TimberWest - March/April 2016

Filling a Niche Western Washington’s Drew Logging

Bridging Time Boettcher & Sons, Eatonville, WA

A Business Model Built to Succeed

Oregon’s Miller Timber Services

Embracing New Technology St. Onge Logging, Kalispell, MT

PONSSE ELEPHANTKING

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THROUGH THE NEW MODEL SERIES 2015, the frame structure is more rigid, and components and service points have been positioned considering the ease of serviceability. The new cabin offers plenty of storage space, the most ergonomic controls available in the market and excellent visibility in every direction. In addition, the machine’s service interval has been increased to 1,800 hours. Extremely long service intervals increase effective operating hours and reduce maintenance costs.

THE EXCEPTIONALLY POWERFUL PONSSE K100+ LOADER, the large load space and the flexible drive transmission and loader control system ensure the position of the PONSSE ElephantKing as the most effective forwarder on the market.

PONSSE ELEPHANTKING is also available with the extremely comfortable PONSSE Active Frame cabin suspension system. It actively keeps the cabin levelled and eliminates the lateral shaking that typically stresses the operator.

A logger’s best friend www.ponsse.com

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ON THE COVER Image taken by Lindsay Mohlere of Miller Timber Services’ Ponsse Ergo 232 at work in the woods.

March/April 2016 Vol. 41 No. 03-04

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Bridging Time

Bridging Time Boettcher & Sons builds bridges across the Pacific Northwest

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Embracing New Technology St. Onge Logging is sold on the Waratah 622C head

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A Business Model Built to Succeed Miller Timber Services provides logging, cut-to-length thinning, reforestation, fuel management, and wildland fire fighting services

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Filling a Niche Drew Logging, with over 40 years in the business, focuses on thinning

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Five Tips to Better Undercarriage Maintenance Steps to keep your machine performing

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Embracing New Technology

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A Business Model Built to Succeed

Redwood Logging, Intermountain Logging and Mass Timber Conference Reviews

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A look at this season’s conferences.

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Oregon Logging Conference Pictorial Review Highlights of the OLC, including pictorial review

Finding a Niche DEPARTMENTS

Page 4 .............................................................In the News Page 34 ..................................................... Machinery Row Page 52 ........................................................ New Products Page 53 .................................................Advertiser’s Index Page 53 ............................................... Calendar of Events Page 53 ................................................. Classified Section Page 53 ............................Subscription/Reader Service Page 54 ........................................................Guest Column

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DNR Forecast Summary

Lumber and Log Prices: Log prices are expected to increase throughout FY 16 to average as much as six percent more than FY 15.

Timber Sales Volume.

As of the November forecast, the timber sales plan suggested that 500 mmbf was a realistic base estimate for DNR’s FY 16 sales volume. However, there were a number of fires on trust lands during the record 2015 fire season; in order to recover some of the value from these lands and hasten recovery, many have been prepared as fire salvage sales. Given the large volume of sales coming forward in the last five months of this fiscal year, DNR expects that some of the salvage and greenwood volume may not sell. With no-bids taken into account, the overall sales volume forecast is increased from 500 mmbf to 515 mmbf, and it is heavier to salvage sales than the November forecast.

Given current timber sales plans (and absent a new sustainable harvest calculation) sales volumes are still pegged at 500 mmbf in FY 17 and beyond.

Timber Sales Prices.

Stumpage price expectations for FY 16 have lowered from $340/mbf to $310/ mbf. This is primarily due to the large volume of fire salvage sales, which are appraised much lower. Additionally, stumpage prices have been weaker than expected for sales thus far in FY 16, held back by the same issues plaguing lumber prices. $4 Million Awarded in Federal Forest Restoration Funding The Blue Mountain Eagle reported that an Oregon collaborative that includes both timber industry professionals and environmentalists, in partnership with the Harney County Restoration Collaborative, learned it will receive the maximum $4 million Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration grant this year.

The collaborative coalition works to implement restoration projects on the Malheur National Forest. Projects include prescribed burning, stream restoration, pre-commercial thinning, fencing, and other wildlife, vegetation, hydrology, and range projects.

Alternatives Proposed for Forest Plan

The U.S. Forest Service is crafting two alternatives for its revised Blue Mountains Forest Plan, based on one year’s worth of feedback from the public, reported George Plaven of the East Oregonian.

It’s not clear what these alternatives will entail, but supervisors on the Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman, and Malheur national forests say these alternatives will emphasize 4

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restoration in order to keep the woods healthy and lower the risk of potentially devastating wildfires.

Tom Montoya, Wallowa-Whitman forest supervisor, said a recurring theme in those meetings was to adopt a more “hands-on” approach to land management that would make the forests safer and more resilient and productive.

Thousands of Seedlings Planted in Butte Fire Burn

The Mountain Ranch Fire Relief Fund committee approved a $1,763.12 grant to buy seedlings for California’s Butte Fire victims to plant in the fire’s footprint.

There will be four types of conifer tree seedlings purchased—ponderosa pines, sugar pines, Douglas fir, and incense cedar.

The grant also allows for the addition of about 3,000 seedlings, and Mona Baroody, president of the Hive: A Butte Fire Recovery Center, said that prior to the grant, Sierra Pacific Industries had already donated 4,500 ponderosa pine seedlings.

Baroody does not know yet how many seedlings will be allocated per survivor, but those who have access to water and will commit to their land for a minimum of two years will qualify to receive seedlings.

Bat with White-nose Syndrome Confirmed in Washington State

White-nose syndrome (WNS) has been confirmed in a little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) found near North Bend. This is the first recorded occurrence of the devastating bat disease in western North America. The presence of this disease was verified by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center.

WNS has spread quickly among bats in other affected areas, killing more than six million beneficial insect-eating bats in North America since it was first documented nearly a decade ago.

WNS is not known to pose a threat to humans, pets, livestock, or other wildlife.

First seen in North America in the winter of 2006/2007 in eastern New York, WNS has now spread to 28 states and five Canadian provinces. USGS microbiologist David Blehert first identified the unknown fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which causes the disease. WNS is named for the fuzzy white fungal growth that is sometimes observed on the muzzles of infected bats. The fungus invades hibernating bats’ skin and causes damage, especially to delicate wing tissue, and physiologic imbalances that can lead to disturbed hibernation, depleted fat reserves, dehydration, and death.

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Editor: Diane Mettler, diane@forestnet.com Copy Editor: Beth Szyperski Contributing Editors: Barbara Coyner, Lindsay R. Mohlere, Tillie Vuksich, Andrea Watts ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Sales Mgr: James Booth – jbooth@forestnet.com Director: Rob Stanhope – stanhope@forestnet.com Sales Contact Information: Toll Free: 1-866-405-6462 Phone: (604) 990-9970 • Fax: (604) 990-9971 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Publisher & Production Manager: Sheila Ringdahl – sringdahl@forestnet.com Office Manager: Betty Rosales – brosales@forestnet.com Corporate Office Information: Phone: (425) 778-3388 Fax: (425) 771-3623 timberwest@forestnet.com www.forestnet.com Send all materials - Insertion Orders, Contracts, Copy, Photos, Disks to: TImberWest Publications, LLC P.O. Box 610 (300 Admiral Way, Suite 105) Edmonds, WA 98020-0610 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Send both OLD and NEW Circulation information to: TimberWest Magazine Attn: George Aldridge P.O. Box 610, Edmonds, WA 98020 Fax: (425) 771-3623 • subscribetw@forestnet.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Advertising created by TimberWest Publications, LLC is the sole property of TimberWest Publications, LLC and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the publisher.

PUBLISHER’S EDITORIAL STATEMENT: TimberWest reports on the logging and lumber segment of the forest industry in the Western United States with emphasis on the states of AK, WA, OR, ID, MT and CA, providing current information on timber harvesting techniques, sawmill operations, news, legislation, events, people and products pertinent to this market.

TIMBERWEST (USPS #024858) is published bi-monthly (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun, Jul/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec) by TimberWest Publications, LLC, 300 Admiral Way, Suite 105, Edmonds, WA, 98020. Periodicals postage paid at Edmonds, WA and at additional mailing offices. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Subscription rates to qualified subscribers are Free and all non-qualified subscriptions in U.S. are $22 per year payable in advance. Canada $35 (U.S.). Other $40 (U.S.). Single copies paid in advance $4. Company affiliation, title, date and signature must appear on subscription forms.

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ContractorProfile

Bridging Time

Boettcher & Sons builds bridges across the Pacific Northwest

By Tillie Vuksich

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hat can be said about a business that has been serving its customers for generations? They must be doing something right!

Companies that find a need and fill it, while supporting others in their trade, stand out as trusted and respected businesses that stand the test of time.

Caleb Boettcher is at the helm of one such company: Boettcher & Sons based out of Eatonville, Washington.

Decades of Experience

Caleb’s grandfather, Ernest Boettcher, a German immigrant who settled in Alder, Washington, built a homestead while working for the Weyerhaeuser Company filing the cross-cut saws that the loggers used at that time. Ernest taught the skills needed to log land and build a home to his son, Bill, while also passing on his faith and perseverance. Later in life, Bill started Boettcher & Sons with his four sons (Daniel, Caleb, Seth, and Ben). The family business specialized in logging and cattle.

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During the 1980s, the logging and cattle industries took a downturn, leaving the small family-run company to look for other sources of revenue to stay in business. Caleb was fresh out of college and saw the potential for bidding on local construction jobs that utilized the company’s skills and equipment.

“We got creative to keep getting jobs,” says Caleb. “We used the logging equipment to do jobs for construction to keep the company moving forward and to avoid hard times.”

Small Outfit – Successful Business Strategy

For the Boettcher family, keeping the outfit small and local has been a successful business strategy. The current seven-member crew is made up of brothers Caleb and Daniel Boettcher, Brian Rath, Alex Isom, Joe Pugh, Mike Harris, and Ken Ames.

Boettcher & Sons also employs college kids during the summer and others as needed for specific jobs. Sarah, Caleb’s wife, does the books and handles all the administrative responsibilities for their business.

Caleb’s children, and the children of the crew, have worked summers with Boettcher

& Sons. The hope is that one day, after these children finish college and gain job experience in other lines of work, they will see the value of being their own boss and come work in the family business. After all, the biggest perk of working for this company is working with your friends and family day in and day out.

Wide Range of Clients

Over the years, Boettcher & Sons has been contracted by Weyerhaeuser and government agencies like the Department of Natural Resources. The jobs Caleb bids on, however, are mostly for public entities.

