Forestry

D & H Contracting Pty Ltd.

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 22:00:00 GMT

D & H Contracting Pty Ltd was established by Dallas Purdie just over ten years ago. Based in East Kimberly in WA and proudly 100% Indigenous owned, the company employs local and indigenous operational staff to provide support for projects within the mining, construction and earthworks fields.

Their John Deere 770BH grader was recently joined by a new 770G grader, continuing the strong alliance with Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia (HCA). The new machine is being put to the test already with the company contracted to supply a grader and water cart at Argyle Diamond Mine. “This new grader will be going to work out at Argyle Diamond Mine in the East Kimberley, grading the unsealed roads. We started our contract out there in 2012 and will continue until the mine closure at the end of 2021,” said Dallas, owner of D & H Contracting Pty Ltd.

The D&H Team have been highly impressed by the John Deere machines, “Power and performance of the John Deere Grader is second to none, while having a smooth operation,” he said. They have noticed several advantages such as the ease of maintenance and easy access to filters and coolers for servicing.

As a business operating in rural areas, Dallas believes that HCA is a good fit for D&H Contracting and understand the nuances of not being located in a major city. He stated “One of the main factors in buying another John Deere is the great support that we receive from the Part's department in Darwin, who always do their best to help us out as quick as possible as they understand the challenges of not being in a big city.”

Looking to the future, D&H are aiming to continue to build on their strong success. “With the closure of the mine coming, D & H is working towards expanding the business into other areas, both geographically and industry wise, so that we can continue to provide work for local indigenous workers into the future,” explained Dallas. The company was a Semi-Finalist in the Rinehart Development of Northern Regional WA Award in 2016 which is a good reflection on their passion and growth.

Wilson’s Transport

Thu, 17 May 2018 01:54:00 GMT

The John Deere M-Series tracked feller bunchers and L-Series wheeled feller bunchers are proving to be high-productivity machines for logging contractors in a number of applications. Clients have lauded the unsurpassed power-to-weight ratio, tractive effort, and comfortable cabs.

And, if you ask West Australian-based contractors Brian and Daphne Wilson (Wilson Transport) it's the speed, the ability and the vision that were some of the key factors in them opting for the John Deere tracked M-Series feller buncher with FR24B Hot Saw.

It was purchased to harvest poor form trees because of its ability and speed to harvest the trees in a timely manner. They said the machine had been chosen for its smooth speed and ability and ease of maintenance due to the newly designed cab. The vision was also a big benefit with the newly designed cab making it easier to harvest the poor form trees and that makes the operation more productive.

Brian and Daphne started Wilson Transport in 1957 and the operation is based and run from Yornup WA. The harvesting operation is spread out over the lower South West region of WA.

Today, the operation consists of 125 employees and 70 harvesting machines and 50 trucks. The operation has diversified over several years from logging to chipping and just recently to biomass.

The main tree species in the South West are Jarrah (native) and Pine (softwood) and Blue Gum (hard wood) and Bio Mass (mixed Pine and Blue Gum).

The M-Series tracked feller buncher features a longer, wider undercarriage for increased stability and traction, and tilt and leveling cabs maximize operator comfort and productivity, even in challenging terrain. The 859M, 909M and 959M models incorporate a patented leveling control system that uses sensor technology to maximize the forward tilt angle (26 degrees forward), while electronically preventing any possible mechanical interference when also tilting to the side. The leveling envelope boundaries are set automatically and the patented system provides a smooth transition when approaching the leveling limits.

The M-Series machines are equipped with a powerful engine, delivering premium performance, fluid efficiency and reliability. Optional Rapid Cycle System (RCS) combines automated felling-head arm cycling with simple boom control, dramatically reducing operator fatigue while increasing efficiency and productivity. RCS can be tailored to individual skill levels and specific harvesting conditions.

One of the most popular features in the M-Series is the redesigned operator station. Fully adjustable armrests provide fingertip control of all machine functions, and the air-conditioned seats offers daylong comfort in the climate-controlled cab.

The cab also offers better visibility, with floor-to-ceiling front and side windows plus an overhead skylight, expanding the view of the cutting area by 22%.

Best-in-class power-to-weight ratio ensures steady multifunction performance in wet or hilly conditions, and optimal weight distribution and a longer wheelbase improves balance for better stability. The increased head tilt provides operators with the ability to put the weight of the trees over the top of the machine, keeping the rear wheels on the ground for better traction when backing up on hills.

The large best-in-class cab features a larger front window and is quieter than previous models, keeping loggers comfortable and in control. It also boasts a more efficient HVAC system, operator-configurable controls and ample storage space.

The M-Series feller bunchers incorporate the John Deere ForestSight™ suite of technology solutions, with JDLink™ enabling unsurpassed levels of connectivity. Now standard in the base price for five years, JDLink enables remote machine monitoring and sends alerts to the office, mobile device or dealer to inform them of immediate machine issues. If downtime does occur, exclusive remote diagnostics and programming enable the John Deere dealer to quickly identify the issue at hand. The newest ForestSight offering is TimberNavi™, a jobsite mapping solution that increases the operator’s spatial understanding of the jobsite. Key features include the integration of internet-enabled wireless data transfer, remote display access capabilities, and location history viewing of other JDLink-enabled machines.

John Deere’s Newest Forwarder Technology

Thu, 12 Apr 2018 01:23:00 GMT

John Deere’s cut-to-Length, Joensuu factory in Finland has produced in excess of 11,000 John Deere branded wheeled forestry harvesting machines and before that produced the globally renowned Timberjack wheeled harvesters and forwarders. In total the factory has manufactured well over 30,000 units. Today the factory produces the full range E and G Series John Deere forwarders of which two models are shipped to Australia and New Zealand, the 1510G and 1910E.

