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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

Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers Browse, subscribe or renew: www.timberharvesting.com

Editor-in-Chief Rich Donnell Managing Editor Dan Shell Senior Associate Editor David Abbott Senior Associate Editor Jessica Johnson Associate Editor Patrick Dunning Publisher/Editor Emeritus David (DK) Knight Art Director/Prod. Mgr. Cindy Segrest Ad Production Coord Patti Campbell Circulation Director Rhonda Thomas Online Content/Marketing Jacqlyn Kirkland

Vol. 67, No. 6: Issue 677

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

OurCover Steep slope logging is more than just tethering and covers a wide variety of equipment and components. Read about two contractors plus equipment and component suppliers beginning on PAGE 18.

(Dan Shell photo, NW Timber Cutting inset, design

by Brad Jackson)

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES SOUTHERN USA Randy Reagor (904) 393-7968 • Fax: (334) 834-4525 E-mail: reagor@bellsouth.net

OurFeatures

MIDWEST USA, EASTERN CANADA John Simmons (905) 666-0258 • Fax: (905) 666-0778 E-mail: jsimmons@idirect.com WESTERN USA, WESTERN CANADA Tim Shaddick (604) 910-1826 • Fax: (604) 264-1367 E-mail: tootall1@shaw.ca Kevin Cook (604) 619-1777 E-mail: lordkevincook@gmail.com

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Arizona Goes Big

INTERNATIONAL Murray Brett +34 96 640 4165 • + 34 96 640 4048 E-mail: murray.brett@abasol.net

Contract Seeks Huge Investment

ALC Turns 25 Meeting Results, Awards, More

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Bridget DeVane 334-699-7837 bdevane7@hotmail.com Timber Harvesting & Forest Operations (ISSN 2154-2333) is published 6 times annually (January/February, March/ April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December issues are combined) by Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc., 225 Hanrick St., Montgomery, AL 36104.

Subscriptions are free to U.S. logging, pulpwood and chipping contractors and their supervisors; managers and supervisors of corporate-owned harvesting operations; wood suppliers; timber buyers; businesses involved in land grooming and/or land clearing, wood refuse grinding and right-ofway maintenance; wood procurement and land management officials; industrial forestry purchasing agents; wholesale and retail forest equipment representatives and forest/logging association personnel. All non-qualified U.S. subscriptions are $50 annually; $60 in Canada; $95 (airmail) in all other countries (U.S. funds). Single copies, $5 each; special issues, $20 (U.S. funds). Subscription Inquiries—TOLL-FREE 800-669-5613; Fax 888-611-4525. Go to www.timber harvesting.com and click on the subscribe button to subscribe/renew via the web. All advertisements for Timber Harvesting & Forest Operations are accepted and published by Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. with the understanding that the advertiser and/or advertising agency are authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The advertiser and/or advertising agency will defend, indemnify and hold Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. harmless from and against any loss, expenses, or other liability resulting from any claims or lawsuits for libel violations or right of privacy or publicity, plagiarism, copyright or trademark infringement and any other claims or lawsuits that may arise out of publication of such advertisement. HattonBrown Publishers, Inc. neither endorses nor makes any representation or guarantee as to the quality of goods and services advertised in Timber Harvesting & Forest Operations. Copyright ® 2019. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Ala. and at additional mailing offices. Printed in USA.

Member Verified Audit Circulation POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS P.O. Box 2419, Montgomery, AL 36102-2419

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NW Timber Cutting Tether System Contract Cutting

Steep Slope Technology Machines, Systems, Suppliers

OurDepartments My Take _________________________________________________ 4 News Lines ______________________________________________ 6 Great Lakes Draws Crowd ________________________________ 16 Equipment World ________________________________________ 32 Dust n Rust _____________________________________________ 34 Innovation Way __________________________________________ 38 Select Cuts _____________________________________________ 41 THExchange ____________________________________________ 44 Events/Ad Index _________________________________________ 46 Other Hatton-Brown Publications: Southern Loggin’ Times • Wood Bioenergy Timber Processing • Panel World • Power Equipment Trade

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MyTake DAN SHELL

Tackling Terrain, Industry Issues This month’s “My Take” covers two makes sense for their operation.” areas: Loggers taking on steep slope He says one customer told him that work and also rolling up their sleeves on a steep slope, in the middle of winand doing the dirty work in state ter, “A tethering system makes a mahouses, hearings, meetings and more to chine perform like it’s the middle of build a better business environment for summer.” And that’s one way to beat the timber harvesting industry. the winter blues.

Checking in with Bruce Skurdahl, co-owner of Summit Attachments, the Loggers Making Impact leader in steep slope tethering systems, he notes that he continues to see more One of the neatest things about the loggers finding more ways to use tethALC is the way loggers from across ering systems in their operations, and the country, with their own issues in he’s seeing contractors start to buy their own backyards, come together as their second systems in some cases. one national voice.

He’s also a member of Oregon’s The state associations make up the OR-OSHA safety committee that has whole, and it’s great to see loggers developed interim rules for tethering from around the country working tosystems and requires contractors to file gether. At the annual meeting, there’s six-month reports on basic operating so much information, one of the things info plus any incidents or accidents. According to data gathered under the OR-OSHA program, the systems remain remarkably safe, with only a few minor accidents—nothing catastrophic—and more importantly, no major injuries.

Skurdahl notes that while up-front investment in a two-machine system can be steep, the operating efficiencies and impacts on labor issues are making a compelling case for investing in one. Insurance costs alone for having Oregon tethering system employees working on the operators are staying safe. ground setting chokers, chasoverlooked many times are the state ing landings and manual cutting run reports on accomplishments through$20-$30 per hour, in addition to actual out the year. wages. Meanwhile, insurance for an Giving recognition to loggers and employee in an operator’s cab runs as association executives and the work low as $4/hour. they do for the industry, here’s an Mechanized falling adds value in abridged roundup of items from the increased production for traditional ALC “State of the States” report: cable crews and much better and proArkansas—At the end of summer ductive choker-setting conditions.

Arkansas Timber Producers Assn. honThere’s also potential for hydraulic ored longtime ATPA Director of Loggrapple carriages and related systems ger Training George Lease who retired to greatly reduce labor requirements in after 24 years with the organization. the brush and on the landing.

Lease oversaw the delivery of hundreds Skurdahl says that while he can talk of workshops and worked with volunfor hours about tethering benefits—and teers across the state, as well as with he can—a typical logger can “Stand state agencies in Arkansas and related and watch for five or 10 minutes and agencies in Oklahoma, Texas and Misquickly understand the system and if it 4

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souri. He designed training worksshops and developed partnerships with InWoods Safety, Advanced Logger Rescue and Team Safe Trucking programs.

He was also part of two national awards given by the Forest Resources Assn. for best logger training program.

Lease is being replaced by Arnold Hameister, who spent 37 years with the Arkansas Forestry Commission before joining ATPA. California—California loggers hosted two visits of congress members to logging jobs in late summer.

This included the two chairs of the Western Senate Caucus and Western Congressional Caucus, plus congressmen from Arizona, Arkansas and California. Jim Hubbard, USDA Undersecretary of Natural Resources, also attended. The groups toured Associated California Loggers board member Jeff Holland’s logging job where they saw timber harvesting, thinning, biomass collection and wildfire prevention activities close to homes along the wildland-urban interface.

Great Lakes—According to Henry Schienbeck, Executive Director of Great Lakes Timber Professionals Assn., membership remains stable: “As with many organizations some folks retire, and others move on to different opportunities.”

Regardless, GLTPA officials are excited about the number of first-time members joining the cause of forest management. The Wisconsin Legislature voted to move the DNR Forestry headquarters to Rhinelander, Wis. four years ago, a move strongly supported

by GLTPA since it brings forestry leadership in better contact with forest users and the forest industry. The move was recently completed, and GLTPA had the opportunity to supply the new headquarters board room with a wood conference table.

Idaho—In a continued partnership with the State Logging Safety division, Associated Logging Contractors-Idaho trained over 2,000 loggers in annual first aid and logging safety classes, says Exec. Dir. Shawn Keough. “Our Idaho Pro-Logger program has over 250 companies accredited. And, ➤ 34 TIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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NewsLines Weiler Forestry Comes Of Age

Weiler Forestry hosted lunch on ALC logging tour that featured new Weiler machines at work.

Weiler Forestry, Inc. announced the launch of Weiler purpose-built forestry products following its acquisition of Caterpillar’s purpose-built forestry business.

The product line consists of wheel skidders, track feller-bunchers, wheel feller-bunchers, and knuckleboom loaders.

Weiler Forestry facilities now include the former Caterpillar manufacturing plant and warehouse in LaGrange, Ga., a demonstration and training center in Auburn, Ala., the Prentice engineering and product development center in Prentice, Wis., and the legacy Prentice parts distribution center in Smithfield, NC. Founded in 2000, Weiler produces an extensive portfolio of paving products and has a long history of successfully manufacturing purpose-built equipment distributed through the Cat dealer network.

“Over the past several months we have been listening to forestry customers and dealer personnel. We are excited to implement product expansion plans quickly to better serve the forestry market,” comments Pat Weiler, owner and founder of Weiler, Inc. “I am looking forward to continuing to listen to our customers so we can offer them the products that best serve their needs through the best dealer network in the world.,” adds Bill Hood, VP of Weiler, Inc. Weiler Forestry will design and manufacture purpose-built forestry products, which will continue to be available through the Cat dealer network.

Weiler entered into a preliminary agreement with Caterpillar, Inc. in August 2018. Weiler stated it anticipates retaining the approximate 270 employees supporting the forestry business, adding to the nearly 500 employees currently employed at the Knoxville, Iowa based manufacturer’s corporate office and manufacturing facility.

Alamo Group Acquires Morbark From Stellex Stellex Capital Management, a middle market private equity firm, has entered into an agreement to sell Morbark, LLC, a leading manufacturer of high-performance equipment and after-market parts for the forestry, recycling, tree care, sawmill, land clearing and biomass markets, to Alamo Group for $352 million. The sale includes all assets and operations of Morbark and 6

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its affiliate brands.

Founded in 1957 and based in Winn, Mich., Morbark and its affiliate brands, Rayco, DENIS CIMAF, and Boxer Equipment, produce a full line of brush chippers, stump cutters, mini skid steers, forestry mulchers, aerial trimmers, whole tree and biomass chippers, flails, horizontal and tub grinders, sawmill equipment, material handling systems, and mulcher head attachments for excavators, backhoes and skid steers.

“Together with Stellex, Morbark has achieved our strategic vision by greatly enhancing operations and implementing lean initiatives and best-inclass manufacturing practices that have resulted in new and improved redesigns, significant reductions in lead times, and improved delivery performance,” comments Dave Herr, CEO of Morbark. “We are grateful for our time with Stellex and look forward to the next chapter as part of Alamo, an ideal suitor given its operating philosophy that will allow us to maintain our brands, operations, and successful momentum while further enhancing various operational synergies and accelerating international growth.”

Since Stellex’s acquisition of Morbark in 2016, the company has successfully completed two acquisitions to expand its product offerings and geographic presence. In October 2017, Morbark acquired Rayco Manufacturing, a Wooster, Ohio, based manufacturer of stump cutters, crawler trucks, forestry mulchers, multi-tool carriers, and aerial trimmers. In December 2018, Morbark acquired DENIS CIMAF, a Roxton Falls, Quebec, based manufacturer of industrial brushcutters and mulcher heads. With these acquisitions and other strategic improvements, Morbark has increased its head count by more than 200 employees and revenue has nearly doubled.

The acquisition, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019, is subject to a number of conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and other pre-closing requirements.

Upon closing of the transaction, which is expected in the fourth quarter ,Morbark will become part of Alamo’s Industrial Division. Herr will continue in his role as Morbark CEO, and Morbark’s day-to-day operations will remain unchanged.

Alamo Group is a leader in the design, manufacture, distribution and service of high-quality equipment for infrastructure maintenance, agriculture and other applications. Its products include truck-and tractor-mounted mowing and other vegetation maintenance equipment, street sweepers, snow removal equipment, excavators, vacuum trucks, other industrial equipment, agricultural implements, and related after-market parts and services.

The company, founded in 1969, has

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NewsLines approximately 3,650 employees and operates 29 plants in North America, Europe, Australia and Brazil. The corporate offices of Alamo Group Inc. are located in Seguin, Texas and the headquarters for the Company’s European operations are located in Salford Priors, England.

