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Vol. 43, No. 8

(Founded in 1972—Our 503rd Consecutive Issue)

F E AT U R E S

AUGUST 2014 A Hatton-Brown Publication

Phone: 334-834-1170 Fax: 334-834-4525 www.southernloggintimes.com

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Heather Gates Fierce, Independent, Proud

Shirley Chason Tragedy And Triumph

Co-Publisher Co-Publisher Chief Operating Officer Executive Editor Editor-in-Chief Western Editor Managing Editor Associate Editor Associate Editor Production Manager Ad Production Coordinator Circulation Director

David H. Ramsey David (DK) Knight Dianne C. Sullivan David (DK) Knight Rich Donnell Dan Shell David Abbott Jessica Johnson Jay Donnell Cindy Segrest Patti Campbell Rhonda Thomas

ADVERTISING CONTACTS DISPLAY SALES Eastern U.S. Kathy Sternenberg Tel: 251-928-4962 • Fax: 251-990-9409 219 Royal Lane Fairhope, AL 36532 E-mail: ksternenberg@bellsouth.net Midwest USA, Eastern Canada

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Christie Dixon Meeting The Challenge

out front:

They are the women of logging: hear them roar.

This issue focuses on three different women leading the way with their own companies: Christie Dixon, Heather Gates, Shirley Chason. (Jessica Johnson, David Abbott, Jay Donnell photos)

Cat Rollout D Series Intro

D E PA RT M E N T S Southern Stumpin’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Industry News Roundup . . . . . . . . . . 32 At The Margins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Machine Supplies Technology. . . . . . 44 IronWorks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Safety Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Coming Events/Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . 54

John Simmons Tel: 905-666-0258 • Fax: 905-666-0778 32 Foster Cres.

Whitby, Ontario, Canada L1R 1W1 E-mail: jsimmons@idirect.com Western Canada, Western USA Tim Shaddick Tel: 604-910-1826 • Fax: 604-264-1367 4056 West 10th Ave. Vancouver, BC V6L 1Z1 E-mail: tootall1@shaw.ca International Murray Brett Tel: +34 96 640 4165 Fax: +34 96 640 4022 Aldea de las Cuevas 66 Buzon 60 • 03759 Benidoleig (Alicante), Spain E-mail: murray.brett@abasol.net CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

Bridget DeVane Tel: 1-800-669-5613 • Fax: 334-834-4525

Southern Logginʼ Times (ISSN 0744-2106) is published monthly by Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc., 225 Hanrick St., Montgomery, AL 36104. Subscription Information—SLT is sent free to logging, pulpwood and chipping contractors and their supervisors; managers and supervisors of corporate-owned harvesting operations; wood suppliers; timber buyers; wood procurement and land management officials; industrial forestry purchasing agents; wholesale and retail forest equipment representatives and forest/logging association personnel in the U.S. South. See form elsewhere in this issue. All nonqualified U.S. subscriptions are $65 annually; $75 in Canada; $120 (Airmail) in all other countries (U.S. funds). Single copies, $5 each; special issues, $20 (U.S. funds). Subscription Inquiries—TOLLFREE 800-669-5613; Fax 888-611-4525. Go to www.southernloggintimes.com and click on the subscribe button to subscribe/renew via the web. All advertisements for Southern Logginʼ Times magazine are accepted and published by Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. with the understanding that the advertiser and/or advertising agency are authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The advertiser and/or advertising agency will defend, indemnify and hold Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. harmless from and against any loss, expenses, or other liability resulting from any claims or lawsuits for libel violations or right of privacy or publicity, plagiarism, copyright or trademark infringement and any other claims or lawsuits that may arise out of publication of such advertisement. Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. neither endorses nor makes any representation or guarantee as to the quality of goods and services advertised in Southern Logginʼ Times. Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to reject any advertisement which it deems inappropriate. Copyright ® 2014. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Ala. and at additional mailing offices.Printed In USA.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:Southern Logginʼ Times, P.O. Box 5613, Montgomery, AL 36103-5613 Member Verified Audit Circulation

Other Hatton-Brown publications: ★ Timber Processing ★ Timber Harvesting ★ Panel World ★ Power Equipment Trade ★ Wood Bioenergy

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SOUTHERN STUMPIN’

By Jessica Johnson • Associate Editor • Ph. 334-834-1170 • Fax: 334-834-4525 • E-mail: jessica@hattonbrown.com

A Takeover Of Sorts W

ell, you might have noticed that things are a little different around Southern Loggin’ Times this month. Don’t worry, the magazine still has the elements you love: news briefs, in-depth features, Bulletin Board and the Ironworks classified section. But, this month, the in-depth features showcase not just any logging crew from Georgia or Florida or South Carolina. Instead, they feature a very specific type of logging crew: ones owned and operated 100% by women.

Now, you may not remember this so I’ll give you a little refresher, but about a year ago right around this time, I took over David’s column while he was in Europe. Similar to what I’m doing right now, except he’s in the desk next to mine and not halfway around the world.

I talked about all the things that logging has taught me and shown me after spending my first year in the woods. The list was pretty expansive, and while I still think I am a city girl through and through, I’m a lot less City Slicker and a lot more meat and three with some lemonade than I ever was before.

One thing I’ve learned, as I enter year three of going into the woods and being part of the SLT crew, is how close and supportive people in this industry can be. I still need to brush up on my left and my right (I’ve yet to be able to live down my terrible sense of direction), as well as get better at not getting pulled over by various police forces, but I think overall, I’m a whole lot different than I once was. Gone are the days of timid little logging reporter Jessica Johnson who jumped at the sound of a Chambers DeLimbinator.

After I wrote that reflection about my first year, I got a lot of emails from different folks sharing pointers, pats on the back and “I remember my first time on the job…” stories. I will forever be grateful for those. In fact, I’ve got most of them saved on my computer for the days I need a little pick me up!

What I wasn’t expecting was the amount of other ladies in loggin’ that wrote in, telling me how similar (and different) it has been for them.

As the emails came in, an idea percolated. We spend every month praising the works of logging crews around the South, and men lead mostly all of them. These emails showed me that while every person, and every crew, is distinct, there are more than a few of us ladies who experience the same struggles.

These are struggles that the men don’t always understand—like the difficulty one might have, say, trying to “answer nature’s call” as a lady out in the woods. After awhile you can’t be embarrassed by nature, but there are some logistics that make it a little trickier for us…

As I read through the stories of the ladies in 6

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this issue I see a common theme: hard work with a whole lot of personality. Now, hard work isn’t exactly a strange concept to SLT readers, but the noteworthy challenges presented by the simple fact of being a woman in a man’s world, means a different level of hard work.

Logging is very much a good old boys world, or at least, it used to be. But like the world around us, things are constantly changing and women find themselves in positions they might otherwise not be in. As such, these ladies bring their own personalities and outlooks to the industry.

Just like the younger generation of men and their tech savvy ways—things like John Deere’s JD Link and Caterpillar’s Product Link—ladies bring a different perspective to getting down and dirty. And no, gentlemen, I’m not talking about donuts every morning for breakfast. Though that would be a totally awesome perk to spending all day in a skidder, wouldn’t it?

In addition to the three ladies featured in this issue, I spoke to several other women in different parts of our industry. Here’s what a few of them had to say about life, logging and being a lady.

Florida’s Lynetta Griner Logger Lynetta Griner, current President of the Florida Forestry Assn. (FFA), has been around logging her entire life—her family’s business has been around for 90 years. She operates her business like a family, giving everyone a voice. This democratic take, in addition to her active role in associations and charitable efforts (the family produces the Tommy Usher Log-a-Load for Kids Golf Tournament) has gotten Griner attention in the last few years.

Ken and Lynetta Griner

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Recently, the state of Florida named her the 2013 Woman of the Year in Agriculture.

Like many, Griner had an interesting start to running a logging company. She says that she was familiar but not involved with the business, while her husband was not at all. Everything changed 25 years ago when her only brother was killed in a boating accident. Tommy had been running the family’s business and with his death, Griner and her husband decided to leave their respective careers to take charge.

“We had ‘on the job’ training, and we found the people in this industry extremely encouraging and welcoming. We’ve never looked back or second-guessed our decision and have been blessed beyond measure,” she says. Humble and smart, it’s easy to see why this lady in logging was named the first female president of the FFA in the organization’s history.

Georgia’s Tori Gilliard Nineteen year-old Tori Gilliard runs the office for her father’s logging operation, Gilliard Logging, in Nicholls, Ga., while also attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga. Her responsibilities include keeping all the books, doing payroll, preparing tax paperwork Tori Gilliard for the accountant, paying the bills, ordering parts, picking up parts and, in cases of emergency, taking them to the woods.

Gilliard, like many of the younger generation, is tech savvy and applies that to the business. She has a laptop set up with a wireless printer, allowing her to take it to the woods where the crew is working and to do the payroll there if needed. But she isn’t just an office worker. Gilliard can work just about every piece of equipment on the job and fills in where she’s needed, doing everything from moving trailers when they are loaded for the next semi to pick up, to replacing unloaded trailers at

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the loader, to tightening chains and skidding.

Gilliard can do it all.

She really enjoys the work and loves the fact that she can spend all day in the woods working along side her father, who will one day be passing the company on to her. Gilliard is working toward getting her bachelor’s degree to become a CPA, which she believes will help her run the business better. Since she manages the books, her father knows to check with her whenever he gets a “wild notion,” as she calls it, thinking that he might want to buy a new piece of machinery.

Tennessee’s Candace Dinwiddie Starting out a secretary in 1987, Candace Dinwiddie climbed the ladder so to speak, and is now the Executive Director of the Tennessee Forestry Assn., a position she has held since 1992. “I’ve seen many changes throughout the years,” she says, but one thing stays constant for her:

Candace Dinwiddie

“I’ve been accepted by everyone.”

Dinwiddie doesn’t notice anything different, being a lady. She says she approaches everything with common sense. Her common sense approach, along with a caring nature, has gotten Dinwiddie respect in Tennessee. She cares about the logging community in the state and wants to make sure that its loggers are well taken care of. “They are the backbone of our industry,” she believes, and she truly values what loggers do for their communities.

Georgia’s Sheila Walker Sheila Walker, called “Lil’ Moma” by most, is a trucker, and all around hand, for her father’s logging company, J.D. Gordon, in Gray, Ga. She’s as feisty as they come. “I definitely do not let the men run over me,” she says. But she is also quick to point out that she’s not just looking out for herself, like many drivers do: “I’ve backed another man’s truck under the crane for him before, because he was having difficulty and the men in line wouldn’t help him!”

Walker works like a man during the week, she says, so she can be a lady on the weekends. She can run both the loader and the chainsaw, and will load herself if the crew has yet to come in the morning when she’s ready or after they have gone home in the evenings. Walker gives it 150% and then some.

Louisiana’s Johnnie Davis Johnnie Davis started out as many do in this industry. She had one old 1991 Mack truck, and grew her company to three Macks that contract hauled for her son’s logging operation. After retiring from a real estate and a trucking related business, she decided she wasn’t exactly done working and began the contract hauling business. Now, at 70 years old, she says that her days are filled with ups and downs and not nearly enough money.

Recently, however, one of her drivers purchased the business from her, and she is now the Administrative Manager of LPC Transport in Jonesboro, La., which is essentially her former company, Greer Diversified. The new company operates very similar to hers, including contract hauling for her son’s logging operation.

“It is time to bring awareness that women are as capable as men at operating a business,” she says.

Davis spends her days overseeing the trucks, which includes running parts, chasing down drivers, paying the bills and sometimes being a little overwhelmed. But, like most everyone, Davis loves the challenges and can’t see herSLT self doing anything else.

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Heather Gates and her crew haul out at least 28 loads a week to multiple outlets.

Anything He Can Do...

■ Logging isn’t just a man’s world, according to young entrepreneur Heather Gates.

By David Abbott LEXINGTON, SC ack in February ★ this year racing legend Richard Petty caused a stir with comments he made about female driver Danica Patrick. When asked

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if she ever had a chance of winning a Sprint Cup race, he replied: “Only if everybody else stayed home.” To be fair, Petty was making an appraisal of Ms. Patrick’s driving skills specifically, not necessarily a broader commentary on the relative merits of female drivers. Still, it sounded sexist, and it

made a good narrative for the media to spin. And whether the King meant it that way or not, doubtless there is no shortage of fans who do hold the opinion: NASCAR is a man’s world, no girls allowed (not behind the wheel, anyway).

