issue 42 | march 2016

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF TIGERCAT INDUSTRIES INC.

Australia special

Product News 2 Remote Control 19 Muskett & Sons in Tasmania 6 US Parts & Training Centre 24 Lowland 9 Expocorma 2015 25 Keeping it Clean 13 Facilities Update 26 Like Father, Like Son 15 Employee News 28

160348 btb.indd 1 2016-03-17 10:41 AM product news TIER 2 FOR E-SERIES The Tigercat E-series get an option for a Tigercat FPT Tier 2 engine.

Tigercat is now offering an FPT Tier 2 engine option All E-series skidders are equipped with a new air ride for the 610E, 615E, 620E, 630E and 635E skidders, seat with automatic weight adjustment to improve bringing the benefi ts of the E-series to Australia and operator comfort and ergonomics. The new seat New Zealand. The Tier 2 option uses the same proven provides extensive adjustments for forward/backward Tigercat FPT N67 engine used for Tier 4 fi nal markets position, lumbar support and height. Integrated active with a simplifi ed after-treatment system. climate control in the seat removes hot, humid air to cool the operator in summer. Seat heating keeps the Tigercat FPT engines are equipped with a second- operator warm in winter. generation, common rail fuel injection system, allowing them to achieve top performance in terms Tigercat designed and built -duty axles are of load response, maximum torque and top power equipped in all E-series skidders. This gives Tigercat with minimum fuel consumption. The N67 provides maximum design control and allows for enhanced outstanding reliability, low fuel consumption and high commonality of spare parts across different machine performance. models.els.

Power output for the Tier 2 FPT engine option at 2,100 rpm is:

• 610E - 159 kW (213 hp) • 615E - 168 kW (225 hp) • 620E - 168 kW (225 hp) • 630E - 198 kW (266 hp) • 635E - 198 kW (266 hp)

The E-series skidders are now available with a Tigercat FPT Tier 2 engine option in Australia and New Zealand.

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160348 btb.indd 2 2016-03-17 10:41 AM TIGERCAT POWERED H855D Tigercat releases Tier 4f equipped D-series harvesters for North America and Europe.

processing applications. High horsepower allows the carriers to maintain hydraulic fl ow as the pressure increases, maintaining quick feed speeds and signifi cantly boosting productivity. The H855D series carriers are an excellent fi t with the Tigercat 575 harvesting head.

For steep slope applications, the LH855D features Tigercat’s patented leveling system, providing exceptional stability in steep slope applications. It uses two massive hydraulic cylinders and heavy steel sections for a solution that is both simple and robust. Due The new H855D track . to the unique geometry of the leveling system, the New for 2016 are the H855D and LH855D harvesters machine is well balanced on slopes. In addition, the equipped with the fuel-effi cient Tigercat FPT N67 Tier ramped undercarriage (both the front idler and the 4f engine operating at 210 kW (282 hp). Tigercat FPT rear gearbox are set higher than the centreline of the engines offer improved reliability, lower long term undercarriage) allows the machines to easily drive up maintenance costs and full support by Tigercat and over rocks and stumps. the Tigercat dealer network. Tigercat will continue to offer the H855C and LH855C for markets that do not require Tier 4 emissions compliance.

The H855D series harvesters are available with two-piece or telescopic ER boom systems. Tigercat’s patented ER boom technology allows the machine operator to extend and retract the boom on a horizontal plane smoothly and quickly using a single joystick. The stick boom or ‘reach’ joystick controls both the main and stick booms simultaneously, resulting in the attachment moving either away from or toward the operator. The main boom and tilt functions operate in the traditional manner to adjust the height and angle of the attachment.

The engine and hydraulic system are specifi cally Tigercat’s stable leveler design is simple and robust. designed to achieve maximum performance and minimum fuel consumption in harvesting and

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160348 btb.indd 3 2016-03-17 10:41 AM D-SERIES LOGGERS

Tigercat has released the D-series shovel loggers in North America. Operating at 210 kW (282 hp), the Tigercat FPT powered S855D and LS855D meet Tier 4 emission requirements. Tigercat FPT engines offer improved reliability and lower long-term maintenance costs. Best of all, the engines are fully supported by Tigercat and the Tigercat dealer network. Tigercat will continue to offer the C-series shovel loggers in South America, Australia and New Zealand.

The S855D shovel loggers are a uniquely versatile solution for steep slope and sensitive LS855D working in Oregon with a 5195 directional . site logging applications. The S855D is a quick, The LS855D is equipped with Tigercat’s patented nimble and powerful carrier – well suited to felling, leveling system, providing exceptional stability in pre-bunching and shovel logging on steep terrain. The steep slope applications. It uses two massive hydraulic S855D is commonly equipped with a feller director cylinders and heavy steel sections for a solution that is boom and the Tigercat 5195 directional felling head both simple and robust. The unique geometry of the for felling and shovel logging. leveling system promotes balance, poise and stability on slopes. In addition, the ramped undercarriage Alternatively, the carriers can be equipped with a live allows the machines to easily drive up over rocks and heel boom system and grapple for pure shovel logging.gg g sstumps.tumps. Along with the high fl otation undercarriage,iage, this is an excellent confi guration for southern US sstyletyle log mamat-t- based lowland logging applications. Excellent access to With the patented Tigercat ER boom andd engine, pumps and other components. energy recovery swing system, the S855DD series shovel loggers can cost effectively forward wood to roadside in steep or wetet soil conditions up to distances of 80-100 m (260-330 ft). A shovel logger can be strategically located in challenging partss of ththee cut block to forward trees to the skidderr oorr ffellell and bunch for a yarding system.

Unlike excavator-based shovel loggers wwithith addadd-- on forestry packages, the S855D and LS855D855D are purpose-built for heavy duty forestryy applications. The effi cient hydraulic system is optimized for shovel logging andnd felling with a directional felling head.

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160348 btb.indd 4 2016-03-17 10:41 AM NEW LX830D FELLER BUNCHER

With tight tuck boom geometry and near zero tail swing, the Tigercat LX830D track feller buncher is a powerful, yet compact machine well suited to selective felling and clear fell applications. The new Tigercat FPT powered LX830D takes the steep slope feller buncher to the next level with a number of improvements aimed at service access, ergonomics and hydraulic effi ciency.

