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A Hatton-Brown Publication Co-Publisher David H. Ramsey Co-Publisher David (DK) Knight Chief Operating Officer Dianne C. Sullivan PUBLISHING OFFICE Street Address: 225 Hanrick Street Montgomery, AL 36104-3317 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2268 Montgomery, AL 36102-2268 Telephone (334) 834-1170 Fax 334-834-4525 Executive Editor David (DK) Knight Editor-in-Chief Rich Donnell Western Editor Dan Shell Senior Associate Editor David Abbott Associate Editor Jessica Johnson Associate Editor Jay Donnell Art Director/Prod. Mgr. Cindy Segrest Ad Production Coord Patti Campbell Circulation Director Rhonda Thomas CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Bridget DeVane 1-800-669-5613 ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES SOUTHERN USA Randy Reagor • P.O. Box 2268 Montgomery, AL 36102-2268 (904) 393-7968 • Fax: (904) 393-7979 E-mail: randy@hattonbrown.com MIDWEST USA, EASTERN CANADA John Simmons • 32 Foster Cres.

Whitby, Ontario, Canada L1R 1W1 (905) 666-0258 • Fax: (905) 666-0778 E-mail: jsimmons@idirect.com WESTERN USA, WESTERN CANADA Tim Shaddick • 4056 West 10th Avenue Vancouver, BC, Canada V6L 1Z1 (604) 910-1826 • Fax: (604) 264-1367 E-mail: tootall1@shaw.ca INTERNATIONAL Murray Brett Aldea de las Cuevas 66, Buzon 60 03759 Benidoleig (Alicante), Spain +34 96 640 4165 • Fax: +34 96 640 4022 E-mail: murray.brett@abasol.net Timber Harvesting & Wood Fiber Operations (ISSN 21542333) is published 6 times annually (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December issues are combined) by HattonBrown Publishers, Inc., 225 Hanrick St., Montgomery, AL 36104. Subscriptions are free to U.S. logging, pulpwood and chipping contractors and their supervisors; managers and supervisors of corporate-owned harvesting operations; wood suppliers; timber buyers; businesses involved in land grooming and/or land clearing, wood refuse grinding and right-of-way maintenance; wood procurement and land management officials; industrial forestry purchasing agents; wholesale and retail forest equipment representatives and forest/logging association personnel. All non-qualified U.S. subscriptions are $50 annually; $60 in Canada; $95 (airmail) in all other countries (U.S. funds). Single copies, $5 each; special issues, $20 (U.S. funds). Subscription Inquiries— TOLL-FREE 800-669-5613; Fax 888-611-4525. Go to www.timberharvesting.com and click on the subscribe button to subscribe/renew via the web. All advertisements for Timber Harvesting 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 Timber Harvesting & Wood Fiber Operations. 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.

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Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers Browse, subscribe or renew: www.timberharvesting.com Vol. 62, No. 4: Issue 645

JULY/AUGUST 2014

OurCover Chad Ward Enterprises, a family-oriented, three-crew logging-chipping business based in Lake Butler, Fla., has significantly improved its swamp logging performance by adding a TimberPro 840-B self-loading clambunk forwarder, which can move up to 25 tons in a single drag. Story begins on PAGE 10. (Photo by David Abbott)

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MyTake DK KNIGHT

Finally, The Outlook Is Encouraging It’s exciting to hear and read about the rebounding demand for various types of forest products and the bullish outlook for them across the next three to four years. The good news is plentiful, it’s coming from many channels, and involves both domestic and export markets.

Compared with last year, softwood lumber production is up and climbing as mills work extended hours and phase in efficiency and/or production improvement projects, according to a survey completed earlier this year by Timber Processing, companion publication to this one. Other such projects are being planned. On the lower volume hardwood side the story is much the same. Except for perhaps the bloodiest part of the severe recession, the demand for crossties and construction mats held firm, and has since accelerated. Evidently, gas and oil exploration and associated activities never slowed down much. Lower grade pallet lumber is reportedly very hard to come by, leading some pallet producers to add or expand in-house sawmills.

I understand that at least a couple of well known pallet producers have even put on logging crews to help them get the logs they need for their sawmills.

For both softwood and hardwood manufacturers, the domestic market is very encouraging, the export trade buoyant. Log exports continue to make the news, with shipments increasing from Atlantic and Gulf ports, destined largely for China and India. Some of these shipments involve pine sawlogs originating in the South. In fact, according to The Beck Group, a forest products consulting firm, annual southern pine exports steadily increased between 2006-2013 and are expected to move up again this year. It will be interesting to see if this development has lasting traction.

Holley’s Remarks When leaders like Plum Creek CEO Rick Holley speak, people in the audience tend to ignore their buzzing cell phones. For the record, Plum Creek owns about 7 million acres of timberland in 28 states, marketing up to 18 million tons of logs and wood fiber per year. In a lecture series at the Louisiana Tech School of Forestry in early May, Holley said the recent devastating spruce budworm epidemic in the western Canadian provinces has shifted more lumber production (present and future) to the U.S., most notably the South. This, in part, has led to the reopening of a few shut sawmills and prompted Canadian lumber manufacturers to buy additional existing sawmills in the region. Today four Canadian firms own and operate 30 southern sawmills. Expect these companies to add another half dozen or so by the end of the year.

Earlier, at a bioenergy conference-expo in Atlanta, Holley predicted wood-toenergy plants will not disrupt the region’s wood fiber supply chain as a whole, noting that 23 pulp-paper mills have closed in the region since 1998, shutting the market for some 24 million tons per year. Since that time the region’s timber volume has increased by 28%, he said. Holley placed the South’s pulp-paper mill wood fiber consumption currently at roughly 140 million tons per year and estimated the appetite for pellet mills would amount to 20 million tons by 2020.

Wall Of Wood Since the recession ditched the timber industry around 2007 and kept it there for five or so years, the South has grown a wall of wood, particularly in the small sawlog and above categories. Compared with the rest of the world, the resource is as economical as it is plentiful. Add the fact that the region is friendly to businesses and has the infrastructure in place to move the wood, and you’ve got a real drawing magnet.

In addition to Canadian interests, Austrian-based Klausner is now building large sawmills in north Florida and eastern North Carolina and has announced a third for coastal South Carolina. Its Florida mill is set to begin production in the fall; the NC mill next spring.

Pellets are flowing freely at newly finished facilities in Virginia, North Carolina, 4

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Georgia, Alabama and Texas while new construction continues at a brisk pace in Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana.

As well, softwood chip exports seem to be heating up, with a steady stream continuing from North Carolina ports to Turkey and a new trade developing with Chinese buyers via Jacksonville, Fla. There are a few wood-fueled power projects taking wood fiber in Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia and Florida and a couple of others are in the works.

More Optimism Tom Trone, Director U.S. and Canada Forestry Sales & Marketing for John Deere’s Construction & Forestry Div., in keynote remarks to the Southeastern Wood Producers Assn. in early June, painted an optimistic scene for the South’s forest products industry for the next few years. Saying “logging is a tough, unique and hidden industry,” Trone suggested “the South is short by 30 mills (building products, paper, paperboard). This is unprecedented, and it bodes well for all of us. There are lots of opportunities ahead.”

All makers of machines that harvest timber had a good 2013 and expect even better numbers this year, assuming they can produce enough machines to fill orders.

The uptick action is not limited to the South. Some sawmills elsewhere, including the West and Northeast, have upgraded and/or expanded, or intend to.

Not to be overlooked are recent woodfired power plant startups in Wisconsin, New Hampshire and New York. Sierra Pacific is considering a new sawmill in the Tacoma, Wash. area. At the Olympic Logging Conference in Victoria, BC in early May, Michael Phillips, a key figure at Hampton Affiliates, a major lumber manufacturer based in Oregon, acknowledged lingering to short-term economic and labor uncertainties at both mill and logger levels, but went on to say that in the near future “it will be very good to be in the lumber and in the logging business.”

Not everybody is benefitting everywhere, but overall the outlook for the timber trade is encouraging. It’s been a TH long time coming.

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NewsLines Aspen Power Could Be Back In Business Aspen Power, the biomass power plant that started up in 2011 in Lufkin, Texas, 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 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 re-commence operations at the biomass facility. U.S. Bank, the financial overseer for the project, had filed a motion for an order authorizing their advisor,

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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.

American Loggers Council To Celebrate 20 Years Registration continues for the American Loggers Council’s (ALC) 20th annual meeting, set for September 2527 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 an optional logging tour on September 25, followed by technical and educational seminars on September 26.

Seminars on telematics, equipment fire suppression systems, Tier 4

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NewsLines 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.

For a complete meeting itinerary and registration and hotel information, see pages 34-35 of this issue .

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 plants 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 energy grasses, such as Arundo Donax, also known as Giant Cane, but woody bio-

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mass 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.

More Drax Pellet Plants Planned 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 three miles from Calhoun Falls, which is on the western border of South Carolina.

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, and Morehouse Bioenergy in Bastrop, 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.

LP Deal With Ainsworth For OSB Plants Is No Go Louisiana-Pacific Corp. and Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd. terminated their previously announced agreement in which LP would have acquired Ainsworth, including four OSB plants in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario with a combined annual capacity of 2.5 billion SF. LP and Ainsworth determined that the regulatory approvals couldn’t be obtained without significant divestitures beyond what was originally expected and without engaging in lengthy and expensive litigation.

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DavidAbbott

W

hen Plum Creek or independent landowners want timber harvested from the worst of places, they often do business with Chad Ward, 38, the thirdgeneration owner of Chad Ward Enterprises, Inc. Based in the north Florida town of Lake Butler, not far north of Gainesville, Ward is following in the footsteps of a family tradition started in the 1940s. Both his father and grandfather previously ran the family business under different names. Chad works now with his younger brother, Kimball, 31, and their dad Dean, 66. The company fields three crews: a swamp operation, a biomass chip crew and a 10

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upland crew that also does some chipping.

Last December Ward added a TimberPro 840-B self-loading clambunk forwarder to the swamp crew.

“It’s a pretty unique machine,” he says. “With the boom and the live heel, it’s so much more versatile.”

Ward special-ordered the live heel feature and reports it is the first, and as far as he knows, still only one TimberPro has built. “A live heel is usually found on shovel machines, not on log loaders; because you don’t have to heel it as high in the air, it makes it easier to pick up the mats we use.”

Knight Forestry, TimberPro dealer in Whigham, Ga., made the sale.

“They’ve been great to work with,” he says. “We had a few issues early on that they took care of right away.”

The clambunk features a 300 HP Cummins 8.3 engine. Ward says a major factor for him was the fact that TimberPro still offers a Tier 3 Cummins. “It is a tested and proven engine.” The engine maxes out at 1,800 RPM. When running only the self-loader, it drops to 1,400 RPM to save fuel.

Equipped with a 100-gallon fuel tank, the machine averages 7.25 gallons of fuel per hour. Ward contrasts that with his grapple skidders, which he says burn an average 8 gallons per hour. The result is a considerable fuel

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Three generations of Wards, from left, Chad, Nolan, Dean and Kimball

savings. “On a half-mile skid, the 840-B can pull out 13-15 loads a day. It takes two large skidders to do what the 840 can do alone.”

Stretching 32 ft. long from front tires to rear, the machine weighs 53,000 lbs. and is 14 ft. wide with duals. It rides on16 Primex tires—28s inside, 23s outside.

The clambunk was something Ward had wanted to try for some time. He’d seen similar machines in use by a local peer, Cremer Wood in Palatka, years ago. “I just thought we could do so much with it,” he recalls. “The market for hardwood finally picked up, and I had always wanted to try it, so we took the risk and it has paid off.” ➤ 12

Tigercat T250 piles logs for the TimberPro 840-B, above, which can move 25 tons in a single drag.

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The company taps the chipping muscle of both Morbark and Bandit brands.

Swamp crew, from left: Chris Tanner, Gary Williams, Chester Johnson, David Dubose, Dean Williams, Cody Vaughn

In Action With its 32.5 sq. ft. grapple, the 840-B can carry up to 25 tons— nearly a trailer load—in a drag.

Along with the obvious productivity increase, Ward points to several advantages it has over a grapple skidder. First, because it has more surface area and thus less ground pressure, and because it requires fewer trips back and forth to the landing, it causes less damage to the log mats necessary for traveling over deep mud and standing water.

Carrying the drag so far forward, 12

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Cat 559 loader and CTR pull-through delimber work as a combo.

relative to a grapple skidder, also reduces drag weight at the ground.

As well, its self-loading capability means it can pick up those mats on its way back to the landing when a section of a tract is finished, freeing the crew’s Tigercat T250 shovel machine to move on to the next section.

Following a Tigercat 845 track cutter, the shovel machine pre-sorts in the swamp, separating pine and hardwood while building drags for the TimberPro and for a Tigercat 630D grapple skidder, which supplements capacity when needed. This

means the 840B might have a full load of only pulpwood, or it might have a layered drag with logs on the bottom and pulpwood on the top, for example. This makes sorting at the landing much easier for the operator of the Cat 559 loader.

That loader, incidentally, is a 12, 000-hour machine, but Ward says it’s in no need of replacement yet.

“It’s given no trouble so we’ll keep it running till we have to put a significant amount of money into it.

We’ve had to pack two cylinders but that’s the only work that’s been done to it.”

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Overall Footprint The company fielded two shovel logging swamp crews until the hardwood market soured a few years back. With Gainesville Regional Utilities’ wood-fired power plant came opportunities, so Ward opted to idle one of the swamp crews and shift it into strictly a chipping operation. He also added a third crew that handles both roundwood and chips. The chip crew uses a 2011 Tigercat 630D skidder, 2014 Tigercat 720E feller-buncher, 2008 Cat 559 loader and 2013 Morbark 40/36 chipper. The combo crew has a 2013 Tigercat 720E cutter, a 2004 Prentice 384 loader and a 2005 John Deere 748G-III skidder.

