TimberWest - March/April 2021

FROM YARDER TO GROUND

Mark Swanson Logging Orofino, ID

SMALL LOG MILLS TO PLAY BIG PART

Lakeview Reclaimed Lumber

THE NEXT GENERATION

Fuller Creek Enterprises Elma, WA

MANAGING LOG LOADER MAINTENANCE

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JAMMIN’ GEARS AND THROWIN’ TONGS

High Country Logging Council, ID

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ON THE COVER Image of Mark Swanson Logging putting its Tigercat through its paces.

March/April 2021 Vol. 46 No. 03-04

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Small Log Mills to Play Big Part

Small Log Mills Likely to Play a Big Part in the Future

Lakeview Reclaimed Lumber, a versatile sawmill operation, may one day be seen as a precursor to the shape of at least one sector of a healthy forest products industry.

10

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From Yarder to Ground

Mark Swanson of Mark Swanson Logging has had the ability to change mid-stride and grasp opportunity for 36 years.

The Next Generation Logging in Southwest Washington

At 34 years old, Adam Zepp, owner of Fuller Creek Enterprises LLC, is one of the younger members in the logging industry, but he’s no newcomer. He is the third generation of Zepps in the woods.

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From Yarder to Ground

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Jammin’ Gears and Throwin’ Tongs

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Kyle Freedman’s love of the mountains and forests around his hometown helped drive him, literally, into the timber business, and the formation of High Country Logging.

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Firebreak Column

42

Guest Column

The aftereffects of wildfire smoke and how to tackle it.

Record lumber prices present opportunity, and risk, for domestic industry.

Jammin’ Gears and Throwin’ Tongs

The Next Generation Logging in Southwest Washington

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DEPARTMENTS

Page 4 ................................................................In the News Page 36................................................... Association News Page 38....................................................... Machinery Row Page 40.......................................................... New Products Page 41........................Subscription/Advertiser's Index

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TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

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Wildfires Have Negative Effect on North American Air in 2020 The devastating wildfires that torched a record 4.3 million acres in the U.S. in 2020 made North America the only region in the world where air quality was worse than during the previous year, reported Bloomberg Green.

Most of the world’s major cities had better air last year than in 2019, mainly thanks to coronavirus lockdowns that cleared skies for weeks or months, according to the annual report by air quality platform IQAir. Los Angeles, Melbourne, and Sao Paulo, all of which were close to major wildfires in 2020, were among the few cities where pollution was worse than in 2019.

In the U.S., 38% of cities had levels of fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, that exceeded World Health Organization quality standards in 2020, up from 21% the previous year. Western coast skies were so choked with wildfire smoke during September that 77 of the world’s 100 most polluted cities that month were in the U.S. Lumber Prices and a Push Back KOMU 8 reported that during the late summer months of 2020, lumber prices began to skyrocket, and those numbers have yet to come back down. While the price of 1,000 feet of lumber has ranged from $216 to more than $1,000 over the last decade, it is currently sitting at $933.60.

“The problem is, after the financial crisis, the entire construction industry shrunk in terms of its capacity to deliver,” Boone County Lumber owner Brad Eiffert said.

“We went from consistently doing over 1.5 million housing starts to about a 1.1 million average for about 10 years.”

That number of private homes being constructed per month has continued to increase each year since 2009. This growth has created a great demand for lumber all across the United States, driving the price up. Low interest rates are fueling it even more.

The National Association of Home

Builders (NAHB) is aggressively engaging the Biden administration on lumber. NAHB is urging policymakers to address skyrocketing lumber prices and supply shortages that are harming home builders, home buyers, and remodelers.

Letters were sent to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Forest Service Chief Victoria Christiansen that addressed NAHB’s urgent concerns on this issue and recommended key strategies to ease lumber price volatility and boost supply.

NAHB spearheaded an effort that led to 35 organizations signing onto a joint letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo urging the secretary to “examine the lumber supply chain, identify the causes for high prices and supply constraints, and seek immediate remedies that will increase production.”

Bill to Recast Oregon’s Forestry Board Faces Pushback by Timber Industry The Oregonian reported that lawmakers took testimony on a bill that would sharply curtail the timber industry’s influence on the seven-member board that sets forestry policy in Oregon and oversees the state Department of Forestry.

Senate Bill 335 would accomplish that by reducing the number of board members who can have financial ties to the timber industry from the current three down to two and require that one of those two members be a small woodland owner. It also sets a timberrelated income level that establishes a conflict of interest for board members at $1,000 annually, though that figure is likely to be amended.

Lastly, the bill would also dissolve three standing advisory committees to the board and it would transfer the authority to hire and fire the state forester, the executive who runs the forestry department, from the board to the governor.

The committee took public testimony and heard a good deal of pushback from industry.

TW

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SmallSawmilling

Small Log Mills Likely to Play a Big Part in the Future

Vertical Twin blade thin kerf mill used to mill crane mater material into cants.

By Jack Petree

M

any challenges face

North America’s forests, including insect, fungal, and invasive plant infestations, catastrophic wildfire, political issues, and environmental impacts (both real and perceived). But in the south-central Oregon town of Lakeview, Bob White runs Lakeview Reclaimed Lumber, one of the most versatile — and environmentally sensitive — sawmill operations likely to be found anywhere in the nation. This facility may one day be seen as a precursor to the shape of at least one sector of a healthy forest products industry in 2021 and beyond.

Using mostly thin kerf processing equipment, Bob runs a dedicated small-log system

capable of producing as much as 20,000 board feet of lumber per day. Combining a stationary thin kerf mill set up for 20’ logs with a variety of other equipment to mill dimensional lumber, White is able to create what he calls “whimsical” buildings, furniture lumber, flooring, paneling, massive furniture slabs, and just about anything else imaginable.

“If someone wants it, we can probably mill it,” says White.

Reclaimed Versatility Bob uses the term “reclaimed lumber” to mean something beyond the old-fashioned sense of the word. In the “new” world of the 2020s, logs and tree parts that previously wasted away in slash piles and landfills, or were just left in the woods to burn or disintegrate, are now recovered and turned into

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TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

high-value products by thin kerf based companies like Lakeview Reclaimed Lumber.

Turning potentially wasted logs into high value lumber is what Bob means by reclaiming. A dedicated small-log system also removes one concern of some opponents to thinning for fire reduction — 16” and smaller logs characterize much of the fire reduction harvest.

Bob’s log source is also out of the ordinary, especially when compared to conventional sawmills that cut for volume. Bob says he mills, markets, and sometimes builds, a variety of end products including high-end, custom furniture and small outbuildings from unconventional sources. He has utilized “blue pine” (the result of beetle kill); Juniper, from trees removed to enhance and preserve native habitat throughout semiarid

Thousands of pounds of avoided emissions through Lakeview's operation.

SmallSawmilling regions of Oregon and other states; and a variety of small-log species removed to reduce the potential for wildfires. He also takes slabs from trees conventional mills cannot use or refuse to take.

Bob also reclaims lumber in the more traditional sense. In its present form, Lakeview Reclaimed Lumber was founded to mill five million board feet of 8” X 12” X 18’ of mostly oak timbers bolted together for use as crane mats, which supported the massive machinery on a pipeline project.

Because Bob can provide a client with virtually any wood product they might have in mind, he says versatility in his sawmill equipment is a must, emphasizing, “I’ve got to have it!”

The Mill At the core of Bob’s processing approach is a Wood-Mizer small log system consisting of a 2-head vertical saw (TVS) worked in tandem with a 2-head horizontal resaw (HR250). In tandem the system allows the very small logs (16” and smaller) characteristic of fuel thinning efforts to be milled into salable product.

An LT50 capable of handling 20’ logs, a mill originally powered with a Yanmar diesel but now converted to 3-phase electric, adds additional versatility to the operation.

A chainsaw mill is currently used to mill slabs from oversized logs; however, Bob says he hopes to one day replace it with a thin kerf substitute like Wood-Mizer’s WM 1000 wide mouth industrial mill. Handling of materials is accomplished by means of a Takeuchi TL12 skid steer.

