Komatsu’s new XT-5 tracked harvesters provide maneuverability and power in demanding conditions

To harvest trees in tight, dense and rugged-terrain forests, operators need machines with maneuverability, power, versatility and reliability. With Komatsu’s XT-5 tracked harvesters, operators can harvest closer to the carrier and maneuver confidently thanks to a lower center of gravity and off-set boom.

Made to perform in demanding conditions, Komatsu’s XT-5 closed loop tracked harvesters enable operators to simultaneously travel, cut, delimb, harvest and swing timber. Engineered with hydraulic lines for each function, operators can use tracks, boom, arm and tools concurrently.

Benefits of the XT-5 tracked harvesters

• Significantly greater lift capacity
• 10% more horsepower
• 16% more torque
• 5% lower fuel consumption
• Excellent uptime and serviceability

More powerful, more productive

The short-tail swing of Komatsu’s 331 HP harvesters lets operators work through dense forests and clear-cutting environments. The set-back boom allows cutting close to the undercarriage and tracks, while the powerful swing torque excels in demanding applications.

Designed to significantly increase lift capacity, handling trees with the arm fully extended is made easier. With an excellent balance between boom lift and arm holding capacity, the XT-5 harvesters can be equipped with a wide selection of harvesting saw heads.

The harvesters can be adapted to the job with two different working ranges. Use the short reach and larger-scaled head to harvest larger trees or switch to a longer reach and more compact designed head to grab trees further from the carrier.

Even on sloped terrains operators can work with confidence. The XT455L-5 is equipped with a heavy-duty, four-way leveling system that promotes front/rear/side leveling for exceptional stability. The fuel tank placement lowers the center of gravity for enhanced stability.

Helps lower maintenance costs and makes servicing easier

With the XT-5 harvesters, you can save on maintenance costs because the innovative hydraulic tank system design requires 55% less hydraulic oil. Pumps are equipped with hydro-nucleation to help prevent pump cavitation  and are 17% larger to help extend component life by operating 500 rpms slower. The engine gull-wing and wide swing-out doors on the XT-5 harvesters offer quick and easy access to all engine service points and all key components.

Operator comfort and customization improve productivity

Help reduce fatigue and support productivity by giving your operators a roomy, comfortable work environment. Excellent visibility, especially to the tracks, and powerful heating, cooling and defrosting systems, help your operators be at the top of their game. When working shifts switch, the controls can switch too by adjusting to each operator’s preference (up to three settings). Set preferences for joystick, boom, stick, tool tilt, swing, cab leveling and more.

Learn more about the Komatsu XT445L-5 and XT430-5.

About Komatsu

Komatsu develops and supplies technologies, equipment and services for the construction, mining, forklift, industrial and forestry markets.

All comparisons and claims of improved performance made herein are made with respect to the prior Komatsu model (XT-3) unless otherwise specifically stated. ©2022 Komatsu America Corp.

Forestry machines

Tackle tough forestry jobs with confidence using Komatsu wheeled harvesters, forwarders, log loaders, swing machines, felling heads and harvesting heads. Forestry work is often in the most rugged terrain and brutal conditions — and Komatsu forestry equipment is engineered for the task.

To read other Komatsu related posts click here.

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The Austrian Pfeifer Holding GmbH has signed an agreement on acquiring the Finnish wood processing company Pölkky Oy. The transaction strengthens Pfeifer’s position as one of the leading European timber industry companies and prepares the producer to face global competition. The Pölkky brand, management and operations will remain untouched.

Since its inception in 1968, Pölkky has been owned by the Virranniemi family. As the largest wood processing company in private ownership in Northern Finland, Pölkky employs 420 people and most recently recorded an annual turnover of 200 million Euros. After Pölkky integration into the Pfeifer Group, it intends to continue with its investment programme as planned during years 2022–2024.

Michael Pfeifer, CEO of Pfeifer Holding GmbH, said: “We are excited about the opportunities this acquisition brings. Pölkky is a well-managed family company with a competent management and staff, a unique location in the heavily forested area of Northern Finland and a valuable market position. This is why Pölkky fits perfectly into our strategy of synergistic growth. The Pfeifer Holding’s three-man management team is comprised of CEO Michael Pfeifer, CTO Clemens Pfeifer and CFO Ewald Franzoi.