Recently introduced to Australia is John Deere’s new Intelligent Boom Control (IBC), a milestone in forwarder technology: child’s play to use, accurate, time-saving and considerably reducing the stress of the boom components. Once the Intelligent Boom Control has been switched on, you’ll never want to switch it off again!

Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia Pty Ltd (HCA) sold the first IBC system in Australia to Merrett Logging in Penola, South Australia. Plant Manager John Merrett said, it was clear from the start the direct benefits would be considerable. “We first heard about the IBC option on the 1910E when two representatives from John Deere Finland came around to our workshop to look at our operations. We had a forwarder on order at the time and when they showed us a short five minute Youtube clip we decided there and then to cancel the order and put an order in direct from the factory even though we knew it would take an extra few months to receive the machine. From that one short clip it was evident that the advantages of the IBC would be significant,” he said.

IBC makes it much easier to learn boom control, and enables speedy work – even for beginners. This is particularly handy for John’s business when starting a new operator on site. “The unloading feature of the IBC is particularly clever as it reduces the amount that the extension boom comes out. Our new operators seem to pick up the boom control even quicker with IBC as there’s less requirement from the operator to move several functions at once to get the boom where they need it, the IBC simply does it for them,” said John.

Now it’s not the machine that sets the limits, but the operator. IBC has made forwarding more relaxed and easier for the operators to learn the boom function decreasing training time and getting to higher productivity levels faster. The most convincing fact has been seen in the operator’s behavior: ever since the system has been introduced to them, they don’t switch it off – it stays on the entire time.

“Our operator has only just put his first 250 hours on the machine last week and he is already ahead on production in this short space of time. Vernon Mansell is the operator on the machine, Vernon has had a long history in the forest industry and has done over 15000 hours on our John Deere 1910E model forwarders already so for him to up his production practically overnight was a huge plus for our company. Vernon has said, “it feels very natural in the movements, an extension of your arm when picking up timber. He also said he generally feels fresher at the end of a shift as his movements are less when operating the boom,” said John.

The best thing about the IBC system is that it controls the boom as a whole and the operator doesn’t have to think about each individual movement separately. The boom functions smoothly as a complete entity without jerking, since the pump supply is automatically divided among the different movements. For example, driving and loading simultaneously is easier when you don’t have to put as much focus on controlling the boom. IBC also shows how the extension should actually be used. The system is great at dividing the pump flow among different movements. The boom is accurate and easy to operate. Operators have direct control of the boom tip instead of controlling independent boom joint movements. The system also considerably reduces the number of tuning parameters needed and increases durability of boom structures and hydraulic cylinders.

John Deere fleet adept to Mountain Logging

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 03:30:00 GMT

John Deere forestry machines are put to work in the Gippsland area of Victoria by Mountain Logging Pty Ltd. Established in 1999, the company specialises in steep country shovel and cable systems, road construction, silvicultural site preparation and heavy haulage.

Business owner Andrew Mahnken insists it’s enough to keep them busy with a long standing contract over 20 years held at HVP Gippsland in South Eastern Victoria. The total area of land managed by HVP equates to over 240,000 hectares. About 165,000 hectares of this land is pine and eucalypt plantation.

Today, Mountain Logging employs around 30 plus personnel, focusing on turnkey projects that encompass falling, extraction, loading of both softwood and eucalyptus products. Andrew Mahnken, Director of Mountain Logging said, “We’re unique in a sense that we carry out road lining, road building, harvesting and post logging site preparation clearing, leaving the logged area ready for replanting.

Mountain Logging are now leading the way with the new arrival of the much anticipated John Deere 948 L-Series Skidder, operators are already commenting on the improved operational experience. “The full swivel seat and joystick control removes the need to turn the skidder around improving cycle times and productivity. The new transmission with infinite speed and power control gives a smooth take off under load, excellent snigging power and effective braking when loaded downhill,” said Andrew.

However Mountain Logging didn’t stop at the L-Series Skidder, they have also welcomed into their fleet of John Deere machines the new M-Series 959 Feller Buncher. It’s been fitted with a fixed rotatable felling head to fall and shovel large plantation Eucalypt trees in combination with a Canadian built Traction assist winch machine which is first of its type in Australia. The winch assist machine allows them to safely harvest slopes of up to 40 degrees without any manual felling. These areas have been inaccessible to ground based harvesting systems in the past.

A fleet of 26 specialised machines including an Excavator based Cable Yarder, 9 John Deere Harvesters and Skidders now work in the Gippsland area being operated by Andrew’s team.

Since acquiring the 959M Feller Buncher, operators have identified the improvements to the cabin alone, over the previous K-Series. “The new machine has a much bigger cabin with a vastly improved forward and boom side vision, more boom lift aids in tree felling and the extra hydraulic pump allows for the operator to be able to track, slew and cut without losing power,” said Andrew.

A John Deere 903MH Harvester was added to the fleet in November 2016 replacing an earlier J-Series model that had run for almost 20,000 hours.

“We have operated the John Deere 900 series - Waratah machines since 2007, and the Skidders since 2008 these have performed extremely well. The new 909MH, 959M and 948L have run around 2500 hours each and the 903MH 1500 since new all trouble free,” said Andrew.

