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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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Vol. 69, No. 4: Issue 687

OurCover Loggers across the country responded to the TH 2021 Logging Survey on their companies, jobs, operations, margins and more.

Read the results beginning on PAGE 14. (Patrick Dunning photo; design by Shelley Smith)

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Logging Shows Return Two Events Kick Off Comeback

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10 Auto-Driving Systems Project Examines Off-Road Potential

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20 Feller-Buncher Technology Components, Felling Heads

22 NC Logger Succeeds Investing In Productivity

OurDepartments My Take _____________________________________________ 4 NewsLines ___________________________________________ 6 Disabled Logger Back In Cab _________________________ 12 ALC Annual Meeting _________________________________ 26 Innovation Way _____________________________________ 30 Select Cuts ________________________________________ 34 THExchange ________________________________________ 35 Events/Ad Index _____________________________________ 38

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MyTake DAN SHELL

Dane Takes Reins As New ALC Exec. VP

The logging and trucking industry did establish a strong working relationship with the Trump administration and began working on many longstanding issues. The pandemic relief legislation referenced earlier was passed under the Trump Administration. But the Biden Administration has been fully supportive of prioritizing the development and imQ-n-A on the issues plementation of the program. This program has been one of the highest priorities of the current adith the news coverage of the leadministration, and was developed in, by ership transition at the American government standards, record time.

Loggers Council (ALC) and Scott Dane The American timber industry is not “The days of taking taking over as new Executive Vice a partisan issue: Healthy forests, resomeone off the street, President succeeding Danny Dructor duced wildfire, rural jobs, renewable giving them 30 minutes who served for 20 years, Timber Harenergy and forest products benefit all vesting talked with Dane about his Americans. The ALC is prepared to of instruction and a week thoughts and plans for America’s only work with elected officials and governof on the job training are national logging association. ment agencies to accomplish these gone and not an effective Beginning the interview, one of the common objectives. means of developing a first things Dane said is the ALC is in What are some of the top issues a strong position due to Dructor’s facing loggers and any thoughts on professional workforce.” leadership and the support from the addressing them?

ALC Board of Directors and state asI was recently in Arizona, California sociations. “I am very fortunate to and Oregon, as well as the Midwest, come into a successful and recognized organization and and loggers across the country face the same challenges: look forward to building upon the foundation that has been Workforce shortages and development, insurance affordestablished,” he noted. ability and availability, markets, margins and federal timber Looking ahead, Dane says his priorities—with the board’s availability. approval—are to increase membership, expand the ALC’s The days of taking someone off the street, giving them 30 visibility, support state groups and successfully secure more minutes of instruction and a week of on the job training are national priorities. gone and not an effective means of developing a professional “I look forward to broadening the partnerships, collaboraworkforce. With all of the regulations involved and the techtion and membership across the entire industry with other nical skills required, a well-trained workforce is necessary to interests that share the ALC’s mission of sustainable forest meet current needs while addressing an aging industry. management that is accomplished by a strong, stable and The ALC supports workforce development programs, and profitable logging and trucking industry,” he said. also continues to push for the Future Logging Careers Act Dane added he’d like to see more state groups join, and that allows family logging companies to integrate their 16he’d also like to expand ALC’s Associate Membership proand 17-year-old children into the mechanized operations of gram. “The mission of any organization is to work for its the family business, same as farmers and operating farming members. The ALC is prepared to support state associations equipment. with their local agendas, network successful programs Insurance is a necessity, but a trend has been for insurwithin other member states, and provide a return on investance companies and underwriters to shy away from the inment to those state association members,” Dane said. dustry. Where insurance is available, premiums have He also plans to be in every ALC member state in the steadily increased. The TeamSafe Trucking program has next 12 months to hear about member needs and ideas for identified irrefutable evidence and statistics that are comALC’s future and priorities. mon red flags for potential accidents. Other documented After seeing historic logger pandemic relief legislation practices have proven to reduce potential accidents or propassed, any thoughts on future efforts to help loggers gain tect the owner when incidents arise. Loggers and truckers access to more USDA programs as commodity producers? can do their part to be part of the solution and the ALC will It was the ALC’s efforts, leadership and congressional recontinue to work with organizations that can help loggers lationships that secured the $200 million pandemic relief and truckers address these problems. legislation. The ALC has continued to lead that effort with Markets are good in some areas but where lacking they recommendations, development and implementation. This are critical. Some Southern states have experienced new has helped the logging and trucking industry establish parity mill development due to the timber ownership structure, within the USDA ‘agriculture’ sector. This issue has been a biomass/pellet markets and shorter timber growing cycles. federal legislative priority of the ALC and this recent sucBut for those states that have experienced a net loss of mill cess will allow us to build upon that precedent. capacity, it is imperative that new mills be developed. MinHow will your experience with the Trump administranesota has lost over half of its mills in the last 14 years. For tion affect or influence how you work with the current the environmental good of the forests and the economic administration? good of rural communities, timber management must match

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MyTake

forest product consumption. New technology presents the opportunity for the forest products industry to transition into things like renewable fuels from forest based feedstock or CLT mass timber construction. New markets are key to improving the timber industry.

As for margins, one study revealed that 51% of logging companies were operating at break-even or a loss—and another 21% were operating with margins 3% or less. This is not sustainable. In an extremely capital intensive industry, such a return on investment is prohibitive. Many logging companies have not seen a substantive, if any, increase in timber prices for years, while expenses have all increased. Even during these recent astronomical price increases for lumber, it is not trickling down for most logging companies. The entire supply chain needs to be healthy: It is only as strong as the weakest link, and right now that is the logging companies.

When it comes to federal timber availability, the U.S. Forest Service is an easy target, but federal policy and environmentalists have tied their hands. I’ve worked with the USFS in DC and locally and found them to be committed to proper forest management, but the system prohibits it. Laws like NEPA and ESA have been weaponized against the “The entire supply Forest Service and the timchain needs to be ber industry to restrict silvihealthy: It is only as culture-based sustainable strong as the weakest forest management on federal lands. I recently toured link, and right now the aftermath of the wildthat is the logging fires in California. Loggers companies.” were rushing to salvage the timber from private land and replanting, but little to nothing was being done on USFS managed lands. The contrasting responses could not have been more evident, and disappointing.

The ALC needs to work with the USFS and Congress to remove the restrictions that are inhibiting their ability to conduct forest management, reduce wildfire frequency and support timber salvage and reforestation.

At times ALC has had a lobbyist in DC and also promoted various programs to directly contact congress people and staff and agency officials as well. Any thoughts on increasing or intensifying ALC’s impact on Capitol Hill in DC? There is nothing more effective at state capitols or DC than loggers and truckers personally sharing their challenges, needs and stories. But loggers and truckers are not always able to be there. Other representatives and/or lobbyists can effectively represent the industry. As they say, “If you are not at the table, you are probably on the menu.” The timber industry needs to be at the table. But lobbyists are only as good as the people that they represent if they effectively educate, direct and assist the lobbyists. A priority of the ALC is national representation with federal legislation. That will continue to be a mission priority of the ALC and there will be an increased presence in DC to support these important initiatives and conTH duct the groundwork.

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NewsLines ALC Names Dane As Executive Director As of June 1 Scott Dane is the new Executive Director for the American Loggers Council (ALC), replacing retiring Danny Dructor, who has been with ALC New ALC Leader since July 2001.

Dane brings with Scott Dane him a vast amount of experience working with timber harvesting and timber hauling associations, having been the executive director for the Associated Contract Loggers and Truckers of Minnesota for the past 17 years. Dane, who spoke at the Republican National Convention last summer, has experience in both the state and national levels in issues impacting timber harvesting and timber hauling.

Dane has been a critical component of the ALC’s work to gain financial assistance for those businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also been involved in legislation allowing state legal weight tolerances on the Federal Interstate Highway System and other ALC initiatives like the Future Careers in Logging Act. ALC President Tim Christopherson states, “After close to 18 months of searching for a new executive director for the ALC, the search committee was able to narrow down the field to one candidate. I am pleased that Scott has accepted the position and look forward to working with him during the transition. He has the drive, passion and ambition to take the ALC to the next level.”

Dane adds, “Danny has provided the leadership to develop the American Loggers Council into the leading national voice of the American logging industry. I look forward to continuing to build upon that foundation, expanding the partnerships, supporting the state members with their issues and promoting the agenda of the American Loggers Council.”

The ALC office will be relocated from Texas to Minnesota, where Scott will set up the office beginning June 1.

Endowment Launches TimberHauling.com U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities announced the official 6 JULY/AUGUST 2021

launch of TimberHauling.com, a national buyers’ group that provides savings on products and services to nearly 10,000 independent small trucking and hauling businesses.

The TimberHauling.com platform will help the sector move together as a unified market rather than thousands of independent producers. The timber harvest and hauling sector of the forestry industry is the strained link in the U.S. based forest products value chain. This sector is continually dealing with a range of challenges, including inclement weather, mill quotas, labor shortages, high fuel and insurance costs, and high equipment costs—both upfront and ongoing.

For a modest annual membership fee, members enjoy discounts and savings on parts and services. TimberHauling. com gives loggers national buying power and strength they have never had to shore up and further unify the sector.

“The Endowment focuses on opportunities when others can’t or won’t,” according to Ewell Smith, Executive Director of the Carolina Loggers Assn.

(CLA). “Developing a national platform that will save money for independent loggers and haulers will make them more cost-competitive and efficient.”

This group also strengthens the capacity of state and regional associations to deliver services. The program is being piloted first in partnership with state logging associations in North Carolina (CLA), South Carolina (South Carolina Timber Producers Assn.), and Virginia (Virginia Loggers Assn.).

“The Endowment is using our sector-wide vision, risk capital, and bridge-building competencies to build an ‘Amazon-like’ model to drive savings to individual timber hauling firms,” says Pete Madden, President & CEO of the Endowment. “TimberHauling.com is part of our Initiative 2020 Vision that mandates strategic and targeted investments to support the development of traditional forest products markets to retain and grow existing forest-based economies.”

A variety of companies have already joined the platform: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company; MHC Kenworth; Setliff Law P.C.; Schwab Brothers Hydraulics; TCS Fuel Cards; North American Supply; and Cadence Petroleum Group. More companies and services are expected to be added as TimberHauling.com grows.

Currently, TimberHauling.com is of-

fering a free six-month “test drive” membership that can offer cost savings on hoses, tires, equipment, legal expenses, oil and fuel. Visit timberhauling.com and click on the pricing tab to learn more.

Bosworth Is New SWPA Director Southeastern Wood Producers Assn. named Laura Bosworth its new Executive Director. Her predecessor, Tommy Carroll, is retiring after 20 years with Bosworth representing SWPA and 14 as its executive direc- Ga.-Fla. loggers. tor. Bosworth calls it an honor to have been selected to step into Carroll’s shoes: “This opportunity to lead and advocate for such a hard-working, tough and critical segment of the forest industry is truly an honor and a responsibility not taken lightly.”

An Iowa native, Bosworth earned her Bachelors in Forestry from Iowa State University. She’s spent most of the last decade serving the forest industry in the South, beginning her career in Georgia as a county forester, later becoming the longleaf specialist for the Georgia Forestry Commission. Next she joined the American Forest Foundation as its Southern Regional Tree Farm Manager. Most recently she served as Director of Forestry and Regulatory Affairs at the Florida Forestry Assn.