Recently, the company put in a 100-space campground at Lake Cushman. The company has also built several public parks in Western Washington: Ashford Park in Ashford; Kettle View Park in Olympia; Alder Street Park in Eatonville.

One of the benefits of installing these family play spaces is that they bring a community together. In 2014, they put in the Bud Blancher Trail in Eatonville. The project consisted of clearing the 2.5-mile trail and grading it before laying down a 10-foot wide

ContractorProfile

Replace with: Boettcher & Sons have in their lineup a host of Deere equipment including a 700H dozer, a 135 reduced tail swing excavator, 270 Log Loader/Excavator, 330 excavator, 35D mini excavator, 544 wheel loader and a 548 skidder. They also have a Hitachi Zaxis 250 configured as a processor with a Keto head. They purchased most of their equipment through Papé Machinery. “We’ve had a lifelong relationship with Papé Machinery and Cascade Trader out of Olympia,” say Caleb. trail of crushed gravel. They installed two 12foot wide wooden pedestrian bridges over the Mashel and Little Mashel rivers. They had to remove the old bridge center concrete pier that had collapsed before starting the installation of the new bridges. Keeping with

state regulations, they did habitat restoration on the riverbed by bringing in tree stumps and forest debris that will create habitat for spawning fish and frogs.

Boettcher & Sons relies mainly on their trusted John Deere equipment to complete

their jobs. They have in their lineup a host of Deere equipment: 700H dozer, a 135 reduced tail swing excavator, 270 Log Loader/ Excavator, 330 excavator, 35D mini excavator, 544 wheel loader and a 548 skidder. They also have a Hitachi 250 Keto Processor. They

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ContractorProfile

One of the big challenges when building bridges is working in tight spots with little room to maneuver. “Snell Crane Service is one of the companies we use regularly,” says Caleb. purchase most of their equipment through Papé Machinery, and that’s working well.

“We’ve had a lifelong relationship with Papé Machinery and Cascade Trader out of Olympia for equipment,” say Caleb.

Keeping the Crew Happy

One of the biggest challenges for Caleb is finding projects that are fun and rewarding for his crew—and for himself. Caleb enjoys working with his crew to tackle jobs, both big and small. The team is experienced in handling the “unknowns” that cause the most issues on the job site. “It’s when common sense goes out the window that we have the most problems,” says Caleb.

Partnering with quality suppliers allows Boettcher & Sons to keep many issues from

cropping up. Caleb says they have had great success working with local companies such as Concrete Technology Corporation out of Tacoma and Knife River out of Oregon. They have also used Western Wood Structures out of Tualatin, Oregon, for bridges they have installed, like the ones in Eatonville. And for culverts, they have relied on Contech Engineered Solutions, also headquartered in Tacoma.

Building Bridges

Caleb says they have been building bridges and putting in culverts over the last 10 years. They have installed bridges up to 120-feet in length, mostly pre-cast concrete bridges. The culverts they have installed range from 10 to 12 feet on average. Most

are put into logging roads where big rigs are depending on safe passage to get the timber from mountain to mill.

Caleb and crew make it look easy, but they run into a variety of obstacles. “One of the challenges of building bridges is often the tight sites, giving us very little lifting radius,” says Caleb. “Snell Crane Service is one of the companies we use regularly.”

Boettcher & Sons has even worked inside town limits to put in roads and sidewalks. Caleb can list many local jobs they have worked on that have made communities better and more accessible to its citizens.

Looking Back and Ahead

Successful businesses are a sum of many decisions. Early on, Caleb’s grandfather, Ernest Boettcher, believed in his family’s ability to survive and thrive. During his life, he had many opportunities to sell his land and cash-in big on their hard work, but he kept it all in the family.

Today, the original homestead still stands and the barn is still in use. Ernest and Bill left their family a legacy of faith, love, and a hard work ethic that is carried on with the family name and business.

Caleb credits the shared faith of his family as the cornerstone of what has kept the family business strong and still a trusted name today and tomorrow.

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ContractorProfile

From left to right, Kevin St. Onge, Shane St. Onge, Chris Edgerton and Ryan Smith stands in front of their John Deere 2154D with Waratah 622C head.

Embracing New Technology

St. Onge Logging, Kalispell, Montana

By Barbara Coyner

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or years, St. Onge Logging relied

on slide booms as a key component in the company’s equipment stable, as it logged long-term for Plum Creek.

But then the Kalispell, Montana-based outfit got a look at some of the emerging dangle head technology, and Kevin St. Onge began to change his mind about his future equipment choices.

As the new Waratah 622B processor head debuted in the Pacific Northwest, St. Onge gave the prototype—serial number 3—a serious workout and was happy he signed on the dotted line in 2004.

Today, the company owns a 622B, along with the recently-purchased Waratah 622C. Kevin figures his company and a couple of Canadian outfits put the first 622Bs to work in the region, and now with its established

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track record, St. Onge is still clearly impressed with the flexible head design.

Deere and Waratah Combo

“We stuck with the slide booms for a time—the mono boom and the telescopic boom—rather than the dangle head, because measurements weren’t quite as accurate in those earlier heads,” Kevin explains, noting that he had tracked various equipment stats all along. “Other contractors were beginning to use dangle heads at that point. Ed McDaid, general manager with Waratah, knew we were looking to upgrade, so he encouraged us to look at a 622. I liked the way the head appeared tougher and more heavyduty. Ed felt the 622B would be right for the size of timber we were working with.”

Because St. Onge Logging was still fine-tuning its equipment lineup, the new head got an audition on a John Deere 2054.

In 2012, when Kevin and his brother Bob bought a new 622B head on a John Deere 2154D, they thought they’d really found the dream team. By the time the new Waratah 622C came on board, the match with the Deere machine was solidified and became their hands-down favorite way to harvest timber.

“The John Deere 2154D really woke that head up, as well as improvements Waratah was implementing to the 622B,” Kevin says. “We were given an opportunity to try a Waratah 622C, but the manufacturer was still in a testing phase.” With that trial, St. Onge was already sold on the 622C and would have bought it on the spot, no further testing required. It was the team of the Waratah head and the John Deere 2154D that had him convinced. “The John Deere just seemed purpose-built for that head.

There’s better cooling because of the auxiliary

ContractorProfile oil cooler, plus it has 25 more horsepower for added power. We now have no issues with overheating.”

How important is the overheating issue?

St. Onge says before the current equipment configuration, the crews could work steadily on hot days only until about 11:00 a.m., when they would have to shut down to deal with overheating. Such overheating could often cut into production in summer, but the now the crews can run all day.

Good Stands

As St. Onge satisfies Weyerhaeuser mills at Columbia Falls and Evergreen (previously owned by Plum Creek), and also pays two five-man crews based on production, the lack of interruption is a huge part of running a successful business model.

Cutting a lot of pine, Douglas fir, and larch, St. Onge feels lucky to be working steadily for Weyerhaeuser. The timber giant puts out a whole list of value-added products and serves a variety of niche markets, meaning the company isn’t solely dependent on the fits and starts of the housing market.

Working much of the time in even-sized stands of timber, the Waratah easily buzzes through multiple stems, plus the machine (continued on page 12)

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ContractorProfile

Operators take care of business with a John Deere 2054 log loader and Deere 2154D with a Waratah 622C head. Kevin says it’s been nice to have a long-term, reliable crew. Given the company policy of paying per hour with per load incentives, the ticket is finding self-motivated employees. (continued from page 11) can cut a big wad of pulp in one pass. Despite the rigorous workout, the head requires little tinkering. An auto stem alignment system with its four rollers is part of the appeal and efficiency.

“We need to put on new knives annually,” Kevin says of the company’s routine maintenance, noting that he always hopes the knives can make a full season. “You just have to keep the head greased, watch for cracks, and keep the knives sharp. They’re gusseted in the right spots,” he adds, clearly impressed with the manufacturer’s attention to detail on the gussets.

“We do most of the repairs ourselves, but when things are more complex, Wayne Davidson [Waratah dealer rep] can troubleshoot by phone,” Kevin adds. “Wayne has a quick mind and can figure out a lot of things with just a phone call. You’ve got to have that service. When we got the heads, it was all Greek, but then you figure things out and get a good grasp of what needs to be done.”

Growing a Company

Figuring things out and getting a good grasp of what needs to be done—those are the hallmarks for any logging company. Bob and Kevin got their training early, working with their dad in the woods. “Dad started on 12

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his own with a dozer in 1971,” Kevin recalls.

“He grew when there was an opportunity to grow, and logging gave his three sons something to do in the summer.”

Eventually, Bob joined the Air Force, getting out in 1984, and Kevin finished a business degree from the University of Montana in 1987. By 1994, the time was right for the two brothers to take over the business, although things didn’t exactly look promising with the spotted owl issues swirling around the Pacific Northwest. The full impact of those tumultuous times never hit the St. Onge operation as hard, however, because Plum Creek had a lot of its own land, and it had barely been touched.

These days, both Bob and Kevin keep a steady eye on production. Each man runs a crew and shares in equipment purchases, not to mention dealing with day-to-day maintenance and repair situations, as well as personnel issues.

The company prefers to buy all new equipment to avoid down time. Currently, the equipment stable includes a John Deere 748h grapple skidder, two 648 grapple skidders, and of course the 2154 machines. There is also a TimberPro 735 feller buncher, a Timbco 445EXL, and two D6C Cat dozers.

St.Onge also has two John Deere 2054 log loaders to handle the loading and sorting chores.

Reliable Crew

As for the crewmembers, Kevin says it’s been nice to have a long-term reliable crew, and one crewmember has been with the company for over 20 years. Given the company policy of paying per hour with per load incentives, the ticket is finding self-motivated employees.

Weyerhaeuser also likes to work with accredited loggers, meaning that refresher courses in forest practices help keep production humming, because trained loggers can often work independently without calling on the Weyerhaeuser foresters. Kevin says his business degree also helps with company finances and business decisions.

With the Forest Service still on tight rations for logging activities, Kevin feels the federal lands need further cutting for fire safety and forest health. This is especially true when federal lands are adjacent to private or state lands, thus increasing fire danger to all the forest. Yet a shift to more federal sales would perhaps mean a change in equipment for many logging contractors.

“Right now, the timber is getting smaller,” Kevin assesses. “The processor head fits that type of wood, but it can also handle bigger trees. If there is a change in the wood, the machines can still handle it well.”

