Committed to providing the forestry industry with powerful and reliable equipment solutions, John Deere is rolling out upgrades to its FR22B and FR24B Felling Heads. Compatible with select M-Series Tracked Feller Bunchers, the updated FR22B and FR24B models have been redesigned to increase durability and extend the life of the wrist and head.

“The forestry industry is challenging and pushes equipment to the limit to get the job done, making it important for manufacturers to provide reliable solutions designed for logging applications,” said Jim O’Halloran, product marketing manager, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “Our new FR22B and FR24B Felling Heads provide just that – a reliable felling solution designed with the operator’s needs in mind.”

The new felling heads feature improved flow capability, increased hydraulic hose size and routing, and updated ring gear and frame welds, all resulting in increased durability.

To learn more about the FR22B or FR24B Felling Heads, as well as the full line of John Deere Forestry Equipment, visit your local John Deere Forestry dealer or www.JohnDeere.com.

Tigercat has announced that Damien Ambrose has been appointed to the position of product support representative for Australia. Based in Tumut, New South Whales, Damien is joining Tigercat with over twenty-four-years of experience in the forestry industry.

Damien has worked with the Tigercat product since it first arrived in Australia in 2000, first with former Tigercat dealer Forest Centre, and then as a field service mechanic, service manager and branch operations manager for Australia’s current Tigercat dealer Onetrak.

“I am very pleased to have Damien join the support team for Australia. He knows the Tigercat product inside and out, is an extremely skilled and competent individual, and an excellent addition to the team,” explains Glen Marley, Tigercat district manager for Australia and New Zealand.

Damien has strong technical knowledge of the Tigercat product through his completion of various technical courses related to harvesters, forwarders, track carriers, drive-to-tree feller bunchers, skidders, harvesting attachments, and the Tigercat FPT engine.

“I have worked with the Tigercat product for many years now and I believe the company is the leading manufacturer of forestry equipment in the market,” says Damien. “I value the level of customer support Tigercat provides and I am excited to be a part of this great team.” Damien will be providing field support for Tigercat’s growing customer base predominantly across the regions of southeastern Australia and Queensland.

After a year of record-breaking profits, British Columbia’s forest companies are bracing for a hard crash. And many small towns in rural B.C. , where economies rely on the sound of saws ripping through timber, could be on the precipice of extremely challenging times.

“That keeps me up at night,” Premier John Horgan admitted to me in an interview this week in his office. The Council of Forest Industries (COFI) has publicly stated that between eight and 10 mills could close this summer, costing thousands of jobs and devastating small communities across the province. This looming disaster is the result of a confluence of factors.

In recent years, the province incentivized companies to ramp up production and revamp mills to clear forest ravaged by the devastating pine beetle infestation. That work is pretty much done now, with the amount of timber that companies are allowed to cut annually reduced along with it. The market in the United States, meantime, which had helped B.C. companies reap record returns last year, has fallen dramatically.

Forest fires the last couple of years have diminished the amount of merchantable timber by 2 million hectares, according to the Premier. And this summer blazes in the Interior and north are expected to be the same or worse than 2017 and 2018. Some climate experts predict this is the new normal. Meanwhile, a government plan to protect caribou herds would also severely restrict logging, and stumpage rates charged by the province are scheduled to increase on July 1.

Mr. Horgan doesn’t deny that there could be closings and tough times ahead, but he doesn’t believe government is in any way to blame. “I don’t feel any ownership for the crisis in the forest industry nor should I,” he said.

While the looming problems are partly the result of factors outside anyone’s control – forest fires – Mr. Horgan and others believe the industry must bear some responsibility for the situation. For years now, forest companies have been shipping two-by-fours out the door and getting the best price possible for them. That was being done, however, against the advice of many who saw writing on the wall and believed the industry needed to be transitioning from a volume-based model to one favouring value instead.

“Some companies have taken decisions recently that are going to be devastating for some communities and we need to be prepared for that,” Mr. Horgan said. “There is no magic solution to overcut and under supply of fibre. We need to find ways to take the fibre we have and do more with it. On the coast, we’ve been exporting logs at an unprecedented rate”. More >>

For further coverage of the projected downturn click here.

Check out this link for a list of mills that have either closed or have cut back on their production.

