Short Cuts “FAST-ADOPTERS CAN MAKE MONEY” RECO

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FROM SKOGFORSK. NO 4 | 2012 | RESEARCH FOR TOMORROW’S FORESTRY
RECO
COURSE
EFFECTIVE
SKOGFORSKS NEW FRAMEWORK:
“EVEN GREATER FOCUS
ON APPLICATION”
THEME CONTRACTOR
“FAST-ADOPTERS CAN MAKE MONEY”
THE ASH CAN BE SAVED | MULTI-TREE IN FINAL FELLING | TREE BREEDING –
STRAIGHTER WOOD | BIGGER PAYLOADS | WELL-USED FOREST OWNER SITE
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The dreaded ash dieback is attacking
and killing ash trees throughout the
tree’s geographical range in Sweden.
There are no known cures, but there is
still hope for the tree. Researchers at
Skogforsk believe that there is good
scope for breeding less susceptible
trees.
“Our studies show that ash dieback is
strongly governed by genetics, and that
there is a large genetic variation in the resistance of different ash trees,” says LarsGöran Stener of Skogforsk in Ekebo.
Consequently, plant breeding seems
to have good potential for developing
ash plants that are less sensitive to ash
dieback.
“We certainly think so. No ashes are
completely unaffected by the fungus,
but some are considerably more resistant than others.”
THE ASH
CAN BE
SAVED
READ MORE: Resultat no. 11/2012
CONTACT: Lars-Göran Stener, Skogforsk
+46 (0)418-47 13 03
lars-goran.stener@skogforsk.se
PHOTO: SKOGENBILD
In Nordic mythology, the Yggdrasil
ash tree is regarded as the tree of
life, but now the ash has been classified as ‘vulnerable’ on the Red List
because the tree is being killed by
the very aggressive ash dieback disease. Typical symptoms are withered leaves, dead shoots, and wounds
on branches and stem. When the infection has surrounded the entire
stem, nutrient supply is choked and
the tree dies.
The first case was observed in Lithuania and Poland in the mid-1990s,
since when the disease has spread to
most of Europe. Approximately 30
percent of the ash stands in Lithuania
have been killed. The first reports of
its occurrence in Sweden came in
2002 and the disease is now found
over virtually the entire geographical
range of the species (mainly Götaland and Svealand).
Wood at risk. But the ash is also an important part of the cultural heritage.
WELL-USED FOREST OWNER SITE
Six of every ten visitors to the
Knowledge Direct site are forest
owners, and a further two are
planning to become forest owners, according to a survey carried out by the site. The results
show that Knowledge Direct has
reached its objective to be a decision support tool for the individual forest owner.
2
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Knowledge Direct is an online
decision support system about
forestry and silviculture. The site
has been developed and managed by Skogforsk in collaboration
with LRF (Federation of Swedish
Farmers) and the Swedish Forest
Agency. The aim was to be a decision support tool for the individual forest owner, regardless of
whether they are active or outsource many forestry services.
The results of a web survey show
the site has attained its objective.
The survey showed that 58
percent of visitors to Knowledge
Direct were forest owners.
A further 19 percent stated that
they were “probably future forest
owners”.
The Knowledge Direct site is
visited annually by approximately
100 000 unique visitors. The visitors are engaged – the average
visitor remains on the site for six
minutes and looks at seven
pages. One-tenth of the visits extended to more than 20 pages.
READ MORE: kunskapdirekt.se
RESEARCH FOR TOMORROW’S FORESTRY
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MULTI-TREE HANDLING
A GOOD INVESTMENT
– ALSO IN FINAL FELLING
Multi-tree handling has been generally applied in thinning for several years, but the method is
also successful in final felling.
The practice is applied, for example, in Finland and Canada
and interest has also grown in
Sweden in recent years. Skogforsk is now studying the method.
BREEDING CAN
STRAIGHTEN
WOOD
Reported productivity improve-
ments vary from 4 to 16 percent in
different studies. Productivity mainly depends on the mean stem volume of the stand. The method
also reduces diesel consumption.
“We’ve also carried out a simple
analysis of the payback time for
multi-tree handling equipment,”
says Torbjörn Brunberg at Skogforsk. “And it seems to be a good
investment.”
Generally, productivity is estimated to increase by approximately
five percent in one year of logging.
The cost of the equipment is estimated to be SEK 80 000 when an
existing unit is modified, but would
probably be lower if the equip-
ment was already fitted when the
unit was first purchased.
“If we assume that the annual
logging volume of a machine in
northern Sweden is 60 000 m3sub,
and that the logging cost is SEK
52/m3sub, the annual saving is
SEK 156 000”, says Torbjörn Brunberg.
