Australian Forests & Timber - May 2018

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MAY 2018

I n c o r p o r a t i n g A U S T R A L A S I A N F O R E S T L O G G E R & S AW M I L L E R

Green Triangle inaugural awards – Page 7

Royal stands tall on sustainable forest management

Forestry adds $731m to Qld economy

Full Report – Pages 3-4

– Page 8

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In the news

Ĺś Kuku Yalanji elder Roy Gibson and the Prince of Wales.

Royal stands tall on sustainable forest management Prince of Wales’ passion for forests and the natural world is well known

T

he strong connection between royalty and forestry was evidenced when the Prince of Wales participated in a forestry roundtable meeting hosted by the Institute of Foresters Australia in Queensland’s Mossman Gorge. “It was a once in a lifetime meeting and I believe a meeting of minds about the challenges we face in managing forests not only in Australia but around the world,â€? said Rob de FĂŠgely, Vice-President of the Institute of Foresters of Australia. Roundtable attendees included Senator Anne Ruston (Assistant Minister for Agriculture), Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner, and James Treadwell (President of the NZ Institute of Forestry). The Roundtable started with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony undertaken by Kuku Yalanji elder Mr Roy Gibson. His Royal Highness then took a guided walk on the BaralMarrjanga elevated boardwalk in the rainforest with Brett Stallbaum (Cape York manager for Queensland www.timberbiz.com.au

Parks and Wildlife Service) along with Rob de FĂŠgely and Geraint Richards (Head Forester for the Duchy of Cornwall). The Prince has a wellknown passion for forests and the natural world. In recent years, he has provided support to the professional forestry institutes in Australia and New Zealand and prior to that in Canada and United Kingdom. Forest researchers have the International Union of Forest Research Organisation (IUFRO) to unite them but practising forest managers currently have no international forum. The Institutes are in the process of establishing an International Network of Professional Forestry Associations and the Institute of Foresters of Australia is the initial secretariat. The industry is also struggling to recruit young foresters to manage our forests for conservation and production. It has lots of specialists but recognises a need for the broad practical skills of foresters to ensure all the values of forests are protected. Managing forests without foresters would be like a health system without GPs,

Mr de FĂŠgely said. To assist this process His Royal Highness has supported two awards for young foresters, The Prince of Wales

Sustainable Forestry Award and The Prince of Wales Leadership Award. The latter being an exchange opportunity to work in forest management in

another country. The two recent recipients of the Prince of Wales Continued on Page 4

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In the news www.timberbiz.com.au

I n c o r p o r a t i n g A U S T R A L A S I A N F O R E S T L O G G E R & S AW M I L L E R

May 2018 Issue 3 Vol. 27 Established 1991 News AFCA Board profile AUSTimber launch Focus on VicForests Training Forest Machines Forwarders Harvesters Waste Management

3-19 9-10 11-13 18 20-22 25 26-30 32 34

Publisher and Chief Executive: Hartley Higgins General Manager: John Turner Editor: John Hudswell j.hudswell@ryanmediapl.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9512 Advertising: Gavin de Almeida g.dealmeida@ryanmediapl.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9517 Production: NEMedia Trader classified: g.dealmeida@ryanmediapl.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9517 Subscriptions: subs@forestsandtimber.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9522 Subcription rates One-year (8 editions) $55 Two-years (16 editions) $95 Accounts: Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9555

Royal stands tall on sustainable forest management Continued from Page 3

Sustainable Forestry Awards, Mr Jesse Mahoney (from Australia) and Mr Alfred Duval (from New Zealand), were present at the roundtable. Both expressed their thanks to His Royal Highness stating how much the award and recognition meant to them. Senator Ruston described the roundtable as “a great opportunity to highlight the sustainable practices of Australia’s forest sector”. “It was an honour to join His Royal Highness to discuss the integral role of Australia’s native forests and plantations in providing a renewable source of timber, and the role trees can play in dealing with international issues, such as climate change,” Minister Ruston said. “The roundtable meeting was an important opportunity to renew Australia’s commitment to a high-tech, carbon positive, renewable forestry future.

“The Prince of Wales has been a passionate advocate of sustainable forest management and how it can help solve economic, social and environmental issues facing the world. “Australia stands resolute to meet these growing challenges.

ties for expansion of both indigenous and farm forestry.” Minister Ruston said the Coalition Government was committed to delivering a new forestry future for Australia underpinned by an integrated and sustainable landscape approach to the management of all our forest resources.

ZDNLQJ XS WR WKH EHQH¿WV forests bring to all people in terms of clean water, recreation, carbon sequestration, biodiversity and general wellbeing,” said Mr Treadwell. “I was very pleased Alfred, one of our future foresters, was invited to attend. Alfred is only 24 and at the beginning of his forestry career; this was a great honour “The roundtable meeting was an for him, but also highlighted important opportunity to renew the importance of future Australia’s commitment to a high-tech, sustainability to His Royal Highness.” carbon positive, renewable forestry Mr Duval said the visit was inspiring and had strengthfuture” ened his resolve to promote IRUHVWV DQG DOO WKH EHQH¿WV “It was incredibly generous NZ presence they bring to all people. He of His Royal Highness to join “We discussed New Zea- understands, as the inauguus to discuss Australia’s place land’s place in world forestry ral winner of the Prince of at the forefront of global sus- and the goal of planting 1bil- Wales Sustainability Cup, tainable forestry practises. lion trees over 10 years,” Mr that he has a responsibility to “Not only does the Austral- Treadwell said. deliver a new forestry future ian domestic timber industry “His Royal Highness has for New Zealand, which is support many of our regional EHHQ SURPRWLQJ WKH EHQH¿WV underpinned by sustainable communities, it has the po- of forests for decades and practices and an integrated tential to provide opportuni- most people are only just approach to land use.

Postal Address: 630 Regency Road, Broadview South Australia 5083 Phone: (08) 8369 9555 Fax: (08) 8369 9501 Melbourne Office: Suite 2262, 442 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122 Phone: (03) 9810 3262 Website www.timberbiz.com.au Printed by Lane Print, Adelaide, SA Conditions The opinions expressed in Australian Forests & Timber News are not necessarily the opinions of or endorsed by the editor or publisher unless otherwise stated. All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. All material in Australian Forests & Timber News copyright © Ryan Media. All rights reserved. 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. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, the published will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published.

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Ŷ Rob de Fegely (Co-Chair Forest Industry Advisory Council, Vice-President of the Institute of Foresters of Australia, Chairman of Sustainable Timber Tasmania, Director Margules Groome Consulting, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Anne Ruston.

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

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In the news

Practical, pragmatic policies must be adopted to further the interests of forestry industry From Senator Anne Ruston Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources

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n Sunday 8 April 2018, Queensland’s stunning Mossman Gorge was the venue for an historic forestry roundtable meeting with His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales. The event was hosted by the Institute of Foresters of Australia and I was joined by my Queensland counterpart, the Hon. Mark Furner MP, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Rob de Fegely,

Vice-President of Institute of Foresters Australia, as well as a number of other important guests. The roundtable was a great opportunity to highlight the sustainable practices of Australia’s domestic forest sector, while the eyes of the world were on our nation. Australia is ranked as the seventh most forested country in the world, with approximately 122.6 million hectares of native forest and 1.9 million hectares of plantation

forest. On a per capita basis, Australia is ranked third in the world. The vast majority of Australians understand the importance of the sustainable management of our forests. They understand that high quality appearance grade timbers come from our sustainably managed forests, whether it be of a piece of beautiful blackwood furniture for the lounge room, or a knock-out set mountain ash or rose gum ÀRRU ERDUGV

Not only does the Australian domestic timber industry support many of our regional communities, it has the potential to provide opportunities for expansion of both indigenous and farm forestry. It was an honour to join His Royal Highness to discuss the integral role of Australia’s native forests and plantations in providing a renewable source of timber, and the role trees can play in dealing with international issues, such as our changing climate.

The Australian Government remains steadfast in our commitment to the sector. Practical, pragmatic policies must be adopted to further the interests of the industry. The Australian Government is committed to delivering a new forestry future for Australia – high-tech, carbon positive and renewable – based on an integrated and sustainable landscape approach to the management of our native and plantation forest resources.

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Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

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In the news

VicForests urges continued discussions over Mirboo North

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icForests said it respects the sentiments of South Gippsland Shire Council, which voted against native timber harvesting in Mirboo North, but has urged the Council and the community to continue talking with it. “There are further possibilities that could be explored together in constructive talks before harvesting is scheduled. VicForests’ door remains open,” said Alex Messina, VicForests General Manager Corporate Affairs. “While we accept some community opposition will persist, we also believe strongly that good faith and productive engagement produces respectful outcomes for all interests,” Mr Messina said. The Victorian Government allows harvesting in 6% of public forests. In any year, VicForests harvests about 0.04% – nominally equiva-

lent to four trees in 10,000. VicForests is a key contributor to regional and Gippsland economies generating about 2500 jobs and $570m of annual economic activity for regional Victoria. “We do this harvesting

“We believe strongly that good faith and productive engagement produces respectful outcomes for all interests” sustainably, creating jobs and incomes for many Gippslanders whose livelihoods and families rely on our industry,” Mr Messina said. The State’s timber industry peak body, the Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) , supports VicForests’ planned operations.

VAFI dinner a premier pre-election event The Victorian Association of Forest Industries Annual Dinner will be held on 19 October at the RACV Club, Melbourne. One of the premier events for the state’s forest and wood Ŷ Tim Johnston. products industry - and of particular significance with 2018 being a state election year -- the dinner brings together industry leaders from the forest and wood products sector, covering plantation managers, processors, sawmillers, contractors, and pulp and paper producers. VAFI CEO Tim Johnston said that the dinner was a once-ayear opportunity for the industry to come together. “Because our industry is geographically spread throughout the state, this event is a great opportunity for industry participants to network and speak to the many Government and Opposition MPs who attend,” said Mr Johnston. “Being five weeks prior to election day, this is the final opportunity for the state’s political parties to promote their policies to our industry, so this should make for an interesting night. “We have had a diverse and entertaining range of speakers in past years, and 2018 will be no exception.” Tickets will be available for purchase from VAFI from July. For further information contact VAFI on 9611 9000 or info@vafi.org.au

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“With less than 0.04% of Victoria’s state forests currently being harvested and regenerated each year, this is a sustainable industry supporting regional jobs in harvest, haulage and processing, especially in Gippsland,” Tim Johnston, VAFI CEO said. “Many of our members use the quality hardwood harvested from state forests to process into sought-after appearance grade furniture along with timber for use in home-building. “We support VicForests’ plan for harvesting, recognising that changes have already been made to harvesting areas in response to community concerns. “Timber harvesting and tourism have co-existed for many years in Victoria, including in many small regional communities and we look forward to this continuing,” Mr Johnston said.

Background On 28 March the South Gippsland Shire Council voted 1 for and 7 against native timber harvesting in Mirboo North. There are three areas available to be harvested for timber in Mirboo North that have been on the VicForests Timber Release Plan (TRP) since 2011. Every year VicForests holds a community consultation period that lists any areas that have been added to or removed from its TRP after successfully regrowing. VicForests commenced meeting with the Mirboo North community in August 2017 to talk about its plans to harvest up to 50 hectares of timber from State forest near the town. VicForests has met with the community on a number of occasions and has been communicating regularly via email and phone. The town hall meeting VicForests attended in September 2017 attracted around 300 local residents and gave VicForests the opportunity to discuss its plans and how

to incorporate community feedback into its planning process. The meeting in September was organised in order to give VicForests an idea of what things are most important to the community in the areas planned for harvest and how VicForests can work together to develop plans that balance the competing needs of all of its stakeholders. As a result of these meetings, VicForests has amended its plans and added in extra buffers to ensure the Lyrebird Walk will not be affected by timber harvesting operations. VicForests undertakes a multi-layered forest management planning process prior to any timber harvesting operation that takes into consideration a range of issues relating to the community, environment, government, economy and timber industry. Timber harvesting operations will not commence in Mirboo North until sometime after Autumn 2019.

Komatsu Forest acquires Oryx Simulations The two companies share a long history. During the 1990s a project was started by Komatsu Forest and Umeå University that was the starting point for Oryx Simulations. During the years Komatsu Forest has been a customer to the company. Today, Komatsu Forest sells simulators, developed by Oryx Simulations, all over the world. “Oryx Simulations is a very interesting company that we have had the opportunity to follow closely as a customer. They are a cutting-edge technology company in their industry and the simulators they develop have received very good response among their users due to their high fidelity and lifelike graphics. Training is significantly facilitated by these simulators and we see that Oryx Simulations has a great potential

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

for further growth”, says Annelie Persson, Press Officer Komatsu Forest. After the acquisition Oryx Simulations will continue their business as usual as an independent company and customers will not experience any changes. Both companies consider it a very important part of the acquisition that Oryx Simulations maintains its independence and integrity for continued trust among its customers. “It’s an honour to get this confirmation by a major customer, that they are paying attention to our technology and want to own us,” Rami Morssy, CEO Oryx Simulations says. “It is also very positive that Komatsu Forest cares that we increase growth and keep our independence and business as usual.

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In the news

Inaugural awards collaborate and celebrate Green Triangle timber industry Awards Dinner to be held at The Barn, Mount Gambier, on Friday 26 October

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ollective support is evident for the new initiative hitting the timber industry this year as a keen group of industry representatives get together under the auspice of the Green Triangle Timber Awards Committee (GTTIA) to manage the implementation of an awards event for the greater industry. Last year OneFortyOne Plantations held their first Safety Awards recognising leaders, companies and the initiatives, of those that work alongside them in the industry. The event was such a success that they felt passionately about rolling it out across Victoria and South Australia. The Green Triangle is home to Australia’s largest collective plantation and timber processing industry, contributing significantly to Victoria and South Australia, generating more than $778 million Gross Regional Product annually. In excess of 355,000 hectares of softwood and hardwood plantations produce timber for local manufacturing, national and export markets. The industry underpins some 8,500 regional jobs and provides a valuable foundation for businesses and investors.