The small log system is one reason Bob’s operation might one day be seen as a template for the future forest industry’s success as it moves into ever-increasing environmental scrutiny. Depending on the mill owner’s goals, the system can be operated profitably at either low or relatively high volumes, thus offering flexibility seldom achieved in a sawmill operation — large or small.

Run at optimum levels and depending on species and dimension, Bob’s operation could potentially process as much as 20,000 board feet of lumber per day; however, according to Bob, the saws in his mill are generally running at a small fraction of the input they are capable of. The extreme difficulties presented by the oak crane mat timbers; an inability to find employees in an era of subsidies to those who are either out of work or choose not to work; and the huge variety in the type of wood Lakeview mills combine to create a situation where Bob’s mill operates at what might seem like a snail’s pace compared to full-on operation in optimal wood. (continued on page 8)

Multitek firewood processor. Nothing is wasted at Lakeview Reclaimed.

Twin head vertical resaw from Wood-Mizer mills cants then sent to the resaws.

Horizontal Resaw slices and dices cants milled on Lakeview Reclaimed"s twin head verticle thin kerf band saw utilized as a headrig in the small log sawmill system.

TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

7

SmallSawmilling

At ten blades per day a sharpening machine pays for itself in no time at all.

Pictured is employee Joe Wade.

It is a testament to the flexibility of Bob’s small-log system that Bob is able to continue operating Lakeview Reclaimed during this time of immense difficulty for all businesses.

Issues such as the inability to profitably harvest and mill small logs; the small volume of logs close to production facilities; and the number of species that are not desired by today’s conventional sawmills have all been limiting factors in the nationwide effort to

(continued from page 7) Staffing Bob admits the employee problem is especially vexatious. “Right now we’ve gone down from six people to three. If I had another order right now I don’t think I could take it and promise delivery anytime soon.

Based on business right now, I’d really like to have 10 people working.”

no time to Wait foR a RepaiR?

treat forests for health and resilience. As reported in TimberWest Magazine (March/ April 2019), Julie Sackett, the Forest Health and Resiliency Division manager for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), commented that the lack of enough commercial contractors to perform the catastrophic fire reduction work the agency plans for is hindering the success of DNR’s planning efforts.

In creating a market for otherwise unsalable wood fiber, small-log sawmills can fill a void in the forest products industry capable of supplying harvesting, trucking, and milling jobs that will provide both economic opportunity and environmental benefit to an industry hard hit by a lack of both in the past.

Unorthodox as it might seem, Bob White is an individual living life on his own terms to the extent possible, and like many owners of small mills, his operation reflects a highly individualized approach to achieving his personal goals in life.

“I just love this work,” he says. “If I had my choice I would work 24 hours per day. I just love making beautiful wood, and I love seeing that wood used to make beautiful objects.” The fact that Bob can make a living for himself doing what he loves, while providing a good living for others, even in times of economic downturn, and bring about significant environmental enhancements as he does all that is, according to Bob, “a big bonus!”

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TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

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ContractorProfile One of Mark Swanson Logging's trucks being loaded by a Doosan 225DX.

From Yarder to Ground Mark Swanson Logging, Orofino, Idaho

By Lindsady Mohlere

T

he evolution of a business is never a sure thing. The path to success is often littered with bumps and ruts that can upend the process. However, being able to adapt to a changing business environment and overcoming the many challenges of ownership and growth, truly separates the men from the boys. For Mark Swanson, president of Mark Swanson Logging of Orofino, Idaho, having the ability to change mid-stride and grasp opportunity has proven his mettle for 36 years.

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Learning the Ropes Like many logging company owners, Mark grew up in a logging family, following his dad around the landing, “holding the dumb end of the tape since I was about eight or nine,” he says.

After graduating from high school in 1979, Mark worked full-time for his dad’s company, S&M Logging, learning the logging business from the ground up. After five years working in the family business, Mark got an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“I was logging for my father, working for him, and the mill in Elk City, Idaho, needed TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

a line logger... a yarder side, so I told him I’d give it a shot. That’s how I got started. It was 1984,” says Mark.

At the time, Mark didn’t know much about yarders, so when he took up the challenge, he went out and found five or six experienced guys to help out. His first machine was a Skagit.

“It was an SJ-2R. I learned quite a bit how to work on stuff with that thing. I then had a 98 Link-Belt built for skidding, and we used it for five or six years. Got rid of that (continued on page 12)

ContractorProfile

The Healthy Forest by Troy Sawdust

A funny thing happened when Mark Swanson, president of Mark Swanson Logging ventured out to find a book about logging for a friend’s young son.

He couldn’t find one. So he decided to write his own and publish it.

Using the nom de plume Troy Sawdust, Mark authored the book, teamed up with Printcraft Printing in Lewiston, Idaho, to create the graphics, and published a colorful children’s book — complete with real-life photos — about how a healthy forest makes everyone happy.

The story line begins with stating an old forest is not always good and moves through the process of turning it into a healthy forest through logging. The book also illustrates how the logs are turned into wood and wood products. The simple format and straight forward approach of the book tells the story of forest to mill to home and back again.

So far Mark figures he has sold “maybe a couple of thousand,” putting the profits into his grandchildren’s college savings account. One buyer of the book was Idaho Forest Group, who distributed the books to schools in smaller communities.

Mark notes, however, “I give away more than I sell.”

For more information and to purchase the book, please contact markswanson65@hotmail.com.

Jerry Wilson runs the Tigercat skidder.

TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

11

ContractorProfile (continued from page 10) and bought a Thunderbird 6140,” says Mark.

In 2008, when the economy crashed and burned, Mark faced an extremely challenging situation that called for a radical change.

“At the time when prices were all pretty low in 2008, the mills said they didn’t have any work. They didn’t want to put any line loggers out. They wanted to lay us off, and I said I’m going to lose my crew. I called every mill I’d ever logged for, told them that if I lose my crew, if they can’t find us work, I’m selling it. And that’s what I did. Now I’ve got two CAT sides,” he says.

The Challenges of Machines According to Mark, he doesn’t have a particular equipment philosophy, but he is partial to Tigercat, of which he has four machines.

“I’ve got two Tigercat bunchers. One is a 2016 830D. The other one is a 2005 830.

Another Tigercat 860 is equipped with a Waratah 623 processor. I’ve also got a Tigercat 632E rubber tire skidder and two John Deere skidders,” says Mark.

Mark’s equipment stable also includes three Doosan DX 225. “They do a good job.

The oldest one is six years old,” he says.

Additionally, Mark gyppos out a Komatsu 240 with a Waratah 623 head, owned and operated by Cory Pearson.

Mark runs four Western Star log trucks with a Peterbilt handling lowboy duties.

“We also have a short logger in our string of trucks. I couldn’t find any gyppos to run a short logger, so I had to buy my own. At least I have access to one now,” he says. The company also contracts hauling with other trucking outfits in the area.

Mark indicated that general maintenance of the machines is handled by the operators, and if there is a breakdown, they call in Triad (continued on page 14)

Mark takes a break running the new Doosan log loader to talk with Forester Patrick.

Corey Pearson puts the 240 LL Komatsu with a Waratah 623 processor through the paces.

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TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

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ContractorProfile (continued from page 12)

Jarrod Carter runs the Tigercat processor and Eric Zaugg, in the bright green sweatshirt, assists.

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TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

Machinery mechanics. “If it’s something we can’t handle, that’s who we go to,” he says.

While the challenges of the timber business have changed over the years, the struggle at the bottom line has not. “When I first started out, I didn’t have good enough equipment under me. Breakdowns were hurtful,” says Mark. “It’s gotten a lot easier as I’ve been able to upgrade and start buying new equipment.”

Mark adds that the biggest challenge of today is staying busy and knowing where your work is. “We always seem to stay busy, but I think it would be a lot handier — and a lot better for the industry — if you were a contractor for a mill and they would always keep you busy. Then you could count on a nine- or 10-month season, instead of having to go hunt up some work.”