The 245 kW (330 hp) Tigercat FPT C87 Tier 4f engine is housed in a completely redesigned upper enclosure with signifi cantly improved right hand side visibility. At the push of a button, the clamshell style enclosure fully opens with side platforms for easy access to critical components including hydraulic fi lters, the swing gearbox, cooling system components and both sides of the engine. The redesign also allows for a larger standard fuel tank, which increases capacity to 585 L (155 US gal) and includes ground level fueling. An LX830D track feller buncher working in Oregon. A new cab structure with narrower front posts and larger side windows enhances visibility. The skylight has been replaced by a camera PPoweredowered clamshell ststyleyle enclosure offers system providing the operator with a much wwiderider uunprecedentednprecedented service access. fi eld of view. The LX830D is now standard equipped with LED lighting for improved productivity in night shift operations.

The updated cab interior is quieter and instrumentation has been thoughtfully placedd to optimize ergonomics. The electronic controlol system interface includes an easy-to-use 18 cm (7 in) colour touchscreen for machine monitoring and function adjustment. There arere also multiple mounting points for additional electronicronic devices, an auxiliary input port, Bluetooth® audio with hands free calling and two 12 VDCDC power outlets.

Tigercat’s patented leveling system provides exceptional stability in steep slope applications.ns. With massive cylinders, thick steel and tapereded roller bearings, the leveling system provides reliabilityity and long life.

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160348 btb.indd 5 2016-03-17 10:41 AM The LH855C harvester operated by Matthew Muskett follows the L830C, piloted by Andrew Muskett. The large pine is processed infi eld and forwarded to roadside. FAMILY LOGGING LEGACY IN TASMANIA – Paul Iarocci Between two pine crews, Hobart, Tasmania based operation. They can maintain production with the B.R. & K.F. Muskett & Sons supply the Norske Skog three machine system if the piece size is greater than Boyer mill with nearly a quarter of its weekly intake. 1,5 tonne. “In poor timber we will bring in a second Built in 1941 and originally owned by Australian harvester,” explains Kevin. Newsprint Mills Pty Ltd., it was the fi rst mill in the southern hemisphere to make paper from eucalyptus The company purchased the three Tigercat machines fi bre. It has only had three owners in its 75 year as a complete system, breaking away from the history. The Muskett’s – fourth-generation loggers Komatsu gear that they have traditionally run. “The operating a 50-year-old family business – are closely Tigercats are good machines and we get good support tied to the mill. from Dave’s crew at Onetrak,” says Kevin.

BTB caught up with Kevin Muskett and sons, “We have an L870C buncher and an H855C harvester Matthew and Andrew, last October where one of the on the other pine operation,” Kevin adds. This crew pine crews was working a radiata site and producing is managed by Kevin’s brother Geoffrey who doubles around 2 000 m3 (approximately 2,000 tns) per as the L870C operator. Geoffrey’s two sons also work week with a Tigercat L830C feller buncher, an on the crew. Nicholas is on the Tigercat H855C and LH855C harvester and a 1075B . Kevin’s Cassidy operates the loader. The company also runs sons Matthew and Andrew operate the LH855C and two sites and twelve haul trucks. L830C as well as being responsible for running the

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160348 btb.indd 6 2016-03-17 10:41 AM machine availability. “Reliability of the gear and planning is very important. The buncher can’t get very far ahead of the rest of the system or the wood will sit on the ground too long and we can’t stockpile at roadside for too long, so everything has to be working with a very high availability rate.”

Kevin acknowledges that the Tigercat machinery is very productive. For instance, the company has never owned a forwarder with the lifting capacity and stability of the 1075B. “We are very happy with it,” confi rms Kevin.

Typically, the terrain is steep and rocky. “The LH855C does a bit of shovelling on steep ground,” explains Kevin. Although (L-R) Kevin, Matthew and Andrew Muskett. it slows the production rate for processing, it improves the effi ciency and balance of Geoffrey routinely deals with some highly challenging the overall operation. “We track up the working conditions in the forwarder when it gets really Florentine Valley in southwest The company has never owned a steep.” And when it gets Tasmania where limestone forwarder with the lifting capacity and really, really steep, the L830C sinkholes litter the 30-year-old stability of the 1075B. will fell for a . pine plantations. He works closely with the Forestry “We are very happy with it.” Kevin says that Muskett & Practices Authority and Sons just recently renewed – Kevin Muskett Norske Skog who map and the mill contract and Norske mark every sinkhole. Muskett Skog seems to be doing all & Sons was recognized in 2015 with an award for the right things to guarantee future success in a state exemplary performance related to the sinkholes and cont’d on page 8 shovel logging on steep slopes.

Kevin continues listing family members. “My brother Robert supervises the workshop and my sister, Helen, manages the offi ce and Brian and Kath are my parents.” The company has approximately 50 employees in total.

Hot logging The major challenge of the pine operations is that the wood can’t stand at roadside for more than two weeks. According to Kevin, the ability to meet just in time harvesting and delivery requirements is highly dependent on (L-R) Robert, Kevin, Nicholas (Tiny) and Geoffrey Muskett.

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160348 btb.indd 7 2016-03-17 10:41 AM cont’d from page 7 where the vast majority of the fi bre is destined for export. The mill turns out two grades of newsprint as well as high quality glossy paper for magazines, which turned out to be a bit of a saviour. Kevin explains that Norske Skog completed the capital investment project two years ago. Faced with a shrinking market for newsprint in Australia, volatile Asian markets and a strong Australian dollar, the company spent $84 million (AUD) to convert one of the mill’s paper machines to produce high quality glossy paper for magazines. This represents one of the fi rst new major investments in the Tasmanian forest industry in some time. So these days Kevin is feeling good about his business, his major customer and the general health of the industry.

Watch Muskett & Sons’ operation in action on Tigercat TV: www.tigercat.com/videos

The powerful Tigercat crane and large capacity Tigercat grapple adds to the productivity of the 1075B.

The Tigercat 1075B with the LH855C in the background. Running a three machine system in a hot logging scenario requires confi dence in the gear and high machine availability according to Kevin Muskett.

