The PONSSE Scorpion Giant — Experience out of the ordinary
You would need trained eyes to see that Magnus Berg was operating a machine that contained many secrets. He was actually test driving the new PONSSE Scorpion Giant. That it was making its first appearance in Sweden and was only the fourth such machine off the production line further reinforces the sense of being a pioneer.
For Berg, the encounter with the PONSSE Scorpion Giant was as exciting an experience as it was enjoyable. He had been curious about the Scorpion, but as felling work usually involves dense forests, he wanted a machine equipped with the powerful PONSSE H8 harvester head.
Exciting combination
“The Scorpion Giant harvester model with the H8 harvester head sounded like an exciting combination to me. I had previously driven a PONSSE Ergo harvester that also had an H8 harvester head. In a way, I had to rethink the way I drove, but I soon got the hang of it. The new machine meant I was able to get closer to the trees, which I now feel is a positive,” he says.
His company, Ugglereds Skogsavverkning AB, is based in Timmele near Ulricehamn in Västergötland, Sweden. Their biggest customer is Södra, for whom they perform jobs in and around Ulricehamn. Berg took over the company reins in 2004 from his father Stig Berg, who had founded the company. Prior to that, they had worked together for many years.
“I joined the company in 1986 and have been doing final felling ever since. My first machine had a two-grip,” says Berg, who took over the company in 2004.
Back then, 20 years ago, Stig Berg did a great deal of truck driving, so forwarding was done by an employee. The company was one of the first to use a machine transporter called a Dunderbygge, which was used extensively to transport both their own machines and those of other companies.
Entering the forestry business was not written in the stars for Magnus Berg, however.
“I was originally keen on farming, but thanks to Dad’s company, it became forestry instead. I’ve had no regrets.”
Our jobs have always been around Ulricehamn. For a while, the company had two machine groups, but now there is just one machine group, plus a forwarder, all from Ponsse. Our first machine from the Finnish manufacturer was a PONSSE HS 15 with one-grip and an H60 aggregate, which arrived in Ulricehamn in 1994, the same year that the Swedish subsidiary Ponsse AB was formed. Next was a HS 16 harvester with a H73 aggregate. Since then, every harvester has come from the same manufacturer.
Added value with Active Care service
The company currently has two PONSSE forwarders, a Bison and a Buffalo. The PONSSE Bison, which is the bigger of the two, does the forwarding after trees are harvested. The PONSSE Buffalo is not only an additional resource after the harvester, it also takes care of branches and other tasks. The two forwarders are driven by Jesper Sundin and Tony Bengtsson.
Berg isn’t only a fan of the machines. He’s also pleased with the after sales service.
“You naturally get to know both the machines and technical support services. It’s absolutely vital that aftersales services work, and we have happy experiences here.”
Berg has opted for a PONSSE Active Care service agreement.
“It’s very flexible. It means I know that the machines are in proper working order, and I can take time off with a clear conscience. Another advantage, of course, is that the Ponsse service organisation knows all about our machines and their history.”
Appreciation of freedom
Each machine operator has their “own” machine, which works well.
“This means we can all structure our own work in the way that suits each of us best. After all, we are all different with different needs to think about to ensure we each achieve the right work-life balance.”
The company still has its own trailer, which makes life easier when moving machines around. And if time permits, they also accept transport jobs from other companies.
Berg describes himself as a forest geek. Outside his work as a harvester driver, he likes to hunt and take care of his own woodland.
“If truth be told, I probably spend 350 days of the year in the forest,” he says with a contented smile.
