General Logging

The greatest single technological difference in logging equipment. as compared to even 20 years ago, is the expanded use of hydraulic systems. Where equipment was once operated through mechanical linkages and levers, hydraulic pumps, hoses, and rams are now used. The extensive use of hydraulics requires hydraulic fluids and lubricants that stand up to continuous use at high temperatures in dirty, abrasive environments.

Although there is more mechanized logging equipment available, a large portion of logging is still conducted manually. Many logging operations have not updated their equipment because of the cost of new equipment and easy accessibility of timber.

Another change that has occurred is a shift in the responsibilities between the paper mills and the logging companies. In the past, raw timber was shipped to the mill. The mill debarked and/or chipped the trees as required. Now, many mills demand that the logging companies debark and chip the trees to meet the mill's specifications. If the chips are not within the required mill's specifications, the mill refuses to purchase the load. To meet the specifications of the mills, the logging equipment must be operated at closer tolerances and at higher temperatures. The close tolerance and high temperature operation place a greater demand on the lubricants used in the equipment. The two major types of equipment that are used in logging operations are portable equipment and heavy equipment.

As you review the following types of logging equipment, keep in mind the various benefits offered by Lubrication Engineers lubricants. They work extremely well in harsh operating environments subjected to hot/cold temperatures, dust, dirt, water, snow, rain, mud, and all other imaginable conditions.Chain saws, an integral part of most logging operations, have been used since the 1940's. Chain saws are used to harvest the selected trees, to delimb the trees, and to cut the trees into manageable sizes before the trees are removed from the woods. Although all of the operations that are performed by specialized heavy equipment, such as harvesters, slashers, delimbers, and other types of saws, chain saws are still indispensable because of their portability. Trees that are selected to be harvested are quite often in locations that are too steep, too remote, or otherwise unsafe for the heavier equipment to reach.

In addition to being among the most useful tools, chain saws are also among the most abused. Chain saws are frequently operated in dirty, abrasive environments at high temperatures. It is not uncommon for chain saws to be left outside where they are exposed to the elements. The harsh operating environments and operators abuse demand that the lubricants that are used can withstand high temperatures, introduction of abrasives, and water.

The chain on most chain saws is driven through reduction gears by an air-cooled, two-stroke gasoline engine. Two-stroke oil is mixed with the gasoline to lubricate the engine. Most manufacturers are quite specific in the lubrication requirements of their chain saws. The engine oil that is used must comply with the manufacturers' requirements with regard to the oil-gasoline ratio, the types of oils and fuels used, and the proper method of mixing and storing fuels and lubricants.

Additives in the oil help to resist breakdown under harsh operating environments. Because chain saws are designed for different purposes, such as high-Ioad, high-speed, or a combination of high-Ioad and high- speed, the response of the engine to oil additives may vary.

Manufacturers used to recommend the use of two.stroke outboard motor oil for chain saws. Today, most manufacturers specifically state that two.stroke outboard motor oil is inadequate for chain saw lubrication. Chain saws need lubricants that are specifically designed to withstand the high temperatures that occur in air-cooled, two-stroke engines. The type of oils specified for use in two.stroke, air-cooled recreational vehicles, such as snowmobiles, may be acceptable for some chain saw applications, particularly in low temperature applications. Refer to the manufacturers' recommendations for exact requirements and conditions.

The type of lubricant that is used in the gearbox also depends on the chain saw application. Straight mineral oil may be acceptable for certain light-duty chain saw applications. Extreme pressure (EP) lubricants may be required for extreme service and high loads. Some manufacturers recommend the use of a high temperature grade NLGI 00 semi-fluid grease.

In addition to the engine and drive, the chains, bars, and sprockets also must be lubricated. The old practice of using motor oil is no longer recommended by most manufacturers.

Standard motor oil of any grade does not have the cohesive of adhesive properties to adequately protect the chain. Specific bar and chain oils are made that are super.tacky. Some manufacturers recommend an SAE 30 weight, super.tacky chain oil. New oil should be applied at regular frequencies to prolong the sharpness and cutting efficiency of the chain.

Newer chain saws have bar oil reservoirs with automatic continuous oilers. Although these newer chain saws have continuous oilers, they also have a manual pump that should be used to increase the oil flow to the bar and chain during heavy loading. Consult the manufacturer's recommendations for lubrication specifications.

Like all other aspects of industry, logging has become less labor intensive. Using mechanized heavy equipment, trees can be felled, delimbed, debarked, and chipped with little or no hands-on operation. Although more heavy equipment is being used, innovative engineering has resulted in less impact on the environment. The weight of machines is distributed in such a way that a machine that weighs 20,000 to 30,000 pounds may exert as little as 4 to 6 psi on the ground. The weight distribution minimizes soil compaction and rutting. The new generation of equipment is also more versatile. The same machine can cut, top, delimb, and transport trees, even in steep terrain. This new versatility minimizes the need for miles of secondary feeder roads. Some equipment is designed to be driven in the forward or reverse direction by simply turning the driver's seat around. This feature allows the equipment operator to pull straight into a stand and then back straight out. The reduction of the amount of tail swing of the equipment reduces the impact on standing trees.Harvesters, shears, and slashers and mechanized tree harvesters that are changing the face of the logging industry. Mechanized tree harvesters fell trees by either shearing or sawing. Hydraulic jaws are used to shear off smaller trees. Larger trees are harvested with large circular saw blades in the head mechanism of the harvester.