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160348 btb.indd 8 2016-03-17 10:41 AM LOWLAND LOGGING – Samantha Paul, Tigercat marketing

One of the three Dopson crews. (L-R) Billy Robertson ( operator), Henry Brown aka Pine Cone (loader operator), Pedro Zarraga (truck driver), Charlie Dopson, Timmy Dopson, Glynn Lambert (loader operator), Jimmy Watkins (Tidewater sales specialist), Don Snively (Tigercat district manager).

Dopson is a well-known name around the The Dopsons are swamp loggers. Until very recently, they hadn’t cut a dry tract in over six years. Typically Tigercat factories. Charlie and Timmy they are shovel logging in the swamps using their new Dopson are partners of Dopson Timber 860C feller buncher equipped with a 5702 felling LLC and their enthusiasm and loyalty to the saw to fell and build the log mat. The S860C shovel Tigercat brand is undeniable. logger reaches to each side Hard work and faith in of the mat to retrieve all the the Lord are vital to the “The equipment is the best but it is the felled timber, loading the Dopson logging operations. people at Tigercat and that personal C640 clambunk. Usually they Based out of Valdosta, GA, touch you don’t get anywhere else.” won’t need to use all three skidders at the same time. Dopson Timber LLC runs – Timmy Dopson three harvesting crews. The They will run the 635E and Tigercat equipment line-up is the clambunk or the newer impressive with fi fteen machines: two 250D loaders, 630E and the 635E. They keep the older 2006 630C one 250 loader, two 860 series track feller bunchers, as a back up. one 845C track feller buncher, two S860 series shovel loggers, one 726D drive-to-tree feller buncher, a 635E How it started six- skidder, a 630E and a 630C grapple skidder, Charlie and Timmy were born into logging. Charlie a C640 clambunk skidder and two 234 loaders. is Timmy’s uncle and they are ten years apart in age. cont’d on page 10 between the BRANCHES | 9

160348 btb.indd 9 2016-03-17 10:41 AM cont’d from page 9 Charlie’s parents (Timmy’s grandparents) raised Timmy. Charlie was the youngest son and Timmy was the oldest grandson so they spent a lot of time together and grew up like close brothers. As a fourth- generation logger, Timmy began working in the woods when he was sixteen-years-old with Charlie, Charlie’s father and grandfather. Charlie’s father would pick them up from the bus and take them to the woods. When they were in high school, they would log any chance they could. 2014 Tigercat 635E skidder dragging a full load to the landing. Ten years ago in 2006, Charlie and Timmy broke out on their 2005 has over 25,000 hours on it and it keeps up with own to start a new logging venture with a Tigercat the newer models.” 240 loader, a Tigercat 845B feller buncher and a John Dopson Timber purchases equipment from Tidewater Deere skidder. “The Tigercats held up bar none,” says sales specialist Jimmy Watkins, who has been with Charlie. “When you get it out here in the woods for Tidewater Equipment since 1989 and actually sold the fi rst year, everything works good. But if you want Charlie’s father his fi rst piece of Tigercat equipment, a something that is going to hold up for close to ten 726B feller buncher. “I feel like I am part of the family years, it’s only Tigercat equipment that will hold up.” and reckon I am part Dopson,” says Jimmy. Timmy adds, “Our 630C has over 20,000 hours on it and it is still dragging wood. Our 250 loader from “Tidewater is very good to us,” says Charlie. “They treat us good. They do everything they can to help us when we need them. I am not sure about other parts of the country, but down here in Georgia Tigercat is very well represented.”

Company growth Dopson Timber has grown substantially over the last ten years, now with twenty people on the payroll including sixteen operators, two truck drivers, a mechanic and secretary. Up until March, Timmy operated the feller buncher and Charlie operated the loader. Timmy now operates the newest 250D they received six weeks ago and Charlie manages the crews. Timmy really likes the look and feel of the new 250D cab and all the Their most recent purchase, a 2016 860C feller buncher with 5702 felling saw, additional storage compartments. “The cutting in a hardwood swamp. Machine operated by Daniel Roberts.

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160348 btb.indd 10 2016-03-17 10:41 AM electric joysticks take a little bit to get used to but they don’t get hot and you don’t need to worry about any hydraulic oil leaks,” explains Timmy.

Charlie ran a loader for most of his career. As the company continued to grow, he was fi nding it diffi cult to manage three crews and operate at the same time but he wishes he could be back on the loader most days. Charlie’s cousin and his father-in-law do the trucking. Charlie’s wife, Belinda, plays a big role in the business by managing all the administrative work.

“Timmy and I aren’t great businessmen but we know how to log and the good Lord has blessed us,” says Charlie. “When we fi rst started we probably loaded 35 to 40 loads per week with one skidder, loader and feller buncher.” Now, when they are cutting hardwood Tigercat owner and CEO, Ken MacDonald, catching up with Timmy Dopson at the Tidewater Demo Day in April 2015. in the swamp they push out 25 loads per day. Pine sites can be closer to 30 loads Part of the Tigercat family per day or 100-150 loads per week. They try to put 28-30 tons of wood on each truck. All their hardwood Timmy has visited the Tigercat factory once and is goes to Beasley Forest Products based in Hazlehurst, planning to visit again soon. Charlie wants to join GA, the largest hardwood sawmill in the US. him, however he is not too sure about fl ying. When asked what it is that they love so much about Tigercat, Timmy responds, “The equipment is the best but it is the people at Tigercat and that personal touch you don’t get anywhere else.”

At forestry events and live demos, Timmy will often meet up for a beer with the Tigercat guys to fi nd out about the latest product developments and exchange information and ideas. Even Tigercat owner and CEO, Ken MacDonald, will take time out of his busy schedule to catch up with Timmy at a local show. “I can’t call up the owner or president of these huge companies, but I have Mr. Ken MacDonald’s number in my phone and he knows my name and

The C640 clambunk skidder pulling a massive load on the log mat. Machine cont’d on page 12 operated by Pablo Zarraga.

