Soil & Mulch Producer News Jan/Feb 2023

Future Potential for Processed Pine Substrates in Nursery Production

BY DR. BRIAN E. JACKSON

As all aspects of horticultural crop production continue to improve and evolve, research and development of soilless substrates is also keeping pace with our ever changing and demanding production practices. Processed pine and fir bark has been the primary substrate component for nursery growers across the country for several decades, a trend that holds true today.

While bark is, in many ways, an ideal material for growing plants in containers outdoors, there has been an interest in discovering and investigating other materials that could possibly serve the same function. Some alternative materials of interest have included composts, agricultural wastes, and wood products. Some reasons for the interest in alternative materials have been 1) due to bark shortages in certain years, 2) the threat of bark no longer being a waste product of the forestry industry and available for horticultural use, 3) cost savings, 4) improved growth performance, and 5) attempts to make use of existing raw materials/ products/byproducts that are abundantly available.

Over the past 40 years there has been an extensive amount of research conducted by academic scientists, growers, and soil/substrate manufacturers to investigate the potential of materials other than bark to use for nursery crop production. None have received the attention, or shown the promise that freshly harvested and processed pine trees have.

The idea of using fresh, non-aged or composted, wood materials in containers is not a new concept. In fact, the use of wood fiber and other wood components in growing media dates back to the late 80’s and early 90’s when they were first developed and utilized in Europe. It wasn’t until 2004 that the idea crossed the pond and gained interest here in the U.S. In the decade plus since research began here in the U.S., numerous academic and industry R&D programs have evaluated various wood materials as potential alternatives to peat moss and perlite (greenhouse crops) and pine bark (nursery crops). Pine tree substrates (PTS), wholetree substrates (WTS) and clean chip residual (CCR) are all recent products/ developments that have changed the culture of our horticultural production industry, both for greenhouse and nursery crops.

To date, few nursery growers have converted to wood substrates or wood-containing substrates due to the fact that pine bark has remained abundant and relatively cheap in recent years. There has been no economic incentive to switch to a substrate

buyers’2023 issueguide

containing wood, which may lead to needed changes in production practices.

Most of the current interest, adoption, and commercialization of wood substrate materials has been in the greenhouse industry where peat moss and perlite remain very expensive and supply issues are often a concern. It should be reassuring that based on all of the research conducted on nursery crops (and there has been a lot) that if bark is ever in short supply or becomes too expensive, wood (processed pine trees) does provide potential solutions.

One of the most impressive and consistent observations of hundreds of trials across the U.S. has been the vigorous (often enhanced) root growth of woody and herbaceous crops. The enhanced root development is due to the higher porosity of substrates containing wood components and also by virtue of the physical structure of the wood fibers/particles, which provide roots with uninhibited pathways to grow and explore the container substrate volume quicker than in substrates that contain the flattened/platy bark particles. Quickness to root in the propagation phase of nursery crop production could add significant benefits to any grower’s operation.

A few notes about using wood in nursery substrates: 1) incorporations of less than 40% typically do not change many production practices in regards to fertility or irrigation (depending of course of current fertility and irrigation practices); 2) loblolly pine is the best tree species for use, not hardwoods; 3) no severe/ enhanced degradation is known to occur as long as it is not mixed with a manure or other high nitrogen content material; 4) increased pH is often seen in mixes containing higher percent’s of wood; 5) there are many machines and processes that can grind trees

and make small wood particles…but they are not the same and not all work the same; and 6) the type/size/ grind/percent of wood material blended with pine bark should be based on the size of pine bark being used, size of container being used, type of plant grown, and intended longevity of the crop in the pot.

One important thing to remember is that Wood is NOT wood (is NOT wood), just as peat is NOT peat (is NOT peat), or any other material is not always the same! Variations exist with different products. Over the past several years, many different wood components have been designed, engineered/processed, and evaluated which has led to greatly furthering the potential of these materials in present-day growing substrate formulations.

Much of the current focus (R&D) is on engineering principles to better address consistency and reproducibility concerns and opportunities. As part of the engineering research at NC State University, we work with various types of equipment to process harvested trees including tree chippers and grinders as well as various machines to further grind/ pulverize the wood feedstock material. Understanding the variables and variations on how these different machines create different end-products is very important.

Despite the traditional uses (pulp, paper, timber, fuel, etc.) and more recent uses (wood pellets, biofuels, etc.) of pine trees in the U.S., it is still believed that pine wood is a reliable source of sustainable substrate components in the foreseeable future. The Southeastern U.S. is one of the most abundant wood producing regions in the entire world and production (acreage) continues to be more productive thanks to innovations in tree genetics and silviculture practices.

Dr. Brian E. Jackson is a Professor of Substrate Science and Director of the Horticultural Substrates Laboratory at NC State University. Brian can be reached at Brian_Jackson@ncsu.edu.

News From The Mulch & Soil Council

By RoBeRt LaGasse, executive DiRectoR

From August through September 2022, the Mulch & Soil Council surveyed its membership to determine the growth in high season sales for January 1 - June 30, 2022. This time period represents an estimated 60% of total industry sales each year. The survey data was then compared to the same data collected from members for the 2021 high season (1/1/22-6/30/22). Industry sales are divided into four main categories which are Bagged Mulch, Bulk Mulch, Bagged Soils and Bulk Soils. Here are the results of the 2022 survey compared to the 2021 survey for the same period.

Bagged Mulch

There was a significant increase in the number of members reporting no sales in bagged mulches (+13%). The number of members reporting “about the same”sales in ‘22 and ‘21 were 16% and 15% respectively, or about the same. Members reporting increases in sales for ‘22 were about 20% compared to 45% in ‘21, with the greatest decline in the +6%-10% category (-23%). The number of members reporting a decline in ‘22 sales was 30% compared to 15% in ‘21. Members reporting a decrease in sales greater than -11% were 13% of respondents in ‘22 whereas no members reported decreased sales of -11% or more in ‘21. While the 2022 overall sales growth of bagged mulches appears to be somewhat lesser than the 2021 sales growth, the 2021 industry sales were still at historically elevated levels following the Covid-19 pandemic and is likely the effect of “settling back” to industry norms.