“We continue to purchase John Deere machines due to the proven reliability, performance, and unmatched fuel efficiency. The hydraulic performance and cooling is also far better than our previous converted excavator base Harvesters.

The John Deere M-Series Tracked Harvesters, Tracked Feller Bunchers and L-Series Skidders have been designed by customers, for customers, resulting in significant improvements in machine performance and reliability. “Our business involves high production in steep, demanding areas, the machines and operators are running at high levels of utilisation, the biggest cost to a business like ours is downtime. All machines will at some time breakdown, what sets dealers and manufacturers apart is parts availability and service backup, we have tested Hitachi and John Deere’s ability to get us up and running again in the past – this is why we continue to buy the John Deere - Waratah products,” said Andrew.

AN ARMY OF GREEN MACHINES

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 06:06:00 GMT

Several John Deere forestry machines have recently been delivered to the Gippsland area of Victoria including three of them to Mountain Logging Pty Ltd. Established in 1999, the company specialises in steep country shovel and cable systems, road construction, silvicultural site preparation, heavy haulage and some log transport.

Business owner Andrew Mahnken insists it’s enough to keep them busy with a long standing contract held at HVP Plantation Estate, situated in areas across southern Victoria. The total area of land managed by HVP equates to over 240,000 hectares. About 165,000 hectares of this land is pine and eucalypt plantation.

Today, Mountain Logging employs around 30 personnel, focusing on turnkey projects that encompass falling, extraction, loading and carting of both softwood and eucalyptus products. Andrew Mahnkem, Director of Mountain Logging said, “We’re unique in a sense that we carry out road lining, road building, harvesting and post logging site preparation clearing, leaving the logged area ready for replanting.”

However Mountain Logging didn’t stop at the L-Series Skidder, they have also welcomed into their fleet of John Deere machines the new M-Series 959 Feller Buncher. After taking on a Steep Eucalypt harvesting operation Andrew explains that ‘an Excavator based Cable Grapple system will now be used to extract the felled trees and a traction assist machine from Canada will be used in conjunction with the 959 Feller Buncher to remove the need for any manual felling.’

Since acquiring the 959M Feller Buncher, operators have identified the improvements to the cabin alone, over the previous KSeries. “The new machine has a much bigger cabin with a vastly improved forward and boom side vision, more boom lift aids in tree felling and the extra hydraulic pump allows for the operator to be able to track slew and cut without losing power,” said Andrew.

“We have operated the John Deere 900 series - Waratah machines since 2007, and the skidders since 2008 these have performed extremely well. While it is still early days for the 909MH and 948L, I am confident that they will outperform the earlier machines.

The John Deere M-Series Tracked Harvesters, Tracked Feller Bunchers and L-Series Skidders have been designed by customers, for customers, resulting in significant improvements in machine performance and reliability. “Our business involves high production in steep, demanding areas, the machines and operators are running at high levels of utilisation, the biggest cost to a business like ours is downtime. All machines will at some time breakdown, what sets dealers and manufacturers apart is parts availability and service backup, we have tested HCMA/John Deere’s ability to get us up and running again in the past – this is why we continue to by the John Deere- Waratah products,” said Andrew.

DEERE RAMPS UP IN THE FOREST

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 04:11:00 GMT

After attending forestry’s flagship event, Austimber – Luke Jones, Director at Jones Forest Management decided to add the John Deere 2154D swing machine fitted with a Waratah 622C to his existing fleet of Hitachi and John Deere machines. Recently delivered on site in North West Tasmania, feedback is that it’s ‘working very well, head and base are a great combination and a perfect addition to the fleet.’

Luke has worked in the forestry industry for the past 20 years, making his start in his father’s business in 1996 before Luke and is wife Belinda established their own company in 2006.

With operations from one end of the eastern sea board to the other, the two operations are around 4,000km apart. One operation in far Northern Queensland and the other in the North West region of Tasmania, providing a full range of services to the timber industry including site preparation, timber harvesting and timber haulage. To assist in his operations, Luke has now acquired a Hitachi ZX270 used as a log loader, a John Deere 1710D & 1910E forwarder and recently the John Deere 2154.

The 2154D is the entry level swing machine, with an operating weight of 26.6 tonnes. This machine offers strong boom tower arrangement, thick base plates, additional welding and strengthening in known critical areas, and large diameter swing bearings making the 2154D extremely durable. Incorporating revolutionary technology purpose-built to perform in the harshest of environments, the 2154D swing machine boasts a robust structure designed to suit a variety of forestry applications.

“I’ve been a fan of the John Deere brand for a very long time, and when I found out about this machine, the build quality coupled with back up service that Hitachi provides – I knew I couldn’t go wrong,” said Luke.

Thousands of test hours in dense woods have evolved some seriously tough traits in the new 2154D Forestry Swing Machine. Three work modes, a powerful swing system, improved horsepower, and a new hydraulic system promise one versatile harvester. As log loaders or shovel loggers, road builders, processor/harvesters, or stroke delimber carriers, D-Series Forestry Swing Machines prove anything less is really just prey. “With the selection of machines now in my fleet, I have a complete system supplied by Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia” says Luke. “I harvest and cut-to-length with the new 2154D, forward the wood to roadside with the John Deere 1910E and load out with the Hitachi ZX270.”

“The 2154D is performing and meeting all expectations, it’s very quiet, stable and economical to run, the operator is very comfortable and enjoys being in the machine. The power and performance of the John Deere engine provide ample hydraulic power.”