Thorough analysis resulted in Pölkky being the best option

In a well-founded analysis process, the Holding’s Managing Directors thoroughly examined all acquisition options over the course of the last few years. In the end, Pölkky emerged as the best option. When signing the contracts, the leadership trio announced that they intend to continue Pölkky’s ambitious investment projects and operations with full force and expand the Pfeifer Group’s role as a strong partner in the global sawn timber market.

Petteri Virranniemi, CEO of Pölkky Oy, also emphasises the benefits of the deal: “For me and my family, this step strengthens our development potential, allowing Pölkky to continue to grow and make profits. I am confident that we will be able to create new synergies and additional market potential.”

New perspectives for Pfeifer

Thanks to the acquisition, the Pfeifer Group’s number of employees rises to some 2,600 in four countries. The forecast turnover will increase to 1.4 billion Euros in 2023.

For the company previously situated in Central Europe, the transaction means a strategically coherent development in the direction of Northern Europe. Apart from entering an attractive market, this also opens new procurement sources when it comes to high-quality wood from the far North. This will secure the supply and delivery capabilities of the Group in the long run.

Pölkky there to stay

The Pölkky brand will remain active after the firm’s integration into the Pfeifer Group. Likewise, the management will continue to manage the company under CEO Petteri Virranniemi’s leadership, while the supervisory board will be reorganised. The acquisition has no impact on Pölkky’s staff levels, customers and cooperation agreements. The actual acquisition will take place after merger control approximately in January 2023.

About the Pfeifer Group

The Austrian Pfeifer Holding GmbH was founded in 1948 and is currently run by the Pfeifer family’s third generation. Before the acquisition of Pölkky, the Pfeifer Group had around 2,200 employees at eight locations in Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. The company headquarters are in Imst (Tyrol/Austria).

In the Group’s fully integrated sawmills, around 4 million cubic meters of wood are cut annually and processed completely along the entire value chain. Pfeifer focuses on the clearly defined areas of timber construction (cross laminated timber, glulam, glued solid wood panels), formwork (concrete formwork panels, formwork beams), pallet blocks and packaging timber, as well as energy (pellets, briquettes, green electricity and heat).

Pfeifer exports its products to 90 countries, with around 90 % of sales generated in its core European markets. There, Pfeifer is the market leader in shuttering panels and pallet blocks and is one of the largest producers of sawn timber, pellets, formwork beams and glulam.

Learn more at https://www.pfeifergroup.com/en/ 

About Pölkky

Pölkky is Northern Finland’s largest family-owned wood processing company. High production standards, reliable supply relationships, logistics know-how and responsible personnel characterise the company, whose slogan is “Roots for Quality Living”. The sawmills and processing plants are located in Kuusamo (headquarters), Taivalkoski, Kajaani, Kitka and Oulu. Its annual production output is 700,000 m3 of sawn timber, and the product portfolio also includes planed timber, pressure-treated timber, glulam, chips and sawdust. With an export quota of over 70 percent and delivery destinations in 35 countries, Pölkky is a major player in the global sawmill market

To read other Pölkky related posts click here.

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USNR is replacing the Headrig system at Lampe & Malphrus Lumber Company with a new End Dogging Carriage line, including several new machines such as:

• Log infeed using belts, chains, and ending screws
• Pinnacle feeder
• USNR carriage optimization with LASAR
• Reciprocating EDC with rotation
• Conical chip-heads with board and cant separators
• A single pass resaw
• An inertial separator to separate the split cants
• Numerous belted and chain transfers

This comes on the heels of another significant investment for Lampe & Malphrus, a new Optimized Edger line slated for installation in early 2023.

A strong business needs constant updating and revitalization, and that’s exactly what a new carriage line will do. Once the new systems are installed, logs will move through faster and with a higher-quality end result.

“The new primary breakdown will allow us to meet our customer’s growing demand for quality lumber while improving recovery and the health and safety of our team members.”<?p>

Will Lampe, President & CEO, Lampe & Malphrus Lumber Company

USNR enjoys working with Lampe & Malphrus Lumber on all of their upgrades and expansion projects.

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An agreement has been entered into with Lazarus Industriförvaltning AB, which acquires a majority of Eco Log Group AB.

