Barko launches purpose-built 270B logging processorThe Barko 270B processor is purpose-built for its application, providing several performance advantages over equipment commonly used for processing jobs, says the company.
Barko says the machine offers exceptional horsepower, swing torque and tractive effort. The 270B features a dangle head boom configuration for picking, delimbing, cut-to-length harvesting, and stacking.
Powered by a 225-horsepower Cummins Tier 4 Final diesel engine with SCR after-treatment, Barko says the 270B offers excellent fuel economy and features large fuel and DEF tanks for longer job cycles between refills. A 36-inch-diameter auto reversing fan with automatic blade pitch control further optimizes engine efficiency.
The hydraulic system on the 270B is designed to keep power constantly available, allowing operators to instantaneously shift from function to function without any of the delayed reactions common with the hydraulics on other machines. Responsive IQAN controls are customized to provide programmable settings for individual operators, along with machine diagnostics and troubleshooting.
The processor features load sensing hydraulics to automatically adjust performance according to the load. High pressure and high flow contribute to delivering more hydraulic horsepower to the attachment, while a dedicated attachment pump runs the attachment without robbing power from the machine for other functions. Dual swing drives provide continuous rotation and high swing torque of 58,384 ft-lbf. Bare pin maximum lift capacity is 31,150 pounds.
The 270B provides firm, stable footing thanks to long tracks measuring 15 feet, 2 inches, along with a D7 undercarriage that offers ground clearance of 29.5 inches, an overall width of 11 feet, 5.5 inches, and max travel speed of 2.9 mph. The unit delivers exceptional drawbar pull of 66,700 foot-pounds to handle hills and rough terrain with ease.
Side door entry provides easy access to the comfortable cab, which offers excellent visibility of the working area. A 1.25-inch polycarbonate window and 8 exterior LED lights provide added safety.
A forward-sliding design allows the cab to move up to 36 inches for easier machine servicing. Additionally, a large, hydraulically-operated gull swing door offers direct access to the engine compartment and hydraulic components. The gull wing serves as a convenient working platform and includes a slip-resistant walking surface.
Changing of the guard at TigercatTony Iarocci has stepped away from his position as president of major logging equipment manufacturer, Tigercat.
Iarocci has held the position of president since Tigercat’s inception in 1992, steering the company through rapid growth both in terms of product development and geographic market expansion amidst an often fierce competitive landscape, major economic downturns and other challenging externalities.
Grant Somerville
“I have immensely enjoyed my work at Tigercat—the initial research of potential business opportunities that was necessary to warrant the formulation of a new company, recruiting start-up staff, product development and all the sales, marketing and customer service functions that went along with my role,” says Iarocci. “I wish to convey my deep appreciation to Ken MacDonald for having provided me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I also want to thank everyone at Tigercat and all the Tigercat stakeholders for their much appreciated assistance, dedication and co-operation.”
Iarocci will be passing his day to day responsibilities over to Grant Somerville.
Somerville got his start in the forest industry in 1978 as a harvester operator. He is a long serving executive at Tigercat, and also worked with Iarocci at Koehring Waterous in the early 1980’s on several development projects, including the design of the company’s first purpose-built track feller buncher. An integral part of Tigercat, Somerville has led many important design initiatives since joining the team in 1992 and has held several positions with increasing degrees of responsibility, including product manager for track machines, advanced engineering, and most recently vice-president, engineering.
“Opportunities to work with and learn from individuals like Tony and Ken are rare,” says Somerville. “I feel very fortunate to have been included in the creation and growth of Tigercat over the past 25 years, and to now assume more leadership responsibility. This year marks my 40th year working within forestry and machinery manufacturing and I see a promising future for our industry and look forward to continuing Tigercat’s role as a leader in innovation.”
CEO Ken MacDonald answers the burning question of what comes next for Tony Iarocci. “Tony remains in great health and he has agreed not only to join the board of directors, but to continue to contribute to the company’s growth, focusing on the recruitment and development of design talent and working with fellow team members and suppliers on both product and component improvement,” he says.
Iarocci will also consult on special projects and new product development.
Unwrapping stations from 4D address safety concernsSafety is the number one focus of mills and contractors in today’s logging operations, with both employees and businesses focused on this long-range goal.
4-D Welding & Fabricating Ltd listens to these concerns and requirements, and is a leading manufacturer of safety related products.
One area of concern is the job of removing wrappers at the millyard without having a loader or piece of equipment next to the truck. 4D developed a WorkSafeBC-approved Unwrapping Station to allow safe removal of the wrappers, and that works on a variety of truck/trailer combinations and lengths. 4D works with individual mills to put in place safety rules, signage and practices to address safety concerns related to this task. The unwrapping stations are portable, heavy duty and easily operated, and are now in place at locations across Canada. The company is proud to be a part of the efforts being made to reduce safety incidents and bring better practices to the work place.
On the Cover:
While others shy away from oilpatch logging, Alberta's JD Haggart Contracting pursues this business for one simple reason—it pays better and they have the experience to be able to mobilize quickly when an opportunity comes their way. They also have the equipment to deliver the wood, including two John Deere 2154 processor carriers, both equipped with Waratah heads. Read all about the operation beginning on page 10 of this issue. (Cover photo by Tony Kryzanowski)
Balancing out the forestry workplace
There’s a movement underway to encourage more women to work in the forest industry, and it’s getting some solid traction from forest company Tolko Industries—and full support from women who are now working in the industry.
Ability and availability = logging success
Alberta logging contractor JD Haggart—managed by the husband and wife team of Dave and Roxanne Haggart—know that ability and availability are keys to logging success, especially in oilpatch logging.
Front end focus following mill fire
Saskatchewan’s NorSask Forest Products is bouncing back from a fire that hit its sawmill earlier this year, and has invested $21 million on a major front end redesign following the fire.
Bringing on the next generation...
Nova Scotia’s Sebastien Pouliot knew he wanted to be a logger at a very young age—and he’s now successfully ushering in a new generation of equipment operators, through a training program.
Salvage logging in B.C.—but this time it's for burned wood
Forest companies and logging contractors are getting ready to go into salvage mode big-time to tackle the burned timber from the worst fire season B.C. has ever seen. It’s been estimated that about 53 million cubic metres of timber has been burned, about four times the provincial allowable annual cut.
Sawmill/speedway combo
Paul Hargrave and his son, Scott, have a passion for sawmilling—and for race cars, too, since they have a combination sawmill/speedway operation on B.C.’s Vancouver Island.
Team logging effort
The husband and wife team that manages Ontario’s St. Onge logging has been successful in directing their operations through the industry’s rocky times—and now has a very successful chipping operation, and recently started logging for EACOM and Weyerhaeuser.
The Edge
Included in this edition of The Edge, Canada’s leading publication on research in the forest industry, are stories from the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre, Alberta Innovates and Alberta Agriculture.
The Last Word
Jim Stirling on B.C.’s wildest wildfire season, and looking at how to prevent a repeat performance.
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