The Australian Arbor Age October - November 2023

Moving with the times

The Australian Arbor Age must be one of Australia’s longest-running industry magazines.

It kicked o late last century, and over the years it’s seen a few changes. Tree surgeons became arborists and arborists became arboriculturalists. It’s watched and reported as legislation was brought into force and science and laboratory work played a bigger and bigger part in the tree-care world. It’s done its best to keep everyone in touch with the move to industry regulation. And the title’s joyfully watched and encouraged the growth of some of the excellent associations around the country doing their best to ensure that regulation and training is fair, sensible, and is formed with an eye on

a safe and commercially viable industry for generations to come.

And right now, in this issue, is another big change.

As tree-care professionals respond to constant and increasing commercial pressures, mechanisation is becoming a vital part of any arbor business operation.

Where a towable chipper may have been a sizable investment for an arbor business a few decades ago, excavators, large attachments and, especially, EWPs can now be found in the yards and sheds of almost any sizable concern dealing with trees and tree management.

We’re not talking here of just pure arboriculturalists, of course. A great deal of tree management falls to

councils and government organisations and departments – all keen consumers of the information and advice o ered in The Australian Arbor Age

In recognition of this fast-growing trend, this issue of good ol’ Arbor Age launches a new section on forestry equipment, focussing on arbor mech. Everything from excavators to grapples and horizontal grinders will be covered there, and as the sector grows – and there’s no doubt it will – we’ll keep an eye on innovations and trends in machinery as they happen.

Arborists will still be the magazine’s main focus, of course. Climbers and experienced diagnosticians with a love of trees will always be central to the arbor industry.

As will The Australian Arbor Age

Arbor Age launches a new forestry equipment section, focussing on arbor mech, this issue. It kicks o on page 13.

Covers OHS & Environmental Fines. by authorities this policy covers you.

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Regulars Features

03. WELCOME LETTER

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38. SUBSCRIBE AND WIN

40. EYE ON THE INDUSTRY

48. BUSINESS AND FINANCE

06. TECHNICAL FEATURE

Working with curves to reduce the angle

By Cassian Humphreys

FORESTRY EQUIPMENT

13. TREE CARE MACHINERY IS CHANGING THE GAME

16. 25TH ANNIVERSARY FOR GMT EQUIPMENT

18. MAGNI RTH 6.30

21. THE ARBORISTS’ CHOICE FOR GRAPPLES

22. TECHNOLOGY THAT MATTERS IN VERMEER WOOD CHIPPERS

26. HANSA: FIT FOR PURPOSE

Copyright

The Australian Arbor Age magazine is owned by Prime Creative Media and published by John Murphy. All material in The Australian Arbor Age magazine is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical, including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. The editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every e ort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published.

The opinions expressed in The Australian Arbor Age magazine are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by, the publisher unless otherwise stated.

© Copyright Prime Creative Media, 2023

Articles

All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to adjust any article to conform with the magazine format.

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Contributor

Cassian Humphreys

Cassian is an ex-Merristwoodian (NCH-arb 1991, bridged into the UK Diploma ’92), Quali ed to the AQF L5 (AUS Dip) in ’09, upgraded in currency in 2017. He commenced his career after graduating in Horticulture (’85), transitioning into Arb (’89). Experienced in all aspects of arboriculture, having worked in Germany, Australia, Britain, PNG and Vanuatu, Cassian has been writing for AAA since 1999, with over 40 articles to his name. His core specialisation involves conservation arboriculture, education and tree-health-care.

Make life in the treetops better

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Working with curves to reduce the angle

Cassian Humphreys goes out on a limb.

Tree climbers, martial artists, motorcycle riders and for that matter human beings, have a good understanding of the circle verses the straight. Whether we’re standing full stretch on a cylindrical limb supported via a cylindrical rope on a straight line, or we’re stepping o ine to encounter a closed st, accelerating a partially pressurised tubular tyre into a corrugated dirt road, or just paying attention to the circles, the straights and the angles in our own bodies, we all have an understanding of the limits posed by the angle versus the curve. So it is with a tree, it’s the angles trees have to overcome to mitigate failure, with the circle being the means to deal with load-bearing stress. It’s the non-optimised hard angles that cause tree failure. So why do arborists install hard angled cabling systems into well curved trees?

While on the subject of Tree-HealthCare, on behalf of Gold Leaf Canberra I had the great honour to assess and write a status-report and projectproposal on a heritage tree. This article is based on the report I did on behalf of a signi cant, 200-year-old estate.

The reason behind the trees being bought to arboricultural attention was a worthy study in itself.

To be e ective, proactive tree management must involve treecultural practice. Management strategies are only useful if the works that follow extend tree life. Some arboriculturists have feet in the oldworld of reactivity and the new-world of proactivity, which is about NewEarth values. This, I believe, is where we really want to be.

The exceptional specimen that is the feature of this article signi es the bridge between Australian heritage and Australian land care. This article explores the reason behind the trigger for the work, with study of a recent major-limb failure.

Fig 1: Near Map image, 21/6/23, the limb failure occurred on 24/7/23, the image taken just over four weeks prior to its failure. A partially lled crease (red arrow) can be seen in the tree’s crown where the limb subsided following failure of the cabling system. This, followed by subsequent canopy growth, bridged the gap. I don’t know the date of the cabling failure, though I’d suggest the growth into the crease is at least 24 months old. Another year or two of growth and the crease would have disappeared.

Fig 2: From my original August 2023 report, the estate’s iconic Cedar of LebanonCedrus libani - with a hole in its crown revealing its recently exposed internal crown structure following the failure. The image above reveals a squat lower crown on the house side of the image, due to past limb removal and limb reduction to accommodate the building. The shortening of the tree’s crown set tree limbs up for reiteration and elbow-limb development. The failed limb was a cabled reiteration that had grown out of a lateral limb that had been shortened.

A signi cant limb failure, reaction and response

Elbow limb formation

This study involves historic cabling of crown structure that failed to optimise due to over support from cablingsupport that was subsequently lost when the cabling failed leaving a heavily weighted elbow limb.

I have witnessed a number of cabled

trees over the years which have been cabled unnecessarily.

Any tree with wide open forks and curvaceous, well-tapered limbs has a biomechanical advantage and is best left to the natural environment to sustain and generate natural strength. If we are true to arboriculture, all we

need to prescribe is tree-health-care to support tree biomechanics.

This tree was set up for failure by over-pruning and cabling. I am reminded of the 1994 Robert Zemeckis drama-comedy movie Forest Gump, with Tom Hanks and 1920’s children prescribed leg callipers like common pharma-pills.

I have been writing on the reiteration of tree crown structure for years (Epicormic/Endocormic - since 2008), along with US North-Carolinian arboricultural-writer Guy Meilleur. To recognise the transition trees make following retrenchment, topping or limb shortening you have to understand how trees reiterate or grow anew following the loss of a leader. We arborists have all grown up with the term ‘epicormic’ (Latin for ‘upon the stem’), I created the term ‘endocormic’ to describe the opposite.

Fig 4: Reiteration of a Spotted Gum’s crown following topping.

Fig 3: This image was supplied by the client prior to its the clean-up and removal. l was able to access and inspect the failed reiteration in the site’s yard. This limb, around 45cm diameter close to its branch break-out failure point (a 75cmm long-tear), was approximately nine metres in length. Branch break-out failures are limbs or leaders that fail at the trunk, leaving holes.

Fig 5 (top) and g 6: Examples of acute angled vertical reiterations,on the Cedar, either shoots or dormant buds. Both limbs have made signi cant extension and incremental growth. In the case of the estate’s Cedar there were three such limbs, the largest of which failed. The branch break-out failure, with an adjacent remaining elbow-limb has not been cabled. Because of the poor limb-to-trunk buttressing and incremental growth it can be seen the failure point had insu cient growth increments in proportion to branch diameter. I wasn’t concerned with the remaining elbow limbs as they are protected within the tree’s outer-canopy.

