Old equipment or new machinery for planting?

Buying a second-hand planter is a fascinating prospect for a budding entrepreneur. The machine can be very affordable and the idea is that the costs will be low if it fails. With the same idea in mind, an excavator can be the oldest, if it breaks down then the hourly cost of downtime is cheap.

The cheapest possible set is indeed cheap to buy and the capital costs are not high. Especially if the entrepreneur is a skilled repairer, purchasing a cheap machine is justified.

If you calculate long enough then everything pays off...this is a saying that can be used to justify both an old machine and a new machine. It's all about what you really want. 

But buying an old machine shows that the idea of work is misunderstood. Why?

The variable costs for the machine are even higher with an old machine than with a new one (spare parts, fuel consumption, etc.) The amortisation and interest costs are lower with an old machine than with a new one, but repayment is more difficult for several reasons: 

A: The old machine has already been abandoned by previous owners - either the machine needs to perform satisfactorily or its work performance needs to be better.

B: The variable costs mentioned above are relatively high, and the old machine has no warranty or comprehensive maintenance. Access to spare parts is difficult and slow.

C: The main reason is the work performance- simple-> the average hourly output of the old xxxcke is studied to be in the order of 170 seedlings/hour (sph). The new Risutec yields over 200 sph (in the Nordic countries) and in eucalyptus plantations up to 250 sph. If you could get e.g. 0,5 eur/seedling for a planted seedling, the difference per hour would be 30*0,5 eur= 15 eur* 8 hours 120 eur/day * (20 working days* 6 months) 120=

14.400 eur. MORE

D: As I said, you can always count in many ways. Let's calculate the life of the machine and the reduction in value using simple numbers and very simply over the top.

THE CALCULATION IS VERY SIMPLE TO SHOW THE RELATIVE DIFFERENCE

Old machine purchase price 25000€ 5 years residual value 5000€

New machine purchase price 50000€ 5 years residual value 15.000€

Annual repayment and interest 5% 

Old machine 25000 annual interest (note for the whole amount - not the yearly amortization) 1000/year and 5 years loan amortization 5000€/year = 6000€

New machine 50,000€ annual interest (note: for the whole amount, not the annual amortisation) 2,500/year and five-year loan amortisation 10,000€/year = 12,500€ 

As you can see the old one is much cheaper than the new one. But- the residual value of the old machine is 5000€ and the new one 15000€. Moreover, the new one has paid 14.400€ MORE per year than the old one i.e. the new one has paid the interest + amortization and still has 1900€ left over/year.

I point out that I have only calculated the planting machine and that too very simply, but both have been calculated in the same way. 

A new machine comes with a warranty and generally speaking, new is always new. Risutec guarantees the machines it sells, including used ones, and they have been upgraded where possible. So even a used Risutec machine is a real option.

The suitability of the seedlings determines the outcome of mechanical planting

 When we start discussions with a new customer, we ask for information about the plants to be used. This is so that we can ensure the technical functioning of the planting machine. 

We usually ask to go to the nursery to examine the seedlings and carry out a drop test. This test is very simple - we drop the seedling from a height of 1.5 m and if the substrate remains in the pot then the seedling is of good quality. 

On the other hand, it is important to check the shape of the roots, if the roots are twisted or they branch outwards the trees will grow slower. Air roots and "prickly" roots are a source of interference to the machine's operation.

The shape of the stem is also crucial, a twisted or curved stem is not suitable for mechanical planting.

We may sound demanding, but the machine performs many functions at the same time. Even a single disturbance slows down the operation and the simplest way is to put poor-quality seedlings in the ground manually.

How and why to choose a differen kind of Risutec machine

The choice of equipment is often challenging. Risutec has several products that overlap and I'll open up the main product groups here, hopefully this will help you understand why we make such a wide range of products.

 

FOREST BUILDERS:

A. Excavator mounted planting equipment
They only shape the point where the plant is placed, so the environmental impact is low. Easily portable and interchangeable with other tools such as a bucket. Several different models depending on the type of cultivation, type of seedling and size of the planter.

B. Harvester-mounted planting equipment
With the advantage of a large reach, the main job is just to plant. Water and fertiliser can be added as in the digging machine. Another advantage is the comfort of the wheeled base. 

C. Tractor-mounted planter
Inexpensive and efficient. Easy to move, pesticides and fertilizers can be added. Requires a flat and rock-free surface. 

D. Forwarder-mounted planting equipment - Forest Maker
A device for large and relatively flat areas. Low rockiness and good road access are also a requirement. For very large surface areas, pesticides, water and water gel can be added, as well as a variety of tillage equipment.

