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SAWMILLING • LOGGING • BIOMASS • RENEWABLE ENERGY

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023

SAWLINES

Harvester

Heads

Forestry

Mulchers

Track

Carriers


V E R S A T I L E S E R I E S

5000V

THE HEAD EVERYONE

HAS BEEN WAITING FOR!

A versatile head, ready for large trees.

VERSATILE SERIES

The Log Max 5000V is a modern and reliable harvesting head that

can handle a wide range of logging challenges. This is the perfect

mid-range head for both thinning and final felling. The head can

be equipped with a 82 cm saw bar and has a maximum cutting

diameter of 74 cm. It also features Log Max’s multi-stemming

MK2, that is agile and lightweight, making thinning work easier.

The Log Max 5000V is suitable for those who seek the perfect

balance between agility, capacity, and durability.

Quote from test driver Erik Wiik:

“The cutting and feeding are brutally

good, and in combination with the

new length measuring unit, Log Max

becomes unstoppable ; )”

logmax.com


LOGGING • BIOMASS

CONTENTS

HARVESTER HEADS

33

41 43

IBC

41 MULCHERS

Tigercat mulching products are used

across many industries including

land clearing, silviculture, and forest

management, including fire mitigation

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023

43 TRACK CARRIERS

The BTC-300 is the next evolution for

Bandit highperformance land-clearing

track carriers with interchangeable

forestry mowers and stump grinding

heads.

IBC

HITACHI

Hitachi Construction Machinery

(Europe) NV (HCME) recently launched

the new ZX135USL-7 forestry excavator.

REGULAR FEATURES 6 Logging News 48 Advertising Index LUMBER PROCESSING CONTENTS

COVER - PONSSE HH360 ROTATOR

PONSSE HH360 is a harvester head rotator

that literally widens the perspective on

efficient harvesting to a full 360 degrees.

With PONSSE HH360 rotator in use, the

hoses stay in a fixed position from crane

tip to rotator, all the time. This enables

rotating the head freely without having to

worry about unexpected - and expensive -

downtime caused from twisted hoses.

The operator’s work becomes swifter,

and the overall efficiency of the jobsite

is significantly improved.

The sturdy, powerful and exceptionally

energy efficient PONSSE HH360 rotator

is globally available for H6, H7, H8, H7

HD, H8 HD, H7 HD Euca and H8 HD Euca

harvester heads when installed as a

loose head installation.

www.ponsse.com

SAWMILLING • LOGGING • BIOMASS • RENEWABLE ENERGY

SAWLINES

Harvester

Heads

Forestry

Mulchers

Track

Carriers

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 1


LUMBER PROCESSING

SAWLINES

24

26

22 LIMAB

LIMAB was founded about 45 years ago

and has a long tradition of developing and

manufacturing laserbased technology.

24 LEDINEK

Ledinek to deliver a new generation planer

line to Moelven Edanesågen AB, Sweden

26 MICROTEC

In a September webinar, Norvin Laudon,

Director of MiCROTEC Vancouver, presented

a gamechanging innovation that promises

to reshape the hardwood industry.

28

30

29

28 USNR

USNR’s new Sidewinder log turner

maximizes throughput in mills

29 JARTEK

Jartek to supply high speed drysorting

line to Ipowood

30 BID GROUP

Pioneering Progress in Wood Processing:

BID Group’s Trimmer Line

E-LOADER

SPRINGER’s latest innovative

product development – A new

high speed feeder solution for

lumber sorting

Your Advantages:

> Can handle a wide range of sizes

> Operates superbly with different sizes

> Lumber can be placed directly into

the scraper bar partitions

> Performance is consistently high

> Can be adjusted perfectly to any

lumber width

> Layers are accumulated reliably

without being pushed back

> It’s maintenance friendly because

maintenance lids can be walked on

(crossover option)

The E-Loader is used to separate pieces of

lumber. Boards are gathered at the E-Loader’s

retainer by an accumulation conveyor.

The feeder lever takes the board and

lifts it into the ug chain of the downstream

conveyor.

www.springer-usa.com

2 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023



ISSUE 95

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023

SUBSCRIPTIONS

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tel:

Tel:

+44

+44

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(0)1442

877

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583

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e

mma@internationalforestindustries.com

mma@internationalforestindustries.com

Annual

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Subscription

Subscription

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and

and

Europe

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£160, €

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Rest

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of

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world

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EDITORIAL

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www.internationalforestindustries.com

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Claridge

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Road

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Berkhamsted,

Herts.

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HP4

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2AF,

2AF,

UK

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Editor

Editor

Robin

Robin

Peach

Peach

robin@internationalforestindustries.com

robin@internationalforestindustries.com

Editorial Board

Dr NORTH Patrick AMERICAN Moore – Chairman SALES and Chief

Professor Kevin Lapham Piotr Paschalis-Jakubowicz –

Warsaw

J.P.Media

Agricultural

Inc

University (Poland)

Mr Kim Carstensen

Tel: +1 (630) 420 9752

Director General

Forest Fax: +1 Stewardship (630) 420 9763 Council

Eduardo Email: lapham@jpmediainc.com

Morales

South American Forestry Consultant

WEB OPTIMIZATION

Jo English

jo@internationalforestindustries.com

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS

International Forest Industries Ltd

International Forest Industries Ltd

Advertising Manager

Advertising Manager

Emma Smith

Emma Smith

emma@internationalforestindustries.com

emma@internationalforestindustries.com

+44 (0)1442 877 583

+44 (0)1442 877 583

Publisher

Associate Editor

Robin Peach

Robin Peach

robin@internationalforestindustries.com

robin@internationalforestindustries.com

Advertising Production Enquiries

Advertising Production Enquiries

Emma Smith

Emma Smith

emma@internationalforestindustries.com

emma@internationalforestindustries.com

Studio Manager

Luke Evans

International luke@lecreative.co.uk

Forest Industries is published

by International Forest Industries Ltd,

2 Accounts Claridge Court, Lower Kings Road

Berkhamsted, Nicola ShuklaHerts. HP4 2AF, UK

International nicolas@internationalforestindustries.com

Forest Industries (ISSN 1755-6732) is

published bi-monthly by International Forest Industries

Ltd GBR and is distributed in the USA by Asendia USA,

17B International South Middlesex Forest Avenue, Industries Monroe is published NJ 08831 and

additional by International mailing Forest offices. Industries Periodicals Ltd, postage paid at

New 2 Claridge Brunswick Court, NJ. Lower POSTMASTER: Kings Road send address

changes

Berkhamsted,

to International

Herts. HP4

Forest

2AF,

Industries,

UK

17B South

Middlesex Avenue, Monroe NJ 08831

©

International

International

Forest

Forest

Industries

Industries

(ISSN

Ltd

1755-6732)

2007 – 2019

is

IFI

published

uses, as

bi-monthly

preference,

by

SI

International

units throughout.

Forest Industries

All

Ltd

dollars

GBR and

are

is

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distributed

unless otherwise

in the USA

stated.

by Asendia USA,

701C Ashland Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032 and

additional mailing offices. Periodicals postage paid at

New Brunswick NJ. POSTMASTER: send address

changes to International Forest Industries, 17B South

Middlesex Avenue, Monroe NJ 08831

© International Forest Industries Ltd 2007 – 2023

IFI uses, as preference, SI units throughout.

All dollars are US unless otherwise stated.

In August I attended SFPAEXPO 2023

which was held at the Music City

Convention Center in downtown

Nashville, Tennessee. Inside, the new,

state-of-the-art convention center

exhibitors and visitors experienced a

modern business atmosphere. On the

whole stands were busy and I got to meet

the majority of IFI clients who all expressed

great support for the magazine.

From important business matters to our

continuing theme – Climate Change.

Forests are burning like never before which

directly affects the forestry business.

Rainforests are declining at an alarming

rate further propagating climate change,

enhancing the likelihood of escalating

severe wildfires, droughts, and higher

temperatures around the world.

In our July August issue, I raised issues

surrounding the lack of money invested by

governments in saving the rainforests. This

year alone China and the USA are spending

over a trillion dollars on defence budgets

with China unlike the USA not interested in

contributing to save the Amazon rainforest.

With governments failing to address the

impending catastrophe is it time for the

worlds rich to step forward and take the

initiative?

The rich can go a Iong way to

saving the planet

Globally, Forbes* counted 2,640 ten-figure

fortunes, down from 2,668 last year.

Altogether, the planet’s billionaires are

now worth $12.2 trillion Elon Musk, falls

from No. 1 to No. 2. Bernard Arnault, head

of luxury goods giant LVMH, takes his

place as the world’s richest person ($211B)

The United States still boasts the most

billionaires, with 735 list members worth

a collective $4.5 trillion. China (including

Hong Kong and Macau) remains second,

with 562 billionaires worth $2 trillion,

followed by India, with 169 billionaires

worth $675 billion.

Whether or not the world’s richest

individuals and companies should

contribute to climate change funds is a

matter of debate and depends on various

factors, including ethical, moral, and

practical considerations. Here are some

arguments on both sides of the issue:

Arguments in favour of the world’s richest

contributing to climate change funds:

Wealth Disparity: The world’s richest

individuals and corporations often have

accumulated vast wealth, sometimes

through industries that contribute

significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

Addressing climate change is a global

challenge, and they can play a role in

mitigating the impacts of the problem by

contributing financially.

Responsibility: Some argue that those

who have benefited the most from

economic and industrial activities that have

contributed to climate change have a moral

and ethical responsibility to help address

the consequences.

Funding Solutions: Climate change

requires substantial investments in

renewable energy, technology, and

infrastructure to transition to a more

sustainable future. The wealth of the

richest individuals and corporations can

help fund these solutions.

Public Relations: Contributing to climate

change funds can improve the public image

of wealthy individuals and companies,

demonstrating a commitment to corporate

social responsibility and environmental

stewardship.

Incentivizing Change: By contributing to

climate change funds, the wealthy can

encourage others to follow suit, creating a

ripple effect of support for climate action.

Cont’d on Page 47

* Forbes - World’s Billionaires List 2023

www.forbes.com/billionaires

4 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023



New TCi Dealer in France

Tigercat Industries recently

announced that Cuoq Forest

Diffusion (CFD) based in

Saint Pal de Mons is now

representing the TCi equipment

brand at the national level in

France. Previous TCi dealer

for France, Clohse Group, will

continue to service the Benelux

region and northwestern

Germany.

Founder and CEO, Jean-

Marie Cuoq has been involved

in the French forest sector

as a forester and contractor

since 1984 and has used

mechanized equipment in his

harvesting operations since

1990. In 2005 Jean-Marie

started an equipment repair

business. In 2016 he expanded

into equipment sales, naming

the new entity Cuoq Forest

Diffusion. CFD has developed

strong service capabilities and

a focus on parts support and

availability.

“I am grateful for the trust

that Tigercat Industries has

placed in me and my team,”

says Jean-Marie. “We are ready

to work diligently, promoting

the TCi brand and establishing

a strong presence throughout

France.”

COO, Philippe Wion adds,

“This partnership marks an

The Cuoq Forest Diffusion team. (L-R) Adrien Leaute, Matthieu Rivière, Charlotte

Ribeyron, Jean-Marie Cuoq, Bertrand Defarges, Florian Debard, Philippe Wion, Laure

Rivière, Damien Portail.

important step for Cuoq Forest

Diffusion. Tigercat Industries

is renowned for its robust

and high quality forestry

equipment. To be entrusted

with such a renowned brand is

of course a great satisfaction.

The arrival of TCi products is

consistent with our strategy

of representing only premium

quality brands.”

Matt Roberts, Tigercat

Industries sales manager for

Europe comments, “We are

excited to work with such an

exceptional organization as

Cuoq Forest Diffusion to grow

our population of TCi products

in France. We are confident in

the team’s abilities to support

the forestry professionals

of France. We look forward

to a long and successful

collaboration.”

6 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


625

THE SIX-WHEEL

ADVANTAGE

Best suited to high volumes, steep slopes and challenging terrain

conditions. Tigercat six-wheel skidders are field proven with over

two decades of real world development in the most demanding

extraction operations on the planet.

www.tigercat.com

Scan to learn more


New FAE BL1/SSL mulcher for

skid steers starting at 45 hp.

FAE introduces a new

forestry mulcher for

small skid steers: the

BL1/SSL/VT for vehicles

from 45 to 65 hp, which

can shred vegetation,

shrubs, and trees up to

10 cm in diameter.

It can be used for

vegetation maintenance

along roadsides, railroad

tracks, the banks of canals,

rivers, lakes, managing and

protecting wildlife habitats,

maintaining vineyards and

orchards, commercial and

residential green areas and

sports grounds.

The head is designed for

high productivity, durability,

and easy maintenance.

The BL1/SSL/VT’s Variable

Torque (VT) piston engine

boosts mulcher performance

compared to a fixed-cylinder

engine, increasing torque

when an extra boost of power

is needed and minimizing

rotor stalling. In the field, the

mulcher always operates with

the maximum torque needed,

for exceptional performance

while optimizing fuel

consumption.

The Bite Limiter

technology on this head is

ideal for high productivity

in managing vegetation,

with reliably efficient

shredding. The rotor with

Bite Limiter technology

comes with special wearresistant

steel profiles

that limit the reach (bite)

of the teeth. This cuts down on

power demand and promotes a

consistent working speed, for

excellent performance when

mulching any kind of wood.

The Bite Limiter technology

also minimizes rotor stalling

and helps optimize fuel

consumption.

The Spike Pro counter

blades ensure low power

absorption and a finer final

product. Spike Pros are

interchangeable offset counter

blades that enable finer

shredding and a smoother flow

of wet material. The special

design also makes them

efficient with very rigid and

more flexible vegetation.

The flagship features of the

BL1/SSL are completed with a

high-visibility profile, helping

the operator to optimize work,

and interchangeable and

adjustable skids for greater

precision.

The new BL1/SSL/VT can

be equipped with MINI BL

blades or MINI C/3 teeth and is

available in a width of 125 cm

and 150 cm.

MOST IMPORTANT FEATURES

• Interchangeable spike pro

counter blades for finer

mulching

• The high-visibility profile

helps the operator optimize

work

• Rotor with bite limiter

technology: maximum

productivity with minimum

power thanks to the special

high-resistance steel inserts

and bl/mini blades

• Vt (variable torque) motor

with automatic torque

management

Applications:

• Roadside and railway

vegetation maintenance

• Canals, rivers, ponds

overgrowth cleanup

• Environmental, wildlife

habitat protection & food

plots

• Orchard & vineyards

maintenance and restoration

• Maintenance of commercial

and residential green areas

8 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


Cont’d from Page 53

Investing in America’s

electric grid means deploying

more clean energy

• In Florida, the City of

Lake Worth Beach (LWB)

will deploy targeted

improvements to transform

the community’s electric

grid, including adding an

estimated 7 megawatts of

solar capacity and enabling

the city to retire a 35

megawatts fossil fuel power

plant adjacent to the LWB

Community High School to

help reduce environmental

exposure and burdens.

• In Illinois, the City

of Naperville and its

municipally owned utility,

Naperville Electric Utility,

will deploy advanced

software and hardware to

accelerate the growth of

new generation, storage,

and electrification assets

being added to the grid to

support the state’s transition

to 100% clean, renewable

energy by 2050. Efforts

are expected to indirectly

decrease energy costs for

consumers and decrease

environmental pollution with

growing integration of clean,

renewable resources.

• Across the Midwest, the Joint

Targeted Interconnection

Queue (JTIQ) Transmission

Study Process and Portfolio

will coordinate the

comprehensive planning,

design, and construction of

five transmission projects

spanning seven Midwest

states (Iowa, Kansas,

Nebraska, North Dakota,

Minnesota, Missouri,

and South Dakota). This

coordinated, long-range,

interregional project that

accelerates interconnections

to unlock approximately 30

gigawatts of new generation,

primarily wind and solar

energy.

• In Oregon, the Confederated

Tribes of Warm Springs

Reservation of Oregon

and Portland General

Electric (PGE) will upgrade

transmission capacity

along an existing path to

connect PGE customers

with the currently isolated

renewable resources east

of the Cascade Mountains,

including those on the Warm

Springs Reservation—

building a bridge to up to

1,800 megawatts of carbonfree

solar resources.

• In Pennsylvania, GRIP

funding for Duquesne Light

Company will enhance

system capacity to unlock

clean energy generation and

meet targets established

in the city of Pittsburgh’s

Climate Action Plan while

also reducing energy bills,

increasing high-quality job

opportunities and training,

and boosting parity in clean

energy access and adoption.