Bulk Mulch

Again, there was a significant increase in the number of members reporting no sales in bulk mulches (+11%). The number of members reporting “about the same”sales in ‘22 and ‘21 were 13% and 35% respectively, a decline of more than half. Members reporting increases in sales for ‘22 were about 32% compared to 50% in ‘21, with the greatest decline in the +6%-10% category (-9%). The number of members reporting a decline in ‘22 sales was ~27% compared to 0% in ‘21. Members reporting a decrease in sales of -6%-10% were 10% of respondents in ‘22 followed by -1%-5% and >-15% at ~7% each. Again, no members reported decreased bulk sales in ‘21. While the 2022 overall sales growth of bulk mulches appears to be significantly less than the 2021 sales growth, the 2021 industry sales were also at historically elevated levels following the Covid-19 pandemic and is likely the effect of “settling back” to industry norms.

Bagged Soils

Again, the number of members reporting no sales in bagged soils increased by +8%. The number of members reporting “about the same”sales in ‘22 and ‘21 were 10% and 5% respectively. Members reporting increases in sales for ‘22 were about 10% compared to 60% in ‘21, with the greatest change in the +6%-10% category (-27%). The number of members reporting a decline in ‘22 sales was 56% compared to 20% in ‘21. Members reporting a decrease in sales of ->15%

Publisher / Editor

Rick Downing

Contributing Editors / Writers

Dr. Brian E. Jackson • Robert LaGasse

Sandy Woodthorpe

Production & Layout

Christine Mantush

Advertising Sales

Rick Downing

Subscription / Circulation

Donna Downing

Editorial, Circulation & Advertising Office 6075 Hopkins Road, Mentor, OH 44060

Ph: 440-257-6453 • Fax: 440-257-6459

Email: downassoc2@oh.rr.com

Subscription information, call 440-257-6453.

Soil & Mulch Producer News is published bimonthly by Downing & Associates. Reproductions or transmission in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher, is prohibited.

Annual subscription rate U.S. is $19.95. Outside of the U.S. add $10 ($29.95). Contact our main office, or mail-in the subscription form with payment.

©Copyright 2023 by Downing & Associates

News From MSC

23% of respondents in ‘22 followed by -1%-5% at 20%. The greatest loss category for 2021 sales was -6%-10% at 10% of respondents. While the 2022 overall sales growth of bagged soils appears to be significantly less than the 2021 sales growth, the 2021 industry sales were also at historically elevated levels following the Covid-19 pandemic and is likely the effect of “settling back” to industry norms.

Bulk Soils

The number of members reporting no sales in bulk soils increased from 25% in ‘21 to 30% in ‘22. The number of members reporting “about the same”sales in ‘22 and ‘21 were 10% and 15% respectively. Members reporting increases in sales for ‘22 were about 33% compared to 50% in ‘21, with the greatest change in the +6%-10% category (-12%). The number of members reporting a decline in ‘22 sales was 26% compared to 0% in ‘21. Members reporting a decrease in sales of ->15% were 10% of respondents in ‘22 followed by -1%-5% and -^5-10% at 7% each. Again, no members reported decreased bulk sales in ‘21. While the 2022 overall sales growth of bulk soils appears to be significantly less than the 2021 sales growth, the 2021 industry sales were also at historically elevated levels following the Covid-19 pandemic and is likely the effect of “settling back” to industry norms.

Market Forces

Survey participants were asked to rank each of a series of market forces based on their perceived significance and impact on their product sales for 2022. The results were as follows in ranked order:

Continued from page 3

1. CONSUMER DEMAND: According to 56% of all survey participants, the #1 greatest impact on 2022 sales was a decline in consumer demand. In 2020, consumer demand boomed as a result of Covid-19 lock downs, and people either expanded their existing gardening or took-up gardening for the first time. That burst in industry growth continued strongly into 2021 until lock downs began to ease in the 2nd quarter, and consumers shifted their time and discretionary spending to travel and other activities. As the market settles back into historic demand patterns, the year-to-year sales data appears as a decline when sales are actually returning to historic volumes after the pandemic.

2. WEATHER : Over 35% of participants ranked the weather as the 2nd most significant impact on sales for 2022.

3. OPERATIONAL ISSUES : A total of 48% of survey participants ranked operational issues (labor, freight, equipment issues, etc.) as the third most significant impact on industry sales in 2022.

4. SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES: Raw materials shortages, parts availability and machine/equipment backlogs were some of the supply chain issues that over 42% of survey participants ranked as the 4th most significant impact on 2022 industry sales growth.

5. GAIN OR LOSS OF CUSTOMERS: According to over 40% of participants, gains and losses in customer bases were the 5th most significant impact on company sales growth for the year.

We appreciate the time and effort from all member companies that participated in our surveys. For more information, call the MSC office at 806-8321810.

» Diverse line of models ranging from 14” to 45” capacity

» Patented cuttermill processes material utilizing less fuel

» Wide variety of teeth and screen sizes available

» Produces a high-quality end product

» Top notch aftermarket support

SCAN TO LEARN MORE

40 YEARS OF QUALITY TREE CARE AND RECYCLING EQUIPMENT

MODEL 3680 TRACK 35” Capacity Horizontal Grinder

CONE SCREW SPLITTERS

US Composting Council Announces 2023 Board of Directors Election Results

Raleigh, NC – The US Composting Council (USCC) recently announced the results of its annual Board of Directors election. Two new board members took their seats in January 2023, Travis Bahnsen of A-1 Organics and Lorrie Loder-Rossiter of Veransa as new Compost Manufacturer board members. Additionally, Jenny Trent of Iowa Waste Reduction Center-UNI was re-elected as an Affiliate board member.

The new board members will be joining the Executive Committee and Board members: Eileen Banyra of Community Compost Company, Meredith DanbergFicarelli of Common Ground Compost, Neil Edgar of Edgar & Associates, Inc., Scott Gamble of Waste Management, Gary Gittere of McGill Premium Compost, Elliot Schneider of City of St. Peters Earth Centre, Melissa Tashjian of Compost Crusader, and Samantha Winkle of Waste Connections, as well as Pierce Louis of Dirt Hugger (Atlas Organics); Jeff Ziegenbein of Inland Empire Utilities Agency and Secretary Ryan Cooper of Rubicon.

The USCC board of directors re-elected Pierce Louis as President Pierce Louis of Dirt Hugger (Atlas Organics) who served on the board for five years, Jennifer Trent as Vice President, Jeff Ziegenbein as Treasurer, and Ryan Cooper as Secretary.

Florida Forms US Composting Council Chapter

Ocala, FL – USCC members from the State of Florida have affiliated with the US Composting Council as an official chapter to promote the compost manufacturing industry. Officially, the Florida Composting Council (FLCC) becomes the fifteenth chapter of the USCC through the affiliation of Recycle Florida Today (RFT), Florida’s state recycling organization.