Source: theglobeandmail.com

Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers has announced that Keith Lamb will commence as its new Managing Director next month. This is part of a long-planned transition as KIPT anticipates moving into port construction, forestry production and export operations.

Current MD John Sergeant will remain in an executive capacity and will continue as a director while Mr Lamb takes overall responsibility for the next phase in the Company’s transition to profitable and sustainable operations.

KIPT chair Paul McKenzie said Mr Sergeant had piloted the growth of the Company from a sub-scale timberland owner, with a mixed collection of stranded assets, to a sustainable producer of quality timber, poised to deliver a significant infrastructure project.

“During that time, KIPT’s market capitalisation has grown from AU$3 million to about AU$120 million. We thank John for his stewardship of the Company and we are glad that he will continue to assist in the next stages of the company’s development.”

He said Mr Lamb was one of the most respected forestry professionals in Australia, “with a history of deploying institutional capital to create value for forest owners, and with a genuine commitment to the role that forestry can play in building resilient and prosperous regional communities”.

“He is the right person, at the right time and we are proud to have him as the new leader of the business.” Mr Lamb was Director of Operations and Portfolio Manager for New Forests Asset Management from 2005 until 2017, with responsibility for AU$2.5 billion in timberland and related agricultural and industrial assets, including the blue gums on Kangaroo Island later bought by KIPT.

Mr Sergeant would continue to be involved in the current development approval process, enabling Mr Lamb to focus on the company’s medium to long term growth.

Source: KIPT

Keith Lamb, left, and John Sergeant at the MacGIll Plantation.

Committed to providing the forestry industry with powerful and reliable equipment solutions, John Deere is rolling out upgrades to its FR22B and FR24B Felling Heads. Compatible with select M-Series Tracked Feller Bunchers, the updated FR22B and FR24B models have been redesigned to increase durability and extend the life of the wrist and head.

“The forestry industry is challenging and pushes equipment to the limit to get the job done, making it important for manufacturers to provide reliable solutions designed for logging applications,” said Jim O’Halloran, product marketing manager, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “Our new FR22B and FR24B Felling Heads provide just that – a reliable felling solution designed with the operator’s needs in mind.”

The new felling heads feature improved flow capability, increased hydraulic hose size and routing, and updated ring gear and frame welds, all resulting in increased durability.

To learn more about the FR22B or FR24B Felling Heads, as well as the full line of John Deere Forestry Equipment, visit your local John Deere Forestry dealer or www.JohnDeere.com.

Logset launches a new smaller hybrid harvester – the Logset 8H GTE Hybrid. It is the company´s second hybrid harvester model. The new hybrid harvester model has an AGCO Power 74 LFTN diesel engine that conforms to Stage 5 EU emission regulations.

The hybrid system’s two main parts are the electric motor and the super capacitators used as energy storage. The hybrid system provides up to 100 kW of additional power. The hybrid harvester reaches higher productivity through a faster torque response, which allows the machine to easily perform several tasks at the same time. The engine load is kept constant, which reduces emissions per felled cubic meter.

“This hybrid model is suitable for several market areas, and it can be equipped with a Logset TH65 or TH75 harvester head. The machine has lower operating costs compared to a regular harvester, which is one the main benefits of the hybrid technology. The fuel saving can be up to 30%. Hybrid technology is clearly an important part of the future of sustainable forestry,” says Vice President of Sales Pascal Réty.

Logset Oy is a Finnish forest machine manufacturer located in Koivulahti, near Vaasa.

Profiler unit VPM 350

The family of VPM profiler units was extended by an additional machine model. In addition to the high end machine VPM450, the smaller VPM 350 was developed to be used for cant heights of up to 350 mm and cutting depths of up to 75 mm.

The smaller adjustment paths and chip removal volumes made it possible to simplify drive and cutting tool design. There is only one drive motor per side whose power is distributed to the two profiler heads of one side according to requirement. The reduced adjustment paths allowed a shortening of the profiler head drive shaft with positive effect on the machine width and thus to keep to the dimensions of the VPF profiler unit. As a result, the VPM 350 corresponds to the VPF machine in size and processing possibilities and is perfectly suited to be installed in existing saw lines.

Downsizing the machine dimensions allowed for a further reduction of the masses to be moved, thus resulting in smaller gaps between cants for operating modes with sawing optimization.

