Forestry harvesting machine wins national innovation award

A non-scientist has won a major forestry research award for his key role in developing a new harvesting machine designed to be safer and more productive on steep slopes. Kerry Hill, Managing Director of Trinder Engineering Ltd, of Nelson, is one of five winners of the second annual Future Forests Research Awards, presented at a function in Rotorua on Tuesday 14 August.

Mr Hill was one of four nominees for the award for innovation that adds value to the forestry sector. The three judges cited Trinder Engineering’s joint development with Kelly Logging Ltd over the past three years of a winch-assisted steep slope feller-buncher machine. Innovations include a front mounted winch, rear mounted blade and integrated hydraulic control systems.

They said: “Kerry has also led the development of an advanced hauler vision system and initiated construction of a grapple camera system in July 2010 which is now commercially available. He has also collaborated with a Rotorua firm to fit the camera system to a new South African designed grapple carriage system and this is currently undergoing productivity trials.”

The development is part of a new harvest optimisation session designed specifically for harvesting contractors, forestry managers and transport operators in the upcoming ForestTECH 2012 – Improving Wood Transport & Logistics programme that will run in Rotorua on 4-5 December. Harvesting contractors through the Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA) will also be linking into this New Zealand forestry event on the day. Further details can be found on www.foresttechevents.com.

The FFR award for communication and sector engagement was won by Graham West, of Scion Crown Research Institute, Rotorua. The FFR award for science of international quality was also won by a Scion researcher, Mark Riddell, for the development of a new method of assessing spiral grain in trees. Spiral, rather than straight, grain can affect the strength and uniformity of wood products.

The fourth award, for research participation and uptake by a member of FFR, went to Mark Self, of Timberlands, Rotorua. Long-time Scion researcher Charlie Low was awarded the prize for contribution to a science team. He is the Task Leader for Cypress breeding and for genetic resources at Scion, and over more than 40 years has developed an outstanding level of knowledge on a range of exotic forestry species.

FFR established the Future Forest Research Awards in 2011 to recognise the vital role that science and innovation play in the forestry sector and to acknowledge outstanding achievements by researchers and industry end users, FFR Chief Executive Russell Dale said.

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