But the value of the reduced
diesel consumption should also be
included. Annual consumption
decreases by approximately 5 per-
cent, or 0.6 percent of the cost per
m3sub, so the fuel saving is
0.006*52*60 000 = SEK 18 720.
However, costs of repair and maintenance should also be taken into
account, approximately SEK
14 000 per year. Skogforsk calculates that payback time is approximately six months.
READ MORE: Resultat no. 13/2012
CONTACT: Torbjörn Brunberg, Skogforsk
+46 (0)18-18 85 63
torbjorn.brunberg@skogforsk.se
WORLD CALLS FOR BIGGER PAYLOADS
READ MORE: Resultat no. 12/2012
CONTACT: Karl-Anders Högberg
At the international transport
conference, the 12th Heavy Vehicle Transport Technology Symposium, Skogforsk’s Claes Löfroth
presented the results of the comprehensive ETT study of a 90-tonne
timber truck at SCA Skog in Norrbotten.
Volvo Lastvagnar AB described
the technical aspects of the vehicle,
and the Swedish Transport Authority presented the road safety issues. The great improvement in
energy efficiency was emphasised
– the ETT vehicle uses 60 tonnekm/l of diesel compared with approximately 40 tonne-km/l diesel
for a conventional 60-tonne vehicle.
The conference view was unani-
Curved and warped sawn
wood products are not an uncommon phenomenon but in
the future we may be able to
produce straighter wood by
using trees with improved
genetic properties..
The key to improved form
stability lies in the grain angle of
the wood, which affects the behaviour after sawing and drying. Somewhat simplified, the
greater the grain angle of the
wood, the greater the degree of
warping in the sawn product.
“Our experiments show a
clear link between the genetics
of the tree, its grain angle and
the form stability of the wood
product,” says Karl-Anders
Högberg at Skogforsk. “Furthermore, the grain angle of the
tree is easy to measure,and
should be included when we
select trees for forest tree breeding.”
+46 (0)418-471306
karl-anders.hogberg@skogforsk.se
300
MILLION
SEK
Claes Löfroth, Skogforsk and Paul Nordengen, President of the International Forum Road Transport Technology.
mous. The global trend is towards
larger, longer vehicles that carry
heavier payloads, reduce fuel consumption per tonne kilometre, and
have less environmental impact.
RESEARCH FOR TOMORROW’S FORESTRY
CONTACT: Claes Löfroth
+46 (0)18-18 85 07
claes.lofroth@skogforsk.se
This is how much of Skogforsk’s funding from the
Swedish Government and
industry is in place for the
framework programme
2013-2016.
READ MORE ON PAGE 8
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3
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THEME | CONTRACTOR
“Contractors that are fast adopters can get an excellent return on investments
in new technology, but as the technological solution becomes standard, there
is less chance to make money.”
Text & photo | sverker johansson, bitzer@live.se
I am on my way to a machine pre-
Constant development. Jon Mattsson inspects the adjustable extra wheel on a 10-wheeled forwarder. “If any contractor wants to invest in new technology, we guarantee we can find a business solution to help them.”
sentation outside Rättvik, together
with Jon Mattsson, technical manager at Stora Enso Forest's Swedish
head office in Falun. Ponsse is demonstrating a Buffalo forwarder with
two extra wheels to reduce ground
damage. This is necessary – the
ground in the Dalarna forests is saturated. And today it is raining... yet
again.
“Take multi-tree handling,” continues Jon, “the first contractors to invest in the technology get most
benefit from the productivity increase. But as we’ve introduced it in
our own teams and can update our
productivity norms, the technology
eventually becomes standard. What
we demand from contractors in terms
of performance is based on performance norms for our own machine
teams. This also applies to our requirements regarding quality – our own
experiences provide the information
on which discussions are based.
“The grapple tilt is another piece
of technology we’ve been working
on. We’ve been helping the seller, Sit
Right, to overcome problems of installation on various machine models
– we could do that because we test
many machines of our own. It’s difficult to let contractors test solutions
that are not really completed – in the
worst case scenario, this can lead to
opposition. We pave the way by absorbing a lot of the development
costs ourselves first.”
Jon is looking forward to the demonstration. Logging on saturated
ground and poor winters call for new
technology, and more wheels on a
standard machine could be a way to
reduce the problems. There is no place
for disruptions in the wood flows.
In the demonstration, we note that
even this machine makes deep tracks
when the ground is really wet. Over
the stream and the deepest parts of
the base haulage road, a simpler technological solution is used: ground
protection in the form of temporary
bridging and matting. This looks
very effective.
