designed a package almost certainly eating hot food as a baby,asand how didthat you can run up toright 36 months.

The first have been learn?

That’s you felt pain and three learnt months to blow before you trialled the 10 crews. trialout results assessed in bite.

Youby probably still get The caught with awere hot pie from time late December and a when reportyou prepared for thedriving Taskforce to time though. Usually are distracted, or in Council. a rush, right?

Greg he learning is happy with the trial intent Whatsays about to cross the outcomes. road? The “The process is is now to ramp the programme up, engage more crews in pretty simple. Find a safe place to cross, “Stop, Look, Listen”, 2022, androad establish training with from and the and if the is clear,the cross carefully, butfunding keep looking education sector. listening. This is the simplest of tasks we have been performing “Mentoring someone prepared since we were depends very youngonwhich carries being a reasonable risk.toIf address and become a role model, rather than a you thinkit about it, the process is automated now, leaving but your new entrant to theirare own devices.

In use many cases, they(sight turn actions of crossing not.

You still your senses people around and provide a (judging real service to the and the and hearing) and perception speed andcrew distance) to community.” cross safely. Now think about the close calls you have had Troycrossing Mason, the Managing Director KTM Silviculture when road. Were you of rushing, distracted, based drunk in the Wairarapa, says the mentoring programme allowed or all three? their mentee to complete and pass three assessments in a So,on thinking work, what doeshealth that risk management day the jobback – in to communications, and safety, and process actually do for you?

There’s a question you should be nutrition. asking amongst the team, do you serve the process, or does “He is well on his way to getting his national certificate; it serve you? that will be a huge reward for us. He is probably one of the Safetreeyoung has collaborated with WorkSafe New builder Zealand to strongest fellows I’ve ever seen – a qualified and run regional around theand country talking about a shearer.

He workshops has a good work ethic is willing to learn.

42 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

“He works in a Risk. great team environUnderstanding We have run ment and is outdoors all day.” nine workshops with more than 200 Troy has worked in the industry for people to date.

30 years. His company employs 18 What we have found so far is that staff. people can all talk about the process His company does all aspects of of managing risk, but the processes silviculture and over the years he aren’t really in balance with the has employed many young people. people. For example, one of the “Many are referred to us by the harvesting crews we worked with had police to give them a go and try to a very poor understanding of risk. turn their life around. Some are at-risk or troubled youths.

After a couple of hours helping them think about more than Some are too far gone to turn around. just identifying hazards, they called out the risks that they “A lot of them don’t haveataagood remembered experiencing time work when ethic. one ofThey theirdon’t crew have a lot of confidence – we try to build that. suffered a fatal incident. Here are the risks they identified “That’s (after the why fact): there are accidents in forestry – they have issues, they have financial burdens at home.

“It’s being able to read them, take five minutes, being able to talk to them – whether it’s me or a crew member – and build a whanau-way around them; getting to know one another and if they are mentally okay.

“As a company, we try to take the financial burden off our employees. We pay our cutters and production leads more than others pay them and because of what we do for them, their output is higher. As a result we deliver very good quality work to customers, which I can then reward in turn.”

Ben White, Director of Ace of Spades Contracting based in the Bay of Plenty, is also a supporter of the mentoring programme. His company has two staff going through it.

“It’s a better way of learning, especially if you have When asked, “what would you do in hindsight?”, they experienced mentors in the crew. Our workers don’t like to came up with some strategies for dealing with some of the be cooped up in a classroom where things go over their risks. Asked further, “whose responsibility was it to manage heads but out here in the forest, they can relate to it. It the risks?”, they only identified themselves. They didn’t provides a point of difference.” understand that risk management must be influenced by He says their mentees are receptive to the information everyone involved in the work and that other people in the which includes safety and a knowledge of the bush. supply chain can actually put better controls in place by His company employs 16 people to do a variety of silviculture designing the work better. work and was set up two years ago by five directors who are Some food for thought?