Weyerhaeuser Sells Michigan Timberland Weyerhaeuser Company announced an agreement to sell its 555,000 acres of Michigan timberlands to Lyme Great Lakes Holding LLC, an affiliate of The Lyme Timber Company LP, for $300 million in cash.

“This transaction in our Northern region encompasses a diverse mix of hardwood and softwood acres and is part of our ongoing effort to strategically optimize our timberlands portfolio,” says Devin W. Stockfish, president and CEO of Weyerhaeuser. “Lyme will also welcome our exceptional team of highly skilled employees.”

“Weyerhaeuser’s Michigan timberlands have been managed for decades by an expert team of professionals, and we look forward to working with them,” adds Jim Hourdequin, managing director and CEO of The Lyme Timber Company. “We’re excited to be investing in a region known for the quality of its hardwood timberland, mill capacity, and logging and trucking infrastructure.”

Founded in 1976, The Lyme Timber Company is one of the oldest private timberland investment management organizations in the U.S. Its portfolio includes major forestland holdings in New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, Florida and California. Core timberlands are third-party certified through either the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

Environmental Law Center, and Environmental Integrity Project have waged a misinformation campaign against the wood biomass industry as well as the entire forest products sector, the new initiative states. These efforts mislead the public about the integrated forest products industry— including timber and renewable wood energy—and its role as a necessary solution to mitigate global climate change, which has been repeatedly affirmed by the world’s leading climate research authority, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

“These activist groups ignore the science and advance policies that would result in burning more coal and losing more forests—exactly the wrong approach we need to fight global climate change today,” says Future Forests + Jobs spokesman Brian Rogers. “Our mission is to set the record straight and expose the well-funded and coordinated misinformation campaigns targeting this industry, and to stand up for the hundreds of thousands of forest products workers across America.”

Future Forests + Jobs will combat misinformation through a new website – FutureForestsAndJobs.com – as well as through media engagement and other grassroots activities.

Future Forests + Jobs is supported

by the U.S. Industrial Pellet Association, and will be led by Rogers, who served as a senior staffer to U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) for nearly a decade, and previously worked as Research Director for former Vice President Al Gore’s Repower America campaign for comprehensive climate and energy legislation.

GP Idles Sawmill, OSB Facility Georgia-Pacific is idling its sawmill at McCormick, SC and its OSB plant in Allendale, SC due to market conditions, according to reports. The shipping department will continue to operate until each site’s inventory is depleted. All employees will be released at the end of production, except for those needed to manage inventory and maintain the sites.

Both facilities will be “idled” and maintained in a ready state to begin production should the long-range forecast for market conditions change.

“Although new home construction demand has returned somewhat since the recession in 2007-2008, it has not returned to pre-recession levels,” comments Satrick Anthony, Georgia-Pacific vice president, Building Products operations. “We are very proud of the employees at these facilities; they have done everything they

Future Forests + Jobs Will Combat Untruths Future Forests + Jobs is launching to advance a fact-based conversation around renewable wood energy and hold those who spread misinformation about the industry to account.

For years activist organizations such as the Dogwood Alliance, Southern Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

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NewsLines Enviva Action In Alabama, Mississippi A groundbreaking ceremony was held at George County Industrial Park outside of Lucedale, Miss. on October 21 for the new $140 million industrial wood pellet plant to be built by Enviva, the world’s largest producer of industrial wood pellets.

The plant will directly create 90 full-time jobs and is estimated to indirectly create 300 permanent jobs in the timber and transportation industries.

“This groundbreaking in George County is like a stone being thrown into a pond. Its ripples will be felt throughout the area for years to come. Enviva’s decision to locate operations in George County is great news for the entire state,” Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant said to a huge crowd of state, county and community leaders.

Bulldozers and heavy equipment have been on site for several weeks clearing and preparing the 125 acre site for underground utilities and foundation construction. More than 300 workers are expected to be hired during the plant’s construction. Enviva’s Chairman and CEO John Keppler explained that during its first year in full production the plant is expected to produce 700,000 metric tons of wood pellets.

Enviva owns and operates eight plants in the Southeastern U.S. which produce more than 3 million metric tons of wood pellets annually. The pellets are shipped overseas to provide sustainable, low-carbon heat and power, replacing fossil fuels at power plants in Europe and Asia.

Vital assistance to the county was provided by Atmos Energy, City of Lucedale, MS Export Railroad, Mississippi Power, Mississippi Development Authority, Multi-Mart Water System, Singing River Electric Power Association, and the South MS Planning & Development District.

The Lucedale plant will help fill the gap left by a pullback in the forest products industry due to the closure of paper mills. Construction is expected to take 15 to 18 months.

Enviva expects to invest $175 million to construct a wood pellet producEnviva moving ahead with two new plants. tion plant in Sumter County, Ala. The proposed facility, to be located at the Port of Epes Industrial Park, is expected to create a minimum of 85 full-time jobs and generate an estimated 180 additional jobs in logging, transportation and local services in the region.

Enviva, whose industrial wood pellets are used for renewable power generation, expects construction to be ready to begin on the facility in early 2020, subject to receiving the necessary permits. Enviva expects construction to take between 15 and 18 months.

Enviva states the facility would principally utilize a mix of softwood and scrap from mills sourced from within a 75-mile radius. The sustainably sourced pellets produced at the plant would be transported by barge via the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway to the terminal at Pascagoula, then exported to Europe and Asia.

Enviva owns and operates eight plants in the Southeast that produce more than 3.5 million metric tons of wood pellets annually. The expected Sumter County facility will be constructed to initially produce 700,000 metric tons of pellets annually, though production could eventually be increased to 1.15 million tons per year.

The company does not own forestland but works with suppliers that meet its sustainability criteria. The company states it takes only wood from responsibly managed working forests and it does not take wood from forests that are being converted out of forest use.

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can to make the sites profitable, but unfortunately, it has not been enough to overcome the current market conditions.”

The McCormick lumber mill employs 98 and the Allendale OSB facility employs 142. The company plans to hold local job fairs at each location to assist employees with their job search.

The McCormick facility began producing lumber in 1966 and was acquired by Georgia-Pacific in 1988.

The Allendale facility began producing OSB in 2006 and was acquired by Georgia-Pacific in 2010.

Martco Plans Upgrades At OSB, Plywood Mills Martco L.L.C. (dba RoyOMartin) has planned $30 million in capital expenditures during the next 18 months for new projects to further modernize its Oakdale, La. OSB mill and Chopin, La. plywood and solid wood products manufacturing facilities.

“These newest long-term commitments reflect RoyOMartin’s ongoing determination to maintain its reputation for having the safest, most technologically advanced and efficient wood products facilities in North America,” the company stated.

MLA Steps Up As 2019 Comes To End This year marked the 30th anniversary since the inception of the Mississippi Loggers Assn. According to a recent report from MLA Executive Director David Livingston, membership is up and new programs are under way. This includes Professional Logging Manager (PLM) training sessions, fundraisers and TeamSafe Trucking driver education.

Through early September, MLA has held three TeamSafe Trucking courses in the state so far, having trained 74 drivers with a goal of training between 100-125 drivers this year. At the TeamSafe Trucking annual meeting in late September, Mississippi was awarded for holding the most trucker safety class sessions of any state.

Multiple core class training sessions are being offered for MLA’s PLM program, increasing the number of certified individuals from 111 last year to 152 in 2019. There are 1,341 indi-

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NewsLines viduals currently enrolled in the PLM program through December, 1, 2020.

Georgia-Pacific Begins Upgrades At Gurdon Georgia-Pacific is investing $70 million in upgrades at its lumber and plywood operations in Gurdon, Ark. Some of the improvements include an advanced merchandiser, new panel assembly stations with state-of-the-art scanning systems, an upgraded power plant and software and security enhancements.

Work on the projects will be completed by 2020. The investments will sustain the more than 700 jobs at the two facilities.

“We are making state of the art improvements that will transform our Gurdon facilities, greatly improving the utilization of raw materials and overall operating efficiencies, making jobs more meaningful, and turning us into an even stronger competitor,” says Mike White, Western Regional Operations Manager.

The company is also contributing $100,000 over five years to Gurdon and Clark County schools to help install a multi-use playing field that will be used by the three schools and the city for community events.

“The Gurdon schools have been such a cooperative, helpful and successful partner in ensuring we have the talented people we need,” says Carrie Wilkins, Regional Human Resources for GP’s Plywood and Lumber divisions. “We want and need them to continue to be successful, so our aim is to contribute meaningfully to our schools every year.”

vides an analysis of six alternatives, which are options, choices, or courses of action related to roadless management in Alaska.

The impact of the six plan alternatives range from taking no action and leaving all of Alaska including the Tongass NF under the 2001 Roadless Rule to exempting the Tongass from the rule, while the Church NF in the state would remain under the roadless rule.

The Secretary of Agriculture is expected to make a final decision by June 2020. The Tongass stretches over the 500-mile-long Southeast Alaska Panhandle and covers 80% of the land.

It is rich in natural resources and cultural heritage. Developed areas cover about 8% of the land. There are 32 communities, including the state capital Juneau, in the timber-rich southeast Alaska region.

Management Options Abound For Tongass U.S. Dept. of Agriculture is seeking public comment on a draft environmental impact statement offering a range of alternatives to roadless management and a proposed Alaska Roadless Rule. If adopted, the proposed rule would exempt the Tongass National Forest from the 2001 Roadless Rule.

The USDA Forest Service is publishing the documents in the Federal Register. The draft environmental impact statement, prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act, proForemost Authority For Professional Loggers

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Arizona Goes Big Will huge commitment draw major investment?

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fficials with the U.S. Forest One individual familiar with the Service in Arizona are hoping a 4FRI process who has done lots of 20-year commitment of logs feasibility studies says the vastness of and fiber is enough to attract investment the contract and investment required is in a massive new 4 Forests Restoration too big for all but the largest forest Initiative (4FRI) Phase 2 stewardship products companies—and he doesn’t contract that seeks to mechanically thin think they’ll bite. and treat up to 818,000 acres across four In one example, he cited trying to national forests in the state. accurately estimate costs dependent on 4FRI’s Phase 2 is one of the first to log and fiber volume distribution utilize a new 20-year contracting authority, and the solicitation seeks to treat a minimum of 30,250 acres/yr. over a 20-year period. In doing so, the Forest Service is looking to solicit a major forest industry infrastructure and facilities investment to handle the massive volumes of small logs and fiber coming off the 4FRI Phase 2 Stewardship contract.

A five-year timber harvest plan that accompanies the Phase 2 solicitation materials identifies up to 101 projects across 203,301 acres that are estimated to yield 1.097 Forest Service contract poses huge logistical and market challenges. billion BF in logs and more than 152 million cubic feet of bioacross such a wide and variable area is mass material that must be removed or mind-boggling, and the personnel and otherwise handled or reduced on site. equipment and facilities issues are too And that’s just the first five years. big for one company.

Considering that the 4FRI Phase 1 Considering that some of the task Stewardship contract has restored less order projects will consist of nothing than 15,000 acres total in six years, the but biomass, or have little or no merPhase 2 contract’s size and scope may chantable volume, and that the winner seem the wrong way to go, “But there’s of the bid will have to create logging, no other choice but to offer a wood bastrucking, log and fiber utilization faciliket long enough and reliable enough” to ties and sales and marketing of products generate a major investment, says Pasfrom scratch—and find quality personcal Berlioux, executive director of East nel to both manage operations and do Arizona Counties who has been inthe work—and it’s a tall order indeed. volved as a stakeholder with 4FRI since Another challenge is the risk inits inception more than 10 years ago. volved in making such a huge invest10

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ment while relying on timber 100% owned by the government. Instead, he foresees the contract being operated by several companies in some type of public-private partnership in more manageable pieces.

The first 4FRI Phase 1 contract seeking to treat 300,000 acres in 10 years was awarded in 2012. However, Montana-based Pioneer Forest Products couldn’t gain financing for its plan that included a sawmill and biofuel plant.

Good Earth Power took over the 4FRI Phase 1 contract in 2013, and despite investing in trucking capacity and sawmilling capacity and fiber handling, contract fulfillment has been hampered by lack of markets for biomass, which makes up 60% or so of contract volume.

Yet because of logistics, infrastructure issues and biomass market options, the company had treated less than 15,000 acres total as of early this year.

