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A Hatton-Brown Publication HATTON-BROWN PUBLISHERS, INC. Street Address: 225 Hanrick Street Montgomery, AL 36104-3317 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2268 Montgomery, AL 36102-2268 Telephone (334) 834-1170 Fax 334-834-4525 Publisher David H. Ramsey Chief Operating Officer Dianne C. Sullivan

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Editor-in-Chief Rich Donnell Managing Editor Dan Shell Senior Associate Editor David Abbott Senior Associate Editor Jessica Johnson Associate Editor Patrick Dunning

Vol. 69, No. 3: Issue 686

OurCover Timber feller Jeff Tinbush, who works for Ziglinski Cutting, Scio, Ore., takes down another salvage tree as loggers across the state continue to recover from last fall’s disastrous wildfires.

Read about the damage and recovery effort beginning PAGE 10. (Steve Wilent photo; design by Shelley Smith)

Publisher/Editor Emeritus David (DK) Knight Art Director/Prod. Mgr. Cindy Segrest Ad Production Coord Patti Campbell Circulation Director Rhonda Thomas Online Content/Marketing Jacqlyn Kirkland ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES SOUTHERN USA Randy Reagor (904) 393-7968 • Fax: (334) 834-4525 E-mail: reagor@bellsouth.net

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20 Loggers Go Digital As More Machines Go Hi-Tech

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MyTake DAN SHELL

Spotted Owl Still Affecting Pacific Northwest Timber Looking at the news (page 6), I’m trying to decide if it’s hard to believe—or sadly all too believable—that the spotted owl and its habitat issues remain in federal court 31 years after the small, reclusive bird was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) listed the spotted owl formally in summer 1990, but it wasn’t until 30 years ago this month that the hammer came down: Federal judge William Dwyer issued an injunction in May 1991 that halted 171 active timber sales in Washington, Oregon and northern California and affected hundreds more in the planning stages.

Still in court after three decades of litigation Federal timber sale programs population models used for the listing in the Pacific Northwest—and really that, extrapolated backwards, would across the nation— have never been have meant skies darkened by owls the same since that day. just decades prior—all the way to toConsidering the way the owl was day’s radical barred owl shooting proused a tool in that region to not only grams designed to free up spotted owl halt federal timber sales in older age nest space in key habitat. class forests, but also to raise the issue Considering there are now foresters of old-growth timber harvests on pubworking on spotted owl issues who lic land nationwide, the tactic has been weren’t even born when the owl was incredibly effective in greatly reducing listed in 1990, maybe another 30 years federal timber harvests nationwide in court is all too believable as well. across the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management agencies in the years since.

Payeur: Amazing Career According to a 2019 report by the Following the recent anU.S. Congressional Research Service, nouncement that he’s retiring overall federal timber sales had fluctuthis year—he’s done it beated generally along with the economy fore!—Marcel Payeur, in the post-war era and were on the inQuadco Group Sales Specrease (over 10 billion BF) thanks to cialist and a former Southstar housing starts recovering from the part owner, is winding down early ‘80s recession when the owl was a highly varied and successlisted in 1990. Within six years of the ful logging equipment career listing, the FS contribution to overall that has spanned five deU.S. timber harvests went from 11% cades. to 5%. By 2011, that had fallen to bePayeur Payeur’s career began in tween 2%-3%.

1967 when he took a job as a mechanic There’s not near enough space here with Timberjack in Ontario. He started to cover the tragic absurdities that as a field mechanic and parts man, but have accompanied the owl saga: owl 4

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moved into sales and later into management. He soon made the decision to venture out on his own, opening a parts supply business in Vernon, BC in 1981.

The business was successful, eventually carrying Hyundai, Volvo and Tigercat logging equipment. (Payeur sold one of the first Waratah 620 processing heads in North America way before he eventually went into business with Waratah founder Dave Cochrane.) While running the dealership, Payeur also developed the Skylead, a small skidder-mounted yarder used in smaller timber.

Payeur got out of the dealership in 2004, considered himself “semi-retired,” but re-energized his career in 2011 when Southstar, a New Zealand-based attachments company, went up for sale.

Together with four former employees turned business partners, Payeur and his team purchased Southstar, which included founder Cochrane who started the company in 2007 after he sold Waratah to Deere in 2000. They began manufacturing in Canada and New Zealand, and expanded Southstar’s presence in the Western North American market.

During Payeur’s time with Southstar, the company developed hose-through design and four wheel drive processor heads, and was the first to offer all three model types in grapple processor design. Looking back, Payeur is proud to have been a part of a team focused on innovation and improvement and exceptional field support.

Payeur believes the decision to sell to Quadco in 2016 made sense because Quadco is committed to the industry and provides Southstar more global distribution opportunities. He’s been a fixture as a key part of Quadco’s sales team ever since, even after Komatsu bought Quadco in 2018.

Despite the announcement, Payeur says he’ll definitely be back in the Quadco booth when logTH ging shows resume!

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NewsLines IP Helping Fund New Forest Research Programs Again this year, International Paper (IP) is offering a program that’s funded $500,000 in academic research grants the past two years to explore new technology and key issues for forest landowners and the forest products industry.

Since 2019, International Paper has asked U.S. universities for research proposals to explore innovations in: remote sensing technology; timber supply modeling; understanding and managing risk from the forest to the mill; and the relative advantages of important global wood baskets.

During the past two years, six programs at four universities were selected for funding. North Carolina State University (NCSU) and Mississippi State University are researching timber supply modeling with the ultimate goal of improving market models that predict resource trends and prices. Virginia Tech and Texas A&M are exploring remote sensing technologies that will help characterize forest attributes. Virginia Tech is evaluating satellite and aerial imagery to estimate stand characteristics over large areas, and Texas A&M will be studying the use of space-borne and aerial sensors. Mississippi State University and NCSU are also conducting a comparative assessment of global wood fiber production.

Minnesota Group Literally ‘Logs A Load’ For Kids Earlier this year, Minnesota loggers and others worked a state timber sale north of Duluth that’s expected to net roughly $25,000 for the Log A Load for Kids program and Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare through the Children’s Miracle Network.

The harvest was organized by Tom McCabe of McCabe Forest Products, aided by multiple other companies in January and February. “It was a team effort,” McCabe said. “It’s been fun organizing the whole thing. It’s a great cause and we’re glad to help out the kids.”

The sale included 250 cords of aspen, pine, birch, maple, balsam, and spruce.

Waste Wood Recyclers handled felling and slashing, Watters Excavating provided delimbing, and Rick Olson did the skidding.

Several companies hauled the wood, 6 MAY/JUNE 2021

including Demenge Trucking and Forest Products, Al’s Excavating, Kimball’s Enterprise, Shermer Logging, Rieger Trucking, McCabe Forest Products, Jerry Donek, and Chuck Van Dorn.

Mills taking the timber included Hedstrom Lumber, Louisiana Pacific, Sappi, UPM Blandin and Lester River Sawmill.

SC Road Entrance Permit Now In Effect In South Carolina, the SCDOT Blanket Encroachment Permit is now in effect for temporary logging road entrances. The department requires an encroachment permit any time travel or work is done on or across a state owned right-of-way. The permit lets SCDOT know where the access is and what type of activity is being conducted and is required to be kept on the job site.

The SC Timber Producers Assn., Forestry Assn. of SC and the SC Forestry Commission worked with SCDOT to develop the temporary logging road access encroachment permit. The permit is annual, and there is no fee charged. The permit came to be required after some loggers constructed access roads in unsafe locations, improper drainage or otherwise damaged the state right-of-way.

Northern Spotted Owl Is Back In Courtroom Preservationist groups and timber industry interests have filed lawsuits against the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service over developments concerning critical habitat acreage designation for the Northern Spotted Owl, which has been listed as a “threatened” species (not endangered) since 1990 under the Endangered Species Act. Federal acreage set aside for the owl, and related reductions in national forest timber sales caused a major disruption to the Northwest forest products industry in the 1990s that lingers to this day.

Preservationists filed a lawsuit March 23 in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Portland Division, claiming USFWS bypassed procedures, laws and all reasonable discretion when in January the USFWS ruling published in the Federal Register eliminated 3.472 million acres of federal land from the owl’s critical habitat designation in Washington, Oregon and California counties—an amount that was increased from 204,000 acres in 15 Oregon counties in a prelimi-

nary proposal by USFWS in 2020. Preservationists are asking that the USFWS ruling be totally struck. Some of the preservationist groups acting as plaintiffs include Wilderness Society, Sierra Club, Audubon Society, Environmental Protection Information Center and others.

Meanwhile USFWS delayed the effective date of its ruling through the end of April and possibly beyond, calling for more public comment.

Subsequently, American Forest Resource Council joined the Assn. of O&C (Oregon & California) Counties and other counties in Washington, Oregon and California in a lawsuit challenging the USFWS delay in implementing its January ruling.

The AFRC lawsuit argues the USFWS critical habitat designation was the product of extensive public comments and is consistent with the agency’s obligations under the Endangered Species Act and the O&C Act. The lawsuit asks the U.S. District Court to vacate the USFWS’ delay and declare the 2021 critical habitat designation as immediately effective.