HF-800

When you need a cone splitter for high production jobs that can split BIG logs all day long, the HF-800 is the answer! A massive 16” diameter x 32” long cone maximizes splitting power. U.S. Pride also offers the HF-800 with a two speed motor, which allows the HF-800 cone splitter to automatically shift between speeds to power through tough wood. The two speed motor is often used on equipment with less hydraulic capacity. If you’re running a large land clearing operation or wood processing yard for mulch, firewood, or wood fuel, the HF-800 cone splitter is your best choice.

HF-300

The HF-300 is our mid-sized splitter that does everything well. It’s powerful enough to split effectively on a mulch yard and light enough to transport to tree & land clearing jobs. Splitting power is impressive as twelve foot long logs are no match for this splitter. Visit our website for more details.

715-760-0907

Charlie@USPrideProducts.com

The FLCC will be working towards a more robust organics and food waste recycling industry in the state and will jointly take positions on regulations and legislation with the USCC that affect the industry and the market for compost in the state. For more information, contact Chris Snow at chris.snow@veransa.com.

Rotochopper’s MT series tracked trommels have been designed to deliver maximum productivity and superior screening efficiency from a company footprint. Optimize end product diversity and added versatility with one self-powered, self-contained piece of equipment that allows you to both screen and color your organic material. The MT series trommels provide the optimal screening and coloring solution for a variety of applications.

BUYERS’ GUIDE Directory

Lachenmeier

Mollers North America

Nova Automation

nVenia

Premier Tech

Rethceif Packaging

Rotochopper, Inc

Broadcast (Lawn)

Spreaders

Earth & Turf Products LLC

Ecolawn Applicator

Coloring Systems & Colorants

AgriCoatings / Div of American Colors Inc

Amerimulch

Bandit Industries

BASF Corp / Biodegradables

Britton Industries

CMC Mulch Colorants

Colorbiotics

Faltech Industries, Inc

Florida Coastal Colors

Conveyors / Conveyors Belts

RD OLSON Mfg Inc

Resource Machinery & Engineering

Sand Science, Inc

Smalis

Crushing Equipment

Sand Science, Inc

Cutting Tools & Attachments

Quadco USA

Dust & Odor Control Equipment & Products

Buffalo Turbine

MobyDick

Grinders, Wood Chippers & Shredders

A GrinderCrusherScreen Inc

Bandit Industries, Inc

CBI – A Terex Brand

DZ Grinders

DuraTech Industries

Ecohog North America

Edge Innovate

Fecon Inc

HogZilla® Grinders

Komptech Americas LLC

Morbark, Inc

Neustarr Equipment LLC

Peterson / Div of Astec

Precision Husky Corp

Rawlings Waste Wood Hogs

Resource Machinery & Engineering

Rotochopper, Inc

TANA - North America

Timber Ridge Equipment

Vermeer

West Salem Machinery

Express Blower, Inc

Payload Weighing & Measuring Systems

Loadscan Ltd

Walz Scale

Pile Mapping Systems

Stockpile Reports

Rock / Wood Separators

RD OLSON Mfg Inc

Rotary Cleaning

Brushes

Power Brushes Inc

Premier Tech

RD OLSON Mfg Inc

REMU USA, Inc

Resource Machinery & Engineering

Sand Science, Inc

Screen Machine Industries, Inc

Screen USA

Spaleck USA LLC

Timber Ridge Equipment

Vermeer

West Salem Machinery

Skid Steers & Wheel Loaders

Komatsu America Corp

Soil Amendment Green Solutions LLC

NuFiber® / Product

Division of Nutrient Control Systems, Inc

Trucks, Trailers & Automatic Floor Systems

Keith Mfg Co

Smith Co Side-Dump Trailers

Wear Parts & Replacement Screens

A GrinderCrusherScreen Inc

ArmorHog®

DZ Grinders

Duragrind

DynaHog®

Kennametal, Inc

King Kong Tools LLC

Primary Machinery

Rawlings Waste Wood Hogs

A GrinderCrusherScreen Inc

1772 Corn Rd

Smyrna, GA 30080

(770) 433-2670

Rick Cohen

Rick@GrinderCrusherScreen.com

www.GrinderCrusherScreen.com

The GrinderCrusherScreen team has been assisting customers with their recycling equipment needs since 1973. We offer a variety of new and used wood grinders, screening and related equipment. In addition, we are the home of the revolutionary Hammerhead Wood Grinder Tips, among other high quality, low price parts.

COMPANY INDEX

AgriCoatings / A Division of American Colors Inc

909 Tennessee Blvd

Action Equipment Company

2800 Hayes St Newberg, OR 97132

(503) 537-1111

Brian Bonham sales@actionconveyors.com

www.actionconveyors.com

Action Equipment Company, Inc. manufactures heavy duty vibratory screening and processing equipment for the efficient handling of bulk materials. See ad on pg 22

AEI - Aggregates Equipment, Inc

Leola, PA (727) 261-0220

www.AEIscreens.com

Aggero, LLC

Statesboro, GA

(912) 681-2763

info@aggero.com

http://aggero.com

Aggero’s manufacturing history has roots in the egg industry. This need for high volume manure processing helped us develop what has become an icon to the poultry sector. Aggero has expanded its product line to support a full spectrum of composting and drying needs. From automated in-vessel to skid steer vehicles, Aggero has a better way to manage waste. Made in America for three generations.

Lebanon, TN 37087

(615) 443-0345

Jim Hallock

jihallock@americancolors.com

www.agricoatings.com

The landscape industry demands systems that are dependable, durable, and color consistent from batch to batch. And, today, these systems must be economical. Our water-based dispersions offer the industry a vast selection of vibrant colors with excellent binding characteristics that will enhance the beauty of any landscape

See ad on pg 21

ALLU Group Inc

East Brunswick, NJ (800) 939-2558

www.allu.net

Amadas Industries

1100 Holland Rd Suffolk, VA 23434 (757) 539-0231

Tiny Andrews, Ind Sales Mgr tandrews@amadas.com

www.amadas.com

Amadas Industries’ current product lines include pull-type and self-propelled peanut combines, peanut diggers, Reel Rain® irrigators, cotton stalk puller/choppers, round cotton module handlers and a line of industrial equipment for both the horticultural and recycling industries. See ad on pg 14

Amerimulch

7555 E Pleasant Valley Rd, Suite 100 Independence, OH 44131 (888) 421-0010 service@chromascape.com

www.chromascape.com

As a pioneer in the colored mulch industry, Amerimulch’s® colorant blends and precision equipment make it possible for landscapes to come alive with vibrant color. We continue to be an innovator so you can provide more options and better results for your customers. See ad on pg 17

Bandit Industries Inc

6750 Millbrook Rd

Remus, MI 49340 (800) 952-0178

Regional Sales Manager

sales@banditchippers.com

www.banditchippers.com

Bandit Industries is a leading equipment manufacturer and distributor for land clearing, wood waste recycling, and mulch producing industries. We offer a complete lineup of wood reduction machines and exclusively offer ARJES slow-speed shedders and conveyor stackers. Every machine in Bandit’s lineup has the full support of our employee-owned factory workforce!

