Southern Stumpin’

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

Forester, Insurance Man, Vet

November 11 is Veterans Day, a federal holiday set aside to recognize, honor and appreciate those who have served in our military. The forest products industry has no shortage of veterans in our ranks, and Southern Loggin’ Times likes to point some of them out when we can.

Gulf War veteran Chad Houze, 52, a native of Marietta, Ga., is a former procurement forester who has spent most of his career selling insurance to loggers. In the last 27 years he’s worked at various agencies that focus on forestry; currently he represents Palmetto State Insurance Agency in Alabama. He and wife Jenny, a real estate agent, have been married for 26 years and live now just south of Gadsden, near Birmingham.

When he turned 18, Chad knew he wanted to be a forester, but couldn’t afford forestry school, so, like a lot of young men, he joined the military (Navy in his case) to help pay tuition. “There was a program at that time,” he explains. “You do boot camp and school, do six years in the Reserves and you get the GI Bill.” He went to school in California, where he trained as a heavy equipment operator in the Navy’s Seabees (CBs—Construction Battalion), a group known for their “Can Do” attitude; some may recall the 1944 John Wayne film The Fighting Seabees.

After finishing his Navy schooling, he went back to Georgia and started forestry school at ABAC (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College) in Tifton.

Halfway through his education at ABAC, his unit was called up for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He spent eight months overseas in 1990-91 in Saudi Arabia, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator in the Navy Seabees. “There were 100 of us and 4,000 Marines,” he re calls. “We were a construction and support team.” He drove trucks and worked mostly on airfields, building runways, convoying equipment back and forth to the front line and maintaining the base for the Marines.

Communication with deployed service members was even more limited 30 years ago than it is now. Although there were a few scary moments—Iraqi Scud missile attacks and sarin nerve gas were threats—most of the time, Chad felt somewhat in control of his situation. But his loved ones at home, with little information, could only hope and pray. It wasn’t until some years later that he learned just how worried his mother had actually been; they didn’t tell him at the time. “It affects more than just the one deployed, so every time you pray for a soldier, pray for their family,” he advises.

The conflict was over pretty quickly, in just about six weeks, but Chad says when he got home, it didn’t feel like a real ending. The coalition drove Iraq from Kuwait, but Saddam Hussein was still in power in Baghdad. Chad got that closure he’d been missing about 12 years later, when Saddam’s statues, and his reign, were toppled. “That was one of the greatest days of my life,” he says.

Most people who join the military do so because they hate bullies and want to help people who can’t help themselves, Chad believes. The experience taught him a lot and shaped his philosophies on life. “It has helped me in my adult life tremendously. One of the Seabee mottos I love is: ‘We build, we fight, can do.’ Another is: ‘The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer.’ It just showed me how much you can do as a team. Sometimes you sacrifice yourself for the greater good of the group. It’s not the individual achievement you’re looking for; it’s the end result.”

Back home, Chad graduated ABAC with an as so ciate’s degree in forestry. He went to work in procurement for a paper company and later a wood dealer, but says that having a two-year degree limited his opportunities to advance.

In 1996, an insurance company that specialized in forestry contacted him to be come an in surance agent. It was easier to train a forester to sell insurance than it was to teach an insurance agent about logging, they reasoned. That’s what he’s done ever since.

Chad is a licensed insurance agent in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. He travels frequently, at least one or two nights most weeks, to visit his clients in person and find out what they need. “I may see something on the job that they may not know to ask for.”

He now works for Palmetto State Insurance Agency, a South Carolina-based company founded in 2008 that focuses on forestry. Chad had worked with owner Donnie Watts 22 years ago at a different agency, and reconnected four years ago. “I found my home and this is where I plan to be for the rest of my career.”

After 27 years in the business, Chad has seen logging evolve as methods grew increasingly mechanized. “I’ve seen trucking rates go up and workers’ comp rates go down.”

Ever since he left the Navy, Chad had missed that sense of camaraderie he had with his Seabee unit, and sought to find it again somewhere. That desire led him to Shriners International, a Masonic society.