These are just a few

examples of GRIP projects that

will not only leverage existing

grid technologies, but also

demonstrate the effectiveness

of state-of-the art technologies

and innovative strategies to

allow more renewable energy

sources to be brought online,

laying the groundwork for

implementation in other parts

of the country. By expanding

capacity and improving

flexibility, the addition of new

clean energy resources, like

solar and wind, will be vital

in keeping the power on and

building a sustainable clean

energy future for present and

future generations.

FAE RCUs

REMOTE CONTROLLED PRODUCTIVITY

Broaden your concept of productivity with the RCU-55 and the RCU-75, the line of FAE compact remote controlled

tracked carriers. Powerful, robust, and agile. Everything you need to take advantage of FAE’s efficient forestry

mulchers, even in steep and hard-to-reach places.

Contact us to find the right FAE product for you: info@fae-group.com

fae-group.com

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 9


Combilift’s CB70E wins Italian

Terminal & Logistics Award

Combilift pick up award while attending GIS Expo in Italy

EA Group’s Stefano Chimentin (L) alongside

Combilift CEO Martin McVicar

Combilift, the global

manufacturer of

multidirectional trucks,

articulated forklifts and

straddle carriers has

announced that the

Combi-CB70E has been

honoured with the coveted

Italian Terminal and Logistics

Award.

This prestigious accolade

recognises the innovation

in the operational field and

its commitment to operator

training and safety.

The Italian Terminal and

Logistics Award is a significant

industry recognition, presented

annually to highlight the skills

of operators in port, intermodal

and logistics terminals both in

Italy and abroad.

The new Combi-CB70E is a

further addition to Combilift’s

ever growing range of electric

models which offers powerful

performance, extensive battery

life and unrivalled ergonomics.

This model, in the vibrant

Combi-green livery, boasts

the distinction of being

the shortest 7t capacity

counterbalance truck on the

market whilst also benefitting

from multidirectional ability,

enabling the versatile space

saving handling of both long

and bulky loads.

Martin McVicar – CEO

and Co-Founder of Combilift

accepted the award alongside

their EA Group partners and

said: “We are honoured to

receive the Italian Terminal and

Logistics Award for the CB70E.

This recognition validates our

unwavering commitment to

innovation, safety, and training

in the material handling

industry. The CB70E is a perfect

example of our dedication to

providing our customers with

efficient, eco-friendly, and safe

solutions.”

Antti Koulumies to lead UPM Forest & UPM Timber &

Sauli Brander to lead UPM Global Forest Affairs

Antti Koulumies, M.Sc. (Eng.),

has been appointed Senior

Vice President, Timber and

Forest. Koulumies will take

the leadership of UPM Forest

and continue to lead UPM

Timber. The current leader

of UPM Forest Sauli Brander,

B.Sc. (Eng.), eMBA, has been

appointed Vice President,

UPM Global Forest Affairs.

He will focus on global forest

advocacy as well as global

forestry themes, such as

climate-positive forestry and

biodiversity.

Both appointments took

effect on 1 September 2023.

Koulumies and Brander

will continue to report to

Bernd Eikens, Executive

Vice President, UPM Fibres,

and they will also continue

as members of UPM Fibres

business area management

team.

”The Finnish wood market is

in a new situation. UPM Forest

and UPM Timber form a system

that enables competitive wood

sourcing for our mills. Through

this leadership rotation,

we aim to further intensify

collaboration between UPM

Timber and UPM Forest and

support further development of

our Finnish operations. At the

same time, global forest affairs

are increasingly important for

UPM as 60% of the company’s

Antti Koulumies

pulp capacity is now in

Uruguay, and wood sourcing

outside Finland is increasing.

Thus, we have a growing need

for expertise related to the

latest regulation and science

in sustainable forestry,” says

Bernd Eikens, Executive Vice

President, UPM Fibres.

Sauli Brander

Bernd Eikens,

Executive Vice President,

UPM Fibres

10 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


Tigercat Silviculture Carrier

The 630H silviculture carrier

replaces modified ag tractors

with a purpose-built carrier

to pull mounding and plow

implements in preparation for

replanting operations.

Tigercat, a company that

has contributed significantly

to increased efficiencies in

timber harvesting operations,

is putting focus on gaining

efficiencies in the silviculture

side of the forest industry.

Many forestry companies

struggle to prepare postharvest

sites for replanting

with modified ag tractors.

These machines are not always

up to the task, often suffering

from insufficient power,

cooling capacity and structural

durability.

Tigercat recently released

the 630H silviculture carrier

to address these deficiencies.

Based on Tigercat’s skidder

platform, the machine is

equipped with hydraulic

connectors and several

drawbar receiver variations to

adapt to a variety of

plow or mounding

implement connection

points. In addition, the carrier

can be equipped with an

optional winch and bolt-on

fairlead system. The whole

package is factory equipped

and ready to work.

Initial studies conducted

by Mexican forestry company,

Proteak indicate that the

630H carriers are quicker,

more productive, and more

fuel efficient than the

ag tractors that they are

replacing. Operators are safe

and comfortable in a climate

controlled cab equipped with

an air ride suspension seat and

ergonomic armrest mounted

controls.

TCi 920 Dozer at CONEXPO

Tigercat Industries showed

off the 920 dozer at CONEXPO

2023.

The 920 is branded under

the new TCi badge.

The TCi brand differentiates

Tigercat’s core forestry

machines from the on and

off-road products developed

for the construction, utility

and industrial sectors. All

products falling under the TCi

brand are, and will continue to

be designed, manufactured,

and supported by Tigercat

Industries.

The TCi 920 is powered by

the Tigercat FPT N45 Tier 4f

engine rated at 101 kw (135

hp). It is equipped with a

190 mm (7.5 in) pitch heavy

duty undercarriage, and a

responsive and efficient closed

loop track drive system. As

the 920 was initially designed

as a forestry dozer, it is built

stronger and more robust than

an ordinary construction dozer.

With impact-resistant belly

pans, and durable structural

components throughout, it can

operate in tougher conditions

such as land clearing applications.

The carefully designed

cab offers the operator clear

sightlines augmented by the

sloped front hood and rearmounted

exhaust.

40+ YEARS

OF PROVEN

TRACK POWER

FOREST IS OUR PASSION

Superior triple length

measuring accuracy

Minimal log damage

track feed

Popular continuous

360 rotator

Unique sensor-free

precision saw

DEALER IN NORTH AMERICA:

keto-harvesters@kone-ketonen.fi

GT

www.trackgripinc.com

info@trackgripinc.com

TrackGrip Inc.

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 11


The Deere H423 harvester

head can make short

work of trees with a

chest-height diameter of

150 to 350 millimetres

John Deere H423 & H425

Harvester Heads

John Deere recently

introduced the new,

small-size H423 harvester

head and the large-size

H425 and H425HD. These

new attachments replace

the previous H413, H415 and

H415HD models. Like its

predecessor, these heads have

4WD feed.

The H423 harvester head

works on the 1070G, 1170G

and 1270G base machines

and is ideal for thinnings

and other fellings, where the

tree diameter at chest height

(BHD) is 150-350 mm. With

improved hose routing from

boom to harvester head,

and from valve block to feed

motors, this attachment

offers improved durability,

easy hose replacement and

improved hose protection with

modifications to the frame.

It has an operating range of

minimum diameter at chest

height (BHD) 40 mm to a

maximum 500 mm.

The H425 harvester head

for the larger size class is

available on the 1270G and

1470G base machines. This

attachment is ideal for final

fellings and other fellings

where the tree diameter at

chest height (BHD) is 250-500

mm. Also including improved

hose routing from loader to

harvester head and from valve

block to feed motors, the hoses

are routed through the frame

and well protected within

the structures, improving

durability. Additionally, the

H425HD harvester head added

to the H425 model offers an HD

tilt frame, expander pins in the

upper end of the tilt cylinder,

feed motor arms, and lower

delimbing knives.

“The new harvesting heads

provide excellent performance,

durability, measuring accuracy

and economy,” said Sakari

Suuriniemi, product marketing

manager Wheeled Harvesters

and Heads at John Deere

Forestry. “So far, we’ve received

great customer feedback

on the latest updates and

can’t wait to see the updated

harvester heads in action this

season.”

The new harvesting

heads provide

excellent performance,

durability, measuring

accuracy and economy

Sakari Suuriniemi,

John Deere

A wide selection of saw

motors and saw bars are also

available for the H425 and

H425HD harvester heads.

Deere’s new H425 for trees up to 500 millimetres in diameter also comes in an H425HD

version with an HD tilt handle, feed motor guards, and expander pins

12 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


John Deere adds Hardened Beaver Tooth

Option to forestry Saw Teeth Portfolio

LOGGING & BIOMASS NEWS

• John Deere introduces the

one-piece hardened beaver

saw tooth to its line-up

of aftermarket saw tooth

options.

• Designed with a beveled

feature at each tooth tip,

the beaver saw tooth offers

increased durability in rocky

conditions.

• All John Deere saw teeth

options are available for

purchase through the

network of John Deere

forestry dealers.

Expanding the portfolio of

aftermarket forestry saw teeth

options for its customers, John

Deere introduces the one-piece

hardened beaver saw tooth

for John Deere Wheeled and

Tracked Feller Bunchers. The

new beaver saw tooth design

boasts a beveled feature at

each tooth tip, which helps

improve tooth durability while

striking materials other than

wood. Not only does this

extend the life of the tooth but,

also helps increase productivity

in rocky conditions where a

carbide tooth would not be

advisable.

“Our saw teeth models have

been rigorously tested on real

logging jobsites, helping us

deliver ideal solutions made to

tackle any forestry application

head-on,” said William

Borrenpohl, Aftermarket

Product Manager, John Deere.

“This remains the case for

our new beaver saw tooth

option, which was strategically

designed to offer increased

durability in the woods.”

As the latest addition to

the John Deere saw tooth

lineup, the beaver saw

tooth is one of four options

available to customers and

can be purchased in boxes

of 18 or 20 teeth. Designed

for maximum durability while

lowering operating costs, the

full line of John Deere saw

teeth for Wheeled and Tracked

Feller Bunchers are made to

help support daily logging

operations and applications.

Customers interested in

exploring the full line-up of

John Deere saw teeth can work

with a local dealer, who can

recommend the right saw teeth

William Borrenpohl,

Aftermarket Product

Manager, John Deere

for the logging operation at

hand. For the latest on John

Deere forestry products and

jobsite solutions, please visit

www.JohnDeere.com.

one step further!

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Mail guenther.satzinger@forsttechnik.at

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 13


Hughes Pacific expands Timberland Holdings in Canada,

paving the way for Renewable Wood Fuel Products

& Precision Forestry Management

Hughes Pacific, a (owned by

the Hughes Family Trust of

Washington State, USA) is

an innovator in sustainable

forestry and LiDAR carbon

offset project development

solutions, has announced a

significant expansion of its

operations in Canada.

The company has

successfully acquired mature

timberlands in Alberta and

British Columbia and unveiled

plans to acquire up to an

additional 4,000 acres of

mature timberland from private

landowners across Canada.

This expansion will not only

support the production of

renewable wood fuel products

but also bolster the company’s

precision forestry management

capabilities.

“Our commitment to

sustainable forestry and carbon

offset project development

innovation is at the heart

of this strategic move. By

acquiring these timberlands,

Hughes Pacific is positioning

itself to play an innovative role

in the development of carbon

offset projects throughout

Canada while helping provide

renewable energy solutions.” -

David Hughes

Key Highlights:

1. Timberland Acquisitions:

Hughes Pacific has

completed the acquisition

of mature timberlands

in Alberta and British

Columbia, securing a solid

foundation for its operations

in Canada. The company is

actively seeking additional

opportunities to acquire up

to 4,000 acres of mature

timberland from private

landowners across the

country.

2. Timber Rights Leases:

Hughes Pacific intends to

issue timber rights leases

to local wood fuel product

producers, facilitating the

responsible and sustainable

harvest of timber resources.

This approach ensures that

the land is used efficiently

and supports the growth of

the renewable wood fuel

industry.

3. Reforestation Commitment:

After harvesting tracts

of timberland, Hughes

Pacific is committed to

implementing reforestation

efforts, contributing to

the long-term health and

sustainability of Canada’s

forests. The revenue

generated from timber

rights leases will also be

reinvested into acquiring

more land over time,

creating a sustainable cycle

of forest management.

4. Precision Forestry

Management: Hughes

Pacific is set to enhance

its precision forestry

management solutions by

incorporating LiDAR services

into the carbon offset

market through means of

easier accessibility to land

owners. This technology will

provide better accuracy in

monitoring and managing

timber resources, enabling

the company to optimize its

operations and minimize

environmental impact.

With its expanded presence

in Canada, Hughes Pacific is

well-positioned to assist in

the development of carbon

offset projects using LiDAR.

Historically, LiDAR critical

has weak points & strong

points for providing data for

carbon offset projects.

Hughes Pacific will utilize

its new timberland as test sites

to develop hybrid strategies

and techniques to overcome

weak points of LiADR solutions

in the carbon offset market.

These projects are crucial in

addressing climate change and

preserving the natural beauty

of Canada’s landscapes.

Hughes Pacific’s dedication

to sustainable forestry

practices and innovation,

coupled with its commitment

to supporting the renewable

wood fuel industry and carbon

offset projects, underscores

its mission to be a responsible

steward of Canada’s forests.

About Hughes Pacific:

Hughes Pacific is a leader

in sustainable forestry and

carbon offset solutions, with

a strong commitment to

environmental stewardship and

responsible land management.

The company operates with a

vision to create a sustainable

future for Canada’s forests

while contributing to global

efforts to combat climate

change. Through its timberland

acquisitions, precision forestry

management, and participation

in being a liaison during carbon

offset projects, Hughes Pacific

is actively working towards

a greener, more sustainable

world.

14 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


LOGGING & BIOMASS NEWS

Perkins has developed a 13-litre

next-generation diesel engine

Perkins recently announced the

development of its new 2600 Series, a new

13-litre diesel engine platform designed to

achieve best-in-class power density, torque

and fuel efficiency for heavy duty offhighway

applications.

Available in 2026, the Perkins 2600

Series engine platform is designed for

demanding requirements in construction

and other off-road applications.

The new platform extends Perkins’

mid-sized engines with eight power ratings

from 456 to 690 hp offering up to 3,200

Nm of peak torque. Industrial open power

units configured with engine-mounted

aftertreatment and cooling packs will also

be available from the factory to reduce

installation and validation costs for original

equipment manufacturers.

Validation phase

To date, engineers have completed more

than 20,000 hours of design validation

on the 13-litre engine platform. It will be

available for early OEM pilots in 2025,

with commercial production scheduled

to begin in 2026. It is ideally suited for

dozens of off-highway applications, such as

tractors, combines, wheel and track loaders,

excavators, dozers, lift trucks and large

industrial pumps and compressors.

“As the off-highway industry advances

toward a lower-carbon future, equipment

manufacturers still face expectations

for long-term productivity and reliability

in the world’s most demanding work

environments,” said Jaz Gill, Vice

President of Global Sales, Marketing,

Service and Parts. “The new Perkins

2600 Series engine platform

demonstrates how we’re leveraging

our experience, intelligence and

commitment to help OEMs navigate the

energy transition with power solutions

that deliver exceptional performance on

the worksite.”

A new era in Perkins engines

To date, Perkins has been granted

82 patents across the entire engine

platform.

It is designed to perform at altitudes

of up to 3,660 metres, and in extreme

ambient temperatures as high as 60 C

and as low as -40 C with aids.

The engine supports reliability and

easier maintenance through numerous

design enhancements, including the

integration of components as well as a

reduction in the number of leak joints

by more than 45 per cent. Together,

the upgrades result in lower fluids

consumption and extended oil and fuel

filter service intervals as long as 1,000

hours, reducing operating costs and

downtime.

As well, the 2600 Series engines

will offer telematics solutions enabling

OEMs to collect, analyze and integrate

key engine performance data within a

connected intelligent platform.

By modularizing and eliminating

components, its architecture is spaceprotected

to accommodate configuration

adjustments anticipated for future tiers

of emission standards without relocating

customer connection points.

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International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 15


BID Group to acquire YGE Inc.

BID Group has announced

the successful completion

of its acquisition of YGE Inc.

