PONSSE News 1/2011 ENG In English

logging Heroes"Despite the power of the machine, itis agile during thinning operations. Bothmachines are easy to operate and their geometryis good. A structure like this addsresilience," says Emil.The forwarder is also equipped withthe new Opti information system, a featuredue to which the forwarder is fast andefficient. The antennae located on the roofof the cabin conceal a considerable amountof technology, such as a radio, telephone,GPS and CDMA."The information system provides uswith access to maintenance help througha remote connection. The operator needonly give the number of his machine, afterwhich the service engineer can log inthe computer and adjust the settings. Ifthe case involves concrete problems, suchas a broken hose or the sensors of a harvesterhead, the operators can find sparesin the site hut and take care of the repairsthemselves.""The best thing about the forwarder isits new loader. The K90 loader is easy touse and a real heavy-duty piece of machineryequipped with a big hydraulic pump.Its geometry is well-designed and one canwork without interruptions," says Emil.He also appreciates the built-in hoses."The boom no longer gets stuck anywhereduring loading at the thinning sites, whichcan include tight spaces."rESPONSiBlE frEEdOmThe entire crew seems to perceive thechanges in machinery as a positive thing."We did take part in the discussionsand were of the opinion that trying somethingnew might be beneficial. My honestopinion is that manufacturers shouldcome up with a top-of-the-line solution, amachine that exploits the best features ofevery forest machine to its benefit, but Idon't think it really works that way," saysEmil Flordal.Nils-Göran can be considered a true veteranof forests. For nearly 40 years now,he has been an interested and up-close observerof the advancements in technology."When I started working for SCA, backin 1972, the work was done primarily withchainsaws. Even though mechanisationwas already gaining a foothold," says Nils-Göran. Trees were felled with chainsawsand delimbed and cut with processors onsite, in the forest."In the mid-1970s I was operating a cuttingand stacking Kockum 880 harvesterequipped with a cutter and a hydraulicchainsaw. That job was what landed mewith an offer to go first to Canada and laterto the United States to teach the localshow to harvest wood with the cut-to-lengthmethod," adds Nils-Göran.ThE rETurN hOmENils-Göran stayed loyal to the forest evenafter he returned to his native country."I like it in the forest and, on top of that,I'm interested in mechanical engineering.The work is independent and gives one alot of freedom." His guess would be thatone must have an interest in the woods andnot to be afraid of solitude to be happy as aforest machine operator."Thirty years ago a forest worker's jobwas quite a bit more social, but nowadaysyou have to be able make it on your own.Particularly before the snow falls, it can getboth dark and lonely. Operators who workin the same team only actually meet eachother during shift changes."When operating a harvester on majorcutting sites, Nils-Göran can't be botheredto take the trip to the site hut too often.Most often, he stays by his machine, hascoffee and eats his lunch in the cabin andwaits for the replacement operator.jOB rOTaTiONAs mentioned, Nils-Göran is happy. Helistens to plenty of radio and audio books."I'm particularly fond of listening tohistorical works. It's actually quite a privilegeto be able to 'read' while working," hesays. The Viksjö team works in two shiftsand usually rotates in operating machinery."Nils-Göran prefers the harvester,whereas I prefer the forwarder, so workingthe same shift is convenient for us.Planning the drive when loading and sortingduring unloading require my full attention.But I can relax during the drive,which suits me perfectly," says Emil.chamPiONShiP mEdalSIn line with the other men in the team,Emil is a true logger."My father was an instructor at theLjusdal Forestry School and I knew I wantedto be a forest machine operator, eventhough I chose to attend another secondaryschool," says Emil.As a skilled orienteerer on skis and a"conventional" orientereer, he opted forthe Mora Ski Gymnasium. He was also selectedfor the Swedish national skiing team40Ponsse News 1 • 2011