Currently, Mark’s average harvest is around 20-25 MMBF per year working for several different mills, including Idaho Forest Group, Potlatch Lumber, Guy Bennett Lumber, Stella Jones, and the State of Idaho.

“We don’t do much salvage, but we’re doing some clear cuts for Potlatch and some thinning for state timber sales,” Mark says, adding that they recently built some roads.

“We just started this last summer; it went okay,” he says. “We had a little bit to learn there, but we got the roads in, and everybody was happy. But I’m not sure we’re going to do more. I’d have to get rigged up with some equipment a little bit better to do it, and we’ll have to grab the crews that can do it too.”

A Steady Crew for the Work Ahead To date, Mark Swanson Logging employs a total crew of 15 for both CAT sides and trucking. When Mark bailed out of the yarder business and jumped into groundbased ops, he essentially made the move to keep his crew intact. “It didn’t hurt that much,” says Mark referring to the switch.

“We’re all getting older, and those line strips looked a little bit steeper than it used to be,” he chuckles. “A whole lot steeper.”

Mark feels privileged to have a dependable and loyal crew. “Having a damn good crew and one that stays with you is really the secret. It’s nearly impossible to do this work without one. I’m fortunate to have guys pretty well stay with me, so I haven’t had to break in too many people,” he says, noting that breaking in a new guy can be difficult because you have to get so much done. And newer employees aren’t necessarily up to the task.

“It’s hard to find someone that wants to work hard.”

TW

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ContractorProfile

The Next Generation Logging in Southwest Washington Fuller Creek Enterprises

Adam and Rachel Zepp posing with their three daughters and family pet.

Photo by Sandi Zepp

By Andrea Watts

O

n a Weyerhaeuser tree farm in northern Grays Harbor County, Adam Zepp is the lone operator in the sale area. Each tree that he falls with the Tigercat feller buncher is deliberately laid out to maximize efficiency for the operator who will shovel log the trees to the landing.

Having worked in the logging industry for over a decade in all positions on the landing, Adam knows the role of every operator, and this experience influences how he approaches his job. It’s an approach that Wes Tracy, a harvest manager for Weyerhaeuser, appreciates. “Zepp is unique in terms of outlook and setting it up for the loggers who come after,” says Wes. “He sets the whole site up for success, and it’s up to us to execute on that.”

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It’s in the Blood At 34 years old and owner of Fuller Creek Enterprises LLC, Adam is one of the younger members in the logging industry, but he’s no newcomer; he is the third generation of Zepps to find employment in the woods. In the ‘50s, his grandpa Boyd started a logging company that became a family affair. Adam’s grandma Wilma drove the log truck while Boyd drove the team of horses. In the subsequent decades, their company rode out many ups and downs in the timber industry.

Following Mount Saint Helens’ eruption in 1980, Boyd was contracted to clean up the debris in the streams and rivers. He then transitioned to buying state timber sales and began logging for the Jorgensen family in Lewis county. According to grandma, says Adam, when grandpa passed away in 1993, he employed about 150 people, which TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

included contractor trucks and hand fallers. Among the employees were Adam’s five uncles and father, nearly all of whom leveraged their experience into starting their own companies. Over the course of his career in the timber industry, Boyd’s equipment portfolio reflected the technological change that was occurring: he started with horses and purchased one of the first roto-saws, which was a predecessor of the hot saw used today.

Witnessing a hot saw in action decided Adam’s future career choice. “I saw my first hot saw in action at the age of 12 being ran

by Tony White, who at the time was working for Terry Akins, and I was hooked,” Adam says. “I told myself that I was going to own one someday.”

At the time, Adam’s father Albert had his own logging company, but in 2000, he began chipping and grinding hybrid poplar trees.

Shots of the Tigercat LX830D at work in the woods.

During the mid-90s, a number of landowners in the area, including Albert, had planted hybrid poplar in anticipation of a future market.

“I was bummed to see dad get out of logging, but it was a move that paid off well for dad and our family,” Adam says. “It also gave my brothers and me a chance to work for him at a young age because the work was classified as ag.”

Running Equipment Adam learned to run his first feller buncher, a Morbark threewheeler with a shear head. His father later bought an older Timbco, also with a shear head. “Dad always said that if I could make anything older look good while running it, then I would appreciate the new stuff,” explains Adam. “I can’t argue that statement.” He credits his dad for being very patient and willing to teach Adam and his brothers about life and work.

After high school, Adam attended two years of Centralia Community College. Yet he wanted to work in the woods, and summers were spent working for his dad’s company. Alvin Gay, a family (continued on page 18) TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

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ContractorProfile (continued from page 17) friend, saw Adam’s drive to become a feller buncher operator. Alvin introduced Adam to Craig Chambers and Bob Tomatich, with Cosmopolis-based Mountain Pacific Enterprises, who were looking for someone to help on weekends.

“I showed up out in the woods near Humptulips and talked with Craig for a while and then he watched me run the machine for about 45 minutes,” Adam says. “I remember thinking that I had finally done it and if he didn’t like what he saw, at least I had finally run a hot saw.”

Adam passed the interview since Craig said to call him next week for work on the next weekend. After finally graduating college, Adam went to work full time in the forestry industry. He worked for a number of outfits in Grays Harbor County, including Pete Muller Logging, Black Lake Timber, and R. L. Smith Logging. Of his nearly four years working with Roger Smith, Adam shares that “working for Roger was great.”

Although Adam learned to operate all the equipment on the job site, he preferred the hot saw. He returned to Mountain Pacific Enterprises to be their feller buncher and then began to seriously consider starting his

Photo by Adami Zepp

Adam Zepp next to his Tigercat LX830D. own business. Roger and Carmen helped Adam develop a budget, and Bruce Valentine with Black Lake Timber provided advice regarding how to get started, After considering all the information, I felt pretty good that my dad and I were within dollars for what Bruce,

Roger, and Carmen said it would take to run a contact cutting company, Adam says.

Making the Leap In 2014, Adam took a leap of faith into self-employment, but it was a family decision. He and his fiancée, now wife, Rachel had talked about her wanting to stay home with their two daughters. “I told her I knew how to make it happen, but she might not see me a lot,” says Adam.

The inspiration for the name he choose for his company was familial inspired.

“Where I live [ in the Elma area] Fuller Hill is the hill I live on and Fuller Creek runs right through the middle of my dad’s property and borders ours,” says Adam. “My grandma Wilma’s maiden name was Fuller, and the Fuller’s homesteaded the hill.”

For his feller buncher purchase, Adam went to Modern Machinery in Rochester where he worked with Jim Stevens, who also sold equipment to Grandpa Boyd, Albert, and Adam’s uncles. Jim got Adam in the seat of a Komatsu XT 450L-2. Of the experience, Adam reflects upon it fondly. “It was good working with Jim, because there was a family tie,” Adam says. “Jim is a dying breed in salesman as far as I’m concerned, he makes things happen, and if he says he has it taken care of it is taken care of. You just don’t find that much anymore in most people. I owe a lot to that man for being willing to put the trust in me to make those rental purchase option payments in the beginning.”

Finding Work The first six months in business found

18

(continued on page 20) TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

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ContractorProfile (continued from page 18) Adam contracting for Don Painter Logging out of Eatonville and Grose Construction out of Morton. He then settled in with Brintech Logging out of Mossyrock.

“Buying the equipment is the easy part,” he explains. “You have to have the work, and this is a tough industry to get into.” Much of the work Adam did for the first four years of his self-employment involved staying out of town in a motel, which he disliked because it meant being away from his family.

On the advice of several contract loggers, Adam reached out to the Weyerhaeuser office in Aberdeen and asked if they were looking for contract cutters. “It was a move that has paid off well in the sense that all my work is within an hour of my house now for the most part, and I am very thankful for that”, Adam says. “They like what I do, and I try really hard to keep them in wood to log.”

