Komatsu America Corp has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire TimberPro Inc.
Established in 2002, TimberPro is a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of purpose-built forest machines and attachments, offering tracked feller bunchers and harvesters, forwarders, wheeled harvesters, and felling heads.
“Acquiring TimberPro will strengthen the company’s position in the full-tree-length market and enables us to offer a highly competitive range of products for professional logging,” says Rod Schrader, CEO, Komatsu America Corp.
Komatsu America Corp is a U.S. subsidiary of Komatsu Ltd, the world’s second largest manufacturer and supplier of earth-moving equipment. It also serves the forklift and forestry markets.
John Deere launches updated G series swing machinesJohn Deere has updated its G series swing machines to improve operator experience.
From changes to machine design to new features to improved serviceability, the updated swing machines include eight models: the 2154G, 2156G, 2654G, 2656G, 3154G, 3156G, 3754G and 3756G. A larger travel device improves tractive effort on the 2654G and 2656G machines, as well as select 2154G and 2156G models. The new LH side door features an easy-to-remove screen, allowing for the removal of collected debris.
The cabs have been changed, adding a USB port for device charging and relocating the auxiliary and USB ports to behind the seat.
A pre-cleaner for engine air intake of the Final Tier 4 engines improves air filter life, while fuel shut-off valves eliminate fuel leakage and spillage during fuel filter changes. A new hinged AC condenser improves access, making it easier to clean out debris trapped between the radiator and AC condenser. The G series machines also feature remote grease lines for the boom cylinder base pins, improving ground-level serviceability. An optional hydraulic oil level alarm provides an audible and visible alarm that the hydraulic oil level is extremely low and requires immediate machine shut down.
New marketing manager for SennebogenSennebogen has appointed marketing veteran Ryan Kolb to reinforce its support to distributors and their sales staff.
Kolb has joined the head office team in Stanley, North Carolina, in the newly created position of Marketing Manager, Americas.
An MBA graduate from Pace University, Kolb held several senior marketing positions within a worldwide industrial group over the past 12 years, and frequently earned recognition there for successful, innovative marketing leadership.
“I was involved in launching a wide range of new products in that time,” Kolb says. “That exposure to different needs and applications allowed me to see how different sales tools work in different situations, and in different hands. I think that will help us at Sennebogen, to make sure that our sales network is well equipped to take on the varied challenges of our established markets as well as the new opportunities that we are continuing to develop.”
The 890 Logger is Tigercat’s highest capacity machineWeighing 47,900 kgs (105,600 lbs), the Tigercat 890 is the largest, highest capacity machine in Tigercat’s purpose-built forestry product line.
The Tigercat FPT C87 engine delivers 245 kW (330 hp) at 2000 rpm for Tier 2 and Tier 4 emission compliance.
The large swing bearing provides increased capacity and swing torque. The twin swing drive system reduces gear tooth loads, and a massive single-piece, forged pedestal strengthens the undercarriage and improves durability.
A new, longer F7-172 heavy duty, 10 roller track frame with a wide stance carbody gives the 890 exceptional stability. Track components are co-designed with Berco to provide maximum durability in forestry applications.
The 890 Logger shares the modular main hydraulic valve with all other Tigercat 800 series carriers for improved parts commonality. With the ability to easily swap out a valve section, the modular design simplifies maintenance. New larger capacity valve sections are used for main and stick boom circuits to provide higher flow rates and improve efficiency.
The 890 has plenty of cooling capacity with an automatic variable speed fan for improved fuel efficiency and an automatic reversing cycle to clean the heat exchangers. Another fuel saving feature is the energy recovery swing system. A closed loop drive feeds power back to the engine when swing decelerates, reducing fuel consumption and recovering energy for other machine functions.
Morbark has completed the acquisition of DENIS CIMAF Inc, based in Roxton Falls, Québec.
This transaction is the company’s second acquisition since private equity firm Stellex Capital Management LP acquired Morbark in 2016.
The acquisition of Rayco Manufacturing in October 2017 brought a lineup of innovative equipment into the Morbark family across multiple product categories, in particular, Rayco stump cutters, aerial trimmers, forestry mulchers and crawler trucks.
The company says that its purchase of DENIS CIMAF is another step in its strategic focus on broadening the range of tree care and industrial equipment, aftermarket parts, and service offered to its customers.
Founded by Laurent Denis and his wife, Monique Vaillancourt, in 1998, DENIS CIMAF specializes in the development of high-performance brushcutter-mulcher attachments for excavators, skid steers, forestry tractors, graders and other types of heavy equipment. The company manufactures three main lines of products: the DAH series, industrial mulcher attachments for excavators; the DAF series, attachments for skid steers and other dedicated carriers; and the EWF series, dedicated hydraulic power packs.
The company celebrated its 20th anniversary in business this past summer.
Fecon introduced the latest addition to its lineup of forestry mulchers, the Stage-5 compliant FTX300 mulching tractor, at the recent Oregon Logging Conference.
This low-ground pressure tractor features an oscillating undercarriage with 30” track shoes, providing balanced traction in hard or soft conditions.
A spacious cab features air suspension and a heated seat, as well as a new larger touchscreen IQAN display, and keyless ignition with security, for operator comfort and control.
