Log Yard Operator Turns To Sennebogen Engineers To Create Ideal Machine

Oct 25, 2022 - 3 years ago

A tree reaches for the sky. Pabst Holz (Holz translates to timber) and his three Sennebogen 735s do the exact same thing. The purpose-built pick and carry machines with the high reach allows for logs to be stacked up to 32 feet (10 m) safely without any trouble.

Log Yard Operator Turns To Sennebogen Engineers To Create Ideal Machine — *The ideal pick and carry machine for the log yard: The Sennebogen 735 M-HD.*

The sawmill in Obdach, Austria is where the company began for Johann Pabst, Holzindustrie GmbH. In the heart of the Styrian timber route, the family-run company began over 80 years ago. Today, Pabst Holz processes around 350,000 fm of round timber annually. This is almost exclusively spruce roundwood from the Styrian Murtal, which is locally harvested within a radius of around 75 miles (120 km). The three Sennebogen 735 E machines handle the logistics at the log yard. This includes unloading up to 60 trucks a day and feeding the saw mill. In fact, 98% of the timber is delivered by truck. The sorted logs, which are between 13-16 feet (4-5 m) long, are then stacked on piles up to 32 feet (10 m) high by the three pick and carry specialists with a timber grapple.

Timber Industry In The Narrow Valleys Of Styria In Austria
The main plant in Obdach is located in a heavily wooded part of Styria: the Mur Valley. Surrounded by spruce forests and mountains, the company's history began here in the early 1940’s with a small saw. This was a good starting point for the development of Pabst Holz because Austria is one of the most densely forested countries in Europe and around 34 million yd³ are harvested there annually. For almost 65 years, the company grew steadily, like a tree, until a second location was built in Zeltweg in 2005. Today, the company generates an annual revenue of over $113 million USD (€ 100 million) with around 280 employees. The headquarters in Zeltweg, managed by Reinhard and Johann Pabst, are home to the two engineered wood beam plants as well as the Pabst Pellets and AlpenSpan productions. The moulding plants as well as the sawmill are still located at the Obdach site.

High Piles And Narrow Lanes At The Log Yard
The big challenge at the main plant has always been the limited availability of space. Due to its valley location, it is not possible to spread out and therefore every square foot has to be used in the most optimal way. On site at the log yard, the challenge for the operators are the high stacks and narrow aisles.

This is where Sennebogen enters the picture. All three 735 E handlers were individually adapted to the needs of the operation by the Sennebogen engineers. The material handlers Maxcab has a fixed cab elevation of 5 feet (1.5 m). The elevation of the cab makes it possible to stack the piles to a height of up to 32 feet (10 m) even with narrow aisles. In addition, the mobile undercarriage with 70 t special axles in reinforced super wide gauge design and with an extended wheelbase of 12 feet (3.6 m) forms the strong foundation of the pick and carry machines.

Additional Equipment: Load Stabilizer
With their three-shift operation, at least two of the timber material handlers are always in use. As part of the company philosophy, the drivers regularly alternate with the operator of the saw line. The Pabst team is fully trained on all aspects of the operation and can be deployed at any position, if required. This includes Managing Director Reinhard Pabst and his son Reinhard. With his hands-on experience gained from working in all aspects of the operation, Reinhard Pabst uses that knowledge when selecting his machines. Pabst understands the advantages and safety aspects for his team theoretically, as well as practically and operationally. The choice of additional features for the three Sennebogen 735 E Series like the load stabilizer to dampen load and equipment vibrations during travel as well as a comprehensive package of additional LED lights for working in the dark were decisions that could only be understood by someone who sat behind the wheel.

Narrow Aisles – No Problem
Bernhard Grantner, responsible for the maintenance and servicing of the machines at the Obdach site, explains, "We have gradually switched to Sennebogen. We currently have three 735 pick and carry machines in operation with around 2,000, 8,000 and 10,000 operating hours each. We expect each machine to run for around 30,000 hours. In our limited space and narrow aisles, our Sennebogens allow us to work faster without time-consuming maneuvering. This makes our operation extremely efficient."

Source: Sennebogen