After two Komatsu bunchers, Adam decided to get back into a Tigercat. “I started on a hot saw with a Tigercat and am very partial to them,” he says. “I very much appreciated my relationship with Modern Machinery, but the Tigercat bunchers are much more suited for the Northwest terrain and are more purpose built for the logging industry.”

20

“I enjoy being my own boss.

It’s simple when you’re small. You can adjust easier.”

New Iron In 2018, Adam purchased a Tigercat LX 830D from Triad Machinery. “It was a game changer for my small company, the Tigercat bunchers go everywhere with ease, and they hold up to whatever comes their way,” explains Adam. “I’ve been impressed with them. Tigercat stands behind their product, I can call the local Tigercat representatives or even email Grant Somerville, who is the president of the company, and he will get back to me within the days. You won’t get that with many other companies. They care about their customers, and they want their equipment to be the best.”

As a contract cutter, Adam is usually on the job for 12 hours, and he enjoys the solitude and independence. “I like being out in the woods by myself,” he says. “I enjoy being

TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

my own boss. It’s simple when you’re small you can adjust easier.” To move his buncher between jobs, he contracts with Brumfield Construction.

Although he may be alone on the job site, Adam doesn’t run the company solo.

“Everything I’m doing business wise wouldn’t be possible without Rachel,” he explains.

“She’s my rock to lean on, picks me up when I fall, and does the books. She’s a very patient woman.” A father of three girls, Adam wants to provide the same experience for them to get behind the wheel. He’s looking to buy a mid-size excavator to see if one of them is interested in learning how to operate it. And it’s this type of experience that is needed to attract the next generation into the woods. In an industry where the majority of the workers are in their 50s and 60s, Adam is aware of the need to bring in younger employees, such as himself, and the challenges of doing this.

“There is not a lot of room for error [in our profession], yet when bringing new people on, people need to learn patience,” he says. And for young people looking to gain experience, Adam advises, “keep asking questions and eventually they will throw you in the seat. They are willing to share. I was able to learn from a lot of good operators.”

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ContractorProfile

Jammin’ Gears and Throwin’ Tongs

Left to right Kyle Freedman, Jeff Miller (tong thrower), Rick Paradis (everything), Norman Merritt (processing/loading), Andy Mckee (falling contractor), Jeremy Davies (hooker), Jessie Davies (faller), Shawn Ogden (faller, photographer, friend).

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TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

ContractorProfile truck was down, or we got rained out or whatever, I’d work in the woods, here and there. I always enjoyed it. 2018 was my first season. That’s when I went into the logging business,” he said.

Prior to 2018, Kyle had been hauling for Kim Helmick out of Riggins, Idaho. When Kim decided to retire, opportunity knocked on Kyle’s door, and Kyle bought Kim out.

“He was ready to retire, so I bought three machines. I started out with an old tong thrower, a skidder, and a stroke delimber.

I also got one of his guys to work for me.

He is still with me, so I feel he’s enjoying it — and I must be doing something right,” says Kyle.

The Mindset for Success Taking the bull by the horns and jumping into a new industry always presents new and different challenges. For Kyle, like many other loggers, one of the biggest hurdles in starting his own business was securing financing. However, his mindset of “not going (continued on page 24)

By Lindsay Mohlere

M

ost logging company entrepreneurs got their start

working in the woods at an early age, usually following a family member. For Kyle Freedman, owner of High Country Logging out of Council, Idaho, the usual career path would have had him mining or developing RV parks like his grandfather and dad, but that wasn’t the case. Instead, Kyle’s love of the mountains and forests around his hometown helped drive him, literally, into the timber business.

“I moved away out of high school to the Boise Valley to work. It just wasn’t for me,” says Kyle. “I grew up in the mountains and just spent every weekend driving back up to the mountains, so I just needed to figure out a way to get back to the Council area.” Acquiring a commercial driving license (CDL), Kyle drove a dump truck for a couple of years, but with plenty of work in logging, he ended up in a log truck. “Just trying to get back to my roots, to my home.”

Kyle jammed gears for about 11 years driving a log truck. During that time, he would work in the woods a bit. “If my log TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

23

ContractorProfile

(continued from page 23) to be out-worked by the guy next to me,” paid off.

“I believe that nobody can get into this industry without a certain amount of help from different people. Whether it’s advice, or man hours, a little bit of help working on something, or help securing money. If you haven’t been in the industry at least two years, nobody wants to loan you any money. You may get told “no” a dozen times but if you don’t give up, eventually somebody’s going to give you a shot. So far, that has worked for me. It was a big hurdle though, securing money for equipment and just getting the opportunity to prove myself,” he said.

Kyle also points to his grandfather as inspiration for owning his operation.

“My grandfather was an entrepreneur. He owned a few different businesses throughout his life, and I remember seeing his generosity in the way the people who worked for him enjoyed working for him and working with him. That’s what I’m striving for.” Kyle says he wants to create a place that can be both 24

fun and profitable, where everybody enjoys coming to work.

Kyle credits his years of owning a truck and learning how to manage money as reasons for his success. Usually there’s a threemonth layoff due to weather, which makes budgeting for the downtime a critical task for survival. “You really got to try to be careful and budget,” says Kyle. “About the time you get ahead and finally have money in the bank, it’s just in time to go into layoff — and you got nothing for three months.”

Kyle’s crew shares his work-ethic mindset. All his crew members have years of experience working in the woods. His tong thrower has more than 20 years of experience. Kyle says, “It’s pretty incredible what he can do with those things,” adding that his entire crew is of the mindset that they won’t get outworked by any other guy. In addition to his regular three-man crew, Kyle contracts two hand cutters.

“I feel like each guy is out there trying to better himself. And I feel the obligation to manage the business and try to make it profitable not just for me, but for my guys that TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

are putting forth the effort and making it all happen. I really want to get to that point.

You can’t ask for any better help. Those guys are few and far between. I’m just fortunate to have a few of them working for me.”

Kyle’s wife Tana is also an integral part of the High Country Logging team, helping out with paperwork and bookkeeping, while holding down a fulltime job. “I have to give her the hats-off — and for putting up with me and my aspiration. I don’t make her life easy, but thankfully she’s a trooper,” he said.

The Learning Curve and More Kyle is quick to admit that jumping from a log truck to running a logging operation was not that easy.

“As a truck driver, you see the operation, and you think you see it all, but there’s quite a learning curve. I was lucky and quick to find out you’re only as good as your guys,” says Kyle.

“I had good guys, with good experience. It’s really not as easy as a lot of these guys make (continued on page 26)

ContractorProfile (continued from page 24) it look.” Although he feels he has developed a good operation sense, it took him a year or two just to get where he felt productive.

Currently, Kyle and crew are doing selective logging, harvesting white fir and Douglas fir damaged by the tussock moth, while leaving pine and larch. Working the steep ground, High Country Logging fields a Caterpillar 320 tong thrower, a newer Doosan 225 with a dangle head, a John Deere 2154D equipped with a Waratah 622 and a TimberPro feller buncher to handle the job. Kyle is also waiting for delivery of his first new machine, another Doosan DX225LL from Cascade Trader in Hayden, Idaho.

Like most of his work, this job is contracted through Idaho Forest Group (IFG).

“IFG is a big proponent for us,” says Kyle.

“I want to thank them for the opportunity to work for them and recognize how much work they do fighting for our industry.

Without them, we wouldn’t have jobs.”

For the future, Kyle is content with one side, adding that upgrading equipment would be more in line with his business philosophy. “If I’m going to try something, then I’m going to give it my all. If it doesn’t work out, at least I can say I gave it a hell of a try.”

TW

A couple of the crew standing on top of Kyle's TimberPro TL745C.

26

TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

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EducationSpotlight

Managing Log Loader Maintenance

Practical methods to extend the life of your log loader undercarriage

By Mike Slusark

S

pending a few hours a month

maintaining your log loader’s undercarriage can help prevent days of downtime. It’s easy to train your operators to ensure these steps are done correctly.