The contractors, the presumptive
customers, are eating goulash soup in
the sales tent. But are they buying? Perhaps. If the client demands it. If they
know that it is worthwhile. If they see
with their own eyes that it works.
4
RESEARCH FOR TOMORROW’S FORESTRY
“FAST-ADOPTERS
CAN MAKE A LOT
OF MONEY”
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3 CONTRACTORS
TALK ABOUT DEVELOPMENT
”Development
also generates
involvement.
Management
The management group decides
which projects will be prioritised.
Environment
coordination
Logging
The Environment Coordination
Group is involved, to ensure that
a project does not conflict with
environmental targets and certification requirements.
The logging group, which decides
on development projects and presents them to the management
group, comprises both administrative staff and regional/district staff.
Logging Section
The Logging Section produces
decision-support data for suitable
development projects, mainly data
from...
Method T
Method FF
... the method groups for Final Felling and Thinning, which comprises the
machine teams most appropriate for development and field staff from the
three regions, North, East and West. They also disseminate knowledge in
the field organisation.
VEGARD HAANAES, STORA ENSO:
How we develop logging
“We’ve fitted multi-tree handling equipment on all machines but one, and I think it
increases production while calming the
tempo. We weren’t exactly the first adopters, but waited to see the follow-ups that
Stora Enso carried out. It can be good to
wait. For example, when you’re at the Nolia
Trade Fair, there are many ‘professors’ who
know all about it. But you want to see for
MAGNUS ELIASSON
yourself first. There are still many multi-tree Eliasson Logging AB
4 harvesters and
handling units where the clamping arms
5 forwarders
stick straight out after a while...
One client
“Sit Right were putting pressure on me to (Stora Enso)
buy grapple tilts, but I wanted to see more first. I told them they
were very welcome to screw on a couple so I could test them
and then buy them in six months time if I liked them. They cost
SEK 60 000, so payback time is quite lengthy, and I want evidence that it’s worth my while.
“But one development initiative I really believe in is training.
It’s cheap in relation to the great value it adds. We’ve run a
short version of RECO with the instructor that SMF uses, Tomas
Pettersson. He’s worked his way through all our machine settings. And we’ve also had Peter Larsson from Ljusdal on methodology. A good investment.”
“We’ve just bought a Logmax multi-tree
handling unit. We think it’s a good investment but we haven’t negotiated with the
client yet ahead of the new year. Not until
then will we know what we earn from the
investment in the longer term. However,
until then we get most of the return on it
anyway. Siljan is positive to new technology, so we’ll come to agreement.
What about one of these 10-wheelers?
“When developing logging, we have a
system where we capture good ideas,
then test, analyse and change them.
They often end up being introduced
in the 25 percent of the teams that are
our own.”
JAN-ERIK LISSJANIS
Lissjanis Skog AB,
2 harvesters and
2 forwarders
One client (Siljan)
“It could be seen as an opportunity. If you
find a niche for operating on soft ground,
instead of passively accepting it as a risk
that you get allocated the wettest areas. We only work for individual landowners, and our reputation in the district is judged
by what we leave after us – both our reputation and Siljan’s.
How extensive is this part of business
development?
“Our investments are first needs-driven, and then budgeted. Right now,
we’re running a large project, Right
Method. The aim is to reduce damage
and improve efficiency in final felling,
and the project was developed by one
of our teams in Hällefors. The method
will be disseminated to all teams and
contractors, so a lot of work is involved. But it also generates a lot of
energy, as the concept benefits contractors, clients and landowners. We’re
also preparing a similar project for thinning. Other areas we’re working on are
the introduction of multi-tree handling
among the contractors and the grapple
tilt in our own teams, to maximise effect
RESEARCH FOR TOMORROW’S FORESTRY
Vegard Haanaes, drivningsutvecklare.
of both technology and method.
“Development also generates involvement. For example, we monitor the
use of new technology and methods
after implementation. It’s important
that everyone benefits from the development work in the long term.”
“For me, development is having good-quality machinery, never anything half-baked.
The investments must pay for themselves
quickly when you have a small company, so
preferably new... but proven! My philosophy is never to buy a new model until it’s
been in operation for three years. When
I worked at Stora, I was involved in running
in ten new machines, so I know all about
KENNETH FÄLT
K Fält Skog AB,
teething problems.
2 forwarders
A 10-wheeled forwarder perhaps?
One client
”Doubtful. It’s hard to see how those extra (Stora Enso)
wheels benefit production, and it would
take a long time to reach payback. But if
Stora were to demand it so that I could work better on soft
ground, then I’d start negotiating. Reaching agreement is never
impossible.”