Gripping anns hold the tree while it is being cut or sheared. The gripping anns lift the tree and carry it out of the woods. Harvesters that both cut and carry the trees are sometimes referred to as feller bunchers. Feller bunchers minimize the impact on the environment by preventing the damage caused by the tree falling.

In addition, the feller buncher minimizes or eliminates the need to use a skidder to drag the tree from the woods. The use of feller bunchers to surgically harvest trees is increasing. The Forestry Service marks the dead, diseased, and densely overgrown trees that need to be removed. A skilled feller buncher operator can remove the designated trees and leave the adjacent trees untouched. When a tree has been felled, it can be hauled from the woods with a skidder. Skidders are adaptations of conventional earth moving and construction equipment. The skidder uses cables and a winch or a grappling claw to skid logs to the landing. One of the most popular types of skidder has large rubber wheels and is articulated in the center for steering.

The cables and wire ropes that are used on skidders are continually moving and flexing as they run over pulleys and drums. The moving and flexing develops friction. One of the most serious problems with wire rope is the corrosion of the rope's interior caused by moisture that gets between the strands. The corrosion of the interior strands is difficult to detect. Wire ropes that are in constant contact with the ground are usually not lubricated; they are run dry. For all other wire ropes, a quality wire rope lubricant should be applied to help minimize wear and to offset the effect of water, corrosion, and excessive heat. Proper application of wire rope lubricant involves saturating the core of the rope while making certain that the proper amount of lubricant penetrates between all of the strands.

Oils that are specifically fonnulated for lubricating wire ropes are available for use in the field. An oil that has a viscosity of about ISO 100 grade {67.1 cSt @ 122°F) and that is designed to be used cold is preferred. The oil should have good penetrative qualities and should be extremely adhesive. The lubricant must not harden or chip off the wire rope in cold weather. A lubricant that is too heavy or viscous may not penetrate the wire rope and will not be effective. Some operators apply highly viscous gear lubricants because they adhere to the outside strands of the rope and appear to be satisfactory.

Such lubricants are not recommended because they do not penetrate to lubricate the strands nor do they adequately saturate the core. Lubrication Engineers' 2001 or 2001A MONOLEC® (a penetrant) and 2002 or 2002A ALMASOL® {coating) Wire Rope Lubricants offer excellent advantages in these severe applications. Often, logging machinery is especially adapted equipment. Therefore, its lubrication is essentially the same as heavy construction equipment.

To facilitate high production rates, loaders are staged to load the logs for transport. The use of a loader in conjunction with a "feller buncher" or skidder allows logging operations to continue without being interrupted by sorting, stacking and loading. Whole trees may be loaded onto a truck with a knuckle boom loader that is mounted on a crane or large backhoe chassis. The trees are then transported to a central point where a slasher picks up the trees, cuts them into pulpwood lengths, and discharges them for loading onto trucks or railroad cars. A forwarder is a modified knuckle boom loader that tows a trailer. Conventional cranes with tongs or grapples are also used to load the trees. Trucks and trains are still used to take the logs to the mill. Where unobstructed waterways are available. logs are also transported via waterways.

Many logging operations that supply pulp mills and co-generation plants are now required to chip the trees before shipping. The chippers used for woods' operations are easily transportable. The chipper may be mounted on the bed of a trailer or it may be self-powered. Chippers are durably constructed to feed and chip entire trees in under two minutes. The chips are usually blown directly into the back of a specially designed hauling trailer. The blades of the chipper are easily changed in the field to allow a set of blades to be sharpened while the chipper continues to operate.

Although there is a considerable amount of shock involved when the trees are fed into a chipper, chippers are ruggedly constructed. Lubricants that are used for chippers must withstand the heavy loads, high shear, and sultry, abrasive environments. These conditions are satisfactorily handled by a lithium soap-based EP grease andlor an industrial gear lubricant. For example, 3751 and 3752 ALMAGARD® or the proper viscosity 1600 Series DUOLEC ™ Gear Oils (1601, 1602, 1603, 1604, 1605, 1606, 1607, 1608 or 1609). Typically the same grease is recommended for single ball units and for the main drive bearings of rotary chip screens. An industrial gear lubricant can be used on the chipper's arbor and roller chain feeder bearings. Again, select the proper 1600 DUOLEC ™ Series Vari-Purpose Gear Lubricant (1601, 1602, 1603, 1604, 1605, 1606, 1607, 1608 or 1609). The lubricants must also be water-and-corrosion-resistant. This is an excellent benefit offered by all Lubrication Engineers lubricants.