Good Earth, which changed its name to NewLife Forest Products in 2017, acquired a sawmill at Heber, Ariz. and invested in debarking, planing and kiln capacity. The company also opened up an “interim” small sawmill at Williams, Ariz. and is now building a high-production mill on a nearby site. The 150MMBF annual production mill is under construction and should start up in 2020.

A key part of the 4FRI project is the reduction of small diameter timber and brush, and that’s generating mountains of biomass requiring disposal or removal. Traditionally, this material would go to boiler fuel, maybe some upper grades into chips or pellet wood. But Arizona is hampered by a lack of industrial boiler installations that could use the material.

Currently, Novo Biopower in Snowflake, Ariz., a 28 MW biomass power plant, is the state’s biggest biomass consumer, but its location on the eastern side of the state makes transportation costs from north and west Arizona problematic.

Key issues for handling biomass include the need for more facilities to utilize more volume and that are also located in areas closer to much of the 4FRI work north and west of FlagTH staff.

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ALC Turns 25 American Loggers Council held its 25th Annual Meeting in September.

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. oggers from across the country gathered here in late September for the American Loggers Council’s 25th annual meeting, as the organization celebrated its quarter-century anniversary. The event included a logging tour, special presentations day, ALC Auction banquet, ALC Board of Directors meeting and open membership meeting, awards luncheon and ALC President’s Farewell Banquet, when 2018-2019 ALC President Chris Potts of Alabama handed the gavel to incoming ALC President Shannon Jarvis of Missouri.

Throughout the meeting, loggers were able to enjoy plenty of networking opportunities for “logger fellowship” and learning about and from each other, their different work environments, issues and challenges.

Numerous loggers in attendance remarked on the organization’s growth during 25 years, as the ALC now represents 34 state logging or timber associations and has grown into a true national voice for loggers.

The meeting kicked off with a firstday visit to the job site of logging tour host Mid Star Timber Harvesting of

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Toxey, Ala., a diversified operation that features eight harvesting crews and two trucking companies, one for logs and the other for OTR cargo.

Weyerhaeuser provided the tract for the logging tour demo, a nice stand of 27-year-old sawtimber that had been pruned and fertilized, just north of Uriah, Ala. The site is part of the company’s extensive Mid-South Region that on any given day manages 50 logging crews and 250 trucks producing almost 700 loads of logs. Mid Star owner Mitchell Presley noted the company’s eight crews produce around

700,000 tons annually. Thompson Tractor also helped host the tour and Weiler Forestry provided lunch, with delicious barbecue pork, chicken and sausage grilled on site by the Thompson Tractor event crew.

Skip Plumlee, Thompson Tractor Southern Region Manager, noted that Mid Star’s three-man crew was running some of the first true Weiler Forestry machines to roll off the line in LaGrange, Ga. just days after Weiler took control of the plant there in early September after acquiring Caterpillar’s purpose-built forestry line. Equipment

ALC Logging tour featured Mid Star Timber Harvesting, new Weiler machines, great grilled lunch.

Open membership meeting included association and committee reports, debate on tariffs, biomass resolution and much more.

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on site included a new timberland in the U.S. Weiler S250 skidder after Alaska and Georand K560 loader. Weigia. More than 9 miller Vice President Bill lion of the state’s 23 Hood and additional million forested acres factory personnel were are currently certified on site to help loggers under some form of go over the machines. sustainability notation, After noting how Weihe reported, and the ler came to acquire the state has seen $1.38 Cat product line and the billion in forest indusextensive negotiations try mill and infrastructhat took the better part ture investments since of a year, Hood said, 2016.

“I’ve been in enough ● Guest speaker Jim meetings for the rest of Hubbard, USDA Unmy life and we’re ready dersecretary for Natuto go to work and do ral Resources & EnviLongtime ALC member Bill Jones, center, received this year’s Logger Activist award for his something productive ronment, noted that for a change.” He added work with the Council and the Southern Logger’s Cooperative. two big objectives the that the Weiler team Forest Service (FS) truly enjoys visiting job sites currently has are to increase and seeking to make imtimber harvest levels and National Environmental Polprovements that boost logger icy Act (NEPA) reform. He success. “You tell us what noted that the 3.2 billion BF you want, because you pay sold in 2018 was the most in the bills,” Hood told the as20 years, and sale levels sembled loggers. should rise to 3.7 billion BF The value of having one of in 2020. Much-needed Weiler’s top executives on NEPA reform mostly resite was emphasized when a quires legislative action, allogger looking at the skidder ways a tough undertaking, asked Hood about getting a Hubbard admitted, but the subcomponent on the grapple agency is making some replaced, Hood said that progress on the rulemakshould be a serviceable item, ing front “to get back to a but the logger noted he was 2019-2020 ALC President Shannon Jarvis of Missouri takes the gavel from more active management told by his dealer he’d have outgoing president Christ Potts of Alabama. concept.” He noted there to buy the whole tong. Hood is growing bipartisan agreereplied, “The good news is I can ment for firefighting budget refix that tomorrow.” form, but the overall issue isn’t The second day of the meeta high priority with everything ing featured interesting presenelse in DC. tations and seminars and the ● The annual Friday night ALC Auction: ● “Logger lawyer” Andrew auction, conducted by auctionPerrault with Goforth Hale in eer from J.M. Wood Auction in Birmingham gave a presentation Montgomery, Ala., raised on independent contractors and $10,000 for Log-a-Load for liability that had several loggers Kids and another $27,000 to following him out the door afterfund ALC priorities, according ward looking for more informato Executive Vice President tion. Perrault’s advice on miniDanny Dructor. mizing liability when working with independent contractors (or Matthew Mattioda, left, and Lee Miller of Miller Timber Services accept Meeting Updates log haulers) included: always Timber Harvesting Logging Business of the Year Award. have a contract, don’t set contracThe meeting wasn’t all logtor work hours, pay them differently ● Alabama State Forester Rick Oates, ging tours and seminars and networkthan your employees, don’t demand that a former head of the Alabama Logger’s ing by the beach. During the American they hire certain people—or even take a Council who attended some the first Loggers Council open membership certain route to the mill. Make sure conALC meetings 25 years ago, gave a premeeting, directors received updates tractors have their own insurance, and sentation noting that Alabama currently from association officials, states and don’t let them operate your equipment has its highest recorded timber invencommittees, and the membership enor use your tools, he added. tory in its history and has the third-most tertained new issues: Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

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● ALC Executive Smith urged the Director Danny Dructor board to work with noted that the Future Americans for Free Loggers & Careers Act Trade, an anti-tariff developed and proorganization that moted by the ALC is represents more than now in both the U.S. 200 trade groups, Senate and House, with including the National bipartisan support.

Assn. of Homebuilders “This is the second time and the National we’ve had the same bill Lumber and Building in both the Senate and Materials Dealers the House, and to date, Assn. The board is we are further along studying the matter. than we’ve ever been,” After the Saturday Dructor said. The legismorning meetings, the lation amends the Fair ALC awards luncheon Labor Standards Act of featured sponsors recWeiler Forestry executives and factory reps were on hand to show loggers their new products.

1938 to allow 16- and ognition for Platinum 17-year-olds to work in Sponsors John Deere mechanized logging operations and Tigercat; Gold Sponsors under parental supervision by Bitco Insurance, Forestry Insurextending an existing agricultural ance Center Agency and Morexemption, now enjoyed by fambark; Bronze Sponsors Doosan, ily farmers and ranchers, to enForestry Mutual Insurance, able family-owned logging busiKomatsu America, North Amernesses to train their 16- and ican Timber Program, Peterbilt, 17-year-old sons and daughters Ponsse NA and Western Star; in mechanized timber harvesting. and Iron Sponsors Bandit Indus● Dructor noted that ALC had tries, Hatton-Brown Publishers, welcomed six new sponsors Hawkins & Rawlinson, Logsince last year’s annual meeting. ger’s World, Lyme Timber Co., Also, “Ohio joined our organizaMaxam Tire, Southern Tire tion this year and we continue to Mart, Sun-Belt Insurance, Titan work in other states like PennInternational and Wallingford’s.

Myles Anderson, right, of Anderson Logging in Ft. Bragg, Calif., resylvania and Tennessee.”

Myles Anderson of Anderson ceived the President’s Award for his service to the ALC and industry. ● A report on the American Logging, Ft. Bragg, Calif., reLoggers Council’s Master Logattendance from West Virginia said ceived the President’s Award ger Program showed that 1,308 logone of his customer mills was making from Chris Potts, and Bill Jones with ging companies have been certified to crossties out of high grade cherry and the Southern Loggers Cooperative date nationwide, and that covers more red oak logs.) (and also a former Alabama Loggers than 6,000 equipment operators and Smith urged the board to support an Council official) was named the naemployees. effort by some in Washington, DC to tional logger activist of the year. ● The ALC Board passed a put forest products companies under At the President’s farewell banquet resolution requesting the EPA to the same umbrella as agricultural on Saturday night, Hatton Brown confirm that forest-based biomass is companies that have been harmed by Publishers’ Timber Harvesting magaindeed eligible as feedstock for tariff policies. The proposed action zine managing editor Dan Shell and facilities participating in the would add logs and lumber to a list of senior associate editor Jessica JohnRenewable Fuel Standard’s Renewagricultural products adversely son presented the Timber Harvesting able Identification Number credit proaffected by tariff policies—and Logging Business of the Year award gram and also clarify the language ultimately extend the agricultural tariff to 2019 recipient Miller Timber Serwith other agencies’ interpretations. bailout funds to sawmills and loggers vices of Philomath, Ore. The full arti● One interesting debate during the as well as farmers. cle about the company is the cover open meeting was started by Carolina The effort to include forest products story in the September/October 2019 Loggers Assn. Executive Director had reportedly begun in Republican edition of Timber Harvesting. After, Ewell Smith, who addressed the board Alaska Senator Diane Murkowski’s 2019 ALC President Chris Potts and urged the group to develop a posioffice, where a lobbyist for the Alaska handed the President’s gavel to his tion on the tariff situation. He reported Forest Assn. had recommended the successor, 2020 President Shannon CLA members in North Carolina who move to the conference committee of Jarvis of Missouri. Next year’s ALC House and Senate members who were are looking at multiple mills (and log Annual Meeting will be in Jarvis’ at the time considering language in an markets) closing because of tariffs afhome state on the last weekend of appropriations package that has since fecting exports into the Chinese lumTH September. passed without the inclusion of the ber market.

Dan Shell and David Abbott contriblanguage.

(To back Smith’s claims, a logger in uted to this report.

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GLTPA Draws Crowd Officials with the Great Lakes Logging and Heavy Equipment Expo held September 5-7 the Upper Peninsula

Great Lakes show featured increased attendance in 2019, plus successful events to raise money for the Log A Load for Kids program. The Great Lakes Timber Professionals Assn. thanks all involved with the show.

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State Fair Grounds in Escanaba, Mich. report a successful events with increased attendance one year ahead of the big 75th annual celebration show in Escanaba next year.

During the show, McCoy Construction & Forestry (MCF) and

Truck Country teamed up to raise nearly $8,800 to benefit regional Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) hospitals. The sister companies, owned by the McCoy Group, Inc., combined to raise $8,792 for Log A Load for Kids.

MCF and Truck Country raised funds by accepting donations in exchange for raffle tickets to visitors to their booths, as well as during a customer appreciation event held in conjunction with the show. MCF and Truck Country donated a Polaris Sportsman ATV, John Deere gun safes, children’s John Deere Gator UTVs and custom knives from Rapid River Knifeworks to be raffled.

Barko Loader Contest winner was Dillon Meyer at two minutes, followed

by Ryan Shamion in second place, Russel Meyer and Casey Mattson tied for third and fourth places, and Cole Frydych in fifth place.

Manley Murray, from Foster City, Mich., was the winner of the Roland Machinery & Komatsu Forwarder Competition. Manley is a seven-year veteran forwarder operator who works for Steve Anderson Forest Products.

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Mechanized Steep Slope Work Logger Don Meng adapts tethering system to shovel logging crew.

DANShell MOLALLA, Ore. perating two crews, Don Meng, owner of Meng Logging, is mechanizing steep slope operations for one of his sides—an innovative operation that blends steep slope tethering applications with shovel logging. In doing so, the logger is adapting the system to his ground-based operations while also cutting tracts and providing mechanized felling benefits for other loggers who operate traditional cable and yarding crews.

