Shredder creates opportunities

A shredding machine is turning out to be more than just providing a solution to managing a logging company’s fibre waste.

The Pronar Shredder, purchased by Kelly Logging in April, is turning out to be a winner in terms of finding solutions for managing the waste from logging works, says Kelly Logging owner, Nigel Kelly.

“Over the past 10 years, there has been a lot of focus on developing solutions for harvesting while maintaining environmental credibility, but there has been very little investment in finding better solutions for managing the waste from logging operations,” says Nigel.

He says he saw the machine at a waste dump event in Christchurch and thought it would fit with what the crews were doing, so he demonstrated the machine to one of his Marlborough-based crews.

“There was enough evidence there to see that there was value in the results and it was worth pursuing further.

“Every new piece of equipment requires a shake-down period to establish the best way it fits into the business, to both maximise efficiency and have the least amount of disruption to daily operations.”

While still in the early stages of understanding and identifying what true opportunities they have from using this equipment, Nigel says they are learning fast and know they are heading in the right direction with indicators that there is room for big growth in the fuel and energy area in the Top of the South.

“Regionally there is not enough development in using wood fibre for energy, but we are moving in this space now,” Nigel adds.

“Sometimes it’s hard to foresee obstacles without actually getting amongst it. This is why we decided to go ahead and purchase the shredder.

“We are finding opportunities all the time on what we can use the end-material for, and what services we can provide to the wider community, not just forestry.” The Pronar Shedder machine has provided Kelly Logging with a solution to managing their waste fibre from traditional industry practices.”

Nigel says, in the big picture, this will positively reduce environmental risk, while also providing additional opportunities to sell the end product. So far shredded material has had a range of uses as ground cover on forestry haul roads and new earthworks areas and being used for dry store sheds for cattle and stock.

“Shredded product used on the roads has acted as a silt filter and is all but eliminating silt runoff from roads and tracks which have been difficult to manage in the past.”

Orchard and shelterbelt waste have also been keeping the machine busy, eliminating the need for risky fires.

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