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Combilift, a global leader in material handling solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its new National Forklift Safety campaign, “Lift Your Standards by Lowering Your Load.” This initiative aims to enhance awareness and promote best practices in forklift safety across industries.

https://youtube.com/shorts/G_RtL3hcO84?si=qTqxFXisu1cjZHv0

Forklift safety is of paramount importance to Combilift, and every year, we are committed to using National Forklift Safety Day (NFSD) as a reminder of how forklift operations can and should be safer than ever.

This year, the NFSD falls on the 11th of June and in line with this, our key messaging for the month of June will be focused on safe forklift operating practices.

Key Points of the Campaign:

• Safety First: Emphasising the importance of maintaining a lower load height while traveling to improve visibility, stability and reduce accidents.
• Training and Education: Offering comprehensive training programs to ensure that forklift operators are well-equipped with the knowledge to perform their duties safely.
• Industry Standards: Advocating for adherence to national and international safety standards in material handling operations.

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Officials in Oregon say they need to cut trees, including some healthy ones. The reaction shows how complex land management has become as forest health declines.

Following the launch of five new models in its 25th anniversary year in 2023, Irish Materials Handling Specialist Combilift has already announced the premiere of yet another innovation. The Combi-CLL (Container Log-Loader) was recently exhibited at EXPO Richmond 2024, one of America’s leading trade shows for the forest products industry.

The concept and operation of the Combi-CLL is based on that of the Combi-CSS (Container Slip Sheet), which has been successfully deployed across numerous industries for the mechanised loading of long products such as packs of timber or steel into containers. This not only reduces the risk of accidents to the workforce and product damage but is incredibly fast compared to other methods – a 40’ container can be fully loaded by one operator in under 6 minutes.

The 30t capacity electro-hydraulically powered Combi-CLL offers the same benefits when it comes to speed, safety and product integrity. It was designed to address the requirements of exporters of softwood and hardwood logs, the nature and shape of which make them much trickier to handle than palletised or packed products. Logs can be individually lifted and pre-loaded into a robust, high-sided metal “tub” before the patented push-pull mechanism powers the tub into the container. Once inside, the hydraulic dropdown hatch is closed and locked into position to hold the logs securely in place, and the tub is retracted to allow the logs to settle within the container.

Once again, Combilift has come up with a customer-led solution that also has potential for applications beyond the forestry industry.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/1H_78Oqtlvs?si=26BQh095DnNQTHz_

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From Log to Lumber with One Operator

The lumber industry is on the cusp of a technological revolution, and SAWBOX is leading the way with its groundbreaking ability to turn logs into lumber with just one operator.

This innovative sawmill solution is designed to meet the needs of modern wood processing operations, providing a compact, automated system that ensures efficient, high quality lumber production. Most importantly, the SAWBOX allows you to process diameters up to 42 inches that you would not be able to handle in your normal production operations. For businesses in North America the SAWBOX promises to be a game changer, delivering benefits that are too significant to ignore.

Key Benefits of SAWBOX

• Self-Sufficiency

One of the outstanding features of SAWBOX is its ability to make companies self-sufficient. By allowing companies to cut their own logs, SAWBOX helps optimize production costs and ensures a steady supply of raw materials. This level of control over the production process can significantly improve a company’s profitability and operational efficiency.

• Cost-Effective Investment

Setting up a SAWBOX is much more affordable than traditional sawing technology. The reduced investment costs make it possible for smaller companies to own and operate their own sawmills, paving the way for greater autonomy and financial stability.

• Increased vs Enhanced Yield and Efficiency

SAWBOX is designed to maximize the use of each log, achieving yields of up to 75%. This high level of efficiency not only reduces waste, but also increases the overall production, making the most of the available resources.

• Sustainability and Regional Added Value

SAWBOX supports the use of local wood and the recycling of all wood waste, promoting sustainability and boosting the local economies. By sourcing wood locally and minimizing waste, companies can reduce their ecological footprint and contribute to sustainable forestry practices.