See ad on pg 5

BASF Corp / Biodegradables

Wyandotte, MI

www.bioplastics.basf.com

ArmorHog®

14 Commerce Dr Sabetha, KS 66534 (800) 743-3491

Brian Bergman, Parts Sales sales@armorhog.com

www.armorhog.com

ArmorHog® is focused on providing EXTREME DUTY, custom made, long-life hammermill screens, tips, hammers, and other replacement parts for all brands and models of RIGID HAMMER STYlE industrial grinders. Our tips are made using a unique blend of carbide called nitroGrit™, a proprietary blend of carbide found to best suit grinding applications. See ad on pg 4

BM&M Screening Solutions, Ltd

Surrey, BC Canada

(604) 539-1029

www.bmandm.com

BBuffalo Turbine Springville, NY (716) 592-2700

www.buffaloturbine.com

CBI - A Terex Brand

Newton, NH (603) 382-0556

www.terex.com/cbi

Charter Next Generation (CNG) Hudson, OH (330) 283-8941

www.cnginc.com

ClearSpan

Fabric Structures

South Windsor, CT (866) 643-1010

www.ClearSpan.com/ADSMPN

EarthSaver Equipment

Kalispell, MT (406) 752-6290

www.earthsaverequipment.com

Ecohog North America

Fergus, ON N1M 2W5 (519) 400-5204

(519) 831-0977

DZ Grinders LLC

11299 Bass Ln Caldwell, ID 83605 (208) 585-3033 (208) 484-4448

Pat Crawford, VP Products diamondz@diamondz.com

www.diamondz.com

Diamond Z is a manufacturer of industrial waste reduction products including both tub and horizontal grinders ranging in sizes from 30,000 to 180,000 lbs and in horse powers from 440 to over 2400. All models are available with either diesel or electric power, track stationary or wheel mounted. See ad on pg 23

CMC Mulch Colorants

1246 Maidencreek Rd Fleetwood, PA 19522 (610) 823-9345

Russell Holcomb Russell@cmcmilling.com

www.cmcmilling.com/mulchproducts

CMC’s Mulch Colorants offer customers consistency, quality and dependability. Our quality testing ensures consistent color strength and our superior knowledge in pigment suspension means little to no mixing needed prior to coloring. CMC believes: Make our Customers Successful First and our Success will follow.

See ad on pg 19

Duragrind

Sterling, IL (815) 625-6500

www.duragrind.com

DuraTech Industries

Jamestown, ND (701) 252-4601

www.duratechindustries.net

Ecolawn Applicator

Derby Line, VT (802) 673-9077

www.ecolawnapplicator.com

E 30 Farlough Rd

Dungannon Co. Tyrone BT71 4DT

Northern Ireland

+44(0)2887 740525

North American Sales Mgr (205) 777-9987

info@edgeinnovate.com

www.edgeinnovate.com

With over 30 years’ experience in designing and manufacturing; EDGE Innovate has quickly become a global leader in the design and distribution of a range of equipment used in the recycling, material handling and quarry industries. Our range of trommels, shredders, material classifiers, screens and stackers allow our customer to shred, screen and stockpile a vast array of materials.

DynaHog®

14 Commerce Dr Sabetha, KS 66534 (800) 743-3491

Jason Haug, Parts Sales sales@dynahog.com

www.dynahog.com

For

Britton Industries

1 E M Y Ln

Morrisville, PA 19067

(844) 274-8866

Jim McNellis

jmcnellis@brittonindustries.com

www.brittonindustries.com

Britton Industries is the leading producer and supplier of high quality Triple Ground n atural and Dyed Mulches, Mulch Colorant, Screened Topsoil, l eaf Compost, and Premium Aggregates in Central new Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania and Central Florida. See ad on pg 4

Colorbiotics

1725 Dayton Ave Ames, IA 50010 (888) 663-6980

www.colorbiotics.com

With more than 25 years of experience at the forefront of science and service, Colorbiotics continues to pioneer the technology behind the most popular coloring systems on the market and the largest palette of colorant in the world.

See ad on pg 2

DynaHog® offers high performance grinder parts for your S WI n G H AMMER S TY l E Tub Grinder, Horizontal Grinder, and other Hammermill applications. Grinder service, rotor repair or replacement and digital hammermill balancing is available for all brands.

Earth & Turf Products LLC

New Holland, PA (888) 693-2638

www.earthandturf.com

Express Blower, Inc

1275 Bailey Hill Rd Eugene, OR 97402 (800) 285-7227

info@expressblower.com

www.expressblower.com

Express Blower, Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of large pneumatic blowing equipment. Invented more than 70 years ago, it’s the only blower equipment designed to efficiently apply soil blends, mulches, compost, and aggregate for erosion control, landscaping, green roofs, and more! You don’t need more people … You need more machine.

BUYERS’ GUIDE 2023

Hein, Lehmann US LLC

Lexington, KY

(859) 252-0613 www.liwell.com

Komptech Americas

6345 Downing St Denver, CO 80216 (720) 890-9090

Faltech Industries, Inc

92 Thomas Rd Port Murray, NJ 07865 (908) 453-3050

info@faltechusa.com

sales@faltechusa.com

www.faltechusa.com

Faltech offers the highest quality colorants in both liquid and powder. Faltech is experienced in industry standards,acknowledged for superior customer service, and provides technical support for your manufacturing needs. We believe team success is customer success. “Color with us!” See ad on pg 20

Fecon Inc

Lebanon, OH (800) 528-3113

www.fecon.com

Firmatek, LLC

San Antonio, TX (210) 651-4990

www.firmatek.com

Florida Coastal Colors

Helena, AL (205) 664-5041

www.floridacoastalcolors.com

Green Vision Materials

11220 Kinsman Rd

Newbury, OH 44065

(440) 564-5500

Green Vision Materials provides co-packaging and distribution services in northeast Ohio. Use our products or yours. We will custom tailor a production plan and assist in the distribution of finished goods. We offer cross dock and inventory management service. Call or email to discuss your needs. Visit our web site for additional information.