Neiman Closes Rushmore FP Neiman Enterprises, Inc. announced the shutdown of its sawmill, Rushmore Forest Products, in Hill City, SD, citing a lack of timber sales in the Black Hills National Forest.

“This decision does not come easily and our hearts are with those affected,” the company states.

The Hill City location directly employed 120, ran 12 contract crews and indirectly supported countless other local businesses. Hill City has a population of approximately 1,000.

Jim Neiman, President of Neiman Enterprises, Inc., comments, “I never thought I would see the day when we would be out of options to keep all our facilities running. Lumber markets have been exceptionally high for the past year and have broken all-time record highs.

The problem here is purely a lack of timber available for purchase in the Black Hills and we rely on the Forest Service for approximately 80 percent of our supply.”

The announcement comes as some groups push for continued and even further reductions in available timber. “Unfortunately, there are severe consequences associated with that push and TIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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NewsLines this announcement illustrates what is at stake in the Black Hills—our very ability to care for and manage our forests, and to support our communities,” Neiman says.

Ben Wudtke, Executive Director of Black Hills Forest Resource Assn., recalls the successes in fighting the mountain pine beetle in the Black Hills, but adds, “Waging those battles took all the forest products companies in the Black Hills to help save our forests. We have just lost some of our ability to win those battles.”

competing as the wholesale price of electricity fell.

OSU Researchers Predict Log Prices Researchers at Oregon State University say they have found a new way to predict the future price of logs that uses readily accessible economic information. “Log prices are really variable,”

says Jeff Reimer, a professor of applied economics at Oregon State. “That makes this a difficult business, whether you are a land manager, mill owner, timberland investor or, as we are seeing now, a home builder.”

The health of the timber industry can be measured in various ways, including harvest levels, employment in timber harvesting and at mills, and lumber demand. Yet the prices of cut and deliv-

Old G-P Board Plant Site Stirring Again in Michigan Fifteen years after Georgia-Pacific closed its Gaylord, Mich. particleboard plant, Michigan Lumber and Wood Fiber Inc. of Comins, Mich. bought the 850-acre parcel and is now working to build a new sawmill and fiber yard. The company hopes to begin construction in May and begin mill operations early in 2022, starting with stock lumber used to make pallets and crates for shipping products. The company looks to expand into higher grades of hardwood lumber in the future.

Michigan Lumber & Wood Fiber was founded in 2008 as a trucking firm that expanded into lumber and wood products under owner Tim Bills. Over a 10year period Bills was able to grow the sawmill in Comins into a major hardwood lumber concern in the Great Lakes region. Then came a devastating fire in June 2019 that destroyed the mill.

After considering how to reestablish itself in the lumber business, the company decided to purchase the G-P property.

Stored Solar Buys Biomass Power Plants Based in Enfield, Maine, Stored Solar LLC has acquired four non-operating wood chip power plants in New Hampshire and is attempting to bring them back on-line. In 2020, Stored Solar purchased biomass power plants in Whitefield and Springfield, both previously owned by EWP Renewable Corp., and the Pine Tree Power biomass power plants in Bethlehem and Tamworth.

The New Hampshire plants had been closed since 2019 following Gov. Chris Sununu’s veto of a bill to subsidize the wood-burning power plants, which were having a difficult time Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

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NewsLines ered logs may be the most direct way to monitor the condition of timber markets, Reimer says.

Reimer’s study, recently published in the journal Forest Policy and Economics, focused on Douglas fir, the most commercially important timber species in the Pacific Northwest. He found that simply knowing the number of housing permits issued in a month can explain about 46.8% of the variation in log

prices over time. Adding additional information—including the monthly inventory of homes, mortgage rates, the exchange rate with Canada (also a big timber supplier) and the Case-Shiller home price index—explains about threefourths (74.3%) of the price variation.

“These variables are readily observable and thus can be used by industry decision-makers to make better predictions about future values of logs and

timberland,” says Reimer, who cites data that shows the average price of Douglas fir logs between 2005 and 2020 was $631 per MBF in southern Oregon.

Yet this average disguises a great deal of variation in price. From 2005 to 2020, the price ranged from $346 per MBF to $924 per MBF. The difference between the minimum and maximum was $578, nearly as large as the 15-year average price itself. Since the paper was written, lumber prices have increased more, reaching the $1,000 per MBF range.

Oregon Biomass Operation Comes Back To Life Following a disastrous 2019 fire that threatened a decade of progress, a group of investors has purchased the assets of Integrated Biomass Resources (IBR) in Wallowa, Ore. to continue operating the small log processing facility as Heartwood Biomass LLC. According to Heartwood CEO David Schmidt, who founded the facility with his wife, Jesse, in 2009, the operation benefits from community support for Heartwood’s goal to create niche products from small diameter timber coming off forest restoration projects.

Schmidt believes the facility is scalable and similar ventures could operate in key forest restoration across the U.S. West. In addition to chips and biomass, the facility has produced wood products like bundled firewood for grocery stores; agricultural poles for hops, vineyard and orchard structures; and fence posts for ranches.

Enviva Builds More Wood Pellet Capacity Enviva has received the necessary permits to expand the Greenwood, SC plant production capacity to 600,000 metric tons per year. Construction is ongoing and the expansion is on track for completion by the end of 2021.

Enviva continues to commission certain assets and ramp production from existing expansion projects at its wood pellet production plants in Northampton, NC and Southampton, Va. Enviva expects each plant to reach production capacity of 750,000 MTPY by the end of 2021.

Enviva also plans projects at its pellet production plants in Sampson, NC; Hamlet, NC; and Cottondale, Fla. subject to receiving the necessary permits.

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Bob Ward, owner of VBW Logging, Mill City, Ore., works landing in Link-Belt 4640 loader.

Oregon Wildfires: Loggers Take $100 Million Hit Contractors recovering from major impacts STEVEWilent

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alvaging trees killed by wildfire is just like any other harvest: You aim to get the trees to the mill fast while keeping safety high and costs low. Other than that, it’s a whole new ballgame for the crews on the ground. Ash and soot clogs lungs and air filters. Trees fall faster without the needles to slow them, and wood made brittle by heat means more breakage. Some trees with burned-out roots fall unexpectedly, given a little push by a light wind. With little or no organic material left on the soil, rain and snow sometimes means shutting down machines until the soil dries out.

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As reported in “Western Loggers Hammered by Fire” in the November– December edition of Timber Harvesting, wildfires in 2020 set records for size, rate of spread, and intensity. In all, more than 10.1 million acres burned in the U.S. in 2020, including nearly 4.4 million acres in California and 1.2 million acres in Oregon, both records. Salvage harvests began even before the smoke cleared. The effects of these fires will be felt for years to come.

For contractors, salvage logging means higher costs and lower profit margins. Rex Storm, executive vice-president of the Associated Oregon Loggers, which represents about 1,000

companies, calculates that the 2020 wildfires in the state cost contractors roughly $100 million in losses—including 120 burned machines—and a range of unexpected expenses.

For landowners, wildfires mean dead timber. In September 2020, the Beachie Creek Fire burned 193,573 acres in the Cascades east of Salem, the state capital, more than 78,000 acres of which was private land. The fire ripped across 7,500 acres of the 17,000 acres owned by Freres Lumber Co., of Lyons, which produces veneer, plywood, mass plywood panels (MPPs), and lumber. The company is cutting the burned timber as fast as its TIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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Timber faller Jeff Tinbush (kneeling) of Ziglinski Cutting, Scio, Ore., has 40 years’ experience.

contractors can work. Company President Rob Freres figures that 70 million board feet (MMBF) was charred and that about 50MMBF is salvageable. At one point, Freres had four cutting contractors, three hot saws, five shovels, one yarder, and one helicopter working its land.

“When the fire was out, we finished up our federal timber contract logging and went directly to onto our land with five sides,” says Freres. “The fire occurred with 40- to 70-mile-per-hour winds, and the effect was to kill the needles and the tree and blacken the bark, so we’ve been able to recover a good deal of what was killed. If the fire got into the wood, then we’re leaving it for soil nutrient replacement. We are extremely cognizant of not getting char in the wood chips we send to our paper mill customers. We’ve been removing four million feet a month—50 loads a day—and we plan to keep that up through all of 2021. We think we will be able to wrap it up by the end of the year, but we’ll go into 2022 if there’s more to cut.”

The company spent about a month cutting pre-merchantable wood, “so we could get it off the ground to replant,” Freres adds. Many of the seedlings were planted amongst dead seedlings and saplings that will be left in place, as removing them would be expensive. The company will have planted about 450,000 seedlings by the end of the spring 2021 planting season. Company forester Aaron Hutchinson says Freres plans to plant nearly 4.5 million more seedlings over the next two years. (That is, if the seedlings are available in the midst of a severe shortage of baby trees.)

Freres is hauling trees from 25 to 100 years old that have merchantable wood. Its HewSaw can cut small-diameter logs into lumber, typically 2x3s, 2x4s, and 4x4s eight to ten feet long. Larger logs will be processed into veneer. The company typically uses about one third of the veneer it produces and sells the remainder on the open market. It buys the veneers it needs for the plywood “recipe” its plants use to make rough sheathing.

Higher-quality veneers go to facilities that produce engineered wood and appearance-grade plywood products.

