Tigercat 635H swing boom skidder aimed at steep terrain and cable-assist loggingTigercat says that the capabilities of its six-wheel drive 635H skidder in steep terrain and cable assist applications takes the ability to succeed in these operations to the next level.
It features the integration of a Tigercat-designed and built swing boom system initially introduced on the 635G series skidder.
The additional working envelope and ability to position the grapple well outside of the working track of the machine increases productivity in applications where skidder travel is restricted or limited by terrain characteristics.
With the ability to lock the seat and operate the machine from any position with full drive controls, the Tigercat Turnaround 220-degree seat is an important advantage for swing boom skidding applications, says the company. It allows the operator to position the seat at any rearward-facing angle, to align the field of view to the working area of the grapple.
The slew system at the base of the boom is field-proven, using components that are common to Tigercat track machines. In addition to the increased working envelope, the boom has a more powerful lifting capacity compared with a conventional dual-function arch.
For cable assisted applications, the skidder can be factory-equipped for tethering, with optimally positioned frame lugs and through-the-blade cable routing. The lugs attach to the frame structure behind the front axle, closer to the payload.
Haliburton Forest has acquired Thomas J. Neuman Limited, a hardwood sawmill in Palmer Rapids, Ontario. Going forward, the business will operate as Neuman Forest Products (NFP).
Located on the shores of the Madawaska River, NFP has been in the lumber business since 1950. It traditionally processes a mix of hardwoods and pine. NFP has annual production capacity of 10 million board feet and procures sawlogs from contractors working throughout central Ontario.
Haliburton Forest is a sustainable multi-use private land stewardship company which owns and manages over 100,000 hectares of timberland across Ontario. The company operates a diverse Tourism & Recreation division on its properties, as well as a Forest Products division focused on hardwood lumber and sustainable forest management.
No material changes are currently planned with respect to contractors, employees, suppliers, and customers with this transaction, says the company.
NFP is the fourth facility to join the group of hardwood sawmills operated by Haliburton Forest, complementing existing facilities in Haliburton, Huntsville, and South River. With the addition of NFP, the group now has annual production capacity of over 50 million board feet.
www.haliburtonforest.com
New Komatsu processor suited for demanding forestry environmentsForestry crews need equipment that can deliver exceptional performance in difficult environments and Komatsu says that loggers can control downtime and drive productivity with its new, robust, dependable and fuel-efficient PC230F-11 processor.
It is described as a powerful and maneuverable processor able to delimb, cut and stack timber.
Large trees can be moved more easily thanks to a powerful swing system and a large swing circle. With exceptional reach of up to 29’, Komatsu says that the excellent maneuverability of the PC230F-11 helps drive productivity.
It is designed with a high and wide undercarriage, powerful swing motor, ability to withstand high debris conditions, and has exceptional reach, says Komatsu.
Waratah’s HTH618C Series-III head offers increased productivity and simple servicingWaratah Forestry Equipment has debuted the HTH618C Series III, a new generation of its HTH618C harvester head built for increased productivity, reliability, and uptime.
With a variety of new features paired with a compact and durable design, this agile thinning head is well-suited for mixed diameters.
The HTH618C Series-III features twin lower delimb arms and a high performance valve to ensure superior delimbing with agile and responsive log control, tackling a wide range of harvesting jobs. The maximum delimb opening of 26” can handle larger stems. Improved cutting performance and tilt control also contribute to increased productivity.
Low powered base carriers will have improved processing output and productivity with improved feeding performance and feed motor options.
With a new valve that simplifies serviceability, the HTH618C Series-III features improved hose routing, enhanced valve cover assembly and easier access to make quick work of servicing. Likewise, hose protection helps keep the head running and increases durability.
Easier access to the rear of the valve near the head module as well as inlet hoses also helps increase uptime while a larger oiler filler improves ease of filling bar and chain oil. Benefitting from direct customer input, the HTH618C Series-III has improved access and serviceability to help lower daily operating costs.
New Goodyear tire delivers durability/traction in severe applicationsGoodyear has a new addition to its hard-working Armor Max lineup, the Goodyear Armor Max Extreme Service Drive (ESD) tire.
Engineered to tackle tough jobs in extreme environments, Goodyear says that its Armor Max ESD is its best commercial mixed service drive tire for durability and traction in severe applications.
Armor Max ESD is now available in 11R22.5 H and 11R24.5 H sizes to meet the demanding needs of the premium mixed-service segment. Specifically designed for heavy duty use such as in logging, its tread compound helps resist cuts, chips and tears and provides durability.
Other key features and benefits include an aggressive, deep 32/32 tread design that helps minimize mud and snow build-up for enhanced off-road traction; optimized tread geometry that improves resistance to stone holding; enhanced under-tread that provides added protection against stone drilling while improving casing durability; and an innovative sidewall design that allows chains to be placed above tread blocks while helping to minimize slippage for enhanced performance.
Weiler Forestry has appointed three key employees to senior management.
Bill Radeline, Ian Enger and Noah Zehr are long-term forestry team members who have been integral to Weiler Forestry’s success.
Weiler Forestry, based in LaGrange, Georgia, designs and manufactures purpose-built forestry products including wheel skidders, wheel feller bunchers, track feller bunchers, track harvesters, knuckleboom loaders and a mulcher.
“Bill, Ian and Noah have done an incredible job of managing the functional areas of the business,” says Pat Weiler, Weiler Forestry President and CEO. “Their business acumen has been tested and proven through the transition from Caterpillar Forestry, a global pandemic, workforce and supply chain issues. They continue to rise to the challenge and show their passion for products our customers can be proud to own and operate.”