KKeith Mfg Co

HogZilla® Grinders

14 Commerce Dr Sabetha, KS 66534 (800) 743-3491

Tim Wenger, VP/Sales Mgr hogzilla@cwmill.com www.hogzilla.com

Diesel or electric powered

HogZilla® MO n STER Tub & Horizontal Grinders ranging from 565-2000HP. Options including self-propelled track drive and self-loading units available.

GrinderTrader.com

(330) 323-1146

jim@GrinderTrader.com

www.grindertrader.com

Educated buyers make good prospects for your equipment!

We have been brokering tub and horizontal grinders and coloring equipment the right way since 2007! Call, text or email Jim with questions on how to get started.

See ad on pg 3

HogZilla® MO n STER Grinders provide the highest production rates for solid waste reduction, wood recycling, land clearing, construction demolition debris, mulch production, tire processing, or any other tough grinding application. Over 20 standard models available. See ad on pg 18

(541) 475-3802

sales@keithwalkingfloor.com

www.keithwalkingfloor.com

The KEITH® WA l KI n G F lOOR® system is a horizontal unloader installed in a trailer, that “walks” material out of the trailer with no tipping. Unload in areas inaccessible to dump or tipping trailers, such as under utility lines and trees or inside buildings. See ad on pg 13

Kennametal Inc

Latrobe, PA (800) 458-3608

www.Kennametal.com

Kimball Equipment Company

Sparks, NV (775) 356-6998

www.kimballequipment.com

info@komptechamericas.com

www.komptechamericas.com

Komptech Americas is a leading n orth American supplier of machinery and systems for the treatment and processing of solid waste and organics waste materials for recycling. Our product range includes over 30 different types of machines that cover all key processes in modern waste handling, including shredding, separating, screening, and compost turning.

GGreen Solutions LLC

dba Greener Solutions

International

PO Box 1373

Hebron, CT 06248 (860) 368-7309

John Wynne

johnwynne@gsigreen.com

www.gsigreen.com

Green Solutions ll C dba

Greener Solutions International is the exclusive distribution outlet for Evonik Corporation’s Stockosorb®660 superabsorbent Polymers. Used for water and soil management. Stockosorb® is made in the USA. For use in grass seed coating, professional mixes and retail garden soils , as well as hydroseeding. Green Solutions also offers PAM for erosion control and hydroseed operations.

HHickory Grove Garden Products

(229) 776-0065 office

(229) 869-4534 cell

Whitcomb Barnhill wbarnhill@ completeresourcemanagement. com

www.hickorygrove.co

Hickory Grove Garden Products is a Complete Resource Management company that focuses on producing and packaging the most sustainable lawn and garden products in the market. Hickory Grove specializes in copacking and distribution of cypress, pine bark and colored mulch products as well as custom soil blending, soilless media, organic compost and pine bark-based soils. Contact us today for all of your soil and mulch needs!

IInteplast Engineered Films

9 Peach Tree Hill Rd Livingston, NJ 07039 (404) 313-8763

Tony Vaccaro, Sales Manager

CustomerCare@inteplastef.com

www.inteplastef.com

A division of Inteplast Group, Inteplast Engineered Films (IEF) supplies industry-leading plastic films for a variety of uses, including heavy-duty mulch and soil packaging, via its six n orth American locations.

Johnson & Sons Mfg Inc

Elgin, TX (800) 463-0270

www. johnsonbaggingequipment. com

King Kong Tools LLC

753 Church St

Buford, GA 30518 (678) 765-7930

info@kingkong-tools.com

www.kingkong-tools.com

King Kong Tools is a German manufacturer that provides highest quality grinder tips for virtually all models of wood grinders and shredders. Our innovative KingPact™ grinder tip design has revolutionized the industry. It combines high cutting performance with extreme impact and wear resistance. More Grinding - More Profit!

Komatsu America Corp

Rolling Meadows, IL (847) 437-5800

www.komatsuamerica.com

Kronebusch Industries / AKE Safety Equipment

(740) 225-3530

Andy Russell, Industrial Sales Engineer andy.russell@ake.com www.ake.com

At Kronebusch Industries, we pair state of the art early fire detection with our STOP-FYRE proprietary blend of fire suppressing gases. We then design an automatic fire suppression system engineered to address the unique fire risks of each individual machine.

Kuhn North America Inc Brodhead, WI (608) 897-2131

www.kuhnnorthamerica.com

LLachenmeier

Glenview, IL (877) 859-7205

www.lachenmeier.us

Lake Erie Portable Screeners

Lake City, PA (888) 448-2486

www.pitbullscreeners.com

LOADSCAN Limited (800) 747-2973

www.loadscan.com

BUYERS’ GUIDE 2023

Morbark, Inc

Winn, MI (800) 831-0042

www.morbark.com

Maverick Environmental Equipment

10614 Kinsman Rd

Newbury, OH 44065

(440) 214-7000

Tim Smith

www.maverickenvironmentalequipment.com

Maverick supplies the mulch, soil, and compost industries as a dealer of heavy equipment. Our brands include McCloskey, Morbark, Komptech, and Rayco, with products ranging from screeners and stackers to shredders, grinders, and mulchers. We pride ourselves on our team and the level of support we commit to our customers. See ad on pg 20

McCloskey International

Keene, ON Canada

(651) 829-7883

www.mccloskeyinternational.com

Milagro Rubber Inc

3355 Bee Cave Rd, Suite 304 Austin, TX 78746

(512) 330-9352

(512) 590-4312 cell

Marisa Barnes

marisa@e-milagro.com

www.e-milagro.com

The lead distributor of carbon black for mulch color and pigments. We deliver full containers to your location, domestic and international. See ad on pg 22

MobyDick

Downingtown, PA (610) 458-9151

www.us.mobydick.com

Mollers North America

Grand Rapids, MI (616) 942-6504

www.mollersna.com

Mulch & Soil Council (MSC)

7809 FM 179

Shallowater, TX 79363 (806) 832-1810

Robert LaGasse, Executive Dir execdir@mulchandsoilcouncil. org

www.mulchandsoilcouncil.org

The mission of the MSC is to define quality products and promote an open marketplace for producers of horticultural mulches, consumer soils and commercial growing media. Join with the industry’s leading companies to expand the market for consumer and commercial mulch and soil products.