• Predictable Pricing

With SAWBOX, companies can enjoy long-term stable product prices by controlling their own production processes. This predictability is crucial for maintaining competitive pricing and ensuring customer satisfaction in a fluctuating market.

• Impressive Cutting Capacity

The SAWBOX can process up to 8.5 million board feet of lumber in a two-shift operation. It accommodates logs from 10 to 42 inches in diameter and from 10 to 16 feet 2 inches (on request 20 feet) in length, with options for longer lengths available upon request. This versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of lumber dimensions.

Embrace the Future with SAWBOX

For North American wood processing companies, the benefits of adopting SAWBOX are clear. Whether you are a sawmill or a reman facility, integrating SAWBOX into your production line can lead to significant improvements in efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability.

As the industry continues to evolve, staying ahead of the curve is essential. Discover how SAWBOX can transform your business, making it more competitive and resilient in a rapidly changing market. By investing in SAWBOX, you will not only improve your manufacturing capabilities, but also contribute to a more sustainable and economically vibrant community.

Explore the possibilities of SAWBOX and take the first step towards a more efficient and sustainable future for your wood processing business.

About SPRINGER

The family-owned company, located in Austria (Europe), USA and Canada, plans, develops, and produces machines and state of the art solutions for the wood processing industry. All processes, such as transporting, sorting, grading of wood, and automation, are implemented at the highest technological level. Special attention is placed on sustainability. The climate-neutral company employs more than 500 people worldwide and is managed by the third generation of the Springer family, Timo Springer and Gero Springer.

 

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The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) has moved products, inspection, and training to the front of its Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD) campaign.

As #GLAD2024 approaches on Thursday 18 July, LEEA is sharpening its focus on the importance of surrounding these three cornerstones of lifting with high quality.

GLAD is an established event where its members, manufacturers, and suppliers lead those sharing material that promotes safe and high quality load lifting across the world. Social media posts, videos, articles, and in-person activity are bound together by the hashtag, #GLAD2024.

Ross Moloney, CEO at LEEA, said: “It’s about the ongoing battle between cost and quality. We all know that buying decisions are made for a multitude of reasons, but we want people to make sure those choices are always based on quality. It is perhaps easy for some not to think there’s any difference in quality and that all equipment and services are the same; we’re saying this isn’t the case. It’s why we constantly refer to skills, standards, and high levels of competency. This is a specialist industry, where high quality is a minimum requirement.”

LEEA has already circulated three graphics based on high quality products, inspection, and training, all of which attach the trifecta to existing #GLAD2024 publicity. The message chimes with LEEA’s organisational vision to eliminate accidents, injuries, and fatalities, placing further emphasis on skills and employment, which had emerged as front-running themes when the fifth GLAD drive was launched.

Moloney added: “We are in a risky industry, and these are three key ways by which we can eliminate risk; accidents occur when these three things fail. Product matters, but because it was once compliant doesn’t mean it always will be, hence the need for ongoing inspection, and this must be conducted by a high quality individual, who has been trained to the highest standards.

“This is where the LEEA logo fits,” Moloney continued. “Joining our association means you become associated with high quality providers. Our members go through an audit where we help them to check and improve their processes and practices. And on an ongoing basis our members access training developed and devised by 1,000 members worldwide. We’re not making this content up ourselves — it’s written by the industry, for the industry. Above and beyond GLAD, it’s a clear market signal to end users: if you are involved in lifting, look for the LEEA logo.”

Moloney delivered a well-received presentation, centred on GLAD, to the Associated Wire Rope Fabricators (AWRF) Spring General Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee last month (April). It was a delegation united in understanding that there is no low-risk job in the lifting industry, and the entire global community must be trained and competent. Further, it is a sector that is offering work opportunities, especially to younger people looking to become trained and qualified.