Chad says he’s seen a lot of former military men seeking that same camaraderie fall into gangs or other negative groups, so he considers himself blessed to have found a more positive atmosphere. “Through this I am able to help children.” These days, he says, that is his great passion.

Shriners International was established 150+ years ago, and opened its first children’s hospital 100 years ago in Shreveport, La. “We specialize in orthopedics, spinal cord injuries, burns and cleft palates for children,” Chad explains. Today the organization supports 22 hospitals (20 in the U.S. and one each in Canada and Mexico). Chad is a member of Zamora Temple in Birmingham, which supports Shriners Children’s Hospital in Green ville, SC.

“We’re not the best at everything, but we specialize in a very few things and we’re the best at that.” Just like when he was in the Navy, Chad’s greatest sense of fulfillment comes from helping others.

You can reach Chad at Chad@PSIAgency.com or 256-506-5459.

Want to recommend a veteran in forestry for Veterans Day issue November 2023? Let us know. Text me at 334-677-9663 or email me at ttobbad39@msn.com. SLT

Chad Houze, right, with Petty Officer Raymond Queen, left, in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm Chad visits clients frequently in the field. Chad and wife Jenny support Shriners children's hospitals.

Total Commitment

■ South Carolina operation continues to gain steam as it comes of age.

By May Donnell

RICHBURG, SC

Coleman Brothers Logging is closing in on its 10year anniversary. Ask anybody with knowledge of logging in Chester, Fairfield and Richland counties and they’ll tell you the outfit has come a seriously long way in a relatively short amount of time. From producing 10 to 15 loads per week at the start, today they haul pulpwood, hardwood and chip-n-saw at an im pressive rate of 150 to 180 loads per week. That type of production takes a load of work.

First generation logger Will Coleman, 34, and his wife, Katherine, each draw a blank when asked to name their favorite hobbies. They look at each other for a long moment and smile.

“We mainly just work,” Katherine says finally. Katherine and her little white dog, Sugar, manage the office. Her duties include insurance, payroll, and keeping up with taxes and benefits. These days, she and Sugar also make runs to Newberry, Chester, Rock Hill or Charlotte, NC for parts. “It’s a ton of hard work and it doesn’t ever slow down but we’ve gotten used to it and so now it just seems normal,” she says.

Will is convinced logging is in his blood, even if it wasn’t passed down in his family like it is with so many other loggers. “I knew real

Will Coleman, left, with his dad, Tim, and Will’s wife, Katherine, and Sugar

fast that logging was what I wanted to do and believe me, if you don’t like this kind of work, you’re in for a bad time. I chose logging and I love it.” Perhaps that’s why the long hours and the persistence with which the crew gets after a tract of land doesn’t seem to weigh very heavily on them. The crew is all smiles and jokes as they gather for a group photo.

Coleman’s brother Wesley helped start the company. “I really rely on my brother, Wes,” Coleman says. “If I’m at work, he’s at work, no matter what. If I’m in the shop, he’s in the shop. And he really takes charge with the skidders. I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”

Surroundings

Chester County was founded and named in 1785 by a group of cotton mill pioneers who must have miss ed their former home—Chester, Pa. The population is 32,000, give or take, and that number is dwindling, according to the past three U.S. Census counts, in stark contrast with exploding Charlotte some 50 miles to the northeast.

One of the most notable incidents in Chester County occurred in 1807 when former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr was escorted through the town of Chester on his way to Richmond, Va., to stand trial for treason. According to local legend, Burr “flung himself from his horse and cried for rescue but the officer commanding the escort seized him, threw him back like a child into the saddle and marched on.” The rock Burr stood on that day is preserved in the town center.

On a warm, breezy September morning a few miles out from Winns boro in Fairfield County, Will Coleman explains that his crew generally works a 12-hour day—

Tigercat 234B loader is fairly new addition to the lineup.