Multiple benefits The inaugural awards campaign will benefit the region’s timber industry in several exciting ways. Chair of the GTTIA Committee, Adrian Flowers said: “The awards will enable us to attract skilled employees to the region as valued industry players and will up skill and lift the standards of the workforce here. It also provides an opportunity for the Green Triangle’s timber industry to celebrate its skilled professionals and unite industry players.” Six months ago, the GTTIA Committee put forward a proposal to replicate a similar format to the Eastland Wood Council Forestry Awards held in Gisborne, New Zealand; which is now into its ninth year. The event held in Gisborne each year has grown from 200 guests at the inaugural event up to 500 guests at the Awards last year. Similar awards take place in several other regions around New Zealand. The intention over the next few months is for event manager, Prue Younger from Public Impressions Ltd, to seek support and sponsorship from the industry in the Green Triangle region and build on this as www.timberbiz.com.au

a strong base. Sponsors are an integral part of this growth opportunity, to lift the profile of the industry, to be inclusive in taking the industry forward and to be the catalyst of the development and management of the Green Triangle Timber Industry Awards. Nominations will open 4 June 2018 and the nomination process will give opportunity for individuals, contractors and timber companies to put forth their applications to be recognised across a selection of categories. These categories will feature nominees who demonstrate excellence beyond best practice, a high quality of work output and evidenced ongoing training. They must also comply with environmental and health & safety practices and show good character. Forestry, roading, harvesting, distribution and wood processing will all be represented across the categories. Trophies are up for company and individual awards and initiatives for outstanding health & safety, regional and environmental impact. This will culminate post-judging to the Awards Dinner to be held at The Barn, Mount Gambier, on Friday 26 October 2018 with a guest master of ceremonies yet to be announced. Tickets to the event will be promoted in June with an expected attendance of up to 500 industry guests. “With plenty of time ahead of us to promote this event to the industry, the opportunity to manage this Awards well, get plenty of industry involved and to ensure nominations will be submitted, is a wonderful advantage to ensuring the Award Campaign’s success,” said Ms Younger. What is exciting is that there are many opportunities for further investment, greater production and diversification and further value adding to existing timber processing activities in the Green Triangle timber industry, with ready access to a strong and dynamic Australian market within a stable business environment. “We look forward to having our industry involved with this event and as we promote the sponsorship over the next few months, we know from experience those that get in first are always reluctant to drop their status as an inaugural sponsor,” said Adrian.

Key Dates

GTTIA Committee Members: Adrian Flowers - Tabeel Trading Nominees

April – May

Pty Ltd (Chair), Emma-Kate Grif-

Sponsorship Campaign

fiths – OneFortyOne Plantations Pty Ltd, Marcel Griffiths – OneFortyOne

4 June

Plantations PTY Ltd, David Whea-

Nominations Open

ton – Regional Development Australia

3 August

Limestone Coast, Sharon Freyer –

Nominations Close

QUBE Ports, Roland Freyer – South West Fibre Pty Ltd, Tammy Whitehead

September

– Glenara Transport Pty Ltd, Phillip

Judging Process

Dohnt – L.V.Dohnt & Co Pty Ltd, Greg

26 October

Kenny – Borg Manufacturing, Peta

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In the news

Ŷ White Cypress.

Ŷ Jacki Schirmer.

Forest industry adds $731 million to the Queensland economy: new report

O

ver 70% of forest industry businesses reported difficulty recruiting heavy machinery operators, people with skills in occupational health and safety training and those able to operate hand-held machinery such as chainsaws. The forest industry contributed $685 million to the Queensland (QLD) economy in direct sales alone last financial year, increasing to a total of $1.624 billion once flow-on effects in other industries are included. This led to a total contribution to gross regional product (the regional equivalent of GDP) of $731 million. That was among the key findings of a new industry snapshot funded by Forest & Wood Products Australia and conducted by the University of Canberra in conjunction with consultancy EconSearch, a division of BDO.

In terms of jobs, the QLD forestry industry generated over 8,400 direct jobs including almost 3,300 in forest growing and initial processing, and over 5,100 in secondary processing. The plantations of southern pine generate the largest number of jobs (1,666 in growing and initial processing), followed by timber harvested from native eucalypt forests (691 jobs), Araucaria plantations (608 jobs) and native cypress forests (207 jobs) – showing the QLD forest industry draws on timber from a range of sources. Secondary processing All these areas also generate further jobs in ‘secondary processing’ of initial timber products into further products, with imported timbers also used in the secondary processing sector. The industry is an important contributor to the economy in several regional

communities, and contributes to diversification of the economy in many regions. While most jobs - 5,167 are in the South East region that includes Brisbane, 1,837 were generated in the Wide Bay Burnett region, 919 in the Southern region, 393 in the Central region, and 577 in the North region. The Local Government Area with the highest dependence on the forest industry for employment was Gympie, with 4.6% of jobs directly dependent on forestry. While ABS Census data shows a 40.7% decline in total employment in the forest industry between 2006 and 2016, reflecting both increasing productivity in some parts of the industry and overall decline in size of other parts, this overall trend masks some differing trends within different industry sectors.

For example, between 2011- 2016, there was growth of 9.5% in employment in jobs involving establishing, managing and harvesting forests and plantations. QLD forest industry workers are slightly less likely than those in other industries to earn lower incomes (less than $600 per week), largely due to the higher rates of full-time work, but also less likely to earn high incomes (above $1,250 per week). In addition, 3% of the industry’s workforce identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, slightly higher than the 2% amongst QLD workers more generally. Over 70 per cent of forest industry businesses reported difficulty recruiting heavy machinery operators, people with skills in occupational health and safety training and those able to operate hand-held machinery such as chainsaws.

Still hopeful

Lead researcher Associate Professor Jacki Schirmer said that businesses remain hopeful. “A little less than half surveyed (45%) felt demand would remain the same, and the remaining businesses (55%) felt that demand would grow over the next 12 months. “That said, obtaining labour, the increasing cost of labour, government regulations and rising input costs are still big challenges for many businesses. “It is important to remember that the majority of forestry jobs are generated by the processing sector, as is the maMRULW\ RI WKH LQGXVWU\¶V ÀRZ RQ economic impact. This highlights the importance of local SURFHVVLQJ RI ZRRG DQG ¿EUH for generation of jobs.” Dr Schirmer thanked the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for their support in the project.

Ŷ Hoop pine. 8

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

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AFCA

Getting to know your AFCA Board members Profile: Ricky Leeson

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icky Leeson is General Manager and Director of Leeson’s Logging and Cartage, which is based in Rosedale (two hours east of Melbourne) and contracts to HVP, Midway and Australian Paper. Ricky is a third generation logging contractor who manages the day-to-day operations along with his sister, Anita Wilson, who is a fellow 'LUHFWRU DQG 2+ 6 RI¿FHU This is the third in a series focusing on AFCA’s Board members:-

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When did your connection to the forestry industry start?

I started in the industry while still at school, going out and driving machines or cleaning the workshop during school holidays. After the completion of VCE I went to Melbourne for 2 years to further my studies. At the end of that 2 years I wanted to come home and really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. Dad had a job going driving the fuel truck delivering fuel to all the machines out in the bush. It

was actually a good way to get started as I met all the operators and learnt the roading network. From that I went into harvesters, forwarders, truck GULYLQJ DQG ÀRDW ZRUN ,Q hindsight I should have done a mechanical apprenticeship ... but that’s life! The industry has always been an integral part of our life; early starts, late nights and weekends have always seemed the normal and something that just stays with you. When I was younger I wasn’t

that interested, and I think it’s because of driving the machines during school holidays but after 2 years away I came back to it and haven’t regretted it since.

What has been your driving force to remain in the industry? My reason for staying in the industry is that I love it. I love getting up to go to work each day and see what challenges it brings. I am supported by good manag-

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

ers around me which makes my job easier. We also have a good group of stable employees that make it easier to go to work. It is also great to be involved in something that has been a part of our family for so long that I wouldn’t know what else to do. I have been with the company for over 20 years now. It is also setting it up for the next generation Continued on Page 10

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AFCA

Getting to know your AFCA Board members Profile: Ricky Leeson Continued from Page 9

to come through. There are 8 grandchildren that will all have an opportunity to come into the business. Not a right but an opportunity and to make sure the business is viable for them --that’s a driving factor.

What was your progression through the work ranks (first task to current)? I started in the fuel truck delivering fuel to all the operations we had in the Gippsland area. I did this for 12 months along with chain repairs, saw bar maintenance and hydraulic hoses. I then moved into operating. First in a harvester then onto a forwarder. From there I moved into truck driving. Started driving a single trailer truck then moved into a B double then RQWR WKH ÀRDW ZRUN 7KLV JDYH me a good grounding for all aspects of the job. After that I moved into looking after coupes. This was under the guidance of Trevor Work and Rod Kenny. Along with looking after coupes came running/coordinating the trucks and dealing with driver issues. In 2006 my wife Leah and I

moved to Grafton in Northern NSW to manage a contract for NSW Forest. We had 4 machines with me driving 1 and running the job including the maintenance and supervision. This gave me an opportunity to run a job on my own and understand the pressures involved with working remotely from our Gippsland base. I moved back to Gippsland and I began managing the bush operation and transport business Pine Freighters under Dad’s guidance. This was for a couple of years. Then Dad moved into retirement mode and I took over the managing the businesses and have been for the last 5 years. As I said we have good managers and good people in all aspects of our business.

Where do you think the industry is heading? I think the industry is heading in a positive way, but we need more help from government. There will become a higher demand for plantation timber, but we are not planting more. This is due to the Greens city vote with restrictions on sustainable Native

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Logging. We had the Victorian Government promise money for plantation in our local area 8-12 months ago but haven’t heard another thing about that since that day. We also need to have a better system for training within our industry. Currently it is left to contractors to train operators and drivers in both silviculture and harvesting.

What are some challenges contractors face? I think our biggest challenges are dealing with all the legislative compliance that is coming and a skilled workforce. Anita, ZKR LV WKH 2+ 6 RI¿FHU ZDV 3 days a week 3 years ago and is now 5 days full time and still has trouble keeping up with all the changes. Safety to our people is a top priority for us. We need better resources available and landowners working with us to provide whole industry solutions not just individualize themselves as the work we do is very similar. This is where Stacey the AFCA GM has been great in getting into key roles in some whole industry changes that I don’t think contractors really value but they should.

Top 3 issues you wish you could change Ŷ Skilled personnel and the training for them/OH&S issues. Ŷ Landowners understanding

I think as a contracting group we are as advanced as anywhere in the world with the equipment we use. We are in front of a lot of countries with safety and industry regulation which I think is a great thing. We can still learn more from some of the European countries on bio fuel and getting recovery from the trees.

ÀXHQFH GHFLVLRQV DQG FDQ EH stuck with legislation or regulations that we cannot use on the ground. Some contractors don’t realise how much work AFCA does for them behind the scenes. We need to have a strong association so we have that voice. We need contractors to get behind the association with memberships and getting on the board as a volunteer. I joined the board in November 2016. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to go to different parts of Australia and talk with contractors about the problems they face. Also see how different areas are handling steeper conditions. Dad was an original member of the board when it started and has always held a high belief in the Association. I wasn’t as convinced in it until I become involved. Now I am all for it. I just didn’t realise what and how much they do for the contracting group.

Why is AFCA’s work important?

What is the importance of a strong association?

I think with Stacey as our GM we have gotten involved in more decisions at government levels with the contractors having a voice at these tables. We are even leading some of these things like the Log Haulage Code of Forest Practices. If we didn’t have AFCA, then we don’t have that voice to in-

We also have the responsibility of AUSTimber 2020. This is one of the best industry shows in the whole world and for the Association to run that is a great thing. It’s a show for the contractors. Become a member and see the association lead the industry in Australia.

of the financial and personal commitment from contractors Ŷ Shortage of plantations/Bio fuel

What is working well? We as an industry group are working well. We are getting a better reputation out there in the public. The change in focus from all levels to safety over production is an advancement for the industry in making sure our people get home every night.

How do you compare internationally?

Safety first for forestry team Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers (KIPT) has implemented a new safety system for its forestry services team. Long-serving employees Stephen Connell (team manager) and Barry Budarick were joined for the day by the company’s newest employees Brian Stewart and Claire Lillington, at the company’s Kingscote office. KIPT Director of Operations Graham Holdaway conducted the training with Safety Manager Allie Zubizarreta and consultant Robin Holmes. “Forestry is an industry with specific safety issues and we are implementing new systems to ensure the safety of our workers and others who may be visiting work sites. It is a good time to do this, as we bring on new employees and plan for an expanded workforce,” Mr Holdaway said. Part of the new regime includes an emergency contact system for those working in isolation, which monitors the location of employees via satellite and requires them to check in at regular intervals. The system also allows them to summon help if needed. Forestry contract company PF Olsen also used the KIPT Kingscote office recently for a Zero Harm training day for employees and contractors, raising the awareness of substance abuse and fatigue as factors in workplace safety.