So how is an elbow-limb formed? To be true I only make reference to elbowlimbs to describe reiterated limbs with acute angles. Coming back to the Cedar tree with very acute angled reiterations, my observations are simple: following limb shortening, either a dormant bud, a pre-existing shoot or limb took on a dominant role. Initially this was triggered by the loss of auxin in what was the original terminal growing point, now removed. The same process applies for topped limbs, harp trees and retrenching trees.

For a greater introduction into elbow limb reiteration or the transition of epicormic to endocormic I encourage the reader to read my past AAA Apr/May 2021 article – Epicormic, Endocormic, Adapting Veteran Trees And Arborists Minds.

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Another signi cant element of the limb’s failure involved drought stress. Drought-induced wood-embrittlement is a subject I have reported on multiple times. Because few arborists are professionally concerned with administering health to trees, we miss out on one of the simplest means to mitigate such failures: watering.

It has taken humankind’s imposition, albeit experimental, with cabling trees to impair nature’s optimisation. Australian arborists need to face the fact that the only crown structure we should ever seek to support is one which is mechanically impaired or defective to the point of failing. Supporting well optimised crown structure weakens it. Far better to support tree vitality (Shigo’s de nition) to assist biomechanical-optimisation, such as enabling soils to better receive and hold water.

Treatment for accelerated wound occlusion

Based on Shigo’s Modern Arboriculture reference to a tree’s capacity for cambial-cellular di erentiation, for some years I’ve been experimenting with creating sphagnum patches on lesions on trees, mainly Ficus species in SE Queensland, with great success, achieving more rapid than normal wound closure over mechanical injuries and lesions. This process involves the placement of sphagnum-moss over the injury site, irrigating, then wrapping the moss/injury/branch or trunk with hessian and clipping into place. With regard to the injury site on the remaining limb on the Cedar tree, I recommended such treatment (ref: to g: 5). I also advised acoustic testing of the limb over time, subsequent to wound closure, as a means to determine decay propagation. Knowing the genus and its wood resilience I expect full closure and compartmentalisation, without need to remove the remaining elbow limb.

Pruning for subordination and greater wind resilience

Another way to bene t the tree’s longevity is via pruning to subordinate the tree’s crown. This involves hedging the canopy periphery via volume reduction, or pruning trees at bud and twig level to mimic environmental subordination. Growth suppression in the outer canopy by environmental

conditions is obvious to those who study trees, over erroneous mathematical formulas that only support the idea of the tree.

For a more detailed coverage on this topic read my AAA Oct/Nov 2022 article Sympathetic Pruning Downunder, Lessons Learned from Australian Red Cedar and Tree Morphogenesis. Then read the co-written 2022 articles AAA Oct/Nov UK David Lloyd-Jones SympatheticTreeManagementWorking, With Tree Morphogenesis and AAA Aug/ Sept CAN Ryan Redvers Working with Nature & Maths for Longevity. With regard to the Cedar tree, I advised on

a series of volume reductions to help subordinate the tree’s crown in pruningcycles over the next decade, the aim being to better proof the tree against storm events as well as support canopy closure over the current hole since the limb failure. Based on experience of environmental subordination of trees, I explained volume reductions with pruning wounds being in symplastic tissue under 2.5cm in diameter (in the case of the Cedar much less) do little to impact tree vitality, as the trees in question sustain full photosynthetic capacity while making mechanical gains. The age of arboriculture

Fig 8 (above) and g 9: Before and after pictures of the Gold Leaf volume reduction, stage 1 of a proposed series. This would be a textbook volume reduction if subordination pruning was actually in the national and international arboricultural repertoire. Those of us who do such works are pioneering arboriculturists.

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Tree Care Machinery is changing the game

Bandit, Hansa and Cast will be sold nationally under a new banner with better customer care and a bigger range.

Australia’s new home for tree equipment and arbor machinery has rebranded as Tree Care Machinery.

Bandit Tree Equipment, Cast Loaders and the commercial range of HANSA Products are now distributed under the company name Tree Care Machinery, a division of the EEA Group.

“Tree Care Machinery rebranding is basically an umbrella of worldrenowned brands that will continue to focus on the arbor industry to bring clients products that are going to increase their productivity and

pro tability,” said Chris Newton, Director at EEA Group. “The same branches customers currently visit will remain open, with the same backup support, parts and servicing.”

In May 2023, EEA Group acquired the Adelaide dealer for Bandit, unifying all Bandit dealers across Australia. In July 2023, Hansa Products agreed to partner with EEA Group for the distribution of the commercial range of HANSA chippers: the C25, C27, C45 and the larger C65 and C65RX models.

Existing HANSA clients who own these

models will now be able to have their machines serviced alongside Bandit at 11 Tree Care Machinery branches nationwide, located across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

Online shop

Adelaide’s online arborist store will continue to operate and distribute products to all corners of the country. Tree Care Machinery is committed to providing the very latest equipment from around the world to local arborists,

Bandit Tree Equipment, Cast Loaders and the commercial range of HANSA Products are now distributed under the company name Tree Care Machinery, a division of the EEA Group.

tree contractors and councils across Australia. Every item sold has been trialled by consulting arborists to ensure it complies with Australian standards and is appropriate for Australian conditions.

“We’re going to bring more support and more equipment, and all the Adelaide team is staying on board with more new faces to come,” said Chris Newton. “We’re rapt to bring over 100 years of experience into our EEA Group family.”

Expanded range

Bandit’s Horizontal Grinders will also be available Australia wide, revolutionising the arbor industry with

increased output and e ciency for large-scale land clearing and recycling jobs. EEA Group delivered both the Bandit 3680T and Bandit 4680T mid-year to Australians and is excited to introduce new and demo horizontal-grinder units for interested clients, with training provided from Tree Care Machinery.

After arriving in New South Wales and Queensland last year, the rollout of Cast Loaders at Tree Care Machinery brings Italian-made, full-steel-construction mini loaders to the entire Australian market. The articulated loader and mini-skid-steer loader range from Cast is designed for a range of applications, from forestry to bee-keeping to landscaping. These machines o er

a more durable, stronger option to the current market of plastic-covered mini loaders.

Hire

Tree Care Machinery will also be introducing a hire-range alternative, with customers able to rent stump grinders and woodchippers when:

• Their current machine is being serviced or repaired

• They need machinery temporarily for a particular job, or

• They need extra plant to keep up with an increased workload.

For more information, visit treecaremach.com.au.

Australia’s new home for tree equipment and arbor machinery has rebranded as Tree Care Machinery.

Joe Plater, Queensland Sales Manager at EEA Group.

The articulated loader and mini-skid-steer loader range from Cast is designed for a range of applications, and o ers a durable, strong mini-loader option.

25th anniversary for GMT Equipment

Amazing new machinery on display.

Gierkink Machine Techniek in its early years focussed on the maintenance of forestry machines. Now known as GMT Equipment, the Dutch company has made a name for itself supplying grapple-saw attachments for both the tree-care and forestry sectors.

In Australia GMT Equipment is represented by Forest Centre, and sales manager Rey Kell was invited to the Netherlands to help celebrate the company’s 25-year anniversary. Here’s a few photos of some of the amazing treecare equipment displayed at the event Hopefully we’ll see some of this machinery at Forest Centre in the near future.

See forestcentre.com.au for the full range of equipment available.

A Merlo 50.21S Plus slewing telehandler, tted with a GMT050TTC grapple saw and Merlo-speci c extension arm.

Various workshops, demonstrations, and technical training sessions were hosted at GMT Equipment’s newly expanded factory premises in Vragender, Netherlands, during the event.

Not all GMT grapple saws are used for direct tree-facing work. Here’s a unique combination of UFKES Greentec 952 Mega chipper equipped with its own

Pal nger crane and GMT035 grapple saw. The operator can feed the chipper from a safe and elevated position, while also being able to cut forked stems.