“Skills in our industry pays the bills,” roared Moloney. “You get trained and qualified, and there are work opportunities in our high tech, high quality industry. A perception endures that lifting is all about heft and physicality, but our people fight gravity and do dangerous things. They all need to be trained and competent, so there are no unskilled occupations. We provide training and we strongly encourage end users to make sure that anyone they work with is trained and work ready. Look at our TEAM card initiative for evidence.”

• Anyone interested in celebrating the lifting industry on 18 July can pledge their support by completing a short form on the dedicated GLAD website https://globalliftingawarenessday.com/partner-form

 

Caption: Global Lifting Awareness Day 2024 — #GLAD2024 — will uphold high quality products, inspection, and training on 18 July.

 

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OTTAWA/GATINEAU – The anticipation is palpable as DEMO International, the premier forestry equipment exhibition, gears up to make its mark in the picturesque capital region of Ottawa/Gatineau from September 17-21, 2024. Organized by the Canadian Woodlands Forum, DEMO International is the quintessential event for forestry professionals, showcasing the latest innovations and technologies in action amidst the stunning woodland backdrop.

As part of the festivities, the DEMO International Pre-conference will kick off at the Delta Ottawa City Centre on September 17-18, offering attendees an unparalleled opportunity to delve deeper into key industry topics. From presentations on research, automation, and digitalization to discussions on logging and trucking, biodiversity, and sustainability practices, the pre-conference promises to be an enriching experience for all participants. Additionally, insights into international forestry outlooks from Sweden and Finland will provide valuable perspectives on global forestry trends and best practices.

Mark your calendars as registration for both the pre-conference and the main DEMO International event opens in June, offering attendees the chance to immerse themselves in a week-long celebration of forestry excellence.

DEMO International is renowned for its dynamic demonstrations of cutting-edge forestry equipment, providing attendees with a firsthand glimpse into the future of the industry. From state-of-the-art machinery to groundbreaking technologies, exhibitors will bring their products to life, demonstrating their capabilities live in the woods.

As the flagship event of the Canadian Woodlands Forum, DEMO International is a testament to the organization’s commitment to advancing forestry practices and fostering innovation within the industry. Hosted by SBC Cedar, a prominent player in the forestry sector, this year’s DEMO International promises to be an unforgettable affair.

Beyond the exhilarating demonstrations, attendees including high school students with the outreach program can look forward to networking opportunities, educational sessions, career information and insights from industry experts.

Moreover, by visiting Canada’s capital region this Fall, attendees can explore its rich cultural offerings, iconic landmarks, and picturesque surroundings, making DEMO International an enriching experience both personally and professionally.

 

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To expand its range of wireless and radio remote controls, crane and hoist control specialist CP Automation has agreed a new partnership with Tele Radio in the UK and Ireland. After two years of conversation and negotiation, the two companies are now officially partners. Following the new agreement, CP Automation will now supply the Swedish original equipment manufacturer’s extensive range of radio controls, which can support various crane and lifting applications.

Following the new agreement, CP Automation will now supply the Swedish original equipment manufacturer’s extensive range of radio controls together with existing product ranges, which can support various crane and lifting applications. Tele Radio’s range offers reliable and flexible products customizable to all kinds of specific crane, lifting and hoisting needs. When installed, the Tele Radio remote controls can improve safety in industrial applications by enhancing operator control from a safe distance.

“This new agreement is the result of months of collaboration, negotiation, trust, and respect between ourselves and Tele Radio,”explained Andy Swann, global business manager for cranes & power transmission at CP Automation. “Like us, Tele Radio is a growing business of experienced engineers and specialists that put their customers first and pride themselves in the dependable products and support that they offer.

“Tele Radio was very open with us and, by its admission, cranes are not an industry that the company solely specialises in, so it was actively looking for a partner,” added Swann. “We’re a natural fit and, together, we can now provide greater technical support, back-up, and product choice for Tele Radio’s product customers, which CP Automation will manage using its market and product expertise.”