PO Box 870 Willoughby NSW 2068

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

Ŷ (l-r) Robin Holmes, Barry Budarick, Brian Stewart, Allie Zubizarreta, Graham Holdaway, Stephen Connell, Claire Lillington. www.timberbiz.com.au

AUSTimber 2020

AUSTimber plants a new seed for future prosperity By Mandy Parry-Jones

P

rosperity emanating from AUSTimber is not just for the Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA), not just for the forest contractors, and not just for the forestry and timber industry. It goes so much further than that. It was so obvious at the launch of AUSTimber2020 that the future of Gippsland is also at stake. On 26 March 2018, a rather large group of people headed out into the HVP plantation just outside Traralgon. It was a cold and blustery day for a launch. It was also two years out from the next AUSTimber and two years from the previous event held at the very spot where we stood huddled in a marquee. AFCA chair and Queenslander Adan Taylor shivered in the cold snap as he welcomed guests from Latrobe City Council; mayor Darrell White and councillors from Latrobe and also from Wellington Shire Council, as well as politicians Melina Bath Member for Eastern Victoria and Russell Northe Member for Morwell. A quick look back at AUSTimber2016 reminded us that 7000 people attended in 2016 www.timberbiz.com.au

and the event generated $8 million for local and regional economies – economies that are struggling, economies that are reeling from the shock of widespread job losses, economies struggling with the State’s worst youth unemployPHQW ÂżJXUHV “AUSTimber2020 is a real opportunity for the whole of industry to showcase the best IRUHVW ÂżEUH DQG ZRRG SURGucts industry has to offer,â€? Mr Taylor said. “It also gives the general public a rare chance to learn about how our industry works and to see the opportunities it presents for regional businesses and communities.â€? The 2020 event promises to have greater involvement from HVP Plantations, both councils and from Australian Paper which is located in Maryvale not far from the event, and also from VicForests.

the show was split between the HVP plantation and the Traralgon Showgrounds, with the showgrounds not attracting the numbers that the plantation event did. $QRWKHU VLJQLÂżFDQW FKDQJH is that the site layout will be moved around and there will be more space for exhibitors and demonstrations, along with a central hub for food and IT exhibitors, as well as a kids’ area to engage with the younger generation. “We are going to direct trafÂżF LQ WKH RSSRVLWH GLUHFWLRQ from last time and we will try WR GLUHFW WUDIÂżF WR XS WKH EDFN end of the site where is there is chipping and haulage exhibitors,â€? Mr Taylor said. The new site layout is the result of the AFCA team having travelled to ElmiaWood, the international forestry fair held in Sweden, and to Canada so they could see what works Important changes and what’s doesn’t work. “One of the things I’ve Other changes have been made to the 2020 event, im- noticed about some of the portant changes that came overseas shows is attracting about according to Mr Taylor exhibitors from outside of our as a result of listening to feed- direct industry, so that’s goback from the 2016 exhibitors ing to be a focus of our planning team,â€? Mr Taylor said. and visitors. The week-long format will “Obviously, our industry has remain but there will be great- suppliers but think outside the HU RSWLRQV WR DWWHQG ÂżHOG WULSV ER[ OLNH KXQWLQJ DQG ÂżVKLQJ and the expo may be extended wholesalers - because a lot out to two and a half days. Per- of our people are in regional haps one of the best things is areas and we want to engage WKDW DSDUW IURP ÂżHOG WULSV WKLV their interests.â€? time all the events will be held at one site. At the 2016 event Continued on Page 12 Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

“AUSTimber2020 is a real opportunity for the whole of industry to showcase the best forest, ďŹ bre and wood products industry has to offer,â€? Mr Taylor said. “It also gives the general public a rare chance to learn about how our industry works and to see the opportunities it presents for regional businesses and communities.â€?

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11

AUSTimber 2020

AUSTimber plants a new seed for future prosperity Continued from Page 11

Strong support Already Komatsu Forest, Waratah, Tigercat, OneTrak, Randalls Equipment Company, Elphinstone, Kennedy Trailers, Finlays, Trelleborg and Forest Centre have committed to be sponsors of the event, and two years out more than 10 sites have been prebooked. This time we’ll have space for 120 exhibitors which is more than we had last time,” Mr Taylor added. Latrobe City Council and Wellington Shire Council are behind AUSTimber2020 not surprisingly with local councillor for Wellington Shire Council, Malcolm Hole also holding the position of National Vice President of Timber Councils Australia. He remarked on the effect that AUSTimber has on the community, he too cited that the event in 2016 brought

more than $8 million to the economy saying it was a sigQL¿FDQW DPRXQW ZKHQ \RX DUH trying to create jobs, and not just in the timber industry. “From a local government perspective, we want to see jobs created for our youth, strengthening our small towns,” Cr Hole said. Councillor Hole also spoke of the support that the local councils have in return provided to the timber industry with the Wood First Policy. “We introduced the Wood First Policy, that was Latrobe Shire ... it means that any council work that has to be done, timber has to be in the forefront of any building and any design,” he said. “And we are succeeding with that because after Latrobe introduced it Wellington took it up. There’s now 15 councils around Australia currently with it. The Tasmanian Government has adopted it; Planet Ark has adopted it and currently the West Australian Government is perusing it.” Councillor and mayor of Latrobe City Council Dar-

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Ŷ L - R: Cr Ripper, Wellington Shire Council; Ms Bath, Member for Eastern Gippsland; Mr Taylor, AFCA Chairman; Cr Hole WSC, Mayor White Latrobe City Council; Cr Gibson, Latrobe City Council, Mr Gatt, HVP Plantations; Mr Northe, Member for Morwell.

rell White said that leveraging off AUSTimber2016, Latrobe Council is looking forward to supporting AFCA and other key stakeholders including its neighbouring municipality of Wellington Shire in order to deliver the largest timber expo in the southern hemisphere. “We are committed to supporting the timber and wood industries in our region and WKLV HYHQW LV D WDQJLEOH UHÀHFtion of that support,” he said. He too referred to the Wood First Policy. “It’s worth mentioning the JRDOV RI WKH SROLF\ LGHQWL¿HG were to stimulate sustainable economic development within the Gippsland timber and wood products industry and encourage value added products in the timber industry, and to encourage the use of wood LQ FRQVWUXFWLRQ DQG WKH ¿W RXW of council buildings and infrastructure, and to recognise all WKH EHQH¿WV WKDW PDNH ZRRG D smart choice,” he said.

“We know there is an opportunity for us to host a further AUSTimber event in 2024 which would also add to our solid reputation as a leading regional event destination and timber hub. “This AUSTimber event is very important to us as it provides the Latrobe City and the Greater Gippsand region a chance to showcase our diversity and deliver opportunities both nationally and internationally to reinforce our solid reputation ... for us it also about creating that diversity of job mix - chances for younger people for employment.” Mayor White said that his council was committed to supporting the timber and wood industries in the region and this event was a tangible UHÀHFWLRQ RI WKDW VXSSRUW +H said that by hosting the event in 2016 it brought exhibitors and experts from all over Australasia to the region and connected industry to community through demonstrations and Unique site activities, generating a signif“This event is perfectly icant local economic boost. suited to the Latrobe valley The council looks forward to with its unique and abundant hosting again in 2020. As a sign of what is to come natural resources, and industry that provides softwood, value with AUSTimber2020 everyadded hardwood and paper one invited to the launch at products with an estimated the HVP plantation was inHFRQRPLF EHQH¿W LQ H[FHVV RI vited to plant their own seed $29 million dollars to our re- for prosperity in the form of a seedling tree. gional economy in 2016. “We’re emphasizing the “AUSTimber2020 will again provide a tremendous sustainability of our indusboost to our communities with try so we’ve gone a different the creation of many econom- tack. Today we’re going to ic and employment opportu- have the opportunity to plant nities now and for the future, a seedling to mark the launch not only for the local econo- return in two years to see how my but for the wider region your seedling is going,” Mr Taylor said. of Victoria.

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

The seedlings were provided by HVP plantations, each was part of 8 million grown at HVP’s Gelliondale Nursery near Yarram in South Gipplsand. HVP plants 3000 hectares of trees every year with around 3.6 million plants per year. The company supplies timber for paper manufacturing, sawn timber, panel board and treated round wood with 3 million tonnes of softwood - pine, and 300,000 tonnes of hardwood eucalyptus. HVP’s Gelliondale Nursery is one of a number of local sites proposed for the ¿HOG WULSV ZKLFK IRUP SDUW of AUSTimber2020’s weeklong activities.

Tree growing display “The seedlings planted today are part of the tree growing display at the 2020 Expo which will demonstrate the life cycle of trees from seedling, show annual growth from 2016 – 2020 through to harvesting and its end products such as Australian Paper,” Mr Taylor said. The AUSTimber launch coincided with Australian Paper’s Maryvale Mill Open Day which celebrated 80 years of pulp and paper production the day before. Both events show the strength and importance of the timber industry to the region. The industry is a vital industry for regional Victoria and directly employs more than 21,000 workers, it indirectly supports another 40,000 to 50,000 jobs, providing a sustainable future for suburban, rural and regional communities across Victoria. www.timberbiz.com.au

AUSTimber 2020

Who’s running the show The Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) has appointed new AUSTimber2020 event coordinators. Business partners Brooke Adams and Kristen Smith were appointed to the role of Event Coordinator. Both were at the AUSTimber2020 launch and organized the event. Brooke and Kristen have a combined 30 years’ experience in the events industry having each worked with high-profile non-profit organsations, they have extensive experience coordinating a diverse range of national and international events.

“We are excited to have engaged an experienced events team with great enthusiasm and ideas and I look forward to working with them to grow AUSTimber2020. They have hit the ground running,” Stacey Gardiner, General Manager, Australian Forest Contractors Association said.

Contact Details for AUSTimber Coordinators: Brooke Adams & Kristen Smith Email: austimber2020@afca.asn.au Phone: +61 3 9111 2366.

Davey www.timberbiz.com.au

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

13

In the news

Need for strong connections between secondary colleges, secondary schools and the timber industry Melina Bath MP on the future for forestry in Gippsland By Mandy Parry-Jones

Latrobe City at 15.6% - it has dropped but that’s a whopping ies, damn lies and great number of unemployed then there’s statistics people. Some towns fare better but – that’s the old saying and it’s especially true in what doesn’t show any promGippsland, Victoria, where the ise is youth unemployment recent spin is that there’s a re- which remains at around 19% for 15-19 year olds an increase vival in employment hope. Recent Small Area Labour over 2017 which was 14.5%. 0DUNHW ¿JXUHV SURGXFHG E\ WKH The council expects this to Federal Government showed a climb even higher to around drop in Latrobe City’s unem- 21% this year. That’s a lot of ployment rate since Hazel- young, high spirited bored wood closed. That’s a bit like teenagers. It doesn’t take a saying it’s great that the shark maths genius to work out only bit off the leg below your what that means for the area knee. Because the town-by- but maybe it will take a maths town breakdown of unemploy- teacher to make it better. Melina Bath, National Party ment in the region reveals that Morwell continues to have the Member for the Eastern Rehighest unemployment rate in gion, is just that, an ex-math-

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ematics coordinator from Mirboo North Secondary College who is now based in Traralgon. She is a born and bred Gippslander which means she has lived in the area all her life and understands the culture, the industry and the soul of Gippsland. As a teacher, she also understands the need to strike hard at youth unemployment and sees forestry as a long term sustainable industry that is perfect for her region.

Huge potential “In central Gippsland and Gipplsland in general there’s such potential to grow the forestry industry. We have thousands of acres that are under

plantation timber and we also have natural timber,” said Ms Bath. “So, what I see is there needs to be really strong connections between our secondary colleges, our secondary schools and the timber industry.” However, forestry isn’t a highly attractive industry in today’s terms – there’s little glitz and glamour to it but there is a wealth of different jobs associated with it that are not immediately apparent to young school leavers. Perhaps there’s even a perception of it as a saw and axe industry rather than the sophisticated and high tech industry it has become.

Ms Bath said that building a link between the students and potential employers in the forestry industry in Gippsland is the way forward. “That’s a really important link and I think it’s been demonstrated where the Gippsland timber hub primarily driven through HVP plantations established an open day - a hub day - with Yarrum Secondary College and the students really got to interact and see where the career futures are,” she said.

Vital AUSTimber role Ms Bath was at the AUSTimber launch in March held in HVP’s plantation just outside Traralgon and believes

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Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

www.timberbiz.com.au

In the news

No real commitment

Ŷ HVP Plantation site. Unemployment Rate, February 2003 - February 2018 (15+) (%) 8

7

6

5

Date

Unemployment Rate (%)

February 2003

7.4

February 2004

6.6

February 2005

6.9

February 2006

7.3

February 2007

4.7

February 2008

5.8

February 2009

4.3

February 2010

4.9

February 2011

5.6

February 2012

4.6

February 2013

5.1

February 2014

5.4

4 February 2018

February 2017

February 2016

February 2015

February 2014

February 2013

February 2012

February 2011

February 2010

February 2009

February 2008

February 2007

February 2006

February 2005

February 2004

www.timberbiz.com.au

Ŷ Melina Bath .... planting for the future.

