Nestled in the rolling countryside of Herefordshire, Pontrilas Sawmills has been processing timber for over 70 years. A family-run business, the site is a powerhouse of efficiency, handling up to 400,000 tonnes of round wood on an annual basis. Timber is sourced from around the UK, with Pontrilas’ own fleet of vehicles delivering the raw materials and taking out finished products wherever possible to reduce their carbon footprint and make their operation as efficient as possible.
Handling a range of soft and hard woods, the sawmill is a constantly evolving place expanding its production and processing lines to increase efficiency and increase the range of products they manufacture.
Sennebogen material handlers handle rising demand
To keep up with demand and maintain a seamless flow from delivery to processing, Pontrilas has turned to a fleet of Sennebogen 730E materials handlers to keep timber moving around the site efficiently and safely. With timber arriving throughout the day in a variety of lengths and diameters, Pontrilas needed materials handlers that were not only robust but also capable of operating efficiently across a busy yard environment. The Sennebogen material handlers, with their specialist pick and carry design, have proven to be the perfect fit. Operations Manager at Pontrilas, Brian Pugh, explains: “We needed material handlers that combined high lifting capacity, excellent manoeuvrability, and operator comfort. The Sennebogen 730E ticked all the boxes.”
Pontrilas operate all of its mobile equipment on a strict three year/10,000 hour replacement cycle to ensure they are keeping their operating costs to a minimum. “We find this method of operation, along with the dealer’s servicing package, gives us a known fixed cost over the lifespan of the machine at our mill,” Brian explained. “Since the arrival of the Sennebogen forestry machinery we have been exceptionally happy with the servicing and back up we have experienced with Molson. My supervisors on the mill will be the people dealing with the issues, and if they get no joy, it comes up the ladder for me to deal with. As I’ve not had the need to call Molson, we must be being looked after.”
Compact design for restricted spaces
The company runs another manufacturer’s material handlers on the hardwood line, but it is the size and capabilities of the Sennebogen forestry machinery that have impressed the operations team at the sawmill. “We have a lot of timber on the ground at any one point,” Brian commented. “This throws up issues with space. We found that the standard machine, with a relatively large counterweight, was being damaged forever despite the best efforts of our experienced operators. The Sennebogen forestry machinery’s compact design reduces this massively, and whilst we still have the occasional bump, we can operate in between our stacks far easier and safer.”
The 730E is supplied on an MF37 undercarriage, which utilises four-wheel steering and four-wheel drive to keep the material handlers moving in all conditions. Even at 3.3m in width, the 730E offers a compact external turning radius of just 5.8m, the 34-tonne material handlers are an ideal solution for the tightest of yards. The robust chassis features a heavy-duty push blade, which can add stability when required, and can also be used to push logs around, enabling them to be picked up more easily. Sturdy fenders protect from falling logs and keep material from splashing up over the handrails and steps on the cab riser.
Forestry machinery helps see the woods from the trees
The two 730E material handlers work almost exclusively on the softwood mill, handling incoming material as well as cut and graded logs. “The older of the two machines spends much of its time at the infeed end of the mill,” Brian commented. “At this point, it feeds the mill with timber from the adjacent stockpiles, and when required, it will unload any trailers not fitted with their own cranes.”
One of the key advantages of the 730E over the previous forestry machinery is the ability to handle a larger grab. “We can use a 2m3 on the 730E as opposed to a 1.9m3,” Brian explains. “Whilst this isn’t a huge increase, it means we can clear a bay on a trailer in two passes, whereas before we had to go back for a third, small bite.” This increase in capacity eliminates double-handling and minimises congestion in the log yard, a critical factor in Pontrilas’ fast-moving operation. The 11m reach on the 730E reduces the time required to unload vehicles and stack timber safely. “With traditional wheeled loaders, we found ourselves moving timber multiple times before it reached the processing line,” Brian continues. “Now, the Sennebogen forestry machinery allows us to lift and place logs directly where they need to be, cutting down on time and fuel consumption.” The mounting point for the boom sits towards the rear of the machine, effectively reducing the need for a heavy and longer counterweight.
Comfort and control
Unlike the standard material handler range, the 730E pick and carry uses a fixed 1.5m tall cab riser with Sennebogen’s Maxcab perched on top. The fixed riser offers superior stability to the cab and operator as the machine travels around the yard, and offers a reduction in weight and complexity of the machine. The Maxcab is accessed via a sturdy set of steps integrated into the riser and is helped with a set of grabrails on both sides. The sliding door allows simple and safe access to the cab, and once inside, the spacious and well-appointed cab is a pleasant and productive workspace.
Joystick steering reduces operator fatigue, whilst the smooth and precise controls allow the operators to carefully pick up single logs with ease. The front and top of the cab are covered with a substantial FOPS frame to protect the operator should any logs fall towards it whilst they are being handled. Working in and around the tall stacks of timber, the elevated cab offers the operators increased all round vision, improving the safety on site. The increased working height gives an approximate eye level of over 4m above the ground, helping the operators stack higher and load the plant more easily and quickly.
“Our team has responded really positively to the arrival of the Sennebogen material handler machines,” Yard Supervisor Remus Kairys commented. “The cabs are spacious, with excellent all-round visibility, air conditioning, and an intuitive control system. They have been an excellent addition to our operations and have been very reliable over the five years we have been running them.”
Power and performance
The 730E forestry equipment features a powerful 168hp Cummins B6.7 engine, which, like most Sennebogen models, can be accessed through the huge, gull-wing style canopy on the offside of the upper structure. Mounted to the front of the engine is the large cooling pack, which offers superior performance thanks to a reversing fan which keeps the radiator clear of buildups of dust and debris. Like the cab, the front of the cooling pack and engine cover is suitably protected with a substantial steel guard. Pontrilas Sawmills report the fuel consumption of the Sennebogen pick and carry machines is in line with their expectations.
“We use SENtrack telematics to monitor the behaviour of the machines, which is great for keeping on top of the servicing requirements and monitoring for faults,” Brian explains. “Like any company, we want our machines serviced when we are shut down! Whilst the Molson service team do work with us in this, having a third machine available to take up the slack makes it work. We work from 6am to 10pm, and Sennebogen material handlers are our frontline machines. If we can’t load the log deck or unload trucks, our entire operation can grind to a halt quickly.”
As Pontrilas continues to expand, the reliability and performance of the Sennebogen 730E fleet of material handlers will play a key role in maintaining the sawmill’s position as one of the UK’s leading timber processors. For businesses like Pontrilas Sawmills, where efficiency and safety are paramount, the Sennebogen forestry machinery is proving its worth. With powerful performance, intelligent design, and operator-friendly features, it’s clear why one of the UK’s leading independent sawmills continues to choose Sennebogen through Molson.