Posing in front of one of three 720G feller-bunchers, sitting up top, left to right, Thomas Jones and Bobby Laster; standing, left to right, Leon Curry, Wesley Coleman, Will Coleman, Toisey Coleman, James White, Shane White (not pictured, Ty Hayes).

One of four Tigercat skidders It’s mostly Mack trucks and more Mack trucks for Coleman.

5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and sometimes on Saturday.

“We don’t take many rain days either,” he says. “I don’t see how we could make it without producing at least 150 loads a week. It takes that to keep up with the rising price of parts, fuel, insurance and everything else.” The price of gasoline, motor oil, hydraulic oil and diesel is a killer these days, he adds, knowing he is saying the obvious.

His production at this site is mostly pulpwood and chip-nsaw and will go to New-Indy Container Board in Catawba and Canfor Southern in Camden. “The quality of wood isn’t that great but we’ll manage to make 163 loads this week,” Coleman says. What hardwood they extract generally goes to the International Paper mill in Eastover or Santuc. Logging Growth

Will began his career at 18 when he went to work for Ideal Logging in nearby Edgemoor. His ambition to run his own show eventually kicked in and in 2013 he decided to strike out on his own. His brother Wesley joined him and together they gradually pieced together two loaders, four skidders and three cutters, all very well used—some might say used up. Will’s father joined in to help with maintenance and Will’s uncle, Don “Uncle Stump” Dickson, signed on to drive a truck.

“He managed to acquire some old equipment,” says Kevin Wright of Tigercat dealer Tidewater Equipment in Newberry. “I mean this stuff they were using had tens of thousands of hours on it. It was way past prime. Over time his work ethic proved sound and he was able to replace the old equipment with new. That makes such a big difference in productivity.”

Coleman is a big fan of the Tigercat dealership in Newberry. “You can’t ask for anything better when it comes to our dealer,” he says. “They take very good care of us. I love the Tigercat brand but it also

comes down to service. Tidewater provides us with excellent service time after time. Plus, Kevin doesn’t mind telling people about me (Wright suggested Coleman for this story), so that’s good.” Now that the crew is work ing with the latest forestry equipment, Coleman says life is easier. “Before, when we had our bare bones forestry equipment, it was harder to attract and keep good help. Now we’re able to recruit and maintain a good quality crew. They want to work on the newer equipment models and I can sure understand that.” The outfit works exclusively for Myers Timber Co. out of Camden and Coleman gives It’s all about getting the loads on the road for Coleman Brothers. that company credit for taking good care of him and his men. “We have come to rely on them and they do us right 100% of the time. It’s a real steady thing and we are so fortunate to have gotten up with them several years ago.” Mitch Stines at Myers was the first dealer to give the Coleman brothers a chance to haul “wide open” and according to Will the business took off from there. Over the past three years, Coleman Brothers Logging has purchased

seven new Mack trucks and one Western Star. “We really took off after Mitch gave us a chance to haul,” Will says.

“Will is a hardworking young man and I couldn’t be happier for him and his success,” Stines says. “We saw how reliable and steady he and his crew were and three years ago we signed them on to produce for us. We were ready to grow and they were, too, and now we’re both growing. I’m interested in seeing just how far Will is going to go.”

Will says he prefers Tigercat to any other line. He owns four skidders: a 2021 Tigercat 620H, ’16 and ’18 620E’s and a ’13 620D.

Operating skidders, along with his brother Wesley and Toisey Coleman, are Ty Hayes and Bobby Laster.

The group has three Tigercat 720G feller-bunchers, 2022, ’18 and ’16 models. Feller-buncher operators are James White and Thomas Jones.

At the loading deck, the Coleman brothers use a 2021 Tigercat 234B and a ’15 234. Manning the loaders are Leon Curry and Shane White. The crew also uses a ’14 John Deere 700K bulldozer for road and deck clearance.

