Testing Caterpillar Machinery in High Value Eucalyptus Plantations

Precision Silviculture in High Value Eucalyptus Plantations:
Testing Caterpillar Compact Machinery in Vegetation Clearing Activities

Gustavo Iglesias Trabado & Roberto Carballeira Tenreiro Contact GIT Forestry Consulting
GIT Forestry Consulting - Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal - www.git-forestry.com - EUCALYPTOLOGICS


You never know what benefits having a forestry blog as EUCALYPTOLOGICS can deliver... until it happens. Last week we were kindly invited by Caterpillar and Barloworld Finanzauto to see an Atomic Ant in operation. Sounds strange? Then, imagine what a yellow toy-sized Bulldozer Micro-Machine as big as your golf cart can do when CAT engined!


Caterpillar CAT 277C multi terrain loader on shrub slashing duty in a high value Eucalyptus timber plantation in Galicia / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal collaborates with Caterpillar for machine testing / Lugo / Galicia / Spain / Eucalyptologics: Information Resources on Eucalyptus cultivation worldwide / Eucalyptologics: Recursos de Información sobre el Cultivo del Eucalipto en el Mundo

Fig. 1: Compact Multi-Terrain Loader Caterpillar CAT277C on forestry work operations in a High Value Eucalyptus Model Forest of Galicia (Northwestern Spain). (Click image to enlarge)

And the funniest part of it all is that these guys did let us drive the machine even if you are a noob like us who had never tried before. So, there it goes a video of it all in a nearby pine plantation (do not make risky experiments in model forests, do it at the neighbour's yard ;-).


Fig. 2: Eucalyptologics staff driving the CAT around a pine plantation, trying to imitate the scrub clearing and mulching operation done earlier by Barloworld-Finanzauto professionals... and failing miserably! (Click play to watch the video!).


Very comfortable noiseless pressurized cabin with hydraulic seat! And after some simple explanations by their staff you soon start to drive the CAT Atomic Ant by using two joysticks, same way as if you were piloting a X-Wing.

Caterpillar CAT 277C multi terrain loader on shrub slashing duty in a high value Eucalyptus timber plantation in Galicia / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal collaborates with Caterpillar for machine testing / Lugo / Galicia / Spain / Eucalyptologics: Information Resources on Eucalyptus cultivation worldwide / Eucalyptologics: Recursos de Información sobre el Cultivo del Eucalipto en el Mundo

Fig. 3: CATERPILLAR - Barloworld Finanzauto Machinery Demonstration Team in Galicia (NW Spain), after a long day of testing the CAT 277C and the CAT mulcher HM 312. And some good laughs too. (Click image to enlarge)


So, after some fun, we got into the work part of the party. Which was nothing but a technical diagnosis of CAT 277C performance on forestry duty, quality of operation doing scrub slashing and soil mulching, unitary costs, efficiency and fuel thirstyness.


Caterpillar CAT 277C multi terrain loader on shrub slashing duty in a high value Eucalyptus timber plantation in Galicia / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal collaborates with Caterpillar for machine testing / Lugo / Galicia / Spain / Eucalyptologics: Information Resources on Eucalyptus cultivation worldwide / Eucalyptologics: Recursos de Información sobre el Cultivo del Eucalipto en el Mundo

Fig. 4: GIT Forestry's Technical Evaluation of Compact Loader CAT 277C + Rotary Scrub Slasher CAT HM 312 while performing vegetation control and mulching activities in the Galician Highland Forests. (If interested in a larger version, just contact us!).

And particularly interesting for us, on the ability of this machine to work with high precision levels in this model forest, where damage caused by any operation to any standing tree has a bigger effect on the financial balance of a high value timber investment than in the case of a standard timber plantation!.