Its chipper is a 2010 Bandit 2290 that features a special-ordered 440 HP engine—that’s 115 more horsepower than typically found on a 2290 model. Ward asked for the increased power because, he says, the standard 325 HP engine takes about 45 minutes to chip a load, compared to about 25 minutes with the 440 HP, using about nine gallons of fuel per load (average load of 28 tons). The upgrade cost him about $25,000 but he believes it was well worth it.

Spare equipment includes 2003 and 2005 Prentice 384 loaders, 2003 John Deere 648G-III, 2006 Tigercat 822C track cutter, 2004 Tigercat T250 track loader, 2005 Tigercat 720D cutter, 2005 Cat 924G wheel loader and 2003 Cat D3 dozer.

Ward figures his total investment at around $2.5 million.

Equipment dealers are Ring Power in Lake City for Caterpillar, Beard Equipment in Lake City for John Deere and Tidewater in Maxville for Tigercat. “Rick Diggs, the branch manager at Tidewater, sold me my first new skidder,” Ward recalls. “I’ve been buying from him ever since, and I feel he has always looked out for me.”

Ward maintains a four-bay shop, where he employs a full-time mechanic, Craig Bailey. Bailey handles most any repairs short of a full engine overhaul, including transmissions and rear ends. About the only things that Ward has to rely on a dealer for are major engine repairs and some electronics work. Marvin Hawkins of Hawkins’ Repair in Lake Butler also helps keep the machines running. He has been helping the family business for almost 25 years.

Tigercat 845 track-type buncher works on swamp crew.

When needed Ward uses a Tigercat 630D skidder on the swamp crew.

Operators track hours with tags in the windows of each machine to let them know when it was last serviced, and handle all routine fluid and filter changes in the woods. Trucks go to the shop for oil changes. Ward prefers Chevron oils and grease for road trucks. He says Chemsearch offers a high quality, water-resistant grease for harvesting gear.

Ward buys fuel in bulk and stores it in tanks at the shop, having it delivered in split loads—half onroad and half off-road—by supplier G.W. Hunter, Inc. in Lake City.

Road trucks fill up at the Lake Butler shop daily, while service trucks, mounted with fuel tanks, carry offroad diesel to the woods.

Industrial Cutting Tools in Valdosta, Ga. supplies and sharpens Ward’s chipper knives. The crews will go through 20-30 spares between changing and sharpening.

Simonds is the preferred brand.

Manpower Chad, Kimball and Dean each supervise a crew. Chad oversees the swamp crew, which includes fatherand-son team Gary Williams on the

cutter and Dean Williams on the shovel machine, Chris Tanner on the skidder, David Dubose on the clambunk, and Cody Vaughn moving setout trailers and trimming with Echo pole saws. Chester Johnson, 65, mans the loader. Johnson also worked for Ward’s father and his grandfather.

Kimball runs the chipper and supervises the combo crew, which has Willie Hamilton on the cutter, Scottie Croft on the loader and Connor Austin on the skidder.

Dean is in charge of the chipping crew, which features James Qualls on the skidder, Clifford Johnson on the cutter and Jeffrey Griffis on the loader.

Truck drivers are Dwayne Crawford, James Vaughn, Harold Chatmon, Lee Austin, Eddie Croft and Keith Griffis.

Chad notes, “I’ve been blessed with a close-knit group of men that make this all possible. We are all like family to one another.” The Wards have complete confidence in their men. “When they say it can’t be done, they call us, and we do it,” one of the employees says. Kimball Ward recalls that on a particular

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honesty and quality over quantity.

“It’s what we’ve always done and it’s kept us busy,” he says. “It’s all about how you treat people—with respect—like they want to be treated. It comes back around.”

Brighter Days

Left to right: Eddie Croft, James Qualls, Clifford Johnson, Jeffrey Griffis

tract recently, another prominent Plum Creek contractor had reported that no more could be harvested from that swamp. “Well, we cut it,” Kimball says with a smile.

FCCI of Sarasota, Fla., supplies all of Ward’s insurance needs; he deals with agents Chris Lands and Buddy Evans from the Bates-Hewett agency in Palatka. FCCI sends monthly fliers that Ward uses in conducting weekly safety meetings.

Hauling The full-time chipping crew works only on private land, while the combo crew works on tracts belonging to Plum Creek and on privately owned holdings. The swamp crew works entirely on Plum Creek land and so sets out trailers for contract hauling company Pritchett Trucking, also based around the Lake Butler area. Pritchett handles most of Plum Creek’s trucking in the area. The other two crews, however, rely on Ward’s trucks. The company has 20 log trailers—a mix of Big John, Pitts and homemade models.

Its nine chip vans are products of Peerless, Pitts or ITI. “We keep trucks ready to go at any given moment because that is the biggest bottleneck,” Ward says. The company has nine trucks—its newest a 2007 model—by Mack, Volvo, Kenworth and Western Star, but only runs six full time. “We are staying away from the new emissions stuff for now,” he admits. “We want to let them get all the kinks ironed out and then start upgrading our fleet.” Ward also hires one other independent contract hauler, Michal Pinder.

The swamp crew delivers anywhere from 65-80 loads in a week, depending on ground conditions and 14

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timber quality. “They are really productive out here,” Ward’s brother Kimball says, noting the often difficult terrain. When Timber Harvesting visited in early June, the swamp crew had sent out 15 loads that day. The chipping crew averages 60 loads a week and the smaller combo crew extracts around 40.

Hardwood pulpwood, which represents the majority of the company’s production, goes to Georgia-Pacific in Palatka, Fla. When TH visited, the swamp crew was working in Palatka just four miles from the G-P mill, one of the reasons for needing the grapple skidder to supplement the clambunk on that job. Some hardwood pulp also goes to RockTenn in St. George, Ga., which acts as a chip yard for Rayonier. Rayonier contracts RockTenn to unload and chip hardwood at this site.

Grade hardwood logs go to Beasley Forest Products in Hazlehurst, Ga. Pine logs go to Suwanee Lumber Co. in Cross City, Fla. Cypress logs go to Mulch Mfg., Inc. in Homerville, Ga., while the same company buys cypress mulch material at its plant in Callahan, Fla. Pine pulpwood goes to either Rayonier in Fernandina Beach, Fla. or RockTenn in Maxville, Fla. Kimball owns Ward Timber, the wood-buying affiliate of Chad Ward Enterprises. Ward Timber keeps two of the three crews busy with non-Plum Creek jobs. “He meets the landowners and does the contracts and Chad Ward Enterprises does the harvesting and hauling,” Chad explains. “We used to work for wood dealers, but we wanted to get away from that to have more independence.”

Ward describes his business philosophy as one of straightforward

Company founder and family patriarch Nolan Ward is still going at 94. The grandfather to Chad and Kimball started logging in 1949 and ran the company for nearly 25 years before handing it over to Dean in the early 1970s.

Dean ran the show for the better part of three decades before deciding it was time for him to take a step back. Of his three sons, Chad had shown the most interest in the business, so he took the reins of what was then only a single crew in 2001. “Dad hung back for a while, but he loves being involved; he just wanted to be in a less stressful role,” Chad says.

Ward says his priority is family first, then business, although his wife of 17 years, Charity, might disagree. “She thinks I am married to the business,” he laughs. Charity keeps the company books. “I couldn’t make it without her,” her husband admits.

Now with three children of his own, Chad still believes there is plenty of opportunity if any of them have an interest in keeping up the family tradition, but he isn’t pushing them. “If it’s what they want to do, and they are willing to work, there’s plenty left in this thing.” He named his oldest son, Nolan, 16, after his grandfather. His daughter Anna is 10, while his younger son, now 6, has a name made for a future logger: Nelson Timber Ward. “He always wants to go with me when he can on the weekends, and he really enjoys the tractors and everything about the woods.”

More than 10 years into his own career as head of a family business that survived the last few years, Ward now enjoys an optimistic vision of the near future. “I think there is a lot of opportunity,” he says. “It has been a real wet winter, and that has opened up the markets for hardwood and pine pulpwood both. Inventories are low so they are pushing us really hard, and it’s a lot better than it has been in a long time TH around here.”

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Chippers, Grinders, & Accessories Manufacturers describe their latest models, updates, innovations and systems.* ArmorHog Replacement Grinder Parts ArmorHog, a division of CW Mill Equipment Co., provides top quality extreme duty replacement parts, repair, and service for all brands and models of grinders, specializing in rigid hammer grinding applications.

CW Mill has been manufacturing, selling, and servicing grinders for over 40 years, and the knowledge, experience, and manufacturing capabilities it has developed result in industry leading quality products. CW Mill’s innovative developments materialize in long-life screens, tips, hammers, and other replacement parts. ArmorHog is the extreme duty brand of aftermarket grinder parts for all grinders.

ArmorHog has its own unique blend of carbide called NitroGrit, a proprietary blend of carbide found to best suit grinding applications. ArmorHog tips with NitroGrit carbide matrix provide superior performance and outlast other brands.

NitroGrit can be applied in any custom pattern per customer request and is available in a variety of grit levels.

To learn more visit armorhog.com or phone 800-7433491.

Upgraded, Enhanced Barko CH6025 Barko’s CH6025 whole tree chipper offers upgraded components and a newly enhanced eightknife design that contribute to optimal operating efficiency.

Featuring Barko’s patented ConeHead drum technology, the machine’s innovative slicing action uses less energy and produces high quality chips of remarkably consistent size.

The ConeHead drum offers a wider 35 in. throat opening that helps make faster work of big jobs. The drum’s updated knife design includes eight steel in-pocket knives with two usable edges per knife. Rather than the chopping action of a 16

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traditional drum or disc, the ConeHead drum utilizes a more efficient slicing motion that delivers more chip loads per gallon of fuel consumed.

The CH6025 is powered by a turbo diesel in the 520 to 600 horsepower range, has a 150 gallon fuel tank, and can process a 22 in. diameter tree. The unit’s infeed table with replaceable floor is 10 ft. long and 7 ft. 3 in. wide. One horizontal and two vertical hydraulic feed rollers handle mounds of limbs and tops quickly, and large blades on the drum ends throw chips forcefully into vans to pack in more material, thereby increasing efficiency and productivity.

To learn more visit barko.com or phone 715-395-6700.

Bandit Whole Tree Chippers All Bandit whole tree chippers utilize durable welded construction with heavyduty components to ensure long life with minimal downtime.

Bandit’s powerful Slide Box Feed System, considered by many to be the best in the industry, pulls in and crushes material with ease while not overfeeding the chipper.

Proprietary designs for drum housings and discharge systems allow Bandit chippers to process material quickly and efficiently, giving operators the power and capability to achieve more production with less fuel consumption. This also contributes to Bandit’s aggressive throwing power, all while producing a clean dimensional chip.

For professionals who need micro chips in the ¼-in. range, Bandit’s Micro Chip drum makes twice the cuts per revolution to deliver the high-quality micro chips that are currently in demand for fuelwood markets. The versatility of this drum also enables Bandit chippers to easily produce standard-sized chips, or larger 1-½-in. “maxi” chips. Combined with Bandit’s Card Breaker System to help filter out oversize chips, these machines create an extremely consistent chip without sacrificing production, and without the need for a separate chip accelerator to load vans.

Available as towable or self-propelled track units with built-in cabs and loaders, there’s a Bandit whole tree chipper for any size operation.

To learn more visit banditchippers.com or phone 800952-0178. *All claims are attributable to respective manufacturers.

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Bandit XP-Series Beast Recyclers

DuraTech Industries’ TC-15 Chipper

XP-Series Beast recyclers/horizontal grinders process an array of materials, turning everything from forest slash to woody municipal waste into a “mulch” valuable product. Process stumps, logs, brush, wet leaves, whole trees, landscape waste, pallets, railroad ties, telephone poles, housing demolition, sawmill waste, logging, chip mill and paper mill waste—all through one machine.

Breaking down materials by cutting and splitting as opposed to the grinding action found in other machines is what sets the Beast apart. Various tooth and screen options, and the ability to adjust the infeed conveyor feed rate, enable operators to produce the specific product needed, either through multiple grinds or a single pass.

Various machine setups are available to create the best mulch products, the most uniform raw material for pressed board, the most acceptable boiler fuel, and the best hot-mix asphalt supplement from recycled shingles. And with a dedicated whole tree chipper drum now available, operators can convert their Beast into a powerful and capable whole tree chipper for screened wood chip applications.

XP-Series Beast recyclers are in operation all around the world, and for good reason. Available as towable or selfpropelled units with diesel or electric options over 1000 horsepower, there is model to suit any application.

To learn more visit banditchippers.com or phone 800952-0178.

DuraTech Industries’ TC-15 chipper is the larger option in the DuraTech chipper line.

With 122 or 139 horsepower Caterpillar diesel engine options and an optional PTTech clutch, the TC-15 can process logs up to 15 in. diameter.

The chipper features a spring-loaded feed wheel with adjustable down pressure, an optional height sensor that automatically adjusts the feed roller to material size, and an optional hydraulic gathering winch. A hydraulic two-unit feed roller system feeds the four 4.5 in. knives. The TC-15 discharges material 360º from the hydraulic rotating adjustable chip spout.

The high performance unit has multiple safety features, including innovative hopper safety light bars and easy and instant shut down. There are two E-stop switches, a disc hood closed proximity switch and a breakaway brake switch to ensure the safety of the operator.

Measuring 79x208 in. in size, the compact chipper is available with either a pintle or ball hitch and can easily be towed to a job site.

