2018 International Forest Industries December 2017 January 2018 | Page 57

INDUSTRY VOICE to instability. John Deere: Foreign exchange rates continue to impact overall trading, from the exporting and importing of wood products to the cost to manufacture and ship equipment globally. Additionally, changes to trade regulations and tariffs create some uncertainty and will impact the forestry industry as details are finalized. Q. Have your customers, increased, maintained or decreased their spending on new technologies? A. Cat: Loggers are increasingly embracing the use of technology to help them in their business. One thing worth remembering is that logging contractors have to manage their assets, whether those assets are machines or people. And whether they have three machines or an entire fleet of machines, running one job site or multiple job sites. ‘Smart iron’ is leveraging new technology to increase machine utilization and reduce ownership and operating costs. It enables loggers to manage equipment like never before. The more a machine is working productively and efficiently for you, the more wood you produce, and the more money you earn. The more efficient your logging operations, the greater the return on your investment. Caterpillar has made digital technology available to loggers for decades. With Product Link and Vision Link, loggers can collect data about machine performance and have access to it on any Web-enabled device. This technology helps track idle time, up time, machine location, and monitor machine performance and prevent catastrophic failures. We are working hard to advance this technology to the next level. is showing how new technologies are valuable to customers especially through increased productivity, reduced downtime, and improved fuel efficiency, which in turn adds up to increased profits. More younger operators work in the industry now and are demanding more technology and cab comforts. Barko continues to invest in engineering to focus on new technologies and how we can integrate them into our equipment to provide value to the customer. a brand of FAE Group .ORG Reversible engine cooling fan THE BEST Tigercat: Most customers have largely maintained their spend on new technologies although in the challenge to fully and safely mechanize logging on steep terrain, they have increased their spend. John Deere: While we are seeing more loggers adopting technology, there are still some misconceptions about the benefits of technology to logging contractors. As more loggers begin using technology and experience the business benefits, we anticipate an increased adoption rate. As a partner to loggers, John Deere is dedicated to offering the technology solutions loggers need to improve productivity and uptime, ultimately boosting their bottom-line. Recently John Deere announced that its 1270G Harvester would be the first harvester in the industry to be equipped with Intelligent Boom Control. With IBC, the operator controls the harvester head while the system simultaneously adjusts the boom’s movement, creating smoother boom operation. IBC reduces stress on the entire boom and machine structure, as well as improves operator ergonomics and productivity. John Deere is committed to providing loggers, and the subsequent forestry supply chain, with the data they need to maximize their productivity and efficiency. JDLink, TimberNavi, TimberOffice and IBC provide loggers with the information they need to get a leg up on their competitors. PLANER LUMBER GRADER THE BEST IN THE INDUSTRY ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● GEOMETRIC DEFECTS ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Thickness: Width: Length: Skip: Wane: Holes : Warp: ± 0,005’’; ± 0,005’’; ± 0,060’’; ± 0,005’’; ± 0,015’’; ± 0,015’’; ± 0,125’’; 32 Systems sold in North America Proven performance in stud and random mills BEST grading quality in the industry BEST value in the industry (ROI) Minimum mechanical and computers hardware Permanente calibration BEST service in the industry : 24/7 BEST warranty in the industry Twin Tracheid NATURAL DEFECTS ● ● ● ● ● Accurate real time measurements for effective adjustment of the planer FULL LINE SCAT Split and shake White speck, decay and rot Slope of Grain Compression wood Knots DOTTED LINE SCA Production Dashboard: real-tim production efficiency and qual VAB Solutions Inc. 4685 Boul. Guillaume Couture, Lévis, Québec G6W T•: 418-834-0606 F•: 418-834-0645 vab-solutions. The all new KESLA har 27RH-II | 28RH-II | 30RH www.kesla.com The new heads present improve and reliability. Altogether the he improvements that lift them to a lots of options to equip the head conditions, from the borealis co hardwoods or processing and d and Acacia, are available. Barko: Our customers have maintained their spending on new technologies and seem to be more willing to accept new technologies than in the past. We work closely with our dealers and customers to meet their need. Our challenge International Forest Industries | DECEMBER 2017 / JANUARY 2018 55