This month our Iron Test team visits DK Logging's stems crew in the mighty Matahina Forest near Kawerau to test the capable and innovative new Tigercat LH 857 running a Satco 3L2 and tethered off a T-Winch 10.3 where required. 

"It drives better and has more lift power than the previous 855 - better cab, wider seat and that swept up tail makes a big difference in the steep country," says owner, Kevin O'Malley. 

Kevin started out as a loader operator on a Hough 65 loading out for wood lot crews. He then decided driving the trucks looked like more fun, so he took a job hauling logs out of Kawhia to the Mount and Pokeno: "That forest is just about ready to harvest again so it's been a while."

Kevin had a break off trucks and logging for a few years then got back into it by setting up a crew based in Taupo with Dave Olsen - hence D and K. Kevin and his wife Debbie have now bought the business and Debbie says the D in DK stand for Debbie too, so it works out well. 

The soil here is notoriously tough on gear Kevin says: "It's real gritty ash and clay. We get 30% more wear here versus the Tarawera side. You only get 3500 to 4000 hours out of a set of track chains whereas we would get 6000 hours in other areas." 

The terrain, while not overly high has some challenging sections with tight, steep gully heads keeping things interesting. 

Just as well they’ve got “a mean workhorse” 

To read more, get your copy of the March 2026 edition of NZ Logger magazine, on sale from 2 March. Check the link on this page to subscribe to either a printed or digital copy (or both).