Even with the large number of logs coming from its land, the company may not have enough to keep its mills veneer operating at capacity this year.

“There’s a great deal of uncertainty,

Aaron Wainman of Callsen Cutting, Stayton, Ore., operates John Deere 959 with Deere FR24B felling head.

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Jerry Earls, owner of Earls Bros. Logging, Molalla, Ore., operates Madill 071 yarder with sons Josh and Justin.

but I would suspect that we will be forced to forgo operating on overtime, even with good markets,” says Freres.

“It’s possible that we may have to reduce production by a shift in one of our veneer plants. We could supplement that veneer by purchasing from Canadian veneer plants.”

In normal years, Freres purchases 50% to 70% of the logs it uses from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (FS)—a far higher percentage than most other wood products producers in Oregon.

“We are unique in that we continue to be a very large public-timber purchaser—we’ve been the largest BLM timber contract holder in the state for the last eight to 10 years,” he explains.

“We have five cutting, yarding and hauling contractors that we try to keep busy all year long. So they were available to us for our salvage operations.”

Statewide Impacts Storm says the forest contractor community has responded well to the need for rapid post-fire harvesting in 12

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areas hit by the 2020 wildfires. With so many large salvage operations in western Oregon—Storm prefers “restoration” to “salvage”—contractors have come to the area from all over Oregon and Washington.

However, the $100 million in losses and costs related to the fires makes it tough for contractors to stay in business.

Storm breaks it down like this: ● Burned assets, equipment, and processed timber: $43 million ● Idled operation/income loss: $22 million ● Remobilization: $10 million ● Replacement premium for labor and assets: $20 million ● Equity recapitalization: $5 million “Number one is burned assets,” Storm says. “There are really two categories: equipment, hardware and supplies that were in the woods, and the processed timber—work the contractor has invested in that has not been delivered to the mill and paid for, and will never be paid for. That’s money lost. If a cable logging side is producing $7,000 or $8,000 a day and you have 10 days of work that was consumed or

significantly damaged, that’s $70,000 or $80,000 worth of work.

Maybe you can recover some of that, but you might have to spend $20,000 to recover $35,000 worth of processed logs.”

Storm knows one contractor who lost only one of his dozen machines, a loader, and is looking to replace it.

Another contractor lost his entire cable side, a yarder and supporting machines, and decided not to attempt to replace it. The statewide figure of $43 million in burned assets is not an exaggeration, he says. “If anything, I’d say it probably under-shoots the real number.”

Nearly all forest operations were suspended for eight days while the fires were burning, longer in some areas.

“What does it mean to a small business to be idled? When they are not working, there is a tremendous amount in fixed costs that still exist.

You can’t just eliminate all of your variable costs, and even if you could, you still have to pay your fixed costs.

So you’re losing money every day that you’re idled,” says Storm.

According to Storm, loggers in western Oregon deliver 77MMBF of logs to mills in a typical five-day workweek.

“That’s nonproduction of 77 million board feet, and that 77 million is not replaceable. Nobody is going to add a 53rd workweek to the year,” he says.

With Oregon experiencing a chronic forest-to-mill labor shortage, as are other states, contractors can’t afford to lay off their workers, even for short periods.

“The skilled worker is so valuable that, if you lay them off, you’re afraid that they will leave and go somewhere else. Or they just won’t come back. They’ll go on unemployment,” Storm says. “The federal and state governments have (during the Covid-19 pandemic) given unemployed workers extra benefits. That’s had the perverse effect of keeping folks at home. This has made the labor shortage even worse.”

Remobilization means moving equipment and people off of a logging site before it burns, then moving it back in when conditions allow. The Beachie Creek and other major Oregon fires blew up on September 7, Labor Day, when most crews were enjoying the holiday.

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Charred Douglas fir logs cut on Freres Lumber Co. land burned by the Beachie Creek Fire in September 2020 still maintain some value.

week of fire, every contractor that was within 10 miles of a fire broke down their equipment and moved it out. It was chaos,” Storm says.

“These fires were moving like nobody had ever seen before, so everybody was moving out, if they could— if they were even allowed to get back into the area. So there was about a month of moving things around, and typically the contractors don’t get paid for that sort of thing.”

The $10 million in remobilization costs includes the acquisition and transportation of machines to replace those lost in the fire.

“There were about 120 machines that were burned up in two days’ time. Well, there aren’t necessarily 120 of those machines sitting on a lot that can be bought and moved into the job. It creates a shortage of available equipment, and having to go find that equipment, buy it and transport it adds to the remobilization costs,” says Storm.

With a shortage of new and used equipment available for purchase, the prices for that equipment increased, he adds: “You know what happens when there’s a shortage. The supply-demand curve shifts. Machines cost more, because whoever has that machine realizes that it’s now a lot more valuable.”

The same principle also applies to labor and capital: when supplies are short, both come at a premium price.

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“When you have a sudden need to replace equipment, remobilize equipment, and continue making payroll, you have a big cash flow shortage” Storm said. “I talked to one contractor who was thinking about buying a loader at the end of August. A few weeks later, after the fire, the vendor wanted $40,000 more for that same machine.”

With a narrower profit margin, such costs are difficult to take on.

“Say a contractor was on a twomonth contract. Well, they still have that contract, but now the price of everything has gone up—labor, equipment. The cost of delivering that service has gone up almost overnight, but they still hold a contract that was negotiated at a lower rate,” says Storm.

“I can’t think of a contractor that wasn’t affected in terms of their cash flow and their need for capital, because of the idling, because of the relocation and remobilization. Small businesses usually don’t have that capital, and they acquire it at a premium.

They’re borrowing it in a less than desirable situation, and everything comes at a higher price. The machine they need costs more, so they have to borrow more money.”

Most of the costs Storm describes don’t get the same attention as the other, more sensational costs of wildfires.

“The costs are hidden amongst the small business contractor community.

It’s disaggregated amongst hundreds

of companies, but it all adds up,” Storm says. “They talk about the firefighting costs for that (Labor Day) week as something like $120 million.

But nobody talks about the costs to small business people.”

Despite the challenges, the contractor community will recover, Storm believes: “The supply-demand curve will function and the contractor community is very resilient and will rebound. Increased rates will result in the necessary investments needed to get back into business, to acquire the equipment, labor and capital needed to accomplish production.

“Talking about these economic impacts is a negative story, but I think the underlying story is that the contractor community is very innovative, and that hasn’t changed,” he continues. “They are still land stewards who have a high level of commitment to producing quality products, safely. They are responding. The contractor community will produce the desired results in the long run. They will rebound and respond to market signals that warrant their investments. The Phoenix will rise out of the TH ashes, if you will.”

Steve Wilent of Zigzag, Ore. is a freelance writer/editor with degrees in forestry and journalism. He is also a forestry and natural-resources instructor at Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham, Ore. and once long ago, he was a choker setter and knot bumper.

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Appalachian Hardwoods: Log Grading, Scaling NC family encounters rough patch but endures; works to enhance logging’s image.

Seeking a true standard for the industry CURTHassler, JOEMcNeel, JORDANThompson

Inconsistent grading practices mean getting the best value can be difficult.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is part one of a two-part series on hardwood mill practices in the Appalachian region, based on studies performed by the West Virginia University Appalachian Hardwood Center.

R

esearchers with the Appalachian Hardwood Center (AHC) at West Virginia University have recently conducted more than 60 studies at sawmills in six states to better understand log grades, lumber grade yields and pricing of hardwood logs.

In the course of these studies, the AHC became aware that mills had created their own de facto systems— unique to each individual mill or company. While these mill specific systems could vary considerably in how logs were graded/classified, certain commonalities were evident, including species, scaling diameter and number of clear faces. Certain nuances in assigning a grade were applied by mills, with no consistency between mills and could include log length, position in the tree (butt or 16

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upper log), and log end conditions.

Mills in nine Appalachian states were surveyed to determine procurement strategies and identify common grading and scaling measurement protocols that could be used in the development of a regional hardwood log grading and scaling system. This article documents how the hardwood industry, in the absence of a standardized industry-wide log grading system, conducts grading and scaling operations for hardwood logs in the Appalachian region.

The survey is based on 110 useable survey responses. Responding mill production levels range from 0.04 to 150MMBF in annual output.

Scaling Diameter, Length Scaling of hardwood logs is arguably just as important as grading since log pricing is based on both grade and volume of a log. The two measurements required to determine log volume are scaling diameter and length.

Scaling diameter for hardwood logs is

determined by measuring the diameter inside the bark at the small end of the log (DIB). Total log length is measured in feet. With these two measurements, the total volume in board feet can be calculated using an established log rule. Three log rules consistently used by the industry include the Doyle, Scribner, and International ¼ in. Log Rules.

The most common log rule used by mills was the Doyle log rule, with 76% reporting its use. The second most common log rule was Scribner Decimal C (11%), followed by the International ¼ log rule (10%). Three percent of the surveyed mills used some combination of log rules, but in all cases, Doyle was part of the combination. The Doyle log rule was used consistently across all nine states in the sample, with Ohio and West Virginia using it exclusively. The International Log Rule saw the greatest use in Virginia and North Carolina, while the Scribner Decimal C log rule was used mostly in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

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Four options for measuring scaling diameter were reported in the survey: Average—The largest and smallest measurement taken through the center of the heart added together and divided by two; Short-way only (SWO)—the shortest measurement of diameter crossing through the heart of the log; Short-way then 90 degrees to that- (SW+90)—the shortest measurement of diameter crossing through the heart of the log and then 90 degrees to that, adding those two measurements together, and dividing by two; and Other—including purchasing logs by weight and measuring just the small end of the log inside bark (with no further explanation).

