Globalstar Canada Satellite Co., a leader in satellite messaging and emergency notification technologies, has launched SPOT Gen4, the next generation of the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger. SPOT Gen4 offers more tracking features in a new enhanced mapping interface, improved product specifications for water resistance and a new carabiner with strap to complete the modern industrial design. The SPOT Gen4 is part of an award-winning product portfolio that provides an affordable and vital line of communication with friends, family, colleagues and the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC) using GPS location and satellite connectivity powered by Globalstar.
“The new SPOT Gen4 complements the SPOT family of products, providing an affordable, easy-to-use solution for outdoor recreation and adventure enthusiasts, as well as lone and remote workers who travel beyond the reach of reliable cell coverage,” said Jim Mandala, Vice President, Globalstar Canada Satellite Co.
“SPOT Gen4 is a pocket-sized, rugged device that provides users with a wide range of satellite communications functionality including enhanced tracking through a robust SPOT Mapping interface for added value and peace of mind.”
SPOT Gen4 features include the following:
www.FindMeSPOT.ca
Waratah releases new H415HD harvester headWaratah Forestry Equipment has unveiled the new H415HD, a heavy duty harvesting head with new features and options based on customer feedback and rugged application needs.
The H415HD is an additional option for customers looking for a heavy duty performer for wheeled harvester applications.
To increase durability across the range, the frame on the H415HD as well as the H415 and H415X heads have been strengthened at several locations based on customer feedback, providing more durability and increased uptime. The H415HD’s base weight is 1401 kgs (3089 lbs), which is 71 kgs (157 lbs) more than the standard H415.
Standard features of the H415HD include an HD tilt frame with thicker steel plate, expander pins for upper tilt cylinder, feed roller arms, and lower delimbing knives to improve pin durability and frame longevity.
Additionally, HD feed motor and hose guards help improve durability.
Likewise, to lengthen the service life of the saw bar and alleviate interference in some applications, the H415HD’s saw position was changed to provide more room between the saw bar and stem. All three configurations of the H415 heads now feature the possibility for a wider saw bar and improved saw chain tensioning to reduce chain loss, bar wear and promote more operational productivity.
The models also share a lower saw box height (30 mm/1”) creating lower stump height and more wood recovery. This is complemented by an improved lower delimbing knife profile for larger stem sizes.
Nordic Traction distribution brought in-houseClark Tracks and OFA Chains parent group Nordic Traction have taken the distribution in North America back in-house to facilitate better service, support and delivery.
The new organization, Nordic Traction Inc., has warehouses set up across North America for faster delivery to equipment dealers and customers. A new team of experienced traction professionals has been employed with backing from head office in Europe to work with dealers to find the best and most productive products for their operations.
Clark and OFA already have a reputation world-wide for both quality and durability, and it is easy to promote that “track record”, say the companies.
The dealerships in North America selling equipment out of Scandinavia, or built here, had the desire to deal direct with both Clark and OFA, say the companies.
Launching the new FXS track for the slopes is another step forward for serving the forestry dealers it has. As for OFA, the U-Grip 22 mm is said to be a good addition.
The company is excited to continue with old customers, and new ones added in recent months, and dealer inquiries are welcome, it says.
For further information, please contact: Urban Fredriksson 1-844-909-6164.
Tigercat releases 220E loader with upgraded operator’s station and power plant additionThe quick and lightweight 220E loader is powered by the Tigercat FPT N45 Tier 4f or the Tigercat FPT N67 Tier 2 engine, delivering 125 kW (168 hp) and conforming to Tier 2 and Tier 4 emission requirements.
The totally redesigned operator’s station has a significantly improved climate control system along with a number of additional features to improve operator experience.
The new heavy duty suspension seat is wider and standard equipped with heating and cooling. The seat has improved adjustability and many of the frequently used rocker switches have been repositioned into the armrest-mounted joystick pod for enhanced ergonomics. The climate control system is further enhanced by the addition of window blinds for the front windshield and skylight. Acoustical engineering along with the quiet Tigercat FPT engine contributes to extremely low in-cab noise levels, while the new sound system with Bluetooth audio allows for hands-free calling.
A new main pump and larger hoses to the boom cylinders provide faster boom and swing functions. Hydraulic component layout remains unchanged with hydraulic valves easily accessible underneath the deck plate cover, allowing for clean, easy service access. The updated electrical system incorporates hydraulic pressure sensors that can be monitored on the display in the cab as well as improving fuel economy with an automatic engine idle down feature.
Husqvarna announces new president for North AmericaHusqvarna has appointed Robert M. McCutcheon as President for North America.