To learn more visit duratechindustries.net or phone 701252-0502.

Doppstadt DH 910 SA-B Chipper Reliable and cost-effective, the new robust heavyduty Doppstadt DH 910 SA-B chipper easily handles logs and root timber, branches and wooden residues. Consistent, high-quality chips are produced from logs up to 900 mm diameter. Instead of a discharge arm, this chipper discharges material by means of a slewable rear conveyor, thus achieving highest throughput capacities.

Chip size is determined by the feed speed and by different screening segments that are quickly and easily replaced. The heavy and solid full-steel rotor provided with chipping knives guarantees reliable, high output. An elevated re-shredding screen and a rigid cutter bar ensure uniform chip size.

All important functions can be controlled by remote control, even from a crane or excavator. All control elements are joined on one central panel. The tri-axle semi-trailer chassis is equipped with ABS and can also be towed by wheel loaders or large stackers. Easily and quickly set up for operation, the DH 910 SA-B produces up to 350 cubic meters per hour.

To learn more visit doppstadtus.com or phone 440-9373225.

DynaHog Grinder Parts DynaHog offers high performance quality grinder parts for swing hammer style tub grinders, horizontal grinders, and other hammermill grinding applications. DynaHog supplies hammermill screens, hammers, other parts and grinder service for Jones, Haybuster, WHO, and other brands, and also provides hammermill and rotor repair and balancing.

Custom DynaHog-made hammermill screens and grates for all brands, all configurations, and all models of grinders are available. We also provide grinder tips, bits, strikers and replacement hammer heads. We can discuss your application, provide options, and work with you to make sure that your custom screen requirements are met down to the smallest detail.

To learn more visit dynahog.com or phone 800-743-3491.

Fulghum Front-Loading Knife Clamps Fulghum Industries, a Georgia-based manufacturing company, has been serving the forest products industry for almost 60 years, and continues to develop and improve the technology on which the lumber industry relies.

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Recently Fulghum developed a new knife clamp design to aid those utilizing disc chippers. These new, front-loading clamps will lead to a safer, more efficient chipper operation.

Traditionally, knife clamps and their hardware are located on opposite sides of the chipper disc, requiring two workers just to change knives. With Fulghum’s new design, the clamps and their mounting hardware are located on the same side as the knives, meaning that one worker can now change the knives in the same amount of time that it takes two workers with a traditional clamp.

Also, with fewer people having to physically interact with the clamps, there is a lower chance of accidents due to miscommunication or inexperience. In addition to greater efficiency and safety, Fulghum’s front-loading clamps are engineered to resist chip packing and unwanted stud releasing that can occur with traditional clamps. Contact us today to upgrade to a more dynamic chipping operation.

To learn more visit fulghum.com or phone 800-841-5980.

remain a cut above all others, Top professionals who have become fully aware of our machinery prefer HogZilla machines for their additional efficiency, torque, production, reliability, quality, durability and value.

CW Mill takes pride in staying ahead of customer needs.

HogZilla grinders incorporate standard features that enable them to outperform machines with extra-cost upgrade options offered by other manufacturers. We always help customers make sure their HogZilla is built to meet and exceed their own special needs.

You owe it to yourself and your organization to contact us. We can show you the way to revolutionize your operation with one of our 14 standard HogZilla models ranging from mid-sized to massive, including self-propelled track driven and self-loading units. We can provide you with machinery options that will save you money; you’ll wonder why you didn’t make the change sooner.

To learn more visit hogzilla.com or phone 800-743-3491.

Heizomat Launches New Chip Truck

Updated Jenz BA 725 Biomass Processor

The latest chip truck from Heizomat, the HM 14-88 KL, is based on the Mercedes Benz AROCS 3345 and benefits from the latest EURO6 engine combined with 6x6 drive.

The new cab provides an expansive rear window composed of safety glass. The operator has a fully air suspended seat, air conditioning, ultimate visibility and comfort.

All wear components in the chipper have been redesigned to increase service life. With its huge feed opening (48x32 in.) the chipper makes short work of even the bulkiest material.

It has never been easier to feed a chipper, thanks to a fully powered infeed conveyor. Combine this with the unique powered-edge feed roller and even long lengths of timber ease into the chipper. Feed and reverse are fully remotely controlled. Engine power and torque of the new OM471LA (450 HP, 2200Nm torque) is applied through the truck gearbox PTO to the chipper. The bespoke design of the transmission absorbs shock loads. The Epsilon Palfinger M80F101 crane is standard.

Heizohack again delivers industry leading chipping efficiency. A simple but robust design and easily replaceable wear parts contribute to low running costs.

To learn more visit www.heizomat.de or phone +49 (0) 98 36 97 97-0.

Jenz has used the mandatory conversion to Tier 4 engine technology (375 horsepower Mercedes Benz) to further optimize other areas of its BA 725 Biomass Processor, which can be configured to handle solid wood, bark or brush. For example, the draw-in height has been increased from 720 mm to 820 mm, and the top draw-in roller speed has been increased by 30%. This provides for higher throughput rates and makes the machine more forgiving of irregular feed loads because the material is pulled apart by the roller.

Jenz has made maintenance and conversion work easier by fitting the machine with a three-part screen basket as standard. Each segment weighs only 25 kg and can be changed by only one person. New screen baskets with larger openings are also available for making larger sized chips.

The unit incorporates Jenz’s “easygreen” monitoring system, which also provides the operator with service and economic data.

To learn more visit jenz.de or phone +49 5704 9409-0

HogZilla Grinders By CW Mill CW Mill has been manufacturing quality electric and diesel powered grinders for over 40 years, providing what many believe to be the best in the industry.

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Morbark Horizontal Grinders Morbark offers a full line of Wood Hog horizontal grinders in a range of sizes, on tracks or tires, diesel or electric powered. Add a wide variety of available options and you’ve got the flexibility to customize the perfect grinder for your particular needs.

The Wood Hog is a top quality industrial-grade grinder for processing brush, yard waste, clearing debris, storm debris, construction-demolition waste, other mixed woody feedstocks, and asphalt shingles into saleable products. All Wood Hogs come standard with the Morbark Integrated Control System (MICS) to maximize production and engine efficiency; a laser-cut, factory-balanced rotor for unsurpassed durability; and an aggressive feed wheel with an internal Poclain drive that has no chains or sprockets for more torque and reduced maintenance.

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The proven breakaway torque limiter driveline protection system protects against catastrophic damage from contaminants. And with the optional Morbark Quick Switch grinderto-chipper conversion kit, you can use your Morbark Wood Hog to produce high-quality biomass fuel chips or sawdust.

To learn more visit www.morbark.com or phone 800-8310042.

Morbark MicroChipper: “Pellet Perfect” Morbark enhanced the design of its popular 40/36 whole tree chipper in 2013 to make the machine perfect for making micro-chips vital to pellet mills.

The 40/36 drum MicroChipper includes an enhanced drum set with 16 knives utilizing standard hardware, an operator-friendly slide-in forestry grate system to reduce oversized chips, and a mechanically driven chip accelerator to fully load vans.

“With new biomass plants being built in the United States and the rapid expansion of wood pellet exports to Europe, our customers need a cost-effective system for making microchips,” says John Foote, Morbark Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “The 40/36 MicroChipper is the solution. We are able to produce a far superior product, producing up to 95% acceptable micro-chips at volumes of more than 70 tons per hour.”

With an average of 2.25 tons of micro-chips produced per gallon of fuel used, the 40/36 allows owners to reduce costs and maximize profits. In customer tests, up to 95% of the micro-chips produced passed through a ½ in. grate, and an average of 65% passed through a ¼ in. grate.

To learn more visit www.morbark.com/microchipper or phone 800-831-0042.

Peerless Debarking Chain The formidable task of flail debarking requires a premium chain product. Peerless debarking chains are designed to exceed expectations by: ● Increasing chip quality with lower bark content ● Increasing loads of chips per chain used ● Increasing machine run-time with reduced chain changeover ● Increasing chain life with consistent quality Peerless debarking chains are subject to our rigorous and continuous quality control process, and extensive research, development and testing all result in a superior product.

They are available in three distinct types: .630, .656 heavy and the new revolutionary .656 round link.

To learn more visit peerlesschain.com or phone 800-8731916.

Peterson’s New 5710D Horizontal Grinder The new 5710D horizontal grinder is the latest high production design by Peterson. Powered by a Tier 4i Cat C27

engine, it handles the toughest jobs.

At 88,500 lbs., the 5710D was designed for operations that require frequent moves between jobs without a special permit. An optional transportation dolly allows it to be easily moved and quickly set up. With a feed opening of 60x40 in. combined with a high lift feed roll, the 5710D readily reduces a wide range of materials.

It uses Peterson’s Impact Release System that can be set in the detent mode to provide consistent product sizing or to the floating anvil mode for a primary reduction where accurate sizing is less critical. The latter mode provides primary reduction with more protection from contaminated feedstocks, as well as reduced fuel consumption.

The machine features Peterson’s high production Adaptive Control System and a fully adjustable feed system that can be optimized for a wide material range. The 5710D features a large grate area that enables it to produce products to exact specifications. A quick-change multiple grate system facilitates customized grate configurations as needed.

Another major innovation is the Impact Cushion System, which allows movement of the compression roll/anvil housing pivot shaft, cushioning impacts due to contaminants. Shear pins above the cushion and a sensing circuit that stop the engine help protect the shaft in the event of a severe impact.

To learn more visit petersoncorp.com. or phone 541-6896250.

Pezzolato Drum Chippers Pezzolato’s closed drum design guarantees a constant cutting length. Once the distance between the blade and the drum (i.e. the cutting length) is set, the material is always cut in the same size each time the blade passes, thus ensuring high quality chips, even from branches or by-products. In the so-called “open” drum chippers, the material can be dragged by the drum and then cut beyond the maximum size. Thanks to Pezzolato technology, the closed drum acts as a barrier and aligns the material, preventing the production of oversized chips.

Pezzolato drum chippers achieve cutting consistency in part because they have two blades that are as long as the whole drum axis. This guarantees the production of high quality chips because the material is subject to the action of the blades and immediately passes through the calibrating sieving grid. Other “multi-blades” cutting system chippers produce a high percentage of fine particles because they engage the wood in several steps and parts. Moreover, the oversize material is forced to run several times into the chipping chamber before passing trough the calibrating grid, thus generating a lot of dust.

To learn more visit pezzolato.it or phone +39 0175 278077.

Pezzolato MF 10000 Grinders These medium size machine models are ideal for recycling wood products/residues into biomass or for solid waste disposal/compost preparation. The material is charged with a

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mechanical device and stored in the hopper, squashed by a toothed roller and conveyed to hammers through a bottomclosed chain. These machines have an exclusive shredding system, set apart by a top-down rotor that pushes the material against a fixed anvil, resulting in uniform grinding.

The rugged rotor is composed of several parallel discs, enabling it to withstand any foreign object that may be introduced by mistake. Standard or optional hammers can be mounted, according to the end-user’s requirements.

These machines can be powered either by diesel engine, electric motor, or tractor PTO. An electronic device regulates the feeding of the material to be shredded, according to the available power. It is called “no stress” because the device stops the feeding in case of engine stress, thus avoiding the engine surcharge and the machine obstruction. A rubber conveyor or discharge chute come as standard equipment. Pezzolato shredding machines can be towed with a homologated trailer (high or low speed) or they can be set up in stationary mode.

To learn more visit pezzolato.it or phone +39 0175 278077.

Precision Husky Whole Tree Chippers Precision Husky has been manufacturing whole tree chippers for more than 41 years and markets the equipment around the world.

The Precision 3086 whole tree chipper can process a 30 in. diameter hardwood log, turning it into an avalanche of chips. The exclusive Precision chipper design gives 25% more anvil contact, prevents wood turning and slapping, and produces a smoother slicing action.

The Precision method insures uniform sized chips while using less horsepower. The discharge pipe is hydraulically controlled from the operator’s cab.

The 3086 is equipped with the Husky XL-245 knuckleboom loader as standard equipment. It is a rugged performer and has proven it will give years of trouble-free service.

All four sizes of Precision whole tree chippers have rugged frame construction, oversized stabilizers and air compressors, large hydraulic tanks, trash separators at infeed, and more powerful fans that pack 3 to 6 tons more chips per 40 ft. van. Power options range from 400 to 1050 horsepower, available in Cummins or Caterpillar diesels.

To learn more visit precisionhusky.com or phone 205640-5181.

Rayco RH1754 Track Horizontal Grinder The only thing better than a compact horizontal grinder is a compact horizontal grinder on tracks! Rayco’s RH1754 horizontal grinder is now available in a self-propelled version that rides on a heavy-duty steel track undercarriage. This adds another element of versatility to the RH1754, making it easier to move the machine around job sites and to perform tasks like windrowing material or sorting material into different piles.

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The 240 horsepower machine weighs just 20,500 lbs. and is under 8 ft. wide, so no permits are required for moving it on public roads. A wireless radio remote operates each track independently to provide precise control, and twospeed final drives provide for creep speed or high speed travel. The RH1754 is an economical solution for producing high quality mulch from a variety of wood residuals, pallets, wood chips, etc.

Finally, there is a horizontal grinder on tracks within reach of the small contractor.

To learn more visit raycomfg.com or phone 800-3922686.

Second Generation Vermeer Chipper Our second generation of the Vermeer whole tree chipper, the WC2300XL, has the same amount of power as our first generation product but has more bite for when working in more challenging material, thanks to its enhanced infeed. By increasing the infeed roller diameter to 28 in. the WC2300XL offers superior productivity whether working in slash or logs up to 23 in. in diameter. Running material through the machine is easy and efficient due to the unit’s variable-speed dual infeed conveyor chains, conveyor head pulley with integral grip bars and aggressive infeed roller with crush capability.