The two most common methods reported were Average (43%) and (SW+90) (31%), with a combined total of over 74% of responses.

There were six methods reported by respondents for handling fractional inches when measuring scaling diameter. The options were: A—Round up if the fraction is 0.5 inches (34%) B—Alternate rounding up and down if the fraction equals 0.5 inches (24%) C—Round up if the fraction is 0.75 inches (10%) D—Always round down (9%) E—Round down if the fraction is ≤0.5 inches (8%) F—Other options included rounding based on log quality or an implication that no rounding took place (15%) Mills were asked whether they buy logs of even lengths only or if they also buy odd length logs. For 107 responding mills, 60% purchased only even length logs, while the remaining 40% purchased both even and odd length logs. For those mills that purchase only even length logs, this creates a possible situation where a logger produces a 9 ft. log, sells it as an 8 ft. log to the mill—and the mill then produces and sells 9 ft. boards.

Trim allowance ensures that a mill can saw lumber full length and not be forced to trim a foot or more. Of the 100 mills responding, 26% preferred four inches of trim, while 25% of the respondents reported using “Other” preferred lengths of trim ranging from 0-12 inches. Twenty-five percent preferred six inches of trim and 24% preferred a range between four and six inches.

If the preferred trim allowance was not present in a log, respondents were asked what trim allowance is accept-

In many cases, mills use established scaling rules, but then add their own “rules of thumb” that result in custom scaling practices.

able before initiating a scale-based length deduction. A variety of minimum trim allowances were reported: 1 inch—20%; 2 inches—32%; 3 inches—12%; 4 inches—16%; Other—20%.

Scaling Deductions Defects that affect lumber yield present a range of issues. Questions were posed about specific scaling defects, including double hearts, sweep, holes and shake. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of log scaling is dealing with scaling defects and developing a basic understanding of how they are handled. Understanding how they are most handled by the industry can help define the best options for a standardized scaling system.

A double heart is created when the bole of a tree diverges and forms two forks, a common occurrence in hardwood logs with a negative effect on log value and lumber quality. Mills provided nine different approaches to determining the amount of deduction for double-hearted logs.

Concerning deductions for sweep, about 37% of responding mills use diameter and length deductions when handling sweep, 33% reported using a diameter deduction only, nearly 18% used a length deduction only, while 12% did not use any diameter or length deductions.

Holes that occur due to heart rot

generally affect the cant section of the log where the cant is located. It is generally difficult to assess the impact of a hole and associated decay on lumber recovery and quality.

Nearly 37% of responding mills use both diameter and length deductions for holes; just over 27% used a length deduction only; and 25% used diameter only. Nearly 11% of surveyed mills did not use any diameter or length deduction and instead simply estimate the board footage loss caused by the defect through a visual inspection.

Shake occurs as an end defect in hardwood logs, where the growth rings separate from each other. Almost 39% of responding mills used both diameter and length when making deductions for shake, followed by 27% that used a length deduction only and 21% used only a diameter deduction. Just over 13% of the surveyed mills used only visual assessments of the loss of board footage caused by the defect.

Grading Protocols Grading hardwood logs is a process that uses the exterior features of logs to determine quality (or grade).

Generally, a log is divided into four quadrants or faces, and each face is evaluated independently to determine the presence or absence of defects.

The grade is then based, in part, on the number of clear faces.

Of the mills sampled, 89% grad-

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Wide scaling variability among log buyers makes for inefficient economic decisions across the industry.

ed logs without rolling to examine all four sides/faces, while only 11% indicated they did roll logs when grading. The failure to roll the log is probably associated with saving time in a production setting where time is of the essence in getting loads graded and scaled as quickly as possible.

About 42% assumed the bottom of the log was “similar to other 3 sides,” followed by 34% of respondents assuming “clear.” Assuming the bottom face is “clear” is often a false assumption that unfairly boosts the quality of a particular log. “Other” responses (24%) assumed that the bottom face on each log has at least one defect or that half of the logs contained defects on the bottom face.

Finally, mills were asked if they would support the development of a standard log grading system. Of the mills that responded, 66% indicated they would support such an effort, 34% would not. Mill size did not play a role in defining whether a mill would support the introduction of a standardized log grading system.

Conclusions The various scaling and grading protocols examined in this survey confirm that log grading and scaling are highly variable and depend in many cases on mill-based rules of thumb relative to grading and scaling standards.

A variety of ad hoc systems are used in Appalachia, making it difficult to reach intelligent economic decisions about where to sell logs to maximize value. Ad hoc grading and scaling protocols do not serve the best interests of the hardwood industry. However, the authors believe the 18

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results do indicate a reasonable path forward in developing a standardized system.

The Doyle log rule was by far the most common rule in use. But for a standardized system to attain broad acceptance, all three rules cited by respondents must be permitted (Doyle, Scribner, and International ¼ inch).

Similarly, the option of buying both even and odd length logs must be included, even though a majority of mills (58%) purchased only even length logs.

Further, the issue of trim allowance showed that discussion among log grading practitioners and mills would be necessary to reach consensus about handling such important factors in a standardized system.

In the case of scaling diameter, a method must be chosen that is common but also does not favor buyer or seller in any significant way. The most common response was to measure the smallest diameter then the largest diameter and average them—but that tends to slightly favor the seller of logs.

The best option appears to be: measure the shortest diameter, rotate 90° and take the second diameter measurement, and then average them.

This was the second most common response (31%).

Handling fractional portions of an average scaling diameter also resulted in a number of options reported by respondents. Perhaps the most logical approach is to simply decide how to handle a half-inch fraction. For practical purposes, a rule that says “…round down if the fraction is ≤0.5 inches and round up if the fraction is >0.5 inches…” seems reasonable.

The survey was not designed to

elicit specific rules of thumb being used by respondents, as that would have unduly complicated the responses. The most reasonable approach is to analyze log and lumber yield data in a way that the selection of a rule-of-thumb would not significantly alter the overrun/underrun expected from the log in the absence of the scaling defect.

Even with 66% of responding mills favoring a standardized system, the elements of such a system must be simple to use in a production setting, mirror what the industry is currently using and serve as the basis for efficiently pricing hardwood logs.

Log grades must be based on extensive empirical data that is collected on a “per log” basis. The grades would necessarily be based on lumber yields of NHLA lumber grades, which relate back to scaling diameter and number of clear faces. It’s only by combining log grade with overrun/underrun, sawing costs and lumber/cant pricing that the pricing of logs can be consistently determined.

Barriers are created when sawmills offer a variety of scaling and grading options. In that case, it can be difficult to define the best option for producers, landowners and contractors. The opinions of all interested stakeholders must be considered in order to ensure acceptance, implementation and continued development of a standardized hardwood log grading system.

Joseph McNeel is Director of the West Virginia University Appalachian Hardwood Center (WVU AHC); Curt Hassler is a research professor at WVU AHC; and Jordan Thompson is a procurement forester for Millwood Lumber in Gnadenhutten, Ohio.

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New School Logging Adapts Technology To On-Site Work As equipment evolves, loggers are adding more technology to boost operations.

PATRICKDunning

W

oods equipment operators for me is, let’s say I’m on a 100-acre across the country have entimber plot with three access roads. rolled their machinery in What I can do on onX is go to the end the new school of digital logging: utiof one of our spur roads and drop a lizing third-party mapping software waypoint then measure the distance and OEM online interface technology it’s across within the app,” Higdon exon timber stands and taking advantage plains. “I can draw a line and divide of the ability to remotely form boundmy whole unit out using the app so I ary lines while improving job-site data know right where I’m at and what way collection and presentation at the touch of a button.

Kyle Higdon, 34, operator and mechanic for Allen Brothers Forestry Management, Arlington, Wa., says he’s been using Avenza Maps and onX Hunt applications interchangeably for the company’s exclusively Caterpillar equipment lineup for the past two years.

Higdon installed Avenza on a GPS-guided Samsung Galaxy tablet for mapping and onX Hunt on his personal iPhone for the homeowner side of operations. The additions better equip his 552 Caterpillar track feller-buncher and increase clarity on a tract Allen Brothers is cutting for Rayonier.

