Congratulations, Godi Nsele: NCT's 2025 Small-scale Tree Farmer of the Year
Godi and Babazile Nsele with NCT's Christo Müller at the Tree Farmer of the Year awards ceremony
Godi Isaac Nsele, an agroforestry farmer from Manguzi in KwaZulu-Natal, was chosen as NCT's 2025 Small Grower Tree Farmer of the Year. The award recognises exceptional silvicultural and operational practices and environmental management.
Forestry was not on Nsele's radar when he began working in the kitchens at the state-owned South African Railways in the early 1970s. After earning his driver's license, he decided to seek other opportunities in the private sector.
In 1974, he joined his uncle in the clothing trade, sourcing garments from Durban and selling them in Empangeni. By 1977, Nsele bought his first bakkie, which he used for the business and transporting passengers between Mozambique and Empangeni in KZN. In 1981, he ventured into farming, establishing a two-hectare banana plantation in the swamps of Kosi Bay.
New plants from Nsele's nursery seedlings growing on well-prepared landBurnt brushwood prior to planting
In 1989, his land was expropriated by Ezemvelo for environmental conservation, and he invested the compensation in his first tractor and, with profits from the banana trade, built two general-dealer shops.
When the forestry industry began promoting community afforestation in Zululand in the early 1980s, Nsele seized the opportunity and planted his first timber plots. He joined NCT in 1996 and a year later harvested his first rotation.
Once he realised the potential of forestry, Nsele handed over the management of the shops to his wives and dedicated himself to his plantations. Today, he employs ten full-time workers and five seasonal workers. His son's contracting business handles harvesting, creating further employment within the family.
Godli Isaac Nsele's plantation of young healthy treesEucalyptus harvesting operations
Nsele is known for his generosity in helping others. He supports aspiring timber farmers in his community by planting and harvesting the first rotation for them. Once the landowners inherit the coppice, they are empowered to continue independently. He recently bought a new truck to transport his timber and assist fellow farmers in his area.
NCT says Nsele's journey from hardship to leadership is a reflection of the soul of the Tree Farmer of the Year accolade.
Source: NCT News & Views September 2025, edited by Joy Crane. Pics supplied by NCT.
John Deere helps you OUTRUN THEM ALL
Introducing John Deere's new 2144G forestry swing machine - built for the woods.
AFGRI introduces John Deere's new 2144G forestry swing machine - built for the woods. Efficient. Agile. Productive. The John Deere 2144G Swing Machine is changing the way forestry professionals tackle timber harvesting. Purpose-built with insights from the people who live and breathe harvesting, the G-Series machine doesn't just meet expectations, it resets them.
The John Deere 2144G tracked swing harvester is ideal for fast-growing, high-yield plantations
Efficient. Agile. Productive. The John Deere 2144G Swing Machine is changing the way forestry professionals tackle timber harvesting. Purpose-built with insights from the people who live and breathe harvesting, the G-Series machine doesn't just meet expectations — it resets them.
Born in the forest
A swing machine that's tough, smart, and designed for you. Backed by decades of experience and refined through rigorous field testing, the 2144G G-Series delivers everything you need for productive, low-maintenance harvesting in even the most challenging conditions.
Nothing is out of reach
The local supplier of John Deere equipment, Afgri, states that the machine's 9.37m maximum boom reach and options to fit a H225E, H216, or a H219 Harvesting Head for Eucalyptus and pine (pulp or sawtimber) plantations make it the ideal machine for Southern African conditions.
Engineered from proven 25-ton excavator components, the 2144G delivers rugged performance, a durable swing system, and a rock-solid undercarriage. Whether you're working steep slopes or dense stands, it's built to go the distance.
Robust cooling system to keep hydraulic temperature low
Hydraulic reversing fan clears debris and saves fuel
Heavy-duty track chain and nine-roller track frame for superior stability
With a 585L fuel tank and arm-mounted chain oil reservoir, this machine keeps going long after others have called it a day.
A Cab that works as hard as you do
Step into a workspace designed for the long haul. Built with operators in mind, the 2144 G's ROPS/FOPS/OPS-certified cab redefines comfort, visibility, and control.