Always consult your machine’s Operation & Maintenance Manual for recommended maintenance at determined service intervals. The intervals are typically identified by machine hours. Here are some general

guidelines from Doosan Infracore North America, a log loader manufacturer.

Smart Operation Slows Wear Preserving your log loader undercarriage starts with how it is operated. Avoiding frequent high speeds, excessive reverse operation, track-spinning, and counter-rotation will help extend the lifespan of your machine’s undercarriage. Taking wide turns and traveling with idlers in the front, especially up and down slopes, will also help reduce wear on the machine.

Dealer Maintenance Kits Lance Turgeon of Foleyet Timber 1986 Ltd. in Timmins, Ontario, builds logging roads and harvests timber hundreds of miles deep into northern Ontario. His local dealer, ReadyQuip Sales and Service, would take hours to reach him if a machine breaks down, so keeping up on maintenance is critical.

Before Lance’s crews head into the forest, his dealer provides them with a kit that includes the following: • A timeline and description of service intervals for each machine • Parts • Filters • Other necessary components “Downtime is what kills you, and that’s where our dealer comes to the rescue,” Lance says. “The service we receive from them is second to none. It sets them apart.”

Log Loader Service Position Before doing any work on your log loader, park it on firm, level ground. Put the attachment on the ground and run the machine on low idle for five minutes while the engine cools. Turn off the engine and release the hydraulic and tank pressure. Before doing any maintenance work, place a sign on the cab door that says not to operate the machine. This simple step could prevent a major accident.

Everyday Maintenance When your operators are doing their daily greasing, have them walk around the machine, clear out mud or ice from the tracks, and look for any visible signs of damage to the undercarriage. Logging veteran Brian Dhooghe, owner of RCD Timber in Hoquiam, Washington, sets this expectation with his team.

“Each night my crew members complete a routine walk-around inspection, checking the tracks to see if any components look out of place,” Brian says. “They also take the time to clean and inspect the undercarriage for excessive wear as well as look for damaged or missing components. Downtime is what hurts us most in this line of business, so we are as preventive as possible.”

(continued on page 30) 28

TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

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EducationSpotlight (continued from page 28) Checking Track Tension Frequently checking track tension is another way to slow log loader undercarriage wear. The proper track tension for your machine can depend on the model you’re operating, the style of tracks you have equipped, and the conditions of the terrain you’re operating on. Consult with your dealer to determine the measurement that is right for your log loader. Too much slack in a track could cause it to come loose. Tracks that are too tight can cause accelerated wear.

Measuring the tension of your log loader tracks requires two people, with the log loader parked on even terrain. One person should be in the operator’s seat and the other will be measuring the track.

The proper, safe procedure is to jack up one side of the machine — consult your Operation & Maintenance Manual for instructions on where the jack should be placed on your machine. After the machine is raised on the jack, have the operator turn the track backwards 1 or 2 turns. The person on the ground measures the distance between the bottom of the side frame and the top of the lowest crawler shoe. Tension is increased by adding grease to the appropriate zerk and reduced by bleeding grease off.

Measure and adjust as needed on both sides of the machine.

Yearly Service/2,000 Hours At this service interval, most manufacturers recommend changing the travel motor oil. Failure to change this fluid, or operating with insufficient fluid levels, is the main reason final drives fail.

This oil is very hot when the machine is operating, so shut everything down and let the log loader cool down. Park the machine in the service position. Before removing the motor case, loosen the plug slightly and let the air escape. This will help prevent oil from shooting out suddenly. Replace the travel oil and plugs, and then repeat this process on the other side of the machine.

Welding Check with your dealer before welding the frame of your log loader — it could affect your warranty coverage. If you are welding the loader, turn the log loader off and disconnect the battery. Do not apply more than 200 volts continuously; and connect the grounding cable within one yard of the area to be welded, with no seals or bearings between the area being welded and the grounding point. If the grounding cable is connected near instruments, pins, or hydraulic cylinders, they can become damaged.

30

Telematics for Limiting Downtime Most log loader manufacturers now offer telematics technology that makes it simple to remember maintenance intervals. These systems even offer satellite connectivity so you can receive notifications when you’re out of range of cellular service. If your operator is responsible for machine maintenance, they can receive notifications directly to their phones that tell them when maintenance is due and what needs to be done.

In addition to helping with preventive maintenance, telematics systems can notify your operators when internal sensors in your loaders detect issues that could lead to major machine failures. At the same time, these systems can immediately notify your dealer of the issue, so that they can dispatch a field service truck if necessary.

You can track telematics data on a computer web browser or using an app on your smartphone. Your dealer has access to your machine’s telematics data too. Frequently, dealers contact customers if they receive an alert that something is wrong with the machine. Better yet, dealers can proactively contact you if they see that your log loader is nearing a service interval or a part needs to be replaced.

Following these log loader maintenance tips will help ensure that your equipment is running properly and you’re able to stay productive.

Mike Slusark handles Strategic Communications for Doosan Infracore North America, Des Moines, Iowa.

TW

Road Builder Undercarriage Maintenance Road builders are commonly known as heavy-duty excavators. Road builders have the same undercarriages as log loaders, so many of the tips that apply to log loaders also apply to road builders. Since

TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

road builders operate in especially difficult terrain, more frequent maintenance may be necessary. Check with your local dealer for more details.

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FireColumn

It's All About the Smoke

By Lindsay Mohlere

W

e have all experienced days and weeks of thick, acrid wildfire smoke that descends on our communities during fire season.

Small fires, big fires — the intensity of the smoke is hard to predict. Wind direction, jet-stream, and precipitation and such are enduring culprits enabling the invasion.

This past year’s record-setting firestorms and resulting smoke from the many major blazes in Oregon and California impacted the populations north of those borders with a thick, bitter pall for weeks on end.

Washington got smothered, as did Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia. August and September were the ugliest, with smoke stuck like coastal fog in urban and rural areas with little or no relief for weeks.

What we know out West is as long as there is a fire season, we’ll have a smoke season too. It’s part of the gig. Where there’s fire, there’s smoke.

32

Getting to Know the Danger According to a new study published in the March 2021 issue of Nature Communications, smoke from wildfires is as much as 10 times more hazardous to humans than similar pollution from other sources.

Wildfires that charred millions of acres in the West also wiped out the country’s pandemic-related clean air gains in 2020.

Fine particle pollution from burning fossil fuels dropped 13 percent between March and July 2020 compared to the previous year and dipped again in November and December. This drop was attributed to pandemic restrictions that limited travel and other activities; however, the historic autumn wildfire season obliterated these gains.

Wildfire smoke is made up mainly of microscopic airborne particles known as PM2.5, which are 30 times smaller than a strand of hair. These microscopic particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, wreaking havoc on the human body. Those particles can irritate TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

the eyes, nose, and throat, tighten the chest, and cause difficulty breathing. In addition, the pollutants can trigger asthma attacks, strokes, and heart attacks.

Wildfire smoke is extremely dangerous to young children and the elderly, as well as people with chronic health conditions, and it increases the risk of hospitalization and death. Even healthy people are at risk.

Unfortunately, less is known about the long-term damage from fine-particle pollution in wildfire smoke; however, the research suggests it will impair your lungs long after the smoke clears, much like the after-effects of fine particle pollution caused by urban smog. A current study conducted in Montana reported that residents in a community that had been smothered by a blanket of wildfire smoke for more than 45 days in 2017 still had decreased lung function two years later.

Overall, the U.S. average for the deadliest type of air pollution rose nearly seven percent over 2019 levels because of the smoke from fires in California, Oregon, and Washington.

Radioactive Smoke in Your Backyard Just so you know, in some places — like Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) superfund sites — a seven percent increase in air pollution is a drop in the bucket.

Wildfires fueled by excessive fuel loads and climate change could potentially threaten toxic superfund sites, releasing toxins ranging from acid mine drainage to radioactive smoke. Superfund Operable Unit 3 of the EPA’s Libby Asbestos Site, located in the Kootenai National Forest about four miles east of Libby, Montana, is the site of one of America’s worst man-made environmental disasters.

