With costs so high and the earning window restricted by the weather, Gisborne-based crews like A & R Logging are looking to new technologies like the Falcon two-speed winch assist to make their operations faster, more resilient and more efficient.
Expanding the capability was also part of the reason A & R’s Arana Kuru replaced his original Hitachi-based Falcon winch assist machine with a new Sany-based Gen 4 Falcon two-speed winch assist in August 2022. The machine has done a bit over 500 hours in that time and so far has impressed with its increased strength and stability – much needed attributes in what has so far been a rocky year.
So, what does Arana think of the Sany based Falcon? “Pretty mean. It’s grunty compared to the old one. It runs like a nice smooth 30-tonne digger. High and wide. Heaps of grunt. No ad blue. Straight 6 Isuzu. It’s basic and that’s all I wanted, it just sits on the ridge and idles most of the time. And when you want to move it, the thing just tears it up. Massive track power. I’m happy as with it so far.”
And what’s it actually like running one of these tethered machines?
“The tether control screen is fixed in the top corner of our Tigercat’s cab where it can be easily viewed,” Arana says. “ The control buttons are on the joystick and are easy to access and use. By pushing a button you can turn the winch mode on or off, increase or decrease the desired rope tension, manually pay rope in or out and it has an emergency winch stop. Very easy to use and accessed by one thumb.”
To read more, get your copy of the July 2023 edition of NZ Logger magazine, on sale from 3 July. Check the link on this page to subscribe to either a printed or digital copy (or both).