“Avenza is what we’re mapped on; it shows you all your creek crossings, creek types, roads and boundaries,” Higdon says. “onX tells you your footages, lengths and measurement distances with waypoints for reference.” Foresters In-woods telematics are changing the way loggers operate physically hike the stand and mark on a daily basis. all trees and creeks with a handheld tracker before emailing it to Higthe tree should be angled so it’s the don who then accesses it via both of least amount of footage to the road.” his handheld devices. onX’s program contains toggle maps, Higdon became interested in onX satellite imagery and mixes in with after a friend was in a snowmobile acciboundary and private-property lines all dent that sent his sled 4,000 ft. down a compiled into one application; with the chute and buried in an avalanche. The names, phone numbers and street adfriend was okay, but got Higdon thinkdresses of any homeowners bordering ing of a better way to map waypoints. the respective timberland listed in the He did some research, downloaded the event they need to be contacted. app and progressively used it more and “You’d be amazed how many peobecame dependent on its accuracy. ple build shops behind their homes “Most of the time we’re cutting next next to these timber stands. When I go to private property. The biggest thing through and take the land manager’s 20

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timber, sometimes I’m sitting there and notice for example, a person has six fir trees exposed and the wind is blowing right into their house,” Higdon says. “A quick swipe of the button and I’m calling the homeowner’s telephone number and saying hey, I’m looking at your house right now. If you want these trees taken down I’ll drop them and leave them on your property or dispose of them. A lot of homeowners think it’s the coolest thing ever.”

Shortly following the addition of onX, Higdon began asking himself what he’s going to do in areas where he doesn’t have cellular service.

During a backcountry UTV ride Higdon noticed a friend with a tablet mounted on the dash of his side-byside. “I asked him what that tablet was for and he told me ‘oh yeah, this thing is tracking us,’” Higdon recalls. “We got to talking and next thing you know I purchased a tablet and the app too. I can click on it and it’ll tell me the exact footage all the way across the unit right down to the grade of the land and when you’re on a hillside.”

Even the landowners are impressed with this new method of mapping, Higdon says. He spends approximately 20 minutes on his phone the first day on a new job-site dropping waypoints, measuring distances, then setting his phone on a holder before felling trees. “If I have any questions about footage, acreage, property line disputes, anything, I can figure them out on my phone or tablet.”

The dark ages of lacing up your boots and running ribbons to and from trees are gone, and so is manually mapping a stand. Instead, Hidgon removes the labor and guesswork and harvests close to 1,000 trees on the first day.

“It saves so much time not having to string line, tie it off, walk down the road and look at my counter when I hit the next road and say okay that’s 1, 800 TIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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These days, cell phones are almost as important as skidders.

ft.,” he says. “I can sustainably keep ahead of the company and still do all equipment maintenance on schedule. I have a shorter day schedule than our guys on the landing.”

In Lakeland, Ga., Brandon Rampey, owner, Renewable Energy Innovations Inc., runs predominately Caterpillar forestry equipment and the pro version of Caterpillar’s Product Link for wireless connectivity to his machines. Product Link offers two network connections, cellular and satellite, with similar functionalities but varying time intervals for feedback. Both options provide the machine’s location, productivity, fuel consumption, idle time and fault codes. The satellite box provides machine output every four to six hours while the cellular box option provides hourly and daily data depending on the logger’s preference. Rampey prefers cellular because of its daily feedback.

“Before I start in the morning Product Link will download the prior day’s information and I’ll know what’s going on under the hood,” he says. “You can compile the information and really dive into it. If my operator calls me right now and says he had a fault code pop up I can look at that machine and see the code too.”

Diagnostic information under the hood goes through the Cat engine’s control module to the J1839 channel and broadcasts a fault code to the Product Link for immediate troubleshooting.

For support, Rampey looks to one of his dealers, Yancey Bros. Co., Valdosta, Ga., where Michael Kable, condition monitoring program manager, says potentially 50% or more of their

Ponsse’s Opti 8 software comes standard in all harvesters and forwarders beginning 2021.

customers in the greater Atlanta area are utilizing Product Link. “We make it easy for our customers to get access to their data either through the Cat app, my.cat.com, or VisionLink for fleet management,” Kable says. “We started making a big push for Product Link back in 2015.”

Product Link has helped open doors to the future of digital logging technology, Kable says. And though newer elements haven’t hit the forestry industry side of Caterpillar yet, electronic technicians are a remote resource loggers and dealers alike are beginning to use.

“What we’re getting into today hasn’t hit the logging world just yet, but the Weiler brand still have Cat engines so we can do remote flash and troubleshoot,” Kable says. “I can update the machine from my computer, send a request and send files to the machine and do a flash on it without a technician plugged in.”

Kable can use his computer at home to remotely provide solutions to a machine in Arkansas if he wants to. “It helps with maintenance and time and this is where everything is going,” he says. “It’s getting more in depth.”

The father-son duo of Aaron, 63, and Benjamin, 35, Burmeister of Burmeister Logging, Seymour, Wi., are tackling a 1600-acre tract with extensive blowdown in wake of widespread storm damage from 2020’s Derecho in the Midwest. They decided to integrate JDLink and onX Maps into their two ’18 John Deere 1270D harvesters and ’19 John Deere 1110G forwarder last year to ap-

proach this plot with more transparency and less head scratching.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if 50% of the timber on this job was destroyed,” Benjamin says. “JDLink hasn’t necessarily increased production for us but it has increased clarity. With the blowdown we are dealing with here you sometimes can’t see property lines.”

Aaron admits the notion to go digital was mostly his son’s idea, pointing to their difference in age and technological competency. But with how much storm damage the area received they weren’t quite sure how to manage otherwise.

The Burmeister’s friends at McCoy Construction & Forestry, Merrill, Wisc., helped set them up with JDLink’s mapping software and the two began tackling the tract piece by piece.

“They got us set up with JDLink and I got on Google Earth on my home computer and marked every trail I could see. I manually transferred it to the mapping on our machines so we knew where the trails were and where we needed to start,” Benjamin says.

“Then we started attacking this huge job one section at a time and cleaned up all the pine trees first because they were the easiest to see on Google Earth. And did the same thing and marked all the oak too. It’s awesome that I can sit at home and make a map that all three machines with the software can see.”

Benjamin compares JDLink’s mapping display to a storm radar with red, yellow and orange colors indicating side hills, steep slopes, ravines and crevasses over a satellite image. “If the harvester comes across a wet area you can drop a

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Machine operators or technicians can send simple text messages with RemoteLog through the Tigercat LogOn interface when no network is available.

JDLink automatically reports, transmits hours and location data.

pin on the spot where it’s wet and the forwarder will know it’s a wet area and geofence it in. If you get within 20 meters an alarm will go off in the cab.”

This element was particularly important during an overstory pine removal with thick understories and limited visibility with the naked eye.

Aaron favors the onX Maps aspect of the company’s online integration in the woods. JDLink’s software doesn’t include property lines so Aaron physically walks the boundaries and adds them to onX’s mapping program; even tracking where he walks and marking downed trees for reference. There have been instances where the forester marked over the property line and Aaron caught the mishap because of their mapping.

“My son is good at this because he’s at the electronic age,” Aaron says.

“In the morning I turn my onX on and at the end of the day I know where I’ve been. We’ve been on this job about two years and it all shows up with teal lines and it’s gathering data throughout.”

Systems Here’s just a small sample of the wide variety of machine systems that offer mapping, operations monitoring, fleet management, service alerts and much more. ● John Deere—JDLink is a telematics solution that remotely connects customers to their equipment through a web-based interface called JDLink Dashboard or the JDLink mobile app, boosting overall job site productivity and efficiency. JDLink provides information on machine data, including lo22

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cation, performance, health, and usage.

By better understanding machine usage parameters like time at engine load levels, forward and reverse distance traveled, reverse distance traveled and idle times, equipment managers can make more informed decisions on the timing of rebuilds or machine replacement. Maintenance is simpler, as customers can set up machines with maintenance plans, log maintenance activity on a machine already enrolled, and have a report emailed listing all the machines in the fleet, stating the hours until the next maintenance interval. It’s all reported automatically based on the hours and location data acquired on the machine and transmitted via JDLink.

Machine health data and alerts are critical inputs to improving machine uptime and lowering costs. Remote diagnostics and programming gives John Deere dealers the ability to remotely read and clear diagnostic codes without traveling to the job site. This means getting to the job site with the right part the first time and getting machines up and running in less time. ● Ponsse—The basic principle behind Ponsse Opti information systems is user-friendliness, designed according to operators’ wishes and landowner requirements. The Ponsse Opti system’s easy-to-use programs offer convenience in the use, control and calibration of forest machines and the management of bucking files. Ponsse Opti 8 is a state-of-the-art touchscreen computer. User-friendliness, a large high-res display, high ergonomics in the cabin and responsiveness encompass the technical and visual design of the Ponsse Opti 8 computer: all to im-

prove the working conditions for machine operators.

The new Opti 8 computer offers more power and memory, resulting in faster and smoother operations. Hard disk storage has been doubled, ensuring capacity for future applications. The design of the Ponsse Opti 8 computer focuses on performance in a demanding environment. The computer was developed by Ponsse with the group’s technology company Epec. The Opti 8 computer will come as standard in Ponsse harvesters and forwarders from the beginning of 2021.

The Opti 8 computer is designed to meet the high-quality requirements of Ponsse forest machines and forest companies. Other features include larger 15.6 in. display with first-rate brightness, resolution and viewing angle; capacitive touchscreen used as on mobile devices; immediate starting, also in extreme cold; and a Windows 10 operating system. ● Tigercat—Tigercat has introduced a new text messaging feature on its powerful RemoteLog telematics system. Using the same satellite connection as RemoteLog, machine operators or technicians may now send and receive simple text messages when no cellular mobile network is available.

There is no need for another messaging service – RemoteLog does it all.