Safetree willfrom be running more FREE good mates.

“The company evolved that friendship,” Understanding Risk workshops in June around the country. says Ben. Dates and locations will be advertised on the Safetree and “I love my job; being outside seeing the sunrise and sunset.

FICA Facebook pages soon.

Come along, have a listen, a yarn It’s the crew you’re with that makes it; the culture is so great, and our a cup of teahave andbought we encourage and people into it. you to take time to put these learnings back into your business.

“Silviculture is never going to wind up. Trees will always need to Safetree, FISC and WorkSafe Zealand. to Thanks be planted and they will always needNew to be cut down.”

Recently I have joined the Council and with knowledge of the Review of Vocational Education progressing through to 2023, this project and pilot is going to provide some valuable feedback into the Training Strategy for the Forestry Industry. Thus, we are keen to keep you all informed across it as it has some alignment with the harvesting sector as well which will be complimentary to this specific silviculture mentor pilot.

LET’S GET TO WORK NEW ZEALAND

The full line-up of sought after John Deere forestry equipment is available from your local John Deere dealer

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

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top spot

Saving the best for last Safety/performance/quality

FINALLY, WE CAN ALMOST BRING YOU A photo of Bluewood Thinning, the top crew for 2021 but… you guessed it, COVID had the last say with one of the crew members testing positive on the day the presentation was to be made.

However, that didn’t stop the folk from Ernslaw One and Bluewood Thinning celebrating their success.

On a more serious note, to date in 2022, we are finding inconsistencies in the lock out/handover processes used when maintenance is being undertaken on machines.

In some instances, there is a process but it is not understood by crew members. In other instances there is a process but crew members have advised it is not followed.

Please remember, crews need to have clear processes for locking out/de-energising machines prior to undertaking maintenance.

If anyone other than the person who locked the machine out is to undertake work on the machine, there also needs to be a handover process to ensure machine lockout is understood and acceptable to the person who is undertaking the maintenance work.

We also need to consider whether static support is needed in order to minimise the risk of any unexpected movement during the maintenance process.

We look forward to seeing you over the next few months.

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

44 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

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, McHoull Contracting, Wayne Cumming Contracting, Howard

Clint McIvor with Devon Stewart.

Forestry Services, Inta-Wood 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?

Contact Shane 0274 781 908, 07 primefm@xtra.co.nz. NZL

Perrett on 3483037 or at

Phil De La Mare with Devon Stewart.

new iron

THIRD SANY FOR MAHUTA LOGGING Mahuta Logging recently took delivery of its third Sany, delivered

by Shaw’s. This SY305H with full ensign guarding package and grapple is performing the fleeting loading for Mahuta Logging’s cable operation in Port Waikato.

SAT324HD FOR SUBRITSKY-CLARK LOGGING Willie has replaced his SAT323T which he says has been extremely reliable with the SAT324HD which will allow his crew to process larger size stems. Operator, Dane, fall’s and processes at the stump ready for the forwarder. The company is working in a forest plantation with trees ranging from post wood to mill wood. With this in mind, Willie wanted a harvester that could harvest large stems down to 10cm. Both Willie and Dane say they are wrapped with the new harvester as it is doing everything that is required of it with ease.

CAT 336GC & WEILER B758 FOR HAURAKI LOGGING

NEW MACHINERY FOR DG GLENN LOGGING

NEW MACHINERY FOR BROOKS LOGGING

DG Glenn Logging has added a new 635H to one of its Pan Pac operations in Hawkes bay. They say they are stoked with the performance and comfort of the new machine.

Jason has recently added a new South Star QS600 to his South Island operation running on a PC 300 Komatsu.

Blu and Donna from Hauraki Logging have recently taken delivery of a new Weiler B758 track feller buncher with a Satco 630H felling head. The Weiler B758 is tether felling off a new Cat 336GC Tractionline built by EMS. Both units were sold by Terra Cat Territory Account Manager, Mark Costello.