February 2003

“But what we’ve seen from the current Labor Government in the state system is that they designated 12 months ago - they came out with a commitment to fund $110M to improve timber plantations but what I’ve seen is that money hasn’t been spent... all we’ve seen is a media release but we really haven’t substantial commitment.” As Ms Bath said, trees take a lag time of about 30 years to be harvested so we need to see more trees in the ground in order to see the future, and that money from the Labor Government was to be directed towards growth in the plantation industry. Labor does seem to be stuck between a log and hard place with its traditional origin of being the working man’s party and its newer precept of siding with the Greens. This makes it hard to work with any fervor in an area like Gippsland forestry where to make more jobs it would eschew the Greens’ notion forestry as a no-go zone. “In our hardwood industry across Victoria we are one of the strictest regimes; we have the highest quality assurance but also ecological rating this is really important to produce sustainable timber,” said Ms Bath. “I think that government still needs to work with this industry. A lot of our small towns have always been run on timber harvesting and we need it in a sustainable way,

so there needs to be an understanding in those communities, and often it’s those communities that understand – it’s central Melbourne that doesn’t understand. “I’d like the coalition to get back in and provide more opportunities for long term sustainability. “The Nationals certainly have a good relationship with the (forestry) companies because we often live in our towns, we live in Gippsland and we understand the people who live there and work in those mills, in that industry. “We cannot shut it down. It doesn’t make sense from an economical or an environmental, or in a small country town survival sense. “I was born and bred in South Gippsland … I love Gippsland I want it to have a future in the timber industry – ultimately, we don’t want to import rainforest timber ... we want sustainable timber.”

Unemployment Rate (%)

that events such as AUSTimber play a very important role in the region bringing an understanding of forestry to old and young alike, and forging that alliance between the industry and local people. “I think all people have a greater understanding by seeing the equipment used and being on the land and seeing the trees and having an understanding of the science, of the integrity of the industry,” she said. “It can’t help but create enthusiasm and interest. We certainly have to get our young people out there and interested.” Both Latrobe City Council and Wellington Shire Council have timber policies and both strongly support AUSTimber. “They (Wellington Shire &RXQFLO ZHUH RQH RI WKH ¿UVW in Victoria to have a timber SROLF\ DERXW XVLQJ WLPEHU ¿UVW and I can’t commend them enough,” Ms Bath said.

February 2015

5.2

February 2016

6.9

February 2017

7.8

February 2018

6.3

Ŷ Unemployment .... graphically speaking. Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

15

In the news

Open Letter to the Premier of Victoria Dear Premier: Re: We just want to know about the future of jobs, communities and the timber industry in regional Victoria When your Government became an owner of the +H\¿HOG PLOO WR SURWHFW ³ORFDO MREV DQG WKH IXWXUH RI WKH FRPPXQLW\´ ZH ZHUH UHOLHYHG

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Log harvesting contractors for Group of Six businesses across Victoria

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From the Group of Six (G6): )HQQLQJ 7LPEHUV 3W\ /WG RI %DLUQVGDOH 5\DQ 0F1XOW\ 3W\ /WG RI %HQDOOD 'LQGL 6DZPLOO 3W\ /WG RI 0XUULQGLQGL $ * %URZQ 6DZPLOO 3W\ /WG RI 'URXLQ :HVW .HOO\ÂśV 7LPEHU 3W\ /WG RI :HVEXUQ 3RZHOOWRZQ 6DZPLOOV 3W\ /WG RI 3RZHOOWRZQ The G6 came together because of its concerns about the negative impact government policy and actions are having on their businesses and the uncertainty this is creating for the workers and communities that they support.

16

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

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Focus on VicForests

Bringing Forestry back to the Community VicForests Employee Profile: Bill Paul

W

hile forestry has traditionally been centred in Victoria’s east, the low intensity operations in the west of the State present a unique and diverse forestry opportunity according to VicForests Regional Manager Community Forestry, Bill Paul. With one million cubic metres of timber produced every year, Gippsland and the Central Highlands comprise the undisputed heartland of the state’s forestry industry - but what the west lacks in volume, it makes up for in variety. Forty-thousand cubic metres of timber is produced annually through Community Forestry in the west of Victoria, and while the scale is sigQLÂżFDQWO\ VPDOOHU WKLV WLPEHU is sourced from a wide array of locations and supplied to more than double the number of customers than in the east of the State. “West Victoria’s smallscale, low-intensity forestry operations focus on producing high value specialty and durable timbers such as Red Gums from the Murray and west of the Grampians, Box Ironbark from around Bendigo, Blackwoods from the Otways and mixed species from the Midlands and Portland areas,â€? Mr. Paul said. “This timber is then supplied to local businesses where it is used in producing musical instruments and custom-made furniture, as well as serving the public’s need IRU WLPEHU DQG ÂżUHZRRG ´ Mr. Paul said. The primary obstacle in west Victoria is undoubt18

edly logistics. With VicForests’ Community Forestry operations in the west of the State spread over a large geographical area, the complexity of managing such a diYHUVH RSHUDWLRQ LV VLJQLÂżFDQW Formidable team “Some of our staff are based more than 500km apart, so as you can imagine, this can be extremely challenging from a management perspective. However, since Community Forestry was transferred from the Department of Environment and Primary Industries in 2014, we have managed to assemble a formidable team, who are eager to tend and grow our operations across west Victoria,â€? Mr. Paul said.

“Despite only learning about forestry in my ďŹ nal year at school, I immediately knew it was the career for me, so I embarked on a Forest Science course at Melbourne University and Creswick in the late 1980’s.â€? “The range of operations and stakeholders with whom we engage is undoubtedly a challenge, but our team’s diverse set of skills and expertise ensures we can deliver quality timber to happy customers, which is always satisfying.â€?

With more than 25 years of experience working in Victorian forestry, Mr. Paul was originally attracted to the industry thanks to a childhood love of the outdoors, camping and bushwalking. “Despite only learning about forestry in my final year at school, I immediately knew it was the career for me, so I embarked on a Forest Science course at Melbourne University and Creswick in the late 1980’s. Upon completion of my academic studies, I began life in forestry as a park officer and forester in the Strathbogie state forest in the early 1990s. “Following a number of years managing timber harvesting, roading and regeneration in ash forests in the Powelltown and Gippsland areas, I helped establish the VicForests organisation in my role with the Department of Primary Industries, and joined the new organisation in 2004,� Mr. Paul said. In his time with VicForests, Bill has also focused on health and safety in an effort to help the company move to a delivered sales model. Safety first “Safety is paramount at VicForests and it affects all the decisions we make. With the introduction of delivered sales, VicForests began de-

livering logs to timber mills directly, rather than selling them to purchasers ‘at the stump’. “This created a new safety liability for VicForests, as the risks associated with delivery logistics needed to be properly evaluated and managed before the transportation of timber could be integrated into the company’s normal operations. “Leading the development of a new safety management system led to significant cultural change across the organisation and is certainly a highlight of my career to date at VicForests,� Mr. Paul said. In recent years, the development of new technology has helped improve and streamline safety management across the organisation and is something Mr. Paul highlights as a game changer for the industry as a whole. “When I first began work in the Strathbogie state forest in the early 1990s, timber harvesting was carried out with a chainsaw and a bulldozer. When I moved to Powelltown, I was excited to see skidders and even an excavator with a cut-off saw to assist with the processing of logs. Now, virtually every operation is highly mechanised and while it is obvi-

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

ously expensive to purchase and maintain this equipment, it is undoubtedly much safer and much more efficient.� As the Forestry industry continues to change and adapt, it is the unique nature of Forestry, and the passion of its people, which has kept Mr. Paul interested and enthusiastic about the industry. “All the people I have worked with throughout my career have been passionate about their jobs and keen to care for the environment in which they work. We produce a renewable, sustainable, beautiful product and that makes forestry a precious sector to be in involved with,� he said. “Many of our members use the quality hardwood harvested from state forests to process into sought-after appearance grade furniture along with timber for use in home-building. “We support VicForests’ plan for harvesting, recognising that changes have already been made to harvesting areas in response to community concerns. “Timber harvesting and tourism have co-existed for many years in Victoria, including in many small regional communities and we look forward to this continuing,� Mr Johnston said. www.timberbiz.com.au

In the news

Taylers Timber raises the stakes

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or Taylers Timber in West Gippsland, 2017 was a bumper year in driving growth and jobs for the local region and meeting the strong growing demand for timber building products in Victoria. Last year, Taylers Timber provided 480,000 timber stakes to an almond plantation on the Murray River during a four-month period. Importantly, the mill was also able to employ 12 people for the life of the project. The project helped the business JURZ E\ ÂżYH SHU FHQW GXULQJ WKH \HDU further securing the jobs of the 10 permanent full time staff at the mill, all of whom are local to the Baw Baw Shire and Latrobe Valley. The 4,000 cubic metres of saw logs that go through the mill are used to create fence posts, rails, and gluts for steel production, while the lower grade timber is used for pallets. All the mill’s sawdust and woodchips waste go to dairy farms, chicken farms and horse stables. However, it is garden stakes that make up 50% of the mill’s production. Last year Taylers supplied 140,000 tree stakes for coal mine offset projects in Gunnedah, NSW, and one million tree guard stakes to help re-vegetate land beside highways and for other environmental projects. David Tayler of Taylers Timber said that demand for his mill’s timber products had been growing every year. “These large stakes projects, like the Murray and Gunnedah projects we completed last year, have really helped to grow our business. Since the late 1990s, when we started the business, the demand for our timber products has just kept increasing,â€? Mr Tayler said. “In the current economic climate, LW LV GLIÂżFXOW IRU D VPDOO UXUDO EXVLness to attract money in large volumes out of Melbourne to spend in the local community, but this busiwww.timberbiz.com.au

ness is doing just that.â€? Taylers Timber mill is supplied with timber by VicForests and the mill makes sure everything is used. “It is also a positive thought that by utilising low grade saw logs from VicForests, Taylers Timber can turn 15 trees into tree stakes that will plant 30,000 new trees. “ VicForests Commercial Timber Ĺś Taylers stakes as far as the eye can see. Manager, Bruce McTavish, said that supplying businesses like Taylers Timber results in positive outcomes for the local community. “VicForests is proud to be able to help support Taylers Timber and the Baw Baw shire community,â€? Mr McTavish said. “This is just one example of the value of the native timber industry in Victoria, and the growing demand for our quality timber products. “Not only is this growth good for the mill and VicForests, it also beneÂżWV 9LFWRULDÂśV UHJLRQDO FRPPXQLWLHV like Hill End and the Baw Baw shire. We’re pleased to be able to be part of this good news story,â€? Mr McTavish said. It’s interesting to note that the native timber industry in Victoria supports more than 2,500 direct jobs and many more downstream. VicForests is a native timber harvesting organisation which regrows all harvested areas with the same type of forest that was originally there and only harvests around 0.04% of Victoria’s forests each year. This small percentage of harvesting is vital to many regional Victorian communities that rely on the native timber industry. The native timber industry contributes hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs to regional Victoria regional each year. VicForHVWV LV FHUWLÂżHG E\ WKH $XVWUDOLDQ )RUestry Standard which is endorsed by WKH ZRUOGÂśV ODUJHVW IRUHVW FHUWLÂżFDWLRQ scheme; PEFC.

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Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

19

Training

ARBRE Hub message is strong and well supported by industry Ability to cater for change through core business programs

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fter extensive industry consultation, the Arbre Forest Industries Training and Careers Hub (https://www.arbre.net. au) has settled into delivery on four core business programs. Community Engagement Program, FIVE + 5. Forest Industry Vocational Education pre-employment Program, Professional Log Truck Driver Program and Cadet Forester Program “It is important that industry has its say on the shape of future skills development and delivery as well as keeping a close eye on delivery of safety and training programs relevant to the constantly evolving industry supply chain,â€? said Arbre Hub Chair and Forico CEO Bryan Hayes. “The Arbre Hub is now well positioned to cater for change through our core business proJUDPV EXW ÂżUPO\ FRPPLWWHG

20

to current safety and training practices and partnerships with our relevant Registered Training Organisations. “Our solid relationship with Skills Tasmania has been invaluable in as much as we have been able to identify our weaknesses in training and recruitment and through collaboration with Skills Tasmania, come up with focused projects that will assist our industry for years to come while always working to bring the community along with us,� Bryan said.

Community Engagement Here is what you can expect in the Community Engagement Program: You will work with the Arbre Forestry Training Hub and the Forest Education Foundation to learn about the Forest Industry in Tasmania; career opportunities & stories, pathways, sustainability practices and much more! You’ll get access to stateof-the-art forestry machine simulators including Silviculture, harvesting skills, and for-

est mensuration equipment. This FULL DAY work exposure opportunity includes a visit to the School of Architecture & Design at The University of Tasmania. You will have the chance to design and create a timber product of your own, using high-tech equipment, with the support of architecture and design experts. Through a strong partnership with My Education, the Beacon Foundation and UTAS in Tasmania, the Arbre Hub has put together a series of ÂżHOG GD\ RSWLRQV DFURVV WKH state. There is a strong uptake in participation, with great results on the understanding of careers and jobs available across the six sectors of the forest industry. “It is so important to us as employers within the forest industry in Tasmania that our community is getting a strong and current message about how this business works,â€? said Arbre Director and owner of Technical Forest Services Clive Woolridge. “If we are not able to sell

the right message into our schools and community about our career prospects and pathways, then we will be at a severe disadvantage to other Primary Industry sectors in Tasmania that are well positioned in the engagement process. “Our message is strong and well supported by our industry partners and we are already seeing good results within the education system about our evolving, sustainable industry,� said Clive.

Cadet Forester Program The Cadet Forester program has been developed to overcome the shortfall of professional foresters currently needed to work in Tasmania’s forest industry. Trainees can commence on an Australian School Based Apprenticeship for Year 12 students, or an adult traineeship for all other applicants. Trainees will be directly employed by individual companies, or by a group training organisation for shared work placements.