Spacious layout with isolation mounts for reduced noise and vibration
Ergonomic short-throw pilot levers for smoother operation
Efficient HVAC system and air-ride seating
High-visibility polycarbonate windows and an optional 4-point seat belt
You will feel the difference — especially on long days in rough terrain.
Preprogrammed productivity modes
With preprogrammed productivity modes (Economy, Power, and High-Productivity), the 2144G puts power and fuel efficiency at your fingertips. Machine owners can even lock in specific modes for consistent performance and better fuel savings.
Intuitive LCD display with multilingual support
Easy diagnostics with JDLink remote monitoring
Seamless integration with Waratah processing heads, factory-installed and fully supported.
An optional 12-light LED package ensures nothing slows you down when the sun goes down. Whether you're navigating narrow plantation rows or tackling late-night jobs, the 2144G lights the way.
Durability isn't a feature — it's a foundation. The 2144G is built around proven John Deere components and backed by a 10,000-hour structural warranty, giving you the confidence to push your operations further.
The base machine is designed to carry Waratah attachments for harvesting pine and eucalyptus trees
Performance you can count on
PowerTech Plus 6.8L engine
Remote diagnostics and fast dealer response
Simple maintenance access from ground level
Improved fuel economy and service intervals
The 2144G G-Series Swing Machine is more than a machine — it's a partner built for your pace. Designed with your feedback, tested in the woods, and supported by John Deere's legacy of reliability, this machine is ready to work when you are.
To find success in the forest, you can wait for the perfect set of conditions or give yourself every advantage to create your own. Productive machines. Innovative technology. Useful insights. Dependable support. A complete set of solutions that only one equipment manufacturer can provide.
The obstacles to success are many. John Deere helps you OUTRUN THEM ALL.
Source: Advertorial supplied by Afgri.
Winch-assisted Cobras tackle steep slopes in KZN’s Midlands and Zululand
The steep angle of the slope presents no challenges for Mooiplaas Forestryand Cintasign Forestry contractors
Steep slopes are one of the new frontiers of mechanised harvesting systems as forestry companies and contractors seek to find the safest, most productive and cost-effective means of harvesting timber.
Steep-slope harvesting machines require exceptional power, balance, and control, as well as a highly skilled operator. However, they also need a system for tethering the machine to a stable point at the top of the slope to ensure the safety of both the operator and the machine.
There are various tethering systems in use around the world, including standalone winches and winches attached to excavators stationed at the top of the slope.
Synchrowinch
Leading the way in this regard is Ponsse, the Finnish manufacturer that has taken steep slope harvesting to the next level. Key to the success of the Ponsse steep slope machines is the built-in Herzog Synchrowinch that is synchronised with the transmission of the harvester or forwarder, allowing it to automatically spool in and out as the machine works across the slope.
This enables the operator to focus on felling, processing, and extracting trees. The machines need to be able to operate on the slope under their own braking system. At the same time, the tether provides increased traction and serves as an additional safety net.
Because the winch spools automatically from the machine end, the cable is always static, which reduces wear and tear. It also provides extra traction, resulting in less soil damage.
Clear-felled steep slopes in Kwa-Zulu NatalThe Operator decides on the best tether pointThe Ponsse Cobra's Herzog Synchrowinch tether increases traction and safety
Cobra clear felling at an angle
Two highly experienced harvesting contractors operating in KwaZulu-Natal have recently invested in winch-assisted Ponsse Cobra wheeled harvesters, which are capable of working safely on slopes of up to 70% or more.
The Cobra harvester enables Cintasign Forestry and Mooiplaas Forestry contractors to deploy fully mechanised systems to safely fell, process, and extract timber productively and cost-effectively. Mooiplaas added the Ponsse Elephant King forwarder, also fitted with the synchrowinch, to its order.
An advantage of the Ponsse Cobra is its versatility. It’s ideal for cut-to-length clear-felling or thinning operations. It is equally adept working in gum or pine on flat or steep slopes, thanks to the design of the bogeys and the levelling capabilities of the crane base and operator cockpit. It’s extremely well-balanced, even in rough and uneven terrain, ensuring maximum operator comfort and safety.
