Update for Cutover Cam
ANEW AND IMPROVED VERSION OF THE CUTOVER CAM system is about to be introduced to market. The original Cutover Cam provides yarder operators with a close-up view of what’s happening on the hill via live coverage beamed onto a screen from a weather-proof video camera attached to a pole.
It was developed as part of the PGP-funded Steepland Harvesting programme run by the former Future Forests Research by Dr Paul Milliken of Cutover Systems.
The new version was given its first public airing at a recent field demonstration in the Manawatu and is noticeably more streamlined than its predecessor.
“The first version does its job functionally, but the reason we’ve gone to a second version is, firstly to take advantage of new technology, which is cheaper, so we can reduce the price,” says Paul, adding that he is targeting a price point around $10,000 for a non-zoom version and $13,000 for a zoom version, compared to $18,850 for the first system.
“We’ll achieve that by using newer, cheaper componentry and, for a really skilled operator, the payback period we are hoping to get down to is a matter of weeks – so about three weeks in terms of the productivity gained by extracting more wood from the front face.”
Paul says the new Cutover Cam camera system will be lighter, quicker to assemble in the field and more robust, adding: “We’ve eliminated all external leads and wiring and in the hauler cab we’re providing a smaller and tidier package.”
He says Cutover Cam is designed to provide operators of swing yarders and haulers with more visual assistance than they are currently getting, even if they have a camera in a grapple or carriage.
“Rather than using a spotter calling in instructions over the radio, the operator can see what is happening, which makes it more productive when grappling,” says Paul.
“It also enables the operator to check when the men are hooking the ropes onto felled trees during breaking out to make sure that nothing is going wrong when they are being pulled in. One of the main hazards for breaker-outs is when the stem digs in and spins around and if they haven’t retreated further than the distance that the stem can reach, they could be struck.
“Cutover Cam was devised primarily to address that issue, as well as to allow machine operators to use grapples more by providing that view.”
Three of the original Cutover Cam units have been operating with crews in New Zealand for the past year and Cutover Systems is aiming to have the new version for customers to purchase before the end of August.
NZL