A few years ago, American logger Eric Krume expressed some frustration that technology had not moved quickly enough to adapt to Pacific Northwest conditions and dynamics. A lot has changed since then. To address this, Eric constantly seeks technology with flexible solutions to suit the differing forest conditions his logging crews encounter from one setting to the next. His inventiveness has led to his other business – equipment manufacturing through Summit Attachments for other loggers. In addition to other developments, Eric is now perfecting his latest innovation – a fully hydraulic 100-foot yarder for logging steep forests.
A constant thirst for new knowledge makes Eric an ideal choice as one of the keynote speakers at the HarvestTECHX 2019 Conference in Vancouver in March.
Eric isn’t afraid to take risks or share his knowledge. “A lot of people, including my competitors, come to see what I’m doing. I don’t mind so long as I’m getting some good, honest feedback from them,” he says.
While Eric enjoys the challenges inherent in the design and manufacture process, he prides himself on proving the technologies out in the forest with boots on the ground himself. Other loggers tend to get very interested in new ways to work when it is one of their own who makes a real breakthrough as they know it will be practical.
Krume Logging is now developing higher production potential of his hydraulic yarders, combining it with pre-bunching on steep slopes to increase grapple payloads and hence, productivity. Eric will be sharing his latest developments at the Vancouver conference.
These and other proven technology developments are at the core of the 2019 “HarvestTECHX” Conference. It runs on March 13 at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel in Richmond, BC. Delegates are also invited to an evening welcome reception on March 12. Register at: https://harvesttechx.events/. On March 14, limited places are available for an in-forest workshop hosted by BC Forest Safety Council and WorkSafe BC on steep slope safety guidelines and practices.
