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A Hatton-Brown Publication Co-Publisher David H. Ramsey Co-Publisher David (DK) Knight Chief Operating Officer Dianne C. Sullivan PUBLISHING OFFICE 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
Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers Browse, subscribe or renew: www.timberharvesting.com Vol. 63, No. 2: Issue 649
Executive Editor David (DK) Knight Editor-in-Chief Rich Donnell Western Editor Dan Shell Senior Associate Editor David Abbott Associate Editor Jessica Johnson Associate Editor Jay Donnell
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OurCover Built on a foundation of professionalism, Southeast Georgia’s Pierce Timber Co. is known for providing opportunity, among many other things. Pierce Timber is responsible for procuring, harvesting and delivering 45,000 tons of timber a week to various markets. The effort includes captive crews and subcontractors. Story begins on PAGE 16. (Cover design by Shelley Smith)
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Maine’s Morris Logging:
Solid Business, Top Performer
INTERNATIONAL Murray Brett Aldea de las Cuevas 66, Buzon 60 03759 Benidoleig (Alicante), Spain +34 96 640 4165 • Fax: +34 96 640 4022 E-mail: murray.brett@abasol.net
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Timber Harvesting & Wood Fiber Operations (ISSN 21542333) is published 6 times annually (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December issues are combined) by HattonBrown 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-of-way 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.timberharvesting.com and click on the subscribe button to subscribe/renew via the web. All advertisements for Timber Harvesting magazine are accepted and published by Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. with the understanding that the advertiser and/or advertising agency are authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The advertiser and/or advertising agency will defend, indemnify and hold Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. harmless from and against any loss, expenses, or other liability resulting from any claims or lawsuits for libel violations or right of privacy or publicity, plagiarism, copyright or trademark infringement and any other claims or lawsuits that may arise out of publication of such advertisement. Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. neither endorses nor makes any representation or guarantee as to the quality of goods and services advertised in Timber Harvesting & Wood Fiber Operations. Copyright ® 2015. 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.
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Strong Participation In Annual Oregon Event
Seasoned Butch Alfman Leads Family Enterprise
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Enhancements, Engines
Distinguish New JD Machines
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MyTake DK KNIGHT
2014 U.S. Timber Harvest & Logging Capacity; Canada’s Spiraling Southern Sawmill Clout RISI, Inc., a leading information provider for the global forest industry, recently estimated the 2014 U.S. timber harvest at 411 million green tons, an increase of about 4% over 2013 and the highest since the 497 million ton mark in the peak year of 2005. The organization pegged the softwood harvest at roughly 279 million tons compared with 326 million in ’05. The hardwood harvest was an estimated 132 million tons, compared with 171 million in ’05. On the softwood side, lumber claimed 49%; pulp 25%; OSB, plywood and bioenergy a combined 12%; and various other categories claimed the rest. The hardwood breakdown: lumber 26%; pulp 32%; and ‘other’ 37%. This broad category included traditional firewood, posts, poles, pilings, and other products, and volumes left on the harvesting site or otherwise cleared and not utilized. OSB, plywood and bioenergy claimed the rest. The Southern region accounted for 67% of the softwood harvest and 63% of softwood, much the same as it was in 2005.
Loggers, Logging Capacity The larger harvest was driven by a stronger economy and greater demand for various products derived from wood, not to mention log exports. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the harvest was that it was accomplished by a logging force that many, including yours truly, believe to be reduced in number and weaker in overall capacity. It’s widely accepted that the number of logging business units has receded from the level of the leafy days of 2005 and the stark days of 2009. The ‘treecession’ thinned the ranks by way of bankruptcy or voluntary liquidation, and tight credit made it much harder for startups to germinate. Many loggers responded to tough times by trimming employees and parking equipment and by holding on to existing equipment. The result was less production and more machine breakdowns, the latter dampening production and thereby exacerbating capacity. According to a study authorized by the Wood Supply Research Institute, logging capacity fell an estimated 20% during the economic meltdown. Evidently, that capacity contraction has dwindled—significantly in some places, less so in others. Across the last 30 months, market conditions and attitudes generally have improved, prompting many surviving loggers to upgrade equipment and leading some to expand. In addition, a few loggers who had exited the business got back in and scattered startup operations emerged. Regarding equipment, most manufacturers enjoyed very robust sales in 2013 and 2014. Their bigger, more powerful, better-engineered, more reliable, and longer lasting machines are the most productive ever. They can move mountains of wood, and do it day in and day out. A change in harvest prescriptions among certain TIMOs was another ingredient that last year helped accelerate the harvest, at least in certain parts of the South, where thinning and longer rotations have been the practice for many years. That ingredient was regeneration cutting, which some TIMOs embraced to generate cash to appease shareholders. Until the price for larger logs improves substantially, TIMOs could keep more regeneration cutting in their revised management plans. I sense that overall, the financial position of loggers has improved in the last couple of years due to greater demand, additional production, lower fuel costs of late, and in some cases better compensation. As has always been the case, some loggers are doing better than others, especially if they’re located near where new markets have evolved, established markets have turned up production, or where shut mills have reopened. Even in cases where no significant real financial gains have been realized, loggers who survived seem to have a better attitude and generally are going about 4
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their work with renewed hope and confidence. However, as a group they are juggling lots of debt, and for the most part remain quite wary as they grapple with stubbornly high operating costs, labor woes, transportation issues, and regulations. In some locations quite a few limped through a very trying winter. Some continue to struggle with limited markets and scarce supplies of timber. Others anticipate possible spring or summer quotas. All expect fuel prices to climb again. The nation’s annual harvest should increase again this year, possibly exceeding 420 million tons, assuming that the economy holds/grows and there is enough logging and trucking horsepower to get it done. I think there will be. Looking ahead, I wonder if the harvesting troops will be up to extracting 450 million tons or more in 2017?
The Canadian South A limited supply of timber in British Columbia (read mountain pine beetle devastation) and an abundant supply in the South (read lower cost and proximity to Canadian lumber’s biggest market) have led to the largescale Canadian investment in sawmills located south of the MasonDixon line. According to Business Vancouver (BV), West Fraser now owns 15 U.S. sawmills, compared with 12 in western Canada. West Fraser recently announced a $600 million capital improvement program for its southern operations. BV notes that Interfor, with five mills in BC, now owns 13 U.S. mills. All but two are in the South. Canfor owns 10 mills in the region, compared with 12 in western Canada. By now these companies probably have learned that the South’s resource of small sawlogs, while plentiful today, is not always low cost, especially when sawmill interests go jawto-jaw with pulp mills for the same timber. For the record, last year the U.S. produced just under 31 billion BF of softwood lumber, with the South TH turning out 51% of that.
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NewsLines Martco To Build OSB Facility In Corrigan Martco L.L.C. announced the selection of Corrigan, Texas as the location for a new oriented strandboard (OSB) facility. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer, with startup anticipated by fall 2017. Corrigan OSB, L.L.C. will complement Martco’s existing wood products manufacturing plants in Oakdale, La. (OSB); Chopin, La. (plywood); and Mexia, Ala. (lumber and timbers). According to Martco Chairman and CEO Jonathan Martin, “Ever since my grandfather started out in the wood products industry more than 90 years ago, our family has taken pride in utilizing raw materials to the fullest extent possible. This business model has led to Martco’s growth as a leading supplier in the wood products industry. The timing is right for us to position ourselves to more effectively meet the increasing demand for building products into the foreseeable future.” Martco’s commitment to this region reaches beyond its future workforce. Senior Vice President and COO Scott Poole explains, “We look forward to extending our pride and dedication to sustainable forestry practices through additional foresters and loggers. With this expansion, we will continue to be good stewards of our forests, while delivering a full line of wood products across the country and world.” Based in Alexandria, La., Martco’s existing facilities employ 1,100. It owns 570,000 acres of highly productive timberland in Louisiana. Management of this timberland asset has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council since 2002.