“We have a lot of work to do and many challenges that on a quick glance sometimes seem insurmountable but must be addressed to protect not only the harvest and logistics sectors but keep the entire forest industry, and forest landscape, viable and vibrant,” Bosworth says. “I want to highlight the challenges and logistics that loggers face, and help the public understand. I came into this position from the forestry and certification world, and chose to work with SWPA because I saw how loggers were treated—always the underdogs.”

Danzer Completes Sale Of Bradford Sawmill Danzer has closed the sale of its hardwood lumber sawmill in BradTIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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NewsLines ford, Pa. to a joint venture between hardwood producer Rossi Group and timberland investment firm Lyme Timber Co.. The sale secured the 85 existing jobs at the Bradford facility; plus, the new ownership group is planning to add at least 20 jobs. Danzer will stay in the North American lumber business with its lumber drying operations in Shade Gap, Pa. In 1988, Danzer opened the Bradford sawmill and in recent years has invested in cutting-edge technology.

Danzer continues to buy green lumber and then dry it at its facility in Shade Gap, which has 1.4MMBF of kilns.

taged and small and medium sized producers that need support most.” The $200 million in COVID relief for loggers and log haulers is landmark legislation passed due to the tireless efforts of American Loggers Council officials and members, state associations and key government officials and congress members and staff. According to ALC Executive Vice President Scott Dane, more details are coming soon, and loggers

should see the program rolled out and implemented before the end of summer.

Upgrade Coming For ATI Malvern Anthony Timberlands, Inc. (ATI) will invest $10 million in improvements to its pine sawmill in Malvern, Ark. during the next six to eight months.

“Our sawmill in Malvern has been

Interfor Purchases Four Sawmills From GP Interfor is acquiring four sawmill operations in Bay Springs, Miss.; Fayette, Ala.; DeQuincy, La.; and Philomath, Ore. from Georgia-Pacific $375 million.

Interfor says these sawmill operations are highly complementary to Interfor’s existing platforms in the U.S. South and the Northwest.

The four sawmills have a combined annual lumber production capacity of 720MMBF. The Bay Springs, Fayette and Philomath sawmills are currently operating on a full-shifting basis. The DeQuincy sawmill, which was idled in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, has an annual capacity of 200MMBF. Interfor reports its total annual lumber production capacity will increase to 3.9 billion BF, of which 3 billion BF or 77% will be U.S.-based and not subject to softwood lumber duties. Interfor’s U.S. South production capacity will grow by 500MMBF to 2.2 billion, while production capacity in the U.S. Northwest will grow by 220MMBF to 770MMBF.

Logger Relief Program Set For Summer Release As this issue went to press, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture announced in mid June that the Logger Relief Fund legislation passed at the end of 2020 is one of the agency’s top priority new programs and is “planned for implementation within 60 days. . . focused on filling gaps in previous rounds of assistance and helping beginning, socially disadvanForemost Authority For Professional Loggers

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NewsLines in place for almost 75 years. We have made numerous improvements over the years, ensuring the viability of the mill through technological and production enhancement measures,” according to Steve Anthony, President of ATI. The project will include an upgrade to the primary breakdown systems of the mill—the carriage headrig for large logs and the sharp chain small log side. The mill’s trimmer line will also be enhanced to handle the higher production volume afforded by the upgraded primary breakdown systems.

Installation of the new equipment will take place on a staggered schedule between August 2021 and January 2022. Employment numbers will not be impacted, while hourly production levels are expected to increase by 25%.

Louisiana Passes State Logger Relief Legislation Loggers across Louisiana are looking forward to receiving a $25,000 grant thanks to legislation passed this

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spring by the state legislature and signed in June by the governor.

The Louisiana Loggers Relief Program allows logging businesses to receive a grant of $25,000 following a tough year of pandemic concerns and hurricane impacts that have affected state loggers. The total $10 million program is administered through Louisiana’s Main Street Recovery Program with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Toni McAllister, executive director of the Louisiana Loggers Assn., said that “Louisiana Loggers always make me proud to advocate for these amazing people who live quiet lives, working day in and day out to provide for rural Louisiana. I’m speechless and I know this financial aid will help so many, in such a difficult time.”

The program also reflects logging’s role in the state as essential workers and businesses, said Buck van der Steen, executive director of the Louisiana Loggers Council. “It’s a good way to recognize people who often go unseen but are extremely vital.”

Weyerhaeuser Plans Holden Makeover Weyerhaeuser Co. announced plans to make a two-phased $157 million capital investment at its southern yellow pine sawmill in Holden, La. Phase one includes nearly $19 million to upgrade lumber kiln drying capacity, while the second phase will include a major investment of $138 million to completely modernize the facility.

“This investment is a testament to each employee here at Holden,” says Brent Mitchell, Holden interim mill manager. “After years of planning this project, we’re excited for the sustained benefits it will bring to our people, our operation and the community.”

Weyerhaeuser plans to modernize the sawmill to produce longer-length lumber, add a new planer mill, and add two continuous dry kilns for increased drying capacity. Additionally, the company will build out the necessary infrastructure; upgrade computer technology, control rooms, and heat 28 ing and fan systems; invest in

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Richmond Returns After multiple COVID-19 delays in 2020, Expo Richmond makes a strong comeback.

DAVIDAbbott RICHMOND, Va. ogging shows are back this year, as the East Coast Sawmill and Logging Equipment Exposition here and the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference in Redding, Calif. kicked off the same weekend in late May. Organizers for both events reported great crowds and good weather for both shows on either side of the country.

The 37th Richmond Expo was supposed to have taken place a year earlier, in May 2020, but was rescheduled for October 2020 then moved again to May 21-22, 2021.

Expo Chairman Jamie Coleman estimates that about 4,000 in total were on hand for this year’s event. That’s just about two-thirds of the normal amount, down by 2,000 from the 2018 totals.

There were also about 80 fewer exhibi-

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Crowds were upbeat in Richmond.

People from all walks attended.

tors this year than in the last Expo.

Many companies couldn’t make it due to continuing COVID-related travel restrictions, such as for those coming from Canada. In some cases, large corporate entities avoiding potential risk sat this one out, a policy that precluded the usual involvement from some local branches, dealers or reps.

And yet, many did attend. All things considered (not just ongoing pandemic concerns but also fuel shortages), most of those who attended considered the 2021 Expo a success.

Numbers were down, but it was a more robust crowd than it might have been. “We all knew going in that there would be less, and no one really knew what to expect,” Coleman admits.

“Most of the people I talked to said it was a pleasant surprise.”

The key word was quality, not quantity; many exhibitors related that the attendees they saw were not casual browsers but real potential leads, interested in making purchases. One Rotobec salesman said he had already seen three quality leads before 10 a.m. on the first day, adding that if he didn’t see anyone else, it would have already been worth his trip.

People generally seemed happy to get back together in person, and some came from long distances: there were loggers from Georgia, Alabama, even south Arkansas.

Robert Terrell, Jr. of Georgia’s Terrell Enterprises, Inc. came looking for a shaver to put on their wood yard to make shavings for animal bedding.

Plans are to hold the 38th Richmond Expo event next year, and get the show back on track for its usual even year rotation. After next year, Expo will return in 2024, 2026 and so on from TH there.

Logging Shows Back On Track

This spring, industry events began to return with the Richmond Expo show and the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference (SCLC) Expo going live and in person the same third weekend in May—the first in-person attendance trade shows held since the COVID pandemic struck in spring 2020.

SCLC Expo drew big California crowd.

Show officials in Redding, Calif. reported a strong turnout for the SCLC trade show that included great crowds at the static exhibits and a live in-woods component.

Logging trade shows in North America are set to resume later this summer with the Arkansas Timber Producers Assn. annual meeting and expo in Hot Springs. Here’s a quick lineup of upcoming logging trade show events this fall: Aug 13-14—Southwest Forest Products Expo, Hot Springs, Ark., arkloggers.com Sept. 9-11, Great Lakes Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo, Escanaba, Mich., gltpa.org Sept. 17-18, Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show, Starkville, Miss., midsouthforestry.org Sept. 24-25, Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Expo, Bangor, Me., northernlogger.com

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Project Explores Truck ‘Platooning’ Are off-road automated driving systems coming to the timber industry?

JOEPutney

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echnology is revolutionizing the transport of goods, including moving raw materials in remote areas over rough terrain. Over-the-road automated driving systems (ADS) for trucks are beginning to change how goods are transported on highways, including connecting ADS-driven vehicles called “platoons.” Until now, these applications have been targeting more ideal conditions where the weather is mild, and the roadways are smooth and clearly marked.

Off-road truck automation is more challenging due to the terrain that lacks the markers and smooth surfaces of the highway. Also, weather conditions are often harsh and dirt access roads present additional challenges such as dust that can impair common highway ADS systems. Innovators like Robotic Research see these challenges as an opportunity to develop ADS systems not only for off-road applications, but also create a more comprehensive and reliable system for both OTR and off-road conditions.

For long-term, widespread adoption of these technologies, ADS trucks must handle poor weather, poor visibility and rough road conditions that are far from ideal. Otherwise, deployment of such vehicles will be limited to certain geographic areas.

Autonomous trucking has been in development for some time. As adoption increases, transport of goods will be safer and more economical. Autonomous truck platooning has a quicker path to operating in a fully unmanned (SAE Level 4) capacity by utilizing a driver in the front vehicle with autonomous vehicles following. In fact, the US military is already operating a fleet of fully driverless trucks equipped with Robotic Research’s technology used in this fashion.

Our technology links these trucks in a platooning formation, increasing the 10

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Driverless truck handles streetscape; note cam view from cab at top right.

driver-to-freight capacity substantially. Now the same technology is being adapted for off-road, commercial truck platooning.

Basic Platooning Before reviewing the specific challenges of off-road truck platooning, start with some of the basics of autonomous truck platooning: Truck platooning is the linking of two or more trucks in a convoy using a wireless connection to control multiple vehicles as one. Each of the vehicles

has autonomous controls that make it possible to match distance and speed.

The vehicle at the front of the platoon serves as the leader, with the following vehicles matching speed and changes in movement.

Using truck platooning to transport goods offers several advantages. It’s cleaner for one thing, with lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions since platooning tends to reduce air drag significantly. According to the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), a two-truck platoon with a 50-60 ft. following dis-

Project will eventually transition to using driverless trucks on actual haul roads.

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tance would see a fuel and promote hazards. If autonomous technology In Phase 1, truck confuel savings of safety, military apsafely operates in these conditions, opvoys will be put through plications vehicles 4-5% for the lead erating on paved roads and in all geotruck and 10% for need to be farther graphic areas is significantly easier. safety trials that mimic the second truck. apart to protect FPInnovations and Robotic Rethe routes from harPlatooning also them from combat search are developing platooning soluvesting sites to sawis considered safer, hazards such as tions for harvesting timber. Off-road mills. Once the system since braking is mines and improapplications are particularly wellautomatic and imvised explosive suited to forestry and could be applied is proven to be secure, mediate. Autodevices. to similar use cases in agriculture, FPInnovations will run mated trucks folCommercial mining, and construction. Off-road trials on actual inlowing the lead truck platoons truck platooning has an immediate woods logging roads. truck can react in travel over wellsafety and business case today, and the one-fifth of the mapped roads, bentechnology deployed will further entime it takes a efitting from satelhance highway driving and related aphuman driver. Plalite imaging and plications in the immediate future. TH tooning allows other data sources Joe Putney is Director of Commercial trucks to safely follow at much closer to detect known hazards and detours, Systems for Robotic Research, LLC, makdistances because of synchronized whereas in off-road transport the terrain ers of robotic and autonomy technology braking that eliminates human reconditions are changing constantly. The for transportation and mission-critical sponse time. Of course, platooning ADS technology required, therefore, operations, including off-road truck automation for forestry, mining, agriculture, also is more efficient because the inneeds to more advanced to detect washand other industries. crease of freight capacity for an indiouts, sinkholes and other immediate vidual driver.

