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Vol. 50, No. 4

(Founded in 1972—Our 583rd Consecutive Issue)

F E AT U R E S

April 2021 A Hatton-Brown Publication

Phone: 334-834-1170 Fax: 334-834-4525 www.southernloggintimes.com Publisher David H. Ramsey Chief Operating Officer Dianne C. Sullivan Editor-in-Chief Senior Editor Managing Editor Senior Associate Editor Associate Editor

Rich Donnell Dan Shell David Abbott Jessica Johnson Patrick Dunning

Publisher/Editor Emeritus David (DK) Knight

Sugg Logging His Own Way

Trucking Costs Manage Your Risk

Art Director Ad Production Coordinator Circulation Director Online Content/Marketing

Cindy Segrest Patti Campbell Rhonda Thomas Jacqlyn Kirkland

ADVERTISING CONTACTS DISPLAY SALES Eastern U.S. Kathy Sternenberg Tel: 251-928-4962 • Fax: 334-834-4525 219 Royal Lane Fairhope, AL 36532 E-mail: ksternenberg@bellsouth.net Midwest USA, Eastern Canada John Simmons Tel: 905-666-0258 • Fax: 905-666-0778 32 Foster Cres. Whitby, Ontario, Canada L1R 1W1 E-mail: jsimmons@idirect.com

One-Two Punch Pandemic, Trade War

Insurance Fraud Staged Truck Accidents

Southern Stumpin’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

out front: In Arkansas, three generations of the McGuire family (patriarch Billy Dean, left, with his son Billy Duane, center, and grandson Billy Drake, right) work together. Story begins on Page 8. (Photo by David Abbott)

Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 From The Backwoods Pew . . . . . . . 38 Industry News Roundup . . . . . . . . . 40 Machines-Supplies-Technology . . . 52 Safety Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 ForesTree Equipment Trader . . . . . 57 Coming Events/Ad Index . . . . . . . . . 62

Western Canada, Western USA Tim Shaddick Tel: 604-910-1826 • Fax: 604-264-1367 4056 West 10th Ave. Vancouver, BC V6L 1Z1 E-mail: tootall1@shaw.ca Kevin Cook Tel: 604-619-1777 E-mail: lordkevincook@gmail.com International Murray Brett Tel: +34 96 640 4165 +34 96 640 4048 58 Aldea de las Cuevas • Buzon 60 03759 Benidoleig (Alicante), Spain E-mail: murray.brett@abasol.net CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

Bridget DeVane Tel: 1-800-669-5613 • Tel 334-699-7837 Email: bdevane7@hotmail.com

Southern Loggin’ Times (ISSN 0744-2106) is published monthly by Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc., 225 Hanrick St., Montgomery, AL 36104. Subscription Information—SLT is sent free to logging, pulpwood and chipping contractors and their supervisors; managers and supervisors of corporate-owned harvesting operations; wood suppliers; timber buyers; wood procurement and land management officials; industrial forestry purchasing agents; wholesale and retail forest equipment representatives and forest/logging association personnel in the U.S. South. See form elsewhere in this issue. All non-qualified U.S. subscriptions are $65 annually; $75 in Canada; $120 (Airmail) in all other countries (U.S. funds). Single copies, $5 each; special issues, $20 (U.S. funds). Subscription Inquiries— TOLL-FREE 800-669-5613; Fax 888-611-4525. Go to www.southernloggintimes.com and click on the subscribe button to subscribe/renew via the web. All advertisements for Southern Loggin’ Times magazine are accepted and published by Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. with the understanding that the advertiser and/or advertising agency are authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The advertiser and/or advertising agency will defend, indemnify and hold Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. harmless from and against any loss, expenses, or other liability resulting from any claims or lawsuits for libel violations or right of privacy or publicity, plagiarism, copyright or trademark infringement and any other claims or lawsuits that may arise out of publication of such advertisement. Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. neither endorses nor makes any representation or guarantee as to the quality of goods and services advertised in Southern Loggin’ Times. Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to reject any advertisement which it deems inappropriate. Copyright ® 2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Ala. and at additional mailing offices. Printed In USA.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Southern Loggin’ Times, P.O. Box 2419, Montgomery, AL 36102-2419 Member Verified Audit Circulation

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

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SOUTHERN STUMPIN’ By David Abbott • Managing Editor • Ph. 334-834-1170 • Fax: 334-834-4525 • E-mail: david@hattonbrown.com

Wright Hand Man oggers all around the country have tom at Charles A. Wright Logging. “We repeated it to me again and again over start everybody in a skidder who has never the years: good help is hard to find. And been in the woods,” Vance explains. “You they’re just talking about the difficulty in pull wood from A to B and kind of learn finding skilled, qualified, and perhaps most what is going on around the job before I put importantly (and most rarely), RELIABLE you on a different machine.” men (or women, in some cases; why not?) What makes Widener different than most to run equipment. A bad operator can cost employees, according to Vance, is that he is you big time—one who doesn’t know what always looking for opportunities to learn he’s doing, one who’s on drugs, one on new things and improve his skills. This was whom you can’t count to actually show up apparent early on in his employment. from one day to the next. When a man who “Whether it is working on equipment or owns a logging company can find a crew running a different machine, from the getfull of good operators—the ones you know go he wanted to learn it all just about as you can trust to not only do the job but to quick as he could,” Vance says. “It didn’t do it right—he’s usually grateful and does take him but a couple of years and he had whatever he can to keep them. Another been in about every machine I had at the thing loggers have told me over and over: time. Five years in, he could run it all just you’re only as good as your men. as good as anybody and he was managing On the right, Alan Wright, half owner of Charles A. Wright Logging in Virginia, But to come across an employee who the job and doing a great job of it.” and on his right, foreman and right hand man Brandon Widener can (and will) not just run equipment but These days Charles A. Wright Logging run the crew for you—now that’s a real find. And was in a Sunday school class with Brandon’s moth- fields two logging crews; Vance supervises one and that’s what Virginia logger Vance Wright has er, stepdad and step grandmother; his stepdad was Brandon the other. Each job has two loaders and a found in his crew foreman, Brandon Widener. “I the teacher of the class. “I got to know him through chipper; they have enough equipment to be capable reckon the best title for him is ‘foreman,’ but them,” Vance says. He could tell Brandon was of splitting sometimes into four places. Vance he’s as much above that as anything,” Wright interested in logging, and grew convinced that he prefers not to do that; it spreads operations too thin, says of Widener. “He’s my right hand man.” would be a good employee. “He seemed like a making it more difficult to manage well. “I like to With his brother Alan Wright as his equal part- good, hard-working guy, so we gave him a shot.” stay in two places, with Brandon on one job and ner, Vance manages the companies their father Seems the logger’s early impression was accurate. me on the other. We might flip-flop around and do left them, Charles A. Wright Logging and “He’s about as hard working as they come. You are whatever we need to do to the get the work done.” Charles A. Wright Trucking. The Blackridge, not going to have to worry about him not getting One of Brandon's responsibilities is getting drivVa.-based enterprise was the cover story of the the work done or not doing whatever it takes to get ers signed up for TEAM Safe Trucking training January 2020 issue of Southern Loggin’ Times. the job done, no matter what it is.” modules. “He actually started that for us,” Vance Along with running those and other companies, The elder Wright, persuaded by his son, origisays. “To be honest, I'm not sure I could have Vance served as President of the Virginia Loggers nally hired Widener to run a skidder, as is the cus- known how to do it, but he stepped up and offered Assn. for six years; Frank Myers of M.M. Wright, to handle it for us.” It's just one example of why Inc. (a different Wright family) in Gasburg, just the Wright brothers are grateful to have him on took over that position last year. Right hand man their team. Widener has also served on the VLA board for the Outside the woods, Widener has gone to the last several years alongside his boss. races with the Wrights. Charles Wright used to Brandon Widener has been working for drive the circle track at the South Boston SpeedCharles A. Wright Logging, except for a brief way, and his sons picked up the hobby. Brandon interruption of a few months, for nearly 20 years, has joined them at the race track sometimes. A since he was in his early 20s. Company founder single dad with joint custody of his two sons, and family patriarch Charles Wright was still Widener, according to Vance, is a great dad. “He running the show back then. It was he who actuhelps coach ball for them and takes them campally hired Widener, though it was Vance’s idea. ing on the weekends.” “To be honest, I had to talk my dad into hiring Widener has been overseeing a crew for about him,” Vance admits. “He thought he was too 12 years now. Though he’d hate to lose such a young and wasn’t going to stick around. I had to key part of his business, Vance says that if the kind of push to hire him.” day ever comes when Brandon wants to strike Widener grew up around farming, not logging. out on his own, he wouldn’t stand in his way; he His father and grandfather both worked in crop wants only good things for him. “If he went on insurance for Farm Bureau. On the side, they ran his own I would do everything I could to help a farm and raised cattle, and Widener spent his him,” the logger asserts. “I wouldn’t try to hold childhood helping them out. “Now for loggers, him back one bit; I would want him to succeed. you can’t beat farm boys grown up,” Vance He knows how to log as well as anybody. Anybelieves. “They know how to handle equipment thing in the woods he knows how to do and he before you ever put them in the woods.” does it really well. Folks like that deserve more Alan's brother/partner Vance Wright represented the family SLT They knew each other through church; Vance recognition,” Vance believes. company on the cover of the January 2020 SLT.

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Deep Roots ■ Three generations of the McGuire Logging family share the woods today.

By David Abbott LAMAR, Ark. ecessity has been called the mother of ★ invention, but it’s also birthed a few business ventures along the way. Take McGuire Logging, Inc., for example. While founders Bill and Joyce McGuire did grow up with some connections to the industry— Bill’s dad, John McGuire, owned a woodyard in the 1950s, and Joyce came from an extensive logging family—starting their own logging business wasn’t something they jumped into right off the bat. Bill and Joyce were married in 1971, a year after he graduated high school in 1970 and went to

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work at the Arkansas Kraft wood yard in Morrilton. After a brief shutdown at Kraft that required him to find work elsewhere for a while, Bill spent the next 18 years on that Kraft wood yard. During that time he started dabbling in short pulpwood for extra money on the side, buying his own wood and cutting and hauling it to Kraft in his spare time. “We had a short truck and in the evenings after I got off work, and on the weekends, I’d cut and load a truck, and we’d unload it on Monday morning,” he recalls. “Most of it you could load by hand.” By 1989, Arkansas Kraft was a division of Green Bay Packaging. The company moved to treelength material and started shutting down all its wood yards again. For Bill, the job he’d had since high school

was gone. “That’s all I’ve ever known,” he told his wife when he came home that night. “I don’t really know anything else to do.” A transition from part-time pulpwooder to full-time logger made sense; it met their need. “Already had the truck,” he shrugs. They used the severance pay he got from Green Bay to buy a skidder from one of Joyce’s cousins who was in the business, like all of her family. Then it grew from there, as they gradually added loaders and eventually feller-bunchers, too.

