Australian Earthmoving – June 2018

WHAT'S HOT

VOLVO L220H LOADER

SPEARHEADS EFFICIENCIES IN TASMANIAN TIMBER OPERATION.

Timberlink’s modern Bell Bay operation is the only
large scale, forest integrated plantation softwood
Sawmilling Company located in Tasmania where
they produce their widest range of commodities.
The product mix includes structural framing, outdoor
structural framing, fencing, landscaping, decorative
timbers and industrial supplies. They directly employ
over 200 people and engage predominantly local
contractors and businesses to support their Bell
Bay operation. The indirect contribution to the local
economy is estimated at $150M.

Timberlink Bell Bay in conjunction with their
treatment supply partner Lonza, developed their
innovative “Low Odour Timberlink Green” range of
products. The new patent pending product is a world
first with 30 times less odour, which creates a more
pleasant workplace for customers and end-users
while still retaining the superior strength, stability and
appearance of traditional LOSP products.

Today timber in Australia is in high demand.

At Timberlink’s Bell Bay sawmilling operation, Log
Yard Supervisor, Dean Smith believes that adopting
new technologies and specifying components
according to need rather than tradition, will lead to
higher profits for the company, despite timber prices
almost remaining static for the last decade, due in no
small part to cheaply imported products.

Smith monitors the processes and movements in the
log yard with the sharpened pencil of an accountant.
Combining a broad knowledge of the sawmilling
industry and his understanding of production
practices with consideration for future demands,
he configures his loaders to safeguard the highest
interests of the company.

“We found the CJD team to be very proactive in
working with us to agree on the specification of the
L220H and L180G and checking all the details were

correct to ensure the machines would do ‘what it says

on the tin’. The overall package was very competitive

too so all in all this prompted us to choose Volvo once

again.”

Dean Smith and his team are no strangers to operating

Volvo equipment, having previously run an L180C

wheel loader in another sawmilling operation, where

they were impressed with the reliability and economy

of the Volvo machine.

Specifying the L220H as the main loader in the log

yard increased productivity considerably because it is

more than capable of lifting an entire bay of logs off

a truck in one lift.

“The power of the L220H gives us greater efficiencies

through increased productivity and fuel economy

gains because the machine isn’t working beyond

its capability,” operator Scotty Harris said. “We can

unload and stack a B-Double load of logs in under

eight minutes with either machine.

“We’re very pleased with our turn around time for

unloading, on average, from the time a log truck

arrives at the weighbridge, they can be unloaded and

back on the weighbridge within 15-mintues,” Scotty

added.

“The L180G is used as a secondary machine in the

log yard,” Dean explained. “Its more than capable

of keeping the mill fed with fresh logs and equally

at home unloading log trucks. Being a little smaller

gives it the agility to perform other tasks around the

mill and the simplicity of the quick hitch attachments

makes swapping from the log grapple to a bucket a

quick operation and adds to the machine’s versatility.”

The new L220H model is powered by a 13-litre Stage

IV Final engine (373hp) and benefits from Volvo

designed and manufactured driveline components,

including the company’s Optishift system with torque

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