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ContractorProfile

A Business Model Built to Succeed

Oregon’s Miller Timber Services structures its business model for growth

By Lindsay Mohlere

W

hen Lee Miller tossed

his chainsaw into the back of his pickup thirty-five years ago, hell bent on creating his own business, little did he realize he had taken the first step in building one of the most dynamic timber operations in the Pacific Northwest. Not one to hang with the pack, Lee has always ventured into unfamiliar territory, searching for new ways to keep Miller Timber Services Inc. and sister company L & B Reforestation on the cutting edge.

Miller Timber Services, known for its diversification, provides logging, cut-to-length (CTL) thinning, reforestation, fuel management, and wildland fire fighting services for a variety of public and private landowners, including Starker Forests Inc., Weyerhaeuser, and Port Blakely. The company currently

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runs two yarder sides and eight CTL sides from southern Oregon into southwest Washington. Miller also has a fleet of trucks for hauling company logs and contracting out to other loggers in the area.

Diversified Operations and Management

Because of the company’s diversification, it has been forced to develop a unique business model. By embracing new technology and fostering forward thinking management principals, Miller has created a culture of trust and communication designed to keep the company moving forward. “Our diverse management structure is our strength,” Miller says.

At one time, there were five divisions under the Miller umbrella, with five divisional managers. Each manager was responsible for a particular division. Interaction

and sharing equipment and personnel were difficult at best. Communication sagged. To solve the problem, Miller brought in experienced managers from outside the logging industry to implement a business model that would keep the company growing.

“The blueprint is employed by many other companies, but it’s not fashioned for the timber industry,” Miller says. “We brought in people outside the logging business to structure management for future growth, but it didn’t work. They had good ideas, but we found that we had to develop our own language and culture to succeed.”

One of the first steps was to bring the company back together. “We consolidated our five divisions back into two companies, Miller Timber Services Inc. and L & B Reforestation Inc.,” Miller says, indicating that the move allowed the company to run as a more efficient operation while fostering

ContractorProfile Miller Timber Services is known for its diversification, providing logging, cut-tolength thinning, reforestation, fuel management, and wildland fire fighting services for a variety of public and private landowners. Pictured here is a Ponsse Ergo 232.

The company relies on its Koller yarders and owns a 702, 602 and 501.

transparency and trust from the ground crews up.

In addition, company managers opened up and came together to list their strong and weak attributes, a move that Matt Mattioda, CTL manager/forester, says crystalized the company’s new thinking and helped push it in the right direction.

“It was a watershed moment,” Matt says.

“A point where the organization changed course. We knew at that point, we could gravitate toward the things that we were better at, and others would step in to cover our weak points. It strengthened the company almost immediately. It was a huge trust exercise. ” Heidi Cleveland, Wildland Fire Operations manager, summed up the results. “It has allowed the company to grow more rapidly because people are not afraid to try something different.”

Team Work Leads the Way

Miller’s pro-active management philosophy and business model has also had a powerful impact on employees; however, the challenge remains finding the right person for the right job.

“A machine is just a big expensive piece of steel unless you put the right person in it,” says Mattioda. “We look for somebody who (continued on page 16)

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ContractorProfile (continued from page 15) can make that machine do what it’s designed to do and do a good job for the landowner and the company.”

Mattioda further explained the importance of finding individuals who will buy into the company’s culture and thrive. “We’re competing in the logging industry and with other career paths for people, but we have a lot of opportunities. Our culture opens the way to explore new ideas,” he says citing the company’s efforts to teach staff across each division elements of silvaculture, the practice of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values. “Our clients want our people to understand silvaculture.

We work together to make this happen.”

Currently, Miller Timber Services fields roughly 140 full-time employees, several who have been with the company for over 25 years. During peak fire season, Miller’s ranks swell to more than 210 employees.

While the company provides a good family wage and health and dental insurance, in addition to a nonmatching 401K program, it also provides a generous profit sharing plan for employees who have more than one year on the job. This year, the company will pay five percent of each qualifying employee’s annual wage.

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Miller Timber Services has approximately 140 full-time employees, some of whom have been with the company 25 years.

“This company is a team. If the team does well, everybody is going to do well. We’re all in the same boat,” says Mattioda. “These aren’t just words. It’s the action of management that’s been proven right. We can back up what we say.”

In addition to its wage and salary packages and its operational diversity, Miller Timber Services also advances the team concept. “We want to provide long-term opportunities for our people,” says Mattioda.

“This is a place where people can come and

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make a long-term commitment. The company is diverse. There’s the ability to move inside the organization.”

New Equipment Technology Improves the Job

Miller Timber Services’ equipment philosophy mirrors the forward thinking style of the business model.

Since the bulk of the company’s work is (continued on page 18)

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ContractorProfile Operator’s view from inside the cab of a Ponsse Ergo 232.

harvester. “The reason we decided to go with the Komatsu is that we needed a new machine, and Ponsse manufacturing was backlogged. We need to always be on the lookout for different machines. The only way we’re going to get a feel for that is by purchasing one,” Miller explains. “The Komatsu is a solid performer.”

Miller Timber Services also relies on Koller yarders to tackle the steeper challenges not suited for the Ponsse platforms.

The company has a 702, 602, and a 501 Koller, with the 602 rigged for remote control. Miller is also the North American distributor/dealer for Koller. Miller has again broken from the pack by getting away from clearcut yarders. “We’ve sold all our Madill and Thunderbirds. There’s too much competition in clearcut yarding,” Miller says. “We specialize in thinning. That’s what we do.”

(continued from page 16) CTL, Miller has relied on Ponsse equipment for many years as their primary manufacturer because of their superior technology for in-the-woods harvesting.

“We do prefer Ponsse,” Miller says.

The eight-wheeled Ergo’s handling “is

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exceptional, and they’re a good, stable platform. There’s a lot of positives.”

The company’s preference does not preclude it from exploring other options that stay in line with its openness to different ideas.

A new addition to Miller’s ever expanding equipment roster is a Komatsu 931

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The Bottom Line

“It’s tough to overcome the distrust in management, but we try to beat it out of them by letting them see what we do,” adds Miller. “Our actions speak for themselves.

We’ve got to be good for our word. People are our bottom line.”

TW

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ContractorProfile

Drew Logging Fills the Thinning Niche Bill Mercer and Preston Drew discussing the work on Kim Weers’ property. During his career, Drew has logged as far south and Eugene, Oregon and as far north and Mount Vernon, Washington.

By Andrea Watts

P

reston Drew says he “just slid

into the industry.” Cutting firewood in high school turned into a career path that he hasn’t been able to shake.

Forty years later, even after experiencing all the ups and downs in the industry and reinventing himself so many times to keep working, Drew does not regret his career decision. “If you can get through the bumps, it’s a great business.”

From Timber Sales to Thinning

Drew has worked a variety of jobs that

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include U.S. Forest Service timber sales (the first in 1973, the last in ’95) and land clearing work from 1994 until 2005 when the recession hit. He has even done production driven work for industrial timber owners. Yet what Drew kept returning to, and now defines as his niche, are thinning jobs for private, family landowners. He has worked exclusively with these property owners for the past 10 years.

“The nice thing about thinning is it pays well, though there is less production. It’s not so impacted by market shifts,” he explains.

Drew prefers second thinning, large volume jobs with one MBF or better, as these jobs have the high-value logs. This type of land

also has the topography best suited to the mechanized ground-based logging that Drew employs.

Most of his jobs consist of sites 20 to 40 acres in size, within a 100-mile radius of his base in Carnation, Washington. Though he describes himself as half-retired, Drew admits that if it’s a “cream puff job [one that is challenging], I’ll be salivating over it.”

During his career, he has logged as far south as Eugene, Oregon, as far north as Mt. Vernon, Washington, and west to Westport (continued on page 24)

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ContractorProfile (continued from page 22) and the Olympic Peninsula’s Port Angeles.

Drew even recently worked a challenging job on Whidbey Island that had 12 loads taken off the island. He also stays busy by purchasing his own sales and as a result of word-of-mouth referrals.

Northwest Natural Resources Group

One of those word-of-mouth sources is Northwest Natural Resources Group (NNRG), a nonprofit group dedicated “to promoting a sustainable, environmentallysound economy in the forestlands of the Pacific Northwest.” Their membership consists primarily of family forest landowners and nonprofits. Many of these properties are FSC-certified through the NNRG’s certification program.

One service NNRG provides to its membership is connecting landowners with preferred contractors for forest management needs, such as loggers or sawmills. “I found out about NNRG through one of their consultant foresters whom I’ve worked with on other jobs,” says Drew.

Becoming a preferred contractor required going through a certification process, and he recalls it took a fair amount of time to

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Drew has a short list of machinery: a John Deere 548B grappler skidder, a Daewoo 290LL purchased in 2007. His other shovel is a Doosan 225 that is configured with a Keto processor head. The next item he expects to purchase will be a D4 Cat with a grapple to supplement the skidder.

complete, which he did in 2013. These jobs eliminate the work of contracting out the cruising or finding markets for the timber.

Drew adds, “The value of NNRG is to send a forester out to define needs and make it

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a viable commercial operation.” One aspect of these types of jobs is that the landowners are passionate about their trees and want to (continued on page 26)

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Learn more about our Rapid Cycle System at JohnDeere.com/GameChangers.

ContractorProfile (continued from page 24) know all the details entailed with hosting an active logging site on their properties.

In September 2015, Drew worked his second NNRG job on member Kim Weers’ property, located outside of Woodinville. The job’s purpose was to improve forest health, thin freeze-damaged western hemlock, and remove Douglas fir that was infected with laminated root rot. Weers is very much like Drew’s previous clients, who live amongst their trees and are “interested in all the little details.” As one of the job requirements, she requested there be minor disturbance around the house and that her groomed trails not be damaged, if possible. Drew takes these requests in stride and doesn’t mind the additional safeguards he must implement, saying “The main goal is to leave the property in as pristine condition as possible.”

Leaning on His Cutters

For the precision cutting needed for these types of thinning operations, Preston depends upon his cutters, Bill Mercer and Jared Smith. “I’ve been on the saw for 41 years, started when I was 16,” Mercer says, and he has the work experience to back him up. He has worked exclusively in the

Pacific Northwest, beginning in Alaska and working in Idaho, California, Oregon, and Washington.

Fourteen years ago, Mercer left Idaho for Washington and joined Preston’s crew in 2005. “It’s all about fun and games. If you can’t have fun, it’s not worth it,” All joking aside, Mercer is quick to say, “We [he and Preston] work really well together. We’re both very cautious.”

As a demonstration of their cautious approach to cutting, they’ll bring in a shovel to push the trees if they can’t be fallen safely, or they will take out leave trees to safely fall the flagged trees. Because of this cautious approach, the consulting foresters and landowners respect their decisions.