The machines were delivered in February this year. Ponsse harvesting experts from Finland spent time in South Africa providing specialised theoretical and practical in-field training to the contractors’ operators and maintenance teams, familiarising them with the machines and helping them understand the dynamics of working on steep slopes.
Cintasign Forestry
“It’s meeting all of our requirements”, comments Quinton Preen of Cintasign Forestry, which is contracted to do harvesting in the KZN Midlands area for Mondi.
Quinton is a second-generation logger with 30 years of experience. His father, Don Preen, began forestry harvesting in the 1950s, using bow saws and then chainsaws. Quinton joined the business in 1995.
Mondi requires a full compartment mechanised solution, which means the contractor must harvest every tree on the plantation mechanically, explains Quinton.
The Ponsse Cobra can work safely on slopes of 70% or more, depending on conditonsThe versatile Ponsse Cobra is at home on steep slopes and flat terrain
Cintasign uses the Ponsse Cobra on steep slopes and flat areas alongside their track-based excavators, as there are not enough steep slopes to keep them busy full-time. Thus, the Ponsse Cobra gives the Cintasign harvesting team more flexibility within their harvesting fleet to cover all the tasks required to meet the contract requirements.
They also have a Ponsse Bison forwarder extracting timber from in-field areas and handling short-haul operations.
The Cintasign team identified three operators for training on the Cobra, and they are already working comfortably on slopes of up to around 60%. Quinton says the Cobra has the potential to work on slopes of up to 70% or 80%, depending on the ground conditions. Still, operators need a bit more experience to become comfortable on such slopes.
He says that the Cobra, which is equipped with a Ponsse H7 Euca head, matches the productivity of excavator-based harvesters on small trees; however, “We get 20% to 30% better performance in big tree sizes compared to the tracked excavators”.
Safety is a significant advantage of the Cobra when operating on steep slopes. It comes equipped with a powerful Herzog Synchrowinch, which is tethered to a tree stump at the top of the slope while in operation. The Cobra works on the slope under its own braking system, while the winch merely provides assistance.
What prompted the Cintasign team to opt for the Ponsse Cobra? Quinton says they have a Ponsse Bison forwarder and are using Ponsse H7 Euca heads on their excavator-based harvesters, so it makes sense to stick with the same equipment manufacturer.
The Ponsse machines operating in South Africa are well supported by MTS Parts. “The guys have done pretty well”, Quinton comments.
Mooiplaas Forestry
Dewald Martens of Mooiplaas Forestry, who contracts for Sappi and Mondi in the Melmoth area of Zululand, has also invested in a Ponsse Cobra, paired with a Ponsse Elephant King forwarder.
Dewald’s father started the forestry contracting business back in 1982, and he joined the company a few years later. His brother Lukas is also involved in the business.
Dewald says the Cobra and Elephant King are an ideal solution for Mondi’s preference for fully mechanised harvesting systems.
“We’re taking out all the timber mechanically, that’s the way we are going”, says Dewald. “The Ponsse Cobra and Elephant King are a nice combo for the steep slopes”.
Both machines are equipped with synchro-winch systems. When winch assistance is required, the operators park the machine, attach the winch to a sturdy tree or stump at the top of the slope, and are ready to go.
Dewald says that while the Cobra is a cost-effective and productivity-enhancing solution for steep slopes, it also outperforms the other machines in their fleet by 10% to 20% on flat areas, making it a versatile option.
Dewald said they have received good support from the Ponsse steep slope harvesting experts, who spent a week on site soon after the Cobra was delivered in February this year.
“We’ve had good support from them on the training side, and they are coming back again in a few months to do more training”, says Dewald. “The machines are doing what they are supposed to do, and we haven’t had any issues”.
MTS Parts
Chris Odendaal and his company, MTS Parts, distribute and support Ponsse machines in South Africa. Chris says the Cobras are the first purpose-built, winch-assisted machines operating in the country.
“They are revolutionising steep slope harvesting around the world, improving the safety and productivity of forestry operations that have posed considerable challenges for growers and contractors”, Chris comments.
John Deere brings the new 2144G Tracked Harvester to Southern Africa
The John Deere 2144G tracked swing harvester is ideal for fast-growing, high-yield plantations
John Deere is introducing a lower-cost, purpose-built forestry harvester to the Southern African market.