Bringing over 23 years of experience and expertise in consumer products, he has led successful business growth initiatives through innovation, marketing and operational excellence. McCutcheon’s background includes positions with Conagra Brands, Walmart and Britax.
“We are pleased to welcome Robert to the North American team and believe that he is uniquely qualified to lead Husqvarna during and beyond these challenging social and economic times,” says Sascha Menges, Global President Husqvarna Division. “His leadership style, broad international business background, and proven understanding of the customer experience will be vital assets for building an even stronger foundation for our business partnerships with our customers.”
Russia’s ULK Group is investing more than 400 million euros in one of the country’s biggest sawmill investments in modern times. Their goal is to have one of the world’s largest and most modern sawmills, with an annual capacity of more than 425,000 MBF sawn timber and 600,000 tonnes of pellets annually, when completed in 2023.
To help achieve that, Valutec will deliver eight TC continuous kilns to ULK, making it the biggest deal in company history.
Leading up to the decision, ULK carried out a comprehensive comparison of major kiln suppliers and visited many reference installations.
Valutec is the only company offering TC kilns, where individual drying zones make it possible to combine high capacity and flexibility with optimum quality.
The TC kilns are equipped with Valutec’s control system Valmatics 4.0, which has an integrated simulator that enables simultaneous optimization of capacity, quality and energy consumption.
The ULK Group is one of Russia’s biggest sawmill groups. The group owns four sawmills and is adding a fifth.
The BID Group of Companies has expanded upon its use of PTC’s award-winning products to include PTC’s Vuforia Augmented Reality offerings.
In particular, by adding a subscription to PTC’s Vuforia Chalk remote experience software, BID is empowering its remote service team to provide real-time assistance for customers wherever, and whenever needed.
Prior to leveraging Vuforia Chalk, BID deployed PTC’s ThingWorx Industrial IoT Platform, enabling its customers’ facilities to maximize productivity, increase throughput, and improve overall reliability of the manufacturing process via real-time data analytics and a rich array of production reporting. BID has also implemented the Vuforia Studio and Vuforia Expert Capture AR products for deployment across the industry, aimed at improving frontline worker efficiency, safety, and agility.
“As part of our digital transformation initiatives, we have prioritized the use of IoT and AR to help create smarter, more connected products, and services,” says Chris Wells, Senior Vice President, Aftermarket Service & Reliability at BID. “By incorporating PTC’s AR offerings, we are excited to unlock new opportunities aimed at servicing our clients in a more efficient and interactive manner.”
On the Cover:
The forest industry, from equipment dealers to loggers to sawmills, have new protocols to deal with related to COVID-19. With the forest industry having been declared an essential industry, loggers continue to provide mills with much-needed timber at a time when lumber is in high demand, hitting record prices. In this issue of Logging and Sawmilling Journal, we take a look at how equipment dealers are making sure their customers, the loggers, get the service they need safely, and efficiently. (Cover photo courtesy of Lusted Logging, Cawston, B.C.)
Traction for Yukon’s forest industry
The Yukon Territory’s forest industry is getting some traction these days thanks to a government plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, giving a push to the move to wood-based biomass heat and energy production.
Big-time B.C. added value—with Mass Timber
A new $35 million production facility is nearing completion in B.C.’s West Kootenay region, a project that will take family-owned Kalesnikoff Lumber into a brand new—and exciting—market: Mass Timber.
Quebec’s Fortin Family: a forestry legacy
Although there are now multiple generations of the Fortin Family involved in the family business—Y.P.C. Contracting—company founder Paul-Henri Fortin is still engaged in the operation, at the age of 78.
Cutting for canoes…
Gerard Ostroskie’s small sawmill operation in Ontario has a strong focus on increasing grade and value, and has developed an interesting niche market: producing cedar cuts specifically for canoe builders.
Satellite Communications
A critical link in today's logging chain.
Team logging approach pays off
The harvesting/forwarding team approach of Eric Boissonneault and Marcel Coutoure works very well, resulting in a very productive flow of wood in Quebec’s Abitibi-Témiscaminque region—and backed up by solid equipment support.
Equipment dealers dealing with COVID-19
It’s shaping up to be a challenging year for the forest industry, with the COVID-19 situation affecting all sectors, from the sawmills through to the forest, and logging operations. We asked several major equipment dealers how they are working with the current COVID-19 situation—and what they have in the works for new logging equipment for loggers.
The Edge
Included in this edition of The Edge, Canada’s leading publication on research in the forest industry, are stories the from Canadian Wood Fibre Centre (CWFC) and FPInnovations.
The Last Word
The forest industry has addressed systemic racism for decades with some success, but more work is needed, says Tony Kryzanowski.
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