For truck platooning to become commercially viable, multiple agenProject Boosts Off Road Auto-Driving cies need to join forces and several isRobotic Research, LLC (rr.ai), a global leader in Automated Driving Syssues must be resolved. While the techtems (ADS), and FPInnovations, a Canadian private non-profit research and nology is mature and reliable, other development center, announced in mid May a collaboration to develop an “manmade” institutions like legislaoff-road truck platooning system for the forest industry. This project will tion, regulations, public acceptance, licombine Robotic Research’s proven expertise as a global leader in self-drivability and insurance are still lagging ing technology with FPInnovations’ knowledge in forestry and transportation as technology progresses. to adapt the truck platooning technology to off-highway environments.

Of course, implementing ADS sysThe multi-year project aims at accelerating the adoption of off-road autotems on paved roads and highway is mated-vehicle (AV) technology to improve safety and address an acute labor easier since the roadway is well defined. shortage, thereby improving the quality and viability of rural jobs where natADS technologies can detect obstacles ural resources are located. Looking to the future, a successful project would humans cannot. Precision docking technot only benefit Canada’s forest industry, but other Canadian sectors such as nology makes backing into loading mining resources and natural resources in Northern Canada. docks safer, easier and more efficient.

Robotic Research has a history of working with groundbreaking new techHowever, what happens when you renology projects, including the development of the Xcelsior AV announced move those guides and need to autowith New Flyer this year that will create unmanned convoys of Class B, mate truck platooning in remote areas?

ADS-enabled trucks that follow a driver in a lead vehicle. The project will adapt existing technology to challenging Canadian conditions such as Proven Capabilities four-season weather and operations on off-payment roads, particularly for reOperating truck platoons in remote source roads in continental and polar climates. areas and over unpaved and rugged In Phase 1, truck convoys will be put through safety trials that mimic the access roads presents a different set of routes from harvesting sites to sawmills. Once the system is proven to be seautomation and navigation problems cure, FPInnovations will run trials on actual resource roads, known to be since there is no infrastructure availchallenging with conditions such as dust, sharp curves and steep slopes. able to support guidance. Off-road Officials with FPInnovations noted that the project testing and convoy commercial truck platooning has many work should begin soon and by fall 2022 convoys should be readsy for testof the same challenges that the miliing on actual resource road environments. tary has been working to address. In The end goal is to develop a technology solution required for a working fact, the military has been working prototype that is ready for commercial deployment. Researchers with FPInwith Leader-Follower automation sysnovations hope to have platooned log hauling convoy technology ready to detems for some time. ploy by 2025.

Like commercial platooning appliFunding is another challenge, and FPInnovations personnel are actively cations, military solutions use similar pursuing various forms of financing that would allow acceleration of the detechnology to connect trucks travelvelopment of the project. Funding sources include Canadian Federal and proing in a convoy. Where commercial vincial programs along with private contributions both cash and in-kind from carriers want to have Class 8 trucks key project collaborators. follow closely on the highway to save Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

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Michigan AgrAbility Helps Loggers Overcome Injuries

road wheelchair capable of dealing with terrain a normal wheelchair would not be able to handle. The chair, which was not covered by Berg’s insurance, cost $17,000.

This allowed Berg to get out in the the program’s USDA funding goes woods during the summer and fall JordanBeck through Michigan State University in months, but it wasn’t a solution to all of usiness was booming in 2010 East Lansing, Mich. his problems. With his mobility still for Duane Berg, owner and Stoller, who is a Purdue graduate, limited, he was unable to operate heavy founder of Berg Logging in has been involved with AgrAbility equipment like he used to. And even Gladstone, Mich.—right up until he since 1998. “I was studying agriculthe track chair was of little use in the fell off a roof. “I got injured in Notural engineering, and I wanted to do Upper Peninsula’s harsh winter vember 2010. Besides (being) a logsomething to help people,” he said. weather. ger, I was a construction worker, and I In his role as an assistive technol“In the winter, I was working up in was helping one of my friends do a ogy professional for Michigan AgrAIronwood, (Mich.) at the time. And up job,” Berg said. bility, Stoller travels to farms and logthere, they get so much snow that I Berg’s T10 vertebra was secould not get back in the woods verely injured in the fall, leavand see what was going on,” ing him paralyzed from his Berg said. Instead, Berg’s team waist down. This created a vihad to send photos for him to cious circle: he was forced to review. Without his physical run his business remotely, presence on job sites, producwhich led to production difficultion quality began to slip, and ties. In turn, that resulted in expenses started going up. lower profits, making it even Before November 2010, harder to successfully harvest Berg Logging and Berg’s contimber. Eventually, Berg was struction company had up to 40 forced to sell off all but one employees. This number dwinpiece of his company’s logging dled over time, to the point equipment. where only Berg was left—and But his story in the logging inboth of his companies were esdustry didn’t end there. Berg is sentially out of business. one of many loggers and farmers For several years during that in Michigan who have received time, Berg focused on maintainassistance from an organization ing his Gladstone property. “I Machine modifications have put Berg back in the cab and in the woods. called Michigan AgrAbility. The did plenty of other things. I did program’s goal: helping people welding and repairs that needed in the farming and logging industries ging sites across the state to learn to be done around here, and I fed the overcome injuries, illness and old age more about workers’ disabilities. cattle. But I couldn’t get into logging to continue providing for their families.

Armed with this information, he then anymore,” he said.

Michigan AgrAbility was founded works to figure out the best way to In the summer of 2016, Berg met in 1991, making it one of the initiahelp his clients get back to work— Stoller at the Upper Peninsula State tive’s first state programs. Overall, whether that involves buying new acFair, held in the city of Escanaba, there are 20 such programs today; the cessibility products or modifying exMich. There, he had a chance to learn national program is based out of Puristing equipment. about AgrAbility and how it can help due University in West Lafayette, Ind. “If there’s already a product off the agricultural workers living with disAccording to Michigan AgrAbility shelf, it’s more efficient if you can buy abilities.

Assistive Technology Professional something that’s already invented. But “I saw Ned down at the fair, and I Ned Stoller, “AgrAbility is a USDA then you need the funding to buy started talking to him, and he said his (United States Department of Agriculthat,” he said. Michigan Rehabilitation company helps people like me get ture)-funded program to help farmers Services—another partner of Michiback into it,” Berg said. and loggers with any kind of severe gan AgrAbility—is often willing to Stoller began working with Berg medical impairment … figure out how pay for equipment modifications. shortly after that meeting. One way to keep doing their work.”

More than 1,900 Michigan agriculhe was able to assist Berg was by inEach state’s AgrAbility program is tural workers need adaptive services stalling a drive-through gate on his managed by the agriculture or land (services intended to help people with property. “That’s so you can drive grant university in that state. They disabilities successfully do their jobs) through the gate without getting off partner with a nonprofit disability serevery year. In 2016, Berg was among the piece of equipment that you’re vices organization: In Michigan, it’s a these workers. driving,” Berg said. partnership between Michigan State While recovering from his injury, Michigan AgrAbility also helped University and Easterseals Michigan.

Berg attempted to continue running Berg with modifications to his forEasterseals is responsible for raising his logging company. To visit job warder. “We did a lift to raise him up donations from private donors, while sites, he used a track chair—an offfrom his wheelchair to the seat, and

B

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then we put electric controls on the throttle,” Stoller said.

According to Stoller, the lift was donated by another farmer in the area. “It was something that wasn’t needed anymore, so Duane and people around here in the Gladstone area worked together and got it attached to his log forwarder,” he said.

Though Stoller has been working with Berg since 2016, he said Michigan AgrAbility is still actively supporting Berg. “When AgrAbility gets involved with somebody, we get involved and stay in touch … we try to keep helping with adaptations. It’s not just a one-time interaction, usually,” he said.

In the fall of 2020, Michigan AgrAbility worked with students at Michigan State University to further improve the lift on Berg’s forwarder.

“They designed a better seat for the lift, so that Duane can get up easier.

It’s more comfortable and more safe for him,” Stoller said.

Like all other improvements made through Michigan AgrAbility, Berg did not have to pay for this seat. The organization never charges farmers or

Recent project boosted comfort, safety.

loggers for its work. “AgrAbility does all of the consultation and research for free for the farmer or the logging outfit, because we’re funded by the USDA,” Stoller said.

Meanwhile, new equipment and/or

modifications to existing equipment are normally paid for through Easterseals Michigan, Michigan Rehabilitation Services and other AgrAbility partners.

Today, Berg Logging—once on the verge of shuttering permanently—is back in business. Though he is still the company’s sole permanent employee, Berg has worked with subcontractors as needed. This setup has allowed Berg to take on several jobs as of late.

Berg attributed his change in fortune to Michigan AgrAbility. “It’s helped me from being out of business to be able to stay in business,” he said, and encouraged any Michigan residents in a situation similar to his own to contact Michigan AgrAbility ASAP. “Get a hold of Ned if you want to get back out … he probably can work some way out that you can get back out and do what you need to do,” Berg said.

To learn more about Michigan AgrAbility visit www.michiganagrability.org or call 1-800-956-4106. TH Reprinted from the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Assn. Great Lakes TPA magazine

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TH 2021 Logger Survey Latest results show a contractor base still coming to grips with labor, insurance issues and pandemic recovery despite red hot forest products markets. DANShell

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ogging contractors across America are continuing to work through pandemic effects that are still being felt by all businesses, against a backdrop of continually increasing insurance and other business costs and an exploding forest products market with the highest lumber and panel prices in history, a phenomenon that hasn’t resulted in much of a wealth “trickle down” effect to the contractor base.

The Timber Harvesting Logger Survey gauges the heath and outlook of loggers across the country and gives the industry a snapshot of current conditions and insight into ongoing tends.

Special thanks goes to the almost 500 loggers who took the time to fill out the survey that helps TH develop an ongoing logger survey database, and

informs policy makers throughout the supply chain about the health of industry’s logging corps.

Aging contractor base—One of the first questions the survey asked was the logger’s age, and the results in 2021 show a continued trend toward an aging logging force. As of 2021, just under one-third of all loggers (32%) are older than age 60. Meanwhile, 24% of contractors are age 5060, 23% are between 41-50, 15% are age 31-40 and 5% are 30 or younger.

Since early this century, the number of loggers over the age of 60 has doubled: Fifteen years ago, in a Timber Harvesting Logging Business Survey of 507 loggers, 15% were over the age of 60. By 2016, following a major economic downturn and decent recovery, the number of loggers over the

age of 60 was 22%. In Timber Harvesting’s most recent Logger Survey in 2019, the percentage of loggers over the age of 60 was 29%.

