The compact size and 360o lifting capability of the SENNEBOGEN 821 M log-handler are well-suited to the busy yard conditions at Scotia Atlantic Biomass.
Middle Musquodoboit, NS – Miles Wright has worked in tough jobsites for more than 30 years, from diamond drilling across Canada to forestry products in the Maritimes. But when he needed a new log-loader for the pelleting mill he now manages, he looked outside the industries he already knew.
“I got to know some scrap people in the area when I was overseeing a large demolition project,” Wright recalls. “They have a rough job and they run their machines hard and in difficult environments. However, they had nothing but good things to say about their SENNEBOGEN equipment.”
Impressed by the green machines’ dependability in harsh environments, Wright recently took possession of a SENNEBOGEN 821 M at the Scotia Atlantic Biomass facility, 40 miles east of Halifax, NS.
Formerly known as Enligna Canada, the 157 acre plant is now operated by Viridis Energy of Vancouver. As Plant Manager of the operation under three ownership groups over the past 15 years, Wright has proven he knows his way around the woodpile, too.
Simple solution for cost-efficiency
The new 821 M log-loader was acquired to feed the CBI 6400 T chipper that completes the primary processing of scrap wood and round wood for the pelleting process. The plant capacity is 120,000 tons per year, and Wright aims to keep the plant supplied with wood by running the chipper through seven 12-hour shifts per week. Dependability was a key factor in his choice of log-loaders.
“As our other loaders were getting older, I got concerned about their electronics. They were very computerized and not easy to troubleshoot. I liked SENNEBOGEN’s idea of simplicity for low long-term cost of maintenance.”
Well established in North American material handling facilities, SENNEBOGEN made its name for “computer free” engineering, with purpose-built machines that equipment technicians can easily service and troubleshoot onsite without extensive expertise in electronics.
Small but mighty 821 M
Wright looked at all the top names in material handlers, but chose to work with the local Strongco dealership and its Territory Manager, Mark Haggett. Haggett arranged for Wright to see similar SENNEBOGEN machines in action.
“The 821 is perfect for us,” says Wright. “It’s compact, maneuverable and it’s good on fuel. Our chipper is remote controlled and runs on a track, with the control in the cab of the SENNEBOGEN. So it’s a one-man job. With approximately 150 truckloads a week coming in, the 821 can maneuver very easily around the yard, especially with its 360o working capability.”
Haggett explains that, while many of the machines in the region are larger, the 54,000 lb. 821 model is an excellent fit for Scotia Atlantic Biomass. “They receive and handle a real mix of wood here, from mill residues to deadwood to low-grade hardwoods, so you can expect the occasional log to break and wedge itself into the feed. With a compact machine and grapple like this, the operator can reach right into the chipper and pick it out, with no major loss of uptime.”
The 821 is also a cost saver in such a large, paved yard as this one. The log-loader is able to move quickly around the piles while saving fuel with its light weight and efficient hydraulics.
Easy to work with
For Wright, the decision to switch to SENNEBOGEN was a combination of productivity, simplicity and business factors. “We know Strongco from our work with their loaders. When we were making the purchase, we found that Strongco and SENNEBOGEN were easiest to work with. They were able to come up with terms that were fair for everyone.”
Achieving business goals
Wright’s chipper is currently set to put through about 50 tons/hour, producing a very fine chip that needs little secondary processing before it is processed into fuel pellets. The plant has the equipment and capacity to change up its mix of input woods or end product, and is confident that its new SENNEBOGEN 821 is more than able to keep up with the required pace.
“The plant runs 24/7, but we like to limit the chipper to 12 hours a day to keep noise down for our neighbours,” says Wright. “The 821 is very capable for what we’re asking it to do. It’s getting the job done, with the volume that we need.”