In addition to the felling and yarding challenges, they must routinely work around houses, outbuildings, and trails that normally aren’t found on typical logging jobs. While Mercer describes these types of thinning operations as “nail-biting jobs,” he adds, “The older I get, the more I enjoy these jobs, though they are twice as dangerous.”

On clearcut operations he says most cutters get complacent; on this type of thinning, “it makes a person start thinking again, and it actually rejuvenates a guy’s mind.”

Equipment for the Job

Two pieces of Drew’s four-piece equipment portfolio are in use on the Woodinville job. He has had the John Deere 548B grappler skidder for four years.

“I really like it,” Drew says, adding that he was so impressed with his first John Deere, “I went out and bought their stock.”

Paired with the skidder is a Daewoo 290LL purchased in 2007. The next item he expects to purchase will be a D4 Cat with a grapple to supplement the skidder. His other shovel is a Doosan 225 that is configured with a Keto processor head. Drew says he’s very happy with the versatility of the machine. He uses the machine on the landing for processing and for falling timber up to 20-inch DBH. The machine can also process at the stump when necessary.

In addition to cutting, Mercer and Smith also operate the company’s Timberjack 2628 feller buncher. Drew credits Smith as being particularly skillful at laying out the angles when machine falling and yarding tree length inside constricted thinning units. This is critical to successfully protecting the residual stand. The Timberjack with a Timbco bar saw can handle stems up to 30 inches. (continued on page 28)

For the precision cutting needed for these types of thinning operations, Preston depends upon his cutters, Bill Mercer and Jared Smith.

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ContractorProfile Drew’s faithful John Deere 548B grappler skidder. “I really like it,” Drew says, adding that he was so impressed with his first John Deere, “I went out and bought their stock.”

(continued from page 26) For all his equipment purchases, Drew depends on Rich Lennox of Cascade Trader.

Since the 80s, Drew has purchased seven machines through Lennox, whom he regards as “a first-class guy” who has earned his loyalty. To save on the expense and time of maintaining his own trucks, Drew contracts Luke Bartholomew Trucking based out of North Bend for his hauling needs.

Finishing up

Drew doesn’t consider a job complete even after the last of the timber is hauled out.

He has a clean-up punch list, which includes cleaning the landings and smoothing the skid trails. “The main thing is to make the landowner happy,” Drew says. And hearing the landowner’s compliments of a job well done makes this type of job even more satisfying, he adds.

Drew is proud of his approach to performing the job well. He has been audited by SFI and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and never had a problem. In fact, he proudly shares that when working a job in an area classified as forested wetland, he left behind quite a few trees in an effort to reduce damaging the soil. When a forester visited the site, Drew was told he could have taken out more trees. In keeping with his approach to safety, Drew is a member of Washington State’s L&I Logger Safety Initiative and hopes to move to Tier 3 in the near future.

Behind the scenes of Drew Logging are Drew’s family members who also have a hand in keeping the operation running. His wife Jeanne balances the books, and Jenine, one of his three daughters, maintains the website.

Drew anticipates retiring in 2018 and wants to see his company transition to the next generation. As he approaches 50 years in the business, Drew is certain about one thing: “I started in timber, and I want to end in timber.”

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EducationSpotlight

5TIPS

for Properly Maintaining Your Log Loader Undercarriage Tip No. 1: Keep the undercarriage clean

By Allison McNeal

T

he undercarriage of tracked

heavy equipment, such as log loaders, consists of many moving components that need to be maintained to function properly. If the undercarriage is not routinely inspected and maintained, it can easily cost you valuable time and money and potentially decrease the track’s lifespan.

By following these five tips, outlined by Mike Stark, Doosan log loader product specialist, you can get better performance and life out of your log loader’s steel track undercarriage when working in forestry applications.

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At the end of each workday, log loader operators should take time to clean out dirt, sticks, and other debris that may lead to undercarriage buildup. Regardless of the application, if the undercarriage is dirty, it needs to be cleaned. If the undercarriage is not routinely cleaned, it will lead to premature wear on components. This is especially true in colder climates.

“If operators neglect to clean the undercarriage and are working in a colder climate, the mud and other debris could freeze,” Stark says.

“Once that material freezes, it can start to rub on the bolts, move undercarriage components, loosen track guides, and seize up the rollers, leading to potential premature wear and then failure later on. Cleaning the undercarriage helps prevent unnecessary downtime.”

In addition, debris can add additional weight to the undercarriage, therefore reducing fuel economy. Shovels and pressure washers can be used to help clean the undercarriage. Many manufacturers’ undercarriages are designed for easier track carriage cleanout, helping debris fall to the ground rather than lodging in the undercarriage.

Tip No. 2: Routinely inspect the undercarriage

It is important to complete a full undercarriage inspection to check for excessive or uneven wear and damaged or missing components. According to Stark, if the machine is being used in harsh applications or other challenging conditions, like driving over stumps, the undercarriage may need to be inspected more frequently.

The following items should be inspected on a routine basis: • Drive motor • Drive sprockets • Idlers and rollers • Rock guards • Track bolts • Track chains • Track shoes • Track tension During a routine machine walk-around inspection, operators should check the tracks to see if any components look out of place.

If so, this could indicate a loose track pad or possibly a broken track pin. In addition, they should inspect the rollers, idlers, and drives for oil leakage. These oil leaks could indicate a failed seal, which could lead to a major failure in the rollers, idlers, or track drive motors. (continued on page 32)

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EducationSpotlight (continued from page 30) Always follow your manufacturer’s Operation and Maintenance Manual for proper undercarriage maintenance.

Tip No. 3: Follow basic practices

Certain jobsite tasks can create more wear on log loader tracks and undercarriages than other applications, so it is important that operators adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended operating procedures.

According to Stark, some tips that can

help minimize log loader track and undercarriage wear include: Make wider turns: Sharp turns or pivoting the machine can lead to accelerated wear and increase the potential for de-tracking.

Minimize time on slopes: Constant operation on a slope or hill in one direction can accelerate wear. However, many forestry applications require slope or hillside work, so when moving the machine up or down a hill, make sure that the drive motor is in the correct position to reduce track wear. According to Stark, the drive motor should be facing

the back of the machine for easy maneuverability up a slope or hill.

Reduce unnecessary spinning: Train your operators to make wide, less aggressive turns.

Track spinning can lead to accelerated wear and decrease productivity.

Alternate turning direction: Alternating log loader’s turning direction can extend undercarriage life.

Select the correct shoe width: Choose the proper shoe width by considering the weight of the machine, application, and geographical location. For instance, if your machines are working in the Pacific Northwest, it may be beneficial to use narrower shoes because they are better suited for hard soil and rocky conditions.

Choose the correct grouser: Consider the application before choosing the number of grousers per shoe. A single or double grouser may work well in forestry applications but may not work well in other applications.

Typically, the higher number of grousers the track has, the more contact the track will have with the ground, vibration will be reduced, and the machine will last longer when working in more abrasive conditions.

Tip No. 4: Maintain proper track tension

Incorrect track tension may lead to increased track wear, so it is important to adhere to the proper tension. As a general rule, when your operators are working in soft, muddy conditions, it is recommended to run the tracks slightly looser.

“If steel tracks are too tight or too loose, it can quickly accelerate wear,” Stark says.

“A loose track could cause the tracks to de-track.”

Stark advises referring to your manufacturer’s Operation and Maintenance Manual for correct log loader track-tensioning procedures.

Tip No. 5: Adhere to proper loading procedures

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Your log loader operators should follow basic operating procedures—outlined in your manufacturer’s Operation and Maintenance Manual—to minimize excessive wear and track degradation. Improper operating procedures can cause stress to the track shoes and track links.

The undercarriage consists of expensive components, so adhering to these five undercarriage maintenance tips, as well as proper track maintenance outlined in your manufacturer’s Operation and Maintenance Manual, can help keep your overall cost of ownership down and extend the life of your tracks.

Following these five tips will definitely help you extend undercarriage life.

TW

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Quadco / Southstar: Combining the Power of Two

Quadco Equipment and Southstar Equipment recently joined forces and now offer a full line of forestry attachments.

The companies provide innovative technology with the largest selection of felling heads and processors to choose from in the forest industry. Under the banner of “The Power of Two,” the companies will have the same people, the same locations, and feature the same high quality products and service.

The combined team will continue working to improve its products to provide loggers with the best possible equipment.

Pictured above are some of the employees from both Quadco and Southstar at the Oregon Logging Conference in Eugene in February. www.quadco.com; www.southstarequipment.com

Ruskin Appointed to Lead Morbark to the Next Level

The Morbark LLC board of directors has announced the appointment of Dan Ruskin as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. The announcement coincides with the recent sale of Morbark to Stellex Capital Management, a private equity manager that invests in both U.S. and international corporations.

“Dan is an excellent fit for Morbark,” said Ray Whiteman, Chairman of the Board and Managing Partner of Stellex Capital Management. “We have known Dan for close to 20 years, and his experience across multiple industries, in particular industrial markets such as heavy equipment, automotive, truck, and transport vehicles, has prepared him well for this position.”

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Fuchs announces a strategic addition to the material handler sales team, critical to the expansion of the Fuchs product line in North America. Anthony Laslavic is now a Regional Sales Manager (RSM) and National Accounts Manager for Fuchs material handlers. In his new position, Laslavic will work closely with customers and the entire Fuchs sales team to strengthen distribution of the material handler line throughout North America, particularly at the national account level.

John Deere-Hitachi Specialty Products Factory Produces Milestone Machine

John Deere recently marked a manufacturing milestone with the completion of the 4,000th unit built at the John Deere-Hitachi Specialty Products (DHSP) factory in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The 4,000th machine, a 2154D processor equipped with a 622B Waratah processing head, was sold by Brandt Tractor Ltd’s Prince George, BC location. The machine was celebrated on December 9, 2015, through a John Deere Gold Key Tour at the factory, giving the customer a behind the scenes look into the workmanship put into every John Deere machine, including the milestone unit purchased.

Chief Operating Officer Steps up as New Interim Executive

The Port of Longview Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to appoint current Chief Operating Officer Norm Krehbiel as Interim Chief Executive Officer at their regular commission meeting January 26, 2016.

Krehbiel first joined the port in 1993 as the Director of Facilities and Engineering, a role he held simultaneously with his role as COO. In this capacity, he managed the construction and maintenance of nearly 850 acres of infrastructure and development. In 2008, he was appointed to the position of Deputy Executive Director and later the Chief Operating Officer.