The graying of the upper end of loggers’ ages is also reflected in the percentage of younger loggers age 40 and under that continues to fall: In 2006, 26% of loggers were 40 or younger, and in 2016 some 23% of loggers were 40 or younger. Yet in 2021, only 20% of loggers are 40 or younger.

Trend toward larger companies— An industry that’s showing an aging contractor base and fewer young contractors stepping in to replace them will likely see a trend toward larger companies, and that’s happening in the woods right now.

While the logging industry is dominated by smaller logging companies that run one (64%) or two (15%) crews, the percentage of loggers reporting they operate five or more crews has more than doubled in the past 15 years to just under 8% of all logging companies.

In 2006 just 3.5% of loggers reported running five or more crews, and that number had moved to 4% by 2016. This also reflects generally good markets for many loggers, with lumber markets on fire and an economy coming back from the COVID pandemic.

Also in 2021, 8% of loggers reported running three crews, and 4% of loggers reported running four crews.

The trend toward larger companies is also reflected in overall logging business investment levels. In 2021, 62% of loggers reported overall investment of $1 million or less; 29% of loggers reported total investment of $1-$2 million; 6% of loggers have investments of % billion to $11 million; and 2.5% report investments of more than $11 million.

Financial health—During the past two years that include market fluctua-

Many loggers are still sorting through the pandemic’s impact on their businesses.

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tions, natural disasters, a presidential election and a historic pandemic that has rocked the economy and labor market, loggers’ self-reported financial health has stayed remarkably stable and improved a bit as the percentages of those on the low end of the scale report their fortunes improved somewhat.

In 2021, just over 51% of loggers reported their company’s financial health as “Good” (38%) to “Very Good” (13%). That’s virtually the same as 2019, when 50% of loggers reported the same thing.

What’s changed is the percentage of loggers reported their financial health as “Poor” to “Very Poor” has gone down, from 15% in 2019 to 12% today. It may not seem like much, but that’s a 20% decrease. Meanwhile, the percentage of loggers seeing their financial health as “Fair” has ticked up a bit in the past two years, rising to 36% today from 32% in 2019.

Interestingly, despite a general consensus that the Southeast U.S. is the primary growth region for forest products as evidenced by major capital investment there the past few years, less than half of Southeast loggers (7%) rated their business health as “very good” compared to 16% of Northern contractors, and 17% of Western contractors.

Asked to estimate their pre-tax profit percentage for 2020, loggers reported a slight uptick in profitability since 2018, but not much. The relatively good news (except that it’s almost a third of industry’s logging base) is that only 31% of loggers reported either breaking even (13%) or losing money (18%) the past two years, compared to 33% in 2019.

The percentage of loggers reporting a 2020 pre-tax profit percentage of

more than 10% was virtually unchanged from two years prior—21% both years. Going down the scale, 20% of loggers report a 2020 pre-tax profit percentage of 7-10%, while 16% of loggers report a profit level of 4-6%, and 12% of loggers reported margins of 1%-3%.

During the past two years, more loggers (22%) have downsized their operations than expanded (18%).

Meanwhile, right at 60% of loggers

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say their businesses have remained the same the past two years. A whopping 78% report that operating a logging business today is more challenging than two years ago.

Markets & Mills—Timber Harvesting asked loggers to look at three broad markets over the past two years: sawlogs, pulpwood and biomass-fiber.

Only sawlogs had a net positive response, as 31% of loggers said their sawlog markets have improved com-

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pared to 17% who said their sawlog markets have been reduced. Meanwhile, 40% of loggers say their pulpwood-chip markets have been reduced in the past two year compared to 15% who say they expanded. Likewise, 35% of loggers say their biomass-fuel wood markets have been reduced the past two years, and only 16% have seen expansion.

Loggers were also asked to judge nine different log categories, and rate

which three were the most profitable to produce since mid-2020, when forest lumber and plywood-OSB prices truly took off. The most profitable product since then is hardwood sawlogs, chosen by 47% of loggers. Softwood sawlogs are second-most profitable, said 42% of loggers, followed by hardwood veneer plylogs that are cited as most profitable by 38% of loggers.

The remaining categories ranked by profitability are: pulpwood (paper mill) for 20% of loggers, softwood plylogs cited by 17% of loggers, and pulpwood (packaging plant) for 14%. The bottom three log profitability categories are OSB plant logs (13%), pellet mill logs (11%) and fiber-hog fuel logs (9%).

Looking at the same time frame, which has seen lumber and panel prices skyrocket since mid-2020 to historic levels, Timber Harvesting asked loggers what they’ve seen from their consuming mills in terms of changes to cut and haul rates, quotas, etc.

Almost half—46%—of loggers said they had seen no real change in their compensation or load volumes since mid 2020. For the other half it’s a mixed bag ranging from the 30% of loggers who said they have seen rate increases (10%), fewer quotas-more

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loads (10%) and more consistent work (10%), to the 24% of loggers who said they have seen tighter quotas (12%) and even rate reductions (12%).

That almost one-fourth of loggers have seen reductions in rates or load volumes during a time that mills are making huge amounts of money brought some pithy comments from TH readers.

“We’ve seen no real raise in logging rates….but a HUGE increase in demand for logs,” said one logger. Another logger noted that while salvage operations are providing lots of work in western Oregon, the resulting log volumes are flooding the market. This question received many comments, mostly summed up by the logger who said, “We don’t know who’s getting (the money from) all this big increase in lumber prices, but it sure ain’t us!”

Asked about the best way for loggers to increase their compensation and cut and haul rates, almost half, 48%, said better negotiation was the key. Another 20% of loggers said that the trend toward bigger loggers is the second-most likely way for loggers to see an increase. Nine percent of loggers said third party certification such as the Master Logger Program is the best way to see an increase.

Just under 4% of loggers said state licensing systems such as those for building contractors or plumbers is the way to see a compensation boost.

This question also drew a slew of comments. “We’ve got to have either fewer loggers or more markets,” said one respondent, expressing what many other comments said in so many words: the best indicator of a compensation increase is a mill running low on wood.

Even so, while lumber and panel markets are red hot for mills they are increasingly a sore spot for many loggers, who commented that wood-consuming mills should be sharing some of the windfall, either as a general principle or as a strategic investment in strengthening the supply chain. More than a few comments spoke of the need to form cooperatives or even unions to enable loggers to

operate sustainable businesses.

Increased markets and competition are the only things that will drive up prices in our area,” said one logger.

Another noted that “Rates won’t go up until so many loggers have gone out of business that the mills can’t get the fiber they need.”

Operating so long on the tiniest margins may make what was once considered radical simply realistic now, some loggers noted, like the contractor who said he’d been in the business more than 30 years and never seen the use for a co-op until now.

“Band together and demand more money. The wood industry is $33 billion dollars and 150,000 employees and not a dime of it happens without loggers,” said one TH reader.

Another reader noted that agricultural co-ops, available in multiple timber states, are the best way to gain better rates for logging. “What other business out there makes a product

and then lets someone else decide what the value is?”

Looking ahead, TH asked loggers about their expectations for the next two years for “overall log and pulpwood demand” in their local markets.

Just over a third of loggers (35%) are optimistic, with 12% looking for significant improvement and 23% expecting slight improvement. Some 16% of loggers say they expect markets in their area to diminish, while 50% expect demand to remain about the same.

Operations—Controlling costs is always a concern for loggers, and the impacts of the pandemic are still being felt for many. TH asked loggers what actions they had taken in the past two years to keep costs down, the top three actions have been selling equipment (34%), negotiating better terms with suppliers (32%) and the tried and true “owner’s pay cut” taken by 31% of loggers. Diversification was chosen by another 31% of loggers. Nine percent

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of loggers say they’ve bid out some of their suppliers to lower costs.

With roughly a third of loggers looking to diversify to reduce costs and boost revenues, many operate businesses that are related or close to forest operations. Almost half, 44% of loggers, operate an affiliated trucking company. Other top diversification avenues include roadbuilding operations (28% of loggers), firewood and farming (24%), land clearing-mulching ventures (21%) and forest management (20%). Loggers also report a wide range of companies such as sawmills (12%), wood-storage yards and non-affiliated trucking (10%), gravel-sand operations (9%), equipment repair (7%), reforestation services and used equipment brokering (6%).

While 21% of loggers say they laid off employees during the past two years to cut costs, only 12% said they eliminated one or more crews. Of those who dropped crews, more than three-fourths dropped only one.

With labor such a key issue for logging contractors, employee compensation packages are vitally important. In their respective operating markets, 84% of loggers believe they are paying employees wages that are competitive for their area.

Asked for specific steps they take to attract and retain employees, 74% said they ensure competitive pay packages, 50% of loggers use production bonuses; 35% of loggers offer paid vacation; 25% of loggers offer health insurance; 24% provide regular raises; and 12% offer profit-sharing plans.

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media in their businesses. The top usage? Buying and selling equipment, cited by 51% of loggers.

Learning how other loggers solve mechanical issues is the next-biggest use, say 37% of loggers. Showing examples of your work is a good use of the Internet, say 21%, while 20% use it to find employees. Nineteen percent of loggers use the web to find timber to purchase-harvest, and 17% of loggers use the internet to demonstrate professionalism and educate the public. In networking with other loggers, 48% report they are a member of a Facebook loggers’ group of some type.

(To give several examples how rapidly this has changed in the past five years, the same question in the 2016 Timber Harvesting Logger Survey showed only 22% of loggers using the Internet and social media to find equipment, only 9% of loggers were using it to help with mechanical issues, only 5% were using it to find timber.)

One cautionary comment on the Facebook membership question noted that it’s not just loggers who are looking at these groups. While many loggers or their employees like to share posts and videos of “wild and crazy” logging adventures, “The lack of PPE and posts of equipment tearing up the land in some of these groups is shocking,” the logger noted, reminding that if loggers can’t police themselves others will be happy to do it for them.

Equipment—Loggers rated today’s logging equipment in seven broad categories. They say suppliers are doing a pretty good job, with more than half of loggers describing equipment in all categories as “good” to “very good.”

Overall performance is rated as good

(52%) to very good (32%) by 84% of loggers.

The top-rated factor is operator comfort, selected as good (45%) to very good (46%) by 91% of loggers. Another 84% cited durability as either good (52%) to very good (32%).

Closely related, reliability was cited by 77% of loggers as good (53%) to very good (24%).

Of the seven categories, ease of maintenance received the highest “poor” score (13%), followed by after-sale support (8%) and fuel economy (6%).

Many manufacturers are offering equipment with telematics that monitor everything from fuel usage to property lines and allow loggers to closely track production and costs.

Asked about such equipment, 52% of loggers say they don’t run equipment that has such features. Another 23% of loggers say they have equipment that does offer such features but they don’t use them. Meanwhile, 19% of loggers have such equipment and technology but only monitor certain reports. And only 6% of loggers say they try to take advantage of all such technology has to offer.

Asked what equipment purchases they had planned this year, the largest category of responses—35%—said “None!” Of those in a buying mode, the top purchase for 2021 is skidders (10% of loggers). Another 9% each cited the venerable chain saw, knuckleboom loader and feller-buncher, for purchase this year. Six percent of loggers say they are planning to purchase a trailer this year, and 5% of loggers say they are looking to buy an excavator or cut-to-length harvester. A cable machine (tower, jammer, swing yarder), dozer, cut-to-length forwarder or processing head were each cited by 3% of loggers, and 2% are looking for a chipper-grinder machine.