The WC2300XL features an infeed system that includes variable-speed dual infeed conveyor chains, conveyor head pulley with integral grip bars, sloped infeed table and aggressive diameter infeed roller with crush capability. These provide efficient feeding of difficult materials, reducing the number of times an operator has to handle the material.

High wear material flow areas, such as drum knife pockets, discharge chute, cutter housing and infeed conveyor floor, are designed with replaceable wear parts. This helps extend machine life.

To learn more visit equippedtodomore.com or phone 641628-3141.

Terex TBG 640 Horizontal Grinder Terex Environmental Equipment currently offers two types of horizontal grinders, the TBG 640 wheeled version and the TBG 640T tracked version. These are extremely versatile machines and are designed as a universal product for reducing wood, including demolition material, pallets, green refuse and industrial material.

The 640 models are manufactured and designed for high performance and strong reliability. With user-friendly controls and good fuel efficiency, they are built with ease of TIMBER HARVESTING & WO OD FIBER OPERATIONS

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maintenance in mind, thus reducing downtime. Components are easily accessible for service technicians.

The TBG 640 is capable of working in the most demanding environments. Biomass and bioenergy industries will find this product an ideal fit. Recycling yards and landfills will also find the TBG 640 as the solution for creating the recycled products they require.

Both the wheeled and tracked versions feature a 65x34 in. hammermill. The infeed opening is 41 in. high and 63 in. wide. Both versions come the with a 700 horsepower engine, with a 755 Tier 4 option. The TBG 640 is capable of producing green waste between 300–400 yards per hour and scrap wood between 400–500 yards per hour.

To learn more visit terex.com/environmentalequipment/en or phone 800-953-5532.

Terex Whole Tree Chippers Terex Environmental Equipment manufactures a comprehensive range of whole tree chippers. The Terex Biomass 400 series has three different models and supports customers from biomass plants, logging operations, sawmill, forest services, site clearing and land development.

The heart of the Terex TBC 400 series is the massive 50 in. diameter drum—largest available on the market—which helps improve efficiency and reduces fuel consumption. This drum has a 1 in. drum skin, full pocket cutting surface, and bolt-in replaceable wear parts. The drum gives the Terex TBC 400 chippers a mechanical advantage in cutting attack angle, wear, longevity, kinetic energy and fuel efficiency.

The large infeed system and opening enables efficient feeding of slash, limbs, short wood and whole trees. Terex chippers use a full knife pocket across the face of the drum to produce superior high quality chips and reduce load times.

Terex biomass chippers are simply designed with fewer moving parts and durable heavy-duty construction, TEE offers multiple options, including built-in loaders and customized cabs, all to suit a customer’s specific needs.

To learn more visit terex.com/environmentalequipment/en or phone 800-953-5532.

U.S. Blades Chipper Knives U.S. Blades provides chipper knives and saws for the forest products industry. A complete line of cutting tool solutions is available, including chipper knives, saws, knife grinding and filing room equipment, along with consumable supplies and equipment parts. With five locations, U.S Blades is a full service supplier for your cutting tool and filing room supply needs. To top it off, U.S. Blades operates a scheduled truck route where on a weekly basis your dull knives and saws are picked up and repaired and reconditioned to run like new again.

If you have a favorite brand, chances are U.S. Blades can supply that identical part for less money. If you are looking to

improve on your existing product, you’ve come to the right place in U.S. Blades. Our experienced personnel with decades of hands-on, real life solutions will help you fill that void.

U.S. Blades chipper knives are built to last, as they are manufactured to exacting tolerances using the highest grade tool steel available. Why waste another dollar struggling with inferior products? Find out why our knives and saws are “Feared By Trees Everywhere.”

To learn more visit usblades.net or phone 800-862-4544.

Universal Refiner H.A.W.G., R-Mag Models Universal Refiner Corp. is a small to mid-size company that has many strengths. We began building stationary grinders for the sawmill and pulp industry in 1980. Our success came from replacing troublesome hammermills with “Universal Refiners.” In1984 our first portable production moved more toward the portable recycling market. In 1990 we recognized the need for a portable grinder with a large infeed opening to replace the troublesome hammermills called tub grinders. The result was the “Contender” anti-tub grinder.

Since about 2000 Universal Refiner has been busy developing and marketing its H.A.W.G. (Hypocyclonic Action Waste Grinder) models. This new design surprised everyone with its ability for its size and cost and is now firmly established in the market.

We have now turned our attention to our larger machines and, using what we have learned, have created a larger, stronger replacement to the Contender models. Our R-Mag models are our most powerful, productive and efficient grinders yet. We can honestly say that the R-Mag models are new, tough, and better.

To learn more visit universalrefiner.com or phone 800277-8068.

Wallingford’s Flail Debarking Chains In 1978 Wallingford’s Inc. introduced round link flail chain for Hydro-Ax delimbers and today continues development of this link design, the first chain ever to be produced specifically for flail applications.

Over the last 30 years Wallingford’s has developed and delivered oval link design flail chains that have set the standards for long life and consistent quality. Rigid quality control and exact steel and hardness specifications have given contractors clean chips at an affordable price.

Most recently Wallingford’s introduced a square link design that provides for even longer life, oftentimes up to 50% compared to other makes. This unique design and larger chain diameter enables the contractor to reduce flail RPMs, which results in longer life and less fuel consumption while maintaining a low bark content. Another benefit of the design is there is no need to flip or rotate the chain, thus reducing downtime.

Our research and development team continues its efforts with flail rods, flail drums and curtain chains, all of which will soon be available.

To learn more visit wallingfords.com or phone 800-323TH 3708.

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Fitting Name For Fit Logger Six crews strong, young Texas gun appears to have it together.

JessicaJohnson

F

orrest Hodges was born to be a logger. After all, four generations of his ancestors were loggers, and his parents gave him a fitting name for the part. Add that he hails from the east Texas community of Forest, located about 120 miles northeast of Houston, and, well, it all adds up.

Hodges is a likeable guy, the kind you want to have a backyard BBQ with and share a few belly laughs.

He’s down to earth, grateful for how God has blessed him, and most importantly, realistic about logging, He certainly isn’t your typical 25-year-old.

A fifth generation logger, Hodges claims he started out “as a pup” and went out on his own at 19. From there, Forrest Hodges Operations, Inc. (FHO) was born. After high school and after trying his hand at both EMT school and the Fire Academy, he started with just one piece of equipment and grew gradually, then rapidly.

Today he fields six crews, operates his

own trucking component, purchases his own timber, and has a contract with Hancock Forest Management.

Hodges doesn’t have a forester on staff, and isn’t a graduate forester himself, but he is skilled in cruising timber. He relies on two consultants and has one timber buyer on staff.

FHO’s crews do it all, from thinning to regeneration harvests, and on tracts ranging from 40 acres to 1,000. When quotas don’t hold the company back, it can bang out an average production of about 350 loads a week.

How does he do it all, exactly? “One of the most important things in this business is to go with the flow,” Hodges

Forrest Hodges

Operator of JD 437D loader delimbs all logs with a CSI pull-through unit before sorting them.

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says with a shrug. When asked about how his young age affects him, he shrugs again, saying, “It was hard to get respect and hard to get financing at first, but I’ve done all right.”

Markets Since Hodges runs so many crews, usually spread out throughout east Texas, he markets logs to many different places. FHO also incorporates a wood yard, which Hodges uses as a marketing aid. Mills served include West Fraser, Georgia-Pacific, Louisiana-Pacific, International Paper, Arrington Pallets, and MeadWestvaco. “We go all over Texas and even into Louisiana,” Hodges says, again with a shrug.

To some the shrug might appear that the young gun is somewhat disconnected. That would be a false impression.

Hodges is sharp, but laid back.

“God’s blessed me for sure. He gives you a brain to think with, hands and arms to work with, but you’ve got to make the right choices,” Hodges says.

Hodges credits his ability to make the right choices to knowing he can count on his employees. “I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for our employees.”

Mark Hayes serves as supervisor over all crews.

Harvesting Gear The company’s machine lineup is impressive. To hear him tell it, he’s got “a lot of stuff,” and he likes it green. “I’m a Deere fan. They’ve been really good to me. I really like the skidders. They’re not the biggest and they’re not the baddest, but they are dependable. You never have to work on them. I’ve done cost per ton on all my equipment and John Deere comes out the best.” Hodges’ Deere dealer is Doggett Machinery in Lufkin.

He also has some Tigercat gear in the mix, leaning on Lufkin dealer Tejas

Equipment for that support. There are also a few Prentice machines in the lineup, not to mention Stihl 460 chain saws used on the landing.

It doesn’t hurt that John Deere also has features that Hodges utilizes, like JD Link performance-enhancing and maintenance alert software (see sidebar, page 24) and attractive finance plans.

He doesn’t always finance with Deere, at times going with Wells Fargo or Commercial Bank in Wells, Tex.

Transportation Hodges runs 19 trucks of his own and also uses contract trucks. FHO trucks are a mix of Mack, Kenworth and Peterbilt, but Peterbilt glider kits

Newer JD 748H drops a drag of pine pulpwood at the loader.

Tigercat 730D releases a drag of larger pine sawtimber.

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are what he prefers. Trailer brands are Viking and Pitts Ultra-Lites. “Vikings are too heavy with the new weight laws,” Hodges comments as to his gradual switch to Pitts.

Every trailer is equipped with Vulcan scales, purchased from FTR Equipment in Lufkin. Loading legal is important to Hodges, but he notes they are instrumental in keeping costs in check.

“Trucks are stressful,” he says, “You make your money logging and then hope to break even on trucks.”

Tires on harvesting equipment and trucks are Firestone. “I’m a Firestone guy. I’ve had the best luck with them,” Hodges says, emphasizing that he sticks with what he’s had success with and doesn’t usually change.

Maintenance Hodges employs one full-time mechanic, Steve Hopkins, who is found at a shop near Hodges’ residence when not in the field. His main responsibility is truck and trailer maintenance, but also handles equipment breakdowns. Each crew has a foreman responsible for changing fluids and filters and applying grease.

One of the biggest maintenance issues in east Texas is dust, which means frequent cleansing of air filters with compressed air.

Family Ties FHO is very much a family affair and the young man knows that without his family, he wouldn’t have gotten where he is today. In fact, because of his grandfather, W.C. Hodges, and getting out on the job at age 9, he wouldn’t be a logger at 25.

Hodges’ father, Keith Hodges, runs the Hancock contract crew, while Hodges’ uncle, Joe Hodges, runs one of the crews assigned to private tracts.

Hodges refers to his father as “my right hand man.”

FHO’s secretary is Hodges’ mother-in-law, Carmen Montgomery. She does all the office work alongside Hodges. This includes mill tickets, payroll, insurance payments and equipment payments. According to Hodges, “You name it, she does it.”

That includes his least favorite task, dealing with insurance companies.

Larry Davis Insurance, Lufkin, is his machine and worker's comp insurance agency. Hodges has never had a recordable accident and credits safety 24

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Hodges Uses JD Link

H

odges, like many of the younger set in the logging world, grew up on technology. For the 25-year-old, it is not unusual for him to check his iPhone, running a variety of “apps,” to get information on the go. By using a JD Link app for his phone he is able to check on his crews and machines. He is everywhere without having to actually go anywhere.

JD Link represents an important part of the future: having precise information about equipment and how it is being operated at your fingertips. The software allows Hodges to know exactly how long any given piece was working, sitting idle, had maintenance done or was in need of maintenance. “I like that it tells me everything I need to know,” Hodges says. He admits that he does regularly check on all crews throughout the day, seeing when machines were started and when they were shut off. He doesn’t use it to micro-manage but instead, says he likes knowing that the crew is following schedule.

The system also helps Hodges track fluid levels and see which operators care about their machines and which ones may be slacking. Not often, but occasionally, he has had operators run fluid levels down to dangerously low levels and keep working. When that happened, and JD Link alerted him, he was able to call the foreman and say, “Hey! Your skidder hand is running the hydraulics way too low; you need to jump in and fix it.”

“With not being able to be out there all the time, it helps me keep up with everything a lot better than before,” he believes. It’s been so long since Hodges hasn’t had JD Link, he can’t remember when he first got it. As with most technology, when it helps you do daily tasks better, you forget what it was like before and it just seems like something you’ve always had. Hodges’ company has used JD Link since John Deere first offered it on a machine he purchased.

Hodges likes everything about the software, except that sometimes there can be a delay in alert codes popping up on the app screen versus in the cab, TH but that’s not a frequent occurrence.

meetings and a veteran crew for keeping the jobs safe.

Future Hodges recently diversified by offering limited trucking services to the oil and gas industry. As to logging, he isn’t sure what the future holds for him and his company. In five years? He wouldn’t

put it past himself to have a small hardwood sawmill or another crew or two.

Hodges best sums up his company, and by extension, his life, saying, “It’s hard to make every move count. There are only two reasons people are in this business. You either love it or it’s the only thing you know how to do. And I love it. It’s a pain sometimes, but I love it. I really do.”

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Tigercat feller- buncher makes short work of big pine.

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Dust&Rust Readers are encouraged to send historical items.

“Short Cut To Economy” Ford Truck Ad, 1941 Ford Motor Co. promoted its limited line of 1941 “heavy-duty” trucks to the forest products industry in the fall of 1940, among other things touting the availability of 85 and 95 horsepower V-8 engines and stressing “beautiful modern styling—an important asset to your business.” Ford built heavy-duty trucks well into the 1990s.