High value Eucalyptus nitens timber plantation in Galicia to yield venner, laminated wood and pulpwood while managed in a silvopasture regime / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal collaborates with Caterpillar for machine testing / Lugo / Galicia / Spain / Eucalyptologics: Information Resources on Eucalyptus cultivation worldwide / Eucalyptologics: Recursos de Información sobre el Cultivo del Eucalipto en el Mundo

Fig. 5: GIT Forestry Consulting managed High Value Eucalyptus Model Forest is open to forestry machinery testing and any type of collaborative forestry research (Click image to enlarge)

The results were very promising. However, as with any machinery option, it is a balanced comparison of a range of technical factors what gives you a solid ground in which compare brands, machines, accessories... and cost/benefit ratios.


One thing is however certain. If a kid can drive Oddball's Sherman...




... then almost anyone can drive this CAT!




Acknowledgements

Barloworld Finanzauto / Distribuidor en exclusiva de Caterpillar para la venta y servicio postventa de maquinaria de obra pública, construcción, minería, grupos electrógenos, etc. / Bergondo / La Coruña / Spain / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal colabora con Barloworld Finanzauto / Lugo / Galicia / Spain / Eucalyptologics: Information Resources on Eucalyptus cultivation worldwide / Eucalyptologics: Recursos de Información sobre el Cultivo del Eucalipto en el Mundo

Caterpillar / World's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines etc. / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal collaborates with Caterpillar for machine testing / Lugo / Galicia / Spain / Eucalyptologics: Information Resources on Eucalyptus cultivation worldwide / Eucalyptologics: Recursos de Información sobre el Cultivo del Eucalipto en el Mundo




Contact / subscribe to Eucalyptologics

Contact GIT Forestry Consulting / Contact Eucalyptologics / Contacto GIT Forestry Consulting / Contacto Eucalyptologics / Lugo, Galicia, Spain, España / Eucalyptologics, information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation around the world / Eucalyptologics, recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo del eucalipto en el mundoContact GIT Forestry Consulting - Eucalyptologics

EUCALYPTOLOGICS: GIT Forestry Consulting Eucalyptus Blog / Information Resources on Eucalyptus Cultivation Worldwide / Forestry Engineering, Eucalyptus Seed, Eucalyptus Plants, Eucalyptus Wood, Eucalyptus Honey, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Eucalyptus Forests, Eucalyptus Plantations, Eucalyptus Timber, Eucalyptus Lumber, Eucalyptus Furniture, Eucalyptus Veneer, Eucalyptus Plywood, Eucalyptus MDF Board, Eucalyptus Cellulose, Eucalyptus Paper, Eucalyptus Biomass, Eucalyptus Energy, Eucalyptus Floristry, Eucalyptus Foliage, Eucalyptus Garden / Ingenieria Forestal, Semilla de eucalipto, Plantas de eucalipto, Madera de eucalipto, Miel de eucalipto, Aceite Esencial de eucalipto, Bosque de eucalipto, Plantacion de eucalipto, Muebles de eucalipto, Tablero de eucalipto, MDF de eucalipto, Celulosa de eucalipto, Papel de eucalipto, Biomasa de eucalipto, Energia de eucalipto, Ramillo Verde Ornamental de Eucalipto, Jardin de Eucalipto / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics, information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation around the world / Eucalyptologics, recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo del eucalipto en el mundoGIT's Eucalyptology Topics

© 2007-2009 Gustavo Iglesias Trabado. Please contact us if you want to use all or part of this text and photography elsewhere. We like to share, but we do not like rudeness.

Eucalyptus wood, fiber & papermaking properties... by Celso Foelkel

Eucalyptus Species, Woods, Cellulosic Fibres & Papermaking Properties / Eucalyptus Online Book, March 2009, by Celso Foelkel / Eucalyptus Wisdom from Brazil / Eucalipto: Especies, Maderas, Fibras Celulósicas y sus propiedades para la Fabricación de Papel / Libro Online Eucalipto, Marzo 2009, por Celso Foelkel / Ecoeficacia, Ecoeficiencia, Produccion Mas Limpia / Sabiduría eucalíptica desde Brasil

by Celso Foelkel


Eucalyptus Species, Woods, Cellulosic Fibres & Papermaking Properties / Eucalyptus Online Book, March 2009, by Celso Foelkel / Eucalyptus Wisdom from Brazil / Eucalipto: Especies, Maderas, Fibras Celulósicas y sus propiedades para la Fabricación de Papel / Libro Online Eucalipto, Marzo 2009, por Celso Foelkel / Ecoeficacia, Ecoeficiencia, Produccion Mas Limpia / Sabiduría eucalíptica desde Brasil