Neustarr Equipment LLC

Liverpool, NY (864) 606-9830

www.neuenhauserna.com

MÜNZING

1455 Broad St Bloomfield, NJ 07003

(973) 279-1306

info@munzing.us

www.munzing.com

MÜnZInG offers a comprehensive product portfolio of specialty additives including Additives for Water Based Mulch Colorants:

• Defoamers eliminate foam during grinding and post processing

• Wetting & Dispersing Agents promote excellent dispersion stability, high color strength and high pigment loading

• Wetting Agents promote pigment / substrate wetting

• low to zero VOC, Comply with COnEG, APE Free

NOVA Automation

2525 West Evans Ave Denver, CO 80219 (303) 495-5010

www.novaautomation.com

Over our 25+ years in business, we’ve developed end-to-end packaging automation solutions specifically for the mulch and soil industry. Our bagging, palletizing, and stretch wrapping machines our designed to solve your challenges and ship more product.

BUYERS’ GUIDE 2023

NuFiber® / Product Division of Nutrient Control Systems, Inc

Chambersburg, PA (717) 261-5711

www.nufibersoil.com

Orbit Screens, Inc

OPower Brushes Inc

756 South Byrne Rd Toledo, OH 43609 (906) 290-4121

Kim Duffrin kmd@powerbrushes.com

www.powerbrushes.com

Precision Husky Corporation

PO Box Drawer 507 Leeds, AL 35094-0507

(205) 640-5181

nVenia HAMER Brand Solutions

750 N Wood Dale Rd Wood Dale, IL 60191 (800) 253-5103

info@nVenia.com

www.nVenia.com

nVenia’s HAMER Brand 2090 Form, Fill & Seal Machine is the most capable and flexible industrial bagging machine available. Extensive updates have improved uptime and reduced annual maintenance costs by nearly 60 percent. Paired with our industryleading 300VF volumetric filler, the 2090’s high speeds, easy operation, and simple maintenance make it the industry’s first choice for bagging automation.

P O Box 345 Delhi, IA 52223 (563) 922-9230

brad@orbitscreens.com

www.orbitscreens.com

One of Americas finest Screening Plant innovations. Truly a “General Purpose” machine. Screen topsoil, Mulch, Compost, Rock, Sand, yard waste, etc. Visit our web site for videos, photos and performance charts. Proudly, Made in the USA.

We manufacture trommel brushes for: McCloskey, Powerscreen, Wildcat / Vermeer, ReTech, Rotoscreen and more as well as custom trommel brushes. Our customers can expect quality products, excellent service and competitive pricing every time they place an order with Power Brushes Inc. We also have replacement brush wafers for Doppstadt Trommel Screens.

See ad on pg 3

Steve Briscoe, ProGrind Sales Mgr steveb@precisionhusky.com

www.precisionhusky.com

Precision Husky Corporation is an International Manufacturer of Wood Waste Tub Grinders, Horizontal Grinders, Whole Tree Chippers, Debarkers, and Husky Knuckleboom loaders. ProGrind grinders are available with diesel engines from 150HP to 1200HP with electric models as an alternative.

Premier Tech

1, Avenue Premier Rivière-du-Loup, QC Canada G5R 6C1 (418) 868-8324

info@ptsystemsautomation.com solp@premiertech.com

www.ptsystemsautomation.com

PPeterson / Division of Astec Eugene, OR (541) 689-6520

www.petersoncorp.com

Premier Tech manufactures rugged equipment for soil, compost and mulch. Our Robots, Baggers, Conventional Palletizers, Woodfiber machines, Hooders and Screening & Mixing lines are engineered for your performance and safety. With our 24/7 Customer Service support, our plants in Alabama, Utah and Canada are here to keep you up and running 365 days of the year.

Primary Machinery

Salem, OR (503) 588-8312

www.primarymachinery.com

• Gearboxes

• Hood Covers

• Fasteners

BUYERS’ GUIDE 2023

QQuadco USA Inc

Lexington, SC

(800) 668-3340

www.quadco.com

SSalerno Packaging Inc

Monroe, GA (770) 361-7308

www.salernobags.com

Sand Science, Inc

Beaufort, SC (843) 525-6140

www.sandscience.com

SCARAB Mfg

White Deer, TX (806) 883-7621

Rawlings Manufacturing Inc

1780 Idaho St

Missoula, MT 59801

(406) 728-6182

Judi Tyacke, Sales/Project Mgr

judi@rawlingsmanufacturing.com

www.wastewoodhogs.com

Rawlings Super Hi-Inertia™ Hogs are the most productive and costefficient wood grinders available. For over 45 years our machines have proven track records in some of the toughest applications that exist. Rawlings offers a complete line up of seven different sizes of both vertical and horizontal hogs to fit any application. Add a wide variety of available options, and you’ve got the flexibility to customize the perfect wood processing system. Each system can be designed with work platform decks, choice of belt, chain or vibrating in-feed and outfeed conveyors. Metal or magnet protection, product screening and separation all customizable for your specific operation. We invite you to inquire about any of the projects that we have completed, we can provide you with full details. See ad on pg 9

RD OLSON Mfg Inc

Kelso, WA (503) 577-7742

www.rdomfg.com

REMU USA Inc

Old Orchard Beach, ME (888) 600-0018

www.remu.fi

REOTEMP Instrument Corp

San Diego, CA

(800) 648-7737

www.reotemp.com/compost

& Engineering

280 W Stanley Ave, Unit A Ventura, CA 93001 (805) 641-0991

info@resourcemachinery.com

www.resourcemachinery.com

Sales and Service of portable and stationary screening, shredding, composting, material handling and recycling equipment.

Distributor for Twister Food Waste Depackager and Promeco BioExtruder, with applications in organics recycling, production of wood fiber and pre-treatment AD feedstock. Distributor of Willibald Trapeziodal heap turner and shredders. See ad on pg 6

Rethceif Packaging

Ossian, IN (260) 622-7200

www.rethceif.com

www.scarabmfg.com

Screen Machine Industries

Etna, OH (800) 837-3344

www.screenmachine.com

Rotochopper Inc

217 West St St Martin, MN 56376 (320) 548-3586

info@rotochopper.com

www.rotochopper.com

For over 30 years, Rotochopper has specialized in equipment that transforms waste materials into profitable opportunities like colored landscape mulch, animal bedding, biomass fuels and compost. As a factorydirect company, we are uniquely focused on providing innovative solutions and extraordinary customer service. We look forward to showing you what is possible with the power and support of Rotochopper!