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160348 btb.indd 11 2016-03-17 10:41 AM cont’d from page 11

The S860C shovel logger, operated by Hector Zarraga, loading the C640 clambunk.

that is what I love. We aren’t just another number to introduced us to Mr. Wayne Smith who helped Tigercat,” says Timmy. us get started in the swamp logging business. The TV shows make it look like this type of business is When Charlie is not managing crews, he is spending cutthroat, but it’s not like that,” says Charlie. Timmy time with his thirteen- and sixteen-year-old sons and recalls, “When we fi rst started out, we bought a watching them play baseball. “My eight-year-old used skidder from Mr. Wayne and he had no idea daughter is starting to get into softball too. I love who we were. At that time, all we had was four watching them play. It helps as a stress relief,” says pieces of Tigercat machines, a radio, a , a Charlie. When Timmy isn’t operating the loader, he Chevy pick-up and three guys in it. One of the fi rst enjoys spending time with his fi ancé, duck hunting or days logging on our own we had a hose leak and working out. “I like to shoot birds and lift weights, I we needed an air compressor to take a bolt out. We reckon that is about all I do,” says Timmy. didn’t have an air compressor to get that bolt out. Mr. Wayne was going to drive 130 miles with his air Karma compressor to help us out. That was the type of help Timmy has two brothers that work on their father’s we got from other loggers when we fi rst started and own logging crew. The two companies share a service we like to do the same whenever we can.” shop. “Charlie and Timmy not only help Timmy’s Watch the S860C shovel logger and C640 clambunk father’s logging crew, they help everyone in the area working on Dopson’s swamp site on Tigercat TV: out when they need it,” says Jimmy Watkins. www.tigercat.com/videos Charlie adds, “We have had a lot of help from other loggers so we like to return the favour. Jimmy

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160348 btb.indd 12 2016-03-17 10:41 AM KEEPING IT CLEAN – Chris Armour, technical marketing writer

Although logging machines are at home in the mud trucks will not deliver the volume of water required and dust, keeping your Tigercat equipment clean to remove mud or debris from a big machine and the is one of the easiest and most economical ways to temptation will be for the operator to compensate by preserve your investment. Accumulated mud can turning up the pressure/nozzle setting too high. damage track rollers. Sand will wear down pins and bearings. Wood debris build-up in machine enclosures Always remove belly pans and other covers to is a serious fi re hazard. Pressure washing is the best manually clear out combustible debris. This will also choice for cleaning large equipment quickly but allow the water to drain out quickly. precautions must be taken to ensure over-aggressive Always remember to wear appropriate personal pressure washing doesn’t damage your machine. protective equipment (PPE) – especially safety glasses – when running a pressure washer. The General guidelines washing process can throw up chunks of rock, soil In general, it is best to choose an industrial-grade or wood that could cause injury. If you are washing pressure washer that can deliver a high volume of hot the machine from above with a boom lift, check water at lower pressure. Use medium pressure settings, your local safety regulations for working at heights. below 1,200 psi and mild detergent soaps. Use the Remember the boom lift platform may be slippery higher volume, lower pressure nozzle setting for all when wet. machine cleaning rather than the concentrated, high- There are a few specifi c areas of special concern pressure setting or dedicated high-pressure nozzle. that you need to be aware of when cleaning High pressure spray can damage paint, penetrate Tigercat machines – polycarbonate windows, electrical connections and remove labels. Household pressure washers intended for passenger cars or cont’d on page 14

Accumulated sand and mud damages track components. Cleaning your machine is one of the easiest and most economical ways to preserve your investment.

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160348 btb.indd 13 2016-03-17 10:41 AM cont’d from page 13 electrical components, coolers, and the engine and Radiators and coolers aftertreatment equipment. Cleaning debris out of the cooling package on the Polycarbonate windows machine will help to maintain the heat transfer effi ciency of the radiators. However, aggressive use Polycarbonate is an incredibly strong material and of a fi ne, focused spray could damage radiator fi ns or a key component in Tigercat operator cabins. The even cause a coolant/oil leak. Preclean the coolers fi rst windows are further enhanced with an anti-abrasion with compressed air to blow major debris out from the and ultra-violet (UV) resistant coating. However, opposite direction to the normal airfl ow. Then, use a polycarbonate is a softer material than glass and low pressure wash setting and keep the nozzle well out requires special care to ensure it and the special of contact with the fi ns themselves. This will remove coating do not get damaged. pitch, pine needles or dust that may be wedged into Here are a few points to remember with polycarbonate the coolers. windows: Engine and aftertreatment 1) Never use abrasive or alkaline cleaners containing ammonia. Cleaning the engine compartment regularly is an important step in preventing accumulation of the 2) Never scrape with squeegees, razor blades or other potentially fl ammable wood debris next to hot engine sharp instruments. and hydraulic components. However, care must be taken to avoid damage to critical engine components. 3) Don’t clean polycarbonate in the hot sun or at elevated temperatures as this can lead to staining. First turn off your machine and allow the engine to cool down before washing – hitting a hot engine 4) Never use aromatic or halogenated solvents with cold water could crack the engine block or other like toluene, benzene, gasoline, acetone or carbon components. Never use a pressure washer or a steam tetrachloride. cleaner in the engine compartment since this area Only use warm water below 65°C (150°F) to clean contains so many sensitive components. Just use a the windows and a gentle pressure wash setting. Mild garden hose (approximately 70 psi) and avoid spraying soaps and detergents that do not contain ammonia components such as the air ducts/fi lters, the Electronic can be used to remove dirt and tree sap but the Control Unit (ECU), alternator and fuse boxes. Open windows must be rinsed thoroughly and gently hand belly pan access doors to allow debris to be washed dried with a moist, soft cloth, cellulose sponge or away. chamois to prevent water spotting. Using overly hot On machines equipped with Tigercat FPT Tier water, aggressive cleaning or the wrong chemicals 4 engines, it is critical to avoid spraying water can result in crazing which causes a clouding of the directly into the exhaust pipe as it may damage the window surface. Crazing can ultimately result in a aftertreatment system sensors in the exhaust pipe. loss of physical strength and increase the potential for fractures. After cleaning, always check that the Keeping your machine clean is important. Follow windows are not scratched and rubber edge mouldings these guidelines and consult the detailed washing are properly secured with their steel retaining strips. instructions in your operator’s manual. Your Tigercat machine will look as good as it works. Electrical components Do not allow direct pressure water spray to come in contact with fuse boxes, electrical connectors, electronic components, wiring harnesses or the alternator. Avoid water contact in and around these locations.