“Power and motion control is key to any material handling system or application — especially those involving overhead cranes and hoists,” added John Mitchell, global sales and marketing director at CP Automation. “As well as cranes, we’ll be introducing Tele Radio’s controls to our elevator customers and those working in our other core industrial markets, so that they can also benefit from the improved control these products provide.”

“Having had the opportunity to meet the team at CP Automation and to get to know them over the past two years, I know the word partnership means more to us than just a contract,” added John Suero, managing director at Tele Radio United Kingdom & Ireland. “It means that we are fully committed to each other’s success.”

To find out more about radio controls for overhead cranes or other industrial applications visit their website tele-radio.com

 

 

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Södra has decided to invest in a battery-electric long-haul truck in its daily logistics chain for transporting woodchips. Using self-produced, fossil-free electricity to charge the woodchip truck, the environmental footprint from these transport operations will be dramatically reduced. The electric woodchip truck is supplied by Scania and represents a milestone in Södra’s long-term goal of transitioning to fossil-free transportation.

Today, road transport plays a key role in the Swedish forest industry, and as one of the largest buyers of transport services, Södra has long strived to make its logistics more efficient and environmentally friendly. Truck transport accounts for about 5 percent of Södra’s fossil CO₂ emissions when indirect emissions are also included. By introducing this long-haul truck to transport woodchips in Blekinge and eastern Småland, Södra is taking an important step towards a fossil-free future.

Delivery of the battery-electric woodchip truck is expected towards the end of 2024 and the truck will be tested in real-life conditions during the 2025–2027 period. The aim is that the truck will travel about 100,000 kilometres per year, corresponding to 400 kilometres every day. Meanwhile, to facilitate charging during normal operations, the plan is to extensively expand the charging infrastructure at the mills in Mörrum, Mönsterås, Orrefors and Långasjö over the coming year. On completion of the test program, the pilot project will be evaluated to formulate a clear plan for the large-scale electrification of Södra’s entire vehicle fleet.

“This battery-electric woodchip truck is an exciting milestone in our efforts to electrify the truck fleet, not least because it is being deployed directly in our operations as part of our day-to-day transport operations. The project will teach us a great deal while contributing to Södra’s overall goal of net zero emissions by 2040. I am convinced that the test will also generate valuable insights that the entire industry can benefit from in the future,” said Henrik Brodin, Project Manager for A Fossil-Free Södra.

Part of the TREE project
The pilot project is part of the TREE project, an initiative coordinated by the Forestry Research Institute of Sweden (Skogforsk). The overarching objective of the project is to contribute to ensuring that battery-electric vehicles accounts for 50 percent of new truck sales in the forestry industry by 2030. In addition to Södra, a further 20 partners are participating in this ambitious initiative, including other forest companies, logistics companies, haulage companies, charging infrastructure companies, technology companies and universities.

The project will answer important questions regarding route optimisation and charging infrastructure, knowledge that can help Södra and its contract hauliers to reduce their costs and environmental footprint across the value chain.

Scania supplier of electric woodchip truck
The electric woodchip truck is a Scania 45R with a load capacity of up to 64 tonnes. With an estimated range of 250 to 300 kilometres when deployed in Södra’s operations, it is ideal for regional transport operations in eastern Småland. The truck has three integrated electric motors providing a continuous power output level equivalent to 610 hp and comes equipped with 624 kWh of batteries installed. The truck has a charging capability of 375 kW, which means that charging time is minimised and is usually around one hour under normal operations. The electric woodchip truck will be introduced into regular route planning and will operate just like the rest of Södra’s truck fleet.

“It’s clear that a major shift to fossil-free electrified road transport is under way. It will be interesting to see how the electric woodchip truck performs once it is integrated into Södra’s daily production operations,” said Patrik Svanberg at Scania Sverige AB.