Likewise, there are undoubtedly

those who might think something similar about logging, another traditionally male-dominated profession.

Typically, a woman’s involvement with the business is limited to the crucial but behind-the-scenes bookwork. To some, maybe that’s how it should be; they might think women belong at home cooking and cleaning and taking care of kids, or perhaps working in an office somewhere. To those people, Heather Gates would like to beg to differ.

Gates, 29, is the owner of PSCC Logging, Clearing & Tree Service, LLC. An industry minority in more than one way, the young entrepreneur did not grow up in logging, and she didn’t start out working for a family member. In fact, her story is quite the opposite.

Fully Involved She started buying used equipment from loggers going out of business.

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Her dad, Marty Gates, worked as a sawyer at Corley ML & Sons Sawmill in Lexington, SC, for more

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than 25 years. It was a family tradition—Marty’s dad and all his brothers had worked there as well, as did several of their children.

Whenever she could, Heather wanted to go to work with her dad, and he taught her how to run the saw. “I loved it,” she recalls. “We sat in this little box. I got tickled to death. Those were my greatest memories. I was definitely a daddy’s girl.”

As she grew up, she continued to enjoy playing with boys’ toys.

“I knew when to be a tomboy and I knew when to be a princess, but I thought dirt bikes and four wheelers were more fun than Barbies.”

After high school, she briefly tried her hand at managing a store for a family member—a job that started out as only part-time help— but soon realized that wasn’t the vocation for her. “I don’t like being cooped up, so I started my own thing.”

A close friend, Brian Jones, already had a construction company that handled some road grading, clearing and reforestation work. He needed to find someone to handle tree removal ahead of his crews.

Heather had saved some money to invest, so she decided it might as well be her. She started in 2006 with a Timberjack 460, a Hood loader and chain saws.

Gates isn’t just the woman with her name on the company papers, running things from the office.

“She’s 100% there,” Jones says of her. “She knows all the legalities, the books, the insurance, but she also gets up underneath the trucks and doesn’t mind getting a little dirty. ” Although much of her time is spent overseeing things and making deals, she can and will run any piece of equipment she owns—and school the boys on how to do it right. “The guys get mad and say ‘you make us look bad,’” she grins. “I say, well then do something about it—drive better.”

Left to right: Jonathan Stroman, Heather Gates, Brian Jones

Left to right: Clark Greenwood, James Rogers, Marty Gates, Scott Proper

Opportunity In Misfortune Not only Heather’s dad but several of her other family members worked for the sawmill when it shut down in 2008. That mill closure became the catalyst for taking the company to the next level.

Heather hired her recently unemployed father, her cousin James Rogers and her brother Dylon Gates to work for her and help expand the fledgling business. At the time she was driving a skid steer and dump truck on the thensmall jobs. With the addition of a full slate of operators, she was able to add more equipment—first a skidder, then a loader, both of

Head truck driver Milton Wallace has been with Gates almost from the start.

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The Timberking was one of the first newer pieces she bought early on.

which are still in use. “It doesn’t look good, but it runs and it’s strong.”

With the overall economy crashing at the time and forest products in particular taking a beating, Gates admits it wasn’t the best time to get into logging. As a fireman runs into a burning building while everyone else is running out, she was buying equipment when others were selling. But this, too, presented opportunity. She was able to get good deals in acquiring several pieces from loggers going out of business. There were some rough times and sleepless nights for the first few years, but the rookie girl hung tough and made it work in a time when a lot of others couldn’t.

gers or from Tidewater Equipment in Prosperity and Blanchard Machinery in Columbia. The crew also has 20 Husqvarna and Stihl chain saws and pole saws for trimming trucks.

She owns a Freightliner and a Volvo truck with three log trail-

ers—two Evans and a Big John— and a Trail King lowboy. When needed on larger tracts she sometimes leases additional trucks. She uses her own drivers and prefers to avoid hiring contract haulers. “If you use your own guys they are more apt to do it the way you

want,” she says. “Contract haulers work their own hours, or show up late if they show up at all.”

R&M Since her brother moved on to another career recently, mechanic

Operations Today Gates has one full-scale logging crew using a Prentice 2384 loader with CTR delimber/slasher, Timberking 360 cutter, John Deere 848G-III skidder, Tigercat 630C skidder and 726 cutter and a Hood 2400 loader. When needed, she can divide the equipment into two crews. She has purchased most of her machinery used from other log12

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Head mechanic Roger Clark handles most repairs and maintenance, working at the shop or in the field.

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Roger Clark works on all the machines at the shop. Crew operators handle routine change of hydraulic filters, fluids, hoses, and so on, but Clark handles all bigger repairs in the field or in the shop.

Every morning she requires truck drivers to do a pre-trip check for fluid levels, tire pressure and such.

Equipment operators have a similar pre-work checklist, ensuring machines are in order and they have spare hoses and so on.

Sometimes repairs have to be done in the field, of course. Once, a Komatsu D39 dozer died in the middle of the truck road, blocking all loads from going out. Linder Equipment in Columbia—from which Heather had bought a Komatsu PC228—had no replacement parts for it in stock, so to get her back up running as soon as possible, they pulled what was needed off another machine to get the dozer out of the way so production could continue. “They’re awesome guys,” she says of the Linder team.

Small Crew A second, smaller PSCC crew handles the “tree service” side of the business, such as removing storm-felled trees, close-quarter

take downs, small tracts of timber and extremely large timber that the feller-bunchers can’t cut. This includes some work in residential yards. It uses a Cat 277 tracked skid steer, a 1992 GMC dump truck, and a Cat bush hog with grapple buckets and various other attachments.

“The big crew has fixed costs, so it must have 28 loads of wood to even move on the job,” Jones says.

“It’s not economical.” This is where the small crew comes in to play.

Homeowners don’t have to pay out of pocket, unless they want extra cleanup. PSCC stockpiles those individual stems until there is enough to make a load, recouping its costs that way.

The small crew gets a lot of work by simple word of mouth, and it’s also good for growing the business as a whole. “I try to get out in the community to get the name out there,” Gates notes. For instance, she has a booth presence at Sportsman’s Classic and similar outdoor events.

Synergies At the management level, Gates works closely with her friend Brian Jones. His companies, PSCC ➤ 40

Logging Life L

ike many of her peers today, Heather Gates is both proud of her industry and concerned about its public image. Lying awake late one night, she dreamed up a novel approach to improving that image: clothes.

She took 500 pictures of her Tigercat skidder and from that eventually developed a logo design for what she calls “Logging Life” clothing line. She started the side company in 2013, registered the trademark and built a website, logginglifeapparel.com.

Gates’ t-shirts are available from She started with 100 tlogginglifeapparel.com. shirts and sold all but 20 of them at the local Sportsman’s Classic last year. “We could have probably sold 150 but too many of the men wanted XX-Large sizes.” With several styles available, she’s also sold a lot in pink colors to women.

Other items are now in production: stickers, hats, chaps. She’s working on getting the line in some local stores. “Maybe this will start someSLT thing,” she hopes.

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Moving Ahead ■ Shirley Chason has overcome difficult challenges in logging and life.

Donald Smith Logging maintains an impressive lineup of John Deere equipment.

By Jay Donnell CARRABELLE, Fla. hen Shirley Chason took ★ over her husband’s logging business back in 2000, she knew tough times were ahead.

Shirley’s husband, Donald Smith, started Donald Smith Logging Inc. in 1988 with a contract from St. Joe Timberland. The business was going strong until his death on July 2, 2000. “I decided to try and run it because it’s all I ever knew,” Shirley says. “We had some bumpy times there for a while, but Edward Chason and I married in 2002 and we decided we were going to make something out of it.”

Edward, 52, was a truck driver for Donald Smith Logging when he met Shirley and he now manages the trucking operations for the com-

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Shirley and Edward Chason keep Donald Smith Logging running strong.

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pany. He also does a lot of the company’s maintenance work.

Shirley, 61, became president of the company and she hasn’t looked back. She does all of the bookkeeping for Donald Smith Logging and the company now works with AgReserves to find timberland. She believes the relationship has been nothing but professional.

“When I started off it was really tough trying to be a woman in the business and trying to get on the same page as everyone else, but we did and we worked hard,” Shirley explains. “The logging industry is kind of a man’s world and 14 years ago it was really a man’s world so that was a struggle starting out, but we feel like we’ve proved ourselves in this business.”

Shirley credits Lucas Morgan of St. Joe Timberland for helping her through some of the growing pains

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The company owns six trucks including two Western Stars and four Kenworths.

2013 John Deere 643K feller-buncher gets the job done for Donald Smith Logging.

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2013 John Deere 648H skidder has been a nice addition for Donald Smith Logging.

of running a logging business. “He helped me out tremendously when I was still new to the business,” she says.

Production When Southern Loggin’ Times visited Donald Smith Logging, they were clear-cutting around 100 acres.

The land used to belong to St. Joe Timberland, but they sold it and nearly 400,000 acres in northwest Florida to AgReserves last November.

“It’s been a smooth transition for us,” Shirley explains. Jeffrey Furr

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of AgReserves works as the company’s forester. He agrees that the changeover from St. Joe to AgReserves has gone well and adds, “We’ve enjoyed working with Donald Smith Logging.”

AgReserves has Donald Smith Logging on an 85 load weekly quota, though some weeks they’ll haul more than 100 loads. There was a time when it was considerably more.

Shortly before Donald Smith passed away the company ran three crews, but after he died the economy began to take a plunge. “We had to get rid of a bunch of equipment and trucks.

It was rough,” Shirley says.

Shirley believes it was around 2000 when the business really started to see the effects of a dwindling economy, which combined with her husband’s death forced a change of operation. At the time, the company had four feller-bunchers, eight skidders and three loaders. “Two crews of men lost their jobs, but they did go on to find other jobs. We also had to let three trucks and four trailers go back,” Shirley explains.

These days, business is doing much better. “We aren’t the smartest loggers out there, but we might be the

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most determined.”

Today, Donald Smith Logging runs one crew with four members.

“I like the business where it is right now because it’s more manageable.

I can’t see getting a crew as good as the one we have now,” Shirley says.

The sorts include chip-n-saw and pine pulpwood that goes to and through Rex Lumber in Bristol, Fla. and Spanish Trail Lumber in Marianna, Fla. One of the biggest challenges Donald Smith Logging has faced is the rising fuel costs. The company hauls some of its wood more than

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100 miles so fuel prices are very important, as with all loggers.

Employees are on site at 7 a.m. and leave whenever the trucks get in and out. Shirley and Edward can be on site from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on some days.

Safety is of the utmost importance to Shirley, Edward and the crew members and the company has had good luck with it. “We haven’t had any problems with safety and we talk about it pretty much every day,” Shirley explains.

Equipment Lineup Donald Smith Logging purchases most of its equipment from Beard Equipment of Panama City, Fla. The company runs a 2013 John Deere 643K feller-buncher, 2013 John Deere 648H skidder, 2011 John Deere 648H skidder, 2001 463 Timberjack skidder and a John Deere 2012 437D loader with a CSI 264 delimber. Earl McAnally is the loader operator and he also helps Shirley take care of day-to-day operations.

Earl’s son, Zachery, run the 643K feller-buncher, Barry Smith is the 468H skidder operator and James Dempsey operates another skidder.

Edward reports that working with John Deere has been good for busi-

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The company hauls around 85 loads per week for AgReserves.

ness. “We’ve had minimal breakdowns and John Deere has a good service team when you need it. Our dealers really look out for us,” Edward explains.

The company maintains a shop in Carrabelle and most of the maintenance is done there by Edward. He gets help from Thorne Wheeler who also works in the shop. Almost all of the maintenance gets done on Fridays.

Along with maintaining the equipment, Edward directs the truck drivers. The company owns six trucks

including two Western Stars and four Kenworths. Donald Smith Logging prefers Roadmaster tires. “We’re running a lot of Roadmasters because of the price,” Edward says, adding, “and we stay behind Delo for our oil.”

One of the bigger challenges for the company has been finding and keeping reliable truck drivers.

“There are a lot of people out there looking for good truck drivers especially in this area,” Edward says.

Shirley is a member of the Southeastern Wood Producers Assn. She and Edward have not only shared

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their working interests since their marriage in 2002, but they also enjoy fresh water fishing and many other outdoor activities.

When she started out in the business she had her doubts about being able to make it in a business where men tended to rule. With the help of Edward and a lot of commitment and dedication, she was able to persevere.

