In the wake of the climate crisis and heightened environmental awareness, it’s no surprise that the forestry industry has had to undergo a transformative shift in recent years. With over 15% of global greenhouse gases being caused by forestry deforestation but equally providing employment and income as well as products and services, a considered industry balance was needed.
Case in point: Sustainable forestry practices.
Sustainable forestry is all about carefully looking after forests to meet our current resource needs without compromising the environment’s long-term health for future generations. It’s about making sure we use forest resources wisely for things like products and services while also considering how it affects local communities, the diverse wildlife, and how it plays a role in our changing climate crisis.
Our team at Palfinger UK, a leading provider of innovative crane solutions, stands at the forefront of transformation in different industries. The forestry industry is no exception. The cranes we distribute are built with innovative technology with a focus on sustainable forestry practices. As a company, we have always worked with an eco-friendly solutions-first approach. This has enabled us to reshape the industry landscape, ensuring that the delicate balance between economic growth and environmental preservation is maintained. Below are just a few of the ways that the team at Palfinger UK has been innovating its distributed cranes to encourage sustainable forestry practices.
Precision and Intelligence
One of the key innovations driving sustainable forestry practices within Palfinger UK cranes is the integration of precise and efficient operational technologies. For instance, many of our cranes are equipped with advanced technology, such as intelligent (smart) control that simplifies operation to just a single lever instead of multiple moving control functions. This has the benefit of faster and more precise control, as well as reduced potential damage to the crane. Such a targeted approach subsequently minimises collateral damage to surrounding trees and ecosystems, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring the area’s regeneration.
Palfinger forestry cranes such as the S-series are also built with extending telescopic arms. This allows for greater operator precision from a further distance away from prominently sought areas, meaning less impact on the surrounding forestry environment. Through selective harvesting enabled by these cranes, forests can regenerate faster, supporting the natural carbon sequestration process and preserving biodiversity hotspots.
Sustainable Crane Builds
Palfinger cranes are designed to operate with minimal environmental impact and improve industry sustainability. Take our Epsilon cranes. These prioritise the use of lightweight and dependable high-strength materials. This firstly reduces energy consumption and subsequently emissions during operation, but also limits the damage to the surrounding soil by minimising ground pressure and compaction. Additionally, the incorporation of efficient hydraulic systems and eco-friendly lubricants further decreases our crane’s ecological footprint.
Epsilon forestry Skidders and Forwarder crane models such as the Epsilon M-Series are also built with high-quality steel materials that are both durable and recyclable. This minimises resource consumption – allowing for reliable crane operation that lasts longer and requires fewer replacements. Such a build feature provides the tool for crane operators to engage in sustainable forestry practices while also saving resources and improving workforce efficiency. It’s also worth noting that in addition to the sustainability integrated into every Palfinger UK forestry crane we only collaborate with suppliers who share our commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing. This ensures that sustainable forestry is maintained from production, to design, to operation.
Ingrained Training Suitability
In addition to the forestry cranes we distribute, sustainable practice is also built into the various crane operator training courses that we offer. After close collaboration with forestry experts, just some of our courses consist of safe lorry loader operator training, slinger/signaller training, and crane management training. Each of these is built to reinforce both safe and sustainable crane operation practices.
What’s more, these courses are also fully certified by the Association of Lorry Loader Manufacturers and Importers. This industry group aims to represent and champion the safety and sustainability of national lorry loaders. These industry values are then ingrained into our Palfinger UK trainers, who must first complete an ALLMI Instructor course to become one of our trainers. All of this allows Palfinger UK to contribute to the long-term health and resilience of forest ecosystems in a way that goes beyond simple crane production.
Sustainable lifecycle commitment
The Palfinger UK commitment to sustainability extends beyond being just the product. Our team instead embraces a lifecycle approach. We ensure that the cranes we distribute are not only efficient during the point of sale but are effective and sustainable throughout their entire lifespan. In addition to our professional training courses and product innovation, this is driven by our expert aftersales services. For instance, should your forestry crane be damaged, we offer fully flexible on-demand servicing, breakdown, and repairs servicing, and routine servicing, as well as a full 5-year guarantee on all Epsilon classic cranes such as the M125LC68.
Looking Ahead
Our commitment to sustainability is continuing to reshape the forestry industry landscape, proving that economic growth and environmental preservation can go hand in hand. Our innovative cranes not only boost productivity but also prioritise the well-being of forests, laying the foundation for a more sustainable future. As we navigate the challenges of a changing climate, we stand as an industry leader in sustainable forestry practices, demonstrating that responsible business practices can lead to a harmonious coexistence between industry and nature.
The economic benefits of these sustainable practices are also undeniable. By optimising harvesting operations, our cranes reduce waste and increase efficiency, resulting in cost savings for forestry businesses. Furthermore, the positive environmental impact of sustainable forestry practices enhances the market value of responsibly sourced timber, creating a win-win situation for both the industry and the environment.
To explore how our sustainable forestry cranes can precisely match your operational requirements, get in touch with our team today. We offer specialised support designed to reduce your operational disruptions by providing quick and effective assistance tailored to your locality.
