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The Sandvik QE241 that has recently arrived onsite for Forestry Roading Services 2018 Limited (FRS) in the Otago Coast Forest might look like any other heavy-duty mobile scalper engineered by the Swedish manufacturer. Prior to delivery, however, this one received what Zak Reilly, Porter Equipment industry manager for crushing and screening, describes as the “full birthday treatment”.

“The machine was repossessed and came back to the Porter Equipment workshop after having endured a pretty hard life under its previous owner,” says Zak.

“It only had around 2000 hours on it, but it needed a full refurb. We got it into the workshop and our team did an absolutely amazing job bringing it back to life for the secondhand market, including a full strip-down, new OEM and bespoke fabricated components, and a complete repaint.

“That’s the sort of work the Porter Equipment workshop team does day in, day out – their engineering skills and attention to detail are next level.”

With the reset button well and truly hit and the Sandvik QE241 looking box-fresh again, FRS entered the picture.

An independently run business under the umbrella of Blair Skevington’s Skevington Contracting Limited, FRS builds and maintains forestry roads and skids, and undertakes full earthworks, aggregate crushing, cartage, transportation and rural fuel services from its base in Milton, 50km south of Dunedin.

While many of the forestry blocks the company works in for clients such as Dunedin Forest Products, Ernslaw One, PF Olsen, Wenita Forest Products and Calder Stewart are second rotation – meaning much of the infrastructure is already in place – a series of damaging spring storms in Otago have made the ongoing maintenance FRS provides absolutely critical.

As FRS operations manager Daniel Blackie explains, the decision to acquire a mobile scalper was driven by a desire to produce higher-quality aggregate.

“We originally relied on a jaw crusher to produce all of our roading material,” he says. “It worked well enough, but the product was quite sharp. In 2020, we added an impactor to help protect both our own equipment and the wheels of log trucks coming in and out of forestry blocks.

“We knew we could get an even better product with a scalper. Not only does it allow us to produce a 32mm or 40mm finishing layer, but it also removes a lot of the silt content from the aggregate, which is a feature of the rock we’re dealing with here.”

Having purchased a Hyundai HL760-9 wheel loader from Porter Equipment in 2019, Daniel says he was confident in the distributor’s ability to source quality used machinery without fuss. And while FRS hadn’t owned a scalper before, they knew the brand they wanted to start with.

“Sandvik has a strong reputation in the mining and quarrying sector – it’s a proven brand,” says Daniel. “We did look at other options, but the strength and build quality of the Sandvik really stood out.”

FRS initially considered a larger 60-tonne model, but the 18-tonne Sandvik QE241 proved a better fit for their operation.

“It’s pretty much the perfect size for us,” Daniel explains. “We move it between blocks fairly often, so transport matters. We’re also frequently tight on space and don’t always have room for stockpiles. Typically, we might process around 3000 tonnes of aggregate at a time before moving on, and this machine’s capacity and dimensions work well for that.”

Combining tracked mobility for on-site movement with compact transport dimensions of 9.9m long by 2.5m wide, the Sandvik QE241 also features a class-leading open scalping area to ensure consistent production rates. Its 3.35m x 1.24m screen box delivers high-speed throughput and an aggressive throw, without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

Sandvik’s latest-generation engines are designed to operate at reduced engine speeds, helping lower emissions, minimise fuel consumption and extend refuelling intervals.

Standard features on the mobile scalper include a light mast and cabinet lights, walkway platforms with integrated safety guarding, a two-speed wireless radio controller, a variable-speed feed conveyor and a Toughflex belt.

Back at Porter Equipment, Zak says he was pleased to help get the Sandvik QE241 to the South Island and ensure the FRS team were confident operating it.

“We supplied FRS with a loan Portafill screen while the Sandvik was being prepared, and once it arrived on site we carried out basic operational training,” he says.

“The scalper was originally sold in a three-way side conveyor configuration, but FRS had it converted to two-way to better suit their operation. It was great to give the machine a second life and tailor it so it will really work hard for them.”

Daniel says the support from Porter Equipment has been excellent.

“They’re great to deal with. Zak has been very helpful, and Tony [Pool], the service manager in Dunedin, is always quick to assist whenever we need anything.”

With the impacts of recent storms still evident across the region, access to forestry blocks remains critical. That means reliable roading infrastructure – and dependable machinery – is essential.

“The last storm hit hard and without warning,” says Daniel. “It caused a lot of damage, so we’ve been flat out with clean-up work ever since.

“For forestry crews, it’s all about getting the wood out and processed quickly while protecting its value. The clock’s always ticking. To do that, we need machinery that delivers maximum performance – and thanks to Porter Equipment, we’ve got the right equipment in the right place.”

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