“It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but we feel like we’ve proven ourselves to be good loggers,” Shirley says. “I wouldn’t SLT want to be anywhere else.”

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Rising To The Occasion ■ Georgia’s Christie Dixon didn’t think twice before she stepped up and ran her husband’s crew.

By Jessica Johnson JESUP, Ga. hristie Dixon, 54, is both exactly what you would expect a ★ female logger to be like and exactly what you wouldn’t expect a female logger to be like. She’s a complete pit bull when it comes to her logging operation, Dixon Timber Co., but she’s also a complete girly girl that loves talking about her granddaughter Ramsey’s beauty pageants.

Quick to say that her hands wash just as well, and as easily, as anyone else’s, Dixon isn’t afraid to get dirty.

She knows she’s a female logger and that in and of itself is a challenge.

But not one she’s shied away from.

“If something breaks down and I The family behind Dixon Timber Co., from left, Ronnie Coggins, Christy Coggins, Christie Dixon and Ronnie Dixon need to get down and get greasy,

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Dixon Timber Co. moves about 70 to 80 loads a week with only two or three trucks.

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Foreman Ronnie Coggins runs the Prentice loader, but crew uses a set out truck to load trailers, allowing contract haulers to “hook and go” near the job site entrance.

that’s fine. If I need to get parts or help lift something, I will. I am not above doing anything out here,” she says.

This attitude has served her well since taking over the logging operation from her husband, who had to step down after some health problems sidelined him in 2011. Dixon, not one to be told “No, you can’t do this,” dove head first into running the crew.

She doesn’t come from a logging background. In fact, even when her husband was at the helm of the business, she really didn’t pay it much mind. But when faced with the decision to close down or keep going with her in charge, she pulled back her hair and took over.

“You can’t come out here and be all prissy. You’ll lose all respect.

You have to stand up and do what

The Dixon Timber Co. crew, from left, Ronnie Coggins, Daniel Roberts, Jason Medders and Joshua Hersey

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needs to be done. If it means getting on that skidder, you do whatever it takes. It’s a hard job, not everybody can do this and not every woman is cut out to do this,” Dixon says.

For Dixon, as with anyone coming out to the woods for the first time, there was a sharp learning curve. But she overcame it, learned her way and now runs a very solid crew. She says, “You can’t be afraid of getting dirty and you can’t be afraid of hard work.”

Her hard work has paid off as Dixon Timber Co. sees success by being a contractor for Beach Timber Co. in Alma, Ga. A contract they earned with her hard work behind the scenes and the hard work of her crew, led in the woods by her son, crew foreman Ronnie Coggins, 35.

Coggins had no knowledge of logging when he came into the business. Dixon says, “He has worked extremely hard to master the concept. I am so very proud of him. He has stepped up and taken the bull by the horns. We are a good team.”

their part of the warranty and keeps her crew productive by providing a spare feller-buncher when hers is in the shop.

Equipment is greased twice a week. Service is done every 250 to 300 hours. Coggins oversees the mechanic work, but operators are responsible for servicing their own machines. All maintenance is done in the woods, assisted by a service truck outfitted with an air compressor, grease gun and hand tools.

Murray Oil and Gas in Surrency, Ga. provides oil and grease.

Since most of the equipment is under warranty, parts come from Yancey mainly, though Dixon tries to keep a few spare parts in the service truck to help cut down lost time. Sometimes being so far out, it’s not feasible to run parts back and forth all day.

Job Site

Safety Even though she’s only been out in the woods for three years, Dixon both feels like a veteran and knows she’s got a lot to learn, which is partly why safety is so important to her. She stresses safety above anything else in the woods. “It’s a way of life out here,” she says, noting that dangerous conditions don’t scare her, but she wants her crew to be aware and conscious of the risks.

“I don’t want to be the one to call their wife or girlfriend or tell their children their daddy isn’t going to be home tonight. I don’t want that—so safety is our number one priority,” she explains. While safety meetings are technically only held monthly, both Coggins and Dixon on a daily basis pay attention to the crew’s working conditions to make sure it’s as safe as possible.

Dixon has had some problems with the 573C feller-buncher, but it still gets high production.

Equipment Dixon Timber uses all Caterpillar equipment, with the exception of a Prentice loader, purchased through Yancey Brothers in Waycross, Ga. The crew runs a 2012 573C fellerbuncher, 2011 535C skidder, 2013 525B skidder, with a 384 Prentice loader. The crew also keeps two Husqvarna pole saws to trim trucks and three Husqvarna chain saws, to use as needed.

Yancey performs all major service work on the machines, and since the machines are still under warranty, the dealership handles pretty much everything. Dixon reports that she has had some problems with the feller-buncher, but Yancey upholds 22

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The ladies of the operation don’t take any nonsense, and make sure to watch the pennies.

As Dixon says, “Pennies make dollars.”

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The operation’s home base is in Jesup and the crew is usually working anywhere within about a 40-75 miles radius from there. The crew can do it all, and doesn’t have a problem handling multiple sorts.

“The mill is our customer and we have to keep our customer happy,” Dixon says, “Not only is Beach my customer but the landowners are too. We try to work with the landowners. We bend over backwards to make sure the landowner is happy.”

Dixon and Coggins both take pride in what they’ve built over the last few years, so they want to make sure they keep the customers happy.

At the end of the day Dixon says, “If the landowner isn’t happy, Beach isn’t going to be happy and then momma isn’t going to be happy.” Nobody wants momma to be unhappy!

“We need 70 loads to cover expenses on a weekly basis,” Dixon reports. “But with only two or three trucks? That’s pushing a lot of wood,” she says with pride.

“Smokey the Set Out” truck moves trailers around the landing, so all the trucks have to do is hook and go. Trucking is contracted through Boatright Trucking in Alma, Ga. Boatright has had the contract for about four months and Dixon and Coggins couldn’t be more pleased with how it is working out.

Most of the mills Dixon hauls to close early, so the crew usually finishes up around dark each day. Boatright gets started early in the mornings, so the crew makes sure to have a few trailers loaded each night before leaving.

Dixon has found that it is better for trucks to drop and hook near the entrance to the site, instead of pulling up to the landing. That way

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drivers aren’t in the way of the loader, cutting down on the possibility of an accident. “Anything can happen at the loader,” Dixon says with emphasis.

Employee Relations Dixon does a lot to keep her employees safe, but she also wants to keep them happy. In 2011, when she and Coggins got their heads together and decided to not only take over the business, but make it the best it could be, they decided

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they needed to hire (and keep) the best employees.

“To be able to keep good people, most of them want to know what they will have coming in every week,” she points out, so instead of production based bonuses or an hourly wage, Dixon Timber Co. operators make a salary. She justifies paying them a salary rather easily, saying, they are paid a lot of money to work out in the woods, but they are making her money so it evens out.

The economy is tough for every-

one and Dixon is no exception, but if they have a particularly good month she isn’t above adding a small production bonus to the crew’s salaries. “Maybe we’ve got a different philosophy, but if it’s there I’m going to share it with my employees,” she says.

This helps show the crew that they realizes how hard it can be working out in the woods and supporting a family. “They are happy, so I’m happy,” she says, “They do an excellent job.” In the end, for Dixon, that’s what matters. The crew

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includes Coggins, Daniel Roberts, Jason Medders and Joshua Hersey.

Bookkeeping Bookkeeping is handled by Coggins’ wife, Christy, 35, who works full time with Beach Timber Co. and at night handles all of Dixon Timber’s books. She has officially been with the logging operation for about four months, which Dixon says helps her out tremendously.

Like Dixon, her daughter-in-law had a lot to learn about the woods when she first started.

“She’s a bookkeeper. She’d say why aren’t you doing this, can’t you do that? But she took the time to come out here, to see the interworkings, because it’s not what people think,” Dixon explains.

Now, the two ladies are what you might call a dynamic duo and keep a very tight leash on not only the books of the operation, but the logging crew itself.

“Christy is our grounding rod,” Dixon says, “She can take a pencil and whip you into shape.”

Dixon says, for her, there was not enough time in the day to juggle being out in the woods and doing the books. “You just can’t do it all yourself,” she believes, “If you are doing it yourself, you don’t have a good handle on it.

Pennies make dollars—that’s a lesson well learned.” Christy watches every penny the operation has, and tries to make certain pennies are well spent.

Being a lady in the woods can be a good thing, Dixon believes, because she looks at things a little differently. She looks at the bigger picture, and doesn’t have a problem with being part of the good old boys club. She also looks at her business and knows that if she really needs help, she can ask her husband or brother in law, also a logger in the area, for advice, but at the end of the day, it’s hers.

“This is Ronnie and Christy’s future. You’ve got to have that picture of where you want to be. It’s got to all work together. I do one thing, Ronnie does one thing and Christy does one thing,” she says.

She very much cares about her family, as evidenced by her little 5 year-old shadow, Ramsey, dressed exactly like her in boots and jeans watching from the pick up as a trailer gets loaded. She also knows that for the men to respect her, she’s got to not wear her heart on her sleeve or be emotional.

Out in the woods Coggins is her foreman, not her son: “We talk to each other like business partners.

Sometimes conversations are heated, but we work through it. At the end of the day, it's always about what's best for our company.” SLT

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CFP Launches Tier 4f D Series Skidders H osting a large gathering of dealers, sales personnel, customers and media representatives, Caterpillar Forest Products (CFP) on June 24-25 officially rolled out its new high-tech D Series skidders, the industry’s first such machines equipped with lower emissions Tier 4f engines. The event was held at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center in Peachtree City, Ga. and included tours of the CFP plant in nearby LaGrange and a machine demonstration.

Delivering more power while holding the line on fuel consumption, the D Series skidders are acclaimed as delivering much more than the C Series, which came out in 2006. CFP contends the machines are more productive, versatile, stable and agile; that they give an improved ride; that the cab is quiet, roomy and cool; and that they’re easier to service.

In a brief session with members of the trade press, CFP President Kevin Thieneman said: “We’ve looked at a lot of data and we understand where the issues have been in the past and we feel like we’ve fixed them. I’m very confident that we will have the best quality tractor in the industry.”

The line includes Cat’s traditional three models—525D, 535D and 545D—that are now complemented by a fourth, a 275 HP 555D, which CFP insiders refer to as the “triple nickel.” Designed for use in demanding terrain and/or heavy-duty applications, Thieneman indicated the largest model may turn out to be more in demand than originally thought.

Dealers from around the world seemed to like what they found. Greg Callahan, forest products sales manager with Georgia-based Yancey Bros., noted the improvements. “It’s a whole new machine compared to what we had with the C series and I really like what it has to offer,” he said. “It’s a more productive machine than what we’ve had in the past.”

Many dealers came away impressed with the total event that Caterpillar put on, including Peter Collins, forestry products manager at Milton Cat in the Northeast. “I’ve worked for Cat for 32 years and I thought it was one of the best events I’ve attended,” Collins said.

All models are powered by the Cat C7.1 ACERT engine, which meets U.S. EPA Tier 4f emissions standards, as well as similar standards in Europe. A high capacity cooling system that incorporates a cross-flow, automatically reversing, hydraulically driven fan, keeps the engine at the proper temperature, enhancing fuel efficiency, performance and durabili-

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The new Cat D Series wheel skidder impressed the crowd.

People came from all over the world to see the new D series.

Cat 324D equipped with SATCO 323T Processor Head

Customers and dealers gathered in LaGrange for the demo.

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ty. The system helps keep woody debris from building up. This, along with engine and cooling system compartmentalization, help dampen the threat of fire.

All models also come standard equipped with Product Link hardware, Caterpillar’s remote machine monitoring system for pinpointing fuel use, idle time, engine performance; tracking machine health and providing other important capabilities. According to Thieneman, loggers who embrace this technology can achieve greater machine uptime and significantly reduce operating costs and thus become more profitable. He noted that if loggers are hesitant to embrace it, they can turn to their dealers, who will use it to monitor their machines for a reasonable monthly fee.

As the D Series was being developed across a 54-month period, CFP sought input from customers and dealers through its Wheel Skidder Product Council. Several customers in the U.S. and Canada served as pilot operators, suggesting changes or additions. “One of our biggest points of emphasis has been listening to customers and addressing their needs,” Thieneman said.

At a demo, customers and dealers watched the new skidders operate in conjunction with a Cat 559C knuckleboom loader mated with a 426 pullthrough delimber and a Cat 324D forest machine equipped with SATCO 323T processor. Also shown working in a separate setting was a Cat 585C site prep tractor fitted with a mulching head.