Family Affair Duane, their only son, finished high school in 1990 and joined the business right away. Seems like sawdust was in his veins even in the womb. “When I was pregnant

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with Duane, I would go out in the woods with Bill and sit down under a shade tree, so I think I marked him,” Joyce says. “I wanted to send him to college, but he didn’t want to go to college; he wanted to do this.” Duane’s cousin Brandon did go to college, earning his degree in agriculture science from Arkansas Tech before joining the expanding family team. The McGuires are a true family enterprise; even the clan’s matriarch, who normally handles the office work, has stepped up to man a machine when needed. Before Brandon joined them, it was just Bill and Duane in the woods. One day while leaving work, Bill stepped in a hole and broke his ankle. Doctors said he’d be off his feet for at least six weeks. Joyce

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The McGuires keep enough equipment to run two crews when they need to.

They prefer first thinning pine pulpwood for Green Bay Packaging.

was working in a restaurant at the time, but told her employers it wouldn’t be safe to leave Duane in the woods alone; they were still felling with chain saws at that time. “So I went out there and stayed with him,” she recalls. Duane taught her how to run the skidder, so she drove that till Bill could get back to the woods. In those days, the mother-and-son duo was getting about three loads a day in pine logs. “Back then, doing it like we were doing it, we thought that was ok,” Joyce says. McGuire Logging officially incorporated in 1995. They set up officers formally with their incorpora- ➤ 12

Left to right: Joyce McGuire and Bill McGuire, their son Duane McGuire, their nephew Brandon McGuire (in back), their grandson Drake McGuire, and James Clark, whom they jokingly claim as an adopted member of the family

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Duane's wife Lorie, an insurance underwriter who is also VP of McGuire Logging, helps maintain the company's emphasis on safety; she keeps all crew members in high-vis, company logo shirts and each man has his name printed on his personal hard hat.

9 ➤ tion paperwork, naming Joyce the President and Duane’s wife Lorie as Vice President.

Behind The Camera Eventually, only son Duane had an only son of his own: Drake. The three generations of McGuires share a first name: Billy Dean, 69, Billy Duane, 49, and Billy Drake, 28. Like his father before him, Drake grew up around the woods business. He worked for the crew out of high school for a while and has continued to join his family’s business off and on, but he has a whole other career of his own completely outside the forest products industry. He makes music videos and manages musicians, mostly in the country/rap genre. He’s self-taught in videography; he had toyed with it some in high school, enjoyed it, but never thought he could make money at it; turns out he was wrong. He and

some friends entered and won a national music video contest sponsored by Ryan Upchurch a few years ago, which opened many doors for him, including getting the chance to work as an assistant director on Upchurch's documentary The Holler Boy. He also did some camerawork for an upcoming Vietnam War movie that was filmed in Arkansas called Love In Country; he has an IMDB credit for that one. He lived in North Carolina and Florida for a few years working with various recording artists like Savannah Dexter and John Holleman. He came back to Arkansas recently simply because he was tired of being away from home, he says. “I think he kind of missed us,” his grandmother says. At this point Drake isn’t sure what his long term plans are, if he’ll remain part of his family’s logging company or continue pursuing a career in the music video business.

Truck driver Jerry Birkhahn

Truck driver John Richardson

He still goes to Nashville, more than 400 miles from Lamar, to work on videos pretty regularly and manages Leroy Biggs. Drake also made a video about his family at McGuire Logging, which you can find on YouTube, along with several music videos he’s directed. Just type Drake

McGuire in the search bar on Google, YouTube or Instagram, to see examples of his work.

R Squared Solutions pull through delimber pairs with Tigercat loader to keep wood ready for hauling.

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Operations Equipment is all Tigercat: 630E skidder, 718 feller-buncher and 234 loader with an R Squared Solutions

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Duane McGuire shops all over the South for good equipment deals, and turns to MidSouth Forestry Equipment in Caddo Valley for parts.

pullthrough delimber. Dozer for roadwork is a John Deere model 850C. Rather than sticking with a local dealer, the McGuires have bought machines from all over, traveling great distances for good deals. Duane seeks them out online. “He’s our equipment finder,” his mother says. He’s acquired several pieces from Mississippi Tigercat dealer B&G Equipment, and for others he’s gone to Tennessee and even South Carolina. For replacement parts and major repairs, the McGuires do look to their local Tigercat representative, MidSouth Forestry Equipment in Caddo Valley, Ark. While anything they can’t handle goes back to local dealers or repair shops, Joyce says the crew can take care of most repair jobs that come up: “They’re self-sufficient.” Service trucks are well equipped with hose machine, air compressor and fuel tank as well as spare parts and tools. Skidder driver James Clark—the only non-McGuire on the crew, though they claim him as an adopted member—does a lot of the mechanic work for the crew. They all handle routine maintenance and minor repairs as needed, and the crew keeps multiple spare pieces to back up any machine that goes down. “We have a backup for everything except labor,” Duane observes. In fact, they have enough equipment to split off into separate crews, and not so long ago they did run two jobs, but had trouble finding enough reliable quality help for both. So for now it makes more sense to streamline and consolidate into a single unit. “We’d probably consider two crews again if the demand was there to justify it, and if the help was there to man it,” Bill says. He doesn’t know if he believes the situation with labor availability is going to get any better; in fact, he expects, “It’s probably going to get worse.” Joyce agrees: “I’d hate to be young trying to start out right now.”

Markets It can be as hard to find good, and insurable, truck drivers, as it is to find qualified help in the woods, Bill admits. “It is different to haul on the highway than in the woods,” he says. Brandon, Duane and Bill all have CDLs and can haul loads if they need to. The McGuires own two Peterbilt trucks that pull McLendon trailers full time, with two others in reserve, and they hire a contract hauler to supplement production. Summit Truck Group in Russellville sold them 14

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the last rig they bought. They usually get about 10 loads a day, but then it depends on where they are working. Last year they hauled 50,000 tons for Green Bay, not counting what they hauled to PotlatchDeltic and Evergreen Packaging in Conway. They haul mostly pine pulpwood. Right now paper mills are doing well, they say, with only some shutdowns and slowdowns, allowing them to work pretty consistently. The holdup has been not markets but weather; rain and snow has been plentiful in recent months. The winter storm that brought such well-documented misery to neighboring Texas in the middle of February kept the McGuires from working an entire week. Bill thinks it was probably the worst snow they’ve seen in a decade. How can a logging business make up for lost time after losing a whole week like that? “Hope that next one is good,” Duane laughs. “This is a bad deal if you miss a week,” Joyce stresses. “You might spend $500 on fuel to go to work that day and if you don’t get a load, you’re $500 in the hole. There is a lot of praying that goes on.” Brandon adds, “It’s like a slot machine without the ding-dingding.” Duane buys private timber for the crew, and they contract for

Green Bay Packaging, hauling 90% of their pine pulpwood production to that company’s paper mill in Morrilton. When Southern Loggin’ Times met the family in March, they were working on a 300-acre tract of PotlatchDeltic land, doing a fifth-row first thinning prescription; the land manager was calling for a 65 basal area. Last year the McGuires got to perform a final harvest on a tract that they had first and second

thinned years ago. Bill says he’d rather do a first thinning than anything else: “Seems like you can get more done,” he believes. The pandemic never affected them very much; they worked about every day in 2020. “We kept on moving pretty good,” Duane says. Safety is a top priority, so everyone in the woods wears orange shirts and hard hats with their names on the back; Duane’s wife Lorie, who helps Joyce in the office, is also an insurance underwriter. Assure

Agency provides workers’ comp, sending a man out twice a year to look everything over and ensure the crew is in compliance with all safety regulations. They do tailgate safety meetings monthly. And they have all been trained in first aid. Looking ahead, what plans do the McGuires have for the future? “Get a better job,” Duane jokes. “Something that makes money.” But the truth is, the McGuire clan looks to be in the woods for the SLT long haul.

Bill’s father owned a wood yard in the ’50s. His house burned, and the pictures are the only things that survived.

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Firm Foundation ■ Sugg Logging navigates the Carolina coast in search of the next, best stand of timber.

By Patrick Dunning ELLERBE, NC rowing ★ up, Wayne Sugg, 44, owner of Sugg Logging, LLC, didn’t have a background in logging. His father and grandfather were farmers, growing peach orchards and harvesting tobacco in Richmond County. Tobacco exports were the backbone of North Carolina’s founding, dating back as early as 1663 when settlers moved from Virginia to the dry, sandy soil of the Coastal Plains. Sugg says North Carolina’s agricultural staple has dwindled in the last 15 years, though the state still ranks first in the United States in tobacco production. “(There’s) not quite as

Wayne Sugg, owner

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John Deere 648L performs a pine clear-cut prescription in Richmond County.

Sugg's all-inclusive fleet of John Deere equipment is easily maintained with help from the folks at James River Equipment.

The Sugg Logging crew, from left: Alberto Soria Gloria, skidder operator; Luke Diggs, loader operator; Brian Heavener, skidder operator; Brian “Hoggy” Lee, loader operator; Wayne Sugg, owner and cutter operator.

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Sugg’s operation averages 80-120 loads weekly and maintains a good relationship with Jordan Lumber & Supply in Mt. Gilead.

much tobacco harvesting as there used to be,” he acknowledges. “People still produce some in Scotland County but hardly any in Richmond County.” Right after high school, Sugg pursued a different path, going to work for a local logger in Ellerbe. He helped R. R. Mickey Logging in Hamlet for over 15 years. “A lot of

trial and error starting out,” Sugg remembers. For him, the transition from traditional agriculture to timber harvesting was smooth. “I ran farming equipment with my dad growing up, so logging came natural. Every piece I ran felt natural.” In his younger days, Sugg enjoyed racing street bikes. He ended up selling one of his motor-

cycles, a ZX14R Kawasaki, and bought his first truck, a FLD120 Freightliner. “I told a guy I was cutting for then that I would find some drivers. I’ll run the crew and let my trucks haul the wood,” he says. “That’s how I got started. Been like that ever since.” He would go on to found his LLC in late 2010.

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Operations Sugg focused on the trucking side of operations before meeting Chris Brooks, territory manager for James River Equipment in Mt. Gilead, through mutual logger friends. “I had my own trucks to start and was focused on helping other people,” Sugg says. “Me and my wife talked

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with Chris and he was reasonable; he got me going. Top notch fella.” Sugg purchased three new pieces of John Deere logging equipment through James River and later added more. Southern Loggin’ Times found Sugg Logging in late 2020 clearcutting plantation pine on a 100acre private tract for Jordan Lumber & Supply Co. of Mt. Gilead. “Most of what we cut is plantation pine and thinning prescriptions,” he says.

Sugg built the landing on the highest point of the stand after Hurricane Eta dropped over 10 in. of rain in some parts of North and South Carolina. A year-long creek runs through the tract that Sugg made plans to cross and deck again once it dries enough to cut poplar in the hardwood bottoms. There were also several very large holes left by the landowner’s mining efforts. “The wood buyer told me the landowner has dug for a little bit of gold out here,” Sugg explains.