A range of di erent-reach capabilities on show – some out to over 30 metres – with GMT grapple saws. From Merlo and Magni telehandlers to a Jekko selfpropelled crawler crane and various special-purpose trucks with forestry and VLC type cranes.

Volvo ECR 145E LM with one of GMT’s newly released excavator extension arms and a GMT050 grapple saw.

Magni RTH 6.30

The RTH 6.30 is a tough, highperformance rotating telescopic handler which can reach to a height of 30 metres and is equipped with scissor stabilisers to ensure greater safety and stability during working manoeuvres, especially with limited space available. Even partially stabilised, the machine is programmed to provide the best possible load chart on each side.

When the stabilisers are fully extended they guarantee maximum machine performance over 360°.

The Magni RTH 6.30 is compatible with a huge range of accessories, thanks also to the RFID system which provides automatic recognition of the attachment and creation of the relative load charts; this telescopic handler is able to meet a wide range of applications in construction and arboriculture.

Built for serious work

Campbell Brooke, Director at Powerclear, is understandably excited about the newest addition to the Powerclear eet,

and is proud to be the rst arboricultural company in Australia to have this new technology available.

“It’s a rotating telly handler,” explained Campbell. “Or some would call it a slewing telly handler. It’s got a reach of 30 metres, and it has a maximum lifting capacity of six tonne. It can interchange attachments. We’ve currently got the crane-winch attachment and the rotating wood-cracker felling head. It’s an all-terrain vehicle, so it’s four-wheel drive and four-wheel steer, and with the outriggers it has a very similar footprint to a 20-tonne all-terrain crane. It has conditional registration, so it can be driven on public roads,” he said.

Super versatile

Powerclear contracts to local, state and federal government organisations, and is rapt in the versatility, safety and productivity of the Magni. The RTH 6.30 signi cantly reduces risk by eliminating the need for arborists to work at heights or around structurally compromised

trees. Equipped with boom-mounted cameras, a digital automated load chart, and the capability for the operator to control the Magni remotely, the RTH 6.30 enhances safety and e ciency. Powerclear is proud to be pioneering the next level of safety in arboriculture.

“Instead of having three pieces of equipment, you’ve got the one that can do the job of an excavator, an EWP and a crane,” Campbell explained. “With that 30-metre reach and the rotating felling head you can be quite precise and piece the tree down in very small sections if you want. You can take single branches or you can take leaders. You don’t have to take a whole tree in one grab.

“You can utilise it as you would a guy in an EWP basket, really,” he happily summed up.

Find out more about the availability and capability of the Magni RTH 6.30, and Powerclear’s operations, at powerclear.com.au.

This incredible telescopic handler is able to meet a wide range of applications in construction and arboriculture, and Powerclear Arboricultural Contractors in southeast Queensland/northern NSW has them available.

The Magni RTH 6.30 is a tough, high-performance rotating telescopic handler which can lift loads to a height of 30 metres.

Powerclear contracts to local, state and federal government organisations, and is rapt in the versatility of the Magni.

You begin each day before dawn with a drive and determination to do more than the day before. When you move at this pace, you know to do more you need equipment that is made for more. That’s why our equipment is built from the ground up to meet your needs, delivering:

More Power and Production

Lower Operating Costs

Ease of Maintenance

Greater Longevity and Resale Value

If you’re ready to operate equipment that’s made to keep pace with you, then we invite you to contact the authorized dealer in your area of the world. To learn more about our equipment go to www.morbark.com.

Global Machinery Sales - VIC/NSW/QLD

Ph: +61 1300 072 926

www.globalmachinerysales.com.au

24-28 Williams Road, Dandenong South, VIC 3175

49-50 Cassola Place, Penrith, NSW 2750

191 Magnesium Dr, Crestmead, QLD 4132

Greenstar Equipment - QLD (Boxer Only)

+61 1300 767 589

greenstarequip.com.au

1 Chetwynd St Loganholme, QLD 4129

SA Tractors -SA (Boxer Only)

+61 8 8349 7500

satractors.com.au

Unit 12, 160 Churchill Road North, Cavan, South Australia 5094

Stevens Products

+64 9 275 0443

stevensgroup.co.nz

293 Landing Drive, Mangere, Auckland, New Zealand

Westco Equipment - WA

+61 (8) 9258 9333

westcoequipment.com.au

14 Clapham St, Beckenham WA 6107

The arborists’ choice for grapples

Quality European designed and built forestry grapples made from genuine Hardox steel.

Turn your mini digger into a money-making machine with Intermercato’s TG22PROSR5 ve- nger grapple.

The TG22PROSR5 is one of Intermercato’s most popular grapples as it is suited for 4-tonne to 5.5 – tonne machines.

The TG22PROSR5 only weighs in at 190kg with a head bracket to suit your excavator’s hitch. It has an impressive opening width of 1225mm and a closing diameter of 60mm which allows it to pick up small branches. This is achieved by Intermercato’s dual pivot design and nice, parallel opening and closing. Easily greaseable bronze bushes are located at all pivot points, extending the life of the grab.

The ve ngers are solid genuine Hardox steel. The long slender design of the ngers allows better penetration through the brush and picking up a nice grab full.

Of course, like all the other grapples in the Intermercato range, a rotator can be added if required.

Log on to grapples.com.au to see the entire Intermercato range.

Easily greaseable bronze bushes are located at all pivot points, extending the life of the grab.

Intermercato’s TG22PROSR5 ve- nger grapple will dramatically increase the versatility of your mini excavator.

Innovations help make operating Vermeer wood chippers smooth and intuitive.

There can be a love-hate relationship with technology. On one hand, technology improvements can make our lives better, but on the other hand, they can be di cult to adjust to. When it comes to tree-care technology in Vermeer wood chippers, the goal is for each piece of technology to be intuitive, convenient and e cient. Technology should work with you, not against you!

Here are a few technology features across the line-up of Vermeer wood chippers that can work with you to help maximise productivity on the jobsite. These technology innovations were created through Vermeer’s constant pursuit to nd a better way.

Technology that matters in Vermeer wood chippers

The goal for tree-care technology in Vermeer wood chippers is for each piece of technology to be intuitive, convenient and e cient.

SmartFeed is a patented feed-sensing control system that monitors engine rpm and automatically stops or reverses feed rollers when necessary.

Forestry equipment

Wood chipper technology

SmartFeed is a patented feed-sensing control system that monitors engine rpm and automatically stops or reverses feed rollers when necessary. SmartFeed also senses feed roller jams and responds by automatically shifting material back and forth, reducing the need for manual control-bar manipulation.

This exclusive system from Vermeer maximises operator productivity and helps minimise strain on vital engine parts, as rpm settings are adjustable and automatically monitored. With a switch, operators can choose between three rpm droop settings to t the job’s speci c application: high-speed droop, medium-speed droop and low-speed droop. These three rpm settings o er versatility for varying applications:

• High-speed droop is recommended to use when feeding large limbs and

trunks through the machine

• Medium-speed droop should be used when feeding small limbs or branches into the wood chipper

• Low-speed droop is recommended when loading mostly brush into the chipper.

SmartCrush control system

On Vermeer wood chippers with horizontal feed rollers, there is a feature called SmartCrush. Here’s how it works:

1. Down pressure is minimised until the feed roller has climbed up and onto the material

2. Then down pressure increases to push the material to the cutter drum.

3. With the material securely gripped by the infeed system, the operator can concentrate on the next load of material.

The wood chipper monitors position and down pressure of the infeed roller.

This entire process enables the feed roller to start the feeding process.

EcoIdle™ engine control system

The EcoIdle™ engine control system automatically lowers engine speed to a preset lower rpm if no material has been chipped for one to ve minutes. The time frame is adjustable depending on your preference, and can help consume less fuel if the feeding process has frequent interruptions, and also aid in jobsite noise reduction. All of these technology features are designed to help while operating Vermeer equipment. Wood chippers can be complicated machines, but these innovations help operating them feel smooth and intuitive.