Ponsse launches next generation harvester headPonsse says that the launch of its completely upgraded H8 harvester head will strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading suppliers of harvesting solutions.
A powerful feed, firm grip and solid yet agile frame are characteristics of the H8 harvester head. Active Speed is available for the harvester head as a new feature, giving the harvester head superior performance.
With Active Speed, the harvester head’s operating speed can be adjusted based on the tree species and stem diameter. Equipped with this new function, Ponsse says that working with the H8 harvester head is smooth and productive no matter what the tree diameter is.
The new harvester head can be mounted on Ponsse Ergo and Bear, the strongest harvesters in the company’s product range.
The saw box area is even wider, making the harvester head an excellent choice for trees with a large butt diameter. The harvester head’s structure has been designed for easy maintenance and the frame has been built to be even more durable. A powerful feed, combined with a geometry that firmly supports larger stems on feed rollers, guarantees high productivity and fuel economy. The automatic features of the Opti control system, developed and built by Ponsse, control the feed speed and saw movement according to the tree diameter and ensure fast and precise sawing.
StaCool vest helps keep workers cool and productiveThe StaCool Vest core body cooling system is helping workers stay cool and productive.
Micro-thin, highly breathable materials are easy to care for, providing wearers with cooling comfort without compromising mobility. With models that can be worn over or under normal clothing, there is a StaCool Vest to suit any style, preference, and application, says the company.
ThermoPaks in the front and back of the vest provide hours of cooling. A spare set of ThermoPaks are included with each StaCool Vest to extend cooling time and comfort when the initial set thaws. A thermal barrier is built in to ensure the wearer does not get too cold.
Maintaining a consistent core body temperature is safer than exposing workers to possible heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke and since wearers are cooler, they are considerably more productive, says the company. Providing workers with cooling vests can also enhance employee satisfaction and retention.
Motorized grapple carriages have revolutionized the way many steep forests are harvested around the world, and yet, there is still some reluctance to use them in certain settings or at all.
So DC Equipment, which pioneered the wide use of motorized grapple carriages more than a decade ago, has produced an online guide to help foresters unlock their potential.
“To make the best use of a motorized grapple carriage requires forward planning and that’s what we’ve aimed to cover in our new online guide,” says Dale Ewers, owner of DC Equipment, which developed the highly successful Falcon Claw motorized grapple carriage.
“Logging isn’t easy and there will always be challenges making a motorized grapple carriage work in certain settings, but there’s always a solution,” he adds.
Ewers says the main reason he developed the Falcon range of motorized grapple carriages was for the safety of his employees: to remove people from the dangerous task of hooking strops to trees on steep slopes. It is seen as one of the most successful ways of preventing harm in the forest.
www.falconforestryequipment.com
John Deere enhances knuckleboom loader visibilityJohn Deere has updated its knuckleboom loader lineup, including visibility enhancements. Aiming to increase operator safety and accuracy, the 2022 models of the 437E and 337E knuckleboom loaders feature a newly-designed front window by removing the external mesh guard and replacing it with a clear, polycarbonate window for uninterrupted view.
By removing the external window guard and redesigning the front window on the 437E and 337E knuckleboom loader models, this has significantly improved visibility for the operator, making for a safer and more comfortable work environment.
The 2022 model-year upgrades also feature a new hood profile in the left-rear corner of the machine, which opens up the view behind the machine. The new design partners with the window updates to make for a safer, easier-to-operate machine. By offering enhanced visibility, these models enable the operator to be more precise, maximizing uptime, says the company.
In addition to visibility enhancements, the latest models will offer optional satellite-ready radio, improving the operator experience in the cab. A new optional hydraulic vacuum pump can also be added to 2022 model-year machines, minimizing oil loss and spillage during times of hydraulic maintenance and repair.
On the Cover:
Adam Williams, owner of A.R. Williams Logging, of Englehart, Ontario, has been learning the ropes on some new, but also familiar, logging equipment, from John Deere, harvesting wood in northeastern Ontario, near the Timmins area. Over the past year, Williams has been demo’ing a John Deere 953MH Tracked Harvester with a Waratah 623C harvester head—and which features John Deere’s latest operator assistance control feature, Intelligent Boom Control (IBC), which the company has introduced for its 900 MH-Series Tracked Harvester. Read all about how IBC is working well for Williams beginning on page 22 of this issue. (Cover photo courtesy of John Deere).
Mercer moves into mass timber
In an interesting strategic move into the mass wood market, B.C.-based Mercer International has purchased the bankrupt Katerra Mass Timber Plant in neighbouring Washington State—which uses Canadian SPF lumber as feedstock.
On a Mission to build a new sawmill
The new $160 million (U.S.) Mission Forest Products sawmill in Mississippi draws on a wide variety of suppliers for equipment, including a number of Canadian companies.
Forest management: from planning to planting…
Silvacom’s comprehensive Forest Management System software seamlessly covers operations, from planning right through to planting.
Deere’s new Intelligent Boom Control (IBC)-equipped tracked harvester at work in Ontario
Contractor Adam Williams is having solid success working with the new IBC-equipped harvester, working in northern Ontario forests.
PAL Lumber is all fired up…
Ontario’s PAL Lumber is one busy operation these days, producing firewood for everyone from cottagers to large commercial customers, with the solid support of a tough Bells 4000 firewood processor.
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 (CWFC) and FPInnovations.
The Last Word
B.C.’s Forest Practices Board is keeping tabs on spruce bark beetle harvesting, notes Jim Stirling.
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