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

Australian School Based Apprenticeship Ĺś Commence CertiďŹ cate ll in Forest Growing & Management Ĺś Available for Year 12 students Ĺś Must have current Australian driver’s licence

Adult Trainees Ĺś CertiďŹ cate lll in Forest Growing & Management Ĺś Options for direct employment or group training model. Ĺś Must have current Australian driver’s licence

Outcomes &RPPHQFH DV D &HUWLÂżcate ll in Forest Growing & Management (ASBA) or CerWLÂżFDWH OOO )RUHVW *URZLQJ Management (Adult Learner). Trainees will work towards DFKLHYLQJ D &HUWLÂżFDWH O9 LQ Forest Operations within four years of employment subject to annual performance based reviews by respective employers and training providers. The opportunity for a career

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Training in Forest Growing and Management has never been so strong. This is a national issue as well. With this issue in mind, the Directors of the Arbre Hub, in consultation with Skills Tasmania, have developed a recruiting process to attract Year 11 and 12 students to a career in Forestry through the Australian Schools Based Apprenticeship program. Arbre Director Greg Hickey, from Sustainable Timber Tasmania, said: “The pool of trained foresters has continued to fall nationally over recent years. We had to work through what a recruiting process would look like and what skills we could deliver that are relevant to Technical Forestry. Our focus to work within the education community to offer genuine careers to students in years 11 and 12 adds a lot of value to our commitment to community development around Forestry as a reliable option for a career for young people with energy and commitment,� said Greg.

Forest Industry Vocational Education [FIVE + 5] Preemployment Program FIVE+5 has been developed to address the shortage of skilled labour currently facing the Tasmanian forest industry. While at the same time offering job seekers a point to launch their careers into the industry. Arbre’s partnership with

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Forestry, Sawmilling & Transport RTO Businesses, has led to a course tailored to the needs of industry. Offering four contextualised versions of the FIVE+5 to suit Sawmilling, Harvesting, Transport and Silviculture, Arbre is home to the best preemployment forestry course in Australia.

Proven Success FIVE+5 courses are proving to offer real career opportunities. Since the launch of FIVE+5 in mid-2016, Arbre has been rolling out courses on a regular basis to address labour shortages. Employers from across the state are continuing to offer real employment opportunities to the course participants. The Arbre Hub has been able to create a network of businesses to recruit people to areas within the forest industry seeking reliable employees. Arbre Hub consultant and Managing Director of Operator Solutions, Sam Hall, has focused his attention to the creation of this network over the past year and has now developed a successful program that is utilised by big industry processors as well as starting to get a foothold in the contracting base for harvest and haulage. “We needed to be able to demonstrate an ability to recruit into Forestry where the

jobs are needed. When our industry is busy retention of workers is a big issue, the old ways of poaching or putting up with sub-standard work practices are not cutting it any more.â€? Sam says: “Our collaboration with Job Active agencies and labour hire businesses has taken some time to evolve and get the necessary pathways in place. Now we have a body of work behind us that has been adopted by industry employers as the way forward through Arbre’s FIVE +5 training programs, these have WKH Ă€H[LELOLW\ WR EH FRQWH[WXalised for all 6 sectors of the Forestry Industry, and delivered professionally by Timber Training Creswick.â€?

Professional Log Truck Driver Program Safety Workshop plus Individual In-Cab Assessments National Unit Codes: TLIB3006 Carry out inspection of vehicles designed to carry special loads; FWPCOT3261 Transport forestry logs using trucks. The Arbre Forest Industries Training and Careers Hub, in partnership with Transqual, is conducting a series of Professional Log Truck Driver training and recognition programs starting in April 2018. The Tasmanian Forest Industries Professional Log Truck Driver Program includes a group theory session

IROORZHG E\ DQ LQ ÂżHOG SUDFtical driving appraisal and observation of load security practices. This program has been developed after consultation with key parties in the forest industries and is designed to support log truck drivers to develop and apply safe and professional practices for driving and load security. The program content is based around the Forestworks Log Haulage Manual and Transqual/Arbre Professional Log Truck Driver Program for Heavy Vehicle Drivers; including hazard perception, risk management, vehicle pre-operational checks, professional driving, awareness of load restraint, chain of responsibility, vehicle mass and fatigue. Program intakes for the approximately 4-hour group knowledge sessions are scheduled followed by individual 1:1 driving appraisals. These on road individual assessments will be scheduled with each participating business following the group theory sessions and will include coupe load construction and securing practices. This program does not include assessment for loading /loader competencies covered under different standards. Cost: The program is provided by Transqual Pty Ltd, a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 90388). The cost

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

is subsidised by Skills Tasmania, through Forestworks Training and Skills Development Service (TSDS). Contact Transqual to assist with your TSDS application. “The commitment from industry in Tasmania to present continuous improvement in the transportation of our forest products has been a consistent long-term objective, according to Arbre Vice Chair Arnold Willems form Norske Skog. “We needed to be certain that all of our drivers across the state are receiving the best possible training and advice as they are really the public face of our industry. We feel the Arbre Professional Log Truck Driver Program goes a long way to address this issue, and our solid partnership with TransQual to deliver the required training, but also work with the Arbre Hub on a continuous improvement pathway is essential,â€? Arnold emphasised. %URGLH )URVW :RRGĂ€RZ Manager with Timberlands 3DFLÂżF EDFNHG XS $UQROGÂśV assessment stating: “I do like this form of structured and targeted training prior to a sign off for competence, which is common for other licence categories. Otherwise we are potentially just signing off all current {experienced} drivers as competent without the opportunity to train in areas unique to log haulage.â€?

21

Training

Ĺś Plenty of money involved in owning and operating modern forestry machinery.

Modernising training units for high-tech forestry industry

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hen it comes to harvesting timber the process doesn’t centre on axes and saws. Now, forest harvesting operators use complex machinery to cut precise logs to use as much of the wood as possible, and operators work in high-risk environments so safety is a priority, too. “Trees are a long-term investment by the forest owner – as are the harvesting machines, which can cost upwards of $500,000 each,â€? said Stacey Gardiner, General Manager of the Australian Forest Contractors Association. “Harvesting operators are responsible for maximising the value recovered from these trees, which includes minimisLQJ ZDVWH DQG LPSURYLQJ HIÂżciency.â€? Operators must have the skills to use computers onboard the logging machinery, which distinguish between various types of wood and more. Adan Taylor, General Manager of GMT Logging – a family-owned and operated harvesting business based in Imbil, Queensland – knows just how complex these onboard systems can be. “In our operations, there are 13 different log grades to choose from. The onboard systems gather massive quantities of data about lengths 22

and diameters to build acFXUDWH SURÂżOHV RI WUHHV 7KLV enables the machine to predict what diameter a tree will be up to three metres ahead, and decide what log combination will maximise the value recovered,â€? said Mr Taylor (who is also Chairman of AFCA). Harvesting operators must also be able to perform preventative maintenance on their equipment, undertake TXDOLW\ FRQWURO RI ORJ VSHFLÂżcations, plan harvesting activity to limit stoppages for adverse weather conditions and grade logs into correct speciÂżFDWLRQV They often work in areas without mobile phone reception and need to be able to comply with strict environmental guidelines, carry out ÂżUVW DLG DQG DVVHVV ULVN RI FHUtain hazards. Technical skills required are generally learned ‘on the job,’ through employer-led and supported training onVLWH ZLWK VSHFLÂżF FRPSHWHQcies then assessed by a registered training organisation. “In a specialised sector like ours, employers have to attract people with a more general manufacturing background, and support them into specialist training. We don’t KDYH D SLSHOLQH RI TXDOLÂżHG harvesting operators rearing to join the industry; we’re competing with other employers and industries to get the best

people,� said Mr Taylor. While the sector had innovated, the vocational trainLQJ XQLWV WR JHW TXDOL¿HG hadn’t caught up. This resulted in a disconnect between the skills employers need and the units of competency required to obtain a nationallyUHFRJQLVHG TXDOL¿FDWLRQ Offering the opportunity to get a formal, specialist TXDOL¿FDWLRQ LV NH\ WR DWtracting people to such a specialised and growing sector – highlighting a need for up-to-date training. Acknowledging this need, Mr Taylor took the opportunity to join a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of industry stakeholders set up to support a review of units of competency within the Forest and Wood Products training package. This review was initiated by the Forest Management and Harvesting Industry Reference Committee (IRC), which provides advice to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) about the skills needs of the sector. The IRC and TAC reviewed 13 units of competency to ERWK UHÀHFW WKH QHZ MRE UHquirements and level of performance expected, and content to meet industry needs – particularly around process optimisation and the on-board computer technology. Through this process, 10

Ĺś Adan Taylor.

Ĺś Stacey Gardiner.

“Units now reect the complexity of harvesting operations and are also exible enough to be tailored to workplace needs, acknowledging the varying types of wood harvested, environments, and technology used across companies.â€? units have been improved, WZR XQLWV DGGHG DQG UHĂ€HFWing technological change, one unit deleted. As a result, the units now UHĂ€HFW WKH FRPSOH[LW\ RI KDUvesting operations, but are DOVR Ă€H[LEOH HQRXJK WR EH WDLlored to workplace needs, acknowledging the varying types of wood harvested, environments, and technology used across companies. The updates also mean people already in the workforce can have their skills recogQLVHG WRZDUGV D TXDOLÂżFDWLRQ “For GMT Logging, this means young people who undertake on the job training can have it assessed against a qualLÂżFDWLRQ 8QLWV ZLOO QRZ UH-

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

Ă€HFW DFWXDO RSHUDWRU SUDFWLFHV and requirements, improving relevance,â€? said Mr Taylor. 0RGHUQLVHG TXDOLÂżFDWLRQV WKDW PRUH DFFXUDWHO\ UHĂ€HFW the work of harvesting operators could see more people in the sector have their skills formally recognised. “The units will highlight just how skilled operators actually are – building recognition within the broader forestry industry.â€? As technology and innovation lead to new products and processes, recognising the skills of forestry harvesting operators not only recognises their level of expertise but provides competencies that can be transferable in the future. www.timberbiz.com.au

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Look to your Cat dealer for ďŹ nancing and all the machines you need for sustainable harvesting and land management, forestry road construction, hauling and millyard. Total support from one source. www.cat.com/forestry

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New Product

Ĺś JPS Rotary Actuator

Down Under - less is more By Erik ArĂŠn

the concept of “Less Is Moreâ€?, thanks to the low RPM’s in candinavian Forestry the JPS saw units which have and Engineering has big advantages in our condiembraced the concept tions. The JPS Rotary Actuaof “less is moreâ€? in the form tor is one other aspect of the of the JPS R5500 saw unit and product that clients really see brought it all the way to Aus- as an advantage when choostralia with remarkable great ing a JPS saw unit. “The reliability of harvester success. Finally, we put boots on the heads is critical since contracground in the Snowy Moun- tors are often more independtains of New South Wales in ent and work in remote areas. $XVWUDOLD +HUH ZH ÂżQG 6FDQ Therefore, maintenance and Forestry, a company owned service must be easy to perby Johan Jaktman and David form when breakdowns do ocWakem and have approx 15 cur. Otherwise, contractor’s employees. This location has production is down and in some similarities to Scandina- Australia’s remote areas, this vian conditions, but the rest is can be devastating,â€? he said. Scandinavian Forestry quite a different story. The JPS R5500 has performed beyond has launched several Swedexpectations and the contrac- ish quality brands and one of tors are more than happy with them is the JPS R5500. “When our customers pay the results that come with the for operational reliability, saw unit. “Forestry Down Under is they get high productivity and different from what we are the JPS R5500 saw unit deused to in Europe,â€? says Jo- livers this! Working with the crew at JPS has been fantashan. “Australia has conditions tic,â€? says Johan. “Our experience regardthat you don’t really see in other CTL-dominated forest ing the R5500-system is that areas. The fast-growing trees, it is very reliable and the JPS the heavy undergrowth and žâ€?-conversion kit has rethe wide variety of tree spe- ally caught on around here. cies can be quite a challenge. I mean‌ two in one, less is Additionally, there are huge more! Now, JPS is represented areas lacking a developed forest road-network like you on new and broader markets with rough forests, thick unhave in Europe. dergrowth and fast-growing Reliability “Our clients pay for opera- trees. â€? Thanks to the žâ€?-convertional reliability and this is the number one priority for Scan sion kit unique customizations Forestry. We have embraced are possible. Customization is

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one very smooth way to have operating reliability and get a high level of steady productivity in different forests with the same head. Effective systems, like the JPS R5500 with low RPM’s and high torque, KDYH ELJ EHQHÂżWV UHODWLYH WR other older saw systems. For example, various eucalyptus woodlands require an adaptive and robust system like the JPS R5500 both in .404â€? and žâ€?. Here you can achieve unique customizations and the robust, wider saw bar plays a key role and is one of the reasons that the JPS system is so outstanding,â€? Johan says. Reduced heat generation Âł2QH JUHDW EHQHÂżW ZLWK ORZ RPM´s is the absence of overheating problems, which can otherwise cause higher fuel consumption when the system must be cooled down. There are no problems with cavitation in the JPS R5500 saw motor caused by overheating in the hydraulic system. The EHQHÂżWV RI D ODUJHU K\GUDXOLF motor outperform conventional and older systems.â€? In connection with the launch of the R5500 sawing unit, we have also developed a completely new hydraulic rotary actuator that replaces the traditional saw bar cylinder. Because the actuator is designed using only three parts, it offers maximum reliability while the maintenance requirements are minimal. The unique rotary actuator is the central part of the