It is powered by a Cummins QSB 6.7 Stage 5 engine that delivers 310 net horsepower, offering the latest in efficient emissions technology, and an average fuel consumption rate of just 8 to 12 gallons per hour (gph).
With an aggressive 115 gpm, 5600 psi high flow hydraulic system, Fecon says that this mid-sized tractor has ample power for forestry attachments. The FTX300 features a BH120 forestry mulcher with variable speed motors and three optional rotor systems, including Fecon’s Depth Control Rotor (DCR) technology.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc (SFI) has elected four new members to its board of directors, including Kevin Edgson, President and CEO, EACOM Timber Corporation.
“These four board members join us at a critical juncture given SFI’s current work to set our strategic direction for the next five years,” says Mark Rodgers, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada and Chair of the SFI Board of Directors.
Edgson leads the second largest lumber producer in Eastern Canada. He has more than 30 years experience in multiple sectors, provincial jurisdictions, and roles in the Canadian forest products industry. SFI says that he is committed to meeting the highest standards for forest, environmental, and quality management.
Since 2015, EACOM has worked to expand certification to the SFI Forest Management, Fibre Sourcing, and Chain-of-Custody standards across its Ontario and Quebec operations.
“As our company grows, so does our commitment to promoting sustainable forest management and driving continuous improvement for our sector,” Edgson says. “SFI’s collaborative engagement with countless communities, organizations and individuals resonates with EACOM’s desire to share our passion for forests and engage others in responsible resource management.”
Ontario’s TS Manufacturing has completed acquisition of Automation & Electronics (NZ) Ltd and its subsidiaries.
The company says that this acquisition strengthens the TS Controls division in North America and provides greater amalgamated support worldwide for the existing installed base of TS and A&E customers.
The existing A&E management teams in New Zealand and North Carolina will remain intact. TS Manufacturing says that the acquisition creates a deep team of over 16 PLC and software support staff, operating natively from three time zones.
“This acquisition is more like a merger of like-minded professionals all dedicated to the wood products industry,” says Riley Smith, Sales Manager for TS Manufacturing. “It’s our intent for existing vendor and customer relationships to remain unchanged. Existing customers will now receive enhanced worldwide support from a diverse range of time zones and offices.”
Each company will mutually benefit from the broad and varying experience of the other, and customers will get the most expedient and capable solutions in the wood products industry, Smith added.
Wood-Mizer introduces LX150 twin rail sawmillWood-Mizer has launched the LX150 twin rail sawmill, which it says is designed for hobbyists and professionals looking for a robust, portable sawmill with powered saw head controls and a large 35½” width of cut, ideal for sawing wide, live edge slabs.
This is the second LX series sawmill offered by Wood-Mizer in North America.
A key innovation of the Wood-Mizer LX sawmill series includes the rigid LX frame sawhead tower that holds the control panel, engine, and the sawmill head. Designed to accommodate a larger width and depth of cut, the LX frame travels on twin parallel hardened steel rails on the bed and allows the operator to have better visibility while sawing.
On the Cover:
Saskatchewan’s Freedom Logging harvests about 283,000 cubic metres annually, primarily for the Tolko OSB plant near Meadow Lake, and the logging outfit has a long association with John Deere equipment, including Deere skidders, as the backbone of their logging fleet. Read all about the operation beginning on page 44 of this issue. (Cover photo by Tony Kryzanowski)
Fighting wildfires—at the community level
Local governments in B.C. are doing what they can to reduce the devastating effects wildfires can have on forests—and the communities within those forests.
Solid safety record on steep slopes
B.C. coastal logging operation CoastFibre has invested big time in steep slope logging equipment—and that investment has paid off in a solid safety record.
BC Saw Filers’ Convention coming up
Logging and Sawmilling Journal previews the upcoming BC Saw Filers’ Convention, to be held in Kamloops, B.C. April 25 to 27, which promises to be a great exhibition of all the latest in technology, products and services in saw filing.
Top Lumber Producers – Who’s on Top?
Logging and Sawmilling Journal’s exclusive annual listing of Canada’s Top Lumber Producers, produced in co-operation with industry consultants, FEA Group.
Fitting all the pieces together ...
Working with a solid crew—and employing Tigercat, Rottne and Log Max equipment—New Brunswick logger Carter Dixon is finding he has all the pieces for a successful logging operation.
Dealing with substance abuse…in the sawmill
Ontario sawmill reps have identified substance abuse as the top health and safety risk in the workplace—and now have some action suggestions on how to deal with it.
Building the base…
Saskatchewan’s Freedom Logging started operations in the jaws of the economic downturn, and has gradually built its volume—and its equipment base—to the point that it now has more than triple the cut that it started with, in 2008.
Equipment evolution
Ontario logger Dave Quehl has made the move into cut-to-length harvesting, and his equipment line-up has evolved—with a Caterpillar 521B tracked harvester with a Quadco 5660 head and John Deere 1510E forwarder now fitting the bill.
Catching a great wood products market
New Brunswick’s GL Wood Products has established a very unique market niche: producing lumber components for fish boxes for shipping smoked and salted fish to overseas markets.
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 and FPInnovations.
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