This strategic transaction

further enhances BID’s product

offering within the wood

processing saw and tooling

sector, while also extending

BID’s industry-leading product

and service offerings across the

entire operational life cycle.

YGE Inc stands as an

innovative supplier and service

provider specializing in top-tier

saw guides, grinders, and

critical consumables catering

to the wood processing

industry. Located in St

Raymond, Quebec, YGE is a

trusted partner, having forged

strong bonds with BID’S

product lines, projects, and

manufacturing facilities across

North America.

“We are excited to reach

this agreement with our

longtime partners YGE and

the Guillemette family. This

marks another important

step in meeting our valued

customer demand for modern,

high quality and innovative

saw and tooling technology

solutions. This partnership

builds on previous investments

in Smith Sawmill Services,

BLADE cutting tools, and the

recently announced acquisition

of Industrial Cutting Solutions

in Alabama. “, said Simon

Potvin, BID’s President, Wood

Processing.

Simon Potvin, BID’s

President, Wood

Processing

“I am pleased to be able

to transition our business

with the BID Group.”, said

Yvon Guillemette, Owner of

YGE. “I would like to thank

our team for their dedication

and hard work to build YGE

over the years. I am confident

this partnership will provide

our employees, suppliers,

and customers with enhanced

Yvon Guillemette,

Owner of YGE

opportunities and benefits.”

The transaction formally

closed on Oct 1, 2023

SCA becomes sole owner of Gällö Timber AB

SCA and Persson Invest began

their collaboration around

Gällö Timber and the sawmill in

Gällö, Jämtland in 2010. Since

2010, significant investments

have been made in the sawmill

to develop its operations and

strengthen its competitiveness.

Today, the sawmill has 115

employees and a capacity of

370,000 cubic meters of sawn

timber.

SCA is Europe’s largest

private forest owner with

2.7 million hectares and,

with its forest holdings at its

core, has developed a wellinvested

industrial operation

with sawmills, pulp mills, and

manufacturing of packaging

paper. By acquiring Persson

Invest’s share in Gällö Timber,

SCA strengthens its position

as one of Sweden’s leading

producers of sawn timber.

Persson Invest is a familyowned

conglomerate based

in Östersund. The group has

a turnover of about SEK 8

billion and employs around

1,350 people. The company

has six business areas where

the sale of cars, trucks, and

buses are the two largest in

terms of turnover and number

of employees. Persson Invest

owns approximately 140,000

hectares of forest and operates

timber processing in the

company Valbo Trä, with three

facilities that together have a

turnover of about SEK 1 billion.

SCA and Persson Invest

will continue to collaborate

after the transaction, including

by delivering sawn timber to

Persson Invest’s operations

and purchasing raw forest

materials from Persson Invest’s

forest holdings.

“By acquiring the remaining

part of Gällö Timber AB, we

further strengthen SCA’s

sawmill operation and continue

the strong collaboration we

have with Persson Invest.

Through the investments

we’ve made in Gällö together

with Persson Invest, we have

enhanced the operation’s

competitiveness and secured

local jobs” says Ulf Larsson,

CEO of SCA.

“The collaboration around

Gällö Timber has been and

continues to be fruitful.

Together with SCA, we have

developed an almost 150-yearold

sawmill business into one

of the most competitive in

Sweden. We look forward to

continuing our collaboration as

a customer and supplier for a

long time to come,” says Bob

Person, Chairman of Persson

Invest.

Before the transaction,

SCA owns 50 percent of the

capital in Gällö Timber AB.

SCA acquires the remaining 50

percent from Persson Invest

AB. The transaction will take

place during the first quarter

of 2024.

For further information,

please contact:

SCA Press Office,

+46 60 19 33 01

Björn Rentzhog, CEO of Persson

Invest, +46 70-301 02 62

Ulf Larsson, CEO of SCA

Bob Persson,

Chairman of the board,

Persson Invest

16 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


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SCA & Holmen see good opportunities to develop

the sawmill in Rundvik

On October 28, 2022, SCA

and Holmen communicated

that the companies intended

to carry out a feasibility study

for a jointly owned sawmill in

Rundvik, Västerbotten County

in Sweden.

SCA and Holmen have now

conducted the feasibility study

regarding a jointly owned

sawmill. The study shows that

the conditions to jointly create

a large-scale and competitive

operation are good. Work

now continues to evaluate the

different development options

that have been identified.

Holmen produces sawn

and refined wood products

for joinery, construction and

builders’ merchants. Following

the acquisition of Martinsons

in 2020, Holmen also offer

customised solutions in CLT

and glulam for climate-smart,

large-scale wood construction.

SCA is Europe’s largest

private forest owner with

2.7 million hectares and,

with its forest holdings at its

core, has developed a wellinvested

industrial operation

with sawmills, pulp mills, and

manufacturing of packaging

paper.

Canfor invests $200M to build new mill in B.C.

Canfor Corporation has

announced that it will be

investing approximately $200

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high efficiency facility will

have an annual production

capacity of approximately

350 million board feet.

Don Kayne, Canfor

president and CEO, said

in a statement that “this

decision comes following a

comprehensive evaluation of

customer requirements and

a careful evaluation of the

availability of economic fibre

in the region to support a

successful investment.”

“We have the plan, the

people and the know-how to

build a best-in-class facility

that showcases BC workers,

suppliers and technology,”

he added.

Kayne also says that

work will begin immediately

on detailed project

engineering and permitting

requirements. Vendor

and equipment selection

will be finalized in early

2024, with demolition

and site preparation

scheduled for the spring.

Planning, construction, and

commissioning of the new

facility is expected to take

Don Kayne,

President & CEO

between 28 and 32 months

depending on contractor

availability and equipment

lead times.

Earlier this year,

Canfor announced that it

is temporarily closing its

Houston sawmill for an

extended period to facilitate

a major redevelopment on

the site.

18 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


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West Fraser to acquire Spray Lake Sawmills

West Fraser Timber Co.

Ltd. (“West Fraser” or the

“Company”) (TSX and NYSE:

WFG) has announced that it has

entered into an agreement to

acquire Spray Lake Sawmills

located in Cochrane, Alberta

subject to certain post-closing

adjustments. The transaction

is anticipated to close later this

year following completion of

Canadian regulatory reviews

and satisfaction of customary

conditions.

Spray Lake Sawmills

produces treated wood

products, dimensional lumber

and a variety of innovative

wood residuals and biproducts.

It has an annual lumber

capacity of 155 million board

feet and holds two Forest

Management Agreements

granted by the Government

of Alberta with a total Annual

Allowable Cut of approximately

500,000 m3.

“We are excited to welcome

Spray Lake Sawmills to the

West Fraser family,” said Ray

Ferris, President & CEO West

Fraser. “Spray Lake Sawmills

has an experienced, dedicated

group of employees who we

will look to further the legacy

of this proud mill. With its

solid safety performance, and

focus on sustainability and

community, the mill is an ideal

fit for West Fraser.”

The CDN$140 million

acquisition enables West

Fraser to grow its footprint in

Southern Alberta and expand

its Canadian treated wood

business, while providing

access to a high-quality timber

supply.

Ray Ferris, President

& CEO West Fraser

EDGERS &

TRIMMERS

High Country Lumber and Mulch

receives USNR Bioluma hardwood

grade optimizer

High Country Lumber

and Mulch is replacing

their current optimization

system with USNR’s

Bioluma Sawmill Grade

Optimizer on their

trimmer, which will

improve recovery through

a highly configurable

system that best fits

their needs.

The Bioluma grade optimizer offers sawmills the highest value optimized

decisions based on grade and recovery performance.

High frame rates and

high-resolution imagers

create stunning visual

images and precise geometric

measurements, which can

then be processed through

the optimization system to

give extremely accurate grade

processing solutions quickly.

This is particularly important

in hardwood trimming

applications where correctly

identifying each defect can

substantially increase product

value.

“Day after day, we see

good wood going to the

chipper based on our current

optimizer’s decisions. The

intent is to keep that wood

and the dollars it represents in

our pocket and not in the chip

pile.”

- Scott Greene, Mill Owner,

High Country Lumber and

Mulch

USNR is proud to work

with High Country Lumber and

Mulch on continued efforts to

improve their mill.

20 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


Millwide. Worldwide. +1.360.225.8267 usnr.com


Complete systems

for dimensional &

profile measurement

in sawmills

• Block control (optimization

for chipper or ripsaw)

• Edger

• Trimmer

• Classifier (Sorter,

Dimensional control)

LIMAB BoardProfiler is

easy to install, takes up little

space in the process, is easy

to integrate with sawmill

automation systems and has a

simple and easy-to-understand

software. The sensors they

use are their own 2D sensor,

ProfiCura 170, 600, 700 or

800. Each sensor with a high

resolution of 640 measuring

points across the line. The

number in the series indicates

the length they have on the

laser line that measures

the block or board. In that

way, they can optimize the

measurement and use the

sensor that provides the best

measurement performance

and consequently the highest

yield. LIMAB also produce a

length gauge, the LMS 6048

to measure length of boards in

transversal process.

www.limab.se

LIMAB was founded

about 45 years ago and

has a long tradition

of developing and

manufacturing laserbased

technology.

They supply 2D ProfiCura

and 1D PreciCura laser

sensors and complete

systems for dimensional

and profile measurement in

sawmills, panel production and

steel mills. Headquarters and

manufacturing plant is located

in Gothenburg, Sweden. LIMAB

has regional offices in the

USA, UK, and Germany as well

as approved distributors and

partners in other regions.

BoardProfiler is the system

for the wood industry that

was developed more than

30 years ago, and it has

to date been sold to more

than 250 customers. They

call their latest version of

the system BoardProfiler

3D, which today is available

in four versions. The great

thing about our system is

that the software is almost

identical for all versions,

which has proved interesting

for several customers as they

have invested in both edger

and trimmer in their lines. All

versions are also available for

transverse and longitudinal

processes.

22 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


BID Group to acquire Industrial Cutting Solutions

solutions, we are pleased to

continue incorporating saw

and tooling technologies into

our BID Turnkey, wood process

systems, and aftermarket

support offerings.” said Dustin

Norris, Vice President, Smith

Sawmill Service

“We are pleased to join

industry leaders BID and

Smith Sawmill Services.”

said Keith Houston, Industrial

Cutting Solutions. “I would

like to thank our team for their

dedication and hard work. We

are confident this partnership

will provide our employees,

suppliers, and customers with

exciting opportunities and

benefits for years to come.”

The transaction is expected

to close in Q4 2023 and is

subject to customary closing

conditions.

Dustin Norris,

Vice President,

Smith Sawmill Service

BID Group has announce it

has entered into an agreement

to acquire Industrial Cutting

Solutions. The transaction

deepens BID’s geographic

and product offering in the

wood processing saw and

tooling segment and further

expands BID’s industry-leading

operational life cycle product

and service offerings.

Industrial Cutting Solutions

is an innovative supplier and

service provider of high-quality

saws and critical consumable

products to the wood

processing industry. Located

in Buhl, Alabama, Industrial

C

Cutting Solutions is ideally

M

positioned to meet growing

customer demand for wood Y

processing saw supply and

CM

service.

MY

“We are excited to partner

with the Houston family and

CY

the Industrial Cutting Solutions

CMY

team. This marks another

important step in growing with

K

our valued customers demand

for modern, high quality and

innovative saw and tooling

technology solutions. Together

with Smith Sawmill Service

and BID’s BLADE cutting tool

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International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 23


SAWLINES

Ledinek to deliver a new

generation planer line to

Moelven Edanesågen AB,

Sweden

for larger cross-sections of

external profile elements.

High automation and

integration and a new higher

capacity machine will increase

the productivity of the new

line. The centrepiece of the

line is the Stratoplan, with

a machining speed of up to

400 m/min. The 10 spindles,

combined with the integrated

tool measuring and positioning

system, allow short set-up

times and rapid flexibility of

the entire line. To improve

Stacked packages will be

automatically bundled and

protected.

This new line will allow

faster flexibility and greater

capacity for a variety of

products, enabling the

customer to produce high

volumes of products at lower

cost. The planned line will be

the most powerful production

line for this type of product

once it is operational.

For a long-standing customer Moelven Edanesågen AB

from Sweden, part of the Norwegian-Swedish Moelven

Group, which produces wood elements and systems

for the construction sector, Ledinek will manufacture

and deliver a new planer line for exterior elements.

As part of a major investment at the Edane site in

Sweden, a new production line for planing and sorting

will also be built.

They were chosen as

a strategic partner in

this project because of

their ability to provide all key

equipment from their own

production along with the

entire design, implementation

and optimization process. The

new line will replace the two

older lines at this site and

will take over the production

programme of the adjacent

site. The products from this line

will go to the Norwegian and

Swedish markets.

Ledinek has been

manufacturing some of the

fastest planing machines for

25 years. The new generation

of machines, called Stratoplan,

allows four-sided planing

and profiling of boards up

to 300 mm wide. The new

fourth generation Stratoplan,

introduced this year, offers

even greater profiling capacity

efficiency in smaller crosssections,

the Splitcut machine,

which allows horizontal cutting

of workpieces into thinner

boards, further increases the

capacity of the line.

Due to the high processing

capacity of up to two boards

per second, the entire line

is optimized for automatic

operation, including the

evaluation and sorting

processes. Additional

processing by profiling the

ends of the boards will increase

the value of the products.

24 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


The first CLT panel pressed

at the NeXTimber facility

NeXTimber by Timberlink

presses first CLT Panel -

begins taking orders

Timberlink’s NeXTimber

facility has pressed

its very first Cross

Laminated Timber (CLT) panel,

marking another significant

milestone in the construction

of Australia’s only combined

CLT and GLT (Cross Laminated

and Glue Laminated Timber)

radiata pine mass timber

facility. The commissioning of

this CLT line follows production

of the facility’s very first GLT

beam in August 2023.

David Oliver, Timberlink

Chief Marketing, Sales &

Corporate Affairs Officer

said “The entire team has

been working towards this

moment since we announced

construction of the facility in

2020. To see the hard work of

so many come to fruition is

very rewarding.”

Patrick Dark, Timberlink

CLT/GLT Operations Manager,

said “There was such an air

of positivity when the panel

came off the line. Everybody

who has been involved in

the installation, testing

and commissioning of our

NeXTimber equipment should

be proud of what we’ve

accomplished.”

The newly commissioned

CLT line, co-located at

Timberlink’s Tarpeena, SA,

manufacturing facility, can

produce panels up to 16M

long and 3.5M wide and will

unlock significant capability

to manufacture mass timber

building products in Australia.

Mass timber products like CLT

and GLT offer an alternative

to traditional construction

materials and can help to

reduce the embodied carbon of

a project.

The NeXTimber by

Timberlink team are now

David Oliver, Timberlink

Chief Marketing, Sales &

Corporate Affairs Officer

accepting orders for CLT and

GLT as the facility is scheduled

for full production by the end of

this month. To learn more visit

www.nextimber.com.au.

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 25


SAWLINES

Sawing from the Inside Out: CT Log’s

Impact on the Hardwood Industry

In a September webinar,

Norvin Laudon, Director

of MiCROTEC Vancouver,

presented a gamechanging

innovation that

promises to reshape the

hardwood industry.

The webinar focused on

MiCROTEC’s CT Log, a

groundbreaking x-ray

scanner that internally scans

the log, revealing hidden

defects such as knots and

splits. Recently installed

at Cascade Hardwood in

Chehalis, Washington, USA,

this revolutionary approach

allows optimization of

the lumber breakdown:

significantly increasing both

value and volume recovery

and essentially automating

the grade sawing process.

Laudon’s insights shed

light on the potential of CT

scanning to redefine the way

wood is processed and bring

unprecedented benefits to the

industry.

The Concept of Sawing from

the Inside Out

Laudon introduced the

concept of CT X-ray scanning,

highlighting its ability to delve

into the inner characteristics

of logs. Laudon explained,

“CT Log can look inside logs

and find things like knots and

splits, and virtually grade

the lumber, to come up with

the best sawing solution.

By determining the best

log rotation and the correct

thicknesses, the highest final

grade of the sawn lumber is

achieved. What we’re really

talking about is automated

grade sawing.”

One of the most compelling

aspects of CT scanning, as

highlighted by Laudon, is the

notion of “sawing from the

inside out.” This approach

allows mills to gain insights

into the internal structure of

a log before making any cuts,

enabling informed decisions

regarding its utilization. By

utilizing the data obtained

from the CT Log’s scan, mills

can optimize products for

value rather than mere volume,

ultimately enhancing the

overall lumber breakdown

process. Laudon elaborated,

“The idea of CT scanning is

‘sawing from the inside out.’