Reach out to your local Vermeer Australia team today to nd out more on 1300 VERMEER or at vermeeraustralia.com.au.

AUSTRALIAN ARBOR AGE

Technology features across the line-up of Vermeer wood chippers can work with you to help maximise productivity on the jobsite.

Fit for purpose

The HANSA range of commercial chippers o ers the perfect balance of capacity, size, weight and power to ensure your workday runs smoothly and e ciently.

The HANSA C65 provides a 10-inch capacity machine on less than 2000kg of total weight, allowing more exibility when planning crews and work sites.

With a lower cost outlay than larger chippers, a HANSA C65 provides a 10-inch capacity machine on less than 2000kg of total weight, making the C65 more a ordable and able to be towed by more team members and vehicles than larger and heavier chippers. This also allows more exibility when planning crews and work sites.

Increased productivity

Tight access and hard to reach sites?

The HANSA C65RX is less than 1.5 metres

wide, making it ideal for those sites where other chippers mean dragging branches to the roadside. This tracked chipper will be there where you need it. Add the T20 trailer and turn the C65RX into a fully- edged tow-behind chipper. The bespoke design of the T20 trailer allows the operator to feed the chipper from a normal height and shoot the chip straight into the bin of the truck. Turn your HANSA C65 into a true all rounder by adding some optional extras. Add a 1.5t capacity hydraulic

winch and improve productivity even further while reducing the workload for the team. Drag branches and wood to the chipper without the need for manhandling. Via a re-direct pulley system, you can also use the winch to support felling and the setup of rigging operations.

The ‘Lift and crush’ option allows lifting the feed roller on the chipper and getting larger volumes of branches in the machine. It’s another productivity gain for the team when

undertaking felling or large reductions where bigger volumes of branches need to be processed.

The C27

Footpath side feeding for safer worksites is as simple as lifting two handles on the C27 and rotating the feed hopper to the desired location. A quick swing of the outlet chute and the chipper is setup and ready to be fed from the footpath and chipped straight into the truck.

The 360-degree turntable on the C27 will take the team out of harm’s way, reduce tra c-management site dimensions and increase productivity. The six-inch capacity is ideal for street tree-pruning work, small removals, and line clearance in cities.

Weighing 1030kg (fully loaded), this is another chipper that can be easily towed by various team members and vehicles.

Productive and versatile

HANSA chippers all have one thing in common: a larger infeed than the chipping capacity.

For example, the C27 has a 160mm (six-inch) chipping capacity and an in-feed opening at the feed roller of 330mm x 178mm. These large in-feed openings are another point that set HANSA apart from the rest. It comes back to the passion the HANSA team has for making the most operator friendly, productive and versatile chippers available.

Knowing about the advantages of the HANSA range of commercial chippers is one thing, but seeing them in action is another. HANSA and its distribution partner EEA Group are available for demonstrations across Australia.

Get in touch today and get a HANSA out to your next work site for a demonstration.

See more of the HANSA lineup at hansaproducts.com.

on the C27 keeps the team out of harm’s way, reduces tra c-management site dimensions and increases productivity.

QAA news

An update from the Queensland Arboricultural Association.

With another year quickly racing away, it has been wonderful to catch up with so many in the industry at recent QAA events. Whether inside a workshop classroom or high in the trees at a climbing comp, we are always impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication so many of you show towards your industry.

When it comes to enthusiasm and dedication, it is hard to go past QAA representatives, Jamie Boston, Terry Boston and Jess Hamer, who joined the larger Team Australia contingent at a very successful International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in August.

After three days of tough competition against the best climbers in the world, Jamie nished 8th and Terry 14th in a eld of 46 male climbers. Congratulations to 2022 ITCC champion, and fellow Team Australia member, Barton Allen-Hall, who successfully defended his title in 2023.

Jess performed exceptionally well on the world stage, placing rst in work climb and ascent, beating her own 15m ascent world record in the process. She also nished second in aerial rescue. These results meant Jess won the preliminary rounds and went on to nish third overall in the women’s masters.

It’s an outstanding result and we are so excited for her.

Congratulations Jess, Jamie and Terry on your fantastic results and for being wonderful ambassadors for the QAA and Team Australia in New Mexico.

Upcoming events

Aerial Rescue workshops

Knowing how to perform an aerial rescue when an unconscious or injured person needs to be safely moved to the ground from a tree or elevated work platform is a specialty all climbing arborists should possess. That’s why the

QAA is running Aerial Rescue workshops on the Gold Coast (October 24), in Brisbane (November 21) and on the Sunshine Coast (early 2024).

The workshops will examine multiple rescue types and scenarios, based on the system outlined in Minimum Industry Standard MIS304 Aerial Rescue. They will also provide information to competitive climbers on how to achieve the most possible points in the Aerial Rescue event.

For more information, scan the QR code.

QAA annual general meeting

This year’s AGM will be held on Saturday, November 11. If you are a member who would like to hear about what’s been happening at the QAA over the past 12 months, and provide feedback, you are encouraged to attend.

During the AGM, a new Executive Committee will be nominated for 2024. If you are keen to contribute to the future of the QAA and the arboricultural industry in Queensland and northern New South Wales, we’d love to hear from you. The Committee consists of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, as well as general committee members.

We’re also putting out the call for subcommittee members. If you have expertise or a special interest in education, events, marketing, business development, or sponsorship, but

Jess Hamer performed exceptionally well on the world stage, placing rst in work climb and ascent.

don’t want to commit to being a full committee member, joining the relevant subcommittee for that area is a good way to still have a say.

For more information, or to register your interest for a committee position, contact the QAA O ce.

Trees in the Landscape workshop

During this workshop on Friday, December 8, Bryan Gould will provide an understanding of the biological, environmental, and societal bene ts of trees and the arboriculture/landscape principles for establishing them at scale. Some of the topics being discussed are:

• The role of the arborist as both a visionary and landscape manager

• The bene ts and values of trees, and

• The process of vegetation establishment including the scope of site assessment and analysis issues, aerial and in-ground factors, and soil amendment and amelioration. After completing this workshop, attendees will be familiar with their role

Ryan Roberts logged the fastest time (39.15) in Run 2 of the QAA Freestyle Tree Climbing Competition in Cairns.

and relationship to other professionals, the varied bene ts and values of trees, and the range of issues involved when planning and preparing sites for planting.

To nd out more and to book, visit the Events page on the QAA website.

Event recap

QAA Freestyle Tree Climbing Competition – Cairns

On Saturday July 22, 31 climbers took part in the QAA Freestyle Tree Climbing Competition in Cairns. All climbers got two runs initially, with the fastest being from Chris Fahy (39.61 seconds) in Run 1 and Ryan Roberts (39.15) in Run 2. The eld was then shortened to the top 15 competitors, and more bells added to the tree, with the top ve making it through to the nal. The nal overall results were:

1. Shay Williams - pictured right - (87.41)

2. Chris Fahy (89.62)

3. Stefano Gentilozzi (116.56)

The Spirit of the Competition winners were Jayden Haycraft (overall winner) and Gordon Tamwoy (FNQ winner).

A special FNQ nal was also held, with the fastest local climbers taking part. The results of this were:

1. Nathaniel Van Pelt (2 mins 6 secs)

2. David Williams (2 mins 40 secs)

3. Zach Cozzitorto (4 mins 49 secs)

4. Mathew Buckley (5 mins 45 secs)

Thank you and well done to all climbers who competed. It was a great day of climbing with everyone encouraging each other throughout the competition.

Thank you also to our amazing sponsors:

• Event sponsor: Vermeer Australia

• Trade sponsors: Braschs, Cairns Tree Fellers, Leo Soenario (Divergent Arbor), Inspiration Trees, Reecoil, The Arbor Van, Tree Arrangements, and Teufelberger

• Special thanks to: Cairns Jockey Club, Advanced Vegetation Management, and Century Cranes

QAA Executive

For info call QAA on (07) 3821 1488, email o ce@qaa.net au, or log on to qaa.net.au. Follow the QAA on Facebook (QueenslandArboriculturalAssociation), Instagram (qaa_arborist), or LinkedIn (queensland-arboricultural-association).