When it comes to equipment maintenance, 83% of loggers say they try to do routine work internally, and 42% maintain a shop to do so. More than a third (37%) of loggers maintain at least one service truck-trailer. A little less than a third of loggers (29%) pay a dealership or independent mechanic for routine service-repair work. Extended warranties are purchased by 21% of loggers and 15% have at least TIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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one full-time mechanic on the payroll.

The survey also took a quick look at woods tires and traction systems. Overall, 71% of loggers run with tires on woods equipment, while 29% operate with standard tracks. Of the tire users, 35% operate with chains on woods equipment, while 13% operate with tires and aftermarket track systems. Another 18% report running chains or aftermarket tracks only in certain conditions or seasonally. Loggers were asked to use a sliding scale to report how long they generally run woods machine tires before replacing, and the average is just over 4,000 hours (4,075).

Concerning loggers’ costs for maintenance-repair, tires and other parts and supplies (not fuel), 58% report they spend $100,000 or less, pointing up the many small producers in the industry. Another 28% of loggers spend between $100,000 and $300,000 annually on maintenance-supplies, while 10% report spending between $300,000 and $500,000. Just over 4% of loggers report spending $500,000 or more on maintenance-supplies.

Piece of Your Mind—In conclusion, the TH Logger Survey has asked this question for years: In the next five years, do you plan to stay in the business and look to grow, just hang on or get out?

Five years ago, 54% of loggers were committed to the next five years and looking to expand, 30% said they wanted five more years but no expansion and 16% said they were likely to get out in the next five years.

This year, following the wild ride of the pandemic and ongoing high demand markets in some areas and faltering demand in others, only 40% of loggers say they are in it and looking to expand, and now 39% say they are good for another five years but not looking to grow. Most ominously, 20%—one fifth of America’s logging contractors—is looking to get out of the business within the next five years.

That’s a 25% increase in the number of loggers looking to get out in the past five years.

A big part of the Timber Harvesting Logger Survey is the general comments section where we ask loggers for their thoughts on the industry and its future. This year, 89 loggers gave us a piece of their mind.

Among the snappy and pithy one-liners and off the wall comments were plenty of insightful thoughts. Here are some of the more well-reasoned and thought out: ● Since we have to produce more to make more it’s a fast paced job. Logging should not be a hurry-hurry job.

To ensure the safety of others and us we need to get paid more so we don’t have to rush. Insurance, equipment, supplies, labor: All these things have gone up year after year, but guess what remains the same? What loggers get paid. This has not changed in the 25+ years that I have been in logging.

To be competitive you lose money on your trucking also. What you get paid for a long haul never adds up to what the mileage really is. Never thought I would have millions of dollars invested in a business and have someone else tell me what I am going to do the job for. ● Logging is an honest, satisfying, yet challenging occupation that is cyclical, volatile, and susceptible to many outside forces, the greatest of which is good markets. The other biggest reality is that the cost of equipment to both purchase and maintain is ever increasing, along with insurance costs. So, I would venture to guess that we are much like farming in that the biggest producers do well when markets are going good, but a significant portion of the logging capacity is still made up of medium to smaller size operations where long-term sustainability ends up being the question.

Most loggers do what they do because they are born into it, love the woods environment they work in or maybe not smart enough to do something else (Ha!). But if they really considered the investment vs return for the risk (markets/weather, etc.), they would be hard pressed to consider it truly viable/sustainable. How-

ever, many businesses (not just logging) are in the same boat, so suppose that it ends up being “to each his own” and people keep doing it because they don’t know what else they’d do-or until they can’t anymore or sell out or hit bankruptcy. Not really negative, just a hard reality. ● Logging is my life, I would probably never quit, but we are being forced out. We don’t get cost of living increases. We work in an industry that doesn’t consider or adjust our logging rates based on what it’s going to cost to log each tract. Mill expectations continue to grow, implementing new regulations and assessing penalties without an increase in logging rates.

Equipment costs, insurance expenses, fuel, and payroll, just to name a few of the big ones, make it nearly impossible for the good ones to stay in business. As I see it the mill is its own worst enemy. We can’t work without a mill and they can’t operate without loggers. If things don’t change we will all suffer. ● I feel if the logging industry could form a company that could furnish health insurance for families, we wouldn’t have near the problem finding employees. Health insurance is the first question most future employees ask about. We furnish employee health insurance but most want family members to be involved. ● Logging today requires a degree in Business, Forestry, Mechanical Engineering and Environmental and Computer Sciences from either a university or the school of hard knocks.

That said, the logging profession is still compensated as if it is a career of just labor. Because of this, anyone with one of these degrees are choosing to take a job in another industry that does compensate for their degree. ● Here in Montana—all the logging contractors have gray hair.

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Feller Bunchers Cleanfix Boosts Engine Cooling Cleanfix is revolutionizing engine-cooling systems. Our multi-patented reversing fan solutions clean radiators, contribute to optimal cooling and extend the lives of machines in high-dust environments. Cleanfix enables for less downtime, significant fuel savings and increased efficiency of an operation.

With the Cleanfix Standard (SC) reversible Reversing fan solutions fan, the blades are rotated with pneumatic or clean radiators, contribute hydraulic actuation. Resetting takes place by to optimal cooling and exspring force. If required, the cleaning process can be automated with a timer. For the Clean- tend the lives of machines. fix Variable Pitch (VP) System, in addition to the reverse function for cooling and cleaning, this fan series offers a variable blade angle adjustment—according to the cooling required by the machine—without engaging in the engine electronics.

The benefit: Further fuel saving and a reduction of the drive power of the fan by up to 60%.

Cleanfix thermal actuator are completely reliable. Thermal actuators for the adjustment of the blade angles are made of components filled with wax that have been proven in millions of thermostats. The wax expands within a fixed temperature range, thereby moving a small piston, which changes the angle of the blades from flat to steep. Since all blades are connected via a piston inside the hub, their synchronous movement is ensured. This gives the system the highest possible level of safety.

Visit cleanfix.org

NAF Axles Mean F-B Productivity NAF AG has been manufacturing axles and gearboxes for over 60 years.

As one of the world’s leading drive train producers for self-propelled forestry machines, we bring our proven modular-minded approach of rigid and bogie axles to the forests’ functional, economical, and logistical challenges. Cut-tolength, whole tree, harvesting, mulching, transporting, loading and planning all have unique opportunities. NAF is proven in the forest and ready for your NAF brings a proven next challenge. modular-minded apNAF has created a durable line up of our bogie axles. Our bogies are gear driven, can be proach of rigid and bogie equipped with our patented Permanent Balancing Bogie System (PBBS), oil immersed axles to the forests’ func- capsuled brakes and have multiple differential lock options. Optimized ground clearance allows our bogie axles to walk the timber with six or eight wheeled machines. The Bogie tional, economical, and can be a portal type, or fix planetary allowing for up to 28 tons of timber payload. These logistical challenges. bogie options will allow for your machine to gain the speed and tractive effort needed to move the wood you need.

NAF AG has spent the last seven years supporting the North American market with its most recent location NAF North America, in Morris, Ill. Opening in 2015 as part of the NAF AG Company, this wholly owned subsidiary has taken North America’s forests to the next step in the NAF family. Sales, support, parts and just in time axle delivery are available from this location. Visit nafaxles.com

Ponsse Harvesters: Felling Durability In Ponsse’s harvester heads, durability and reliability come first. Harvester grapples must withstand extreme stress, while being as accurate and gentle as possible, without damaging the stem surface unnecessarily. This is why Ponsse’s harvester heads have been developed together with their users. Innovative design, continuous R&D and decades of experience have made Ponsse harvester heads the quality leaders in the markets.

Ponsse harvester heads offer a superior performance. Their solid structure, effective functions and precise control guarantee excellent productivity, a high level of quality and, of Innovative design, contincourse, a long service life. Ponsse models range from the best general harvester heads in the mar- uous R&D and decades of kets to optimized harvester grapples—of course, experience have made all being easily adjustable and serviceable Ponsse harvester heads The Ponsse H8 HD is a tough-built harvester head with high power and excellent geometry for the most demanding logging operations. It is designed for the hard use in tracked the quality leaders. base machines, featuring a heavy-duty frame structure and efficient hydraulic system to ensure high reliability and performance. The Ponsse H8 HD is a heavy-duty harvester head for felling and processing of hardwood and softwood in hard conditions. Strong grip, powerful feeding and fast sawing are packed in a robust and reliable package that can be fitted into various tracked carriers. Reinforced frame and tilt arm give robustness needed in tough operations.

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Feller Bunchers Wide feed roller geometry supports even the large stems with feed rollers instead of delimbing blades. This allows using lower pressure on knives, improving fuel economy and feeding speed as well as measuring accuracy. Optimal tilt pivot geometry minimizes the upwards torque of the head, giving smoother feeding and better grip of the tree. Visit ponsse.com

Tigercat Wheel, Track Feller Bunchers Tigercat builds drive-to-tree feller bunchers for the full range of thinning and final felling duties. The 720G and 724G are designed for thinning and clear fell applications and the large capacity 726G fells large diameter timber in tough terrain.

The G-series machines cabs are designed for productivity and operator comfort. Visibility is enhanced with a larger front window and larger rear quarter windows. The view over the back tires is the best in the industry – an asset in thinning applications.

Only Tigercat offers WideRange, the infinitely variable transmission for drive-to-tree feller bunchers. WideRange allows the Quicker travel boosts to travel more quickly than conventional two-speed transmission equipped productivity and reduces operator feller bunchers. Quicker travel boosts productivity and reduces cost per ton in high procost per ton in high pro- duction thinning and final fell applications. Tigercat’s unique WideRange drive system is standard on all G-series feller bunchers. A two-speed transmission is optional on the duction thinning and 720G and 724G. final fell applications.

Tigercat has recently added the 822E to its track buncher line-up. Based on the popular 822D, the 822E is designed for challenging thinning and final felling applications. The powerful lift capacity, tight-tuck ER boom geometry, and compact tail-swing make the 822E the perfect choice for selective felling where minimum site impact is important.

A redesigned engine enclosure provides improved roof access for cleaning debris. A boom slider also reduces debris build-up in hard to reach areas. The clamshell style enclosure and drop-down side platform allow easy access to all sides of the engine. The updated cab on the 822E includes a durable, roomy, air ride seat with heating and cooling. The fulllength front window and narrow side posts give the operator an excellent view of the tracks and surrounding area.

Visit tigercat.com

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Doubling Down Pays Off: NC Chipping Specialist After a difficult start, David Hudson pushed through to make DR Logging succeed.

DAVIDAbbott HAMLET, NC ater this year it will have been a full decade since David Hudson, now 43, started DR Logging, LLC in November 2011. Before that, Hudson had spent 10 years at Superior Cranes in Rockingham, five years with Meacham Logging out of Ellerbe and about a year with Allen Brothers Timber of Norman, NC. Hudson hadn’t grown up around logging, but upon finding a job with Allen Brothers right out of high school, he learned that he liked it. “Once it gets in your blood it’s hard to get it out,” he affirms.