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Questions&Answers

Dick Carmical, CEO, The Price Companies Our guest this issue is Dick Carmical, President and CEO of The Price Companies, Inc., Monticello, Ark. The company is one of the largest and most experienced wood processing entities in the U.S., operating several contract chipping facilities or wood yards for various pulp and paper manufacturers. CarmiCarmical cal, 58, also heads Price Lumber Co. of Monticello, a manufacturer of smaller dimension lumber and timbers.

Carmical partnered with sawmill owner/logger John Porter Price 30 years ago to form The Price Companies. Former chairman of the Forest Resources Assn., he is a former executive board member of the American Forest and Paper Assn., and current board member of the Bernadus Wildlife Conservation Fund.

I came on board in the early ’80s and we began to push the concept of pulp and paper mills outsourcing their chipping needs. Today we annually handle roughly 14 million tons at 22 locations.

Explain how your mantra of “we challenge the status quo,” helped grow and diversify TPC.

We believe the forest products industry in the U.S. is an excellent example of free market capitalism. A sustainable resource is grown on land that is mostly privately owned; it is harvested and processed by independent contractors; with the consuming mills competing in a global market.

John Porter Price fostered a culture of constant pursuit of improvement— that there are always opportunities to do things better. Someone said, ‘capiGive a brief history of The Price Comtalism never accepts complacency.’ So panies, Inc. (TPC) if we get satisfied with how we are doing the job, someone will pass us.

The company was founded by John The outcome is that our company Porter Price in 1964 as a hardwood always seems to do best with a bit of sawmill and logging operation. In the chaos. The joke was, “you can always 1970s John Porter built a chip mill to tell the pioneers; they’re the ones with help log the sawmill, seeing that he arrows in their chests.” could merchandise butts from the treeHopefully, the industry has been length pulpwood that was beginning to advanced by our willingness to try be produced in the area. The chip mill these “serial #1s” in our operations turned out to be a good match for the and the new concepts we put into sawmill. He said the chip checks came action—in-woods chipping, wet storevery week and always cleared the age pulpwood, outsourced pulp mill bank. It was not that way with some wood yards, dedicated trucking, lumber sales. replanting marginal agricultural He then developed a rubber tire-supground to hardwoods, to name a few. ported drum debarker designed similarWhile we constantly challenge the ly to the large steel status quo, there are trunion drum debarka few things we er. It worked well won’t change—our “A service business and was a less expencommitment to our sive alternative. John customers to do is a bit like coaching.

Porter had seen the whatever is necesYou are known by timber companies sary to get the job your most recent permove from company done, and our roots formance. So we logging crews to conin the “muddy boots” tractors. He believed side of the business, have to re-earn our chipping to be a logidoing the tasks othjob every week.” cal next step to outers might shun. source.

A service busi28

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ness is a bit like coaching. You are known by your most recent performance. So we have to re-earn our job every week.

This can be frustrating at times. An example is when we have a client that has a young boss who wants a change.

He wasn’t there 20 years ago and doesn’t realize how much better our facility is than the pulp and paper-run facility it replaced. All he knows is that he wants an improvement. It is our job to get there.

Your assets include a pine sawmill built in 2007 that consumes small logs. Has this mill been a building block or stumbling block for the company; how is the mill performing today?

The bad housing market and the resulting bad lumber market made it a challenge. Today the mill is running well, the market is much better, and we see good opportunities.

Early on TPC attempted to partially log that sawmill with three in-house cut-to-length (CTL) operations. Why did you abandon CTL and what did you learn?

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Questions&Answers The REIT we worked with stopped long-term contracts for CTL. It was an interesting exercise. The question was, “Can you make a logging crew using average guys on the street?” We had a hiring/interview process that included a lot of things, including having potential hires operate a simulator for the CTL equipment they would be operating.

What we did was gain some expensive knowledge, the most important part being that while operators eventually can be developed, the guy running the crew had better be an experienced logger. Only when we realized this did we get it in the black.

Over the years different companies have pushed and/or attempted CTL in the South, only to walk away. Why does CTL seem to work well elsewhere but not in this region?

Regarding our efforts with CTL, the hopes were the premium on the logs that could be merchandised, along with the nice condition of the residual stand and reduced weather delays, would justify the additional costs and slower production. The results were the market did not offer

enough for the small sawlogs to justify the higher costs of CTL on all products, including pulpwood, and we did not see much increase in the times we could operate compared with treelength logging.

Factors I have heard as to why it works elsewhere include: 1) delimbing at the stump is believed to be easier than doing it on the deck; 2) in places where logs are being inventoried in the woods, it was thought the cut logs were easier to handle; and 3) CTL is thought to do less damage to stumps for those using coppice regeneration.

U.S. chip mill popularity peaked in the ’90s before declining, thanks to industry consolidation, obsolescence, and so on. What does the future hold for chip mills?

The question is, “Will pulp and paper mills do the right thing for their companies and outsource or will they take the easy path and not challenge the status quo?” The easy path is to not outsource.

Resistance can come from the human resources department, which fears it might alienate labor; or central

engineering, which is worried about losing control; or accounting, which in the interest of short-term results places overly long depreciable lives on equipment and replacements, thus understating their real operating costs and overstating book value of their assets.

However, everyone that has outsourced has stayed with it. Think about it, the pulp mill wood yard has traditionally been where the least motivated, problem-prone employees were relegated. Their service to the logger was poor, and capital replacements high. Compare their performance to a service provider who knows “if the customer does not succeed, we won’t be here!” Our company operates at the spot where the logger and the pulp mill intersect in the wood fiber supply chain. It is our job to make both parties happy.

I don’t know how many more companies will have the courage to do the right thing.

In anticipation of the emerging biofuels market, in 2006 you created Price BioStock Services as a feedstock provider, but there has been little traction in that ‘three-to-five years out’ sector to date. What is the status of Price BioStock Services?

We formed BioStock after reading things like The Billion Ton Biomass Study, believing cellulosic transportation fuels were possible on a large scale. We had been led to believe the technology could compete without subsidy. We saw it as a win for everyone. Landowners and loggers would have new markets, and we would encounter opportunities in procurement, logistics, and processing. We believed that pulp and paper would be the logical early adopters of the technology once it was proven. It would have been a natural extension of what they already did.

We truly believed it would be a great thing for America. The numbers were staggering. As a country, we were spending $300 billion dollars a year for foreign oil. Every billion that leaves the U.S. is estimated to cost us 27,000 jobs. There was nothing on the horizon that could have the positive affect this could have had.

The problem has been that none of the technologies have worked on a

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Questions&Answers commercial scale. BioStock is benched until proven technologies avail themselves.

Rentech, an early biofuels entrant, last year turned away from that course, acquiring Fulghum Fibers, a competitor of TPC, and later began construction of a pellet plant in Ontario and recently acquired New England Pellet. Going forward, might

TPC enter the pellet business or perhaps seek a buyer?

Until we are shown that pellet activity is good for our industry long-term, we will not be in the pellet business, and we have no interest in selling.

We have the best job in the world.

Every day the marching order to our mill managers is, “Do whatever it takes for our customers.” We have

done this for 30 years. The relationships we have with our customers and our people are a big motivator to get up and go.

What is your assessment of the overall wood energy market, present and future, and how it could reshape traditional wood fiber markets?

If you’re talking about a co-firing facility where wood by-products are burned and the steam is used to make electricity and the leftover steam is used in a manufacturing process, it can

“Climate change has been here long before we were. Even if it were occurring now, pellets are not the answer...When the (pellet) subsidy ends—and it will end—we will see pellet plants close, and I pray we have not forever lost some of our traditional markets.” make sense. If you’re talking about replacing coal with wood, then you are violating fundamental economics. As the CEO for Drax said in an interview on BBC, “Electricity generated from pellets costs twice what it costs from coal.”

When the entire globe’s economies are strained, who is going to pay for this? Everything we use has an electricity cost component. Does the use of wood pellets double this component on everything we buy?

Pellets came into the spotlight after the cellulosic transportation fuels technology could not get commercially viable. The green movement wanted something that had been proven possible to make. The problem is that pellets cost more to make than they are worth. Europe, drunk with the global warming frenzy, issued subsidies to encourage pellets. That is where the bulk of the pellets are going.

I just came back from Yosemite National Park, where I saw a gorge carved 3,000 feet deep in granite by 30

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Questions&Answers glaciers, and heard about redwoods that used to exist in what is now desert in Nevada. This climate change was not caused by man, and had man been there at the time, there was nothing he could have done other than adapt. Climate change has been here long before we were. Even if it were occurring now, pellets are not the answer. You could cut down every tree on the planet and you could not replace coal.

To me the most concerning part of this whole discussion around subsidized pellet operations is whether or not they will be a good thing for the forest industry in the long-term. While most everyone is glad to see new markets for loggers and landowners, we have to remember the events during and after the oil embargo during Jimmy Carter’s presidency. One element of Carter’s plan was the construction of 29 wood-fired power plants, mostly in the Pacific Northwest and New England. After the embargo was lifted, 28 of the 29 facilities were eventually shut down. During the embargo weaker traditional markets shut down, in my opinion, due to subsidized competition. When the subsidy ends—and it will end—we will see pellet plants close, and I pray we have not forever lost some of our traditional markets.

Over the last 14 years the Wood Supply Research Institute (WSRI) has poured roughly $1.1 million into studies and projects designed to improve the wood fiber supply chain, but many contend the related recommendations and conclusions have largely been ignored.

What is your take on WSRI and what can help make it more effective?

We have been supporters of WSRI

since inception. Some of the issues it has addressed, such as truck turn time, have quietly become an industry gauge of performance at receiving mills.

One problem WSRI faces is quantifying its value. Its product is research.

Who modifies what they do based on what WSRI recommends, and to what level, is not known.

We do know that whoever is the

Tree planting in some regions, most notably the South, has decreased in recent years, causing some nurseries to close. What might be the potential impact?

On our own land we are not replanting everything back to pine. The NPV of all costs, given the lower value of pine wood and logs and the increase in value for hardwood, makes it look interesting in allowing some land to take a little longer to come back on its own with hardwood.

If this happened at scale, supply and demand would eventually drive pine prices back up and we will start planting pine again.

How can wood fiber consumers help reverse the national decline in logging and trucking capacity?

A logger friend from South Carolina has stated, “This is a problem money can fix.” I believe longer term contracts to be part of the answer.

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Questions&Answers most informed generally comes out on top and that WSRI provides good information. WSRI and the industry as a whole would benefit if we had more state and national associations, and biomass interests, involved in the selection of research projects.

How have major changes in timberland ownership and management affected the overall forest products industry and what might be some

additional related ramifications in the future?

The whole land ownership change has been fascinating. Who would have imagined that with the amount of land put on the market, that instead of crushing prices, we actually saw land prices rise. In hindsight, maybe some of that was explainable. We had seen an unbroken run-up in stumpage prices. The REIT and TIMO structure

allowed the average guy in the city to effectively own land. The early cash flows for some REITS were “attention grabbing” as older timber was “monetized.”

Things are different now. The biggest difference is stumpage values.

On the farm where I live, the logs we harvested last summer brought only 50% of the price of logs we harvested in 1994. Why isn’t land worth only 50% of what it cost in 1994? I don’t think higher and better use justifies all land being much higher than what it can earn. The big majority of the land owned has little HBU value.

We cannot say yet that new markets justify an increase in land prices. The only new markets right now are for the thermal use of wood, pellets, or the direct burning of chips for power generation. These markets hope to find wood fiber cheaper than pulpwood, so the landowner cannot expect much.

I think we could see a good bit of correction in land values. However, nothing other than share value of some REITS would really change; stumpage would stay roughly the same, the same number of tons will be consumed.

The good news is we have the only proven renewable, sustainable resource on the planet. As an industry we have refined our ability to grow, harvest and process these products on a global marTH ket. The future is bright.

Carmical can be reached by e-mail: dick@thepricecompanies.com.

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Timber Harvesting is conducting a 2014 Reader Survey and we need your help. Please take the time to visit www.timberharvesting.com and click on the 2014 Reader Survey banner. Upon completing the survey and entering your contact information, you’ll automatically be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card!

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AMERICAN LOGGERS COUNCIL 20th Annual Meeting September 25-27, 2014 • Harris, Michigan

“Celebrating 20 Years!”

O

n behalf of the American Loggers Council, I invite you to attend our 20th Annual Meeting in Harris, Michigan, adjacent to Escanaba in the Upper Peninsula. Logging and lumber are an important part of the region’s rich history, as is this 20th year celebration of the ALC. Your trip into Escanaba will allow you to take the short drive west to Harris and arrive at the resort in about 20 minutes. If you prefer, flights and rental cars are available in nearby Marquette (1 hour drive), or for the more adventurous, Green Bay, Wisconsin (2 hour drive). Flights are very limited, as are car rentals in Escanaba, so you might want to begin your booking process right away.

that are feeling lucky!

We’ve reformatted the meeting this year to include the logging tour on Thursday as an optional event, followed by both technical and educational programs on Friday. Please pay close attention to the dates and registration materials provided.

Maureen and I are excited that you are visiting our part of the country, and she and I, as well as the Michigan Association of Timbermen, will do all that we can to make this a trip that you will enjoy. Come relax in the surroundings and help make this 20th Anniversary a memorable event!