The forest near Libby is a hazardous waste zone contaminated by Libby amphibole, a highly toxic mixture of asbestos fibers unleashed by the vermiculite mines that helped the town prosper for decades. Toxic asbestos dust from the former mines has killed hundreds of residents, sickening thousands more, and victims continue to surface.

The Libby Asbestos site is one of 234 Superfund sites across the nation that could be threatened by wildfire, and it presents a kind of worst-case scenario in which a wildfire could send asbestos-contaminated ash into nearby communities. Some experts worry a plume of smoke could carry the

forest’s toxins hundreds of miles away.

Every year the threat increases with the boom of megafires like those that exploded across Colorado, California, Washington, and Oregon. Experts say it is only a matter of time before one of these blazes burns through a toxic site with dangerous consequences.

Global Supertanker Update: Moses Lake Trying to Tackle Global Supertanker Currently, the Colorado-based Global Supertanker is undergoing upgrades in Moses Lake, Washington, at the massive Grant County International Airport (a former U.S. (continued on page 34)

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TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

33

FireColumn (continued from page 33) Air Force base). AeroTEC, an aerospace testing, engineering, and certification company, is contracted to perform upgrades to the Boeing 747 Supertanker and convert the analog drop system into a digital version for more precision.

Once the huge 747-400 touched down in Grant County, Washington State officials, the Port of Moses Lake, and other partners began efforts to keep the super-sized piece of artillery in the battle against wildfires stationed at Grant County International.

The idea is to form a regional organization of northwest states and possibly British Columbia, with Moses Lake as the home base for the supertanker and other large firefighting aircraft and fly missions to wildfires from Wyoming to Alaska.

The deal hasn’t closed yet but stay tuned.

It just might happen.

That’s a wrap.

Stay safe out there.

(Source: USDA, NOAA, WeatherNation, NBC News, Nature Communications, PBS, Asbestos.com) TW

Boeing 747 Supertanker in flight.

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34

TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

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Pacific Forest Foundation Scholarship Applications Students can apply now for the Pacific Forest Foundation (PFF) scholarships.

Last year, the PFF provided $22,500 in scholarships to 16 students in towns from Washington to New Zealand. To see the students in person and hear a little about what they are doing, visit www.

PacificForestFoundation.org and click on the video in the left-hand corner. Applications will be accepted through May 1, 2021.

Sierra Cascade Logging Conference The 2021 Sierra-Cascade Logging Conference (SCLC) has been postponed until May 20 – 22, 2021. The SCLC Education Auction Dinner will be held April 17 at the Redding Civic Auditorium. The auction will take place both in-person and online. For details visit www.sclcexpo.com.

OFRI Commissions Study to Examine Economic Impacts of 2020 Fires Last year’s Labor Day wildfires that burned more than a million acres across western Oregon heavily affected the state’s forest-dependent businesses and industries.

OFRI has commissioned a study that will look at those impacts.

Experts from the natural resource consulting firm Mason, Bruce & Girard, in partnership with the forestry economic analysis and forecasting firm Forest Economic Advisors, will produce a report for OFRI that examines the economic impacts of the 2020 wildfires on Oregon’s forest sector.

Scheduled to be completed in late June, the report will look at various ways forest landowners and businesses such logging companies and sawmills were affected by the fires. This includes: • assessing wildfire damage across public and private forestland • estimating the value of merchantable timber lost in the fires • determining the maximum potential for timber burned in the fires to be salvaged • projecting how salvage logging will impact the amount of timber harvested in the future • calculating the value of federal timber under contract to be harvested that burned before it could be logged • estimating losses to the logging industry such as burned equipment • measuring the impacts of the fires on forest-related employment OFRI plans to publish the full report this summer, along with a shorter report summarizing its findings.

TW 36

83rd Oregon Logging Conference Wrap-up The Oregon Logging Conference sure missed seeing everyone gathered at the Lane Events Center and Fairgrounds for the 83rd Annual Oregon Logging Conference this year, but there were new and enjoyable ways to celebrate the OLC and the timber industry.

The OLC was celebrated during the entire month of February, and in fact, is still underway, with online seminars available for viewing to receive Professional Logger credits.

Five pre-recorded seminar sessions are posted on the Oregon Logging Conference YouTube channel. You must register on the OLC website and pay a $25 registration fee to receive access to view the video sessions. The five sessions are Better Ideas/New Technology in Logging; The Three C’s (Communication, Coordination, and Cooperation) of Logging Safely Around High Voltage Facilities; Your Voice – Your Vote Counts; New Product and Practices for Cable Assist Logging; and Oregon Forest Practices Seminar. A total of nine Pro-Logger credits (three are Forest Practice credits) can be received by viewing all pre-recorded seminars. Registration is available at https://oregonloggingconference.com/ virtual-seminar-topics/.

What would have been the 4th Annual (in-person) Future Forestry Workers Career Day was held in an alternative format, with several logging industry career videos produced through a partnership between the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation, the Sweet Home High School Forestry Club, and Instructor Blake Manley. Manley had already produced other natural resource and career-oriented videos and through the new partnership, two more videos were produced. “Blake and his team do a fantastic job, and we are very excited to partner with him in producing these important career videos,” said 83rd OLC President Scott Melcher. “We plan to continue to work with him in producing other industry videos,” he added. The next video is anticipated to focus on forestry, reforestation, and forest engineering. The current videos, which include topics such as operating a feller buncher, ground-based jobs in logging, and truck driving, can be viewed at https://oregonloggingconferencefoundation.org/career-videos.

The well-known traditional Oregon Logging Conference Sawdust Bowl hit the road in 2021. The traveling Sawdust Bowl was celebrated in seven Oregon communities including Sweet Home, Seaside, Medford, Coos Bay, Philomath, Roseburg, and Eugene.

Each event had limited attendance and was in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time. It is estimated that a combined 200 people attended these events, enjoyed an opportunity to socialize, and had a great time!

The Guess the Net Scale of a load of logs went virtual this year, with a narrated video of the loaded log truck, donated by Rick Kriege Logging of Prineville, Oregon. The video was available for viewing on the OLC website. The 2021 winner of this contest was Matt Mattioda of Miller Timber Services. His winning guess of 4,840 board feet was closest to the actual net board feet of 4,720 and gross board feet of 4,940 with 220 board feet defect.

Scholarship applications for the 2021-2022 college year are now being accepted by the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation. It is anticipated that $35,000 or more in financial assistance will be awarded to students who are seeking careers in the timber industry at four-year, two-year, or vocational schools. OLC Foundation scholarships are available to high school graduating seniors and college/vocational schools students. Download the application form at https://www.oregonloggingconferencefoundation.org/application.

A fundraiser event and auction for the Oregon Logging Conference Repair & Recovery Fire Relief Fund was the last event held for the 83rd OLC celebration.

Because of generous donations to the event, the Fire Relief Fund will receive all proceeds — more than $83,000! This is in spite of limited attendance due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Prior to the fundraiser, approximately $125,000 had been raised, and financial assistance in the amount of $80,000 had been paid out to logging companies who lost equipment and more in the devastating fires in 2020.

Plans are moving forward for the 84th Oregon Logging Conference, Save the dates for February 24, 25, & 26, 2022, Lane Events Center and Fairgrounds, Eugene, Oregon.

Visit our website at www.oregonloggingconference.com for more information.

TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

DENSO Names Operations Director DENSO Products and Services Americas Inc., an affiliate of leading global automotive supplier DENSO Corp., has named Joseph Wright as its new director of Americas Operations. Wright is responsible for overseeing all DENSO shipping and receiving operations across North America, including DENSO’s warehouse and distribution centers in California and Indiana.

Wright brings more than 20 years of experience in warehousing, transportation, global logistics, procurement, and production to the position. His other

areas of expertise include budget management, vendor negotiations, quality control, regulatory compliance, customer service, and employee engagement as well as ecommerce and retail sales.