4. Ryan Roberts (127.29)

5. Adam Joel (145.13)

A great day of climbing with everyone encouraging each other throughout the competition.

YOU CAN’T JUDGE A TREE BY ITS COVER

Tree Radar Australia uses a ground penetrating Radar Unit to provide the only, completely non-invasive method of tree decay detection and tree root detection available in Australia.

TREE RADAR UNIT™ DECAY DETECTION.

Tree Decay is a severe problem which can put all the structure around a tree at risk. With Tree Radar Units™ decay detection, Tree Radar can scan for decay in any tree regardless of its height. The Tree Radar unit can give an accurate read out of the severity of decay in a tree without having to penetrate the Tree’s surface.

TREE RADAR UNIT™ TREE ROOT DETECTION. Tree Radar Unit™ can detect and establish the root proliferation of a tree, this allows the arborist to inform developers of any structural or instability issues without the need for drilling or digging.

TTIA supports industry after landmark IR reforms

Brie ng sessions for employers nationwide across the entire timber-products supply chain helped equip the industry to deal with Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act introduced in December 2022 and its implementation over the course of 2023.

The industrial/workplace changes are probably the most dramatic in the past 20 years and impact on enterprise bargaining, exible working arrangements, job advertisements, pay secrecy clauses, xed term contracts, sexual harassment obligations and small claims proceedings. We also covered new requirements regarding reducing psychosocial risks at work, as well as recent decisions that a ect annual leave closedowns and public holiday rostering.

Multi-enterprise bargaining

Under the new regime, employers can be forced to bargain for agreements that cover multiple employers as the Fair Work Commission (FWC) can make supported bargaining authorisations and single-interest employer authorisations. For a granting of an authorisation, the FWC only need consider whether the employers have clearly identi able

common interests in terms of their location, nature of their enterprise and the terms and conditions in those enterprises.

Flexible work arrangements

The new requirements focus on employers undertaking genuine attempts to reach agreement with an employee in an attempt to accommodate their situation. An employer may be hit with penalties if it fails to follow the new process or refuse a exible work request without good reason.

Small claims

The new legislation increases the cap that can be awarded through small claims proceedings from $20,000 to $100.000. The court is now able to award ling fees as costs to successful smallclaims applicants, which overturns the

previous understanding that parties cannot usually recover costs on matters arising under the Fair Work Act.

Pay secrecy

As of December 7, 2022, pay secrecy clauses in employment contracts have no e ect. Put simply, employees should not be restrained from discussing their pay with their fellow workers.

In truth, the TTIA has come across almost zero pay secrecy clauses in the timber industry. There may be some employers with this type of clause for senior sta , so businesses need to ensure it’s deleted.

Job advertisements

The new laws make it unlawful to advertise a pay rate which is less than the minimum rate of pay, including the minimum rate of pay under an award or enterprise agreement. Employers

The court is now able to award ling fees as costs to successful small-claims applicants.

Brian Beecroft TTIA CEO

with harvesting operations in particular should be aware that when hiring pieceworkers, they will need to specify a rate of pay relating to the role – for instance, the tonnage rate.

Fixed-term contracts

Rather than employees being on rolling contracts of six months or a year, a business will only be able to o er a maximum of two consecutive contracts in that limited span of two years unless an exemption applies.

Sexual harassment

The FWC may now settle sexual harassment disputes through conciliation or arbitration. The FWC now has the capacity to give an opinion that sexual harassment has occurred, make compensation orders, orders to pay lost wages, or orders to redress loss or damage. The FWC may issue a stop-

sexual-harassment order as one way of dealing with such a dispute.

In a move that places a vicarious liability on the business and puts it directly in the ring line where an employee harasses another person contravening the provisions in the FW Act, the employer will be taken to have also done that act unless the business can prove that it took all reasonable steps to prevent the employee from doing it in the rst place.

Clearly employers need to have an updated sexual-harassment policy in place and conduct a risk assessment of areas where problems may exist.

Mental health issues

WHS laws now clearly de ne health to include mental health.

Employers are expected to eliminate work overload and bullying at the workplace which are two of the leading

factors resulting in more claims for psychosocial injuries as well as pushing up the cost of workers compensation claims and insurance.

TTIA

can help

TTIA can assist businesses in the timberproducts’ industry with a policy and tips to manage this emerging area of management responsibility. I’m pleased to say the support from the entire industry was huge and the brie ngs a great success.

Without doubt a major take from the industry-wide brie ngs was the genuine desire by all participants to come to terms and manage these challenges.

As a result of this Labor government legislation, I have no doubt every business will be spending more time on IR/HR issues than ever before. If you’re not a member of TTIA, now is de nitely the time to join up. We are non-pro t with a board elected by the members, and the more businesses join, the stronger our voice can be to government, as well as o ering you key protection as a business.

TTIA will run our industry brie ngs again next year, and if you were unable to attend the recent round, contact us and we will organise an on-site brie ng in your region or at your business.

Finally, if any tree-contractor business needs assistance with drafting or updating its policies or employment agreements in relation to the changes in this legislation, or advice on managing all or parts of the new laws, contact the TTIA’s IR/Legal Unit on (02) 9264 0011 or email ttia@ttia.asn.au.

We are here to support you as a valuable industry resource.

Employers should be aware that when hiring pieceworkers they will need to specify a rate of pay relating to the role.

As of December 7, 2022, pay secrecy clauses in employment contracts have no e ect. Put simply, employees should not be restrained from discussing their pay with their fellow workers.

The new laws have expanded the scope for employees to request exible working arrangements.

Ute-mounted EWPs are back!

Aerial Access has the Versalift VST40i available, and it’s an out t that makes a lot of sense.

In today’s dynamic market landscape, nding suppliers with ready stock of high-demand products is a rarity. However, Aerial Access de es this trend, proudly boasting the availability of the much sought-after Versalift VST40i Insulated EWPs.

Eagerly awaiting their moment in the spotlight, these machines promise a remarkable 13.8m working height and an impressive 9.2m horizontal outreach. With a minimum GVM of 11t and the added advantage of spring lockouts, Aerial Access is poised to cater to a diverse range of industries.

In a world where time is a precious resource, waiting two or three years for the missing piece of your puzzle is unnecessary. A single call to the Aerial Access team is all it takes to accelerate your goals. Secure your e ciency now –reach out to the team today!

Higher productivity with less expense

In a resurgence of the ‘old school’ approach, the revival of compact utemounted EWPs is gaining momentum. Although they made their initial appearance years ago, they failed to

Ute-mounted EWPs are coste ective, durable, lightweight, and operationally advantageous.

Aerial Access is the number one partner in elevating businesses to new heights.

make a signi cant impact. Faced with a scarcity of pro cient operators, escalating licensing expenses, challenging terrain conditions and burgeoning operational expenditures, the discussion around these coste ective, durable, lightweight, and operationally advantageous machines has been reignited.

Envision a scenario: the chance to train new team members in a eld not bound by EWP or MR/HR truck licenses. Visualise an avenue where they can actively participate in outdoor tasks, elevated work, and gain rsthand insight into the potential these machines o er – all without the nancial encumbrances linked to their larger counterparts.

All about the client

Aerial Access is renowned for its commitment to delivering products that transcend the expectations of end users. With a steadfast focus on quality and innovation, the company ensures each nal product goes beyond meeting requirements to setting new standards of excellence.

Aerial Access’ approach involves a thorough understanding of the client’s business and its unique needs. Through comprehensive discussions, the company explores tailored options that not only enhance operational e ciency, but also align seamlessly with the goals of both investing and operational teams.

Prospective clients are invited to engage with Aerial Access by initiating a conversation. The company extends the courtesy of arranging meetings at the convenience of clients, emphasising its client-centered approach. This ensures every step taken is in the direction of providing the best possible out t to suit the distinct demands of each business.