Lazarus is an investment company specialized in operational turn-around of companies facing significant challenges. By combining access to capital with experience of operational turn-around, Lazarus can strengthen Eco Logs’ position and offering going forward. Lazarus already owns companies such as Eurosteel Nybro, AH Automation, Stockholm Repair Yard and other manufacturing industrial companies.

– We believe in the company and in the industry, and our acquisition is an important part of the new start that is now needed. We see particularly good opportunities to strengthen Eco Log’s position and we hope that we as new owners can provide both the capital and the drive that is needed, says Martin Alsander, partner in Lazarus Industriförvaltning AB. 

The company manufactures and sells efficient forest machines for sustainable forestry and is based in Söderhamn.

We are very pleased to have new experienced owners who believe in the company and have experience of operational turn-around during complex situations. The acquisition gives Eco Log the right prerequisites to conduct long-term sustainable operations, says Lars Bredenfeldt, board member of Eco Log Group AB.

The acquisition is conditional by the Swedish Competition Authority’s approval. Weland and Accent remain as minority shareholders of Eco Log Group AB.

At the moment, Eco Log Sweden AB is in an ongoing reorganization process.

To read other Eco Log Group posts click here.

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Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Head Office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President, and CEO: Shinji Shimomura) secured an order from Tosoh Corporation (Representative Director, President: Mamoru Kuwada) for a 74 MW-class wood biomass and recycled fuel-fired boiler (planned construction site: Nanyo Complex, Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture) based on the EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contract.

This facility is a boiler for a biomass power plant toward energy decarbonization that is planned by Tosoh Corporation. It is a high-efficiency biomass-fired boiler that uses wood-based fuel as its primary fuel and employs the reheating system.*1 The type of boiler to be used—a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler—has a large share of the high-efficiency biomass power plant sector. The SHI Group has supplied more than 530 CFB boilers in Japan and abroad.*2 Tosoh Corporation’s high regard for SHI’s delivery record and project proposal were leading factors in its decision to use a SHI CFB boiler in its project.

SHI will continue pursuing exceptional fuel diversity in CFB boiler technology and supplying high-efficiency power facilities with the aim of effectively utilizing resources and reducing environmental impact. SHI will contribute to the stable supply of electric power and utilities and the realization of a decarbonized society.

[Facility outline]
Boiler type: Circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler (reheating system)
Maximum evaporation: 270 t/h
Fuel type: Wood-based fuel, etc.
Scheduled start-up year: 2026

*1: Reheating system: A technology that makes high-efficiency power plant possible by sending steam that was expanded in a steam turbine back to the boiler, reheating it, and then sending it back to the steam turbine.

*2: SHI Group: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. and Sumitomo SHI FW (SFW), a subsidiary. The figure provided includes CFB technology licensees of the SHI Group.

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Just recently Georgia voters made a clear statement in support of Georgia’s small forestry businesses that steward the state’s 22 million acres of working forest by passing Referendum A by simple majority. The referendum provides an ad valorem tax exemption for forestry equipment used in tree planting, forest management, and timber harvesting.

The Georgia Forestry Association is pleased that Georgia’s loggers, tree planters, and land managers will be given equal treatment with farm owners and agriculture businesses, who have been extended the same equipment tax exemption for decades. Referendum A was a GFA policy priority that started with strong bipartisan support in the Georgia State Legislature for House Bill 997, sponsored by Rep. Sam Watson (R-Moultrie). This summer, GFA launched a grassroots communications campaign in support of Referendum A, focused on activating members across the state and educating key media outlets across the state.

“We are grateful for the support from the state legislature and more than 2 million voters who voted to help keep Georgia the number one forestry state in the nation,” GFA President & CEO Andres Villegas said. “As we travelled across this state, we’ve heard from hundreds of small forestry businesses about the importance of this legislation, which will deliver much needed economic relief to the forestry supply chain.”

This tax exemption will apply to more than 1,200 small forestry businesses that directly support more than 5,400 jobs across the state. Small forestry businesses are under an extreme amount of economic pressure due to rising operational costs, supply chain constraints and labor challenges. In 2022, logging companies have seen an average cost increase of $2.50/ton of wood harvested, which translates into an estimated $7,500 per week (or $400,000 per year) in increased operating costs for an average small forestry business.

