Shaws Iron Test; Wizard Tricks
Today we are in Southland, testing the CDL log grapple made by 3D Industrial Engineering in Rotorua. It’s a tough test, the macrocarpa logs are big, old and heavy, but the grapple shines through as a solid bit of New Zealand-made kit. The 3D Industrial Engineering story is a classic one of starting out with humble beginnings in a shed south of Rotorua and now having 15 staff making equipment for forestry operations nationwide. But more about that later.
We venture about as far south as you can go, to Invercar...
NZ Logger Feature Sections June 2026
Harvesting; Skidder productivity in a high production crew
Over the last two decades, a lot of effort and research has focused on improving cable logging systems.This has been driven by the need to mechanise for both productiv...
Benefits of using remote control
Some of the technology used in the clearing of landmines is being utilised to clear land of vegetation in New Zealand.FAE’s RCU series of remote controlled compact tra...
Forest Talk
Expansion and acquisition for Niagara Sawmilling
Niagara Sawmilling Company recently began a $115 million expansion of its timber processing operations, marking the most significant growth phase in the comp...
Fungi-carrying “beetle taxis” could impact forestry plantations
Bark and ambrosia beetles are acting as tiny taxis for fungi across New Zealand, giving researchers valuable clues about how these organisms travel through f...
Log grapple shines through
Southland is the location for June’s Iron Test, of the CDL log grapple made by 3D Industrial Engineering in Rotorua, paired with a Caterpillar Next Gen 320.W...
New CEO at OneFortyOne
Andrew Leighton is OneFortyOne’s incoming Chief Executive Officer. He will join the company following a comprehensive selection process and will succee...
NRC says Fuel Response Plan hits the mark for freight
National Road Carriers Association (NRC) has welcomed the decision to prioritise freight carriers as part of the government’s updated Fuel Response Plan in t...
NZIF supports stronger focus on climate adaptation for forests
The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) has welcomed the release of the Climate Change Commission’s 2026 National Climate Change Risk Assessment, partic...
The humble skidder
Over the last two decades, a lot of effort and research has focused on improving cable logging systemsThis has been driven by the need to mechanise both for ...
"if a tree falls in a forest...?"
Forest Talk will hear it!