Coleman’s allegiance to Mack trucks is evidenced by his impressive inventory. The company owns a 2023 Mack Granite, four ’22 Mack Pinnacles, a ’21 Mack Pinnacle, ’22 Western Star, ’17 Mack Granite, ’15 Mack Pinnacle and a 2012 Mack. All the Macks were purchased from Shealy Truck Center in Columbia and by and large all are maintained at McMahon Commercial Truck Service in Rock Hill.

Coleman Brothers’ trucks are kept clean with help from Blue Beacon Truck Wash in Columbia. “We like to look good on the road and they (Blue Beacon) are the best people I know to use for that.”

Truckers for Coleman Brothers include Will and Wesley’s uncle, “Uncle Stump” Dickson, along with Joe McCrorey, Frank Byrum, Robert

Catoe, David Boone, James Crawford, Jamie Mobley, Johnny

Woodard and Tommy Thomas.

The Macks pull two 2023 Pitts trailers, a ’22 Big John trailer, four ’22 Pitts trailers, two ’20 Pitts trailers, ’10 Big John trailer, two ’02

Evans trailers, and two lowboys—a 2000 Evans and ’00 Pitts. All are plantation style.

For his personal vehicle, Coleman drives a Chevy 2500 HD. He relies on Terry Blackwell at Car

Quest in Chester for hydraulic motor oil, as well as truck and trailer parts. “Terry does a great job for us and knows what we prefer and keeps it in stock,” Coleman says.

The crew fuels up at Darby Oil in

Chester.

Will and Wesley’s dad, Tim Coleman, a seasoned mechanic who has worked as head mechanic for the long-time popular amusement park

Carowinds in Charlotte, helps keep tabs on all the moving parts and equipment at Coleman Brothers. “I don’t know where we’d be without

Dad’s help,” Will says. “He’s one of the best mechanics in this part of the world.” According to Will, if you made a list of all the things Tim

Coleman can’t fix, you’d have a very short list.

Gaining Momentum

While workers and executives in the timber industry have long held concern about the lack of young people going into the business, Coleman Brothers Logging is proof that the youth of America has not yet deserted the forest in favor of less vigorous occupations.

“There is a place in the industry for young loggers like Will,” says Tidewater’s Wright. “And it’s a testament to the industry that we are able to help launch new operations like his as we have.”

For Will and Katherine Coleman and their little white dog, Sugar, the work goes on rain or shine, heat or cold. That’s the way they seem to like it. Will sums up his ambition for and his philosophy of logging this way: “You’ve got to have logging in your blood or you ain’t going to wake up every morning and come out here. It’s a challenge but we love it.” SLT

Back To The Start

■ American Loggers Council’s 2022 Annual Meeting returned to its roots.

BRANSON, Mo.

Way back in 1994, the loggers who founded the American Loggers Council formed the organization at its first meeting in St. Louis, Mo. In 2022, ALC returned to Missouri for its 28th Annual Meeting, this time bringing 250 timber industry representatives from all over the U.S.

The return to Missouri would have been at ALC’s 26th Annual Meeting in 2020 at the end of then ALC President Shannon Jarvis’s term (2019-2020). Traditionally, ALC’s outgoing President hosts the Annual Meeting in his home state. But like many things that year, the meeting was held virtually due to pandemic concerns. To even things out, Jarvis’s successor, Idaho’s Tim Christopherson, who took office as President at the 2020 meeting, served for two terms, and hosted the Annual Meeting in person in his home state last year. Jarvis and his wife Shawnee, in conjunction with the Missouri Logging Council / Missouri Forestry Assn., finally got the chance to host the event in Branson this year.

The Conference started Wenesday night with an axe throwing competition among teams representing loggers from the East, South, Midwest and West. The West Team (Tim Christopherson and Mark Mahon from Idaho and Matt Hegerberg and Jean Pierre Fontenot from Oregon) took the top spot.

Friday’s seminars, with the theme “Tomorrow’s Timber Industry,” tackled topics like antitrust and contract law, timber cooperatives, publice image and emerging markets.