 

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Granted since 1954, the iF DESIGN AWARD is one of the most significant and prestigious design awards in the world. The globally recognised iF DESIGN AWARD is considered a symbol of outstanding design. The award winners will be celebrated at the iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT 2024 event at Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin in Germany on Monday 29 April 2024.

The jury paid particular attention to the functionality and usability of the PONSSE Opti 5G information system. The user interface makes the forest machine operator’s work easier and produces other harvesting information, including operator working hours, production, machine operation and fuel consumption.

“The Opti 5G system is designed to be easy to use to reduce the cognitive load of the forest machine operator and improve productivity. The user interface was completely rethought in our project to meet the users’ needs in the forest industry of today and the future. Design based on a user study and the large-scale testing of results are key factors behind the development of Opti 5G,” says Juha Inberg, Chief Technology and R&D Officer at Ponsse.

“During the project, we addressed the needs of forest machine operators, machine owners, maintenance services and sawmills,” says UX Manager Panu Johansson.

“This award is for everyone who has participated in the software development of the 5G system.  Software development is almost always the result of the efforts of a large group of people. Software is at the core of modern forest machines to facilitate the use of the machine and make their operation more efficient. The user experience also plays an important role in improving efficiency, coping and comfort. Development at Ponsse focuses on understanding user needs,” says Inberg.

A total of 10,800 products and projects from 72 different countries were sent to the 2024 competition for evaluation. This year’s iF jury consisted of 132 high-profile design specialists from 23 countries.

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Varias empresas quieren crear una nueva industria que pueda hacer que los árboles, que almacenan el carbono que calienta al planeta, sean más lucrativos que la mayor causa de deforestación mundial: la ganadería.

Cattle ranches have ruled the Amazon for decades. Now, new companies are selling something else: the ability of trees to lock away planet-warming carbon.

An audacious federal plan to protect the spotted owl would eradicate hundreds of thousands of barred owls in the coming years.

Koskisen has invested in a new log sorting line with a Logeye for their state of the art sawmill in Järvelä.

The Logeye is a multi-sensor scanner that utilizes laser, colour, and X-ray channels to provide a high-precision real 360° shape of the log with a wealth of data for log sorting and cutting optimization. The Logeye has a high precision both in over and under bark detection, as well as log inner properties, making it a great choice and a successful product for the northern markets.

Koskisen Production Director Lassi Santala explains that the long and successful cooperation with MiCROTEC Espoo on the Finscan product line as well as the technical features of the Logeye was a big impact on their decision.

The Logeye from MiCROTEC stood out from the competition with the technology of the advanced hardware of the inhouse crometic color cameras within the multi-sensor approach. We see brightly on our future needs with the innovation and technology at MiCROTEC as well as the cooperation going forward continues Santala,  Installation will take place in Q4 of 2024. Juha Ropilo, MD of MiCROTEC Espoo comments on the investment from Koskisen.  “With this partnership we are even further strengthening our position as a provider on the Finnish market, not only within lumber products but also with our wide known log scanners. We look forward to a continuous successful collaboration and installation together with Koskisen.”

Established in Finland in 1909, Koskisen is a forerunner in the mechanical wood industry with over 900 employees. The Koskinen group processes Finnish wood into sawn goods, plywood, veneer and chipboard with customers over the world.

 

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Almost 2.5-million hardwood and softwood seedlings are being dispatched from Forestry Corporation’s Grafton Nursery to be replanted in state forests across New South Wales. The Grafton Nursery grows a mix of eucalyptus and pine seedlings, which are replanted in state forest timber plantations that have previously been harvested for renewable timber products.

“These seedlings will be planted and grown for around 30 years to supply renewable timber for the next generation’s homes and infrastructure,” Forestry Corporation’s District Manager for Grafton Lyndon Orpwood said.

“After timber harvest operations, state forests in New South Wales are regrown or replanted to continue the forest cycle into the future,” Mr Orpwood said. “Timber is the ultimate renewable resource and is crucial to the Australian construction industry. “ Almost 100 million seedlings have been raised at the Grafton nursery over the past two decades, ultimately helping to build people’s homes and to replenish vital public infrastructure including power poles, marine piers, bridges and platforms,” he said.

