Valuable training for SWL harvesting staff
A large group of Scottish Woodlands staff took part in a valuable training experience during two visits to John Deere Forestry Ltd.
More than 25 members of SWL harvesting teams visited John Deere’s state-of-the-art branches in Carlisle and Perth to get an insight into technology, culture, customer service and much more.
John Deere demonstrated their remote ‘live’ site monitoring harvesting software, with an interactive manual demonstration of how the process is undertaken on site - and how this can be verified on-site by forestry works managers.
The teams then toured the facilities and got to see the new 1270H Series Harvester.
Andrew Tuft, Harvesting and Marketing Director for Scottish Woodlands Ltd, said: “We had two fantastic days and would like to say a huge thank you to John Deere Forestry Ltd and especially Jock McKie and Lewis Bowsher for providing training to our timber harvesting staff at Carlisle and Perth. We all got an excellent insight into the impressive culture and customer service-driven nature of John Deere Forestry.”
Both Jock and Lewis demonstrated the remote ‘live’ site monitoring harvesting software TimberManager and TimberMatic, in addition to machine and supporting technology, and the harvesting head calibration process.
Andrew Tuft added: “Our staff also had the opportunity to partake in a manual demonstration of how the calibration process is undertaken on site, with the harvester electronic calipers and the harvester self-calibrating software. We also looked at how this can be verified by our harvesting staff when they are undertaking site visits."
“Correct machine calibration is extremely important as it ensures accurate details on the timber volume yield that is being generated from the site and the individual product category volumes being generated too, such as sawlogs, palletwood, fencing and small roundwood."
“Correct calibration also ensures that the various products are being cut to the right specification and within acceptable tolerances such as length and diameter. With this information our staff can accurately monitor site progress in relation to productivity, quality standards, progress, and financial performance.”
Scottish Woodlands Head of Compliance Iain Calvert was at both sites to give an overview of the legislative background covering the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment (LOLER) in Forestry and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment (PUWER) in Forestry.
Andrew Tuft said: “Having a broad understanding of these regulations allows managers to be confident in knowing what machine checks should be undertaken when they are visiting their harvesting sites and discussing their findings with machine operators on site."
“This training helps provide our timber harvesting staff with the skills and knowledge to deliver their Forestry Works Managers roles effectively on all sites which they manage, in addition to contributing to their personal continual professional development.”
Mr Tuft concluded: “Our staff also got a tour around the impressive depots in addition to getting a close-up view of a brand new JD1270 H Series harvester, gleaming in the glorious sunshine! An enjoyable day was had by all, and our harvesting staff will take forward what they have learned onto their timber harvesting sites - although sunshine is not guaranteed!”
Ian Robinson, Managing Director of Scottish Woodlands Ltd said: “Visits like this are vital to ensure our staff are fully up to date with the latest industry developments in technology, compliance and customer service - and demonstrate the continuing commitment of Scottish Woodlands Ltd to the very highest professional standards throughout the business.”
The Scottish Woodlands attendees were:
Carlisle: Larissa Pagan, Jamie Bertram, Anthony Wrightson, Cameron McLeod & Gregor Hamblin (all Dumfries office); Antoni Dunn, Michael Hall, Daniel Robinson & Kyle de Villiers (all Alnwick); Adam Stirling & Alastair Squire (both Chirk, North Wales); Alex Cranke & Ben Goodall (both Melrose) and Ruaridh Macintyre (Perth).
Perth: Lewis Taylor, Sarah Armstead & Morven Wilson (all Elgin); Graham Donaldson, James Ronald & Casey Keller (all Dingwall); Scott Carter, Joe Birch & Craig Wrightson (all Perth); David Curtis (Lochgilphead); Niall Duncan (Banchory); and Andrew Tuft (Melrose).
Iain Calvert, Head of Compliance, based in Elgin, attended both events.