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Vol. 47, No. 7
(Founded in 1972—Our 550th Consecutive Issue)
F E AT U R E S out front:
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Old Dominion Timber Deaton Family Legacy
JULY 2018 A Hatton-Brown Publication
Phone: 334-834-1170 Fax: 334-834-4525
www.southernloggintimes.com Co-Publisher Co-Publisher Chief Operating Officer Executive Editor Editor-in-Chief Western Editor Managing Editor Associate Editor Associate Editor Art Director Ad Production Coordinator Circulation Director Marketing/Media
David H. Ramsey David (DK) Knight Dianne C. Sullivan David (DK) Knight Rich Donnell Dan Shell David Abbott Jessica Johnson Jay Donnell Cindy Segrest Patti Campbell Rhonda Thomas Jordan Anderson
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
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Louisiana’s Aaron Jorden stepped up to the plate in his early 20s when his dad died, leaving him to manage the company. In 2017, he was voted his state’s Outstanding Logger by the Louisiana Forestry Assn. and Louisiana Logging Council. Story begins on Page 8. (Jay Donnell Photo)
Hauling Roundup State Of Trucking
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
Southern Stumpin’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
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
Industry News Roundup. . . . . . . . . 40 Safety Focus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
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Western Canada, Western USA
D E PA RT M E N T S Bulletin Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
ForesTree Equipment Trader. . . . . 47
Spotlight On Hauling Supplies, Services, Sales
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
Coming Events/Ad Index. . . . . . . . . 54
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 ® 2018. 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
Two Meetings T
he editorial staff here at Hatton-Brown doesn’t get visitors at our office very often, but in early June we found ourselves entertaining two guests within the span of a week. Our first meeting was with Dean McCraw, a forester and arborist who is also the founder and CEO of McCraw Energy and Phloem, a mobile app designed to help realize greater efficiencies in log trucking. The second meeting was with Miranda Gowell, the new special projects manager for TEAM Safe Trucking, Inc., an organization about which you’ve likely read in these pages before. In both cases they asked for the meetings, and for me, their timing was fortuitous. Conveniently, both of them came here to explain to us more about their products and services, which in both cases directly apply to trucking. As it happens, we were just getting ready to start on our July issue, the one you’re reading right now, and as you may have noticed on the cover, we had already been planning to shine a spotlight this issue on the transportation sector. As part of the special focus—something we don’t do very often in this magazine—we are including two sections: one is an overview of the state of log/chip hauling in the South, relating conversations I had with several loggers in the region (see page 20); in the other, we asked trucking-related manufacturers, dealers and service providers to submit information on what they have to offer (see page 24). Since both Phloem and TEAM Safe Trucking are a good fit, we invited McCraw and Gowell to participate, and they both contributed material to the second article. I also thought I would use this space to provide a little more information than they had room to include in that section, based on our in-person meetings.
Phloem The word phloem (pronounced flow-um) refers to the living tissue in vascular plants that delivers photosynthates, soluble organic compounds produced in photosynthesis, and especially the sugar sucrose, throughout the plant’s body. Think of it kind of like a tree’s circulatory system, transporting essential nutrients where they need to go; phloem helps ‘em flow. It’s an appropriate name for the mobile phone app McCraw has designed, the intended purpose of which is to help trucks more efficiently transport essential products where they need to go, keeping the wood fiber supply chain flowing. The basic concept is simple enough; Phloem will alert your smart phone, in real time, if a given mill in your area has a long wait time, letting you make an informed decision whether to divert trucks elsewhere, or haul a different product even. It’s a free app, available for download now in the Apple and 6
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Google stores on smart phones. I know, nothing’s ever free, but that doesn’t mean it’s a gimmick or comes with a catch; McCraw wants to support Phloem with advertising, not subscription fees— exactly like Southern Loggin’ Times. Phloem is designed as a community app, allowing users to share real time information on the mills they utilize. It works best when more people are part of the community, feeding the app with information about turnaround times and mill delays that is then shared with the rest of the community. According to McCraw, the app is dirt simple to use. A truck driver (or loader operator, foreman, logging business owner, etc.) selects the mills they deliver to, essentially signing up for alerts about those mills from others who deliver there as well. You can then select to which mill you’re planning to haul a load before the truck ever leaves the woods. Even if you’re deep in the woods and your phone has no cellular service, the app still stores the information until the phone connects. You can then put the smart phone away—no phone use while driving—because Phloem will track the trip to the mill. If there’s a problem at the mill, drivers can send a notification through Phloem and it will send an alert to every Phloem user who has selected that mill, warning them instantly of the problem. Also, no matter how many drivers send the notification, the rest of the users will only get the alert once, to keep you from being bombarded with multiple messages about the same thing. Obviously, the usefulness of this app increases as more users sign up. As McCraw says, “The more truckers that use Phloem, the more valuable the data will be to all loggers. It is anticipated that the loader operators may use the app to determine what products to load in order to maximize the efficiency of their trucking operations. Avoiding mills that have unloading delays will help logging crews to increase productivity.” To learn more about Phloem, contact McCraw by e-mail at dean.mccraw@phloem-app.com or visit www.phloem-app.com, or you can go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJGwPVHXZbg to watch a video of McCraw explaining the app.
TEAM Safe Trucking As for Gowell, she has spent much of her career as a safety trainer, especially in the construction industry, but was recently hired as the first employee of TEAM Safe Trucking, the non-profit volunteer group whose goal is to “elevate the safety level and performance of the American forest industry’s troubled transportation sector,” according to their brochure. She was hired by funding supplied by the
Wood Supply Research Institute. The big news from TEAM Safe Trucking, as explained in their press release on page 34, is that the organization is about to offer 30 new 15-minute training modules for truck drivers and business owners online. Gowell says there are an estimated 88,000 forest products drivers in the United States. TEAM Safe Trucking's goal is to reach 5% of those drivers—approximately 4,500 drivers—by the end of this year. That's a bigger challenge than you might think, since a lot of drivers still don't have smart phones that would allow them to complete the training online. The word needs to get out to forestry transportation professionals. Another challenge is finances. To meets its training goal, TEAM Safe Trucking will have to cover the costs of the online training platform, which charges the non-profit organization based on how many are using it. “If all the potential forestry transportation employees in the United States were reached, the investment for this training will be approximately $180,000 a year,” Gowell says. Since its beginning, TEAM Safe Trucking's Board members intended to provide this training at no cost to business owners and drivers. So, TEAM Safe Trucking aims to apply for two grants: OSHA’s Susan Howard Grant and The Washington SHIP Grant, each worth about $150,000. Board members are also exploring avenues by which to support the training effort. As well as applying for grants, TEAM Safe Trucking is offering educational sponsors for all trainings released after module two. TEAM Safe Trucking is working with the largest mills in the United States, including Weyerhaeuser and International Paper, to implement TEAM Safe Trucking into their forestry transportation safety programs. Multiple logger associations are making commitments to train members using the TEAM Safe Trucking module one owner training. In addition, Gowell is conducting 30-45 minute “train the trainer” sessions once a week online, intended to help business owners or safety coordinators know how to conduct these training modules for their drivers. The interactive classes are available every Wednesday (except holidays) at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. You can sign up and register for the classes via a link on the TEAM Safe Trucking Facebook page, or get more information by emailing info@teamsafe trucking.com or calling 877-399-7757. There are also posters and brochures available for download at www.teamsafe trucking.com for any who would like to help spread the word about the TEAM Safe Trucking Forestry Transportation SLT Training Program.
JULY 2018 ● Southern Loggin’ Times
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Coming Through ■ Last year’s Outstanding Louisiana Logger had to step up early on.
By Jay Donnell ★
BENTON, La. aron Jorden knows how to overcome adversity. His father, Billy Jorden, was killed in a motorcycle accident back in 2003 and at the ripe age of 23 Aaron took over the company his father had started in the late ’70s. Aaron had to learn a lot and he had to learn fast. Fortunately, his dad had taught him some invaluable lessons that allowed him to push ahead and keep the business alive. “I thought I was grown, but I was a kid,” Jorden recalls. In 2003, at the time of the accident, Jorden was running his own log trucking business and basically running his dad’s job as well, but not long after he took over the company
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he decided to sell his trucks so that he could focus on his two crews. In 2010, Jorden had to downsize to one crew because of the economic downturn and labor issues. Today, the 39year-old runs a five-man crew on logging jobs along the ArkansasLouisiana border, from U.S. Highway 82 in Arkansas to Interstate 20 in Louisiana. Even with just one crew, Jorden has been able to keep his production high while remaining lean and efficient. Many in the industry have taken note of the way Jorden handles his business and that’s why Louisiana Forestry Assn. and Louisiana Logging Council named Aaron Jorden Logging as 2017 Outstanding Louisiana Logger. Aaron had been nominated each of the three previous years, but finally broke through. “They look at the
overall performance of the job and I got lucky and won,” Jorden says modestly. “I’ve met a lot of people that I probably wouldn’t have met without it so a lot of good things have come from it.” Scotty Booth, a procurement forester for Canfor in Urbana, Ark., nominated Jorden, noting that Jorden “strives to please” and “practices his BMPs.” The award was presented last August at LFA’s 70th annual convention in New Orleans. Jorden was not expecting to win the award because he was under the impression that the winner was usually a bigger logging company with multiple jobs and 20-30 employees. Jorden earned the Louisiana Master Logger certification through the continuing education programs sponsored by LFS and LLC. He has also become a tree farmer.
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This wasn’t the first award that Jorden has won for his excellent logging practices. In 2013 he was named the Logger of the Year by the Louisiana Loggers Assn. Self Insured Fund.
Day-To-Day Southern Loggin’ Times had the opportunity to visit Aaron Jorden Logging while they were clear-cutting a 160-acre tract on flat terrain, about the average size for the company. They had cut 30 acres of it in January and then it got too wet so they moved elsewhere before coming back to it in May. Jorden contracts with Canfor Southern Pine out of Urbana, about three-quarters of his work calling for clear-cut. Jorden Logging moves about 25 loads per day, with saw-
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Aaron Jorden, who took over the family business after his dad died 15 years ago, was named the 2017 Outstanding Louisiana Logger by the LFA and LLC.
logs going to the Canfor sawmill in Urbana (formerly Anthony Forest Products), and as of May pulpwood going to the Norbord oriented strandboard plant in Jefferson, Tex. and some to Graphic Packaging in Domino, Tex. The current job required about a 75-mile haul, though some jobs in the summer will stretch their haul to 90 miles. Lack of trucks was an issue when SLT visited. All of Jorden’s trucking is contracted and he was running eight trucks and needed a couple more. “Most guy’s premiums are up for renewal right now and insurance rates are doubling and quadrupling for some so it’s just not feasible,” Jorden says. “I was on the phone with a good friend the other day and his premiums on two trucks is $40,000 a year.” Despite the trucking concerns, Jorden is still glad he no longer has to deal with the issues of running
Jorden is a Caterpillar fan; all of his machines in the woods are Cat.
SLT SNAPSHOT Aaron Jorden Logging Benton, La. Email: aaronjorden@gmail.com
Back row, from left: Mark McElwee, Johnny Rhodes, Sante Douglas, and Aaron Jorden: kneeling in front, from left, James Scott and Hugh Hagan
Founded: 1970s Owner: Aaron Jorden No. Crews: 1 Employees: 5 Equipment: Two skidders, one loader/processor and one loader Trucks/Trailers: None Production: Roughly 100 loads per week Average Haul Distance: 60 miles Tidbit: Aaron Jorden is on the committee to find the 2018 Outstanding Louisiana Logger after winning the award in 2017. Southern Loggin’ Times
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Louisiana Cat in Shreveport is the dealer.
his own. He’s able to keep the focus on his outstanding crew and make time for his family. “At times it would be nice to have the trucks, but more often than not it’s better for me not to have them,” he says. “On Saturdays instead of doing oil changes and fixing flats and all that I’m able to spend time with my family.” While Aaron Jorden Logging mainly works on private land they also work on federal land occasionally. “I’m probably one of the few in this area that works on federal land because a lot of people don’t
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The crew stays on top of routine maintenance.
want to mess with it due to all the regulations and red tape involved,” Jorden comments. Employees generally arrive on site at 7 and leave at 4 depending on the location of the tract. Safety is very important to Jorden and his crew. They hold tailgate meetings regularly to discuss how they can work as safely as possible while still keeping their production levels high. Jorden used to run two jobs, but many of his employees left to work in the oil field in 2008-2009, “chasing that big money,” Jorden recalls. Then Jorden’s quotas got so tight
that he shut one job down and sold that equipment. Today, Jorden says, “I’m fortunate that I have a great crew of guys and I know that I can step away for a week and they’re going to be here every day and do their job every day.” Johnny Rhodes runs a 2016 Cat 573C feller-buncher, James Scott handles a 2017 Cat 545D skidder, Mark McElwee operates a 2015 Cat 545C skidder, Sante Douglas runs a 2015 Cat 559 loader/processor and Hugh Hagan operates the oldest piece of equipment on the job, a 2000 model Prentice 210 loader—
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the last piece of equipment Jorden’s dad purchased. The company’s main equipment dealer is Louisiana Cat out of Shreveport. Oil is changed every 300 hours and machines are greased twice a week. Shell Rotella 15W-40 oil is preferred. Firestone tires are put on the skidders. Jorden has worked with GCR Tires & Service in Monroe for many years. “Service is a big deal with them and Firestone is a good product,” he says. Jorden attributes the company’s success to his outstanding crew and he believes that his business is pro-
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ducing as much volume now as they did with two crews. Jorden does the dozer work and builds the roads himself when necessary and he handles all of the BMP and SMZ work. He also fills in whenever one of his employees has to take time off. Jorden does all of his own bookkeeping and check writing. Years ago when he ran the trucking business with three trucks and three drivers he kept wanting to get a CPA to handle it. “But my dad told me ‘no, you need to learn how to do it. There will be a
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day you need to know how to do it.’ And he was right.” It has helped Aaron tremendously with running the logging business. Jorden offers health insurance to all of his employees and they take off all major holidays. The crew rarely works on Saturdays because the mills generally don’t receive on Saturdays unless they’re in a bind. Jorden also offers guaranteed hours for his employees, meaning if the job is hit with two weeks of rain, the crew is still getting paid. “There
are guys that pay a little more than I do, but they don’t guarantee their hours,” Jorden says.
