NZ Logger February 2023 by nzlogger

February 2023

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o m i l h c t e r t s e s r Th e d d i k s g o l of le too!

ISSN 2703-6251

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Sawmilling legends: Logging the Punga

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contents

FEBRUARY 2023

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FOREST TALK Forestry under fire after Cyclone Hale; Fifth fine in Tolaga Bay disaster; ITP to boost industry; Exports largely stable, says report; Don’t compromise on safety; Mitigate against alcohol in the workplace; Fletcher Building invests in wood sector; Government drags its feet on Māori foresters; Brandt Group to acquire Agrowquip NZ; New forestry championship; Accolades for industry heroes. SHAW’S WIRE ROPES IRON TEST At 9.5 metres long and 285 horsepower, the Tigercat 635H is one big mother of a skidder. And big is what Tainui Logging owner, Phil

40 Hemopo, was looking for when he planned this new machine purchase. As our Iron Test team found out, it does not disappoint. 30

LOOKING BACK This photo essay by historian, Ron Cooke, from his book Logging the Punga takes a look at the enterprising King Country sawmilling operation of Ellis & Burnand, focussing on their steam haulers. BREAKING OUT The Kobelco ED 160, aka the Blade Runner, using an MDE Koala 400 tree shear attachment, is doing the job of three machines when we meet Henry

Fear in Kaingaroa Forest. It may be small, but it packs a punch! 40

WORKER WELLNESS Operating a high-value machine in a high-production environment can be very stressful, which is why operator wellbeing is more important than ever. DEPARTMENTS 2 editorial 42 fica 44 top spot 49 Sweeney Townsend New Iron 51 classifieds

February 2023 | NZ LOGGER 1

from the editor February 2023 | $8.00

limo retch The st kidders s of lognimble too!

ISSN 1176-0397

PHOTO: TIM BENSEMAN

Quick

and

Sawmilling legends: Logging the Punga

One machine, three roles

Additional lights make early mornings safer and more efficient as the Tigercat 635H skidder gets to work for Tainui Logging in central Kaingaroa.

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2 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

Then and now NEW PM, NEW YEAR, NEW CHALLENGES. THE DECEMBER FESTIVITIES feel far behind us, and summer seems to have found its way to other coasts this year. Cyclone Hale came for an unwelcome visit, and we all know what that means for forestry. Fighters from all corners are calling for a formal inquiry into forestry practices, from the Environmental Defence Society to Federated Farmers and even East Coast residents themselves who signed a petition after erosion sediment and forestry slash took their toll on the region once more. While the industry is doing its part to remove debris, stakeholders are not averse to an independent review. After all, how can you improve if you don’t correct your mistakes? Players warn against a top-down solution though, saying the community and all stakeholders need to be involved in decisions that affect them. The NZ Forest Owners Association (FOA) emphasises that a long-term outlook is needed, taking into account factors such as land use, risk management decisions and even bioenergy potential as the role of forestry in the region comes into question. “Learnings and change have always come out of previous reviews, and the industry expects this should be no different,” says FOA President, Grant Dodson. See our Forest Talk pages for more. Looking to the past always guides the present, whether it be via a review or the experiences of our predecessors. This month we take a walk through history with a photo essay by historian, Ron Cooke. In those times of discovery and invention every day was an adventure in the bush, and there was certainly no shortage of interesting, determined characters. Some things never change. Not only our perseverance but that spirit of innovation too. Our feature on the Kobelco ED 160 or Blade Runner as it is aptly named, shows what a bit of out-of-the-box thinking can achieve. Taking on three roles in one, for a small machine, it can do a lot! Of course, innovation doesn’t automatically equal less stress. As volumes harvested over the years have increased thanks to mechanisation, physical safety may have improved but mental health is still a concern. Trevor Best and Professor Rien Visser of the University of Canterbury tackle this difficult subject. Until next time, stay safe (both in mind and body).

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forest talk

Forestry under fire after Cyclone Hale AS EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME more frequent, putting ‘the right forest in the right place’ takes on new meaning in the light of tropical cyclones like Cyclone Hale. The forestry industry is in support of an independent review of the challenges faced by the East Coast following the cyclone, believing it will be beneficial for the region in the future. The weather event affected a significant part of the country late last year. However, like Cyclone Bola in 1988, it was once again the East Coast community which felt the brunt of the weather with roads and bridges damaged, and power taken out. Speaking for the Eastland Wood Council, Chief Executive Philip Hope noted the combination of factors that makes Tairāwhiti so vulnerable. “We are managing an area almost twice the size of Auckland with three percent of their population, whilst sitting on some of the worst eroding country in the world. It’s a big challenge for many including the Council.” The industry is proposing a review that takes a 20–50-year outlook and assesses what needs to happen to achieve an outcome that is realistic to ensure communities are supported.

Grant Dodson, President of the NZ Forest Owners Association, says that such a stocktake clearly needs to look at the role of forestry in the region, including new processing investment and bioenergy potential. To achieve a holistic picture, he says it must also consider other land uses and risk management decisions made by all parties. Aratu Forests is one of the forest companies involved in assisting with the clean-up. Chief Executive Officer, Neil Woods, agrees that there is merit in a review. “Forestry, farming and horticulture all need to be part of maintaining a sustainable community on the coast and that includes new processing investment. We are encouraged by some of the recent changes we have implemented. The systems have held up well, despite the intensity of this storm, but we know debris slash is still a problem. There is more we need to do to improve resilience for the benefit of our community - a sciencebased independent review can help us with that.” The industry is working alongside Gisborne District Council to remove woody debris from Tolaga Bay. Operations to clear the Gisborne City beach began last month. NZL

Fifth fine in Tolaga Bay disaster ERNSLAW ONE HAS BEEN ORDERED TO PAY $225,000 FOR serious forestry offending related to a storm event in Uawa/Tolaga Bay in June 2018. The company pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges laid by Gisborne District Council. The recent sentencing at the Gisborne District Court concluded one of the largest series of investigations and prosecutions under the Resource Management Act (RMA). Ernslaw One is the fifth company sentenced in Tairāwhiti after severe rain events in June 2018 dislodged sediment and slash from poorly managed forestry sites. It’s estimated 400,000m3 of slash washed down hills, clogged rivers, caused serious environmental harm and damaged properties. Around 47,000m3 of the woody debris washed up on Uawa Beach. Council Chief Executive, Nedine Thatcher Swann, says she wants the fine to be seen as a deterrent. “Any company that pollutes our region will be prosecuted. Today’s sentencing of Ernslaw closes court action against five forestry companies from an event that devastated the community of Uawa more than four years ago. “Our hill country is steep and erosion-prone. It must be planted and harvested with care to ensure sustainable management of our natural and physical resources.”

Ms Thatcher Swann says monitoring of consent conditions has increased. “Storms of this intensity are becoming more frequent due to climate change. As a Council we must make sure best practice is being followed in forestry to protect our environment, people and property.” Ernslaw’s charges relate to Uawa Forest between June 1, 2017 and June 22, 2018. Over Queen’s Birthday weekend in 2018 intense rainfall over Uawa dislodged sediment and slash on hilly erosion-prone slopes. The slash came from a number of forestry sites, including Uawa Forest, where Ernslaw is the holder of the resource consent and responsible for the forestry harvest and associated earthworks. Uawa Forest is owned by Timbergrow. A week later more intense rainfall affected the district south of Uawa. Ernslaw was also ordered to pay emotional harm reparation to each of the parties who prepared victim impact statements. Other companies successfully prosecuted by Council from these events include Aratu Forests (formerly Hikurangi Forest Farms), Juken NZ, DNS Forest Products 2009 and PF Olsen. All pleaded guilty – some only days before their trials started. NZL

4 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

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forest talk

ITP to boost industry WORKING WITH INDUSTRY, THE FORESTRY AND WOOD PROCESSING Industry Transformation Plan (ITP), announced late last year at Fieldays, is intended to create new domestic opportunities for the sector; grow the wood processing sector by 3.5 million cubic metres (25%) by 2030; grow export earnings from value-added wood products by $600 million by 2040; and increase the use of domestic timber in construction by 25% by 2030. An initial investment of $2.5 million from the Government, plus another $1 million from industry contributions, will see a series of initiatives rolled out from 2023 onwards. These initiatives include: • A diversification programme to improve the opportunities for nonradiata species to be grown and milled in New Zealand. • Establishing New Zealand’s first post-graduate qualification in wood processing. • Scaling up the Wood – Our Low-Carbon Future campaign that demonstrates the benefits of low-carbon products derived from locally grown logs. • Research that identifies how the use of wood products can be increased, by improving standards, and options to recognise the benefits of carbon stored in wood products. • A business case for a new facility to support commercialisation of bio products. • Providing support for a Māori forestry strategy. “The ITP sets the path for future export growth that does not just rely on exporting logs and instead opens up domestic opportunities

such as converting wood into high-tech, low-carbon products such as construction materials, including timber frames, fence paling and decking, and into bio-materials such as liquid and solid fuels. “We will also develop our domestic woody biomass industry that takes forestry by-products such as branches, bark, chips and sawdust and turns them into products such as pellets and particleboard, and into bio-fuels to power our transport, make plastics and pharmaceuticals, and replace high-emissions materials in our buildings. The Government allocated $27 million in Budget 22 to support delivery of the ITP, and has ring-fenced another $155 million to support ITP-related initiatives and projects. NZL

From left: At the ITP Fieldays launch are Jason Wilson, Deputy Director General of Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, Ministry for Primary Industries Director General, Ray Smith, Scion Chief Executive, Dr Julian Elder, and Forestry Minister, Stuart Nash.

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forest talk

Exports largely stable, says report FORESTRY EXPORT REVENUE INCREASED 1% TO $6.6 BILLION in the year to 30 June 2022, driven by record high pulp prices offsetting a drop in demand for logs, according to the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) quarterly report (December 2022). For the year to 30 June 2023, forestry export revenue is expected to remain flat at $6.6 billion, as a weak New Zealand dollar offsets reduced demand. The report states that demand for New Zealand logs remains relatively stable despite decreased softwood log imports into China. Log export revenue fell 5.9% in the year to 30 June 2022. This is a better result than previously forecast, largely due to a depreciation of the NZD against the USD and stronger than expected demand from China. New Zealand’s market share in China has increased as supply from Europe decreases. China’s property market continues to decline due to policies aimed at curbing debt and financial risks. While construction has slowed, government-led infrastructure projects have continued, which is providing demand support for New Zealand logs. Reduced shipping costs and a weak NZD are currently supporting log prices. Looking forward, log demand is forecast to decrease as China’s economy slows down and global demand also weakens, resulting in reduced log prices and export volumes. Domestic demand for sawn timber is forecast to decrease and export revenue to increase. As higher interest rates work their way into the New Zealand economy, house prices are expected to continue falling and construction is forecast to slow, putting 6 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