On Friday night, a Log-A-Load For Kids auction raised $56,000 for the Missouri Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. A separate auction was held to benefit Thomas Johnson, a logger from DeRidder, La. who is fighting cancer (his story was featured in Southern Stumpin’ in the September 2022 issue of Southern Loggin’ Times). Two items—a Duck Dynasty autographed duck call display donated by Skeet from Louisiana and a chain saw donated by the Louisiana Loggers Assn. and Stihl—raised over $38,000 to help with Johnson’s medical bills. The chain saw was auctioned and then donated back to be auctioned again a total of 10 times!

During the President’s Farewell Dinner on Saturday night, SLT senior western editor Dan Shell presented the Timber Harvesting Logging Business of the Year award to South Carolina’s Great Woods Companies owners Bob and Cindy Lussier. Bob and Cindy shared the honor with their entire crew.

ALC also recognized some of those who were present at that first meeting 28 years ago: Jim Carey (Michigan), Eric Mayranen (Minnesota) and Charles Johns (Florida). Also, standing in for some who are no longer with us, first ALC President Earl St. Johns was represented by his grandson, Jordan St. John, and his great-grandson, while Bruce Zuber, current ALC Western Regional Representative, accepted recognition on behalf of his dad, Marvin Zuber.

Finally, outgoing President Tim Christopherson symbolically passed the gavel to incoming President Andy Irish of Maine. In gratitude for his leadership during the pandemic and last year’s transition from former Executive Director Danny Dructor to his successor, Scott Dane, ALC presented Christopherson with a plaque and Loggers Edition Rifle.

Irish will host the 29th American Loggers Council Annual Meeting in Maine the first week of October, 2023. SLT

Keynote speaker Manley Feinberg II, formerly of Build-A-Bear Workshop, kicked off Friday's seminars with a little Van Halen. John Deere sponsored a Missouri logging demo site visit on Thursday morning.

Louisiana's Toni McAllister, Alabama's Joel Moon From left: incoming President Andy Irish, outgoing President Tim Christopherson, Executive Director Scott Dane, past President (and Missouri host) Shannon Jarvis

Loggers get their two cents in.

Loggers are generous in helping kids and one of their own; auction raised $38,000 for Louisiana logger/cancer survivor Thomas Johnson.

Bob Lussier accepted the Timber Harvesting

Logging Business of the Year award. ALC recognized some of its OG founders (and their descendants) from that first meeting in Missouri in 1994.

Mississippi's David Livingston brought the auctioneer.

At Saturday's awards luncheon, Bobby and Lori Goodson (left) received the National Activist award, and Tom Trone (right) the President's Award.

Andy Irish accepts the President's gavel from Tim Christopherson.

Well Deserved

■ Virginia Loggers Assn. honors C.K. Greene at its 2022 Annual Meeting.

C.K. Greene, left, received VLA’s 2022 President’s Award from Travis Myers, center, and Frank Myers, right.

By Ron Jenkins and Frank Myers, Virginia Loggers Assn.

On Saturday August 13, VLA (Virginia Loggers Assn.) President Frank Myers announced his recipient for the VLA President’s Award. Each year the President of VLA selects a logger they believe to have gone above and beyond any normal expectation for a member. The logger selected for the President’s Award must be a good business owner, an active supporter of VLA, and engaged in industry advocacy. VLA is fortunate to have many people who exceed every category and could easily be great choices.

This makes the President’s job that much harder. Picking someone among so many great candidates is done with a lot of serious thought.

In 2022, C.K. Greene, the owner of Virginia Custom Thinning & Chipping, was selected to be recognized for his active role in VLA and the industry. C.K. Greene was surprised when the President delivered his message and finally announced his name. Mr. Greene later said that he was sure it was another business owner and he almost fell out when his name was called instead. Mr. Myers did a great job keeping the suspense going until the name was announced.

C.K. is a highly productive mechanized logger operating from his home base in Brunswick County and noted for his efficiency, immaculate fleets and great safety record.

The following are direct quotes from the presentation Mr. Myers made about Mr. Greene.