Cascade Trader has New Location Cascade Trader is still located in Chehalis, Washington, but has relocated to 215 Hamilton Rd. North — between freeway exists 72 and 74. Again, just the address has changed, all contact information will remain the same.

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TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

building, as they now have servicing, parts and everything else, under one roof. They invite you to come by and take a look for yourselves!

Link Obtains Hadley’s SmartValve and SAMS Brands, Integrated Dynamic Suspension Control Business and More Link Mfg. Ltd., the leader in specialtyengineered suspensions, announced that it has finalized an agreement acquiring valve and suspension control product lines and related expertise from Hadley Products Corp.

A manufacturer and supplier to commercial truck, bus, RV, military, and specialty vehicle markets since the 1940s, Hadley’s wellknown brands include its award-winning SmartValve Electronic Height Control System and Smart Air Management System (SAMS).

As part of Link’s investment, several key staff will be transitioning from Hadley to the Link team. Link will also obtain the rights to Hadley’s dynamic air suspension control technology that improves aerodynamics, reduces rolling resistance, and increases tractive performance by precisely balancing a vehicle’s weight at speed. Hadley’s entire portfolio of legacy mechanical height control valve business is also being procured by Link in the transaction.

2020 – a Record Year for FAE Despite global difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was a record year for FAE, and the company achieved and exceeded the objectives set at the end of 2019. In 2020 there were introductions or significant updates to ten models in the Land Clearing and Construction lines.

FAE’s technology innovation in 2020 included the Bite Limiter for excavator mulchers and the introduction of the revolutionary Sonic system also on UML/EX/ VT and UML/S/EX/VT forestry mulchers for excavators. The Bite Limiter technology reduces power demand and promotes a consistent working speed. The Sonic system ensures perfect alignment of the operating machine and the FAE mulcher through automatic calibration and constantly manages the mulcher’s hydraulic parameters.

FAE’s record figures in 2020 also involved human resources. The number of employees rose above 250, with 40 new hires over the last 12 months.

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The VTECTION system monitors rotor vibration to reduce damage from contact with contaminates or other causes of damaging vibration like an out-of-balance rotor, broken insert, defective bearing, or extremely hard wood. When coupled with Morbark’s Break-Away Torque Limiter, these devices provide customers with superior hammermill protection.

PONSSE’s New Firefighter Firefighting equipment PONSSE offers a quick, easy and simple way to turn a regular forest machine into a firefighting unit. The 2,640-gallon water tank is equipped with a powerful pump and water cannon. The equipment is installed as a single package – and after it has been connected to the machine’s hydraulics, a firefighting machine is ready to operate. No separate power source is needed. The firefighting equipment needs a load space at least (9 feet) wide, a sufficiently powerful hydraulic pump and three connections to machine hydraulics.

Designed especially for firefighting, the hydraulically controlled water cannon rotates 360 degrees. The spray direction, angle and pattern, ranging from water mist to a solid stream, can be adjusted using remote control. The refilling pump is a centrifugal submersible pump, which fills the water tank from a natural water source in approximately seven minutes. www.ponsse.com Husqvarna Launches the MADSAW Husqvarna has set a new standard for professional pole saws with the launch of its latest industry-first innovation: the 525DEPS MADSAW. MAD is a commonly used industry term, an acronym for OSHA’s Minimal Approach Distances. The MADSAW is designed with operator safety in mind, as it is the first and only dielectric gas-powered pole saw individually tested to meet the OSHA standard for electric power generation, transmission, and distribution (OSHA 1910.269).

The MADSAW offers insulation to prevent electrical conductivity and extreme versatility with the ability to be operated aloft in a bucket, in-tree, or on the ground. The two available lengths will make it easier for operators to access hard-to-reach areas, reducing the amount of time climbing aloft — ultimately maximizing operator productivity.

Morbark Vtection System – Protection from Hammermill Damage Morbark recently introduced a new, patent-pending VTECTION System option for their 3000, 3400, and 6400 series Wood Hog Horizontal Grinders.

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Ship-out kits are available for in-field installations on preexisting 3000X, 3400X, and 6400X horizontal grinders. www.morbarkdealers.com John Deere Unveils Purpose-Built 768L-II Bogie Skidder John Deere expands its skidder lineup with the new 281-horsepower 768L-II Bogie Skidder, a purpose-built machine designed to navigate wet and steep slope conditions.

The 768L-II features heavy-duty bogie axles, outstanding tractive ability and floatation, increasing durability, and performance in challenging conditions. Additionally, a new arch design expands visibility while a

long wheelbase and improved boom-arch envelope increase dexterity and maneuverability in the woods, significantly boosting productivity and performance.

The bogie skidder incorporates the customer-favorite features found in the L-II machines, including a comfort-boosting cab, redesigned electrical and hydraulic systems, and industry-exclusive Continuously Variable Transmission.

“The John Deere bogie skidder is hands down twice as good as a regular four-tire skidder. It’s just all-around better in my book for productivity and ground disturbance,” said Jason Dawson of Triple J Logging.

“With the 768L-II, you can carry twice as much of a load, especially in wet conditions and on the steep terrain, without tearing the ground up.” www.JohnDeere.com TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

Vermeer TR6450 Trommel Screen Vermeer is updating its trommel screen line with the new Vermeer TR6450 trommel screen, which is capable of sorting up to three product sizes at once. The TR6450 features adjustable front-fines, rear-fines and overs conveyor for efficient multi-product production. With a 20-foot long, 6.5-foot diameter quick-change tension screen drum, the TR6450 can sort up to 180 cubic yards per hour with .5-inch screens installed and material with moisture less than 40%. It is powered by a 120-horsepower Cat 3.6L Tier 4F diesel engine, and its drum speed can be adjusted from 0 to 25 revolutions per minute based on material type and moisture content.

With a hopper infeed height of just 9 feet 6 inches from ground level at operating incline and capacity of 6.5 cubic yards, the TR6450 is built for quick loading cycle times. The unit’s Vermeer ACS controls system gives operators the ability to adjust conveyor heights and drum speeds from a machine-mounted DP10 display or handle transceiver remote. www.vermeer.com Tigercat’s 875 Logger Advances to E-Series The 875E logger introduces several new features, including an updated operator station, two undercarriage options, and various grapple configurations to tailor the machine to your specific needs.

The 875E logger is a multi-purpose carrier with two boom options for loading or processing applications. The machine can be equipped with the Tigercat FPT N67 Non-certified, Tier 4f or Stage V engine, producing 282 hp.

The undercarriage is designed and built to withstand rigorous, full-time forest duty applications. Two options are available.

The F7-150 undercarriage is standard. The larger footprint F7-162 undercarriage provides additional stability for heavy timber applications.

The 875E can be configured as a loader equipped with various power clam, butt-ntop, live heel, pulpwood, and log grapple options. The carrier can also be configured as a high-capacity processor capable of running large harvesting heads in demanding duty cycles. www.tigercat.com

Foley Engines Offers New Club Options Foley Engines is a 105-year-old, threegeneration family firm that specializes in Twin Disc/Rockford and WPT power takeoff clutches. These clutches, often called “hand clutches,” are often used in tub grinders and wood chippers throughout the U.S. Foley now offers both new and factory remanufactured power take-off (PTO) clutches with upgraded severe duty components including 100% Kevlar composite discs. These proprietary Kevlar composite linings have as much as a 300% longer service life compared to the molded fiber friction discs commonly used, and avoid failures caused by broken teeth.

PONSSE Scorpion Harvester Ponsse’s flagship, PONSSE Scorpion harvester, was first introduced to the general public in 2013. Immediately after its launch, the Scorpion became a global sales success and a symbol of responsible forestry.