(Click image to enlarge)



Summary of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Technological characteristics of papers made from Eucalyptus bleached kraft pulps
  • Desired technological quality of Eucalyptus cellulosic fibres
  • Desired technological quality of Eucalyptus wood for cellulose kraft pulp production
  • Key technological factors to consider for the optimisation of Eucalyptus paper production networks: "From forest to paper"
  • Proposal of simple alternatives for a better use of pulpwood and cellulosic fibres in industrial papermaking networks
  • Final Considerations
  • References & Recommended literature
See other chapters of the EUCALYPTUS ONLINE BOOK
English version :: Portuguese version
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English version :: Portuguese version



Grau Celsius - Celsius Degree - Celso Foelkel Eucalyptus WisdomTechnical coordination - Celso Foelkel
Webmaster / editing - Alessandra Foelkel
Celsius Degree: Phone (+55-51) 3338-4809
Copyright © 2007-2010


Grau Celsius - Celsius Degree - Celso Foelkel Eucalyptus Wisdom - Sabiduria Eucaliptica de Celso Foelkel

Eucalyptus Online Book & Newsletter are technical information texts written and made available free of charge to all people involved with the forestry and utilization of the Eucalyptus. It depends only on registering yourself to receive them.

This knowledge oriented service was made possible through sponsoring support provided by ABTCP - Brazilian Technical Association of Pulp and Paper and by Botnia, International Paper do Brasil, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates , Suzano and Votorantim Celulose e Papel. The opinions expressed in the texts are those of the author or coming from the referenced technical literature. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors.

Silver-leaved Eucalyptus... blooming in Galicia

Silver-leaved Mountain Gum: blooming cold hardy ornamental Eucalyptus

Gustavo Iglesias Trabado Contact GIT Forestry Consulting
GIT Forestry Consulting - Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal - www.git-forestry.com - EUCALYPTOLOGICS


Eucalyptus pulverulenta have started blooming in Galicia once again! Normal patterns for this specific small-leaved cultivar follow a more usual late autumn blooming period. However, depending on yearly climatic variation and the fertilization regimes, blooming can be delayed after the worst of the winter season is over. Hence, spring bloomers can be achieved!


Cold hardy Eucalyptus pulverulenta blooming in Galicia / Eucalipto ornamental resistente a la helada floreciendo en Galicia / Gustavo Iglesias Trabado, GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoria y Servicios de Ingenieria Agroforestal, Lugo, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics, Information resources on sustainable eucalypt cultivation worldwide / Recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo sostenible del eucalipto en el mundo
Fig. 1: General outlook of a blooming E. pulverulenta cultivated in the tablelands of Galicia, Spain (USDA Zone 8b). Click image to enlarge.


Flower bud formation however is always from the previous growth season. This means any "delayed blooming" to next spring relies on the older remaining flower buds. So, the most likely case is a less prolific blooming than the usual happening by autumn, be it because of some of these having already flowered, be it because some of the yet immature buds have disappeared due to the effect of winter gales.



Cold hardy Eucalyptus pulverulenta blooming in Galicia / Eucalipto ornamental resistente a la helada floreciendo en Galicia / Gustavo Iglesias Trabado, GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoria y Servicios de Ingenieria Agroforestal, Lugo, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics, Information resources on sustainable eucalypt cultivation worldwide / Recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo sostenible del eucalipto en el mundo
Fig. 2: Detail of flower arrangement on the silver-leaved branchlets of E. pulverulenta. Prolific flowering and gradual blooming can attract huge numbers of pollinators. Click image to enlarge.


