Peterson’s Winning mitts

Peterson sawmills, the leading sawmill in new and innovative tech nology, laid their cards on the table by competing in the New Zealand National

Portable Sawmilling Competition in

Rotorua late last year. The competition was run by the NZ Portable Sawmillers Association, and sponsored by the Forestry education Centre. The great “saw down” was designed to get all the major portable sawmills together (both imported and local) to test their advertised capabili ties in real-live operating situations. Each mill’s “team” was given an individual time-keeper and strict instructions to fol low.

Besides coming up trumps in produc tion (around 1.5 cubic metres per hour with two men), accuracy (average of 1 mil limetre variance), and quality (the only mill made almost entirely of stainless steel and alloy), Petersons revealed a surprise

ace up their sleeve with an unbelievable official recovery rate of 82 per cent on medium to large logs! This result not only beat all other portable sawmills, but showed Petersons cut 7.2 per cent more timber from the same size log as the top bandsaw mill. Accuracy was also a major score, as Peterson’s worst possible cut var ied just two millimetres from the desired size, while the top bandsaw mill showed variations of up to five millimetres. Even more incredible was the fact that these proven results were all achieved simulta neously within the same test run.

These results clearly set new standards for portable and conventional mills world wide, showing many older-style sawmills as obsolete. With the increased recovery, accuracy, output, and lower running and capital costs, these new mills will not only boost profits, but can quickly pay for the entire cost of replacement. This gives the opportunity for individuals, businesses,

and governments alike to re-think their

business plans and policies when looking

for new milling equipment, or replacing

older machinery.

Peterson Sawmills were originally designed by a Fiji citizen while many years ago, but have yet to re-enter that market commercially. This is due to the

Fiji Government’s policies showing a pref

erence for bandsaw mills, and a stand against circular bladed sawmills. Petersons have been exporting for fiye years now and have achieved astounding success in coun tries as diverse as Russia, Chile, Zambia, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, the Solomons, Vanuatu, New Caledonia.

Australia, USA, England, Switzerland, South Africa and Canada. In all these remote areas, Peterson Sawmills have stood up to conditions and lack of exper tise extremely well. ■