The initials in DR Logging stand for David and Richard, as in David Hudson and Richard Boyle, his partner at the time. Back then, Hudson recalls,

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“It was just used equipment I had bought and it kept breaking down.”

After about a year of constant breakdowns, Hudson decided it wasn’t working so he tried to get out in 2012.

Richard went his own way, but David soon found that getting out for him was easier said than done; no one wanted to take his equipment off his hands. “I couldn’t sell it and I still had debt to pay,” he recalls. The only solution he saw was to double down, to go even deeper in debt in order to upgrade his equipment. He went back to work, stayed hard at it and turned things around.

“David impresses me so much because when he started this business, he could have failed so easily with all the

equipment breakdowns he had,” says Marc Franks, the Carolina Cat salesman who takes care of DR Logging’s equipment needs. “He did truly work all the time to make this thing work.”

Even though Hudson has been on his own all but the first year, he kept the name DR Logging, he says, because it wasn’t worth the hassle to change it.

Equipment Hudson’s struggles that first year left him with a certain point of view: “It’s easier to make a payment than it is to work on it and make a payment too,” he says. “It’s one thing if you can find some good used equipment from someTIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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one you know took care of it, versus buying something that you don’t know where it came from or how it was treated. I’d as soon go buy something new and make the payment.” The first new machine Hudson bought was a 2013 model Cat 559C loader.

Today, DR Logging runs almost all Weiler/Caterpillar equipment from Carolina Cat. He bought his first Weiler machines in 2019, as soon as they were available. “As soon as they took over I think I bought one of the first ones,” he says. Some people might have had concerns, not sure what to expect, but Hudson jumped right in without hesitation. “I like Cat equipment,” he explains. “It’s always been tough and held up for me. And Weiler is supposed to be a little better, because Mr. Weiler and Bill Hood are engineers, they listen to the customer.”

So far, Hudson says, his experience with Weiler…the machines and the man…has been nothing but positive.

In fact, Pat Weiler has actually come out to the DR Logging job site to ask Hudson’s opinions on cutters and skidders, Hudson reveals. “David and I met Pat Weiler for the first time together,” Franks says. “He was here for an open house that we did introducing new products. David’s cutter was supposed to be there so he could take delivery, but there was something that wasn’t right on the assembly line.

Instead of shipping it and then fixing it, they fixed it and then shipped it.

That impressed me.”

DR Logging has three Weiler feller-bunchers (two B670s and a B570); a Weiler S350 skidder alongside three Cats (525D, 535D, and 545D) and a John Deere 648G-III at the shop; and two Cat 559C loaders, a 2016 and the ’13 model he bought new eight years ago. He also has three chippers: a 2015 Peterson 6300 and two Morbarks, a 4036 and a 3036, the first one he bought. The Morbarks came from John Deere dealer James River Equipment, while the Weiler and Caterpillar machines and Peterson chipper were from Carolina Cat. Hudson usually builds and maintains his own roads with a John Deere 700K dozer and two Cat excavators, 320 and 313 models. He sometimes rents these machines out or uses them to take on side jobs when he has time.

Operators write hours down on filters so they know when oil needs to be changed—every 250 hours, or about once a month. “We drain oil on Fri-

With three chippers, DR Logging hauls most of its loads to Enviva.

From left: Justin Snead, Edward Hildreth, Jameal Matthews (back), Waylon Andrews, Tommy Gladieux, Ricky Godfrey, David Hudson

days and fill it back up Saturday,” Hudson says. “I like to let them sit empty and drain over night to try to get it all out.” Chippers are greased daily; everything else gets greased once a week. Hudson has a 60x80 aluminum shop with a full-time mechanic, Barry Coward. “With all the machines, trucks, trailers, there is always something that needs to be worked on,” the logger says. The oldest piece he runs daily is the 2013 loader, the first new machine he bought. Any major issues he takes back to Carolina Cat, even on machines not under warranty. “We do transmissions and rear ends; we don’t do engine jobs. In engines I want to get it done somewhere so I have warranty on it when it’s done.” His rule applies to both trucks and equipment.

Chipper maintenance is a daily thing. “When the knives get dull you burn more fuel,” Hudson says. Knife life varies depending on the wood, but as they work in mostly pine, he says they can get 15 to 20 loads chipped to a set of knives, meaning they change knives about every other day. He has a guy who picks up knives from his shop, sharpens and drops them back off.

If machines are not working they’re not paying for themselves, but Hudson says none of it keeps him up: “I sleep like a baby every night,” he says. “I let none of it worry me, I just go with the flow. I like to get it done and go home, not waste time.” His philosophy: “Get all I can while I can, because you never know when the mill will go down or when the rain will come. The

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Hudson says he can turn out around 100 loads a week when conditions are right.

Crew

A loyal Cat customer, Hudson was pleased with the Weiler transition.

rain last year was so bad it put me down at the bottom of the barrel. We had tracts bought but we couldn’t get in and out of woods.”

Markets Canal Wood Products buys all the timber DR Logging cuts. Hudson prefers this approach to buying his own tracts. “I don’t usually have time because I’m on the job all the time,” he explains. “This way I don’t have to hunt for it or do all the paperwork; let them handle it. They pay me a cut and haul rate and I don’t have to negotiate with the mill. I tell them what I have to have and they make it work.”

Franks adds, “In this area, I think at the end of the day a man would go broke if he had to buy his own timber.” He points to a lot of competition from a lot of big companies. “There are so many big sawmills around here,” Hudson acknowledges.

Timber Harvesting found Hudson in late May working on a first thinning 24

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job on a private tract near Denton, NC. They average working about 70 miles from home, and haul about 70 miles from the job site. “That’s about the farthest I’d want to go,” he says. “If you get much farther than that, the mill won’t pay more and you’re kind of going backwards.”

Here, the crew was hauling 100% chips, all of it to Enviva Pellets in Hamlet. Generally they do haul mostly chips but some roundwood. When they haul logs, they haul to Troy Lumber in Troy.

“I have 100 loads a week I can haul if I can get them there,” he says. “The wood is here to do 20+ loads daily.”

Enviva has not been down, he says; hardwood has been slow but pine has been wide open. Max weight in North Carolina is 90,000 lbs.

The DR Logging fleet is 11 rigs strong, pulling ITI chip vans, including two walking floors. Trucks are Freightliners and Western Stars, and a 2020 Peterbilt is his personal truck; he pulls a load himself when he gets a chance.

Crew members include Hudson’s cousin, Edward Hildreth, who has been on the job since 2013, along with Justin Snead, Waylon Andrews, Ricky Godfrey, Jameal Matthews and Tommy Gladieux. Truck drivers are Tracey Patterson, Donnie Smith, Jimmy McDonald, Melissa Blackmon, Antoine Dumas and Sam Sheppard.

Hudson had been running two crews, but consolidated them into one big crew this spring. “Usually you can find people who want to work, but then they don’t want to actually work,” he says. “They can’t work the hours I work sometimes and they just don’t come back. They never give a reason; they just stop showing up. That’s why I consolidated to one crew.

The crew wears hardhats, steel-toed boots and high visibility shirts. “I give them all bright green or orange shirts,” Hudson says. “I want everybody to be seen.” No one is ever on the ground with a chain saw. Insurance is through Southeastern Agency Group in Greensboro.

Operational costs are steep. Payroll averages $15,000-$18,000 a week; fuel in the woods averages $7,000$8,000 a week, and truck fuel another $4,000 a week. That’s not counting equipment payments or insurance.

“David works all the time, but he does make sure that he and his family do things together,” Franks says. “The first time I met him he was just getting back from a family vacation.” Hudson has been married to his wife Chrissy for 21 years this June; she works for Richmond County. They have two daughters, Mikhaila, 21, a recent nursing school graduate, and Skylar, 20, a TH student at UNC Wilmington.

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AMERICAN LOGGERS COUNCIL 27th Annual Meeting • October 7-9, 2021 Coeur d’ Alene Resort, Cour d ’Alene, Idaho

“The Gem State”

O

27th Annual Meeting Agenda THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7 7 am–5 pm: Registration at Coeur d’ Alene Resort.

Exhibits Open. Convention Center 8 am–4 pm: Idaho Logging Tour (optional) 6:30 pm–8:30 pm: Cocktail Welcome Reception at the Coeur d’ Alene Resort, Bay 1-2, Explore Coeur d’ Alene for Dinner options 8:30 pm–9 pm: Executive Committee meeting, TBD

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8

n behalf of the American Loggers Council, and the Associated Logging Contractors– Idaho, I invite you to attend our 27th Annual Meeting in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, a visitor’s paradise and truly one of our nation’s gems.

After taking a year off from a face-to-face annual meeting due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are proud to be hosting the 27th reunion of the members, sponsors and allied association representatives that have allowed us to stay in business over the past 27 years.

All events will be based out of the Coeur d’Alene Resort, an easy drive from the Spokane International Airport (GEG).

Coeur d’Alene offers many opportunities for you to make this a family

affair, from our scenic natural attractions to lake activities and shopping in the downtown area should you choose to extend your visit.

Debbie and I are excited that you are visiting our part of the country and welcome you to some of the friendliest people on the planet, but be forewarned, Idaho law prohibits you giving a box of candy to someone weighing 50 pounds or more!

See you in October!

6 am–12 pm: Registration at Coeur d’ Alene Resort.

6:45 am–7:45 am: Breakfast Buffet, Casco/Kidd/ N Cape – Convention Center 8 am–4 pm: Seminars and guest speaker, Bay 5-6, Convention Center (lunch included) 10 am–12 pm: ALC Spouses Event, Playing With Glass–Craft your own beautiful glass souvenir then lunch at Tito Macaroni’S followed by shopping at your own in beautiful Coeur d’ Alene 6 pm-7 pm: President’s Reception-Bay 1-3, Convention Center 7 pm–10 pm: President’s Dinner & ALC Auction, Convention Center

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9 6 am-8 am: Registration at Convention Center 7 am–7:45 am: Breakfast buffet, Bay 4, Convention Center 8 am–9 am: ALC Board of Directors meeting, Bay 2-3, Convention Center 9:15 am–11:30 am: Full membership meeting, Bay 2-3, Convention Center 12 pm–1:30 pm: Full membership Awards Luncheon— Sponsor recognition, Presidents Award & Logging Activist of the Year Award, Bay 4, Convention Center

Tim Christopherson President

ALC’s Live Auction – Friday, October 8, 2021 Item Name: ________________________________________________________________ Description of Item: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Estimated Value: _______________ Donor: _______________________________________ Contact person: ____________________________________________________________ The American Loggers Council is a nonprofit 501(c)(6)organization. Donations given to the ALC for auction items may not be written off as a charitable contribution. Please have all donated auction items turned in at the registration desk by noon Friday, October 8 to facilitate setting up the event. Thank you!

If you need to ship your auction item to the meeting, please send to: Coeur d ’Alene Resort, c/o Melissa Menke, 115 South Second Street, Coeur d’ Alene, ID 83814.

All auction items being shipped need to arrive at the Resort more than five business days prior to the start of an event or auction.

Please clearly mark package "For American Loggers Council Event 10-8-2021.”