Carolina Gold Rush The Carolina Gold Rush, the first in the United States, began in 1799 following the discovery of a 17pound nugget by 12-year-old Conrad Reed while playing in Meadow Creek on his family’s farm in Cabarrus County, NC. Reed’s initial find as well as others were celebrated in print throughout the country and even Europe, prompting a rush of miners to the region. In the peak years of North Caroli-

na’s gold rush, the state was home to about 56 different mining operations with boom towns established to support the new, thriving industry and its 25,000-strong workforce. North Carolina’s gold belt counties included Davidson, Guilford, McDowell and Randolph, producing the nation’s gold supply from 1803 to 1848. North Carolina was the only state producing domestic gold for the nation’s coinage, prompting the U.S. government to open a branch mint in Charlotte in 1835 until the start of the Civil War in 1861. Between 1838 and 1847, North Carolina mined nearly 140,232 troy oz. of gold, equating to approximately $2,898,505, which was the state’s peak market value. Recreational panning remains a pastime in North Carolina but there are no active gold mines operating today and the odds of finding significant gold deposits are slim. Depending who you ask, some would say trees are as valuable as gold, at least to the economy as a whole. North Carolina’s logging industry accounts for over 6,000 jobs and contributes almost $500 million annually to the state’s economy. Though Sugg isn’t panning local creeks for placer gold, he says logging SYP will certainly suffice, and believes his fleet of exclusive John Deere woods equipment is a treasure trove of its own.

Industry Friends “John Deere has come a long way,” Sugg says. “I talked with Chris Brooks and they (James River Equipment) have been good to me ever since I started and keep me going. I like to run all the same equipment because they have good mechanics and I can go to one place and get parts.” Sugg Logging runs two loaders (a ’15 John Deere 437D and ’18 437E), two skidders (’17 and ’18 model 648Ls), and a ’19 843L-II feller-buncher. Main species targeted are pine and poplar. An average of 80-120 loads are hauled weekly to surrounding mills. Sugg says plantation pine tracts are limited and rarely cut compared to hardwood stands in Davidson county. “Pulpwood has been tight; saw timber has been nice though,” he observes. Thankfully, Jeff Edwards, owner of Edwards Wood Products, Inc., headquartered in Marshville, expanded his jurisdiction and completed a pine mill installation about five years ago in Laurinburg, 30 miles southeast of Ellerbe. Jordan Lumber accepts grade pine logs and was a blessing for 20

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Sugg’s operation in 2020. “Things didn’t look good in February but markets did a 360-spin and came back,” he says. “No quotas or shutdowns at Jordan.” Sugg has contracted for Jordan Lumber for four years. “The guys at Jordan Lumber make all this possible for me and their loggers.” Sugg says some hardwood quotas were tight through the summer last year when he was logging rough, mountainous terrain. His solution: Troy Lumber Co. in Troy. “When we have to get rid of hardwood it goes to Troy.” His fleet of Kenworth T800 log trucks, ’07 and two ’20 models, are accompanied by four or five contract haulers. “KW is just a good log truck,” he says. “It’s got heavy specs for hauling a lot of weight.” Sugg uses exclusively Big John trailers as well. Bouncing back-and-forth across the South and North Carolina state line used to be an issue for Sugg. South Carolina has a maximum weight limit of 80,000 lbs. while North Carolina trailer weights are capped at 90,000. Then Sugg purchased a set of Maxi-Load scale systems from dealer Ken Murray in Virginia four years ago. MaxiLoad scales accurately determine the weight of the truck, trailer and load to comply with respective gross weight tolerances and save on fuel. “It used to be a problem going between states but the Maxi scales help,” he attests. Sugg Logging services woods equipment every 250 hours with Rotella 15W-40 and John Deere filters. Every 500-1,000 hours he does a “big service” where he lets James River Equipment get involved with changing axle and transmission oil in skidders and the feller-buncher. Larry Robison, Sugg’s truck mechanic, lives right around the block from Sugg and has been looking after his trucks since he started. Oil is changed in trucks every 10,000 miles using Rotella 15W-40 synthetic. Sugg runs a single crew of four in the woods: Luke Diggs, loader operator; Brian “Hoggy” Lee, loader operator; Alberto Soria Gloria, skidder operator; Brian Heavener, skidder operator; and two truck drivers, Bobby Greene and Jamie Cook. Forestry Mutual Insurance covers Sugg Logging’s woods operation and helps with routine safety meetings, while Shelton Insurance, Albemarle, covers truck insurance. Sugg and his wife, Tina, have three children: sons Peyton, 11, named after Sugg’s favorite football player Peyton Manning, and Porter, 13, named for Sugg’s father, and SLT daughter Kinley, 21. Southern Loggin’ Times

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Risky Business ■ Risk management for trucking can reduce costs, boost safety and improve efficiency.

By Dale Kleffman EDITOR’S NOTE: Dale Kleffman, CPCU, CIC, CLCS, is working for Mauck/Loggers Insurance Agencies with an extensive background in commercial insurance relating to all aspects of the forest products industry including logging, trucking, and manufacturing. Mauck/Loggers Insurance Agencies are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Assn. and Michigan Assn. of Timbermen through their respective holding companies. Dale can be reached at 906-281-1604 or dalek@mauckinsurance.com

he biggest liability many businesses have is their vehicles and trailers that are operated on the public roads. Many in the forest products arena don’t typically see other people or deal with much property other than raw logs while in the

woods. These factors help to insulate them from many of the factors that other businesses face. Yet vehicles present a challenge to both business owners and insurance companies. This challenge has continued to evolve and we see more and more insurance companies struggle with profitability in the auto line than any other line of business. Many insurance companies have struggled drastically over the last 5-10 years in the auto space, often producing combined ratios of 110% to 120% or more. A combined ratio is the percentage of dollars out vs. dollars in when operating costs are analyzed. Carriers shoot for something under 100% here typically as it means they are making a underwriting profit without realizing investment income. There is more volatility, price increases and new underwriting guidelines in the auto space than any other segment that affects the

forest products industry, with the possible exception of property insurance related to sawmills, wood pallet and wood pellet operations. The factors that lead to this volatility are many: They include busier roads, more distracted driving, increased repair costs for vehicles and larger court settlements. In my mind the cell phone and how it affects drivers is the biggest single culprit. From the elevated view in a semi it is even more obvious the amount of people trying to do multiple things at once and not just focus on the road. That being said, even though many accidents are attributed to other people, they can affect your business. When you are operating a vehicle under a commercial business and generating revenue you are held to a higher standard in the eyes of the law than just a commuter or other recreational driver. This can lead your business to be financially

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liable even if they are deemed not at fault on a police report. There are a variety of things you can do to mitigate this exposure. These are particularly relevant to semi/heavy trucking operations, but many of them can help even if a pickup and a job trailer are the only autos you own. The list is long and intimidating when it comes to all the rules and regulations that govern the commercial trucking world. There is no way to get detailed information across on all of them in an article like this but we will touch on what we can in relation to compliance. Different items relating to laws and compliance include: l Enrolling in a drug testing program; even if you are the owner and the only driver at your company, this is still required. l Maintaining a driver qualification file that includes the appropriate items. Again, even if you own the company and as the owner you

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are the only driver, this is still required. Items that need to be in this file include: — An application for employment (yes, you have to hire yourself even if you are the only one). It’s your government looking out for you. — A current motor vehicle record (MVR or driving record) from each state your driver has held a valid license in during the preceding 12 months. This needs to be run every 12 months. — MVR for the preceding three years from each state your driver has held a license in. — A review of the MVR to determine if your driver meets standards for safe driving. This review needs to be done every 12 months and must include the name of the person reviewing and the date. It needs to include any FMSCA violation data review and moving violations review along with anything that could be construed as a disregard for public safety. — A record of all violations within the last 12 months from each driver — A copy of each driver’s CDL — A copy of each driver’s medical exam certificate — A note or record verifying that the doctor performing the medical exam is on the national registry of certified medical examiners list. If you meet the requirements to use a log book, make sure you are in compliance here. This is a whole topic on its own, and many of those who only haul raw logs are exempt. At the end of the day, know the laws and be in compliance if it is required. Make sure you have the required periodic vehicle inspections on file. Make sure you are in compliance with weight restrictions. We all know that judgment plays a part in hauling in the raw forest products arena. Species, time of year, moisture content, time on landing, etc., all can drastically affect weight. That being said, if you are continually and grossly overweight and involved in a serious accident, the odds of a financial judgment against you are immensely higher and the dollars awarded are likely to increase also. We have been insulated from this in our region of the country to an extent but it is happening in other areas. It is much easier for a plaintiff attorney to paint you as a negligent business owner if 75% of your loads are overweight. Have any required pre- and posttrip inspections done and documented. Stay in compliance with any applicable federal and state law. There are a lot of resources out there for trucking companies in regards to safety and compliance.

These include the Michigan Center for Truck Safety, various insurance company loss prevention staff, and a variety of third-party companies that focus on safety and compliance in the trucking world. The latter of

these often charge a fee. If you need help in this area and it seems overwhelming, it is much better to ask for help and try to be proactive than to ignore it and be forced to be reactive. If you are

doing all these things and have your ducks in a row make sure your insurance company is aware of this and that it is well documented. It can only help your profile in terms of how an underwriter evaluates

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your business and if you are ever in a serious accident it will help your outcome following that too. There are a variety of things that aren’t laws or rules that can help your overall risk affecting your trucking business too. These include: l Consider camera systems on all trucks. These are getting much better from a technology perspective and a complete system with front and driver facing cameras is a lot cheaper than you think. These systems provide awesome data to accident investigators and can often eliminate the he said/she said component within a police report. l Have driving hiring standards and follow them. Do the same with driver evaluations. One of the biggest things a company can do is have a written procedure regarding what is and isn’t acceptable. Having these items documented makes your company more consistent and helps you evaluate what is the best for it. Insurance companies love when you have written standards documenting what is and isn’t acceptable. If you have such rules in place and enforced, share them with your company. It will be a feather in your cap. l Evaluate inexperienced drivers

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with caution. Everyone understands that there is an absolute shortage of truck drivers and we always get asked to make exceptions regarding drivers with minimal experience or a colorful MVR history. For us this is always done on a case-by-case basis and we don’t have a catch-all answer. Every insurance company handles it differently and some are much more rigid or will charge exorbitant premiums for the exposure. Putting a young driver in your truck is a huge exposure for you and your insurance company. We know that we will need people to replace existing drivers and we know that young people need to get experience somewhere. If you are going to put an inexperienced driver in a truck, then have a program in place to train and evaluate his or her progress. At the end of the day you can let who you want drive your vehicles without typically affecting coverage; your insurance company might not like it but it is your business decision. Come renewal time, rates may

increase or you might get nonrenewed if you don’t get their buyin, but it is still your decision. You are much more likely to get acceptance from an insurance company if you have a program in place that details training and evaluation going forward. Things like ridealongs, skills testing, documentation for formal schooling/training, working in tandem with an experienced driver the first several months, and providing timely feed-