“One of the main benefits of running John Deere equipment are engines and their performance and fuel efficiency. The JDLink is also a huge benefit, it allows me to monitor the machine from anywhere via internet access and my cell phone.”

The factory purpose built side-entry cab with integral vertical bars and polycarbonate windows, meet safety requirements for forestry applications whilst maximising visibility. Climate control is available with side-entry cabs, to ensure operator comfort.

To complement great forward visibility, sight lines have been verified using 3-D modelling to maximise worksite visibility.

Joystick controls and accessory switches are within easy reach for your operator's convenience and safety. The visibility is great, particularly from the side windows,” indicated Luke. “The cab was also a key selling point for us. I would say it is the best cab on the market. The machine has a great track-set-up with ideal ground clearance and is nice to operate.”

Luke has had a long standing relationship with Hitachi, “I’m always provided with product pricing promptly and machine options, specifications and information is delivered in a confident and professional manner. I really like the fact that we can deal with one company throughout all of my operations and are provided with great support and backup by the workshop and spare parts,” he said.

Note: John Deere will be launching the all new GSeries Swing Machines at Demo International 2016 in British Columbia, Canada. Once again the range will include log loaders, processors & harvesters, road builders and stroke delimbers. Not only will the GSeries have some great new features and improved operating performance but there will be some brand new models introduced. More information will be published soon or visit www.deereforestry.com.

New JOHN DEERE Forestry Range

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 23:58:00 GMT

John Deere’s new Forestry range was designed with customer input to ensure the new machines are more productive, more reliable, and perfectly matched to customer needs

The new M-Series Tracked Harvesters and Tracked Feller Bunchers were launched to the Australian market earlier this year.

The next generation 800M and 900M models feature enhancements developed after extensive input from customer advocate groups.

A key feature is a high torque swing to provide increased power and boost productivity, while the 800M offers an optional dedicated track drive which increases tractive effort by up to 45 per cent, enhancing the ability to multi-function while tracking.

Both the 800M and 900M Series have a robust levelling system and track options, which give greater durability and increased efficiency. The undercarriage is wider and longer to maximise stability in all terrain conditions.

The new Rapid Cycle System option combines automated felling-head arm cycling with simple boom control — dramatically reducing operator fatigue while increasing efficiency and productivity. The system is adaptable to preferences and environments, so it’s ideal for varying operator skill levels and specific harvesting conditions.

Other options include through-nose plumbing to route hoses up and out of harm’s way, extending hose life, increasing uptime and reducing operating costs. An undercarriage-mounted toolbox provides convenient storage for tools, additional saw bars, and other spare parts, minimising trips back to the service truck.

Easy access to service components helps ensure daily checks and preventative maintenance gets done on schedule, minimising costly repairs down the road. Reversing fan automatically reverses airflow to clean debris from the cooler cores.

The new series features a variety of common boom sets already proven on the 900K-Series. The K2 booms are specifically designed to increase the number of attachment choices to suit a broader range of applications. This field-proven boom design has been developed with thicker plates and larger pins and bushings to ensure a stronger and more robust boom than ever before.

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GREEN OUT WEST

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 00:25:00 GMT

Several John Deere forestry machines have been delivered to Western Australia’s South West—three of them to Plantation Logging Co. Established in 1984, the company specialises in timber harvesting and haulage, earthmoving services and plantation maintenance.

Business owners, Jeff and Jenny Loton have a long history in timber harvesting in the Bunbury region. They are also members of Hoo Hoo International, an organisation uniting members of the timber industry.

Today, Plantation Logging employs around 90 personnel, focusing on turnkey projects that encompass falling, extraction, loading and carting of both softwood and eucalyptus products.

Jeff Loton said, “We operate several crews and do a small amount of native timber harvesting—about 100,000 tonnes of debarked blue gum. This is extracted using the cut-to-length method and transported in the roundwood form to Bunbury Fibre Exports where it is processed into export chips.

“After winning an eight-year contract with the State Government’s Forest Products Commission (FPC), our largest volumes now come from softwood plantations. The contract involves felling, extracting, loading and transporting 250,000 tonnes of pine to WESPINE, the largest sawmill in the South West.”

Jeff and Jenny also own Bunbury Firewood Supply, which utilises residue from the native forest harvesting operations to sell as domestic firewood to the local market.

“When it comes to our equipment we have formed long-term relationships with all our major suppliers,” said Jeff.

“Manufacturers such as John Deere are offering technology that suits our business. For instance, JDLinkTM enables us to remotely monitor the activity of our harvesting equipment, including fuel consumption and productivity levels.

“Ultimately we see JDLinkTM reducing our maintenance costs as it notifies us when a machine is due for service and also has the ability to alert both our company and HCA of any faults.

“The first machines we purchased were Timberjack back in 1994. We decided on ‘Timberjack Green’ for our company logo colour, which today still represents our strong ties with both John Deere and HCA.”

Jeff and Jenny have attended various international logging exhibitions to seek further information about new forestry products and technologies. Following their FPC tender win and support from Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia (HCA), the John Deere 903KH tracked harvester sparked their interest.

“We’ve always had Deere forwarders in our fleet, but it’s a long time since we purchased a tracked machine.
I contacted an old friend in South Australia, Colin Moreland, to ask if I could see his 903KH in action, which helped me make my final decision on what harvester I wanted.

“We had specific criteria. As we run all Waratah attachments except for on one harvester, John Deere proved the obvious choice as they offer an integrated Waratah package direct from the factory. When the machine arrived in Australia, it was only a matter of ‘plug and play’.