Designed and manufactured in Brazil, the 2144G track-based purpose-built machine has been very successful in harvesting fast-growing, high-yield (FGHY) plantations, which are the backbone of Brazilian and South African forestry. It is around this culture that the 2144G was developed.
John Deere has designed the base machine to carry Waratah European attachments for harvesting eucalyptus and pine plantations. The Waratah heads include the two-roller H216E, H216, H219 options, and the four-roller H424, H425, H425HD models.
The 2144G is equipped with features designed for rugged forestry applications, delivering uptime, efficiency, and lower operating costs.
Operator comfort and safety
The top-of-the-line cab is equipped with features designed to enhance operator productivity. More importantly, it is fully ROPS/FOPS/OPS certified, ensuring the operator's protection.
It's built with fatigue-beating features, including superb window clarity, efficient climate control through a proven air-distribution system, air-ride suspension seats, and ergonomic controls. The monitor is easy to read and offers a wealth of machine data and functions, helping deliver the information operators need to optimise productivity.
Durable structures
Based on proven components, the robust and durable swing system and track, as well as the X-frame and mainframe structures, are designed to withstand the most rugged applications and deliver long-lasting performance.
The robust boom-to-mainframe interface and large-diameter boom pin extend boom life and lessen the possibility of unscheduled maintenance. The nine-roller track frame and optional heavy-duty track chain provide excellent stability and reduced wear on undercarriage components.
Safety is a priority and the top of the line cab is ROPS, FOPS and OPS certifiedThe base machine is designed to carry Waratah attachments for harvesting pine and eucalyptus trees
Solid engine reliability
The John Deere PowerTech Plus 6.8L EPA Tier 3/EU Stage IIIA engine enhances uptime. It offers a strong balance of power and efficiency while maintaining excellent fuel economy.
Hydraulic reversing fan
The hydraulically driven, variable-speed fan runs only when needed, conserving power and fuel. It automatically reverses airflow to eject debris from the cooler cores, thereby increasing the cooler's maintenance intervals. Large, durable, and high-capacity coolers, along with optimised airflow, help reduce hydraulic operating temperatures, extending the life of components.
24-hour power
The total fuel capacity of 585 litres, combined with the chain oil reservoir in the arm, allows for all-day action and uninterrupted productivity. Using optional 15W40 hydraulic oil reduces the number of fluids required on the jobsite, thereby increasing the ease of serviceability.
Convenient maintenance
Ground-level servicing and conveniently located filters, fluid-fill locations, and grease points help ease daily checks and preventive maintenance.
Warranty for peace of mind
John Deere says, "Work your new harvester to the bone, knowing its 10,000-hour structural warranty will have you covered. Your local dealer will give you the best standard warranty and servicing package to meet your personal requirements".
Productivity your way
There are three productivity modes to choose from. The economy, power, and high productivity modes can be switched with the press of a button, or the mode choice can be locked by the machine owner to improve fuel consumption.
Economy mode provides the ideal balance of power, speed, and performance for maximum fuel economy.
Power mode delivers more muscle for standard working conditions.
High productivity mode maximises power and hydraulic response for faster work cycles.
John Deere Finance
Finance is available through your local dealer. John Deere takes a hands-on approach, learning about each customer's unique business requirements to develop customised payment plans.
Navigating steep slopes, manoeuvring narrow rows, harvesting day in and day out, the John Deere 2144G swing machine is built to be a powerhouse for plantations. Endless timber stands are no match for its combination of power and agility.
A vibrant Elmia Wood 2025 bodes well
Anticipation at the gates for Elmia Wood 2025
By Alan Sherrard
Elmia Wood 2025 brought together forestry professionals from around the world to the forest of Bratteborg, just outside Jönköping, Sweden. A total of 27,751 visitors from 48 countries and 327 exhibitors from 25 countries enlivened the quiet woods over the three-day show.
In keeping with its five-decade heritage, the trade show was defined by live machinery demonstrations, innovations, and an atmosphere filled with optimism for the future and business opportunities.
For many exhibitors, both old and new, a trade show like Elmia Wood is an ideal platform for product updates and launches. Indeed, the 50th anniversary exhibition, along with several Elmia Classics scattered throughout the grounds, served as a reminder of just how much innovation and business have evolved.