And with the new VPM 350, you also benefit from the special features of the VPM profiler unit series, namely sawn lumber surfaces without tear-outs, the possibility of diagonal profiling by using tilting tool axes and the possibility of curve profiling by pivoting cutting tools.

Cutter head for chipper canter

At LIGNA 2019, LINCK presented a new generation of cutter heads for its chipper canters. The number of knives of this three-step cutter head can vary between three and six depending on the requested chip length. For producing fine chips, the number of knives in the first step can be doubled.

In contrast to the previous knife disc which has a truncated cone shape, the new generation cutter head is designed with a cylindrical outer disc. This flattening leads to a reduced disc diameter. The rollers in front of and behind the chipper canter can thus move closer to allow a better guiding of short logs.

The reduction in diameter also reduces the overall length of the machine affecting the necessary log gap for optimization processes that require an adjustment of the chipper canter.

Of course, this new generation includes all well-known advantages of the today available cutter heads, i.e. guide disc, the possibility to change from saw rings to dressing knives, the use of regrindable knives and the production of high-quality chips.

Last Friday night in Dunedin there was an outstanding turnout by local forestry companies, contractors and transport operators from throughout the lower South Island of New Zealand. The function was the 2019 Southern Wood Council Forestry Awards.

The Council, representing all major forest owners and wood processing companies in Otago and Southland ran the 2019 Awards programme in conjunction with the country’s industry training organisation, Competenz.

In addition to profiling the contribution that forestry and those working within the industry are making to the economic and social well-being of the region, the night was really designed to celebrate the success of those that had achieved formal training qualifications over the year. Through a series of nine major awards, the event also recognised the forest industry’s top performers from across the lower South Island.

The industry certainly rallied on the night. Like the previous four years, over 300 forest managers, forestry contractors, transport operators and product and service suppliers to the industry from throughout the lower South Island attended the awards evening at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.

“The turnout by forestry workers, their families and supporters on the night reflects the momentum that’s been building over the last year or so with training and safety in this region” says Grant Dodson, Chairman of the Southern Wood Council. In addition to increased on-site training, two training courses in the region are now fully operational”.

“Mike Hurring’s Training School is running five one-week block courses in Balclutha for new entrants to the industry complete with hands-on training using harvesting machines located on site, leading to the first qualification of their apprenticeship. A new course, Tokomairiro Training, an initiative that’s been set up by Tokomairiro High School and Johnson Forestry Services, with support being provided by local forestry companies, is also now running 32-week courses for selected school students who are looking at forestry as a future career opportunity”.

“As well as recognising the training achievements of forestry workers and crews that have really stood out over the past 12 months, the industry was able to come together at one place to celebrate the industry along with training and business success” says Mr. Dodson.

“The message on the value of the awards evening has certainly found it’s mark with many companies bringing through all of their staff and workers, from Invercargill through to Timaru. One local contractor for example brought through close to 40 of their workers to celebrate their achievements in picking up training qualifications over the year as well as rewarding the harvesting crews for their efforts over the year”.

Presenters and speakers at this year’s awards evening included Jamie MacKay, Host of NZ’s New Zealand’s flagship rural radio show, The Country and the awards guest speaker Davey Hughes, founder of the well- known NZ outdoor clothing brand, SWAZI. As well as being a businessman, Davey is a mad-keen hunter, conservationist, adventurer and was able to relate well to his audience and entertain all on the night with just a few of his life stories.

Around 160 National Training Certificates that had been achieved in Forestry & Wood Processing were awarded to top local contractors and forestry and wood processing employees. Eight harvesting apprentices that have been involved in the Balclutha training school were also recognised at the awards ceremony. All are anticipated to finish the course in October, with another course anticipated to start in August.