“Every year, picking this award gets harder. We have so many members that will go above and beyond when it comes to this association. I have yet to ask anybody for help doing something for the VLA who has turned me down. It makes Ron’s and my job so much easier when you have support that you can count on.

“This year’s winner, like in years past, has a long history with the VLA. When past VLA President Ronnie Wright and I met with the Mayor of Emporia trying to get our trucks through the city, the mayor told us to come to the City Council meeting the next month, and she would get us on the agenda. We lined up several industry people to come and speak that night. Bernard Rose (of Kapstone at that time) did a great job of describing how the city of Roanoke Rapids worked with the paper mill on thru trucks and truck traffic. We had enlisted several area business owners to speak to the city council members prior to the meeting.

“But the one that still sticks out to me was the presentation of C.K. Greene. C.K. had broken down all his costs and went down every business in town and how much money he had spent with each one. It really changed how we were perceived that night. We even agreed to help the police chief with enforcement. C.K. even called several loggers and truckers in the area until everyone finally knew the rules.

“C.K. was also a big part of the relationship we developed with former Governor Terry McAuliffe. When he was campaigning, we took him on a tour to the woods, and the relationship we started that day helped us achieve a bill allowing 90,000-lbs. hauling weight on non-interstate highways. C.K. attended the signing ceremony in Richmond in 2015.

“The list of his work with the VLA could go on and on because he was just as instrumental in our work with Delegate Roslyn Tyler.

“I would be remiss if I also did not at least mention his efforts with our membership committee. If my memory serves me correct, he missed a meeting, and we made him chairperson—forever! But he has done a great job in recruiting new members to VLA for years.

“C.K. has always done things his way and is a strong supporter of this industry. He always has a favorite saying or two, such as ‘hustle, hustle’ or ‘dollar, dollar’ whenever you ask him what he has been doing. Here lately, it has been more about his house at the beach, and ‘I do not own a paper mill or power plant.’

“So, in honor of his accomplishments and love for the beach, Ron and Nannette had a special award made for you with this certificate.”

The award is a unique one-of-akind made specifically to fit with the recipient’s talents and lifestyle. This year’s award was designed and created by Gene Brumett. The President’s Award certificate read as follows:

This certificate is presented to C.K. Greene in appreciation for outstanding service to the Virginia Loggers Association and Virginia’s forest products industry. This award is a unique combination of logging and the beach. This unique award combines a Civil War axe head recovered from the Battle of Sailor’s Creek, a piece of chain from the same area but of unknown age, with seashells and sand from the Atlantic Ocean where C.K.’s spirit often dwells. The driftwood was weathered in Virginia and contains lights and natural secret spot for a safe key or combination.

Successful Meeting

VLA reports this year’s annual meeting recorded its highest attendance yet. Prior to every meeting, those involved in the planning go about frantically attending to details. Once we reach the postmeeting week, we tend to spend time catching up on things we had to postpone before. With 2022 annual behind, we felt like success had been achieved and there was a real peace of mind over us.

Prior to the meeting VLA started early, receiving enormous support from sponsorship and by the end we had 56 sponsors who placed faith in this annual meeting. Twenty-three businesses and organizations exhibited their products and services. All were easily located inside the Virginia Room along with the presenters and Saturday evening banquet. This ensured easy access between our guests and exhibitors so they could network and hear all the presentations.

Twelve people spoke during the two general sessions covering a wide range of topics. Speakers covered the recent rise in fuel prices, change, problem solving, technology, policy, safety, and watching your legal front. Keynote speaker was Richard Lawler of John Deere, who gave us a glimpse of forestry from the equipment provider’s perspective.

Secretary Lohr charged up the opening with some humor and great information. He got our general session started on Friday afternoon with tremendous insights and a few great jokes. Secretary Lohr also joined us later during our reception and evening dinner meeting allowing more time to get to know our members and industry a little better.