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back on performance can help your company and your young driver succeed. There is no easy answer to this situation, but there are things you can do to help mitigate your risk. It’s better to document and face the challenges associated with young drivers than ignore them. l Don’t rent, lease or borrow your equipment to other people or businesses. This is a more prevalent practice in some regions of the country than in others, but if you do

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it, it’s a huge exposure you are picking up by just being friendly. If you must do this, thoroughly discuss the situation with your insurance agent and attorney prior to doing it so you can do all you can to protect yourself and your business. l Have safety incentive programs. These can be monetary or something like a nice company logo winter jacket if your fleet goes a defined period with no accidents or DOT violations. This type of program can be completely flexible but it will help keep safety and compliance a top-of-mind issue. l Keep all vehicle service records as long as you own or operate it. This is a huge deal. Make sure you are recording what you do, even if it’s an oil change, walk-around inspection or changing a tire. Having detailed records if you get dragged into court for something really helps your chances of being successfully defended. Having a regular inspection program, and documenting it, really helps as well. l Have a zero tolerance cell phone policy (unless hands-free) and enforce it. This could go with the compliance side also but it’s really important. As a commercial truck driver or company you are going to be held to a higher standard than the average citizen and cell phone use is a real top-ofmind issue for the general public. A court is much more likely to make a martyr out of someone involved in using a cell phone illegally than many other things. l Fix the little things before they turn into big things. This applies to brakes, lighting, tires, etc. We understand the challenges facing forest products trucking related to OTR issues and the adverse environment many loggers operate within off public roads. That being said, the DOT inspections and scoring associated with trucking businesses isn’t going away. Almost every insurance company and many shippers and consumers regularly use the DOT web site to evaluate a trucking company. This information, when poor, can really affect pricing and availability of insurance for your trucking company. Don’t be afraid to ask for help on this stuff and also don’t be afraid to tell your insurance company what you are doing to operate safer. The insurance world loves documented information and anything you are doing proactively can only help your overall SLT profile. Stay Safe! This article previously appeared in the March/April 2021 issue of Timber Harvesting, another Hatton-Brown publication. 28

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Double Whammy ■ In 2020, the American timber industry was crippled by trade war and COVID-19. By Andrew Muhammad, Professor of Agriculture and Resource Economics, University of Tennessee This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. It was originally published on November 16, 2020. Visit https://theconversation.com/americantimber-industry-crippled-by-doublewhammy-of-trade-war-and-covid-19147720 to read the original article.

he forestry sector—landowners, logging companies and sawmills—lost an estimated U.S. $1.1 billion in 2020. Devastating wildfires and Hurricane Laura played a part, but the COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to significant losses. If workers are required to stay home, then no trees will be felled or logs sawed into lumber. These losses have been exacerbated and amplified because of a longstanding trade war that has severely curbed the sale of U.S. forestry products to foreign markets, particularly China. I am a professor of economics with a specialty in international agricultural trade, trade policy and global food demand. My work at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is informed by my nearly 10 years as a senior economist with USDA researching international trade issues affecting agriculture and forestry.

pounded by a multiplier effect that goes beyond the raw export numbers.

tion for these exports. In 2018, U.S. imports of wooden furniture and other wood products from China exceeded $9 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This raises an obvious question: Why doesn’t the U.S. simply make furniture and flooring? The answer is wages. The wage differential between U.S. and Chinese workers makes it more profitable to sell logs and lumber to China and then buy back finished wood products. Since the demand for products like logs and lumber is directly linked to the demand for finished wood products like furniture and flooring, any decline in the latter negatively affects U.S. forest product exports. To say that what happens in China does not necessarily stay in China is an understatement.

Vulnerable Industry COVID-19 has caused a major disruption on U.S. forest exports and hindered production because of lock-

downs, business closures and production stoppages. Many of these supply disruptions started in China, where lumber was being turned into furniture, chairs and other goods where the pandemic began. However, another major factor has been the interruption of demand because of decreased incomes and delayed purchases by consumers. In the U.S., furniture sales decreased as much as 66% in April 2020 when stay-at-home orders went into effect. As of August of this year, U.S. imports of wood furniture and other wood products from China were down by nearly $2 billion, or 40%. Consequently, U.S. forest product exports as of August 2020 had dropped by more than $670 million overall, with exports to China down by more than $100 million. Geographically, most of these losses are in the South, a loss of $246 million, followed by the West, with losses of $183 million, and the Northeast, with losses of $143 million. In addition, these substantial losses are com-

China Connection Forest product exports in the U.S., including logs and lumber, were valued at $9.6 billion in 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Forest products are the third leading U.S. agricultural export sector after soybeans and corn. In 2018, China accounted for nearly $3 billion of U.S. forest product exports. The forest products relationship between China and the U.S. is complex. The U.S. sells logs and lumber to China; China uses the logs and lumber to produce finished wood products, such as furniture and hardwood flooring; and China exports these finished wood products to the world. Interestingly, the U.S. market is the leading destina30

U.S. Forest Product Exports by Region: 2019 and 2020 These data are based on state export sales as reported to U.S. Customs. Data are compiled by the Census Bureau and reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. US Regions South West Northeast Midwest Other† Total

Jan. – Aug. 2019 $2,237 m $1,465 m $900 m $907 m $212 m $5,721 m

Jan. – Aug. 2020 $1,992 m $1,282 m $757 m $840 m $179 m $5,049 m

Loss - $246 m - $183 m - $143 m - $67 m - $33 m - $671 m

%Loss -11% -12% -16% -7% -15% -12%

†Puerto Rico, Virgin Island and Other Territories Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Table: The Conversation, CC-BY-ND Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS).

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In my state of Tennessee, for instance, the forestry sector provided nearly 100,000 jobs and had an annual economic impact of more than $24 billion in 2017, accounting for nearly 3% of Tennessee’s economy. This, of course, was before the COVID-19 pandemic and the U.S. trade war, which has devastated the forestry sector. When considering the related activities associated with the forestry sector, such as trucking or equipment, total income and job losses are likely double the direct losses from export sales.

Fallout Prior to the pandemic, the U.S.China trade war had already made the forestry sector vulnerable because of the tariffs that the Chinese government imposed on U.S. timber and the resulting loss in exports. The industry was in a crisis when COVID-19 hit. In 2018, President Trump ordered that tariffs be imposed on Chinese imports, including a 10% tariff on furniture and related goods from China. In retaliation, the Chinese government imposed tariffs on many U.S. agricultural goods, including 25% tariffs on U.S. logs and lumber. This double taxation resulted in nearly halving the export to China—from $3 billion in 2018 to $1.6 billion in 2019. The trade war, compounded by COVID-19, has had a major negative effect on forest products export sales—from timber harvest and lumber production to timber exports—which hurts working people including loggers and mill workers. Sawmills, in particular, have taken a serious hit. How is this related to the current pandemic? In January 2020, the U.S. and China signed the Phase One Trade Agreement. Based on the details of the agreement, timber and other forest product exports to China were expected to reach more than $4 billion in 2020. The fact that current export sales to China, as of August of 2020, were only $1 billion suggests that COVID-19 is having an even larger impact than SLT the numbers reveal.

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On Guns & More

As I watch this new generation try to rewrite history, one thing I’m sure of...it will be misspelled and have no punctuation. l Confuse your doctor by putting on rubber gloves at the same time he does. l I am very fortunate to have someone call and check on me every day. He is from India and is very concerned about my car warranty. l We all know that mirrors don’t lie, but I’m grateful that they don’t laugh! l Everything will kill you, so choose something fun. l

If gun control laws actually worked, Chicago would be Mayberry, USA. l Legal gun owners have 300 million guns and probably a trillion rounds of ammo. If gun owners were the problem, you'd know it. l When JFK was killed, nobody blamed the rifle. l The NRA murders nobody and receives no funds from the government. Planned Parenthood kills 350,000 babies every year and receives hundreds of million in tax dollars. l Most people probably have no problem with vigorous background checks when it comes to firearms. While we're at it, let's do the same when it comes to immigration, voter identification and candidates running for office. l Making good people helpless won’t make bad people harmless. l It’s estimated that 11 teens die each day because of texting while driving. Maybe it's time to raise the age of smart phone ownership to 21. l

Rooney Ruminations

The following was written and presented by the late Andy Rooney, a popular CBS News personality who had the gift of saying so much with so few words. I've learned.... —That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. —That when you're in love, it shows. —That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day. l One minute you’re young and fun; and the next you’re turning down —That having a child fall asleep in my arms is one of the most peaceful the car stereo to see better. feelings in the world. l If you think you are old, you will be old. If you think you are young, —That being kind is more important than being right. you will be delusional! —That you should never say no to a gift from a child. l There’s nothing scarier than that split second when you lose your bal—That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to ance in the shower and think: “They are going to find me help him or her in any other way. naked.” —That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, l I’m not that much more overweight today than I was everyone needs a friend to act goofy with. 20 years ago. Now I’m just easier to see. —That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and l I’m not in jail, not in a hospital, not in a doctor’s a heart to understand. office and not in a grave, so I’m having a very good day. —That simple walks with my father around the block on l I always thought that growing old would take much summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an longer. adult. l The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has —That money doesn't buy class. absolutely no trade-in value. —That it's those small daily happenings that make life so l Don’t worry about avoiding temptation as you spectacular. mature, for it will avoid you. —That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants l The biggest lie I tell myself is, “I don’t need to write that down. I’ll to be appreciated and loved. remember it.” —That to ignore the facts does not change the facts. l Some days I amaze myself. Other days, I look for my phone while —That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that I’m holding it. person continue to hurt you. l I still have a land line, or as I like to call it, a “cell phone finder.” —That love, not time, heals all wounds. l Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever. —That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself l Here’s a shout-out to everyone who can still remember their childhood with people smarter than I. phone number but can’t remember the password they created yesterday. —That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile. l Masks are apparently the new bra. They’re uncomfortable, you wear —That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them. them in public, and when you don’t wear one everyone notices. —That life is tough, but I'm tougher. l Life is like a roll of toilet paper—the shorter it gets the faster it goes. —That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss. l Some days I think half my mind has —That when you harbor bitterness, happiwandered off and the other half has gone ness will dock elsewhere. looking for it. —That one should keep his words both soft l I’m on two diets. I wasn’t getting and tender, because tomorrow he may have to This incident supenough food on the one. eat them. posedly actually l A cold seat in a public restroom is —That a smile is an inexpensive way to happened last winter. Some guys, unpleasant, but a warm seat in a public restimprove your looks. apparently well into room is worse. —That when your newly born grandchild the spirit(s), decided l Don’t irritate old people. The older we holds your little finger in his little fist, you're to have a little fun get, the less “life in prison” is a deterrent. hooked for life. during the moose l I really don’t mind getting older, but —That everyone wants to live on top of the hunting season. After tying one guy my body is taking it badly. mountain, but all the happiness and growth to the roof of the truck, the driver and passengers donned moose l Do you ever get up in the morning, occurs while you're climbing it. heads and drove down I-35, causing 16 accidents. Yes, they went to look in the mirror and think, “That can’t be —That the less time I have to work with, jail. The moral: men, especially younger ones, cannot be left alone. accurate.” the more things I get done.