That term actually came

from one of our first CT Log

customers. What they meant by

that is being able to see what’s

inside a log before you cut it

and decide what to do with it.”

26 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


Close-Coupled Layout and

the Significance of Knowing

What’s Inside

Laudon provided an overview

of how the CT Log integrates

into the workflow of hardwood

mills. Typically, the CT Log

is linked to the sawmill,

positioned just outside the

facility. Every incoming log

undergoes CT scanning, then

moving to the designated

decks near the breakdown

equipment. The crucial

component in this process

is the headrig scanner,

MiCROTEC’s Logeye Stereo,

which plays a pivotal role in

recognizing the logs based

on the CT Log’s scan data and

positioning them accordingly.

Laudon outlined the process,

stating, “The basic process

involved: 1. Scanning the

log, 2. Reconstructing it, and

then 3. Optimizing it. Once

it’s optimized it 4. Heads for

execution.”

The value of knowing the

internal characteristics of

a log cannot be overstated.

Laudon emphasized that this

knowledge allows for optimal

value and volume recovery. In

MiCROTEC’s extensive testing,

they found that understanding

the log’s content is as crucial

for higher volume yields as it

is for achieving higher graded

lumber value. This insight has

far-reaching implications for

grade sawing applications.

Laudon emphasized, “If you

know what’s inside the log you

can optimize not only the value

of lumber but the volume of the

log. The fact is, you’re getting

more volume of lumber out of

the same volume of logs.”

Redefining the Role of

Sawyers

In traditional mills, sawyers

often rely on their experience

and judgement to make crucial

decisions during the sawing

process. However, CT scanning

technology transforms their

role into that of optimizer

and operators who execute

predetermined solutions. This

shift allows for greater control

over production and eliminates

the variability associated with

individual sawyers because

the decisions have been taken

away from the sawyer and

given to the scanner.

Increased Recovery and a

Promising Future for Wood

Processing

Laudon shared compelling realworld

results from recent tests

conducted with the CT Log. The

technology led to a significant

increase in both grade and

volume recovery. In one

example, a mill that previously

processed 10 truckloads of logs

per day and processed it into

5 truckloads of lumber saw an

increase in volume recovery

that allowed for 6 truckloads

of lumber from the same logs.

Additionally, the grade increase

meant that each truckload

leaving the mill carried a 12%

higher value lumber.

The economic implications

of adopting CT X-ray scanning

technology are profound.

By increasing the recovery

and value of lumber, mills

can significantly boost their

profits. Laudon presented an

example of a mill producing 30

million feet of lumber per year

with an average sales price

of $1500 per thousand board

feet, equating to about $45M

in gross sales per year. Laudon

concluded, “When you factor in

the recovery and value increase

of 20%, in the case of hard

maple, that equates to $9M/

year in profit. Each year after

the investment is paid off you

have increased profit.”

As mills embrace this

innovation, they not only

stand to increase their

profits but also ensure a

more efficient and reliable

production process, ushering

in a promising future for

hardwood processing. Laudon’s

parting words, “We haven’t

really found any defect that

the CT Log can’t see, which is

exciting. I’ve been in scanning

for 25 years now in sawmills

and until now, haven’t had

the opportunity to work

with a scanner that can see

everything.”

CT Log can look inside

logs and find things

like knots and splits,

and virtually grade the

lumber, to come up with

the best sawing solution.

By determining the best

log rotation and the

correct thicknesses, the

highest final grade of the

sawn lumber is achieved.

What we’re really talking

about is automated

grade sawing.

Norvin Laudon,

Director of MiCROTEC

Vancouver

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 27


SAWLINES

USNR’s new Sidewinder log

turner handles 3” to 24”

diameter logs at speeds

up to 700 FPM with higher

turn accuracy and lower

maintenance costs. When

paired with their advanced

PGLR turn optimization and

correction system, this piece of

equipment is one of the best

log-turning systems on the

market.

USNR showcased their

new Sidewinder log

turner at the Forest

Products Machinery

& Equipment Expo in

Nashville at the

end of August.

It’s designed to

accurately rotate logs and

provide precise transition

control with smaller

gaps between logs. It’s

particularly equipped to

handle large logs from

the South and short,

knotty logs from Canada.

USNR’s new Sidewinder

log turner maximizes

throughput in mills

Sidewinder

USNR’s advancements in

optimization have modernized

the Sidewinder and created

one of the best log turning

systems on the market. The

Sidewinder can be used in

the same applications as a

Quad Roll or Ring Turner, and

features industry-leading log

positioning accuracy while

using less energy than other

systems.

Overview

The Sidewinder accepts a log

from the AR conveyor, rotates

the log to an optimum position,

and feeds the log to the

primary infeed. The Sidewinder

follows the primary infeed to

ensure a smooth log transfer.

As the log proceeds through

the rolls, the four rolls tilt in

unison to rotate the log. The

optimizer will determine the

amount and duration of the

tilt. As the log is being rotated,

a rotation correction scanner,

located between the two pairs

of rolls, compares the cross

sections of the log in real time,

and sends updates on the log’s

actual rotation angle to the

turning system.

Features & Benefits

• Accommodates smaller log

gaps than other turning

systems

• Provides accurate log

rotation with a precise

transition control system

• Handles logs between 7- and

20-feet long, with 3- to 24-

inch diameters

• Turn accuracy within 4.5

degrees at 600FPM, 36% (2.5

degrees) more accurate than

other systems

• Open framework for easier

maintenance and access

from the top

• A 50% roll force increase

compared to Quad Roll

designs

• Massive reduction in substeel

requirements leads to

cost savings

• Reduced maintenance and

upkeep costs

How it works

A log entering the Sidewinder

arrives on an AR Conveyor, after

passing through an upstream

scanner. The scanner tells the

Sidewinder how to position the

rolls and rotate the incoming

log. To accept the incoming

log, a side shift system moves

the upstream rolls to better

line up with the log. The rolls

adjust to the vertical position

and set for the width of the

incoming log. The downstream

rolls will side shift to smoothly

accept the incoming log from

the upstream rolls and open

slightly wider than the leading

end of the incoming log. The

downstream rolls turn to match

the angle of the upstream rolls.

An upstream photo eye,

located along the AR Conveyor,

is used to time the clamping

sequence of the Sidewinder’s

rolls. This information is sent to

an RMC.

Once the log is between

the rolls, the squeeze system

will close the rolls on the log.

A cushion cylinder ensures

consistent contact with the log,

and a centering link ensures

the rolls remain centered. Log

rotation can begin immediately

once the log is clamped

by the upstream rolls, and

will continue to rotate until

released.

The turn cylinders can tilt

the rolls up to 20 degrees

clockwise or counter-clockwise

for quick and accurate

rotation. USNR’s Precision

Geometric Log Rotation (PGLR)

optimizer communicates with

the turn cylinders to make

fine adjustments to the log’s

rotation in real time.

The rolls will release the log

approximately 12 inches from

the trailing end of the log. Once

the log is clear of the rolls,

the Sidewinder will prepare to

accept the next log.

28 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


Jartek to supply high speed

drysorting line to Ipowood

Ipowood with Jartek

makes investment

to the future

Turnkey delivery

includes Jartek inhouse

mechanical and

automation solutions. The

objective of the concept design

was to combine effectiveness

and simplicity. Ipowood

wanted to build a new modern

drysorting line, since the

existing one was at the end

of its technical era and didn’t

meet future expectations.

With this investment Ipowood

ensures that the new line will

be ready for future demands

for example sawing capacity

increase.

“Project is a great

continuum for other sold

Finnish projects”. Preparation

HALCO AD:Layout 3 3/8/10 17:22 Page 1

for the project started years

ago and activity increased

past year. Positive investment

decision is a good example

for long term business and

courage to invest in challenging

market situation. Project

consists of proven standard

and with few new innovative

solutions, which we tell more

when the time is right. Big

thanks for Ipowood. Important

and great project ahead”, says

Kari Puustinen, Director, Sales

and Development.

Tommi Lähteinen, CEO

IIsalmen Sahat Oy

”At final meters there was

intense competition with

suppliers from several different

countries. Above all, we are

looking for high capacity and

we believe that Jartek will

deliver us the best package”,

says Tommi Lähteinen, CEO

IIsalmen Sahat Oy.

Installation will start at the

end of 2024 and line will start

spring 2025.

SAWLINES

Project is a great

continuum for other

sold Finnish projects.

Preparation for the

project started years ago

and activity increased

past year. Positive

investment decision

is a good example for

long term business

and courage to invest

in challenging market

situation. Project

consists of proven

standard and with few

new innovative solutions,

which we tell more

when the time is right.

Big thanks for Ipowood.

Important and great

project ahead.

Kari Puustinen, Director,

Sales and Development

Optimise your

production plan...

www.halcosoftware.com

Optimise your

operations

Whatever your mill...

Maximize profit by resolving trade-offs

between recovery, production rate, and value

OVER

25

SYSTEMS

SOLD

HALCO

Software Systems

Vancouver, Canada • Tel: 1 604 731 9311

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 29


SAWLINES

BID’s Comact Branded

Trimming Line

Pioneering progress

in Wood Processing:

BID Group’s Trimmer Line

In the realm of wood

processing, where precision,

efficiency, and quality reign

supreme, BID Group stands

at the forefront of innovation.

With a commitment to

redefining industry standards,

BID Group provides cuttingedge

solutions that promise

to revolutionize lumber

production. From a flexible

and precise trimming line to

a game-changing Trimmer

SmartTool driven by Artificial

Intelligence, and the Smart

Vision technology designed to

enhance efficiency along the

trimming line, BID’s advanced

technologies are reshaping the

wood processing landscape.

Innovation in action: BID’s

Trimmer Line

BID’s trimming line is a true

game-changer capable of

processing up to 250 pieces

per minute. What sets the

trimmer apart is its unmatched

flexibility, accommodating

both simple and double arbor

configurations for handling

varying lengths of wood.

Notably, it excels in the

production of non-standard

pieces, making it a versatile

choice for all lumber producers.

The trimmer’s precision

and agility is second to none,

thanks to servo motor-driven

saw positioning for infinite

cutting solutions, enabling

adjustments with pinpoint

accuracy. Another remarkable

feature is the line shaft

system, where a single motor

powers the entire saw bank,

providing more horsepower per

individual saw. Furthermore,

the integration of the Smart

Gate system at the trimmer’s

output ensures high-quality

products by sorting pieces at a

rate of 140 to 160 per minute,

sending the low volume

products to an alternate

sorting, reman or stacking

line that can then be managed

by BID’s AI-Powered robotic

automation.

Another interesting feature

of the trimming line is the

state-of-the-art cut-in-two

system which processes the

cut boards to a multitude of

sorter configurations, ensuring

accurate sorting capacity

without compromising line

performance.

BID’s Trimming line is a

testament to their commitment

to pushing the boundaries of

wood processing technology.

Its flexibility, precision, and

innovative features make it

an indispensable technology

for modern wood processing

facilities, setting a new

standard for efficiency and

product quality in the industry.

BID’s Trimmer SmartTool:

Detecting Sawing Anomalies

with AI Precision

BID Group continues to

offer solutions that redefine

efficiency and precision. The

Trimmer SmartTool, powered

by Artificial Intelligence (AI),

is poised to revolutionize

lumber production by swiftly

and accurately detecting

sawing anomalies, eliminating

the need for manual quality

checks, and ensuring

exceptional product quality.

This groundbreaking tool

employs BID’s advanced AI

vision technology to identify

board origins, assess quality,

and pinpoint defective or

misaligned cutting tools.

It is a pivotal component

of the SmartTool Quality

Control Suite, enhancing

operational intelligence

across production lines. Most

notably, the Trimmer SmartTool

boasts a patented capability,

automatically identifying

the specific cutting tool

responsible for processing a

board’s face, simplifying the

detection of cutting accuracy

issues. Integrated software

computes vital statistics such

as sawing deviation, bevel,

and thickness/width taper,

presenting data through

user-friendly dashboards and

reports with custom alarms and

email notifications for timely

issue awareness.

The Trimmer SmartTool

seamlessly integrates with

Comact optimizers’ highprecision

measuring devices,

ensuring consistent product

quality, reducing the need

for recurrent quality checks,

and enabling efficient control

of sawing dimensions. This

powerful AI-driven anomaly

detection system, supported by

BID’s 24/7 service, is a gamechanger

for lumber production.

30 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


The Trimmer SmartTool Dashboard showing real-time dimension variations based on board’s origin

BID’s Smart Vision for the

Trimming Line: Enhancing

Efficiency and Reliability

From the trimmer unscrambler

to the trimmer outfeed, lumber

production can face challenges

like jams and blockages

due to stacked or skewed

boards. BID Group’s Smart

Vision technology, designed

for the trimming line, offers

a comprehensive solution to

mitigate these challenges

effectively.

In the trimmer unscrambler,

Smart Vision can swiftly detect

stacked boards and distinguish

them from single boards

or timber. This information

triggers mechanical actions

through the PLC, such as fast

jogging, to unscramble the

board stacks and prevent

crossed boards before reaching

the lug loader. This reduces the

need for human intervention

and enhances production

flow, a task that conventional

photocell sensors alone cannot

achieve.

Integrated into the trimmer

lug loader, Smart Vision

optimizes board loading

by identifying problematic

boards before they are loaded.

Parameters like loading speed

and board feeding are adjusted

in real-time to ensure seamless

operations and minimize

downtime.

Smart Vision can also be

added to the trimmer infeed,

detecting anomalies such as

skewed boards, broken boards

split in two, boards between

lugs, and double boards in

the same lug, replacing the

need for photocell sensors and

manual intervention.

At the trimmer outfeed and

sorter infeed, Smart Vision

continues to detect issues,

including skewed boards,

broken boards, boards that

are too short, and those too

far from the line bar, thus

replacing traditional photocell

row detection systems.

Furthermore, Smart Vision

can be integrated into the

stacker infeed/outfeed,

ensuring accurate stacking,

identifying anomalies like gaps

between boards, overlength or

underlength boards, stacked

boards, and broken boards. It

even counts boards to prevent

missing or fallen pieces.

These applications are

linked to the PLC, enabling

timely alarms to notify issues

and prevent equipment

stoppages and breakages.

In critical cases, the line can

be halted to avoid major

production problems.

BID’s Smart Vision

technology for the trimming

line enhances efficiency,

reliability, and automation

in lumber production,

ensuring smooth operations

and minimizing disruptions

caused by board stacking and

anomalies.

The future of wood

processing holds promise and

potential, thanks to these

transformative technologies.

BID Group is committed to

pushing the boundaries of

wood processing technology

to shape the industry, ensuring

a more efficient and precise

future for lumber production.

Contact us to learn more about

those technologies at

info@bidgroup.ca.

Smart Vision Use Cases

Skewed Board Board Too Short Broken Board

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 31


SAWLINES Presenting the new Finscan 900

Perfect evolution:

Combining the patented

Finscan mirror system

with the MiCROTEC 3D

technology.

The trusted Finscan

efficient transverse

multi-sensor quality

scanner becomes Finscan

900, an ideal combination and

transformation for sharpened

performance.

The new Finscan 900

features a MiCROTEC 3D

module with in-house

developed Crometic cameras,

ensuring full-length real

thickness measurement and

enhanced wane detection.

Thanks to the new uniformed

colored lamps customers

also benefit from a refined

color measurement. An

additional advantage is the full

integration of the Finscan 900

with the MiCROTEC Ai platform

and MiCROTEC Connect as well

as a new optimization software

and statistics.

With the smart construction

of the new MiCROTEC 3D

module, this evolution is also

available as an upgrade to

the current Finscan version

- providing the same customer

benefits.

Customer benefits Finscan

900 & Upgrade in short:

• Enhanced wane detection

• Full-length real-thickness

measurement

• Full integration into the

MiCROTEC Ai platform &

MiCROTEC Connect

• New optimization software &

statistics

MiCROTEC initiates second stage

of global one-brand strategy

Strategic corporate

functions are centralized,

customer-relevant

functions are further expanded

locally.

Since May 2022, all

companies have been united

under the MiCROTEC brand. The

company brands will continue

to be managed as product

brands in the joint product

portfolio. MiCROTEC thus

strengthens its competencies

in the area of cross-process

scanning and optimization

solutions for the wood

processing industry - from log

to final product.