Caterpillar opened the LaGrange facility, which employs about 500, in 1997 with a focus on wheel skidder assembly. Fabrication work was later incorporated and the facility has been expanded several times. Today all Cat wheel skidders, all wheel and tracktype feller-bunchers, and all forestry SLT machines are built there.

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Places I Have Been

Another Reason Why

I have been in many places, but I’ve rarely been in Cahoots.

Apparently, you can’t go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I’ve never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane, by car, as you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I’m not that physically active anymore.

I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there very often.

Sometimes I am in Capable, and I go there more as the years zip by.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get.

And, sometimes I muse about being in Vincible, but life shows me I am not.

People keep telling me I’m in Denial but I’m positive I’ve never been there before.

So far, I haven’t been in Continent; but my travel agent says I’ll be going soon.

He’s still learning to shave, to start a conversation with a pretty girl. He still hasn’t figured out that a baseball cap has a brim to shade his eyes, not the back of his head.

These are all great reasons to keep our kids at home to learn a little more about life before sending them off into harm’s way. Let us old guys track down those terrorists. The last thing an enemy would want to see is a couple of million pissed off old farts with bad attitudes and automatic weapons, who know that their best years are already behind them.

HEY! How about recruiting women over 50...in menopause!! You think men have attitudes? If nothing else, put them on border patrol. They’d have it secured the first night.

Timeless Questions

Why do supermarkets make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while the healthy can buy cigarettes up front?

Why do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries and a diet soft drink?

Why do banks leave vault doors open and chain their pens to the counters?

Why do we leave our $50,000 SUVs in our driveways and put our useless junk in the garage?

Why does the sun lighten our hair but darken our skin?

Why are there commercials for toilet paper?

This is yet another reason why women outlive men. As Forrest Gump would say, “Stupid is as (Doesn’t everybody need it?) stupid does.”

I am over 60 and the military thinks I’m too old to Why can’t women apply mascara with their mouth track down terrorists. You can’t be older than 42 to closed? join the military. They’ve got the whole thing ass-backwards.

Why don’t you ever see the headline, ‘Psychic Wins Lottery’?

Instead of sending 18-year-olds off to fight, they ought to take us old Why is ‘abbreviated’ such a long word? guys. You shouldn’t be able to join a military unit until you’re at least 35.

Why is it that doctors and attorneys call what they do ‘practice’?

For starters, researchers say 18-year-olds think about sex every 10 secWhy is an investment specialist called a broker? onds. Old guys only think about sex a couple of times a month, leaving us Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour? more than 280,000 additional seconds per day to concentrate on the Why isn’t there a mouse-flavored cat food? enemy.

Why didn’t Noah swat those two mosquitoes?

Young guys haven’t lived long enough to be cranky, and a cranky solWhy do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections? dier is a dangerous soldier—“My back hurts! I can’t sleep, I’m tired and hungry.” We are ill-tempered and impatient, and maybe letting us kill some butthead that desperately deserves it will make us feel better and Last Saturday morning the weather was too bad to go fishing, so I shut us up for a while. quickly became bored.

An 18-year-old doesn’t even like to get up before 10 a.m. Old guys There was a knock on the door. I opened it to find a well-dressed always get up early to pee, so what the hell? Besides, like I said, I’m tired young man standing there. He said, “Hello sir, I’m a Jehovah’s Witness.” and can’t sleep and since I’m already up, I may as well be up killing some With a hint of reluctance I said, “Come in and sit fanatical SOB. down.”

If captured we couldn’t spill the beans because we’d I offered him a cup of coffee. He accepted the offer, forget where we put them. In fact, name, rank, and serial doctored his drink, and settled in. I asked, “What do number alone would be a real brainteaser. you want to talk about?” After a few seconds he Boot camp would be easier for old guys. We’re used shrugged and said, “Beats me. Nobody ever let me in to getting screamed and yelled at and we’re used to before.” soft food. We’ve also developed an appreciation for guns. We’ve been using them for years as an excuse to get out of the house, away from the screaming and yelling.

An elderly Texan collapsed and was rushed to the They could lighten up on the obstacle course, howevemergency room via ambulance. After a while the ER er. I’ve been in combat and never saw a single 20-foot doctor appeared wearing a long face.”I’m sorry to wall with rope hanging over the side, nor did I ever do We don’t know who worked up this report that Mr. Jones is brain-dead, but his heart is still any pushups after completing basic training. wooden drum set, but it had to be a very beating,” he told the family.

Actually, the running part is kind of a waste of enertalented logger, no doubt with a bent toward music.

“Oh, dear,” cried his wife. “We’ve never had a liberal gy, too. I’ve never seen anyone outrun a bullet. in the family before!”

An 18-year-old has the whole world ahead of him.

Drafting Guys Over 60

Surprise, Surprise!

Wooden Drum Set

The Elderly Texan

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INDUSTRY NEWS ROUNDUP As We See It—Social Hypocrisy

D

o you know where the products you use and the food you eat come from?

Chances are good that if you live in rural America you probably Nelson do. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Americans who live in heavily populated locations have no clue where the products they use come from, nor do they want to know, either out of ignorance or out of a sense of ideology that somehow they are protecting our planet.

Recently I saw a flyer in our local paper for a national pharmacy, which advertised some “tree free” products that they were offering.

This prompted me to wonder how many other companies were catering to the “green movement” because it is the “in” thing to do.

For many, the belief is that timber harvests lead to the destruction of the environment and our planet, even though science has proven that sustainably managed timber har-

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vests do the exact opposite because a well-managed forest is a healthy forest. Many times the science is irrelevant to these people, as it is more of a cause to believe in than what is proven right or wrong.

We’ve all seen or heard of numerous examples that range from animal rights activists who eat meat or wear leather to the tree huggers who use countless products that are derived from wood. The example that I find the most ironic are movie stars or singers who use fame as an opportunity to spout rhetoric about their concern for the environment as they board private jets, or how they object to commercial timber harvesting and yet live in multi-million dollar mansions.

Hypocrisy is the first word that comes to mind!

There will always be those that say one thing publicly and do just the opposite privately. Many of our elected officials have made a career out of doing just that over the years.

The problem is that these are the people that are making decisions or

influencing the decision making process that affects the lives of all of us who work in natural resourcerelated fields or live in rural America. For every one of us who lives, works, or recreates in rural America, there are countless more that do not, yet they are making decisions that affect how we live or work because they have the numbers.

The farming community has overcome many of the same issues in the past by educating the public on what farmers do and why they do it. The public’s perception of a given industry may not always be positive or correct, but it is powerful. If the timber industry is ever to be perceived for anything but what it is now, we must all do our part to educate the public and our elected officials on what we do and why we do it. Every person in this country uses products derived from wood in one fashion or another every day, whether they care to admit it or not.

If we all made a concerted effort to educate those that either don’t like our industry or just don’t understand it, then just maybe the next decision they make regarding it will be positive rather than negative.

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Nelson is president of the American Loggers Council and he and his brother David and father Marvin own and operate Marvin Nelson Forest Products, Inc., Cornell, Mich. The American Loggers Council is a non-profit 501(c) (6) corporation representing professional timber harvesters in 30 states. Visit americanloggers.org or phone 409-625-0206.

Innovator Jim Leist Memorialized May 24 Family, friends and associates of Jim Leist, a well-known and respected Weyerhaeuser forest engineer in the South, gathered to remember him May 24 in Hattiesburg, Miss. Leist, who had suffered from leukemia for many years, died May 21 of an embolism, which was not believed connected with his leukemia, reportedly in remission at the time of his death. He was 54.

Leist spent his entire 32-year career with Weyerhaeuser, joining the company after earning his forest engineering degree at Auburn University in 1982. At the time of his death he was Director of Marketing

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for Southern Timberlands. Prior positions included Timberlands Manager for the MississippiLouisiana Region; Southern Timberlands Harvesting Functional Leader; and Mississippi-Alabama Regional Harvesting Manager.

A registered forester in Oklahoma, Mississippi and Alabama, Leist often undertook special assignments and projects and typically excelled in them. He was an innovator, his work leading to two patents held by Weyerhaeuser for a biomass harvesting head and a mobile biomass

baler. One of the highlights of his career was receiving the Weyerhaeuser President’s Award, which recognized his work in contractor safety development.

He was a very active leader in the Forest Resources Assn. (FRA) at regional and national levels, serving as past chairman of the Southcentral Region and as a member of the Southcentral Region’s Policy Committee.

Nationally, he served on several committees. As well, he was involved with the Wood Supply Research Institute, serving as board member and

on the group’s technical team.

Although some were critical of Leist’s ideas and his attempts at developing solutions to various harvesting and transportation issues, many were taken with his “just do it” passion and enthusiasm. Here is how Rick Meyer, Manager of FRA’s Appalachian & Southwide Region, spoke of Leist: “When Jim saw an idea that he felt was worthy of testing or implementing, he moved forward with it…He was a leader in bringing log trucking optimizationdispatching to the South on a large

scale. While that program still has its challenges, Jim deserves some credit for trying to make it work in an era when there is a growing shortage of trucking services.”

Survivors include his widow, two children, father, sister, six nieces and one nephew. The family asks that memorials be given to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or a local church.

Catchmark Purchases More Acreage In South CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc. announced today agreements to acquire 55,671 acres of Southern timberlands in two separate transactions totaling $106 million. The properties are located primarily in middle and south Georgia (approximately 95% of the acreage) as well as north Florida. These acquisitions are expected to add 2.5 million tons of timber to CatchMark’s merchantable inventory, comprising 72% pine plantations by acreage and 48% sawtimber by tons, and are expected to increase the company’s annual harvest volumes over the next decade by 230,000 to 250,000 tons.

The two transactions—known as Oglethorpe and Satilla River—are expected to close during the third quarter, subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions. During 2014, CatchMark has acquired or entered into agreements to acquire 100,000 acres of timberlands.

Jerry Barag, CatchMark’s president and CEO, comments, “These two acquisitions represent the continuing execution of our business strategy to add high quality timberlands with above average productivity characteristics to our portfolio. We continue to concentrate our purchases in key U.S. South fiber baskets.”

Headquartered in Atlanta, CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc. is a self-administered REIT that began operations in 2007 and owns interests in approximately 320,400 acres of timberland in Georgia, Alabama and Texas.

Georgia-Pacific Buys Hunt Chip Mill Georgia-Pacific completed the acquisition of a chip mill in Bernice, La. from Hunt Forest Products, Inc. for an undisclosed price.

“We view this acquisition as a long-term investment that expands our access to wood and fiber supply in the region,” says Mike Adams, senior vice president of sourcing for Georgia-Pacific. “The Bernice chip mill is a quality asset with a team of talented employees 34

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and will fit well into our existing sourcing operations.”

The Bernice chip mill produces “clean chips” from logs that are used to make paper products.

Voelker Named Morbark VP Of Engineering Morbark, Inc. promoted Larry Voelker to Vice President of Engineering and Product Development.

Over the past three years Voelker has served as director of engineering responsible for the planning and implementation of all engineering activities and provided strategic technical leadership.

“We will continue to focus on product designs driven by engineering principles and enhanced design quality, which will build on the strong legacy of high performance and durable products that Morbark is known for,” Voelker comments.

began in mid-May and commercial operations are expected to be achieved this summer. NRG is hiring the site management team and operating staff, according to Don Poe, President, NRG Energy Services.

An Angelina County judge gave the okay for the plant’s trustee to recommence operations at the biomass facility. U.S. Bank, the financial overseer for the project, had filed a motion for an order authorizing their advisor, InventivEnergy, to restart and oversee the operation of Aspen Power while the property is for sale.

Bluewater Energy Solutions had handled the extensive commissioning process at the original startup. Almost immediately, the production operations were curtailed when gas prices

plummeted along with electricity demand and undercut Aspen Power’s cost dynamics. Operations resumed but financial issues set it back again.

In May 2013 a district judge signed an order giving control of Aspen Power to its investors. The Angelina and Neches River Authority Industrial Development Corp. reportedly issued $53.3 million worth of revenue bonds to the company for the purpose of building the plant in Lufkin under a loan agreement.

One of the original partners was Danny Vines, a native of Lufkin, who was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the Texas Bio-Energy Policy Council. Another of Vines’ companies, Angelina Fuels, was involved in biomass collection for

the power plant including the operation of a John Deere slash bundler.