downward pressure on domestic demand for wood. Demand is expected to slow in key export markets for similar reasons, as interest rates rise and the global economy cools. More New Zealand producers will be looking at export markets to divert products that would have otherwise been consumed domestically. Therefore, sawn timber production is forecast to decrease and export volumes to remain stable. Input costs for wood product manufacturing have increased 11%, and a weak exchange rate is causing shipping costs from New Zealand to be more expensive than from other countries, which puts some downward pressure on profit margins. However, sawn timber export prices reached highs of an average $739 per cubic metre in the September quarter of 2022, a 15% increase compared to a year ago. Prices have come down in USD terms, but a weak NZD is supporting export prices. Looking forward, prices are forecast to come down as export demand slows further. Pulp prices are at highs. In the September quarter, average pulp prices reached NZ$1,093 per tonne, an 18.7% increase from a year ago. Global and domestic supply constraints are contributing to these higher prices, including project delays, mill closures and input cost increases. A weak NZD against the USD is currently supporting pulp prices, which are forecast to come off highs in 2023 as global supply increases and demand slows. Export quantities have declined but are predicted to be steady over the forecast period. Strong long term demand drivers such as a growing middle class in Asia continue to be relevant for the longerterm export outlook. NZL

forest talk

Don’t compromise on safety “ANY BUSINESS WITH FIELD STAFF SHOULD STAY ON TOP OF HOW those workers go about their job on an ongoing basis. It can be easy for safety to be compromised without workers necessarily realising it while they’re working remotely, and employers need to be attuned to that risk,” says WorkSafe Area Investigation Manager, Danielle Henry, in light of an investigation into the death of a forestry technician in northern Hawke’s Bay two years ago. Inadequate training and supervision contributed to the death, he says. The 48-year-old was fatally crushed at Quail Ridge Forest in Putere, near Wairoa, in November 2020. The man was repairing a harvester head, when the device was activated by being manually spun. Employer, Waratah Forestry Services, pleaded guilty to health and

safety failures. WorkSafe identified that Waratah’s field technicians had been inadequately trained about the risks and controls involved in such a repair job, and weren’t properly monitored to correct any unsafe practices. “Although the field technicians were provided with some safety instruction, the manuals for the harvester head were large and the ‘buddy’ training system the business had was insufficient. There was no other supervision and monitoring of the field technicians’ safety knowledge and practices,” adds Mr Henry. “The victim was a much-loved father, husband, and brother and it’s important we recognise the family’s loss as this case comes to a close,” he says. NZL

Mitigate against alcohol in the workplace A PORT WORKER HAS BEEN FINED $20,000 FOR OPERATING machinery while intoxicated. The digger operator, Mark Deans, was sentenced and fined in the Invercargill District Court in relation to an incident at Port Otago. On the morning of 17 October 2021, Mr Deans arrived late to work, missing the toolbox meeting and failed to report in to his foreman. Heading straight to the bulk carrier, IVS Kingbird, replacing another operator stowing away logs. Mr Deans was not rostered to be working on the digger. He was contacted by the foreman, who asked him to report to see him. He declined, saying he would report in five minutes. While stowing, the digger tipped over as Mr Deans was lifting and moving logs while the digger was in a precarious position. The foreman froze operations. When exiting the digger, it was noticed Mr Deans was unsteady on his feet. He was taken to the break room for observations. A breath alcohol test was undertaken, with Mr Deans recording readings of 880 and 830 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 250 micrograms. Maritime NZ Investigations Manager, Pete Dwen, says Mr Deans breached his responsibilities as a worker by turning up under the influence of alcohol. “His employer, C3 has steps in place to mitigate against the risk of incidents like these occurring. They include toolbox meetings, and getting staff to check in with the foreman should they be late and miss the toolbox meeting. “He bypassed all of these processes, knowing he would likely have been too impaired to undertake his job safely. “Working under the influence of alcohol is exceptionally dangerous, and Mr Deans continues to suffer ongoing concussion issues as a result of the incident,” Mr Dwen says. His level of intoxication was significantly above the limit imposed by the company’s policy, and he was over twice the legal limit of breath alcohol for operating a motor vehicle on the road. NZL 8 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

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forest talk

Fletcher Building invests in wood sector FLETCHER BUILDING HAS CONFIRMED TWO STRATEGIC investments in the wood sector. It will proceed with building a new wood panels plant at its current Laminex site in Taupo with a capital cost of some $275 million. The investment involves building a new wood panel production and processing line to serve the New Zealand market and export markets. The new process will supersede the current particleboard production line by producing cost-competitive products that have diverse applications in furniture, joinery and the broader construction sector. All appropriate consents for this project have been granted and initial civil works will commence in early 2023. The project is expected to take around two-and-a-half years to complete, with FY26 expected to be the first year of operations. After a ramp-up period, the investment is expected to generate mid-cycle EBIT of approximately $40 million and return on funds employed at or above 15%. In addition, Fletcher Building has agreed to acquire Waipapa Pine and Renewable Wood Fuels (together, “Waipapa”) for a some $97 million (including land and buildings but excluding earn out). Waipapa produces a range of sawn timber products, including

industrial and structural grades, and includes a renewable fuels business. It is geographically advantaged by being in Kerikeri (sawmill) and Whangarei (timber treatment plant), close to the supply of high-quality logs. Fletcher Building intends to continue to expand production capability to strengthen Waipapa’s ability to support the market. Waipapa forecasts revenue of $50 million and EBIT of $14.5 million for the 12 months ended 31 December 2022. It is expected to generate mid-cycle EBIT earnings of over $20 million and ROFE greater than 15% within two years of Fletcher Building ownership. The acquisition, conditional on Overseas Investment Office approval, will be completed in the final quarter of FY23. Fletcher Building’s Chief Executive, Ross Taylor, says: “Together, these investments represent our first major expansion steps in the wood products sector and nicely complement our already strong positions in Steel and Concrete. Wood products is a highly attractive sector with significant growth opportunities, giving both these investments a favourable long-term position. In addition, increased utilisation of wood resources fits within New Zealand’s broader sustainability goals through carbon storage and contributing to our international climate change targets.” NZL

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Government drags its feet on Māori foresters ONE IN FOUR HECTARES OF farmland operated by Māori is now in forestry, making forest interests one of the most significant economic and environmental issues for Tangata Whenua. A group of Māori forestry specialists met recently in Rotorua to develop the forestry practice which will be key to unlocking more than $16 billion in value for the Māori economy. The group, brought together by Te Taumata (Māori Forestry Landowners) and funded exclusively by Māori forestry interests, is working to establish a best-practice model for permanent transitional forest management. Te Taumata Chair, Chris Karamea Insley, says, despite promising to act in partnership with Māori in a hui led by the late Sir Dr Toby Curtis on the development of the best practice model, the Government 10 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

has been dragging its feet. Mr Insley says despite reaching an agreement with Ministers Stuart Nash and James Shaw at the specially convened hui in Wellington in June last year to establish and fund a technical working group in partnership, the Government has since stonewalled any attempts to make progress. “In the end, Māori have decided this is far too important an issue to play political games, and we have convened and funded our own group to undertake this work for the benefit of Māori,” he says. “As a result of colonialism, confiscations and the land made available in treaty settlements, Māori also own some of the poorest land in the country – with 20% covered in bush and scrub, compared to 8% on the average New Zealand farm,” he adds.

“However, this land is more suitable for the needs of transitional forestry, which generally targets property in Land Use Class 6 and above. It is estimated that Māori have between 700,000 and 1,200,000 ha of land suitable for transitional forestry. “We owe it to the late Sir Dr Toby Curtis and indeed our mokopuna to take action for the good of Māori and the benefit of all Aotearoa. We look forward to this technical working group being the first stage of an indigenous-led movement for self-determined climate action.” NZL

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forest talk

Brandt Group to acquire Agrowquip NZ THE BRANDT GROUP OF COMPANIES HAS REACHED AN agreement to acquire the assets of Agrowquip NZ. The acquisition combines the strong local presence of Agrowquip with Brandt’s existing locations across the North Island to create a network of John Deere dealer locations that runs from Cape Reinga to Wellington. The deal will provide the industry’s broadest support infrastructure for customers throughout the North Island, delivering products, parts and service. “Bringing Brandt and Agrowquip’s locations together on the North Island under one banner allows us to make a more significant investment in the facilities, tools and people to meet the growing needs of our customers, now and in the future,” says Brandt CEO, Shaun Semple. “As a family-owned and operated business, we like to put down deep roots, investing for the long term, and that is our plan here in New Zealand.” Already an established John Deere agricultural equipment dealer in New Zealand, Brandt’s foray into the forestry and construction sector is familiar ground for the company. From humble beginnings with a single location 30 years ago, Brandt has grown to become John Deere’s leading forestry and construction equipment dealer worldwide. The company owns and operates 130 dealerships worldwide, including 23 John Deere Ag stores in Australia and New Zealand as well as 56

John Deere forestry and construction dealerships across Canada. Mr Semple says the company’s experience in the forestry, agriculture and construction sectors will enable it to deliver the quality products and industry-best support services that New Zealand equipment owners need to help them to compete successfully. In addition to delivering a full suite of John Deere products, Brandt provides over-the-counter parts availability supported by an in-country central parts warehouse. The agreement is subject to due diligence and customary closing conditions. NZL

New forestry championship “FORESTRY IS A HUGE PART OF RURAL AOTEAROA. IT IS ONLY fitting that we celebrate its role by creating a championship highlighting the skills required to drive forestry machinery,” says New Zealand Rural Games Founder, Steve Hollander of the inaugural Golden Loader Forestry Championship to be held as part of the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games in Palmerston North on Sunday, 12 March. “It has been a long-term ambition of the Rural Games to host a forestry championship alongside traditional sports that helped to build our nation,” he adds. The Championship, funded by the Forestry Growers Levy Trust and organised by the Southern North Island Wood Council, will feature a competition in which two competitors race against each other and the clock to load and unload a truck and trailer unit in The Square. Team members from John Turkington and McCarthy’s Transport will manage the Championship. Southern North Island Wood Council Chief Executive Officer, Erica Kinder, says the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games provides forestry with an excellent opportunity to lift the sector’s profile. Forestry is growing, and currently contributes $6.6 billion to our economy and employs between 35,000-40,000 people, she says. Tony Groome MNZM manages the Golden Loader Forestry Championship. He is a forestry manager with a long history in the sector, alongside Rural/Urban Fire and Land Search and Rescue. “Only those who live near forestry blocks or work in the sector get to see this type of action, so it’s great to showcase it in the

heart of Palmerston North and to the rest of the country through the Rural Games and TV3,” he says. Entries are limited to 24 and only those who currently work in the sector and have their loader ticket can participate. Ms Kinder says the Southern North Island Wood Council is also taking the opportunity to highlight all the skills required to make a successful forestry career, providing young people with an “invaluable hands-on opportunity” to test their knowledge and learn new skills about forestry. NZL

Logging site at Stormy Point in Rangitīkei.

12 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

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forest talk

Accolades for industry heroes THE HAWKE’S BAY FORESTRY GROUP recently celebrated its second forestry awards ceremony since the inaugural event in 2019, at the Napier War Memorial Conference Centre. MC, Jeremy Corbett, managed a night of celebration and accolades for the local heroes of the industry, welcoming 360 guests at the Awards Dinner sponsored by Pan Pac Forest Products. Forestry Minister, Stuart Nash, and Deputy Mayor, Annette Brosnan, acknowledged the winners. Minister Nash commented on the work by Future Foresters in promoting forestry. He also highlighted the important role the workforce sector would play in being part of the Industry Transformation Plan (ITP). Minister Nash ended the night with the presentation of the overall Skilled Forestry Professional of the Year to Terence (Pnut) Ross who also took out the Roading category sponsored by ATS Logging. It was a great salutation to a forest “go to” and respected person in the industry as he looks to retire later in the year. ATS Logging did extremely well on the night and their other employees, Tane Lee took out the Harvesting Excellence category

while Hayden Mullins was awarded the Outstanding Health & Safety Management Trophy. To top that off, Director of ATS Logging, Amy Satherley, was runner-up in Woman in Forestry which was awarded to Chrystal Edmonds co-owner of Stirling Logging, having recently relocated to Hawke’s Bay from Gisborne. Other outstanding recipients included D G Glenn Logging, stalwarts of the industry who took out the top award for Training Company/ Contractor of the Year and Torben Hunt (Turbo) also won the Tree Faller Excellence category. This role has been increasingly under pressure from continuity of work as the role is replaced across the country with technology and mechanised fallers. Chair of the Hawke’s Bay Forestry Group, Damon Wise, commented that the “The Hawke’s Bay Forestry industry is in excellent health, proven by the calibre of nominations and quality of the Awards recipients. It’s important we don’t underestimate the commitment every individual makes every day to get the trees established, tendered, harvested, transported, and processed here in our region.”