Worksite supervisors can send messages to machine operators quickly and easily. Get direct support at the jobsite from your Tigercat dealer when your phone is out of coverage range. Optimize your forestry operations through better communication. Purchase a pay-as-you-go text messaging data plan from your ➤ 37 TIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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The MS930, MS931, and MS933 LOGXTRA Series provide strong solutions for loggers at a price that delivers an outstanding return on your investment. Visit maxamtire.com

Olofsfors Increases Traction, Output Olofsfors is a Swedish based company founded in 1762 with North American operations in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Olofsfors is the market leader in bogie tracks for CTL machinery and wheel tracks for skidders and wheeled feller bunchers.

Specific to skidders, Olofsfors offers ECO-Wheel Tracks to boost productivity and increase traction. ECO-Wheel Tracks are traction aids developed and designed to suit the most demanding terrain and machine sizes. ECOWheel Tracks provide numerous benefits over conventional chains including increased traction, less spin and grab, easier and less maintenance and can fit on used tires.

ECO-Wheel Tracks are available for tire sizes 23.1 x 26 to 35.5 x 32 and come standard with the 1" link system. ECOWheel Tracks are only available in one model that is based around the bestselling ECO-Track model.

For CTL machines, Olofsfors offers a wide range of bogie track models and linkage systems for various machine configurations and ground conditions. Most track ECO-Wheel Tracks provide models are now available in the next generation of curved cross members for innumerous benefits over con- creased flotation, less ground disturbance and easier machine turning. ventional chains including in- The track assortment ranges from traction only, flotation only and all around.

Along with 5 different link systems, Olofsfors has the most track options available creased traction, less spin, on the market today. New for 2021 is a larger 29 mm (1⅛") link system. It features a easier maintenance and can 29 mm (1⅛") link and wider and thicker link hook for increased lifetime.

Olofsfors has nine families of track models. The All Around tracks are ECOfit on used tires.

Track and KovaX. Both of these models provide good traction along with good flotation. The Traction tracks include EX, OF and EVO with EX providing the most traction. The Flotation tracks consist of Baltic, U and CoverX. Coming in 2021 is our most durable and longest lasting track line called Heavy Duty. The HD tracks feature more material in the cross members and paired with the 30 mm linkage system are perfectly suited for large forwarders and six-wheel skidders. ECO HD will be the first heavy duty track coming this summer. Visit olofsfors.com Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

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EquipmentWorld NAF Invests In Test Center Groundbreaking was held at the new NAF Neunkirchener Achsenfabrik building in Neunkirchen am Brand, Germany, marking the start of construction of a new test center. The building comprises a production shop and an office building with a footprint of 2,000 m² as well as corresponding outdoor facilities.

The new test center will be used to test the strength of NAF products on

ultra-modern, sound-insulated test rigs, some of which are equipped with decoupled foundations with vibration isolation. The planned test rigs will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and will permit endurance testing of the structure and drive train of the axles and transmissions.

NAF produces axles and drive trains for self-propelled machines (forestry harvesters, excavators, combine harvesters, etc.).

The new facilities will mean that NAF’s newly developed products can

New NAF test center will improve quality, boost product development, add flexibility.

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be brought to market more quickly; investment will therefore strengthen the flexibility and innovative power of the dynamically growing company.

A photovoltaic system (1000 m² / 200 kWp) will be installed on the new building, which, together with energy-efficient construction and energy recovery, will contribute to environmentally friendly operation.

New Dates Planned For Mid-Atlantic Expo Following up on the pandemic postponement of the 2021 Mid-Atlantic Logging, Biomass and Landworks EXPO, the producers of the event, Carolina Loggers Assn. and North Carolina Forestry Assn., announce that the next Mid-Atlantic Logging, Biomass and Landworks EXPO will be held April 29-30, 2022.

With a very strong demand expected for the Mid-Atlantic region event in 2022, the producers continue to plan for an excellent event that will exceed expectations. Vendors can re-

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EquipmentWorld serve their spots now. Contact Jonzi Guill at jguill@ncloggers.com.

The Mid-Atlantic Logging, Biomass and Landworks EXPO is a nonprofit event that showcases the latest logging equipment and supplies from leading manufacturers to more than 2,500 attendees. Visit loggingexpo.com.

John Deere Unveils Precision Forestry John Deere announces its Precision Forestry initiative, a focused approach to its job site technology solutions.

Through Precision Forestry, John Deere is reorganizing its technology portfolio and doubling down on its efforts in delivering solutions designed to increase efficiency and productivity in the woods. The shift to Precision Forestry aligns with the brand’s Smart Industrial operating model, through which John Deere aims to deliver increased customer value by focusing on three core areas: Production Systems, Technology Stack and Lifecycle Solutions.

“Previously, the industry has fo-

cused on developing bigger, faster, more powerful machines to boost performance, but larger machines sometimes present more challenges, especially on job sites with limitations,” says Matthew Flood, product marketing manager, John Deere. “With the Precision Forestry initiative, we’re organizing our portfolio to create a foundation for the future of forestry machines and job site technology.”

Precision Forestry is a more descriptive term for what customers can expect from the John Deere technology suite, including real-time, mapbased production planning and tracking capabilities along with new and evolving operator assistance capabilities. This new alignment lays the groundwork for the future of technology solutions, as John Deere builds in these core areas to help customers work faster and smarter on the job site. For customers, the new Precision Forestry direction will simplify the John Deere technology portfolio, making it easier to select and adopt customized solutions based on their

unique job site needs.

To learn more about Precision Forestry technology offerings, visit johndeere.com/forestry.

Doosan Announces Top 2020 Dealers Doosan Infracore North America, LLC announced its top 10 performing dealers of 2020 from among more than 160 Doosan equipment dealers in North America.

Doosan annually recognizes its heavy equipment dealers that have excelled in providing top-level performance in sales, parts and service to the customers in their respective markets.

The top 10 Doosan dealers of 2020 include the following enterprises (headquarters in parentheses): —Barry Equipment Co. (Webster, Mass.), fourth consecutive year —Bobcat of Mandan Inc (Mandan, ND), third consecutive year —Brown’s Industrial Sales (Lloydminster, Alberta) —CG Equipment (Guelph, On-

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EquipmentWorld tario), second consecutive year —Coastal Machinery (Pensacola, Fla.), second consecutive year —Equipment East, LLC. (Dracut, Mass.) fourth consecutive year —G. Stone Commercial Div. (Middlebury, Vermont) —Hartington Farm Services Ltd. (Hartington, Ontario) —Theco Inc. (Big Lake, Minn.)

—Wilson Equipment (Central Point, Ore.), third consecutive year “There are four dealers joining this list for the first time, which is reflective of their hard work growing the Doosan brand in their regions,” says Todd Roecker, Doosan Director of Dealer Management and Marketing. .”

Top-performing dealers are offered a selection of several incentives that they may choose from, which will improve their profitability when selling and servicing Doosan equipment. In addition, Doosan North American leadership may look to these dealers for valuable input regarding Doosan initiatives and direction as they represent the dealer network.

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The Future: Low Pressure Tires Reduce Compaction The Alliance Forestar ELIT is the forestry tire of the future, says Terry Goodwin, National Sales Manager–Forestry for Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America, Inc. “Any day of the week,

you could have inspectors from the landowner, the state, the buyer, FSC— people from all over—looking at the condition of your logging site while you’re working. You’ve got to keep that soil healthy and demonstrate that you’re operating as responsibly as possible.”

Helping loggers soften their foot-

The Alliance Forestar ELIT keeps loggers working, helps keep loggers certified.

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EquipmentWorld print on fragile soils has inspired a bold, new flotation technology: the Alliance Forestar 344 ELIT, the world’s first low-pressure forestry tire. The Alliance ELIT operates at half the inflation pressure of conventional forestry tires—36 PSI vs. the 73 PSI typically needed to handle the heavy work of timber harvest and hauling.

To create a tire that operates with such low inflation pressure, the engineering team developed a special, steel-reinforced sidewall and dual-bead bundle that resists slip and maintains a tight grip on the rim without high air pressure. The bead bundle also allows loggers to mount the 710/45-26.5 ELIT on a standard AG 24.00 rim.

The flexible sidewalls and sturdy undertread of the ELIT spread the load across a footprint that is up to 26% larger than a standard forestry tire.

Goodwin says the effects are visible from the start.

“Cutting compaction in half has a huge effect on the roots and microbes in the top foot of the soil,” he notes.

“Plus, the ELIT features the Alliance 344 tread with the self-cleaning bars, wide lug nose and center tie-bar to stabilize the tread, so you get great flotation and great traction at the same time—without tearing up the ground.”

Visit yokohama-oht.com

log handler shows up to work every day to keep the wood moving.

Three years ago, though, uptime in the yard was a challenge. Their previous log loader could keep up with the required pace of deliveries, but if the machine had a technical problem, it could cause serious productivity issues.

When their previous loader was ruined in a fire, Moore and his team thought twice about how to replace it.

In the summer of 2018, they chose to purchase a new Sennebogen 830 MT from the nearby Fort St. John branch of Great West Equipment. The 830 M-T is a 91,000 lb. (41,400 kg), 225 HP (168 kW) machine built specifically for log handling and trailer-pulling applications. A specially reinforced undercarriage features dual transmissions, providing powerful 4-wheel traction.