Association Supporters The American Loggers Council would like to thank these businesses for their year-round support and sponsorship of our organization: Bitco Insurance Companies, Forestry Mutual Insurance, Hatton-Brown Publishers, Hawkins & Rawlinson, Hiab, John Deere, Loggers World Magazine, The Lyme Timber Company, Maxam Tire, Morbark, International Truck, North American Timber Program, Peterbilt, Ponsse, Southern Loggers Cooperative, Tigercat, Titan International, Wallingford’s Inc., Western Star

9 am–2:30 pm: Ladies—on your own in Coeur d’ Alene 6 pm–7 pm: President’s Farewell Reception, Bay 1-2, Convention Center 7 pm–10 pm: President’s Farewell Banquet, Roll Call of the States, Timber Harvesting’s Logging Busines of the Year Award, Passing of the gavel presentation

Booking Your Hotel We have contracted with the Coeur d’ Alene Resort in Coeur d’ Alene, Id. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 1-888-965-6542. Be sure and let them know you are with the American Loggers Council when making your reservation to receive the group rate.

Room Rates Single North Wind $160/night Park Tower $195/night Lake Tower $240/night Group rates apply only to the specific room block as noted above. All rates are subject to local and state taxes. Early check-outs must be confirmed at time of check-in. Changes made after that time will be subject to a $75 change fee.

The cut-off date is August 25, 2021 and it will be here before you know it!

Getting There The closest airport to Coeur d’ Alene is the Spokane International Airport (GEG), 38.8 miles or a 41 minute drive. The Resort currently provides 6passenger LimoVan service to and from Spokane International Airport with 48-hour advance reservations. The current rate is $69 per person, round trip; $29 per child ages 2-11, round trip. A 13 passenger motor coach is also available.

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AMERICAN LOGGERS COUNCIL 27TH ANNUAL MEETING OCTOBER 7-9, 2021 • REGISTRATION FORM Please submit one form for each attendee. Make copies if needed.

(CIRCLE ONE)

Mr. Ms. Mrs.

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

FULL MEETING REGISTRATION INCLUDES: Thursday Idaho Logging Tour ● Thursday Welcome Reception ● Friday ALC Ladies Event with lunch ● ● Friday Seminars and guest speakers ● Friday President’s Reception and Dinner & Auction ● ● Saturday Awards Luncheon ● President’s Farewell Reception & Banquet ● Friday and Saturday Breakfast ● ●

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

ALC Member Registration Fee: √ ■ Early Bird Registration (postmarked by 8/31/2021) ■ On-Site Registration (after 8/31/2021)

$350.00 $375.00

ALC Member Spouse Registration Fee: √

■ Early Bird Registration (postmarked by 8/31/2021)

$350.00

■ On-Site Registration (after 8/31/2021)

$375.00

Non-Member Registration Fee: √ ■ Early Bird Registration (postmarked by 8/31/2021)

■ On-Site Registration (after 8/31/2021)

Included Events √ ■ Thursday’s Optional Idaho Logging Tour ■ Thursday’s Welcome Reception

■ ■ ■ ■

■ ■ $400.00 ■ ■ $375.00

Friday—Logger Breakfast Friday—ALC Ladies “Playing With Glass” event and lunch Friday—Seminars & Lunch Friday—President’s Reception, Banquet & Auction

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

I have enclosed full payment for the events indicated for the total amount of $ _____________ Please make check payable to: American Loggers Council For best rates, please complete and mail or fax by August 31 to: American Loggers Council 3961 S. Barker Road., Gilbert, MN 55741 Questions? Email Scott.dane@amloggers.com; phone 218-780-5927 CANCELLATION POLICY: Registration cancellation by August 10=full refund; cancellation by August 21=50% refund; cancellation after August 21=no refund. NO SHOW POLICY: Early bird registered attendees that do not cancel by August 31 will be billed.

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NewsLines 8 environmental technology to meet current performance standards; and invest in quality and safety equipment. Work is expected to take place over the next three years.

SYP Sawmill Plans To Build Back Thankfully no injuries were reported after an air compressor exploded and started a fire at East Alabama Lumber’s sawmill at Lafayette, Ala. on April 22.

The fire took out most of the sawmill in the primary breakdown area.

“We’ve got some equipment that it didn’t affect,” says owner Bob Dudley, adding that while the planer mill and kilns weren’t damaged, much of the lumber breakdown green end was a complete loss. “We’re definitely going to rebuild.” He says mill personnel are looking at replacement equipment and developing a plan to get the facility back up and running as soon as possible.

Dudley Lumber also operates a pine sawmill at Salem, Ala. and a small hardwood mill at Hatchechubbee, Ala.

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Dudley Lumber’s fire woes continued in early May when a line of extreme thunderstorms moved through the state causing extensive damage, and a lightning strike ignited a diesel tank fire at the hardwood mill. No additional equipment or property was damaged.

Canfor Plans New Sawmill Near DeRidder Canfor Corp. announced it will invest $160 million to build a new sawmill near DeRidder, La. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 250MMBF on a two-shift basis and will employ 130. Startup is expected to commence late in the third quarter of 2022.

The investment in Louisiana is in addition to the $300 million of 2021 capital spending, including about $200 million for the solid wood and pulp operations in Western Canada and $100 million for the solid wood operations in the U.S. South.

Given the decision to build a new

facility in Louisiana, Canfor will not be proceeding with the greenfield project in Washington, Ga. that was announced in 2018.

Weyerhaeuser Sells Acreage To Hampton Weyerhaeuser Co. announced an agreement to sell 145,000 acres of timberlands in the North Cascades region of Washington to Hampton Resources for $266 million. Weyerhaeuser also announced the completion of its acquisition of 69,200 acres of Alabama timberlands from Soterra, a subsidiary of Greif, Inc., for $149 million.

The Washington disposition is largely composed of high-elevation terrain in the North Cascades range, with 25% of the acres located in Chelan County on the east side of the mountains. Weyerhaeuser acquired the property through the acquisition of Longview Timber in 2013. It primarily supplies Hampton’s nearby lumber mill in Darrington, Wash.

Weyerhaeuser owns or manages

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NewsLines nearly 1.3 million acres and also operates two mills, two nurseries and several other sites in Washington, including its company headquarters in Seattle.

sets with a singular focus on maximizing lumber production.”

Closing is anticipated to occur in the second half of 2021.

Paper Excellence Buys Domtar For $3 Billion

GreenFirst Acquires Rayonier Sawmills GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. reports it has entered into an agreement to acquire a portfolio of sawmills and a paper mill from Rayonier A.M. Canada G.P. and Rayonier A.M. Canada Industries Inc., each a subsidiary of Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. GreenFirst is acquiring the assets for US$140 million plus the value of the inventory on hand at the time of closing, reflecting an aggregate purchase price of approximately US$214 million.

The properties include six lumber mills—which are located in Chapleau, Cochrane, Hearst and Kapuskasing in Ontario and in Béarn and La Sarre in Québec—as well as a newsprint mill in Kapuskasing. The sawmills have a combined annual production capacity of 755MMBF. The newsprint mill has an annual production capacity of 205,000 MT/year. Collectively, the purchased assets rank as a top 10 producer of lumber in Canada, the company reports.

GreenFirst states it will have rights to access approximately 3.29 million m3 of guaranteed fiber supply across Ontario and Québec as part of the deal.

The acquired operations will be led

by Rick Doman, one of GreenFirst’s newly appointed directors and an industry veteran with more than 40 years of experience in the lumber industry, who was the founder and previously the president and CEO of Eacom Timber.

GreenFirst believes this acquisition will substantially increase its footprint in the lumber industry following its purchase and investment in a sawmill in Kenora, Ontario. GreenFirst, previously known as Itasca, purchased the idled Kenora sawmill in October 2020 Doman, incoming CEO of GreenFirst, comments, “As we have done previously with EACOM on the carveout of sawmill assets of Domtar, our experienced team looks forward to working with the dedicated employees of RYAM to optimize the sawmill as-

Paper Excellence, a North America manufacturer of pulp and specialty printing, writing and packaging papers

headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia, Can., is acquiring Domtar for $3 billion.

After the transaction closes, Paper Excellence says it intends to continue the operations of Domtar as a standalone business entity. Domtar will continue to be led by its management team and Paper Excellence plans to retain Domtar’s corporate and production locations.

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InnovationWay Deere Smooth Boom Control Further enhancing the machine operation in demanding forestry applications, John Deere adds its Smooth Boom Control technology to its M-Series tracked feller-bunchers and MH-Series tracked harvesters.

Developed in global collaboration between the John Deere wheeled cut-to-length and full-tree forestry teams, the SBC system instantaneously responds to operator input while smoothing out the acceleration and deceleration of hydraulic functions on the machine, improving overall control.

“Machine response is important to efficient machine operation, especially when working in challenging conditions day in and day out,” says Jim O’Halloran, product marketing manager, John Deere. “With SBC, we’re improving machine functionality, making operation easier on both the operator and machine. As a result, operators can control the machine movements more effectively, especially when reversing motions. SBC delivers a smoother experience for the operator and less wear and tear on the machine over time.”

The SBC software further refines the motion of the boom, swing and travel functions using advanced signal control to keep the machine ready to go. This results in a significant improvement in overall joystick and foot pedal response, reducing the signal delay at the start and end of each operator command.

The SBC software is now available as a standard feature on new tracked feller-bunchers and harvesters or as an upgrade for existing M- and MH-Series machine owners. Visit johndeere.com.

New Tigercat Telematics Features Tigercat offers new features on its powerful RemoteLog and LogOn 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 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 30

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documented ISO 15143-3 (AEMP 2.0) Web API that is widely used in mobile machinery applications.

You can easily view production, activity timelines, and fuel consumption on your mobile device using LogOn at the worksite. Now you can download formatted reports in PDF or CSV formats and save them to your mobile device.

View the reports anytime, or share them through email.

Visit tigercat.com.

Deere Window Enhancements Improving the durability of its machines, John Deere now features RENCRAFT Super Hard Coat polycarbonate windows as a standard offering on its G-Series harvesters and G-Series forwarders. Providing enhancements over the windows previously used, the upgraded windows are designed to withstand external wear. Additionally, the windows are improved to enhance scratch resistance and withstand chemicals and cleaning solutions, while also enhancing optic quality.

“The optics of the new window are clearly better, and, as a bonus, the cabin is now even quieter. The new kind of coating enabled by the manufacturing technique and the wear protection it brings are also significant improvements on the previous ones,” comments Sami Kulmala, marketing manager, John Deere.

The new, more durable coating on the windows is created during the manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate coating or minor distortions. Additionally, the new windows comply with the ISO 21876 Saw Chain Shot Testing standard, proving their durability.

With the new windows, the front window of the rotating cab and the rear window of the John G-Series forwarder fixed cab are almost 50% thicker than before. Additionally, due to the thicker material, the cab is better insulated, resulting in a quieter environment on the job site.

The RENCRAFT Super Hard Coat polycarbonate windows are available as a standard offering on all Model Year 2021 G-Series harvesters and forwarders. Visit johndeere.com.

Tubeless On Alliance Forestar New, tubeless versions of the Alliance Forestar III 643 and 644 forestry tires from Yokohama Off-Highway Tires are proving themselves on cut-to-length (CTL) harvesters and forwarders worldwide.