E. Soil preparation heads for excavators
Digging and soil cultivation attachments are available for both northern conditions and for land preparation of eucalyptus and other southern species.

F. Forwarder-mounted mounding machine MG-Combi
Can also be used for other transport such as short haul transport of energy wood. Seeder, fertilizer can be installed. Large area machine, works in almost all conditions.

 

CUTTING HEADS:

A1. Young stand tending machines

Three different models. The machines are used for young stand tending and pre-clearing before felling. Can be mounted on excavators, forwarder and harvester. Also tractor mountable, weight class and power limit the choice.

 

B1. Wood energy cutter 

One robus model for the harvester. Can be cleared and harvest energy trees at the same time, very efficient for harvesting energy wood in thinning areas.

C1. Guillotine heads for cutting

Two models of guillotine, either collecting or cutting only. Power according to the weight class of the excavator. Can also be equipped with a decay inhibitor pump, stump lifting with pins.

 

OTHERS:

A2. Seeding unit

For sowing pine seeds.

B2. Various types of pumps
Trico spreader for animal control, water pumps and water gel pumps.

C2. Various types of fertilizer feeders
For slow and fast dissolving fertilizers and different quantities.

D2. Compressor stand
Stable air compressor stand for Dynaset compressor.

 

DIGITAL PRODUCTS:

A3. Asta 5 system
Can be installed on all the above mentioned devices. Controls the efficiency and quality of the work.

B3. Asta 5 high accuracy system
Same as above but with high accuracy positioning - requires a Risutec Asta Base Station which distributes the correction within a radius of a few kilometres to all Asta 5 high accuracy devices.

C3.Asta 5 grid control system
Can be connected as an add-on to the Asta 5 high accuracy system.

D3. Asta portal
The Asta portal is used to send work orders through the system to the Asta 5 system devices. The system returns a report when the work item is completed. Map drawings of the work item can be attached to the system as well as the required comments.

For more information www.risutec.fi

Afforestation management

 Afforestation does not always mean planting a tree. In many cases, it is more important to provide decarded land with vegetation that allows other vegetation to return and can also provide a livelihood for the inhabitants of the area. 

It is also very important to maintain transparency in order to rationally plan the afforestation project and, in particular, to control and monitor its implementation and results. Digital tools and portals can also be used to raise finance for afforestation.
We are experts in handling different types of seedlings, but we also understand the whole picture when it comes to afforestation. Not always a tree, sometimes it can be grass or shrubs! 

Forest builders for the good of the community

These two forest builders were headed to the same customer in the Far East. Many areas have varied terrain and different types of soil.

Since the purpose is to secure the vitality of natural seedlings' growth on the slope, the customer chose our SKB type with different tools such as a 3-fork ripper, tilt and mounding bucket. (the picture shows a U-bucket. The U- bucket is chosen especially in some flat areas with a hard pan that can be used to break it).

ASP works commercial planting in flat areas, below 25 degrees. There are difficulties in transporting different machines to the fields for cleaning, tilling, applying herbicides and fertilizing, so the choice of equipment was clear, just one machine.
The most common reason for purchasing our equipment is a lack of labour. However, at the same time, we can raise the standard of living of the workforce we use by providing training around the infrastructure of machinery.
Here are clear reasons to invest in mechanization, trees' vitality, and people's vitality.

Subsoiling and mortality

Why do we need soil preparation to achieve 0 mortality? In some countries and regions, planting forest seedlings without subsoiling is preferred. The reason for this is primarily the preservation of moisture in the ground.
Especially if manual planting is done with a shovel, this is a clear way of doing things. However, modern forestry makes it possible to use a machine for tillage. Often, forestry cannot be compared to agriculture, but tree seedlings and root crops are comparable.
Why, because if you subsoil together with planting, you can plant deep and compact the seedling well to avoid evaporation from the soil. The roots get a quick start, and the competition of the grass decreases.
We are on our way to 100% survival.

Weed mechanical control

 In my previous post, I talked about the importance of a properly done field establishment for weed control.

When done correctly - cultivation, the right kind of seedlings, and other actions are a good foundation for the future growth of the stand.

But grass and bushes grow and compete for light and nutrients with the target crop.

In a plantation environment with straight lines and row spacings designed for extraction, it’s easy to control grass mechanically. But we shouldn’t discount cutting in northern conditions - where efficiencies can be gained with a small combi- or compact excavator.

It’s wise to cut the grass and bushes with an efficient method before the final cut. This is because the quantity and quality of the cut wood improve, while the final cut is quick and inexpensive, which is critical for controlling cost when operating with an expensive harvester.