While most of the "big iron" forest machinery brands were missing from the exhibitor list, for reasons previously communicated by the brands, those that did participate took full advantage of having less competition on site.
Logset
Logset, one of the few big iron forest machinery companies that participated, had a full demo stand showcasing its eight-wheeled harvester and a new version of its 4F GT forwarder.
Cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremonyThe Logset TH90 harvester head is the largest in the new 4.0 series
The company released four new harvester head models, thereby expanding its range of harvester heads. The 4.0 series replaces the 3.0 series, which was first introduced in 2009, with the TH60, TH70, TH80, and TH90, respectively.
Each model includes key updates, including Bucher hydraulic valve block, offering advantages such as proportional control of the saw unit, measuring sensor repositioned above the rear feeding roller, extended frame length for increased stability, improved accessibility and optimised hose routing, reinforced tilt arch for enhanced durability, and powerful top saw option for the TH80.
Logset also launched a new crane line, the H series, with three model sizes, the H245, H325, and H405. Key features of the H series include an exceptional lifting capacity and performance across all functions, powerful hydraulic motors for smooth and powerful rotation, a hydraulic cylinder-based parallel linkage that offers flexible and precise movement, a robust frame construction ensuring long-term durability, and an extended tilt angle for versatile operation.
Vimek
Swedish forest machinery manufacturer Vimek AB, a Fassi Group company, launched a six-wheeled version of its popular four-wheeled 470 thinning harvester.
"This gives a much more stable harvester and lower ground pressure. At the same time, the excellent driving characteristics are maintained", said Åsa Eriksson, Technical Information Officer at Vimek.
Demonstration of the Alstor 850 forwarderThe Vimek popular 470 harvester is now available in a Next Generation 470 6WD that premiered at Elmia Wood 2025
"Sweden is large and has varying forestry conditions. With the 6-wheel concept, we are expanding further. 6WD, as we call it, is an interesting complement. Both the harvester and the forwarder are available with the six-wheel concept or their previous versions, which have four or eight wheels", explained Johannes Nilsson, CEO of Vimek.
"Forest owners like this size of machine. And in the end, the forest owner is our customer – after all, it is in their forest that our machines will achieve good results. Even if the machine is owned by the contractor, the forestry company, or the forest owner himself, the result in the forest is most important. And we know that the new 6WD concept delivers", Nilsson said.
Menzi Muck
Emil Glömmen from Swiss machinery manufacturer Menzi Muck was excited about the Elmia Wood debut of the firm's novel universal tool carrier.
While the flat, boulderless terrain in Bratteborg is anything but challenging for a Menzi Muck carrier, it provided an ideal platform to perform a spectacular "dance", demonstrating the carrier's unique capabilities in manoeuvrability while wowing onlookers.
The Menzi Muck's unique Transformer-like capabilities sparked the imagination of onlookers at Elmia Wood 2025Logset launched its new H crane series featuring three model sizes, H245, H325, and H405
Steep slope logging in neighbouring Norway is the first forestry application that comes to mind, as well as other conventional vegetation control applications, such as roadside verges and utility right-of-way maintenance.
"Our tool carrier has gained a lot of attention at construction fairs. This is the first time we're exhibiting at Elmia Wood, and it feels like the perfect fit, given the forestry applications our machine can now offer," commented Emil Glömmen.
Bioenergy tech
As ever, there were plenty of firewood processors and biomass boilers in action and on display. Hardly surprising, since many forest owners and rural households source fuelwood from their backyards. A recreational and forest management activity that has an economic dividend.
Other notable bioenergy implements and equipment included various tree shears and accumulating harvesting heads, such as those from Farma, RagnarTech, and Bracke Forest. The dedicated bioenergy area, located on the forest trail, featured prominent brands in shredders, grinders, and chippers, including Albach, Bandit Industries, Bruks, Morbark, Terex–CBI, and Vermeer.
A Morbark Wood Hog 3400 XT horizontal grinderWith a 35-inch by 60-inch throat opening, the Bandit 2660EU can easily handle waste wood, and moreThe UFKES RagnarTech 9400 is a formidable machine
"We're drawn to the broad international perspective Elmia Wood offers. The interest during our demo runs has exceeded expectations", said Thommy Nilsson, Sales Manager for Komptech in Sweden, who demonstrated their biomass crusher on-site.