No doubt one of the most strange looking ornamental eucalypts able to be grown in Mediterranean and temperate humid conditions, the silver-leaved mountain gum combines a mallee or straggly growth habit with great interest because of the texture and arrangement of its foliage. In addition, prolific flowering adds interest to the plant as a hummingbird or bee attractor, and, of course, as an extra ornamental feature that can be displayed at least twice per year in your garden.


Also in EUCALYPTOLOGICS...

Corymbia ptychocarpa tropical ornamental eucalypt in bloom, Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida / Eucalipto ornamental tropical de flor roja, Leu Gardens / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Lugo, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics, information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation around the world / Eucalyptologics, recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo del eucalipto en el mundo


Spinning Gum, Eucalyptus perrininana flowering in Galicia, cold hardy ornamental eucalypt for cold temperate gardens / Eucalipto giratorio en floracion en Galicia, eucalipto resistente a las heladas para jardines atlanticos / Gustavo Iglesias Trabado / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Lugo, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics: Information Resources on Eucalyptus Cultivation Worldwide / Eucaliptologics: Recursos de Informacion sobre el Cultivo del Eucalipto en el Mundo


Eucalyptus pauciflora subspecies pauciflora about to bloom in the tablelands of Galicia / Eucalipto de las Nieves a punto de florecer en las llanuras montanas de Galicia / Gustavo Iglesias Trabado / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Lugo, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics: Information Resources on Eucalyptus Cultivation Worldwide / Eucaliptologics: Recursos de Informacion sobre el Cultivo del Eucalipto en el Mundo



Eucalyptus morrisbyi in bloom for the first time in the UK / El eucalipto de Morrisby florece por primera vez en el Reino Unido /Lullingstone Castle & The World Garden of Plants, by Tom Hart Dyke / Castillo de Lullingstone y El Jardín del Mundo, por Tom Hart Dyke / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Lugo, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics, information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation around the world / Eucalyptologics, recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo del eucalipto en el mundo



Contact / subscribe to Eucalyptologics

Contact GIT Forestry Consulting / Contact Eucalyptologics / Contacto GIT Forestry Consulting / Contacto Eucalyptologics / Lugo, Galicia, Spain, España / Eucalyptologics, information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation around the world / Eucalyptologics, recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo del eucalipto en el mundoContact GIT Forestry Consulting - Eucalyptologics

EUCALYPTOLOGICS: GIT Forestry Consulting Eucalyptus Blog / Information Resources on Eucalyptus Cultivation Worldwide / Forestry Engineering, Eucalyptus Seed, Eucalyptus Plants, Eucalyptus Wood, Eucalyptus Honey, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Eucalyptus Forests, Eucalyptus Plantations, Eucalyptus Timber, Eucalyptus Lumber, Eucalyptus Furniture, Eucalyptus Veneer, Eucalyptus Plywood, Eucalyptus MDF Board, Eucalyptus Cellulose, Eucalyptus Paper, Eucalyptus Biomass, Eucalyptus Energy, Eucalyptus Floristry, Eucalyptus Foliage, Eucalyptus Garden / Ingenieria Forestal, Semilla de eucalipto, Plantas de eucalipto, Madera de eucalipto, Miel de eucalipto, Aceite Esencial de eucalipto, Bosque de eucalipto, Plantacion de eucalipto, Muebles de eucalipto, Tablero de eucalipto, MDF de eucalipto, Celulosa de eucalipto, Papel de eucalipto, Biomasa de eucalipto, Energia de eucalipto, Ramillo Verde Ornamental de Eucalipto, Jardin de Eucalipto / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics, information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation around the world / Eucalyptologics, recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo del eucalipto en el mundoGIT's Eucalyptology Topics

© 2007-2009 Gustavo Iglesias Trabado. Please contact us if you want to use all or part of this text and photography elsewhere. We like to share, but we do not like rudeness.