On Aging & Such

‘Moosing’ Around In Minnesota

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In Bad Faith ■ A look at the dirty world of staged trucking accidents, and how to protect your fleet. This article is courtesy of Virginia’s Setliff Law, P.C.

n November 10, 2020, a New Orleans personal injury attorney, Danny Patrick Keating, Jr. became the 33rd defendant charged in an ongoing investigation by the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana into crime rings that stage accidents with tractor-trailers and commercial carriers. (https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/202 0/11/10/590210.htm) Charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, Keating, if convicted, faces a maximum term of five years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.00. The indictment states that he and other unidentified attorneys (referenced in the indictment only as Attorneys A, B, and C) paid $1,000.00 per passenger for accidents involving tractor-trailers and $500.00 per passenger for accidents not involving tractor-trailers. The indictment further alleges that Keating paid for thirty-one (31) illegally staged tractor-trailer accidents, representing 77 plaintiffs involved in the 31 staged accidents, resulting in approximately $1,500,000.00 in settlements, from which Keating allegedly kept approximately $358,000.00 in attorney’s fees. The United States Attorney emphasized that indictments are merely charges and that the guilt of any defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The ongoing federal investigation into staged accidents has resulted in charges against 33 people over the past year for intentionally staging automobile accidents with tractor-trailers and other commercial carriers in order to defraud trucking companies and insurance companies. To date, 11 of the 33 indicted defendants have tendered guilty pleas in federal court. (https://www.insurancejournal.com /news/southcentral/2020/11/10/590 210.htm.) Four of the defendants accused of staging a tractor-trailer accident settled for $4.7 million. (https://www.fox8live.com/2020/1 0/16/four-more-indicted-stagedaccident-scene-resulting-millionsettlement/)

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The indictments include multiple federal counts including conspiracy to commit mail fraud in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. § 371 and mail fraud in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. § 1341. The indictments allege that some of the defendants were socalled “slammers,” i.e. individuals who intentionally caused accidents. Other defendants facing charges include passengers in vehicles allegedly used to stage accidents. The criminal indictments state that the socalled “slammers” target tractor-trailers that are changing lanes in order to cause an accident by striking a tractor-trailer in its blind spot, using the slammer vehicle. The accidents are usually staged at night to avoid witnesses. After a staged accident, the slammer usually exits the slammer vehicle from the passenger side in order to avoid being seen. The remaining passengers then call 911 and one of the passengers falsely claims to have been the driver at the time of the staged accident. The indictments state that the staged accident cases were referred to specific attorney(s) and that the attorney(s) paid defendants to stage accidents. (https://www.wwltv.com/ article/news/investigations/mikeperlstein/new-orleans-attorneyaccused-for-staging-crash-with-18wheeler/289-5b407a9b-ce22-4db48d80-9f0dbd95051d.) One indictment states that defendants “were purportedly treated by doctors who are known to the Grand Jury at the direction of Attorney A” and that one defendant had neck surgery “because Attorney A told her she would get more money through the lawsuit if she had the surgery.” One of the indicted defendants charged with staging over 50 accidents, Cornelius Garrison (“Garrison”), was shot and killed in his apartment on September 24, 2020, less than two weeks before he was scheduled to be arraigned on October 5, 2020. (https://www.wwltv. com/article/news/investigations/ne w-orleans-man-suspected-of-stag-

ing-50-car-crashes-shot-and-killeddays-after-indictment/28939aad390-d652-4673-9fb3a19fcd8943f4.) Prior to his murder, Garrison allegedly had been cooperating with the F.B.I. and the United States Attorney’s office. (https://www.nola.com/news/crime_ police/article_e489aa3a-feb2-11eabe7c-6f14f6de9f17.html)

Sources familiar with the case, who spoke with the press on the condition of anonymity, said investigators were examining the possibility that his killing was a hit meant to silence a witness. Notably, Garrison was the third “slammer” involved in the federal investigation into staged accidents to die. Harry Rosenberg, a former United States Attorney, said that he expects the pace of the federal investigation will ramp up in the wake of the Garrison murder: “There will be pressure on the part of the Justice Department to devote more resources to investigate the murder. . . There are now issues of obstruction of justice and the potential murder of a federal witness.” Rosenberg also noted that staged accidents are not new, but that the targets switched from elderly car drivers to commercial trucks: “These groups have moved to target large trucks because they are like whales with dollar signs on them.” Southeastern Motor Freight, Inc. filed a civil lawsuit alleging state and federal racketeering claims, as well as fraud and conspiracy against two of the indicted defendants. The lawsuit seeks treble damages and attorney’s fees paid out to settle prior personal injury

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litigation following a staged 2017 accident. (https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.laed.24 7031/gov.uscourts.laed.247031.1.0 _2.pdf.) The 2017 accident at issue involved a Southeastern Motor Freight tractor-trailer, a pickup and a Chevy Trailblazer. According to Southeastern Motor Freight’s complaint, dashcam footage from the tractor-trailer and surveillance footage from a nearby tire store show that the tractor-trailer entered the highway in the right lane prior to a bridge. As the tractortrailer reached the top of the bridge, two vehicles were stopped in the right lane: a pickup with its hazard lights on was stopped behind the Trailblazer. The Southeastern Motor Freight complaint states: “[t]here were no other vehicles stopped in front of these vehicles and no traffic to explain why they were stopped on the bridge.” Southeastern Motor Freight’s driver changed into the center lane to go around the vehicles. As he was passing the Trailblazer, it began moving forward, following him. Video from the tire store shows the Trailblazer swerve to the right and rear-end the tractor-trailer. The impact caused damage to the passenger side of trailer and the driver’s side of the Trailblazer. Southeastern Motor Freight alleges a “nearly identical” crash was staged at the same location nearly a week before and also that one of the defendants brought at least five similar lawsuits involving sideswipe collisions with tractor-trailers in the past eight years. The online court docket indicates that the United States Attorney’s Office in New Orleans moved to intervene in the Southeastern Motor Freight case. The motion was granted on September 28, 2020 and currently, by order of the court, the case is indefinitely stayed, “pending resolution of criminal proceedings.”

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How To Protect Your Fleet? Chance McNeely, executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Assn., says that in fake accident cases, the deck typically is stacked against trucking companies. He advises what many trucking companies are already doing, putting cameras on their trucks. “Selfdefense is our best approach.” Staged accidents are not just limited to Louisiana of course. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has uncovered sophisticated, multi-state rings in Florida, New York and California that included staged accident participants as well as doctors, chiropractors, lawyers and even body shop owners that profited from the insurance scam. (https://www.bankrate.com/finance/ insurance/6-tips-for-avoiding-astaged-accident-1.aspx) Mary Aftanas, Director of P&C Investigations with NICB, believes the crime rings learn from each other, even if there is no evidence that the crime rings are connected: “We did a huge PSA effort with the Nevada Trucking Assn. in Las Vegas because unfortunately, everybody was [abruptly stopping] right in front of those big rigs. Why? Because policy limits are higher [in Nevada]. However, the risk could lead to death.” (https://www.fleetowner.com/safety/article/21119301 /truck-crash-fraud-everyone-maybe-in-on-it.) She noted that New Orleans scammers hit the sides of a truck instead of stopping in front: “I think they learned from each other. I don’t want to say it isn’t possible [that they’re connected]. Everything is possible...” She also noted the groups do their homework and know which carriers are more willing to settle and which ones do not. They also learn which carriers carry higher insurance policies. Director Aftanas advises: “Do your due diligence and make sure all the facts are recorded correctly so you can make a good business decision [about settling or going to litigation]. Document the process, the driver, who the other driver was, how many occupants, what type of vehicle hit them. In some cases, we’ll have a four-door car that’s small and only four people can fit, but yet when the claim comes in, there are eight people.”

claimants’ vehicle is likely to contain multiple passengers who will all file medical claims in addition to a vehicle damage claim. Look for past history of similar claims by claimants and/or evidence of past insurance fraud. In order to avoid becoming a victim of a staged accident, it is critical for your driver to thoroughly photograph all vehicles after any accident—even if the driver is certain there was no impact. Your driver should pay

special attention to the number of people in the other vehicle and any damage (pre-existing or otherwise) to all vehicles. In addition to noting any potential witnesses, your driver should look for any surrounding surveillance cameras that may have captured additional footage (for example, the video from the nearby tire store in the Southeastern Motor Freight case). If you suspect fraud, start the conversation early with your carrier and counsel. If the accident fits the pat-

tern, it may be worthwhile to spend the money to investigate rather than look for a quick settlement. Bear in mind as well that multiple claims arising out of the same staged accident, even if they can be settled for small amounts, can have a big adverse impact on your insurance SLT renewal premiums. If you have questions about this article, please contact Alison Feehan (afeehan@setlifflaw.com) at 804377-1279 or Steve Setliff (ssetliff@ setlifflaw.com) at 804-377-1261.

What Is Our Advice? Be alert for accidents that fit the pattern. Suspicious accidents typically include multiple claimants in one vehicle, sideswipe allegations with tractor-trailers, minimal damage to either vehicle, and a tractortrailer driver who is either unaware of or denies impact. The Southern Loggin’ Times

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FROM THE BACKWOODS PEW

Forest Prodigal He was deep in the Great Swamp now, and he knew it. It had started out as a simple stroll, a small hike if you would, but it seemed like the Antill woods lured him in further. Really it was one bad decision after another that caused him to be in the predicament he was now in. There was another tree to see, another opening that seemed to glimmer in the light; one more stream to cross, and then the bees and the mad dash! The cell phone on his belt, the one he had failed to charge last night (another bad decision), was a useless weight. The mosquitoes and flies, unseen or heard when he entered the woods, had waited until now to make an appearance. He was being ravaged by the biting bugs. He knew right where his spray was; it was in his truck. With night approaching, it was only going to get worse. His feet were wet. He would have never tried to jump that creek and run like a maniac with no care as to where he was headed, except for the bees. At least he was finally able to outrun them, but he had gotten turned around in the mad dash. He grimaced at the thought of his compass, lying peacefully on the front seat of his truck. If he had it with him, at least he could see it in the morning. But first he had to survive the night. He never saw the stump hole, but

he sure felt the results. His right ankle had swollen to the size of a softball. It was hard for him to look at it very long, as the stump hole had also twisted his right knee, and with its swelling he could no longer see his ankle. He tried to look at the bright side of the painful injury, that there had been no snakes in the hole. It would have been a tough day to have a snakebite, broken ankle, and sprained knee all on the right side of the body. Too bad the snake showed up and bit his left hand while he tried to make a crutch from some fallen branches. At least it had not been poisonous, or so he surmised since he was still breathing. Day dawned, passed, and dawned again. Lack of food was taking its toll. The bugs had already removed much of his blood. His leg was a mess, and his snakebite was a ghastly site to behold; thankfully it had become numb. Through his bloodshot eyes and cracked lips, he looked up through the trees, and mumbled, “I am lost.” He remembered the first warning that came into his mind that day he had left the truck and started into the woods. He could still see the truck, felt the call to get his compass, and grab some repellant; but no, he ignored them all. He could find his way back, nothing bad was going to happen; he had done this hundreds of times. Now, sitting against the tree, he knew he was lost, both in terms of finding his way out, and in terms of living. There was no one to know where he was, or how to find him. It was called the Great Swamp for a reason.