Now, eight years later, the Scorpion has shed its skin. Ponsse introduces a new, extensively modernized Scorpion harvester that meets all the requirements of forestry today; from cab stability allowing for increasingly better work ergonomics to more

AD INDEX COMPANY PG# AGRI-COVER.............................................. 11 AIR BURNERS.............................................. 5 ALLIANCE TIRE/ YOKOHAMA....................... 14 BANDIT CHIPPERS..................................... 29 BKT TIRES.................................................. 17 BRAKE SYSTEMS....................................... 18 CASCADE TRADER..................................... 26 DC EQUIPMENT / MODERN MACHINERY..... 20 DOOSAN.................................................... 15 DROP SPROCKETS....................................... 4 GEM CHAIN BARS...................................... 33 HYDRAULEX GLOBAL................................... 8 JOHN DEERE................................................ 9 JORAL / LOGGINGENCODERS.COM............ 33 KOMATSU AMERICA................................... 31 LBX / TRIAD MACHINERY / BEJAC CORP..... 37 MORBARK.................................................. 35 NORTHWEST FARM CREDIT SERVICES....... 19 OLOFSFORS............................................... 13 PIERCE PACIFIC.......................................... 21 PONSSE....................................................... 2 QUADCO GROUP........................................ 44 RITCHIE BROS. FINANCIAL SERVICES......... 39 SENNEBOGEN............................................ 27 SIERRA CASCADE CONFERENCE................ 38 TIGERCAT / BEJAC..................................... 43 TIMBERPRO / BEJAC / DDI EQUIPMENT...... 25 WCLA CREDIT UNION................................. 12 WHITE MOUNTAIN CHAIN........................... 23

holistic consideration of the environment, and from advanced OPTI 5G technology to unobstructed visibility.

In addition to numerous new features, PONSSE Scorpion and Scorpion King harvesters have been fitted out with an advanced fifth-generation PONSSE Opti 5G information system and a completely upgraded user interface. The user-friendly information system is the most modern on the market, and its smoothness and speed take the user experience to a completely new level. www.ponsse.com New Cat Next Generation 538 Forest Machines The new Cat Next Generation 538 Forest Machine is more productive, more comfortable, and costs less to maintain so owners can spend their time moving more timber, loading more trucks, and maximizing their profit potential.

Available in Log Loader and General Forest configurations, the 538 has a new electrohydraulic control system with 10% more swing torque that allows the machine to do work with more power and precision.

Updates to the drive system result in a 12% increase in travel speed, helping it cover more ground and move up and down slopes

faster. High Wide undercarriage provides 15% greater ground clearance to help the machine pass over stumps and other obstructions with ease.

The 538 features an efficient Cat 7.1 engine that meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final and is flexible to run on biodiesel up to B20.

Smart mode automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to working conditions to help reduce fuel consumption up to 5% without sacrificing performance.

The 538 offers a cold-start capability of -25˚ F and reliable high ambient temperature operation reaching 118˚ F. It efficiently operates at altitudes reaching 9,842 ft without derating. Fuel tank capacity is more than double the previous model, which means the new 538 can operate up to five shifts before refilling. www.cat.com TW

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Circle your Primary Business (enter one number) 1A Logging firm or contractor 1B Trucking company 1C Cutting contractor 1D Road builder/materials producer 1E Combined logging/processing forestry 2A Forest mgmt/government 2B Broker/consultant 3A Sawmill/chip mill 3B Veneer/plywood/panel mills 3C Pulp/paper mill 3D Specialty wood products 3E Biomass/Wood Energy Plant 4A Equipment manufacturer 4B Equipment distributor/dealer 6A Associations 6B Ad agency 6C Other 7 Forestry consultants 8 Education/Student/Library 9 Tree farming

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GuestColumnist

Record Lumber Prices Present Opportunity, and Risk, for Domestic Industry

By Nick Smith

W

ith lumber prices reach-

ing record highs, the time is now to make a case for our domestic forest products industry.

Given the chance, our homegrown milling and logging companies can meet more of the country’s strong demand for lumber and other wood products. The red-hot market also provides an opportunity to reconnect Americans to the resource and remind them of the many benefits of active forest management.

But this moment is not without danger.

Record prices can lead to increased competition from foreign producers and more imports entering our market. The United States already is a net importer of wood products. The gap between U.S. wood consumption and domestic wood production is an astounding 17 billion board feet, according to the Forest Economic Advisors. There is also the risk of losing ground to producers of non-wood materials, as builders and contractors feel compelled to seek cheaper alternatives.

Reaching Out It has been widely reported in national media outlets that lumber prices have increased the price of the average new, singlefamily home by over $24,000. Trade associations representing builders and contractors are lobbying the Biden Administration to intervene. They say the White House should urge domestic lumber producers to ramp up production while easing limits on Canadian imports.

Members of Congress have also gotten involved. In their letter to President Biden, Representatives Jim Costa (D-California) and Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) write that “this unprecedented price increase on new homeowners, as well as home builders, will persist until new sawmills come online and current mills re-open and operate at full capacity.”

Those of us who work for, or with, wood products manufacturers understand this is easier said than done. Opening or reopening sawmills requires significant investment. Many of our lumber companies are 42

doing everything they can to fill orders and meet demand. In fact, the American Wood Council reports that production of wood products is already the highest it’s been since 2007.

Yet producers continue to be held back by workforce constraints and uncertain timber supplies. There are several ways the Biden Administration, the U.S. Congress, and state governments can help our producers expand their capacity to manufacture more lumber here at home.

Ways to Expand Production To expand lumber production, businesses across the supply chain need support because many are still struggling. The Biden Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture can start by ensuring full implementation and funding for the Logger Relief Package that was approved in previous Covid-relief legislation, so all impacted logging companies can receive the assistance they need. It is also important for governments to help expand markets for wood products besides lumber, particularly those made with log and mill residuals.

Policymakers should also resist adding more regulation, red tape, and taxes, as well as measures that further increase fuel prices. We are already the most strictly regulated industry compared to any other in the world. This year we have seen a proliferation of policy and tax proposals that would further squeeze landowners, loggers, truckers, manufacturers, and others, many of which continue to operate on thin margins despite record lumber prices. Our domestic industry can’t compete in a global market when our own policymakers continue to tilt the market toward foreign producers.

An uncertain timber supply is the primary obstacle to expanding lumber production, especially in the Pacific Northwest. There is no way to significantly manufacture more lumber without improving management of the region’s federally owned forests. Millions of acres of these lands are not being managed for timber, forest health, or wildfire mitigation — instead they are burning up in catastrophic wildfires.

Federal lands must be part of the solution. For much of the 20th Century, these TimberWest Magazine — March/April 2021 — www.forestnet.com

forests helped power the nation’s post-war economy. They provided affordable lumber to meet domestic housing needs. They also provided a robust network of forest roads for logging, firefighting, and outdoor recreation.

And they provided a source of good-paying jobs and economic opportunities for many of our rural, forested communities.

Accelerating forest management on federal lands can provide multiple benefits. By reducing fuels we can reduce the intensity of today’s mega-fires, protect communities, and save millions of taxpayer dollars in wildfire suppression costs. A reliable and sustainable supply of federal timber would benefit the whole supply chain, while encouraging lumber producers to increase investments in their manufacturing facilities and workforce, thus increasing supply.

Finally, the red-hot lumber market should be an opportunity to reconnect Americans to the resource. Much of the demand has been fueled by retail sales and do-it-yourself projects throughout the pandemic. We should encourage consumers to seek out and purchase lumber that is domestically sourced and sustainably harvested from our own public and private lands.

Sending a Message We should remind environmentally conscious consumers that buying domestic lumber is a better alternative to importing wood products from countries that may not share our values and forest practices. Plus, we should explain the climate benefits of actively managing our forests, and the potential to lock up more carbon in wood products.

Demand for wood products is expected to remain strong, even if prices gradually cool. By making the case for our domestic forest products industry, we can better position ourselves for the future and ensure we can continue to supply products that meet the needs of all Americans.

Nick Smith is Executive Director of Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities and provides public affairs services to the American Forest Resource Council in Portland, Oregon.

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