Fuel efficient and fast loading of New Zealands logging export
Northland, New Zealand’s northernmost province, exports forestry and processed-timber goods, agricultural and horticultural products and cement to international markets. All are shipped from the region’s multipurpose deep-water commercial facility – Northport – the newest port in New Zealand, situated 140km from Auckland.
According to the Forest Owners Association, the country is now the biggest exporter of lumber to China – overtaking former leader Russia – with total volumes exceeding 16 million cubic meters during 2013, tripling that of 2006. As the closest gateway to international markets, Northport’s shipments of timber products are ramping up and Quality Marshalling – an innovative forestry handling logistics contractor at the port – will only rely on world-class equipment to ensure it keeps up with demand.
Specializing in marshalling (receiving cargo and loading it onto the wharf ready for export), and scaling (determining the total volume of logs that’s being exported), Quality Marshalling runs operations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At Northport the company uses two Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) L350F wheel loaders – that along with support from national dealer, TransDiesel – provide fast and efficient cycle times, day and night, to load and unload cargo onto the wharf and to waiting ships.
An unbeatable combination
The Volvo L350 F-Series wheel loader features a Volvo D16 V-ACT engine that offers full power, even at idle speed. Combined with the load sensing hydraulics system, which delivers the exact hydraulic oil flow to the functions that require it, the L350F can deliver unrivalled low fuel consumption.
Shayne Jenkins, General Manager of Quality Marshalling, who has 20 years’ experience in the forestry export sector, says: “The critical factor for us when choosing a wheel loader for this application is operational costs. From what we’ve seen, fuel consumption in the Volvo L350F is significantly less compared to other similar sized machines.”
“In a large-scale port that operates around the clock, a machine’s productivity is very important,” Jenkins adds. “This machine’s ability to move large quantities of wood in a short space of time has exceeded our expectations.”
Volvo CE’s commitment to operator safety is instantly recognizable in its range of wheel loaders that offer class-leading all-round visibility and ergonomic in-cab controls for a safe and comfortable ride. “The feedback from our operators has been extremely positive,” says Jenkins. “They all comment on how quietly the L350F runs, the way the machine handles with excellent visibility when handling logs. Operators have also commented about how comfortable the cab is especially when operating a 12 hour shift.”
A partner who cares
Volvo CE’s national distributor in New Zealand is TransDiesel, a company renowned for its nationwide technical support coverage and commitment to partnering with its customers for the long-term. For Quality Marshalling, operating 24/7 is only possible with excellent service and support from TransDiesel’s highly trained technicians – and fast and effective parts delivery. TransDiesel works for its customers to ensure that machine downtime is kept to an absolute minimum.
Ends.
Text: Holly Brace
May 2014
For further information, please visit: www.volvoce.com/press
Or contact:
Mats Edenborg
Volvo Construction Equipment
Tel: +65 6412 2804
Email: mats.edenborg@volvo.com
Holly Brace
SE10
Singapore
Tel: +65 9724 4871
Email: holly.brace@se10.com
www.volvoce.com/press