Skilled Forestry Professional of the Year and Roading Excellence winner, Terence (Pnut) Ross of Gair Contracting. He added, “The critical path to our future success is training and development and it’s pleasing to see this year’s judges have recognised the significant investment several businesses are making in this space. “He aha te mea nui o te ao. What is the most important thing in the world? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. It is the people, it is the people, it is the people!” A special award at the discretion of the judges each year, awarded a standout recipient that had done mahi above the expectations of their day-to-day work. This award went to GPFS and Ground UP Forestry company owners, Kevin and Belinda Humphreys. NZL

The Winners Hawke’s Bay Forestry Skilled Professional of the Year: Terence (Pnut) Ross, Gair Contracting

Log Truck Driver Excellence – Sponsored by Patchell Group: Rex Sime, SSS Trucking

Training Certificates

Industry Development Trophies

NZ Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by Competenz: Te Pukenga Jovan Hanley, Tresidder Punanga

Crew of the Year – sponsored by FICA: Dan Mouatt, Bay Forest Harvesting – Runner-up: Cox Forestry Services

Trainee of the Year – sponsored by Rayonier Matariki: Hannah Allen, Chipmunk Logging

Outstanding H & S Management Award – sponsored by C3: Hayden Mullins, ATS Logging

Training Company/Contractor of the Year – sponsored by M W Lissette: D G Glenn Logging

Outstanding Environmental Management Award – sponsored by H/Bay Regional Council: Charlotte Holdsworth, John Turkington

Skilled Professional Certificates

Outstanding Regional Service Performance Award – sponsored by ISO Limited: P & L Lister

Forestry Excellence – sponsored by Forest Management (NI): Peni Navuluwai Naulago, Mid-Pine Contractor Roading Excellence – sponsored by ATS Logging: Terence (Pnut) Ross, Gair Contracting Harvesting Excellence – sponsored by Gair Contracting: Tane Lee, ATS Logging Wood Processing Excellence – sponsored by Lew Prince Logging: William McGlade, Pan Pac Forest Products Distribution Excellence – sponsored by Napier Port: Tony Groome, John Turkington Tree Faller Excellence – sponsored by Z Energy: Torben Hunt (Turbo), D G Glenn Logging Woman in Forestry Excellence – sponsored by McFall Fuel: Chrystal Edmonds, Stirling Logging – Runner-up: Amy Satherley, ATS Logging

14 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

Special Award – Growing Talent – sponsored by D G Glenn Logging: Kevin & Belinda Humphreys – GPFS & Ground Up Forestry Sponsors GOLD Sponsors: Forest Industry Contractors Association, Hawkes Bay Regional Council, C3, Pan Pac Forest Products, NZME, Finance New Zealand, ISO Limited, DG Glenn Logging SILVER Sponsors: Competenz : Te Pukenga, Rayonier Matariki Forests, M.W. Lissette, Forest Management (North Island)., Napier Port, Z Energy, Lew Prince Logging, Gair Contracting, McFall Fuel, ATS Logging, Patchell Group, UDC, The WIDE Trust, Te Uru Rakau BRONZE Sponsors: FMNZ, Shaws, Trimble, NZ Forest Managers, Hawkes Bay Heavy Haul, NZ Safety Blackwoods, Weighing & Measuring Solutions, Deals on Wheels

Iron Test

Story and photos: Tim Benseman

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The pivot bushings for the arch and the boom have seals in them now to help keep grease inside on the Tigercat 635H skidder.

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The 6-wheeler keeps hauling big loads despite the rain. AT 9.5 METRES LONG AND 285 HORSEPOWER, THE TIGERCAT 635H is one big mother of a skidder. And big is what Tainui Logging owner, Phil Hemopo, was looking for when he planned this new machine purchase a bit over a year ago. “You know you are on to a good thing when a machine is out of stock and you need to order it a year in advance,” says Phil. “Here in central Kaingaroa the Douglas fir blocks we harvest have a smaller and lighter piece size than radiata at 30 years old, so we need to handle almost three times the number of stems to get the same weight of wood compared to radiata. That’s about 800 stems a day which is in the region of 500 tonnes a day, which is our current target. “So, if a bigger skidder can go out and get two loads in one go compared to a smaller skidder then we are going to reach target a lot sooner with less wear and tear on the machine, the operator and the environment.” As the NZ Logger Iron Test team signs into the log site on an iPad at the container we notice an enormous lifting lug on the container roof. Very heavy engineering. “We have to reinforce all that now,” says Phil. “It’s to stop the corner-mounted chains from folding up the roof when the transporter operators load and unload them. Some of those guys must be quite strong as the containers have been getting a bit bent out of shape and holes have been put in the roof.” Iron Tester, Shaun Field, agrees saying that he is sure transporter operators just flip the containers onto their roofs for transport judging by the state of the gear inside when it arrives at a new block. This new lifting rig will stop that from happening as the container won’t sit on its roof with the lug on. Phil had one of the first 855’s in the country and recognised early on what a specialised forestry machine could do over and above modified excavator bases. The reliability he saw in those first Tigercats has led him to try their skidders and after a good run of over 7000 hours on a 635G model 6-wheeler it made sense to replace it with the latest model, the upgraded 635H. Weighing in at 25 tonnes with a grapple capacity of 2.32m2, there aren’t many machines around that will challenge it in the forest either.

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Tigercat has gone all out on the mods with this latest H series, it’s actually quite breath-taking to see the list of improvements. Extra grease nipples and seals have been added to the blade arms and arch. The hydraulic oil tank size has increased by 20% and rubber mounts have been added to the tank to prevent frame stress transferring into the tank. Improved sensors give the operator feedback to warn when slope limits are being approached, and a low hydraulic oil alarm has been added. For increased serviceability all the service plates under the machine now have pivot bolts so they can be swung out of the way instead of having to dump them on the ground and wrestle them back on later. A smaller door has been added and pipes have been put in to allow service personnel to drain the coolant, engine oil and hydraulic oil all from one place which makes a lot of sense for speeding up those fluid changes. In the cab the controls have been upgraded to make handling easier on the operator which is a trend we are seeing across the board these days. The aircon system has improved efficiency, 50% more vents (at your feet and for defrosting the windows) and the old 4-speed fan system has been changed out with a 0-100% adjustability dial. The dashboard has had a complete redesign with improvements in performance monitoring, faster access to the fuse box, telematics and diagnostic plugs. Control settings can be pre-programmed for up to four different operators and one owner. Pressures for all the tyres are also displayed which could make life a lot easier if you can get out of the cutover and onto the road edge to repair a puncture before it gets too flat. One of the cup holders has the aircon routed to it so you can keep your drinks cool on those hot summer days. To top it all off there is a built-in phone holder with USB charger port below it, along with an additional 12-volt charging port. Iron Tester, Shaun, notes Tainui Logging adjusted better than most to cut to length (CTL) recently after being sub-contracted to Tutaki POWER FORcrew BIGin TIME LOGGERS LoggingSERIOUS for many years as a stems Kaingaroa. “Tainui is known for its innovative and high-performance crew. I

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1: Tainui Logging owner, Phil Hemopo, Iron Tester, Shaun Field, and Phil Mackenzie from AB Equipment discuss the new Tigercat 635H. 2: Engine bay doors have been strengthened following feedback from customers. 3: Engine bay covers are strengthened with more welding, stiffeners behind them and stick deflectors between the doors and the frames. Door closures are also upgraded to compression latches. hear they are using this skidder to fleet with as well. Look at the size of the grapple on it!,” Shaun says. We have to check with AB Equipment’s Phil McKenzie that the m2 is actually 2.3 in grapple area as it looks a heck of a lot bigger than that. The Tainui crew has just moved into this 60-hectare block and should be here until about the start of April. “And we won’t do it all,” says Phil. “There are a couple of big steep gullies here that will be done by another operator using a Harvestline. “There is a bit of a perception these days that when you have a leveller and a 6-wheeler, you can go everywhere, but we take safety very seriously and while there are still operators in these machines we have to stick to using the right machine for the right terrain. We have to talk to our operators now and then, tell them to back off, that area is a Harvestline’s terrain.” The wood in here is going to export this week due to a softer local market but depending on how that market is looking, most of the wood can be sent to Red Stag sawmill in Rotorua. Whanau-centric crew Tainui Logging is a whanau-centric company with Phil having four of his sons working with him, plus his brother and a couple of other relatives. “My sons are mostly all trained up now. I had the oldest two out here sitting on a stump observing me mech harvesting when they were four years old and in the seat of the felling machine with me learning the controls. Then when I got a bit busier with the management side of things it fell to the older boys to train their younger brothers up,” says Phil.

His youngest son is 21 and has been in the industry three years now, while Phil’s oldest son is felling here on the leveller dropping 500-tonne a day, which in this small sub one tonne piece size is a huge number compared to radiata, due to the 25% higher density in the radiata. So, you do need some pretty ‘on to it’ operators in order to keep up. “We try to get that skidder to drag 12 to 14 pieces when we are able to so we can utilise that big skidder. Our regular operator, David Tahau, did about 5500 hours on our previous 6-wheeler and is on his way to the first 1000 hours with this new one. He loves it. A lot more comfort, a lot more vision, a lot more things are accessible through the engine bay. But his big thing is comfort. The seat is way better to work with as well as the bigger cab,” Phil adds. “We find the product support for maintenance is top notch from AB’s as well. When we have a service due we ring up and they say, ‘When do you want him? he will be there’. “It’s probably 13 years now since we moved out of modified Hitachi excavators and went into purpose built with a Tigercat

Tainui Logging’s modified container helps keep gear organised.

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4: While not in use at Tainui, the rigging for tethered skidding is tied safely away for future use. 5: Storage and the pump for the tilted cab. 6: The cab is 20% bigger than the previous model and the aircon has increased in capacity too. 7: Tether holes in the blade are now standard from the factory. leveller. Haven’t looked back since. They are a good product, proven and have been around a long time. A good example of agent support is, if they have any modifications, they’ll just call us up and tell us they want to change out a pump with a new modified pump, and they’ll just come and do that on their costs. “Quite interesting that Tigercat make about 45 machines a week and they are still selling out everywhere and that’s because they are right up there in quality. They invited us over to Canada to tour their factories and that was really good, they listened to us saying we needed bigger cabs and stronger seats. And at the same time, we got to compare notes with other loggers over in Canada who have different experiences and different perspectives,” he says.