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160348 btb.indd 14 2016-03-17 10:41 AM LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON – Samantha Paul, Tigercat marketing

Mikael (left) and Jaj (right) Johansson operate the scarifying operations of family business JMB Skogsentreprenad AB.

BTB discovers how two unique Tigercat municipality surrounded by small lakes, big boulders, vast forests and the best downhill skiing in the area. 1075B scarifi ers are effi ciently preparing There has been four generations of Johansson the soil for replanting in Sweden. loggers working in the woods here in Lima, starting Tigercat customers Jan-Olof (Jaj) and son Mikael in 1925 with Jaj’s grandfather, Johan, hand felling Johansson of JMB Skogsentreprenad AB (JMB) with just a . In 1995, Jaj Johansson allowed BTB to visit them in beautiful Sweden to took over his father Edwin’s company with his show us how they are using Tigercat 1075B scarifi ers two brothers naming it JMB for Jaj, Mats and to prepare the soil for replanting. Bengt. Several years later the brothers split up the work with Mats running the logging crew, Bengt Preparing the soil for replanting is generally referred running the trucks and Jaj managing the scarifying to as scarifi cation, which is a process of breaking up operations with his twenty-six-year-old son Mikael. the untamed surface after the land has been harvested. A heavy-duty carrier equipped with a disc or trenching Two of a kind attachment is used to break through the branches and For the scarifying operations, Jaj Johansson owns leftover tops to expose the soil to more light, water two Tigercat 1075 series confi gured for and access to nutrients, which encourages strong scarifi cation with Bracke T26 rear arms and two healthy root formation and boosts productivity. custom fabricated scarifying arms mounted on the rear Johansson family frame just behind the centre section. One machine is operated by Jaj and one by Mikael. “It works very well JMB is based outside of Lima, a small village four with just the two of us working together,” says Jaj. hours northwest of Stockholm, in the Malung-Sälen cont’d on page 16

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160348 btb.indd 15 2016-03-17 10:41 AM cont’d from page 15 The original 1075 scarifi er was purchased nine years ago in 2007 and now has 15,000 hours on it. The transmission is still running very strong and the entire machine has always worked very well with minimal breakdowns. The second machine is a 2014 Tigercat 1075B scarifi er, which is driven by Mikael.

Typically scarifi ers are equipped with two or three arm attachments mounted to the rear of the machine. To increase productivity, Jaj and Mikael have built two additional arms in the middle of the machine that extend out to each side. This makes for a very unique and productive set of scarifi ers. Jaj Johansson speaks very highly of Tigercat’s super-durable, thick plated centre section. The scarifying season have a trailer they sleep in during the week and try “You really have to be able to read the terrain as a to save Saturday and Sunday for family, friends, scarifying operator in Sweden,” says Jaj. JMB faces motorsports or moose hunting. everything from swamps to steep slopes to gigantic Since scarifying cannot take place when the ground is boulders. However, JMB pushes through the long frozen, they typically have to stop operation from mid- ten to twelve hour shifts in the summer months to December to the beginning of March. Jaj and Mikael take advantage of the long daylight hours, typically use the winter months to carefully inspect and service covering 3 000 ha per year (7,410 ac). Jaj and Mikael the machines. In their 160 m2 (1,720 ft2) shop, they go above and beyond a typical seasonal service to ensure maximum uptime and machine availability for the next demanding summer season. “That is the key to success,” says Tigercat AB sales specialist Sven- Ake Stenberg. JMB also plans ahead and will store critical spare parts in their garage just in case something breaks down during the summer season.

Forest covers roughly 70% of Sweden, extending over 28 million ha (70 million ac). Of this area almost 23 million ha (57 million ac) are productive forestland. The entire harvesting “You really have to be able to read the terrain as a scarifying operator in Sweden,” says Jaj. Operators have to constantly look out the rear of the machine to know when to lift the rotation in Sweden can be an trenching arms to avoid sparks fl ying from the metal disc trencher scraping over the rocks. 16 | between the BRANCHES

160348 btb.indd 16 2016-03-17 10:41 AM Four arms allow for wider scarifying rows to cover the land more quickly and effi ciently.

80-100 year cycle. First, the existing wood is Why Tigercat? harvested. Then, according to Swedish regulations, the land must sit for two years before scarifying. Next the As for most forestry business owners, the main goal high ballers will come in and manually for Jaj and Mikael is to pay off their equipment and plant the seedlings. This is then followed by fi rst use that equipment for a couple more years after the and second thinning prior to a fi nal fell harvest. The fi nancing term is over. “I think it is only Tigercat scarifying portion of this cycle is vital to boost growth that can deliver this for us,” says Jaj. “You hear from right from the start. other loggers in the area that experience many more breakdowns than us and they The Programme for the aren’t even scarifying.” Both Endorsement of Forest “The visibility is very nice out the front the machine and the driver take Certifi cation (PEFC) is and the back which is very important very hard hits working in these the world’s leading forest for us to steer clear of boulders.” conditions, so durability was certifi cation organization. a top priority in the purchase – Jaj Johannson As an international non- decision. profi t, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting sustainable Both Mikael and his father are forest management, the PEFC continues to add very tall with Mikael being 200 cm (6 ft 5 in) tall and more regulations affecting small forest owners and Jaj at 193 cm tall (6 ft 2 in), so they especially like the ultimately, the contractors in Sweden and other parts spacious Tigercat cab. “I don’t understand why other of Europe. “New environmental rules such as oil leaks manufacturers have such small cabs when the machine are now making it cost a lot to just drive,” states Jaj. is so big,” says Mikael. “We can run up to twelve hour Therefore JMB requires durable equipment that will shifts so it is very nice when you have enough room last that much longer as these costs affect the bottom for your cooler of food for the day.” line more and more each year. cont’d on page 18

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160348 btb.indd 17 2016-03-17 10:41 AM cont’d from page 17 “The visibility is very nice out the front and the back which is very important for us to steer clear of boulders,” adds Jaj.

The standard tires were removed from the 1075B in place of larger 23.5x25 tires for longer life and higher ground clearance in this rocky terrain. The larger add about 8 cm (3 in) more ground clearance. The larger bogie also helps with fl otation and low ground pressure. “The underbody has taken a lot of hits with boulders but it holds up great,” says Mikael.