While Albach had its Diamant, Bandit had its Beast, Komptech had its Axtor, Morbark had its Wood Hog, and Vermeer had its HG, all well-established and capable machines; RagnarTech stole the show.
Visitors were drawn to the size and colour of the all-new RagnarTech UFKES 9400, a legendary product from size reduction machinery builder Anders Ragnarsson, founder of CBI, which subsequently became part of Terex.
Chainsaws
To mark its 50th anniversary, Elmia Wood posted an array of information boards out on the forestry trail highlighting (technical) highlights of each event from its inception in 1975. Some of these Elmia Classic machines were scattered around the trail.
Exhibitors that have participated in all of Elmia's forestry fairs over the past 50 years were marked with a special 50th anniversary logo at their respective stands.
Local global "forest and garden" power tool manufacturer Husqvarna was one of a handful of exhibitors that has participated in all of Elmia's forestry fairs over the past 50 years.
A Homelite XL chainsaw kitted with a bowbar developed for bucking pulpwood on the ground.A Pezzolato PTO powered tractor-crane-fed chipper
Lasse Strandell, Product Specialist at Husqvarna, said, "The atmosphere has been fantastic! Visitors are inquisitive about new developments and eager to try our chainsaws in practice. The test logs ran out almost immediately, which says something about the level of interest."
Germany-headquartered global power tool company, and cutting-edge competitor, STIHL AG, the headline sponsor of STIHL Timbersports, also celebrated 50 years at Elmia Wood.
"We've seen a fantastic flow of visitors and a strong interest in our latest products. The new trail layout has helped, and we've had people in the stand all day. We're thrilled", said Clara Bergström, Product Manager for Stihl's professional range at Andreas Stihl Norden AB.
Logosol
Elmia Wood is not just about showing or demonstrating products – deals are done right out in the woods. Portable sawmill manufacturer Logosol used Elmia Wood to premiere its new bandsaw mill.
"Elmia Wood is a real business platform for us. We know we make direct sales here at the fair. It's unique to meet so many of our customers in one place", said Robert Berglund, CEO of Logosol.
Alstor
Traditionally, Alstor's focus has been on the self-employed forest owner who wants a small, efficient forestry machine. However, the customers are changing. "Our target group is here, and they're genuinely ready to buy. We've met customers from all over Sweden, and from new markets where demand is growing, said Kristian Laurell, CEO of Alstor.
"We still have our core customer group. With our 840 series, which came out a few years ago, we saw that arborists and other professional segments became interested. And now, with the 850 series, we are taking another step, appealing to professional crews that perform thinning. We are broadening our range without losing our focus on gentle, within-forest-stands machines", Laurell said.
The company also launched its first-ever roller-fed harvester head option, developed in collaboration with Finnish Kone-Ketonen Oy. Stroke harvester heads have up until now been the standard for Alstor's popular range of harvesters.
"We know that our stroke-head units deliver. But we are still often asked if there are no roller-fed units. Now we were ready to take that step. Keto's head has belt rollers that work incredibly well. The head is available for our new harvesters and our combi machine, said Laurell.
Timber haulage was not a feature at Elmia, however, Sweden's first renewable natural gas (RNG) powered timber truck was a highlightThe Romanian IRUM with its TAF 690 S5 winch-plate skidder. It is becoming a popular model in Central Europe and North America
A vibrant meeting place
"There's been a wonderfully lively buzz throughout the area. Visitors and exhibitors together demonstrate that Elmia Wood is an important meeting place. You could feel the energy radiating from the industry", commented Anna-Karin Zinnerfors, CEO of Elmia.
I'm also struck by the mix of big and small players, Swedish and international, as well as experienced and new. Together, we created something memorable in the Bratteborg forest."
Elmia's project manager, Johannes Hansson, had similar reflections. "The best part of this year's fair was the atmosphere, engaged visitors, active exhibitors, machines in motion, and a strong international presence. It truly was a vibrant meeting place for the entire forestry sector.