Biofuels Project Receives Infrastructure Grant U.S. Economic Development Administration has awarded a grant of nearly $1.76 million for the construction of water and sewer infrastructure for a new cellulosic biofuel plant in Clinton, NC. Biochemtex plans to invest $200 million to build the operation, which the company says will operate as Carolina Cellulosic Biofuels.

The plant is expected to produce 20 million gallons per year of cellulosic biofuel from locally grown

Aspen Power Could Be Back In Business Aspen Power, the biomass power plant that started up in 2011 in Lufkin, Tex., but went down a year later with market and financial issues, appears to be making a comeback.

InventivEnergy, LLC has selected NRG Energy Services LLC to restart the plant and operate the facility.

The Aspen power plant had a rated generation capacity of 50 MW but had reached 57 MW before it went down, requiring 1,200 tons of wood daily.

Work to restart the facility

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Mid-South Show: Old Will Contrast New R

estored old equipment will contrast today’s loader’s original owner and operator. His son high tech gear and systems at the Mid-South Paul donated the loader to the equipment show.

Forestry Equipment Show September 19-20 “We are so appreciative of the talents and near Starkville, Miss. generosity of the team at Taylor Machine Works Adorned with the names of current show and the Massey family,” says Misty Booth, exhibitors and parked near the show entrance show manager and MSU forest supervisor. “The since 2005, a 1948 model Logger’s Dream has Logger’s Dream is a historical treasure that repbeen restored by the manufacturer, Taylor resents our common heritage in the rich forest Machine Works of nearby Louisville, Miss. It resources of our area.” will again hold the names of exhibitors and be Booth also points out that pre-registration is parked near the show entrance but this time it now open and she encourages attendees to sign will look almost like new, thanks to the Taylor up in advance to save money and time. Visit organization. midsouth forestry.org. Pre-registration is $15 Taylor Machine Works began as a small per person but admission at the gate is $20. machine shop in 1927. When the company Spouse and accompanied children under age 18 moved to its present location in north Louisville in 1946, the Logger’s Dream was the company’s major product. It sold countless numbers of the loaders in the ’40s and ’50s.

“Restoring this Logger’s Dream loader takes us back to our roots,” says Robert Taylor, Taylor’s Vice President of Operations. “It demonstrates our dedication to and respect for the forest products industry, which helped us grow into one of the largest manufacturers of heavy industrial lift trucks in the world.”

Logger’s Dream is prepared for shipment to Taylor’s plant for restoration.

J. D. Massey of Starkville was the

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are admitted free with paid attendee.

Also, well-known antique chain saw collector David (Sawman) Harsh, of Amelia Courthouse, Va., will bring part of his extensive array of one and two-man saws, displaying some and operating others. He will be accompanied by fellow chain saw collector and “wing man” Collier Dodson, Jr. Organized in 1984, the biennial family-friendly show always draws a strong turnout of loggers, foresters, landowners, academic members, equipment representatives and service providers.

It incorporates a blend of live equipment demos, static equipment and product displays, smaller service provider exhibits, Log-A-Load fundraisers, skidder and loader skills contests; children’s activities and continuing education opportunities for loggers, foresters and landowners.

As of early July, more than 75 exhibitors had signed up. The latest group includes River Ridge Equipment, Taylor Machine Works, Landmark Spatial Solutions, Doghouse Woodcrafts, Smith South Central, Accu-Ways, Mississippi DOT, MSU Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Manac Trailers and American Loggers Ins. As is customary, the Mississippi Loggers Assn. will stage its biennial banquet meeting on site on Friday evening. To purchase banquet tickets, visit mla@msloggers.org or phone 601-776-5754.

For more information, visit mid southforestry.org.

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energy grasses, such as Arundo Donax, also known as Giant Cane, but woody biomass could also be a fuel source as the parent company in Italy has been testing wood chips.

The plant is planned for construction on 110 acres on N.C. 24, just east of Clinton. The town has marked that area for industrial development.

Regional Sales Managers Named By Terex Americas Terex Construction Americas has named two new U.S. regional sales managers—Chuck Allen for the north and Cathy Mann for the southwest— for its Terex Fuchs material handling line, which includes recycling and logging products. They are charged with sales and distributor development responsibilities.

Allen’s territory includes Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Michigan; Mann’s Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California and Hawaii.

three miles from Calhoun Falls, which is on the western border of South Carolina, 60 miles northwest of Augusta, Ga. Meanwhile an air permit application filed with the Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board for a pellet mill in Magnolia, Miss. reveals Drax interests under the project name of Pike BioEnergy LLC. Drax is already building two other wood pellet mills, at Amite BioEnergy LLC in Gloster, Miss. and Morehouse Bioenergy in Bastrop, La., each 450,000 metric tons production capacity. The company is also building a terminal at Port Allen, La., from where it will export its pellets.

Drax supplies 7-8% of the UK’s electricity demand.

American Loggers Council To Celebrate 20 Years Registration continues for the American Loggers Council’s (ALC) 20th annual meeting, set for September 25-27 in Harris, Mich. at the Island Resort and Casino.

Michigan logger and ALC President Brian Nelson from Cornell encourages loggers from all regions of the country to participate.

“This is an opportunity to network with other professionals in our industry and also to celebrate the uniting of timber harvesters over the past 20 years under the banner of the ALC. We are pleased to see

the event returning to Michigan, where our first president, Earl St. John of Spalding, served and led the organization during its formative years,” Nelson states.

A new annual meeting format is being introduced that includes a optional logging tour on September 25, followed by technical and educational seminars on September 26.

Seminars on telematics, equipment fire suppression systems, Tier 4 engines and business management are being offered.

Continuing Education (CE) credits will be made available for local contractors who wish to attend the Friday seminars, with both Michigan and Wisconsin offering up to four hours of credit.

More Drax Pellet Plants In U.S.?

UK-based Drax, which is converting coal fired units at its electricity facility in Yorkshire, England to woody biomass fuel, and which indicated it wants to add to its pellet production capacity in the U.S. beyond previously announced and ongoing pellet plant construction at Gloster, Miss. and Bastrop, La., has made inquiries about building plants in Magnolia, Miss. and Calhoun Falls, SC. Abbeville County, SC has passed an ordinance that would allow the sale to Drax interests of a 199-acre tract of land about

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John Deere Reveals Customer Support Package O

n July 10, John Deere held an online press conference to announce its new Ultimate Uptime customer support package featuring ForestSight, an integrated suite of technology that promises to offer customers solutions, not just data.

The Ultimate Uptime Base Package will now be included on all John Deere forestry machines.

“Loggers are in a tough spot,” said Tom Trone, Director of Forestry Sales and Marketing for John Deere.

“They’re in a squeeze between landowners and mills. They have to be more efficient if they are going to ForestSight provides data and solutions. survive. The key to that efficiency is uptime.” customers and the dealer what a With that focus on increased machine needs to optimize uptime, uptime in mind, Ultimate Uptime is but Ultimate Uptime doesn’t end a comprehensive dealer support there. After thoroughly understandpackage combined with technology ing a customer’s needs, a dealer can in a fully customizable package. suggest additional services and creDelivered exclusively through John ate a customized solution to optiDeere dealers, it is designed to mize uptime based on the needs of improve customers’ profitability by their business. maximizing productivity and uptime The Ultimate Uptime Base Packwhile lowering operating costs. age includes pre-delivery setup and “When we ask customers what follow-up inspections, along with they want from us, we hear one three to five years of John Deere answer more than any other: ForestSight, the defining compo‘uptime,’” according to Robert Bur- nent of Ultimate Uptime. Promising nett, Product Manager, Service to offer solutions, not just data, Marketing, John Deere ConstrucJohn Deere calls ForestSight an tion & Forestry. “We created Ultiintegrated suite of technology solumate Uptime to keep their fleet run- tions that brings the machine, techning and productivity high,” nology and the dealer together to Ultimate Uptime’s standard feahelp loggers better manage their tures include the capabilities of equipment and operations.

John Deere ForestSight, which tell Jena Holtberg-Beng, Director,

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John Deere WorkSight and ForestSight, noted that, “With the support of a dealer, the technology solutions available under the ForestSight umbrella work together to help loggers automate their business processes and stay on top of machine health.”

ForestSight is intended to deliver optimization in three areas: machines, uptime and job sites. First, it optimizes machines by letting loggers and dealers see machines that are idling excessively, inactive, running at high loads for long periods of time, or moving when it shouldn’t be. Second, it optimizes uptime by integrating machine data, prognostics and remote diagnostic tools combined with dealer support.

Finally, it optimizes job sites by offering up-to-the-minute data to ensure an operation runs as efficiently as possible. From nearly any location, loggers and dealers can see when and where machines are working, how many cycles they are completing and how much time operators spend out of the cab.

The primary components include: ● JDLink, which gives remote access to fleet location, fleet utilization and diagnostic data. Owners can see which machines are earning and which are idling, all while tracking preventative maintenance issues. JDLink ultimate telematics provides customers and dealers machine hours, location, geofencing, diagnostic trouble codes and maintenance tracking.

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● Machine

Health Prognostics, which analyzes data from JDLink, fluid analysis, and machine inspections, and then e-mails the dealer and customer with recommended solutions to avoid costly downtime.

These actionable solutions help loggers keep their equipment in peak condition and avoid more costly future downtime. ● Remote Diagnostics and Programming, which enables dealers to read and reset diagnostic trouble codes, record machine performance data, and even update software without a technician visit to the jobsite.

When service visits are required, technicians can often arrive with the right parts in hand to make the repair.

Beyond the Base Package, dealers can customize premium packages depending on the customer’s needs. Premium packages may include extended warranties, planned maintenance agreements, fluid sampling, filter kits, loaner machines, on-site spare parts and other solutions. Additional Ultimate Uptime solutions can be financed with the machine or through revolving credit options.

“Every logger has different needs and challenges that they deal with,” Burnett said. “Beyond our exclusive, technology-driven features our customers get with Ultimate Uptime, their John Deere dealer can build in additional custom solutions to meet their exact business needs.”

For more information about Ultimate Uptime featuring John Deere ForestSight, visit JohnDeere.com/ ForestryUptime or contact your local dealer.

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Group Will Convert OSB Plant To Pellets E-Pellets, LLC reports it has acquired the shuttered LouisianaPacific OSB mill in Athens, Ga. and will convert the operation into a wood pellet production facility, producing approximately 450,000 metric tons annually. The wood pellets will be exported to the European Union to be used as an alternative to coal as fuel in power plants. The conversion is expected to cost $150 million.

E-Pellets says it has a longterm port agreement with Georgia Kaolin Terminal, Inc. (GKT), which will provide sufficient capacity to export up to 1.35 million metric tons per year of pellets through the port facility in Savannah, Ga. E-Pellets previously purchased a wood pellet facility in Nahunta, Ga. and intends to expand its production volume.

The company, which is exploring other development opportunities in Georgia and South Carolina, is led by newly appointed CEO Doug Albrecht, who has wood products experience offshore. He is supported on the ground by Chief Operating Officer Ken Ciarletta, who previously managed the Georgia Biomass wood pellet plant in Waycross.

Ben Easterlin is in charge of development.

“We have an incredibly talented group of human resources with unparalleled know-how in this sector, along with supporting capital partners, customers, vendors and suppliers and we hope to grow with all of them,” Albrecht comments.

E-Pellets Group, LLC is headquartered in Waycross, Ga. with additional offices in Atlanta and New York City. EPellets was formed through the combination of its existing wood pellet facility in Nahunta with the acquisitions of the Athens facility.

the North Carolina Forestry Assn, (NCFA) where he served as Vice President and as Director of Logging and Transportation for three years. He directed NCFA’s ProLogger Training Program and served as one of its lobbyists.

Earlier in his career he worked with the NC Biofuels Center; served as general manager of T&S Hardwoods’ sawmill at Sylva, NC, overseeing wood procurement, production and sales; and worked in wood procurement with Georgia-

Pacific in Warm Springs, Ga. A graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in forest engineering, Swanner developed, trained, and operated cable logging crews in western North Carolina.

“I’m excited about this opportunity and intend to hit the ground running to strengthen and grow the loggers’ association,” he says, adding that his office will be his pickup truck and that he will take NCAPL’s message to loggers on their turf as he attempts to lead the

group in a new direction. “My goal is to make a positive difference. I look forward to working with all companies that make up the forest industry in North Carolina to develop relationships to promote the business environment and safety for all loggers in the state. I want to demonstrate a cooperative spirit, work with all facets of the wood supply chain and help improve the industry’s image.”