For the Linköping site

in Sweden, the global “One

Brand-One Product Portfolio”

strategy means that the

next step in the company’s

positioning and organization is

being taken. This step involves

prioritizing and focusing on

the domestic market. “As part

of the MiCROTEC Academy,

we have already launched

a training program for our

employees in Sweden to

extend the knowledge and

expertise within the complete

product portfolio and will

now intensify this further,”

explains Stefan Nilsson, CEO of

MiCROTEC Linköping.

Key areas of the

company, such as research

and development, will be

centralized at headquarters.

Frank Jöst, CEO of MiCROTEC,

concretizes: “ Innovation has

been one of the central success

factors of the brand since

the foundation of MiCROTEC.

Therefore, we want to

strengthen this important area

sustainably. Locally, we will

dedicate ourselves even more

intensively to customer needs.

Stefan Nilsson, CEO of

MiCROTEC Linköping

Frank Jöst, CEO of MiCROTEC

Our partner LOAB in Sweden

will continue to operate

together with us in the market

area.”

32 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


More productive

Heads hit market

Harvester Heads

The H8 head can be mounted on PONSSE’S Ergo and PONSSE Bear, the

strongest harvesters in its product range. The saw box area is wider than before,

making the harvester head a good choice for trees with a high butt diameter.

Productivity and

precision combine

to deliver best crop

of harvester heads

yet for the cut-tolength

market

Ponsse has a long history

of manufacturing

harvester heads. The

first PONSSE harvester head

was made in Vieremä in 1986.

PONSSE harvester heads have

been designed to withstand

even the toughest conditions.

They are characterised by

a simple and solid structure

which enables them to be

used in various harvesting

applications from harvesters to

track-based solutions.

Each harvester head model

is designed on the basis of

efficiency, durability and ease

of use. Harvester heads must

withstand extreme conditions

while operating accurately and

as gently as possible without

damaging the trunk surface

unnecessarily.

All PONSSE harvester

heads are manufactured

and designed at the Ponsse

factory in Vieremä. The design

process is comprehensive

and covers, in addition to

mechanical parts, operating

controls and software. The

manufacturing process is

highly automated to ensure

high quality and measuring

The PONSSE H8 HD Euca harvester head

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 33


accuracy. The frames of harvester heads

are machined from a single piece after the

welding assembly. This guarantees the

highest quality with excellent precision.

Durable hoses and delimbing knives form

an important part of reliability.

Ponsse’s selection includes 10 different

harvester heads for different conditions

from thinning to regeneration felling and

processing. The basic product features

in all models include powerful feeding

as well as quick and efficient sawing.

The harvester heads can be adjusted

according to the trees harvested and the

base machine used, ensuring smooth

operations and a long service life. Their

strong grip and accurate measuring

system ensure excellent measuring

accuracy.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

34 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


10

1

The PONSSE H5 is a multipurpose

harvester head especially suited for

efficient thinning.

2

The PONSSE H6 is praised as the best

multipurpose harvester head on the

market. It’s suited to a variety of uses,

ranging from thinning sites with small

trees to regeneration felling.

3

The PONSSE H7 is a compact, robust

and powerful harvester head for

demanding regeneration felling and

later thinning work.

4

The PONSSE H7 HD is a very robust

and strong harvester head primarily

for large wheeled harvesters and

tracked based machines. The structure

is based on the popular H7 model, but

it has been reinforced for the special

operating conditions of track-based

machines.

5

PONSSE H7 HD Euca is designed for

processing and debarking eucalyptus

trees. Thanks to its excellent geometry,

the H7 HD Euca works well with big

trees. Suitable for both wheeled and

track-based machines.

6

New sturdy PONSSE H8 harvester

head represents the largest and

most powerful harvester head range

for wheel-based Ponsse harvesters.

Its solid structure and advanced

functions make H8 an extremely

durable and economical tool, with

which harvesting is efficient. Thanks

to it´s shape it also features superior

winter features with minimized snow

packing. The Ponsse H8 is available

with Active Speed variable feeding

speed system.

7

The PONSSE H8 HD is a robust

harvester head with high power and

excellent geometry for demanding

conditions. The H8 HD is designed for

demanding use on large track-based

machines with a powerful hydraulic

system. Also available with a top saw.

8

The PONSSE H8 HD Euca harvester

head has been designed for the

PONSSE Bear harvester, but especially

it is ideal solution for track-based

machines. The H8 HD Euca is an

effective tool in forests where the

diameter of eucalyptus stems can be

up to 50 cm.

9

Strong power, reliable structure and

accurate control in the same package.

PONSSE H9 is excellent in processing

but suits felling and multi-stemming

processing very well. PONSSE H9

head is a real multifunction head. Fast,

effective, rational and most important

productivity. A harvester head of

this size class has never been this

versatile.

10

The PONSSE H10 is the largest

harvester head in the selection,

suitable for processing large diameter

trees. With a very robust structure,

the H10 is designed for track-based

machines weighing over 25 tonnes.

In spite of its size, the H10 is not

only suitable for processing but also

felling.

PONSSE HH360 rotator for harvester head

Ponsse launches new

PONSSE HH360 harvester

head rotator. The new

rotator is an innovative solution

in which the harvester head

can rotate 360° degrees freely

without limitations. With

PONSSE HH360 the hoses stay

in a fixed position from crane

tip to rotator, all the time.

Now launched rotator enables

the harvester head rotating

freely without worry about

unexpected downtime caused

from twisted hoses.

“We’ve developed an

innovative solution by listening

to our customers’ needs. The

rotating harvester head speeds

up processing wood, makes

working easier for the operator

and reduces hose failures,”

says Janne Loponen, Product

Manager for harvester heads.

“Compared to competing

JANNE LOPONEN,

Product Manager,

Harvester Heads

products, the rotator is strong,

powerful and above all,

energy efficient, and Ponsse

has exclusive rights to the

product in forest machine use,”

Loponen continues.

The powerful and

exceptionally energy efficient

PONSSE HH360 rotator is

available for H6, H7, H8, H7

HD, H8 HD, H7 HD Euca, and

H8 HD Euca harvester heads

when installed as a loose head

installation.

All PONSSE harvester heads

are designed to withstand the

toughest conditions. They are

characterised by a simple and

solid structure which is why

they can be used in various

harvesting applications.

Comprehensive design

applies to both mechanical

components and the electronic

control system, controls, and

software. The manufacturing

process is highly automated,

guaranteeing a high level

of quality and measuring

accuracy.

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 35


Log Max 5000V:

The ultimate Harvesting

Head for unparalleled

logging performance

The logging industry demands reliable and efficient

equipment to tackle the toughest challenges in

harvesting operations. Introducing the Log Max 5000V,

a state-of-the-art harvesting head that combines

durability, agility, accuracy, and intelligence to

revolutionise logging worldwide. With its reinforced

design, advanced features, and improved servicing

capabilities, the Log Max 5000V sets a new standard

for modern and powerful harvesting heads.

Durability and Cutting

Performance:

The Log Max 5000V boasts a

reinforced frame designed to

withstand the most demanding

logging applications. The

slimmed-down saw box

enhances performance in

snowy conditions, ensuring

optimal cutting efficiency.

Equipped with the new 318

MK2 - 30cc saw, this harvesting

head delivers fast and troublefree

cutting up to 74cm,

guaranteeing exceptional

cutting performance.

Measuring Precision and

Simplified Maintenance:

Accurate measurement results

are crucial in today’s harvesting

operations, and the Log Max

5000V meets this requirement

with its redesigned measuring

unit. The length measuring unit

incorporates smart features,

including a contactless sensor,

easier lubrication, and durable

tapered bearings. Furthermore,

the harvesting head’s

improved accessibility, wellorganised

hoses, and grease

nipples facilitate simplified

maintenance and servicing.

Enhancements and Updates:

To enhance the Log Max

5000V’s durability and

longevity, several updates

have been implemented. The

design of the measuring wheel

hole has been improved,

reinforcing the stoppers for

the feed roller arms inside the

frame, thus increasing strength

and stability. The length

measurement function has

been significantly improved

through the introduction of

a new measuring wheel unit

with a larger wheel, ensuring

superior measurement

accuracy.

Advanced Saw Unit:

The Log Max 5000V

incorporates the enhanced saw

unit 318 MK2 19 cc (True-Cut)

or 30 cc, carefully designed

to optimise work processes.

Upgrades include a more

robust saw bar mount with

protective covers and rubber

seals, ensuring protection

against dirt and moisture. The

saw bar holder now utilises

premium-grade Hardox 450

material, offering increased

strength and longevity.

Additionally, the placement

of the “saw bar home” sensor

has been optimised for easy

access during maintenance.

On the 30cc version the saw

valve is mounted directly to the

motor which greatly increases

responsiveness.

Improved Multi-Stemming

Unit MK2:

The Log Max 5000V’s multistemming

unit has undergone

a redesign, resulting in reduced

weight, increased lifespan,

and simplified serviceability.

The relocation of cylinders

and improved hose protection

increase durability and

minimise the accumulation of

snow and dirt.

Enhanced Four-Point

Measuring MK2:

The Log Max 5000V’s fourpoint

measurement MK2

features new components and

functions to excel in harsh

conditions. The introduction

of a contactless encoder in

the lower delimbing knife

enhances its lifespan and

simplifies maintenance. The

lower delimbing knife now

incorporates an “Active Lower

Knife” function, increasing

lifting power and optimising

tree holding capability.

Additionally, the design

modifications, such as a new

axel nut and improved cable

routing, enhance durability and

reduce the risk of snow and ice

packing.

Conclusion:

The Log Max 5000V represents

a groundbreaking advancement

in the logging industry. With

its unparalleled durability,

cutting performance, precise

measurement capabilities, and

simplified maintenance, this

harvesting head sets a new

benchmark for productivity,

efficiency, and reliability.

Experience the power of the

Log Max 5000V and unlock its

potential to revolutionise your

logging operations.

36 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


Keto Harvester Heads

Get on track with the Keto

Harvester best suited to

your logging needs!

From small scale thinning

to roadside processing of

Here is a selection of Heads available to whet the appetite.

Keto 51 Series

The nimble and versatile Keto

51 series machines are ideally

suited to thinning operations.

They offer a single cut

felling diameter of 14 inches

large, heavy trees,

Keto harvester heads

offer a wide range of

capabilities.

Keto-660C2

Ideal for hardwood harvesting

and processing. The Keto-

660C2 offers a single cut felling

diameter of 622 mm and runs

on 200+ hp machines.

Keto 360° Continuous Rotator

Always 360° rotation!

All new Keto Harvesters come

equipped with a Keto 360°

continuous rotator.

As a result, the harvester

head rotates freely around

the tilt in either a clockwise or

counter clockwise direction,

no ifs, ands, or buts. Keto

has patented certain design

features of the rotator, like

it has done in the past with

features unique to the Keto

brand, setting it apart from the

competition.

Complete rotation results

from all cables and hoses

passing through the rotator.

This includes electrical cables,

hydraulic oil, stump treatment

liquid, and urea. The special

design ensures that oil and

chemicals will never mix with

each other. The benefits of

this set-up involve savings in

cost and time. Some of the

advantages include:

• Shorter, simpler hose

settings.

• Hoses do not wrap around

the tilt.

• Very high load carrying

capacity.

• No more pulled cables or

wires.

• No excess, dangling hose

lengths to cut or damage

with the saw.

• Less hose movement and

snagging resulting in less

wear and tear on hoses and

fittings.

• Simple design that is easy to

remove for servicing.

The 360° rotator expedites

felling operations in many

ways. Continuous rotation

means operators can approach

trees from any angle.

Additionally, there are no

hose bundles interfering with

surrounding trees. All this

makes operation faster and

more productive.

The 360° rotator functions

on an external motor via

a pinion and gear system.

Thus, the rotator itself has

few internal wearing parts,

meaning less service needed.

The external motor drive

provides high and constant

torque levels throughout its

lifetime. The standard setup

provides approximately 1550

lbft (2100Nm) at a pressure

of 2900 psi (200 bar). Higher

torque levels may be available

on request.

The Keto 360° rotator

provides high, continuous

torque throughout its life.

The installation bolting

pattern follows the industry

standards. Additionally, most

non-360° rotators can be

replaced by the Keto 360°

continuous rotator, including

those on other head brands.

There are several models to

choose from, depending on the

harvester head size.

Keto-870C

Two knife arms allow fast

roadside processing with a

single cut felling diameter of

830 mm.

Keto-873

Three knife arms are ideal

for large diameter felling

operations with a single cut

felling diameter of 830 mm.

We have been involved in this Keto continuous

rotator project since day one. We are running them

on a bunch of Keto heads, each getting 100 hours per

week, over 4000 hours per season. Today, we have

the total of over 30,000 hours on these rotators, and

they work very well. No more old hose issues, more

rotating power, fool proof electrical swivel, simple

and compact unit – there is no way going back to the

old setup.

DESMOND MAJOR, MAJOR’S CONTRACTING,

DEER LAKE, NL, CANADA

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 37


Waratah’s HTH618C

Series-III

Waratah’s HTH618C Series-III – a

new generation of its HTH618C

harvester head built for increased

productivity, reliability, uptime

and more. 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 is

highlighted by a new valve that

delivers more responsiveness

and operating efficiency. This

Series-III model delivers what

our customers expect and need

from Waratah,” said Brent Fisher,

product marketing manager for

Waratah. “Additionally, with new

twin diameter measuring and

improved hose routing, servicing

and guarding, we’re looking

forward to delivering another head

that is truly Built To Work®.”

Increased productivity

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 660 mm (26 in.) 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.

Simple servicing

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.

The Komatsu S92 is an

established and popular

harvester head with a

reliable and servicefriendly

design. The

2024 model upgrade

introduces several

new functions and

improvements that make

the head even more

reliable and productive,

including a brand-new

Constant Cut saw unit.

As the basis for the

upgrade is requests from

users of the harvester

head and the response to

the improvements has been

positive from customers who

have tested.

“Continuous improvement

is part of our DNA. One of

our most popular heads, the

Komatsu S92, will be even

more reliable and productive

in the forest,” says Mikael

Forsberg, Product Manager for

Harvester heads at Komatsu

Forest.

Among the new benefits,

the improved measurement

Major upgrades to popular

harvesting head

characteristics stand out.

The new design enables the

measuring wheel to follow

the contours of the stem more

closely, providing excellent

measurement characteristics.

A major new feature is also

the new intelligent saw motor

controller, Constant Cut, which

now becomes standard on the

S92, and ensures that the head

maintains a constant and high

chain speed without the risk of

overspeeding.

The Find End function now

has a new design and together

with new mechanical stops

at the rear knife this extends

the service life of the head.

The new feed system reduces

energy losses and enhances

the head performance, and

an improved hose routing

simplifies servicing the feed

system. For even better service

friendliness, all lubrication

points are now easily accessed

with the head in an upright

position.

The colour marking tanks

have been redesigned to

provide easier access for filling

and the multi-tree handling

function has a new, more

durable design which results in

a lower and more agile head.

“The response from

customers who have tried

the upgraded head has been

positive only with comments

Mikael Forsberg,

Product Manager for

Harvester heads at

Komatsu Forest

such as that the feed speed is

really good, the geometry of

the saw box and the position of

the saw bar makes the cutting

much faster and increases

production significantly, the

new knife control on the lower

knife is very good and the

clamping of the stem is perfect,

and that the entire head is

much improved compared

to previous versions,” says

Mikael.

In addition to the above and

several other improvements,

the head has also been

equipped with a new head

computer that enables future

development opportunities.

38 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


KONRAD Harvester Heads

Complete range

includes WOODY:

WH40-1, WH50-1, WH6,

WH60-1 & WH70-1

The harvester WOODY has been

top of the tree for more than

25 years with its versatility and

productivity.

The unique and patented

geometry of the WOODY

framework also enables the

processing of broadleaf trees

and crooked timber.

The constant technical

development considering

needs from industry and

customers is perhaps

another reason beside its

robustness and reliability why

the WOODY is highly regarded

throughout the world.

The areas of use of the

WOODY are very big and reach

from an ordinary fitting on

excavators to combination

machines like MOUNTY and

HIGHLANDER.

WOODY WH40

The head for thinning work

with grapple function

The tiltable feeding unit is the

unique feature of the KONRADharvester

heads and completes

the family in the first thinning

segment. If mounted on a

compact excavator or KONRAD

thinning harvester – WH40

always has proven its quality.

