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Details
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Created: 23 January 2014
Originally formed in 1992 manufacturing computer controlled timber harvesting systems, Loglogic is now one of the UK's leading manufacturer of specialist low ground pressure tracked vehicles and associated equipment. Loglogic has gone on to develop a wide range of equipment for use in the nature conservation, agriculture, forestry and the utility industries.
Based in Devon, England, Loglogic prides itself on it's ability to design, develop and manufacture specialist equipment for a wide range of applications using either variants of it's standard machines or developing bespoke solutions to meet the customers exact requirements.
PROJECTS
Bigtrak: Heavy Duty Tracked Carrier
The 'Bigtrak' is used extensively in the construction and utility industries. Capable of carrying up to 5,000 kg over rough terrain at ground pressures less than 20% of wheeled vehicles the 'Bigtrak' is essential when accessing remote or difficult areas. Variants have been fitted with cranes, specialist bodies and insulated access platforms for live line working at 43,000 volts.
'Wetland Harvester', 'Wetland Blower' and Pneumatic Blowing Systems.
The Wetland harvesting systems are a typical example of Loglogic's ability to produce a bespoke solution to the problem of managing neglected reed beds. The 'Wetland Harvester' was one of the first machines available able to work on these delicate habitats, dispelling the myth that only hand tools were suitable for working in such conditions and going on to prove that large scale management of wetland sites was feasible and helping to reverse decades of neglect. The 'Wetland Blower' was used in conjunction with the 'Wetland Harvester' to enable the harvested material to be conveyed pneumatically over distances of 1500 metres, crossing rivers, dykes and other impassable terrains. Using the same pneumatic conveying technology, wood chip blowing systems were also developed, featuring: Automatic monitoring and load sharing, radio control and the ability to chain systems together to cover almost unlimited distances.
'Softrak' ATV
Again, following demand from Nature Conservation Bodies for machines to use on their nature reserves and benefiting from the experience gained with the Wetland Harvesters, the 'Softrak' was developed. This allowed Nature reserve managers to work on areas previously deemed inaccessible to vehicles. Initially used just for moving men and equipment the 'Softrak' soon developed into a multipurpose tool carrier, with front and rear linkages and PTOs and a huge range of attachments, including: 'Cut and Collect' systems, mowers, mulchers, chippers, stump grinders, cranes, winches and specialist bodies. Nearly 100 'Softraks' are now in use throughout the world in all sectors where access is difficult or impossible with conventional equipment.
Reed Harvesting and Baling systems.
One of the many specialist attachments for the Softrak range of vehicles is a harvesting and baling system for the cutting, binding and baling of reed for use in thatching. Once cut and bundled the baler produces a bale with approximately 80-100 bundles of reed that can then be easily mechanically handled. Reed harvesting systems are now in use in Russia and throughout the UK.
Tracked Trailer
With ability to harvest areas previously though inaccessible it soon became apparent that a means of transporting larger quantities of material was required. The powered tracked trailer can carry up to 2,000 kg at ground pressures similar to the Softrak Hydraulically powered with a load sensing drawbar the trailer will automatically match it's speed to that of the Softrak. The trailer can be used to transport baled material or, with a suitable body, can carry low density chopped or chipped bulk materials off site.
SPECIALIST SOFTRAK PROJECTS
RNLI and Tidal Rescue Softrak
With the success of the standard Softraks variants Loglogic was commissioned by the RNLI in 2003 to develop a variant for the launch and recovery of their 'Atlantic 75 ILB' search and rescue lifeboats. These machines are especially suited at stations where wheeled vehicles cannot cope with the mud, sand or shingle that the Softrak can easily traverse. Fully galvanised and with extensive use of 316SS the 'RNLI Softrak' copes with the demands of working in salt water in depths up to 1.0m with 1.5m waves. A similar variant is also used for search and rescue on coastal areas, notably with coastal airports to help rescue passengers and crew from crashed aircraft.