The Island Resort and Casino offers amenities such as golf, fine dining, and of course gaming for those

Brian

Brian Nelson American Loggers Council

ALC’s Live Auction Item Name: ________________________________________________________________ Description of Item: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Estimated Value: ____________________________________________________________

20th Annual Meeting Agenda Thursday, September 25 7 am–5 pm: Registration at the Island Resort Conference Center—exhibits open 9 am–4 pm: Optional Logging Tour—Nelson Logging (lunch and transportation provided) 6 pm–8 pm: Cocktail Welcome Reception at the Island Resort Conference Center 8 pm–9 pm: Executive Committee meeting

Friday, September 26 6 am–12 pm: Registration at The Island Resort Conference Center 6 am–8 am: Breakfast Buffet - Conference Center 8 am–2 pm: Technical and Education seminars The Island Resort Conference Center (includes lunch) 9 am–4 pm: ALC Ladies tour—Boat Cruise at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior (includes lunch) 6 pm–7 pm: President’s Reception—The Island Resort Conference Center 7 pm–10 pm: President’s Dinner & ALC Auction

Saturday, September 27

7 am–8:30 am: Registration at the Island Resort Convention Center 7–7:45 am: Breakfast Buffet—Convention Center 8 am–9 am: ALC Board of Directors Meeting 9 am–11:15 am: Full Membership Meeting 9 am–4 pm: ALC Ladies historical tour—includes shopping in nearby Gladstone and Escanaba, MI and lunch at the Stonehouse Restaurant 11:30 pm–1:30 pm: Full Membership Awards Luncheon—Sponsor recognition, Presidents & “Activist” Awards 1:30 pm–6 pm: Free Time—Explore Escanaba area on your own—have some fun!

6 pm–7 pm: President’s Farewell Reception—The Island Resort & Casino Convention Center 7 pm–10 pm: President’s Farewell Banquet Roll call of the States Timber Harvesting’s Logging Business of the Year Award Honoring our Presidents Passing of the gavel presentation The Sweetgrass Golf Club, adjacent to the Island Resort and Casino boasts an 18-hole golf course where LPGA tournaments have been held. For more information and to reserve a tee-time, contact Dave Douglas, Director of Golf at 906-7232251. Visit their website at www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com

Donor: ____________________________________________________________________ Contact person: ____________________________________________________________ The American Loggers Council is a nonprofit 501(c)(6)organization. Donations given to the ALC for auction items may not be written off as a charitable contribution. Please have all donated auction items turned in at the registration desk by 2:00 pm on Friday, September 26 to facilitate setting up the event. Thank you!

If you need to ship your auction item to the meeting, please send to: Island Resort & Casino, c/o Sherrie Skradski, W399 Hwy. 2 & 41, Harris, MI 49845-0351, Attn: American Loggers Council—Danny Dructor 906-723-2141 All auction items being shipped need to arrive at the Island Resort & Casino no later than September 25.

Association Supporters

The American Loggers Council would like to thank these businesses for sponsoring our organization: American Loggers Insurance, Bandit Industries, Barko Hydraulics, Bituminous Insurance, Caterpillar Forest Products, Fleetmatics, Forest Insurance Center Agency, Inc., Forestry Mutual Insurance, Hawkins & Rawlinson, Husqvarna, John Deere, Komatsu, Log Max, Lyme Timber Company, Morbark, Peterbilt, Peterson, Ponsse, Rotochopper, Southern Loggers Cooperative, Stihl, Tigercat, Vermeer

Lodging

We have made contracts with the Island Resort & Casino and overflow rooms for Wednesday night (guests arriving Wednesday but were unable to book Island Resort for Wednesday) Comfort Suites in Escanaba. Make sure to identify yourself with The American Loggers Council Annual Meeting group code 11N860 so that your request can be handled efficiently. Contact the hotel(s) directly at: Island Resort 1-800682-6040 or Comfort Suites 1-906-786-9630.

Rates are as follows: Island Resort standard room, $70.85 per night for Sunday through Thursday and $107.91 per night for Friday and Saturday. Comfort Suites (Wednesday only), $129. Cutoff date for the Island Resort is September 11 and the Comfort Suites is September 1.

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AMERICAN LOGGERS COUNCIL 20TH ANNUAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 25-27 • REGISTRATION FORM Please submit one form for each attendee. Make copies if needed.

(CIRCLE ONE)

Mr. Ms. Mrs.

Name:________________________________________________ Nickname for badge: ________________________________ Company: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Logging Association: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ City:_______________________________________ State:________________ ZIP: __________________________________ Phone:_____________________ Fax:_____________________ E-mail: ____________________________________________

FULL MEETING REGISTRATION INCLUDES:

Logging Tour ● Welcome Reception ● Friday ALC Ladies Tour ● President’s Reception & Dinner & Auction Saturday ALC Ladies Tour ● Full Membership Awards Luncheon ● President’s Farewell Reception & Banquet ● Friday and Saturday Breakfast

● ●

REGISTRATION FEES PLEASE CHECK ONLY THE EVENTS YOU PLAN TO ATTEND. WE NEED AN ACCURATE COUNT.

ALC Member Registration Fee: √ ■ Early Bird Registration (postmarked by 8/31/2014) ■ On-Site Registration (after 8/31/2014)

Included Events √

$325.00 $375.00

■ Thursday’s Logging Tour ■ Thursday’s Welcome Reception

■ Early Bird Registration (postmarked by 8/31/2014)

$300.00

■ On-Site Registration (after by 8/31/2014)

$350.00

■ ■ ■ ■

ALC Spouse Registration Fee: √

Non-Member Registration Fee: √

■ Early Bird Registration (postmarked by 8/31/2014) ■ On-Site Registration (after 8/31/2012)

■ ■ ■ $400.00 ■ ■ $375.00

Friday—Breakfast Buffet Friday—ALC Ladies Tour, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Friday—Technical & Educations Sessions (lunch included) Friday—President’s Reception, Dinner & Auction

Saturday—Breakfast Buffet Saturday—ALC Ladies Historic and Shopping Tour (lunch incl.)

Saturday—Full Membership Meeting Saturday—Full Membership Awards Luncheon Saturday—Farewell Reception/Banquet

I have enclosed full payment for the events indicated for the total amount of $ _____________ Please make check payable to: American Loggers Council For best rates, please complete and mail or fax by August 31 to: American Loggers Council c/o Doris Dructor PO Box 966, Hemphill, TX 75948 Fax: (409) 625-0207 CANCELLATION POLICY: Registration cancellation by August 10 = full refund; cancellation by August 31 = 50% refund; cancellation after August 31 = no refund NO SHOW POLICY: Early bird registered attendees that do not cancel by August 31 will be billed.

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EquipmentWorld

CFP Launches Tier 4f D Series Skidders

Cat dealer reps and customers check out a new 535D. Below, CFP President Kevin Thieneman, right, talks shop with John Danesi, a representative of Kentucky Cat dealer Whayne Supply Co.

Hosting a large gathering of dealers, sales personnel, customers and media representatives, Caterpillar Forest Products (CFP) on June 2425 officially rolled out its new hightech 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 horsepower 555D, 36

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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 durability. 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 Machines are built there.

For more information on the D Series skidders, see Innovation Way, page 44.

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EquipmentWorld

Mid-South Show: Old Will Contrast New

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

David (Sawman) Harsh with vintage Poulan

Restored old equipment will contrast today’s high tech gear and systems at the Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show September 19-20 at the John W. Starr Memorial Forest near Starkville, Miss.

Adorned with the names of current show exhibitors and parked near the show entrance since 2005, a 1948 model Logger’s Dream has been restored by the manufacturer, Taylor Machine Works of nearby Louisville, Miss. It will again hold the names of exhibitors and be parked near the show entrance but this time it will look almost like new, thanks to the Taylor organization.

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. Taylor Machine Works began as a small machine shop in 1927. When the company 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

forestry.org. Pre-registration is $15 per person but admission at the gate is $20. Spouse and accompanied children under age 18 are admitted free with paid attendee.

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, representing multiple brands of products and types of goods and services, had filed paperwork to participate. The latest group of exhibitors includes River Ridge Equipment, Taylor Machine Works, Landmark Spatial Solutions, Doghouse Woodcrafts, Smith South Central, Accu-Ways, Mississippi DOT, MSU Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture Ext., Manac Trailers USA, American Loggers Ins., and Quadco.

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.

manufacturers of heavy industrial lift trucks in the world.”

J. D. Massey of Starkville was the loader’s original owner and operator.

His son Paul donated the loader to the equipment show.

“We are so appreciative of the talents and generosity of the team at Taylor Machine Works and the Massey family,” says Misty Booth, show manager and MSU forest supervisor. “The Logger’s Dream is a historical treasure that represents our common heritage in the rich forest resources of our area.”

The easy-going Harsh began collecting old saws some 15 years ago; he now has hundreds of complete and partial units, which he hangs onto for parts. His collection is heavy to the Poulan brand, which, he says, can usually be made to run again. With no loss for words, Harsh is quick to relate stories about how he found some of his saws and the effort it took to restore them. He remains in search of his dream machine, a two-man Poulan model 2400. Harsh can be reached at 804-822-2751.

“David Harsh is a friendly, outgoing guy and his chain saw collection is unbelievable,” says Booth. “I’ve seen the crowds he draws. His presence at the Mid-South Show will play well with the impressive chain saw carvings done by the Artistry In Wood group, which were our guests at the 2012 show.”

Booth also points out that pre-registration is now open and she encourages attendees to sign up in advance to save money and time. Visit midsouth

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EquipmentWorld

SWPA Event Makes Debut In Georgia DK KNIGHT

repeated in 2016,” said SWPA Executive Director Tommy Carroll. “With an Almost 50 exhibitors took part in ever-changing logging industry and the Southeastern Wood Producers tighter budgets by all parties, it was Assn.’s (SWPA) first ever logging refreshing to see all the smiling faces equipment/supplies/services exposiduring the event. The SWPA board, tion, held in conjunction with the staff and members send thanks to all group’s annual meeting, at the Jekyll companies and individuals that particiIsland Convention Center June 6-7. pated and attended the show.”

The SWPA staff and board came away Harvesting gear was displayed outdelighted with the outcome and most side the convention center building. vendors appeared to be pleased.

Cat dealers Yancey and Ring Power Equally important, the attitude of brought a Cat 559C knuckleboom and attendees was noticeably upbeat. for the first time publicly exposed “This year’s meeting was somewhat Cat’s new D series skidder line, showof a gamble but turned out successful ing the 525D, which drew considerfor all parties and will certainly be able attention. Flint Equipment and John Deere brought three machines: 843K feller-buncher with FD55 sawhead, 748H skidder and 437D loader. Tidewater Equipment moved in two Tigercat machines, a 630E skidder and 234 loader, along with a Morbark 40/36 whole tree chipper. A Barko 595ML loader, Dynamic CH585B chipper and Bandit 2590 chipper were displayed by Quality Equipment and Cutter and Chase Hodge kneel with the Florida Hodge entourage, from Parts. Both Kaufleft: Billy, Brandy, Kelli, Essie, Eddie, Julie, James, Christine, John man and Pine Ridge log trailers were on site, as were Mack, Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks.

Each year SWPA selects loggers of the year from both Florida and Georgia. Honored from Florida was Eddie Hodge and his family, who operate Williston Timber Co. Inc. in WillisThe Georgia Justice entourage, from left: Taylor Justice, Justin Justice, Suzan Justice, Mike Justice, Linda Justice, Jayla Justice, Kandi Strickland, ton. Formed by Madison Strickland, Reggie Strickland, Michael Strickland Eddie and Johnny 38

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Hodge (his brother, now deceased) in 1977 and later including another brother, Billy, Williston Timber today employs 30 and deploys three crews and operates a dozen trucks. Another family company, Derby Gold, which makes shavings and wood pellets, was started up in 2000. Eddie Hodge was among several loggers who worked to form SWPA 25 years ago and served on its board for four years.

The Georgia honoree was Justice Enterprises, a family logging company based in Douglas, Ga. and led by the father-son team of Mike and Justin Justice. Representing the fourth and fifth generations of Justices in the timber trade—their ancestors started out in Mississippi in the early 1900s and relocated to southeast Georgia in the 1950s—Mike and Justin field two roundwood crews and a chipping crew. They have been working together since 1994. The company employs 19 and does a great deal of its trucking.

In his keynote remarks to the group, Tom Trone, Director U.S. and Canada Forestry Sales & Marketing for John Deere’s Construction & Forestry Div., painted an optimistic scene for the South’s forest products industry for the next few years. Saying “logging is a tough, unique and hidden industry,“ Trone suggested “the South is short by 30 mills (building products, paper, paperboard).

This is unprecedented, and it bodes well for all of us. There are lots of opportunities ahead.” He noted that 62% of the nation’s annual timber harvest occurs in the South and that a great majority of all forestry machines made in North America are sold in the region.

He acknowledged the logging capacity shortfall and the many challenges now confronting loggers as a whole, among them labor, trucking, regulations, high operating costs and thin margins, but pointed out that some loggers have expanded, others are considering doing so, and feel optimistic about the future. He said the most successful loggers in the future (typically younger players) will embrace machine technologies already common in agriculture and

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EquipmentWorld construction applications, along with other emerging “game changing solutions,” to help control operating costs and to become even more efficient.

Tomorrow’s top tier performers will be better business managers and more sophisticated marketers of their services, he added.

Trone said the hundreds of millions of dollars spent by all manufacturers in developing new engines to meet tougher emissions regulations are merging with new machine designs, engineering advancements and other technologies to result in sharply improved jobsite management capability. Examples include fuel efficiency, machine health and other advancements that will bring about higher levels of productivity and uptime. Parallel to this, he said, will be improved relationships—better parts and service support—between machine owners and dealers. “Our mission is to go beyond just selling and servicing equipment to become your partner,” he said.

scott says. “You can’t really get much better than this location. We think we can do a lot of business here.” The Tapscotts and many of their employees made regular treks back and forth from their stores to their booth at the Richmond Raceway Complex.

At 14,000 sq. ft., the Ashland facility has three mechanics, two salesmen and a parts manager. Mark Fleisher is the store manager and Robbie Leegan

is the parts manager.