The legacy continues Jaj and Mikael have built two additional arms in the middle of the machine The Johansson men truly enjoy the – one arm extending out from the left-hand-side of the machine and one feeling of freedom being in the woods extending from the right – to increase productivity. every day and have been doing so for on season 42 and is shooting for 50 seasons before 90 years with Edwin Johansson, Jaj’s father, retirement. BTB is honoured to see JMB relying scarifying professionally until he was 75-years-old. on Tigercat’s scarifi ers to continue the legacy to 50 The Johansson’s will soon reach their 100 year successful scarifying seasons! anniversary in the woods, which is cause for celebration! Tigercat AB sales specialist, Sven-Ake Watch the scarifying process on Tigercat TV: has known Jaj for 30 years now and JMB can always www.tigercat.com/videos rely on his support in the woods. Jaj is currently WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE Check out Tigercat’s new website in multi languages... . En Français, www.tigercat.com/fr/ . En Español, www.tigercat.com/es/ . Em Portugues, www.tigercat.com/pt-pt/ . на русском, www.tigercat.com/ru/ . På svenska, www.tigercat.com/sv/

www.tigercat.com

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160348 btb.indd 18 2016-03-17 10:41 AM REMOTE CONTROL

The landing strip. There are a lot of challenges associated with remote logging operations.

Tiwi people take control of acacia plantation operation and begin to build stronger economy on remote Melville Island off the north coast of Australia. – Paul Iarocci

Darwin is the most northerly city in Australia, Long forestry history spotlessly clean, modern and warm. 80 km (50 mi) offshore – where the Arafura Sea joins the Timor However, the island’s forestry history predates all of Sea – are a couple of islands separated by a narrow these developments, beginning in the late 1800s. The winding channel, the Apsley Strait. These islands fi rst sawmill built on Melville Island produced cypress have been occupied by the Tiwi people for some pine that was used to rebuild Darwin after a 60,000 years, separated from the mainland since devastating cyclone in 1897 and sawmilling remained the end of the last ice age, about 12,000 years ago. as an industry on the island until the early seventies. (It is interesting to note that Darwin was rebuilt twice The two islands, Melville and Bathurst, have a more – once after WWII as a result of Japanese air 2 2 combined area of 8 320 km (3,200 mi ). Today, close raids and again after Cyclone Tracey in 1974 – hence to 30 000 ha (74,000 ac) – amounting to fi ve percent the modern look.) of Melville Island – are planted with acacia and pine. The fi rst plantations on the island were developed In 2005, Sylvatech Limited was purchased by Great in 1960 by the Northern Territory government at Southern Group which became insolvent in 2009, Snake Bay. By the time the government abandoned its along with many other managed investment schemes forestry project in 1986, 3 900 ha (9,600 ac) of pine in Australia around that time. Both the Receiver had been established, along with the initial acacia Managers and Administrators of Great Southern then trials. In 1999, Sylvatech Limited (formerly known disclaimed the leases on the Tiwi Islands and the Tiwi as the Australian Plantation Group) and the Tiwi quickly concluded they would have to take control of Land Council received approvals to plant 26 000 ha the acacia plantations, establishing Tiwi Plantations (64,000 ac) of hardwood. cont’d on page 20

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160348 btb.indd 19 2016-03-17 10:41 AM cont’d from page 19 Australia for the export of woodchips to Asia. In addition, the port has the potential to serve other customers and business sectors in northern Australia including the oil and gas industry.

In early 2014 Mitsui, TPC, Tiwi Aboriginal Land Trust and PMP signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing to the purchase and sale of up to 400 000 tonnes of chips annually for a period of up to fi ve years. With a port and a market in place, the next step for PMP was to evaluate the harvesting equipment, chippers and trucking capacity TPC would require to produce and deliver the required annual A wall of acacia. volume to Port Melville. The fl at terrain lends itself well to the use of drive-to-tree feller Corporation Trust (TPC) to manage the plantations bunchers and PMP and TPC quickly established that on behalf of the traditional landowners.

New deal In 2011, the Tiwi Aboriginal Land Trust granted an exclusive licence to TPC to manage the silviculture, harvest, export and marketing of the wood fi bre. In order to accomplish this, TPC partnered with Plantation Management Partners Pty Ltd (PMP) which developed and manages all of the operations including harvesting and transport as well as the Port Melville woodchip export facility. Based in Darwin, PMP has a southeast Asian market focus and is one of the largest independent forest management companies in the region.

Concurrent with all these developments, the Tiwi, with the help of PMP, also attracted third party investment to reconstruct the wharf. Originally built by Great Southern Group, it sustained signifi cant damage in 2007. The newly constructed Port Melville facility also houses a fuel depot and modern camp-style worker accommodation. The favourable geographic position of the deep water port offers competitive advantages over other ports in Southern PMP regional manager, Quinten Pope, looks out over a cutblock.

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160348 btb.indd 20 2016-03-17 10:41 AM It looks great on the surface but what lurks beneath are bull sharks and saltwater crocodiles.

a feller buncher and skidder combined with an infi eld operator can take the most direct route to the landing. chipper would be the optimal system. More points for the shear.

The operation “A fi nancial and risk assessment put us toward shears and Tigercat,” explains Quinten. “We went PMP regional manager, Quinten Pope, has been on to Western Australia and watched and shears Melville Island for nine years. He explains that one of working in the blue gum and felt pretty comfortable. the big questions was whether to equip the machines We worried a little about cutting cycle times but that with disc saws or shears. A number has turned out not to be a problem. of criteria factored into the decision The buncher can generally stay ahead and the fi nal analysis strongly of the skidder and chipper and the suggested the shear to be the best whole harvesting system is staying choice. ahead of the trucking.” Since the operation is remote, anything that First off, there are really only two reduces maintenance, complexity and types of weather on the Tiwi Islands, the potential for downtime is a big 32°C (90°F) and sunny or 32°C (90°F) plus. The Tigercat bunching shears and raining. The prolonged six-month benefi t from extremely high uptime dry season signifi cantly escalates along with very low maintenance the risk of fi re – especially when a requirements. great piece of steel is whirling around at high speed striking rocks. Score PMP and TPC eventually settled on one point for the shear. The shear two identical systems comprised of can effectively cut much lower than a 724E feller buncher with a 2000 a disc saw since the shear isn’t so series shear and a 630D skidder susceptible to wear from abrasive soil Then there are the snakes, ants and feeding a Peterson 5000H delimber/ and rock, so fi bre recovery is higher spiders. debarker chipper. Six haul trucks and the stumps are lower. This carries are initially serving the two logging over to reduced wear and tear on the skidder tires and operators. There is no need for skidder tracks and the cont’d on page 22

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160348 btb.indd 21 2016-03-17 10:41 AM cont’d from page 21 sets and the average distance from plantation to port is 41 km (25 mi).