Contact Swanner by email at ncloggers.org or at 828-421-8444.

Swanner New Leader Of NC Logger Group Jack Swanner is the new Executive Director of the North Carolina Assn. of Professional Loggers (NCAPL), having assumed duties on August 1. He replaces Doug Duncan, who resigned earlier this year to head the Forest Equipment Operator Program, a cooperative course he helped found while at NCAPL. Swanner, 57, a registered forester, moved to NCAPL from Southern Loggin’ Times

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13 ➤ Property and Wildlife Management and Palmetto State Construction, operate to some extent in tandem with Heather’s company, resulting in mutually beneficial synergies. He buys timber, builds roads, does large clearing and development along with some reforestation work, coming in after her logging crew.

In addition to the timber Jones buys, Gates buys most of her own timber, and occasionally works for timber dealer Johnson Co., based in Sumter and, increasingly in the last year, for Manuel Forest Products in Swansea.

The crew does a variety of work, especially clear-cuts and select cuts, on both natural and planted timber. It specializes in cutting big virgin wood. On one tract, it only took two trees to fill a truck load.

“We had to cut in 12.5 ft. sections to fit on a bunker, 4-6 ft. across,” she says. They also spent over 15 months on a 2,000 acre combined tract with all crews combined, along with some outsourced contractors she had hired.

Both Gates and Jones base their operations from a site she leases.

The location includes a 6,000 sq. ft. shop, 1,500 sq. ft. for parts and 1,500 sq. ft. of office space, along

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with six acres of storage Manpower yard. She keeps the old “I take care of my guys,” Hood loader here and uses it Gates says. “I treat them like for a side business in firethey’re my own kids somewood. She and Jones also times.” Crew includes Marty store excess wood there as Gates on the loader; Clark needed, either stockpiling Greenwood in the cutter; loads from the small crew or James Rogers, skidder; Scot holding excess loads waiting Proper, deck hand; mechanic for market when quota is Roger Clark and truck drivers tight.

Milton Wallace and Jonathan Mills assign quota based Stroman. Gates has several on production during the She prefers to use her own drivers and avoid contract haulers. others she brings in to run year, and last year PSCC additional pieces as needed. hauled $2.7 million worth.

“Last but not least,” Gates includes As such PSCC usually gets a bigger sawlogs, and ply logs. They also herself and Jones, wood buyer. quota than some others. Quota sometimes come across some Wallace serves as head truck comes more from International heavy cedar tracts. “We are the driver and has been here for seven Paper, because pulpwood is so plen- only people cutting and harvesting tiful. West Fraser and Georgia cedars and stockpiling and deliver- years. “I hired him straight out of school, and he didn’t know anyPacific, Gates says, rarely invoke ing to (HH Keziah in Camden),” thing,” she recalls. “Now I wouldquotas because they buy saw logs she says. “Most don’t want to n’t trade him for anything. He and ply logs. waste their time, because it’s nitdoesn’t tear anything up, he’s the The crew delivers to International picky.” She also takes some spePaper in Eastover, West Fraser in cialty orders—for pecan earlier this best.”

Usually she doesn’t like to hire Newberry, Georgia Pacific in Prosyear—and stockpiles wood that people who have no experience in perity, Kapstone in Elgin, Carolina smaller mills buy one load at a the woods because, she says, “LogPole and Piling in Leesville and time when they need more white ging is dangerous.” With that in Cameron Lumber Co. in oak, pecan, cherry. mind, safety gear is a must for Cameron—it buys some of the bigProduction averages 28 loads a everyone, including orange vests ger logs that Georgia Pacific and week, with a set minimum of three and safety glasses. “We work in the West Fraser won’t. loads daily per truck. For anything rain, but I don’t make them work Separations include pulpwood, more than that, drivers and crew in the snow; it’s dangerous,” she hardwood pulp and pine, pine chip- operators receive a production says. Snow and rain had both been n-saw, pine sawlogs, hardwood bonus.

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issues earlier this year. “Money is not worth a life.”

National Grange in Greenville supplies insurance, and Gates conducts safety meetings once monthly.

Cultural Bias The logging industry is a community, she notes, and most of her peers accept her and respect her, with no bias over her gender. There have been some who used to make derogatory comments when she started. “I stay out of their business, they stay out of mine,” she says. She has proven herself and earned their respect.

Gates says she feels more comfortable in the company of men.

“I would rather deal with men and talk to a man about equipment, than to talk with women about whatever we did last weekend,” she admits. “I will see a local logger in Tractor Supply and we can talk, but if I meet his wife, I know nothing to say to her.”

Gates has tried hiring a few different girls to run the office for her, but it never worked out.

Without any background in the industry, they proved unable to catch on to the ins and outs. “I felt bad for them, but after a month people would call for prices and (the girls) didn’t know what was saw logs, ply logs, poles, pulpwood.” Now, she says, she’d rather just do it for herself. “It’s cheaper and I know it is done the right way.”

Ironically, she blames the failure of those women to adapt to the business on their gender, or rather on how our culture generally trains women to avoid such knowledge. She wants to see that change, but believes that change will be slow in coming.

“A lot of my friends are stay at home moms and they want to do this and that and I don’t have time for it. I have to work and all your friends don’t know what you’re talking about. I think women need to be more involved and I think they would love it, because I love it—being in nature, with what nature has given us.”

week for catching up on paperwork and bringing Calie to the office and to lunch with her. “Those days are relaxed days.”

To overcome the culturally assigned gender roles—boys work and fight, girls cook and clean and shop—she advises teaching daughters independence when they’re young, as her dad did with her.

“My dad wouldn’t teach me to drive till I knew how to change the tires and the oil, and he said I couldn’t get a license till I knew

what was under the hood. Handson is how you learn, that’s how I was raised and how we raise my daughter. I try to teach her everything I was taught.”

Gates hasn’t departed from the way she was raised. “She is her own woman, she does her own thing,” Jones says of his partner and friend.

“She can do everything a man can.”

That fierce independence, the talent for driving skidders and working on cars, and of course her chosen profession, sometimes create a percep-

tion of her that could not be further from the truth. “She’s not some hillbilly in the woods chewing tobacco,” Jones points out. “She’s educated, intelligent, articulate.”

Gates is proud of who she is, but she refuses to let people get the wrong idea about her. On one job with the small crew, the homeowner offered to buy her and the crew a case of beer. She declined the offer.

“Have some respect for us,” she says. “If you want to do something, SLT buy us lunch.”

Fierce, Independent Balancing work with family can be a challenge for both genders, but working mothers seem to feel the pressure more so than their male counterparts.

Heather has one daughter, Calie, four years old. “She loves logging just like me,” the young mom says proudly. “She rides on skidders and skid steers when I work on them at home, and she loves it.

She rides until she falls asleep.”

She sets aside at least one day a Southern Loggin’ Times

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AT THE MARGINS

Bundled Financial Solutions: Save Time, Money

By Shelley Barrett Caterpillar Financial Services Corp.

W

hether you’re a large contractor or an individual owner-operator, it is important to have the convenience of financing solutions that can be tailored to fit your business needs. To make financial management easier, consider lenders who offer “bundled solutions.” By bundling different financing facilities with one credit application, you save time. This can be especially convenient if you have a machine in need of repair.

Captive finance companies—lending companies owned by equipment manufacturers— have many resources and tools on their websites to help you select a suite of financial solutions to meet your specific needs. Different services can be financed, creating a one-stop shopping experience. This one-stop shop can save time as well as money, often with special financing opportunities.

Equipment Financing—It’s important to choose a lender who offers a variety of flexible payment options and competitive rates. A lender who understands your business, your equipment

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and the industry you work in can customize solutions that will maximize your cash flow and keep your business running smoothly.

Finding a lender who will stand by you in difficult economic times is as important as the interest rate on your machine purchase. This lender must understand your evolving needs and be flexible when necessary. Captive finance companies know more than just the interest rate on your purchase; they also know the machines and applications. The unique relationship with both dealer and manufacturer that a captive finance company has creates a competitive advantage that is to your benefit.

Extended Protection Plans—When purchasing a piece of equipment or refinancing a current contract, consider including an extended protection plan, which provides the highest level of repair cost protection available. Typically the lifespan of a machine well exceeds the manufacturer’s warranty timeframe, so some dealers offer these plans designed specifically for new equipment buyers to protect them for the long haul.

A plan typically wraps around the factory warranty, ensuring that your investment is safe-

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guarded beyond the standard period. These plans enhance and sustain your entire ownership experience with comprehensive coverage and peace of mind. This additional coverage will add valuable years and hours of operation beyond your standard warranty period, keeping major repair costs from negatively impacting your bottom line.

Revolving Line Of Credit—A revolving credit line to facilitate parts and service expenses helps keep equipment and production moving smoothly. This type of account can provide access to special financing and extended payment terms on attachments as well as parts and service. In addition to a low interest rate, look for a product that does not require collateral and has no annual fee. Ability to manage your account online is another benefit.

For example, Cat Financial offers the Cat Financial Commercial Account, which is designed to maximize your cash flow by giving you the flexibility to pay over time and keep your cash when you need it. This credit line can be used at any CAT dealer or CAT Rental Store in the U.S., making this a valuable financial tool SLT for loggers.

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MACHINES-SUPPLIES-TECHNOLOGY

Next Generation Loaders

Tigercat released its next generation 250D and T250D loaders. The D-series loaders are powered by the Tigercat FPT N67 Tier 4i engine delivering 160 kW (215 HP). The high horsepower Tigercat engine is extremely fuel-efficient and positions the 250D/T250D at the top end of its size class. The 250B and T250B loaders will remain available to markets outside of North America and Europe, where Tier 4 is not required.

Tigercat has introduced additional enhancements to the D-series loaders to increase productivity and performance especially with respect to multi-functioning capabilities.

With a highly refined hydraulic system, the main boom, travel and grapple functions are now routed through a new control valve, which improves multi-functioning performance and response. A separate valve is used solely for attachments and auxiliary hydraulics. The electronic controls have been replaced with pilot controls and the new joystick handles are taller, with improved ergonomics.

Other design features that maximize comfort and daily service access for the operator include the large entry platform, an air ride suspension seat and insulation and isolation mounting for reduced vibration and in-cab noise levels. Visit 9756 tigercat.com.

Multi Stem Processors

The Quadstar 600 from Southstar Equipment is the latest addition to its lineup of multi stem processors.

With the invention of ‘side stepping,’ the QS600, combined with multi stem handling, gives the operator the ability to: align logs in the saw box prior to processing multiple logs simultaneously; manipulate individual logs to cut out rot or defects, while having multiple logs in the harvester head; healthy logs

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are kept away from the saw area while the other log is being cleaned up; and single ejection of stems not fit for processing out of head while keeping other logs in the processor for further processing.

The QS600 with its wide frame, 24" wood capacity, 3⁄4" butt saw, fast top saw, and the patented side stepping feature added to its tried and tested multi stemming capabilities, raises the standard for single and multi-stem processors all in one head. Visit southstarequipment.com 3641 or phone 250-828-7820.

Heavy-Duty Chipper

The new robust heavy-duty chipper Doppstadt DH 910 SA-B reduces log, root, branches and wood residues to chips. Consistent, high-quality chips are produced from softwood logs up to 900 mm diameter. In case of hardwood it is possible to chip logs up to 700 mm.

Instead of a discharge arm, this chipper discharges the material by means of a slewable rear conveyor thus achieving highest throughput capacities and reducing the fine fraction to a minimum. The standard swiveling range is 60°, extendable to 90°.

The final wood chip size is determined by the feeding speed and by different quickly replaceable screening segments. The heavy and solid full-steel rotor provided with chipping knives guarantees a reliable high chipping output. An elevated re-shredding screen and a rigid cutter bar ensure a uniform wood chip size.

All the control elements are joined on one central panel. Steel construction ensures stability and a long service life. The chipper housing is provided with large protection doors on all sides and central lubrication bars facilitating access for maintenance operations.

The 3-axle semitrailer chassis of the mobile chipper is equipped with ABS and can be towed by wheel loaders or large stackers.

The machine produces 350 cubic meters per hour, approximately 10 times the loading capacity of a 7.5 ton truck. The chipper is driven by a Mercedes-Benz 8-cylinder Vengine. With 450 kW engine output at 2000 rpm it is designed for continuous operation. Visit dopp 3187 stadt.com.