"The redesigned trail across the fairground proved to be a real success. Relocating over 100 exhibitors, enhancing the visitor route, and introducing new stages all contributed to improved flow and a more accessible, engaging experience for our visitors", Johannes Hansson said.
The trails, featuring special interest areas such as the Drone Zone, along with convenient and well-placed shortcuts, allowed visitors to make multiple trips to their area of primary interest with energy to spare, thereby avoiding the ebb-and-flow surges between the field area and the forest circuit that previous editions suffered from.
All in all, this bodes well for the coming biennial editions of Elmia Wood in Bratteborg. Hopefully, some of the names and brands that were absent will return with a vengeance in 2027, rolling out new forest technology and innovations that may yet become an Elmia Classic.
All photos by Alan Sherrard
AfrEquip celebrates Log Max's 10,000th harvesting head
Log Max 7000C road side processing in Mpumalanga
Log Max's 7000C, its 10,000th harvesting head, is arriving in South Africa and will soon be harvesting Pine in Mpumalanga.
The Log Max 7000C is one of the brand's most popular units, providing a robust, efficient, and productive head suitable for many forestry applications. The 10,000th head belongs to Imphisi Harvesting and will form part of their expanding forestry fleet, destined to tackle various Pine operations in the Mpumalanga province.
Maurizzio Spasimante, Director of Imphisi Harvesting and Ryan Neumann, AfrEquip's Business Development Manager, marked the occasion with a visit to the Log Max factory in Grangärde, Sweden.
Lars Strömsund of Log Max handed over the 10,000th unit to Maurizzio and Ryan as it exited the production line. They were also treated to a tour of the state-of-the-art Log Max facilities.
"When facing all the challenges of timber harvesting, you have to acquire the best products and support the industry has to offer. From factory to operations, reliable in-house maintenance and support are essential, and I believe we have found the perfect combination in AfrEquip and Log Max," comments Maurizzio.
"The Log Max 7000C is an effective and efficient harvesting head providing a great versatile unit operating as a harvester in our pine cut-to-length systems and as a processor in our full tree length operations," he says.
Lars Strömsund of Log Max hands over the 10,000th unit to Maurizzio Spasimante of Imphisi Harvesting and Ryan Neumann of AfrEquipLog Max 7000C operating in field
The head is equipped with variable feed roller motors which automatically adapt the speed and traction to the diameter of the stem. It is fitted with Log Max's patented Active Friction Control (AFC) system that minimises friction as the stem passes through the head. It ensures maximum productivity with improved fuel economy and reduced wear on the frame.
The head's unique Log Mate software system records harvesting data, allowing Imphisi Harvesting to gather and analyse the data and make adjustments to maximise productivity and efficiency.
"Log Max's 45-year history, specialising in researching, developing, and manufacturing harvesting heads, firmly establishes the company as a world leader in the industry", emphasises Ryan.
Supported by AfrEquip's extensive backup offered from five strategically positioned offices in key forestry areas, along with a large stock of spare parts and a team of mobile technicians, it is no surprise that Log Max is one of the most sought-after harvesting heads in the South African forestry industry.For more information, contact Ryan Neumann of AfrEquip at 072-7089091.
Bell Skogger has changed the game for Whisky Valley in the Eastern Cape
The Bell Skogger at work for Whisky Valley contractors
Harvesting contractor Wes Redinger’s decision to mechanise his operations paid off when he invested in a Bell Skogger, grew his chainsaw gangs from three to seven, and removed two tractor-trailers and eight manual labourers while increasing productivity and consistency.
When Wes started doing contract timber harvesting for one of the largest timber growers in South Africa, he did it with manual labour. His young company, called Whisky Valley, had three chainsaw operators who did the felling. Manual extraction and loading teams loaded the three-metre timber lengths onto tractor-trailer combinations by hand.
The need to mechanise
“We had started felling our own Eucalyptus on our farm using one and later two chainsaws, and we thought we could master another skillset to add to our income,” Wes says.
“Working with real production targets, though, we saw almost immediately that we’d need to mechanise and do that quickly to offer our clients a sustained service”.
Wes and his wife, Kira, live on a farm in the Harding district of Southern KwaZulu-Natal. They both grew up there, and the couple has become passionate about growing timber. Kira’s father, Jon McKenzie, is a well-known farmer and former NCT Farmer of the Year recipient in the area.