Outstanding Logger A duty that comes with being named Outstanding Logger is serving on the committee to find the next outstanding logger for 2018. Jorden has already been to a few jobs to check out some of the nominees. “We look at SFI stuff, SMZs, at their creek crossings if they have
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any,” Jorden says. “We look at their safety reports. We also look if there’s any trash on the ground, buckets on the ground. One of my big deals is I look at their crew trucks. You can tell a lot about a job if you pull up and see a crew truck with a bed about to fall off and the doors are bent up.” Jorden also likes to talk to the employees and ask them questions about their company. He looks at how many loads they’re putting out versus how much equipment they have. Jorden has overcome a lot to get to where he is today and there’s no doubt he deserves the accolades that are coming his way. He provides for his wife, Brandy, and two young boys, Case and Hays. He was hesitant about his nomination for the logging award because of possibly winning it and having to spend more time away from his family. He gets special pleasure out of helping coach baseball for both of his sons’ teams. Jorden has thought about expanding his business to two crews again, but he wants to wait until his boys get older so they could run a crew themselves. “For now I would rather stay this size and do the best possible job we can do on this tract,” he says. One thing he’s noticed in looking at other logging operations is that those with one job seem to do a better job. “They’re always cleaner. The owner can stand there with his job.” There have been many changes in the industry since Jorden took over the business back in 2003, including increased equipment costs, fuel costs, insurance costs, better and more productive equipment and more regulations. “We have more regulations now on what we can do and what we can’t do in the woods,” he says. “I’m afraid that it’s only going to get tougher as time goes on, so we as a logging community and logging family have to continue to try to do the best job we can so that some of those tougher sanctions that loggers in the West are experiencing aren’t put upon us. In Louisiana we’ve done a good job of getting our SFI stuff in order and getting it in check.” When it gets down to running a logging business, Jorden says you have to treat people fairly, be honest, and always be open for suggestions. Reputation is everything, and Jorden says he does all he can to build his reputation, otherwise “you can’t get trust in people.” Jorden has set a tremendous example for loggers in Louisiana and around the Southeast, and perhaps most importantly for his boys. “I hope we’re able to keep this business going and pass it on to them and for generations to SLT come.”
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Full Circle ■ The Deaton brothers work hard to honor the legacy their parents left them. The Deaton brothers were working to clean up a tract damaged by tornadoes in May; they view the salvage work as a public service and a way to help a landowner in need.
By David Abbott MILLER’S TAVERN, Va. rothers Stuart Deaton, 55, ★ and Marc Deaton, 49, are partners in Old Dominion Timber, LLC. The name, Old Dominion, came from their dad, who had worked as a consulting forester in the 1950s, calling his company Old Dominion Timber Consultants, Inc. The brothers bring different, but complementary, skill sets and personalities to the table, each with his area of expertise. Stuart handles the administrative work at the office and, as a graduate forester, tends to whatever forestry work the company needs done. Marc, meanwhile, has a mechanical inclination, so when he’s not in the woods he’s usually busy working on machines in the shop. In the woods they work as a team, with Marc usually manning the cutter and Start operating the loader. When Southern Loggin’ Times visited in May, the guys were busy salvaging storm damaged wood. They knew several landowner who were affected directly by a tornado system two years ago, one of whom also runs
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Standing, from left: James Williamson, Marc Deaton, James McCray, Jr., and James McCray, Sr.; kneeling in front, Stuart Deaton and his dog Pappy
a truck and trailer repair shop that does a lot of work for Old Dominion. “He asked us to help and we said we would. That is sort of how we got this whole thing started. Somebody asks and we’re dumb enough to say yes,” Stuart says with a wink. Salvage work may not exactly be their specialty or their preference, but it does call back to the reason they started logging in the first place. It was after Hurricane Hugo in the fall of 1989, when Marc was 20 and Stu-
art about 26. Marc was still a student at Virginia Tech, while Stuart had already graduated and had a job buying veneer logs as a procurement forester. Although they had never logged before, Marc and a friend of his from school decided they could make a little money doing storm cleanup. They had an old Rottne forwarder and felled with chain saws. Of course, they didn’t actually know how to run the machines. “How we
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didn’t get killed was a miracle,” Marc says. They did get lessons on the chain saw from two fellow students from Switzerland who were working with them, and figured the rest out as they went. Stuart later joined them and gradually their company took shape. In the nearly 30 years since, Stuart and Marc figure they have done around 30 storm cleanup jobs. “We don’t make enough money on this stuff, and we really should have learned better by now,” Marc says with a sly sense of humor. But, he and Stuart agree, salvage work helps save the land from being no good for two generations. They consider it a public service.
Roots Stuart and Marc are quick to credit their parents, John, Sr. (Jack) and Beverley Deaton, for laying the groundwork for Old Dominion, and for the sacrifices they made and the lessons they taught. “Dad was a geologist by education, so if you went with him to the woods you’d get a rock lesson,” Stuart recalls with a fond grin. “He’d quiz you from time to time so you better be paying atten-
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tion. He was a self-taught forester. I have a master’s in forestry economics and that means very little compared to the education he gave us.” Aside from land and timber, entrepreneurial Jack also logged for a brief period (he is said to have had the first Tree Farmer skidder in Virginia), and was involved in beef cattle and hay farming. Not to mention, Stuart says, “We did a world of Christmas trees. I learned about life in the Christmas tree field.” Jack invested in land and timber from the ’50s until his death six years ago, so the Deaton family collectively owns around 5,000 acres under several entities including Old Dominion and Briar Hill Holdings LLC (the latter sharing its name with the family farm Jack also started). Beverley died 11 years ago, followed by Jack five years later, but the legacy they left behind lives on. “We are going back and thinning for a second time or clear-cutting timber that Marc and I planted with our dad,” Stuart says. “That means a lot to us. It doesn’t add anything to our bottom line but it matters.”
Old Dominion added the chipper several years ago to help with land clearing jobs, and it has served its purpose despite diminished chip markets.
Stumpage Stuart has a master’s degree in forestry economics. He met his wife Lisa, also a forester, when they were both at Virginia Tech, he as a grad student and she an undergrad. Lisa is the Virginia Dept. of Forestry area forester for Matthews and Gloucester Counties and the City of Newport News, so when Old Dominion works tracts in those counties, she has to be careful to avoid the appearance of helping them in any way. “There would be an inherent conflict of interest,” Stuart says. “So she cannot do anything that benefits us or could even give the perception of it. If there is anything, her immediate supervisor will deal with it.” Marc also attended Virginia Tech but admits he was having way too much fun for what he was supposed
The dangle head proves useful in cleaning up downed timber on storm salvage jobs.
Marc and Stuart haul a variety of products to a wide array of mills.
to be doing. “That was how I ended up going down there to work hurricane salvage.” Old Dominion Timber has done a lot of clearing work for land developers all over Virginia and into southern Maryland and northern North Carolina. A fair number of their jobs are under general contractors like F.G. Pruitt, Inc. in Richmond and West Contracting, Inc. in Marble, NC. The Deaton brothers also manage the family’s company-owned land. “If we are out of a piece of timber we can fall back on it to have something to cut,” Stuart says. “We actually make some return on the land and timber part of it. The logging facilitates the land and timber part and the land and timber part gives you a financial basis that is more secure than just logging alone. If it wasn’t for the land and timber, the logging would be hard to justify with the logging rate.” With Stuart’s forestry background, Old Dominion is also able to buy much of its own timber, mostly from farmers and private landowners. “What we find right now is that being independent isn’t all that great,” the older brother
SLT SNAPSHOT Old Dominion Timber, LLC Miller’s Tavern, Va. Email: olddominiontimber@gmail.com Founded: 1989 Owner: Marc and Stuart Deaton No. Crews: 1 Employees: 4, plus 2 contract drivers Equipment: 3 skidders, 2 loaders, 2 cutters, 1 chipper, 1 excava-
Overhead view courtesy of the SLT drone
tor with dangle felling sawhead Trucks/Trailers: 4 trucks, 1 chip van, 4 log trailers Tidbit: Oldest brother John Deaton, Jr., isn't a logger; he has a PhD from John's Hopkins University and worked for NASA for years, but most people don't believe Stuart and Marc when they say their brother is an actual rocket scientist. Southern Loggin’ Times
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The brothers have enough machines to field two crews.
admits. “The two worst things to sell right now are pine pulpwood and pine saw logs. We haven’t had to worry about big pine saw timber for 40 years, but now you do have to worry about it. That is a case of classic supply and demand. If you look around there is pine plantation after pine plantation, too much pine for the mills’ consumption ability.” On the other hand, he continues, “Hardwood pulp is not getting the prices we’d like but we can move it, and the hardwood lumber market is great. Those guys can’t buy enough logs right now.” The hardwood saw log demand is driven in large part by China, Stuart believes, and to a lesser extent markets in Vietnam. He worries, however, that exports to China may be drying up. “They’re stopping
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These machines worked a storm cleanup job in May.
the logs unless they’ve been fumigated, but one guy I know who exports a lot thinks it is in retaliation over President Trumps’ tariffs,” Marc notes. “They say it’s about bugs, but it’s not. Everything is all tied together, and if they cut the export logs off that stuff will get pushed into the sawmills.” The loggers market their many sorts to a variety of outlets, mostly in Virginia. Pine and hardwood pulpwood go to WestRock in West Point, while WestRock’s Hopewell mill only takes pine pulpwood. Old Dominion sends its fuel chips to Dominion Energy’s Hopewell Power Station. Pallet logs and chip-n-saw go to Falling Creek Log & Lumber Co. in Ashland. Tie and pallet logs go to Reynolds Forest Management in Ruther Glen or Clancie Lumber Co.
Other equipment was waiting on a land clearing job.
in Shacklefords. Mat logs go to Charles City Timber and Mat in Charles City, while the brothers send their grade logs to a variety of mills. They haul big pine saw timber to Ball Lumber Co. in Miller’s Tavern and Potomac Supply LLC in Kinsale. Depending on where they’re working, they might send some grade pine south of the border to J.W. Jones Lumber Co., Inc. in Elizabeth City, NC or Ashton Lewis Lumber Co. in Gatesville, NC. Quota hasn’t been a problem per se, but they say mills will cut them off in the middle of the week with little or no warning. “Quota would actually be better because then you could plan,” Stuart says. “You can’t plan anything because it changes within a few hours.”
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Crew Along with their parents, the brothers also like to honor their past employees, such as the late Douglas Carter and retirees Jack Burns and Bob Thompson. The crew today includes skidder man James McCray (who has two nicknames: Hoss and Dr. Love) and his son, James McCray, Jr., who drives the other skidder and is learning to run the cutter. Another man, William Gokey, helps out on weekends. Old Dominion has four trucks but is currently down to one company driver, James Williamson, who also fills in on a skidder when needed. Two contract haulers, Ricky Lloyd and Kevin Samuels, pick up the rest. All crew members wear appropri-
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ate safety gear. Though they prefer to address safety issues immediately rather than waiting for a formal meeting, the brothers do conduct safety training using alerts provided by their insurance companies. Forestry Mutual carries workers’ comp and Manry Rawls provides general liability and Inland Marine insurance.
