Forest Products Industry

John Deere has introduced new operator assistance features and enhancements on its 900 M-Series Tracked Feller Bunchers, 900 MH-Series Tracked Harvesters and 900 ML-Series Shovel Loggers. Source: Timberbiz With a focus on customer productivity, the updates include an enhanced Dedicated Travel System, which has been updated for greater efficiency and is now a new feature on the 900 M-Series machines. Additionally, the new Return-to-Level functionality and further undercarriage improvements help to enhance durability. These operator assistance feature updates help improve the overall customer experience in variable operational applications. “These performance and functionality enhancements are driven by ongoing customer feedback, which we continuously integrate into our machines,” said Jim O’Halloran, global product marketing manager at John Deere. “The updated operator features and improvements on our 900 Series models empower operators to maximize efficiency with simplified functionality, for exceptional productivity.” The Dedicated Travel System isolates the travel functions from the other functions on the machine. This enables the operator to focus on the task at hand by not allowing boom and swing operations to interfere and slow down the travel functions. In addition, the power balance and availability has been optimized and can be adjusted between the upper and travel functions, allowing priority to the needed operations. Dedicated Travel is standard on the 859M, 953M, and 959M Feller Bunchers, as well as the 959ML Shovel Logger. It remains optional on 853M and 903M Feller Bunchers and 859MH and 959MH Harvesters. The new one-touch Return-To-Level functionality combines multiple leveling system adjustments into one push-and-hold operator input. As the machine moves to a different slope, the rotating upper can be brought to a level position (based on the parameters of the leveling system) by utilizing a simple button function on the joystick. The individual leveling control buttons will remain. This new operator assistance feature has been combined with the field-proven John Deere Slope Monitoring system, which actively measures and displays the slope of the terrain to the operator. These two advanced features allow the operator to focus more on the application machine adjustments. They are available as the new Slope Management System, which is available as an optional upgrade on all John Deere 800 and 900 Series leveling feller bunchers, harvesters, and shovel loggers. In addition to these new performance and productivity features, all 800 and 900 Series leveling feller buncher, harvester and shovel logger models received improvements to the leveling system cylinder pin joints. The leveling cylinder pins have been updated with a larger diameter, tighter machining tolerances, and an improved grease path, enhancing the initial fit and ensuring grease is directed precisely where needed. These updates reduce bearing stresses under load and improve the system’s overall performance. Also, on all 800 and 900 undercarriages, the track frame steps are now weld-ed onto the machine’s frame with additional gusseting to help strengthen them against impact.

UK’s BAM Construction has hailed the simplicity of the refuelling process of JCB’s hydrogen powered Loadall telescopic handler after testing the machine on a major Midlands regeneration project. Source: Timberbiz The company has been trialling the first JCB 540-180H Loadall in Birmingham. Powered by a hydrogen combustion engine developed by JCB at its plant in Derbyshire, the machine offers a zero-carbon emission driveline, that offers the same power and torque characteristics as the conventional diesel-powered model. “We’re starting to explore the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. It was important to get the hydrogen fuel machine on a real construction site. We’ve seen it in test environments, and we know that technically it does work, but putting it to the test on a real site makes a real difference,” Colin Evison BAM’s Innovation Technical Lead said. “We’ve noticed no difference in the way the machine operates. We have to refuel the machine in a different way, but it’s a simple and straightforward process.” JCB has been delivering hydrogen to the site in a refuelling trailer, that simply connects to the Loadall and refuels at the touch of a button. “Sustainability is one of our firm’s core values and we have set ambitious net zero targets. One of those targets is to halve our Scope 3 emissions, compared to our 2019 levels. Scope 3 emissions are the ones that we can influence, but we can’t directly control. A significant part of our Scope 3 emissions is associated with our supply chain, so it’s crucial that we work with the supply chain to reduce emissions, Maggie Hall, BAM’s Environmental Sustainability Manager, said. “The road to net zero will introduce lots of different things to our industry and hydrogen is an important part of that solution. It can be easily serviced and easily refuelled. It’s a really important step to take to reduce our emissions.” JCB Group Director – Special Projects Tim Burnhope said the company had been working for more than three years to develop this hydrogen combustion engine. “We’ve spent that time testing the machines on JCB sites, accumulating over 50,000 hours of testing. “Now we’ve put JCB hydrogen combustion machines on to customer sites. We are proving with our customers that this really can work, that hydrogen can be the future for construction and agricultural equipment, the mobile fuel of the future, and one that is carbon-free, producing nothing but clean steam.”