Logging Careers Act Introduced In House At the behest of the American Loggers Council and others, Cong. Raul Labrador (R-ID) in early March introduced HR1215, the Future Logging Careers Act, in the U.S. House. The bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act so that 16- and 17-year-old children of family-owned mechanized timber harvesting businesses could legally begin working in those businesses. The amendment would only apply to children who would be working 6
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under the direct supervision of a parent or by a person designated by a parent in a mechanized logging operation owned or operated by such parent or person. The bill excludes the use of chain saws for felling and processing and cable skidders for skidding. Members of the American Loggers Council support HR 1215 and “urge members of Congress to support the legislation to ensure the long-term health of the logging industry and support the entrance of youth into this vital economic sector.”
Swanson Group Will Rebuild Springfield Mill Swanson Group Mfg. LLC announced plans to rebuild the company’s Springfield, Ore. softwood plywood plant after it was destroyed by fire in mid-July 2014. Plans are to have the new mill finished and ready to start up by mid 2016. The new plant will employ 190 and operate similar to the old facility in terms of capacity and product lines. The Swanson Group acquired the Springfield plant in 2007 and also operates a plywood plant and sawmill in Glendale and a stud mill in Roseburg, Ore.
Plywood Mill Project Begins In Louisville, Miss. Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from Winston Plywood and Veneer held a groundbreaking ceremony January 30 at the site of the company’s future plywood facility in Louisville, Miss. The project represents an investment of approximately $50 million. Winston Plywood and Veneer is an operating company of New Wood Resources LLC, which is owned by Atlas Holdings LLC.
Rock-Tenn To Merge With MeadWestvaco RockTenn Co. and MeadWestvaco Corp. are merging to create a $16 billion producer of consumer and corrugated packaging. The combined company, to be named prior to closing, will be 50.1% owned by MWV shareholders and 49.9% owned by RockTenn shareholders.
The combined company will maintain its principal executive offices in Richmond, Va., and will have operating offices in Norcross, Ga.
Pellet Mills Planned For North Florida Two ventures have announced they plan to build wood pellet mills in similar areas of north central Florida, west of Jacksonville. PHI Group, Inc., a company focused on energy and natural resources, announced it has signed an agreement with AG Materials, LLC, an Alabama company, to jointly set up a 200,000 metric tons annual production wood pellet mill in Live Oak, Suwannee County; and Enerpellets Group, a Portugal-based producer of wood pellets, announced it will build a 250,000 tons per year pellet mill in Hamilton County. PHI Group, which plans to exports the pellets, reports it has been able to secure approximately 400,000 metric tons of southern yellow pine feedstock per year from a nearby industrial source (possibly the newly built Klausner sawmill operation in Live Oak). Meanwhile Enerpellets states it is investing $60 million to build its pellet plant. The company operates two pellet mills in Portugal.
Pleasant River Buys Moose River Lumber Pleasant River Lumber, DoverFoxcroft, Maine, is purchasing Moose River Lumber Co., Jackman, Me. Moose River Lumber produces more than 85MMBF annually of kiln-dried, dimension spruce lumber. Pleasant River Lumber is owned by members of the Brochu family, who formerly owned Stratton Lumber, before selling out and purchasing Pleasant River Lumber in 2004. The Brochus subsequently purchased operations in West Enfield, Me. in 2008, Hancock, Me. in 2011 and Sanford, Me. in 2012. With the addition of Moose River Lumber, the Pleasant River Lumber businesses produce 175MMBF of eastern SPF and 35MMBF of eastern white pine annually. Moose River Lumber was owned by the Charles Lumbert family and Kruger Inc.
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PeoplePower! WENDY FERRAND
Creating A Good First Impression Is Crucial They say first impressions matter most, and if you don’t believe that, you are short-changing your business. Your financial success hinges on your “nonfinancial success,” which has everything to do with relationships and how you form them. Everything I write about in this column is based on my experiences working in the woods and my time as a corporate training consultant. When I worked in procurement, I knew that if I did not gain the trust and respect of the potential landowner, I did not have a chance of getting the owner to sign on the dotted line. When it comes to small landowners, cutting their wood is like cutting their hair: it’s a very personal thing. I learned this first hand when I had a harvest conducted on my own land. Even though I trusted the guys who were cutting my wood, I still had fears for how I was changing the landscape and what that would mean to my future view and enjoyment of the woods. So having the ability to put yourself in the landowner’s shoes helps to form that trust. You understand how stressful it can be. Unfortunately, for logging contractors, sometimes their first impression has already been formed for them, by someone else—for example, a person who may not look kindly on loggers or by another logging contractor who may not work up to your standards. That person may visualize a speeding truck, a messy landing, or lots of muck in the road. It will then become your job to undo these first impressions. You will have to put extra effort in to recreate those first, second or third unsavory impressions. What you do is out in the open for the whole world to see, and it is a world that often does not understand the science behind what you do in the woods. The greatest thing you can do is put yourself in someone else’s shoes and remember that people are afraid of what they don’t understand. Think about it for a second. Most of us have one story or another of how we took
the time to explain what we do to a naysayer, and through thoughtful education we won over a new convert who now understands good forest management. If someone likes you and what you do, you can do no wrong in their eyes, right? On the other hand, if you are disliked, you can’t do anything right. So, as someone who may already be starting out behind the 8 ball, you need to think about first impressions and what that means to the future strength of your business.
Use Your Imagination When you land on a job, take the time to put yourself in the public’s shoes and imagine what they see. We can mess up a landing because we know we are going to clean it up. It’s kind of like leaving dishes in the sink—you know that if someone is coming over you can quickly straighten up. When people are driving by your job, those impressions are formed, so if your landing is messy, they notice, and that is a first impression.