The feed rollers of the

2-wheel drive always work

in optimum position and

maximize traction thanks to

adaptive parallel bar. The

automatic knife pressure

reduction in relation to

diameter and tree species

as well as the delimbing

knives geometry maintain an

excellent delimbing result. The

sophisticated hydraulic system

of WH40 is located almost

entirely in the frame unit for

easy access for maintenance

work. Sensors always work

precisely and deliver correct

measurements to control

system KTC.

WOODY WH60-1

The robust allrounder

The frame design from WH60-1

was further improved.

The hydraulic 4-wheel drive

with mechanical differential

lock has always excellent

traction no matter it is

hardwood or heavy mountain

wood.

Thinning Harvester KDH

with WOODY WH40-2

Is there an economical

solution for first thinning work

in forests?

The KONRAD Thinning

Harvester (KDH) with WOODY

WH40-2 answers the following

question: Is a first thinning

economical? With the tracked

harvester KDH from KONRAD

Forsttechnik GmbH it certainly

is.

The add-on system enables

an individual customer

configuration tailor made

for their needs. For example,

the tiltable upper carriage

and cabin keeps the operator

levelled in steep slopes. An

optimized main boom for an

improved kinematic, as well as

the arm telescopic extension

with hidden hose routing

further

improves

reach and

productivity.

Further

useful

options such

as climbing

support bars

mounted on the

tracks, a hydraulic winch

on the main boom, the powerboost-hydraulic-accumulator

or an additional rear weight

completes the KDH offerings.

The purchase- and operational

costs stay economical even

with that versatile offer. A low

weight and compact design

make transports simple and

easy.

Our advantages:

• Low acquisition and

operating costs

• Optimized lift arm

• Tilt device for upper carriage

• Power boost – hydraulic

accumulator

• Climbing aids at the chain

drive

The unique patented

frame geometry of KONRAD

harvester heads allow an

excellent handling of hardwood

and crooked trees. A newly

designed parallel bar on the

feed roller arms balances

uneven stem surfaces

perfectly and the feed wheels

have outstanding traction

independent from stem

diameter. The smart frame

bracket design improves the

grapping in steep slopes and

assures a relatively long frame

in the tilt up position. Thus

controlled felling of big trees

is easy.

Beside the automatic chain

tensioner and the photo sensor

the KONRAD endless rotator as

many other innovations come

as standard on WH60-1.

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 39


The Tigercat 570 harvesting head with the optional fixed 340-degree rotating wrist.

Tigercat Harvesting Heads

Tigercat harvesting

heads are built to match

the high-performance

capabilities of Tigercat

track and wheel carriers

and are well suited to a

variety of jobs including

at-the-stump harvesting,

roadside processing

and debarking.

570

The 570 is most productive

working with trees 15-50 cm (6-

20 in) in diameter in softwood

and hardwood stands. The 570

is designed to work with the

H822, H845 and H855 carriers,

or a 20-25 tonne forestry

excavator. With optional

hydraulically timed processor

knives, the 570 can also be

used for roadside processing.

The 570 is available with

a fixed wrist for applications

where positive control when

felling high value trees

and trimming large limbs

is required. The fixed head

design combines two proven

technologies – the Tigercat

570 harvesting head and the

Tigercat 340-degree wrist.

The 340-degree wrist is

field-proven in felling head

applications where maximum

dexterity and positive control

are required. A wrist-float

feature is standard for the 570,

allowing the head to align more

easily to the tree for felling and

feeding. The float function is

fully adjustable to suit operator

preference. The 570 fixed head

has proven effective in selectcut

harvesting applications,

particularly for high-value

hardwood, where positive

control is needed to position

the felled tree to reduce

damage to standing timber. It

is best matched to Tigercat 822

series carriers.

575

The 575 is a heavy duty

three-wheel drive harvesting

head best suited to in-stand

harvesting in the 18-56 cm

diameter range. It is very

effective in tough applications

and difficult stem profiles

including large limbed

hardwood and crooked trees.

With optional mechanically

timed processor knives for

easier picking, the 575 is

also an excellent roadside

processing head.

The 575 features Tigercat’s

unique three-two AutoshiftTM

drive system. When processing

a tree, the head starts in threewheel

drive, maximizing feed

force for faster acceleration

and quickly powering through

bigger trees. As the load

drops, it automatically shifts

to two-wheel drive, improving

efficiency and increasing feed

speed up to 30%. Both the 570

and 575 use larger diameter

hoses and larger capacity

valves than similar class heads

to match the greater hydraulic

flow and power of Tigercat

harvester carriers.

568

The 568 harvesting head is a

robust, high performance head

designed for tracked carriers.

It is best suited for road-side

processing applications, with

trees in the 15-55 cm (6-22 in)

range.

The Tigercat 568 harvesting head with AutoshiftTM drive system

40 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


With timed knife arms and

triangulated wheel arms,

the 568 can quickly pick and

maintain positive tree contact

and control. The patented

four-two Autoshift drive system

provides extra power and

positive grip when feeding

large trees, fast speed in

smaller trees, and full manual

control when desired.

Knife arms feature doubleedged,

replaceable blades

with optimal contour for clean

delimbing. The front floating

knife with spring preload

follows the contour of the tree,

further enhancing delimbing

performance. Other features

of the 568 include optional

continuous rotation with

conventional boom or throughthe-tip

hose routing, laser

diffuse or through-beam find

end sensors, colour marking

and various feed wheels.

534

The Tigercat 534 harvesting

head is matched to Tigercat’s

1165 harvester and sized for

optimal productivity in a 15-50

cm (6-20 in) stem diameter

range. The 534 is a locked

three-wheel drive head with

a triangulated wheel arm

design to maintain positive tree

contact and control. Four cast

steel knife arms, along with

a fixed front and back knife,

provide excellent delimbing

quality. Optional mechanically

timed front knife arms assist

with picking from piles when

processing.

Tigercat D7 control system

All Tigercat harvesting heads

use the Tigercat D7 control

system. There are two types

of bucking control available

for D7. Priority-based bucking

logic utilizes a list of operator-

All Tigercat harvesting heads use the D7 control system

entered log specifications.

D7 Optimization level uses a

value-based logic.

Both Tigercat D7 Priority

and Optimization levels offer

StanForD Classic, StanForD

2010, and PDF production

reporting. Reports can be

viewed onscreen or exported

for later analysis. D7 also

sends production volume data

to RemoteLog®, Tigercat’s

optional telematics system.

When equipped with a

GPS receiver and the GeoInfo

software, D7 provides an active

navigation application using

the machine’s current position

on a georeferenced map.

Tigercat mulching

products are used

across many industries

including land clearing,

silviculture, and forest

management, including

fire mitigation —

wherever highly mobile,

durable and reliable

carriers are required

for rugged terrain, high

duty cycle applications,

extreme temperatures

and high levels of

airborne debris.

Tigercat Mulchers

The Tigercat 480B mulching in Brazil

480B mulcher

The 480B is a powerful,

robust mulcher, able to

tackle the toughest terrain

with ease. Tigercat heavy

duty build quality provides

superior durability with high

uptime for large-scale, timesensitive

right-of-way and site

preparation projects.

The 480B is equipped with

an efficient, high-capacity

cooling system with a variable

speed fan and automatic

reversing cycle, a dedicated

attachment pump, and an

efficient closed loop track drive

system. The Tigercat FPT C13

engine provides 411 kW (552

hp. Inside the cab, the operator

has ergonomic electronic

joysticks and excellent

sightlines.

470 mulcher

Utilizing the same Tigercat

build quality and superior

durability, the smaller design

of the 470 makes it well

suited to right-of-way and

site preparation projects

where a narrow, agile machine

with extremely low ground

pressure is required. Zero tail

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 41


The powerful Tigercat 760B with 4061-30 mulching head doing post-harvest silviculture preparation in

South Africa

swing, even with the optional

recovery winch allows the 470

to manoeuvre in tight areas

without disturbing surrounding

trees.

The Tigercat FPT C87 engine

provides 275 kW (370 hp)

and has a closed loop drive

system, providing the optimal

balance of speed and tractive

effort, with performance and

efficiency.

The one-piece high lift

boom, along with the stability

of the long track frames, gives

the 470 an advantage when

working on sloped terrain.

With the counter-rotate

function (CRF), the 470 and

480B can pivot about their

center axis effortlessly ‘on a

dime’ for easier turns at the

end of a row. The heavy-duty

steel engine enclosure and

precleaner guard eliminates

the requirement for a

rear canopy. All structural

components are designed

for full time forest duty. LED

lighting along with front and

rearVIEW camera systems are

standard equipment on the

track mulchers.

M726G mulcher

The M726G is a 275 kW (370

hp) class mulcher well suited to

vegetation management, land

improvement and silviculture

applications.

Tigercat built forestry-grade

axles provide tough off-road

durability, and come in a

wide variety of configurations

supporting single and dual

tire installations to maximize

performance in tough terrain.

A large attachment pump

provides high flow to the

mulching head, all important

in mulching applications.

The optional multi-function

hydraulic package with a quick

attach boom adapter allows the

M726G to be quickly converted

from a mulcher to a feller

buncher by swapping out the

mulching head for felling saw.

The cross-flow cooling

system delivers optimal airflow

to a high-capacity cooling

package -- essential in dry hot

regions with high dust levels.

760B mulcher

The 760B is a 411 kW

(552 hp) class mulcher

carrier designed primarily

for silviculture applications.

Forestry companies require the

capability to efficiently clean

up residual post-harvest

forest debris and grind stumps

to ground level for quicker

replanting and thus shorter

rotations.

In stable, well-drained

soil types, a high horsepower

wheel driven machine has

many advantages over track

driven mulchers including

quicker travel speeds, lower

operating costs and the ability

to run a wide mulching head for

improved coverage and wider

swaths, increasing quality and

productivity.

The 760B is standard

equipped with boom float,

ground level fueling and

Tigercat’s WideRange

transmission. The operator’s

station was designed with

operator comfort in mind,

with a climate-controlled seat,

Bluetooth audio connectivity

and ergonomic controls. The

rearVIEW camera system is

standard on both wheel driven

mulchers.

All Tigercat mulchers

feature a boom float system

that allows the mulching

attachment to automatically

follow the contours of

undulating terrain, increasing

production and efficiency.

4061 mulching heads

The 4061 mulching heads are

manufactured to Tigercat’s

exacting high standards for

robustness and quality. The

4061-30 is a 3 metre (118 in)

wide mulching head that can

be used on the 480B and 760B

mulchers. The 4061-25 is a 2,5

metre (98 in) wide head, best

suited to the 480B and M726G

mulchers.

The housing features

reinforced side covers and

abrasion resistant skis. The

housing is optimized with

debris door cylinders mounted

internally for protection and

contains position references

to aid in ski alignment. Poly

chain eliminates belt slip

and provides efficient power

transfer to the rotor, lowering

maintenance time and costs

associated with conventional

v-belts.

Regular maintenance is a

snap, maximizing uptime. Large

removable side panels give

access to the drive belts and

sprockets. Many removable

panels on the head provide

excellent access to all service

points. Features such as bolt-in

wear liner and reversible anvils

all help to increase overall

uptime.

4161-15 swing to tree

mulching head

The newest addition to the

Tigercat mulching head line is

the 4161 swing to tree mulching

head. The 4161-15 is a 1,5 metre

(59 in) heavy-duty swing to tree

mulching head is optimized

for use on Tigercat 800 series

carriers.

The 4161-15 uses many field

proven components common to

other Tigercat mulching heads.

There is a choice of standard

drum rotor or feed control

rotor with depth gauges in

front of each tooth to control

the cutting depth, reducing

load on the machine. The rotor

design is similar to 4061 series

mulching heads. Tool choices

include standard carbide,

heavy-duty rock resistant

carbide, and hardened steel

knife style.

The 4161-15 pivots 130°

(+/- 65°) left or right on a

hydraulically controlled wrist.

42 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


Hydraulic hoses to the head are

routed through the open boom

tip of the carrier and connected

to a manifold in the wrist. This

routing minimizes exposed

hoses, aiding in reducing wear

and damage.

When paired with the

Tigercat LX830E, this minimal

tail swing, leveling machine

is highly effective at fuel

load management and fire

mitigation on steep slopes and

tight areas.

The 4161-15 mulching head, when paired with the LX830E is a highly capable steep slope

mulcher

Bandit BTC-300

Track Carrier

The BTC-300 is the next

evolution for Bandit

high-performance

land-clearing track carriers

with interchangeable forestry

mowers and stump grinding

heads. It features a deluxe,

climate-controlled operator’s

cab that tilts for easy

maintenance access.

Cabs are fully ROPS/FOPS/

OPS certified and comfortable,

with all machine functions

controlled from an air-ride

captain’s chair. The BTC-300

rides on a proven CAT 315

steel-track undercarriage

for exceptional all-terrain

capability.

The 90” mowing attachment

easily clears brush and small

trees, or switch to the 44”

diameter stump grinding

attachment for aggressive

stump removal.

Customers can choose

from a John Deere 300 or

Caterpillar 321 horsepower

engine providing ample power

to either attachment.

KEY FEATURES & OPTIONS

• CAT 315 steel track

undercarriage

• Climate-controlled with airride

captain’s chair

• ROPS/FOPS/OPS certified

operator’s cab

• John Deere 300 or Caterpillar

321 horsepower engine

options

• 90” wide mulcher

attachment with 46 teeth

• 44” diameter stump grinder

attachment with 64 teeth

OPERATOR COMFORT

The ROPS/FOPS/OPS certified

cab on the BTC-300 provides

ample room and visibility giving

operator’s high comfort while

mulching or stump grinding.

The air ride suspension seat

with adjustable armrests

accommodates operators of

various sizes. Ballistic-grade

polycarbonate glass ensures

protection from debris that

may accidently hit the window.

Thermal insulation reduces

outside noise keeping the

inside of the cab quite while

regulating air temperature. A

heating and air conditioning

system comes standard as

well.

POWERFUL TRACK

UNDERCARRIAGE

A Caterpillar 315L steel track

undercarriage with single or

double grouser track pads

are available. The wide track

stance enhances turnability

and with a travel speed of 3.3

MPH the unit can get to the

worksite quickly and efficiently.

The BTC-300 has two separate

hydraulic systems (one for the

attachments and one for the

tracks) so if an issue arises

with an attachment the track

system will work.

MAXIMIZE YOUR UPTIME

The BTC-300 is designed to

be easier to work on with all

common maintenance items

easily accessible. The cab tilts

to the side for easy access and

serviceability. Each attachment

uses quick coupler hydraulic

lines so switching between

attachments can be done in

under 10 minutes.

HIGHLY EFFICIENT

The hydraulic system on

the BTC-300 is designed for

maximum productivity during

mulching or stump grinding.

The mulcher head features

holders with a raker regulating

the cutting action ensuring a

smooth, aggressive cutting

action. The large diameter

stump grinder attachment

features a wide array of teeth

and the proper cutter wheel

RPM to power through stumps

with ease.

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 43


C275 Forestry Mulcher

C120 Forestry Mulcher

The C275 is a mid-sized

forestry mulcher that

delivers 275 hp (205 kW) in

a compact, low ground pressure

package. This mulching machine

is suited for clearing small trees,

underbrush, and a variety of

unwanted vegetation across a wide

range of environments.

The heavy-duty steel

undercarriage and powerful final

drives allow operators to tackle

difficult terrain with confidence.

Rayco’s exclusive elevated cooling

design keeps engine and hydraulic

temperatures within their limits in

the harshest of environments.

To minimize maintenance, a

reversing fan can be activated

from the cab to clear the limbriser

debris screens. This helps to

extend service intervals even

when operating in hot, debrisfilled

environments. When manual

cleaning of the debris screens

is necessary, they are easily

removable and the rear door opens

to allow unrestricted access to the

debris screen and engine radiator.

The cabs are climate controlled

and sealed from dust and debris

to maintain operator comfort.

Operators appreciate the

high-backed, heated seat with

adjustable armrests and air-ride

suspension. For safety, the cab is

certified to meet ROPS, FOPS, and

OPS specifications and is equipped

with a roof-top escape hatch.