The Tapscott brothers bring a special expertise to the business. They started logging in 1983 and built a successful logging business. They formed Forest Pro, Inc. in 2001 as a new and used equipment dealership.

Their success there, largely due to their understanding of the needs and requirements of professional loggers, led them to open the second location.

Forest Pro, Inc. Opens Second Virginia Store

Forest Pro, Inc.’s second Virginia location, in Ashland just off I-95, opened its doors in early May. Owners Binky and Troy Tapscott followed up by hosting an open house on May 17 to showcase the new store, staging the event in concert with the biennial East Coast Sawmill and Logging Exposition.

Their impressive event drew hundreds.

The company, headquartered in Scottsville, 65 miles from Ashland, and long a Barko dealer, also represents Tigercat, Bandit and Cummins.

The open house breakfast included prize giveaways in addition to substantial amounts of food for all to enjoy.

“This was perfect timing to do it with the logging show just down the road and I think an event like this can create a buzz about our business,” Binky TapForemost Authority For Professional Loggers

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EquipmentWorld Alliance Introduces New Tire Tread Design

In addition to efficiency and performance, today’s logging tires must also have a relatively light footprint to minimize ground pressure, helping protect subsurface roots and keeping logging sites in compliance with environmental regulations.

The Xtreme is available in 23.1-26 16 ply, 28L26 20 ply, 30.5L32 26 ply, and 35.5L32 26 ply sizes.

For decades, a logger’s footprint in the woods has been in the shape of a 23° tread bar, the reliable standard design for forestry equipment tires.

But advances in tire engineering have created a dramatic new look, and new performance, for 21st century forestry tires, according to Terry Goodwin, National Sales Manager of Alliance Tire Americas’ Forestry Division.

“The 23° angle tire is good for normal logging applications—sites Alliance: variable bar angle tread improves machine performance. without a lot of hills and without a lot of very sticky mud that has a tenbusiness is all about efficiency, so Yancey Hits 100, dency to pack between the cleats,” he every move in every direction has an Celebrates In May explains. “But we’re finding that a variimpact on productivity and profit. Tires able bar angle tread design really Georgia’s Yancey Bros. Co., the can be a big contributor to both.” improves performance, especially on nation’s oldest Caterpillar dealer, has Goodwin says one of his customers hills or in mud. The variable angle bar been spending 2014 celebrating a big conducted a side-by-side test with drahelps prevent sidehill slip and provides milestone: its 100th anniversary. What matic results, proving the benefits of was termed “a company picnic on excellent traction up steep inclines. It the variable bar angle tread on the steroids,” by Yancey CEO Jim also provides better traction for a skidcompany’s Primex Logstomper Stephenson, the 100th anniversary celder traveling in reverse. The forestry Xtreme tires. ebrations took place at several of the “On a logging site near Tupelo, company’s 23 locations in the state.

Miss., the operator had a John Deere “We never forget that it’s all about the skidder on a standard 23° bar tire, and people. Yancey Bros. has always been a similar tractor mounted with Primex a family company.”

Logstomper Xtreme variable bar Attendees were treated to many tread,” he says. “Both tractors started activities, including laser skeet shootup a hill from the same point. By the ing, stock car racing, face painting and time the tractor with the variable angle stilt walkers. Children played at differbar tread tires reached the top, he was ent booths, with the bouncy castle and 30 yards ahead of the other guy. When bingo drawing the biggest crowds. you consider how many trips a tractor Adults were treated to a live country makes up and down that hill every music cover band as well as equipday, you’re talking about quite a few ment on display. Dinner was served as more loads by the end of a shift.” only the South does it: family style The variable angle cleat of the barbecue as well as hamburgers, hot Logstomper Xtreme flares out at the dogs and a side of boiled peanuts. shoulder, which helps the tire shed mud, Goodwin notes. Mud between the cleats can dramatically reduce Regional Sales Managers traction. “In fact, a cleaner tread proNamed By Terex Americas vides so much more traction that Terex Construction Americas has we’re seeing cutter machines able to named two new U.S. regional sales run without 4-wheel drive, which managers—Chuck Allen for the saves fuel and is easier on the tires,” north and Cathy Mann for the southhe points out. west—for its Terex Fuchs material That’s why improving self-cleaning handling line, which includes recyaction was a major consideration for cling and logging products. They are the Alliance engineering team that charged with sales and distributor designed the Logstomper Xtreme tread. development responsibilities. Allen’s “In addition to the flare on the outterritory includes Maine, New Hampside, we added raised blocks between shire, Massachusetts and Michigan; the cleats,” Goodwin explains. “As Mann’s Colorado, New Mexico, Arithe tire flexes, those blocks break up zona, Utah, Nevada, California and mud and help evacuate it from Hawaii. between the cleats.”

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BuildingBlocks

Cutting Tool Care Can Save You Money DAVID SIKORSKY Technical Representative Caterpillar Forest Products With the high cost of just about everything today, loggers are always seeking ways to save money. Unfortunately, cutting corners often does the opposite, as this can increase costs and decrease productivity. To avoid falling into that trap with your felling and processing attachments, the focus of this article is on the proper maintenance of saw teeth on your cutting head, the chain on your topping and ground saws and delimber knives.

increase of 10-15% due to increased cutting time, along with an increase in saw recovery time. Basically cutting with dull teeth increases per hour fuel consumption and reduces productivity at the same time. It is in fact a “double-edged sword.”

Cutting with worn or dull teeth can also significantly reduce disc life. Dull teeth can, for example, cause excessive heat to build in the disc, changing the properties of the steel. Worn teeth may not adequately protect the tooth holders, allowing them to erode prematurely.

With saw discs now costing between $10,000 and $15,000, early replacement of a disc can be just as costly as replacing an engine or performing a major overhaul on a hydrostatic drive system. While preventing this from happening may seem obvious, there are many cases where expe-

rienced loggers ignored this issue with one of their most important pieces of equipment.

Other Saws, Knives

Besides felling saws, topping saws and ground saws must also be carefully inspected and maintained. Saw chains should be inspected daily and sharpened when dull or replaced when links are worn and cutting surfaces can no longer be sharpened. While extending the use of cutting chain may not cause expensive damage like you can get with worn teeth on a saw disc, cutting with dull or worn chain can significantly reduce productivity and Sawheads increase fuel cost. At least one spare Take the saw on your feller-bunchchain for every topping saw or ground er. It is important, first of all, that you saw on the job should be available at use not only good quality teeth, but all times. also that you use what is best for your While the service life of delimber cutting application. Choose the best knives is far beyond that of cutsaw teeth for the type of trees you ting teeth or saw chain, they must typically cut. Generally, this means not be ignored. They should be using carbide-tipped teeth for cutinspected at least weekly and ting pine and carbon steel teeth for sharpened when they cease to be hardwood, especially in relatively effective in stripping limbs at an low abrasion soil conditions. acceptable level. Remember to Experimenting with various teeth maintain the correct knife profile This disc was damaged by using the wrong teeth and from will not only help you make the when sharpening knives. The type extended use. most informed decision of trees being cut will in types and brands, but affect knife maintenance it will also give you a needs. In pine thinning, realistic expectation as to for example, knives may rotation and replacement. go thousands of hours Although experience with little or no attenwill give you a feel for tion, while in hardwood, expected life, daily sharpening or replaceinspection of the teeth ment may be required in and saw disc is the key to significantly less time. an economical and effecToo often, cutting tool tive maintenance plan. maintenance is neglectRotating or replacing ed. Operators who don’t teeth should be done on focus on this have a tenan as needed basis rather dency to adapt to than a planned schedule. reduced performance Cutting too long on the and less productivity, same teeth can result in either because they think reduced productivity and they are saving money, higher fuel costs. Dull or because they just teeth can cause the disc haven’t thought of cutto drag down excessiveting tool maintenance as ly, increasing recovery part of the “big picture” time. I have observed a of operating cost and The tooth holder has worn out prematurely because carbon steel teeth were used fuel consumption effective productivity. TH when carbide teeth would have been the better choice.

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InnovationWay Cat D Series Skidders Now Available

Caterpillar’s D Series skidder line increases productivity while reducing operating cost. Major improvements include a six-speed transmission with more gears in the working zone; lock-up torque converter and independent front and rear differentials for more pulling power and control; high capacity cooling system and reversing fan; a roomy, quiet and cool operator station and tilting cab for servicing convenience.

“The D Series out-pulls other skidders. It is also more stable and agile and gives the operator a smoother ride because we optimized the wheelbases and the component layout,” says Matt McDonald, product specialist for Caterpillar Forest Products. “The customer has a more versatile machine that is highly effective in sensitive applications such as first thinnings while maintaining the stability for working in tough conditions.”

Four models make up the series: 203 HP (151 kW) 525D; 225 HP (168 kW) 535D; 250 HP (186 kW) 545D; and 275 HP (205 kW) 555D. The D Series is equipped with the Cat C7. 1 ACERT engine, which meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards and is designed to deliver more power than ever before, while still achieving the highest levels of fluid efficiency, reliability and durability.

The high capacity cooling system and on-demand hydraulically driven reversing fan keep the machine running at the proper operating temperature, optimizing performance, durability and fuel efficiency. The cross-flow configuration and compartmentalization of the engine and cooling system maximize efficiency and reduce debris collection. Cool ambient air is pulled in from the side—not from the engine compartment. Air is exhausted out the opposite side.

The transmission has gears more evenly distributed in the working zone to maximize efficiency on any terrain and ground conditions. The torque converter allows the machine to ease smoothly into a start when the skidder has a heavy load, and then the lock-up clutch automatically engages and the transmission goes into direct drive, achieving up to 15% faster travel speeds in the same gear.

Heavy-duty Cat axles, approved for dual tires up to 30.5L32 inner and 24.5L-32 outer and wide floatation tires up to 73-44 with chains, are standard on all models.

A new hydraulic system gives the D Series faster multifunctioning capability and greater lift capacity. Pressure boosts of 15% for the 525D and 535D and 23% for the 545D and 555D, matched to the boom length, increase lift capacity.

A pin-mounted blade is more durable than the trunnionmount style of the C Series, and the bolt-on cutting edge is made of abrasion-resistant, heat-treated steel.

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Box-section construction was used in high stress areas of the single function, dual function and cable arches. The dual function arch and boom is available on all models. The single function arch is available on the 525D and 535D and cable arch on all except the 555D. The 360° continuous rotation grapple features box-section construction and threaded grapple tong pins that maximize structural integrity. Additional internal support and around the grapple tong pin increases rigidity. Tongs have replaceable wear tips and internal welding in high wear areas increases the grapple’s durability.

The tilting cab with field proven tilting pins provides access to components under the cab. Bolt-on panels around the base of the cab and removable steps provide even more 1547 access. Visit cat.com.

Tigercat FPT Powers D Series Loaders

Tigercat recently released its next generation 250D and T250D loaders, which are powered by the Tigercat FPT N67 Tier 4i engine delivering 160 kW (215 HP).

The high horsepower Tigercat engine is extremely fuelefficient and positions the 250D/T250D at the top end of its size class. The 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 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. The engine and hydraulic component layout has improved with easy access and serviceability in mind.

9756 Visit tigercat.com.

Dieselcraft Fuel Purifer Dieselcraft Fluid Engineering has developed a Model 5x32 Fuel Purifier that removes 99.997% of the visible water at flow rates up to 12 gallon per minute and more than 95% of the large contaminates found in diesel fuel.

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InnovationWay This is all done without the use of replaceable, changeable or cleanable filter elements. There are no moving parts, except the fuel inside the purifier. There are no elements to clean and dispose of, only purging the water and particulates.

This new model is ideal for those that need to incorporate a fuel polishing systems on a fuel storage tank. The Dieselcraft Purifier can be mounted on the engine, at the fuel dispensing pump, where it cleans the fuel before it goes into a vehicle, or in a fuel polishing and recirculating application to maintain stored fuel.

The company is seeking dealers.

9672 Visit dieselcraft.com.

Cat Monitoring System Is Now Standard Cat Product Link, Caterpillar’s machine monitoring system, is now standard on all forestry machines.

When installed at the factory, the system comes with a 3-year subscription to VisionLink, the user interface, at no charge.

Product Link is an advanced but user friendly remote monitoring technology for equipment. With Product Link, customers know where their equipment is, what it’s doing and how it’s performing. Armed with this information they can maximize efficiency and lower operating costs.

The system has been in use on many forestry products since 2007.

Expanding availability and offering the service at no cost will allow more forestry customers to experience the advantages of Product link on all their

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InnovationWay Cat harvesting and extraction machines.

Product Link is integrated with the Electronic Control Modules (ECMs) on Cat equipment to collect and deliver valuable information. Because logging sites tend to be in remote areas, information will be transmitted via satellite for more consistent communications. Customers will have remote access to equipment information over the web at any time and any place.

As part of orientation on a new machine, Cat dealers will provide training on Product Link. Caterpillar also offers online webinars. Visit cat.com.

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Doosan Heavy-Duty Track Loader

The 81,000 lb. Doosan DX300LL-3 loader features a fully guarded, heavyduty undercarriage and upper structure designed specifically for forestry applications. It is equipped with a high-walker car body with an overall width of just under 12' and ground clearance of 31". Tracks feature heavy-duty links with 28" double grouser shoes and full-length track guiding guards.

The upper structure offers heavyduty mainframe reinforcement, full under-house plate guarding, integral heavy-duty catwalks, armored side doors with guarding over the hydraulic pump and cooling system doors, and heavy-duty undercarriage guarding.

Powered by a 6-cylinder Doosan Tier 4i diesel engine with 213 gross HP, the unit features a high-pressure common-rail direct fuel injection system teamed up with the EPOS (Electronic Power Optimizing System) for optimum power and fuel efficiency.