Meng, who lives just outside the gates of the 57,000 acre Weyerhaeuser Molalla Tree Farm, works primarily for Weyerhaeuser and Port Blakely Timber, which has adjacent timber

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holdings in the area. Weyerhaeuser wanted to see more mechanized falling across its Northwest timber holdings and told Meng they’d help keep him busy cutting tracts for other contractors as well as his own crews if he invested in a tethering system.

The logger says he was a bit skeptical as well when he first heard about steep slope tethering systems, then he did some more research and began looking into it. He ended up in Arizona attending a Doosan new product event in 2016. Also along on the tour was Eric Krume, one of the owners of Summit Attachments, the Pacific Northwest leader in tethering systems for a variety of logging applications.

“I ended up visiting with him there, and we chatted quite a bit about steep slope logging, and I was able to pick his brain about this stuff,” Meng remembers. “Eric is a hard guy not to like, and I enjoyed talking with him,” he adds. “He’s always looking for a better way, and he goes to great lengths to find it.”

The logger wanted to find out more, and he ended up touring multiple steep slope tethering operations using several different suppliers’ systems. He watched some of those loggers in action and his initial skepticism was dispelled, replaced with a realization that such a system could help his logging operation.

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Don Meng: innovative tethering

“The appeal to me was I could do cable logging ground with groundbased machinery,” Meng says. “I’m not a cable logger; I’ve done it some and do some yoader work, but I’d rather stay ground-based.” Meng says that while some loggers “live for cable logging,” he’s not one of those guys.

In mid 2016, putting together the steep slope side, Meng bought a Tigercat LS855D feller-buncher with Tigercat grapple saw from Triad Machinery in Portland. Summit added track grouser extensions. The base machine is a Doosan 350 that’s a dual-use unit.

Summit installed its standard Winch Assist System, but also added two more winches to enable yoader operations if needed. He started the new system up in July 2016.

Meng says he doesn’t perform yoader operations that often, and he lost a small grapple carriage he was using to do so in a 2018 fire at his home service shop.

But it’s good to have the capability because it makes his overall operation more flexible, he believes.

The logger says the tethering system has operated trouble-free since he’s been using it, with the only issue being the original radio system needed replacing and the new one has run smoothly ever since. “I’ve worked with it clear out of sight down hills and never had any issues (with the radio),” he adds.

Doosan machine shovels logs to processor that also loads trucks.

Operations Meng got his start in the business in 1981, driving a 1973 Mack truck and working as a log hauler. By 1988 Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

Doosan tethering system base machine burns only 15-20 gallons of fuel a day.

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Base machine features standard Summit winch assist package, left, with an additional two winches added, giving it the capability to do yoader work.

he was running three trucks when he expanded into logging, and he’s been working in the woods ever since.

He’s always run a ground-based logging job—with a little bit of yoader work as well.

The company is a true family-owned and operated business, with Meng’s wife Laurie working on the business and paperwork side and daughter Mickie operating the shovel machine on the tethering side.

Meng operates the steep slope system cutting both for his shovel operation and cutting units for Weyerhaeuser that other contractors log with cable systems. “I generally bunch it depending on timber sizes, sort of large log and small log piles, and lay bunches down on both sides of me.”

He adds that when he’s working for cable logging jobs, once he’s knocked down much of the brush while cutting and the stems are bunched, “They get nice clean turns and they’ve had phenomenal production because it’s all set up for them and they’re getting multiple logs per turn, not just one or two.

It’s a much better system,” Meng says.

On his own operation, the steep slope side runs with the Doosan 350-Tigercat LS855 and Summit Winch Assist System, along with a Doosan 225 shovel machine and Kobelco 290 with Waratah 624 processing head that also loads trucks. With Stan Fosmark on the processor and Meng’s daughter Mickie on the shovel machine, that’s three people and four machines—the base unit running 20

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around 1,250 RPM and burning 15-20 gallons of fuel a day at the most—getting the production of many yarder jobs. But it’s completely mechanized, with no one working on the ground.

The limitations are similar to those in standard shovel logging. Any time the distances for moving logs get much above 300 feet, production slows down. (The 225 is also a smaller machine with shorter boom.) “When we log to the processor, it’s best when I can move the logs to a spot where the shovel can move them to the processor,” Meng says.

He likes a shorter, 8 ft. chain section on the cutter, which he believes works smoother in action on brushy hillsides and is also lighter when he needs to unhook, which happens often.

“There are a lot a lot of times I might unhook and move some wood, then hook back up and go,” Meng says.

The logger says speccing the grapple saw was a good move: “A grapple saw is the handiest thing,” Meng says, considering the way he uses his cutter to facilitate the shovel side. He also worked a jumbled blowdown patch where the grapple saw performed quite well. “I knew I needed one and not just a standard hot saw because this makes the machine more versatile, and I like versatile,” he adds.

On Site Meng Logging’s steep slope tethering crew was working a 119 acre tract on the Weyerhaeuser Molalla

Tree Farm when Timber Harvesting visited in early fall. Meng had been on the job almost five months and was hoping to finish soon before winter weather got too rough. The job featured lots of varied ground and Douglas fir, noble fir and hemlock timber.

The side was making large, small and export log sorts on the Douglas fir and the two whitewood species, with a small pulpwood sort. All hauls were within 50 miles through the Weyerhaeuser dispatch system. “I just call them up and tell them how many trucks I need the next day,” he says. The logger notes that he used to run his own trucks—that’s how he got his start in the business—but it’s gotten too hard to find good drivers, plus he doesn’t want to deal with the associated trucking hassles. “I got tired of working on trucks every night after logging all day,” Meng says with a laugh.

A couple ridges away, Meng Logging’s ground-based crew was working with a Komatsu 445 feller-buncher, Doosan 380 shovel, a Doosan 350 processing with a LogMax 10000 head, and a Doosan 300 loading trucks.

“We’ll probably work here into the winter; this ground is just not a high production site,” Meng said, noting the rocky conditions and broken ground. “If we had the other crew in here to add more capacity it would go way faster because I could really concentrate just on the steep ground.”

Mostly the two crews operate separately, with the shovel side working mostly for Port Blakely Timber.

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Staying Safe In Oregon, the state safety agency, OR-OSHA, is monitoring the use of tethering systems through a research variance permit for tethering applications that notes each system’s equipment and configuration, and requires system operators to submit reports to the agency every six months covering any accidents or performance issues, along with some basic operational information.

As part of the program, and since Meng is based relatively close to agency headquarters in Salem, this past spring officials called and asked if he minded if some of the staff came to visit his job and see a tethering system in operation up close. Turned out, more than 20 folks showed up in the woods to see Meng in action—not that he minded and he was happy to show them what he was doing.

“They called me and asked about bringing their field and staff people out to see the system,” Meng remembers. “They had some people who weren’t too sure about tethering, and they wanted everyone on the staff to see how it operates.”

The logger is a good one to ask, since he’s a true owner-operator who runs the tethering system full time. “I told them I couldn’t think of a safer way to do this,” Meng says. “I believe I might have persuaded some of the guys who weren’t on board with it as much, and most admitted it was a good tool to have.”

Meng adds the group liked the fact he was in a harness in the operator’s

Meng uses an 8 ft. length of chain at the hitch that’s lighter and performs better, he says.

Summit added track grouser bar extensions.

cab, and when one voiced concern about ruts on slopes Meng showed how he fills in, places brush and mitigates rutting as he moves up when leaving a cutting corridor.

He turns in a report to OR-OSHA every six months. “They want to know how much you’ve been running it, how much ground you’ve covered, and especially any incidents or accidents,” Meng says, adding that he hasn’t had any except for the radio system that was replaced.

To keep operations safe, Meng says he keeps a close eye on the connection points and cable. “I closely monitor the hitch point on the cutter and

the fairleads on the base machine, and always make sure everything is running free and good.” (The Summit system features a video system so Meng can visually monitor the winch TH on the base machine.)

Tethering system boosts Meng’s ground-based crew and also makes the cable crews he cuts for more efficient.

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JESSICAJohnson DEMING, Wash. elf-proclaimed “worker” Andy Postlewait, 48, doesn’t come from a logging family.

Growing up in his northwest Washington farming and logging community, Postlewait always worked—his best friend’s parents owned a logging company—spending summers on relatives’ commercial fishing boats. “I just liked to work,” he says of his childhood, laughing, “I was that kid who milked cows before school for money, because I needed money to buy beer and trucks and stuff like that.”

After high school, he joined a logging crew setting chokers. An athlete in school, Postlewait says he loved working on the crew, giving him a chance to be outside all day long in the woods, competing with other guys all day, and getting a check at the end.

It was perfect. “I fell in love with it,” he adds. But, while he would set the chokers, he was always watching the timber cutters, noticing that unlike his position where another employee’s bad decision-making could ruin his day, no one ruined the cutters’ days except for them.

After falling in love again with cutting, Postlewait started as a hand cutter in the 1990s when northern Washington was full of quality saw men.

He estimates there were as many as 90 in his area, and he thought he was lucky to get hired on. Cutting trees as often as seven days a week became the norm for Postlewait as he excelled with his saw. Then, the opportunity arose to strike out on his own as a cutting contractor in 1998, and he decided to begin his career as the owner and operator of Northwest Timber Cutting, a falling company based in Deming, that handles hand cutting, mechanized falling and winch assisted (tethered) falling work.

Postlewait deals directly with landowners, typically corporations, and will contract for all the harvesting work ahead of a logging contractor who will skid, process and deliver logs to the local mills. He says they try to get the entire job knocked down and cleaned up, so the cutters and the loggers aren’t in each other’s way. The way he likes to work, the logger won’t even see the job until they are done.

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Two years ago Northwest Timber Cutting took its mechanized falling operation to the next level by adding a two-line TractionLine winch assisted (tethering) system to allow for mechanized falling on rocky, steep slopes.

“That puts responsibility on us to make sure that everything we cut, they can get. We really cater to our loggers,” Postlewait reiterates. Sometimes, the company will be hired to go into a site after another buncher has been there But typically, the crew is on sites as big as 200 acres and as small as 20, cutting steep ground. With timber size getting smaller in the areas of Washington he works in, there are more stems, it is thick and the timber is young—so it can be a challenge to cut with a saw.

By having both hand cutters and mechanized operations Northwest Timber Cutting is able to be flexible—and way more productive and safe thanks to its available equipment roster.

Postlewait admits that he first began considering tethered falling because of the safety benefits, with less

Andy Postlewait

Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

risk in hurting a man on the ground, one of the single biggest liabilities in contract cutting.

“It didn’t seem like a good move at first; it’s so expensive. I didn’t think the bank would let me do it,” he says earnestly of investing in a tethered falling operation. But the bank indeed let Postlewait’s company borrow the amount needed to get started and he says that while it might have taken him a while to do it, now that he has he sees what a good move it was.

Falling Northwest Timber Cutting has four employees in addition to Postlewait, and some subcontract hand cutters.

On a typical day, machine operators start at 4 a.m. and hand cutters begin sawing at daylight. All employees ride together to jobs in company provided pickups—as it is not uncommon for the crew to be working two hours from their collective home base around Deming. Occasionally, the crew will be working more than two and a half hours away and machine operators will stay in a hotel.

Hand cutters can only work a seven-hour day as a full day, and often get sidelined by wind blowing in the wrong direction for safe falling, so Postlewait will let them drive a bit farther.

In total, the standard crew for Northwest Timber Cutting is four hand fallers, and two feller-bunchers, one tethered and one not. Postlewait had a third buncher, but sold it last winter when markets in the area NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

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Hand cutting is still at the heart of Northwest Timber Cutting’s business—employing four hand fallers.

slowed down. Thanks to the tether base machine, Postlewait has been able to keep the third buncher operator busy. Postlewait prefers to have an operator in the tether base, which might not be the norm for others who utilize winch assisted falling. “A lot of times when we’re tethering nobody else is around; sometimes my hand cutters are there but sometimes they are on a different job. Our schedule is very unpredictable, so I never have my operator tethering by himself. I always have another operator there with him,” he explains.

Adding the second operator is not only a safety feature in Postlewait’s mind but also a productivity boost— because they tether on the side of the mountain, the operator can make a few passes but then has to move everything over to get more stems. Postlewait’s crew has figured out that if he would have to do that by himself it would take him more than twice as much time. But, with having someone helping they can do it quickly. “With such an expensive operation, in my opinion, if the cost to have another guy up there, is going to break this, this isn’t going to work anyway,” Postlewait says with conviction.