Exhibit Professionalism Your trucks are a moving billboard for your company; your log haulers are forming first impressions wherever they go. Your drivers need to be reminded that they are ambassadors for your company. They are out and about and can do a lot of good in the public’s eye, or perhaps just the opposite. They are in a powerful position by constantly creating first impressions wherever they go. I have been told more than once when traveling to a job to “once you turn down this street, follow the mud.” It’s true! So to a logger, mud is a way of life sometimes, but to the public it is an irritating nuisance. I have had to deal with angry neighbors in trying to keep the dirt out of the road. So, as a first impression, maybe you always include a crushed stone apron on the road to your landing to
cut down on the muck strewn into the road. Whenever I drive by a logging job and I see a nice apron, I think “professional” whether suggested by the road commissioner or not. I give the credit first to the logger. The cleanliness of the road you are working on is creating that first impression. Uniforms are an expense, but a valuable asset when it comes to first impressions. A uniform lets the public know that this is a person I can talk to on the job. They belong and I can trust them. A uniform with a name gives a lasting first impression that can make your company shine. All the things in business that we are taught to connect with a potential customer are equally important in the business of logging. Here are some examples: Smile. It doesn’t cost a penny and it can be a way of opening up to more business and stronger relationships. Make eye contact when meeting someone. It builds trust. Make sure your crew members know how they are expected to greet potential clients who come on the job. In this business everyone is a “potential client” or knows of one. Make sure the attention you gain is the favorable kind. Body language can create a first impression. Be aware of yours. You are selling the idea of clients working with you. Working with you has got to be better than working with another contractor. So make sure you are taking the time to set yourself apart from the others by creating great first impressions. Make sure your crews know that first impressions are important to the future of the business. Remind them that they are the company and are responsible for creating a solid positive image in the present, to cultivate a fertile culture for growth in the future. What happens in the present has an impact on the future. Don’t allow others to create those first impressions for you. Take charge of the things you have control over, and paint your own picture of how you conduct business. TH
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“Know Your Costs” Highly principled Maine logging businessman Sherbey Morris knows his. JessicaJohnson
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herbey Morris’ philosophy is “Always treat others the way you want to be treated and everything will work out—when combined with a little hard work.” Based in Fort Kent, Me., at the Canadian border, and doing business as Morris Logging, Inc., Morris, 58, has been logging for more than 30 years. While logging has changed across that span, his attitude has not. From a humble beginning (an old Franklin skidder and two chain saws), Morris Logging has ex-
panded and diversified as a business and Morris has advanced as a sound businessman. In addition to logging, delivering various products to various mills in Maine and New Brunswick, the company also builds roads. It has more than $4 million invested in equipment. Morris says it takes a lot effort to keep business finances in order and a good crew intact. “Your name is your reputation. When you shake hands with someone…even if it is to your loss, keep your pledged word.” Sherbey Morris
Pro Pac stroke delimber/Caterpillar 320C carrier removes branches, tops, sorts logs.
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This conviction and his management skills have paid off in a sterling reputation and good credit. “Some people look at loggers like we can’t be doing anything else; that we are uneducated individuals. That’s just not true. We are people of principle; we’re all educated in some way; we’re smart people,” he says with conviction. Given this, it’s easy to understand that when someone wants to make a deal with Morris, they must travel to Fort Kent, sit down with him on his turf and present their proposal. He admits he’s tough to do business with, but cites going through the school of hard knocks, including being embarrassed by a banker in front of his wife in the beginning stages of Morris Logging, as his reason for being that way. The banker turned down his loan request. This probably was not the banker’s fault, but it put a fire in his belly to prove he could succeed some day. He has poured a lot of heart and soul into his business, and has seen
great returns. Knowing the true cost of doing business, Morris manages a small but profitable business, and while he has a large investment in equipment, he’s not quick to make a purchase. In fact, Morris does not buy a piece of equipment without first finding out what the insurance rate will be, in addition to fuel costs. “You have to know your costs, every bit of your costs. There are other things involved besides a payment,” he asserts.
Acquiring Timber His detailed knowledge of costs enable him to very aggressively go after, and for the most part, win private timber sales. Morris is able to approach landowners, using his spreadsheets on every facet of his operation, and predict, for example, what a landowner can expect to make, within a couple of thousand dollars, on a given tract. Morris likes to work on private
wood lots, which he calls his bread and butter, and usually travels no more than 65 miles from Fort Kent. Mainly working in select-cut mode, he prefers these types of jobs to industrial landowners. Morris estimates that out of his total annual production of about 60,000 cords of treelengths and 20,000 cords of chips, 30,000 cords is linked to industrial landowners. The satisfaction he gets from private lots is two-fold. He enjoys being able to work with the different forestry needs of his clients and sets his own pace, but he also likes being in control of his own rates. With private lots he is able to better negotiate the rates: “When you go for a big company, they dictate to you what they are going to pay you, most of the time, because of competition for work and the market place rates for harvest and trucking are more complicated to negotiate.” Even so, he is very fortunate to have a contract for the last 14 years with Huber Resources of Old Town, Me., for about half of his yearly harvest needs.
On-Site Setup The operational scheme has the crew working in two phases. First, all logs on a given tract are cut and skidded. Then the skidder set-up a concentration yard with two main piles: treelength logs and brush/tops for conversion to biomass chips. Trucks are loaded with the treelength logs while the delimber is at work. Then the chipper, excavator and vans are brought in to process and take away the biomass. Morris believes his set-up is efficient and provides for total utilization. “Bunches of 12-15 trees come to the yard and we strip them, treelength logs going to one side, brush on the other; nothing left on the trails.” This method also cuts down on confusion and helps Morris’ crew keep the work area a little tidier. The crew normally cuts about five species: poplar, cedar, spruce, birch and fir. Markets include consumers of both fuelwood and pulpwood chips, grade logs, and OSB logs. Since Morris markets all his own wood, he is able to include the border mills in Canada. While he won’t log in Canada he does truck across the border, though there is an extra expense in purchasing the necessary permits and lots of extra paperwork. The rates are MARCH/APRIL 2015
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attractive enough to balance out the extra work, he asserts. Morris Logging operates three of its own trucks and an eight man crew, in addition to four subcontract haul trucks and a full subcontract harvesting crew of eight men.
Equipment Registry The company uses a mix of Caterpillar and Tigercat harvesting equipment, Peterson chipper, Doosan excavator, and Caterpillar road building equipment. Morris has a significantly larger amount of Caterpillar equipment than Tigercat, though that hasn’t
always been the case. He explains that he used to prefer Timberjack, but went to Caterpillar after Timberjack sold out to John Deere. He notes: “Cat ground equipment can’t be beat. Dozers are the top of the line.” Morris uses a feller-buncher, grapple skidder and delimber, electing not to use a processor or forwarder. When the crew did operate a processor, Morris found they couldn’t cut enough wood to pay for it. Longtime employee and processor operator John Ouellette was so nervous he couldn’t get production; he was too worried about Morris’ payments on the machine. Falling victim to many a log-
Cat grapple skidder “hands off” drag of softwood to stroke delimber.
ger’s conundrum, Ouellette was trying to produce too much wood, and the learning curve had not matured, causing breakdowns. Morris had a meeting with him and they decided to just cut a small amount of wood, 50 cords a week, to see how the processor would do. The stress level for the operator changed, Morris reports, and the crew was quickly producing 300 cords a week and not breaking down. But between the expense of the machine, and the fact that it produced an unusable trash pile instead of something useable, Morris moved away from processing and embraced chipping, thanks to contract from ReEnergy Holdings, formally Boralex Industries, in nearby Ashland, Me. The Peterson chipper and accompanying larger Doosan excavator is a relatively new purchase for Morris. When he first acquired the chipping contract, Boralex financed a smaller chipper to help get the chipping side off the ground. As the chipping side grew, and the facility he was hauling to changed hands and increased demand, Morris needed a bigger machine. After some deliberation he went with a Peterson, and bigger Doosan, from Barry Equipment in Massachusetts. The excavator is a zero tailswing machine, so when turns it does not go outside of the track. This was a big selling point for Morris. With the Doosan/Peterson combination, Ouellette, now operator of the chipper, can generate 10 loads a day with two trucks. In the winter, with northern Maine’s fairly extreme conditions, Ouellette makes wise use of cleats. He welds
Tigercat 220 loader fills trailer with short treelengths.