Solutions

Irrespective of the industry, scale, speci c project, or location, Aerial Access stands as the go-to destination for all new insulated EWP platforms, comprehensive service o erings, and an extensive range of Versalift spare parts. The company’s all-encompassing solutions ensure clients nd everything they need under one roof, reinforcing Aerial Access’ reputation as the number one partner in elevating businesses to new heights.

A single call to the Aerial Access team is all it takes to accelerate your goals.

Irrespective of the industry, scale, speci c project, or location, Aerial Access stands as the go-to destination for all new insulated EWP platforms.

Aerial Access is proud to boast the availability of the sought-after Versalift VST40i Insulated EWPs.

Bluelift SA18HB: versatile manoeuvrability

Popular among arborists in Australia, the RUTHMANN Bluelift SA18HB tracked spider lift is designed for close quarters and rough terrain, and for bringing otherwise inaccessible projects into reach.

RUTHMANN Bluelift produces safe, reliable and easy-to-use elevated work platforms and Ahern Australia is the exclusive distributor for the full line of these lifts in Australia.

Suitable for a wide range of applications, the SA18HB is a exible lift ideal for arborists, as well as maintenance, construction and industrial uses.

Ideal for tight access

The ergonomic design of this versatile machine allows operators to easily move the lift into position, even in tight spaces. Proportional controls deliver precise maneuvering to make easy work of accessing high places, and the three-section articulating boom plus jib o ers an outstanding working envelope with little to no tailswing.

The maximum working height of 17.8m and horizontal reach of 9.3m maximises production, and the 230kg platform capacity can accommodate two workers for maximum e ciency. This model also has a tight turning radius for navigating narrow landscapes and aisles, and its adjustable hydraulic chassis allows for precise positioning in any situation.

Safety plus

The SA18HB can be safely driven through tight areas and on uneven terrain and is capable of climbing stairs for a wider range of indoor and outdoor applications. With a gradeability of up to 28 per cent, the self-stabilising system locks the spider lift into place for safe work at height.

For added protection, interlocking outriggers help the spider lift maintain

The SA18HB model is ideal for a variety of maintenance tasks thanks to its narrow width and lightweight design.

The RUTHMANN Bluelift SA18HB tracked spider lift is designed for close quarters and rough terrain, and for bringing otherwise inaccessible projects into reach.

Compact and narrow, with an overall weight of 2200kg, the Bluelift SA18HB can be easily transported between jobs.

balance on all terrain. Hydraulically operated articulating outriggers can be set at individual heights, and optional non-marking rubber treads leave no trace on nished oors.

Compact and narrow, with an overall weight of 2200kg, the Bluelift SA18HB can be easily transported between jobs.

For more information call the Ahern Australia team on 1300 900 700 or visit ahernaustralia.com.au.

Proportional controls deliver precise manoeuvring to make easy work of accessing high places.

High-quality equipment from top to bottom.

WINNER!

Quinton Garlick’s subscription to The Australian ArborAge scored him a Husqvarna 525PT5S Pole Saw valued at $1599 RRP.

Quinton Garlick is big bloke, there’s no doubt about that, and it’s fitting that one of the biggest prizes in Australian arboriculture went his way when he picked up his Husqvarna 525PT5s Pole Saw from Jason at The Red Shed in Cranbourne, Victoria. We were busting to know how the saw shaped up as part of Quinton’s arsenal at Cut It Right Tree Service.

“To tell you truth, I haven’t used it yet,” chortled The Big Fella. When he won a chainsaw at the Victorian Tree Climbing Championship some years ago, Quinton was so rapt he wanted to gold-dip the bar and just keep it in pride of place.

“But I never did it, did I?” he laughed. “The Husqvarna will probably sit there on the trophy shelf for a little while, but then I’ll grab it and get to work.”

What a dead-set champion, and a deserving winner. You could be next winner we speak to!

Husqvarna 525iDEPS MADSAW

The rst and only dielectric battery-powered pole saw.

As the industry’s rst and only dielectric battery-powered pole saw individually tested to meet OSHA 1910.269, the MADSAW (Minimum Approach Distance saw) delivers an extra measure of safety for tree-care professionals.

The MADSAW can be used in the bucket, the tree, or on the ground for extreme versatility. Purposeful design allows the pole saw’s sections to quickly disconnect for secure storage in the vehicle, and ergonomic and adjustable components help reduce fatigue.

Versatile

The multi-piece design of the 525iDEPS MADSAW makes for easy disassembly,

assembly and storage, and features include:

• Enhanced operator safety

• Individually tested to meet OSHA 1910.269

• Ergonomic and adjustable components

• Extreme versatility

• Designed for use in the bucket, in the tree and on the ground

• Ultra Compact

• Includes both 2.74m (9.0') and 3.81m (12'6") assemblies

• Quick disconnect, and

• Compact segments allow for secure storage.

More productive than a manual saw and more versatile than a hydraulic

unit, the MADSAW makes pruning and limbing projects more e cient than ever before.

There’s more information on the MADSAW and the entire Husqvarna forestry and arbor range at Husqvarna.com.au.

BATTERY-POWERED 525iDEPS MADSAW™

Chain oiler

For adjustable, automatic chain lubrication

30cm cutting bar

With X-Cut® chain

Interchangeable Shaft Lengths

Standard with tool and come in 9' and 12.5' assembles

Guard ring

Allows operator to adjust to their desired position

Dielectric section Made of breglass and individually tested to meet OSHA 1910.269

HUSQVARNA 525iDEPS MADSAW

Specs

Maximum length 3.81m (12.5')

Minimum length 2.74m (9.0')

Voltage 36V

Engine type Brushless, battery

Power output 1.36hp

Bar/chain size 30cm (12")

Drive-shaft material Fibreglass

Weight 6.0kg*

Part number 1.9m

Toolless aluminum couplers With shaft seals and sealed bearings for all-weather use

Removable harness hook

Easily attaches to harness strap, optimising operator comfort, and doubles as an adjustable stopper for boom mount

Tether point

Tested per ANSI standard

Throttle guard

Protects operator’s hands and prevents unintended throttle press

525i Series powerhead Meets performance of petrol equivalent

Eye on the industry

Chipper truck bodies – built to last

Shakanda Engineering has spent years developing a chipper truck body for the arborist market that exceeds the lifespan of any other in the market today.

Iwas approached by a local arborist many years back to design and quote chipper bodies to suit their application,” said Roger Bengtsson, Managing Director of Shakanda Engineering. “What we did at the time was quite di erent to what everyone else was doing. Over time, our customers were telling us our chipper bodies were lasting so much longer than those they’d had in the past, and it’s our sandblasting and protective-coating system that is the absolute key to our success and longevity.”

National

For over 20 years, wholly Australianmade and owned Shakanda Engineering has been doing just that – engineering endurance into every one of its truck bodies, with quality and value-formoney at the forefront of everything

it does. Shakanda has become a premier Vehicle Body Building Specialist, manufacturing innovative and tailor-made equipment to suit every requirement in the commercial-vehicle market.

Based in South Gippsland, Victoria, its truck bodies are sold Australia-wide, with recent chipper bodies going to Cairns, Sydney, Canberra, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Quality and value

Shakanda’s chipper bodies are predominantly built in what’s called a monocoque construction. There is very little framework involved to keep the body together – yet it’s still strong. This reduces a lot of weight and decreases the potential corrosion areas where woodchips would otherwise sit and eat

into the steel material. Couple this with Shakanda’s superior protective-coating systems – which is resistant to the corrosive acid produced by woodchips –and Shakanda can give its customers the long-term lifespan that sets its chipper bodies apart from anything else in the market. Roger added, “Our prime aim is to give value for money, along with continuous improvements, and we can comfortably say we would expect no less than a 10-year lifespan from our chipper bodies.”

Shakanda has been pleased to see this level of quality being recognised and sought after.

“We’ve seen an increase in the demand for these chipper bodies in recent times, and it comes down to the quality speaking for itself,” said Roger.

