The name Henry Fear is synonymous with innovation in New Zealand forestry circles. Whether it be as an early disruptor in silviculture with mechanical planters; introducing ‘smart spades’ which identify exactly where to plant a tree seedling; or hydrogel to extend the planting season, where there’s transformation, you’ll find Henry in the thick of it. His latest project is no exception. The Kobelco BR 160, aka the Bladerunner, using an MDE Koala 400 Tree Shear attachment, is doing the job of three machines when we meet Henry in Kaingaroa Forest.

Henry of H.A. Fear contracting says, “Possibly the only three-in-one machine in New Zealand that can fall and bunch trees and bulldoze at the same time, the Bladerunner is a great example of a ‘one man, one machine’ operation and it removes the need for a whole lot of additional more expensive equipment.”

He explains: “There are three aspects to it. Because it’s an excavator top half, we can dig with it, we use the tree shear to cut the trees down and directionally fell them, and then the bulldozer blades sweep the skid sites and form them - all in one machine.”

For a small machine it’s clear it can do a lot.

To read more, get your copy of the February 2023 edition of NZ Logger magazine, on sale from 6 February. Check the link on this page to subscribe to either a printed or digital copy (or both).