JPS sawing unit concept as it serves as the mount for the saw unit in the harvester head. The motor is located on one side, and the bar mount on the other. This of course means that they can be dismantled independently. The motor can be left untouched when replacing the bar holder, and vice versa. The rotary actuator features hydrostatic bearings to enable unhindered operation on D ÂżQH RLO ÂżOP JLYLQJ LW FORVH WR LQÂżQLWH EHDULQJ OLIH :LWK integrated dampening at the end of travel in each direction, mechanical stress on the bar and mount has been minimised further. The JPS rotary actuator features uniform torque throughout the full movement while delivering the same high power in both directions. The harvester head hydraulics and control system controls the saw bar pressure, speed and return return bar speed. All hose connections are safely protected in the harvester frame. There are no hoses or cables in the saw box that risk being damaged by twigs, underbrush or a thrown chain. Because the JPS rotary actuator has no external moving parts, it is virtually unaffected by ice, hardened snow and miscellaneous debris. For the harvester operator, this means increased productivity thanks to fewer interruptions to clear the saw box. Additionally, the absence of

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

a cutting cylinder obviously means there is no cylinder rod that can become bent as a result of undue loads or external effects. The compact design of the JPS rotary actuator and its lack of protruding parts make it easy to mount in different harvester heads. As standard, the actuator has a 90° operating angle, but this can be extended to 135° for special applications. The rotary actuator is completely sealed against water and dust. JPS rotary actuators feature an integrated swivel joint with dedicated lubricant and hydraulic oil channels. Because the saw motor is mounted as a separate unit, it does not have any of the oil channel or swivel joints, ZKLFK VLPSOLÂżHV DQG VSHHGV up motor replacement. The JPS rotary actuators have been designed for standard motors to allow quick access to a new replacement in cases of unfortunate motor breakdown. “The potential for further and broader applications of a system like JPS R5500 is enormous. Markets in this part of the world get bigger and bigger. JPS is a notable example of how new, more HIÂżFLHQW WHFKQRORJ\ VHWV QHZ standards for increasing productivity in the modern forest operation business,â€? he said. Erik ArĂŠn is Project Manager for JPS Teknik. www.timberbiz.com.au

Forest Machines

Caterpillar launches CatÂŽ 548 and 548 LL Forest Machines

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aterpillar has launched two new CatÂŽ Forest Machine models, the 548 and the 548 LL. These machine platforms increase profitability for loggers by maxiPL]LQJ HIÂżFLHQF\ LQFUHDVLQJ production, and reducing owning and operating costs. The Cat 548 and 548 LL and other 500 series Forest Machine models meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards and feature outstanding IXHO HIÂżFLHQF\ DQG RSWLPL]HG work tools while increasing horsepower, swing torque, lift capacity, and tractive effort. Cat Forest Machines are versatile, purpose-built track machines that can be customized to perform a complete range of tasks for forestry operations and contractors. Over the last 20 years they have become the industry standard in many logging applications. The Cat 548 forestry exFDYDWRU LV FRQÂżJXUHG IRU IRUestry tasks ranging from road building and site preparation to processing logs roadside or at a landing. The Cat 548 LL LV FRQÂżJXUHG DV D ORJ ORDGHU and can perform log handling tasks, such as shovel logging, loading, power clam/butt-ntop applications, and millyard activities. The 548 and 548 LL provide XOWLPDWH PDFKLQH HIÂżFLHQF\ coupled with enhanced performance. Cat components, purpose-built upper and lower frames, and application speFLÂżF OLQNDJH FRQÂżJXUDWLRQV LQcrease machine up time and reduce machine operating costs.

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maintains maximum performance under load. Strong hydraulic horsepower allows the 548 and 548 LL to hanAn enhanced hydraulic sysdle a variety of work tools. tem delivers a higher level of An almost 20% boost in swing HIÂżFLHQF\ DQG SRZHU 8SVL]HG torque, depending on the pumps, the layout of compomodel, provides more power nents, and back-to-back main to move trees, increasing procontrol valve all optimize hyGXFWLRQ DQG HIÂżFLHQF\ +HDY\ GUDXOLF RLO Ă€RZ 7KH UHVXOW LV lift mode and other updates powerful, multi-functioning enable greater lift capacity to hydraulics for strong machine handle larger payloads with performance, ensuring that improved control, and tracwork tools function quickly tive effort has improved by as and smoothly to complete much as 13 percent to allow work faster with greater fuel HIÂżFLHQW PDQHXYHULQJ ZKHQ economy. working away from the road. The hydraulic updates enable the 548 and 548 LL engine Boom, hydraulic to run at a lower steady state conďŹ gurations for speciďŹ c rpm while maximizing power. applications Operating at a lower rpm proWith boom arrangements YLGHV VLJQLÂżFDQW IXHO VDYLQJV and hydraulic systems for speand lowers operating costs. FLÂżF DSSOLFDWLRQV WKH DQG At the same time, Tier 4 548 LL are more optimized Final technology and features and effective at road building, like a variable pitch fan, variloading, processing, shovable power modes, automatic eling, or millyard unloading engine speed control, oneand stacking. New track optouch idle, and boom and stick tions meet shovel logging and regeneration valves provide low ground pressure applicaexcellent fuel economy. With tion requirements, and ground automatic engine speed consaw hydraulics are available trol, the machines will revert for log loader applications. In automatically to a lower idle addition to the standard cab, speed when there is a lull a purpose-built processor cab in operation. Regeneration option is available for both valves minimize oil required machine models, and two prefrom the pump, which maximium rear entry cab choices PL]HV HIÂżFLHQF\ are available for the 548 LL.

Enhanced hydraulics aid fuel economy, deliver more power

Swing torque increases almost 20%

Cab keeps operator working comfortably, productively

The 548 and 548 LL are built to perform, powered by a Cat 152 kW (204 hp) C7.1 ACERT ™ engine with increased horsepower that

The Forest Machine cabs have features and technology to reduce fatigue and keep operators working comfortably and productively all day. An

air ride seat, which is fully adjustable, includes heating and cooling capability, and a bi-level air conditioner, heater, and defroster keep the cab at a comfortable temperature in any weather. Other features include a satellite radio, 12-volt power supply socket for charging, a larger monitor, and LED lights. Standard tool control software HQDEOHV TXLFN HIÂżFLHQW VHOHFtion and swapping of tools. New rear entry cab options provide convenient access on a fully lit platform through the use of a key fob. For these rear entry cabs, a new cab forward riser and optimized window design improve visibility for shovel logging and other applications, while an innovative cab lock down system increases machine uptime by LQFUHDVLQJ FDE WLOW HIÂżFLHQF\ and minimizing transport time.

Easy to access, easy to maintain The Cat 548 and 548 LL are designed for serviceability. A one-piece engine hood design with two opening angles allows easy access to engine and cooling compartments. The side-by-side engine and hydraulic coolers are convenient for cleaning due to a cooler that hinges out of the way, and fewer cooling ¿QV SHU LQFK LPSURYHV GHEULV ÀRZ WKURXJK DQG UHGXFHV clogging. Plentiful storage space at ground level allows ready access to tools, equipment, and supplies that operators use daily.

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

Purpose-built durability and reliability Like other Cat machines, the 548 and 548 LL are designed and built for reliable, durable performance in the severest of forestry applications. Cooling capability is increased 12 percent for trouble-free operation, and the variable pitch, reversing cooling fan maintains RSWLPXP ÀXLG WHPSHUDWXUH Validated, proven excavator technologies ensure overall machine reliability. The purpose-built upper frame, high-wide carbody, UREXVW OLQNDJH FRQ¿JXUDWLRQV and heavy-duty enclosures feature thick doubler plates, extra gussets, and other weldments and reinforcements. Upsized 216 mm (8.5 inch) pitch (336 HEX) grease-lubricated tracks provide excellent life in forestry applications.

Caterpillar worldwide support Cat Product Link™ allows for remote location of a machine and tracking of fuel consumption and other indicators. Caterpillar customers are supported by the industry’s largest network of dealers who will keep them and their machines running with parts DYDLODELOLW\ ¿HOG VHUYLFHV state-of-the art diagnostic programs, remote monitoring, and more. For more information, contact your nearest Cat dealer or go to www.cat.com/forestry.` 25

Forwarders

Ponsse’s Elephant King flexes its muscles in Australia P

onsse has always been renowned for building tough, reliable forestry machines. This point has been proven in Australia since the introduction of the 20T Elephant King Forwarder back in 2015. Since then, a good number of Australian contractors and their operators testify that the Elephant King really does pull its weight in regard to quality, reliability, operator comfort and performance.

26

Starting inside the cabin, the layout is clean, quiet and ergonomic and provides the operator excellent visibility all around and above through the unique sloped rear screen. It has loads of storage space and enough room to comfortably accommodate two additional riders behind the operator. This space becomes particularly useful when training new operators. Fitted out with automatic climate

control, handsfree telephone, bluetooth radio and a heated high back seat with neck and VLGH UHVWV WKH FDELQ ¿QLVK DQG comfort is likened to the quality of a luxury car. The crane, manufactured by Ponsse, is strong and powerful. It is controlled via mini OHYHUV WKDW DUH HDVLO\ ¿QH tuned to suit the operator’s needs on Ponsse’s OPTI touch screen control system. This control system also helps op-

erators understand all critical on-board systems while they are in control of the machine. Getting its immense power to the ground starts with a Tier 3 275hp Mercedes Benz, 6 cylinder engine. The use of this engine has helped Ponsse’s customers in non-European countries avoid the use of costly and troublesome Ad Blu and after treatment systems not required by Australian regulations. From there

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

power is transferred through a hydrostatic transmission and German built NAF axles and bogies. Ponsse pride themselves in manufacturing their own frames, cabins, cranes and electronic systems. Unlike many manufacturers today who outsource much of their manufacturing and then simply assemble components to make a machine, Ponsse, through their own manufactur-

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Forwarders Ponsse 20T Elephant King key specs and inclusions Ĺś Ĺś Ĺś Ĺś Ĺś Ĺś Ĺś Ĺś Ĺś Ĺś Ĺś Ĺś Ĺś Ĺś Ĺś

turing of major components and electrical systems have far greater control over the qualLW\ RI WKHLU ÂżQLVKHG PDFKLQH and it shows. Randalls Equipment Company, the Australian distributor for Ponsse, are seeing growing interest in the Elephant King and the range of Ponsse ma-

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chines in general. “Not surprisingly, when a new brand such as Ponsse is introduced to the Australian market, some contractors like to stand back and see how both the machines and the GHDOHU SHUIRUP RYHU WKH ÂżUVW couple of years in the Australian bush,â€? said Davin Frankel

of Randalls Equipment Company. “With more than 20 machines now in Australia, I encourage contractors to seek testimony on the performance of Ponsse machines and in particular, the performance of Randalls in relation to our commitment to after sales cus-

275hp Mercedes Benz OM906 TIII engine 240kN tractive effort 160kNm lifting moment 260lt fuel capacity Automatic ďŹ re suppression system Electric hydraulic oil ďŹ ll Electric tilting cabin and engine bonnet Engine side front guard LED high performance lighting Horizontal and vertical hydraulic load gate 700mm bunk extenders Handsfree bluetooth telephone Heated comfort seat with air brake Full tool kit Compressor and air hose

tomer support. “The Elephant King is a serious forwarder that has all the comfort features that today’s professional operators want,� he added. “Attracting and keeping operators is hard, so while keeping a lid on the price, we have put together a package that is

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

very attractive to operators,� Davin said. Based in Finland, Ponsse is the largest manufacturer of Forwarders and Wheel Harvesters in the world, with more than 70% of their machines exported outside Finland to countries such as USA, Russia, Brazil and China.

27

Forwarders

Komatsu 875, the machine of choice

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f you want to know anything you ask a person you feel has a good grounding in the subject; someone who says it like it is; someone who has been there, done that. We were asked to do a bit RI IDFW ÂżQGLQJ RQ .RPDWVX machines (especially the new 875 Forwarder and the 951 Harvester) so we went to Monaro Logging and spoke to Director Ian Nuttall. [Ian started in the bush back 25

28

years ago as an operator and has been managing now for 21 years, the past 17 years in Bombala where the business is based.] He said the business was started by his dad Dave who moved from New Zealand to the Tumut area in the 80s and started forestry contracting. Âł7KDWÂśV ZKHQ WKH\ ÂżUVW started dealing with Komatsu Forest (or whatever it was called in those days) and Mike Jones.

³, WKLQN WKH ¿UVW PDFKLQHV they bought off Komatsu Forest (Summit Machinery, the Valmet dealer) were the Sumitomo excavator-base machines. They ordered four of them and they had two with Waratah felling heads (which Waratah made for them) and the others had Skog (Valmet GP940) single grip heads.� It’s been a long time since those early purchase days and only recently Ian sat down and worked out just how many

Komatsu machines they have had ... “We’ve probably had in excess of 50-60 machines from Komatsu over the 30 odd years,â€? he said. Now, onto one of the latest machines, the Komatsu 875 Forwarder “We had a talk to Brenton Yon (Komatsu Forest ) and he suggested it would probably be the better one to go with for the job we had WRQQHV RI ÂżUVW WKLQnings for Forestry Corporation NSW).

