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Supplier Newsline

Hyundai introduces new fuel efficient log loader

Hyundai has introduced its new fuel efficient HX3026 log loader, featuring a Tier 4 QSB 6.7, 180 horsepower Cummins engine.

The loader comes equipped with a 300 size undercarriage, and 24 mm HD rails and pads. The TR40 Trend Power grapple comes with 8.5 tines, and the Extreme Duty boom and stick are purpose-built.

It has a cab forward, 60” tip over cabin. Other features include a counterweight consisting of a 1050 litre fuel tank, three-point grab handles and steps, as well as ergonomic control handles.

www.woodlandequip.com

Microtec installs first government certified log scanner

The Microtec Logeye is now officially the first scanner in North America approved to automatically measure log volume for trade. By drastically reducing the manpower and log handling involved, the Microtec Logeye scanner reduces scaling costs while providing more accurate log measurements for trade.

The scanner has been tested and certified by Measurement Canada. The first stage of testing was done in the lab in Ottawa at the end of September, and it was then installed on a B.C. sawmill’s bucking line. The second stage of testing was completed under actual operating conditions, leading to official approval in October 2015.

Previously, the mill was required to manually scale 100 per cent of its logs off site at a dryland sort facility. Together with the Ministry of Forests of B.C., the mill, and Microtec, a pilot project was designed to use the measurements of the officially approved and sealed scanner for payment. As a result, manual scaling has been reduced from 100 per cent to approximately 2.5 per cent.

The species/grade ratio from the manually scaled sample is applied statistically to the whole boom. The remaining bundles bypass the sort facility, travel directly to the mill and are scanned in the debarking line.

In addition to scanning the volume, the data is also used for bucking optimization. All measurements are compiled and sent to the province’s HBS (Harvest Billing System) for payment.

www.springer-microtec.com

Comact opens new facility in Quebec

Comact, one of North America’s leading sawmill equipment manufacturers, recently hosted the grand opening of its facilities in Mirabel, Quebec, an event attended by more than 200 people.

“We are extremely proud to welcome our clients and business partners to our all-new facilities,” said Stéphane Desjardins, Comact’s vice-president for optimization. “This is the perfect opportunity for them to meet our team and see the dynamic environment in which we work. This building was designed to reflect our cutting-edge technology as well as our highly-qualified personnel.”

Brian Fehr, Chairman and Managing Director of the BID Group, Comact’s parent company, and Alistair Cook, President and Chief Executive Officer of the BID Group, spoke and underscored the importance of this investment, which reflects the company’s commitment to its industry and clientele.

“As an industry leader, we wanted to offer our clients an experience at the height of the quality of our products and services,” said Fehr. Fehr and Cook also seized the opportunity to break the news about the acquisition of WaneShear Technologies, LLC and the integration of Ron McGehee and his talented team to the BID Group (see below item in SupplierNewsline).

Comact clients and partners were invited to take a guided tour of the facilities in Mirabel. Technical seminars covering the company’s latest developments in products and services were offered in the afternoon.

The new workplace provides a dedicated space for testing as well as training for the company’s clients, in addition to enabling better customer service and the optimization of working methods. The new offices will house over 110 people in state-of-the-art work spaces. The optimization services, the after-sales service team and calling center as well as the administrative staff will work from there.

“With these new developments, our working environment will be better suited for the preparation of equipment and it will facilitate teamwork, inducing change in our methods of work and ultimately will be of great added-value for our customers,” said Desjardins.

www.comact.com

Cropac introduces new Taylor lift trucks

Cropac has introduced the new Taylor Pneumatic Tire and Rough Terrain lift trucks.

Taylor lift trucks are engineered to meet the needs of the lumber industry, and the Taylor Rough Terrain Material Handling Trucks are specifically designed for one task: moving material in the harshest environments imaginable. Whether it’s snow, mud, rough and uneven terrain, the Taylor rough terrain lift trucks deliver unparalleled performance, says the company.

Taylor Big Red designs, engineers and manufactures the ultimate heavy lift trucks, according to the company.

With branch locations strategically located throughout Canada and a new state-of-the-art branch in Alberta, Cropac Equipment Inc. offers a full line of Taylor forklifts for sawmills, pulp mills and OSB plants.

www.cropac.com

BID GROUP acquires WaneShear—and Ron McGehee

The BID Group of Companies has acquired WaneShear Technologies and has added Ron McGehee to the BID Group team.

“Adding Ron McGehee and his experienced team expands our equipment and service product lines including the new ‘Profiling Machine’ for primary and secondary breakdown systems,” says Alistair Cook, Chief Executive Officer of the BID Group. “This new line of products and Ron’s expertise in breakdown equipment and sawmill technologies will further enhance the BID Group’s abilities to offer a complete solution to our highly valued customers.”