Forestry Corporation’s pine and native hardwood seedling nursery at Grafton employs a permanent workforce of 13 staff, who are assisted with the annual dispatch by a seasonal workforce. When in full production, the Grafton Nursery produces around 50,000 seedlings a day with all stock grown from seed.

The eucalypt and pine seedlings are being dispatched from the Grafton nursery across the state for replanting schedules in plantation forests.

For plantation forests in southern NSW, Forestry Corporation produces seedlings at its Tumut Nursery. Since it opened in 1997, the southern NSW nursery has produced more than 176 million cold climate seedlings.

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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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The countless industries that use lifting equipment are being urged to unite in support of Global Lifting Awareness Day on Thursday 18 July.

Driven by the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), #GLAD2024 is an established event where its members, manufacturers, and suppliers lead those sharing material that promotes safe and high quality load lifting across the world. Social media posts, videos, articles, and in-person activity are bound together by the hashtag.

However, LEEA and supporting stakeholders recognise that the continued growth of the concept — and realisation of the association’s wider vision of eliminated accidents, injuries, and fatalities — is collectively in the hands of those that use lifting equipment. Accordingly, messaging is being positioned more squarely on the point of use than in four prior stagings of the event.

Cranes, hoists, rigging gear, and height safety hardware is central to safe operations in a myriad of end-user sectors, including civil engineering, construction, material handling, metals, military, offshore, subsea, and renewables, to select just a handful. It is towards these applications that LEEA’s daily work and #GLAD2024 campaigning points.

Ross Moloney, CEO at LEEA, said: “To take GLAD from an idea to a globally recognised movement required us to garner support from major stakeholders in our industry, many of which are LEEA members and long-time collaborators. Empowered by their support, and that of fellow trade authorities, media, and a select group of users, we must now energise more people with lifting equipment in their hands and on their person, as well as those responsible for sourcing it.”

The latest campaign messaging harmonises with the launch of new promotional graphics that centre on the truism that end-user marketplaces need the lifting industry and vice versa in terms of elevating the profile of the annual awareness day. Already in circulation are two immediately recognisable #GLAD2024 graphics that share the slogans:

• ‘You Need the Lifting Industry’
• ‘The Lifting Industry Needs You’

Moloney explained: “There are kindred spirits at both ends of the supply chain. The lifting industry needs equipment users to spread our message, central to which is that the safe application of our technologies and solutions is their lifeblood too. Where would construction be without cranes, or wind energy without height safety equipment, or wet logistics without all kinds of lifting gear? You Need the Lifting Industry; The Lifting Industry Needs You.”

This year’s campaign trail is already advanced, with the two pillars of earlier announcements being that LEEA will focus its strategy on skills and employment and do so under a new #GLAD2024 logo. It is encouraging everyone to contribute by using graphics and the hashtag to celebrate their involvement with the industry, at all levels of the supply chain.

Industry representatives are reminded to share their content so LEEA can add it to the website — www.globalliftingawarenessday.com — where information about apprenticeships, military recruitment, diversity, sustainability, and technology has been posted during previous years.

• Celebrate the lifting industry on Thursday 18 July — include the #GLAD2024 hashtag.

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FAE expands its line for small excavators with the new PML/EX family for 2–7.5 ton excavators. The new line replaces the PML/HY and PMM/HY lines and the previous version of the PML/EX.

The new PML/EX can mulch light vegetation, shrubs, and trees up to 5 cm in diameter. Light and compact, it’s the perfect tool for managing and protecting wildlife habitats and maintaining commercial parks and sports grounds.

The head is designed for high productivity, durability, and easy installation and maintenance.

The PML/EX’s Direct Drive motor minimizes maintenance and allows for a smaller machine body for better maneuverability. With a flow regulator valve built into the motor and a thumb bracket integrated into the frame, the head maintains a clean profile and compact build.