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

Operator praise “We had a good look around and we talked to Brenton again and it seemed to be the right choice. The operator who is driving it at the moment reckons it’s a really good machine and it’s well suited to the job. “It’s a bit more agile and a bit faster through the bush in the thinnings. Actually, the operator came out of one of the 890.3s and went into the

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Forwarders

875 and he absolutely loves it,” says Ian. “The 875 is rated at 16 tonnes; they’ve got smaller SUR¿OH ZKHHOV RQ WKHP EXW pretty much the same size machine in what they can carry (compared to the 890.3) “Just looking at the size of it… it’s just a bit smaller machine to get through the thinnings much easier, and it’s probably a bit better on fuel. We haven’t really had it that long but at this stage it’s go-

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ing really well, very easy to maintain. Nothing wrong at this stage and normal routine checking is easy to do.” Monaro Logging has nine other Forwarders in operation ... all of them Komatsu and all are in the Bombala area. Monaro also has two Komatsu 895 Forwarders as well as two New Generation 895 Forwarders. “We had had some 890.3s and a few of them have got between 26,000 and 30,000 hours, and

we’ve had a very good run out of them over the years.“

A lot of hours up quickly “We got a lot of hours on them quickly and we’ve had minimal trouble, and thought that if they were anything to go by then the new ones should give us a good run as well. “We’ve got a couple 895’s that have 7,000 to 8,000 hours and the two newer ones were delivered in January this

year,” said Ian. Ian’s assessment of the Komatsu 951 Harvester is equally as glowing “The operator driving it came out of a Komatsu 450 base machine with a Waratah 623. We took him to have a look at one of the 951s working in the Tumbarumba area and he seemed to like it. I’m not a single grip rubber tyred person, but in talking to Brenton and having done a bit of ground work by talking to

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

different operators everyone seemed to recommend them. “They all thought fairly highly of the machine so we thought we’d give one a go. “The operator working it now is a bit of an older man and he loves driving it; operator comfort and visibility, everything’s good “Basically, it’s a pretty good machine overall. It’s good on fuel and has good ground pressure, and minimal ground disturbance.”

29

Forwarders

Komatsu 875 SpeciďŹ cation

New Komatsu Forwarder in class of its own The operator is the focal point

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omatsu Forest’s Komatsu 875 is a brand new Forwarder model and is unique in the 16-ton load capacity FODVV ,W ¿WV WKH ROG FDWHJRU\ where the previously very successful Komatsu 890 was positioned. From its chassis and powertrain to its crane and bunk, this new model is designed to deliver a higher load capacity in its primary application – thinning . The increase in productivity is due in part to a larger bunk area and the capacity of the crane. Other contributing factors are the new, sturdier powertrain, with its higher engine power/torque and traction, fantastic terrain mobility provided by the Komatsu Comfort Bogie with portals, a boat-shaped chassis with high-tensile steel underneath. The intelligent transmission, which optimizes power and speed based on terrain, load, the engine’s 30

power output and whether you are also using the crane, has been supplemented with a larger hydrostatic pump and hydrostatic motor for even better handling. Komatsu 875 comes with a newly-developed crane with a gross lifting torque of 145 kNm and a gross slewing torque of 38 kNm. The combination of an improved hydraulic system and, among other features, a larger crane valve and hydraulic pump ensures superior productivity and outstanding crane operation. The crane with a single extension reaches 8.5 meters and has plenty of net lifting power.

Reliability The machine has been designed throughout to ensure excellent reliability in tough conditions, and the new axles, a new articulated joint and frame system are all built to last. The new engine installation features a new, generously

sized cooling system, variable temperature-controlled fan control, and the latest in environmental engineering for diesel engines (Tier 4) if required. This, together with the new hydraulic system, delivers low fuel consumption and high power output at low engine speeds. The new rounded engine hood is electrically powered and can be used as a service platform in the open posiWLRQ $OO ÂżOWHUV DUH ORFDWHG beneath the hood, for easy access. There are 8 service hatches in the chassis providing access where it is needed most. A drain valve under the engine makes it easy to replace the engine oil without spillages. Easily accessible inspection points for oil in the engine, differentials and gearbox. With a Komatsu Forwarder, the operator is the focal point. The most modern forwarder cab on the market has once more been upgraded. Improved op-

erator protection is provided by a sturdier cab framework, a FlexGate patented full height gate, and windows secured with bolts for straightforward replacement of worn windows. Some of the other upgraded features include a start button, central locking with a remote control key, and additional work lights. Komatsu 875 is supplied complete with the market’s most modern control system, MaxiXplorer. The fully-integrated crane scale, Protec Scale, enables the load to be weighed automatically for production follow-ups and operational monitoring. The scale link is just as compact as a standard link and protects the hose routing for the rotator. Production can be monitored back at WKH RI¿FH LQ 0D[L)OHHW WKH ZRUOGœV ¿UVW ÀHHW management system for forest machines.

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

Load Capacity : 16,000 kg Machine Weight : 19,900 kg Engine Power : 185kW @ 1,900rpm Torque : 1,100 Nm at 1,500rpm Tractive Effort : 21,400 kp Tyres Size (8WD) : 800/40x26.5 Load Gate : Telescopic Load Area : 4.7m2 Crane : Komatsu 145F Reach : 8.5 m Lift Torque : 145 kNm Slew Torque : 38 kNm Control System : MaxiXplorer

Komatsu 895 SpeciďŹ cations Load Capacity : 20,000 kg Machine Weight : 23,800 kg Engine Power : 210kW @ 1,700rpm Torque : 1,200 Nm at 1,200-1,700rpm Tractive Effort : 26,200 kp Tyres Size (8WD) : 780/50x28.5 Load Gate : Telescopic Load Area : 6.1m2 Crane : Komatsu 165F Reach : 8.5 m Lift Torque : 165.2 kNm Slew Torque : 43.4 kNm Control System : MaxiXplorer

Komatsu 951 SpeciďŹ cations Machine Weight : 22,620 kg Engine : Agco Power 74 AWF Engine Power : 210kW @ 1,900rpm Torque : 1,200 Nm at 1,500 Drive Speed : 0-23.5km/hr Tractive Effort : 23,200 kp Tyre Size Front : 780/50x28.5 Tyre Size Rear : 750/65x34 Crane : Komatsu 270H Reach : 8.6/10.3 m Lift Torque : 274 kNm Slew Torque : 60 kNm Control System : MaxiXplorer Head Weight : 2,200kg www.timberbiz.com.au

WARATAH online

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Harvesters

Tigercat 1185 Harvester to make Oz debut Heavy duty, premium quality harvester designed for high production applications, extreme terrain and demanding operating conditions

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Ŝ It doesn’t matter which way you look at it, Tigercat’s new 1185 Harvester is an impressive machine designed to take on the toughest work conditions.

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I NY R AAV T E R HE THE LEADING N, AI RR TE L AL DUTY ACK ALL SEASON TR

32

GRIP&N

FLOTATIO THE UPGRADE TO 5 9 A R R TE

Brian Viccars B.A.Viccars Pty. Ltd. 0418 266 731 vchain@chainpro.com.au

ondition Ground C Flotation Grip

THE LEADING RAIN ALL TER ON S ALL SEA KS A R T C

igercat’s latest harvester, the eight-wheeled 1185, is scheduled to be demonstrated in Tumut/Tumbarumba on May 23rd. The 1185 made its debut at Elmia in June and now it’s ready for its Oz debut . Anyone can register their interest to attend the demo by contacting Onetrak (national Tigercat distributor). Representatives from the Tigercat factory in Canada will attend the demo day. The Tigercat 1185 is classed as a heavy duty, premium quality harvester designed for high production applications, extreme terrain and demanding operating conditions. The 1185 is powered by the Tigercat FPT N67 Tier 2f engine, rated at (230 kW) 308 hp. The drivetrain components — including the pump drive, transmission and the hydraulically balanced bogie axles — are engineered and built by Tigercat for extreme forest duty, long life and high uptime. Tigercat’s unique WideRangeÂŽ drive system increases working travel speed while delivering extremely powerful tractive effort for high performance in steep terrain and quick in-stand travel on good ground. The 1185 blends high performance ZLWK IXHO HIÂżFLHQF\ WKURXJK WKH use of advanced hydraulic circuits. Dedicated pumps power the drive, harvesting head, crane, fan and cooling circuit functions. In addition, a closed loop drive system provides excellent performance and response on steep slopes. A pressure and Ă€RZ FRQWUROOHG SLVWRQ SXPS GULYHV the cooling fan, maintaining optimal operating temperatures at the lowest possible fan speed. The crane features Tigercat’s HIÂżFLHQW DQG RSHUDWRU IULHQGly ERÂŽ technology. The hooked proÂżOH RI WKH PDLQ ERRP SURPRWHV H[cellent right-side visibility. Not only LV WKH FUDQH HIÂżFLHQW EXW DOVR VLPSOH in design, without external parallel linkages. There are two stick boom RSWLRQV ² Âż[HG RU WHOHVFRSLF With an extreme duty slew sys-

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

tem and 360° continuous rotation, the cabin rotates with the crane. The cabin is spacious with excellent visibility and clear line-of-sight to the wheels. The curved windshield affords excellent upward visibility along with patent pending protecWLYH WHFKQRORJ\ 2SHUDWRUV ZLOO ÂżQG all the creature comforts including a comfortable and highly adjustable climate controlled seat with a fourpoint harness and full Bluetooth connectivity. The demo machine will also be sporting the Tigercat 570 head and the D5 control system. The 570 is a durable, high performance two-wheel drive, three knife DUP KDUYHVWLQJ KHDG VSHFLÂżFDOO\ GHsigned to match the high performance capabilities of Tigercat carriers. With independent knife arms, the 570 harvesting head excels in tough timber with large limbs and poor stem form. Independent knife and wheel arm improve stem contact. This results in superior feeding, delimbing, measuring and debarking, especially in sub-optimal stem form conditions. The 570 also has optional hydraulic knife timing for easier picking in roadside processing applications. The Tigercat D5 control system helps you get the most from your Tigercat harvesting head. The system helps you monitor your harvesting head to ensure maximum productivity. The D5 control system combines ÂżHOG SURYHQ KDUGZDUH DQG EXFNLQJ control with a Tigercat developed user interface, offering simplicity and intuitive operator navigation. The user friendly interface allows the operator to see all critical operating data in real time. The system is KLJKO\ FRQÂżJXUDEOH DQG FDQ EH FXVtomized to each operator’s preferences.

The Tigercat D5 control system is available in three levels of bucking control and reporting: t 5JHFSDBU % 1SJP t 5JHFSDBU % 1SJP 1$ t 5JHFSDBU % 0QUJNJ[BUJPO www.timberbiz.com.au

MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY Tigercat has built unmatched fuel efficiency into the new H822D/LH822D harvesters. The combination of Tigercat FPT power, refined hydraulics and advanced electronic controls result in superior performance and efficiency – all with the legendary reliability and longevity of a Tigercat carrier. Be confident you are achieving lowest cost per tonne harvesting, processing or debarking solutions with Tigercat H822D/LH822D harvesters. Contact Onetrak today to find out more.

1300 727 520

WWW.ONETRAK.COM.AU

www.tigercat.com

Waste Management

Tasmanian wood pellet line is smokin’

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ecycling Technologies Group P/L (RTG) commissioned a new Nova pellet line at Neville Smith Forest Products’ Mowbray dry mill processing site in Launceston. The new pellet line was designed and installed by RTG in conjunction with Nova Pellet from Italy. The equipment has a design capacity of 1.5 tonnes / hour processing the dry waste material from the Mowbray dry mill operation. “The solid timber offcuts are processed in Scanhugger shredders. One feeds the shredded material into the 60m3 storage silo and the other generates fuel for the boiler system,” said Tony Esplin, one of RTG’s Directors. “Planer shavings are mixed with the shredded material to produce the perfect raw material mix to make world class hardwood pellets,” he said.

“NSFP has an ideal feedstock to make pellets. Clean, dry hardwood waste makes quality pellets. The Nova press KDV EHHQ VSHFLDOO\ FRQ¿JXUHG to handle the unique Australian hardwood species,” said Tony. “The pellets being made KHUH KDYH D JURVV ZHW FDORUL¿F

“Nova press has been specially configured to handle the unique Australian hardwood species” value of 18.2Mj / kg – an excellent result that is the highest on the Australian market. This means they burn long, hot and strong. A great way to turn waste into renewable energy.” RTG arrived on site, unpacked the equipment, installed

all the equipment, connected the electrics and mechanical services and commissioned and trained the staff in under six weeks. “RTG & Nova delivered us a true turnkey project in record time. The entire project went as planned. The feedback from our pellet customers has been fantastic. They are saying the NSFP Smartwood pellets are some of the best they have used,” said Andrew Walker, NSFP’s CEO. “As a company we can now say that we are embracing a whole of log processing approach because no processing waste is generated in our operations now. We use it to make fuel for pellet heaters. This year we expect to produce over 2000 tonnes of wood pellets.” For further information please contact RTG, 12 Government Road, Eden, NSW, 2551. PH: 0264961166

Ŷ N-Mini Compact: “Semi automatic pellet bagging line.”

300 year old briquettes The RUF briquette press has no peer. A heavy industrial machine designed to run seamlessly 24/7 while producing high quality, smoke free firewood & smoking briquettes. One customer reaping the benefit of tough RUF technology is Thor’s Hammer in Canberra. Thor recycles large section bridge and wharf timbers – including ironbark and box species. They briquette their waste wood shavings & sawdust and sell the briquettes for food smoking and fuel. “Previously we had to pay for landfill disposal,” said Thor, Managing Director of Thor’s Hammer. “Now we have turned a cash cost in to a revenue stream by turning our waste material into briquettes that we sell. The market loves the product, too.” Recycling Technologies Group P/L – RTG - regularly runs trial tests for customers in their Eden, NSW workshop where they have a fully equipped workshop designed to test all sorts of materials from biomass waste to industrial metal waste. For further information contact RTG, 12 Government Road, Eden, NSW, 2551. PH: 0264961166.

WOOD WASTE =

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Call RTG on 02 6496 1133 to discuss making Class AA pellets from your waste.

recyclingtechgroup.com.au 34

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

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Bio

Full line-up of whole tree drum chippers Morbark means more bite!