May 2022 | NZ LOGGER 45

new iron

NEW MACHINERY FOR G WHITE LOGGING UPGRADE FOR OLSEN CABLE LOGGING Sam Olsen has upgraded his older QS630 to a new South Star QS630, running the upgraded drive motors and new Log Mate 510 control system.

G White Logging has taken delivery of a new SAT630E with an H3 Logmaker controller. The H3 is an upgrade from the basic H4 which adds GPS Navigation and felling production data options. The machine is being operated by Carl Field.

KOMATSU PC 400LC-8 FOR HAWKES HARVESTING Shaun & Katrina Hawkes of Hawkes Harvesting from Wanganui have recently taken delivery of a new Komatsu PC 400LC-8. The Komatsu has been converted to a Harvestline by the team at EMS. The machine was financed by TDF Solutions. Operator, Ryan, told Komatsu Forest NZ’s John Kosar that he is very happy with the Komatsu PC 400LC-8… “heaps of power and very fast line speed”.

Pictured from left: Jack Turner, Craig Paget, Ryan Worsley (foreman/operator), Pete Roy, Ian Hawkes, Shaun Hawkes and John Kosar (Komatsu Forest NZ), Sam Gillard and Marcus Healy.

‘Professional’ photographer: Tani Rangi (Log Haul Taranaki).

CAT 538 FOR CENTRAL WOOD RECYCLERS

SANY FOR FAST LOGGING

This Next Gen Cat 538GF forest machine is a new acquisition for Rene Richmond and the team at Central Wood Recyclers. Having previously run converted 20-tonne excavators, this step up to the speed, power and comfort of the purpose-built 538 has been a game changer they say. Sold by Territory Account Manager, Brent Van Der Burg.

Photo credit: Ivan Turdeich.

Fast logging has taken delivery by Shaw’s of another Sany SY305H log loader to add to its fleet. This will be number four. The machine will be preforming shovelling and loading duties for the crew in Waimiha.

46 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

new iron

JOHN DEERE FOR CJ NEWLAND LOGGING CJ Newland Logging has taken delivery of a new John Deere 3754G/ Alpine RS450 shovel yarder combo. Based out of Wanganui, Clint and Lisa of CJ Newland have the big hydraulic yarder working hard near Hunterville and say they are very impressed with the versatility and performance of the combination. Delivery was a group effort by Total Hydraulic Services, Alpine, Active Engineering and AGrowQuip–John Deere.

NEW MACHINERY FOR STOKES LOGGING Stokes Logging has taken delivery of a Sany SY305H DC tether winch package, adding this to its big fleet of Sany machines. This unit is hooked up to an Eltec FHL317L tilter currently logging just above Oakura Bay, Northland. Sold and serviced by Shaw’s.

CAT 730 FOR COCHRANE & SON LOGGING Cochrane & Son Logging of Maungakamea has taken delivery of this new Cat 730 purpose-built ADT log truck. Keith Cochrane had a vision of this specific truck to carry out two-staging in his 100% Cat forestry fleet. Keith says longer leads and cycle times and a good size payload were key factors in his decision-making process. The 730 features a long chassis, wide low profile tyres, and Cat Payload system to ensure the truck is loaded to optimum weight. Comfort in mind for big days in the cab was also factored into Keith‘s thought process. Shaun Rosewarne, owner of SR Engineering designed and manufactured the log bolsters and bulkhead.

CAT 548LL FM FOR JENSEN LOGGING A new Cat 548LL forest machine is a recent arrival for Rotorua-based Jensen Logging. Equipped with an Ensign Heel/1730, the new unit joins other Cat 548 forest machines in this modern fleet. It has been put to work shovel logging in one of Jensen’s Timberlands operations. Sold by Territory Account Manager, Mark Costello.

SUMITOMO FOR M WELCH LOGGING Mark Welch, owner of M Welch Logging, has replaced his old loader with a new Sumitomo SH300TLFS-5 in his ground based operation in Hawkes Bay. He says the team love the reach and lift in the new machine which is fitted with an Ensign IH1730 and factory heal.

