The new shovel logger is designed for felling and log handling in difficult terrain.

The new machine is a direct result of the continued growth of the steep slope logging market. The new machine is available in one of two configurations from the factory, being a shovel logger or a directional feller. The new 959ML Shovel Logger leverages the top features from John Deere’s M- and MH-Series models, including the levelling control system, to produce a new machine specifically designed for steep slope operations.

One of the key features of the 959ML machine is the boom geometry. Available in two configurations, the 11-meter (36 foot) live heel shovel logger boom and the 9.12-meter (30 foot) and 10.34-meter (34 foot) directional feller booms are specifically designed to ensure high performance in challenging steep slope applications. All boom options have excellent downhill reach capability, ensuring that each boom configuration can reach the downhill side of the ground, even at a full leveller tilt. Equipped with a strong, purpose built live heel, the 11-meter shovel logger boom is designed to incorporate grapples up to 1.5 meter (60 inches) or mid-sized directional felling heads. There is also an option available to quickly switch between the two. The directional feller booms, available in either 9.12-meter or 10.34-meter reach, is specifically designed to support any large directional felling head applications.

The patented levelling control system uses sensor technology, maximizing the forward tilt angle (26 degrees forward), while electronically preventing any possible mechanical interference when tilting to the side. The levelling envelope boundaries are set automatically and the patented system provides a smooth transition when approaching the levelling limits.

The 959ML Shovel Logger is equipped with a 9.0-liter, John Deere Final Tier 4 engine, producing 330 hp and lower Diesel Exhaust Fluid consumption. The cab on the 959ML machine was designed with the challenges of the steep slope environment in mind. The spacious operator cab includes a large, upward viewing skylight and downward viewing window for increased visibility and awareness in challenging terrain. The high levelling capability of the patented system increases overall operator comfort and productivity, especially in severe downslope, tethered conditions.

The 959ML machine good serviceability design features such as full opening enclosures and walkthrough access. Additionally, standard walkways allow access to all areas of the enclosure without climbing down. With these features, maintenance is easier and faster, and there is no need to take the machine off the hill for service. The 959ML machine can be equipped with a variety of optional add-ons specifically designed for steep slope applications, including a weld-on, tether-ready hitch field kit, slope indicator, and four-point seat harness. Source

Researchers present a model for the equipment replacement decision using equipment maintenance schedules.

In forest engineering, the estimation of maintenance and repair costs has been considered the most unpredictable cost element, because operating conditions, operator skills, repair and maintenance strategies, and machine qualities influence this cost. Combined with the high price of new machines, the timing of investing in new machines requires careful planning. The investment risk exists because it is uncertain that the cost of the investment will be recovered, and a profit gained.

The approaches to the investment decision are based on the economic life (EL) method for three scenarios. In the first scenario, they considered buying a new machine during the first period. For the second scenario, they considered keeping the current machine for 24 months, and then buying a new one while the third scenario, they considered selling the current machine, leasing a new one for 24 months and then buying a new machine. The results draw from five logging machines that cut, delimb, and processes the tree stem into logs in forest plantations of a large integrated Brazilian forestry company.

The study used data from five Ponsse Ergo 8W (20.5 t, 210 kW) harvesters equipped with Ponsse H7 heads (1.15 t, 750 mm cutting capacity) with different ages over a period of three years. These machines began operating in 2015 and belong to the forestry company Klabin SA, located in Parana State, Brazil. The stands were planted with hybrid clones E. grandis and E. urophylla and are usually harvested between five and seven years depending on the productivity of the forest. At the time of harvest, the tree size ranged most commonly from 0.26 to 0.66 m³. All the study plantations were predominantly established with ground slope gradient below 30%. Areas with steeper terrain are harvested by other types of machines.

For the new machine, equipment replacement policy is given at 52 months, or around 19,000 hours of use, considering the company’s schedule, where the machines work an average of 4,500 hours per year. One important point is that, in Brazil, most forestry companies use forest harvesting machines in up to three shifts in a single day.