“The production we require from the machine is very high, so we needed assurance of uptime, productivity and low operating costs.

“We have not been disappointed with either the 903KH or our two 1910E forwarders. As far as fuel consumption is concerned, these machines are exceeding expectations.

“Local product support is critical and HCA have a local sales and support facility in Bunbury.

“I also want to look after my crew. Ergonomics play a large role in my purchasing decisions and John Deere machines ticked all the boxes. These machines not only have to meet the above requirements, but I am also expecting them to ‘stand the test of time’.”

CLIMBING IN A LEAGUE OF ITS OWN

Wed, 28 Jan 2015 23:44:00 GMT

Even the best and strongest harvester technology is of no use if the machine gets stuck because of lack of traction and an inability to transport it to the logging site. And there are certainly many sites like this in different parts of Europe and the world.

That’s why John Deere is now introducing the steep terrain beast, the long-awaited 8-wheeled option of the 1270E IT4 harvester capable of operating in previously unimaginable terrain. Its 8WD maintains maximum grip on the forest floor with unforeseen stability even in the most difficult conditions.

To put the new machine’s capabilities to the test, it was given to a pre-selected group of elite operators in the United Kingdom (UK). Throughout Autumn 2013, they tested the machine hands-on in some of the toughest logging conditions on Earth with challenging terrain and crop conditions.

SIMPLY THE BEST MACHINE YET

The first one ever to test the 1270E IT4 8WD was David “Weasel” Marshall, a true professional with more than 25 years of experience as an operator. He tested the machine in the forests of Kidland Lee, a remote forest area lying just south of the Scotland-England border in the heart of the Northumberland Cheviot Hills.

Known locally as the land of the far horizons, the area represents a challenge as the infamous Sitka spruce plantations are planted on a 35-degree slope—a challenge in which David Marshall was facing with his 1270E for local contractor Walton Logging.

As the new 8WD machine arrived, he had already been progressing at good speed through the 20,000 cubic site. The magnitude of the slope meant that harvesting had to be tackled downhill. But the arrival of the 8WD machine turned the situation upside down, allowing the slopes to be tackled in an uphill direction.

“Simply the best machine yet,” said Marshall. He pays particular tribute to the stability and astonishing climbing ability of the eight-wheeler.

This occasion also represented Marshall’s first operation of the IT4 harvester and he was hugely impressed by the productivity of the machine when compared to his current 1270E.

PRAISE FROM A STEEP-GROUND SPECIALIST

From Northumberland, the eight-wheeler travelled north to the Moorfoot Hills, close to the Scottish Borders town of Innerleithen, to be further tested by local contractors Dick Bros Ltd. Currently owning eight other 8WD harvesters, it is fair to assume that they know something about the capabilities of these machines. The worksite at Leithen Water proved another daunting task for the 1270E IT4 8WD.

Like many UK operators, Gary Humphries’ introduction into forest machine operation came via an excavator-based harvester back in 1990. He is regarded as a steep-ground specialist by his employers. He currently drives a recently delivered 1270E. Hands-on, he was impressed by the ease in which the eight-wheeler tackled the 35-degree slopes adjacent to the peak of Blackhope Scar, an impressive 651 metres above sea level.

“The level of stability is completely different to the current 6WD models,” Humphries states. He was also amazed with how easy the worksite became at the controls of the
new 1270E.

CLIMBING ABILITY IN A LEAGUE OF ITS OWN

The next recipient of the 1270E was Colin Cairns, currently operating a new 1470E IT4 for Selkirk contractor Elliot Henderson. He got the opportunity to test the 8WD machine on a challenging site close to St Mary’s Loch in the Ettrick area of the Scottish Borders.

Here, the worksite encompassed slopes in excess of 42-degrees and the 1270E performed admirably on slopes up to 37-degrees.

Having been used to the larger 1470 machines for many years, Cairns was hugely surprised at the capabilities of the 1270E and reported that production and boom power were very close to his current machine.

Climbing ability, however, was “in a league of its own” —no doubt aided by the purpose-built DuraxleTM balanced bogie, which provides additional nine per cent down force when compared to conventional bogies in this range.

The additional balancing force provided by the machine, matched to the specifically adapted band tracks, creates a level of grip simply unforeseen on a forest machine.

UNBELIEVABLE DOWNHILL STABILITY

The Ardnamurchan Peninsula (which means headland of the great seas) is the most westerly point on the UK mainland. Shaped by molten volcanic rock from 1,000 million years ago, the area of Ardgour lies in the territory of the clan MacLean and offered the most remote worksite for
the 1270E.

Here, the Glen Scaddle worksite undertaken by CSP Forestry offered a series of challenges—wet, steep, stony, loose ground, mated to mixed hardwood and softwood crop and a lack of brash.

Perhaps it was just as well that the man at the controls was Billy Kemp, a professional used extensively by the local Deere team to test new products and provide feedback on new equipment. A self-proclaimed ‘1470 man’ Billy has completed some of the most demanding sites in Scotland with a variety of John Deere equipment over the past 20 years. His current charge is a pre-series 1470E IT4 machine with over 2,000 hours.

Over a two week period the entire site was completed, including areas that had been set aside for extraction by winch. The most challenging area of the site was a 50-plus degree slope on loose, stony ground, and this was tackled downhill with the 1270E!

“Downhill stability is unbelievable,” Billy Kemp exclaims. “I honestly don’t know whether I could have done that in a 1470E. The machine just sits there and you don’t need to worry about what is happening behind you.”

THE MACHINE SIMPLY DOESN’T GIVE UP!