Equipment Old Dominion has enough machines for two crews but enough good workers for one, Marc says. When SLT visited, much of it was parked waiting for a land-clearing job, including a John Deere 648L skidder, Tigercat 234B loader with CSI delimber and 726 Tigercat cutter. In use on the storm cleanup job were a 437D Deere loader with CSI 264 Ultra delimber, 748G-III Deere skidder, Tigercat 610C skidder, Hydro-Ax 670 cutter, Morbark 30/36 drum chipper and a Hitachi EX200LC with dangle sawhead. They have purchased from both dealers and auctions, looking to James River Equipment in Ashland for support on their Deere machines and Forest Pro in Ashland for Tigercat. “We try to do what service we can do for ourselves,” Stuart says. Operators handle routine maintenance in the woods and Marc takes on many repair jobs in the shop. Russell South, a welder based in Mattaponi, Va., has done the heavy welding jobs, and Davis Truck & Trailer Repair in Miller’s Tavern has also helped the Deatons with repair jobs over the years. The only company truck currently in use is a 2013 Kenworth. “The Tier 4 on that has been a nightmare,” Marc says. “We are spending $4-5 thousand a year on DEF system repairs, so it is like an additional small payment. There have been problems with the emissions systems and when we bring it into the shop we don’t know how to work on it.” The truck pulls a Dorsey chip van and Pitts log trailers. Marc says they added the chipper thinking it would help attract landclearing jobs and help their customers. “Right about when we bought it, though, the chip market went somewhat south,” Stuart laments. “But we bought it to try to help our customers out and do a cleaner job, and it does that.” Many landowners prefer the use of chippers because the aftermath of a harvest looks cleaner, but Stuart thinks this may not be in the best long-term interest of the land. “Much of our timberland is worn out agricultural land that actually needs some organic matter left on it.” The brothers and Lisa are mem-
bers of Virginia Loggers Assn. and the Virginia Forestry Assn.
Family Stuart and Lisa have adult twins. Daughter Ruth, 24, got married in April to a Navy pilot and will be relocating soon to California with him. She recently completed her master’s degree in counseling from William and Mary in Williamsburg. Son Jesse worked on the crew for a bit but didn’t inherit his dad’s love for it. He
became a journeyman electrician and is now doing well with a robotics manufacturer in Ashland. “Our dad was an enthusiastic bird hunter and wildlife habitat conservationist,” Stuart recalls. He bought farms in North Dakota there they still go for annual bird hunting trips. “What I don’t like about the business right now is that you control less and less of what actually impacts you,” Stuart says. “We really enjoy the good days out here but the good days are fewer and fewer and there’s
more and more of a fight. After a while it wears you down.” He adds, “The average logger might spend a million dollars and hope to break even. That’s not a very intelligent business plan. There isn’t much margin. As long as I have been around, loggers have complained about pay rates. You have three choices. Either you can do something to affect pay rate, which I think Marc and I try to do with buying our own timber and a couple of other things; or you live with it, or you quit.”SLT
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Rolling On ■ Southern logging and trucking business owners weigh in on how they approach transportation. By David Abbott
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ore than a few loggers over the years have referred to their trucking operations as a “necessary evil,” and that may have never been truer than it is today. With its high costs, tightened regulatory conditions, driver constraints, time demands, and other issues, transportation continues to bedevil many owners of logging and log trucking businesses. Among the myriad complications associated with it, rising insurance costs and increased scrutiny of potential drivers continue to make it a hardship. Making all this worse are pay rates that many—perhaps a majority—contend are out of alignment with reality. While a relatively high number of companies still fail to comply with all the rules, and many lack formal training programs and safety policies or adequate documentation of maintenance/repair, there seems to be a growing number who aspire to take trucking management to a higher level. Southern Loggin’ Times reached out to multiple truck owners to find out how they help lead the way forward. Though based in Broken Bow, Okla. since 2012, logger Chris Gibson, 31, runs his fleet of 15 trucks in Arkansas as much as in his home state. “The major problem with trucking these days is that insurance has gone up so much on new trucks, and new trucks have gone up a lot in price,” he points out. “Logging rates haven’t gone up. We are still working for what we did 10 years ago.” Identifying possible solutions is a challenge all its own, but some are making headway. One is South Carolina’s Log Creek Timber Co., a 10crew, 40-truck organization owned by
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Reg and Tim Williams and their sister, Martha Sanders. Log Creek has expanded in recent years and now employs more than 100, including a full-time dispatcher. It has developed and implemented fleet management practices that include formal written policies and procedures, formal driver training and performance bonuses.
Driver Shortage According to C.K. Green, owner of Virginia Custom Thinning, LLC, the scarcity of qualified drivers is at an all-time high. “I’m concerned like everybody else, ” Green admits. “I have 10 trucks of my own and two contractors, and I need to find two more,” he reports. Several companies have been forced to park trucks for lack of drivers. For instance, Virginia’s Gasburg Timber Corp. has downsized its trucking fleet in recent years for that reason. “You have to do it one of two ways,” Gibson believes. “Either find
someone who is young who needs a job and that you can train, or find somebody who has been doing it all their life and who just doesn’t want to do anything else. Guys who are inbetween can go work in the oil fields and make more money.” Money and benefits are probably the biggest constraints to attracting drivers, but other issues include tainted driving records among potential hires and an all-too-common inability to pass a drug test. When these are not issues, another common impediment is lack of experience. In many cases, insurance companies require drivers to be 25 years of age and have two to three years’ experience. This begs the question: how are young drivers to attain such experience? This is an increasingly prescient concern as older drivers retire, and they are retiring at a brisk pace. Still, many business owners have found creative ways to get through this. Much of it begins with a formal training program. Take, for example, Alabama’s Mid
Finding qualified, drug-free and insurable drivers can be a challenge.
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Star Timber, which fields up to eight crews and runs 32 log trucks, not to mention another five over-the-road trucks (under the name Mid Star Express). Owner Mitchell Presley says, “As far as being able to hire younger drivers, we let the insurance company look at our training program. They have allowed us to bring some younger drivers on because of that. The experience level of three years is lowered as long as we do the training.” Explaining the program, he continues, “We have been in the business long enough that we’ve had drivers retire, and we’ve brought them back on board as trainers to ride with new drivers.” Many companies have implemented similar programs. Beyond training, some use other methods to help with insurance costs. Partners Stephen Wright and Frank Myers at Gasburg Timber Corp. implemented a driver rewards program in 2016 and report it has improved the company’s insurance score (CSA—compliance, safety, accountability). “The better your score, the less likely DOT is to stop you, and it helps on insurance,” Myers says. The program involves bonuses for clean DOT reports with no violations, and it rewards both individuals and the team as a group. “We reward them as a group so the group helps police itself. Team members hold each other accountable.” Finding, hiring, training and insuring a dependable, quality driver is a big investment of time and money, but defense attorneys encourage it, citing statistics that show all too many accidents involving log trucks whose drivers have less than a year of experience. Although Gasburg Timber has enjoyed loyalty from many good
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drivers, Myers admits, “It is hard to compete when our rates are just too low for the rest of the trucking industry. You have to be creative, hope you have the right ones and hope they stick with you.” Turnover may be inevitable, but many have found ways to limit it. One obvious key: competitive pay. Mid Star’s Presley believes, “Paying more money gets you a better driver.” Green agrees. He says he pays drivers a solid per day minimum, and pays more for Saturday work. In addition, drivers who have been with Green more than 90 days become eligible for health insurance and simple IRA plans. Similarly, others, including Log Creek, offer benefits like 401K and health insurance. Tim Mahan, owner of Mississippi’s Southern Forestry, Inc., reports that his drivers remain loyal for the most part. “I just don’t have a big driver turnover,” he says. “These boys make $40-45 thousand a year, instead of $25 thousand like I hear other drivers make, and they are driving late model trucks and trailers.” He also sets up a Christmas club account for them, so that they get a large bonus just before the holidays. This is equivalent to an extra week’s pay. Not all companies can afford such extras, but many believe that
just putting a driver in a fresh rig is an enticement. “A new truck/trailer gets more attention from drivers,” Gibson says. “If you can put them in a new truck where they can run and not be broke down as often, it’s a selling point for a driver hire.”
GPS/Dash Cams New technologies change the way people do business in every industry, and log trucking is no exception. Mid Star recently began installing GPS and hired a dispatcher. “We decided to investigate what potential it might hold for us, to more efficiently utilize our fleet,” Presley says. “Logging cannot support transportation anymore; transportation has to stand on its own. So we decided to look hard at managing trucking the same way we manage logging.” Log Creek has used Fleetmatics GPS for about a year and a half. Gibson uses a NexTraq GPS. Gasburg Timber uses GPS but has not yet incorporated dash cams, though Myers says it may be on the horizon. Mahan believes his use of Fleetmatics is a big help. “Insurance does look at it; they are impressed with it, and I think it has helped because my insurance did come down this time, believe it or not,” he says.
Safety Emphasis Mahan is big on keeping trucks and trailers in good repair. “One thing I don’t mess around with are issues with our road equipment. I think it is extremely important to keep maintenance done on trucks and trailers. It’s more important than the stuff in the woods. If you a blow a tire on a skidder, it’s not as likely to get someone killed. For some reason a lot of loggers will neglect road stuff but keep the stuff in the woods up.” Gibson is one who, in the interest of safety, takes steps to increase visibility of his trucks by using extra lights and brighter color paint jobs. Similarly, Log Creek is in the process of adding permanent strobes to the rear of all trailers. Likewise, Green is known for taking pride in the appearance of his trucks, painting them special colors and keeping them washed weekly. He does so for safety and improved public image, but it also helps to keep DOT off his back. Green also plans to invite local highway patrol officers to his regular safety meetings. “I want them to speak to my drivers, to keep the communications line open.” Mahan also believes in the importance of appearance. “We keep our equipment up and we just don’t have problems with tickets. I just think that
when you’re doing right they recognize it, they really do.” For the same reasons, Mahan governs his trucks to a maximum 68 MPH, with a 5MPH tolerance. “If they keep within that 5 MPH parameter for the week, they get paid extra,” the logger says. “It can make as much as $50-60 a week difference, so it is a real incentive and has greatly improved fuel mileage. It also means less wear and tear on brakes and tires. I get compliments on the trucks doing what they’re supposed to be doing, not only from individuals but from the highway patrol. They know my trucks. One told me he hears other truckers on the CB when they are behind my drivers, complaining about them driving the speed limit. I don’t care because it’s a safety issue and it’s the law.”
Drivers Buy-In “My experience has been most people look at the truck drivers as the bottom of the food chain and their pay usually is bottom of the food chain,” Mahan says. He elaborates, “Drivers make $25 a load minimum and have to work all day to get four or five loads. That’s $100-125 a day. But in the woods you can make $150 for nine hours. That’s not fair.” He tries to make sure drivers get their
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fair share. “My boys make $1 a mile or $40 a load before bonus. If they get four loads a day, that’s $160; five loads is $200. It comes out so they make as much as the boys in the woods, for about the same number of hours. If they have to sit waiting at the mill a long time, and lose loads, I pay them extra to make up the difference for missed loads.” To promote a sense of ownership for drivers, Mid Star leases some trucks to a select group of drivers. More than employees, they become stakeholders with a vested interest in the truck’s profitability and efficiency. Eventually, these drivers can own their trucks. Of its 32 trucks, two are now independent contractors who bought their trucks through Mid Star’s program. Respect for drivers is personal to Mahan. He started out with just one truck, which he drove. “I always felt like the bottom of the food chain, like I never got treated fair,” he recalls. “I told the Lord if I ever got in the position that I had hands working for me, I’d take care of them. He allowed me to have this positon and I can’t back up on my word.”
Case Study: A Different Way Jim McGee is the trucking and logistics manager for Bellwether For-
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est Products, Columbia, SC. Prior to taking on this role just more than 18 months ago, McGee had no previous experience in the forest products industry, only with over the road trucking. Because of his background and the unusual nature of the company, McGee’s experience at Bellwether provides interesting insight from which other companies can perhaps benefit. Bellwether had been running two crews until two years ago, when a large investment company from Indiana purchased its harvesting and hauling operations. “I was one of the first new people they hired,” McGee says. “They told me it was small, so there wouldn’t be much for me to do at first, but that they planned to double and triple it.” True to the plan, Bellwether has expanded to six crews and now employs 25 drivers. McGee has plenty to do now. Hiring is a challenge, he grants. “It is true to a point that it is hard to find drivers, and I couldn’t be as successful if not for the large investment behind us that says, let’s get a solid pay structure with benefits, insurance, 401(k) and paid holidays, which is sort of unheard of in this area.” That, coupled with Bellwether’s reputation as a well-run operation, helps attract the best
available drivers, McGee stresses. “Word got out that something interesting was happening here. That gave me an advantage with hiring. So we don’t have as much challenge as some in finding drivers. We can be choosy.” Insurance companies, he points out, appreciate the fact that Bellwether has a dedicated person whose sole job it is to oversee trucking, instead of an owner whose focus is spread thin with buying wood and managing harvesting crews as well as drivers. “They like that one person is in charge of nothing but driver issues. It helps get us a pretty decent insurance rate, because they know we’re running everything by the book with drug tests and checking MVRs (Motor Vehicle Reports) and drivers’ backgrounds.” Insurance companies are also pleased with Bellwether’s safety program, which includes dash cams in all trucks and a handbook that formally spells out policies and guidelines ranging from no texting while driving, wearing seatbelts and speeding. He says one of the first priorities when he started was to develop a “real safety program.” Drivers know there are consequences if they don’t follow the rules, including termination for safety violations. Penalties are spelled out in the handbook.