“The new tubeless Alliance 643 and 644 eliminate all the hassling that comes with inner tubes— breaking valve stems, messing with flaps, and even just waiting for an inner tube when you need to TIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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InnovationWay be cutting timber,” says Terry Goodwin, National Forestry Tire Manager for Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America, Inc. “These new tires have a more durable sidewall, built-in rim guard and a reinforced, hexagonal bead bundle, so they don’t have to rely on an inner tube to hold the air.”

The tubeless Forestars fit on standard rims, Goodwin notes, so it is easy to switch from the tube-type designs.

Steel-belted construction, cut-resistant compound, curb rib and buttressed lugs for extra durability, and an improved bead package keep CTL harvesters rolling no matter what the conditions are.

Tubeless Alliance Forestar III 643 sizes include 710/4022.5, 750/55-26.5 and 780/50-28.5. Tubeless Alliance Forestar III 644 tires are available in 600/50-22.5, 710/40-22.5, 600/55-26.5, 750/55-26.5 and 780/50-28.5 sizes. Visit yokohama-oht.com.

Waratah H423 Precise Cutting The new H423 from Waratah Forestry Equipment is designed to carry out a wide range of harvesting jobs from early to late thinnings, and even light regeneration harvesting. With outstanding multi-tree-handling qualities, a compact

frame design and excellent power-to-weight ratio, the H423 masters fast and precise felling and crosscutting.

The H423 is well-suited for delimbing stems of all diameters. Its outstanding multi-tree harvesting qualities and excellent power-to-weight ratio take productivity to the next level.

Ideal for thinnings and other fellings where the tree diameter at breast height is 150-350 mm (6-13", the 955 kg (2,105 lb.) H423 features strong, fast feeding in a nimble design.

Additionally, the H423 boasts a 420 mm (16.5") tip-to-tip delimbing diameter providing ample range for superior delimbing - and when combined with its 580 mm (22.8") cutting capacity and optional multi-tree-handling equipment, it is unmatched for productivity in varied diameter stands.

This new model features next generation hose routing from the boom to harvester head and well protected hoses to the feed motors making interference from understory or limbs a thing of the past. Likewise, serviceability to the main valve is easier and possible thanks to a new hinged valve cover and improved access to greasing points. Visit waratah.com.

Two New MAXAM Tire Sizes Adding two new sizes to its forestry lineup, the 73x44.0032 and 73x50.00-32, MAXAM debuts the complete range of the MS933 LOGXTRA, high flotation tire. Engineered from the inside out to provide demanding forestry equipment with a formidable solution, the MS933 delivers unparalleled performance, enhanced traction, and superior flotation in severe

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InnovationWay logging applications.

The MS933 LOGXTRA was designed with a high-strength, belt-stabilized construction to tackle the harshest terrains. Featuring the signature LOGXTRA compounding technology and manufacturing, the MS933 provides maximum protection from cuts and impacts in the toughest working environment. Additionally, the heavyduty shoulder and sidewall allow users

to take on the extreme without worrying about punctures.

Manufactured with an extra-wide footprint that delivers exceptional flotation in muddy and wet ground conditions, the MS933 increases productivity on all sites. To prevent common bead winding and mounting defects, the MS933’s bead is designed with a thick and short cross-section for added stability and strength. The cutting-edge bead

package is also nylon-wrapped, allowing the MS933 to outlast alternative options in extreme conditions.

The MS933 LOGXTRA delivers maximum performance, extreme traction, and increased productivity at an undeniable value. The MS933 is available for skidder fitment in the below sizes to meet the needs of each application. Visit maxamtire.com.

New Rottne Part Kits Rottne Industri AB has developed two spare parts kits that are now available for immediate delivery.

The kits include a Field Hose Kit for Rottne EGS harvester heads and a Fogmaker Montage Kit for the North American market.

The Hose Kit is adapted for Rottne’s own three EGS harvester heads (EGS 406, EGS 596 and EGS 706), for Rottne H8D, Rottne H11D and Rottne H21D. The hoses are packed in a practical, reinforced wooden box that can be placed in a car, at a service point or at a work site out in the forest.

Fire safety is an important factor in the forest machinery industry. So Rottne Industri has also developed a Fogmaker Montage Kit, adapted for forwarders in the North American market. This is a complete kit, which can be retrofitted to older machines to supplement the fire extinguishing system.

The next machine that will get a similar solution is the Rottne H8D. The goal is to equip all Rottne’s machine models with similar solutions.

The kit contains everything already mounted on new machines by Rottne, except for the tubes, which must be mounted on site for safety reasons. Both spare parts kits are now available for immediate delivery from Rottne’s factory in Sweden.

Smart and practical kits that improve, simplify and ensure a productive and safe working day out in the forest.

Coming in September/October

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SelectCuts As We (ALC) See It

Looking Back DANNY DRUCTOR If someone would have told me back in 1975 that my decision to major in Forestry would have lead me to walking the halls of Congress in Washington, DC and attempting to educate our lawmakers on not only the forest Dructor products industry but in particular from a logging business perspective, I think I would have changed my major! All I wanted to do was to figure out how to make a living spending time in the woods and fishing and hunting on the weekends!

Life is full of interesting twists and turns, and if we are open to change, there is never a dull moment in the paths or directions that we may travel.

It has been an absolute pleasure to not only be a logger during the course of my career, but to also represent the hard-working, honest, professional timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses throughout the United States over these past 20 years. The relationships and friendships that have formed across the country mean more to me than any credentials that I might

have received from any University. From the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank all of the volunteers who have, over the past 27 years helped the American Loggers Council (ALC) to put a face on the timber harvesting industry not only in DC but across the nation. Your voices are being heard, and while oftentimes change is slow to develop, change is happening.

I would like to thank the members of the ALC for spending the time to work with professionals to recruit a successor to my position. Over the past 18 months, they have vetted out applications and candidates from across the country and made the decision to retain the services of Scott Dane, from Gilbert, Minnesota, to take the reins.

Scott has spent considerable time working with loggers and log haulers in Minnesota as the Executive Director for the Associated Logging Contractors and Truckers of Minnesota and has been a passionate spokesperson for the industry, including much work in Washington, DC. I use the word “passion” because that is what is needed to successfully represent this profession that we call logging.

There will be highs and lows in Scott’s future with the ALC, but with the continued support of the many volunteers who offer guidance, there is no doubt in my mind that Scott is the

right choice to take the American Loggers Council to the next level. I ask that you please welcome Scott as the new Executive Director for the American Loggers Council and support him, as you have me for the past 20 years.

It is time for me to go fishing, and with that I wish all of you a safe, productive and happy future in this profession we call logging.

“Tight lines!”—Danny Dructor 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.

USDA Announces Grant Awards The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture has awarded more than $15 million to fund grant proposals to develop and expand the use of wood products, strengthen emerging wood energy markets and protect community forests. The grant funding, delivered through USDA Forest Service programs, will support 60 projects that cover a diverse range of activities from the development of affordable housing to expanding markets for mass timber, biochar, wood energy and other emerging wood products.

The grants also include funds to help tribes, local governments and qualified non-profit organizations permanently conserve working forests that benefit communities.

Forest Service awards will leverage an additional $30 million in matching and partner funds bringing the totals well above $45 million.

Two of the Community Wood Grants are awarded to DCI Furniture, Inc. in New Hampshire and Arizona Log & Timber Works, LLC in Arizona. DCI Furniture will use the funds to install a new wood boiler to generate heat and electricity at a furniture plant. Arizona Log & Timber Works will use the funds to build a biochar plant, firewood kiln, and pole peeler to expand a forest products facility.

GreenWood Names Head Of Timberland GreenWood Resources has appointed Chris Lipton as Head of Tim 38 berland Investment. Based in 34

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959 Feller Buncher Operator Mountaineer Mechanized, a subsidiary of The Lyme Timber Company which owns 167,000 acres in southern West Virginia, is hiring a senior operator to run a John Deere 959 tracked fellerbuncher while tethered to an EMS Tractionline dual-winch tethering system. $24-30/ hr with benefits, company truck or commute reimbursement, and paid vacation.

Contact Joe Currie General Manager (540) 808-7832

Timbco/Timberpro Parts Available • Final Drives–Used Lohman GFT 50, 60, 80s & Older Cat Finals in stock. Drive Motors, Implement Pumps, Valve Parts, Cabs, Funk Drives, undercarriages, Booms, Cylinders and more!

• JDeere E-G GII & GIII 548, 648 & 748 Axles, Transmissions, Engines, Rims, Valve Parts, Cabs Cylinders, Blades & more! **ON SALE THIS MONTH!** • Komatsu Track cutter 430&445 finals in stock • Timbco 425C w/360 Quadco...$85K • Cat IT 24 w/forks and bucket...$24K • Volvo L90B- w/forks...$19k • Case 621ZF w/ bucket...$18k • Cat 928G-newer engine...$35k • 700 Ecotracks for bogeys...$3900 and up • 600 Ecotracks for bogeys...$3000 • 700 Single wheel eco tracks/50 hrs...$4500

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SelectCuts 34 Portland, Ore., Lipton will oversee a team of 200 employees in 10 countries and will be responsible for GreenWood’s investment platform and operations. He will also develop the company’s future strategy for timberland development.

GreenWood is one of the top 10 managers of timberland globally with more than 741,000 acres across all assets and $1.7 billion of assets under management.

Lipton joins GreenWood from Hancock Natural Resource Group, where he was managing director for Timberland Mergers & Acquisitions. Previously, Lipton held senior positions at BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group and Longview Timber Corp., where he developed extensive experience leading all phases of timberland transactions and operations throughout North America, South America and Australasia.

Thanks, TH Readers! for your hard work on the TH 2021 Logger Survey!

Interest Building For Mid-South Show

Interest continues to build in the Mid-South Forestry Show, the South’s premier and longest-running live machine demo event, set to unfold for two days on September 17 near Starkville, Miss. As usual, it will be held on Mississippi State University’s John W. Starr Memorial Forest. Normally held in even years, the 2020 show was postponed until 2021 because of Covid-19.

Dozens of exhibitors have reserved space— among them dealers for John Deere, Tigercat, Barko, Morbark, Bandit and Weiler—and others are weighing the decision to come in as pandemic concerns decline.

“We have ample space available in most categories but we expect interest and bookings to increase as the time frame tightens,” says John Auel, Show Manager.

The event, which goes back to 1984, typically draws more than 5,000 participants, thanks to its appealing blend of demonstrations/displays, continuing education opportunities, contests, and family-friendly features that include activities for children.

Online pre-registration opened in early June and closes on September 6. To pre-register, visit midsouthforestry.org. Pre-registration is $20 per person (18 and above). Spouses and children 17 and under are admitted free but must register. Registration at the gate is $25 per person.

According to Auel, the show layout this year will be much different, due to timber availability and considerations for both timber management and future show planning.

For more information, visit midsouthforestry.org or contact Auel at 662325-7948.

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

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

This issue of TIMBER HARVESTING is brought to you in part by the following companies, which will gladly supply additional information about their products.

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July 25-27—Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Summer Conference, The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV. Call 336-885-8315; visit appalachianhardwood.org.

August 11-13—Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Expo, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Ga. Call 504-443-4464; visit sfpaexpo.com.

August 13-14—Southwest Forest Products Expo, Hot Springs Convention Center, Hot Springs, Ark. Call 501224-2232; visit arkloggers.com.

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