Manoeverability, low ground impact and excellent fuel usage are some of the advantages of the SkoggerBell Equipment Sales Representative Keith Milne (left), with Wes Redinger from Whisky Valley in Harding
Wes keenly acknowledges and values the continuous mentoring he receives from his father-in-law.
“Our timber-growing clients had started growing gum around eight years ago. Their thinnings regime would see the first thinnings at six years, again at 12 to 13 years, with harvesting at 18 to 20 years”, Wes explains.
Considerations
“We had a lot to consider when harvesting for them, such as getting the wet and slippery felled timber out of the compartment before it dried out too much, especially when it was peeled timber and the bark had been taken off. This timber is meant for export to the Far East.”
Wes explains that the impact of machines on the soil was also an important environmental factor as the timber-growing companies adhere to strict environmental guidelines under the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC). Given the steep terrain around the Weza area, where the harvesting was taking place, Wes realised they needed a special machine with enough power to extract timber quickly and efficiently while having a low ground impact and the ability to stack and load.
“I initially thought of attaching a rotating timber grab to a telehandler and replacing the standard tyres with high-flotation tyres to lower the ground impact. This idea stuck in my head until I found something unique on the internet – the Bell Skogger. Our harvesting contract had solidified by this time, and we were under pressure to perform”.
Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Wes knew Keith Milne, Bell Equipment’s sales representative working out of Pietermaritzburg, and a call to Keith confirmed that the Bell Skogger was indeed all it promised to be.
“As this was a new concept and something certainly never seen in our area, there was a bit of scepticism all around, which is quite natural, but I was convinced this was the right tool for our application”, remarks Wes.
“My father, Dieter, who has a wealth of knowledge regarding mechanics and can often see elements in the design and build of a machine, accompanied me on a trip to the Bell factory at Richards Bay.
Thumbs up
“After he had inspected the Skogger up close, he gave it a big thumbs-up regarding its solid design, build and all-round safety features. With his ‘out of the box’ thinking, he approaches mechanical challenges differently from what a farmer may do, and having the privilege of some of that knowledge injected into my agricultural systems can only spell positive things”.
Wes and Jon discussed the pros and cons of the Bell Skogger in their application at length. In July 2023, they placed an order for the machine, which was delivered the following month. A challenge was finding an operator young enough to grasp the new technology. In the end, Wes settled on Mbusane Nkomo, who had operated a timber forwarder before and was used to joystick controls.
“Whenever Mbusane is on lunch, I’m happy to hop into the Skogger and operate it. I absolutely love the feel of its power and agile manoeuvrability, especially under a load,” Wes adds, smiling broadly.
The Skogger delivers
Deploying the Skogger has impacted on their harvesting and extraction operations and performance. “As soon as the operator, Mbusane, felt more at home in the Skogger and started operating it instinctively, the change in our performance was most noticeable”, Wes recalls.
“We now have seven chainsaw gangs that fell, debark and de-branch the timber and present it for full mechanised extraction.”
“It has further taken away two tractor-trailer units and eight manual labourers who can be deployed in meaningful roles elsewhere. But most importantly, it has secured consistent volume, which is the main thing in contract harvesting. That is how one’s production is best measured.”
Wes and his clients are especially pleased with the Skogger’s low ground impact and all-wheel drive traction. Its performance is not hampered by wet weather. Where larger machines are stopped in the rain, the Skogger soldiers on as there is hardly any soil disturbance.
“I mentioned the Skogger’s manoeuvrability earlier on, and this is particularly evident due to its articulation, which allows the machine to move through 3x3 planting spaces and not damage any trees on its way through. And then, to cap it all, it does all this while only using between seven and eight litres of diesel an hour, which has a real and positive impact on our bottom line.
“I should add that timber harvesting is but one aspect of our farming operation. While it offers a fun learning curve and helps to spread the risk, it is teaching us new skills all the time, and as we learn more about what the Skogger can do,” Wes says, smiling. “It’s also made many people in this area incredibly curious. We’re forever passing acquaintances and strangers on our way to the harvesting area who have come to look at how our Skogger performs in this challenging environment, which is good for growing timber but tough on man and machine.”