Lost And Found It was a hunter, a friend, who eventually found him. In fact, the hunter had been looking for him non-stop from the moment he got the call. On his way home that day, passing by the Great Swamp, he had seen the forester’s truck and pulled alongside it in hopes of talking to his friend. The truck was empty. He noticed through the window that his friend had ventured into the Great Swamp without his compass. As he got into his own truck to head home, a deep dread and foreboding settled upon him. Even then, he began to pray for his friend. That night, when the forester’s father called with concern, he knew where to start looking. He immediately grabbed his gear and headed into the night. The Great Swamp was nearly endless; his friend could be anywhere. With flashlight in hand, he entered the darkness. He stayed in the woods, searching day and night. Calling out his friend’s name at intervals, he pushed through the swamp, constantly praying, that this forester, his friend, could be found and could be rescued. He found the forester, crumpled at the base of a tupelo tree. He was unconscious, and running a high fever. He was covered in mud. His wounds were ghastly. Another day in the swamp, and he would have been a goner. The hunter gave his friend some water, and some food that he carried in his backpack. He gave him some aspirin to help with the pain, and made a splint for his leg. He made a litter out of two

small logs, and gently placed the forester on them. The trek out of the swamp had begun. It would not be easy for either one, but the hunter was determined; he would not be denied this rescue. He pulled out his cell phone, dialed a well-known number, and with joy, told a father his son who was lost, had been found, and was coming home. “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”—Luke 15: 4, 5 When Jesus spoke these words in Luke 15, he first gave the picture of a lost sheep being sought by the Good Shepherd; a Good Shepherd that would stop at nothing, searching the wilderness for his lost sheep. And then he followed up that illustration with the story of The Prodigal Son, of a wayward son who all but destroys himself with one bad decision after another, only finally to surrender and return to his father. You and I are in both stories. Lost in a wilderness of bad decisions, our eternity at stake, it is good to know that Jesus comes into our “great swamp,” searching for us, desiring to rescue us. When life would seem to have you down, when everything appears to be going wrong with one bad decision leading to another, know this and know it well: Jesus is not dissuaded by the swamp. Jesus is a hunter, and he will not sleep while we are lost. He is calling out your name, searching for you in the Great Swamp. Will you call out to him? Whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.—Acts 2:21b Excerpted from Pine, Prayers, and Pelts Brad Antill, author: find it at www.onatreeforestry.com. Brad Antill has been a forester in the woods and swamps of the Southeast Coastal Plain for over 30 years. Besides being a forester, he is also an ordained minister of the Gospel, and together they combine as his two passions. He and his wife Cindy created On-A-Tree Forestry as a way of sharing his unique views of the gospel story. They share the fingerprints of God that are revealed every day in those same woods and swamps. Brad is a graduate of The Ohio State University forestry program, and a registered forester in North Carolina and West Virginia.

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INDUSTRY NEWS ROUNDUP forests were primed for such an As We See It: Hot Stove Moment event took no satisfaction in seeing By Bill Imbergamo If children learn not to touch a hot stove by getting burned, 2020 should have been America’s “hot stove” moment. Drought, heat and severe winds combined with overstocked and under-managed forests to create his-

toric fire storms that kicked off on Labor Day weekend. They didn’t go out until the winter snows and rains came, months later. When all was said and done, more than 4.9 million acres of national forest had burned catastrophically. Foresters who warned that our overstocked

their predictions come true. Heading into 2021, America faces crises that must be addressed. We must sequester and store more carbon so there is less of it in the atmosphere to reduce the odds of future firestorm events. We are also facing a housing affordability crisis: Freddie Mac estimated in 2020 that 29 states face housing shortages of

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between 2.5 and 3.3 million units. Home building has picked up since the Great Recession but not enough to keep up with housing demand. Homebuilders say that increased lumber costs are leading to reduced housing starts, which is the last thing an undersupplied housing market needs. By better managing our national forests, we can take steps to meet both of these crises. The National Forest System has more than 80 million acres of land at “moderate to high-risk” of disastrous fire. Because they are overstocked, our national forests are particularly vulnerable to threats like drought and insect and disease outbreaks. Prior to the 2020 fire season, the National Forest System had a documented reforestation backlog of more than 7.4 million acres. More active management of our national forests, including timber harvest, can help address both crises. National forest timber must be processed in U.S. mills, which will help create jobs at home while meeting domestic demand for housing. Lumber and composite building products can help build new housing units that could help us store literally gigatons of carbon. By salvaging some of the acres that burned in 2020, and more actively thinning others, our national forests can help create carbon friendly housing solutions while clearing the way for new forests to begin taking carbon out of the atmosphere and storing it in new, growing forests. All of this work would take place outside of wilderness areas, where timber harvest is prohibited. Massive new lands set aside do nothing to protect these areas from uncontrolled wildfire. Failure to act will just leave the national forests vulnerable to another season of uncontrolled wildfires. These fires damage habitat, harm watersheds and release millions of tons of carbon into the atmosphere. We’ve also got to invest in reforestation. The reforestation needs created by the 2020 fire season already exceed our capacity to produce seedlings and get them planted. Congress must step up—not only to support management but to provide seedling sources to allow reforestation. The national forests can’t meet all of America’s timber demand. But as public resources, the public should expect them to be managed to help meet our needs, not make our crises worse. If we invest a bit in forest management and take steps to increase management outside of protected areas, our national forests can help meet our needs

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for more housing while helping address our climate concerns. Or we can reach for the hot stove—again.

Mid-Atlantic Expo Delayed Til Next Year

Bill Imbergamo is the executive director of the Federal Forest Resource Coalition. Follow the organization on Twitter @FederalForest. American Loggers Council is an 501(c)(6) not for profit trade association representing professional timber harvesters throughout the United States. For more information please contact the American Loggers Council at 409-625-0206, or americanlogger@aol.com, or visit website at www.amloggers.com.

Following the recent postponement of the 2021 Mid-Atlantic Logging, Biomass and Landworks EXPO, the producers of the event, Carolina Loggers Assn. and North Carolina Forestry Assn. are pleased to announce that the next Mid-Atlantic Logging, Biomass and Landworks EXPO has been rescheduled to April 29-30, 2022. The 2021 event was canceled due to the pandemic.

With a very strong demand expected for the Mid-Atlantic region event in 2022, the producers continue to plan for an excellent event that will exceed expectations. Vendors can reserve their spots now. Contact Jonzi Guill at jguill@ncloggers.com. The Mid-Atlantic Logging, Biomass and Landworks EXPO is a nonprofit event that showcases the latest logging equipment and supplies from leading manufacturers to more than 2,500 attendees. Visit loggingexpo.com.

Weyerhaeuser Buys Alabama Timberland Weyerhaeuser is purchasing 69,200 acres of high-quality Alabama timberlands from Soterra, a subsidiary of Greif, Inc., for $149 million. The acquisition comprises highly productive timberlands in southwest Alabama, 100 miles north of Mobile. Weyerhaeuser points to its wellstocked timber inventory, including 76% plantation acreage with average age of 14 years, and an opportunity for increased productivity over time Devin Stockfish, president and CEO, comments, “These timberlands are located in favorable markets and well-integrated with our existing supply chain, and we have strong relationships with a diverse and reliable set of customers in the area.”

Doosan Announces Top 2020 Dealers Doosan Infracore North America, LLC announced its top-performing dealers of 2020, including one from the Southeast U.S. The top 10 dealers are among more than 160 Doosan equipment dealers in North America. Doosan annually recognizes its heavy equipment dealers that have excelled in providing top-level performance in sales, parts and service to the customers in their respective markets.The top 10 Doosan dealers of 2020 include the following enterprises (headquarters in parentheses): —Barry Equipment Co. (Webster, Mass.), fourth consecutive year —Bobcat of Mandan, Inc. (Mandan, ND), third consecutive year —Brown’s Industrial Sales (Lloydminster, Alberta) —CG Equipment (Guelph, Ontario), second consecutive year —Coastal Machinery (Pensacola, Fla.), second consecutive year —Equipment East, LLC (Dracut, Mass.) fourth consecutive year —G. Stone Commercial Div. (Middlebury, Vt.t) —Hartington Farm Services Ltd. (Hartington, Ontario) —Theco Inc. (Big Lake, Minn.) —Wilson Equipment (Central Point, Ore.), third consecutive year “There are four dealers joining this list for the first time, which is reflective of their hard work growing the Doosan brand in their regions,” says Todd Roecker, Doosan Director of Dealer Management and Marketing. Top-performing dealers are offered a selection of several incentives that they may choose from, which will 42

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improve their profitability when selling and servicing Doosan equipment. In addition, Doosan North American leadership may look to these dealers for valuable input regarding Doosan initiatives and direction as they represent the dealer network.

Dansons Announces Wood Pellet Mill Dansons USA announces it will open the country’s largest barbecue wood pellet mill and distribution center in Hope, Ark., staring with three

pelletizers and 100,000 ton capacity, with infrastructure in place to expand to 300,000 tons and nine pelletizers. The site will also serve as a distribution center for wood pellets as well as wood pellet barbecue grills. The site is a former GeorgiaPacific facility and the immediate area has a strong infrastructure for wood procurement and processing. Dansons was founded in 1999 by Dan Thiessen and his two sons. They own and operate multiple companies and brands.

Enviva Builds More Pellet Capacity Enviva reports the integration of the wood pellet production plant it previously purchased in Greenwood, SC is progressing as expected. Enviva has received the necessary permits to expand the Greenwood plant production capacity to 600,000 metric tons per year. Construction is ongoing and the expansion is on track for completion by the end of 2021. Enviva continues to commission certain assets and ramp production from existing expansion projects at its wood pellet production plants in Northampton, NC and Southamp-

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ton, Va. Enviva expects each plant to reach production capacity of 750,000 MTPY by the end of 2021. Enviva has commenced a series of projects at its wood pellet production plants in Sampson, NC; Hamlet, NC; and Cottondale, Fla. subject to receiving the necessary permits. Enviva expects to complete this work by the end of 2022. Enviva also noted the following continued developments: —Construction of a wood pellet production plant in Lucedale, Miss. and a deep-water marine terminal in Pascagoula, Miss. —Development and construction of a wood pellet production plant in Epes, Ala., where Enviva has completed the purchase of the project site and commenced pre-construction activities. —Evaluation of additional sites for wood pellet production plants across the Southeastern U.S., which would be exported through its existing terminals and the Pascagoula terminal.

