4 minute read
NEWS
FORESTRYMACHINERYNEWS
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FIGHTING THE FUNGUS
Gem 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.
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’S BOBCATS
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.
OFF-ROAD IVECO
Iveco has expanded its hugely successful Daily range with new 4x4 Cab and Van variants, which bring an extra degree of versatility to the party and should come into their own in forest environments.
Based on a strong ladder truck chassis, All-Road and Off-Road models up to 7 tons are available (in other markets, the All-Road is referred to as the On/Off-Road). The 3-litre, 180hp turbodiesel engine can be teamed with a 6-speed manual or 8-speed Hi-Matic automatic gearbox, and the new 4x4 models offer up to 4300kg payloads.
The Daily 4x4 Chassis Cab comes in 3080, 3480, 3780 and 4175mm wheelbases, whilst the Crew Cab and Chassis Cowl versions are only offered with the latter three wheelbases. Meanwhile, the Daily 4x4 Van range covers wheelbases of 3595mm (H1 and H2), 3595L (H2 and H3) and 4175mm (H2 and H3).
CAIRNGORMS GRANT
Cairngorms National Park has won a £12.5m share of National Lottery funding as part of the Heritage Horizon Awards. Projects led by The The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) will see the planting of thousands of trees, the restoration of more than 3,000 hectares of peatland, and even the creation of a new dementia centre with nature at its heart.
Covering over 4,500km2, the Cairngorms is the largest national park in the UK and is home to 25% of all threatened and rare species, such as capercaillie, wildcats, osprey and golden eagles.
A new woodland creation scheme from Forestry England, which offers rent to landowners including public bodies, environmental NGOs and farmers, in return for a longterm lease, has been launched.
The Forestry England Woodland Partnership is a chance to diversify landholding and farming businesses. It requires limited financial investment, no forestry expertise and guarantees regular payments. As part of the Nature for Climate Fund to support the government’s tree planting commitment, the scheme aims to create significant new areas of high-quality, biodiverse woodlands across England.
Forestry England is looking for applications from a wide range of landowners able to offer a minimum of 50 hectares for a long-term lease of between 60 and 120 years. Once a lease partnership is agreed, Forestry England will design, plant and manage every site as part of the nation’s forests including any local consultations or engagement.
JOHN DEERE AND ENGON TEAM UP
Engcon and John Deere have entered into an agreement focusing on the US and Canada markets. Engcon’s products will be available to end users through the John Deere and Hitachi excavator dealer network throughout the US and Canada. This collaboration will ensure that customers are able to purchase their John Deere and Hitachi excavators equipped with Engcon’s productivity enhancing products.
Thanks to the new collaboration, customers will be able to choose Engcon’s tilt-rotators and automatic quick mounting system with EC-Oil, where the driver can connect hydraulic tools without leaving the cab, through authorised John Deere and Hitachi dealers in the USA and Canada.