With the challenges of the west complete, it was time to move north to Aberdeenshire, a real stronghold of the UK forest industry. Clashindarroch Forest is the largest in Aberdeenshire and also the highest, so access becomes a problem for part of the year as logging operations give way to cross-country skiing—not a pursuit common in the UK!

The route into the widespread forest opens up to the famous Tap O Noth, a historic fort built on top of a hill overlooking the nearby Moray Firth.

The site had been initiated by Pinewood Harvesting, with Michael Taylor having completed a portion of the site with his current 1470E. This proved an ideal test enabling access to the harvesting racks immediately, where the 1470E had met its match.

Once again the 1270E coped admirably with slopes measuring in excess of 35-degrees. As part of the testing in this area, another well-known ‘test operator’, Barry Morrison, took to the controls to provide feedback. He is well accustomed to harvesting large timber with his current 1470E IT4, with stems in excess of 4 cubics, on a slope in excess of 30-degrees which would prove too great a challenge for most machines, but not for the 1270E!

With a look of amazement, Morrison reached the top of the hill and then for good measure turned the machine around to test downhill stability in the large crop!

“My 1470E would never have gone up there,” Morrison reported.

“And the downhill stability is unbelievable. The machine simply does not give up!”

He was very impressed with how the CH7 boom handled the huge stems, noting that the differences between the CH7 and the CH8, which he is more accustomed to (on his 1470E), were much less than he had realised.

A long road-trip then ensued as the machine headed south to the harsh environment of the Brecon Beacons in Mid-Wales—an area more famous for testing British Special Forces than forestry machines!

The Penbont worksite undertaken by local contractors Malcolm & Evan Davies yielded a substantial Norway spruce crop averaging close to 0.7 cubics per stem.

Being used to a 1270E IT4, Evan Davies quickly familiarised himself with the eight-wheeler and set about the 35-degree slope with some relish!

In the shadow of the imposing Pen-y-Fan mountain, the machine again performed admirably. Davies was particularly impressed with the climbing ability and downhill stability of the machine, commenting that the site would have been a major challenge for his current 6WD machine.

In addition to the obvious climbing advantages, the machine also offers a 39 per cent reduction in rear-axle ground pressure when compared to the equivalent, and this was also very noticeable in all of the UK tests.

It was not without some sadness that the machine left UK shores to return home to Finland for final testing. But a lasting legacy has been left in the forests of the UK. The 1270E IT4 8WD will soon be a common sight in these parts.

Blackbutt Logging

Tue, 29 Jul 2014 07:07:00 GMT

Since 1992, Blackbutt Logging has been involved in the harvesting and haulage of plantation Hoop Pine around the Blackbutt, Yarraman, and Nanango area in the South Burnett region of Queensland. Led by Drew and Todd Reiser, the family owned business continues to thrive with its annual timber production increasing significantly.

Blackbutt Logging operates an impressive fleet of machines dedicated to the most challenging and demanding work conditions in the forest environment. In response to increased quotas and further expansion, the company has recently taken delivery of a John Deere 1270E harvester and a 1910E forwarder.

In addition, the existing fleet includes a Hitachi ZX240 fitted with a Waratah 622 processor, a John Deere 909JH tracked harvester with a Waratah 624 processing head attached, as well as two John Deere 450G dozers.

Drew indicated that his machines are easily performing their specific requirements. “Reliability, backup service, product support and uptime were the key factors in my machine purchases,” explained Drew.

Drew reported that operators have been positive about a number of features including “…comfort, maintenance access and ability to handle the workload easily. The uptime achieved with the John Deere machines is remarkable and the features make for a productive day!”

Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia has been supporting Blackbutt Logging’s machinery requirements for many years now. “While Hitachi continues to provide high quality products and service, we will continue to support them,” said Drew.

Reid Logging

Tue, 29 Jul 2014 06:51:00 GMT

South Australia has enjoyed a rich history within the forestry industry with early European settlement playing a fundamental role during the 19th century. Native forests were cleared for farming activities, and for supplying building and fencing materials for domestic and commercial construction. The search to discover the most suitable tree that could be grown in South Australian conditions fuelled demand for forestry plantations. This expanded during the 1920s and 1930s with private forestry companies commencing operations as growers and timber millers.

Reid Logging is a company with a history extending back almost fifty years. Founded by John Reid in 1966, the family business has embraced a tradition and heritage in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Directors Colin and Deb Reid now run the company along with their son Craig who has worked as a machine operator for around 15 years.

In the early years of its foundation, Reid Logging utilised a team of thirteen men working as pine fellers to cut short pulpwood 1.2 metres in length, which were loaded by hand onto a truck. In 1974, the move to a longer length pulpwood system saw the introduction of a Volvo SM462, the first forwarder in first thinning in the South East region of South Australia. Colin joined the company at this time where he was appointed operator of the forwarder.

John Reid introduced a John Deere 743 harvester in 1978, which was the region’s first mechanical harvester. A new operator was engaged to operate the forwarder with Colin trained to take over operation of the harvester. In 1980, another John Deere 743 harvester was purchased with both machines employed by ForestrySA and private softwood plantations. A Timberjack 1270A wheeled harvester was purchased in 1996 after the signing of a ten year pine thinning contract with ForestrySA. In 2001, a Timberjack 1270C wheeled harvester was purchased to work alongside the Timberjack 1270A.