M

orbark offers a full line of whole tree drum chippers in a range of sizes and in several FRQ¿JXUDWLRQV ¹ ZLWK FDE DQG loader (WCL) or no cab and loader (NCL), on tracks or tires, diesel or electric powered. Add to these choices a wide variety of available opWLRQV DQG \RXœYH JRW WKH ÀH[ibility to customize the perfect chipper for your particular needs. All models are aggressive, highly productive, and engineered to give you the power and features you need to maximize output and enhance profitability. With their rigid structural frame and powerful internaldrive, single-feed-wheel infeed system, Morbark chippers are the best you can get. They can chip small, unmerchantable material, giving you access to more markets – and higher SUR¿WV 7KHVH DUH MXVW VRPH of the reasons that Morbark is the largest and most respected

name in chipping. The Morbark 30/36 Whole Tree Chipper’s high production rate lowers operating costs E\ LQFUHDVLQJ IXHO HI¿FLHQF\ 7KH DJJUHVVLYH OLYH ÀRRU IHHGing system with two strands of durable WHD-110 Chain and a large top feedwheel ensure positive feeding of material, including brushy tops and limbs. Morbark’s Advantage 3 Drum produces more consistent chips, while the heat-treated, AR-400 steel drum skin provides longer wear life for lower replacement costs and less downtime. The Morbark 40/36 Whole

Tree Drum Chipper is a compact, affordable, productive drum chipper designed with the biomass industry in mind. Equipped with the same internal drive perfected on Morbark horizontal grinders, along with an extra wide feed opening, the 40/36 aggressively feeds brushy tops and limbs, quickly DQG HIIRUWOHVVO\ ¿OOLQJ D FKLS van to maximum legal load capacity. Morbark’s Advantage 3 Drum decreases downtime while providing higher-quality chips. The feed system is PRUH HI¿FLHQW GXH WR D VWDJJHUHG NQLIH FRQ¿JXUDWLRQ DQG contains fewer moving parts,

reducing maintenance. With low fuel consumption per ton produced, this unit is HFRQRPLFDO $W œ Ǝ ZLGH WKLV compact unit is easily transportable and requires no permits to move. The Morbark 50/48B whole tree, wood chippers are the largest, most productive drum chippers on the market. Equipped with Morbark’s exclusive Advantage 3 Drum, the 50/48B creates more uniform chips while keeping operating and maintenance costs low. The reverse pivot yoke produces more down pressure than the conventional style

yoke for aggressive feeding of a variety of material. The 50/48B comes equipped with the Morbark Integrated Control System, allowing for both onsite and remote diagnostic monitoring of hydraulic pressures, temperatures, feed rates and more to maximize performance. (DVLO\ ¿OOLQJ D WUDLOHU DQG VXVWDLQLQJ XS WR IRXU WR ¿YH loads per day, the Beever™ M20R Forestry Chipper is a hard-working, aggressive chipper and the perfect option for those looking to enter the biomass market with low startup costs.

MORBARK 40/36 TRACK WHOLE TREE CHIPPER Morbark Integrated Control Systems (MICS) This ultimate diagnostic system monitors hydraulic pressures, temperatures, clutch systems and engine IĆž GMIRG] XS QE\MQM^I TIVJSVQERGI Drum 8LI %HZERXEKI ĆŚ HVYQ GVIEXIW QSVI YRMJSVQ GLMTW ERH VIHYGIW STIVEXMRK ERH QEMRXIRERGI GSWXW Discharge (MVIGXMSREP Ć˝ S[ HMWGLEVKI GLYXI MW L]HVEYPMGEPP] EHNYWXEFPI F] VIQSXI GSRXVSP JSV QE\MQYQ GLMT PSEHW Sloped Infeed System %KKVIWWMZI WPSTIH PMZI Ć˝ SSV ERH PEVKI XST JIIH[LIIP IRWYVI TSWMXMZI JIIH SJ FVYWL] XSTW ERH PMQFW

Direct Enquiries Mark Malone ¡ 0438 880 810

SALES

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35

Woodflow

Ĺś Forico is trialling a 3D laser measurement system which has been supplied by a Chilean technology development company Photo: Courtesy of Forico.

Ĺś Tried and true - hand measuring.

Technologies for log measurement and tracking explored at WoodFlow tive method to automated volumetric measurement of truckloads. The study has also been key focus for this investigating the accuracy of year’s WoodFlow truck volume calculations us2018 event running ing photogrammetric methods in June is log measurement, and 3D reconstruction software scaling and tracking. It’s been compared to manual systems. Evaluating systems a major issue for the forestry Tasmania’s largest private industry for a number of years. Technologies being trialed over forestry management company, the years though for a number Forico, has also been evaluatof reasons haven’t quite lived ing log measurement systems best suited to their own opup to the hype. Wood represents, on aver- erations. As well as managing age, about a third of delivered 100,000 ha of timber plantalog costs at the mill or port. tions the company also operAccurate, quick, clean, repeat- ates two woodchip mills in NE able and cost-effective wood Tasmania at Bell Bay and NW volume estimates are therefore Tasmania at Hampshire. Over the last 12 months, the critical to the forest owner, the manager and to the contractors. viability of installing a 3D laser Poor log measurements im- measurement system to get the pact not only on the returns solid volume of bulk hardwood for the grower and the harvest logs has been top of their mind. and haulage contractors but can In addition to cost and operaalso have a major bearing on tional improvements, the comcontractual business relation- pany’s aim has been to shift ships. Although laser scanning from log measurement in green has become a mature and more metric tonnes to cubic metres affordable technology for log to enable log drying across the measurement in forestry opera- estate to improve freight outtions, it still remains expensive comes for woodchip and the to adopt and, in some instances, log transport task. Forico have opted for a 3D GLI¿FXOW WR LPSOHPHQW LQ VRPH real-life operations. Measure- laser measurement system ment where payment is based which has been supplied by a on green weight, manual meas- Chilean technology developcompany, Woodtech urement or weight to volume ment conversion factors all have their Measurement Systems. It has already been installed and is limitations. As part of the upcoming being used by mills in Europe, WoodFlow 2018 series, Mau- the US and in Latin America. ricio Acuna from the Australian In addition to highly precise Operations Research Alliance measurements (more than one ZLOO SUHVHQW ¿QGLQJV IURP UH- million measurements per vehicent trials undertaken with local cle load) the measurement sysindustry using multi-view pho- tem reduces operational costs. togrammetry and commercial Fewer operators are involved, 3D image processing software. quicker measurements can be It’s being tested as an alterna- taken and truck turn-around

A

36

time is able to be reduced. Measurements are also taken on moving trucks. With 100% of the loads being measured, no sampling or conversion factors are required. The system was commissioned by Forico in late March and trials are still under way at the company’s NW operation.

Smartphone technology

Smart phone technology for log measurement is another area that’s been trialled, both in this region and internationally. Timbeter, a European company, has gained perhaps more traction in this space than others. Timbeter’s (formally known as Timber Diameter) team came in October 2013 at a “Fewer operators together Garage48 hackathon event in Pärnu, Estonia. The team spent are involved, over 2 years developing the log quicker detection algorithm and Timmeasurements can beter launched worldwide with log measurement system be taken and truck their in March 2016. Very simply, log measureturn-around time is ment in the bush, in a container able to be reduced. or on truck is undertaken by taking a photo with a smart Measurements like a mobile phone. are also taken on device Piece count and volume data is recorded digitally and is able to moving trucks. be shared by link. With 100% of The system now has over 10,000 users and is used every the loads being day by the Estonian and Lithumeasured, no anian State Forests. Lithuania LV DOVR WKH ÂżUVW FRXQWU\ WR PDNH sampling or optical measurement conversion factors photo WKH RIÂżFLDO PHWKRG IRU WLPEHU measurement. Vallo Visnapuu, are required.â€? &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2IÂżFHU IRU ,WÂśV WKH ÂżUVW WLPH WKH /RJPHWHU Timbeter will be outlining just system has been deployed at a how the system works and is mill in Australia, New Zealand being used operationally by or South East Asia. Darren forestry and wood transport Herd, Strategic Resource and companies at the WoodFlow Logistics Manager with Forico 2018 event. will be outlining the company’s In Australia, Islay Robertinvestigations into suitable log son, COO of HQPlantations, load measurement systems will also be outlining progress and results from their recent on the development of a Code trials. Woodtech, the Chilean of Practice for using scansupplier of the laser measure- ning technologies at the mill ment systems will also be in- for the volumetric measurevolved in the WoodFlow 2018 ment of individual logs for June series. payment purposes.

Australian Forests & Timber News May 2018

Innovative practices In addition to log measurement systems, an array of new international and local technologies and innovative operating practices around vehicle ÀHHW RSHUDWLRQV SODQQLQJ DQG safety as they apply to the wood transport businesses are being covered in this two-yearly tech update. Companies at the forefront of these innovations like Scania from Hong Kong, the LOTS Group based in Sweden, Chile’s Forestal Mininco, JRP Solutions from Canada and NZ’s Zero Emission Vehicles will be presenting as part of the series. Local forestry companies also play a major part in this event with Forestry Corporation NSW, Forico, Nelson Forests, HQPlantations and OneFortyOne Plantations all sharing their experinces. :RRGÀRZ UXQV RQ 20-21 June in Melbourne, and again on 26-27 June in Rotorua. It is run every two years for Australasia’s forestry managers, harvesting and wood haulage contractors and transport planners. In addition to the two days of tech updates, conference delegates also this year have the opportunity of registering for two pre-conference workshops, one on cloud-based operations management and the other on transport planning. %RWK DUH IUHH WR :RRGÀRZ 2018 conference delegates and will run on the afternoon before the conference in Melbourne and in Rotorua. Full details on WoodFlow 2018 series can be found on the event website, ZZZ ZRRGÀRZ HYHQWV. www.timberbiz.com.au

Sell your used equipment, advertise your tender, offer your real estate or find your next employee. For rates and deadlines call Gavin de Almeida on (08) 8369 9517 or email: g.dealmeida@ryanmediapl.com.au

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Loser - Dowell cut off machine x 2 No. 220

$3,500+GST Each

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$4,000+GST

Dimpter 204 Optimising line

complete with infeed and out feed, multiple kick off stations, can be seen operating. $38,000+GST

Anytime, Anywhere, Anyhow.

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with multi Bundle infeed and strip conveyor very good unit. $32,000+GST

Rotobec F360HD Bunching Grapple $6,325 inc. GST

Rex Planer

600x200, VG condition $35,000+GST

Timbco T445B & Hultins DFF head $71,500 inc. GST

Rotobec Log Grapple $59,048 inc. GST

MK Impianti

RF continuous laminated timber press line, (came out of Door component factory), good sound condition $42,000+GST Magazine

Austral Timber Group Valmet 895 forwarder $330,000 inc. GST

Contact: Ken Baker 0438 643 992 or ken.baker@dynagroup.com.au

Valmet 895 forwarder $324,500 inc. GST

Komatsu XT450L-2 Attachment not included $302,500 inc. GST

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Classifieds

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EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST HARDWOOD AND SOFTWOOD PLANTATION HARVESTING, OTWAY REGION VICTORIA Midway Limited is seeking Expressions of Interest from experienced steep slope harvesting contractors for the harvesting of Eucalyptus pulp logs and softwood sawlogs from the Otway Region Victoria. Hardwood volumes are expected to be 100,000 green metric tonnes per annum for a minimum of five years. Softwood volumes are expected to be 150,000 green metric tonnes per annum during 2018/19 and 2019/20. Contact: Clint Larkins (Harvest Manager) 03 5277 9255 0428 590 888 clarkins@midwaylimited.com.au Expressions of Interest close May 31st 2018

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John Deere 859MH Harvester 2016 model 990hrs A/C Cab Waratah measuring and control system Wormald Fire Suppression Balance of full machine warranty Located Brisbane

$630,000 +GST Oliver James (Used Equipment Manager) Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia) Pty Ltd

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Classifieds

FOR SALE Feller Buncher Komatsu PC300LC-8 FX model with a KF750 head Machine currently working but will be available from July 2018. It will have approximately 3000 hours on both base and head when sold. Full service history available on request. Price is $490,000 plus GST Contact Ricky Leeson: 0351992768 store@leesons.com.au

Waratah Forestry Equipment 5 Collins Road, Melton 3337 Melbourne, Victoria. 03 9747 4200

FL85 SERIES 2

Designed for 20-25 tonne carriers or where a mid-class size felling head can add value through not compromising larger carrier base stability and reach, such as tethered applications. Our FL85 series II has substantial cutting capacity together with auto-tension mainsaw which increases daily uptime and a low overall cost to run- and like all of our heads, when you put one to work, our Waratah support team goes to work – to get you going and keep you productive.

Waratah FL95 FLL95

25-35 tonne carrier class felling head. The new Waratah FL95 is a heavy duty, fixed saw box directional felling head that is specifically designed for steep slope felling, handling oversized trees and shovel logging. With its massive 1580mm grapple opening and 45” mainsaw m bar the FL95 is your felling head solution for all applications.

Price $69,000.00 + GST

Price $85,000.00 + GST P

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Daily Timber News h__^kl Z lgZilahm h_ _hk^lm Zg] mbf[^k g^pl% k^l^Zk\a Zg] fZkd^mbg` \hgm^gm `e^Zg^] _khf hnk \hf[bg^] Forests & Timber Zg] Australian Timbek g^plkhhf% ienl :nlmkZebZg Zg] bgm^kgZmbhgZe f^]bZ lhnk\^l' Ln[l\kbimbhg bl FREE Zg] ^Zlr Oblbm www.timberbiz.com.au mh lb`g ni mh]Zr' 630 Regency Road, Broadview, South Australia 5083

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