The hydraulic motor is compatible with excavators that do not have a drainage line, making the head easier to install. This feature makes the head a plug-and-play piece of equipment.

The new PML/EX can be equipped with PML hammers or Y-flails and comes in an operating width of 75, 100, 125, or 150.

 ABOUT FAE

FAE is the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of heads for tractors, excavators, skid steers, special vehicles, and tracked carriers for forestry, agricultural, road and demining work.

With a range of more than 90 products and 400 models, FAE can meet the most diverse customer demands. FAE’s range of heads includes forestry mulchers, tillers, stump cutters, stone crushers, soil stabilizers, road planers, wheel saws and multitasks. Our line of tracked carriers includes tracked carriers with cabs and remote controlled tracked carriers.

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Tigercat adds fifth model to harvesting head line-up with the new three-wheel drive 573.

In late September 2023, visitors to the PLC live demo event held in Washington state got a sneak peak of the new Tigercat 573 harvesting head processing logs on the end of a Tigercat 875E logger. Since then, multiple units have been testing in far flung regions from Alberta to Australia and the results are in. The 573 is shaping up to be a high performing, reliable head for roadside processing and harvesting.

Best suited to medium and large tree profiles, the 573 has a 800 mm (31 in) maximum cut capacity and offers optimal performance in 400-600 mm (16-24 in) diameter timber. The feed rollers close down to 60 mm (2.4 in), allowing the 573 to smoothly delimb and process smaller diameter trees and thus achieve higher value fibre recovery.

The compact frame design deftly handles poor stem form and contributes to tidy delimbing performance. The triangulated feed wheel arm configuration operates in locked three-wheel drive. This, combined with timed knife arms, provide the operator with fast picking and positive stem control for high productivity in roadside processing applications. Independently mounted, trailing-arm length measuring ensures reliable tracking and accuracy.

The top knife and lower/back knife pivot on the same side of the chassis frame, aligning the position and flow of each stem centrally through the head. This arrangement promotes positive contact with all three feed rollers and the measuring wheel at all times. The result is better quality and accuracy, reduced fuel consumption, and greater processing speed. The orientation also provides the operator with a clear sightline to the measuring wheel.

The 573 is standard equipped with continuous rotation for ease of use and superior hose routing and protection. Quick, stable WiFi connectivity between the cab and attachment modules reduces wire routing along the boom and provides excellent command response.

The Tigercat D7 control system is available with Priority or Optimization levels and is fully compatible and compliant with StanForD Classic and 2010.

The 573 is a great fit for the H250D, 850 and 875E for roadside processing applications and the H822E and H855E carriers for in-stand harvesting.

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Opticom Tech, a leader in industrial video monitoring solutions, announces its new CC04-IP5MV3 camera, an upgrade to the CC04-IP3MV camera.

The new CC04 camera offers a higher resolution than its predecessor—5 megapixel compared to 3 MP. It also supports artificial intelligence (AI) functions such as object detection, intrusion detection, line crossing, object counting, and more.

“We’re excited to offer these upgrades to new and existing customers,” said Heidi Schmidt, Global Sales Manager at Opticom. “High-resolution video is vital for operations monitoring and security in industrial facilities. And AI is becoming a reality of our world, so having cameras equipped to support that emerging technology puts facilities ahead of their competition.”

The CC04 camera is NDAA compliant, utilizes the ONVIF protocol and can withstand high-vibration, hazardous and controlled environments. It can also withstand direct hits by logs, boards, rocks, and other objects, making it an ideal video monitoring solution for industrial facilities.

About Opticom Tech

Founded in 1973, Opticom Tech provides integrated video monitoring solutions for industrial applications, including sawmills, mines, food processing facilities, and more. Built to withstand harsh environments, Opticom’s rugged cameras and equipment stand the test of time. For more information, click here.

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