NEWS
FORESTRYMACHINERYNEWS
FIGHTING THE FUNGUS G
em Plant Sales Ltd, the Ashford-based Wacker Neuson distributor for South-East London and Kent, recently supplied a bespoke ET145 excavator to Aztech Tree Services of Sevenoaks, Kent. The machine is being used to fulfil a critical conservation project in the region’s woodlands to help tackle Ash Dieback disease. Finished in gloss black by J C Commercials of Aylesham, Canterbury, the excavator was fitted with a Vosch 1600 Grapple Saw by Richard Court Forestry Engineering Ltd, based in Godalming, Surrey. The machine was also supplied with a set of buckets and hydraulic hitch by Strickland MFG.
HIRST’S BOBCATS
Adam Ashworth, the owner of Aztech Tree Services explained that the machine will be used to help combat the serious problem of Ash Dieback disease (Chalara) by felling diseased trees in local woodlands and estates in the safest and most cost-effective method. The felled timber is then processed for use as a biomass fuel. Ash Dieback is a highly destructive disease for ash trees especially in the UK’s native species. It is caused by a fungus of Asian origin and is present in most parts of the UK now. The felling of diseased trees helps to reduce its spread but above all, they are becoming a real safety hazard. Chalara is making these trees incredibly brittle and unpredictable.
Hirst Brothers Contractors Ltd of York has taken delivery of new Bobcat E27 and E85 mini-excavators. Jointly run by Directors, Edd and Tom Hirst, Hirst Brothers provides a range of services, including site clearance, tree surgery, estate management, forestry, fencing and excavation. The company works nationwide for the likes of Network Rail, which owns, operates and develops Britain’s railway infrastructure. Edd Hirst commented, “The new machines allow us to gain access to and from and to work in the tight confines of many of our worksites, including the trackside contracts for Network Rail. They can also be
combined with different attachments to widen the range of applications we can carry out.” Supplied by Grays Machinery Ltd, based in Bedale, the new 8.5-tonne E85 is specced with an articulated boom, an unusual feature for the UK market, where the preference is for straight boom models. The E85’s articulated boom means the arm can be brought closer to the machine and reach a lot higher. With its bigger engine and oil pump, the 2.7-tonne E27 excavator gives Hirst Brothers extra power for the difficult jobs, such as working with a flail mower attachment in thick brambles.
FORESTRY MACHINERY AUTUMN 2021
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