TL85 Terra Plate

FX95 Terra Plate

Laslavic Named Fuchs Material Handler RSM and National Accounts Manager

TimberWest March/April 2016 www.forestnet.com

Talbert Manufacturing Names Eller West Region Sales Manager

Talbert Manufacturing, a leading manufacturer of specialized heavy-haul trailers and transportation equipment, hired Jim Eller as its new west region sales manager. Eller works directly with Talbert dealers in 23 states west of the Mississippi River to help them market, specify, customize, and sell trailers that meet their customers’ application needs. “Jim brings more than 19 years of experience with heavy-haul trailers, and I know he’ll be an asset to the Talbert team,” said Troy Geisler, Talbert Manufacturing vice president of sales and marketing.

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ConferenceReview

Tall Wood/Mass Timber Building Expected to Benefit Timber Industry and Rural Communities

By Lindsay Mohlere

I

magine mid-rise to high-rise buildings built of wood. Commercial buildings. Condos. Health facilities. All constructed with wood as a structural material, meeting building codes for safety and performance.

In today’s ever-changing world, it’s not a pipe dream but a new reality, thanks to technological advances and innovation in the wood products industry.

New Revolution

Once perceived by the construction industry to be weaker and more susceptible to fire than steel and concrete, wood has now captured the imagination of architects, engineers, and builders. Tall Wood/Mass Timber buildings have been around Europe for several decades with the U.S. market taking shape a few years ago. The utilization of lumber in multi-story construction means it has now become a viable competitive material to traditional construction materials.

This new revolution was the topic of the Mass Timber Conference, held March 23 and 24 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Portland, Oregon. The conference addressed how to increase the use of wood by advancing cross-laminated timber and the mass timber industry in North America.

Technology

Mass Timber and/or Tall Wood are terms used to describe technologies that include Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), Nail Laminated Timber, Laminated Strand Lumber, and Laminated Veneer Lumber.

Manufactured with thin layers of wood, these products are stronger than conventional timber and easier to design and build with because of their uniformity and straightness.

The advancing technology can be used as an alternative to steel, concrete, and masonry in a variety of mid- and high-rise building types. Mass Timber/CLT buildings are structurally sound and less expensive to construct. Developers and governments have also noted that mass timber construction is fully renewable, prevents pollution associated with the manufacturing of concrete and steel,

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and has significant environmental benefits, such as storing carbon dioxide. Using wood as an alternative will also have a positive impact on rural communities and the timber business, especially in the Pacific Northwest.

Opportunities

Of the many experts to speak at the conference, one of the first to take the microphone was Thomas Maness, Oregon State University Dean of the College of Forestry and Director of the Oregon Forest Research Laboratory. His remarks focused particularly on the Northwest.

According to Maness, from an environmental perspective, the Pacific Northwest is the best place in the world to grow high value trees. “If you care about the environment, and you want to grow trees to serve a growing population, the Pacific Northwest is the place to do it. Our trees are high value, and they grow fast. We have the largest ecological reserve area native ecosystems in the world. Our forests are growing native species. This is the place to grow trees.”

Maness further explained that the close proximity of the Asian markets is also a major benefit.

“We’re positioned in THE place to

produce buildings and ship them around the world. Particularly to Asia, places like Singapore and Hong Kong,” he said. “We’re here, and it’s relatively inexpensive to move wood to those places. The high quality wood that’s needed is not in those places. In Australia, they’re building a lot of tall wood buildings. There’s twenty buildings going up now, and the wood is coming from Austria.”

In addition, the increased use of mass timber and the building of tall wood buildings will also play an important role in saving rural communities here. “One of the biggest reasons we care about this is that Mass Timber means producing a high value product that will increase employment in rural areas,” Maness said.

Maness explained the most important measure is the number of jobs per board foot harvested, which has declined to about a third of what it was twenty years ago.

“Producing more volume of wood and doing the same thing is not going to make a dent to the timber dependent rural communities. We have to do something different. We have to do more with what we have,” he said.

Over the course of the two-day conference, several other speakers of note touched on the economic benefits, along with the structural, esthetic, and environmental aspects of Mass Timber/CLT. Earl Blumenhauer, U.S. Representative for Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District, spoke about how the federal government can be a better partner in supporting stronger markets for innovative, ecologically sustainable new wood products.

Other topics covered included Mass Timber for Mass Market, Forest to Building: A Supply Chain for Advanced Manufacture of CLT in the Pacific Northwest, and Mass Timber Market Metrics, which quantifies the possible gains to be made through mass timber solutions in residential and nonresidential markets.

The conclusion of the conference underscored the basic theme. CLT, often referred to as “plywood on steroids,” is poised to be a game changer for the timber industry.

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ConferenceReview

Loggers Gather at Redwood Region Logging Conference in Ukiah

T

he very latest in logging equip- Keynote Speaker

ment was on display at the 78th Annual Redwood Region Logging Conference (RRLC), held in Ukiah, California. The three-day gathering also included onsite visits from more than 1,200 students, logging sports events, historic logging equipment displays, chainsaw carving, and a chance to socialize with old friends.

This year the theme was “Redwood in Our Past, Redwood Today, Redwood in Our Future.”

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The keynote speaker was Jim Hourdequin, managing director of the Lyme Timber Company based in New Hampshire. In December 2015, the Lyme Forest Fund IV LP acquired almost 112,000 acres of forestland in the Fort Bragg area, which had been owned by Hawthorne Timber Company.

“We intend to keep this timberland as a working forest,” Hourdequin said. “We believe the Redwood Region has a bright future, [and] we are looking forward to what lies ahead.”

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Education

Education is a key focus of the RRLC, and the opening day is dedicated to giving elementary students a firsthand look at the logging industry. Students were able to view state-of-the art logging equipment, watch a live wildlife show, and interact with representatives of the logging industry to learn about how advanced today’s industry is.

2016 RRLC President Zachary Jones said, “By educating youth through the conference and through the RRLC’s scholarship

ConferenceReview program that helps both high school and college students wishing to pursue a career in natural resources, we are ensuring that the redwood we have today will still be a viable resource in the future.”

Through the educational arm of RRLC, 13 college scholarships were presented.

“Many of us, myself included, are former [RRLC] scholarship recipients,” Jones said.

“It really does make a difference.”

Awards

Each year RRLC names an Achievement Award winner and a Shining Star Award winner.

The 2016 Achievement Award winner is Mike Anderson of Fort Bragg-based Anderson Logging. Mike has worked in the timber industry his entire life, starting with working for his father Don Anderson and Don’s business partner Bud Eastman. Mike Anderson has served as a California Board of Forestry board member, chairman of the California Forestry Association, and president of the Associated California Loggers.

Anderson said he believes the logging industry is at a critical point. He noted that the regulatory cost of logging in California is about 10 times what it is in Oregon and Washington. He expressed his hope that landowners and loggers can work together rather than against each other.

Gia Carrozzi of True Cut Custom Milling in McKinleyville, California, was presented with the Shining Star Award.

Carozzi’s thriving custom milling business produces high-end products generated from high-end timbers and slabs. Carrozzi is a member of the Operating Engineers Union (in fact, she was the first female member in 1986) and served for a number of years on the RRLC Board of Directors.

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2016 Redwood Region Logging Conf.

Achievement award winner Mike Anderson of Anderson Logging (pictured right) received his award from RRLC President Zachary Jones.

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ConferenceReview

Intermountain Logging Conference Review

By Barbara Coyner

S

teep slope logging, drones

in the woods, and bio-cement were just three subjects that re-emphasized “this isn’t your grandfather’s logging,” during the 78th Annual Intermountain Logging Conference in Spokane recently.

The always-enticing lineup of new machines and demonstrations was of course a big draw, and clearly the perfect weather bumped up the attendance. With a varied program and diverse vendors, conference goers heard upbeat presentations on market conditions, equipment innovation, and new approaches to make working in the woods safer.

Steep Slope Logging

Steep slope logging, still in its infancy in this country, showed up big on the radar as Eric Krume of Krume Logging and Summit Machinery, flashed dramatic pictures across the screen. He noted that some partners in New Zealand have only been doing steep slope logging for five or six years. Now the technique is getting a good look in this country.

“We’re using cable-assist machines, and

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the rules are still being developed,” said Krume of the move to offset hand falling, which remains one of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S. “But we don’t want to trade one danger for another.”

Some of Krume’s photos showed machines working on over 70 percent slopes, as he mentioned the immediate impressions most people have. “Some people think we just dangle things over steep cliffs, but the real issue is how much traction is available.

Machines have to be designed for this.”

Krume noted that steep slope logging at this point is still very challenging in terms of equipment, yet the advantages can be dramatic. Compared to hand falling, mechanizing can reduce breakage, be more productive, minimize road-building, and require fewer culverts and less road maintenance. “This can change the industry,” he emphasized.

“It takes the place of some of the things we are doing out there. Steep slope logging isn’t going to go away. It’s here to stay. You will either do it or hire it done, or you will not be here in five years.”

New Technology

While new logging machines are already

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using high-tech procedures such as remote repair, GPS, and computerized volumes and inventory, Gary Licquia’s presentation on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—also known as drones—seemed totally space age.

Licquia, of RDO Integrated Controls, narrated through pictures of various agricultural and forestry applications that reduce the actual time required to measure productivity and log volume. He covered both fixed wing and multi-rotor drones, stressing that such unmanned vehicles aren’t just for military operations. The ability to calculate the volume of a pile of logs, for example, can go from two weeks down to ten minutes, with a much more detailed assessment possible.

“These things can save money and human resources, plus you get more safety

ConferenceReview

and in-depth information,” he said, adding that such efficiency can lead to better adaptive planning and quicker response to pressing forestry issues.

The breadth of subject matter covered in the Thursday morning panel best exemplified the variety of issues facing today’s logging contractors. Becky Carlson of Associated Insurance Services explained the details of new health care rules, presenting various possibilities for add-ons such as vision and dental coverage, and life insurance. Her comprehensive presentation showed the advantages of buying group coverage, available throughout the year, as opposed to buying individual coverage, which is only offered during a limited enrollment period.

The human element of logging employ-

ment wasn’t lost on the seasoned audience of logging contractors who find it ever more difficult to keep good employees. “If you want to recruit and keep good people, especially young families, offering insurance is a good incentive,” Carlson said.

Nick Lodato, Bio-Cement Technologies, also spoke during the morning session, explaining Bio-Cement, a soil additive that could potentially assist in road building in the woods. Discovered in 2006 by a University of Idaho researcher, Dr. Malcolm Burbank, the substance stimulates soil bacteria and cements particles together. Still in the research phase, the product drew the most questions from the audience during the question-and-answer portion of the panel, showing how much road-building concerns factor into logging.