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them onto the tracks of the excavator to help keep it from skidding into the chipper or a van, and onto the chipper infeed to help thwart any accumulation of harmful snow and ice. “Income has gone up 35% with the addition of the Peterson because of the larger motor with more horsepower. We’ve saved on fuel, loaded the wood faster and increased production,” Morris emphasizes. While he relies on a contract trucking outfit for much of his transportation needs, Morris owns three trucks, Western Stars, the brand he prefers since they are made with heavy duty
transmissions and reinforced frames that can handle the conditions of northern Maine. Besides, there is a Western Star dealer in Fort Kent. Chip vans are by Peerless and Manac.
Service Aspect
A few miles from his residence at Fort Kent, Morris Logging operates a 50x100 ft. shop, with an attached shed that has been converted to a fuel room. All routine maintenance, as well as more involved maintenance during the mud season, is performed there. Daily maintenance is performed on-site. Morris demands a tight service schedule, as well as pristine daily upkeep. “I expect the men to run the machines like they owned them,” Morris says, “I don’t want oil on the ground; I don’t want dents in the machines or garbage on the sites.” Morris uses factory parts on his forestry equipment but says he isn’t always pleased with availability and quality. Parts and down time are the downfall for many a good contractor. For example, he remembers Welded-on cleat effectively deals with snow/ice builduip on once last spring when a machipper infeed. chine blew a starter and
Caterpillar feller-buncher works a clear-cut. Note small diameter trees. 14
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caused two days of downtime for the whole operation, not to mention a lot of headaches. He says he noticed that when the economy tanked a few years ago, it seemed to coincide with a dropoff in the quality of parts.
People Power Most on Morris’ crew are older, long-term employees and he’s proud of the company’s retention. The company could not be viable without the hard work and effort put forth by every member of the crew and subcontractors. Many have been with Morris for more than 10 years, and some 20 years. The father of five and strong man of the Catholic faith says that logging isn’t the most important thing in his life, and he doesn’t force his men to treat it that way either. “We live on weekends with our families, and we work in the week to provide for our families. We need to have good equipment to work with. We need to be able to do it. But this is not our whole life.” He notes that his crew is loyal, and he not only appreciates that but also realizes the weight of it. “If I ask my men to do something they know we will provide the tools and the means to get it done. Do not expect anyone to do something you aren’t willing to do yourself,” he says. He pays employees well, provides vehicles and uniforms, and shows his appreciation in other ways. He once treated the men to an expenses paid fishing retreat. He told them there would be no talk of logging, they were going up to enjoy themselves and catch some fish. “People need to be appreciated,” Morris believes. “If you don’t once in a while get affirmed you’re going to think you’re on the wrong road.” As a side bonus, production the following year went up 10%, but Morris is quick to point out that’s not why he took the trip. “You need to take care of your people,” he says, as they are the most important asset a business has. “If you break a machine, you can replace or repair it. A good man is hard to replace and sometimes impossible to repair if TH their spirit is broken.”
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From Leadership To Ownership Full service Pierce Timber Co. provides opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs.
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DavidAbbott
ased in the southeastern Georgia town of Blackshear, just a few miles northeast of Waycross, procurement company Pierce Timber Co., Inc., is somewhat unusual. “We’re probably one of the few wood suppliers left that has its own company logging operations,” owner-presidentCEO Hugh Thompson suspects. He calls Pierce a full service forestry company—buying, harvesting, hauling, site prepping and, via subcontractors, reforestation. “We have been blessed to have a group of quality contractors we’ve learned a lot from, and along the way we have picked up some company crews,” he says. Only it’s a little more complicated than that. The “company” crews are not, in fact, technically part of Pierce
Timber. Each of the harvesting units affiliated with one another and operating under the Pierce umbrella exists as a legally detached entity from Pierce Timber. Many of them are owned, at least in part, by Pierce employees— members of the management team. The crews were created through Pierce Timber and in effect function as captive crews for Pierce Timber because, like their owners, they are all part of the same team. Under the guidance of Thompson, 51, the management team includes Randy Dixon, 47; Carlos Thrift, 52; Brian Peacock, 43; Loran Tuten, 42; David Deloach, 60; Chad Nimmer, 38; and Josh Cave, 34. Most of them were hired after they completed forestry training at ABAC (Abraham Baldwin
Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga.). Peacock, an exception, had a military background. Everybody has multiple titles. Each forester has an assigned territory but all will cross those lines to help the others when needed. Thompson sees this as an advantage. It’s a kind of “all for one, one for all” philosophy—the priority is getting the job done. Nimmer concurs: “I may own a crew and Loran may own a crew, but if I can help him, I help him, and if he can help me, he helps me.” With overlapping duties and stakeholder status in the collective success of all, teamwork is undoubtedly the hallmark of the Pierce inner circle. Nimmer sums up Pierce Timber as “a bunch of good, hard-working, blue
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collar men who treat a business like a family environment. Hugh has allowed us to have individual ownerships, but we look to him as the head. He wants us to come in and put our ideas out there. Sometimes we butt heads, but we all have the understanding that we’re a family.”
Opportunity Pierce buys timber for 28 crews in all: 17 independent contractors and 11 company operations. Thompson owns two logging companies himself, separate from Pierce Timber. Thompson also partners with Billy Rice, a second generation logger, on one crew. In partnership with Thompson, three of his foresters—Tuten, Deloach, and Cave—are half-owners of three other companies. Cave is also half-owner of another company, partnered with Nimmer, and Nimmer and Dixon are both sole owners of their own companies. The ownership arrangements came about organically, not by design. “We didn’t look for growth,” Thompson says. It was simply a matter of answering the door when opportunity knocked. Pierce didn’t start the crews from scratch, either. Rather, when area loggers—usually those who had been contracting with Pierce—decided to retire or to downsize, sometimes they offered to sell their crews to Pierce, and sometimes landowners have requested it. In cases where it made sense to do so—where there was potential for good production and where it fit the company’s agenda—Pierce’s principals acquired the assets of those logging crews to keep them producing. “We are a procurement company first,” Thompson explains, “but logging
Crew Ownerships 1. J & H Logging: Hugh Thompson, owner 2. Satilla Logging: Hugh Thompson, owner 3. D & H Logging: Hugh Thompson and David Deloach, owners 4. T & T Logging: Hugh Thompson and Loran Tuten, owners 5. T & R Logging: Hugh Thompson and Billy Rice, owners 6. STH Logging: Hugh Thompson and Josh Cave, owners 7. JCL Logging: Josh Cave and Chad Nimmer, owners 8. Suwanee Forest Products, (three crews), Chad Nimmer, owner 9. LGD Logging: Randy Dixon, owner is also an important part of our business.” Thompson emphasizes that Pierce’s relationships with its contractors is healthy. In none of these cases was a contractor selling out because he went broke; each one was a different situation. In one case, a logger decided to go into the sawmill business, but wanted to keep a good group of employees working and supplying his new mill. “It’s all been situational at times where there were gaps we needed to fill.” The practice is nothing new. Founded in 1962 by Thompson’s father, H.M. (Mac) Thompson, Sr., Pierce Timber has a long history with it. “My father started three logging crews in the early 1980s and that is what has led to 11 company crews today,” Thompson relates. “He did it to meet a need at a sawmill, owned by Gilman Paper Co., when the mill asked
him to do it and helped finance it. It’s been a way for us to diversify and learn and to become a full-service forestry company, from start to finish.” That tradition has continued. “One thing this company believes in is providing opportunity,” Nimmer says. “You can see that from the ownerships that have come from the leadership of Pierce timber. Hugh’s dad was that way, and Hugh is that way, and each of us hope to be the same way when the time comes.”