Virginia State Forester Rob Farrell brought laughter and light moments to Friday evening following dinner. He was a delight for the serious times. Setliff Law team brought in three attorneys to cover the most important aspects of managing your business and reducing your risks. This workshop is provided now at our annual meetings on Friday mornings and without additional fees because we want every business to stay abreast of the changes that can put you ahead and in front of competitors.

Workshops were provided for both the adults and youth. Adults received careful instruction from Rita Hyatt about painting on canvas. Youth received a special lesson from Belle Simpson on making Dream Catchers followed by an authentic Colonial Williamsburg Storyteller. SHARP Logger and SAF continuing educational credits were provided for all training. Those who signed the attendance sheets will see these credits added to their profile.

All this was set just steps away from historic Colonial Williamsburg. As our attendance grew, it became obvious that our space was too small. Good fortune was to be the VLA’s again as the best spot in the entire facility was available for us. Everything was moved before the program was finished and our guests had the opportunity to enjoy the private setting of the Virginia Room and the huge foyer, a private walk, and a beautiful private courtyard to relax and network. SLT

Spotlight On: Transportaion

SLT invited manufacturers/dealers of forestry transportation products/services to present information about their offerings. All those that participated 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 heavyduty 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. Check out our web site at americantruckparts.com to search our inventory or call us with your truck part needs at 888-383-8884.

FMI Trailers

Fryfogle Manufacturing Inc. was established in 2018 under the operation of Gordon Fryfogle as President and Larry Williamson as Sales Manager. Together, they have over 65 years experience in the forestry trailer market. Located in Lucedale, Miss., FMI carries a full line of new and used trailers as well as parts and is an authorized Vulcan and SI on-board scale dealer. Please visit FMITrailers.com for photos and standard specifications, or call Gordon at 601-508-3333 or Larry at 601-508-3334.

Kaufman Trailers

Since 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:

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 deck-over and floor between the fenders configuration.

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.

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.

Dump—Low profile dump trailers are available in bumper pull and gooseneck hitch options. Weight ratings range from 10,000 to 17,000 GVWR.

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.

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 kaufmantrailers.com for more.

Loadrite Southern Star

In the competitive logging industry, you need confidence your operation is as efficient and smooth as your loading style. Introducing Loadrite Scales, the most reliable way to optimize your load. Loadrite calculates weight in real time, by constantly monitoring your machine. Loadrite scales provide accurate dynamic payload measurements that improve safety, optimize truck loading, improve productivity, and protect your bottom line. Loadrite scales are known for their durability and reliability. Since 1978 Loadrite has been used in harsh environments like mines, quarries, landfills, and forests. Take control with Loadrite! Ensure you're getting the maximum payload on any truck, anywhere, every time!

The Loadrite X2350 knuckle boom scale removes a need for truck scales on your entire fleet. It gives you the ability to accurately load any truck, anywhere! You have the flexibility to move and retrofit the Loadrite scale to a new piece equipment and our scale will outlive 2-3 loaders!

With the addition of Loadrite payload management solutions to your operation, you’re in a more powerful competitive position in the marketplace. Whether you choose to start small or connect your operation, the expanded capability will enable you to be more efficient and productive, year after year. After all it’s not just a job for you, it’s a legacy you're growing!

The experienced professionals at Loadrite Southern Star provide: ● Local customer service and sales ● Installation services, annual calibration check up ● Personalized operator training and refresher ● Management reporting setup and training ● Technical support

Loadrite Southern Star is your local authorized Loadrite distributor, contact us today for more details!

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: 800-738- 2123; fax: (601) 947-4900; e-mail: info@magnoliatrailers.com or visit magnoliatrailers.com for more.

Maxi-Load Platform Scales

A Maxi-Load platform scale provides a time proven solution to controlling your truck weights and safely maximizing your payloads. Our scales are accurate, durable, and trouble-free. They come with a comprehensive two-year warranty. We have 26 years of proven performance weighing log trucks. The first scale we built in 1996 is still weighing log trucks daily. Our scales are working on over 850 logging jobs throughout the Southeastern United States.