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To capture efficiencies within the limitations of forest products hauling, McGee says flexibility is essential, as much as possible. “Mill is a dirty word everybody uses, but in general they are the variable we can’t control, so let’s keep options open,” McGee elaborates. “Let’s focus on the variables we can control. We can control how many drivers we want on each crew. If one crew isn’t working, those drivers can be used to stay productive on another crew.” Woods crews and equipment can also be reallocated from inactive jobs so that overall production is impacted less. “Drivers understand they may go from crew to crew, moving to where production can be had. It’s not to confuse them but to take advantage of what mills are accepting wood and what tracts wood comes out of the fastest.” In the rare cases in which Bellwether drivers have been involved in accidents, so far the truck drivers have not been at fault, and dash cameras proved as much. “We have good buy-in with the drivers,” McGee says of the dash cams. “They see how it benefits them. It is big with police and insurance to get to the bottom of SLT what happened.” NOTE: A version of this article previously appeared in the March/April 2018 issue of Timber Harvesting, another Hatton-Brown publication.
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Spotlight: Hauling SLT invited manufacturers and dealers of products and services related to the transportation sector of the forest products industry to submit information about their offerings. All that responded are included here.
American Truck Parts
American Truck Parts, Inc., established in 1997, located in Douglas, Ga., is a worldwide supplier of new and used heavy duty truck parts. We specialize in used and rebuilt engines, transmissions and rear ends. We also carry body parts including a full line of new and used hoods. We clean DPFs for trucks and heavy equipment as well. Our full-service shop also repairs, balances and manufactures drive shafts. Our heavy-duty wreckers and lowboys provide 24-hour service. Owned and operated by staff formerly in the timber business, we appreciate loggers and understand the business. We would like to thank SLT for the great job they do in advertising our services and products and to this day it is the only magazine on our counter for our customers to review while they wait. Check out our website at www.americantruckparts.com to search our inventory or call us with your truck part needs at 888-383-8884.
John also offers custom building for those customers who have special trailer requirements. Loader trailers and self-propelled carriers are another very important part of Big John's product line. These trailers are primarily sold to equipment dealers and range from a basic chassis to more complex designs to handle heavier loaders and delimbers. After over 30 years of manufacturing trailers, Big John has become a well-known name in the logging industry. According to Jimmie Gowen, President, "Big John's growth is attributed to providing a high quality product at a competitive price. Quality control is at the forefront of our business. All of our employees have been trained to strive for quality and to inspect each other's work to ensure our quality level remains high. Because of this, demand for our product remains strong." Today Big John continues to manufacture its popular line of trailers at it's facility in Folkston, Ga., with the continual determination of building a high quality product at a very competitive price. For more info, call 912-496-7469 or 1-800771-4140 or email info@bigjohntrailers.com.
Colony Tire
Big John Trailers Big John Trailers has now been manufacturing some of the finest trailers for the forest industry since 1973. Because we have been around longer than many of our competitors, and because of the fact that we work directly with loggers on design and customized options, Big John is the obvious choice for your log trailer, loader/delimber trailer and lowboy needs. Products offered by Big John include log trailers, lowboys, knuckle boom loader trailers and self-propelled loader carriers. These products are marketed mostly by a dealer network throughout the United States and Canada, with the strongest market area being in the Southeast. The log trailers offered by Big John cover a wide range of designs. However, the most popular are the "Full Load Series," or lightweight, low profile plantation and four bolster styles. Lowboy trailers manufactured by Big John range from 10ton tag-a-long style to 50-ton fixed neck lowboy style models. The standard lowboy for most loggers and contractors is the 35-ton fixed neck lowboy. All log trailers and lowboys come standard with unimount hubs with outboard brake drums, D.O.T. spec lights and reflective tape, radial tires, and one of the best warranties in the business. Big 24
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At Colony Tire our primary objective is to exceed our customers’ expectations for service. We provide high quality products and services at reasonable prices in order to develop strong relationships with our customers. Colony knows that exceptional people give exceptional service, and we give every associate the freedom to do whatever it takes to earn, and keep, your business. At Colony Tire we service some of the toughest industries around, including logging, farming, trucking, mining, construction, rock quarries and steel mills. In these fields, there’s no time for downtime. Colony Tire’s Forestry Division will get you up and running, day or night – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With over $30 million in stock, Colony has one of the largest computerized tire inventories around. And with over 30 distribution centers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, you’ll receive the products and service you need, when you need it! No matter what your need, Colony employs people that will go the distance for you. Whether it’s simple discounts or tire repair out in the field, when you partner with Colony Tire, you’ll
receive the best service in the industry. We also offer 12 months same as cash through our Synchrony Car Care program to ease the financial burden on our customers. Not only will this extraordinary level of service minimize your costs and downtime, it will make you and your company more profitable. Call 800/22-TIRES, or contact B.J. “Skidderman” Allred (who has over 20 years of skidder tire experience) and let us show you what going the extra mile is all about. Visit our web site at www.colonyfleet.com.
Eastern Surplus & Equipment
Eastern Surplus & Equipment Co. is a world wide, full service leading provider of U.S. military trucks and parts. We have over 200 trucks in stock, heavily composed of 6x6 and all-wheel drive trucks commonly used in the support of logging, and sawmilling operations across the globe. We boast a 70,000 sq. ft. warehouse facility filled with the parts needed to support your fleet. In our full service fabrication and reconditioning facility we can customize any platform to meet your specific needs. Our ex-U.S. military trucks are cost effective to own and operate. We ship anywhere in the U.S. and to most places in the world, following all necessary export guidelines. Shopping at our robust online store for parts can be done 24 hours per day/7 days per week at www.easternsurplus.net or you can call one of our knowledgeable team members for sales or technical support to help you. We have been in business since 1999 and are conveniently located along the I-95 corridor in Pennsylvania.
Evans Trailers
Evans Trailers has been manufacturing the finest logging and flatbed trailers in Sumter, SC since its founding in 1919. We currently offer a
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full line of logging and flatbed trailers to meet the various needs of our customers. Our log trailer designs include plantation, drop center and straight frame models and come standard with spring-ride suspensions and 11R24.5 tires. Weighing approximately 10,600 lbs., the plantation trailer is our most popular model and provides the maximum cubic capacity for harvested timber. Our drop center trailer weighs approximately 9,800 lbs. and provides clearance in the beam for loading and unloading long wood. Our straight frame trailer also weighs approximately 9,800 lbs. and comes standard with four bolt-on bolsters. For customers with immediate needs, our dealers keep a variety of standard models with premium features in stock. For customers with specialized needs, our engineers are ready to go to work designing products that meet just about any requirement. Among other options, we offer airride suspensions, single point spring-ride suspensions, on-board trailer scales and removable headboards. At Evans, we take pride in building the premier logging and flatbed trailers in the United States. All the main beams of our trailers are made using our state of the art automatic I-beam fabricating machine. We paint all our trailers with a marinegrade paint system that includes a 70% zinc-primer and a urethane topcoat. Evans Trailers is part of the Strick Group of companies, which is one of the nation’s largest trailer manufacturers. This gives us access to components from our industry’s premium suppliers at competitive prices. Visit www.evans-trailers.com.
FlexFlare Lights
perature is 14°F- 122°F (-10 °C – 50°C). FlexFlate is made in the U.S.A. It contains an internal rechargeable battery (lithium polymer 1200 mAH ~ 3.7V; #1164/5: 120V), AC/DC charger: (FCC, CE & C/UL Listed; Input: 100240V AC, 50-60Hz Output: 5V, 1200 mAh12V DC Charger: (CE) Input: 12V DC Output: 5V DC, 2.1A). These rechargeable super flares replace toxic incendiary flares. There is no smoke, flame or ash created. It is a convenient way to signal detours or road hazards. The rechargeable design means there are no batteries to replace. It may be charged from a car power receptacle or wall outlet. *Magnets not included. U.S. DOT (FMCSA) 49 CFR 392.25 & 393.95 (g) MUTCD Type A (flashing) and Type C (solid on) NFPA 1901 Standards for Traffic Safety, Section 6.7.3 Miscellaneous Equipment. For more, visit www.flexflareusa.com, e-mail Trey@tps-sc.com or call 803-944-0232.
FMI Trailers After many years in the log trailer manufacturing industry, Gordon Fryfogle and Larry Williamson have left the trailer manufacturing company with which they were working to start a new company. Fryfogle Manufacturing, Inc. has been established and is now in operation with Gordon Fryfogle as owner and Larry Williamson as sales manager. Together, they have over 65 years of experience in the forestry trailer market. FMI introduces a new line of four bolster log trailers, pole trailers, fixed neck lowboys, fixed extendable pole trailers, steerable pole trailers, chassis and custom designed trailers. We have a full-service repair shop to service all types of trailers. We will also have a complete inventory of parts for pick up or we can ship as needed. If you have any questions or would like to discuss any details of your trailer needs, please contact Gordon at 601-508-3333 or Larry at 601508-3334. FMI is located just off Highway 98, four miles east of Lucedale, Miss. We welcome anyone to stop in and see us. We look forward to establishing new relationships with our customers at FMI.
Hendrickson Suspensions
FlexFlare is proud to offer a new and improved rechargeable logging safety light. Attached to the read end of your load, FlexFlare is here to protect you and the families driving behind you. Hauling wide loads in the early morning, late evening, or foggy and rainy conditions? Place the FlexFlare in the wheels with the 120 lbs. magnets* and roll on. Each FlexFlare comes with a bracket attached to the flare (note: removing bracket from flare will void warranty), a 120V wall charger, 12V car charger, USB charger and storage bag. The flare is composed of 24 super bright LED lights that are visible up to two miles and is capable of seven different flashing patterns, including SOS Rescue (Morse code). Its intrinsically safe design features a rubber-tight seal (not certified) and is made of durable materials that are crush proof, corrosion proof and waterproof. Operating tem-
When determining the best truck for the job, fleet managers must also carefully consider suspension design and its effects on the overall vehicle performance. One key factor to consider is suspension ruggedness. A suspension that is designed with severe duty applications in mind will perform and endure in even the harshest of loads and environments. When researching suspension durability, one should examine (1) the testing performed on it and (2) the ride of the suspension. Superior ride results in reduced road shock and vibration to the vehicle, contributing to longer service life of
the cab, chassis and body equipment. Hendrickson’s ULTIMAAX® is extensively tested in our state-of-the-art lab as well as custom-designed proving grounds. UTLIMAAX is also designed with progressive spring technology that allows for premium ride and stability performance, both loaded and unloaded. ULTIMAAX features a unique spring design, balancing empty ride and loaded stability to not only help protect the driver, but also cushion the load to protect the chassis, cargo and body equipment from road shock due to potholes and rugged or uneven road terrain. Additionally, Hendrickson’s premium rubber components require no lubrication, keeping life-cycle costs at a minimum and downtime reduced. Another key factor to consider when comparing suspensions is diagonal articulation. If the vehicle is traveling over uneven terrain, especially on logging roads, even-loading must be kept on all tires to maintain traction. The ULTIMAAX system is capable of up to 17.5 in. of diagonal wheel articulation to keep load on all the drive wheels. Robust and rugged designs, exceptional diagonal articulations and better ride mean longer service life and the best suspension solution for the demanding logging environment. In addition, Hendrickson has a wide range of suspensions suitable for logging applications, including PRIMAAX air suspension or HAULMAAX, our lightest weight rubber suspension. Visit www.hendrickson-intl.com.