Equipment Postlewait admits he went with the more expensive equipment options in the marketplace, going with Tigercats and a two-line winch assist system from Technical Forest Solutions. “Tigercats are a little bit spendy but I think they are the best buncher,” he says.

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Leaning on Tigercat dealer Triad Machinery in Mount Vernon, Wash. and his “go to guy” Bruce Caldwell, Northwest Timber Cutting has a 2018 Tigercat LX830D buncher with a 2006 Caterpillar 330C as the base with TractionLine tethering equipment provided by Technical Forest Solutions, as well as a 2015 Tigercat L830C buncher. All machines are kept relatively new, eliminating the need for a company mechanic thanks to a very good routine maintenance and inspection program.

“If we were going to keep our equipment longer, we’d need a mechanic, but we try to turn things over,” Postlewait explains of the decision to rotate machines quickly.

Postlewait started 12 years ago with Madill bunchers, but moved to Tigercat because he liked the operator comfort in the cab. While he now operates a TractionLine winch assisted falling system, he says when he first heard the idea he thought it was the dumbest thing ever, way too expensive and way too slow. But then he took a weeklong tour of cutting operations in Washington and Oregon as he worked his way down to the Oregon Logging Conference a few years ago with one of his operators. “We thought, huh, these guys are doing this fairly productively and it’s working so we should look into this. Then we went down and watched a single line system,” he says of his first dip into researching the concept.

Having two lines makes him feel more comfortable, and he believes gives them more control. All available systems have pros and cons, and little differences, Postlewait adds.

In environmentally sensitive Washington state, Postlewait believes from an optics perspective the two-line system is better, and he cannot say enough good things about Kelso, Wash.-based Technical Forest Solutions. The system he uses feeds line out as the pedals are pushed, as soon as that stops, the drums automatically put tension back on the machine. He says one thing he liked about that was when you’re changing your angle on the timber, if you’re on a system that just feeds in and out, you’re going to lengthen out on the cable, because the geometry changed, but it’s hard to notice.

A second safety feature Postlewait says helped sell him on the system was the excavator’s bucket was taken off and flipped around, rendering it useless for anything other than digging into Mother Earth and helping anchor the buncher it outweighs by 30,000 lbs. These redundant safety features make Postlewait extremely confident in his tethering operation.

Postlewait says it really gives him the feeling of being a pioneer—it’s new and exciting and while he knows what he’s doing, he also doesn’t know what he’s doing. It’s a lot of learning as he, and the operator, go: “I look at jobs all the time and say, ‘I think we can do this.’ Then I get there with my operator and he’s like, ‘What are you thinking?’ And I have to say, ‘This is what I am thinking, I don’t know if it’s going to work.’ Sometimes it takes us a day or two of walking around and making adjustments and planning. It’s TH a breath of fresh air feeling.”

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Steep Slope Technology

John Deere | KMC | Maxam | Olofsfors Ponsse | Summit | Tigercat | Wallingford’s Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

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Steep SlopeTechnology Deere M-Series Tracked Feller Bunchers Because of the many challenges involved in steep slope logging, it is important for loggers to be equipped with the machines they need to succeed and work safely.

The John Deere M-Series Tracked Feller Bunchers and MH-Series Tracked Harvesters are designed to withstand rugged environments and provide loggers with solutions for steep slope logging applications.

Designed with a best in class leveling system, the 859M/MH and 959M/MH machines offer exceptional stability and reach that maximize forward off-level efficiency. This allows the system to have 26° of forward tilt while electronically controlling the leveling envelope boundaries, allowing for a smooth transition when approaching the leveling limits. The 859M/MH offers a low-tail swing option, while 959M/MH is a larger tail swing option optimal for big timber. Both machines come standard with a powerful, John Deere 9.0 L engine.

The M/MH-Series machine’s long and wide undercarriages maximize stability.

Strong tractive effort increases the machine’s capability for navigating steep or challenging terrain. The robust booms feature thick plates and larger pins and bushings to ensure reliability and longer lifetime. Multiple long-reach boom options and a variety of attachments can be combined to suit a wide range of applications.

The cabs on the M-Series and MH-Series machines offer a comfortable workspace with ergonomically designed controls and significantly improved visibility, helping to maximize operator productivity.

Rugged and reliable, the 800M- and 800MH- Series machines feature extreme-duty track chain to tackle challenging jobsite conditions, while prolonging component wear life. Made to tackle the most demanding of tasks, the 900M- and 900MHSeries feature more powerful dual swing drives for more productivity-boosting power.

These machines can also be utilized with third-party winch-controlled traction-assist systems. When combined with the increased off-level capability of the machine, these tethering systems enable improved traction and functionality in steep slope harvesting conditions. Visit deere.com

KMC Skidder Accesses Tough Terrain The pressing need of modern logging operations is to maximize production with minimal impact on the forest environment, as to protect its ability to regenerate growth. The ability of a forest manager to consider a wide variety of planning and tactical options to meet these goals depends greatly on the flexibility of the equipment at his disposal.

The KMC High Speed Steel Track Skidder can increase timber production and make fewer passes on easily compacted soils. It can log effectively whether close to the landing or at skid distances of 800 ft. (250m) and more.

It has the ability to operate with minimal impact on marginal and sensitive terrain, and it will log in wet weather and on steep slopes without significant soil damage. The combination of track flexibility, low ground pressure, balanced weight distribution, extendable arch and other features make the KMC Skidder the most environmentally advanced skidding tool available, giving forest managers safe planning and layout flexibility in addition to operational, economic and administrative benefits.

In order to maximize productive efficiency, The KMC Skidder is easily integrated into the overall harvesting system in a variety of ways.

When utilized with cable yarders, The KMC can access hard-to-reach corners, as well as the outside areas on either side of the tower, and also areas with poor deflection. The KMC is great for forwarding logs skidded by cable systems to lower landings, reducing the need for haul roads. The KMC will also skid logs to the yarder or even bunch for the yarder on benches, allowing for increased production per setting. The KMC Skidder can also be used in conjunction with more commonly owned rubber tire skidders for a tremendous effect by being able to access timber in areas with more sensitive or wet ground, and also on steeper and less favorable terrain. Visit kmc-kootrac.com

Maxam LogXtra: Heavy Duty Performance Tire Maxam has introduced the LogXtra forestry line to its broad range of specialty tire programs. Maxam has engineered the MS931 LogXtra to provide the industry with the best solution for abusive forestry applications.

Throughout the development and performance validation phase of the LogXtra program, the design components and tire construction have displayed increased efficiency, durability and traction compared to industry benchmarks.

The steel belt stabilized construction along with heavy duty shoulder and sidewall thrives in harsh environments while also resisting cuts, cracks, impacts and punctures.

A high performance rubber compound has been developed by the Maxam 28

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Steep SlopeTechnology engineering group specifically for the LogXtra tread to maximize tire resilience in the working environment. To prevent bead winding defects and protect against mounting damage, the LogXtra goes through an enhanced bead wrapping process that has been developed and implemented during the manufacturing process.

The LogXtra forestry line is designed for use on demanding forestry equipment. High strength, belt stabilized tire construction provides excellent traction and flotation in severe logging applications.

LogXtra tires feature heavy duty shoulder and sidewall; maximum protection from cuts, impact, and punctures; cut resistant compound specifically engineering for forestry service; and steel reinforced undertread In addition, the LogXtra offers excellent traction and flotation thanks to its aggressive self-cleaning tread pattern that is deeper and wider than the industry standards. The MS931 Logxtra will be offered in five LS2 sizes and optional ply ratings.

Visit maxamtire.com

Olofsfors EX Tracks Handle Steep, Rough Terrain EX Tracks from Olofsfors are designed for the toughest conditions where traction is the primary requirement. The cross member is shaped in such a way that it provides extreme traction in deep snow, steep slopes and rocky terrain. When equipped with EX Tracks, machines can operate in slopes unassisted or tethered with ease. EX Tracks provide superior grip and machine stability in any steep slope application.

Visit eco-tracks.com

Ponsse Technology Tackles Steep Slopes Harvesting on steep slopes is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, and Ponsse forest machines have opened up a completely new range of possibilities. By making it possible to work on steep slopes and in similarly demanding conditions, Ponsse forest machines make it possible to harvest timber on previously inaccessible land. For steep slope operations, the cut-to-length method have proven to be very efficient way to do logging in slopes as it enables all harvesting types from selective thinning to final cutting with low ground impact. Ponsse has developed solutions, which are enabling usage of the machines in very steep slopes yet doing it in an environmentally sustainable way.

It all starts from an eight-wheel machine. An eight-wheel machine is productive in steep slopes because of its stability, lower ground pressure, and better tractive effort compared to traditional six-wheel machines. The structure of the eight-wheel Ponsse machines are optimal for the steep slopes as the crane is located on a separate frame from the operator’s cabin.

This improves ergonomics as the forces from the crane are not transferred to the cabin, but what is even more important is that the operator’s inclination angle remains stable even if the crane is turned – without lateral swaying.

Today, over 90% of total Ponsse production consists of eight-wheel forest machines that feature excellent usability on steep slopes and soft soils. As the eight-wheel machines have gained more stability and traction to access more and more difficult harvesting terrains, the requirements for other components of the machines have also grown higher.

Designed especially for regeneration and sloping sites with large trees, PONSSE telescopic harvester cranes C5 and C6 are offering low center of gravity combined with strong slewing and long reach making them an optimal solution for steep slope harvesting.

The new K121 forwarder crane further improves the forwarding performance on steep slopes, by providing high lifting but especially high slewing power that is essential for steep conditions.

An eight-wheel machine complemented with Ponsse’s reliable Synchrowinch traction winch enables harvesting in most challenging slopes yet causing low ground impact. Visit ponsse.com

Summit The Leader In Steep Slope Systems Summit is the leader in hydraulic winch systems for the logging industry, including steep slope winch assist systems, tong throwers, shovel yarders and loaders….and now all-hydraulic yarders. In addition, Summit builds three sizes of hydraulic grapple carriages. Led by industry veterans Eric Krume, who has operated a logging company for 23 years, and Bruce Skurdahl who has 35 years in the winch and attachment business, Summit builds the only North American sourced steep slope winch assist system.

Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

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Steep SlopeTechnology Summit Steep Slope Winch Assist systems incorporate an excavator mounted extreme duty hydraulic winch, and automatic and manual proportional remote controls, long-range military grade radios, live video, and electronic load cell w/data recorder, coupled to a leveling cutting machine equipped with HD hitch and extended grouser bars, and electronic controls to interface with the winch system. Down-the-hill machine operator has complete control of all winch functions, with video display showing a live GPS harvest map and which switches to viewing of winch operation whenever the machine is moving. System display incorporates a daily safety checklist, line pull and line out counter, various alarms and a complete operators manual. In addition to enhanced safety and productivity while cutting, Winch Assist is easily coupled to ground skidding machines to more efficiently skid logs up or downhill on slopes too steep for conventional operation. Winch Assist is ideal for increasing productivity and improving safety in cable logging operations. When yarding bunched wood piled under the skyline, safety and productivity are dramatically increased. This has led to Summit developing a range of grapple hydraulic carriages and hydraulic yarding systems to reduce boots on the ground while increasing productivity. Summit views Steep Slope Winch Assist as a complete harvest system, increasing safety and productivity for both cutting and skidding. Visit summitattachments.com

Tigercat LS855E Shovel Logger The LS855E shovel logger is an important evolution of the well-proven 855 series track carrier platform, making it a powerful solution for steep slope logging. It is a versatile leveling carrier suited to felling, pre-bunching and shovel logging in challenging terrain.

Equipped with the Tigercat 5195 directional felling head, the machine is well suited to steep slope felling, bunching and shoveling. The combination is an asset in large timber, avoiding the additional time, travel and repositioning required to double cut oversize trees with a fixed wrist felling head. The feller director configuration allows the machine to fell and extract independently or fell and bunch for a skidder or yarder. The introduction of the new switchable, three-way ER boom control allows the operator to choose between ER, semi-ER and conventional. The new semi ER function allows the operator to extend the boom on a horizontal plane using a single joystick, but retracts the boom with the increased power of both cylinders, doubling the pull force.