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The cost of training Phil has an interesting view on training today versus how it was done in the past. He started logging officially at 15 but was out in the forest with his dad from eight years old, every school holidays. He was trained up on the wheel loader first, then chainsaw maintenance and other tasks. Then at 15 there was three weeks of timber company training. “When that was canned, that’s when things started going backwards,” he says. “It was one on one training back then. You would be innocently working away thinking you were getting the hang of things when Whack! on the hand with a stick. And that got your attention – stopped

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Far left: The enormous grapple on the 635H. Left: The band tracks cost $25,000 a set. Below: The Tigercat 635H climbs out of the Kaingaroa cutover with another payload.

you bending bars or breaking hoses, or rolling machines over. “The forest managers back then when I was trained would send out a multi-skilled trainer, usually 60 or 70 odd years old… blokes who have seen it and done it for decades, and those trainers would spend three weeks training a new recruit from QC through skiddie tasks, cross cutting, breaking out and machine operation.” I guess that explains why we have had a decent number of allrounders over the years, although the number of those guys seems to be on the decline of late. “That training in correct methods led to lower costs for the crew owner but we don’t seem to have that as much now. A lot of contractors keep the costs of repairs and maintenance a secret from their employees, but I say go and tell them what it’s actually costing. Then they will think twice about the consequences – either they could lose their job or the contractor could go broke from too many repair bills. If they know the value of stuff, then pretty soon they figure out how to operate without unnecessary cost,” adds Phil. AB Equipment’s Taupo-based Tigercat salesman, Phil McKenzie, arrives as this conversation is in progress and agrees that the price points of damaged items need to be shared with workers. “A lot of workers don’t realise the cost of things and once they do,

it seems to make them back off a bit on the damage.” Phil Hemopo uses band tracks as an example of rather surprising cost. “They are $25,000 a set and they last a season, but that’s only if you adjust them regularly. Small point. Big difference. They are awesome, but also of note is that the bogie wheels under the band tracks can’t be run by themselves without the tracks as that upsets the diffs. At the end of the wet season we change the whole lot out and put different tyres on and then we have to store the tracks and their tyres away – another cost that has to be factored in. All these modern specialist forestry machines do cost a surprising amount but are so much better than the old school machines.” Phil spent quite a few years logging for Fletchers in Tauhara Forest which is now Landcorp Farming/PAMU before moving on to thinnings and clearfell. Supply chain issues Due to rampant fuel thieving and vandalism, particularly in northern Kaingaroa, Tainui Logging has taken measures to protect its equipment. The crew travel with their own heavy duty forestry gates which they install at their

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1: The seat has been strengthened with parts common to the grapple snubber so is rated for extreme duty. 2: The sound system and RT are well out of the way. 3: The view forward from the operator’s seat. 4: The inclinometer now alerts operators when slope limits are being approached. Below: The lower ground pressure and higher horsepower of the 635H allows it to keep hauling with ease in tough conditions. entrances and exits, and have also employed their own security guard who watches their equipment at night. “The northern end we call the Red Zone; there is a lot of thieving and you have got to have some sort of security. We had one block where we thought we wouldn’t need a security guard and the very next day we had a break in costing over $8000. There’s basically two kinds of crims in here – the thieves and the wreckers. The thieves are mostly stealing fuel to order. We have heard of orders of 10,000 litres of diesel being made – that’s over $20,000 worth at today’s prices. Other thieves are just after whatever they can lay their hands on and generally don’t damage the gear apart from breaking locks. And the wreckers have been known to tip water or sand down the engine if an operator hasn’t locked the engine bay, just little young cheeky vandals, smashing windows and tagging.” With service stations around the country periodically running out of petrol or diesel or both and rumours flying of a diesel shortage in the US, Phil says he hasn’t had any fuel supply issues from his Minitankers delivery supplier but is having problems sourcing service oils for machine maintenance. “The skidder diffs take 200 litres each of a special

kind of gear oil as an example. Can’t get the stuff until maybe the end of January. Other oils will be in short supply until maybe the end of March. Of course, we are trying to hold stock, and so is probably every other logger at the moment. “Another thing is chain bar oils. The best stuff that minimises wear and tear is now hard to come by. We are given dates by our suppliers and that bleeds out to three weeks later and they are saying they can’t determine accurate dates because of the ports. We may end up having to talk to the forest company about it to see if they can help importing it as we can’t run the gear without it being serviced.” Sounds like some loggers need to invest in an oil refinery, as most of New Zealand’s oil is high quality and exported to specialist refiners. Operator, David, is very happy with his new machine after moving out of the previous Tigercat 635G model. “It was a pretty seamless changeover really, being the same brand. This one has a lot more room inside and seems to be a bit more powerful. The other thing I noticed was bigger windows. Makes quite a big difference to the job when you can see around 20% more from the seat.” David started out in logging on the ground, manual processing, then falling before he started moving into machines. He has a bit of the quiet

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ALWAYS SWING A BIG STICK

EST EST 1909 1909 | TOCALL WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 944 894 THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 24 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

Left: The dashboard has been redesigned and the panel below it conceals the fuse box and telematics. Right: The controls now have an ergonomic upgrade.

maestro operator look about him and actually makes the massive skidder look light on its feet. “I’ll use the grapple to shift some of these root balls out of the way later and then blade it all out so it’s flat so we can put another deck of stems behind this one,” says David. Tether-ready The 635H now comes factory-fitted with two rope holes in the blade and two heavy duty shackles mounted to the sides below the cab for tethered skidding as two-stage winches become more common. “We are open to getting a two-stage winch machine,” says Phil. “But with limited use in this ground it doesn’t pencil out at the moment. There is some extra ground we could pick up but not all, so it is better to leave all the Harvestline terrain for the Harvestline instead of pushing the issue and getting over-extended.” We watch Shaun head down the skidder trail backwards. It’s strange

to me because the only skidder I’ve driven is a Timberjack. No windows, no spinning seat. The trail is getting quite greasy from all the rain. Shaun starts out with a smaller load and brings it into the skid without too much sliding around but when a lot more weight is on later he is almost stopped by the deep ruts. He advises us that, “It’s f*cken slippery as f*ck”, but the band tracks eventually plough down and start chunking up in the pumice just behind the skid and he gets traction and pulls away again. Luckily there are only a few more drags to come out of that sector and David will then be working closer country on a new trail after lunch. Phil says his crew was looking forward to four weeks off over Christmas and New Year. “They work hard and deserve a decent break. A week-anda-half doesn’t cut it anymore, though forestry workers in general do need to be mindful of their budgets as they won’t be paid for up to five weeks while on holiday. The recent interest rate hike will also be weighing on the minds of many. I find it quite interesting that the banks report billions of dollars of profits each year and they still want more?”

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DIAGNOSE • DESIGN • DELIVER

iron tester: Shaun Field

‘WICKEDLY NIMBLE’ I COULD QUITE HAPPILY SIT IN THIS machine all day. Heaps more room than the previous model and cruisy ground to run it on here too. People have said in the past they don’t like bogies because they are so long and the turning circle is just too big, but this thing is wickedly nimble and quick and easy to turn. The response of the controls is amazingly fast now too. I would say it is more like a digger in sped which is really saying something. Some previous skidders I’ve run seemed to take heaps of revving to turn the grapple and open and close it, whereas with this thing it’s an instant response and rapid about it. The downside of that would be the speed surprises an operator and they could grab a tyre, but once a safe procedure is set in place this thing is very high production. Despite the wet and muddy conditions, I only needed to engage the diff lock once on the drags. I did and that got the machine moving again nicely.

The Tainui guys said I might struggle to get wood out of this area and up onto Skid 5 but it wasn’t too bad. I thought I had bumped the diff locks on at one stage because I was sledging but it was just because the ruts were so deep and I had a decent load on. These Douglas fir blocks seem to always have really deep topsoil which is prone to turning to crap in the wet. Not sure why but maybe to do with how the foliage breaks down. I’ve always found them to be really slippery compared to pine. They certainly didn’t put me in the cream area and really that’s what we are here for in the rain and mud, to test it out in real conditions. I did have concerns that due to the length of it, this machine would be a bit like a boat to steer but it is very agile and has ample power and manoeuvrability. The new seat rotator Tigercat has designed gives 220 degrees turning. To visualise, that’s more than all the way

Iron Tester, Shaun Field. to the front, allowing you to exit the lefthand side door, plus you can lock the seat in any position with full controls. I have had a bit of an issue with seats lately as one broke off the stump while I was operating in it, and hey I’m not a huge unit or anything, so it’s good to see this one has some serious engineering behind it. They have actually used parts off the grapple snubber on the seat rotator so it is rated for extreme capacity which it will see with all the stumps and

Far left: David Tahau with his new machine. The dozer blade arms have added grease nipples and grease seals to increase service life. Left: Tigercat’s 635H covers a lot of ground. Below: Shaun backs another drag of Douglas fir stems into the surge pile.

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IFICATION

SPEC S TIGERCAT 635H 6 WHEEL SKIDDER – SPECIFICATIONS ENGINE

Hydraulic filtration Top speed

Tigercat FPT N67 Non-certified 6.7 Litre, 6 cylinder Peak power 212 kW (285 hp) @ 2,200 rpm (rated)

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Dynamic: Secondary: Parking:

Single-speed mechanical Variable speed hydrostatic (2) Variable displacement motors. Piston, load sensing (Machine functions) Piston, Load sensing.

TYRES Front 35.5Lx32 Rear 30.5Lx32 Optional tyres for rear 780/50-28.5 Tigercat OB17, outboard planetary, barrel differential +/- 15° oscillation. Independent diff lock. Tigercat WOB17 wide-spread bogie, outboard planetary, barrel differential. Independent diff lock.

old logs that it climbs over. Locking and unlocking the seat is also the easiest I have encountered with just the push of a button and hold it until you have swung round to where you want to be. Let go and it’s locked in position until you push it again. Visibility has taken a step up as well. The 19% window area increase was

Fuel tank Hydraulic tank Rear diffs Front diff Engine oil Cooling system

430 126 200 39 16 34.4

DIMENSIONS (MM)

AXLES Front Rear

Hydrostatic Enclosed, oil cooled Enclosed, oil cooled spring applied, hydraulic release.

REFILL CAPACITIES (LITRES)

HYDRAULICS Main pumps Gear (Cooling) Drive pump

(4) Spin-on, 7 micron full flow. 23kph

Length Width Height Wheelbase Ground clearance Operating weight

immediately noticeable when I climbed in the cab. Everything is big on this machine but it is really well proportioned so you can see where you need to go. They have definitely made some neat changes to this model. The cab jack and quarter turn release locks make tilting the cab a lot quicker and easier. There’s a massive amount of lighting

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too, including a new pair right on the front edge of the bonnet overlooking the blade so the bonnet camera can show you what is going on under your nose. I think Phil summed it up well when he said a 4-wheel skidder will really struggle here in the Douglas, and with that monster 6-wheeler life will be easy. NZL

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Looking Back

This photo essay by historian, Ron Cooke, has been extracted from his book Logging the Punga which he co-authored with Audrey Walker and the late Ken Anderson. The 390-page book covers a detailed history of the Manunui branch of the enterprising King Country sawmilling operation of Ellis & Burnand. Serving as a follow-up to Trevor Coker’s feature on ‘How Steam Haulers Opened up the Bush’ (NZ Logger, May 2018), the focus here is on some of their steam haulers not previously mentioned by Trevor Coker. All photos have been sourced from the Taumarunui & Districts Historical Society.