May 2022 | NZ LOGGER 47

new iron

JOHN DEERE FOR LAKES HARVESTING

NEW MACHINERY FOR HORNE LOGGING

Leon Duncan of Lakes Harvesting is pictured taking delivery of his new 768LII John Deere skidder. Lakes Harvesting is contracted to Hancock Forest Management, working in the Kinleith Forest. Sold and supported by Agrowquip, Rotorua.

Horne Logging’s Bernard, Amanda and Matt have upgraded from a conventional pole hauler setup to a new TMar 650 swing yarder. The immediate productivity gains from the consistent and continuous flow of wood to the skid, the ease and speed of reaching skid sites as well as set up, and the ability to train operators in this machine have been awesome, they say.

SECOND NEW TIGERCAT H855E FOR BRAND LOGGING Brand Logging in Canterbury has taken delivery of its second new Tigercat H855E harvester with a Satco 324 processor. Impressed with the performance and fuel economy of the first H855E, it made it an easy decision to go with the same again, they say. The H855E was delivered to the company’s Balmoral operation in North Canterbury. Sold By Steve Varcoe of AB Equipment Christchurch.

Pictured from left: Craig (Brand Mechanical), Shaun, Baldy (operator), Big Hands, Adrian, Simon, Jamie, Shane and Ross.

UPGRADE FOR LEW PRINCE LOGGINGE

CAT FOR OLSEN CABLE HARVESTING

Lew Prince Logging has recently upgraded to a Quadco QB4400 fixed felling head into the company’s Napier operations and say they are very happy with its cutting and holding ability running on an Eltec FHL317L.

This new Next Gen Cat 538 forest machine is a new arrival for Sam Olsen and the team at Olsen Cable Harvesting. Moving from the previous generation of Cat forestry machines to the new 538 model is a complete game changer with the unit providing enhanced power, speed and operator comfort, they say. Sold by Terra Cat Territory Account Manager, Brent Van Der Burg.

48 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

new iron

KOMATSU FOR MARSHALL LOGGING Terry, Debbie and Zane Marshall of Marshall Logging have recently taken delivery of a new Komatsu PC 300LC-8HW. It is fitted with the Komatsu harvester/grapple boom and Komatsu high & wide undercarriage, as well as an Active Heavy Duty Forestry Guarding package. It is also fitted with a Woodsman Pro FH1350C felling head. Adam commented to John Kosar of Komatsu Forest NZ that he is very impressed with his new Komatsu PC 300LC-8HW... “Heaps of track power”.

Pictured from left: Justin Tukaki (foreman), Adam Redmayne (operator), Debbie Marshall and John Kosar (Komatsu Forest NZ), Dallas Davis, Baz Savage and Chad Swan. Photographer: Greg Brooks.

TWO NEW SANY’S FOR ACL LOGGING Lance and Demelza of ACL Logging have added two new Sany’s to their fleet. They’ve taken delivery of a SY305H log loader and a SY415H with a Woodsman Pro 850. Both machines have full Ensign packages including harvester cabs and big high & wides. The crew say they are loving the performance of the units. Sold and serviced

by Shaw’s.

CAT 336 FOR MCDOUGALL LOGGING When Ray and Casey McDougall from McDougall Logging needed to replace their Cat 336DL excavator that had done over 21,000 hours, they chose this Next Gen Cat 336, with a PFS high & wide purpose-built cab and Woodsman Pro 850. Operator, Penny gets the controls of the new machine having previously done 13,000 hours in a 336DL. He says he’s impressed with the power from the Cat C9.3 engine, the smooth excavator controls, the stability of the 336, the quiet cab and the side- and rear-facing cameras.

McDougall Logging Crew 97 is pictured with the 336 on delivery day. Sold by Territory Account Manager, Steve McDougall.