Kaufman Trailers Since our humble beginnings in 1987, our products have become the standard of excellence for the industry. If Kaufman sells it, you can depend on it being the best value available. Our rigorous internal standards as well as NATM certification assure you of a durable, long-lasting, great investment. We specialize in the following types of trailers: l Gooseneck – We offer gooseneck trailers in multiple types. These include a flatbed version with the floor over the tires, equipment hauler style with fenders, and tilting deck in both deckover and floor between the fenders configuration. l Flatbed – We define this family as a trailer having the floor over the tires. These models start at 14,000 GVWR with electric brakes and go up to our 62,000 GVWR tri-axle air brake model. l Equipment – All our equipment trailers have fenders and swing-up ramps in ratings ranging from 7,000 to 17,000 GVWR. With our extensive range of models, we have an equipment trailer to fit every need. l Dump – Low profile dump trailers are available in bumper pull and gooseneck hitch options. Weight ratings ranging from 10,000 to 17,000 GVWR. l Heavy Haul – We offer a full range of heavy haul products ranging from 30-ton capacity lightweight commercial trailers up to 55-ton commercial trailers and everything in between. l Logging Trailers – We offer a full range of forestry trailers with about any option you can dream up: 2-axle, 3-axle, plantation, straight frame, sliding bolsters, scales, multiple suspension styles, the list goes on and on. It will be hard to find something we can’t do. Kaufman Trailer’s friendly, specially trained customer service staff can help answer your questions and assist you in finding the perfect trailer for your needs at a price you will love. Call 336-790-6807 or visit www.kaufmantrailers.com for more. ➤ 26
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LoadDocs
Connected logistics startup LoadDocs is tackling one of the logging industry’s most vexing daily challenges: completing paperwork out in the woods. By combining its proprietary system for capturing and transmitting images with smartphone connectivity, LoadDocs enables loggers and haulers to send and receive log tally sheets, scale tickets, timber sale contracts and other essential documents directly from the cabs of their trucks to the home office as an alternative to faxing the paperwork back and forth. “It’s a simple formula,” according to LoadDocs chief operating officer Brian Belcher. “Speeding up the paper flow will speed up the cash flow.” With the LoadDocs app, all a logger or driver needs to do is take a picture of a document, assisted by guides on the camera screen to help with framing. LoadDocs’ technology takes care of the rest by automatically cropping, rotating and adjusting image colors to produce an as-good-as-original electronic copy. “Sawmills are not going to pay unless the documents are legible,” Belcher says.
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In addition to digitally sending documents, loggers and drivers can attach photos, retrieve date and time details, and add location information. Logging contractors and haulers specifically are unlocking tremendous value in cases where sawmills will only accept logs of a certain length, diameter and species and are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Collecting data for when and where harvesting took place and when and where deliveries were completed with photos provides added visibility and security for the unique operations in the forest products industries. LoadDocs is designed to manage a wide range of common industry forms, including: bid and log tally sheets, scale tickets, toll receipts, inspection reports and expense reports. “Having such records available online and on-demand has become increasingly important as log haulers who don’t qualify for the short-haul general exemption from HOS rules are required to provide supporting documents to back up now-mandatory electronic logging devices,” Belcher adds. Expediting invoices is another key function. “When it comes to billing and invoicing, LoadDocs helps loggers and log haulers go from ‘harvested’ to ‘delivered’ to ‘invoiced’ in minutes,” Belcher says. “We’ve designed LoadDocs to remove one of the pain points of the forest products industry. As logging contractors and log haulers explore what the system can do for them, they’ll discover lots of ways to speed up workflow and increase efficiency.”
Loggers often harvest trees and haulers pick up logs in places with limited or no cell coverage. LoadDocs is designed to capture and store images the logger and driver take; when it detects a stronger signal, it automatically transmits the documents to the home office. At the fleet office, managers can use the system’s optical-character-recognition technology to capture data from the electronic documents for reports. They no longer have to type information on a piece of paper into a computer system, and they no longer have to handle or store massive amounts of paper. “Through artificial intelligence, LoadDocs can learn about the documents and data that the back office is expecting to further automate the process over time,” says Belcher. LoadDocs is compatible across any Android and iOS device. It has also recently launched a partnership with Trimble, a leading provider of fleet mobility hardware. Contractors and fleets using Trimble’s in-cab electronic logging device can install the LoadDocs app on the hardware. In addition to hardware partnerships, LoadDocs has also partnered with the leading transportation management systems to support integrations so the documents are accessible from wherever they are needed. Find more information at loaddocs.com.
Lonestar Truck Group Lonestar Truck Group/TAG Truck Center owns and operates 22 full service heavy duty truck dealer locations in eight states: Arkansas, Texas, ➤ 30
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26 ➤ Louisiana, New Mexico, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi, in addition to a Glider production facility in Texarkana, Tex. We stock Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Bus (in Albuquerque, NM), Fuso, Sprinter and Autocar Terminal Tractors along with multiple trailer brands such as Viking, Globe, Transcraft, Manac, Travis, Reitnouer and CPS. We have over 40 years’ experience in the timber industry specializing in spec’ing and servicing new log trucks, used trucks, new glider kits and four-bunk log and lowboy trailers. We offer a full range of insurance products and finance options from national and regional lending sources, so let our finance professionals help you choose a finance or lease package that is perfect for you and your business. No matter how small or large the transaction, we have the experts and experience to handle your needs. Vulcan Scales, cab guards, half or full fenders? We have those too, and can include with your purchase. Lonestar Graphics is our in-house custom apparel and graphics division that can offer turnkey computer design for your business needs. In need of a vehicle, trailer or truck wrap? Door decals, graphics, signs, hats, shirts or logoed coolers with your company logo? We have that covered. Lonestar Truck Group graphics division is an authorized Orca dealer and stocks a full line of inventory for your needs. Lonestar Truck Group/TAG Truck Center can also provide custom quotes on extended warranty options to protect your new or used truck or glider with various extended base vehicle-to-power train options including engine with after treatment systems to protect your investment and help prevent costly unscheduled repairs and downtime. In need of support? Our LTG Solutions Center can help 24/7. Call 1-888600-1365. Our focus is simple: we are customer advocates and our goal is to maximize your uptime. Call us today to learn more about our services. Check us out online or view our inventory at www.lonestartruckgroup.com, www.tagtruckcenter.com or follow us on Facebook.
Magnolia Trailers Established in April 1993 to service the forestry and equipment hauling industry, Magnolia Trailers Inc. builds all types of forestry, logging and equipment trailers. We also offer a complete line of conventional pole, loader, delimber or your own specially designed trailer, including a great inventory of used trailers. Principals Robert and Connie Langley welcome you to call today to discuss your equipment needs. Call (601) 947-7990; toll free: 800-7382123; fax: (601) 947-4900; e-mail: info@magnoliatrailers.com or visit www.magnoliatrailers.com for more.
Manac Trailers
Manac Inc. continues to expand on its long lasting tradition of the design and manufacturing of forestry trailers with its U.S. Southern Logger built at its Oran, Mo. plant. Manac is recognized as the premier supplier of heavy duty forestry trailers in the U.S. Northeast and Canada, offering a variety of forestry solutions including full frame chip trailers, belly chip, multi-axle log trailers and over the road flatbeds equipped with log posts. Building on its 50 years of experience, the introduction of the 30
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Southern logger provides customers with access to one of the premier forestry trailer manufacturers in North America. The 100% welded design is available in multiple configurations including straight frame, plantation and sliding bolster log trailers. All Manac log trailers are designed and built with strength, durability and payload in mind. It is a balance between using the best quality of high strength steel and the appropriate thicknesses to provide the strongest trailer with the highest payload. Logging is unlike any other industry and requires equipment able to withstand the harsh off road environments and constant stress of loading and unloading each and every day. Manac’s newest design incorporates many of the characteristics that have made us a top supplier to the forestry industry for over 20 years and includes some new features that make it one of the most competitive trailers in today’s market. Please visit the Manac website at www.manac.us to find your local representative and explore the various models, options and features that make Manac a leader in today’s logging trailer market.
Maxi-Load Scale Systems
Every truck that leaves the woods with less than a full payload is money lost. You have paid the full expense of running the truck but only received partial payment for what you have done. And every truck that leaves the woods overloaded is a serious potential liability. If an overloaded truck is involved in an accident, it is a lawyer’s dream come true. D.O.T. penalties on overloaded trucks can easily absorb the profits of a full day’s work. Mill penalties on overloaded trucks can include fines, reduced quotas, time off from work, and in extreme cases being banned from certain mills. Maxi-Load Portable Platform Scales is a concept that is accurate, durable, and has been proven to work on over 800 logging jobs throughout the Southeastern United States. Maxi-Load is an “all terrain” product. If you can work there, we can weigh there. The very first Maxi-Load Scale, put into operation in 1996, is still weighing log trucks daily. A Maxi-Load Scale will put your load weights within 1% of the mill scale weight. Maxi-Load can be installed on your job in two hours. From that point on, you have total control of all trucks serving your job: your trucks, contract trucks, dispatch trucks, and even a truck that may stop by one time to pick up a special load. Financing is available. Delivery and installation are also available. Contact your local forestry equipment supplier or Maxi-Load at 1-877-265-1486 or on the web at Maxiload.com.
Meritor Axles
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With a growing list of configurable options, the Meritor P600 Series of planetary axles is designed to fit your evolving needs. Engineered for the most demanding applications, the P600 planetary axle combines the advantages of higher load capacity and maximum traction with easy, low-cost serviceability. Available in single, tandem and tridem configurations with maximum gross axle weight ratings ranging from 42,000 to 84,000 to 126,000-pounds for high-capacity loads, Meritor’s P600 planetary axles are engineered and manufactured to deliver higher capacity and improved performance across a multitude of heavy-duty off-highway applications, including heavy-haul, oil field, logging and mining applications. Assembled in Laurinburg, NC, P600 axles are known for exceptional quality, reduced lead times, strength and toughness, and each axle is backed by an intensive validation process at our global design and testing centers and industry leading global customer support. Designed for unique and demanding applications requiring optimum safety and performance, the P600 offers: l A broad overall axle ratio range from 3.46:1–24.8:1 l Anti-lock braking system capability that delivers optimum safety and performance l Fabricated steel housings with brackets that accept most heavy-duty suspensions available in the market l Optional central tire inflation (CTIS) compatibility has been added based on client demand. To learn more about the HDT Award-winning P600 planetary axles, visit www.meritor.com or email us at offhighway@meritor.com.
Pewag Chains Pewag has been the world’s leading manufacturer and technological innovator of steel chain products since 1479. For over 500 years we have continued to lead the industry in chain innovation, including Grade 120 Chain — “The World’s Strongest Chain.” With the recent addition of the new Pueblo, Colo. plant, Pewag is pleased to contribute to the American manufacturing renaissance. The new state-of-the-art Pueblo plant currently manufactures our square link traction chain, including our innovative Star Stud chain for the North American market. All Pewag “Ladder and Pattern” square link chains now feature the new Starwave profile and the Starwave profile. Compared to traditional chain links, the innovative Starwave profile reduces weight and increases the hardened surface by 7%, while the dimensions of the chain links remain unchanged. The benefits are increased lifespan, while reducing downtime and cost per mile. The innovative wave profile on the chain link also improves traction, as the additional edges provide more grip by digging into the ground. We have additionally expanded Star Stud Traction Chain production in our Colorado facility to include both 7mm and
8mm sizes. Off Road Truckers who demand the best use pewag Star Stud Traction Chains. Here’s why: pewag Star Stud Truck Chain, the difference is in our unique eight-sided design. Unique chain is made of premium high-grade pewag Star Stud alloy steel that provides superior penetrating traction to get through even the most extreme conditions. Stud surface area is increased by 23% over traditional round stud designs which results in improved traction due to increased contact surface area. Pewag Star Stud advantages include: l Unique 8-sided design increases stud surface area by 23% l Superior penetrating traction gets through the most extreme conditions l Advanced engineering for the most aggressive off-road applications l Longer lasting, resulting in less downtime, cost less per mile, less repairs and lower operating costs Pewag is the “Preferred Brand of the U.S. and Canadian Military.” Visit www.pewag.ca for more information.
Phloem Mobile App The new Phloem (pronounced flow-um) mobile app, named after the tissue in plants that moves sugars downward from the leaves, will allow loggers to track loads of timber from the woods to the mills, provide wait times at mill scale houses and allow users to report any issues encountered at mills. Developed by Savannah, Ga.-based forester and 30-year industry veteran Dean McCraw, Phloem is a community-based app that allows for real-time tracking and information sharing. “Truck drivers can use Phloem to know what’s happening at the mills in real time and they can avoid problem areas,” McCraw says. He also hopes to combat timber theft by eliminating double weighing or falsifying timber origin information. Within the app, data is attached to the origin point of timber and with only one set of data per load there’s no way to forge multiple records or data. Phloem officially launched on June 1, 2018. It is free to download and is available on both iPhone and Android platforms. Future versions of the app will include new features that will be payment-based, but initially McCraw wanted the app to be available at no cost. Visit www.phloem-app.com for more.