The entire forestry operation including operators, maintenance, support and offi ce staff employs about 50 people, of whom half are Tiwi including most of the truck drivers, one loader operator and some of the workshop employees. Being a new operation, a lot of operators have rotated through the machines for training and evaluation.

Form and piece size provide challenges to the harvesting system, but the feller buncher operators are able to accumulate good sized bunches. 724E operator, Brett Crawford, is happy both with the performance and reliability of his machine so far, simply stating, “It’s bullet proof.” Though the acacia stem form is less than optimal, the feller buncher operators are The skidder alternates between long able to accumulate nice sized bunches and are achieving good production. and short distance skids to keep Most of the challenges PMP and TPC face are directly steady fl ow to the chipper, hauling around four related to the unique tropical island environment. tonnes per drag. Totalling over 700 km (435 mi), the Because there is virtually no rainfall during much well developed road network within the plantations of the harvesting season, the amount of dust in the virtually guarantees 400 m (440 yd) maximum harvesting blocks is extreme. When the rain comes, skidding distances.

The heat and dust are unforgiving. The operators run the working lights in broad daylight. Note the absence of stumps in the foreground. The shears sever the trees nearly fl ush with the ground so the skidder operators are unrestricted and free to aim directly for the chipper at roadside. 22 | between the BRANCHES

160348 btb.indd 22 2016-03-17 10:41 AM The conveyors deployed in the screening and stockpiling are repurposed during loading to move the chips between the reclaim hopper and the ship.

over 2 000 mm (79 in) during the wet season that PMP and TPC developed a novel system to runs from November to May, it can shut down the temporarily repurpose the conveyers normally operation. deployed in the screening and stockpiling process to instead move the chips between the reclaim hopper “Now that we have produced enough for two and the ship. Quinten was pleased with this aspect ships, we are starting to get a good feel for cost of of the system. “Our loading system of conveyors production and are starting to see some great results, worked well from the hopper to ship loader. We with a number of signifi cant improvements to come identifi ed bottlenecks during once we start sweating the the commissioning and have assets,” says Quinten. 724E operator, Brett Crawford, is already made signifi cant happy both with the performance and The fi rst shipment of chips was engineering changes that will reliability of his machine so far, simply ensure the load time will be successfully loaded out in late stating, “It’s bullet proof.” November on the vessel Daio shorter next time around. It is Papyrus, with a second vessel a very effi cient way to deploy to commence loading on February 11th. “I felt we did capital.” well on the loading side since it was a new system and The Tiwi are now busy preparing for the new staff,” says Quinten. “It was a real learning curve re-establishment of the plantation estate for the and really showed the high quality of people we have second rotation. working with us on this project.” The loading process took six and a half days in total as Quinten and the See the acacia harvesting system in action on team were commissioning the ship loading equipment. Tigercat TV: www.tigercat.com/videos “The day shift got pelted with rain on a few days and it was very hot and humid,” adds Quinten.

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160348 btb.indd 23 2016-03-17 10:42 AM US PARTS DISTRIBUTION AND TRAINING CENTRE – Sandra Snively, Georgia parts warehouse manager

The Georgia warehouse staff. Back row (L-R) Chandler Strom (parts receiver), John Bratcher (trainer), Caleb Garner (parts shipper), Zack Strom (parts shipper, admin), Devin Snively (fi eld technician), Glen O’Neal (maintenance, parts assistant). Front row (L-R) Jerry Spainhour (driver), Clint Parham (parts receiver), Don Snively (district manager), Jason O’Neal (parts assistant), Sandra Snively (Georgia parts warehouse manager).

Just over two years ago Tigercat purchased a larger customers with faster turnaround times and stock distribution warehouse in Ailey, GA. We had availability. To support all this, the staff has grown outgrown our 670 m2 (7,200 ft2) facility in Vidalia, from one to nine. GA. This new location is in the centre of our largest hub of business in the US. The 3 000 m2 Training Centre (32,400 ft2) facility has an additional 30 ha (73 ac) of In addition to parts availability, ongoing technical land, allowing ample room for further development training is a key factor to the success of Tigercat’s and growth. dealer network. To that end, a section of the Exemplary customer service is our greatest objective warehouse is outfi tted for hands-on and classroom and we feel this facility offers our greatest opportunity training. The program is being developed and to service our customers anywhere in the US within 24 executed by our in-house trainer, John Bratcher, who hours. A large percentage of dealers and customers are has an extensive background in mechanical repair, within a half day’s drive from this new facility. troubleshooting and teaching.

The warehouse has a new and improved ERP system (Enterprise Resource Planning) to better analyze which items should be stocked at the warehouse based on next day orders. With the new system, we can better stock our Ailey location with frequently requested items, limiting the need to ship these from Canada and giving our customers a faster turnaround time.

As of January 2016, there is a dedicated truck travelling from Georgia to Canada on a weekly basis to replenish parts. By the end of the year we will be adjusting our system to start ordering items direct to the Georgia warehouse. This change will help An advanced Tigercat FPT engine training class for a group of Tigercat dealer service technicians, led by John Bratcher.

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160348 btb.indd 24 2016-03-17 10:42 AM event round-up

EXPOCORMA 2015 Showcase for Tigercat and Latin Equipment Chile at Expocorma 2015 The Chilean forestry industry has been a strong performer for the past two years. Tigercat and dealer, Latin Equipment Chile have established themselves as marketshare leaders. The Chilean forest industry has had a strong focus on improving safety through mechanization especially when it comes to harvesting on steep slopes, which Chile has plenty of.