There have been a couple of truck

dealers in particular who have seen the demand in the arborist market for a high-quality option and, Roger said, “They are very happy with the quality and value for money they’re getting in what we’re building, and it makes their job of selling a truck so much easier.”

Flexibility in design

Shakanda Engineering is able to o er a long list of features on its chipper bodies.

Customers can have two-way tailgates, barn doors, toolboxes in one or two sides of the body, ladder racks, pole-saw boxes, a variety of towbar options with pintle hooks or combination ball and pintle hooks, change the body size to increase the front toolbox, or change the overall dimensions of the body if they want to alter the capacities for a particular truck.

“We’re very exible,” explained Roger, “If customers have a certain feature in mind and want to spec something up for their truck, we’ll make it work.”

Backup service

Shakanda Engineering prides itself on back-up service. The highest standard of design and quality are built into every one of its projects and is backed up with a full three-year structural warranty on all manufactured vehicle bodies.

All in all, the clean look, highly exible design, protectivecoating systems and con dent warranty from Shakanda Engineering has allowed it to produce a superior, longer-lasting chipper body that is picking up steam throughout the treelopping and associated arborist industries.

For more information about Shakanda Engineering and any of its bodies, including chipper bodies, please call (03) 5662 3144 or visit shakandaaustralia.com.

Customers can have two-way tailgates, barn doors, toolboxes in one or two sides of the body, ladder racks, pole-saw boxes, a variety of towbar options with pintle hooks or combination ball and pintle hooks, change the body size to increase the front toolbox, or change the overall dimensions of the body if they want to alter the capacities for a particular truck.

Eye on the industry

Top ve battery tools with grunt

STIHL’s extensive system has a wide range of products with interchangeable batteries designed with professional users in mind. However, it’s also perfect for those with larger home gardens to maintain.

Check out ve of the most popular professional battery-powered garden power tools using STIHL’s AP Battery System.

KMA 135 R Battery Kombiengine

If you have a wide range of tasks to complete outdoors and want to work as exibly as possible, the KMA 135 R Battery Powered KombiEngine is the perfect solution for you. This battery powered KombiEngine can be used with almost all existing STIHL KombiTools, giving plenty of options to complete your work with a single product.

The speed of the powerful EC motor can be continuously adjusted to one of three speed levels using the control handle which also allows you to set one of these speed levels as an energysaving mode.

Being battery-powered, the KMA 135 R is extremely quiet in comparison to the petrol-powered equivalent, which is an especially attractive feature for those working in noise-sensitive areas such as public parks and playgrounds.

And for a high degree of freedom of movement, even in narrow spaces, the STIHL KMA 135 R is equipped with an allround handle that features a step limiter, a safety feature ensures feet and legs cannot get too close to the tool.

FSA 135 battery brushcutter

The STIHL FSA 135 battery brushcutter is designed for professional users or owners of larger properties who have areas of grass to mow that cannot be accessed easily or safely by a lawnmower.

Featuring an ergonomic control handle which allows the user to adjust the speed continuously across three di erent levels, the FSA 135 is designed to work as e ciently as possible, saving energy where required and thus extending the working time of the machine. It also features an air lter with a metal grille to cool the engine, and an air lter which is incredibly easy to access and clean. In addition, this air lter is easy to clean.

As with all tools in STIHL’s growing range of battery tools for home users and professionals, they are incredibly quiet and do not require the use of ear protection while in action.

MSA 220 T battery top-handle chainsaw

2023 sees the launch of a brand new battery-powered chainsaw capable of the most demanding jobs in tree work. Introducing the new STIHL MSA 220 T; the most powerful battery top-handle chainsaw in the STIHL range, designed exclusively for professional use by trained arborists.

With a compact and well-balanced design, the MSA 220 T is easy to handle in awkward or outstretched positions. The intuitive trigger lockout system is simple to use, and the electronic unlock button is within easy reach of the thumb. The status LED will light up green when the chainsaw is ready for use, and the chainbrake LED will light up red when the chain brake is engaged, so you can easily see when the tool is good to go. The MSA 220 T also features an adjustable oil pump, allowing you to customise the oil output to match the application or guide-bar length at hand.

Paired with the AP 300 S battery and the NEW 3/8 PS3 Pro chain, the MSA 220 T is comparable to the MS 201 TC-M’s power output.

For maximum power and minimum fuss, STIHL’s AP Battery System boasts over 30 high-performance battery-powered machines with long working times, outstanding handling and useful comfort features.

HLA 135 battery long-reach hedge trimmer

Designed with professional users in mind, the HLA 135 is STIHL’s most powerful battery long-reach hedge trimmer to date. It o ers the most powerful cut among battery hedge trimmers, making it perfect for cutting shrubs, bushes and plants, as well as trimming and pruning thick hedges at all angles. This is thanks to a 60cm/24”, 145° adjustable double-sided cutting blade, which can also be folded down parallel to the shaft for storage and transport.

It’s been tted with a magnesium gearbox, which helps the machine maintain a light weight, too. Plus, this machine has a stroke rate of 4000rpm, which is the highest of all of STIHL’s long-

reach hedge trimmers.

The recommended battery for the HLA 135 is the AP 300 S.

HTA 135 battery pole pruner

The HTA 135 Battery Powered Pole Pruner is the most powerful battery pole pruner in the AP Battery System. Reaching up to ve metres in height, the HTA 135 allows professionals to complete their work safely from the ground rather than climbing the tree, saving plenty of time. The lightweight magnesium gearhead helps with manoeuvrability and balance, while a tough branch hook helps with the removal of loose cuttings from the tree. The recommended battery for the HTA 135 is the AP 300 S.

STIHL Connected

Have you heard of STIHL Connected yet?

This smart technology is designed to make your life easier by managing your tools for you. From providing product run times reminding you about upcoming or overdue maintenance, to showing the last location of tools, STIHL Connected takes tool and eet management to another level.

STIHL connected is useful even if you aren’t a professional user as you can keep track of when your tools need maintenance or servicing, similar to service-warning lights in most modern cars. For the private user, STIHL Smart Connector and the STIHL Connected app are all you would need, however for larger eets, the STIHL Connected portal is designed speci cally for making the management your tools simple and intuitive.

Silky Zubat

Why do arborists always choose the 33cm Silky Zubat for their kits?

We’ve tried heaps of handsaws, but Silkys are hands down the best,” said one pro arborist. “Silkys stay sharp longer. They have di erent tooth sizes for di erent jobs, and the scabbard is easy to get the saw in and out of,” he explained. “They are perfect for pruning!”

Clever design

Ever wondered why the Silky Zubat comes in three di erent tooth sizes?

• Fine tooth is designed to cut small branches and brous material – things like bamboo and palm fronds

• Large tooth is designed to cut small to medium size branches. If you can a ord only one saw, this is the one to grab, and

• Extra-large tooth is ideal for cutting large branches quickly. Anything of size that’s a bit sappy, this tooth makes light work of it.

About Zubat

The Zubat hand saw is made by Silky Saws in Japan, a company which has specialised in the manufacture of saws since 1919. These saws increase pruning speed, the time it takes to ascend a tree, and the heal time for any cuts. Having the right tooth size will also impact the time it takes to get the job done and the nished product for the customer.

For more info phone (07) 3823 1599, or log on to atcproducts.com.au

Scabbard design makes removal and replacement of the saw a breeze.

The Zubat is made by Silky Saws in Japan, a company which has specialised in the manufacture of saws since 1919.

YALE Double Esterlon

16mm - 100m. Diameter: 16mm 95/8"0. Tensile strength: 7711kg. WLL: 1542kg.

Yale Double Esterlon

Double Esterlon is a double-braided rope constructed of premium over nish polyester bre in both the sleeve and core. The product is identi ed by two green strands braided into the cover structure and is available with optional Maxijacket urethane coating to further enhance the rope’s wear resistance.

