Forest Products Industry

With the original stump cutter being invented in 1950s by Vermeer equipment, development of tree care technology has improved to provide efficient and compact solutions for landscaping jobs across the Vermeer SC line-up. Landscaping jobs can make great use of stump cutters when dealing with plots of land with trees and roots needing removal. The best machine for your needs would ultimately depend on the needs of the job, but whatever the need Vermeer has options to have you covered. Vermeer stump cutter equipment boasts key features that make root grinding easier and faster.

Which Model Fits My Needs?

When picking what machine is best for you it’s key to consider your own important factors. Maneuverability may be easier with compact machines however the cutter wheel diameter would be smaller, causing grinding capability and speed to be reduced in practicality. Westerra Equipment holds a range of premium equipment from Vermeer from the SC30TX to the SC1052. Not only would practical capabilities differ but functionality of ride on or towing machinery would differ between models as well as other factors.

SC48TX – Tracked, small grinder, ground impact, difficult to reach areas, self-propelling.

For tasks that require a nimble and agile machine the Vermeer SC48TX would be an optimal choice. With the machine operating on tracks the ground disturbance is minimal in movement across grass and other soft ground. The tracks allow the machine to maneuver on its own without being towed, preventing the need for additional machinery on site with a top speed of up to 42.7m/min using its 48hp engine. With the SC48TX being a smaller option, the grinding capability of the machine is limited with some jobs taking longer to complete versus larger chippers as power is lacking. The smaller frame means this machine is great for working around tight spaces or chipping many smaller stumps when landscaping.

SC1052 – Wheeled, larger grinder, towed machine

For a stronger chipping capability, the larger SC1052 or similar would be of better consideration for operators as this machine can rip through tasks easier than smaller alternatives at the sacrifice of nimbleness. Larger SC line machines are wheel operated with the option to tow instead driving of the self-propelled with an engine which can be a benefit for operators travelling with trucks or vehicles with strong towing capabilities. With the 115hp engine the SC1052 can easily chip through tasks due to its higher capabilities and heavy duty build able to grind through harder and larger stumps.

 

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Virginia Carolina Forest Products in Lawrenceville, VA, is using just one USNR lineal grader to grade both a pine and a mixed rough hardwood lumber line in a new, more efficient application design.

The production lines run parallel to one another and the scan frame is placed on a rail system that intersects both. At the flip of a switch, the scan frame can easily move between the more heavily used planer line and the hardwood line. As each board reaches the landing table, an overhead board tracker projects the grade onto each board to be screened by a quality control technician.

This quick-switch setup will allow both lines to receive faster, more accurate grading for increased value.

USNR is grateful for the opportunity to apply this new technology to the production lines at Virginia Carolina Forest Products.

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Nippon Paper Industries, Chinougijutsu and Iwakuni Sangyo Unyu have conducted a successful trial of a remote-controlled robot that scrapes wood chips in the hold of a wood-chip carrier. Source: Timberbiz This trial, which was conducted on 5 April at Nippon Paper Industries’ Iwakuni mill in Yamaguchi Prefecture, aims to address safety and the workforce shortage in wood-chip scraping operations. Through the development of the scraping robot, the four companies will work to realize a safe and sustainable cargo-handling environment. In the future, the four companies aim to realize a cargo-handling environment where not only men but also women, elderly people, and people with disabilities can engage in cargo handling by operating robots from remote locations away from the cargo-handling site. In this trial, a prototype scraping robot was operated on a wood-chip carrier engaged in a long-term transport contract with Nippon Paper Industries and NYK. The four companies operated the robot remotely in the ship’s hold for about two hours during cargo unloading and achieved the goals, including confirming the scraping robot’s functionality. Wood chips loaded into the hold of a wood-chip carrier are traditionally gathered by excavators and unloaded by cranes. The wood chips that have accumulated in the corners of the holds or adhered to the walls are collected and scraped off by workers using shovels, forks, and other tools because heavy machinery cannot reach those wood chips or may damage the hold walls when scraping. There is room for improvement in the current work environment because the scraping process requires climbing up and down the 10-meter holds, the tendency for the holds to be cold or hot due to seasonal factors, and the risk of oxygen deprivation due to the wood chips absorbing oxygen. There are also concerns about future staff shortages due to the aging of the workforce. A remote control moves the arm of the scraping robot’s hydraulic excavator and the attached scraper (spatula) and brush. The robot can extend its arm up to three metres high to remove chips from walls, while wood chips that have accumulated in corners can be directly gathered by the lowered arm or pushed out by the brush. The scraping robot can also scrape wood chips trapped in tight spaces, such as structural gaps.