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5
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THEME | CONTRACTOR
GRINDUGA
OPERATORS TALK
ABOUT RECO
Gustav Dellen
(in the background, Skogforsk’s Anders
Mörk):
“I’ve become better at placing the piles
in a V-shape in relation to each other, so
I don’t have to move the unit so much
when I’m sorting. This increases productivity and also makes it easier for the forwarder later.”
Niclas Nåtfors:
“I have better crane settings now, with
slower speed and softer braking. And it’s
noticeable that the harvester operators
are thoroughly trained – I now have full
grapples more often, at any rate in dense
thinning.”
Henrik Sandberg:
“I think more about my machine posi-
tioning, so I can maximise the number of
stems. And I also think that we tackle
things in a completely different way now
– after 20 minutes with the MIG welding
machine we had spikes on the back roller of the Valmet and could reduce the
pressure on the rollers. This has saved
pipes, fuel... and reduced frustration.
Instead of just getting used to skidding...”
6
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’’
Instructions will
become a natural
part of the
machine service.
RESEARCH FOR TOMORROW’S FORESTRY
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“IT’S ABOUT
THINKING
THE RIGHT WAY”
A year ago, Grinduga Skogsentreprenad carried out its first RECO
training. We visited the Gävle team to hear about their experiences of
the project.
Text & Photo: sverker johansson, bitzer@live.se
“It’s more about thinking the right
way than counting litres,” says Marcus Pettersson, owner of Grinduga
Skogsentreprenad AB. “Making the
lads aware of fuel consumption is the
first step. Of course, engines are not
left idling and the machines are not
running during telephone conversations... but the big thing is awareness. It makes the operators think
about the figures, why things go
wrong and how to avoid it next time.
“And it also initiates a process within the group, a cultural change. The
lads start discussing which machines
and units are suitable for the forest...
‘You take the first thinning of that
area of small trees with the 1170’ or
‘If we start by working together to
clear that far edge, then we can divide up the site later... then we avoid
too much terrain transport. They
plan the day’s work together, much
more than they used to.
“And they discuss many of their
thoughts with the service providers –
it’s like rings on the water and sends
signals to the machine manufacturers.”
After RECO, Marcus Pettersson
has consciously continued to develop
his staff.
“We’re now continuing with method training. And last week I was on
a follow-up course on the John Deere
software, Timberlink. It works in the
machines, but doesn’t work when
I want it in the computer. Anyway,
I hope to get a better follow-up started
soon, because it’s important for the
lads. The RECO follow-up, where
they were to enter their own figures
in the template, didn’t go so well.
I think we need tools that are much
easier to use – the operators must be
able to follow reliable figures directly
in the machine computer, just like a
trip computer in the vehicle. It needs
to be as simple as that... otherwise it
doesn’t get done.
“Earlier, the operators were perhaps more focused on technology.
About RECO
Rational Efficient Cost Optimization
“Better followup is needed.”
Marcus Petterson, owner of
Grinduga
Skogsentreprenad AB.
This training course for machine operators is coordinated
by Skogforsk. The programme has been available since
2010, and approximately 900 operators have completed
the course. The aim is to increase awareness about
working with the elements that create value, increase
productivity, and reduce stress.
Anders Mörk, Skogforsk
+46 (0)18-18 85 00
anders.mork@skogforsk.se
CONTACT:
RESEARCH FOR TOMORROW’S FORESTRY
The machines don’t break down so
often nowadays and my lads now
focus more on the operation – but
this means they need more support
from the service providers. And I believe that service will be developed,
become more sophisticated. Service
isn’t about changing the oil – it’s
about making sure that everything
works like it should.”
How do you mean?
“The machines are so good today
that they maintain a decent level of
production, even when so many settings are incorrect. We need help
from really skilled people to get that
little bit extra – so instructions will
become a natural part of the machine
service I think. Then we’ll get thorough instruction at regular intervals.
“Unfortunately I feel this is something of a problem in the sector – it’s
difficult to get hold of good instructors. But this will definitely improve
with time.”
About Grinduga Skogsentreprenad
Grinduga Skogsentreprenad AB was founded in 2000 and
currently has six employees. The company is owned by
Marcus Pettersson.
The company is PEFC-certified and is a member of SMF.
The company is also certified in accordance with the quality label Regelrätt Entreprenad. All employees have certificates of competency in nature and culture conservation,
Green Card, ADR certification and hot work.
The company operates mainly in the Gävle district,
but sometimes has contracts in other parts of Sweden.
Grinduga Skogsentreprenad works mainly with thinning,
and has both harvesters and forwarders.