Features of Yale Double Esterlon include:

• Yarn treated with marine-grade nish prior to twisting

• Balanced double braid

• High-performance nish to reduce yarn-on-yarn abrasion

• Low stretch

• Excellent wear life, and

• Is easily spliced

Double Esterlon has low stretch, high dielectric strength, and excellent, long wear life.

The professional’s choice

Yale Double Esterlon is a premium double braid lowering line ideal for use in lowering systems. With unmatched rope strength and durability, and constructed using Allied Signal’s high-tenacity type IW81 cordage nish polyester, Double Esterlon is the strongest polyester double braid available. Low stretch, long wear life and superior strength make Double Esterlon the rope to choose for use in lowering devices, pulleys, speedlines and rigging slings. To enhance performance, Double Esterlon is coated with Yale’s TreeGrade Maxijacket urethane. In addition to the increased abrasion resistance it provides, Maxijacket is available colour-coded for easy size identi cation, and is readily spliced by a Yale factory-trained and certi ed splicer.

Combined Safety Solutions

Yale Double Esterlon, and a huge range of safety equipment, is available from Combined Safety Solutions in South Nowra.

Log on to combinedsafetysolutions.com.au to see the full range, or phone 02 4421 7732 for up-to-the-minute safetyequipment help and advice.

Specialist Safety Equipment

With low stretch, high dielectric strength and excellent wear life, Double Esterlon yields the highest-strength double-braid polyester available. It’s completely spliceable, delivering the catalogued strengths when spliced properly.

A full range of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety equipment with a key focus on arborist products, height safety, confined space and rescue.

Interest rates and in ation

Finance news from Colin Cooper and Australiawide Finance.

As I write, the Reserve Bank of Australia has again kept interest rates on hold, for the fourth consecutive month, giving respite to mortgage holders who have experienced a rise of 400 basis points since April 2022. Runaway in ation remains in the sights of the Reserve Bank, but there are

signs it’s being controlled, with many economists now expecting interest rate cuts in the near future. While rate rises are causing serious hurt in the economy, the wholesale rates which determine the commercial rates o ered by prime lenders are now being discounted among sti competition,

demonstrating their e ectiveness.

Last issue we observed prime rates at or marginally above seven per cent, largely where they remain, save for one quarter of a percentage point. However, secondary lenders have felt margin pressure and most now average closer to 10 per cent, for prime assets. This further cements the need for customers to shop for the right nance deal.

We are seeing signs of easing prices of cars and capital equipment, which have been in short demand as supply chains were decimated by the world health crisis. This alone has been a major contributor to in ation. Shorter forward order times and rising stock levels spell good news for buyers, and hopefully will contribute to drive in ation – I suspect rapidly.

Instant writeo

As noted last issue, the unlimited and never-before-seen 100 per cent writeo for capital equipment ended on June 30, replaced by a modest $20,000 instant writeo .

Terrible news? Perhaps, but a few points could be considered. First, as an instant writeo measure with an unlimited ceiling, it provided a sugar-hit tax deduction which could result in a massive tax loss, wiping out that year’s tax bill. However, the one-time writeo could result in a much larger tax bill in the following year, particularly when additional income and reduced expenses stemming from the purchase have an impact. Now that standard depreciation rates for vehicles and equipment have returned, the need to upgrade vehicles and machinery remains, even if only to stave o the impact of the end of the 100 per cent writeo provisions. Consider:

• Writing o individual purchases of up to $20,000 (plus GST) in the current nancial year

• Making many purchases to multiply the $20,000 writeo with no limitation

• New and used equipment, accessories, upgrades

• Adding multiple assets to any nance agreement to form a single loan agreement, and

Colin Cooper and Australiawide Finance are members of the Commercial Asset & Finance Brokers Association.

• Adding multiple $20,000 accessories or add ons to a core purchase to maximise deductions.

Finance broking

When I joined the nance broking industry, the industry association at the time was the Australian Lease Brokers Association (ALBA), and I recall attending a meeting in the 1990s when there was a formal resolution to change the name to the Australian Asset Financiers’ Association (AAFA), avoiding the perceived stigma of being described as a broker. Fast forward 30 years and the Commercial Asset & Finance Brokers Association (CAFBA), of which Australiawide Finance is a proud member, is a truly national organisation, representing the interests of the commercial nance broking

industry and acting as a regulator, with direct links to government, and the only representative professional body exclusively for asset and commercial property nance brokers. CAFBA members’ customers are assured they are getting service from a broker with a standard of professionalism and maintained ongoing education to meet the requirements for continued membership. Members undergo regular police checks, hold professional indemnity insurance, and undergo regular mandated professional development days. My colleague and partner in Australiawide Finance, Jane Lorimer, is a member of CAFBA’s Board of Directors, the Womens’ Network Committee and the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, which re ects CAFBA’s commitment to improve and develop

the standards for all CAFBA members and their customers.

Finance is now readily available from many sources: point of sale; directly from a wide variety of nanciers, many di erent styles of brokers and agents, some of whom participate in other industries such as real estate, mortgage broking, insurance and nancial planning. We would love to hear from you with any questions or feedback you may have, but we also strongly urge you to seek nance from a suitably quali ed nance professional such as a CAFBA member – it’s among the few ways to gain access to a highly quali ed professional who can give you access to the best nance deals in the marketplace, protect your business interests and assist your growth into the future.

do you know if your personal assets are at risk?

“It can depend on your business structure and insurance coverage,” said Fitzpatrick General Manager Daniel Holmes. “Your brokers can also play a role in protecting you, by advocating for you with your insurer.”

“Whether your personal assets are at risk can also depend on your insurance. As a rule of thumb, all businesses should have public and products liability insurance,” explained Holmes.

Your structure determines your personal liability

The way you have structured your business has implications for your tax and licensing obligations, and can determine your potential personal liability.

If you’re a sole-trader or a small business your personal assets may be at greater risk than if you’re structured as a company.

“If they’e claiming against the company, then it’s usually the company’s

balance from the individual’s assets.”

Holmes also suggests that for advice on structuring your business, you’re best to speak to your lawyer and accountant.

Your insurance coverage transfers risk

“If you have liability insurance, the rst step is to look at what that liability insurance applies to,” Holmes said. “And it depends on what you’re being sued for – if you’re being sued because of nonpayment of debt or breach of contract, that’s not really an insurance matter.”

Professional indemnity and management liability insurance are also commonly called upon to protect businesses and individuals being sued.

Your broker is your advocate

Contact your insurance broker as soon as you nd out you’re being sued, or become aware that somebody might sue you.

Your broker can also help you complete your claim in a timely fashion tzpatrick.com.au.

Designed & manufactured in NZ with local parts & servicing available throughout Australia. 250 hour service intervals, double sized blades and supreme performance for happy customers.

freephone 1800 426 722 www.hansaproducts.com.au

“Your broker will tell the insurer and

Fitzpatrick & Co has specialised in the horticulture and arboriculture industry for over 30 years, providing assistance and nancial support to companies, associations and events. Fitzpatrick & Co is there when your industry needs you.

BANDIT. MORE THAN JUST A MACHINE.

PUTTING THE CLIENT & BUSINESS FIRST.

Customer satisfaction is our #1 goal. Oliver from O.S. Trees in Bathurst is a testament to that. Oliver has been a proud Bandit customer for over 10 years, with a range of chippers starting from a 6-inch right through to a 21-inch. Oliver needed an even larger chipper in his fleet, and the new Bandit 20XP HD was the perfect fit.“These bigger machines are more cost-effective for the client,” says Oliver. “They’re getting through more work. Production-wise, and with the remote eliminating that extra man on the ground.” Having a service team backing him up is an important part in keeping Oliver’s business on track. “The support from Terry for parts and service is all good and positive. And I think Bandit will do well with the new EEA Group branch in Orange” says Oliver. Customers like Oliver are the reason why we love what we do at Bandit. Our goal is simple. To ensure you have an outstanding experience with your Bandit machine every day. Welcome to the Bandit Family.