Business Rural North Winter 2021

| 53 Grappling with forest slash problem Karen Phelps W airarapa Helicopters has helped devel- oped a new slash grapple that assists in eliminating environmental problems that can occur when farmers harvest forestry blocks. Designed by Helihawk Ltd and built by Col- chester Engineering Ltd with funding from Forest Growers Research, the slash grapple was trialled in various steep terrain forests in the Wairarapa and Gisborne regions using a skilled pilot from Wairarapa Helicopters. “The forest industry in New Zealand recognises that it needs to improve its environmental manage- ment performance. Woody debris or slash from forests on steep terrain can wash down waterways causing problems downstream. Removing this slash after harvest has traditionally been difficult which is where the Helihawk Slash Grapple can help,” explains director of Wairarapa Helicopters Tim Williams. The helicopter slash grapple works well in difficult operating conditions, areas that would be too difficult and dangerous to clear with either machines or manual labour. RURAL SERVICES » Wairarapa Helicopters Supporting all things rural Graeme (Reisy) 027 457 5318 Gordon 027 646 1660 O ice 377 5434 E. reisy@xtra.co.nz . . . Wairarapa Helicopter’s aerial spraying services including crop, horticulture, forestry, vegetation control, waterways, spot spraying and liquid fertiliser. “The forest industry in New Zealand recognises that it needs to improve its environmental management performance. Woody debris or slash from forests on steep terrain can wash down waterways causing problems downstream. Removing this slash after harvest has traditionally been difficult which is where the Helihawk Slash Grapple can help.” • to page 54