Equipment has always played a key role in keeping jobs moving and workers safe in the forestry industry. But there’s always room for improvement – even when you think your equipment and technology are as good as it gets. Just ask loggers like Logan McKenzie, owner of Tri Valley Construction, who operate these machines and spend day after day inside the cab.

Efficiency is key

Tri Valley Construction is located in the town of Princeton, in southern B.C. McKenzie, a third-generation logger, has a crew of 19 and 23 machines in his fleet, including a full line of forestry equipment and complimentary construction equipment.

The family has been logging since the early 1960’s, so they know reliable equipment is crucial to operations. They work in some of the toughest conditions and their operators spend 10 to 12 hours a day in the cab of a machine. Figuring out ways to work smarter has helped with their long-term success, but it’s easier said than done.

The daily challenges of logging are as unpredictable as the weather. Late springs result in a shorter summer season; too dry and they are dealing with forest fires; too wet and the equipment can’t get through the mud. They are increasingly working in darkness to try and increase the number of hours in the work day.

Add to this a changing market, a shortage of workers, a more difficult forest to harvest and increasingly strict environmental regulations and you’ve got a long list of challenges to contend with. Higher productivity, increased worker safety and efficiency are the answer, but how do you get there? It all starts with the right equipment.

So, when Tri Valley was given the opportunity to do extended field testing on the new Caterpillar 538 forest machine, they jumped at the chance – not just because it’s a Cat, but because it’s a totally revamped machine with some big improvements.

We asked Tri Valley what features of the next generation of 538s are making the biggest difference for them. Here are their top five:

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