Comment: Alternative load securing
As part of the Forest Growers Research development programme in Automation and Robotics, a project has commenced to develop a safe and efficient alternative load securing system for logging trucks
As part of the Forest Growers Research (FGR) development programme in Automation and Robotics, a project has commenced to develop a safe and efficient alternative load securing system for logging trucks.
Many logging truck drivers suffer musculoskeletal injuries that affect the muscles, ligaments, nerves, and tendons resulting in severe pain, as Ian Brown, FGR project leader explains.
These musculoskeletal injuries are caused by throwing chains over the load and then manually tensioning the load restraints. An improved method of load restraint is required. FGR has included a project in their programme to explore ways to automate chain throwing and tensioning.
In addition, there are changes to the loads the trucks will be carrying, as potentially more logs could be debarked in the forest as an alternative to debarking at ports and mills. Debarking of logs is an alternative to the chemical phytosanitary treatment currently undertaken for export logs.
As a result of new in-forest debarking technology being developed as part of the FGR programme, more debarked logs could be carted from the forest to the port. So, the industry must consider any changes that may be required to current methods to adequately restrain these more slippery debarked logs on logging trucks.
The outcome of the project will be a system whereby:
- the chains are automatically thrown over the load.
- the chain tensioning is automatically done by winches that are driven off the truck’s auxiliary power system.
- chain tension will be monitored, and if any load settling during the journey is detected, the winches will automatically retain the chains without any intervention by the driver.
- the status of the chain tension will be displayed on an in-cab system that will notify the driver if there’s any reduction or loss of tension, so corrective action can be taken.
The Log Transport Safety Council is supportive of this project and is providing ongoing input and advice. To date, the automatic chain thrower is well advanced with two trucking companies having developed working prototypes for field testing.
Two forestry companies have also built machines that lift all the chains over the load simultaneously. These machines are proving effective for use in log yards. Automatic tensioning winches are available off the shelf, but their cost inhibits widespread uptake.
One New Zealand engineering company is currently designing a winch that will potentially reduce the cost of this equipment. Development of the in-cab monitoring system is advancing with a local electronics firm collaborating with an engineering company.
A working prototype should be ready for testing in early 2022. These developments implemented across the logging truck fleet should reduce driver injuries due to chain throwing and tensioning and result in longer driver retention in the industry and safer log transport—a win for the whole industry.
Article provided by Ian Brown and Keith Raymond
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