Pinnacle Trailer Sales
At Pinnacle Trailer Sales, we’ve been specializing in forestry semi-trailers for over 19 years. Pinnacle is an authorized dealer of Innovative chip and live floor trailers and McLendon log and lowboy trailers in the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia. Innovative sets the standards against which other chip trailers are judged. The foundation of every ITI trailer is cutting edge design that maximizes structural strength while minimizing trailer weight. Our customers have told us that ITI’s trailers are from 400 to 2,000 pounds lighter than
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the competition. Solid construction and a firm commitment to quality are built into every ITI trailer. The result is a trailer superior in durability and at a much lighter weight. ITI offers blow-in style in-woods chips trailers, open and closed top live floor and walking floor trailers and drop center chip trailers. McLendon Trailers focuses on building the lightest weight log and lowboy trailers while not compromising durability. McLendon offers log trailers, as well as fixed and detachable lowboy trailers. All of their trailers can be built with a variety of specs, and they are known for their attention to detail. Talbert is one of the top manufacturers in the U.S. for detachable lowboy trailers. Our locations in Spartanburg, SC and Wilmington, NC service, repair and stock parts for most over-the-road trailers. With over 100,000 parts on hand and most others available within a day, our service team has the experience and tools needed to get you back on the road fast. At Pinnacle Trailer Sales, Inc., we truly want to provide our customers the tools needed to be successful. Pinnacle sells new trailers and a wide variety of used chip, log and lowboy trailers. Visit our website at www.pinnacletrailers.com for updated listings of used trailers. We can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.
Pitts Trailers Pitts Trailers proudly introduces the new Lock N’ Go landing gear system, leading the industry with innovative solutions for driver safety and ease of use. The largest manufactur-
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reputation on providing durable, high performance products for one of the toughest, most demanding industries. Pitts Trailers is the world’s largest and only complete line forestry trailer manufacturer, moving the forestry transportation market forward with its log trailers, open and closed top chip vans, moving floor vans, and hydraulic elevating trailers with crawler suspension for knuckle boom loaders. Visit www.pittstrailers.com for more. er of forestry trailers, Pitts developed the Lock N’ Go landing gear system to allow a driver to secure both legs of a winch back or winch forward landing gear from the safety of the driver’s side. The patented design debuted in May at the East Coast Logging and Equipment Exposition in Richmond, Va. Traditional systems require drivers to set a pin on one side of the landing gear and then walk around the trailer or crawl underneath to lock the other side. Often drivers lock only one side, either because the far side of the trailer is inaccessible or simply to save time, posing a potential safety hazard for the driver and compromising the load. With Pitts’ new four-pin auto-lock system, a driver can easily ensure that both sides of the landing gear are securely engaged without circling or crawling under the trailer. Not only does Lock N’ Go protect the driver, it also helps secure the load and protect the trailer from unnecessary wear and tear. Lock N’ Go is the latest in a long line of innovative products developed by Pitts Trailers over the years. Since 1976, Pitts has built a
TEAM Safe Trucking TEAM Safe Trucking has been working on developing a Forestry Transportation Training Program for forestry transportation professionals since 2015. This year the organization has hired its first employee, Mirada Gowell, a Safety Director from Maine. Miranda has been working on developing a curriculum alongside Jeremiah O’Donovan, TEAM Safe Trucking’s Executive Director, and the members of the Team Safe Trucking Executive Committee: Mike Macedo, Danny Dructor, Joanne Reese, Keith Biggs, Jimmie Locklear, John Lemire, Scott Barrett, Richard Meyer and Richard Schwab. Recently, O’Donovan announced that the TEAM Safe Training curriculum has been developed. There will be three training tracks for the online training: Forestry Transportation Owners (FTO), Forestry Transportation Drivers (FTD) and Forestry Transportation Safety Professionals (FTSP). The curriculum includes 30 class offerings, with each class covering a topic such as: Introduction to
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Team Safe Trucking, Driver Qualifications, Driver Selection, Driver Training, Driver Condition, Maintenance Program/Vehicle Condition, Alcohol, Fatigue, Medical Clearance, Fleet Safety Programs, Accountability, Speeding, Distracted Driving, Right of Way, Turns & Curves, Following Distance, Rollovers, Clearance, Backing, Passing, Stopping and Parking, Coupling and Uncoupling, Railroads, DOT Inspections, Accidents, Breakdowns, Accident Investigations, Mill General Safety, Loading and Unloading, Entering and Exiting the Woods. The classes will range in length from 15-30 minutes. Each training track will cover approximately six to seven and a half hours of forestry transportation industry training. After completing each class, a certificate will be issued to the student for that topic. There will be quizzes following each training class, which can be downloaded and saved to document the student’s completion of the training session. When owners, drivers and safety professionals complete their training tracks, they will receive a picture ID card certifying the individual as an FTO, FTD or FTSP. TEAM Safe Trucking’s online training platform has the unique capacity to store and print each student training records at any time after completion of a class. In 2017, TEAM Safe Trucking released an online training Module One Forestry Transportation Owners and Drivers. This module is available now to mills, logging associations, universities, technical schools and others who
are interested in classroom or online training or just want to review. If you are interested in holding a classroom training with forestry transportation owners and/or drivers, or if you would like to talk about sponsorships or memberships, please contact Miranda Gowell: Miranda.gowell@teamsafetrucking.com or 207-841-0250.
Tire Pressure Control International
When the pressure is on...Tireboss Tire Pressure Control systems have been providing many benefits and cost saving solutions to log haulers in the Southern U.S. forest industry for many years. Tire over-inflation is a major cause of road, tire and vehicle damage. Tire pressures can be safely reduced when the vehicle speed and/or load is reduced. High tire pressure concentrates vehicle weight on a small contact surface area. Reduced tire pressure creates a longer footprint and distributes the vehicle weight over a larger
contact surface area. The Tireboss Tire Pressure Control system is a computerized device, operated from the cab, allowing the driver to change tire pressures while the vehicle is moving. Tireboss provides exceptional traction and flotation, reduced rutting, less road damage and improved access to work sites. As a result, many cost saving advantages are realized through extended haul seasons, increased tire life, reduced vehicle maintenance and lower road maintenance costs in forestry operations. Each system comes preprogrammed to suit the vehicle’s configuration and specific haul requirements. All systems come standard with built-in safety systems and continuous tire pressure monitoring. Priority safety switches make sure that air is available for tire inflations only when vehicle system air pressure is above a safe level, typically 90 psi. The computer continuously monitors tire pressure and controls the inflating, deflating or maintaining of a preselected target tire pressure. The system also monitors vehicle speed. If it detects the rig is going too fast and risking tire damage, visual and audible alerts warn the operator to reduce speed or choose another mode. Should the operator fail to respond to these alerts, the controller is programmed to automatically increase the tire pressures. Forest companies, vehicle owners and truck drivers all realize significant benefits from incorporating ➤ 36 the system into their fleets.
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35 ➤ Tireboss Tire Pressure Control systems have been successfully operating in North America since 1990. Around the world they have a track record of being the safest and most reliable systems on the road with product support second to none. For further information visit our web site at www.tireboss.com.
Truckworx
Truckworx is the Southeast’s premier commercial truck and trailer dealer featuring nationally acclaimed parts and service teams and award-winning product lines. Truckworx represents Kenworth, Hino and Isuzu commercial trucks as well as seven heavy-duty trailer manufacturers including Pitts, Talbert, Mac and Fontaine. The familyowned company was founded as Kenworth of Birmingham in 1978 and celebrated its 40th Anniversary earlier this year. In addition to the
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Birmingham location, Truckworx has full-service dealerships in Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Thomasville and Dothan, Ala., and in Jackson, Miss., with plans to open a full-service location in Tuscaloosa, Ala. later this year. The company also operates a commercial body shop in Birmingham, Ala. and TRP Parts, a commercial truck, trailer and bus parts store, in Alabaster, Ala. Truckworx stocks a wide variety of Kenworth daycabs, lowboys, sleepers and dump trucks in multiple models, colors, engines and transmissions; all on the ground, ready to work. Plus, we now offer well-maintained Kenworth heavy and medium duty truck rentals through PacLease. For as little as 24 hours, Truckworx has T880s with or without a wetline kit available for rent. Truckworx recognizes that in our line of work, time is money, and we are consistently working to reduce our customers’ downtime and improve the overall customer experience. Our service departments recently implemented the TruckTech+ Service Management System, which streamlines internal and external communication on service repairs, providing our customers with real time status updates and drastically reducing downtime. Truckworx also now has a fleet of mobile service trucks that are equipped with the appropriate parts, service tools and software to complete the most common truck repairs and maintenance needs on a customer’s jobsite. Throughout the company’s nine locations, Truckworx has over $13 million in parts inventory and has a 99% fill rate on parts orders. Plus, customers can now order parts online
through Online Parts Counter (OPC). Truckworx delivers parts daily to most counties within Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle, as well as some in Georgia, making it fast and easy to get the parts you need to get your equipment back in action. All locations are qualified to perform service work on all makes and models and are certified to do warranty work on Kenworth, Hino and Isuzu trucks as well as Cat, Cummins and Paccar engines. Our state-of-the-art facilities are all equipped with specialty equipment such as DPF cleaning machines, flywheel resurfacing machines and alignment equipment. For more information on Truckworx, visit www.truckworx.com.
Western Star Trucks
Some work trucks get lost in the woods. Logging requires a truck built and engineered specifically for the extraordinary demands of the job. Western Star, which began building logging trucks in the wilds of British Columbia, has always understood this and puts it into practice with the Western Star 4900.
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The 4900 is the ideal logging truck, whether it’s hauling pine logs in a Georgia swamp or loading fir in a Maine winter. Spec’d with a Detroit™ DD13®, DD15® or DD16® engine or the Cummins ISX15, the 4900 has the power to pull a loaded double-trailer out of the deepest spring mud. One of the highest ground clearances in the industry makes it easy for the 4900 to handle logs and ruts and a rigid frame stands up to the heaviest loads. The 4900 is customizable and designed for easy upfitting with self-loaders and other equipment. Standard features include corrosion-resistant extreme duty cabs with extra gussets and reinforcements, bonded instead of riveted, precision welded for strength, then dipped and protected with a multi-stage e-coat process for longlasting corrosion resistance and a superior paint finish. The available Extreme Duty application includes a severe service cab option with additional reinforcements. The 4900 makes it easier to recruit and retain drivers with comfortable, ergonomic interiors that offer greater visibility, more leg room and more space between the seats. Extra insulation and double door seals keep the outside noises outside. Sleepers range from 34 to 40 in. and there are four roof options.
ning system known as Logmeter provides useful information for log suppliers and buyers allowing them to improve their trade due to the fact that it operates as a third party, independent, systematic and objective log and load inspecting and measuring system. Logmeter measurements are performed in real time, in less than two minutes and before logs are unloaded. As the truck passes through the Logmeter portal, the system scans the truck and then measures key log variables such as length, top and butt diameters, and excessive sweep and crook. For each load entering the mill, Logmeter provides the volume of the logs, number of defective logs, diameter and length averages and distributions, and number of logs per load. Logmeter includes a comprehensive auditing system that allows managers to analyze log data and images, identify trends, rank log suppliers and avoid fraud, among other benefits. Logmeter
database can be integrated to the client log information systems such as accounting, inventory and procurement. The impact of scanning, measuring and auditing every single log load entering the mill before it is unloaded is realized in the improvement of log size and quality, enabling smoother running in the mill and resulting in increased efficiencies, recovery and profitability of the operation. Logmeter capital investment is recovered, among others, by operational and log cost savings and improvements of the operation. Logmeter is produced by Woodtech, a company based in Chile, which is committed to improving industrial processes by incorporating technologies that increase efficiency and control. Today, Woodtech has four Logmeter systems operating in the U.S. Southeast region (in Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas) and more than 50 installations around the world. Visit www.woodtechms.com for more.
Woodtech Logmeter
In the U.S. South and other regions, where logs are purchased on weight basis, the full load scan-
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Children & Grandparents, Part 2 —When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, “It's no use, grandpa. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights.” —When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, “I'm not sure,” and it drew this response from him: “Look in your underwear grandpa,” he advised. “Mine says I'm 4 to 6.” —A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, “Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today.” The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. “That's interesting,” she said, warily. “How do you make babies?” “It's easy,” replied the girl. “You just change “y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘es’.”
A Drunk Man’s Words Are A Sober Man’s Thoughts.
—“Give me a sentence about a public servant,” instructed the teacher during a lesson. One small boy wrote: “The fireman came down the ladder pregnant.” The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. “Don't you know what pregnant means?” she asked. “Sure,” said the young boy confidently. “It means carrying a child.” —A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog's duties. “They use him to keep crowds back,” offered one child. “No,” said another, “he's just for good luck.” A third child brought the argument to a close with this: “They use the dogs to find the fire hydrants.” —A 6-year-old was asked where his grandma lived. “She lives at the airport, and when we want her, we just go get her. Then, when we're done having her visit, we take her back to the airport.”
Senior Citizen Perspectives
All Desireable Things In Life Are Illegal, Banned, Or Expensive.
Great Truths From Little Children 1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats. 2) When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair. 3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person. 4) Never ask your three-year-old brother to hold a tomato. 5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food. 6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair. 7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time. 8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk. 9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts. 10) The best place to be when you're sad is on grandma's lap.