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KNUCKLEBOOM LOADERS

CAT 525C (052500251), 2006, 8631 CAT 573 (00HA19789), 2010, 3935 Hrs, Cab, AC, 30.5-32, Dual Arch Hrs, Cab, AC, 30.5L-32, SS56 Saw Grapple, Blade, Winch................CALL ..........................................$193,000 CAT 525C DF-SA (052501416), 2011, 5783 Hrs, Cab, AC, 30.5-32 Double HYDRO-AX 321 (7121), Arch Grapple, S Blade, Winch......CALL ID#CON532020, 1998, 10000 Hrs, CAT 535B (0AAE00852), 2005, 13909 Cab, AC, 24.5-32 Tires W/Chains, Hrs, Cab, AC, 30.5L32, Dual Arch Grapple, Blade, Winch, Sweeps ..........CALL 20’’Sawhead.........................$33,500

DOPPSTADT SM720 PRENTICE PRE 280 (P57066), (W09621179A1D07448), 2010, 248 ID#530490, 2000, 12738 Hours, Cab, Hrs, Trommel Screen, 435/50R19 Trailer........................................CALL ..........................................$323,000 FRANKLIN LOGGER 170 (16544), 1995, 1221 Hrs, Cpy, Single Arch PRENTICE PRE 384 Grapple .....................................CALL (PR60048),2004, 14152 Hrs, Cab, AC, Evans Trailer, Grapple, Delimber, CAT 517 (05WW00419), 2004, 7877 TIMBERJACK 450C (CB4855), 1994, Double V Heel............................CALL Hrs, Cab, AC, Esco Grapple..$200,000 10000 Hrs, Orops W/Cage, 28L-26, Sorting Grapple.....................$22,500 PRENTICE PRE 384 (62951), 2006, CAT 525 (03KZ01265), 2004, 11708 14430 Hrs, Cab, AC, Evans Trailer, Hrs, Cab, AC, 30.5-32, Dual Arch Prentice Grapple ...................$44,000 Grapple.................................$61,500 PRENTICE PRE 384 (PR61207), 2005, CAT 563 (00HA19937), 2011, 2305 13354 Hrs, Cab, AC, Evans Trailer, CAT 525B (03KZ00562), 2002, 8348 Hrs, Cab, AC, 24.5-32, SH50 Saw Grapple, Delimber .....................CALL Hrs, Cab, 30.5-32, Grapple ........CALL ..........................................$220,000

SKIDDERS

WHEEL FELLER BUNCHER

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HYDRO-AX HYD 470 (HA18544), 2004, 2451 Hrs, Cab, AC, 28L-26, Sawhead...................................CALL HYDRO-AX HYD 670 (HA18975), 2005, 11000 Hrs, Cab, 30.5-32, SC56 Sidecut Sawhead ......................CALL TIGERCAT 726 (7260852), 1997, 10000 Hrs, Cab, AC, 30.5-32, 22’’ Sawhead ..............................$39,000

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Want To Place Your Classified Ad In IronWorks? Call 334-699-7837, 1-800-669-5613 or Email: class@southernloggintimes.com 1461

EQUIPMENT FINANCING • Preferred Good Credit Plans • Rough Credit Plans

252-946-9264

(turned down, tax liens, bankruptcies)

• Purchases • Refinance • Start-up Business • Loans Against Your Existing Equipment for QUICK CASH! 2-Hour Approvals!

Low Monthly Payments Little or No Down Payments

15 Years In Business CALL NOW

2006 Trelan 23RC Chipper CAT 3412 w/760hp; 8665+ hours .......$149,500

985-875-7373 Fax: 985-867-1188

Email: coastalcapital@bellsouth.net Personal Service

Ask For L.T. DEALERS WELCOME

1447

2006 Peterson 4800E Debarker/Delimber CAT C9, 9310+ hours.......$129,500

2003 Tigercat 860 FB w/5702 w/110 sawhead, 13945 hrs., tri-rail U/C......$135,000

2583

2000 Tigercat 860S w/Rotobec grapple, JD engine, 17735 hrs., tri-rail U/C.....$86,000 Machines are not at one location, they are consigned to EEB, Inc. by the owners; FOB present location.

Price, Condition and Availability subject to change without notice

www.eebinc.com

562

CALL CHARLES or visit website for full specs and details

2815

318-548-0927

7393

FOR SALE

2010 Prentice 2384-B, 426 CTR, Hydraulic trailer, 5000 hrs, good condition 2007 John Deere 437-C, 264 CSI, Hydraulic trailer, 7700 hrs 2005 360 Timberking, 22 HP sawhead, 34 rubber, 5500 hrs 2004 570 Hydro-Ax, FB22 sawhead, 28L rubber, 400 hrs on engine

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7951

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FINAN C AVAILA ING BLE

www.equipmentandparts.com

5569

Office : 903-238-8700 • Shane Fuller : 903-235-1147 Jason Bruner: 903-452-5290

SKIDDERS

2008 Cat 545C – 35.5 x 32 tires, Cab with air, Winch, Ready to work! ..................................................$89,500

2009 Cat 525C - 7,000 hours, 30.5 x 32 tires, Cab with air, Winch. Ready to work! ......................................$89,500

FELLER BUNCHERS

2011 Cat 573 Feller Buncher – 4,500 hours, Prentice SH56 Saw Head, 30.5 x 32 tires, Cab with air .........$139,500

2004 Timberking TK350 Mulcher 2,200 on rebuilt Cat engine, Fecon BH120 Mulching Head, New teeth, Rebalanced head, Good 28L tires, Cab with air............................$89,500

2005 Iron Wolf Crusher / Slasher 525 HP, Cat C15 power (4,480 hours).

Comes with push bar, Hyd. gate, Additional wear items. Carrier: 980C (63x) ...............................................$250,000

LOG LOADERS

2014 John Deere 437C Log Loader – 220 hours, Mounted on trailer with CSI 264 Delimber, Cab with air, Still under full factory warranty.....$CALL$

2011 Prentice 2570 Feller Buncher – 6,200 hours, Cummins engine, Waratah FD22 Saw Head, 28L tires .............................................$119,500

MULCHERS & CONSTRUCTION

2011 Cat 529 Log Loader - 2,300 hours, Mounted on trailer with CSI Delimber, Cab with air. Very nice machine! ..............................$129,500

NOT PICTURED 2002 John Deere 843H Feller Buncher - 22” Waratah Saw Head, 28L tires, Cab with air. Ready to work! ...............................................$49,500 2014 Barko 930 Mulcher – Brand new machine, 1 year bumper to bumper warranty, 2 year power train warranty, 305 HP Cummins engine, FAE Mulching Head, 28L tires. Rent to own WAC .............................$349,000

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2290

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Watch videos of some of our machines on YouTube

John Deere 748 Log Skidder—Dual 2007 John Deere 648GIII Log SkidArch, Direct Drive, Good 30.5x32 tires, der—Single Arch, Direct Drive, Very New center pins, New arch pins & Good 30.5 tires ..................$65,000 bushing, Ready to Run ......$ CALL $

2009 John Deere 648H—Torque converter, Recent engine work, New center pins, Very good 30.5 tires $89,500

2004 John Deere 648GIII Log Skid- 2007 Prentice 2384—NEW engine 2005 John Deere 748GIII—Dual der—Dual Arch, Direct Drive, Woods in Dec. 2013, CTR delimber, Just in Arch, Torque converter.........$59,500 ..........................................$ CALL $ Ready!! .................................$59,000

2002 Hydro-Ax 570—28L tires: 2002 Hydro-Ax 670 Feller Bunch75%, Very straight & tight..$49,500 er—New disc, New center pins, Rebuilt pump drive, Good 28L tires ...........................................$49,500

2004 Timberjack 460D Log Skidder—Torque converter transmission, Reman engine w/2400 hrs., new center section, new glass, all cylinders & valve body dry ...................$65,000

2010 Prentice PR2570 Feller Buncher STK# LUB19856; 5840 hrs; $110,000

2012 John Deere 643K Feller Buncher STK# LU641469; 3432 hrs; $159,000

2012 John Deere 843K Feller Buncher STK# LU644827; 3633 hrs; $168,000

2010 John Deere 843K Feller Buncher STK# LU627355; 4976 hrs; $165,500

2012 John Deere 753J Feller Buncher STK# :LU229159; 3328 hrs; $275,000

2011 John Deere 748H Skidder STK# LU636201; 5219 hrs; $148,000

2011 John Deere 848H Skidder STK# LU639211; 5596 hrs; $160,000

2012 John Deere 648H Skidder STK# LU645953; 3272 hrs; $185,000

2010 John Deere 700J C/A LGP DZR STK# TU188555; 4450 hrs; $110,000

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SALE!!

JOHN DEERE 648G II & III 460D $15,900 Exchange, Installed (Direct Drive ONLY) INCLUDES: 6 month warranty charge pump fluid & filters

★ RECONDITIONED TRANSMISSIONS ★

CAT 525 (1DN sn#)

$11,900 Exchange, Installed

JOHN DEERE 648G III & 460D

INCLUDES: 6 month warranty fluid & filters

$15,900 Exchange, Installed (Torque Converted Type)

CAT 525B/535/545

Add $2,500 to recondition torque converter @ same time

$15,900 Exchange, Installed

Also Specials on: ENGINES & AXLE COMPONENTS call for prices without installation

TOLL FREE 1-800-251-2789 ● DIRECT 936-829-7278 ● FAX 936-829-7283

Email: apacgeneral@aol.com

5078

ROCKWELL, EATON, FUNK, COMMERCIAL, BULLDOG, SPICER, DURST, GEAR PRODUCT Southern Loggin’ Times CLICK HERE IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY OPTED IN!

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Gates Hydraulic Hoses (2-wire Hydraulic Hose)

ROBERTS EQUIPMENT SERVICE INC.

8309

“Limited Supply!”

7195

LeDean Roberts • 318-576-3636

FREE SHIPPING

50' ......G2-6 Gates Hose .....$137.59 50' ......G2-8 Gates Hose .....$156.50 50' ......G2-12 Gates Hose ...$259.95 Call Tim Alligood 252-341-9891 www.cavalierhoseandfittings.com

IF YOU NEED

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FOR SALE

Reconditioned Bell Ultra C Disc 18" Koehring head

MILL MANAGER

Bell Ultra C Bar Saw 30" head

In search for a high energy, hands on Mill Manager to direct & manage our saw mill operations. Ideal candidate will have extensive experience with: scragg mill for efficiency, productivity, and maximizing yield recovery from the raw log. Would be responsible for the day to day activity of multi shift saw mill and 80 employees. The position will report to the CEO/President. Competitive compensation offered! Email resumes to luiss@southwestforestproducts.com 3245

8265

FOR SALE

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

USED FORESTRY EQUIPMENT Shop built pole trailer, new brakes, virgin 0.3 T-J L-L + DEL 0.3 PREN 384 + DEL 95 JD 648/E GRAP + WIN 1150-B CASE DOZ. ATL GA AREA

352-239-1549

rubber tires, can be shortened or lengthened and unhooked with load on trailer ..................................................$12,500 912-531-1796

968

4433

2010 TL 725B Timber Pro, 2010 Rolly head, fully loaded @ 12,000 hours, running daily ..........................$250,000 906-341-6878 3005

Day 334-312-4136 Night 334-271-1475 or Email: johnwpynes@knology.net

3214

WANTED TO BUY

Cat 518 & Cat 518C skidders in TX, LA area Call Kent 936-699-4700 r_kentjones@yahoo.com

To buy or sell forestry, construction, utility or truck equipment, or if you just need an appraisal, contact me, Johnny Pynes with JM Wood Auction. Over 25 years experience.