High-output LED work lights and a

backup camera enhances rearward

visibility.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Powerful 275-hp CAT diesel

engine

• Rayco-exclusive elevated cooling

system

• Reversing fan for upper coolers

• Heavy-duty undercarriage

• Remote track tension system with

tension monitor

• 2-speed ground travel

• Hydraulic rear winch

• Hydraulic cab tilt

• Certified ROPS/FOPS/OPS Cab

Rayco’s C120 Forestry Mulcher

is the answer if you’re looking

for a purpose-built mulcher

but need the versatility of rubber

tracks. It rides on a 17.7-inch (450

mm) wide steel-imbedded rubber

track.

A reliable, 120-HP (89.4-

kW) Cummins diesel engine

supplies power, while Rayco’s

exclusive Super Flow, closedloop

hydrostatic system delivers

mulching power not found in

ordinary Compact Track Loaders.

Purpose-built for mulching, the

C120 features a heavy-duty rear

door, hydraulic winch, and Rayco’s

exclusive elevated cooling design,

which places engine radiators

in both the rear of the engine

compartment and in the limbriser

for maximum cooling performance

in the harshest climates.

The cab is certified ROPS/OPS/

FOPS with escape hatches in the

roof and rear window.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• 120-hp Cummins QSF3.8L T4F

diesel engine

• Super flow hydrostatic circuit for

mulcher head

• Mulcher head with 6-foot cutting

width

• High/low flow aux hydraulic

circuit for attachments

• Purpose-Built Forestry Mulcher

• Hydraulic cab tilt for easy access

to critical components

• Rear mounted hydraulic winch

• Elevated cooling system for

hydraulics and A/C

• Reversing fans (engine &

limbriser)

• 17.7-inch rubber tracks (C120R)

• Steel tracks (C120S)

• High/low travel speed with

optional 7mph FAST Track (FAST

Track option only available on

C120R)

• 3-Bar street pads optional on

C120S

• Rear view camera

• Heated seat w/air-ride

suspension

• Roof-top escape hatch

• High-output LED work lights

• Available with Predator mulcher

head or Hydra-Stumper cutter

head.

Certified ROPS/FOPS/OPS Cab with

Heated Seat w/Air-Ride Suspension

44 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


SEPPI forestry mulchers

and how they’re used

in forests

It was 1980 when

SEPPI M. developed the first

forestry rotor, representing

a revolutionary innovation

in the forestry industry.

Today, forestry is SEPPI M.’s

core business, and SEPPI

forestry machines are used for

numerous purposes:

Small and medium-sized

forestry mulchers for 30-240

HP tractors are ideal for woody

undergrowth maintenance,

thinning, clearing debris after

cutting, removing branches and

bushes and cleaning paths.

Specifically, the models are

MICROFORST pto, MINIFORST,

MIDIFORST, MIDIFORST dt

which are fitted with fixed

hammers. These carbide-tipped

tools rapidly mulch wood up

to 30 cm in diameter, with

minimal wear. An additional

centrifugal clutch allows soft

rotor start and stop, thus

protecting the mulcher and

tractor drives. Options such as

the guard frame, “ADAM” gear

tilting system, or rakes on the

guard frame can be individually

selected depending on the

model and work conditions.

One of the most important

challenges in recent years has

been the bark beetle. It should

be noted that mulchers neither

combat nor eliminate bark

beetles, but rather prevent or

reduce their presence. The

aim of a mulcher is to clean

the area, make it accessible

for additional works and

possible mechanisation, and

prepare the area for new seeds.

Mulchers enter the remains of

felled and dried wood to finely

mulch them, clear the land and

prepare it for new plantations.

Mulching helps the soil acquire

more humus and acidity, thus

preserving its moisture: All of

this has a positive effect on

forest crops and speeds up

replanting.

Since bark beetles spread

very rapidly, even mulching

becomes a genuine battle over

time. Residual wood should be

cleared as soon as possible.

That’s why these days,

large and powerful forestry

mulchers are used. These

ensure the highest efficiency

and performance in a short

period of time to eliminate

most of the wood in one go.

Medium-power mulchers, but

also high-performance forestry

mulchers such as STARFORST

and MAXIFORST, are also

used for other activities such

as felling trees, mulching

stumps, removing rotten and

fallen timber, as well as stormand

fire-damaged timber up

to 60 cm in diameter. This

equipment is also suitable for

improving forests with paths

and vegetation-free firebreaks.

With MAXIFORST, the drive

system can be equipped

with additional protection:

M-TURBO hydrodynamic turbo

couplings. These couplings

protect the drive components

of both the mulcher and the

tractor in case of sudden rotor

stops, and also allow a soft

start.

It is now possible to select a

new rotor featuring exclusively

hammers with an aggressive

carbide tip - the MONO TIP

V-LOCK system. This rotor is

even more effective on large

stumps and thick trunks.

The advantages of the new

MONO TIP V-LOCK ROTOR

are less wear, better balance,

simpler tool changeover and

an optimised tool-support

connection (hammer seat).

CUT CONTROL is our latest

generation of rotors with MINI

BLADE or MINI DUO hammers

and relative limitation of

the cutting depth. As with a

chainsaw, this ensures the

rotor never stops and makes

for much smoother mulching.

In addition to the new

design and ADAM gear tilting

system supplied standard,

these forestry mulchers are

now even better equipped

against wear. Inside their

housing, they are equipped

with wear-resistant steel

plates that can be replaced.

We are already familiar with

this feature since it is used in

SEPPI’s stone crushers and

forestry tillers. The V-belt

housing with material deflector

and sliding guides in low-wear

hardened steel also protect the

machine against wearing.

SEPPI M. has a solution for

all tractors, regardless of their

power. The forestry machines

range from 30 to 500 HP. Most

forestry mulchers are also

available in a hydraulic version

for connection to excavators,

skid loaders or larger hydraulic

tractors.

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 45


Ready to clear the way to better vegetation

management? There’s one name in the

industry to turn to.

Denis Cimaf manufactures

industry-leading highperformance

brush

cutter-mulcher attachments

for excavators, skid steers,

forestry tractors, graders,

and other types of heavy

equipment. They manufacture

two main lines of attachments:

the DAH series, industrial

mulching attachments for

excavators, and the DAF series,

attachments for skid steers and

other dedicated carriers. Denis

Cimaf mulching attachments

serve a wide range of purposes

and industries, including

forestry mulching, land clearing

and improvement, vegetation

management, clearing

for firebreaks, roadside

maintenance, right-of-way

clearing, pipeline maintenance,

site clearing and preparation,

and more.

Efficiency and Quality

at the Core

Denis Cimaf was founded by

Laurent Denis and his wife,

Monique Vaillancourt in 1998

in Roxton Falls, Quebec,

Canada. It was acquired by

Morbark, LLC in December

2018. Manufacturing of

the Denis Cimaf mulching

attachments moved to the

Rayco Manufacturing facility

in Wooster, OH in early 2021

to meet ever-increasing

market demand for both the

DAF and DAH attachments.

Manufacturing of the Denis

Cimaf attachments is closely

monitored at the Wooster

facility and held to the

highest standards of quality.

Every Denis Cimaf mulching

attachment passes through

multiple quality checks,

inspections, and balancing

of the rotor before it is

determined ready to go out

into the field. Robotic welding

units help produce consistent

and quality welds, building

a stronger and more durable

end product. In addition, every

Denis Cimaf head is finished

with a powder-coat paint

that provides durability and

a smooth, even finish that is

resistant to the elements and

withstands the test of time.

This attention to detail and

investment in manufacturing

technology are just some of

the reasons why Denis Cimaf

mulching attachments are the

most powerful, productive, and

efficient mulching attachments

on the market.

DAF Front-Mounted

Mulching Heads

The DAF family of Denis

Cimaf mulching heads can be

installed on most skid steers

or excavator carriers. The DAF

brushcutters and mulchers

are designed for vegetation

control work. Whether that be

land clearing projects for new

developments, site preparation

and vegetation waste removal,

land improvement, trail and

logging road grooming, or

precise right-of-way clearing,

Denis Cimaf DAF front-mounted

mulching attachments can

be used in a wide range of

industries and applications.

There are six models of skidsteer

mounted attachments

available, with the smallest

model requiring a minimum

carrier horsepower of 75 HP,

and the largest requiring a

minimum of 250 HP. There

truly is a Denis Cimaf head to

suit every carrier. Standard on

all Denis Cimaf DAF mulching

heads are sharpenable, bolton

forged blades, optional

hydraulic pushbar, and a bolt-in

wear liner.*

DAH Boom-Mounted

Mulching Heads

The Denis Cimaf DAH mulching

head is a high-powered,

forestry brush cutting-mulching

system that can be installed

on most excavators or other

carriers with articulated masts.

DAH brush cutter-mulchers

are designed for intensive

vegetation control work, rightof-way,

and powerline clearing

that is otherwise difficult to

Continued on Page 48

46 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


Cont’d from Page 4

The rich can go

a Iong way to

saving the planet

Arguments against the

world’s richest contributing

to climate change funds:

Voluntary vs. Government

Responsibility: Some argue

that addressing climate

change should primarily

be the responsibility of

governments through policies,

regulations, and taxation,

rather than relying on voluntary

contributions from wealthy

individuals and companies.

Effectiveness: Critics may

question whether voluntary

donations from the richest can

make a significant impact on

global climate issues compared

to systematic changes in policy

and industry practices.

Wealth Redistribution: While

contributing to climate change

funds can address climate

issues, it does not necessarily

address broader issues of

wealth inequality. Some

argue that more systematic

approaches, such as

progressive taxation, are better

suited to wealth redistribution.

Accountability: There may be

concerns about how funds

donated by the wealthy are

allocated and whether they

are used effectively to combat

climate change, leading to calls

for greater transparency and

accountability.

Ultimately, the question

of whether the world’s

richest should contribute

to climate change funds is

a complex one with varying

perspectives. Many people

and organizations argue that

both individual contributions

and systemic changes are

necessary to effectively

address climate change. It is

likely that a combination of

efforts, including financial

contributions from the

wealthy, government policies,

and global cooperation,

will be needed to tackle the

challenges posed by climate

change comprehensively.

* Forbes -

World’s Billionaires List 2023

www.forbes.com/billionaires

Launch event to kick

off Ponsse’s and Epec’s

FORWARD’27 programme

Ponsse and its technology

company Epec have

embarked on the

FORWARD’27 ecosystem

programme, which

targets the research and

development of responsible

and environmentally friendly

solutions for mobile work

machines.

FORWARD’27 is a joint

programme of Ponsse’s and

Epec. It was granted EUR 10

million funding by Business

Finland in the challenger

competition for leading

companies in the spring of

2023. In total, the funding

received by the program is

up to 30 million euros, when

the ecosystem of companies

and actors built around the

program receives its share

of the funding. The goal of

the programme is to promote

export growth in Finland

through research and product

development.

Current and potential

ecosystem partners for the

FORWARD’27 programme

were invited to a launch event

in Tampere on 19 September

2023.

Closer look at the roadmap

The launch event offered

a great opportunity for

both current and potential

ecosystem partners to

discuss and learn more

about FORWARD’27 and its

possibilities. The experts

from both Ponsse and Epec

introduced in more detail the

four-point roadmap of the

program, the goals of which

are focused on researching

and developing responsible

and environmentally friendly

solutions in the field of mobile

work machines.

The roadmap’s various

themes aim to solve the

technology and commercial

challenges of off-road vehicles

through ecosystem projects.

The projects evolve around the

programme’s themes, which

are Autonomous Solutions,

Sustainable Power, Data-driven

Solutions and a Sustainable

Supply Chain.

Five-year programme

The aim of Ponsse’s

FORWARD’27 programme

is to push the sustainability

of mobile work machines to

another level. This includes

significantly reducing

emissions from mobile work

machines themselves or the

manufacturing stage, cutting

energy consumption and

improving productivity, while

maintaining or improving

quality at the same time

without tiring the operator.

“In the field of mobile work

machines, there are several

sustainable development

targets. We hope to benefit the

entire industry in the long run

through this programme and

its results,” says the CEO of

Ponsse, Juho Nummela.

“This five-year programme

is a great opportunity for

Ponsse and Epec to foster

collaboration in Finland.

Together we create cuttingedge

innovations for ecosystem

partners and the entire

industry,” says Epec’s CEO Jyri

Kylä-Kaila.

Building up the ecosystem

A wide ecosystem is built

around the FORWARD’27

programme, which consists of

companies and other partners

such as universities and

research organisations. The

first members of the ecosystem

have already been found.

“The programme has

gathered a lot of interest,

and the last few months have

been busy since I’ve discussed

the possibilities of the

FORWARD’27 programme with

various parties. The ecosystem

is starting to form at a good

pace, and many interesting

cooperation patterns are

emerging. However, it still

isn’t ready, which means that

new partners will be welcome

now and, in the future,” says

the FORWARD’27 Programme

Manager Jukka Laitinen from

Ponsse.

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 47


SALES OFFICES

ADVERTISERS INDEX

BID GROUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

www.bidgroup.ca

Microtec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

www.microtec.us

UK, Europe, South Africa,

US East Coast

CONTACT: Robin Peach

International Forest Industries Ltd

Tel: +44 (0)1442 877 777

Fax: +44 (0)1442 870 617

robin@internationalforestindustries.com

Japan

CONTACT: Shigeru Kobayashi

Japan Advertising Communications, Inc.

Star Bldg., 3-10-3 Kanda Jimbocho

Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051

Tel: 81-3-3261-4591

Fax: 81-3-3261-6126

Email: Shig-kobi@media-jac.co.jp

Western USA (AZ, CA, NV, UT)

Australia, & New Zealand

CONTACT: Kevin Lapham

J.P.Media Inc

Tel: +1 (630) 420 9752

Fax: +1 (630) 420 9763

Email: lapham@jpmediainc.com

Western USA (MT, ID, OR,WA) & Canada

CONTACT: Kevin Lapham

J.P.Media Inc

Tel: +1 (630) 420 9752

Fax: +1 (630) 420 9763

Email: lapham@jpmediainc.com

US Mid-West, Central & Mountain

CONTACT: Kevin Lapham

J.P.Media Inc

1163 E.Ogden Ave, Ste. 705-359 Naperville

IL 60563, USA

Tel: +1 (630) 420 9752

Fax: +1 (630) 420 9763

Email: lapham@jpmediainc.com

Delta Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

www.deltamotion.com

FAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

www.fae-group.com

Halco Software Systems . . . . . . . . .29

www.halcosoftware.com

Joescan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

www.joescan.com

Konrad Forsttechnik GmbH . . . . . . . 13

www.forsttechnik.at

Kone-Ketonen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

www.kone-ketonen.fi

Logmax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC

www.logmax.com

LMI Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

www.LMI3D.com

Continued from Page 46

reach! These impressive machines reach

new heights when it comes to clearing trees

and brush along roadsides, riverbanks,

ditches, and slopes, and taking down entire

standing trees. There are seven models

of boom-steer mounted attachments

offered, supporting an excavator size from

anywhere between 11,000 lbs. to 70,000.

All Denis Cimaf DAH mulching heads come

standard with sharpenable blades, an

optional bolt-in wear liner, and tilt system.

DXF: The Next Generation of Denis Cimaf

Denis Cimaf now offers a new line of

open-face, carbide tip mulching heads

for dedicated carriers, skid steers, and

excavators known as the Denis Cimaf DX

series of mulching heads.

Using the same durable Denis Cimaf

frame customers know and love, the

DXF introduces a new heavy-duty rotor

suited for harsh environments where it is

possible to encounter objects that cannot

be processed. In addition, the rotor and

motor orientation work together to provide

Opticom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

www.opticomtech.com

Ponsse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F/C & 5

www.ponsse.com

Rawlings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

www.rawlingsmanufacturing.com

Springer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

www.springer-usa.com

Seppi M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

www.seppi.com

Tigercat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

www.tigercat.com

USNR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21/OBC

www.usnr.com

Wood Transport & Logistics 2024 . . 8/15

www.woodtransport.events/event/

wood-transport-logistics-2024

a compact package that creates less stress

to the carrier.

The DXF features heavy-duty carbide

teeth that rip through hard and soft wood

up to eight inches in diameter. The DX

is ideal for tackling mulching or brush

clearing with power and hammer-style

force. In addition, it is well-suited for

land clearing, vegetation management,

and utility and roadside maintenance in

unknown and rocky terrain.

Denis Cimaf mulching attachments are

the industry-leading choice for forestry

mulching, land clearing, and improvement,

vegetation management, clearing for

firebreaks, roadside maintenance, rightof-way

clearing, pipeline maintenance,

and site clearing and preparation. For the

most powerful, productive, and efficient

mulching attachments on the market, look

no further than Denis Cimaf.

