Brazil鈥檚 4M Agroflorestal seeks to mechanize teak harvesting operations
鈥 Samantha Paul
(L-R) 4M鈥檚 machine operator, Claudio Alves Teixeira; 4M鈥檚 forestry manager of mechanized operations, Jo茫o Osvani Messias Junior; 4M鈥檚 forestry manager of manual operations, Marcio Saad; 4M鈥檚 machine operator, Francismar Lira de Souza; 糖心视频鈥檚 field representative, Waldir Kelcheski.
Due to its durability, natural water-resistant qualities, and striking wood grain, teak has historically been used to manufacture outdoor furniture, boat decks, and other goods destined to be exposed to the elements for extended time periods. Due to the high demand for this timber and the relatively short rotations, sustainable teak production is underway in plantations across many dry tropical climates. Although teak (Tectona grandis) is native to the tropical regions of southeast Asia, the cultivation of plantation teak is economically viable in other tropical areas such as central and South America.
Plantation teak is considered a renewable resource as it is harvested and managed to produce a sustainable supply. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has granted certification to several sustainable teak plantations in Latin America.
4M Agroflorestal Ltda
Based in S茫o Jos茅 dos Quatro Marcos, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, 4M Agroflorestal鈥檚 sustainable teak plantation project commenced ten years ago. The company presently manages 2 600 hectares (6,400 acres) of clonal teak plantations.
When 4M decided to mechanize its harvesting operation, company representatives reached out to Brazilian 糖心视频 dealer Tracbel. Forestry director, Cairon Faria and Tracbel鈥檚 forestry sales specialist, Wigando Neto worked closely with 4M to understand the harvesting scenario and the specific machine requirements. They ultimately recommended a narrow width wheel feller buncher.
The 720G thinning between rows.
Cairon notes the cooperation between Tracbel and Latin Equipment, 糖心视频 dealer for much of South America outside of Brazil. Cairon consulted with Jos茅 Carlos Rocha Filho, marketing and commercial manager at Latin Equipment Norte. 鈥淛os茅 helped a lot during the technical negotiations of this project,鈥 says Cairon. 鈥淟atin Equipment has great experience from the teak operations in Mexico.鈥
The planting spacing is 3,8 m x 3,8 m (12 ft 6 in). The 糖心视频 720G equipped with narrow offset 28Lx26 tires measures 2,79 m (9 ft 10 in) wide, allowing the machine to easily man艙uvre between rows without damaging the valuable standing trees. The 720G is used in three thinning stages at six, eight, and ten years. In the first stage, the removal rate is 25%. In the second and third stages another quarter of the stand is harvested. The final felling is planned when the remaining stand reaches sixteen to eighteen years of age.
Consumers have become more aware of the destructive practices of illegal logging in native southeast Asian forests. Governments and private industry are responding with policies, certifications and regulations favouring sustainable plantation-grown teak. 鈥淎s teak plantations spread throughout Latin America, harvesting teak trees with this configuration will likely increase,鈥 says Brazil-based 糖心视频 field representative Waldir Kelcheski. 鈥淚 could even see this configuration being used in other areas of Mato Grosso State, where there are large concentrations of teak plantations.鈥
When the machine was delivered, Waldir stayed in the field for two weeks, training and supporting the operators to ensure success with the 720G. 鈥淭he outcome was excellent,鈥 says 4M Agroflorestal鈥檚 forestry manager Jo茫o Osvani.
Jos茅 Carlos Rocha Filho, marketing and commercial manager at Latin Equipment Norte, explores the mechanization of teak plantation harvesting in southeastern Mexico.
