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

At Groupe François’s round timber yard in Virton, an electrically powered SENNEBOGEN 840 E and an automated HOLTEC system work together as an integrated system. The 840 E transports the round timber from the timber stacks to the feeding unit; the HOLTEC system then takes over the automated separation, measurement and further processing. The entire round timber yard is managed by just two operators. How can a round timber yard be organised so that large quantities of timber are processed safely, precisely and with a constant flow of material? Groupe François, headquartered in Virton, Belgium, answers this question with a closely coordinated combination of SENNEBOGEN handling technology and automated HOLTEC plant technology. At this site, the company processes round timber for the production of sawn timber, pallets, pellets and bioenergy. To ensure the value chain functions reliably, the material flow from the timber stack to the sawing line must be controlled continuously, precisely and safely. The electrically powered SENNEBOGEN 840 E plays a central role in this process, transferring the round timber to the HOLTEC feeding unit.

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.

Automated Log Yard at Groupe François – Project Details

Location:	Virton, Belgium
Operator:	Groupe François
Handling machine:	SENNEBOGEN 840 E
Drive:	electric
Equipment Partner:	HOLTEC
Function of the 840 E:	Loading round logs and transferring them to the HOLTEC system

Operating personnel:	2 people
Working range:	up to 20 m
Project implementation:	12 months
Downstream processes:	Separation, metal detection, 3D measurement, sorting

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 ensures the operator has an excellent view of the bales and maximum visibility of the work area.

What role does the SENNEBOGEN 840 E play in an automated log yard?

The SENNEBOGEN 840 E serves as the interface between the log piles and the stationary HOLTEC system. The handling machine picks up the logs from the log piles, transports them to the feeding unit, and places them precisely on the feeding deck. From this transfer point, the HOLTEC system takes over the automated transport and processing of the logs.

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.