Mills only pay for what crosses their scale. Underloaded trucks are a missed opportunity. A fully loaded truck would have paid more money. Overloaded trucks are a liability. If one has an accident you can be dealing with a serious issue.

Tally your weekly load tickets. What tonnage did you get paid for? What could you have been paid for? The difference between being almost loaded and fully loaded—about $1,000 per week.

A Maxi-Load platform scale can be installed on your job in two hours. From that point on you can safely maximize the payload on every truck serving your job, your trucks, and contract trucks. Financing is available. Delivery and installation are part of the sale. Contact your forestry equipment supplier or MAXI-LOAD at 1-877-265-1486 or on the web at Maxiload.com.

Pinnacle

Pinnacle Trailer Sales: The Right Trailer, For the Right Haul, Right Now. Since the founding of our company, our knowledge, values and extensive inventory have set us apart from our competitors. Our mission at Pinnacle Trailer Sales is to provide our valued customers and our family of employees the tools and information to help them be as successful as possible. For more than 20 years we’ve served businesses specializing in industries such as: ● Forestry and Logging ● Agriculture ● Construction ● Heavy Haul ● Towing and Recovery Our extensive inventory of new and used semi-trailers means no matter what industry you specialize in, we’ve got options to increase your payloads, secure more hauls, and boost your bottom line. We can even customize your trailer to haul unique loads with unusual specifications. In addition, we offer free inspections for the life of your trailer. We also take a lot of the headache out of the process by tackling titling and insurance, so you don’t have to.

Need a trailer today? Not a problem with our easy and straightforward financing. With our in-house delivery and pick up, you always have the option of having your trailer delivered to your location. This enables you to remain competitive and have the trailer you need when you need it most.

Not sure what trailer is right for you? With a 15-minute phone call, we can help you find the right one for the job with our MVP assessment. Simply dial 800-513-9373.

We have four locations: Charleston, SC; Lynchburg, Va.; Spartanburg, SC; and Wilmington, NC. At each location you’ll find employees who provide more than mere service. They are dedicated to our core values of integrity, respect, listening, duty, teamwork and responsibility.

Visit pinnacletrailers.com for more.

Pitts Trailers

For decades, Pitts Trailers has pulled the industry forward with innovative designs and high quality products built for optimal performance. According to President and CEO Jeff Pitts, every innovation, every manufacturing advancement starts with a single person in mind—the customer. “The people who use our trailers go to work every day in one of the toughest, most demanding industries,” Pitts explains. “Our number one goal is to supply them with high performance trailers to make their work as efficient, convenient and safe as possible.”

The most recent Pitts innovation, Lock ’N Go landing gear, was introduced in 2018 to significantly enhance operator safety and convenience. The four-pin auto-lock system allows a driver to easily ensure that both sides of the landing gear are securely engaged without circling or crawling under the trailer. It also helps secure the load and protect the trailer from unnecessary wear and tear.

The pioneering Load Payin’ Series, introduced in 1994, is the number one selling logging trailer in North America. This line introduced a fully fabricated frame made of high-yield materials with a continuous submerged arc welding process, allowing customers to haul more wood and less steel, while maintaining the highest performance standards available in the industry.

Pitts revolutionized loader carrier manufacturing with the development of Crawler Suspension, providing the smoothest, most stable transport available for safety both on- and off-road. The military-derived, patent pending design delivers double the ground clearance of traditional spring single-point suspension. And the rocking beam construction eliminates spring bounce effect, protecting the load from unnecessary impact and vibration.

Family owned and operated since 1976, Pitts Trailers is the world’s largest and only complete-line forestry trailer manufacturer. Pitts offers a wide variety of truck trailers, including logging trailers, hydraulic elevating loader carrier trailers, open and closed top chip vans, moving floor vans, hydraulic removable neck lowboys, fixed neck lowboys, hydraulic folding tail lowboys and construction grade tagalong lowboys.

“Pitts Trailers has made many contributions to the industry over the years,” says Pitts, “But what we’ve really done is take care of our customers.”