COMMERCIAL forestry is performing well - with timber prices rising, increased demand for UK timber, and the best woodlands generating returns of over 10% a year.

For 15 years it has been the best performing asset in the UK, and a weak pound has pushed up import costs and made home-grown timber financially attractive.

Galbraith, one of Scotland's leading independent property consultancies, is advising landowners that they may be missing out on these healthy returns.

But commercial forestry is a demanding environment requiring specialist expertise and the best machinery.

A recent article in the Forestry Journal demonstrated how access to just the right machines - in this case a Komatsu 901 harvester and John Deere 810E forwarder - allowed the best use to be made of woodland on an estate in Northumberland where ground damage needed to be kept to an absolute minimum.

https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/media/uploads/cat-309/northumberland.pdf

Clients like these - John Deere and Komatsu - only use the best components. It is no surprise then that Nexus supplier SureGrip count them among their customers. Top of the range timber harvesting equipment needs top of the range controls.

A popular joystick in the forestry industry - as well as in mining and construction - is the SureGrip LU Range.

These large, universal grips are a control handle for the heaviest duty use that is lightweight as well as extremely tough.

Used with electronic joysticks they can protect from dirt and moisture, and are designed to be comfortable for use in quite rugged environments. 

All SureGrip products come with custom options and Nexus can figure them to a client’s exact requirements.

The possibilities are vast - in addition to the eight switches in the faceplate, there is an option for up to two trigger switches or an operator presence switch, and an expansion pod can be mounted on either side of the handle, giving an additional two buttons, or one slider or rocker).

As well as the eight switches, a 10-button keypad is supported.

All the Sure Grip handle options are compatible:
•    Slider modules
•    Rocker modules
•    Microjoystick
•    LEDs
•    Toggle switches
•    Maintained switches
•    Accessories such as bushing adapters, studs and sealed connectors

The handles can be found here - http://www.nexuscomponents.co.uk/Manufacturers/SUREGRIP/Sure%20Grip%20LU%20Joystick%20Handles - call Nexus for the best advice on configuration.

Photo by Antonio Grosz on Unsplash