Remsoft, a leader in Forest Intelligence solutions, has secured a strategic investment from Banneker Partners, a private equity firm specializing in enterprise software. This investment strengthens Remsoft’s ability to scale, accelerate innovation, and deliver high-value solutions that help forestry organizations improve profitability and enhance sustainability. Source: Timberbiz As the first step in its strategy, Remsoft has acquired Lim Geomatics, a forestry software innovator specializing in geospatial and operational analytics. The partnership expands the Remsoft platform with geospatial intelligence, LiDAR, and forest machine telematics capabilities that deepen insights into forest operations. “The forestry sector is accustomed to disruptionfrom shifting regulations to changing market dynamics. Success comes from adaptability, efficiency, and informed decisions,” said Andrea Feunekes, Remsoft CEO. “Our cloud-enabled platform integrates data with optimization, spatial intelligence, and AI to drive greater value for customers. With Banneker’s support and the acquisition of Lim Geomatics, we can innovate faster and deliver the most advanced analytical tools to the industry.” The investment and acquisition further Remsoft’s vision of a fully integrated forestry intelligence ecosystem. Providing a seamless, data-driven approach to forest value chain management—from planning to operations, compliance, and ESG reporting within a unified platform enhances decision-making, reduces risk, and drives new efficiencies. “Remsoft and Lim Geomatics share a passion for advancing forestry through technology innovation that addresses real-world challenges. Together, we are developing a modern and modular platform that harnesses data and analytics to ensure that every stakeholder from landowners and forest product companies to public stewards and timberland investors can navigate today’s challenges and unlock future opportunities,” said Kevin Lim, CEO of Lim Geomatics. With Banneker’s support, Remsoft gains additional resources to accelerate its technology roadmap, pursue strategic acquisitions, and empower forestry management from seedling to mill. “Remsoft has been at the forefront of forest intelligence for decades, helping organizations improve decisions and performance across the forestry value chain. We’re excited to support Remsoft’s growth as it scales its technology and innovates to enhance efficiency, strengthen sustainability, and drive meaningful impact across the industry,” said Steven Ballantyne, Operating Partner at Banneker Partners.

The installation of 114 mass timber columns, some of which are nearly 8m high, is in full swing at the new generation environmental office build at 211 High Street in Christchurch. Source: Timberbiz The double height columns form the perimeter of the build while the remaining internal columns are single height at 3.5m and use revolutionary connection technology. Comprising three office levels, coupled with ground floor retail and hospitality, 211 High Street is set for completion by the end of this year. Using mass timber (multiple layers of wood), reduces carbon emissions and provides added structural strength, says the building’s developer Anthony Leighs. “I’m absolutely certain that responsible business leaders will demand buildings where everything practical has been done to reduce the impact on the environment through both the construction and the ongoing operation,” Mr Leighs said. “For me personally, if I’m able to control the design of a building, I’m committed to doing my part to maximise sustainability and reduce carbon emissions to the extent I practically can.” Mr Leighs says the process is faster and cleaner than traditional construction. Thanks to the innovative connectors, the internal columns take as little as 10 minutes or less apiece to install and the process is tool free and prop free, a little like stacking Lego blocks. The columns are installed in a pre-determined sequence in conjunction with braces and beams that are up to 17m long. “We can go from installing beams to installing floors and then columns, all potentially within the same day, with the same team. It should also be much quieter than a traditional steel and concrete build – the only power tools needed are drills to install screws.” Brynn Burrows, Director of Office Leasing at Colliers Christchurch, says tenants now, and certainly more so in the future, are focusing on the impact of their buildings on the environment. “211 High Street is a high-quality, modern, and sustainable building targeting a 6-star Green Star rating and 5 star NABERSNZ rating. These are market-leading performance ratings and tenants are increasingly conscious of the impact of their footprint on the environment,” Mr Burrows said. “Tenants wanting to either move into the CBD or relocate from existing central city space have been waiting on the sidelines for new options. There’s substantial focus on this part of High Street at the moment, with plenty of construction underway activating the area. “For instance, retail giant JD Sports is moving into a new build shortly and another development is underway at 200 High Street with the owner-occupier taking the upper levels. 211 High Street sits in the centre of the block linking the likes of Mecca, Glassons, Hallensteins, H&M, Country Road and Lululemon.”

The National Timber and Hardware Association (NTHA) is offering fully government-funded traineeship programs within New South Wales. Source: Timberbiz This opportunity allows you to develop your staff at no cost to your organisation, but there is only funding for 20 students at this time. This is a chance to upskill your team at no cost, all while accessing high-quality, nationally recognised training that will set your business up for success. NTHA is offering the following fully funded Traineeships: Certificate III In Retail Certificate III In Business Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations (warehousing) Certificate III in Timber Building Products Supply Certificate III In Timber Systems Design Certificate III In Frame or Truss Manufacture Certificate III in Business-to-Business Sales Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations (sawmilling) Fee free traineeships are available for any new trainees or current staff members employed within the last three months (eligibility criteria applies). For more information or to enrol your new trainee, phone RTO General Manager/NTHA Training, Louise Kinloch on 0455 459 915 or the NTHA team on 1800 822 621.

A review of the Darling Downs 2024 Koala Population Study was recently held in Pittsworth and revealed three separate koala ‘clusters’ on the Downs identified through DNA testing of scat samples. Source: Australian Rural & Regional News A total of 91 out of 104 samples collected over an eight-month period were used as part of the study. The genetic analysis identified three genetic clusters in the Toowoomba area including SEQ-07, in and immediately south of Toowoomba city, including parts of Top Camp and Preston. The other two genetic clusters were SEQ-08, including Pittsworth, Linthorpe, Irongate and Aubigny and SEQ-09, immediately north of Toowoomba city, including Crows Nest, Goombungee and Highfields. Koala study scientist Dr Fiona Hogan said the genetic diversity in the Darling Downs koalas was found to be relatively high, with notable variation in allelic richness between the three genetic clusters. Allelic richness refers to the genetic diversity of a population – a higher allelic richness is associated with well-connected populations that can move and interbreed freely, whereas reduced allelic richness signals habitat fragmentation and isolation. Although our region showed a lower allelic richness in comparison to other regions, it was still considered high for the species. While Darling Downs koalas are relatively healthy, their geographic and genetic fragmentation leaves them highly susceptible to local extinctions.