770

3723

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TIDEWATER EQUIPMENT CO. MAC • 910-610-7029

Call or visit our website: www.tidewaterequip.com SKIDDERS 2010 CAT 525C....................................$98,000 2001 Deere 648GIII .............................$40,625 2008 Deere 648H.................................$85,500 2010 Deere 648H...............................$100,000 2005 Deere 748GIII .............................$57,000 2007 Tigercat 610C.............................$68,750 2004 Tigercat 620C.............................$67,500 2005 Tigercat 620C.............................$66,000 2003 Tigercat 630C.............................$40,000 2004 Tigercat 630C.............................$65,625 2005 Tigercat 630C.............................$60,000 2010 Tigercat 630D...........................$140,000 2005 Timberjack 460D ........................$50,000

FELLERBUNCHERS 2011 CAT 563 ....................................$119,900 2009 Deere 643J .................................$85,000 2007 Prentice 2470 .............................$54,000 2008 Prentice 2470 .............................$81,250 2008 Prentice 2570 .............................$95,000 2006 Tigercat 718 ...............................$65,000

2012 Tigercat 718E ...........................$192,000 1998 Tigercat 720B .............................$30,900 2002 Tigercat 720D.............................$37,000 2005 Tigercat 720D.............................$74,500 2006 Tigercat 720D.............................$78,500 2005 Tigercat 724D.............................$85,200 2005 Timberking TK340......................$15,000 2004 Timberking TK360......................$58,000

LOG LOADERS 2008 Barko 495ML ..............................$70,000 2005 Deere 335C.................................$27,500 2010 Prentice 2384B...........................$88,900 2005 Prentice 280 ...............................$45,000 2006 Prentice 280 ...............................$45,000 1999 Tigercat 230B .............................$16,000 2004 Tigercat 230B .............................$37,500 2004 Tigercat 240B .............................$45,000 2005 Tigercat 240B .............................$55,000 2007 Tigercat 234 ...............................$78,500 2007 Tigercat 244 ...............................$79,900

INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT 1997 MORBARK 22.............................$60,000 2007 MORBARK 3800 WOOD HOG .$212,500 2009 MORBARK 40/36 NCL DRUM CHIPPER ........................................$212,500 2010 MORBARK 23NCL ...................$170,000 2010 MORBARK 4600XL ..................$413,000 2005 PETERSON 4800E .....................$91,000

MISCELLANEOUS Assortment of tires and rims for Deere/Tigercat CTR 314 and 400 Delimbers .........................................$1,000 to $18,000 Tigercat Shears and Saws .........................................$2,500 to $20,000 Please come see us at our new parts locations: – Waycross, GA (912) 282-9284 – Statesboro, GA (912) 601-9924 – Elizabethtown, NC (910) 876-7058

View our web site for over 200 listings with newly reduced prices and pictures 2687

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ATTENTION LOGGERS! “Waverly Wood, LLC” of Waverly, TN is looking to employ additional logging crews to log its timber tracts; long-term employment possible. All prospective contractors must have workers’ compensation and general liability insuarnce. Also, wanting to buy white oak stave logs and tie logs.

Please contact: Mike Philipi Timber Procurement Manager Office: 931-296-1455 Mobile: 615-418-0276 1501

ALL TYPES FELLER SAWDISKS STRAIGHTENED AND BALANCED With over 14 years of experience I’ve improved on what my father started as far back as 1995 CARVER SAWBLADE REPAIR 547 Havens Street Washington, NC 27889 (252) 945-2358 566

EUREKA! EUREKA! EUREKA! OWNERS HAVE OVER 30 YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE!

7180

EUREKA SAW TOOTH CO., INC.

3723

We can save you money on Saw Teeth. Hundreds of satisfied A NOW CCEPTIN G customers. Rebuilt Exchange or New. We specialize in rebuildCREDIT ing Koehring 2000, Hurricana, Hydro Ax split teeth and all CARDS other brands. Call Jimmy or Niel Mitchell. Quantity Discounts!

4275 Moores Ferry Rd. • Skippers, Virginia 23879 PH./FAX (day) 1-434-634-9836 or Night/Weekends • 1-434-634-9185

2011 TIGERCAT 724E; 2005 TIGERCAT 724D; sn 7242047, 5237 hrs., 5600 sn 7240772, 5600 sawhead, bunching shear, 30.5x32 tires 30.5x32 tires............$79,500 ..............................$134,500

2003 CAT 517; sn 5WW0231, 2369 hrs., with Esco grapple & winch, 75% UC ..........................$159,500

2003 TIGERCAT 822; sn 8220176, 7163 hrs., New engine with only approx. 400 hrs, 95% UC ...........$144,500

2000 PETERBILT 379EXHD; N14 Cummins enging, 525 hp; 13 spd; Air ride suspension ...................................$36,900

2001 PETERBILT 379EXHD; C-12 Caterpillar Engine 475 hp, 10 Spd., Air ride suspension ..........................$39,900

2008 INTERNATIONAL 4200; VIN #1HTMPAFM 78H546212, VT 365 Intl engine; 52761 mi; 6 spd; 25,500 lb Gross vehicle weight, 16' Flatbed Dump; UNDER CDL ......................................................................................................................$34,900

6288

2001 INTERNATIONAL 8100; Cummins engine; 269,508 mi; 10 spd; 22.5 tires; single axle UNUSED 2500 gallon Smith thank, UNUSED 1000 GPM PTO, 5 individual air sprays, 2 front & 2 rear, 1 side and Street flusher, Dual rear wheels, P/S, A/C ...................................................$33,900

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GET A LOAD OF THIS! CAT: 276-1967 16.6 SQ-FT GRAPPLE TONGS.....$4,500/PR

CONTACT: 478.550.2330 - Keith 478.256.4063 - Gary

249

CAT: 278-2235 16.6 SQ-FT GRAPPLE CYLINDER ....$2,500

FORESTRYPARTSRESOURCE.COM

RECONDITIONED DELIMBINATORS!!

In addition to new machines, CHAMBERS DELIMBINATOR, INC. now has factory reconditioned DeLimbinators. These units have been inspected, repaired, and updated as needed. Call us and we will help you select a DeLimbinator for your need.

WE ALSO BUY USED DELIMBINATORS Call: 662-285-2777 day, 662-285-6832 eves Email: info@chambersdelimbinator.com

Name _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________ City ______________________________________________________ State________ Zip _________________________ Phone____________________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________________

Please send me _______ bumper stickers at $5 each.

Enclosed is $__________ total.

1123

Logs Clog Highway BACKGROUND: On a mild, late fall afternoon in the Southeast, a log truck was merging onto an Interstate highway. Winds were fairly calm, and the road surface was dry.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: The past driving experience and the previous accident history of the 67-year-old tractor-trailer driver were unknown. He was hauling a full load of pulpwood.

UNSAFE ACT: The tractor-trailer driver exited one major thoroughfare and prepared to merge onto an Interstate highway. The exit to the Interstate highway was on a curved, “cloverleaf” ramp that sloped slightly downhill. The truck came out of the last, sharpest part of the ramp’s curve onto the Interstate merge lane at too high a speed, according to police.

ACCIDENT: The driver lost con-

trol of his truck, possibly due in part to a slight shifting of the bound load.

The tractor-trailer overturned, blocking all lanes of the Interstate and the acceleration ramp. A load binder strap holding the rear bunk of random-length pulpwood logs broke

loose, and some of the pulpwood spilled out onto the road surface.

INJURY: The driver was not injured, and fortunately no other vehicles collided with the truck or the load. At one point, the Interstate was backed up for 13 miles while the Department of Transportation cleared the truck and the spilled logs.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTION: Log truck drivers must not

exceed safe speed for the load and road conditions they encounter.

Slow down when approaching curves in the road. Obey posted traffic (speed limit) signs.

Drivers should be trained to understand load dynamics and center of gravity. A double-bunk pulpwood load is most susceptible to rollover—the higher the load and the farther back the weight is, the higher the risk.

All truck drivers should wear seatbelts. In this case, it presumably saved the driver from injury (or worse).

Ensure that all load binders (two per rack for a double-bunk load) are in proper working order and that the working load limit of the binders is adequate for the load being transported, in accordance with cargo securement regulations. Ensure that the logs are securely bound before leaving the harvest site, and check the binders for tightness again before entering a major highway.

Supplied by Forest Resources Assn.

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Easy access to current advertisers! www.southernloggintimes.com/adindex.html Don’t forget to bookmark this link!

ADVERTISER Alliance Tire Americas American Logger’s Council American Truck Parts Around The World Salvage Bandit Industries Carter Enterprises Carter Machinery Cat Forest Products Cleanfix Reversible Fans Cooper Forestry Equipment John Deere Forestry Doggett Machinery Service Employer’s Underwriters Equipment & Parts Firestone Agricultural Tires Flint Equipment Forest Chain Forestry Equipment Resources Forestry First Forestry Mutual Insurance Hawkins & Rawlinson Hydraulic & Pneumatic Ironmart Kaufman Trailers Mike Ledkins Insurance LMI-Tennessee Magnolia Trailers Manac Maxi-Load Scale Systems Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show Moore Logging Supply Morbark Ozark Machinery Peterson Pacific Pitts Trailers Prolenc Manufacturing Puckett Machinery Quadco Equipment Quality Equipment And Parts River Ridge Equipment S E C O Parts & Equipment Stribling Equipment Tidewater Equipment Viking Trailers VPG Onboard Weighing Vulcan On-Board Scales W & W Truck & Tractor Waratah Forestry Attachments J M Wood Auction

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800.343.3276 409.625.0206 888.383.8884 800.251.2789 800.952.0178 205.351.1461 800.868.4228 919.550.1201 855.738.3267 423.338.5470 800.503.3373 225.368.2224 800.622.7635 800.983.1971 515.242.2300 229.888.1212 800.288.0887 256.766.6491 803.807.1726 800.849.7788 888.822.1173 800.785.5133 888.561.1115 866.497.7803 800.766.8349 800.467.0944 800.738.2123 418.228.2018 877.265.1486 662.325.2191 888.754.5613 800.831.0042 800.766.6455 800.269.6520 800.321.8073 877.563.8899 601.985.3700 800.668.3340 877.664.6337 855.325.6465 800.733.7326 800.682.6409 800.849.7725 800.562.0730 800.638.5111 800.237.0022 843.761.8220 770.692.0380 800.447.7085

ADLINK is a free service for advertisers and readers. The publisher assumes no liability for errors or omissions.

COMING EVENTS August

2441; visit arkforests.org.

22—Virginia Loggers Assn. annual meeting, The Homestead, Hot Springs, Va. Call 434-589-1942; visit valoggers.org.

25-27—American Loggers Council annual meeting, Island Resort Casino, Escanaba, Mich. Call 409-6250206; visit americanloggers.org.

23-24—Arkansas Timber Producers Assn. annual meeting, Hot Springs Convention Center, Hot Springs, Ark. Call 501-224-2232; visit arkloggers.com.

October

26-28—Louisiana Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Sam's Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport, La. Call 318-443-2558; visit laforestry.com.

27-28—Florida Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Sawgrass Marriott Resort, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Call 850-222-5646; visit floridaforest.org.

September 5-7—Virginia Forest Products Assn. annual convention, The Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, Va. Call 804737-5625; visit vfpa.net.

7-9—Alabama Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach, Ala. Call 334-2658733; visit alaforestry.org.

19-20—Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show, Starkville, Miss. Call 800669-5613; visit midsouthforestry.org.

23-25—Arkansas Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Arlington Hotel, Hot Springs, Ark. Call 501-374-

1-3—North Carolina Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Grandover Resort, Greensboro, NC. Call 800-2317723; visit ncforestry.org.

15-17—Timber Processing & Energy Expo, Portland Metropolitan Exposition Center, Portland, Ore. Visit tim berprocessingandenergyexpo.com.

15-17—Tennessee Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Doubletree Hotel, Oakridge, Tenn. Call 615-883-3832; visit tnforestry.com.

21-23—Texas Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Pitser Garrison Convention Center, Lufkin, Tex. Call 936632-8733; visit texasforestry.org.

22-24—Mississippi Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Golden Nugget, Biloxi, Miss. Call 601-354-4936; visit msforestry.net.

November 5-7—South Carolina Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Westin Hilton Head Island Resort, Hilton Head, SC. Call 803-798-4170; visit scforestry.org.

7-8—Sawdust and Splinters, Shirard Gray Estates, Magnolia, Miss.

Call 601-876-9635; email contact@sdsfest.com; visit sdsfest.com.

February 2015 25-March 1—Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Annual Meeting, Hyatt Coconut Point, Bonita Springs, Fla. Call 336-885-8315; visit appalachianwood.org.

March 2015 25-27—Kentucky Forest Industries Assn. annual meeting, Embassy Suites, Lexington, Ky. Call 502695-3979; visit kfia.org.

September 2015 18-19—Kentucky Wood Expo, Masterson Station Park, Lexington, Ky. Call 502-695-3979; email Michele@kfia.org; visit kfia.org.

Listings are submitted months in advance.

Always verify dates and locations with contacts prior to making plans to attend.

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