DC Equipment are seeking to partner with reputable distributors to fill UK demand
Timber harvesting on steep terrain has always been, and will remain, a challenge in terms of economic viability, safety and environmental performance. For almost a century motor-manual felling coupled with Skylining has been the most used harvesting system, but new technologies and innovations have led to machines and systems being developed that are modernising the way we operate on steep terrain. Specifically, they provide the opportunity for the mechanisation of operations with proven improvements in both safety and cost-effectiveness. The additional development of cable-assist machines is potentially making a real step-change by expanding the operating range onto very steep slopes.
A Mission to Change the Logging Industry for the Better
Over the last decade in the small town of Brightwater, New Zealand a story of innovation has been unfolding at DC Equipment. From a logging equipment repairs service based in a small shed to a leader in mechanised steep-slope and cable logging equipment, DC Equipment’s journey is a testament to persistence of technological advancement and constant improvement.
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That’s a remarkable amount of work hours for a single machine, the Norcar 600 owned by Erkki Rinne is taken well care of, it even has the original Diesel engine.
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Kieran Anders is a forestry contractor working in the lake district. His work involves hand cutting and extracting timber using a skidder and tractor-trailer forwarder.
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It is not possible to eliminate chain shot, but there are simple steps that can be taken to reduce the risk.
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Arwel takes great pride in the fact that the mill has no waste whatsoever, “the peelings are used for children’s playgrounds, gardens and for farm animals in barns in the winter and the sawdust has multiple uses in gardens and farms as well.
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Timber hauliers need to encourage young blood in, and also look after the hauliers we have, we need make the sector a safe and positive place to work.
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Humble Beginnings
It all started when DC Equipment was founded in 2010 by Dale and Christine Ewers. As owners of one of New Zealand’s largest independent steep-slope
harvesting companies, Moutere Logging, Dale and Christine witnessed first-hand the dangers of commercial logging operations and recognised the need for change. Driven by the desire to keep their own logging crew safe, they began developing a mechanised grapple carriage.
After an extensive design and trial process, DC Equipment began commercially producing the remote operated Falcon Claw Grapple Carriage. Over millions of operational hours, the Falcon Claw has dramatically reduced accident and serious harm rates in crews operating the equipment.
In addition to that saw the need for traction assisted solutions for wheeled and tracked machines on
steep slopes to eliminate unsafe manual tree falling and other high-risk roles on the slopes.
Expanding Horizons
DC Equipment quickly outgrew its initial market, reaching customers in Chile, Canada and the United States. Their commitment to quality, innovation and simplicity turned curious contractors with ‘jobs to be done’ into lifelong customers and partners through delivering solutions such as the Falcon Winch Assist and Falcon Claw motorised grapple carriage. Since then, the Falcon Forestry Equipment range has grown to include HD camera systems, slash attachments for grapples and complimentary solutions such as the Falcon Tandem Carriage. It’s these innovations and practical solution-based thinking which is now transitioning the equipment brand as a global player in the field of mechanised forestry equipment with their suite of forestry equipment changing the lives of logging crews all over the world. We currently partner with distributors across New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Chile, United States and Canada.
After using the Falcon, I feel a lot more comfortable on these steeper hillsides. I wouldn’t do another one without a Winch Assist… And having the confidence in it, that it’s going to get me where I need to go safely. The benefit with Falcon is if you’re not using it as a Winch Assist for 6-8 months of the year you can do other jobs with it like digging deadmen, for your yarder, building roads… Advice for someone starting out in a [Falcon] Winch Assist, trust in them. The more I got comfortable, it makes it a whole lot easier being on the hillside where you’re not worried about sliding down the hill, trust in it, it will pull anything you need it to pull. Over the last few years it has become increasingly difficult to find employees for operating yarders and for hand cutting so having the winch assist where you are having one operator makes it much simpler than compared to having multiple people on the ground to achieve the same results.
Ryan Stangle – Hadaller Logging – Washington
U.K demand and appetite from British logging contractors
With interest and enquiries gaining momentum from U.K based contractors the steep slope operations, DC Equipment are now investigating the best method to cater for the demand. One of their main considerations is having the right fit distributor in terms of both location and also business. As the industry would know, having quality support is paramount to maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction and a critical part to successful harvest operations. If you’re interested in distributing and supporting Falcon Forestry Equipment, please contact hayden@dce.co.nz for more information. If you’re a contractor and would like to find out more information on their equipment range, please visit www.falconforestryequipment.com
What the future holds
The future for the Falcon Forestry Equipment looks exciting with new solutions well underway which will be available to selected markets. Although not too much can be given away, up and coming solutions included a remote-operated excavator, an excavator-based hydraulic yarder and how the industry can adopt lower-emission technology.
“The Falcon brand has been developed with logging contractors in mind. We [DC Equipment] have a history of logging, so understand the practicality of our solutions. The Falcon product range was built on 3 foundational pillars; to be safe, efficient and effective. The key difference with the Falcon Winch Assist is that it’s designed built with durability practicality and versatility in mind. Some of the alternatives may have a lifespan of 3,5 or 7 years whereas we believe in investing in one machine with longevity, giving operators not only certainty for ensuring the machine is up to the task but also the owners, that their investment will last the duration they’re in business. When partnering with DC Equipment to distribute our Falcon Forestry Equipment, we focus on support and service. Not just for the distributor, but for the contractors too. They’re the ones who utilise our machines day in, day out and having support is critical to a successful operation. The benefits of becoming a distributor for Falcon Forestry Equipment are not only around offering a suite of solutions to improve contractors’ safety and productivity. We also ensure we seek out distributors that align with our values and putting the customer first. In exchange, distributors become part of a Falcon
Hayden Campbell – Business Development Manager, DC Equipment aid
family which can offer exclusive products, are able to growth their business through cross sales and supportive revenue streams, and add value to their existing offerings”.
If you’re interested in becoming a distributor for the UK contact Hayden@dce.co.nz | www.dcequipment.com
Forest Machine Magazine is written and edited by a forest professional with over 40 years hands on experience. We are dedicated to keeping you informed with all the latest news, views and reviews from our industry.
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