Tigercat’s leveling track machines are used in a wide range of applications for steep slopes such as shovel logging, felling and harvesting and use innovative technologies optimized for steep slope work. The new improved patented super-duty, leveling undercarriage is longer, wider and provides exceptional stability on steep slopes. It uses two massive hydraulic cylinders and heavy steel sections for a solution that is simple, robust and reliable.

Unlike competing systems, the Tigercat leveling system leans into the hill when leveling to the side which further improves machine stability and operator comfort. Visit tigercat.com

Wallingford’s Supplies Clark Tracks Wallingford’s Inc. is the North American distributor for Clark tracks, engineered on experience and built with pride in Scotland. Clark produces two varieties of steep slope climbing track named CX for “climbing xtreme” and CS for “climbing special.”

CX has a single grouser plate with aggressive, wide paddle spikes that are doubled up on each track plate. CS has a single grouser plate and traction is maximized through the addition of wide paddle spikes to the track pad and long shovel spikes to the edges. Both CX and CS tracks come standard with Clark’s patented Haggis linkage system that extends track life through an innovative pin and flange design. This track is best suited to harvesters and medium to heavy forwarders. Clark CX and CS climbing tracks give excellent traction in steep terrain.

Wallingford’s also offers BABAC chains manufactured at our factory in Maine. BABAC forestry chains are hand assembled and built with 10B21 through hardened boron alloy steel with a full line of patterns for all tire sizes. BABAC chains have been used on forestry machines across the world in steep terrain applications. BABAC has computer design capability and we specialize in custom tire chain design. Visit wallingfords.com 30

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EquipmentWorld

From Woods To Office: Ticket Tracking Gone Digital

F

or logging contractors hauling thousands of truckloads of timber a year, ranging in value from $500 to $1,500 or more, it’s remarkable in this age how manual that process still is.

And it’s remarkable how fraught with error it can be. Here’s how one logging contractor in Minnesota addressed that problem.

For most logging companies, the ticket tracking process goes something like this: The loader operator fills out a manual load sheet, listing each load he loaded that day, what type of wood it was, what truck (or trailer) he is loading, and the mill to which the load is destined. Some companies have preprinted ticket books with unique load ticket numbers that the loader also fills out with information about the load.

That “woods ticket number” essentially serves as a security ticket number so that each load leaving the woods has a unique number that can then be accounted for during the final reconciliation process.

The truck driver then takes the hand-written woods ticket, which serves as a bill of lading, to the mill and the scale attendant must decipher the hand-written scrawl on the paper tickets so they can re-enter it into their weigh scale system, at which point a mill ticket number is assigned, the weights are captured, and a mill ticket is printed.

If all goes well, the driver staples his copy of the mill ticket to his hand-written load ticket and those tickets make their way to the contractor’s office. At that point, the load has to be entered another time, often into one or more Excel spreadsheets or some type of office database, so that the contractor can ensure they are paid for each load, and that they can in turn pay their landowners and contractors for the tickets.

Up until a couple years ago, Carlson Timber of Sandstone, Minn. followed a similar type of process. Carlson runs four logging crews and has roughly 20 of their own truck drivers.

While they have not completely automated the ticket tracking process, they have certainly made good strides in that direction.

In the office Carlson uses Caribou’s Logger’s Edge Software, which allows them to set up all the jobs with the

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corresponding delivered prices as well as landowner and trucker pay rates. That system is the central system where all the product, destination, truck, and other setup lists are maintained. The Loggers’ Edge is where all load ticket data are stored and processed to auto-create the pay statements, revenue Android tablet-based system boosts efficiency, reduces errors. reconciliation reports, and job profit and protas much more effectively, and it duction reports each week. helps them identify potential operaIn the woods, each of the crews now tional issues or bottlenecks in the has an Android tablet that runs Cariwoods on a more timely basis. Before bou’s “E-Logger.” If a crew moves onto the introduction of the Caribou sysa new job or starts working for a new tem, the ticket information often did mill, that information gets entered into not get entered until the end of the the Logger’s Edge, and then the trucker week, and by then it was too late to or crew supervisor simply taps a button address operational problems or adon his app to “Get the Latest setup just deliveries for quota.

Data” while he’s still in cell range.

Carlson also has a wood yard at When a trucker arrives on a job site, their location where they receive inhe enters his load into the E-Logger, coming loads. Their weigh scale syswhich they generally keep in a crew tem prints a basic ticket with the date cab at the job site. The device assigns and weights, and they then have a deda unique sequential load ticket numicated Android table available in the ber, a time stamp, and a GPS coordioffice so that when the truckers come nate automatically, and he simply sein, they simply enter their ticket inforlects the job, mill, etc. using the mation directly into the handheld. pre-populated drop-down lists on his Those loads can then be sent up to the app. He can then print multiple copies Logger’s Edge, eliminating the step of of his ticket to a portable blue-tooth having to re-enter illegible and somereceipt printer. He provides one of the times incomplete hand-written tickets. copies to the scale attendant at the reThe new system has cut the ticket ceiving mill when he arrives. The entry and payment/reconciliation mills like the pre-printed tickets betime by more than half. Missy Jorcause they are much easier to read and genson, the log manager for Carlson, much more professional than the says that she can complete her load hand-scrawled alternative. weight entry and reconciliation and When the driver leaves the mill, he payment process in a day, as comattaches the mill’s ticket printout to pared to the three days she used to the ticket printed in the woods so that spend entering and processing tickthe weight information now accompaets. Part of that time savings is due nies the woods ticket. Those tickets to automation, but the other part of it are dropped off back at the office, usuis error reduction. ally at the end of the week. In the According to Missy: “The drivers meantime, though, the crew foreman make way fewer mistakes using the can hit the “Send” button on the App then when they filled out manual E-Logger app at the end of each day, tickets. The drop-downs help their acor multiple times in the day if cell covcuracy and force them not to skip a erage allows, and those tickets are visrequired data item. And the drivers ible in the Logger’s Edge system back pick it up really easily. It’s so simple TH in the office almost immediately.

– we love it!”

Article and photos submitted by CariThat daily visibility really helps bou Software, Inc. caribousoftware.com. the managers stay on top of mill quoTIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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EquipmentWorld Construction Machinery To Deal For Tigercat Tigercat announced that Construction Machinery Industrial (CMI) is now the authorized Tigercat dealer for the state of Alaska.

With over 30 years of experience in the heavy equipment industry, CMI is a leader in the sale and service of construction equipment in Alaska. Headquartered in Anchorage, with locations in Fairbanks, Juneau and Ketchikan, CMI is positioned throughout Alaska to deliver its products and services quickly and effectively.

CBI Debuts Grinder At Factory Forum

CBI’s new 6400CT horizontal grinder

Continental Biomass Industries (CBI) premiered the 6400CT horizontal grinder and chipper at the 2019 Factory Forum in Newton, NH. The 6400CT processed steel contaminated railroad ties along with a mix of construction and demolition debris to headline the range of environmental equipment at the show.

“The 6400CT’s cassette-style rotor is a great example of CBI’s customer-driven product development,” says George Wilcox, director of Sales and Marketing at CBI & Ecotec – Americas.

The 6400CT is an extreme-duty machine engineered for resilience and high production when grinding contaminated demolition debris, railroad ties, whole trees, pallets, storm debris, shingles, logs, mulch, slash and stumps. The new “cassette style” clam shell design allows end-users to completely swap out rotors faster. Operators can go from grinding to chipping in half the time as before and accept jobs with various material demands.

Four interchangeable rotors give this horizontal grinder the versatility needed to stay on top of changing markets.

Customers and members of CBI’s Global Distribution Network were inForemost Authority For Professional Loggers

vited to attend the Factory Workshop Circuit prior to the Demo Day. Guests received personalized instruction on basic machine anatomy, tip and screen changes, controls, hydraulics, and rotor bearing changes.

The Factory Forum concluded with CBI’s Annual Golden Grizzlies Awards Dinner. Frontline Machinery was named CBI’s 2019 Dealer of the Year and Columbus Equipment Company was named the Terex Ecotec North American Dealer of the Year.

Komatsu America Names TEC As Dealer Komatsu America appointed Tractor & Equipment Company (TEC) as its forestry equipment distributor for the states of Alabama, Georgia and the northwest region of Florida. TEC will handle Komatsu track feller-bunchers, log loaders, wheeled harvesters, forwarders, and harvesting/processing heads.

TEC is already the distributor in these regions for Komatsu construction and mining equipment.

Tractor & Equipment Company was founded in 1943. Based in Birmingham, Ala., TEC has operations throughout Alabama, Georgia and northwest Florida. Forestry equipment will be sold and serviced at all of the company’s 20 branch locations.

Rotochopper Hosts Ninth Demo Day

More than 200 guests attended Demo Day.

Rotochopper hosted customers and prospects from around the world at its recent 9th Annual Demo Day. The excitement and energy of the Rotochopper team and more than 200 guests was not hampered by the inclement weather in St. Martin, Minn. on Demo Day. The event was organized around the theme “Partnership Through Innovation.”

The day began with tours of the stateof-the-art manufacturing facility, providing attendees with the opportunity to see the process behind the manufactur-

ing of Rotochopper grinders, from cutting to final inspection and testing.

President and CEO Tosh Brinkerhoff welcomed attendees and announced a new partnership between Rotochopper and Lindner Recycling to sell and service low speed, high torque shredders.

The demonstrations kicked off with the entrance of the B-66 L-Series track and dolly grinder, showing the versatility and ease of the Rotochopper Gen II Track & Dolly system.

The FP-66 B-Series grinder, enhanced with new featured and design updates, showed off its place as the grinder for those that need a full-feature grinder for high volume, mid horsepower applications.

The 75DK shredder from Lindner and the MC-266 horizontal grinder took the stage mid-afternoon, providing attendees with a view of turning stumps and mixed C&D into coarse fiber with great efficiency. The day ended with a head-to-head grind off between the B-66L and FP-66.

Doosan NW Dealership Expands in Idaho Doosan Infracore North America has expanded its dealer network with an additional location of Cascade Trader Inc. as an authorized sales, service, parts and rental provider of Doosan equipment in Hayden, Id. Cascade Trader now offers its customers in Hayden and Coeur d’Alene, Id., and Spokane, Wash., a wide range of Doosan equipment. Crawler excavators, log loaders, wheel excavators, material handlers and wheel loaders are all available from the dealer.

“As soon as our customers in Idaho realized the value of the Doosan line, the same growth that took place in Washington started in Idaho,” says Rich Lennox, owner of Cascade Trader Inc. “Our clients expect their dollars and their equipment to work as hard as they do. We are excited for this location’s ability to better serve those clients.”

According to Doosan Regional Director Ron Hadaway, Cascade Trader has a long history serving customers in its area, particularly in forestry and logging operations, and the new location is an ideal fit for expansion. ment. “The new location is an ideal fit for helping Doosan expand its footprint in Idaho and eastern Washington,” he says.

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MyTake 4 ➤ our association membership is to Exec. Dir. Dana Doran, PLC brought growing with a complete regain of Safety Trainings to 109 companies and pre-recession numbers,” she said, add709 employees. Fleet Training served ing that ALC-Idaho’s affiliated work36 companies and 247 employees. ers comp insurance company (owned In June 2019, the PLC, in collaboraby the loggers who own the policies), tion with the Maine Community Colinsurance agency, and safety consultlege System, kicked off the third year ing company continue to provide a of its Mechanized Logging Operations foundation of value to logger members Program (MLOP) in Stratton, Maine. and the ability to keep the doors of the The hands-on program was created association open. thanks to a partnership between three Louisiana—This year, the 25-yearMaine community colleges, the PLC old Louisiana Loggers Assn. reorgaand industry partners. Through early nized and redirected its purpose. Toni fall the program was on track to gradMcAllister was named executive diuate a record 15 highly trained sturector and 11 board members were dents, including two female stuadded (17 total.) An advisory board dents—all with job offers in the induswas created with timber owners, insurtry prior to graduation. ance agents, foresters, fuel distributors Michigan—The big news is Michiand other loggers. According to McAlgan Assn. of Timbermen (MAT) hired lister, “We hit the ground running this session! With loggers struggling to survive this insurance crisis, representation at the capital was vital.”

A Political Action Committee was put into place called the LoggersPAC and Cary Koch of Roedel Parsons and Koch lobbying firm was brought on board. The LLA was able to form many friendships and allies with legislators and other associations in Baton Rouge during this session.