Beginning January 1, 2023, forestry equipment to be exempted from taxes will include equipment owned or held under a lease-purchase agreement. The off-road equipment will include skidders, feller bunchers, debarkers, delimbers, chip harvesters, tub-grinders, wood cutters, chippers, loaders, dozers, mid-motor graders, equipment attachments. The tax exemption does not apply to motor vehicles or trailers.

The Georgia Forestry Association will continue to advocate for healthy regulatory, legal and tax structures that support the state’s working forests and the economic and environmental benefits they provide to our state. To learn more about becoming a member or getting engaged with the Association, visit www.gfagrow.org or contact us at 478-992-8110 or at info@gfagrow.org.

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B.C. delegates recently embarked on the first post-COVID-19 forestry trade mission to Japan, seeking to increase market opportunities, meet with customers and partners, and encourage expanded use of B.C. wood products.

“Japan is a critically important export market for B.C.’s high-quality wood products, and we are excited to engage directly and strengthen relationships with our key customers and trading partners,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests. “Through B.C.’s global leadership and innovation in sustainable forestry and mass timber manufacturing, we have the opportunity to increase exports, given Japan’s focus on green building construction and wood use in public buildings. This will support good, well-paying jobs for people across the province.”

The five-day mission, beginning Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, saw Conroy, forest industry representatives, federal and provincial officials, and Indigenous leaders attend events with the primary objectives of strengthening relationships, identifying new market opportunities, encouraging the use of B.C. wood products, discussing evolving market opportunities and challenges, and increasing awareness of B.C.’s leadership in sustainable and innovative forest product manufacturing and construction practices.

Activities included:

• touring the Tokyo University of the Arts nail-laminated timber demonstration project, which is the first example of an engineered spruce-pine-fir (SPF) nail-laminated timber floor system commercially adopted in Japan;

• witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Canada Wood and developer Seiwa Corporation on the joint development of tall midply;

• hosting a customer appreciation reception at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo;

• visiting the B.C. Wood Japan office and touring the Log Road Commercial Development, which features extensive use of western red cedar;

• visiting Osaka to talk with customers in the Kansai region;

• meeting with Japanese officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism, and the Japan Forestry Agency; and

• meeting with the co-chairs and executive director of the Japan 2×4 Home Builders Association.

Around the world, organizations are making purchasing decisions that factor in impacts to the environment and communities. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance is important as businesses look to succeed long term in a fast-changing marketplace.

B.C.’s forests are managed sustainably and forest companies are required to replant areas harvested. The Province also introduced legislative changes to enhance the role of First Nations in long-term forest planning and decision-making.

Quotes:

Bruce St. John, president, Canada Wood Group –

“Asia has made a commitment of building a net-zero future by recognizing the use of low-carbon construction materials. By supporting innovative wood building systems in construction in China, Japan and Korea, Canada Wood is exporting Canadian low-carbon products and technology while maintaining the competitiveness of the Canadian forest industry.”

Linda Coady, president and CEO, Council of Forest Industries (COFI) –

“These missions are critical to growing B.C.’s reputation as the supplier of choice in providing customers around the world with the renewable, low-carbon forest products people want and need. As key markets, like Japan, increasingly seek construction, packaging and other materials that are a better choice for the planet, COFI looks forward to continuing to partner with government, Indigenous Nations, labour and communities to show the world what B.C.’s forest industry is made of, while also creating new opportunities for the foresters, biologists, data analysts, truck drivers, mill workers, re-manufacturers and many more British Columbians who make the sector great.”

Lennard Joe, CEO, First Nations Forestry Council (FNFC) –

“The First Nations Forestry Council and B.C. are working together on a number of projects in forestry that recognize First Nations rights and are promoting reconciliation. FNFC, along with First Nations leadership, is honoured to be part of this mission and to offer our Japanese colleagues a true perspective on the forestry partnership between the Province and First Nations. Together, we are forging a new beginning in forestry practices in B.C., one that promises respect and places First Nations front and centre in forestry policy development.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C. sold forest products to Japan valued at $1.6 billion in 2021.
• B.C.’s forest industry has shipped lumber to Japan for nearly 100 years, with more than 45 years of in-country market development work led by industry and government.
• Japan is B.C.’s highest-value and oldest market in Asia for forestry products.

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