PHOTO 1 AS THE CLOUDS OF STEAM SHOW IN THIS 1911 VIEW BELOW, a lot of development had occurred in the seven years since JW Ellis, Harry Burnand and Henry Valder, along with Frank Moore of the Pungapunga Timber Company, had begun planning the building of their sawmills. Geo Gardner & Sons was now operating Moore’s mill, the first mill the lokey would arrive at when returning across the Punga bridge with a load of logs from the bush. Next was Ellis & Burnand’s sawmill with the new box factory partly constructed beside it. A fire had claimed the first factory some months before. The steam rising between the Mill and Box Factory pinpoints the “Woodpecker” lokey is on the job. Further back, the Ellis Veneer factory is nearing completion and Manunui School can be detected behind it. A locomotive on the Main Trunk Line is contributing to the dramatic scene and across the line farmers had been busy.

PHOTO 2

Some family members had joined the No 1 Foote hauler crew on the Kapakapanui Tram on 23 November 1910. Horses, held by a

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Manunui rugby player by the look of his black and white striped jersey, had arrived with logs at the skids. The hauler was pulling logs from the same direction from which the horses had come and the comparative tidiness of the skid site suggests the hauler had only recently been set up here. The adzed logs beside the line, left over from bracing the hauler against the pull, made a convenient seat for the bowler-hatted visitor. Photographer, A W Bathgate, had regularly visited Manunui and at this time was in partnership with a Manunui-based photographer with the surname Morton. These may be some of the last photographs taken by the partnership, as a note in Harry Burnand’s diary two months later says the partnership was dissolved with Morton moving away.

PHOTO 3

Also taken on 23 November 1910 when the photographer had an extended tour, travelling up on the “Woodpecker” lokey (pictured) to points of interest. Each hauler was supported by a crew of 10 or 11 men and, at the Manunui School 75th Jubilee in 1982, Tom Rowlands, second from left, and George Bennett, fifth, were

identified by Tom’s son. He also identified the location of this No.2 Foote hauler as being in the Whangapuroto Valley on the Hohotaka Block. One of the young men could well be Dave McCracken who worked in the Manunui bush with George, marrying his daughter Ellen in 1911. He later managed Ellis & Burnand’s Waimiha mills before taking over at Ongarue in 1938 and managing that operation for 19 years. Jack Williamson related that Bob Taylor, the bush boss, would come up each month and say it cost one shilling and tuppence, or one and three to get the logs to the mill. “What have you been doing?” he would ask and invariably got a typical answer like: “In a rough corner you know!” Jack found if it went over one and three you got stirred up then quipped, “With five pence royalty there was not much to play with.”

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Looking Back

PHOTO 4

It has been very difficult to identify specific manufacturers of steam haulers because, in a number of cases, the business end looks very similar. They all have a winch drum for the main hauler cable, while below can be seen the tail rope drum which drags the main rope out to the log. They all have large spur wheels and small pinions to gear down the speed and pulling power to both drums. The moving parts facing the outside is where the differences are found. The big, heavy casting supporting the main rope drum has unique features as do the casings of two horizontal cylinders driving through connecting rods to crank discs. The name of the engineering firm is usually cast into the disc and, if lucky, can be easily read. This hauler has a horizontal boiler and is mounted on large, heavy skids. The caption given for this New Zealand Forest Service photo said it was a Vulcan hauler (made in Napier).

PHOTO 5

Easily recognised as the Cable hauler from its narrow drums, the identity of the crew is another matter. An attempt had been made to colourise this old image, hence the obscured top corners and uneven density. However, with careful photo editing, details of the scene can be made out as the 10 members of the crew oblige the photographer. The big hauler first operated a short way from the Three-Mile Junction after the Hohotaka main line branched away from the shared tram and this is probably the location of this photo. No specific mention of where else the hauler worked over the next seven years is recorded but it could have been kept busy in this vicinity harvesting both Whareokumu, Hohotaka and Crown timber that later became available. A candidate for the identity of the man on the right is Alf Henderson who arrived in Manunui about the same time as the Cable hauler was being set up and was later in charge of the hauler logging crew during 1908. However, Bill Hooks or bush boss Bob Taylor are also possibilities. The number of men on bush work had more than doubled to 22 by the time the hauler arrived in July 1907.

PHOTOS 6 AND 7 When Harry Burnand first saw the photo of William Cable & Co’s suggested hauler it was not at all what he had in mind for Manunui. He had imagined only a single shaft, not two. They needed to use a tail rope at Manunui and this hauler seemed to be designed for horses to take out the rope and for two logs to be hauled at once. “We need the tail rope to run out at speed but Cables has only one speed.”

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5 He especially did not like the drums in line with each other as the potential for the ropes to foul was high. So Harry set to and made changes. The new customised hauler arrived in pieces at Manunui and these two photos were used in its reassembly. Cables wrote, “We are sending photos which will give you a good idea on how she goes together. You require to be careful as everything has been carefully adjusted and marked but there should be no trouble putting it together.”

8 PHOTO 8

The business end of the Washington (known as “Big Yank”) was impressive and “grunty”. It was the most powerful unit that Ellis & Burnand owned and while the technical specs are mentioned in the text, it is how the hauler was set up to retain control and to withstand its considerable pulling force when winching, that is worth explaining further. Graphically shown here are the two logs in front of the machine, called “toms” that butt up against a “deadman” being another log buried in a deep trench at right angles to the hauler to prevent the unit from moving forward. The man in charge of this monster was Boggs Matthews, pictured here appearing to show an air of superiority, but it was his respect for machinery and his skills from his earlier days of engineering that allowed him to get the best out of his machine. Experience counted too, as did the skills of his crew of three (sometimes four); a “breaker-out” who prepared the logs for hauling; a “ropey” who followed the log out from where it was felled and changed the wire rope over to different logging blocks when a change of pull direction was required; and the “whistleboy” who signalled the out-of-sight hauler driver on a thin whistle wire connected to the hauler’s boiler whistle – one toot to go ahead on the main rope; two toots to go ahead on the tail-rope; three toots to slacken off; four toots to stop pulling but to hold the weight; and five toots meant that somebody was dead.

9 PHOTO 9

Ellis & Burnand experienced some “ups and downs” with their first attempt at aerial logging during the late 1920s but it was not as successful as hoped and did not last a year before being discontinued.

PHOTO 10 Apart from its tidy and grunty appearance, this Washington hauler with its distinctive vertical boiler was actually brand new in this view and the second to be purchased by Ellis & Burnand. It was known as “Little Washington” being rated at 59.9hp. Its first boiler test was on 6 June 1921 and served the bulk of its life at Ongarue until it was shifted to Mangapehi in 1938. By the way, that’s hauler driver Jim Cameron on the right, also looking quite smart. Its history is fully covered by Ken Anderson in his book Sparse Timber Sawmillers but there are two reasons for including this particular photo with this coverage. The first is to graphically show readers how to identify the “Big Yank” from its little brother. It’s as simple as comparing the length of the smoke stack. And secondly, this is the only photo found that clearly shows most of the winch parts that can be seen and compared with identifying the parts shown on the railway wagons in Photo 11 over the page.

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Looking Back

11 PHOTO 11

Ellis & Burnand’s “Martha” (the Price 16-wheeler), has brought across from the railway station a good number of wagons loaded with enough parts to put together a brand new Washington hauler for use on the Punga. The order from Washington Iron Works had been for two sets of logging winches but only one boiler. When Richard Stratford sent Ken Anderson this photo in 2004, Ken’s response was, “I wish I had never seen that photo you sent of the Washington haulers at Manunui! I will now have sleepless nights trying to figure out why they were both at Manunui at the same time.” With the information provided on the ordering of the haulers we can now surmise that these are the two sets of logging winches arriving on wagons in Manunui in 1917. Ken was right – there were never two complete Washington haulers intended for Manunui, the smaller logging winch being intended as an extra drum of rope for the “Big Yank” hauler. Whether this ever eventuated is unclear. It will be noticed “Martha” is not yet wearing her Burnand spark arrestor so prevalent in later photos. Richard Stratford’s sharp eyes could also see someone had scribbled her name in the dust on her tender. Martha herself had recently had new steel-tyred wheels installed and instructions to Prices had been to keep the old wheels handy as Ellis & Burnand intended to use some as a carriage for a heavy log hauler coming from America.

12 PHOTO 12

Ellis & Burnand founder, Harry Burnand, is instantly recognisable and ready for action.

PHOTO 13

This is a textbook news photo of Ellis & Burnand’s small bush lokey, a Dubs 652 affectionally called “Woodpecker”, heading to the mill skids with sets of logs from their Punga block of bush in 1914.

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PHOTO 14

PHOTO 15

Smoko break for the bush gang at Whangaipeke when the Auckland Weekly News photographer paid a call in 1938. Len Cornish stands at the back with Fred Berg, fourth from the left, sitting in front of him. The other men are unidentified but hopefully their families will recognise them.

Here Jack Williamson has discovered one of the creative pieces of practical engineering used by bushmen to guide hauler ropes. It consisted of two tram bogies welded together face to face with the flanges to the outside to form a grooved roller. The unit was fixed vertically to a handy tree stump with the shaft running smoothly in well-lubricated dead-eye bearings. Jack said a big hole was cut in the stump to clear the drum.

PHOTO 16

All aboard for the trip home after a day of fun at Ngapuke. Harry Burnand took this photo of Pukuweka’s Climax 1203 and unfortunately with all his glass plate negatives no date is given. Despite this, these picnic trips up the valley were very much enjoyed by all and having a photo taken at the big pumice bluff was a tradition. Later, concern about children falling off the lokey or wagons put paid to this treat.

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Breaking Out

Three-in-one compact combo Story: Hayley Leibowitz

Above: Henry Fear is known for innovation in New Zealand forestry circles. Below: Henry Fear using the Blade Runner to remove a stump, roots and all.