John Deere Unveils Precision Forestry John Deere announces its Precision Forestry initiative, a focused

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approach to its job site technology solutions. Through Precision Forestry, John Deere is reorganizing its technology portfolio and doubling down on its efforts in delivering solutions designed to increase effi-

ciency and productivity in the woods. The shift to Precision Forestry aligns with the brand’s Smart Industrial operating model, through which John Deere aims to deliver increased customer value by

focusing on three core areas: Production Systems, Technology Stack and Lifecycle Solutions. “Previously, the industry has focused on developing bigger, faster, more powerful machines to

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boost performance, but larger machines sometimes present more challenges, especially on job sites with limitations,” says Matthew Flood, product marketing manager, John Deere. “With the Preci-

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sion Forestry initiative, we’re organizing our portfolio to create a foundation for the future of forestry machines and job site technology.” Precision Forestry is a more descriptive term for what customers can expect from the John Deere technology suite, including real-time, map-based production planning and tracking capabilities along with new and evolving operator assistance capabilities. This new alignment lays the

groundwork for the future of technology solutions, as John Deere builds in these core areas to help customers work faster and smarter on the job site. For customers, the new Precision Forestry direction will simplify the John Deere technology portfolio, making it easier to select and adopt customized solutions based on their unique job site needs. To learn more about Precision Forestry technology offerings, visit johndeere.com/forestry.

New Name Is Woodville Pellets The former bankrupt German Pellets industrial wood pellet facility in Woodville, Tex. that was purchased by Estonia-based Graanul Invest Group in June 2019 now operates as Woodville Pellets. Woodville Pellets LLC also has a pellet storage and shipping terminal in Port Arthur, Tex. The pellet plant has a production capacity of

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496,000 tons per year. The operations are undergoing new project work.

Loggers Included In New USDA Initiative Loggers and log haulers are included in a new $6 billion effort to reach a broader set of agricultural producers than COVID-19 relief programs implemented last year, said U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Sec. Tom Vilsack in late March. Vilsack’s statement introduced a new initiative—USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers—that is currently developing rules for new programs that put more emphasis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers, and to also include specialty crop and organic producers, timber harvesters, as well as provide support for the food supply chain and producers of renewable fuel. As part of the larger COVID Relief Act signed in December 2020, $200 million was set aside as relief for loggers and log haulers who lost revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. American Loggers Council Executive Vice President Danny Dructor said he and members of the ALC Logger and Log Hauler Relief Advocacy Committee had met with USDA economists and provided financial and survey data and shared key factors that need to be covered in any compensation formula. He added that the logger relief program “has their attention and they’re working on it.” One challenge, Dructor added, is helping USDA officials understand how loggers and log haulers have roles as commodity producers, then designing a COVID compensation plan for agricultural businesses that aren’t traditional row-crop producers. Some existing programs like the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will fall within the new initiative, Vilsack said, and where authority allows, will be refined to better address the needs of smaller producers. He added that a review of previous COVID-19 assistance programs targeting farmers identified a number of gaps and disparities in how assistance was distributed as well as inadequate outreach to underserved producers and smaller and medium operations. Vilsack’s statement was part of a wide-ranging press release detailing a four-part process for the USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers that includes developing new programs and bolstering existing ones. ALC is a primary contact for USDA concerning the program, and ALC urges loggers to sign up for the ALC newsletter and USDA updates at the ALC website, amloggers.com.

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Children’s Book Teaches Kids About Logging Stephanie Fuller, who works for the Forest Workforce Training Institute (ForestryWorks), has authored

an illustrated book for children about the logging profession. Fuller is the daughter of Todd and

Shelia Fuller, owners of Fuller’s Logging in Chambers County, Alabama. Stephanie’s upbringing and passion about forestry led her into a career of advocating and working for the good of those in the industry. The experiences gained from being a child in the industry inspired Fuller to write Lucy Meets a Logger, a children’s book about logging. The book’s purpose is to educate young students about the opportunities and benefits of timber harvesting. Lucy Meets a Logger follows the The book cover main character, Lucy, as she ventures into the woods and meets Mr. Logger, who explains to her why logging is good for society and the environment. Alabama Forestry Assn. and Forest Workforce Training Institute have begun touring Alabama with state legislators on the “Lucy Tour.” This tour allows legislators to visit schools in their area to read Lucy Meets a Logger and educate the next Author Stephanie Fuller, center, with her generation about the importance of parents Shelia and Todd Fuller, whose the forest products industry. company, Fuller's Logging, based in ForestryWorks is the jobs promo- Lafayette, Ala., was the state's Logger of the Year in 2015 tion initiative of the Forest Workforce Training Institute. The mission of FWTI is to create a pipeline of workers for the forest products industry through education, career promotion and training. This pipeline creates a sustainable source of forestry professionals for generations to come. Fuller is touring classrooms in Alabama, using the chilTraditionally, dren's book to educate young students and answering ForestryWorks’ educa- their questions about the logging industry. tional component focused mainly on grades 8-12 to encourage students to consider the forest products industry as a future career path. However, the team began to realize that by the time students reached grade eight, they had their perception about the industry and the people working in it. This perception was normally not positive due to misinformation provided to young students from different sources. Lucy Meets a Logger gives FWTI staff, as well as forestry professionals, a tool to take into local schools and tell the story of one component of the forest products industry through the eyes of a child. All profits from Lucy Meets a Logger are put back into ForestryWorks in order to continue creating educational tools for the forest products industry. Go to lucymeetsalogger.com if you are interested in purchasing a copy of Lucy Meets a Logger.

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MACHINES-SUPPLIES-TECHNOLOGY Cat Next Generation

The new Caterpillar Next Generation 538 Forest Machine features several significant design upgrades that make it a top choice for working with timber. “The 538 has a reputation as a solid performer with rugged reliability,” says Giacomo Bottone, worldwide director for Caterpillar’s forestry and medium excavator family. “The Next Generation 538 builds on this foundation by being more productive, more comfortable, and costing less to maintain so owners can spend their time moving more timber, loading more trucks, and maximizing their profit potential.” Available in Log Loader and General Forest configurations, the 538 has a new electrohydraulic control system with 10% more swing torque that allows the machine to do work with more power and precision. Updates to the drive system result in a 12% increase in travel speed, helping the Cat Next Generation 538 cover more ground and move up and down slopes faster. High Wide undercarriage provides 15% greater ground clearance to help the machine pass over stumps and other obstructions. The 538 features a Cat 7.1 engine that meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage V emission standards and is flexible to run on biodiesel up to B20. Smart mode automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to working conditions to help reduce fuel consumption up to 5% without sacrificing performance. The 538 offers a cold-start capability of -25˚ F (-32˚ C) and reliable high ambient temperature operation reaching 118˚ F (48˚ C). It operates at altitudes reaching 9,842' (3,000 m) without derating. Fuel tank capacity is more than double the previous model, which means the new 538 can operate up to five shifts before refilling. The all new Certified Forestry cab design for the Cat Next Generation 538 dramatically improves operator comfort and safety. “The cab is 25% larger with 50% greater overall visibility than our previous 538,” Bottone says. “Plus, it has a heated seat and a more ergonomically friendly layout, so the operator doesn’t have to exert much effort to be efficient and productive.” Ingress/egress is easier due to the cab’s wider and taller door and tilt-up console on the operator’s seat. The machine’s new dual HVAC system keeps operators comfortable regardless of working in the summer heat or during subfreezing ambient winter temperatures. Operators can start the 538’s engine with a simple push of a button. The new Operator ID allows each operator to quickly program and store their own machine settings and attachment function preferences. A larger 10" (254 mm) high-resolution touchscreen monitor delivers intuitive navigation through operating menus and includes a digital version of the operator’s manual for quick reference. A larger, 1.25-in. (32-mm) 52

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polycarbonate front window improves visibility and operating safety. Compared to the previous model, the Next Generation 538 lowers maintenance costs by up to 15% over the course of 12,000 hours of operation. “We improved our filters and our service intervals, and we improved ground-level access to service points to make daily maintenance quick and safe, including a new ground-level dipstick for checking the engine oil,” Bottone says. “ Product Link technology captures critical operating data, fault codes, and machine location information to boost fleet management efficiency. Visit cat.com.

Deere Bogie Skidder

John Deere offers the new six-wheel 768L-II bogie skidder designed to conquer wet conditions and steep slope terrain. Incorporating the proven, durable features found on the John Deere L-II skidder lineup, the new 768L-II maximizes productivity, performance and comfort when carrying hefty loads over long distances in challenging conditions. Matthew Flood, product marketing manager, comments, “We’re delivering a purpose-built machine that navigates tough terrain, such as swamps or steep slopes.” The 281HP 768L-II features heavy-duty bogie axles, which incorporate large components to maximize durability and stability for long axle and tire life. A smooth, stable operation results in reduced machine vibration, ultimately minimizing operator fatigue. Another key feature is the excellent tractive ability and floatation. When combined with the bogie axles, ground pressure is reduced, allowing the 768L-II to work in wet terrain not accessible with a four-wheel skidder. The new arch design provides the operator with an expansive rearward view of the grapple and work area, providing excellent visibility. The long wheelbase and boom-arch envelope boost reach and lift capability for the boom and grapple, increasing dexterity in the woods. The tight turning radius enhances agility at the landing. “The John Deere bogie skidder is hands down twice as good as a regular four-tire skidder,” according to Jason Dawson of Triple J Logging. “It’s just all-around better in my book for productivity and ground disturbance. With the 768L-II, you can carry twice as much of a load, especially in wet conditions and on the steep terrain, without tearing the ground up.” The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) marries the efficiency of a direct-drive transmission with the smoothness of a hydrostatic drive. As a result, CVT provides more power to the ground by sensing the load, increasing torque and tractive effort as needed to maintain the desired speed. Visit johndeere.com

Morbark Vtection

Morbark reveals a new, patent-pending Vtection system option for its 3000, 3400 and 6400 series Wood Hog horizontal grinders. The Vtection system monitors rotor vibration to reduce damage from contact with un-shreddable objects or other causes of damaging vibration like an out-of-balance rotor, broken insert, defective bearing, or extremely hard wood. The system features two operating modes: grinding protection mode and service and maintenance mode. When coupled with Morbark’s Break-Away Torque Limiter, these devices provide customers with the best solution for hammermill protection. To use the Vtection system, the operator sets an acceptable operating vibration level through the electronic controller. Since different feedstocks produce different vibration levels, the operator can quickly fine-tune the trip point to match the grinding application. Adjusting the trip point based on the feedstock can help avoid unnecessary stopping of the infeed from normal operating vibration. If an un-shreddable object enters the grinding chamber while in grinding protection mode, the Vtection system will sense the spike in vibration or trip point and instantly stop and reverse the infeed conveyor. By reversing the infeed conveyor, the system lowers the rotor’s chance of repeatedly striking the foreign object. Once the system is triggered, Morbark’s Integrated Control System (MICS) initiates several actions to remove the tramp material out of the rotor area. The sequence of these actions includes: reversing and stopping the infeed, bringing the engine speed to idle, disengaging the clutch, and displaying a warning message on the MICS screen. During the service and maintenance protection mode, a user can hook up to the system software and monitor vibration levels during different engine loads. The system can be programmed to monitor and extract data. These signals can then be visually observed, and various readings can be recorded to verify that the machine is within acceptable vibration levels. Multiple programs can be used to evaluate the system data. Ship-out kits are available for in-field installation on preexisting 3000X, 3400X and 6400X horizontal grinders. Visit morbarkdealers.com.