Log Handler Does The Job

Cameron River found a log handler it can rely on.

Nothing much has changed over the past three years at Cameron River Logistics (CRL) in Taylor, BC, and that is a good thing.

The huge transload facility in BC’s Peace River district still receives up to 50 truckloads a day of 16 ft. CTL spruce logs. Dozens of train cars leave the yard every week, moving the logs to the Dunkley sawmill five hours south. And the Sennebogen 830 M-T Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

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InnovationWay Tigercat Upgrades Logger The Tigercat 875E logger offers several new features, including an updated operator station, two undercarriage options, and various grapple configurations to tailor the machine to your specific needs.

The 875E logger is a multi-purpose carrier with two boom options for loading or processing applications. The machine can be equipped with the Tigercat FPT N67 Non-certified, Tier 4f or Stage V engine, producing 210 kW (282 HP).

The undercarriage is designed and built to withstand rigorous, full-time forest duty applications. Two options are available: The F7-150 undercarriage is standard. The larger footprint F7-162 undercarriage provides additional stability for heavy timber applications.

The 875E can be configured as a loader equipped with various power clam, butt-n-top, live heel, pulpwood and log grapple options. The carrier can also be configured as a high-capacity processor capable of running large harvesting heads in demanding duty cycles.

The spacious cabin has a new operator’s seat with built-in heating. Controls are now integrated into both sides of the joystick pods, eliminating the need for any bolt-on control pods. The optimally positioned controls and a large touchscreen display improve ergonomics and machine monitoring. Visit tigercat.com

Cat Next Generation The new Caterpillar Next Generation 538 Forest Machine features several significant design upgrades that make it a top choice for working with timber. Available in log loader and general forest configurations, the 538 has a new electrohydraulic control system with 10% more swing torque that allows the machine to do work with more power and precision. Updates to the drive system result in a 12% increase in travel speed, helping the Cat Next Generation 538 cover more ground and move up and down slopes faster. High wide undercarriage provides 15% greater ground clearance to help the machine pass over stumps and other obstructions.

The 538 features a Cat 7.1 engine that meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage V emission standards and is flexible to run on biodiesel up to B20. Smart mode automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to working conditions to help reduce fuel consumption up to 5% without sacrificing performance.

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and reliable high ambient temperature operation reaching 118˚ F (48˚ C). It operates at altitudes reaching 9,842' (3,000 m) without derating. Fuel tank capacity is more than double the previous model, which means the new 538 can operate up to five shifts before refilling.

The all new Certified Forestry cab design for the Cat Next Generation 538 dramatically improves operator comfort and safety. The cab is 25% larger with 50% greater overall visibility than the previous 538.

Operators can start the 538’s engine with a simple push of a button. The new Operator ID allows each operator to quickly program and store their own machine settings and attachment function preferences. A larger 10" (254 mm) high-resolution touchscreen monitor delivers intuitive navigation through operating menus and includes a digital version of the operator’s manual for quick reference.

Compared to the previous model, the Next Generation 538 lowers maintenance costs by up to 15% over the course of 12,000 hours of operation. Product Link technology captures critical operating data, fault codes, and machine location information to boost fleet management efficiency. Visit cat.com

Deere Bogie Skidder John Deere offers the new six-wheel 768L-II bogie skidder designed to conquer wet conditions and steep slope terrain. Incorporating the proven, durable features found on the John Deere L-II skidder lineup, the new 768L-II maximizes productivity, performance and comfort when carrying hefty loads over long distances in challenging conditions.

Matthew Flood, product marketing manager, comments, “We’re delivering a purpose-built machine that navigates tough terrain, such as swamps or steep slopes.”

The 281HP 768L-II features heavy-duty bogie axles, which incorporate large components to maximize durability and stability for long axle and tire life. A smooth, stable operation results in reduced machine vibration, ultimately minimizing operator fatigue. Another key feature is the excellent tractive ability and floatation. When combined with the bogie axles, ground pressure is reduced, allowing the 768L-II to work in wet terrain not accessible with a four-wheel skidder.

The new arch design provides the operator with an expansive rearward view of the grapple and work area, providing excellent visibility. The long wheelbase and boom-arch envelope boost reach and lift capability for the boom and grapple, increasing dexterity in the woods. The tight turning radius enhances agility at the landing.

“The John Deere bogie skidder is hands down twice as good as a regular four-tire skidder,” according to Jason Dawson of Triple J Logging. “It’s just all-around better in my book for productivity and ground disturbance. With the 768L-II, you can carry twice as much of a load, especially in wet conditions and on the steep terrain, without tearing the ground up.”

The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) marries TIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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InnovationWay the efficiency of a direct-drive transmission with the smoothness of a hydrostatic drive. As a result, CVT provides more power to the ground by sensing the load, increasing torque and tractive effort as needed to maintain the desired speed. Visit johndeere.com

Morbark Vtection Morbark reveals a patent-pending Vtection system option for its 3000, 3400 and 6400 series Wood Hog horizontal grinders. The Vtection system monitors rotor vibration to reduce damage from contact with un-shreddable objects or other causes of damaging vibration like an out-of-balance rotor, broken insert, defective bearing, or extremely hard wood. The system features two operating modes: grinding protection mode and service and maintenance mode. When coupled with Morbark’s BreakAway Torque Limiter, these devices provide customers with the best solution for hammermill protection.

To use the Vtection system, the operator sets an acceptable operating vibration level through the electronic controller. Since different feedstocks produce different vibration levels, the operator can quickly fine-tune the trip point to match the grinding application. Adjusting the trip point based on the feedstock can help avoid unnecessary stopping of the infeed from normal operating vibration.If an un-shreddable object enters the grinding chamber while in grinding protection mode, the Vtection system will sense the spike in vibration or trip point and instantly stop and reverse the infeed conveyor. By reversing the infeed conveyor, the system lowers the rotor’s chance of repeatedly striking the foreign object.

Once the system is triggered, Morbark’s Integrated Control System (MICS) initiates several actions to remove the tramp material out of the rotor area. The sequence of these actions includes: reversing and stopping the infeed, bringing the engine speed to idle, disengaging the clutch, and displaying a warning message on the MICS screen.

During the service and maintenance protection mode, a user can hook up to the system software and monitor vibration levels during different engine loads. The system can be programmed to monitor and extract data. These signals can then be visually observed, and various readings can be recorded to verify that the machine is within acceptable vibration levels. Multiple programs can be used to evaluate the system data.

Ship-out kits are available for in-field installation on preexisting 3000X, 3400X and 6400X horizontal grinders.

Visit morbarkdealers.com

Waratah Harvester Head Waratah Forestry Equipment offers a new generation of its HTH616C harvester head—the HTH616C Series-III, which features many new service and accessibility upgrades and is highlighted by a new main control valve designed to Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

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InnovationWay increase performance, responsiveness and compatibility to a greater range of carriers.

With a weight starting at 1,800 kg (3,968 lb.), the HTH616 Series-III features a new, more efficient main control valve that can be configured with various options to fit performance needs on wheeled or tracked machines alike. Motor selections can be configured to complement the new valve and improve feeding speed, with a high torque motor option available to help to increase productivity in the toughest delimbing conditions.

Operationally, the new valve provides improved responsiveness in the delimb and drive arms to enhance grabbing stems, log handling, and improve sawing performance.

New cast delimb arm design improves limb shedding, and can be configured in processing or harvesting profile with a maximum delimb opening of 27" (68.5 cm).

The H616C Series-III has optional twin diameter sensors that provide better measuring when small end diameters are critical.

Hose routing has been optimized to the new valve improving fitting access and easier serviceability, while new

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optional harvesting guards for the main valve, drive arms, and saw box are available to reduce understory hosing interference. Visit waratah.com

Keen Safety Boot KEEN Utility offers the Chicago Utility safety work boot for a variety of environments. Built to offer rugged protection with a classic appeal, these non-metallic work boots offer all-day comfort and superior traction. The 6” work boot features a non-marring waterproof leather upper, non-metallic eyelets and lace hooks as well as weight-saving carbon fiber safety toes that are 15% lighter than steel and deliver ASTM-rated toe protection.

The KEEN.ReGEN midsole offers superior compression-resistance and provides 50% more energy return for long-days walking and standing. Other performance and safety enhancements include a KEEN.DRY breathable, waterproof membrane, heat-resistant, rubber outsoles rated up to 572° F that satisfy Mark II and Satra non-slip testing standards, 90°, ⅝" heel for added stability and an antimicrobial lining delivering natural odor protection free of chemicals and dyes.Visit keenutility.com

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SelectCuts As We (ALC) See It

What’s In A Word?

DANNY DRUCTOR For close to a year now, the American Loggers Council has worked to obtain funding for those timber harvesting and hauling businesses throughout the United States that have been adversely impacted by curtailDructor ments in markets and production as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

We were successful in getting language in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CFAP 2) that became law in late December that included the following language: “Provided further, That from the amounts provided in this section, the Secretary of Agriculture may use not more than $200,000,000 to provide relief to timber harvesting

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and timber hauling businesses that have, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, experienced a loss of not less than 10 percent in gross revenue during the period beginning on January 1, 2020, and ending on December 1, 2020, as compared to the gross revenue of that timber harvesting or hauling business during the same period in 2019:” We have italicized the word may in the text for good reason. The original text that we thought was included in the bill used the word shall. What happens when you change the word from shall to may? The appropriation becomes discretionary rather than mandatory, so now we are once again at the mercy of the agency who is tasked to implement a program, as they see fit.