Startup Businesses

With a keynote talk during lunch by Brooks Mendell of Forisk Consulting, conference attendees were treated to the big picture of what’s going on in the industry in terms of new startup businesses, housing market trends, and certain innovations that still lack proven track records. Citing the example of proposed cellulosic ethanol plants in the U.S., Mendell noted that nothing in terms of commercial production has

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happened beyond lab developments. The example served to illustrate just how much new theories and products have to be tested before being added into the marketplace.

At the same time, he said that when he drives past a shuttered sawmill with a security guard and maintenance crew still on board, he holds out hope that a particular mill might actually restart at some point.

Mendell hoped to acquaint conference goers with the critical thinking needed before industry people invest heavily in a new project.

Hitting some of the high points in today’s Northwest logging picture, both presenters and conference attendees walked away, excited about new equipment, yet aware how cautious contractors have to be, especially in the West. As Mendell pointed out, the Pacific Northwest was once the number one source for softwood. As a result of the spotted owl chapters, action shifted to Canada, which in turn suffered its own down side with beetle kill. As the South ramped up softwood production to become number one, housing starts are again up, offering new opportunities in the Northwest. The conference theme, “A Bright Future,” seemed to resonate as seasoned contractors and workers considered another dose of possibilities.

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OLCPictorialReview

Oregon Logging Conference

Review The 2016 Oregon Logging Conference was bigger and better than ever.

“T

his year’s gathering was

the biggest since 2008. We had more exhibitors this year, both outside and inside,” according to OLC Conference Manager Rikki Wellman. “This year’s show exceeded our expectations, with the addition of 25,000 sq. feet of inside exhibit space, and the outside display area was packed with the latest industry technology.” Attendance was also up, with an estimated 6,000 coming through the gates.

Big money was raised during the conference too. During the two-day auction, the

Oregon Logging Conference Foundation brought in $27, 000 that will provide scholarships to deserving students who are studying forestry and/or logging- related fields.

And some loggers made off with awards. The 7th Annual OLC Log Loader Competition winners were just seconds apart. First place went to Zane Bryant of Bryant Logging Company with a time of 3:29. There was a tie for second place between Ross Cribbs of Van Well Timber LLC and Bryan Chipps of Green Diamond Resource Company, both with a time of 3:32.

Roger Goodwin, a retired Rosboro

timber cruiser, demonstrated his expertise in log scaling in the Guess the Net Board Feet contest. He guessed 5,890 board feet Net Scale. Gross (total before defect reductions) scale on the load was 7,860 board feet.

Speakers

Oregon State University Dean of Forestry Thomas Maness and Vancouver, BC, architect Michael Green spoke at the opening session about how the use of wood for constructing tall buildings will be “game changing.”

Maness said Oregon can “lead the way” in the new demand for cross-laminated timbers that will be created when wood is used for tall building construction.

Green called using wood to build tall

SPEAKING FROM THE HEART

Keynote Speaker Wiremu Lee Edmonds’ words brought grown men to tears, as he gave his Stand in the Gap talk at the 2016 Oregon Logging Conference.

W

hy do the words of this

New Zealand native have such an impact? In addition to being a natural born speaker—he has given this particular talk 176 times, reaching over 20,000 people—and having an impressive resume as a result of educating workplaces in health and safety, his message comes from an emotional place.

Less than three years ago, Wiremu and his wife Marsella lost their 23-year-old son in a logging accident.

As he spoke of the OLC attendees, Wiremu says he could feel the sense of pride and family from the audience. “It is a big family affair here with different generations all in the audience. Grandfathers, fathers, sons sitting at one table.”

No Academic Model

“My heart is my script. I don’t have any written notes to go off, so I allow my heart to speak. If I had written notes, it would be a 42

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barrier to me, because then I can’t speak from here. My talk was more about me speaking to fathers and to sons, mums, dads. Because we all belong to families. If there’s anything to ever motivate us to do things safely, wouldn’t it be our families? There isn’t an academic model that I could show people.”

Part of Wiremu’s authenticity comes from his background and culture of extended families. “Back in New Zealand, if you’re my friend, you’re my family. There is no line. The table just gets bigger. Everybody ends up brothers and sisters and cousins,” he says.

“One thing that I’ve struggled with where business is concerned, and don’t understand, is how we may treat our friends—our family—one way, but then when it comes to business, we treat our friends differently. My view of the world is we’re one big family, and I talk to people like how I like to be spoken to. I respect people because I like people to respect me. That’s no academic model, that’s just principle and values.”

Speaking Around the Pacific Northwest

The Waratah team can be thanked for sponsoring Wiremu’s keynote address at the OLC. Ed McDaid, Western U.S. Regional Distribution Manager, says they were impressed with his passionate message when they heard him speaking in South Africa.

And although Wiremu reached hundreds at the OLC opening session, with Waratah’s help, he was also able to reach hundreds more throughout the Pacific Northwest.

During one week, he drove to various Weyerhaeuser sites talking to employees at Chehalis, Longview, Albany, Coos Bay, and Springfield. (A bit of a challenge if you’re used to driving on the left side of the road.)

Don’t expect to find a Wiremu website.

His words have such power that every one of his speaking engagements has been through word of mouth—all 176 of them.

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OLCPictorialReview

buildings “the most environmentally appropriate way to build our cities in the future,” noting that buildings with cross laminated timbers are planned for Portland and the Oregon State University campus in Corvallis.

The last speaker was Wiremu Lee Edmonds, sponsored by Waratah. Known for his inspirational talks, Edmonds didn’t disappoint. The audience was moved as he spoke about the tragic loss of his son during a logging accident in 2013. He brought home the need for the industry to focus deeply on safety and to see everyone in your company as family.

Seminars and Panels

Following the Thursday morning official

opening ceremonies, panels and sessions got underway. Notable were the afternoon sessions featuring five presentations that covered the wide range of steep slope cable logging and new equipment.

Moderated by Jim Dudley of the Swanson Group, the standing-room-only crowd listened intently to the initial presentation on Winch Assist Harvesting Efficiency and Innovations by Dzhamal Amishev from Harvesting Operations Group, FPInnovations out of Vancouver, BC. Amishev outlined the history of winch assist and the technique’s current status in the industry. Originally developed in New Zealand by Ross Wood (the grandfather of winch assist) the various methods are actively applied in New Zealand, Canada, and

Europe. To date, few operators in the U.S. have adopted the concept.

“Winch assist works,” Amishev said, explaining that winch assist improves worker safety, increases profit margins, and increases access to more timber. “Some adaptability will be necessary because the conditions are different in BC and the Pacific Northwest.

It is expensive, so you have to have the landowner on your side,” he added.

Frank Chandler Jr. of C&C Logging took the podium for his presentation, Revisiting Tethering Systems in the Pacific Northwest, which expanded on the practical applications of steep slope winch-assisted logging. Chandler explained they use a (continued on page 44)

Ed McDaid (L) Waratah’s Western U.S. Regional Distribution Manager, alongside keynote speaker, Wiremu Lee Edmonds.

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OLCPictorialReview (continued from page 43) separate, independent winch machine and says he looks to the future when they can use different machines like forwarders, harvesters, and skidders on steep slopes. He also emphasized the additional safety of using a twin-line system. “The twin line for me had been unbelievable. You’ve got a good solid base with two lines behind when you’re working on the steeper slopes.”

Next up was Matt Bostrom of Advanced Land Management LLC, whose topic was In-Line Rock Crushing. He was followed by well-known cable logging consultant and trainer, Brian Tuor, who presented his findings on the strength of various wire rope splicing.

Tyson Lambert from T-MAR Industries concluded the session with a presentation on Steep Slope Innovations with Cable Systems and his company’s development of a grapple yarder and other steep slope applications.

“The constant theme was safety, tight roads/no landings, and delivery cost to roadside,” Lambert said. “We started to think about what equipment we could build to help our customers solve these problems. What we arrived at was the grapple yarder.”

Lambert further explained the product design and specific features, components, and benefits of the machine, as well as the effectiveness of different options like remote control and cameras.

OLC’s Better Ideas/New Technology in Logging session might have been crowded, but it did deliver new insight to the steep slope questions of mechanization attracting qualified employees and increasing production.

available) with full hydraulic synchro-drive, and weighs in at 6,160 lbs. www.waratah.com Komatsu 931 Harvester. The 931 has a powerful, more fuelefficient Tier 4 Final engine. It features heated batteries, DEF, coolant, and hydraulic oil for cold weather starting. Operators will find a new, more powerful H-series parallel crane with 360 cab/crane rotation and four-way cab/crane leveling. It features a 3PS 3-pump hydraulic system that generates 68 percent higher hydraulic working flow, as well as a new HST hydrostatic transmission and Komatsu Comfort Bogie axles that generate higher torque. www.komatsuforest.com T-MAR Yarding Grapple Camera. T-MAR’s new camera has excellent HD picture quality.

The camera transmitter works in broken ground, over breaks, and “fishing” in brush piles without losing contact. It has a 10-hour battery capacity and a reinforced, watertight enclosure with a separate battery compartment. It has a simple field repairable wire whip antenna (use any piece of wire) and operators will also enjoy simple cab installation similar to a normal radio install. www.t-mar.com It’s not too early to mark your calendars for the next OLC, set for February 23, 24, and 25, 2017. It should be another big event.

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New Equipment

Each year there is new equipment on debut at the OLC. This year attendees got an up close view of following: Halverson HWP-140 Wood Processor. This cost-effective wood processor attaches simply to a skid steer. It processes logs up to 10 feet long and 16” in diameter. The one-man operation has simple operator controls, sets up in minutes, and has multiple splitting head options available. It’s safe and, at 102” in width, is easy to transport. You can also process right into a truck or trailer without a conveyor. www.halversonwoodproducts.com Peterson Tier 4 Track Skidder. Peterson Cat announced the return of the Tier 4 Track Skidder. It features a Cat C7.1 Tier 4 Final engine with an 18 percent increase in horsepower (202hp @ 2,200 RPM) and improved powertrain cooling for higher production. It has a 10 percent increased fuel tank capacity, a swing boom with 110” bunching grapple, an engine accelerator (replacing the decelerator in the previous model), a heavy-duty fuel tank guard, and an in-cab engine diagnostic monitor. www.petersoncat.com Waratah HTH623C. With large, high-torque feed motors, delimbing power, and great balance of feed speed, the HTH623C is built to perform with a 25-ton carrier. Its hydraulic design provides high-flow characteristics combined with low-pressure drop. The TimberRite measuring system gives operators a wealth of data, a large color monitor (optional), and wireless data transfer. The maximum feed-roller opening is 35” and the maximum cutting diameter is 30”. It features three feed rollers (with various feed wheel options 44

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Waratah Waratah 600 series processing heads were found at many outside displays areas. New at the show was Waratah’s FL85 Series II directional felling head, which combines shovel logging, grapple and saw into one productive and versatile head. With a SuperCut 300 saw unit, the FL85 Series II provides fast-cutting cycles and a maximum felling diameter of 33.5”. And, automatic chain lubrication and tensioning improves performance and reduces maintenance time. Other 600 series heads displayed: 622C 4X4, 623C, 623C 4X4 and 625Cm along with Waratah’s TimberRite touch screen computer and the new WaratahMate downloadable app. www.waratah.net

OLCPictorialReview

Vulcan On-Board Scales

Cascade Trader

Vulcan On-Board Scales and SI On-Board design and manufacture on-board weighing systems for all types of trucks and trailers in the timber industry, as well as other industries that require tough and reliable scales. Solutions are available for a wide range of on-board applications and suspensions including spring, air and mixed suspensions.