The best solution for all harvesters studied was that managers should opt for the sale of the equipment, and the lease of new machines for the period of 24 months for the subsequent purchase of new machines. The results show the new machine discounted cost (CNM) and rebuild machine discounted cost (CRM) scenarios presented higher values than the leased machine discounted cost (CRE) scenario. The economic life policy proved optimum with 52 months for a new machine, while the best decision to make is, sell the current machine, lease a new one for 24 months and then buy a new one. The solution and the algorithms used are described in the work.

In conclusion, this paper presented an approach to help in the decisions to either keep or release equipment based on the EL method of forestry equipment. When applied to a forest harvesting machine example, in southern Brazil, the economic life policy proved optimum with 52 months for a new machine, while the best decision to make is, sell the current machine, lease a new one for 24 months and then buy a new one. They showed the average production and cost per unit for the planning horizon and illustrated that new machines described in this study can produce more with less cost.

The research was published in the International Journal of Forest Engineering, 2019. The researchers were C Diniz, J Sessions, R Junior and R Robert. Source

Logging-on brings additional news of this noteworthy occasion.

​The 15,000th Ponsse machine was completed at Ponsse’s factory in Vieremä and delivered to Lespromindustria from Russia. The machine delivery also represented a step towards Ponsse’s 50th anniversary to be celebrated next year. Fifty years of logging will be celebrated by a global roadshow together with Ponsse’s customers and other forest industry professionals.

The 15,000^th machine is a Ponsse Buffalo and will operate as a partner for a new Ponsse Ergo. Lespromindustria is a significant seller of sawn goods in its region, and it has 12 Ponsse machines. Next year, Ponsse will open a new service centre in Tomsk, and also build a new service centre in Joensuu.

The 15,000th Ponsse was manufactured at the new factory opened a year ago. It was the most significant investment in the company’s history at nearly EUR 40 million. The amount of testing and quality control has increased considerably. For example, the factory features an optical 3D scanning unit, representing the latest technology, to inspect all forest machine structures at extreme precision and ensure that all structures meet their quality requirements. At the same time, the factory has been modernised in terms of eco-friendliness and ergonomics. Flexible working methods enable the broadest product range in the markets and reactions to changing market needs. Soon, the 1,000th Ponsse Scorpion, the flagship of the model range, will exit the production line.

The Vieremä factory has grown to cover an area of nearly four hectares. It is still based around a 300 square metre hall from where it all started 50 years ago. The oldest still-operational forest machine factory in Finland forms the core of Ponsse’s production.  The Ponsse Cobra harvester and Ponsse Bison, new products launched last year, are in full serial production alongside the new Active Crane.

Originating from forest machine entrepreneur Einari Vidgrén’s dream to build the best forest machine in the world, Ponsse will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. They will celebrate together with their customers at logging sites! The 50th anniversary roadshow will travel round the world, stopping at different logging sites and at more than 100 different events in 28 countries. Their European roadshow will start from Finland on 23 January and end at the FinnMETKO 2020 exhibition. They will also visit various logging sites in South and North America, Russia, Asia and Australia. During their roadshow, they will collect feedback from their customers and demonstrate new products and services. Source

Volvo Trucks is introducing a new usage-based service contract where monthly fees are aligned with actual mileage.

This means hauliers have greater flexibility to adapt their operations to market conditions and demand. The Volvo Flexi-Gold Contract provides customers with a 40 per cent flexibility span, where annual mileage can exceed or go under the agreed mileage by 20 per cent. Connectivity has paved the way for new, flexible solutions for service contracts and usage-based payment models. Volvo Trucks is now introducing a new service contract, the Volvo Flexi-Gold Contract, with the same coverage as the Volvo Gold Contract, but with monthly fees broken down into fixed and variable parts (km-based) tailored to the truck's actual mileage.

Many transport companies have short-term agreements with their clients or operate in unpredictable and fluctuating markets. They express a need for greater flexibility when it comes to service contracts. The technology now exists to make dynamic and connected solutions like this possible. The Volvo Flexi-Gold Contract has been made possible by advances in telematics, which enable vehicles to communicate real-time mileage with Volvo Trucks. The contract provides customers with a 40 per cent flexibility span, where annual mileage can exceed or go under the agreed mileage by 20 per cent. Each monthly invoice is based on the actual driving for that month, with no additional invoicing or paperwork for exceeding mileage at the end of the year (within the flexibility span). This makes it suitable for customers working with seasonal changes and fluctuating demand.  The Volvo Flexi-Gold Service Contract is available in selected European markets and will be gradually rolled out into new markets in the near future. Source

Net sales have increased 4% for the fourth quarter and 5% for the full year.