Cook added that the BID GROUP wants to serve its customers throughout the industry with a full range of equipment, installation, and after sales service.

“Ron and his team will be relocating to our expanded South Carolina complex,” says Cook.

www.bidgroup.ca

Tigercat releases D-series 822 track carrier

Tigercat recently released the D-series 822 track feller buncher to the North American market. The new D-series 822 features a number of improvements aimed at service access, operator ergonomics and hydraulic efficiency.

The new 822D offers the Tigercat FPT C87 Tier 4f engine running at 310 hp, a higher capacity cooling system and a new engine enclosure profile that improves right hand side visibility.

At the push of a button, the powered engine enclosure fully opens with side platforms for easy access to critical components including hydraulic filters, the swing gearbox, cooling system components and both sides of the engine.

The redesign also allows for a larger standard fuel tank, which increases capacity to 585 L and includes ground level fueling.

A new cab structure with narrower front posts and larger side windows enhances visibility with improved sightlines. The skylight has been replaced by a camera system providing the operator with a much wider field of view. With tight tuck boom geometry and near zero tail swing, the Tigercat 822D track feller buncher is a powerful, yet compact machine well-suited to selective felling and clear fell applications.

www.tigercat.com

Redhead Equipment new Sennebogen dealer in Saskatchewan

One of the largest heavy equipment dealers in Saskatchewan, Redhead Equipment, now offers sales, parts, service, and financing on Sennebogen material handling equipment.

“With seven locations from Lloydminster to Swift Current and more than 100 technicians in the province, Redhead can provide fast, reliable service for Sennebogen customers,” said Constantino Lannes, President of Sennebogen LLC.

“What sets us apart is our long history of parts and service support in Saskatchewan,” said Gary Redhead, President and CEO of Redhead Equipment. “We’re well respected in the industry,” he said. “We have a reputation for getting the job done.”

Redhead views Sennebogen’s strong reputation for quality as a good fit for his business, and also likes the fact that Sennebogen has a culture of problem solving for its customers.

www.sennebogen-na.com

Ponsse wins Swedish Steel Prize 2015 for harvester

This year’s winner of the international Swedish Steel Prize is Finland’s Ponsse. The prize was awarded for the company’s new generation of forest harvester, the Scorpion. Using high-strength steel, Ponsse realized a revolutionary design on the Scorpion which improves both performance and comfort.

“Ponsse has not only significantly improved operator ergonomics, but also enhanced functionality and safety, and increased productivity with this new design,” says Gregoire Parenty, chairman of the jury and executive vice-president and head of market development at steel manufacturer, SSAB.

The Ponsse Scorpion features a symmetrical crane boom where the operator sits in the centre point of all movements. It offers the operator total visibility and the ability to work comfortably and efficiently.

By using Strenx 700 MC Plus high-strength steel in the crane arms—Strenx 700 in the chassis and Hardox 450 in the cutter head—the Scorpion has a lower overall weight which helps maneuverability in rough terrain.

Lower weight allows more bearings to be added, which gives the Scorpion its unique stability. Fuel consumption has been reduced and boom movements are faster.

www.ponsse.com

PrimeTech launches new flagship mulcher

PrimeTech, a brand of FAE Group, has introduced its new, purpose-built, PT-475 tracked carrier for superior performance, productivity and serviceability.

This 475 horsepower unit offers a Cat C13 Acert, 12.5 L turbocharged and aftercooled engine, with six in-line cylinders. It is fuel efficient and can be offered both in the Tier 3/Stage IIIA version and in the Tier 4/Stage IVA version. Its powerful hydraulic system consists of Danfoss pumps and motors for track and front attachment drives.

The front attachments, made by FAE, provide high quality operation and reliability, and define the versatility of the unit. The PT-475 can be equipped with a variety of front attachments such as forestry mulchers, soil stabilizers/subsoilers and rock crushers.

Changing the attachment and thus adapting the carrier for different applications is said to be easy and quick. The oscillating undercarriage Berco D5HD adapts perfectly to uneven surfaces.

www.prime-tech.co

New fire fighting facility slated for B.C.

The B.C. government is providing $5.88 million to construct a new firefighting facility in the province’s Interior, at the Williams Lake Airport, for the use of B.C. Wildfire Service staff and crews.

The new one-storey 22,000 square foot main building and three upgraded outbuildings will be home to the Cariboo Fire Centre’s main office, associated support services, and ground crew and air crew facilities. Planned facilities include the regional wildfire co-ordination centre, airtanker and pilot facilities, meeting and training rooms, staff offices, workshops, firefighter changing rooms, laundry and shower areas, and storage areas.

Lauren Brothers Construction has been selected to build the state-of the-art firefighting complex through a competitive process. Construction should be completed by fall 2016.

About two-thirds of the project’s trade contractors are companies in the Williams Lake area.