Contact Vulcan On-Board Scales at 1-800-237-0022 or vulcanscales. com. Contact SI On-Board at 1-800-638-5111 ext 3 or vpgonboard. com. Vulcan On-Board Scales and SI On-Board are brands of Vishay Precision Group (VPG).

Cascade Trader specializes in new and used logging as well as construction equipment. Over the past ten years our business has expanded to include sales, parts as well as service for Doosan Construction and Forestry Equipment. For the past five years, Cascade Trader has been one of the top five machine dealers in the USA for Doosan Excavators, Wheel Loaders plus purpose Built Log Loaders. www.cascadetrader.net

T-Mar

Triad Machinery / Link-Belt

Steep slope logging specialists, T-Mar Industries, used the OLC to show off the latest addition to the growing Log Champ line—the LC150 cabless anchoring winch, already at work in Washington. T-Mar also brought its extreme-duty log grapple and yarding grapples to the show.

T-Mar designs and builds excavator mount rock drills, yarder parts, grapple cameras and winch assist systems. www.tmar.com

Triad Machinery, your Pacific Northwest Leader in forestry equipment, construction equipment, material handling equipment, wheel loaders, rough terrain cranes as well as crawler cranes. Our equipment coverage spans Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. We specialize in new and used equipment, equipment rentals, parts and service. Our major lines include: Link-Belt Construction and Forestry Equipment, Tigercat, Link-Belt Cranes, Kawasaki Wheel Loaders. www.triadmachinery.com

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OLCPictorialReview

Quadco USA

Pierce Pacific Manufacturing

With the introduction of “ THE POWER OF TWO” QUADCO and Southstar have joined forces providing innovative technology with the largest selection of felling heads and processors to choose from in the forestry industry. QUADCO cutting tools are well known for its Proven Quality– Reliability - Performance. All the QUADCO products along with the Keto Harvesters were displayed at this Year’s OLC. Thank you for your Business. www.quadco.com

What if you could combine the functionality of a log grapple and the versatility of a processor into one amazing work tool? And what if that tool costs less than a conventional processing head? The answer is more clear cut than ever with the Pierce Grapple Processor. The Pierce GP stands alone in its ability to sort, shovel, and load logs, as well as delimb, measure and cut. By doing the work of two machines, the Pierce GP saves you time, fuel, labor and maintenance costs.

Learn about additional cutting-edge features on the Pierce GP at www.piercepacific.com, or contact us directly at 800.760.3270.

Eagle Carriage & Machine

John Deere

Eagle Carriage & Machine has been building quality carriages since 1979, producing ten different carriages and grapples. The most recent too its line up is the Raptor. We also produce the hydrostatic, slack pulling Eagle VI as well as the Super Eaglet carriages. Eagle Carriage takes pride in its service and customer satisfaction. Don’t let our geographical location get in your way, as we go out of our way to service our customers. www.eaglecarriage.com

Papé Machinery Construction & Forestry displayed the game changing John Deere 859M Tracked Feller Buncher. Upgrades to the machine include a more spacious cab featuring ergonomically designed controls and floor-to-ceiling front and side windows, as well as a longer, wider undercarriage for increased stability. In addition to the 859M, Papé displayed a wide variety of its of John Deere equipment offerings, including the powerful 648L skidder and the full line-up of tracked log loaders. www.deere.com

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Feenaughty Machinery

Radiator Supply House

Feenaughty Machinery Company has been supporting the construction and forestry industries for over 100 years. Since its beginning in 1901, Feenaughty has been a family-owned business that believes in hard work and loyalty to its customers as well as employees. Although the industry has gone though many changes since 1901, Feenaughty remains dedicated to supporting its customers needs with honesty and integrity.

Going forward Feenaughty will continue to support its customers with the equipment, as well as the service, they have come to expect since 1901. www.feenaughtymachinery.com

Radiator Supply House is a complete manufacturing facility for metal replacement radiators, steel tanks, all aluminum radiators, oil coolers, and charge air coolers. With an inventory of radiators, oil coolers, charge air coolers, A/C condensers and shrouds for heavy duty trucks, agriculture, refuse, forestry, construction, RV and performance.

Log Max

Komatsu America

Log Max engineers products that promote healthy forests, providing harvesting as well as processing solutions to its clients, big or small and in any type of forestry application. The 7000XT and 10000XT continue to be popular with the PNW loggers. However the demand for smaller heads has become apparent in the industry’s changing markets. Log Max has a wide variety of harvesting as well as processing heads for all applications, from the little 928 to the 10000XT and 12000XT. www.logmax.com

Komatsu Forest is a pioneer in the area of mechanized logging, developing and manufacturing forest machines as well as attachments. We have an extensive service and after-sales network with global availability of spare parts and professional advice. With a passion for technology, and product development that merges productivity, ergonomics, plus environmental strong points into cutting edge advantages, we are continuously expanding the forest possibilities. www.KomatsuForest.us

WHAT CAN WE BUILD FOR YOU? www.radiatorsupplyhouse.com

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Pape Machinery

Multitek

Thank you for visiting the Papé Machinery display at this year’s Oregon Logging Conference. We’re proud to have served the needs of loggers throughout the West for over 75 years with superior products and superior support. Learn more about our promise of consistent quality customer service at any of our 21 locations or papemachinery.com.

Multitek is a worldwide leader in advanced technologies for industrial hydraulic equipment, especially in the sector of wood processing machinery. The company has a rich focus on research and innovation achieving many patents, awards, and produces many machines distinguished by high standards of quality. The Multitek mission is to apply and develop the best technologies available in the marketplace to offer world class hydraulic equipment to supply customers the best possible solution related to their needs. Multitek means industrious, reliable, technological, quality and innovation. www.multitekinc.com

SP Distributing

Sennebogen

SP Distributing is the exclusive distributor of SP Maskiner harvester heads. We offer not only a superb product, but also a team of highly trained sales as well as support staff ready to assist our customers. SP Harvester heads are in operations all over the world. SP Maskiner has nearly thirty years of experience in the forestry industry. This experience translates into a product that is always ahead. www.spdistributing.us

Loggers and mill personnel got a chance to get up close to Sennebogen’s 830 rubber-tired log loader at Modern Machinery’s exhibit area during the OLC. This 85,000 lb. machine is powered by a 225 hp Cummins Tier 4 engine and is available in a number of different stick and boom configurations for various applications. Perfect for mill and sort yards, the Sennebogen 830 offers excellent stability, even while moving to load, sort and stack CTL and tree-length stems. http://sennebogen-na. com/industries/logging-forestry/

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Caterpillar

Tigercat / Triad Machinery

Peterson Cat and Caterpillar Forest Products featured equipment and services for harvesting, hauling and millyards. On display: a Cat 522B Feller Buncher, Cat 545D Wheel Skidder, Cat 568 FM Log Loader and a Cat 568 FM Road Builder, a Cat 586C Site Prep Tractor with a HM825 Mulching Head, D6K Dozer, SATCO Directional Feller and 299D Skid Steer. Attendees witnessed the power of telematics with real life examples using Cat Product Link™. Cat Financial representatives and undercarriage professionals answered questions, while inside were work tools, as well as videos showcasing Cat attachments. www.cat.com

Tigercat specializes in the design and manufacture of tree harvesting systems plus specialized machines for severe duty off road applications. Tigercat forestry systems deliver processed wood to roadside at the lowest cost per tonne. Learn more about innovative Tigercat harvesting systems and off road industrial products. Find out how you can improve your productivity plus reduce your cost per tonne at www.tigercat.com

Jewell

White Mountain Chain

For over 25 years, Jewell has been designing and building attachments and yarding packages to help loggers be productive and profitable.

In fact, our first log grapple is still putting in a day’s work 25 years later. That’s why we offer a 12 month 2,000 hour warranty on all our grapples. Look to us for Yoder & Tong throwing packages, clam grapples, brush rakes and other extreme duty attachments. www.paladinbrands.com

Let White Mountain Chain give you the safety that only a high quality chain can give The quality and durability of a chain does not solely depend on the quality of the steel it is made from. It also depends on the production technology and the quality control procedures that are used on the way from raw material to finished chain. In this process TRYGG chains are the market leaders. www.whitemountainchain.com

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Peterson

Peters & Keatts Equipment

Peterson designs and builds state-of-the-art equipment, which makes it possible for our customers to supply their clients with industry leading results profitably. For our customers, we will continue to be the most innovative company in our industry offering the world’s most advanced, productive, durable and environmentally friendly products, coupled with training, education, service as well as support that is far beyond anything offered by the competition. www.peterson.com

We would like to thank everyone that took the time to stop by and see us at the Oregon Logging Conference. The staff was amazing as usual and can’t wait for OLC 2017. www.petersandkeatts.net

Gem Chain Bar

Southstar

GEM Chain Bar has specialized in 3/4” pitch harvester bars, drive sprockets and replacement tips for over 25 years. GEM also offer a complete line of 404 bars and sprockets. GEM has made major technological improvements to both bars and sprocket tips through new materials and internal design. See GEM for the quickest turn times. www.gemchainbar.com

Southstar Equipment Ltd is a world-leading forestry attachment manufacturer. We come with a simple mission; to be industry leaders in forestry attachments by providing world-class products for global conditions. This is achieved through progressive design thinking, service and listening to our customer requirements as we create low maintenance heavy-duty machinery that displays efficient, high quality performance while remaining affordable. www.southstarequipment.com