36 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

HE NAME HENRY FEAR IS SYNONYMOUS with innovation in New Zealand forestry circles. Whether it be as an early disruptor in silviculture with mechanical planters, introducing ‘smart spades’ which identify exactly where to plant a tree seedling, or hydrogel to extend the planting season, where there’s transformation you’ll find Henry in the thick of it. His latest project is no exception. The Kobelco ED 160, aka the Blade Runner, using an MDE Koala 400 tree shear attachment, is doing the job of three machines when we meet Henry in Kaingaroa Forest. Henry of HA Fear contracting says, “Possibly the only three-in-one machine in New Zealand that can fall and bunch trees and bulldoze at the same time, the Blade Runner is a great example of a ‘one man, one machine’ operation and it removes the need for a whole lot of additional more expensive equipment.” He explains: “There are three aspects

to it. Because it’s an excavator top half, we can dig with it; we use the tree shear to cut the trees down and directionally fell them; and then the bulldozer blades sweep the skid sites and form them – all in one machine.” For a small machine it’s clear it can do a lot. The 16-tonne excavator base with upgraded final drives and drive system give it the same pushing power as a D4 bulldozer with a six-way bulldozer blade, so this excavator/bulldozer combination is “really manoeuvrable, incredibly powerful and can push a large volume” says Henry. This becomes clear as we watch operator, Anton Kereama, deftly take the Blade Runner through its paces. Instead of the processor coming through to cut the trees into logs; the forwarder taking them off to another skid site and the bulldozer doing the earthworks to form the skid site, the Blade Runner cuts the

Left: The Blade Runner’s flocked tracks are perfect for blading off skid sites and finishing work on the road. Above: The Koala 400 tree shear showing the Hardox cutting edge. Below: The photos below show the Blade Runner sweeping off the remaining slash and forming the skid site.

trees, stacks them off the edge of the skid and forms the skid site without any double handling. “It’s good… quite a bit different. It’s the first machine I’ve driven with a blade and head sheer,” says Anton. “It’s much more efficient,” adds Henry. “We can do a 40x30m skid site in about four-and-a-half hours for production thinning, which is pretty good going. It averages about one week a month doing that particular job and the rest of it is general earthworks and roading for Timberlands and the Kaingaroa Processing Plant (KPP) or on farms.” High efficiency Henry has come a long way, from starting in earthworks in 2010 to now thinning, cutting and removing stumps in a single operation. When work with a chipping contractor dried up, he approached Timberlands and put a machine into land preparation for spot cultivation. The rest, as they say, is history as he “slowly grew the business, one machine at a time”. Now there’s the Blade Runner, four 20-tonne excavators, two 30-tonne 6x6 articulated trucks, one D65 dozer, one transporter and a metal truck and trailer. The idea for the Blade Runner came after initially building skid sites using a D65 bulldozer, working in conjunction with the logging crew who would cut the trees down, level the logs on the skid

site, take them to a separate skid site and then allow for the bulldozer to form the skid, explains Henry. “We replaced one excavator with the 16-tonne Blade Runner after it tipped over, then it evolved when we matched that up with the tree shear and gave it a go doing the entire job with a single machine.” It’s clear the Blade Runner can handle the job with ease as we watch it prepare the Kaingaroa site for a production thinning crew, in one pass selectively falling the unpruned trees and stacking them while flattening the skid. “The crew will cut down about a third of the trees that are there and ready the block for its final crop. We come into the block a few weeks early and form all the skid sites, so when the logging crew comes in there are efficiencies gained in having the site set and ready to go.” Feature-full The Blade Runner boasts a number of features that combine to achieve this efficiency. The excavator part of the machine is fitted with a coupler with a multidirectional tilting head. Then there’s the thumb for picking up material when it’s got the bucket attached. The excavator itself has an oversized, more powerful engine than the standard excavator, says Henry. The undercarriage sits on 20-tonne track gear with an extra-strong final drive February 2023 | NZ LOGGER 37

Breaking Out

and a six-way bulldozer blade lifts up and down, tilts and angles at the same time, able to fell trees sideways. It’s the scissors on the front that get your attention though. Designed and manufactured in Northern Ireland, Boss Attachments’ MDE Koala 400 tree shear has a Hardox body and shear arm and replaceable Hardox blades “It’s the most versatile attachment that I’ve ever operated and it provides us with the ideal balance between operational safety and performance. The Koala has been able to handle anything we put in front of it,” says Henry. “The Koala also removes any need for a chainsaw attachment, which in turn removes the requirement to spend around $30K on bullet proof glass for our excavator,” he adds. “Plus it can cut right down to ground level, and the blade only needs sharpening at around two-monthly intervals. “The operator can securely clamp on to the tree – prior to shearing – and then lift and place the sheared limb exactly where it needs to go. It’s an awesome tool for us and is proving to be a great investment.” Koala has recently added larger 500 and 600 models to its range and these feature a single cylinder and a gas accumulator to deliver massive cutting for its 1.2 metre jaw. They are suitable for 18- to 50-tonne excavators, weigh 1060kg and 1500kg respectively, and have a 500mm or 600mm cutting dimension. Seeing the compact Blade Runner manoeuvring between the trees, cutting them like toothpicks and cleaning up after itself, Henry tells me when it’s done here it will be “in the log yard cleaning up messes and doing roading work” and that it can potentially help with fighting fires thanks to its compact size too. Definitely one to watch! NZL

Top: Removing limbs with ease. Middle: Operator, Anton Kereama is enjoying the efficiency of the machine. Bottom: Henry Fear and Anton Kereama say the added power and size of the blade means this little machine can push a large volume of material.

38 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

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Worker Wellness

Story: Trevor Best and Professor Rien Visser, School of Forestry, University of Canterbury.

INCE 2012 THE LOGGING INDUSTRY has gone through something of a revolution. As a result of mechanisation, the industry has been able to increase the volume harvested by about 50% (we harvested about 23 million m3 in 2012, and 35 million m3 in 2022) using 10% fewer logging workers (the NZ Forest Owners Association reports we had 8,300 ‘In Logging’ 10 years ago; more recently that was 7,900). That means the industry is more reliant on its harvesting machine operators than it has ever been. While moving forest workers into machines has significantly improved their physical safety, the greater concern now is mental health. Operating a high-value machine in a high-production environment can obviously be very stressful. The objective of this research (first covered in NZ Logger, June 2020) was to improve our understanding of what causes machine operators’ stress, but also what creates a healthy and happy work environment.

40 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

Who contributed to this research? A total of 27 operators were interviewed for this project. Three operated the harvester, 5 the prime mover, 5 processed and 14 were mainly fleeting and loading. They were from 18 different contracting crews and worked for 14 different forest owners. What did we find out? You love the work for similar reasons: The physically demanding nature of the work – being outdoors and operating big machines that can shift a lot of wood quickly. The challenge – winning the battle against the elements (weather, terrain and wood) to make things happen. What it allows you to do – providing a good life for your family. Operating machinery is challenging and mentally demanding which can lead to both stress and wellbeing: Wellbeing: Many operators thrive on working hard to meet a challenge (like a production target). When you can control the factors

that allow you to be successful it leads to ‘wellbeing’. When you are well, you have the energy to do everything you need to do and then recover day-to-day and week-toweek. You remain fit, do things you enjoy doing and are involved with family and community. You also have a strong sense of personal safety and financial success. “Flow” is that state of mind that happens when you are so engaged in an activity that your sense of what is happening around you is lost. It is an effective antidote to both boredom and anxiety, and it requires a balance between the challenges being faced and the skills required to meet that challenge Stress: Conversely, if the challenge is not reasonable, or the factors that allow you to be successful are outside of your control, this leads to stress. This can more readily lead to fatigue, unhealthy lifestyle choices (insufficient exercise, comfort eating, drinking and drugging), and conflict at work and home as energy levels are

overwhelmed. For some of you it has resulted in your quitting the crew or leaving logging altogether. What generates stress? Anything that impacts the crew’s ability to achieve either their contractor’s targeted daily uplift (loads per day) or your ability to maintain throughput (tonnes per hour). Anything that gets in the way of your ability to know what’s going on or influence what’s happening within the crew, particularly in the way it solves production problems. There are two obstacles to knowing what’s going on or having a say in a crew. They are: • The formal hierarchy of crew boss, foreman and second in charge; and • The informal hierarchy of experience and capability. The more controlling the hierarchy is, the greater the potential for stress as a result of that hierarchy. Anything that threatens the ability to provide for family. The two most significant risks are hazardous working conditions and insecure income due to market downturns. What generates wellbeing? Within the operator’s control: • Adapting family life to cope with long working hours. • Improving skills, both those useful for operating the machine and those that are useful for more personal reasons (e.g. financial skills, relationship skills). Controlled by either the forest manager or the contractor or both: • A harvesting supply chain (roads, skids, logging machines, trucks and receiving point – port, sawmills) that can deliver and receive the required number of loads within healthy work hours on a one- or two-shift basis. • Increasing certainty over income and safety. • Being part of a family at work. That means being a tight-knit crew, knowing the target, being paid fairly and being included in decision-making. How can we improve wellness amongst operators? The harvesting supply chain needs to be designed by forest managers to deliver the

required number of loads within healthy daily and weekly working hours. While most operators would jump at the chance to work eight to nine hours if income remained the same as that achieved over longer hours, it was noted that participants working in happier crews were working less than 10-11 hours per day including travel (less than 55 hours per week). Highly productive logging crews that are well led and have a great crew culture also improve operator wellbeing. For the participants, that meant having the right gear for the job in the right amounts, having

operators who could operate more than one machine and cover for each other, being transparent about production expectations, being paid well, and being included in decision-making processes especially where those decisions had an impact on their ability to do the job. For a video presentation of these results visit: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=5Ki8B9A2TBo For questions or feedback on whether what you see here is on target or not, contact Trevor Best at: trevor.best@pg.canterbury. ac.nz NZL

Opposite page: A delimber buncher in the bush. Top right: A swing yarder and processor on the skid site. Bottom Right: A skidder at work.

February 2023 | NZ LOGGER 41

FICA.ORG.NZ

your voice The voice of forestry contractors since 2002

Crystal Ball Predictions for 2023 A MESSAGE FROM PRUE YOUNGER, CEO, FICA

We touched on it at our 2022 FICA AGM – the various challenges that we have struck from the time of the COVID lockdown back in 2020. It has been a roller coaster. There were many of those challenges that were not predictable and some you could argue were, but the world is definitely a changing place and New Zealand is so heavily influenced by what other countries and nations do that solutions are not easy to define. We can look at the market reports, we can make assumptions based on the information provided by the principals, but does anyone really know what’s going on out there? Maybe we should reach out further afield and take on a bit of investigative work to see some parallels with other forestry regions across the world. Maybe just looking at New Zealand, the trends are too narrow and the lessons learnt from somewhere else around the globe may help or safeguard against similar mistakes. Places like British Columbia are reporting job losses across the province that have been predicted for more than a decade. However, Industry analysts say this pattern marks a fundamental shift in B.C.’s forestry future, whose origins can be traced back to a tiny insect more than 20 years ago. Mountain pine beetles were not new to B.C. when they first started making news in the late 1990s. But the combination of a warming climate and forest practices that artificially inflated the amount of mature pine available, led to an explosion in the insect’s population in northern and central B.C. The pine beetle’s infestation should have been devastating but the government increased the annual allowable cut of forests available to industry, so trees could be harvested before they were no longer viable for the market — an expansion that would lead to an inevitable collapse. The change also came with widespread clearcutting in an effort to get to as much pine as possible, a policy that impacted other tree species, as well, along with a rise in raw log exports as the trees were pushed to market elsewhere, and industry consolidation in which smaller companies were absorbed or defeated by a handful of industry giants. A former corporate manager for a forests’ products company says the worry was that eventually, the stock of beetle-killed pine would run out, leading to job losses throughout the province. And while they are glad to see the problem being taken seriously today, they wish more people had listened nearly two decades ago when they first started raising the alarm. The state Premier acknowledged the need for change in a mandate letter sent to the forestry minister, writing that 42 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

B.C.’s forest economy has “never been under greater stress”. The Premier appointed several people to an advisory council to help transition forestry communities and has asked for a plan to reduce the export of raw logs. Sounding familiar? Yes, sounding like the Industry Transformation Plan, so this is where some serious thinking is needed about where the forestry industry in New Zealand should head, to make ourselves sustainable and not reliant with most of our logs into one market. So, we start the year with the best update that we can on what is going on around the country as we head back into work post the festive break which seems like the holiday period has been cut short compared to other years. If there were some signs from the December market report that the Chinese economy was on the way up, and the housing markets and developers were all chomping to get houses built then that would certainly be an opportunity to celebrate, but they are not so I am not getting any aligning of the stars with the feedback I am getting from those contractors going back to work at pretty much 100% within the usual two-week start up period. Woodlot contractors, I believe might be less likely to have the GREEN GO button and that is understandable in uncertain export markets. However, as they make up about 40% of our volume for harvesting this year and potentially more next year, that’s a concern about sustainability in a new year within the industry supply chain. Equally of concern, is that with many mills in New Zealand taking longer end of year breaks than they have in the last couple of years, one would assume the harvest volumes in New Zealand will be lower than normal. The general comment post New Year for start-ups around the country is business as usual for corporate contractors with the general “two-week easing back period” on the way up to 100%. The woodlot contractors will no doubt be influenced by what the first quarter will look like, with the Chinese New Year upon us and uncertainty on the Chinese stocks. Then throw on top of that our first challenge for the East Coast, with Cyclone Hale, when some contractors have not even had the opportunity to start, and some may not even start with access to the forests. We are into a new year and another new normal!