Waratah Harvester Head Waratah Forestry Equipment offers a new generation of its HTH616C harvester head—the HTH616C Series-III, which features many new service and accessibility upgrades and is highlighted by a new main control valve designed to increase performance, responsiveness and compatibility to a greater range of carriers. Brent Fisher, product marketing manager for

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Waratah, comments, “The new HTH616C Series-III gives more performance from low powered carriers, and it provides a great option for those with WCTL machines who want a 600 series head.” With a weight starting at 1,800 kg (3,968 lb.), the HTH616 Series-III features a new, more efficient main control valve that can be configured with various options to fit performance needs on wheeled or tracked machines alike. Motor selections can be configured to complement the new valve and improve feeding speed, with a high torque motor option available to help to increase productivity in the toughest delimbing conditions. Operationally, the new valve pro-

vides improved responsiveness in the delimb and drive arms to enhance grabbing stems, log handling, and improve sawing performance. New cast delimb arm design improves limb shedding, and can be configured in processing or harvesting profile with a maximum delimb opening of 27" (68.5 cm). The H616C Series-III has optional twin diameter sensors that provide better measuring when small end diameters are critical. Hose routing has been optimized to the new valve improving fitting access and easier serviceability, while new optional harvesting guards for the main valve, drive arms, and saw box are available to reduce understory hosing interference. A new and improved valve cover provides quick no-tools access with integrated handles and quick-attach pins. A larger oiler filler improves the ease of filling bar and chain oil and helps shorten daily servicing. Visit waratah.com.

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Unsafe Procedures Used Loading Skidder on Trailer BACKGROUND: On a Friday evening in the Appalachians, a logging business owner and a crew member were loading a cable skidder onto a trailer. It was the end of a work week. The weather was fair on this fall day, and the terrain was hilly. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: The owner was about 50 years old and had over 30 years of logging experience. The skidder operator was in his upper-thirties and had approximately 15 years of logging experience. Neither of them was wearing personal protective equipment at the time of this incident. UNSAFE ACTS AND CONDITIONS: Both individuals were in a hurry to leave the job to go home for the weekend. The owner had parked the truck and trailer on a

slope. He set the brakes in the tractor but did not set the trailer brakes. He climbed onto the trailer to guide the skidder operator in driving the machine onto the trailer. The owner directed the skidder operator to straighten out his wheels because one of the back wheels was almost sliding off the trailer.

ACCIDENT: As the skidder operator was attempting to straighten and center the skidder on the trailer, the truck and trailer started rolling backwards; it is believed that the skidder movement lifted the front of the trailer and the rear wheels of the tractor, causing the entire rig to start rolling. The truck driver (owner) jumped off the trailer to set the brakes, but he slipped and fell, landing in the path of the rolling truck. One pair of the tractor tandem-axle tires rolled over the driver’s left leg. He was able to move out of the way before the second pair of tires ran over his leg. He managed to get up and set the trailer brakes. INJURY: The owner’s left leg was badly bruised, and he was unable to walk for a few days due to severe pain. The owner chose not to

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go to the hospital. He gave most of his crew members a week off for vacation while he stayed at home to recover. His recovery seemed complete after suffering through about two weeks of pain. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTION: ● Park trucks and trailers on level ground while loading or unloading equipment. Set both the truck brakes and the trailer brakes before loading or unloading. Use wheel chocks if necessary. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment. ● Anyone directing equipment during the loading process should not place himself in an unsafe position. All workers should be trained in first aid procedures and emergency/rescue procedures in the event of an injury on the job. Seek medical attention following an injury. Supplied by Forest Resources Assn.

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PRINT CLASSIFIED AD RATES: Print advertising rates are $50 per inch. Space is available by column inch only, one inch minimum. DEADLINES: Ad reservation must be received by 10th of month prior to month of publication. Material must be received no later than 12th of month prior to month of publication.

Click. Connect. Trade.

www.ForesTreeTrader.com

CONTACT: Call Bridget DeVane at 334-699-7837, 800-669-5613, email bdevane7@hotmail.com or visit www.southernloggintimes.com

Logo indicates that equipment in the ad also appears on www.ForesTreeTrader.com

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

WE ALSO BUY USED DELIMBINATORS Call: 662-285-2777 day, 662-285-6832 eves Email: info@chambersdelimbinator.com 1123

LOGGER’S BEST FRIEND!

8309

Repair Hoses in the Log Woods Crimper Start-up Kit Less than $5,000 Contact: Chris Alligood 1-252-531-8812 email: chrisa.cavalierhose@gmail.com

Logo indicates that equipment in the ad also appears on

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Ready To Place Your Classified Ad? Call 334-699-7837, 800-669-5613 or email class@southernloggintimes.com for print ads.

IF YOU NEED

FOR SALE

To buy or sell forestry, construction, utility or truck equipment, or if you just need an appraisal, contact me, Johnny Pynes with JM Wood Auction. Over 25 years experience. 770

Day 334-312-4136 Night 334-271-1475 or Email: jpynes1949@gmail.com

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2016 John Deere 648L, dual arch & winch, good 30.5 rubber, right off the job

TIG welding, air hammer “peening” of the welds, and alloy repair rods are the proven way to fix cracks in feller saw disks. Balancing and straightening a specialty.

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We can save you money on Saw Teeth. Hundreds of satisfied ACC OW EP customers. Rebuilt Exchange or New. We specialize in rebuild- CRE TING DIT ing Koehring 2000, Hurricana, Hydro Ax split teeth and all CARDS other brands. Call Jimmy or Niel Mitchell. Quantity Discounts! 7180

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ADVERTISER American Loggers Council American Truck Parts Around The World Salvage Bandit Industries Big John Trailers BITCO Insurance BKT USA Carter Enterprises Caterpillar Dealer Promotion John Deere Forestry East Coast Sawmill Expo Eastern Surplus Flint Equipment FMI Trailers Forest Pro Forestry First Forestry Mutual Insurance Foster Logging G & W Equipment G&R Manufactured Solutions Hawkins & Rawlinson Industrial Cleaning Equipment Companies Interstate Tire Service John Woodie Enterprises K&R Weigh Systems Kaufman Trailers Mike Ledkins Insurance Agency LMI-Tennessee Loadrite East Texas Loadrite Southern Star Magnolia Trailers Maxi-Load Scale Systems McComb Diesel Mid-Atlantic Loadrite Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show Midsouth Forestry Equipment Moore Logging Supply Morbark Olofsfors Pitts Trailers Ponsse North America Puckett Machinery Quality Equipment & Parts River Ridge Equipment Southern Loggers Cooperative Stribling Equipment Tidewater Equipment Tigercat Industries Timberblade TraxPlus Tri-State Auction & Realty W & W Truck & Tractor Waratah Forestry Attachments Waters International Trucks J M Wood Auction Yancey Brothers Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America

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409.625.0206 888.383.8884 936.634.7210 800.952.0178 800.771.4140 800.475.4477 888.660.0662 205.217.1644 919.550.1201 800.503.3373 804.737.5625 855.332.0500 229.888.1212 601.508.3333 434.286.4157 803.708.0624 800.849.7788 912.290.1332 800.284.9032 870.510.6580 888.822.1173 910.231.4043 864.947.9208 704.878.2941 800.910.2885 336.790.6800 800.766.8349 800.467.0944 800.528.5623 256.270.8775 800.738.2123 877.265.1486 601.783.5700 540.416.4062 662.325.2191 870.226.0000 888.754.5613 800.831.0042 519.754.2190 800.321.8073 715.369.4833 601.969.6000 386.487.3896 855.325.6465 318.445.0750 855.781.9408 912.638.7726 519.753.2000 519.532.3283 601.635.5543 800.334.4395 800.845.6648 770.692.0380 601.693.4807 334.264.3265 800.282.1562 800.343.3276

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COMING EVENTS April

504-443-4464; visit sfpaexpo.com.

6-8—Kentucky Forest Industries Assn. annual meeting, Embassy Suites, Lexington, Ky. Call 502695-3979; visit kfia.org.

13-14—Southwest Forest Products Expo, Hot Springs Convention Center, Hot Springs, Ark. Call 501-2242232; visit arkloggers.com.

May

24-26—Louisiana Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Resort, Lake Charles, La. Call 318-443-2558; visit laforestry.com.

17-19—Forest Resources Assn. Virtual annual meeting. Call 202-2963937; visit forestresources.org. 21-22—Expo Richmond 2021, Richmond Raceway Complex, Richmond, Va. Call 804-737-5625; visit exporichmond.com.

July 15-17—West Virginia Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Cannan Valley Resort & Conference Center, Davis, W.Va. Call 681-265-5019; visit wvfa.org.

August 1-3—Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Summer Conference, The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV. Call 336-885-8315; visit appalachianhardwood.org. 5-8—Virginia Loggers Assn. annual meeting, Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Va. Call 804-677-4290; visit valoggers.org. 11-13—Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Expo, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Ga. Call

31-September 2—Florida Forestry Assn. Annual Meeting & Trade Show, Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort, Panama City Beach, Fla. Call 850-222-5646; visit floridaforest.org.

September 8-10—Tennessee Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Westin Hotel, Chattanooga, Tenn. Call 615-883-3832; visit tnforestry.com. 9-11—Great Lakes Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo, UP State Fairgrounds, Escanaba, Mich. Call 715-282-5828; visit gltpa.org. 17-18—Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show, Starkville, Miss. Call 800-669-5613; visit midsouth forestry.org. 17-18—Kentucky Wood Expo, Masterson Station Park, Lexington, Ky. Call 502-695-3979; visit kfia.org. 29-October 1, 2021—North Carolina Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Grandover Resort & Conference Center, Greensboro, NC. Call 800231-7723; visit ncforestry.org.

October 5-7—Arkansas Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Embassy Suites, Rogers, Ark. Call 501-374-2441; visit arkforests.org. 6—TEAM Safe Trucking annual meeting, The Coeur d' Alene Resort, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Call 207-8410250; visit teamsafetrucking.com. Listings are submitted months in advance. Always verify dates and locations with contacts prior to making plans to attend.

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Articles inside

Coming Events/Ad Index

From The Backwoods Pew

Safety Focus

Southern Stumpin

Machines-Supplies-Technology

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Industry News Roundup