Among several pro-timber pieces of legislation LLA supported and saw passed, one amendment added a permit that would allow for a 10% It wasn’t all hard work in committee meetings and logging variance ( up to 90,860 lbs) for log tours at the ALC annual meeting: Louisiana logger Donny trucks equipped with onboard Reeves found time to parasail the Gulf and Perdido Bay. scales.

The LLA is seeking to improve a new Exec. Dir. Denise Pallarito, who business environment that has seen has a state and congressional legisla25% of log haulers leave the business tive background. At press time, 15 and only three insurers for trucks left new loggers had applied to the Master in the state. “We are meeting candiLogger program, and Michigan’s dates and offering our support with SFI-IC Logger Education program hopes that these new legislators will continues to train 1,200-1,500 loggers aid in tort reform and a more inviting a year. Team Safe Trucking program place to work,” McAllister says. presented information regarding Truck “(Representing) the largest agriculSafety at four locations involving tural crop in Louisiana, the LLA is more than 70 members. going to continue on our course to edMAT wrote a letter of support for ucate our state on how crucial the the mass timber research project grant Louisiana Loggers are!” for Michigan Technological UniverMaine—In the spring of 2019, Prosity. Michigan State University is curfessional Logging Contractors of rently building a mass timber welcome Maine (PLC) provided Safety Traincenter in the Upper Peninsula. ings at a record 13 locations across the Minnesota—The Associated Constate and set a new record for compatract Loggers & Truckers of Minnenies and employees served. PLC also sota has seen a 10% membership incontinued its successful new Fleet crease, up to 220 companies. The Trainings at four locations. According ACLT remains at the forefront of is34

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sues challenging and threatening the timber industry in Minnesota. In order to better facilitate and represent the association in St. Paul, the ACLT retained a lobbying firm. This representation and effort resulted in re-establishing a 5% weight tolerance that had been eliminated, forcing log trucks to run lighter. Additionally, through this and other resources, the ACLT was able to get millions of dollars of MNDNR timber permits extended, saving what would have been over $1 million in forfeited security and down payments.

Missouri—The Missouri Logging Council (MLC) has assumed more of an active role in the Missouri Master Logger program. The includes reviewing rules, helping locate prospective Master Loggers, and supporting the efforts of the Missouri Forest Products Assn. (MFPA) that coordinates the program. The MLC is also adding more active roles in the MFPA Logging School, and the State Logging Championship.

Montana—TheMontana Logging Assn. is embracing social media with an Instagram account and increased Facebook activity and an updated web site that hosts several operator training videos.

Oregon—While Associated Oregon Loggers celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, AOL also went back to basics, says ALC Board member and Oregon logger Bruce Zuber: “We also raised the bar this year relative to providing supervisor training for our members. We experienced an unusual number of serious accidents last year and felt it would be prudent to increase the frequency and intensity of training opportunities for our member’s key supervisory employees. While we hold an annual safety conference every November, we are in the process of holding several regional supervisor training sessions throughout the state. They have been well attended.”

Washington—The Washington Contract Loggers Assn. continues its Washington Logger Safety Initiative that began in 2013, and reports a 20% reduction in workers’ comp base rates for manual logging since 2014. Participants in the Logger Safety Initiative program can save an additional 20%.

WCLA awarded 17 scholarships for the 2019-2020 school year.

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Crazy KUDZU Fond of the South’s climate, this tenacious vine overtakes whatever it encounters.

This is what can happen when vehicles—even a train—stay put for too long near the lurking plant, which can grow up to 60 ft. in a single season.

Kudzu can transform utility poles into works of art.

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Kudzu infestations have moved beyond the Southeastern U.S., but they are most prevalent in Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.

The federal government paid farmers to plant kudzu as part of an erosion control program in the 1930s and 1940s.

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9 KUDZU HEALTH BENEFITS (found on the Internet)

1 – CURB ALCOHOLIC TENDENCIES Kudzu has been used in Chinese culture to curb alcoholic tendencies for over two thousand years. The isoflavanoids daidzin and puerarin contribute to this property of Kudzu.

2 – BREAST CANCER AND MENOPAUSE Kudzu root isoflavones such as puerarin and daidzin are part of a group of dietary estrogens called phytoestrogens. Kudzu root has been promoted as a hormone replacement therapy and its applications include reduction or prevention of perimenopausal symptoms, osteoporosis and breast cancer.

Over time, buildings of all types can be swallowed up in a thick tangle.

3 – CARDIAC HEALTH Kudzu puerarin extract has been suggested to improve vascular structure and function in coronary patients. Puerarin is also scientifically supported as a safe and effective secondary preventive strategy for adults with cardiac health risks. Kudzu is also effective in the treatment of blood pressure and heart rate, heart attack prevention and the promotion of new blood vessels.

4 – INFLAMMATORY DISEASES Kudzu roots and isoflavone constituents have been found to provide therapeutic and preventative benefits for various inflammatory diseases and diseases related to oxidative stress.

Below, Swarms of kudzu bugs, also natives of Asia, favor all types of bean plants, and can decimate kudzu plants. They were first seen near Atlanta, Ga. beginning in 2009.

5 – IMPROVE EYESIGHT Puerarin in Kudzu can facilitate recovery of eye sight in patients suffering from ischemic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.

Above, Kudzu roots can penetrate the soil for more than 15 feet and a single root mass, partly shown here, can weigh more than 400 lbs.

Kudzu was brought to the U.S. in 1876 as an ornamental plant. It was part of the Japanese exhibit at the national centennial celebration in Philadelphia, Pa. Owners of a nursery in Chipley, Fla. are credited with helping spread the popularity of kudzu in the first half of the 20th century.

Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

6 – KIDNEY DISEASES Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common cause of late-stage kidney disease that occurs in 20-40% of diabetic patients which may eventually lead to renal failure. A study including 669 participants found that Puerarin may benefit individuals with DN. 7 – MIGRAINES AND HEADACHES A correlational analysis based on data collected with interviews of participants of a medical study found that 69% saw a decrease in intensity of pain, 56% experienced a decrease in frequency of migraines and 31% a decrease in duration of migraines.

8 – STROKE 35 studies covering 3224 participants have shown that kudzu extract (i.e., puerarin) injections performed better than placebo by showing considerable improvements with neurological deficits following an acute ischemic stroke.

9 – WEIGHT REDUCTION Reductions in visceral fat and overall BMI was seen when kudzu flower extract was consumed in a controlled study involving 81 obese participants.

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InnovationWay MAXAM LogXtra Forestry Tire MAXAM introduces the LogXtra forestry line to its broad range of specialty tire programs. MAXAM has engineered the MS931 LogXtra to provide the industry with the best solution for abusive forestry applications.

Throughout the development and performance validation phase of the LogXtra program, the design components and tire construction have displayed increased efficiency, durability and traction compared to industry benchmarks. The steel belt stabilized construction along with heavy duty shoulder and sidewall thrives in harsh environments while also resisting cuts, cracks, impacts and punctures.

A high performance rubber compound has been developed by the MAXAM engineering group specifically for the LogXtra tread to maximize tire resilience in the working environment. To prevent bead winding defects and protect against mounting damage, the LogXtra goes through an enhanced bead wrapping process that has been developed and implemented during the manufacturing process.

In addition, the LogXtra offers excellent traction and flotation thanks to its aggressive self-cleaning tread pattern that is deeper and wider than industry standards. The MS931 Logxtra is offered in five LS2 sizes and optional ply ratings.

Visit maxamtire.com.

Tigercat Wheel Harvester

Tigercat introduces the 1165 wheel harvester, a mid-sized harvester well suited for thinning, selective cut and final fell applications. With strong swing and leveling capabilities, the 1165 is well suited for steep slopes. The machine is available in six-wheel and eight-wheel drive configurations.

Powered by the Tigercat FPT N67 engine, the 1165 provides full emissions compliance for Tier 4 final regions, along with excellent fuel economy, all in a simple and reliable package. Both Tier 4f and Tier 2 options deliver 210 kW (282 HP) at 2,000 rpm.

The 1165 wheel harvester uses the same swing components as the larger 1185, as well as oscillating and articulating center section components used on Tigercat forwarders.

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Dedicated attachment and carrier pumps provide ample oil flow for uninterrupted power and multifunctioning capability. Many hydraulic components are common with other Tigercat machines, and efficient hydraulic system design and plumbing help the 1165 deliver exceptional productivity and optimal fuel economy.

Operator visibility is unmatched in the quiet, comfortable, ergonomically designed cab. The hooked crane design and large windows provide a clear line of sight to the attachment’s working area and surrounding terrain. The 360° continuous swing upper turntable supplies strong swing torque.

Leveling capacity is 24° backward, 18° forward and 18° side/side. Visit tigercat.com.

John Deere Enhanced Swing Machine

Utilizing invaluable customer feedback, John Deere is rolling out increased options on its G-Series forestry swing machines to help lower daily operating costs, boost productivity, and increase uptime.

The improved machine design includes changes to the boom and arm cylinder guards, hood, and underdecking.

Additionally, the larger undercarriage offered on the 3754G and 3756G swing machines is now available on the 3145G and 3156G models, increasing productivity. A new front sunshade increases operator comfort and visibility in sunny conditions. The inclusion of a deck handrail increases operator safety while traversing the upper deck, and the redesigned 7" tool tray improves access and security.

Three previously optional features are now available as standard offerings. Available on all Final Tier 4 engine models, a standard pre-cleaner for engine air intake extends filter life and minimizes service frequency. The auto-reversing fan, now standard on all machines, is controlled by a dash-mounted button that reverses airflow to eject debris from the cooler cores, reducing cooler-maintenance frequency. Finally, the extremely effective and durable LED light package, which includes access and service compartment lighting, is now standard. Visit johndeere.com.

Weiler Track Feller-Bunchers Weiler Forestry launches two new reduced tail swing track feller-buncher models, the B457 and B458. These productive new machine platforms feature excellent multi-function capability with dedicated pumps, a new cab that maximizes operator experience, field proven components, and excellent serviceability. The Weiler B457 and B458 track feller-buncher models have the latest Cat C9.3 engine that produces 298 HP (222 kw) and meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards. A Tier 3 engine option is also available.

The B457 is a non-leveling model best suited for plantation TIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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InnovationWay sor-equipped smart tires with a mobile application that records the sensor data from tires, keeping the user informed with the vital tire pressure and temperature data. “We have aimed to make the system plug & play,”, says Toni Silfverberg, Head of Sales & Marketing at Nokian Heavy Tyres. “You just buy the tires, install the application and you are good to go.”

Nokian Tyres Intuitu is based on IoT sensors installed in the tires. The first version of the sensors will send out tire pressure and temperature data, which are transmitted to the application running on a mobile device and cloud-based data storage. Visit nokiantyres.com. thinning, biomass harvesting, and medium-production select or clear-cut applications; the B458 is a leveling machine for steeper terrain and excels in select or clear-cut logging.

The B458 has an extended track roller frame option that includes two additional bottom rollers for a total of eleven, enhancing overall machine stability in steep terrain. In addition, a standard or heavy counterweight option is available for a diversity of harvesting conditions. Unobstructed ground clearance enables unimpeded travel over stumps, rocks, and other debris.

The spacious cab maximizes operator visibility by providing an open field of view to the work area and upwards through a large skylight. An optional 14 LED light package is available for improved productivity in night shift operations and an optional heated and cooled seat keeps operators comfortable all day long. The cab also features a front window emergency escape, a 7" (178 mm) intuitive color touchscreen monitor, multiple storage compartments, and numerous charging ports.

Excellent service access is provided by a gull-wing engine enclosure that provides maximum access to components, while the integrated counterweight walkway allows operators machine level access from the cab. Upper frame access ports allow for efficient debris clean out and component access. Visit weilerforestry.com.

Nokian Tyres Intuitu The vehicles we drive and work with are becoming increasingly digital – from fleet management and remote diagnostics to data driven logistics, autonomous vehicles, IoT and much more.

But while the tires are a crucial factor in a safe, efficient and economical operation, they have been all but invisible in terms of gathering digital real-time data. The new Nokian Tyres Intuitu solution makes tapping into this data easy and simple, allowing you to get more out of the tires while worrying less.

Nokian Tyres has taken the first step toward digital, real-time tire management. Nokian Tyres Intuitu combines sen40

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John Deere Felling Heads

John Deere’s new FS50/FR50 felling heads build upon the successful qualities of previous models for increased productivity, range and visibility. The new felling heads are compatible with the 800M- and 900M-Series tracked feller-bunchers and feature in 30° and 310° wrist configurations, respectively.