It has now been three months since the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. On March 24, 2021, the administration announced in a press release that they have identified gaps in previous aid to producers, which both timber harvest-

ing and timber hauling businesses are included. That is the good news. The bad news is that after three months of back-and-forth discussions after the bill has passed, and the previous sixseven months of communicating our needs to members of Congress in order to get the language into the Appropriations Act, we are now faced with a rulemaking process as required by the Administrative Procedures Act. This could add, at a minimum, another 120 days to the wait before timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses could see a penny of the funds distributed to those in need.

Let’s just hope that may not be too late for many of you who have suffered from loss of markets, quotas, downtime and the uncertainty of being able to have the capital to pay your fixed costs such as insurance and equipment notes. We will continue to engage a bureaucracy that truly does not understand what it like to run a capital intensive, low-margin business and look for ways to expedite the funding to your businesses. A good

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SelectCuts starting point would be to have a Congressional Oversight hearing as to why the agencies are not meeting the intent of Congress.

Who changed the language from shall to may? We may never know, but in a society where interpretation means everything, this has placed another barrier in our efforts.

Lastly, we have had several inqui-

ries regarding the logger relief application process, but we still do not have any new information. The ALC along with state/regional associations are working together to ensure that all affected logging and log hauling businesses, big and small, are included in the logger relief package.

The moment we have more information, we will immediately email out

an update.

Danny Dructor is Executive Vice President of American Loggers Council, a 501(c)(6) trade association representing the interests of timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses across the United States. For more information visit www. amloggers.com.

Book Teaches Kids About Logging Stephanie Fuller is the daughter of Todd and Shelia Fuller, owners of Fuller’s Logging in Chambers County, Ala. Stephanie’s upbringing and passion about forestry led her into a career of advocating and working for the good of those in the industry. The experiences gained from being a child in the industry inspired Fuller to write Lucy Meets a Logger, a children’s book about logging. The book’s purpose is to educate young students about the opportunities and benefits of timber harvesting.

Lucy Meets a Logger follows the main character, Lucy, as she ventures into the woods and meets Mr. Logger, who explains to her why logging is good for society and the environment.

Alabama Forestry Assn. and Forest Workforce Training Institute have begun touring Alabama with legislators on the “Lucy Tour.” This tour allows legislators to visit schools in their area to read Lucy Meets a Logger and educate the next generation about the importance of the forest products industry.

ForestryWorks is the jobs promotion initiative of the Forest Workforce Training Institute. The mission of FWTI is to create a pipeline of workers for the forest products industry through education, career promotion and training. This pipeline creates a sustainable source of forestry professionals for generations to come.

Traditionally, ForestryWorks’ educational component focused mainly on grades 8-12 to encourage students to consider the forest products industry as a future career path. However, the team began to realize that by the time students reached grade eight, they had ➤ 38 their perception about the in-

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22 ➤ local dealer to get started.

You can now access the ‘Data that Matters’ from RemoteLog directly through a new web service using your IT servers. Now it is possible to share geographic position and production data for your machines with landowners and forestry operations companies. RemoteLog utilizes the well documented ISO 15143-3 (AEMP 2.0) Web API that is widely used in mobile machinery applications. Contact RemoteLog Support to get started.

Loggers can easily view production, activity timelines and fuel consumption on your mobile device using LogOn at the worksite. Now you download formatted reports in PDF or CSV formats and save them to your mobile device. View the reports anytime, or share them through email. ● Komatsu—The MaxiXT machine control system is fully integrated with other systems. Everything from engine and crane control and cab levelling to the transmission and ladders are encompassed. An unlimited number of users are easily created, as are a number of different operator profiles for working in different conditions. Operator-specific functions can be fine-tuned to achieve the exact sensitivity and speed—or

smoothness and accuracy—that each operator prefers. The MaxiXT’s head control improves productivity and accuracy. Knives, feed rollers and tilt down function are easily adjusted and determined by stem diameter and tree species. Other popular functions include bar rescue and clearing. ● Caterpillar—Cat forestry technology makes your machines and operators more effective and profitable.

From road building to logging, millyard to land management, Cat technology improves operating accuracy and helps you succeed at a range of jobs.

Cat Equipment Management gives loggers access to all the data you need to keep equipment on the job site and earning money. Loggers can track equipment location and hours, monitor machine use and health, then take informed action that will keep your operation running smoothly, efficiently and profitably.

My.Cat.Com is the online hub for managing your entire fleet—whether it’s from Caterpillar or another brand, connected or not connected, owned, leased or rented. The Cat App gives instant access to your data, bringing crucial information right to your phone or tablet. Stay on top of your fleet 24/7 with a simple click. Vision-

Link is subscription-based telematics software compatible with any brand.

It delivers customizable dashboards that deliver real-time updates on the condition of your equipment. ● Avenza—The Avenza Maps Pro app delivers versatile mapping features and offline capabilities to increase productivity like never before. It streamlines the distribution of maps to logging, planting, and operations crews before they head into the field.

Avenza Maps Pro helps businesses improve forest management operations, including reduced response times to incidents such as wildfires. Export collected data into KML or Shapefile formats. Individual Avenza Maps Pro subscriptions are available to purchase in-app. ● onX—onX Maps is a nationwide public, private landownership application featuring detailed boundaries, landowner names and hunting districts. Saved maps are accessible via GPS when a cellular network is nonexistent. onX was founded in 2009 to help hunters see public land boundaries. The introduction of the Hunt App in 2013 provides hunters across the country with comprehensive digital maps, established onX as the first land data company of its kind.

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SelectCuts 35 ➤ dustry and the people working in it. This perception was normally not positive due to misinformation provided to young students from different sources. Lucy Meets a Logger gives FWTI staff, as well as forestry professionals, a tool to take into local schools and tell the story of one component of the forest products industry through the eyes of a child.

All profits from Lucy Meets a Logger are put back into ForestryWorks in order to continue creating educational tools for the forest products industry.

Go to lucymeetsalogger.com if you are interested in purchasing a copy of Lucy Meets a Logger.

Past OLC President Thompson Dies Gene Norman Thompson, a descendant of pioneers and a forester who worked in the forest industry for five decades, died March 16, 2021 in Portland, Ore., where he after suffering a heart attack in his Corvallis home. He was 84.

Thompson grew up in the tiny Coast Range town of Blodgett, where his family owned the general store and his

father, a former Model-T mechanic, of Citizen’s Bank of Corvallis and was ran a sawmill. He graduated from Corboard chairman from 1993 to 1999. vallis High School in 1954, and earned He held various leadership positions in a degree in Forest Management from the Oregon timber industry, including Oregon State University in 1959. Bedirector of the Oregon Logging Confore graduating, he and his father ference from 1989 until he was presispent six weeks in Europe studying dent in 2001, and director of the Oreforest management practices, greatly gon Forest Industry Council. He influencing his views on sustainable formed the Thompson Foundation, a forestry. charitable organization to support the After graduating from OSU, health and education of the local comThompson entered the U.S. Coast munity where he had spent his life.

Guard’s Officer Candidate School at He was also an avid supporter of the Yorktown, Va., graduating as Ensign.

Benton County Historical Society’s He served on active duty in Seattle, new Corvallis Museum. In 2017, he Washington, as Captain of the Port, was honored by the Oregon State Uniand later, for 12 years, as a reserve ofversity College of Forestry as an Outficer in Eugene. standing Alumni Awardee.

Thompson and his wife of 59 years, Charlotte, were married RAISE YOUR VOICE in Las Vegas in 1961.

During his more than 50-year career in the timber industry, Thompson worked with his faLogging Business of the Year: ther, and later his son and grandson, managing the family TH Needs Nominations! tree farm. He and his father formed Thompson Timber Co. Visit us on Facebook or in 1959, which was followed by Thompson Tree Farm in 1986. www.timberharvesting.com Thompson served as director

Logger Survey Still Open!

AdLink

EventsMemo

Easy Access to current advertisers! http://www.timberharvesting.com/advertiser-index/

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

May 14-15—Montana Logging Assn. annual meeting, Holiday Inn Downtown, Missoula, Mont. Call 406-752-3168; visit logging.org.

May 17-19—Forest Resources Assn. annual meeting, DoubleTree Nashville Downtown, Tenn. Call 202-296-3937; visit forest resources.org.

May 20-22—Sierra-Cascade Logging Conference & Forest Products-Construction Equipment Expo, Shasta District Fairgrounds, Anderson, Calif. Call 530-222-1290; visit sclcexpo.com.

May 21-22—Expo Richmond 2021, Richmond Raceway Complex, Richmond, Va. Call 804-737-5625; visit exporichmond.com.

June 4-5—PA Timber Show, Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center, Pennsylvania Furnace, Penn. Call 814863-2873; visit agsci.psu.edu/timber.

June 6-8—SkigsElmia, Bratteborgs gard, Jonkoping, Sweden. Visit elmia.se.

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