Understanding “It is becoming more common for loggers to buy timber for themselves, or under direct contracts to log for mills,” Thompson points out. “I think that is one reason we own logging crews: to maintain stability. We are blessed to have a great group of contract loggers that have been loyal and dedicated to us as a company and as individuals. They’re friends of ours. But by having these relationships and first-hand knowledge of logging, our foresters are able to purchase tracts knowing important factors about ‘logability,’ production capability, and cost. And I think our contract loggers feel more comfortable with us because they know we log and understand what they are going through. (We) have a better understanding of what they’re doing because we do it ourselves.”
Equipment, Maintenance Each crew owner decides what equipment to buy and is responsible for the financial investment. “Each crew has to stand on its own feet and pay its own bills,” Nimmer explains. “We try
Management team, from left: Josh Cave, Carlos Thrift, Loran Tuten, Hugh Thompson, Chad Nimmer, Brian Peacock, Randy Dixon Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers
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not to be a ‘Peter and Paul’ company.” Still, since they are a team, the principals compare notes on machine performance. Equipment is therefore relatively consistent across company crews, depending on the terrain type the crew targets. Thrift notes that Pierce keeps spare equipment and supplies to loan when needed. Everything currently in the field consists of 2012-2015 models. It is a mix of John Deere (748H and 848 skidders, 643K feller-bunchers, 437D loaders), Caterpillar (559B and C loaders, 535C skidders, 521 cutters) and Tigercat (620D and 635D skidders, 234 loaders, 720E cutters). Main dealers are Yancey Bros. in Waycross for Caterpillar, and Flint Equipment (Deere) and Tidewater Equipment (Tigercat), both in Brunswick. Tidewater
also has a parts store in Waycross. With foresters busy buying timber, Pierce team member Carlos Thrift helps supervise all logging operations. The foresters say they may go all week and never have a chance to go by their crews. That’s where Thrift comes in. Among his many duties, Thrift coordinates maintenance with crew foremen and Don Shropshire, service manager and shop supervisor for Tidewater Brunswick. Pierce Timber has a standing arrangement with Tidewater Brunswick to service all equipment, including set-out trucks, on company crews. Tidewater sends service techs to job sites to change oil and filters, as well as to take oil samples. To avoid downtime, maintenance takes place on weekends. Thrift says there is generally one company crew up in the rota-
Logger, Legislator Interestingly, Chad Nimmer also serves as a member of Georgia’s General Assembly. He represents Georgia District 178. “Chad has done some good stuff for us,” Thompson says. “We have a voice up there now speaking for this industry.” Nimmer stepped up to the opportunity in 2010 when the previous state representative from his district, Mark Williams, accepted an appointment from Gov. Nathan Deal to become Chad Nimmer the commissioner for the Dept. of Natural Resources. This necessitated a special election to fill the vacant seat. “I had an interest in giving to the community, and Pierce Timber has always tried to be involved in community service,” Nimmer explains. Although Nimmer had never entered the political arena before, his grandfather, Steve Nimmer, had been a state rep in the late ’60s. With only three months to campaign, Nimmer beat five opponents in the special election, and has run unopposed in the two regular elections since After reapportionment late in his first year, Nimmer’s district expanded to include Pierce and Brantley counties and portions of Wayne and Appling. He now represents about 54,000 people in a largely rural area. “It takes four counties for me to get my constituent number to where it needs to be,” he points out. “A lot of my metro colleagues come from places where they might have 20 or more reps in one county. So I go four counties to see my constituents, and they go four blocks.” While in session, Nimmer spends four days a week in Atlanta, a four-hour drive from Blackshear. “With what we do in the timber business and the amount of communication it takes, it gives me a lot of time to make phone calls. Blue tooth is a great tool.” Nimmer serves on five committees: transportation, natural resources/environment, industry/labor, appropriations and game/fish/parks. He asked to join the parks committee this year, hoping to use Georgia’s 60 state parks as an avenue to 18
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tion nearly every Saturday. “They have been a great service to us,” Thompson asserts. “They came in a few years ago and made a presentation, knowing the number of crews we had. They showed us how it could benefit us in terms of cost, time and efficiency. And they keep good records of everything for when we trade in, and it’s a reputable company doing it, so it’s not just our word on it.” His confidence is rooted in a relationship with Shropshire that goes back to when the service manager worked at a Deere dealer. “I have a lot of trust in him that he will do the right thing.” Likewise, regarding harvesting equipment, the organization relies on GCR Tire Centers, Waycross, for tire service. Thrift says this arrangement helps with machine uptime and costs. “I can’t brag
educate the public about the forest products sector. “If you ask is grandma sweet and is sweet tea good, most people say yes; if you ask if cutting a tree down is bad, most people say yes,” Nimmer notes. “So we try to educate about the right way to do what we do in the industry.” John Burns, chairman of the committee, has personal and family ties to the timber business. “I take a lot of pride in the fact that I represent an industry that is a financial driver of a natural resource state,” Nimmer says. Along with agriculture, forestry is one of Georgia’s top revenue sources. “We in the timber business need to recognize how blessed we are to be stewards of one of God’s most valuable resources He’s given us, and we need to educate people on what we are doing. We are providing jobs and using something that is very sustainable and renewable.” Pierce Timber does business with The Langdale Co. in Valdosta. “They’re a great partner and great advocates for Georgia timber and business in general, so we have been very proud of our partnership with them in and outside of the woods.” Nimmer has a personal friendship with Langdale’s chief executive, Wesley Langdale. We made a commitment to each other years ago that every day we would do something to promote our industry.” One example is the “Georgia Grown” initiative from the state’s Dept. of Agriculture, which markets timber and agricultural products grown in Georgia. Nimmer knows he will likely face an opponent one day, and when that day comes he doesn’t want to have to sell his constituents on his merits. He prefers to live and work in such a way that he is always campaigning, that the job he does speaks for itself. “I don’t want to turn up the speed just because I have an opponent.” One of his constituents recently asked him why they have not seen him knocking on doors as often as they did during the election. Nimmer replied, “Well, you gave me the job; now I have to go do the job.” Thompson serves on the board of the Georgia Forestry Assn. and Nimmer stays in contact with members and directors of both this group and the Southeastern Wood Producers Assn., as well as officials of the Georgia Forestry Commission. TIMBER HARVESTING & WOOD FIBER OPERATIONS
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on them enough. If I call at midnight our machines will be running by daylight.” Flint and Yancey handle all warranty repairs and the initial (250 hour) service on machines they sell. After that, Tidewater takes over on the maintenance, even though most of the equipment comes from Flint. “All of the local dealers and equipment companies have been great to work with,” Thompson says. Operators still handle daily maintenance several times a week. All Pierce company crews use JDLink and Cat VisionLink telematics, enabling the management team to monitor overall performance and efficiency via smart phones. Pierce Timber also owns five bulldozers and two motor graders (John Deere and Cat) that build and maintain roads for harvesting crews and/or landowners.