The FS50/FR50 features superior alignment of bunched timber to allow for optimal harvesting. The new felling heads provide a taller horn that works together with the pocket and arms to collect larger, tighter bunches. The horn delivers excellent handling of tall trees, which improves skidder productivity during tree removal. Both models also include arm cylinders mounted high for impressive wear protection of the saw housing, and can easily hold up to 15 six-inch trees.

The FR50 configuration maximizes versatility when positioning bunches in both plantation and thinning conditions due to the increased rotation. Additionally, the FS50/FR50 models provide excellent visibility to the cutting area and superior wear protection of saw housing. A full coverage option is available for both models, and for the FR50 model, sealed bushings in all clamp arm pivot joints are available.

Visit johndeere.com.

Barko New Lighter Weight Loaders Barko Hydraulics has launched two utility loader models, 70XL and 70XLE. The Barko 70XL and 70XLE line are primarily built for the timber hauling market in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Their durable, lightweight design also creates efficiencies for any job that requires light debris handling such as municipal pickup and storm cleanup.

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InnovationWay The utility loaders offer durability with low install weight, for increased payload, at a low total cost of operation.

With an ergonomic operation station, base unit weight of 4,550 lbs., easy to access service areas, and a rugged 27" swing bearing, this line of loaders delivers power, maneuverability and operator comfort. The 70XL features either a 22' 5" or 25' 7" boom with a maximum front lift capacity of 7,519 lbs. The 70XLE is equipped with a 22' 5" telescoping boom that increases reach by up to three additional feet to provide strong power-to-weight ratio with a maximum front lift capacity of 8,797 lbs. Visit barko.com.

Tigercat E-Series 845 Felling Machines

The new Tigercat 845E and L845E track feller-bunchers have been upgraded with several features to promote increased productivity and improved operator comfort. Enhancements include a new operator’s cab, a larger main hydraulic pump and a longer reach ER boom system.

The cab has been redesigned to optimize ergonomics and reduce in-cab noise levels. The new IQAN MD4 electronic control system interface includes an easy-to-use large color touch screen for machine monitoring and function adjustment.

The new skyVIEW and rearVIEW camera systems eliminate the need for a skylight while improving operator visibility.

The 845E boom offers a longer 8.5 m (28') reach and a tighter tuck for better performance in thinning applications.

The 845E model can be equipped with a range of Tigercat felling heads including a bunching saw or shear for smaller diameter timber, or the single post 5702 felling saw for larger trees and mixed diameter stands. Visit tigercat.com.

John Deere TimberMatic Building upon the positive momentum of the original launch of TimberMatic Maps and TimberManager, John Deere announces the expansion of the technology offerings to full-tree equipment, including feller-bunchers and skidders.

TimberMatic Maps and TimberManager provide loggers Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

with the ability to plan work that needs to get done in a day. The map provides the precise location, estimated volume or mass, and up to two species of timber. As timber is moved, operators can update the map for improved team visibility. Loggers can also add items of interest to the digital maps such as points, areas and lines. These features are shared in real time with all crew members for a better understanding and opportunity to optimize jobsite awareness and production as a system of machines. Visit johndeere.com.

SelectCuts Myers ‘Goes Pink’ In Honor of Mom

Zack Myers was a young child when his mom, Leanna Myers, was diagnosed with the early stages of breast cancer around 2006. His mom’s struggle left a lasting impression on Zack, his dad Craig, and his three sisters Drew, Chandler, and Andie. Myers is a fourth generation logger. His great, great grandfather Harold Meyers got into the business of logging the land used to build Lake Norman. Eight years ago, Zack started Select Timber Services.

Zack’s dad is still involved in the wood business, and Leanna does the books for the business along with Zack’s wife Laura. When deciding one day what to do with a trailer needing repairs, they not only fixed it, but also used it as a way to honor Leanna. Today, you can’t miss the Select Timber Services’ pink log trailer on the road.

Pam Kohl, executive director at NC Triangle to the Coast, part of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization that started the pink ribbon breast cancer awareness campaign, says Myers is “literally driving a sense of urgency behind breast cancer awareness and the tragic reality of this disease.”

In October the Carolina Loggers Assn. joined with other organizations from across the globe helping to raise awareness with the CLA pink logo to fight cancer.

And after being cancer-free more than a decade, Leanna to this day continues to run in the Susan G. Komen Race for The Cure to raise awareness to help others.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

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SelectCuts

Visit us online at www.timberharvesting.com

As We (ALC) See It

Follow the Plan, Achieve the Goal SHANNON JARVIS As loggers we have a cutting plan whenever we’re felling a tree. We know where we want the tree to fall.

Sometimes it may not go perfectly as planned despite our best efforts. It might get hung in another tree, or it may go the wrong way completely. All sorts of things can Jarvis and will happen. In the end, however, we focus on achieving the goal and we get the tree down.

Having a plan and achieving the goal is my approach to logging. This will also be my approach over the next year as President of the American Loggers Council.

My name is Shannon Jarvis. I am a fifth generation logger from the great state of Missouri, and I am my state’s first certified Master Logger. I own and operate Jarvis Timber Company in Potosi, Missouri. I am a husband and a father of five. I am honored to have been chosen by my peers to serve as ALC president. I am grateful to follow in the footsteps of past presidents who have founded and grown the only national organization that’s led by loggers for loggers, and I will seek to set an example for those who will follow after my term is complete in 2020.

My presidency will focus on executing ALC’s “five-year plan,” with the goal of strengthening its status as a national organization and an influential voice in forestry and natural resources. The goals of our plan are to attract more individuals to the timber industry; improve public relations and views on the timber industry; and build the Master Logger program, promote it, and help recognize the loggers who are doing the right thing.

I never set out to become the leader of this amazing group of individuals. I joined 10 years ago at the request of my state organization because they were interested in implementing the Master Logger program from the ALC. Along the way, I was inspired by the many great leaders who have

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SelectCuts been associated with this organization.

I found that their causes became my causes. The ALC is a unique assembly of many similar, and yet vastly different people. The concerns of the Western members are drastically different from those in the Deep South. The same could be said for every region that collectively gathers under the banner of “American Loggers Council.”

Leading an organization with a wide variety of issues and interests, from tariffs to excessive environmental regulations and everything in between, my approach to the ALC Presidency will be to follow the plan and strive to find common ground. I will encourage each logger to walk a mile in their fellow loggers’ boots, and try to see things from a different point of view other than their own.

No matter what challenges may arise, we will put our boots on, lace them up tight, and go to work together.

Then when the time comes for us to step down from our roles and pass the torch to the younger generations, be able to look back and proudly say that we left it better than we found it. We executed the plan and “got the tree down,” and as a result we positioned the logging industry for a great future.

Shannon Jarvis owns and operates Jarvis Timber Company in Potosi, Missouri, and serves as President of the American Loggers Council.

The American Loggers Council is an 501(c)(6) not for profit trade association

Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

representing professional timber harvesters throughout the United States. For more information please contact the American Loggers Council at 409-625-0206, or americanlogger@aol.com, or visit our website at amloggers.com.

of their work occurs on western Maryland’s Potomac-Garrett State Forest, where a large number of outdoor enthusiasts and the public eye make attention to harvesting aesthetics important.

Appalachian Honor Goes To Glotfelty

Tree Distribution Remembers Michael

Forest Resources Assn. and Stihl Inc. honored Donald “Butch” Glotfelty and Eric Glotfelty of Glotfelty Lumber Co., Inc. in Oakland, Maryland as the Appalachian Region 2019 Outstanding Logger at FRA’s Appalachian Region (AR) Awards Dinner in Washington, DC on September 18.

FRA’s AR Past Chairman Jay Phaup presented Butch and Eric with a wooden crosscut-saw plaque, and Stihl’s Product Manager John Allen presented them with a Stihl MS 462 chain saw gift certificate and a $250 check.

Glotfelty Lumber is a third-generation logging company that was founded in the 1950s by Butch’s father, Donald.

Butch and his son Eric are the primary in-woods operators, with Butch handling multiple product sorts on the loader and Eric harvesting the timber using a tracked feller-buncher. Their fully mechanized operation has an excellent safety program and has not had a lost-time accident in decades.

The Glotfeltys operate in the mountainous, far western side of Maryland, with occasional harvesting activities in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Much

Florida Forest Service hosted a tree distribution in Bristol in October. Area residents were invited to attend and receive free ready-to-plant trees to replace those lost during Hurricane Michael.

“As we reflect on the anniversary of Hurricane Michael, we must not forget the work ahead of us in the Florida Panhandle,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nicole Fried. “These Community Tree Recovery events are part of countless efforts to help re-establish communities and bring hope to Floridians as they rebuild their lives.”

The event was in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation and sponsored by AT&T and FedEx. Arborists, foresters and environmental professionals were on-site to answer questions about tree planting and care.

“The loss of tree coverage due to Hurricane Michael resulted in significant damage to local economic and ecological resources in hundreds of communities across the Florida Panhandle,” said Jim Karels, State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service. “Reforesting these communities will take time, and we ➤ 46

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SelectCuts 43 ➤ are committed to helping ensure the long-term success of recovery efforts.”

Since January, the Florida Forest Service and partners have given more than 11,000 native trees to area residents.

Additional tree distribution events are planned in the 11 Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Michael.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests.

First Earl St. John Golf Tourney Held Island Resort and Casino Sweetgrass Country Club near Escanaba Mich. hosted the first Forest Industry Safety Training Alliance Earl St. John Education Fund golf outing fundraiser on September 4. Sixty golfers signed in to support this worthwhile cause and the weather cooperated with windy and sunny conditions.

The golfers were excited to be part of the 18-hole scramble and everyone did

their best to take advantage of the $10,000 hole-in-one opportunity on Hole 15. Unfortunately, no one got the prize, but it was exciting to watch them try.

The event netted just under $8,000 for the education fund and all the participants are eager for next year’s event to take place. Plans are already in motion to make next year’s outing even bigger and better.

FISTA and Great Lakes Timber Professionals Assn. would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to all the organizers, sponsors, donors and participants for their time and generosity on helping make the outing such a successful first-time event.

Dogwood ‘Environmentalists’ Sponsored By Bottled Water The negative ecological impact of the bottled water industry is a wellknown fact. Producing bottled water releases millions of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, and requires some 17 million barrels of oil each year. Most bottled water is made of PET plastic, and the vast majority of this plastic is never recycled. Every year, 38 million bottles end up in landfills.

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January 14-16, 2020—Associated California Loggers annual meeting, Atlantis Casino Resort & Spa, Reno, Nev. Call 916-441-7940; visit calog.com.

January 23-25, 2020—Associated Oregon Loggers annual meeting, Valley River Inn, Eugene, Ore. Call 503-3641330; visit oregonloggers.org.

February 6-8, 2020—71st Annual Sierra-Cascade Logging Conference, Shasta District Fairgrounds, Anderson, Calif.

Call 530-222-1290; visit sclcexpo.com.

February 7-9, 2020—South Carolina Timber Producers Assn. annual meeting, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton, Myrtle Beach, SC. Call 800-371-2240; visit scloggers.com.

February 12-13, 2020—California Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Kimpton, The Sawyer Hotel, Sacramento, Calif.

Call 916-444-6592; visit calforests.org.

February 20-22, 2020—Oregon Logging Conference & Show, Lane County Convention Center, Eugene, Ore. Call 541-686-9191; visit oregonloggingconference.com.

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Statistics like these are why experts at Harvard University say we must avoid bottled water.

But as it turns out, the Dogwood Alliance, an extreme anti-forestry organization that claims to want to fight climate change and protect forests, is actively embracing the single-use bottled water industry. The Dogwood Alliance’s recent “Woods & Wilds” event was sponsored by “Blue Moon Water,” a company that the Dogwood Alliance described as “wonderful” in an email to supporters.

Blue Moon Water is a bottled water company that ships water in single-use plastic containers. Their plastic water bottles are also actually wrapped in plastic!

This isn’t the first time that the Dogwood Alliance has promoted single-use plastic. Earlier this year, the group’s executive director attacked efforts to replace single-use plastic with biodegradable, renewable paper-based alternatives.

The Dogwood Alliance has some explaining to do. How can they call themselves an environmental organization and at the same time do business with the bottled water industry?

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

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