*Bolt-in wear liner is not an option on

the DAF-150D model.

48 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


Hitachi presents new ZX135USL-7 forestry excavator

Late August Hitachi

Construction Machinery

(Europe) NV (HCME) launched

the new ZX135USL-7 forestry

excavator. Designed for a

variety of applications such as

logging, log felling, loading and

digging, it perfectly meets the

needs for European customers

and is assembled at HCME’s

factory in Amsterdam, The

Netherlands.

Equipped with a robust

undercarriage, it offers

enhanced durability, stability

and safety for challenging

working conditions. With a

higher ground clearance (560

mm) than standard models,

it travels smoothly and easily

over uneven terrain, and the

short rear swing radius of 1490

mm makes it ideal for working

in compact environments.

Improve profit

The impressive fuel economy

of the ZX135USL-7 forestry

excavator means that it delivers

up to 9% less fuel consumption

than the previous model. This

is achieved with the help of

Hitachi’s industry-leading

HIOS V hydraulic system.

Fuel efficiency can be further

controlled by using the new

ECO gauge, clearly visible on

the cab’s multifunctional 8”

monitor.

For added versatility, the

ZX135USL-7 forestry excavator

has a reinforced arm with

piping for breaker or crusher,

quick-coupler, as well as assist

piping. A front blade is also

available.

Life-cycle costs are reduced

with the new Stage V-compliant

engine, which does not require

an SCR system. This eliminates

the need for AdBlue, filter

replacements and associated

maintenance.

Feel the difference

The state-of-the-art, ultraspacious

cab is the perfect

working environment. One of

the quietest in the industry,

it also has 16% less vibration

than the previous generation.

New features include the

synchronised motion of the

seat and console – to reduce

operator fatigue – and the

adjustable console height.

Easy operation comes from

the ergonomic design of the

console and switches.

Increase safety

Extra safety features on the

cab provide further protection

for the operator. It is fitted with

a fixed laminated front window

and OPG level 2 front guard,

and additional lights on the cab

roof provide greater visibility in

low-light conditions.

Boost uptime

Tested rigorously at dedicated

facilities in Japan, Hitachi

Zaxis-7 machines have

been built to last. Uptime

is maximised by easy

maintenance and cleaning

features, which save operators

and owners both time and

money. Durability is enhanced

by the reinforced travel motor

cover, idler frame and track

undercovers.

Fleet management

To enable owners to feel in

total control of their fleet and

Specifications

Model code

Engine rated power

Operating weight

Maximum digging depth

workload, Hitachi’s remote

monitoring systems, Owner’s

Site and ConSite, give them

access to vital data and tools.

Both systems send operational

data via GPRS or satellite

from the excavator to Global

e-Service on a daily basis.

ConSite summarises the

information in a monthly email,

while the ConSite Pocket app

shows real-time alerts for any

potential issues.

The quality of the engine

and hydraulic oil is monitored

continuously by a unique

Hitachi innovation. Two

sensors detect if the oil

quality has deteriorated and

data is transmitted to Global

e-Service. This innovative

feature provides customers

with peace of mind on the

condition of their excavators,

and reduces maintenance and

unscheduled downtime.

Complete control

“We’re proud to introduce

the ZX135USL-7 forestry

excavator,” says Burkhard

Janssen, Product Manager

Special Applications and

New Technologies at Hitachi

Construction Machinery

(Europe) NV.

“Its exceptional reliability,

efficiency and productivity

provide owners with

opportunities to increase

profits and reduce costs. And

its industry-leading cab with

first-class comfort and safety

features will enable operators

to feel at ease and in complete

control.”

About HCME

Hitachi Construction Machinery

(Europe) NV (HCME) is

a subsidiary of Hitachi

Construction Machinery Co.,

ZX135USL-7 forestry

74 kW (ISO14396)

15 900 – 16 900 kg

5 760 mm

Ltd. (HCM) established in

1972 in Oosterhout, The

Netherlands. It is responsible

for the manufacture, sales

and marketing of Hitachi

construction equipment

throughout Europe, parts of

Africa, and Israel. Today, HCME

employs over 500 people,

based at its headquarters in

Amsterdam, and locations in

Germany, Italy, France and

the UK.

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 IBC


The Caribbean is swimming in

seaweed. Scientists aim to turn

it into jet fuel and batteries.

An unlikely pairing: Combining wood

waste with seaweed could be perfect for

making both sustainable aviation fuel &

graphite, a critical battery material.

Backed by U.S.

Department of Energy

Funding, new R&D could

help seed a uniquely

Caribbean Bioeconomy

It was not even close. In

2022, seaweed levels

floating in the Caribbean

smashed the record set in 2018

by 20%. You could see the

consequences drifting up on

shorelines from Puerto Rico to

the Florida coast. Briny piles

of brown algae invaded white

sand beaches. Locals worried

the inundation would harm

tourism, clog ports, and release

noxious fumes if left to rot.

Unfortunately, record algae

blooms are not the only visible

consequence of warming ocean

waters. Some models suggest

higher ocean temperatures

increase the risk of powerful

hurricanes as well.

“Puerto Rico in particular is

still dealing with wood waste

from Hurricane Maria five years

ago,” said National Renewable

Energy Laboratory (NREL)

researcher Jacob Kruger. “The

wood waste in both Puerto

Rico and in other areas of

the Caribbean—it’s just been

piled up with nowhere to go,

because many of the landfills

are also at capacity.”

Kruger may be unable to

eliminate the pair of waste

problems himself, but as the

NREL principal investigator

for a new multi-institutional

research team, he does have

an idea that could help: Turn

seaweed and wood waste into

sustainable aviation fuel and

graphite, a material used in

electric vehicle batteries.

That idea caught the

attention of the U.S.

Department of Energy

Bioenergy Technologies Office.

It awarded the team—with

researchers from NREL,

University of Puerto Rico, North

Carolina State University, and

Fearless Fund—more than $2

million to interrogate the idea.

If successful, the team thinks

the project could help empower

a region already impacted

by climate change and often

underrepresented in economic

development.

Breaking It Down: How the

Team Plans To Process the Mix

The pair may seem unlikely—

but combining wood waste

with seaweed could actually

offer the team chemical

advantages. Together, the

sargassum and wood chips

create a palatable feedstock

of simple sugars microbes can

digest into molecules needed

to make energy-dense biofuels.

To hone the opportunity,

the team will adapt an already

well-studied set of biological

50 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


National Renewable Energy

Laboratory (NREL) researcher

Jacob Kruger

conversion tools—many

developed at NREL—to the

unique pairing.

“We envision a sort of a

dilute acid pretreatment as

our baseline to make the

sugars more accessible,”

Kruger said. “We might have

to look at other chemical or

mechanical treatments as well,

and then plan to use enzymatic

hydrolysis to render the sugars

fermentable.”

In simple terms, Kruger and

his NREL colleagues will use

mild acids or heat to treat algae

and wood waste shipped from

Puerto Rico. Using a cocktail

of carefully selected enzymes,

they will digest the resulting

pulp into a frothy mixture and

separate the liquid from the

solids that settle at the bottom.

The sugary liquid, a

“hydrolysate,” is easily

fermented into ethanol.

Technologies already exist to

upgrade it into sustainable

aviation fuel that is chemically

identical to conventional

jet fuel but could reduce

greenhouse gas emissions by

90%.

And the leftover solids?

Though they may be difficult

to turn into liquid fuel, they

may be a perfect material for

making batteries for electric

vehicles.

A New Supply of Graphite, a

Critical Battery Material

Graphite, a soft, crystalline

carbon often used in pencils,

is the main component for

battery anodes, composing

up to 30% of a lithium-ion

battery’s mass. Demand for

the critical battery material

is projected to increase more

than ninefold by 2030, which

has industry searching for new

domestic sources, according

to Bloomberg New Energy

Finance.

“Most graphite produced

today is mined at less than

95% purity, while graphite for

lithium-ion batteries needs to

be more than 99.9% pure,”

Kruger explained. “Gaining

that last 4%–5% purity is

disproportionately expensive,

but we think our graphitization

technology can economically

yield graphite at that purity.”

To verify the analysis,

NREL will ship the solids from

their lab-scale process to

researchers at North Carolina

State University. There,

researchers will “graphitize”

the solids with high heat in the

presence of an iron catalyst,

which causes the carbon in

the solids to link together in a

crystalline structure.

Preliminary testing shows

the resulting biographite

has comparable electrical

performance to conventional

anodes in some measures like

reversible capacity. Still, the

researchers caution it will need

improvement, a core research

and development priority of the

team.

A Way To Build a Resilient

Caribbean Bioeconomy?

The global energy potential

of Caribbean seaweed and

wood waste is unmistakable.

Up to 1.24 million dry tons of

sargassum could be harvested

annually near populated

coastlines. NREL collaborator

Fearless Fund has developed

a novel process to harvest it

at sea both to ensure quality

biomass and to protect the

coastal environment.

Blended with 75% wood

waste, that resource could

yield up to 78 million gallons

of sustainable aviation fuel

every year. A commercialized

process could also produce

an estimated 61,000 tons

of graphite annually—3.4%

of global synthetic graphite

production.

The potential for the global

clean energy transition is

clear. But what might such

a Caribbean industry mean

for local communities whose

beaches are inundated with

seaweed and homes damaged

by hurricanes?

“We are talking about

mitigating waste streams on

coastal communities, creating

new jobs, and helping to meet

energy independence goals,

particularly in Puerto Rico,”

Kruger said.

To quantify any benefits or

consequences, the University

of Puerto Rico will conduct

a siting study for a potential

biorefinery on Puerto Rico.

Their proposal centers

community-level impacts like

odor, noise, increased traffic,

educational opportunity, and

diversity, equity, and inclusion.

By recruiting student

researchers from underserved

communities, for example, the

team aims to provide handson

learning to local students

both in Puerto Rico and on

the U.S. mainland. After all,

long-term commercial success

may hinge as much on the next

generation of diverse, welltrained

bioenergy leaders as on

the technological readiness of

the process.

At an even more

fundamental level though, the

results of the study could be

instructive on the potential of

applied science to empower

communities to respond and

even thrive despite the climate

challenges ahead.

This research was funded by

the U.S. Department of Energy

Bioenergy Technologies

Office. Learn more about

NREL’s bioenergy, battery, and

sustainable aviation research.

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 51


RENEWABLE

ENERGY

NREL analysis identifies drivers

of Offshore Wind Development

As much as 20% of

regional power needs

along the Atlantic coast

could be served by

offshore wind farms

by 2050, according to

researchers with the U.S.

Department of Energy’s

National Renewable

Energy Laboratory (NREL)

who modeled deployment

of this emerging U.S.

energy sector in new

depth and detail.

The researchers who

performed the analysis

considered a diversity

of scenarios to more clearly

understand how a single

renewable resource can

affect the country’s target

of decarbonizing the power

system. The current role of

offshore wind electricity in

the United States has been

understudied, they said.

The researchers found

offshore wind could generate

as much as 8% of the nation’s

electricity by 2050, but that

deployment could range widely,

from 30 to 250 gigawatts,

depending on how a variety of

factors related to the power

system evolve over the coming

decades.

The analysis, “Expanded

modeling scenarios to

understand the role of offshore

wind in decarbonizing the

United States,” appears in the

journal Nature Energy.

NREL co-authors Philipp

Beiter, Trieu Mai, and Matt

Mowers collaborated with John

Bistline from the independent,

nonprofit energy R&D institute

EPRI to explore a wide range

of scenarios related to policy,

technology costs, transmission,

and siting. The authors deploy

a capacity expansion model

and find that high levels of

offshore wind deployment

are most likely in scenarios

where there is a combination

of stringent decarbonization

policies, low technology

costs, fewer siting options

for onshore renewables,

and limited interregional

transmission. For example, the

study’s core scenario considers

strict zoning regulations for

onshore wind and solar panels

that expand offshore wind’s

market potential.

“We represent siting, energy

supply, and transmission at

a high spatial and temporal

resolution,” said lead

author Beiter, “which allows

us to explore a range of

decarbonization pathways and

offshore wind’s future role.”

By taking into account

various conditions, the

researchers are able to more

fully consider the growing

number and severity of

trade-offs that arise with

decarbonization scenarios.

The results of the analysis

illustrate how limitations affect

deployment and could lead to

different conclusions.

In many of the scenarios

studied, offshore wind

deployment is limited to the

level defined by current state

commitments, with solar

photovoltaics and onshore

wind meeting most new

electricity demand through

2050. The amount of energy

from nuclear, hydropower,

and fossil fuels is relatively

constant across the scenarios,

with fossil generation

limited by an emissions cap,

unless carbon capture and

sequestration technology is

available and economically

viable. Under the study’s

core scenario with high load

growth and electrification,

offshore wind accounts for

133 gigawatts by 2050. By

comparison, the installed landbased

wind farms scattered

across the United States today

total about 141 gigawatts and

produce 10% of the country’s

electricity.

“For newer generation

sources like offshore wind,

it is particularly important to

identify the types of conditions

when they may be viable in

different parts of the country,”

Mai said.

In the United States, only

two small offshore wind plants

off the coasts of Rhode Island

and Virginia are currently in

52 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023


Trieu Mai Energy

Researcher | Renewable

Integration, Electrification,

Energy Policy

Matt Mowers

NREL researcher

John Bistline

Energy/environmental

researcher, EPRI

Philipp Beiter,

Lead Author,

NREL

operation, but many more are

proposed along the Atlantic

and Pacific coasts. The first

U.S. large-scale offshore wind

farm—with a planned installed

capacity of 800 megawatts—

could start generating power

as early as this autumn off the

coast of Massachusetts.

The high uncertainty

about future decarbonization

pathways also raises the

need for greater coordination

between local, state, and

federal authorities in power

sector and offshore wind

infrastructure planning, the

researchers noted.

“Our study highlights

several limitations that—if

not addressed—can yield

starkly different futures for

U.S. offshore wind,” Beiter

said. “That said, many inherent

limitations of energy system

modeling remain and require

careful interpretation and

presentation.”

The U.S. Department

of Energy’s Wind Energy

Technologies Office funded the

research.

NREL is the U.S. Department

of Energy’s primary national

laboratory for renewable

energy and energy efficiency

research and development.

NREL is operated for DOE by

the Alliance for Sustainable

Energy LL

Investing in America’s

electric grid means deploying

more clean energy & saving

consumers money

The electric grid is an

often the unsung hero

in daily our lives –

bringing power from where

it is generated to homes and

businesses, allowing us to

power our appliances and

phones, ensuring we can heat

or cool our spaces to remain

comfortable, and keeping the

lights when we need them.

Having a secure, reliable, and

resilient electric grid also

is essential to the success

of clean energy like solar

and wind because in many

cases, where this power is

generated is often not where

it is immediately used. This

is especially important for

meeting clean energy goals

and increasing demand for

electrified homes, businesses,

and vehicles.

The Department of Energy

(DOE) is making critical

investments in the nation’s

electric grid to lower the cost

of energy, all while enabling

cleaner energy sources,

less pollution, and an easier

time installing solar panels

or plugging in an electric

vehicle at home. In the largest

grid investments in history,

on October 18, 2023, DOE

announced up to $3.46 billion

for 58 projects across 44 states

to strengthen electric grid

resilience and reliability across

the United States, all while

improving climate resilience

and creating good-paying

union jobs.

These projects will leverage

more than $8 billion in federal

and private investments as

part of the Grid Resilience and

Innovation Partnerships (GRIP)

Program, funded through the

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

and administered by DOE’s

Grid Deployment Office (GDO).

Across the selected projects,

there are various strategies

to increase the integration of

renewables, in total allowing

more than 35 gigawatts

of renewable energy to be

brought online and expand

the country’s renewable

energy capacity by 10.5%.

The projects also will enhance

grid flexibility, meaning that

operators can balance different

types of power in real time and

in response to real conditions

to help keep the power on and

prices affordable.

• In Delaware, Pecan Street

Inc. will accelerate the state’s

clean energy transition by

meeting customer demand

to install rooftop solar. It

will do so by eliminating

seasonal solar congestion,

a primary barrier that

currently prevents approval

of new residential and

small commercial solar

interconnection requests.

Anticipated outcomes

include new solar arrays

for 1,500 homes in project

service areas, including

150 within disadvantaged

communities.

Cont’d on Page 9

International Forest Industries | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 53


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