See ad on pg 7

Screen USA Inc

1772 Corn Rd Smyrna, GA 30080 (770) 433-2440

Rick Cohen

Rick@screenusa.net

www.screenusa.net

Screen USA Inc. manufacturers top quality portable trommel screens and track conveyors. With over 40 years in the industry, Screen USA can assist you with all of your screening and conveying needs. Ask about our new 60-foot track mounted conveyor!

Selene North America, LLC

191 Main St, Suite 244 Port Washington, NY 11050 (877) 220-0483

info@selene-na.com

www.selene-na.com

Selene Power Hooder Hood is ideal for mulch, Compost, Peatmoss and top soil. Selene n.A. manufacturer of stretch hood. It has high stretch ratio, protect your products inside and outside storage, excellent UV protection, printing option, 100% recyclable.

Nationwide Availability

Reasonable Prices

CONVEYORS RADIAL STACKERS CONVEYOR PARTS

800-348-0765 Email:

Smalis Conveyors

223 Marginal Rd

New Stanton, PA 15672

(724) 925-8500

Doug Smalis

CONVEYOR REPLACEMENT PARTS

TT.H. Glennon Co Inc

25 Fanaras Dr Salisbury, MA 01952 (978) 465-7222

dsmalis@mac.com

• Pulleys

www.radialstackers.com

• Belts

Brian Shea

brian@glennoncompany.com

• Idlers

• Motors

• Gearboxes

• Hood Covers

• Fasteners

Nationwide Availability

Reasonable Prices

We are a distributor of quality bulk material handling equipment serving the aggregate, steel, construction, agricultural, drilling, mining, landscaping, recycling industries markets and others. Smalis Conveyors has proudly served a national customer base for 50 years from our location southeast of Pittsburgh,just minutes from I-70 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s n ew Stanton Exit. See ad on pg 3

SmithCo Side-Dump

Trailers

Le Mars, IA  (800) 779-8099

www.sidedump.com

FAX: (724) 925-6421

800-348-0765

Web site: www.radialstackers.com

Spaleck USA

3020 Pittsburgh Rd

Perryopolis, PA 15473

(412) 294-2494

info@spaleck-us.com

www.spaleck-us.com

Spaleck, founded in 1869, is one of the leading manufactures of screening and separation technology worldwide.

Our Product Range: Screening Machines, Flip-Flow-Screens, 3D-Combi-Flip-Flow-Screens, Mobile Screens, Mobile Eddy

Currents, Vibrating Conveyors, Customized Solutions. We Provide Solutions For: Screening, Sorting & Conveying of ASR, Scrap, Ash/Slag, C&D, Compost, Glass, Waste, Your Materials. Made in the USA

See ad on pg 10

Stockpile Reports

Redmond, WA (425) 428-5266

www.stockpilereports.com

www.mulchcolorjet.com

T.H. Glennon provides premium mulch colorants and the innovative Mulch Color Jet to our valued customers. Our colorfast colorants produce higher yields, increasing our customers’ profitability while producing richly colored mulch. We have invested in our own tractor trailers to ensure on-time deliveries, while providing outstanding service and support. For excellent colorants and great service call

T.H. Glennon. See ad on pg 24

TANA - North America Lubbock, TX (806) 771-9944

www.tana-na.com

The Bulk Bag Company

La Mirada, CA   (866) 517-4699

www.thebulkbagcompany.com

Timber Ridge Equipment LLC

55 Woodcrest Dr Ephrata, PA 17522

(717) 733-2453

Tim Martin

tim@timberridgeequip.com

www.timberridgeequip.com

Timber Ridge Equipment is your dealer for Eggersmann high torque shredders and trommel screeners. We specialize in repairs of wood grinding and screening technologies. We manufacture and install Chameleon colorant systems. See ad on pg 16

U.S. Composting Council

Raleigh, NC

(301) 897-2715

www.compostingcouncil.org

Walz Scale Company

656 High Point Ln

East Peoria, IL 61611

(309) 694-3200

Matt Walz, President

mwalz@walzscale.com

U.S. Pride Products

1516 110th Ave

Hammond, WI 54015

(715) 760-0907

Charlie VanDusartz

Charlie@usprideproducts.com

www.usprideproducts.com

U.S. Pride Products offers the only American made Cone Style Tree and Stump splitter attachment for any size carrier from mini skid steer to full size excavator.

See ad on pg 6

Vermeer

Pella, IA

(641) 628-3141

www.vermeer.com

West Salem Machinery

PO Box 5288 Salem, OR 97304 (800) 722-3530 (503) 364-2213

Woodbed Corp

1022 Delaum Rd St. Marys, PA 15857 (800) 247-5522

contact@woodbed.com

www.woodbed.com

www.walzscale.com

Walz Scale has been supplying weighing and measurement equipment to the mulch and agriculture industry for over 50 years. The Walz Scanner is the first n TEP Certified volumetric measurement technology in the USA. This dynamic system is ideal for operations looking to increase vehicle throughput and track material loads by volume. Our family-owned business also specializes in truck scales, industrial scales and onboard scale systems. Walz Scale is your single source for weighing and measurement solutions. See ad on pg 8

Cory Stouder, Sales Manager info@westsalem.com

www.westsalem.com

WSM’s complete line of grinders, screeners, and processing equipment provide reduced handling, labor, and energy requirements. Combined with low maintenance requirements for increased up-time and productivity, our customers realize lower cost per ton processing costs. WSM offers Horizontal and Vertical Grinders, Trommel Screens, Disc Screens, including our unique Mulch Thickness Screen, Oscillating Screens, Chain Metering Bins/Bulk Feeders, Coir Breakers and Fluffers, and Peat Moss Bale Breakers.

WOODBED CORP, a division of Delullo Trucking Corp., is a supplier of premium bulk mulch products with a strong focus on quality and service offering both natural and color mulch. WOODBED CORP mulches are made from virgin wood fiber with a high concentration of bark. Firewood, compost, sawdust, chips, soil, coal, and animal bedding are also offered. Services include land clearing, mobile grinding, and onsite chipping. With over 25 trucks, specialized freight can also be provided via walking floor, flatbed, Conestoga, or lowboy throughout northwestern PA and Western nY.

High Interest Rates, High Builder Confidence

Amodest drop in interest rates helped to end a string of 12 straight monthly declines in builder confidence levels, according to according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released in January.

Increased construction costs, building material supply chain disruptions, and challenging affordability conditions remain. But builder confidence in market conditions for newly built single-family homes rose four points to 35. The rise in builder sentiment also means that cycle lows for permits and starts are likely near, and a rebound for home building could be underway later in 2023, an NAHB official said.