The need for a reliable felling machine capable of working on steep slopes and handling large radiata pine trees with authority initiated the demand for the Tigercat LS855C shovel logger equipped with the feller director boom and Tigercat 5195 directional felling head. The LS855C allows for much safer felling and shovelling of trees to facilitate the extraction process.

Ground based extraction using shovel logging techniques with the LS855C in combination with the Tigercat 635D and 615C six-wheel skidders has allowed contractors to eat into a large Tigercat CEO, Ken MacDonald, Rodrigo Hermosilla and factory representative, Gary Olsen. portion of their harvest previously only possible with more dangerous manual felling systems with cable yarding extraction. Getting people off the ground and into safe machine cabs is the ultimate objective for Chilean forestry companies.

Tigercat showcased its focus on these same goals at Expocorma by bringing a large contingent of engineering staff as well as owner and CEO, Ken MacDonald. Field visits followed to gather feedback from customers. With Latin Equipment’s recent investment in its Los Ángeles (capital of Biobío province) branch and plans for the same treatment in Valdivia to better support the growing population in this southern region, it is clear that the strategy to remain market leaders is well intact.

The New Zealand trend of tethering tracked machines on steep slopes has also caught the attention of Chilean forestry companies and their contractors. The presence of a number of New Zealand suppliers of tethering technology at the show was a clear indication that this trend is going to be part of the Chilean forest industry as well. Tigercat and Latin Equipment Chile will continue to take part in these important industry events to better understand evolving customer needs.

Impressive show site put on by Latin Equipment Chile.

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160348 btb.indd 25 2016-03-17 10:42 AM facilities update OPTIMIZING CAPACITY Tigercat continues to expand and optimize its manufacturing and logistics capabilities to meet growing demand and the needs of customers. Three major new expansions have recently been completed.

New parts and rebuild facility at 63 Morton Ave in Brantford, ON.

63 MORTON AVE, BRANTFORD 54 MORTON AVE, BRANTFORD In June 2015 Tigercat purchased a 7 400 m2 (80,000 ft2) With the spare parts team moved out of 54 Morton building across the road from the Tigercat head offi ce Ave, the plant has undergone extensive improvements at 54 Morton Ave. After extensive upgrades, the and upgrades to transform it into Tigercat’s cab facility was opened in November 2015 as Tigercat’s manufacturing facility. The offi ce will continue to main spare parts warehouse, customer service centre house administration and technical publications. All and component rebuild facility. Tigercat machine cabs will be produced at 54 Morton from raw steel fabrication to fi nal paint and interior A dedicated team spent four months moving equipment installation. The plug and play cabs thousands of parts across the street from 54 Morton improve the overall assembly process. Ave to the new warehouse and all the while customer orders never stopped shipping. The rebuild department Investments include a new 4,000 watt laser cutter, also moved into its new space. New cranes have been two new brake presses and all new programmable installed and two state-of-the-art hydraulic system test welding equipment. A new blast unit and paint system cells are nearing completion. Brian Jonker, Tigercat is currently being added that will complete the plant parts manager, says, “The larger space along with refi t. “We have a great team of Tigercat employees ongoing IT improvements allow us to be more effi cient drawn from other locations and 54 Morton will be and provide higher quality of service and quicker parts a showcase for our lean manufacturing capabilities,” shipments to our customers.” says Jason Iles, plant manager for the cab production

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160348 btb.indd 26 2016-03-17 10:42 AM Cab production team at 54 Morton Ave in Brantford, ON.

team. Moving cab weldment manufacturing from “This new space will allow us to meet increasing Tigercat’s Woodstock, Ontario plant will allow that demand and have the ability to handle future growth facility to increase its capacity to supply upper frames of Tigercat cut-to-length products,” says Ken Shantz, and undercarriages for Tigercat swing machines. plant manager at 140 Consolidated Drive. “We will focus on streamlining the assembly and reducing the length of time it takes from processing a customer 140 CONSOLIDATED DRIVE, PARIS order to fi nishing a complete machine.” The new Since track machine manufacturing has now home for CTL products also provides more space transitioned to Tigercat’s new plant at 160 to build prototype machines without interfering Consolidated Drive in Paris, the former track machine with standard production. Forwarders and wheeled plant at 140 Consolidated Drive has been dedicated harvesters were previously produced at Tigercat’s to production of forwarders and wheeled harvesters. facility at 100 Savage Drive in Cambridge, Ontario 2 2 The plant covers 3 300 m (35,000 ft ) and has been along with the 600 series skidders. The Savage renovated and updated for maximum productivity. Drive plant will now be wholly dedicated to skidder production.

Forwarder and wheeled harvester team at 140 Consolidated Drive in Paris, ON.

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160348 btb.indd 27 2016-03-17 10:42 AM employee news TIGERCAT FACTORY SUPPORT CONTINUES TO GROW IN SOUTH AMERICA Tigercat is pleased to announce that Pedro Venegas has joined the Tigercat product support team in the position of Chilean factory support representative. Based in Los Ángeles in the south of Chile, Pedro will focus on providing after-sales technical and operational support to Tigercat’s growing customer base in Chile.

Pedro has nine years of experience working in the forestry industry including with Tigercat machines in diverse locations and applications across Chile. Pedro previously worked for Chilean Tigercat dealer, Latin Equipment, specializing in infi eld technical support and training for both carriers and attachments across the product portfolio. Pedro looks forward to further enhancing technical and operational support for Tigercat customers. Pedro Venegas

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Email: [email protected] Internet: www.tigercat.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/Tigercat Tel: 519.753.2000 Mail: P.O. Box 637, Brantford, ON Canada, N3T 5P9 Sign up to receive a personal copy of Between the Branches by subscribing online at www.tigercat.com/btb © 2001 - 2016 Tigercat International Inc. All Rights Reserved. TIGERCAT, WIDERANGE, TURNAROUND, ER, EHS, and TEC, their respective logos, TOUGH RELIABLE PRODUCTIVE, TIGERCAT TV, “Tigercat Orange” and BETWEEN THE BRANCHES, as well as corporate and product identity, are trademarks of Tigercat International Inc., and may not be used without permission. TIGERCAT, TURNAROUND, WIDERANGE and ER, and their respective logos are registered trademarks of Tigercat International Inc.

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