Safer, Smarter, More Efficient: Eastland Port’s Debarker Upgrade

Eastland Port, New Zealand’s most easterly commercial shipping port, handles the majority of quality logs harvested on the East Coast.

“CR Automation were able to take care of the whole safety upgrade project. The increased log throughput has been a significant improvement to the business as well as knowing our people are safe when working with this machine”.

The challenge

Eastland Port’s debarking machines remove bark without harsh chemicals, keeping logs insect-free and environmentally friendly. As operations grew, maintaining an efficient workflow while ensuring operator safety and full compliance with AS/NZS4024 machine safety standards became a top priority.

Our solution

CR Automation delivered a complete machine safety upgrade, managing the project from initial risk assessment to design, implementation, and final validation. Our work ensured the debarker met the latest safety standards while improving operational efficiency. Key upgrades included:

• Motor Control Centre and PLC upgrade – replacing legacy systems with advanced automation controllers
• Safety system enhancements – emergency stops, interlocked gates, and pneumatic/hydraulic safe isolations
• Variable speed drives – integrated with the safety system using Safe Torque Off
• Human Machine Interface – modern, user-friendly interface for easy monitoring and control
• Full verification and validation – confirming all safety systems functioned as intended

The results

The upgraded debarker now fully protects operators during daily use, while also supporting a more efficient workflow. Log throughput has increased, providing a tangible boost to Eastland Port’s productivity, and environmental practices continue, with most bark repurposed as high-quality garden mulch.