NAHB’s chief economist foresees a rise in single-family home building as the cycle of lows is helped by lower mortgage rates, boosting housing affordability. Improved housing affordability will increase housing demand, as the nation grapples with a structural housing deficit of 1.5 million units, the economist said.

The NAHB/Wells Fargo HMI survey, now in its fifteenth year, gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months as “good,” “fair” or “poor.” The survey also asks builders to rate traffic of prospective buyers as “high to very high,” “average” or “low to very low.” Scores for each component are then used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index where any number over 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor.

All three HMI indices posted gains for the first time since December 2021. The HMI index gauging current sales conditions in January rose four points to 40, the component charting sales expectations in the next six months increased two points to 37 and the gauge measuring traffic of prospective buyers increased three points to 23.

Looking at the three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores across the U.S., the West registered a one-point gain to 27, the South held steady at 36, the Northeast fell four points to 33 and the Midwest dropped two points to 32.

San

Diego Launches Organics Recycling in a Big Way

San Diego, CA – San Diego has launched two major recycling efforts – a citywide organics waste collection program and plans for a massive $77 million composting plant, according to a San Diego Tribune report.

To comply with the state mandate for recycling yard and food waste, the city has distributed bins and kitchen pails to 250,000 residents. Next year, the region’s largest composting facility, the Miramar Greenery, will be replaced by an even bigger operation to accommodate the increased yard trimmings, food scraps and other organic material collected from residents and businesses in San Diego and surrounding communities.

The new facility is slated to be able to compost 250,000 tons of green waste per year — far more than the current 40,000-ton capacity of the greenery, which was built in the 1990s and expanded in 2009.

City officials say they expect to collect about 125,000 tons of green recycling materials per year once the city and the region are fully compliant with SB 1383. The state senate bill requires a 75% reduction in organic waste going to landfill by 2025.

Recycling Decommissioned Wind Turbine Blades

Cedar Rapids, IA – A factory is being built in a Cedar Rapids suburb to start recycling wind turbine blades into material that can be used for construction materials, reports Radio Iowa.

Wind turbine blades are typically 200 foot or longer, each weighing between eight and ten tons and having a 20-year lifespan. REGEN Fiber, owned by logistics company, Travero, will be processing them into sections, then transporting them to various locations around the country. The pieces then will be shred using giant woodchippers, a company official explained. Next they will be broken down to the basic fibers for use in making mortar and concrete to reinforce sidewalks, roads and floors. Even the balsa wood and foam inside the blades can be recycled into materials that have applications from cement finishing to soil stabilization.

Once the Fairfax factory is in full swing, the goal is to recycle more than 30,000 tons of shredded blade material every year.

Compostable Plastics –Not Exactly

Study findings published in Frontiers in Sustainability show that home composting is not an effective or environmentally beneficial waste processing method for biodegradable or compostable packaging.

The 24-month, UK-wide study conducted by University College London researchers in partnership with a cohort of “citizen scientists” showed not only wide confusion by consumers about compostable vs. biodegradable plastics but also that 60% of plastics labeled or understood to be home-compostable do not fully disintegrate in home compost bins.

Beginning with a survey of 9,701 UK citizens geographically spread across the UK to assess their ability to help conduct the study, the researchers selected a final cohort consisting of 1,648 citizens who performed home compost experiments to test the environmental performance of compostable plastics.

Fourteen percent of sampled plastic packaging items tested were certified “industrial compostable” only and 46% had no compostable certification. Of the biodegradable and compostable plastics tested under different home composting conditions, the majority did not fully disintegrate, including 60% of those that were certified “home compostable.”

Compostable plastics are typically food packaging, bags, cups and plates, cutlery, and bio-waste bags. Largely unregulated, and with claims around their environmental benefits often exaggerated, most the material does not biodegrade. Further, no harmonized international standard for home compostable plastics exists currently and most of the material ends up in landfill or is incinerated. Even packaging that has been certified as home compostable is not breaking down effectively, the researchers found.

By definition, “compostable plastic” can undergo biological degradation in a compost site at a rate consistent with other known compostable materials, leaving no visible (toxic) residues.

The researchers concluded that the study results highlight the need to revise and redesign the UK’s “supposedly sustainable plastic waste management system.” They suggested that a better solution is to send compostable plastics to industrial composting facilities, where composting conditions are regulated.

ADVERTISER NEWS

Walz Scanner Achieves First Ever Legal-For-Trade NTEP Certification in the USA

East Peoria, IL – Walz Scale has achieved government legal for trade certification for their Walz Scanner volumetric measurement technology. This NTEP certification is the first of its kind in the USA and verifies the Walz Scanner to be a most accurate volumetric bulk measurement system.

The Walz Scanner utilizes laser technology to scan and measure bulk material loads in trucks and rail cars. The system operates similar to truck and rail scales, but allows operations to achieve legal-for-trade volumetric load measurements while the vehicle is in motion. This is a big step forward in improving operational efficiencies for our customers.

NTEP legal-for-trade certification for this technology opens up the opportunity for operations to utilize the Walz Scanner in replacement of or in conjunction with their scales to improve their business processes.

While truck and rail scales provide load weights in a static state (vehicles must stop), the Walz Scanner provides load volumes while the vehicle is in motion. This dynamic operation is ideal for operations looking to increase vehicle throughput and track material loads by volume.

For more information on the Walz scanner, visit www. walzscale.com.

DZH4000TK-THEMULCHMASTER

Spring time is mulch time, and all about productivity. You need to produce tonnage and you need to produce it now. That’s what the Diamond Z DZH4000TK is designed for ... and does.

The DZH4000TK will out grind competitor’s comparably sized machines. The C18 Caterpillar engine combined with our aggressive down-cut mill delivers production rates up to 120 tons per hour. The smaller stature offers easy transportability. Friendly operation, ease of maintenance and attention to detail are throughout ... hallmark traits for all Diamond Z grinders.

As a track-mounted horizontal grinder, the DZH4000TK allows you to operate just about anywhere a portable grinder cannot. With up to 755 horsepower, production capacities up to 120 tons per hour, and an innovative, operator-friendly design, the DZH4000TK is the simple horizontal-tracked choice for your most difficult jobs.

I de Th I s

2023 BUYERS’ GUIDE

Pages 9-16

Future Potential for Processed Pine Substrates in Nursery Production

PAGe 1

News from the Mulch & Soil Council

PAGe 3

US Composting Council Announces 2023 Board of Directors Election Results

PAGe 6

High Interest Rates, High Builder Confidence

PAGe 18

Compostable Plastics – Not Exactly

PAGe 20