Prue Younger CEO, FOREST INDUSTRY CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

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February 2023 | NZ LOGGER 43

Safety/performance/quality

Final results for 2022 WELCOME TO 2023. AS IS THE CUSTOM, the first couple of issues of NZ Logger for 2023 will feature results and photographs of top performers from 2022. So, this month we celebrate those who have achieved final placings for the full year 2022 and for Period 4. And, as always, our top overall crews for 2022. What is really apparent to us is the difference direct contact with individuals and crews has (no matter what their level of operation) on individual and team performance. So, congratulations to all these folk and those who sit behind them supporting their efforts, and roll on the competition in 2023. Ka mau te wehi! Awesome individuals, awesome teams and awesome people behind the scenes supporting them in what they do!! 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. 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 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 Perrett on 0274 781 908 at primefm@xtra.co.nz NZL

Lahar Logging – Back-to-back Top Crew – Yarder winners for 2021 and 2022.

Kaha Harvesting crew. 44 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

Stan Barlow undertaking felling assessment of Kale van der Hulle from STR Logging.

Full Year Harvesting – Individual Results FUNCTION TASK

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CREW

PARTICIPANTS

Safety/performance/quality

ESTATE

PLACING

Breaking Out Cable

Lahar Logging 4

Simon Katene

Ernslaw One

1st

Breaking Out Cable

Dewes Contractors 3

Tahi Hiroki

Ernslaw One

2nd

Breaking Out Cable

Dewes Contractors 4

Dan Cobden

Ernslaw One

3rd

Breaking Out Cable

Lahar Logging 4

Shaquille McIlroy

Ernslaw One

4th

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Felling

Roxburgh Contracting 1

Damian Mikaere

Wenita Forest Products

1st Equal

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Felling

Mangoihe Logging 5

Kris Trevena

Private

1st Equal

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Felling

Moutere Logging 7

Pou Anderson

Ernslaw One

3rd

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Fell/ Process

Mike Hurring Thinning

James White

Ernslaw One

1st

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Fell/ Process

Bluewood Thinning

Nigel Hutchinson

Ernslaw One

2nd

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Process

Mike Hurring Logging

David McKee

Ernslaw One

1st

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Process

Shane Griffin Logging 2

Martin Glassford

Wenita Forest Products

2nd Equal

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Process

Kaha Harvesting 15

William Stevenson

Ernslaw One

2nd Equal

Ground Base Extraction

Forward

Mike Hurring Logging

Kelvin Stratford

Ernslaw One

1st

Ground Base Extraction

Forward

Bluewood Thinning

Devon Stewart

Ernslaw One

2nd

Ground Base Extraction

Forward

Mike Hurring Thinning

Haydon Smith

Ernslaw One

3rd

Ground Base Extraction

Extraction

Bluewood Logging

Shannon Todd

Ernslaw One

1st

Ground Base Extraction

Extraction

Whisker Harvesting 3

Michael Jeffree

Ernslaw One

2nd

Ground Base Extraction

Extraction

A and R Dempsey Logging 8

Charles Marshall

Ernslaw One

3rd

Ground Base Extraction

Shovel

Roxburgh Contracting 1

Kyle Mikaere

Wenita Forest Products

1st

Ground Base Extraction

Shovel

STR Logging

Brody Mitchell

Private

2nd

Machine Operation on the Landing

Bluewood logging

Adam McIvor

Ernslaw One

1st

Machine Operation on the Landing

Dewes Contractors 3

William Saddlier

Ernslaw One

2nd

Machine Operation on the Landing

Shane Griffin Logging 2

Chris Cousins

Wenita Forest Products

3rd

Manual Tree Felling

Kaha Harvesting 15

Chris Winter

Ernslaw One

1st

Manual Tree Felling

STR Logging

Kale van der Hulle

Private

2nd

Manual Tree Felling

Lahar Logging 4

Jack Kristiansen

Ernslaw One

3rd

Skidwork

Lahar Logging 4

George Hinana

Ernslaw One

1st

Skidwork

Kimberly Contractors 22

David Waitoa

Ernslaw One

2nd

Skidwork

Bluewood Logging

George Whyte

Ernslaw One

3rd

Poleman/ Spotter

Lahar Logging 4

Andre McDonnell

Ernslaw One

1st

Poleman/ Spotter

Mike Hurring Private

Sylvester Reeves

Ernslaw One

2nd

Yarder

Roxburgh Contracting 2

Blair McColl

Wenita Forest Products

1st

Yarder

Mike Hurring Private

Jarob Verdoner

Ernslaw One

2nd

Yarder

Lahar Logging 4

Smiler Katene

Ernslaw One

3rd

Combination of Two Tasks

Moutere Logging 7

Charles Wipaki

Ernslaw One

1st

Combination of Two Tasks

Kaha Harvesting 15

Jesse Tamatia

Ernslaw One

2nd

Combination of Two Tasks

Roxburgh Contracting 2

Alex McColl

Wenita Forest Products

3rd

February 2023 | NZ LOGGER 45

Safety/performance/quality

Period 4 Harvesting FUNCTION

TASK

CREW

PARTICIPANTS

ESTATE

PLACING

Ground Base Extraction

Forwarder

Mike Hurring Logging

Kelvin Stratford

Ernslaw One

1st

Ground Base Extraction

Forwarder

Bluewood Thinning

Devon Stewart

Ernslaw One

2nd

Ground Base Extraction

Forwarder

Mike Hurring Thinning

Haydon Smith

Ernslaw One

3rd

Ground Base Extraction

Extraction

Bluewood Logging

Shannon Todd

Ernslaw One

1st

Ground Base Extraction

Extraction

Mike Hurring Private

Nigel Kerger

Ernslaw One

2nd

Ground Base Extraction

Extraction

Shane Griffin Logging 1

Glen Cochrane

Wenita Forest Products

3rd Equal

Ground Base Extraction

Extraction

Roxburgh Contracting 2

Alex McColl

Wenita Forest Products

3rd Equal

Ground Base Extraction

Shovel

Shane Griffin Logging 1

Wayde Lindsay

Wenita Forest Products

1st

Ground Base Extraction

Shovel

Roxburgh Contracting 2

Pete Murry

Wenita Forest Products

2nd

Ground Base Extraction

Shovel

Roxburgh Contracting 1

Kyle Mikaere

Wenita Forest Products

3rd

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Felling

Roxburgh Contracting 1

Damian Mikaere

Wenita Forest Products

1st

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Felling

Shane Griffin Logging 2

Callum McCloud

Wenita Forest Products

2nd

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Felling

Roxburgh Contracting 2

Phil Jones

Wenita Forest Products

3rd

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Fell/ Process

Bluewood Thinning

Nigel Hutchinson

Ernslaw One

1st Equal

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Fell/ Process

Mike Hurring Thinning

James White

Ernslaw One

1st Equal

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Process

Mike Hurring Logging

Dave McKee

Ernslaw One

1st Equal

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Process

Shane Griffin Logging 2

Martin Glassford

Wenita Forest Products

1st Equal

Mechanised Felling/ Processing

Process

STR Logging

Jude Wilson

Private

3rd

Machine Operation on the Landing

Mike Hurring Logging

Tex van Rossen

Ernslaw One

1st Equal

Machine Operation on the Landing

Bluewood Logging

Adam McIvor

Ernslaw One

1st Equal

Machine Operation on the Landing

Shane Griffin Logging 2

Chris Cousins

Wenita Forest Products

1st Equal

Machine Operation on the Landing

Roxburgh Contracting 2

Tegan Anderson

Wenita Forest Products

1st Equal

Skidwork

Bluewood Logging

George Whyte

Ernslaw One

1st

Skidwork

STR Logging

Kelleigh Waikato

Private

2nd

Skidwork

STR Logging

Koopu Edwards

Private

3rd

Yarder Operation

Roxburgh Contracting 2

Blair McColl

Wenita Forest Products

1st

Yarder Operation

Mike Hurring Private

Jareb Verdoner

Ernslaw One

2nd

Yarder Operation

STR Logging

Steve Rowling

Private

3rd

Period 2 Thin to Waste PARTICIPANT

ESTATE

PLACING

Puklowski - Heath

Karl Puklowski

OneFortyOne New Zealand

1st Equal

Puklowski - Julian

Julian Jenner

OneFortyOne New Zealand

1st Equal

Xmen

JR Te Ngahue

Ernslaw One

1st Equal

Xmen

Russell Te Ngahue

EOL Tapanui

1st Equal

Wayne Cumming Contracting

Daniel Cumming

Ernslaw one

1st Equal

Inta-Wood Forestry

Aaron Motutere

Private

1st Equal

46 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

A " LG33211

CREW

Safety/performance/quality

Full Year Thin to Waste – Individual Results CREW

PARTICIPANT

ESTATE

PLACING

X Men

JR Te Ngahue

Ernslaw One

1st

Inta-Wood Forestry

Aaron Motutere

Private

2nd

Wayne Cumming Contracting

Daniel Cumming

Ernslaw One

3rd

Top Crew – Harvesting OPERATION

Yarder

Ground Base

CREW

ESTATE

PLACING

Lahar Logging 4

Ernslaw One

1st

Mangoihe Logging 5

Private

2nd

Bluewood Thinning

Ernslaw One

1st

Bluewood Logging

Ernslaw One

2nd

Top Crew – Thin to Waste OPERATION

ESTATE

PLACING

Wayne Cumming Contracting

Ernslaw One

1st

Xmen

Ernslaw One

2nd

LG33211

Alpine Logging Equipment "Now under new ownership" Call: Andy 021 2755 900

www.alpinelogging.co.nz

JOHN DEERE FOR KAHA HARVESTING Kaha Harvesting has recently taken delivery of a new John Deere 959MH. Fitted with a Satco 630 felling head and working in combination with a Falcon Winch Assist system, the machine package offers safety, productivity and reliability. Operator, Ashley Brown (pictured), says he is enjoying the versatility of the tracked levelling harvester. Machine sold and supported by the AGrowQuip Team.

SATCO FOR CENTRAL LOGGING LIMITED Central Logging Limited has taken delivery of a Satco 3L2. The 3L2 was spec’d with the Logmaker controller. Mapping was a must as Central Logging Limited is a woodlot harvesting crew and Michael uses the mapping to show where the boundaries are in the blocks.

KOMATSU FOR BEL FORESTRY Jason and Bridget Byrant of BEL Forestry from Renwick have recently taken delivery of a new Komatsu PC 300LC-8HW. The Komatsu has a full Active heavy-duty forestry guarding package and is fitted with a Satco 630H-2 felling head. Operators, Gavin Lister and Shaun Jones, said to John Kosar of Komatsu Forest NZ that they are very impressed with their new Komatsu PC 300LC-8… “Heaps of track power”. Pictured from left: Shaun (operator), Gavin (operator), Jason Bryant and John Kosar (Komatsu Forest NZ). Photographer: Daniel Jones.

