Takin' a load off

Canadian Forest Industries, Mar 2003

How does a logger from eastern Ontario become one of the guinea pigs for Rotobec's newest truck-mounted loader, the 80 Elite? It helps if you've had a long-term relationship with the customer based on trust and mutual respect. In Rotobec's case, it also helps that the logger knows from past experience that you'll stand behind your product, no questions asked.

Brent Easton has used a variety of Rotobec loaders in his mixed-wood select logging operation, from several truck-mounted 80B's to the Rotobec 220 feeding his slasher. In the case of the 80B's, he has long felt comfortable with the units' ability to handle the mix of pulpwood, hardwood, and large white pine he deals with daily.

"Those loaders are light, which is a big factor for us hauling with tri-axles and pup trailers into Quebec, and they are faster than others we've seen or tried. You also can't beat the Rotobec grapple, that's a fact. But if there was a weakness for our jobs, it was the lift. It was great in pulp wood, but go out 25 feet for a big log with the extending boom and you would have been glad to have a little more lift."

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Beyond the mechanics, however, Brent likes dealing with the Rotobec staff.

"I've got nothing but good things to say about those people - they want to know what you like and don't like about their products, and then they listen to what you say and do something about it. They back up their products 100%, and look for ways to solve your problem instead of coming up with excuses."

That was exactly the case when Brent sold one of his old 80's to another area logger, and it promptly displayed swing gear problems. The supplier quickly turned a potential nightmare into an opportunity for both themselves and their customer.

"That loader was four years old, so they didn't have to help me out - and a lot of suppliers wouldn't. But they fixed it up and got me out of a jam. When my other 80 started acting up, they suggested I try one of the first 80 Elite's, and offered a very fair trade in on the old one, which was also four years old at the time. They had been so easy to deal with that I couldn't say no."

That was in November 2001, and Brent says the deal has paid off.

"That new loader is the best Rotobec I've bought yet, which says something. It's fast, smooth, quiet and light like the old ones, which are important issues for us. But it also gives us 10 to 15% more lift, which is enough."

Rotobec pegs the lifting capacity of the 80 Elite at 8 800 lb at 10 ft, while the new boom allows a reach of 27 feet. While still some 20% lighter than its competitors, according to Rotobec, the 80 Elite boasts new, heavier duty boom cylinders and slewing ring mounting.