As the sole agent in Ireland for Eco Log forest machines as well as Log Max and SP harvesting heads, LB Gremo Ltd. has been providing a comprehensive range of invaluable products and services to forestry contractors for 16 years and counting. We headed to Tullamore and touched base with owner Liam Bergin for an update on this outstanding family-run business, a conversation which led inevitably to the efficiency of an Eco Log 688F harvester paired with a Log Max 6000Twin head…
From its well-appointed base at the heart of the midlands, LB Gremo Ltd. is perfectly situated to serve the needs of Ireland’s busy forestry sector, offering a vast suite of value-added services including sales (of both new and used machines and accessories), servicing and repairs. Liam Bergin established the business in 2006 and quickly established a stellar reputation nationwide as Ireland’s sole agent for Gremo and Eco Log forest machines as well as SP harvesting heads and Log Max harvesting heads,
In Spring 2020, Gremo and Eco Log joined forces to become one comprehensive operator with a common future in the forest machine business. As a result of the merger, production of Gremo machines was moved to the Eco Log Factory in Söderhamn, Sweden and it was decided that all models going forward would feature the Eco Log name and iconic yellow colour.
Eco Log’s strong, effective and modern harvesters and forwarders – with intensive R&D resulting in many smart solutions – represent the future of forestry. These magnificent machines allow the operator to be in full control regardless of ground conditions. Through exceptional ground clearance, reliability, serviceability and a powerful harvester-crane, both productivity and profitable are maximised.
“The Eco Log brand has taken over Gremo, who had been manufacturing machines in Sweden for decades, and it’s all happening in the Eco Log factory now,” Liam confirms. “Going forward, the Gremo machines will be rebranded and sprayed in the Eco Log colours. Eco Log now has more options in forwarders, with six different choices available – 8.5 tonne, 10.5 tonne, 12 tonne, 14 tonne, 16 tonne and 20 tonne.
“As a result of the merger, we have the new Eco Log 1058 harvester – a small eight-wheel, 16-tonne harvester which actually came from the Gremo camp and was originally their 1050. Eco Log also still have the 560, 580 and 590 six-wheel harvester options as well.”
The first ‘yellow Gremo’, the Eco Log 1058 can operate with great efficiency and profitability even in sensitive and soft terrain. This light machine really stands out with its low fuel consumption, great stability and comfortable operator environment. Add the optional active bogie function for a machine with superb off-road handling and high traction that easily makes its way forward – even on steep slopes.
The Eco Log 1058 is a flexible harvester for low-impact and productive forestry whatever the circumstances. Noise levels in the comfortable cab are extremely low, while it offers excellent visibility of the entire work area due to tall windows and a narrow cab. It can be easily operated in either direction by rotating the seat and – thanks to its low centre of gravity – this wonderful harvester can work with great stability at all times.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned Eco Log 688F harvester – especially when operated in conjunction with a Log Max 6000Twin harvesting head – is a great all-rounder perfectly suited to Irish forest conditions. “The 688F has been a huge success for me and is the one I really push,” Liam states. “It’s an eight-wheeler of a perfect size to suit both thinning and clearfelling, so it’s a great all-rounder. I’ve been extremely impressed by the 688F since I took on the Eco Log agency in 2016 and highly recommend it to my customers.”
Indeed, forestry contractors tend to agree with Liam’s high estimation of this model, with Ballycastle, County Mayo based Desmond Langan having taken possession of one during the summer gone by.
Specially designed for work in steep terrain, which minimises ground pressure when working on sensitive ground, and offering high stability and exceptional serviceability, the Eco Log 688F can really challenge gravity. With its eight wheels, a powerful Volvo Penta engine with a full 286hp and an updated cab, this powerful, flexible harvester is ready for the hardest jobs. The cabin is rotatable a full 350 degrees, providing a perfect overview of the entire work area.
“The ideal companion for the 688F is a Log Max 6000Twin harvesting head,” Liam continues. “This is a strong, robust and simple head, offering easy maintenance, easy serving and a long lifespan. The combination of those two works very well in Irish conditions, where timber growth is perhaps the fastest in Europe and you can have a lot of big branches, big boughs, bends and crooked timber.
“The Log Max head is strong, robust, durable, with a simple design and is extremely service-friendly, which is important when you are out in the forest and don’t have a huge pile of tools with you. I recommend them because of their sheer structure and design. At 1,500kg, they are a head that lasts a long time – you could easily get 15,000 to 20,000 hours out of one.”
Thanks to the double lower de-limbing knives that characterise the head, the 6000Twin works very efficiently in forests with coarse, low-growing branches. It comes complete with Log Max’s heavy duty kit (containing a reinforced felling link and extra protection for cylinders and feed-roller motors) for increased durability and extra protection.
Business is brisk at LB Gremo Ltd. and signs are encouraging for the future. “There is global demand for timber and once there is no hold-up with felling licences, there will be plenty of work going on in Irish forests,” Liam predicts. “Felling licence problems meant that 2020 was a black year because a lot of guys couldn’t get work because they couldn’t get their licences, but things are looking a lot better now and I can see the situation improving even further this year.
“Timber is in huge demand and Covid has driven that demand even higher with so much work being done on homes and construction in Ireland kicking off again. I can’t see it going any other way only up.
“Forestry contractors know they can’t afford to run old machinery. You are much better off with new machines and paying for quality rather than sinking money into repairs and enduring unnecessary downtime. It’s also much easier to get guys to drive newer machinery.”
As well as selling new and second-hand machines, LB Gremo stocks a comprehensive range of parts and has two fully-equipped mobile service vans on the road. “Service is a massive part of it – with forest machines, it’s crucial,” Liam notes. “The machine is working in a rough environment and being punished every day, so you have to be ready to get out to customers quickly and effectively. We stock all the common parts that will fix any problems that might arise, while we can also offer help over the phone if required.”
As harvesters represent a massive investment, naturally contractors are determined to get as much bang for their buck as possible. Liam detects a trend towards high-performance, flexible solutions and is confident that the Eco Log 688F ticks all the boxes:
“I’ve noticed in the last two years especially that a lot of guys are looking for high-production machines,” the Offaly man concludes. “Because of the trouble with getting drivers, they want less machinery and prefer a high-production unit that is flexible. The 688F is ideal because it could be doing first thinnings one day and then put on clearfell the next, which is a big advantage.”
For more information on any of the industry-leading forest machines available through LB Gremo or to discuss which one is best for you, contact Liam Bergin today.
LB Gremo Ltd.,
Unit B,
Nure House,
Cloncollig Industrial Estate,
Tullamore
County Offaly.
Tel: 086-6079564
Email: [email protected]
Web: lbgremo.com
First published in Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 10 No 2, March/April 2022