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7
SKOGFORSK’S NEW FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME AND ORGANISATION 2013-2016:
“EVEN GREATER FOCUS
ON APPLICATION”
Next year sees the start of Skogforsk’s new four-year framework programme,
financed equally by Skogforsk’s stakeholders and the Swedish Government.
The programme comprises approximately half of the institute’s activities,
with an appropriation level of SEK 300 million for the entire period.
Text sverker johansson | Photo skogforsk
R&D area
Forest Production
R&D area
Wood Supply
Research Manager Kaj Rosén will be
succeeded on 1 March by Marie Larsson-Stern.
Research Manager Lennart Rådström
will be succeeded on 1 May by Magnus
Thor
PROGRAMMES
Tree Breeding North
Bengt Andersson
Tree Breeding South
Bo Karlsson Forest Management, Conservation
and Environment
Isabelle Bergkvist
PROGRAMMES
Planning and Communication Systems
Gert Andersson
Technology and Wood
Rolf Björheden
Efficient forest fuel Supply Systems (ESS)
Maria Iwarsson Wide
“Generally speaking,
ment of technology to increase forestry productivity.
“Our results will be
used,” says Jan Fryk. “The
activities will become even
more application-oriented,
with stronger focus on economic and profitability aspects.”
The new programme also
brings changes in the R&D
organisation. There will be two research
areas, each comprising three research
programmes, led by two research managers and six programme managers.
we’re continuing along the
same road,” says CEO of
Skogforsk, Jan Fryk. “But
among the new R&D elements, I’d like to mention
long-term evaluation of damage called by wildlife
browsing, consequence
analyses of alternative forestry systems, forest roads,
and processing technology for deciduous trees.”
Particular priority is given to the problem of ground damage and develop-
UPPSALA (Head Office) Uppsala Science Park,
SE-751 83 Uppsala, Sweden Phone: +46 18 188500
EKEBO Ekebo 2250, SE-268 90 Svalöv, Sweden
Phone: +46 418 471300
UMEÅ P.O. Box 3, SE-918 21 Sävar, Sweden.
Phone: +46 90 2033350
www.skogforsk.se
RESEARCH PROGRAMMES
WOOD UTILIZATION Lars Wilhelmsson
lars.wilhelmsson@skogforsk.se.
Phone: +46 18 188555
FOREST TECHNOLOGY Magnus Thor
magnus.thor@skogforsk.se
Phone: +46 18 188596
LOGISTICS Gert Andersson,
gert.andersson@skogforsk.se
Phone: +46 18 188567
Mia Ivarsson Wide
New Programme Manager,
ESS
’’
I’ve tried a number of
different roles at Skogforsk... and now a new one.
Challenging and exciting! I’ve
worked for a long time on forest fuel, particulary smalldimension trees. Even though
it’s quite satisfying and secure
to feel you’re a specialist in a
particular field, I’m basically a
generalist. I like working with
a bit of everything – coordinating, initiating, and driving a
number of projects forward.
“Many of the major pieces
are in place, and we have a
good platform on which to
build, but of course we can
go further on collaboration
issues and enabling good business between forestry and
the energy sector. Other examples are issues that concern various types of
information flow, product
descriptions and classification, and new applications
for forest fuels.”
FOREST BIOENERGY Rolf Björheden
rolf.bjorheden@skogforsk.se
Phone: +46 18 188509
TREE BREEDING NORTH
Bengt Andersson
bengt.andersson@skogforsk.se
Ph: +46 90 2033358
TREE BREEDING SOUTH Bo Karlsson
bo.karlsson@skogforsk.se
Phone: +46 418 471305
Isabelle Bergkvist
New Programme Manager,
Forest Management, Conservation and Environment
’’
I feel really inspired
ahead of my new role
as manager of this broad programme. I’m confident about
Skogforsk’s new organisation, with greater integration
and collaboration towards
common goals. I also hope
I can contribute to somewhat
greater diversity in the Skogforsk team of programme
managers and thereby new
ways to solve problems.
A strong driving ambition is
to spread energy, commitment and motivation among
our skilled and knowledgeable colleagues – and lay the
foundations for an even
better Skogforsk!”
SILVICULTURE
Lars-Göran Sundblad
lars-goran.sundblad@skogforsk.se.
Ph: +46 90 2033369
ENVIRONMENT Jan-Olov Weslien
jan-olov.weslien@skogforsk.se
Phone: +46 18 188505
Editor in chief: Jan Fryk | Form: Pagarango | Editor: Sverker Johansson, Bitzer | ISSN: 2000-2726
Photos: Sverker Johansson unless otherwise stated | Translated by: Leslie Walke, CommunicAID | Printed by: Gävle Offset, 2012