BOAPOD FOR OLDINA LOGGING

NEW MACHINERY FOR GILLARD LOGGING

Tasmanian forestry contractor, Oldina Logging, has taken its hydraulic hose repairs in-house, with a new BOApod hydraulic hose repair unit. Onboarding technician, Oliver, delivered and trained the team to carry out hose repairs competently. The BOApod will help Oldina Logging to increase productivity and profitability on-site.

Gillard Logging’s, Dan, has added this SH250-6 machine to his fleet to increase production and assist on the skid fleeting and loading.

The stability and low fuel consumption have been the immediate key areas for Dan and Glen they say.

May 2022 | NZ LOGGER 49

NZ LOGGER classified

Forestry Insurance Solutions LG23616

0800 55 54 53 info@stal.co.nz

www.sweeneytownsend.co.nz

Forestry Insurance Solutions TOUGHEST TRACK GEAR! Keep your forestry machines on track with our new range of genuine BERCO Track Gear now in stock! n Available to suit John Deere 909-959, Sumitomo SH240, SH300, SH350TLFS, Tigercat 855-875 & other forestry models n Premium quality, Italian made Track Gear

used by OEM companies all around the globe

n Heavy duty double & single flange Track Rollers. Bigger Track Chain bushes for longer wear life n 12 month/2000hr warranty on all parts Proven for over 100 years, the BERCO brand is well known for its reliable performance in the most extreme forestry & mining industries around the world.

Call 0800 654 323 now to order your BERCO Track Gear & stay on track for longer!

0800 654 323 | sales@west-trak.co.nz Find your parts at: www.west-trak.co.nz

50 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

IN-FIELD HYDRAULIC HOSE EMERGENCY REPAIR KITS

11 ISSUES

11 ISSUES $ 00

88. $80

105.00

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(INCLUDES EQUIPMENT GUIDE)

(INCLUDES EQUIPMENT GUIDE)

4 ISSUES

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$

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ONLY

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6%

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NEW ZEALAND’S LEADING INDUSTRY PUBLICATIONS

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Tick boxes NZ TRUCK & DRIVER 1 year (11 issues) for $95 incl. GST

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S 0

0

NZ LOGGER classified

USED FORESTRY EQUIPMENT - AVAILABLE NOW

0

#208010

#208014

#207756

)

John Deere 909MH Harvester

Volvo EC300D Excavator

$499,000 +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

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

#207834

#207803

S

0

2

00

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

John Deere 648H Skidder

Tigercat 625E Skidder

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

+GST

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

View our full range online

www.dne.co.nz

S

z

May 2022 | NZ LOGGER 53

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

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

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

LG31252

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

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

54 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

NZ LOGGER classified

www.chains.co.nz ENGINEERED WITH EXPERIENCE...

Clark Tracks from Scotland Single tracks Bogey Tracks 30.5x32 750/55-26.5 35.5x32 780/50-28.5

Chain Protection have been selling these brands of forestry Chains & Tracks for 20+years

LG30793

Trygg Ring Lug Chains from Norway are available from 16mm to 25mm 23.1x26 30.5x32 24.5x32 35.5x32 28Lx26

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

May 2022 | NZ LOGGER 55

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 NATIONWIDE

CONTACT: SHANE 027 626 2231 extremewindowtints@xtra.co.nz

@ExtremeWindowTints Extreme_Window_Tints

LG31921

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

Lo

Nor Me 56 NZ LOGGER | May 2022

Ble Ons

FL100 Felling Head Suitable for carriers in 30 tonne + range.

Priced from $110,634.00 For more information contact: Karl 021 1926 567 North Island Gerard 0274 794 664 South Island

Waratah FL100 Felling Head

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

5%

Currently under rebuild POA

OFF

OFF

Arriving Soon – to be rebuilt.

POA

TS100111

5%

5%

OFF

Priced $50,000.00

5% OFF

Delimb Covers Loggers Tape & Multi Tool

Chain Breaker

Chain Joiner

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

Chain Sharpener

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