Net Income was $ 3.253 Billion for Year

Deere & Company reported net income of $ 722 million for the fourth quarter ended November 3, 2019, or $ 2.27 per share, compared with net income of $ 785 million, or $ 2.42 per share, for the quarter ended October 28, 2018. For fiscal 2019, net income attributable to Deere & Company was $ 3.253 billion, or $ 10.15 per share, compared with $ 2.368 billion, or $ 7.24 per share, in 2018.

Worldwide net sales and revenues increased 5 percent in both the fourth quarter and full year of 2019 to $ 9.896 billion and $ 39.258 billion, for the respective periods. Net sales of the equipment operations were $ 8.703 billion for the quarter and $ 34.886 billion for the year, compared with respective totals of $ 8.343 billion and $ 33.351 billion in 2018.

John Deere's performance reflected uncertainties in the agricultural sector. Trade tensions coupled with a year of difficult growing and harvesting conditions have caused many farmers to become cautious about making major investments in new equipment. At the same time, general economic conditions have remained favourable. This has supported demand for smaller equipment and led to solid results for Deere's construction and forestry business, which had a record year for sales and operating profit."

Construction & Forestry sales were higher for the quarter and year primarily due to higher shipment volumes and price realization, partially offset by the unfavourable effects of currency translation. Excluding the Wirtgen component of the business, the decline in Construction & Forestry results for the quarter was primarily due to higher production costs, increased selling, administrative, and general expenses, and a less-favourable sales mix, partially offset by higher shipment volumes and price realization. Full-year 2019 results, excluding Wirtgen, moved higher as a result of price realization and higher shipment volumes, partially offset by higher production costs and a less-favourable sales mix.

Deere’s worldwide sales of construction and forestry equipment are anticipated to be down 10 to 15 percent for 2020, with foreign-currency rates having an unfavourable translation effect of 1 percent. The outlook reflects slowing construction activity as well as the company’s efforts to manage dealer inventory levels. In forestry, global industry sales are expected to be in line with the previous year. Source

The popular COFE and FORMEC conference 2020 is to be held in Corvallis, Oregon, USA

COFE (Council on Forest Engineering) and FORMEC have combined forces to present a bigger and better conference. The 2020 event will be held from 27t to 30 September 2020 at Corvallis, Oregon, USA. The call for Abstracts will be made in February 2020, with an abstract deadline of April 15, 2020. The notification of acceptance will be by May 15 and final paper submission by August 15. A special issue of the International Journal of Forest Engineering will be produced. Logging-on will announce the conference website in due course.

Logset will establish a sales company called Logset Ab Sverige Filial in Sweden

The office is nearby Halmstad and will officially open on December 2nd, 2019. Logset has sold machines to Sweden through dealers ever since the company was founded in 1992. From now on the sales company will handle the sales in Southern Sweden and Denmark. The sales company will also assist dealer Sigsjö Maskin Ab with sales in Northern Sweden. The new opening is expected to increase the sales in Sweden and Denmark. Source

Ponsse voted the best medium-sized company

Finnish private investors have elected Ponsse as the best medium-sized company listed in Nasdaq Helsinki. In the “Yksityissijoittajan valinta” (Private Investors’ Choice) competition, small-scale investors voted for Finland’s most reliable and attractive listed companies. Ponsse was voted the winner on the list for medium-sized companies. Private investors thanked Ponsse for its expert management and its use of the traditional production area. Its role as a significant employer was also an advantage. Ponsse was described as a loyal and innovative regional family-owned company from Vieremä. Source

“Comparison of cost, productivity and residue yield of cut-to-length and fuel-adapted harvesting in a Pinus radiata D.Don final harvest in Western Australia”

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science, 49, November 2019. Authors: M Strandgard and R Mitchell. Source

03-05 Sep 2020 - FinnMETKO  2020 - Jamsa, Finland.    https://www.finnmetko.fi/      NEW!

To see the full list of international logging, roading and trucking conferences and expo’s, please click the “read more” tab.