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Peterson Cat

Steve Peck Fabrication

Peterson Cat provides Caterpillar® and agricultural equipment, parts, service, and rental to customers in 100,000 square miles of territory, from San Martin, California to Longview, Washington. We’re proud to support your business anytime, day or night, from eighteen full-service locations. www.petersoncat.com

A new exhibitor to the OLC, Steve Peck Fabrication brought a unique solution to wildland fire fighting—a high-capacity, standby water tank that quickly transforms any dump truck into a fire truck in minutes. This slidein water tank comes complete with a Honda pump, hose reel and a spray bar for forest road dust control. The 3,000-gallon tank can quickly be filled from ponds, streams or hydrants. www.stevepeckfabrication.com

Morbark

Ponsse

Morbark featured its 1300 Tub Grinder, combining heavy-duty construction with Morbark’s Integrated Control System technology (MICS). Operators can now monitor critical machine parameters for increased output and maximum fuel efficiency. With a full breakaway torque limiter system, hydraulic augers and laser-cut hammer mill, the 1300 is the most popular grinder on the market. Powered by an 875 to 1050 hp Cat or Cummins engine, it weighs in at 94,350 lbs. Replaceable, one-piece anvil and tub floor wear plates make maintenance easy, reducing downtime. The optional 330L Cat undercarriage makes bringing the grinder to the material simple. www.morbark.com

Ponsse, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of forest machines, now has a presence in the Pacific Northwest. The fully equipped Service Center in Coburg, Oregon includes; Ponsse spare parts and accessories, dedication to machine servicing, hydraulic component repair, assembly of hydraulic hoses, and the capabilities of installing our harvester heads on the appropriate tracked carriers. Visit us on the web for more information www.ponsse.com

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Deere’s New E-Series Knuckleboom Loader

John Deere introduced the latest upgrade to its lineup of fulltree forestry solutions, the Final Tier 4 437E knuckleboom loader.

John Deere’s knuckleboom loaders are already known for their durability, high swing torque, and exceptional boom strength, and the 437E is full of features that will further improve jobsite productivity and uptime, while lowering daily operating costs.

The E-Series upgrade comes just one year after the release of John Deere’s new L-Series skidders and wheeled feller bunchers and M-Series tracked feller bunchers and tracked harvesters.

It also marks another manufacturing milestone that demonstrates John Deere’s ongoing commitment to providing the most comprehensive solutions for a variety of logging applications. www.johndeere.com

New Releases at Tigercat

Tigercat has released the D-series shovel loggers to the North American market. Operating at 282 hp, the Tigercat FPT powered S855D and LS855D meet Tier 4 emission requirements. Tigercat FPT engines offer improved reliability and lower long-term maintenance costs. Best of all, the engines are fully supported by Tigercat and the Tigercat dealer network. The S855D series shovel loggers are a uniquely versatile solution for steep slope and sensitive logging applications.

Also new for 2016 are the H855D and LH855D harvesters

equipped with the fuel-efficient Tigercat FPT N67 Tier 4f engine operating at 282 hp. Tigercat FPT engines offer improved reliability, lower long-term maintenance costs, and full support by Tigercat and the Tigercat dealer network. Tigercat will continue to offer the H855C and LH855C for markets that do not require Tier 4 emissions compliance.

Lastly, Tigercat has introduced the new LX830D feller buncher for steep slope felling applications to meet North American Tier 4 emission requirements. With tight tuck boom geometry and minimal tail swing, the Tigercat powered LX830D feller buncher is a powerful, yet compact, machine well suited to selective felling and clear fell applications. www.tigercat.com

Wood-Mizer Announces New Line of Wood Splitters

Wood-Mizer LLC has added wood splitters to their diverse line of wood processing equipment. Acquiring the product line formerly manufactured and marketed by Tempest Wood Splitters Inc., Wood-Mizer now offers a variety of wood splitters ranging from compact units for personal use to commercial equipment for bundle and firewood businesses.

Tempest appealed to Wood-Mizer because of the advanced design and high performance of their wood splitting equipment line. The Minnesotabased Tempest Wood Splitters was established in 2001 by Josh Larabee and his father, as a solution to the backbreaking work they experienced splitting wood by hand. http:// woodmizer.com/us

Bandit’s New Rope Shear Devices for Hand-fed Chippers

Bandit Industries has developed a patent pending Shear Bar device to help cut or dislodge a winch line, rope, vines, or other lines that find their way into a chipper’s drum during chipper operations. The device can potentially prevent a serious injury or death or reduce the extent of a serious injury if an operator becomes entangled in a line that is pulled into a chipper. It has also developed a patent pending disc-style shear device that performs the same function as the shear bar device on disc-style chippers.

You can watch a video of these devices in action at www.banditchippers.com or at www.youtube.com/banditchippers.

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CLASSIFIED CALENDAR May 4-6 Forest Resources Assoc. Annual Meeting, Colorado Springs, CO 202-296-3937, www.forestresources.org May 6-7 Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Expo, Essex Junction, Vermont 315-369-3078, www.nefpexpo.net May 13-14 Expo Richmond 2016 , Richmond VA 804- 737-5625, www.exporichmond.com May 20-21 Montana Logging Association 29th Annual Meeting, Missoula, MT 406-752-3168, www.logging.org May 31 - June 3 National Conference of Private Forest Landowners, Orlando, FL 404-325-2954, www.forestlandowners.com June 11-12 Deming Logging Show, Deming, WA 360-592-3051, www.demingloggingshow.com June 11-14 Assoc. of Consulting Foresters of America 68th Nat’l Conference, Mobile, AL 703-548-0990, www.acf-foresters.org June 23-26 58th Annual Libby Logger Days, Libby, MT 406-293-1074, www.loggerdays.org June 25-26 Buckley Log Show, Buckley, WA 360-829-0474, www.buckleylogshow.com

AD INDEX PG COMPANY RS# 11..........CASCADE TRADER........................... 105 9............CATERPILLAR................................... 104 15..........EAGLE CARRIAGE & MACHINE.......... 107 39..........FEENAUGHTY MACHINERY............... 127 26..........GEM CHAIN BARS............................ 116 38..........JEWELL ATTACHMENTS................... 126 25..........JOHN DEERE................................... 115 19..........KOMATSU AMERICA......................... 111 35..........LBX / TRIAD / BEJAC........................ 124 33..........LOG MAX......................................... 122 23..........MORBARK....................................... 113 40..........MULTITEK NORTH AMERICA............. 128 13..........OLOFSFORS..................................... 106 52..........OLYMPIC LOGGING CONFERENCE..... 130 37..........PAPÉ MACHINERY............................ 125 31..........PETERS & KEATTS EQUIP. INC.......... 120 17..........PETERSON....................................... 109 32..........PETERSON CAT................................ 121 5............PIERCE PACIFIC MFG....................... 102 2............PONSSE........................................... 101 20-21.....QUADCO.......................................... 112 16..........RADIATOR SUPPLY HOUSE............... 108 29..........SENNEBOGEN.................................. 119 20-21.....SOUTHSTAR EQUIPMENT................. 112 24..........SP DISTRIBUTING............................ 114 18..........STEVE PECK FABRICATION............... 110 56..........T-MAR INDUSTRIES......................... 132 7............TAIMI............................................... 103 27..........TIGERCAT / TRIAD MACHINERY........ 117 41..........VULCAN ON-BOARD SCALES............ 129 34..........WALLINGFORD’S INC....................... 123 55..........WARATAH........................................ 131 28..........WHITE MOUNTAIN CHAIN................. 118

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100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116

134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150

117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133

151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167

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guest columnist

What has happened to the conservation of our natural resources?

By Bob Williams

M

ore than 100 years ago, folks

like Teddy Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service, started a movement that brought true conservation of natural resources to the forefront of our environmental concerns. Over the last 40 years, our country has lost its conservationbased land ethic and abandoned it to an extremist preservation culture founded in political correctness.

As we have funded the protection of open spaces in the billions of dollars, we get straight “A’s” for that great effort. However, now we get straight “F’s” in providing the needed active stewardship of those natural resources. Many species are now in decline as a direct result of “preserving the land” yet not providing the needed disturbances that used to occur naturally across an unfragmented landscape that no longer exists.

We need only look to our western public forests, which are burning to the ground at an alarming rate and under the most unnatural wildfire fuel levels due to bad fire policies.

That same condition now exists on the east coast in the Pinelands National Reserve in southern New Jersey. Our natural resources are being strangled by policies that make no sense.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has implemented a species management policy for the spotted owl in Washington, Oregon, and California of shot gunning 3,600 barred owls because barred owls prey on spotted owls. This program will cost 3.5 million dollars and will not save any spotted owls.

Barred owls will simply repopulate those areas in time—it is Mother Nature’s way.

But it gets sillier: the barred owl is listed as a threatened species in New Jersey and is used by government to encroach and obstruct private property rights the way the spotted owl is used in the west! One has to ask, why don’t scientists translocate the barred owl from the west back to its habitat in New Jersey? The barred owl could then be delisted in New Jersey and the spotted owl could be saved in the West without all of the environmental disruption. There are many successful examples of this method, such as the translocation of the northern bobwhite

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quail back to New Jersey with wild quail captured in Georgia!

But it is broken government at its peak—save our natural resources by destroying them! In the past twenty years, all the government policy has not saved a single spotted owl. In fact, their populations have continued to decline annually with no hope in sight. There is only one solution, and that is true conservation — getting back to what was provided more than 100 years ago and managing our resources to optimize their ecological integrity with the best science of the day.

Finger pointing, blaming, obstructing policy decisions, and court hearings are allowing us to simply preside over the demise of most of our forest resources. We are only seeing the beginning of the future mega fires that will result in the significant loss of biodiversity, human life, and property.

Aldo Leopold, founder of the Wildlife Society in 1935 and one of our nation’s greatest conservationist, fine-tuned what conservation is and helped us understand

that it is a balance of wilderness and areas that need scientific-based management to ensure a “land ethic” that should change us from a “conqueror of the land community to a plain member and citizen of it.” A truly balanced approach in which humans play their stewardship role actively and are not seen as intruders or abusers of the natural world we all need to survive in. We need another Aldo Leopold. Where will she or he come from today?

If anyone asks me what they should do about this situation, I would advise the following: First, get involved. Join an organization of your choice, contact and pressure folks in charge of national resource management decisions, as well as political leaders, and be RELENTLESS about it. The world is ruled by those who show up!

Bob Williams, President of Pine Creek Forestry, is a Certified Forester with 38 years of experience as a forest manager. bob@pinecreekforestry.com TW

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