In 2006, South Australia had 167,000 hectares of plantation forests. Approximately 123,000 hectares of this were softwood (Pine) and 42,000 hectares contained hardwood (Blue gum). ForestrySA now manage the most extensive areas of Pine forests in the south-east near Mount Gambier where 80% of the State’s forest plantations grow. High rainfall and excellent drainage in the soils have contributed to positive growth rates of pine.

In 2009, after a new contract was won, a John Deere 1710D Eco III forwarder was purchased to work alongside the company’s existing Timberjack 1270C wheeled harvester. In March 2011, the Timberjack 1270C was approaching 20,000 hours and Reid Logging made the decision to purchase a John Deere 1270E harvester. Despite the age of the Timberjack 1270C, the machine remains in immaculate condition and is still in operation today working simultaneously with the 1270E harvester.

According to Colin Reid, “Maintaining maximum efficiency and attention to detail are crucial to the successful operation of our business. Previous experience with John Deere as well as backup support and parts availability from Hitachi allows us to provide the most competitive, productive and reliable service to our customers. Operator comfort, ease of operation and serviceability are impressive features for operators,” added Colin.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia continues to work actively with Reid Logging to support their machinery requirements and project obligations. “We have a great relationship with Jason Rudd at Hitachi and he has provided us with detailed insight regarding the suitability of equipment prior to purchase,” said Colin. History, local knowledge and quality machinery are the heart of the forestry industry and are a testament to Reid Logging’s success preparing them for potential future challenges within the industry.

Harvesting With Forestrys Finest

Tue, 29 Jul 2014 06:34:00 GMT

Mount Gambier based Moreland Holdings is responsible for the harvesting of Bluegum and Pine plantations in the ‘Green Triangle’ of Victoria’s North West and South Australia’s South East.

An extensive fleet of forestry equipment is utilised to harvest approximately 750,000 tonnes of timber annually. Aside from the Bluegum and Pine harvesting operations, the company operates a fleet of B-double trucks for the transportation of timber to surrounding mills.

Moreland Holdings has a rich history with their origins in New Zealand. In 1980, Colin Moreland sold up his business interests and moved the family to Australia in search of new business opportunities. Today, built upon decades of experience, the company has become one of the larger logging contractors operating out of Mount Gambier.

A powerful forestry machine clearing the way in the Moreland fleet is the John Deere 2154D swing machine fitted with a Waratah HTH616C harvester head. Incorporating revolutionary technology purpose-built to perform in the harshest of environments, the 2154D swing machine boasts a robust structure designed to suit a variety of forestry applications.

“My brother David witnessed a live demonstration of the 2154D operating in Brazil,” said Moreland Holdings’ Business Manager, Craig Moreland. “He really liked the look of it and how it performed. We decided we had to have one.”

The John Deere swing machine’s hydraulic power combined with the durability and precision of the Waratah HTH616C attachment delivers optimised harvesting productivity. “We only use Waratah harvesting heads across our fleet due to their toughness and reliability,” commented Craig.

This is supported by Waratahs’ research and development into their product technology, which when integrated with John Deere machinery, proves a perfect package.

Comfort, visibility and the overall set-up were major features, according to Craig, when asked why he decided to purchase the John Deere 2154D.

“The set-up and finish of the machine is excellent. It was ready to go and all we needed to do was fit the Waratah head,” he said.

John Deere has maximised worksite visibility in their 2154D through the verification of sight lines using 3-D modelling and extensive product development. “The visibility is great, particularly from the side windows,” indicated Craig. “The cab was also a key selling point for us. I would say it is the best cab on the market. The machine has a great track set-up with ideal ground clearance and is nice to operate.”

As the exclusive distributor of John Deere construction and forestry products in the Australian market, Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia (HCA) continues to supply the forestry industry with innovative and cutting-edge products.

“We have built a good relationship with HCA over the years and we have a history of John Deere machinery purchases,” said Craig. “Backup is a critical factor for us and Hitachi’s maintenance team in Mount Gambier have been excellent to deal with.”

“My brother David witnessed a live demonstration of the 2154D operating in Brazil. He really liked the look of it and how it performed. We decided we had to have one.”

Forestrys New Species

Tue, 29 Jul 2014 06:24:00 GMT

The delivery of a John Deere 909JH tracked harvester to Triple H Contracting has been highly anticipated by the Scottsdale-based logging contractor. Specialising in the harvesting of Tasmanian hardwood and softwood plantations, the company is run by Manuel Hall, a logger with experience spanning almost three decades.

From the mid-80s, Manuel worked in his father’s logging business, where he developed the skills required to be a successful contractor. In 2007, he entered the contracting game and worked for a number of Tasmanian logging companies over the next four years. Eventually, he decided it was time to start his own business, which led to an opportunity to tender for Timberland Pacific.

The company is currently involved in a pine clearing operation achieving an annual quota of 75,000 tonnes and cutting a variety of products between 1.2m3 and 2.2m3. According to Manuel, their new forest-tough John Deere 909JH with Waratah 624C harvesting head is capable of clearing nearly 1,600 tonnes per week, creating a productive partnership with the Triple H Contracting team.

“The 909JH ‘out-spec’d’ all other machines I was looking at,” said Manuel. “The quality of the machine and levelling system were major factors in our decision to purchase.” The 909JH features a best-in-class levelling system that keeps the operator steady, centred and parallel to the ground when tracks are climbing or tilting. “I guess having the self-levelling system is a big advantage in the environment we operate in, particularly when working on steep terrain,” he said.

When asking Manuel about the performance of his new machine, power and lifting capabilities were highlights. “Overall, the machine is bigger, better, faster and stronger,” he said. “The extra weight and power really make the machine an excellent performer along with the layout of the hydraulic systems and ease of maintenance. I can’t fault it.”