In addition, nine major industry awards for the year were presented on the night. These were;

Training Excellence Award – Apprentice of the Year (Sponsored by South Wood Export)
Award Winner; Paige Harland, Harland Bros

Training Excellence Award – Forestry Trainee of the Year (harvesting) (Sponsored by Rayonier/ Matariki Forests)
Joint Award Winners; Hemi Pickett, Ferris Logging & Logan Bennett, Mike Hurring Logging

Training Excellence Award – Forestry Trainee of the Year (silviculture) (Sponsored by Port Blakely):
Award Winner; Adam McLennan, Johnson Forestry Services

Skilled Professionals Awards – Forestry Excellence Award (establishment, silviculture, fire, harvesting)(Sponsored by Wenita Forest Products):
Award Winner; Billy Tredinnick, Forestry Training Services

Skilled Professionals Awards – Wood Processing Excellence Award (Sponsored by UDC):
Award Winner; Jamie Carr, Pan Pac Forest Products (Otago)

Skilled Professionals Awards – Forest Products/Logistics/Transport/Port Award (Sponsored by Pan Pac Forest Products (Otago):
Joint Award Winners; Stephen Gray, NFA Holdings & Craig Unahi, NFA Holdings

Industry Excellence Awards – Forestry Environmental Management Excellence Award (Sponsored by Otago Regional Council):
Award Winner; Matt Winmill, Gillion Logging

Industry Excellence Awards – Training Company/Contractor of the Year (Sponsored by City Forests):
Award Winner; Johnson Forestry Services

Industry Excellence Awards – Forest Products Health & Safety Award (Sponsored by Ernslaw One):
Award Winner; Dynes Transport

Harvesting Apprentices – Otago Southland. Around 160 National Training Certificates that had been achieved in Forestry & Wood Processing were awarded to top local contractors and forestry and wood processing employees.

Eight harvesting apprentices that have been involved in the Balclutha training school were also recognised at the awards ceremony. All are anticipated to finish the course in October, with another course anticipated to start in August.

Congratulations go to all the winners, the nominees, their employers and families. This year’s awards programme with strong support from the wider industry, supporting organisation’s and major equipment and product suppliers has again been another important milestone for the forestry industry in the lower South Island. Like other Regional Wood Council awards evenings, it’s firmly established as the major fixture each year on the local forestry calendar.

Photo: Contractor of the Year Award. L-R. Grant Dodson, SWC Chairman, Mark Fisken, Fisken Wood (finalist), Mike Hurring, Hurring Logging (finalist), Steve Johnson, Johnson Forestry Services (Winner).

Softwood logs dominate at Taicang port – Log imports through Taicang Port in Jiangsu Province totalled 7.85 million cubic metres in 2018 and were valued at US$1.2 billion.

Of the total, 98% were softwood logs, mainly imported from New Zealand (39%), Canada (19%), USA (13%) and Russia (10%). The main softwood log species were radiata pine (43%), spruce and fir (11.5%), douglas fir (11.4%) and larch (4%).

Russian sawnwood dominates imports at Taicang Port – Sawnwood imports through the port in 2018 amounted to 500,000 cubic metres valued at US$106 million, mainly imported from Russia (89%) and Canada (10%). The main sawnwood species were spruce and fir (58%) and pine (33%).

XTreme series: Log Max XTreme Series Harvesting Heads are heavy duty and made for the most extreme forest operations.

This fixed mount configuration from Log Max utilizes the design and durability of the 7000XT series and gives the owner/operator the versatility of control falling and bunching.

• The hydraulically operated rotation unit with positioning and free floating function is attached directly to the frame.
• The frame of Log Max 7000 XT Fixed Head features a top saw, a minimized saw box and a fixed protection plate.
• The Log Max 7000XT fixed head is a control felling unit designed to help with those tough jobs, such as pipeline operations and right-aways. The 7000XT fixed head allows the operator to control fall, bunch, and process timber up to 710 mm (28”) in diameter with a maximum cutting capacity of 800 mm (31.5”).

Processing key figures:

• Most productive range : 16 to 50 cm
• Maximum cutting diameter : 65 cm (80 cm opt.)
• Minimum delimbing diameter : 4 cm

Optional Equipment’s

Feed Rollers

• V-Steel:
  By placing the stud bars in angled rows, Log Max has obtained a self cleaning feed roller with very high pulling force both in forward and reverse, without risk of spinning.

• V-Steel Aggressive;
  The V-steel Aggressive roller has studs that sink deeper in the tree trunk.

• Eucalyptus
  Log Max Eucalyptus rollers have angled edges for debarking as eucalyptus demands complete debarking when felling.

Optional 60CC Saw Unit:

• Saw 411XL
  The new 60cc saw is a powerful and adaptable saw unit that combines low weight with high cutting performance.