4990 Visit doosanequipment.com.

JD Skidder Upgrades Involve Grapples, Axles John Deere skidders are now more flexible than ever with new, larger grapples and enhanced heavy-duty 46

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InnovationWay axle upgrades for the 648H and 748H models. These new options offer improved productivity and longer axle life, making it easier to move more wood, more reliably.

“Our customers requested larger grapples and more robust axles, so we listened and responded with new upgrades,” says Brandon O’Neal, product marketing manager at John Deere Construction & Forestry. “The axle upgrades give our customers more flexibility than ever.”

The larger grapples allow more wood to be delivered to a jobsite landing with fewer skids. Heavy-duty super-wide extreme-duty axles provide a solid foundation for the new grapples and have been enhanced to bolster long-term reliability. The more robust axles also feature a larger bearing for improved durability in various applications.

Visit johndeere.com.

495

Tigercat Crane, Grapple Options For 1075B

GEM Expands Bar, Adds .404 Sprockets GEM Chain Bar has introduced several new mounts and sizes of 3⁄4-pitch processors bars, and added several new double-ended slasher bars.

GEM, the original manufacturer of the 3⁄4-pitch rim style drive sprocket, with the trademark raised tooth design that adds more support area and longer wear life, are available in 7, 8, 9 and 10 tooth styles.

The company now manufactures .404 rim style drive sprockets, available in 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 tooth styles.

Also new to GEM are the custom built measuring wheels that significantly improve measuring accuracy on most applications, available to fit most processing heads.

GEM also repairs all makes of both 3⁄4-pitch and .404 harvester bars. Visit gemchainbar.com or phone 899-4558471.

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‘Side Stepping’ Southstar QS600

Tigercat has released new crane and grapple options to enhance its 1075B forwarder. Designed and built by Tigercat, the new heavy duty F195T85 crane is capable of lifting 20 to 30% heavier loads and has 22 to 66% more slew torque. The crane geometry is optimized for quick loading and unloading cycles with excellent grapple clearance above the load. It also can handle a 0.53 m2 grapple, a great advantage in handling smaller diameter logs.

The crane has standard end-of-position dampening sensors on the stick and main booms to prevent impact loads. The tapered roller bearing in the slew base is designed to last the life of the machine, a vast improvement over plain bearing and spherical rollers. It also swivels on the pillar hoses for extended hose life, and includes thick walled bushings used at all pivots and a cushioned telescopic cylinder.

New Tigercat 430 and 530 series grapples complement the new crane with larger load area capacities at 0.43 m2 and 0.53 m2 respectively. The grapples are fitted with thick walled bushings for extended service life. The link has a patent pending hose routing design to better protect the hoses and the swing dampener has been specially designed for heavy-duty application.

Prototype testing of the new crane and grapple design has been ongoing in northern Uruguay in one of the most demanding and arduous applications. The first two assemblies have clocked over 2,000 hours since November 2013 while working in extremely large diameter 5 m eucalyptus logs and 7 m pulp logs. Visit tigercat.com.

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The Quadstar 600 from Southstar Equipment is the latest addition to its lineup of multi stem processors. QS600 sets a new standard of profitability and productivity by giving operators infinite control of single and multiple stems through the whole processing process in one head.

With the invention of ‘side stepping,’ the QS600, combined with multi stem handling, gives the operator the ability to: 1) align logs in the saw box prior to processing multiple logs simultaneously; 2) manipulate individual logs to cut out rot or defects, while having multiple logs in the harvester head; healthy logs are kept away from the saw area while the other log is being cleaned up; and 3) 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 or phone 3641 250-828-7820.

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PeoplePower!

WENDY FARRAND

Strengthen Yourself And Your Industry The story goes there are two woodsmen working together on a job. The first woodsman worked steady and hard all day long while the other took numerous breaks. At the end of the day woodsman number one noticed that his fellow worker had a pile of logs three times higher than his! “How did you do that?” he bellowed. His coworker responded: “Every time I took a break I was sharpening my ax.”

This fable shows that it’s not always the one who works the hardest that has the best output, but the one who works at finding a balance for both sharpening the ax as well as maintaining the processes that feed production.

I had a young logger once say to me, “I want to work smarter, not harder.” What does that mean to loggers individually, and what does it mean to the industry we love?

Professional Development Business acumen is a broad term that is thrown around the business world like a large net, encompassing a lot of attributes. It’s basically a quickness that an individual has to understand and deal with business situations in a way that is most likely to bring a positive outcome. When I think about the most successful loggers I know, they have a keen sense or intuition about how they should do things, even if they’ve never heard the word “acumen” before. A lot of this is based on experience, but a lot of it is based on the constant desire to sharpen business and leadership skills. As the woodsman in the fable who took breaks to sharpen his ax, the most successful loggers stay true to sharpening their business axes to improve and strengthen their companies.

If you are not taking the time to

sharpen these skills, your axes are dulling and you may fall behind when it comes to production efficiency and professionalism. If you lead a crew, the days of going to the woods and simply remaining there to get the wood out are gone. In order to stay on the cutting edge in today’s fast-paced global business climate, professional development is a must.

Ongoing professional development not only helps you grow and strengthen your business acumen, but it also helps to strengthen the industry across the board. In addition to examining equipment at a trade show, try and learn something new that can help you grow or improve your business. Seek out opportunities where business training may be offered free of charge, or at very low expense. Get online for an hour each night and read things that will increase your business acumen.

Look for technological advances that can help your operations become even more efficient. Ask questions of successful business leaders in your community that you admire. Learn, improve, grow!

Community Outreach It is no secret that loggers face unfair hurdles when it comes to the public’s perception of what you do. A lot of that is caused by the lack of knowledge by the public as to what good forest management looks like, and some of that is justified by bad actors who lack the integrity that a majority of loggers have. We all carry the burden of these facts, and taking the time to improve professionalism in the woods and in the community as a whole not only benefits individual businesses but also the entire industry. If we don’t take care of our industry, who will?

Many times when I am asked what I do for living I find myself wrestling with the public’s judgment of the industry I work in. I will never miss an opportunity to educate even the grocery store cashier who asks me the “paper or plastic” question, for these small victories add up.

I recently was asked to make a presentation for a large organization in the healthcare field, and I ask you, what could be more stressful than working in the logging industry? Healthcare maybe? OK, maybe a close second.

Would I be selling out by veering from my personal mission statement— “to strengthen the people side of timber harvesting”—if I accepted this invitation? Or could I use this as a vehicle to remind the public there are people risking their lives every day to indirectly bring them their toilet paper? Well, I chose the latter, and took the opportunity to remind my audience how a logger’s stressful, lifethreatening job exists to bring them the forest products they enjoy every day, helping to bridge the gap between them and the act of cutting a tree, and also helping them to understand that wood is a renewable resource. We need to serve ourselves while serving the logging industry as a whole.

Remember, loggers who sharpen their axes to strengthen their business acumen are serving their businesses as well as their industry as a whole. What will you do this year to help strengthen the logging community?

TH Farrand is a forest industry consultant who emphasizes the value of strengthening the people side of a logging business and the impact it has on safety, production, efficiency and professionalism. Operating as WFarrand Consulting—wendyfarrand@ gmail.com or 207-838-4435—she brings her workshop series, The People Side of Timber Harvesting, to logging professionals around the country. Her most popular workshop, How to Build a Kick@$% Crew, has gained notoriety throughout the Northeast.

Pre-register Now & Save $! midsouthforestry.org September 19-20 • Starkville, Mississippi 48

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INDIVIDUAL LOGGER APPLICATION

The National Voice for Professional Loggers

I wish to join the American Loggers Council as an Individual Logger Member in fulfilling the ALC’s mission of enhancing the logging profession, providing a unified voice on logging issues and cooperating with public, industrial and private timberland owners to further sustainable forestry practices.

Date: _______________ Applicant Company: ________________________________________________________________ I ❑ am a member

❑ am not a member (check one) of a state or regional logging assn.

Category of membership requested: (please check one)

❑ 1-5 employees

❑ 6-10 employees

❑ 11-19 employees

❑ 20+ employees

q $100/year

q $200/year

q $300/year

q $400/year

Name of Contact Person: __________________________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ City:____________________________________________ State:______________ Zip: ________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________________ Fax:________________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________________ Website: __________________________________________ Forward with payment to: American Loggers Council Individual Logger Membership • P.O. Box 966 • Hemphil, TX 75848 All Individual logger memberships will be due January 1 or each succeeding year.

There is no pro-rata rate available based on the date of initial membership.

WWW.AMERICANLOGGERS.ORG

LOG ON!

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SelectCuts As We (ALC) See It

Breakthrough For Youth Careers In Logging BRIAN NELSON Are you concerned about the future of the timber industry?

If not, you are most likely in the minority. Mill closures, mergers, high cost of raw materials, shortage of qualified machine operators and truck drivers, the constant barrage of government regulations, and the overall high Nelson cost of running a business today are just a few of the many hurdles that we all must navigate in order to stay afloat. While the American Loggers Council (ALC) can’t solve all these issues, it is currently working on many of them and will continue to do so into the future.

When my term as ALC president started last fall, I listed a set of goals that I wanted to accomplish. The issue at the top of that list was to address the entrance of the next generation of timber harvesters into our industry. In order for this industry to survive, we must have a qualified and competent work force to not only operate equipment but to also take over the reins of running businesses when the owners decide to step away.

This issue is one that the ALC has been working on for a number of years now and has just started to gain some momentum with the introduction of H.R. 4590 and S. 2335.

The Future Logging Careers Act (H.R. 4590) was introduced by Rep. Labrador (R-ID ) while the Youth Careers In Logging Act (S. 2335) was introduced by Sen. Risch (R-ID) and Sen. Crapo (R-ID ). Both of these bills would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 so that 16 and 17-yearolds would be allowed to work in mechanized logging operations under parental supervision.

Timber harvesting operations are similar to family farms in that they often are passed on from one generation to another and involve sophisticated, expensive harvesting equipment. Older children, 16 and 17, currently can legally work on family farms, learning various facets of those operations. However, young men and women in families who own and operate timber harvesting companies are denied the opportunity to

work and learn the family trade until they reach adulthood. The potential next generation of professional timber harvesters is being denied the opportunity to make logging their career of choice until after they turn 18 because of outdated Child Labor Law Regulations while the agriculture industry is exempt from said regulations.

While much progress has been made in just the last couple of months, there is still a lot of work to be done if we want to see these bills passed into law. A vast majority of bills introduced in Congress end up dying in committee, so it is critical that we all do our part to ensure that these bills are passed out of committee and eventually signed into law.

Regardless of whether you work as a logger, work in a mill, or work for a timber company, this issue has the potential to affect the entire wood supply chain because as current loggers leave the business there needs to be a new generation coming in or eventually our industry will cease to exist.

H.R. 4590 has been referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce while S. 2335 has been referred to the Senate Commit-

tee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

It is imperative that we contact directly as many House and Senate offices as possible and ask them to support the bill, so please pass this alert along to anyone who you feel is willing to respond, including other organizations and vendors who you do business with. We will need a majority in both the House and Senate to pass the bill once it comes to the floor for a vote!

If you are unsure of who your congressional delegates are then please contact the ALC office or go to the ALC website to find their contact information. I urge everyone in the timber industry to either make a call or send an e-mail to their respective Senate and House members to get them to support this very important issue. The more Senate and House members hear from us the more likely they will be to support this and the more of them that support this the better chance we have of moving it forward.

Nelson is the current 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. For more information, visit www.americanloggers.org or phone 409-625-0206.

North Carolina Logger Andrews Honored By FRA

At its annual awards dinner at Virginia Beach, Va. in early May, the Forest Resources Assn. (FRA) honored Anthony B. Andrews Logging, Inc. as its 2014 National Outstanding Logger. The family company, based in Trenton, NC and featured in the May-June issue of TH&WFO, was previously selected as FRA’s Southeastern Region Outstanding Logger. Stihl, which sponsors the award, presented Andrews with a check for $1,000 and a Stihl MS461 chain saw. FRA Chairman Tom Norris, left, and FRA President Deb Hawkinson, right, congratulate the family, from left: Candice Andrews, Garrett Andrews, Anthony Andrews, Betty Andrews, Tyler Andrews and Katie Moody.

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SelectCuts 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 forLeist est engineering degree at Auburn University in 1982. At the time of his death he was Director of Marketing 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.

Listings are submitted months in advance. Always verify dates and locations with contacts prior to making plans to attend.

July 19-21—Georgia Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa, Hilton Head, SC. Call 478-992-8110; visit gfagrow.org.

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

August 26-28—Louisiana Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Sam's Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport, La. Call 318-4432558; visit laforestry.com.

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

September 5-6—Great Lakes Timber Professionals Assn. annual meeting, EAA Event Grounds, Oshkosh, Wis. Call 715-282-5828; visit timberpa.com.

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

JULY/AUGUST 2014

Vidgrën Foundation Presents Annual Awards The foundation maintaining the life’s work of Ponsse founder Einari Vidgrén recognized forestry professionals for the ninth time at a recent event in Vieremä, Finland. The Einari Vidgrén Foundation was established in 2005 to heighten awareness of the entrepreneurship in timber harvesting and to make the mechanized harvesting sector more interesting as a workplace for young people.

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(FRA) at regional and national levels, serving as past chairman of the Southcentral Region and as a member 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 or testing or implementing, he moved forward with it…He was a leader in bringing log trucking optimization-dispatching 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.

Easy Access to current advertisers! http://www.timberharvesting.com/advertiser-index/ This issue of TIMBER HARVESTING is brought to you in part by the following companies, which will gladly supply additional information about their products.

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