Trucking Originally, Pierce had its own trucking arm, HMT Co., named for Hugh’s dad. Pierce hired Tracy Harris to run HMT. Harris, with his mother Patsy, already had a separate company, 44 Trucking, which ran mostly dump trucks. In 2010, Thompson decided to sell HMT to Harris. Renamed Mac 44 Forestry—another nod to Pierce’s founder—the company continues to haul for all Pierce crews. At the time, HMT had 20 trucks in its fleet. Since taking over, Harris has grown it to 57 active log trucks and six spares, along with six that pull dump trailers. Trucks are mostly Mack and International, with some Kenworth and Freightliner models in the mix. Although the fleet includes five 2014 Kenworths, most of it is no newer than 2007. “We can get the parts, and they’re easier to work on,” Harris explains. Still, he says they have so far had good luck with the five newer trucks. Mac 44 also has 170 log trailers, a majority it builds at its shop but with a sprinkling of Big John, Magnolia, and Pitts brands. They are a mix of plantation and four bolster styles. Each Pierce crew keeps 10-15 Mac 44 trailers on the job site to set out loads, so trucks generally don’t have to wait under the loader. All crews use Maxi-Load portable scales. All trucks are equipped with GPS from Verizon Wireless. Harris calls the investment “the best money I have ever spent.” It allows him to monitor fuel economy and speed. It also helps 20
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with dispatch logistics. If one crew is bottlenecked in the woods, Harris can divert a truck to a different crew to keep the trucks productive. Harris monitors GPS and coordinates trucks with his safety director, Kevin Boyles. “He’s been a godsend to me for sure,” Harris says. “He’s helped us tremendously with DOT compliance.” Mac 44 conducts pre-employment and random drug testing, and checks the PSP (pre-employment screening) score on every driver. This report shows the driver’s record with the DOT and indicates if he does his job in terms of checking brakes and tires. “We are very conscious of brakes and tires, and we pride ourselves on safety,” Harris says. Mac 44 and Pierce Timber built a shop two years ago to handle the maintenance needs for both companies. The 100x200 ft. four-bay building includes a pit, conference rooms, and storage for tires, tools and spare parts. There is also an unconnected 75x50 ft. wash bay. With such a sizable fleet, several trucks are usually in the shop every day. Trucks get full service every 15,000 miles and undergo preventive maintenance in between. “We rely on our drivers to give us an idea of what the needs are,” Harris says. He adds that they spend more on trailers than trucks, especially with brakes and tires since they take the bulk of abuse. Mac 44 employs five full-time mechanics. A sixth does nothing but focus on trailers and tires. Each mechanic drives a company service truck and is on call 24 hours a day, since trucks often haul at night. A consignment deal with Yancey Truck Center (Macon, Ga.) and Nextran Truck Centers (Jacksonville, Fla.) keeps ample parts at the shop. Parts manager Fred Douglas tracks parts use and Yancey and Nextran send a truck each day to replenish the inventory. Concerning his partnership with Pierce Timber, Harris expresses gratitude for the opportunity to grow. He regards Thompson as a mentor. “I’ve learned from his business knowledge, and having him in my corner has really helped.” He calls the logging side a first-class operation. “There is no comparison between their crews and others, in terms of the professionalism, the way they do their work and keep trailers ready to go. They are a step above most others.”
Logging Capacity Although acknowledging there are fewer logging businesses overall nowadays, Thompson isn’t overly worried about logging capacity shortfalls. He believes advances in equipment technology have increased efficiencies enough that a reduced logging force can still harvest the volume needed. Still, he has concerns. “The biggest thing for everybody in the future is the labor force and increases in the cost of doing business that don’t match logging rates,” he warns. Nimmer believes the public generally has a misunderstanding about the business. “They see it as the old logging style, outside running a chain saw. Young kids coming up with technology, that’s the last thing on their mind, I hate to say.” In an effort to help keep the work force sustainable in the future, the Pierce team has been working with some local community colleges to get logging courses into the curriculum. Nimmer says the company emphasizes to young people as well as its own existing employees that logging is more than just a job, it is a valid career choice.
Manpower Pierce Timber has 20 employees, including office personnel and foresters. Thrift receives a portion of his compensation in reimbursement paid by the company crews as a fee for his various services. Likewise, each logging crew also pays a weekly charge to the office for administrative work. “It helps that we all share in the cost of bookkeeping,” Thompson points out. Separately, the 11 company crews together employ around 45. Every crew is different in terms of benefits, as each owner decides for himself what to offer, such as production bonuses, vacations or insurance. “We have been very fortunate to have good employees,” Thompson says. “You give them a direction and they manage the operations day to day. And on top of that, Carlos is the focal point for the logging operations, so he gets run pretty hard.” Thrift and another “floater,” Andy Jones, also fill in as needed on any of the crews. “I can’t brag enough on our men,” Nimmer adds. “You can buy the best equipment, the best tracts of timber in the world, but if you don’t have men who are dedicated with good instinct
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and drive, none of it works.” Operator turnover rate is very low, Dixon says. “We don’t have a different guy on the machine ever month.” That stability is a key factor in machine upkeep, the team is convinced. The operators become so familiar with their machines, they know if something is wrong. In a new program implemented last year, Thrift performs a complete evaluation on each crew quarterly, grading equipment, operators and performance based on several criteria. The most important category is daily maintenance. Pierce then awards one Operator of the Quarter for best performance. The company also gives an award for most improved crew every year.
Procurement Timber comes from within a 100mile radius around Blackshear. A combination of direct harvesting for large timber companies and wood purchasing from private landowners, it includes a little of everything: planted pine and hardwood, swamps and hills. Average size tract is 100-plus acres,
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with very few under 50 acres. There are infrequent tracts of 10 acres or less, but it has to be conveniently located on the way to another tract. The rule of thumb is a tract has to yield at least a weeks’ production to be worth it. Company crews each average 75-80 loads per week. Counting contract crews, Pierce Timber delivers an average total of 45,000 tons a week. Overall, markets have been stable for most products, Thompson reports. With east coast ports expanding to get more ships in, export business is growing, creating more markets. Pierce does export some products in partnership with a company in Jacksonville, Fla.
Safety/Insurance Pierce company crews all use the same insurers: Management South in Blackshear for auto, general liability and equipment insurance, and Forestry Mutual carrier Swamp Fox agency for worker’s comp. Risk management assessors from the insurance companies inspect job sites regularly and make recommendations. One of the biggest problems loggers
have to overcome, Thompson believes, is the perception on the part of insurance companies of logging as a highly dangerous profession. “They have become less of a risk as far as day-to-day operations,” he says. “You still have some issues when you have negligent employees and freak accidents that come up, but we preach hard on safety and paying attention to the little things you have to do every day.” Thrift says operators get constant reminders via group texts, and the company taps Safety On Site to conduct regular meetings. Nimmer adds, “We try to instill it in even the most seasoned operators, like Jerry Watkins, who has been out here 30-plus years, and on down to the newest employees, that if they just do the right thing, no one will get hurt.” Pierce enforces a strict zero-tolerance drug policy and conducts both pre-employment and random drug screens. All employees are required to wear hard hats, safety glasses, steel toe boots and ear plugs. Pole saws are used to trim loads, but chain saws are not used at all. All logging personnel are CPR and first aid certified. TH
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Two loaders, chipper and firewood processor (out of photo to left) share space on the typical Alfman landing.
Alfman Effort Includes Chipping Highly mechanized family operation works the coal country in southeastern Ohio.