A Determined Irishman Paddy had been drinking at his local pub all day and most of the night, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Mick, the bartender says, “You’ll not be drinking anymore tonight, Paddy.” 38
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Paddy replies, “OK Mick, I’ll be on my way then.” Paddy spins around on his stool and steps off, falling flat on his face. He pulls himself up by the stool and dusts himself off, then takes a step towards the door and again falls flat on his face. He looks to the doorway and thinks that if he can just get to the door and get some fresh air he’ll be fine. Paddy crawls to the door and sticks his head outside, taking a deep breath. He feels much better and takes a step onto the sidewalk and yep, falls flat on his face. He sees his house just a few doors down, and crawls to the door, hauls himself up the door frame, opens the door and shimmies inside. He takes a look up the stairs and mumbles, “No bloody way,” but somehow manages to crawl up to his bedroom door and shimmy inside before passing out. The next morning, his wife, Jess, comes into the room carrying a cup of coffee and says, “Get up Paddy. Did you have a bit too much to drink last night?” Paddy says, “I did, Jess. I was bloody plastered. But how did you know?” She replied, “Mick phoned to say you left your wheelchair at the pub.”
Seniors are often criticized for many deficiencies of the modern world, real or imaginary. Generally, they take responsibility for all they have done and do not blame others. However, it was not senior citizens who took melody out of music; pride out of appearance; courtesy out of driving; romance out of love; commitment out of marriage; responsibility out of parenthood; togetherness out of the family; learning out of education; service out of patriotism; the Golden Rule from rulers; the nativity scene out of cities; civility out of behavior; refinement out of language; dedication out of employment; prudence out of spending; ambition out of achievement; and God out of government and schools. They certainly are not the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance, and they do understand the meaning of patriotism.
The Tomato Garden An old gentleman lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament: Dear Vincent, I’m feeling pretty sad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like the old days. A few days later he received a letter from his son. Dear Papa: Don't dig up that garden. That's where the bodies are buried. Early the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son. Dear Papa: That's the best I could do under the circumstances. Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now.
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INDUSTRY NEWS ROUNDUP
As We See It: Is Logging An Agricultural Activity? We Want Your Feedback In Survey By Danny Dructor For years agriculture has benefitted from various acts passed in Congress in that they have helped bring some semblance of stability to that indusDructor try. While there are many inferences to the timber harvesting community in many of these acts, there is no explicit support for the timber harvesting industry as a whole. We have a valid argument that timber harvesting and logging activities are already recognized in many statutes on a comparative basis with agriculture, as well as our classification in the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code 1133, which falls under agriculture. This code recognizes the industry as being an agricultural crop producer, and the exemptions and benefits agri-
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culture currently receives should be extended to the logging industry. A few of acts which could potentially benefit logging, should it be clarified that logging is an agricultural industry, include: 1. The Agricultural Marketing Act of June 15, 1929. This established a Federal Farm Board to promote the effective merchandising of agricultural commodities in interstate and foreign commerce and to place agriculture on a basis of economic equality with other industries. It encouraged the organization of producers into effective associations and corporations under their own control for greater unity in marketing and by promoting the establishment of producer-owned and producer-controlled cooperative associations and other agencies. Section 15(a) states: “As used in this act the term “cooperative association” means any association in which farmers act together in col-
lectively processing, preparing for market, handling and/or marketing the farm products of persons so engaged, and also means any association in which farmers act together in collectively purchasing, testing, grading, and/or processing their farm supplies…” 2. The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (Section 207). “When used in this title, the term ‘agricultural products’ includes agricultural, horticultural, viticultural, and dairy products, livestock, and poultry, bees, forest products, fish and shellfish, and any product thereof, including processed and manufactured products, and any and all products raised or produced on farms and any processed or manufactured products thereof.” 3. Agricultural Fair Practices Act of 1967. “An act to prohibit unfair trade practices affecting producers of agricultural products and for other purposes.” “Because agri-
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cultural products are produced by numerous individual farmers, the marketing and bargaining position of individual farmers will be adversely affected unless they are free to join together voluntarily in cooperative organizations as authorized by law. Interference with this right is contrary to the public interest and adversely affects the free and orderly flow of goods in interstate and foreign commerce. It is, therefore, declared to be policy of Congress and the purpose of this act, to establish standards of fair practices required of handlers in their dealings in agricultural products.” The act prohibits the following activities by the ‘handler’: a. To coerce any producer in the exercise of his right to join and belong to or to refrain from joining or belonging to an association of producers, or to refuse to deal with any producer because of the exercise of his rights to join and belong to such an association.” b. “To discriminate against any producer with respect to price, quantity, quality, or other terms of purchase, acquisition, or other handling of agricultural products
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because of his membership in or contact with an association of producers or a contract with a handler.” c. “To coerce or intimidate any producer to enter into, maintain, breach, cancel, or terminate a membership agreement or marketing contract with an association of producers or a contract with a handler.” d. “To pay or loan money, give anything of value, or offer any other inducement or reward to a producer for refusing to or ceasing to belong to an association of producers.” e. “To make false reports about the finances, management, or activities of associations of producers or handlers.” f. “To conspire, combine, agree, or arrange with any person to do, or aid or abet the doing of, any act made unlawful by this act.” Many lawmakers in Washington are surprised when told the logging industry is not always considered a part of agriculture in many statutes that exist today. While several states have made it quite clear that logging is considered an agricultural activity and offered many of same exemptions and exceptions that our friends in agriculture enjoy at the state level, we are behind the curve in making our case at the national level. We would like to hear from loggers on whether or not the American Loggers Council should actively pursue this issue, and of course, we would welcome any comments or concerns that you might have as we move forward. Please visit the following link to vote in our online poll: www.surveymonkey.com/r/ CVGBH5W. Feel free to contact us at 409625-0206, e-mail americanlogger
@aol.com (please include ‘logging as ag’ in the subject line), write comments on our Facebook page (American Loggers Council), or mail us at P.O. Box 966, Hemphill, TX 75948. We look forward to hearing from you. Dructor is Executive Vice President for the American Loggers Council, a 501 (c)(6) not for profit trade organization representing professional timber harvesters in 32 states. Visit amloggers.com or phone 409-625-0206.
Bandit Owners Selling Company To Employees Bandit Industries owners Mike Morey, Sr., Dianne Morey and Jerry Morey announced they are selling 100% of the company to their employees in an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Under the ESOP, Bandit will retain its current leadership and key management personnel will remain in place. The announcement comes after
two previous attempts to sell Bandit Industries—once to another manufacturer and once to a private investment firm. “We realized neither was a good fit for Bandit, so we made the decision to sell to our trusted employees,” says Dianne Morey. “It will be fun to watch our crew take it to the next level,” adds Mike Morey, who developed the very first Bandit chipper in 1983 and founded Bandit Industries. ➤ 42
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41 ➤ Bandit is growing rapidly with 20% growth per year with two plant expansions under way and several new products being introduced later this year. Bandit also recently entered into an agreement with ARJES GmbH, a leading slow speed shredder manufacturer from Germany. Bandit will sell and distribute the ARJES products in the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Indonesia and other parts of the world. The product line will shred almost anything, including cement with rerod, asphalt,
steel belted tires and complete cars and trucks. Bandit will celebrate its 35th anniversary this September with a dealer meeting and a field day open to the public. All of the Bandit products will be shown, including the new products that are about to be released and the ARJES line of shredders. “We are a leading supplier in all of the markets that we are in,” says Jerry Morey. “We have a very strong, dedicated dealer organization and a great crew, which is the key to our success. Our employees are experienced,
smart and loyal to us. That is why we are so confident that an employee owned company is the right fit for Bandit. All our employees will have a stake in the company.”
Softwood Lumbermen Continue Investing The optimism of U.S. softwood lumbermen knows no bounds. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any higher, it has, as 89% of those taking part in Timber Processing’s
annual Sawmill Operations and Capital Expenditures Survey expressed strong optimism about their lumber business situation for the remainder of this year and into 2019. (Note: Timber Processing is, like Southern Loggin’ Times, a Hatton-Brown publication.) Specifically, 35% forecast their situation as excellent and 54% as good. The results don’t come as a surprise, given the increasing activity in the U.S. housing market, but they do come with a caveat: too much production. An open-ended question of the mostly multiple-choice survey asked softwood lumbermen what they are most concerned about with regard to their lumber markets? Many wrote in “over-production” or “over-supply.” One lumberman, who is with a company that operates multiple sawmills, wrote: “The ability of the industry to do what it does best: out-produce the market.” A half dozen new southern yellow pine sawmills and locations have been announced in recent months, with more expected. Six percent of the mills have committed to more than $20 million of new capital investment in machinery and systems since the beginning of 2017. Another 6% have committed to $15-20 million. Five percent are spending $8-15 million and 8% are spending $5-8 million. Twenty-seven percent have committed to $1-5 million. Overall, 52% of the mills have put at least $1 million into their machinery capital investment plans since the beginning of 2017.
John Deere Expands Warranty Program To better support customers, John Deere announced new equipment and warranty additions to its forestry certified used program. The program, which ensures the value and reliability of used forestry equipment, will now include LSeries skidders and wheeled fellerbunchers. Additionally, the warranty choices for all certified used skidders and wheeled feller-bunchers include an option to extend up to 12 months, in addition to the existing six-month offering. “Our certified used program is designed to give customers a sense of security when purchasing used equipment,” says Kent Stickler, manager, product training and information. “Through this program, whether a machine has 5,000 hours or 8,000 hours, we are able to stand behind the quality of our equipment and provide our customers with the support they need to keep machines up and running.” 42
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The new 12-month warranty option guarantees that customers are covered if any issues do occur with used skidders or wheeled fellerbunchers. Forwarders, wheeled harvesters, and tracked feller-bunchers and harvesters are still eligible for a six-month warranty. Each used machine must pass a strict 100-plus point inspection in order to be certified.
Doggett Industries Buys Truck Centers Of Ark. Houston-based Leslie Doggett Industries through its Doggett Truck Group has acquired privately held Truck Centers of Arkansas, giving Doggett distribution rights for all Freightliner and Western Star trucks and parts for most counties in Arkansas with full service sales and leasing dealerships in Little Rock, Fayetteville and Van Buren. Doggett is a diversified heavy equipment dealer for John Deere construction and forestry equipment (18 dealerships), Toyota industrial forklifts and material handling equipment (7 dealerships), Freightliner on-highway and vocational trucks (7 dealerships), Link Belt cranes (4 dealerships) and a Ford auto dealership.
Corrigan OSB will consume 1.2 million tons of pulpwood annually.
site in February 2015. Construction began in July 2015. The first press load came through on April 24, 2018. Terry Secrest, RoyOMartin vice president of OSB and corporate safety director, noted the company spent more than $280 million on the plant,
which will produce more than 800MMSF annually, and procure more than 1.2 million tons of pulpwood annually or 42,000 truckloads. The Corrigan facility is situated on 158 acres and has brought in 165 direct jobs and six times more in
indirect positions. Secrest cited some fascinating construction statistics to the crowd: they moved 1.2 million cubic yards of dirt; poured 281 million lbs. of concrete; brought in 115 truckoads of steel; laid enough electrical cable to stretch from Corrigan, Tex. to Portland, Ore.; and installed six miles of safety handrail throughout the plant. Roy O. Martin III, CEO and President of Alexandria, La.-based RoyOMartin, referred to the special day as a 14-year journey, recalling an initial visit to the Corrigan area. He said it appealed to him from the outset, including the work ethic, values and family atmosphere of the community. “I told them I would come back,” he said. “I did come back.”
New Texas OSB Mill Is Open For Business The first oriented strand plant to be built in the U.S. since 2007 has started up in Corrigan, Tex. Corrigan OSB, LLC, a subsidiary of RoyOMartin, celebrated on May 30 with a grand-opening ceremony. RoyOMartin selected the Corrigan
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LOGGING LIFE AT HOME A Welcome Date That Almost Didn’t Happen By Deborah Smith I get a call in the middle of the work day, which makes my day. We talked for a minute about things— all was well in both our worlds and with his 97-year-old mother. Then
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he asked me for a date. It turned out area members of the Southeastern Wood Producers Assn. were meeting to earn hours towards their Master Timber Harvester certification. I decided I would surprise Travis by being ready when he walked through the door. I wrapped up our home school day and had supper going for the kids. I put on the dress he bought me for our anniversary,
had my hair done and makeup on before he arrived. I met him at the door, ready to take his lunch box from him and give him a kiss. I wanted to surprise him by being on time and not stressed, but the surprise was on me. His head was down and he appeared to be very down. “Baby, what is wrong?” I asked, almost panicky. “What has happened?”
