Logging-on wishes all subscribers all the best for a productive and safe 2020! We start the year off with a bang with new technology products showing us where the future of logging and road management will be. However, Logging-on was reminded of the need for good internet connectivity to make the best of the management of new technologies. Visiting a remote area off the northern tip of the island of Borneo, we were unable to get our first issue of 2019 sent last week due to a complete internet collapse. This serves as a reminder that the technology march in forestry will need to consider the often remote locations in forestry and the accompanying connectivity challenges.
To get the year started we examine the new Tigercat 850 high volume roadside processor. The 850 has developed a formidable reputation as a tough and reliable machine, so we now expect to see high performance roadside processing taking place at locations around the world. Softree is a well-known solution provider for road planning and management in forestry. Besides making many improvements to their software offering, they have also added cable yarding landing and site planning to the programme. It is now easier to optimise landing placement considering road and yarding requirements. Doosan shows us the future of the construction (and logging!) worksites through integrated technologies to allow the optimisation of humans and their interaction with autonomous vehicles. Doppstadt have released a fine grinder, the smallest in the AK range. Finally, we examine the new strategic alliance being formed by the Volvo Group (actually UD Trucks) and Isuzu Motors.