the latest models in the Volvo range,” says Andrew. “It was quite a big change for us but both L50s have performed well which is why we’ve come back to purchase the latest version of the machine for the mill.” The L50H benefits from excellent all-round visibility due to the design


of the rear chassis and its sloping engine hood. This is facilitated by the transverse mounted Stage-IV final engine and hydrostatic motor. The operator’s environment has been recognised as a key factor in achieving high productivity and the Volvo Care Cab is at the forefront of delivering a high level of operator comfort. All the machine’s controls and functions come easily to hand and air conditioning is, of course, standard. The engine’s output of 116hp is superbly matched to the hydrostatic transmission allowing full power shift under load when changing direction and between speed ranges. The Torque Parallel (TP) loader linkage provides smooth, parallel lift, high rollback torque and good lifting power throughout the lift cycle – and the Volvo hydraulic attachment bracket facilitates the easy change-over of attachments for a range of duties and applications around the mill. The Volvo L50H wheeled loader features separate power steering and load-sensing hydraulic pumps. The advantage of this is that separate pumps ensure that full steering power is achieved, regardless of the load on the main hydraulic pumps. Oil flow on the load-sensing pump automatically adjusts to match work demand. The result is lower fuel consumption during lighter work – along with no compromise in performance when operating in tough conditions or demanding applications.


The new L50H replaces the L50D which has been traded in and


now takes over as the prime mover around the facility with a range of duties but mainly feeding logs into the mill. The L50E however still has


plenty of life in it since it has only clocked up 6,800 hours in the last ten years and looks as good as new. Both machines can interchange implements thanks to them both having compatible hydraulic attachment brackets which include log grabs, hi-tip buckets, pallet forks and a bespoke set of hydraulic forks that can rotate 360°. This particular attachment is used to turn baskets of firewood (which have gone through the drying process) upside down to disperse debris and small chips of wood to leave a clean product ready for bagging or wrapping. Since visiting Woodgate Sawmills ten years ago, it’s evident that it isn’t just the new machine the company has invested in. Besides its traditional production of timber for fencing, feather boards, pallets, etc, the company now produces cut and dried logs for wood burning stoves and has a distribution network for the finished product country- wide. Timber that isn’t suitable for the mill is now sorted, cut and then dried in baskets in large kilns which again, are new additions to the business. The installation of a biomass boiler that burns dried wood chip provides forced hot air to two large drying floor areas for both wood chip and drying the cut firewood logs. As a bi-product, the hot water that’s produced is piped into the mill for heating during the winter months. Another improvement for the yard has been the creation of a new access road for commercial vehicles alleviating heavy traffic through Mile End village. Woodgate Sawmills of Mile End, Coleford, Gloucestershire has


been trading for the last sixty years, specialising in cross-cut timber for fencing, feather edge, waney and gravel boards, posts rails, timber for pallet making and cut and dried logs for wood burning stoves. The family-run business continues to be run by brothers Ken and Brian Humphries along with their sons, Andrew and Darryl. ■


Logs entering the sawmill


Ten-year-old L50E


Andrew Humphries


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