A Perfect Symbiosis: HOLTEC Plant Engineering and SENNEBOGEN Handling Technology

02.09.2026 Virton, Belgium Author: Isabella Wild, Product Marketing Manager Timber Machines & Telehandlers

Automated Log Yard with the SENNEBOGEN 840 E and HOLTEC

How can a log yard be organized to ensure that large volumes of timber are handled safely, precisely, and with a continuous material flow? Groupe François, headquartered in Virton, Belgium, answers this question with a closely coordinated combination of SENNEBOGEN material handling technology and automated HOLTEC system technology. At its site, the company processes roundwood for the production of sawn timber, pallets, pellets, and bioenergy. To ensure that the entire value chain operates reliably, the material flow from the log stacks to the saw line must be continuous, precise, and safe. A key role is played by the electrically powered SENNEBOGEN 840 E, which transfers the logs to the HOLTEC infeed system.

Challenge: How can a stable material flow be maintained in the log yard?

The Groupe François log yard is designed for high throughput and precise sorting processes. Logs must be picked up from the storage stacks, transported safely, and placed accurately so that the downstream automated system can operate reliably.

At the same time, operating conditions are demanding. The facility must run efficiently in multi-shift operation, the installation is located in a confined area between a railway line and a high-voltage power line, and the process chain must not be interrupted by manual corrections or inaccurate log transfers.

A SENNEBOGEN 840 E rail-mounted material-handling excavator loading roundwood at a timber-handling facility. — The large, curved windshield of the 840 E's cab guarantees the operator an optimal view of the log piles and maximum overview of the working area.

The SENNEBOGEN 840 E as the Interface to the HOLTEC System

The SENNEBOGEN 840 E serves as the interface between the log yard and the stationary HOLTEC processing system. The material handler transports logs from the storage stacks to the infeed unit and places them in a controlled manner onto the infeed deck.

For the operator, the elevated cab position offers a decisive advantage. From this vantage point, the operator has a clear view of the grapple, the log stacks, and the transfer area of the HOLTEC system. This visibility supports precise log placement and reduces the risk of disruptions during the subsequent singulation process.

The precise control of the 840 E also enables operators to handle logs smoothly under changing weather conditions. Gentle placement further reduces the mechanical stress placed on the stationary processing equipment.

Jobsite Video: How does the automated log yard with the SENNEBOGEN 840 E and HOLTEC work?

Automated Log Yard | SENNEBOGEN 840 E and HOLTEC — The jobsite video shows the entire material flow at the log yard: The SENNEBOGEN 840 E picks up the logs from the wood piles and transfers them to the HOLTEC feeding unit. From there, the automated system handles the further transport, separation, inspection, and measurement of the roundwood.

How Do SENNEBOGEN and HOLTEC Work Together?

Once the SENNEBOGEN 840 E has transferred the logs, HOLTEC's processing technology takes over. Conveyors and singulation technology feed the delivered logs into a continuous processing flow.

HOLTEC's chainless technology supports efficient log handling after incoming truck measurement. An integrated metal detection system protects the downstream saw line from metal contaminants. In addition, a reduction bypass equipped with twin-shaft single-log reducers enables flexible processing of different short-log dimensions.

A continuous data flow links every stage of the process. Three-dimensional scanning and a planned X-ray scanner capture log volume, quality, and wood characteristics, allowing each log to be tracked and routed precisely from delivery through to processing on the saw lines.

High Level of Automation with Only Two Operators

A SENNEBOGEN 840 E rail-mounted material-handling excavator at a log yard during log handling. — Since the SENNEBOGEN 840 E moves along the HOLTEC plant, travel lanes between the log piles are eliminated completely. Despite the compact space conditions, every area of the log yard remains fully accessible.

The combination of the SENNEBOGEN 840 E and the HOLTEC system creates a clearly structured and highly automated log handling process. One particularly tangible result is that the entire log yard is now operated by just two operators.

This not only improves efficiency but also enhances workplace safety. Personnel spend significantly less time in the immediate hazard zone around heavy logs. The automated process steps therefore contribute to a safer working environment while ensuring a more stable supply of material to the saw line.

The electric drive of the SENNEBOGEN 840 E also aligns with Groupe François' commitment to making production as carbon-neutral as possible. Its electric operation supports the company's goal of reducing the environmental footprint of its log handling operations.

A Future-Proof Installation Under Challenging Conditions

This installation demonstrates how closely coordinated material handling technology and automated wood processing can create a future-ready log yard. Despite the challenging installation conditions between a railway line and a high-voltage power line, the entire project was completed within twelve months.

Florent Vanlaetem of Groupe François summarizes the investment decision as follows: "We deliberately did not choose the cheapest solution—we chose the best one."

For Groupe François, the result is a log handling process that successfully combines high material throughput, precise log transfers, digital measurement data, and safe operating procedures. For other wood processing companies, this project demonstrates how an automated log yard can be organized more reliably through the coordinated integration of a mobile material handler, stationary processing technology, and digital process control.