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DavidAbbott
utch Alfman, 65, is the owner of Alfman Logging, Inc., based in the southeastern Ohio town of Crooksville. The company operates in the heart of coal country, where Alfman grew up. In many respects, the man and his life reflect the landscape that helped shape his course: tough, resilient and productive, despite some rough patches and rocky terrain. He’s spent most of his life here, other than a stint overseas. Like many young men of his generation, Alfman shipped off to Vietnam shortly after high school. He came home physically unharmed, but says the war left its mark on him in other ways. He confirms that it took a while for him to fully get over the experience. Alfman had already learned the basics of logging with some small-scale 26
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jobs during high school. It wasn’t until he got back from the war, though, that he and his brother Dean went all in. They started Alfman Logging together in 1970. The brothers started with an already-past-its-prime Timberjack as their first skidder. “It hardly even had a (operator) cage,” he recalls now, nearly a half a century later. “The winters were bad, so when you got off it, your feet would be so cold…but now it is all climate-controlled.” Things have changed, in more ways than one. Looking back on his many years in the business, Alfman observes that in some ways logging is better and easier than ever, but underscores the high expense for equipment, parts, and fuel. Butch and Dean ran that first skidder for a long time, rebuilding the
engine every three or four years. “At the time it cost $1,500 to rebuild the engine, and now you can’t even buy a tire for that.”
Generations The younger generation coming up under him today laughs when Butch tells them stories of the old days. “I tell them, you guys won’t even touch a stick of pulpwood now.” But back in the late ’70s and early ’80s, when his sons were still very young, Alfman remembers vividly how he and his brother, with one employee, cut everything with chain saws and loaded it all by hand. “Timber used to be hard work,” the veteran reflects. He considers that to be a factor in his brother’s untimely passing. Dean suffered a fatal heart at-
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tack in 1989, when he was only 46. After Dean’s death, Alfman was without a partner for only a couple of years. Both of his sons, Scott and Jeff, have been part of the family business since they worked summers during high school. Both joined the crew full time upon graduation—Scott in ’91 and Jeff in ’93. It’s all they’ve ever done. The three consider themselves partners. The work eventually took its toll on Butch, too. “I had a heart attack and surgery and the whole nine yards.” That forced him to slow it down, at least a little. “The boys do about everything now. I find work for them to do, and that’s a job in itself.” Along with scouting timber, Butch handles all the paperwork, tracking expenses, load tickets, and so on, and he does payroll. He still fills in on a skidder when needed, and he runs a hay business on the side. “I keep busy,” he says. “I have a lot of good years left. At least, I hope so.”
Coal Connection Alfman’s crew does most of its work in conjunction with coal company Oxford Mining, based in Coshocton. Alfman clears timber ahead of Oxford’s mining operations. Oxford
TimberPro 735B feller-buncher swings Quadco sawhead.
buys the resource rights to the land and Alfman subcontracts to buy and log the timber it supports. Working on mining company land does involve a few minor safety measures beyond the norm, but nothing very difficult. The most important rule is to avoid rock trucks by driving on the left side of the road. The cabs in
those trucks keep the drivers up so high that visibility is limited. The mining company teaches the loggers to stay in their line of sight. Other than that, Alfman says, clearing coal mining land is really no more challenging than any other kind of tract. The relationship has been in place for a long time, and it’s one of the main
The crew takes a collective break. From left, Chase, Scott, and Butch Alfman; Dale Klingler; Scott Stover; and Brandon Chaver. Jeff Alfman is on the machine’s tracks. Jerry Blosser, inset, operates the dozer. Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers
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Lineup includes two John Deere 648H grapple skidders.
reasons Alfman opted to add a whole tree chipper eight years ago. Much of the material on these coal tracts is only good for chips, he says. Before he started working with Oxford Mining, Alfman hauled more roundwood, but he says, “It’s harder to get (work) if that’s all you do. We either had to make up our mind to go big or stay little, so we decided to go big.” The learning curve with the chipper wasn’t that sharp. Constant preventative maintenance was the biggest lesson—sharpening knives and checking bolts and belts. Butch has always had a deep admiration for coal miners. That admiration is clear in his voice when he talks about them. It stands to reason. His home county, Perry, is coal country through and through, so he grew up around the industry. “It is the fabric of this community,” he acknowledges.
Crew Alfman Logging is mostly a family operation. Only a few of the employees are not related, and one of them has enough children of his own to make up the next generation of the crew, the owner jokes. Jeff runs the cutter while Scott mans the loader and controls the chipper. Brandon Shaver and Zack Hill drive skidders. Hill is family; he married Scott’s daughter Ashley in September last year. When skids are short, they don’t usually need a second skidder, so Alfman will send the extra man to work on the hay farm. On the other 28
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hand, when the woods require additional manpower, Butch and company mechanic Dale Klingler fill in wherever necessary. Alfman calls Klingler a jack-of-all trades who can do whatever is asked of him. Jerry Blosser—better known by his nickname “Gizzy”—mans the dozer. Scott’s son, Chase Alfman, 18, is in school but works in the summers, like his dad and uncle did. He operates a Blockbuster firewood processor. The elder Alfman is proud to see the family’s third generation working hard every day, unlike many others his age. “Young kids, they don’t let them work, and then they learn no work ethic,” Chase’s granddad laments. “That’s a lot of what’s wrong with this country.” In addition to their pay, employees enjoy Christmas bonuses and some paid days off. “We take pretty good care of them,” Alfman says. Another perk: the boss buys lunch for everyone every day. “That is a pretty good bill. It runs $5060 a day, but I take care of all that.” Alfman has a Mack and two International trucks to haul firewood, but runs no log trucks, finding it to be too great of a headache. Instead he contracts all transportation to Big R Trucking.
Equipment Equipment includes a Morbark 4036 whole tree chipper, TimberPro 735B feller-buncher, Tigercat 220 loader, John Deere 437D loader, and two John Deere 648H skidders. Everything is from 2010 or 2011, except the Tigercat,
which is 15 years old. The most recent purchase is a Komatsu D59 bulldozer, added last year. Alfman says he prefers Komatsu dozers because the tracks and blade are wider than on other makes, creating less ground pressure when the dozer builds roads. The most significant issue currently confronting the business is the advancing age of the equipment. “(It’s) getting older every day, (so) staying up on maintenance is more important than ever.” Operators handle most routine and preventative maintenance when it comes due—about every 250 hours—under Klingler’s supervision. They write hours on filters while Klingler tracks it all in a notebook and makes sure everything is done on schedule. Klingler takes care of the trucks, as well as any bigger repair jobs on machines, at the company’s 60x40 ft. shop in Crooksville. Alfman has no strong preference for OEM or aftermarket parts: “I shop wherever I can save money,” he says. He is, however, loyal to BP brand motor and hydraulic oil. “We have a local BP distributor, with whom we have had a personal and professional relationship for many years,” Alfman explains. Chipper maintenance was the biggest thing he and the crew had to learn. Scott says they change chipper knives every eight loads, or about once a day. They keep three sets, getting the knives direct from Morbark. The purchase included a knife grinder, which the crew keeps on site in a trailer. It takes about a half hour
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Another load of random length sawlogs is ready for the road. Transportation is handled by Big R Trucking.
to grind a set. Chippers are prone to fire, so Alfman says it is important to keep the work area as clean and clear of debris as possible and to keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Fire prevention is, of course, just
one of the safety concerns on any logging crew. Alfman has been fortunate to have never had a major injury on the job. Safety issues are frequent topics at the morning meetings each day, and Scott is certified in CPR and first
aid by the Ohio Forestry Assn. Hummel Group in Berlin provides insurance for trucking, workers’ comp and general liability. Like many loggers, Alfman reports that insurance costs keep rising, even though he’s
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never had to file a claim. Hummel also insures against vandalism, but Alfman says there has been a reduced incidence of vandalism in recent years. He credits the decline in large measure to the widespread use of outdoor camera technology, such as game cameras. “People don’t know where they might be hidden.” Speaking of game, Alfman says he only has one hobby outside work: hunting. The crew takes off work for the entire week of Ohio’s deer season every year.