The Right Gear is Deere

Tue, 29 Jul 2014 05:45:00 GMT

Jamie Law from logging contractor Ribbonwood Victoria started in the bush at sixteen – most of it with Hitachi or John Deere.

Jamie started as a hand faller. At twenty-two he got an opportunity of a lifetime. Kevin and Leigh Goodman, part owners of Ribbonwood New Zealand, offered him the chance to buy a 25% share in an excavator harvester and subcontract back to them.

Eight years ago, Ribbonwood Victoria won a clearfall contract up in the hills of North East Victoria to harvest up to 100,000 tonnes of wood per year, which meant upping stumps from New Zealand and moving lock, stock and barrel to Australia.

Because of his good run with Hitachi and John Deere machines, Jamie and his partners decided to buy a John Deere 853JH harvester with Waratah 622B, a 1710D forwarder and a ZX200 excavator fitted with a directional falling attachment to do a bit of falling, stacking, shovelling and loading.

The 853JH harvester clocked 11,000 hours before being sold and the 1710D at 12,000 hours is still working like new.

Jamie’s latest contract involves first and second thinning work for Hancock Victorian Plantations.

Excellent support from Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia (HCA) and challenging terrain requirements of the job has seen Jamie look to John Deere for the right gear.

Jamie purchased a 1270E wheeled harvester and a 703JH tracked harvester – both fitted with four roller Waratah 480C harvester heads – for more flexibility when handling the wood extracted by his 1510E forwarder.

“I’m extremely pleased with the equipment and lucky to have found experienced operators in Ferdy Cabai on the 1270E and Geoff Lindsay on the 1510E,” said Jamie.

“Mark Hellberg from HCA’s Albury branch put the deal together and kept me updated on factory build times, shipping details and final delivery. The timing of when I wanted the machines in the bush was spot-on.

“HCA’s product and technical support team – Adrian Wapling, Daniel McCarten and Glen Mawhood – were great in drafting a service contract.

“John Deere’s Technical Support Manager JP Ylikoivula played a major role in training our crew on the software before the machines arrived. He also spent a few days with us to ensure the machines were setup properly and cutting to our expectations.

“My wife Dayna and our three daughters are now settled in Australia. If it wasn’t for the support we got from Kevin and Leigh Goodman back in the early days, we would never be where we are today.

“Life is all about relationships and making the right decisions. I’m confident that running with Hitachi and John Deere will once again prove a winner.

John Deere Swing Machines

Tue, 29 Jul 2014 05:30:00 GMT

Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia is proud to introduce the new generation of John Deere forestry swing machines. The revolutionary D Series swing machines incorporate industry-leading technology purpose-built to perform in the harshest of forest environments.

The machines are designed and modified to suit a wide variety of forestry applications, such as road building, log loading, processing and shovel logging. They are generally lighter than harvesters and feller bunchers, however much more rugged than standard excavators.

The new range of swing machines feature enhanced versatility and productivity with powerful swing systems, improved horsepower, and new hydraulic systems. The integration of John Deere PowerTech^TME and PowerTech^TM Plus Tier2-certified engines provide excellent fuel economy with high torque at low rpm.

The revolutionary “smart cooling package” features a cool-on-demand, variable-speed, hydraulically driven cooling fan, which maximises the use of available horsepower while reducing fuel consumption and noise. An innovative debris management system incorporating external screening, sealed cooler compartment, and optional automatic reversing fan helps eliminate the downtime associated with cooling system maintenance. This system prevents materials and debris from entering the cooling-package area to enhance overall productivity.

Resilient and robust machine design contributes to powerful performance and extreme durability. Newly designed log loaderfronts, purpose-built processor fronts, and heavy-duty excavator fronts allow the machines to operate in the toughest applications. A durable undercarriage features robust structures and heavy-duty track chains to deliver both productivity and durability.

Strategically positioned joystick controls and accessory switches offer operators improved functionality. Worksite visibility has been optimised through improved cab design. Operators also have the option of a rear-entry cab featuring more space, accessibility and storage to ensure maximised comfort.

Industry Breakthough

Tue, 29 Jul 2014 01:36:00 GMT

The world’s largest international forestry fair, Elmia Wood, took place in the forests south of Jönköping, Sweden. The event presented visitors with exclusive access to the latest products and innovations from within the global forestry industry.

According to John Deere’s Information Manager Dieter Reinisch, “The event was the vitamin injection the whole forestry industry needed.”

Elmia Wood 2013 proved the obvious choice to unveil Deere’s Intelligent Boom Control (IBC) system – a major breakthrough in forwarder technology which makes work easier, faster and more productive.

Intuitive boom tip control has been on the forestry machine feature wish list for 30 years – now exclusively available from John Deere.

IBC makes the boom operation accurate, fast and easy as the operator now directly controls the boom tip instead of controlling independent boom joint movement. When extra movements are eliminated, IBC will also increase the durability of boom structures and hydraulic cylinders.

In test machines, this new control system has significantly increased even experienced operators’ working speed. The productivity of unseasoned operators has improved enormously. IBC provides it all in one complete package – more productivity with the best possible fuel economy and boom lifetime.

John Deere also unveiled Processing Power Control – another industry leading innovation that enhances productivity and fuel economy in harvesters.

Congratulations to John Deere for claiming the Innovation Award for their new IBC system. We look forward to continued product innovations and industry-first technologies in the future.