TIGERCAT FOR PHIL RUSSELL LOGGING

HYUNDAI FOR GADDUM CONSTRUCTION

AB Equipment recently delivered a new Tigercat 1075C forwarder to Phil Russell Logging. This is a replacement for the company’s 1075B Tigercat and Jimmy couldn’t wait to get into the operator’s seat. Phil, Jim and Pat are pictured alongside Hayden at the delivery.

Fully set up to complete forestry roading and maintenance work, this Hyundai HX145, with Active Engineering guarding package and Wedgelock attachments, was recently delivered to Steve from Gaddum Construction by Porter Equipment’s Steve Puddle.

February 2023 | NZ LOGGER 49

NEW MACHINERY FOR SWAIN LOGGING KOMATSU/SOUTHSTAR COMBO FOR TUMEKE LOGGERS Tumeke Loggers’ Daniel Solly has taken delivery of a new Komatsu PC300 running a new FD750 Southstar falling head. Sold by Southstar Equipment New Zealand.

Swain Logging has taken delivery of this new ZX300-5A for its logging operation based in Southland. Engineering modifications to the machine were completed by Heavy Equipment Repair with an Ensign 2370 fixed grapple chosen to complete the package. The new machine replaces an existing ZX240 which has been retired after many years of near faultless service. Sold and delivered by CablePrice Sales Specialist, Andrew Gowers.

TIMBERPRO/QUADCO COMBO FOR MCH The team at MCH has recently taken delivery of its third Timberpro/ Quadco fixed head combo. Features include the mapping system and diameter measuring which maximises bunch size for extraction. Nathan commented, “Our operator, Ron, is impressed with how smooth the machine is and how much control it has”. Machine turnaround by Tinis (Komatsu Forest NZ) and delivery by John Kosar (Komatsu Forest NZ). Pictured from left: Nathan, Stu, Luke, Hamish, Ron, John Kosar (Komatsu Forest NZ), Blackie, Cayden and Pax. Photographer: Mark Newth (Taylors Contracting).

NEW CAT FOR AH GILLESPIE LIMITED

NEW SANY FOR JD BURGESS CONTRACTING

Ralph Gillespie of Blenheim-based AH Gillespie Limited has taken delivery of a new Cat 938K wheel loader. The machine is fitted with log forks for material handling in the company’s forestry operation in the region. Pictured from left are operator Steve and foreman Gary on delivery day. Machine sold by Terra Cat Territory Account Manager, Jayden Peek.

Jason from JD Burgess Contracting has taken delivery of a SANY SY330H factory High & Wide with a DC Equipment Winch Assist for working above Transmission Gully. Sold & serviced by Shaw’s.

50 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

USED FORESTRY EQUIPMENT

SPECIAL OFFERS JANUARY 2023

1996 Thunderbird TTY6170 Pole Hauler

2011 Sumitomo SH330-5 Processor

NZ new with new Alison Transmission 12 months ago, main drum, recently upgraded back working available for sale January 2023, Ex Palmerston North.

12,000 hrs, Satco 323T processing head 7,000 hrs, Ex Taupo – D008083.

$695,000* +GST

NOW $150,000* +GST

Komatsu PC400LC-8

2015 Tigercat 875 Log Loader

Woodsman 850 Processing Head, 2,303 hrs, EMS Guarding Package, Ex Taupo.

8,297 hrs and Ensign 1730 Grapple, ex Taupo.

$280,000 +GST

$240,000 +GST

$210,000 +GST

NOW $250,000* +GST

NOW $220,000* +GST

2018 Tigercat 880D Harvester

2017 Tigercat LH855D Harvester

5,000 hrs, Woodsman 850 Processing Head, tidy machine, Ex Palmerston North.

8,385 hrs, Woodsman Pro 750 Processing Head, Ex Whangarei.

$693,000 +GST

$550,000 +GST

NOW $680,000* +GST

NOW $495,000* +GST

2015 Tigercat LS855C Feller Buncher

Komatsu PC270-8 Feller Buncher

8,800 hrs, Tigercat 5195 Felling Head & new undercarriage, Ex Christchurch.

5,642 hrs, 1350 Woodsman Felling Head, Ex Taupo.

$450,000 +GST

NOW $420,000* +GST

$230,000 +GST

NOW $199,000* +GST

2012 CAT 336DL Processor

Tigercat LH855E Harvester

14,850 hrs, 2014 Satco 325 & guarding, Ex Taupo - D121633.

4,829 hrs, Southstar 600 Processor, extra corner posts both sides & grouser extensions Ex Palmerston North.

$160,000 +GST

NOW $100,000* +GST

$650,000 +GST

NOW $625,000* +GST

2015 Tigercat LS855C Feller Buncher

Caterpillar 329D Log Loader

13,500 Hours. Just Serviced, good undercarriage, 5195 Felling Head, Ex Dunedin.

17,600 hrs, Ensign 1730 Grapple, DFM Cabin, Ex Taupo.

$350,000* +GST

$95,000 +GST

NOW $80,000* +GST Timbermax winch combo with Hyundai 320-9

2014 Tigercat 620D Log Skidder

D129255 - With high and wide, quick hitch, catwalks, handrails, ROPS etc (8,000 hrs), fitted with Timbermax T20HD (200 hrs), Ex Dunedin. $585,000* +GST

$200,000* +GST

D131596 - 5,300 hours, 17ft Grapple, Winch, New Band Tracks and good rear tyres, just serviced, ex Invercargill.

Lending is subject to Speirs Finance Group lending criteria, terms, and conditions.

Get in touch with your local AB Equipment Branch today. Marcus Bourke Northland 027 241 6126 I Phil McKenzie Central North Island 027 565 3956 Ben Kendrick Gisborne Hawkes Bay 021 658 554 I Ryan Petersen Lower North Island 027 221 3293 Martin Talbot-Price Upper South Island 027 574 1712 I Hayden McCulloch Lower South Island 027 288 1952

0800 30 30 90 I abequipment.co.nz

*Ts&Cs apply.

CHAINS & SPROCKETS

PACKAGE DEAL! TO SUIT JOHN DEERE 909-959, TIGERCAT LH830-870 & TIGERCAT LS855-875 FORESTRY MACHINE MODELS

n Italian made chains & sprockets n 3mm bigger bushes for extra wear life n 12 months / 2000hr warranty

GET A FREE WEBBER BBQ WORTH $500 WITH EVERY SET SOLD! Call 0800 654 323 now to discover your special deal!

Get in fast, only while stocks last or before 31st March 2023

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

PROTECT YOUR POLYCARBONATE WINDOWS

A DIVISION OF

Polycarbonate windows have safety qualities, but they are susceptible to scratching and damage when in the bush causing severe reduction in vision for the operator and creating health and safety issues. We lower the requirement for polycarbonatereplacementby applyingprotectivefilmtoyour machine windows either in the bush or at the yard. This will assist extending the life of the polycarbonate. Forestry contractors get the benefits of not replacing the polycarbonate - only the film when necessary.

BEFORE

MOBILE SERVICE NATIONWIDE

AFTER

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

@ExtremeWindowTints Extreme_Window_Tints

LG33039

NZ LOGGER classified

February 2023 | NZ LOGGER 53

NZ LOGGER classified

(10,000 hrs)

$165,000.00 (+gst) High & Wide. Ensign 1530 Grapple Machine is presented in immaculate condition with excellent service history.

2017 Sumitomo SH 350-5

2015 Active 60 Hauler

(6600 hrs)

(9000 hrs)

$425,000.00 (+gst) c/w Southstar QS630 Processor Immaculately presented machine with excellent service history. Ready to go to work

$525,000.00 (+gst) Comes with all rigging, blocks, carriage and 6 electronic chokers. Machine is in excellent condition, ready to go to work. Excellent service history.

Contact Rob bushlinefh@outlook.co.nz 027 5555 192 54 NZ LOGGER | February 2023

LG32813

2017 Sumitomo SH 240-5

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. We also have chains for cars, trucks through to graders.

LG31497

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

USED FORESTRY EQUIPMENT - AVAILABLE NOW #208397

John Deere 3756G

with Waratah HTH626 series II Bigwood 2018, 5008 hours $560,000 Contact Lyndon Sayers - 027 2146 599

#207813

Sumitomo SH370 TLFS

with 626 Bigwood, new pins and bushes 2018, 3500 hours $480,000 Contact Lochin Smith - 027 2047 623

with Hultdins super grip grapple 2014, 12200 hours $240,000 Contact Lochin Smith - 027 2047 623

Komatsu PC300-8

with Satco 3L2sc 2019, 5808 hours $430,000 Contact Lyndon Sayers - 027 2146 599

#207834

#207835

John Deere 1910E Forwarder

#208389

John Deere 648H Skidder

with DF 125” grapple 2007, 13252 hours $99,500 Contact Lochin Smith - 027 2047 623

#208212

John Deere 909KH Harvester

with Trinder FL95 felling head. 2011, 13805 hours $275,000 Contact Mark Blakemore - 027 2011 031 ALL PRICES EXCLUDE GST

View our full range online

www.dne.co.nz February 2023 | NZ LOGGER 55

CONTACT OLIVIA TO ADVERTISE 027 685 5066

WE CUSTOM BUILD -STOCK, OVERHAUL & REPAIR WE MANUFACTURE THE BEST HEAVY DUTY CORES IN NZ

Swing Units for Madill’s & Kenworth Logging Trucks

Large Stocks of Heavy Alloy Cores & Completes Full Custom Build Service Fast & Efficient

sales@bopradiatorspecialists.co.nz

RADIATORS

CONTACT OLIVIA TO ADVERTISE 027 685 5066

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LG32968

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Nort Mec

Blen 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 626

Currently under rebuild POA

Refurbished - Full rotation, Parker valve, H16 or TimberRite POA

Waratah 625C Refurbished

To be refurbished - currently on hire. POA

5% 5% OFF

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Delimb Covers Scan for Best Practice Guidelines of Working around Attachments

Cab Safety Labels

Head Safety Labels

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Latch Pins

Free with every Safety purchase

OFF

Delimb Covers Delimb Covers

Chain Guard with hardware kit

Northland Mechanised logging services

CNI, Waikato, Wairarapa Waratah Forestry Services

Hawkes Bay Forestry Maintenance HB

Nelson Tasman Heavy Diesel

Blenheim Onsite Mechanical

Greymouth SM Hydraulics

Dunedin Heavy Diesel support

Southland Heavy Equipment Repair

Komatsu Forest’s Unique Forest Combinations The Komatsu PC270HW & PC300HW Extreme models have been developed by collaboration between Komatsu Forest & Komatsu Osaka Factory.

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

NZ Logger February 2023

Articles inside

Full Year Harvesting – Individual Results

Final results for 2022

Crystal Ball Predictions for 2023

Three-in-one compact combo

SPEC S IFICATION

NIMBLE ’

Accolades for industry heroes

OUTRUN™ GUESSWORK

New forestry championship

Brandt Group to acquire Agrowquip NZ

Government drags its feet on Māori foresters

Fletcher Building invests in wood sector

Don’t compromise on safety Mitigate against alcohol in the workplace

Exports largely stable, says report

ITP to boost industry

Fifth fine in Tolaga Bay disaster

Forestry under fire after Cyclone Hale

Then and now

Game changer