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“The day ended terrible,” he said. “I don’t feel like going anywhere.” I know lots of men prefer to stay home and not go anywhere, but that’s not Travis. For him to refuse the chance to eat great food, talk with other loggers, and get credit towards his MTH certificate is, well, like a duck saying he doesn’t want water. I made him sit down at the table, because it looked like he was about to fall down. I asked him again to talk to me about what was wrong. Come to find out the loader they bought new, which had not been on the job long, went down with major grapple and boom damage. Travis was sick. About that time the phone rang. God’s perfect timing was beginning to work. It was Keith, Travis’ brother who is in charge of the meetings. He asked Travis to get to the meeting as soon as possible and get everyone started. Keith was coming but would be a couple minutes late. That was just what Travis needed. He doesn’t let people down. He got ready and we left. We talked all the way there. Turned out, the loader was just the last straw; other things were on his mind, too. We walked into the meeting. Men are already sitting around tables, drinking tea and talking. When they saw Travis, something happened that touched my heart. They all stopped talking, looked at Travis, and spoke. Some offered condolences for his sister. Some just spoke kindly. I could honestly feel the weight of the day lift off Travis’ shoulders. He literally stood a little taller, shoulders back. “Well, let’s get started,” he said. Caps came off heads all over the room as Travis said the blessing. After lots of friendly conversation, supper and ice cream, we listened as an insurance agent taught us about what impacts premiums. The meeting was a success, and we headed home. The ride was kind of quiet. Travis talked about who he would call to fix the loader and what they would do. I saw the power of “keep on keeping on.” Loggers are great at that. I saw what happens when we are around other good, like-minded people, being the best versions of themselves. I saw what happens when we decide that even though we are in a tough situation, we will make the best of what we have. And what we have in this logging life is good, even SLT on a hard day.
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Following Too Closely BACKGROUND: Two truck drivers, each driving a loaded log
truck with pulpwood that had a large amount of overhang, trav-
eled together during the daytime to deliver their loads to the same mill located in the South.
The weather was overcast, but visibility was good. It appears that the weather did not contribute to this incident. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: The first driver was family to the second driver. The second driver had 15-plus years of experience and the first driver had 5-plus years of experience driving a log truck. As they traveled, they kept in contact with each other by CB radio. The first driver would relay traffic information to the driver behind so they could avoid trouble/issues. UNSAFE ACTS & CONDITIONS: They had traveled on a four-lane highway, and as they approached the mill, the lanes transitioned to a two-lane road with a lower speed limit. The first driver reported that as he slowed, he felt a sudden jolt to his truck followed by a loud crashing noise. ACCIDENT: He exited the cab quickly and went to the rear of the truck. He saw that the second truck had hit his truck. INJURY: The second driver was dead, struck by logs that entered the cab. The first driver did not know why his family member failed to slow as he warned him of the speed limit change. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTION: Manage spacing by keeping safe following distances. One rule of thumb recommends a following distance of one second for each 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds below 40 MPH and an additional second at greater speeds. l Eliminate distractions—they remove precious seconds needed to react. l Reduce speed when entering construction zones or towns. l Attach end-of-load warning flags or flashing strobe lights as required by state or federal law. (Note: Loads must not extend beyond the maximum overhang allowed by state or federal law.) l Make daily pre-shift inspections to ensure brakes, lights, etc. are in working order. 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.
Click. Connect. Trade.
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.
www.ForesTreeTrader.com
CONTACT: Call Bridget DeVane at 334-699-7837, 800-669-5613, email bdevane7@hotmail.com or visit www.southernloggintimes.com
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Feller Buncher saw disks usually will not vibrate after being BENT until some time goes by. What follows is the disk will begin to vibrate due to uneven wear. Cracks can occur due to stress within a bent disk. I can handle repairs of even severely bent disks including cracks. All repairs balanced. TIG welding used exclusively.
252-945-2358
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WANTED TO BUY
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Cat 518 & Cat 518C skidders in TX, LA area Call Kent 936-699-4700 r_kentjones@yahoo.com
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2017 Tigercat 635E, 2400 hrs....... $365,000
2554 John Deere shovel................. $50,000
2015 Magnolia Lowboy $15,000 2013 822C Tigercat 7800 hrs............. $125,000
GMC 7500 crane and air compressor........$30,000
2014 559C Cat, CTR 426 delimber, Pitts hydraulic landing gear, 8000 hrs...$80,000
1998 F170 Wildside Toterhome, 122,000 miles.................................................$70,000 04 Renegade Stacker......................$40,000
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2015 320D FM Cat with Rotobec grapple saw,4800 hrs................................. $175,000
2015 CSI self-contained delimber........$35,000
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2011 Deere 643K Feller Buncher STK# LT63574.; 8915 hrs $49,000
2014 Deere 437D Knuckleboom Loader STK# LT258241; 9169 hrs $95,000
2012 OT CD1 Delimber STK# LUD10329; 5587 hrs $50,000
2013 Deere 648H Skidder STK# LU652654; 8091 hrs $155,000
2015 Deere 848L Skidder STK# LT669812; 4622 hrs $188,000
2015 Deere 748L Skidder STK# LT669326; 3015 hrs $202,000
2015 Deere 848L Skidder STK# LT671321; 5598 hrs $148,500
2014 Deere 648H Skidder STK# LT659780; 8950 hrs $88,000
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2012 Deere 643K Feller Buncher STK# LT646029; 4532 hrs $69,000
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Hose, Fittings & Crimpers
IF YOU NEED
Helping Loggers Save Money For Over 20 Years 8309
Contact: Chris Alligood 1-252-531-8812 email: chrisa.cavalierhose@gmail.com
RECONDITIONED DELIMBINATORS!!
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.
Day 334-312-4136 Night 334-271-1475 or Email: johnwpynes@knology.net
770
4433
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
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EUREKA! EUREKA! EUREKA! OWNERS HAVE OVER 30 YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE!
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EUREKA SAW TOOTH CO., INC.
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4275 Moores Ferry Rd. • Skippers, Virginia 23879 PH./FAX (day) 1-434-634-9836 or Night/Weekends • 1-434-634-9185
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FOR SALE APPROACHING RETIREMENT LIQUIDATING INVENTORY Call: Ted Smith
2004 Tigercat 640C Clambunk. 8200 actual hours, 30.5 front with 24.5 duals, 28Lx26 on rear including duals, bogies in excellent condition, runs great, just don’t need anymore........................................... $140,000 obo 2016 Caterpillar HF201B sawhead. Full rotation wrist. Approximately 400 hours. Like new $60,000 obo
5840 Hwy 36, Russellville, AL Home: 256-766-8179 • Office: 256-766-6491 Fax: 256-766-6962 • Cell: 256-810-3190
2009 John Deere 843J Feller Buncher, FD22B saw, stick steer, 28Ls, new hydrostats, NICE JOB READY cutter................................. $62,500
Located in Maplesville, Alabama Call or Text Zane • 334-518-9937
2008 Tigercat 630C. Good 30.5 tires. SWEDA axles. Dual arch. Less than 1000 hours on totally rebuilt engine and Tigercat reman hydrastats .................................................$55,000 obo Parting out: Tigercat 720B w/5400 head, 240B, 635 and 845B. Deere 437D, 648G, 748G, and 843. Prentice 310E, Cat 522B, Timberking 360, and Timberjack 735.
South AL 251-513-7001
945
FOR SALE 3939
410-726-6076
3373
• 2008 Timberwolf Firewood Processor with Conveyor..............................$12,500 • 2017 620E Tigercat Skidder, 1700 hours, 17sq foot grapple, 35.5 x 32 tires, turn around seat............................... $190,000 • 2002 Timberjack/Deere 560 Dual Arch grapple skidder 35.5 x 32 tires (great Shape) ........................................$39,500 • Chambers Delimbinator...............$50,000 • 2011 CAT 559B Knuckle Boom Log Loader on 2011 Evans T/A Trailer, Hours: 10,000 Price................................$60,000 • CTR 314 Setout Delimber on Single Axle Trailer............................................ $4,500
13288
FOR SALE
FOR SALE • 99 D6R Cat Dozer.......... $37,500 • 10 643K John Deere cutter ...................................... $75,000 479-325-1947 4935
13491
Visit ForesTreeTrader.com for online listing opportunities.
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A D L I N K ●
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ADVERTISER American Logger’s Council American Truck Parts Bandit Industries Big John Trailers BITCO Insurance Caterpillar Dealer Promotion John Deere Forestry Doggett Machinery Service Eastern Surplus Employer’s Underwriters Flint Equipment FMI Trailers Forest Chain Forestry First Forestry Mutual Insurance G & W Equipment Harrell Ag Products Hawkins & Rawlinson Industrial Cleaning Equipment Interstate Tire Service Ironmart Jeff Powell Trucking Kaufman Trailers Mike Ledkins Insurance Agency LMI-Tennessee Log Max Louisiana Machinery Magnolia Trailers Maxi-Load Scale Systems Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show Moore Logging Supply Morbark North America Supply Peterson Pacific Phloem Pitts Trailers Puckett Machinery Quadco Quality Equipment & Parts River Ridge Equipment S E C O Parts & Equipment Southern Loggers Cooperative Stribling Equipment Team Safe Trucking Thompson Tractor/Yancey Brothers Tidewater Equipment Tigercat Industries Timberland Tire Pressure Control International Todd Dossett Chipping TraxPlus Tri-State Truck Center W & W Truck & Tractor Waratah Forestry Attachments
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409.625.0206 888.383.8884 800.952.0178 800.771.4140 800.475.4477 919.550.1201 800.503.3373 225.368.2224 855.332.0500 256.341.0600 404.859.5790 601.947.8088 800.288.0887 803.708.0624 800.849.7788 800.284.9032 229.246.0350 888.822.1173 910.231.4043 864.947.9208 888.561.1115 478.278.1963 866.497.7803 800.766.8349 800.467.0944 360.699.7300 866.843.7440 800.738.2123 877.265.1486 662.325.2191 888.754.5613 800.831.0042 800.323.3708 800.269.6520 912.925.5007 800.321.8073 601.969.6000 800.668.3340 386.754.6186 855.325.6465 800.733.7326 318.445.0750 800.682.6409 910.733.3300 800.547.0760 912.638.7726 519.753.2000 912.283.1060 888.338.3587 903.824.3540 601.635.5543 800.737.3795 800.845.6648 770.692.0380
COMING EVENTS July
September
11-14—West Virginia Forestry Assn. Annual Conference, Canaan Valley Resort, Davis, W.Va. Call 304-372-1955; visit wvfa.org.
9-11—Alabama Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach, Ala. Call 334-265-8733; visit alaforestry.org.
16-18—Georgia Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Westin Resort & Spa, Hilton Head, SC. Call 912-635-6400; visit gfagrow.org.
21-22—Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show, Starkville, Miss. Call 800-669-5613; visit midsouth forestry.org.
20-22—Missouri Forest Products Assn./Missouri Loggers Council annual meeting, Old Kinderhook, Camdenton, Mo. Call 816-6305500; visit moforest.org.
28-30—Florida Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Omni Amelia Island, Amelia Island, Fla. Call 850222-5646; visit floridaforest.org.
29-31—Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Summer Conference, The Homestead, Hot Springs, Fla. Call 336-885-8315; visit appalachianwood.org.
August 23-26—Virginia Loggers Assn. annual meeting, Colonial Williamsburg Lodge, Williamsburg, Va. Call 804-677-4290; visit valoggers.org. 24-25—Arkansas Timber Producers Assn. annual meeting, Embassy Suites, Hot Springs, Ark. Call 501224-2232; visit arkloggers.com. 28-30—Louisiana Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Sam's Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport, La. Call 318443-2558; visit laforestry.com.
October 2-4—Arkansas Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Hot Springs Convention Center, Hot Springs, Ark. Call 501-374-2441; visit arkforests.org. 10-12—North Carolina Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Sheraton Hotel, Raleigh, NC. Call 800-2317723; visit ncforestry.org. 11-13—American Loggers Council annual meeting, Shilo Inn, Seaside, Ore. Call 409-625-0206. visit amloggers.com. 17-19—Texas Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Moody Gardens, Galveston, Tex. Call 936-632-8733; visit texas forestry.org.
November
ADLINK is a free service for advertisers and readers. The publisher assumes no liability for errors or omissions.
7-9—Forestry Association of South Carolina annual meeting, The Westin, Hilton Head Island, SC. Call 803798-4170; visit scforestry.org.
January 2019 8-9—Missouri Forest Products Assn. winter meeting, Capitol Plaza, Jefferson City, Mo. Call 573634-3252; visit moforest.org.
February 2019 20-24—Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers annual meeting, W Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Call 336885-8315; visit appalachianwood.org.
June 2019 26-28—Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Expo, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Ga. Call 504-443-4464; visit sfpaexpo.com. Listings are submitted months in advance. Always verify dates and locations with contacts prior to making plans to attend.
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