Fire and Rescue 'Softrak'
The capabilities of the Softrak for taking men and equipment to remote areas proved invaluable when tackling upland and moor land fires. Using fire fogging technology these machines can carry 1200 litres of water and five fire crew with associated equipment to fight fires on remote upland areas far from roads and tracks accessible to normal fire appliances.
'Tooltrak'
Experience launching inshore lifeboats led to the development of the RNLI 'Tooltrak', a lightweight tracked vehicles with a two man cab, wide tracks and a bulldozer blade for moving sand or shingle. To date the RNLI have taken 22 of these machines for use on stations throughout the UK launching their 'D' class ILBs.
The commercial 'Tooltrak' was launched at Agritechna 2012, France. Designed for the maintenance of wetland areas, mowing of motorway and other steep embankments and snow clearance with blade or blower systems.
Softrak 120
Following the success of the Softrak, with nearly 100 machines out in the field, and with demand for a larger and more powerful variant, the Softrak 120 was developed. This features the same ultra low ground pressure as the standard Softrak but with a larger carrying capacity. Fitted with a Tier 4, 120hp Deutz engine the Softrak 120 is aimed at the conservation contractor or organisation looking to manage larger areas of wetland. To date, machines have been delivered to Belgium and the UK with orders for machines for Russia and Europe with enquiries from throughout the world.
Geotechnical Investigation Rigs
A range of specialist Geotechnical investigation rigs including the GT150, GT200 and GT350 rigs for use on steep slopes and rough terrain, such as motorway or railway embankments and dam faces where previously work had to undertaken either by hand, or by conventional machines airlifted or craned onto scaffold platforms, which were both expensive and time consuming. These machines have transformed the way site investigations on steep slopes or rough terrain have been undertaken safely and efficiently. This achievement was recognized with the ' Innovation Award' at the 2009 Ground Engineering Awards.
'Autotrek' Mobile Sawmills
The 'Autotrek' was launched in 1999 as a mechanised version of the renowned 'Trekkasaw' portable saw system. With it's 100mm wide saw The 'Autotrek' is the largest capacity portable sawmill manufactured in the UK. Sold to contractors and sawyers throughout the UK and Europe the 'Autotrek' has proved to be a reliable and productive sawmill with all machines ever built still in full use today. Due to it's versatility and performance the 'Autotrek' was chosen as by the MOD, over all other sawmills available at the time, for use by it's engineers worldwide.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Modular Silt Conveying Systems
Typical of it's ability to use it's engineering expertise on a diverse range of products, Loglogic, in partnership with Nick Ash of PICO and Alaska Environmental Contracting were approached to design and manufacture an innovative way of transporting silts from eutrophic lakes. Traditionally lakes are dredged using liquid pumping systems but suffer from high power requirements and the need for large settlement areas to allow the water to evaporate. The ability of the Modular Conveyors to handle relatively dry silts means excavated material can be dumped straight on adjoining farmland significantly reducing land take and carbon footprints. To date 800m of conveyor modules have been supplied with a further 1,600m due for delivery in 2015.
Anaerobic digester systems.
In it's goal of diversifying into alternative energy, and in partnership with 'Qube Renewables Ltd' , Loglogic has developed containerised anaerobic digesters with: gas treatment, in feed and discharge hoppers and CHP systems with grid ties to produce biogas, electricity and heat from food and farm waste. The first three systems are now running successfully and future orders are assured with interest worldwide.
TODAY AND THE FUTURE
Having established pre eminence in many of it's sectors, Loglogic continues to grow rapidly, both domestically and abroad. Loglogic are committed to ensuring continued support for it's ever expanding customer base and is aiming to become a world leader in their sectors. Loglogic is also exploring other avenues for it's unique design and engineering skills including renewable energy systems.
As part of the DECC Wetland Biomass to Energy incentive scheme, Loglogic are providing harvesting systems to AB Systems and Anaerobic digester systems AMW IBERS