Production In all, the crew hauls about 50 loads a week—30 in chips, 15 in roundwood and 15 in firewood. Occasionally they haul some poles. The vast majority is hardwood, red oak and maple especially. Besides the quality of wood on the coal tracts, Alfman cites the drum chipper as one reason why he hauls twice as many chip loads as roundwood. Chips go for boiler fuel to the RockTenn (formerly Smurfit Stone) paper mill in Coshocton. Logs go to Yoder
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Lumber’s Charm facility, near Sugar Creek. Firewood, which is mostly oak, is sold to local customers. Alfman describes his relationship with his primary markets as very good, citing open communication as a key factor. According to the veteran, markets have remained pretty consistent of late. The market for fuel chips has been pretty good the last several years, and other markets haven’t been bad either. On the bottom line, Alfman feels that his profits are in line with his investment, though he admits that the definition of a “fair and reasonable profit” will vary quite a bit from one company to the next. All things being equal, though, he has no interest in expanding the business any time soon. “I am happy where we are right now, getting equipment paid down and expanding into the firewood market,” he says. “It (firewood) will cost us more in production, but also results in more money per ton.”
Timber The logger emphasizes he doesn’t want to deal with timber dealers, and
besides, he doesn’t find it necessary. “If you do a good job, you’re going to get work. Landowners know us. There’s not really a lot of competition in the area, not with the chipping.”
Family Butch and his wife Jeanette have been married since 1971. Scott has been married to Karman for 20 years, and they have two children—the aforementioned Chase and the recently married Ashley, who started college last year. She is working towards her RN degree. Jeff and his wife Kerri have two kids: Chloe, 14, and Ethan, 13. “Our business is very family oriented,” Scott says. “We can only hope that the tradition stays strong, although we support or children in whatever paths they choose to take.” Alfman owns 412 acres of timberland, raises cattle and grows hay. Last summer he kept the dozer busy building a pond on the property. He’s saving the timber for his retirement, although he has no plans yet for when that might be. “We’ll cross that bridge TH when we get to it.”
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Dust&Rust Readers are encouraged to send historical items.
Trucks Were ‘Milling Around’ In 1918 A century ago trucks were beginning to make their mark in logging and lumbering, as revealed in the pages of Southern Lumberman, which periodically devoted editorial space to advancing truck and trailer technology and carried many ads for truck and trailers. Federal Motor Truck Co., Detroit, Mich., ballyhooed what its Federal tractor and trailer was doing for W.M. Walker Lumber Co. in North Carolina— hauling four-ton loads of lumber from Walker sawmills to Fayetteville and traveling 75 miles a day. The focal point of the ad: “It has saved its costs in five months of service!” Duplex Truck Co., Lansing, Mich., described its four-wheel drive offering as “A Practical Truck for Lumbermen and Loggers,” citing its rugged dependability, power and economy. One early believer in the Duplex brand was Great Southern Lumber Co., Bogalusa, La., which used two units to transport turpentine dip—80 miles a day average—under “most adverse conditions” in south Mississippi. Duplex was a prominent builder and supplier of trucks to private companies and government agencies between 1916 and 1955, when it was purchased by Warner and Swasey Co. The Duplex division closed in 1975. Mack rolled out its AB and AC series of worm and/or chain-driven trucks, the largest with a rating of 15 tons. It focused on standardization in design, components, and manufacturing. Its common engine was a four banger that developed a whopping 40 horsepower. An editorial nugget in the October 19, 1918 issue of SL depicted a five-ton Mack AB tractor towing two eight32
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wheel log wagons, each carrying a large gum log. The owner was W.L. Fewell, Meridian, Miss. In another instance, an ad that stressed “Performance Counts” depicted South Prairie, Washington’s L.L. Tyler with his heavy duty hauler. Another editorial item in the same issue described how Indianapolis Sawed Veneer Co. used a Packard truck fitted with an Amos log loader on its yards in both Indianapolis and Clay City, Ind. Packard trucks were also mentioned as a key delivery means for Alfred Struck Co., Louisville, Ky, in its supply trade with the U.S. Army at Camp Knox during World War I. The magazine also noted that forces serving under Gen. John (Black Jack) Pershing had to have poles, beams and lumber to support U.S. troops in
Europe during WWI and that such troops tapped into the timber reserves of France to help supply what it needed. FWD four-wheel drive trucks were used to both transport logs from the forest to the mills and to move manufactured goods to where they were needed. Another early manufacturer, Armleder, Cincinnati, Ohio, put trucks to work for Louisiana logging and lumbering interests. J.M. Bridges of Pleasant Hill owned at least three Armleders and in so doing displaced 36 head of mules. A.L. DeLoach of Homer used two of the trucks to shuttle lumber between his sawmill and planer mill. Another enthusiastic owner was Arthur Krouse of Minden, who reported he had spent only $8 in repairs during the first eight months of the truck’s life and that he frequently and successfully carried 15,000 lb. loads of lumber, twice the rated capacity of his 3½ ton unit. Master Trucks, Chicago, touted its products thusly: “Massive in construction, Masters possess tough wearing power. Built by men long and thorough on experience, they meet every strain put on them.” Acme Motor Truck Co., Cadillac, Mich., advertised its product as “The Truck of Proved Units.” Fruehauf Trailers of Detroit was a leading supplier of trailers, proclaiming they could triple the hauling capacities of trucks.
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InnovationWay Track Feller-Buncher
Komatsu America offers its next generation XT-3 Series track feller-bunchers and harvesters which provide improvements in operator comfort, ease of operation, productivity and reliability. Models include the XT430-3 (non-leveling), XT430L-3, XT445L-3 and the larger new XT460L-3 ranging in operating weight from 61,300 lbs. to 72,000 lbs., and each model features a powerful 300 HP Cummins 8.3 liter engine and 58,400 lb.-ft. of swing torque. The XT-3 has a new cab. Changes include a sloped roofline that increases headroom above and forward of the seat, and reduces debris buildup. A 10% larger floor-to-ceiling front window, larger side windows with up to 90% greater viewing depth, and a 60% larger skylight window provide a
widescreen field of view. Machines include the latest Komatsu undercarriage and hydraulic improvements for greater reliability and durability, including 1-2 additional bottom rollers to improve track chain support and load distribution; upgraded chain guide (rock guard) material extends service life; continuous straight-line chain guide profile; removable track roller guards for easier access on XT445L & XT460L models; upgraded implement pump bearings. There are up to nine hydraulic system arrangements, two heavy duty boom and four heavy duty arm options that accept a broad range of disc saw, bar saw and processing head cutting attachments. Visit komatsuforest.us.
Logset Simulator
Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers
Finnish cut-tolength machinery manufacturer Logset launches the Logset Simulator, which features outstanding graphics and accurate simulation. Hydraulic pressures and flows and mechanical forces are realistically simu-
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InnovationWay lated. Parameter adjustments have an immediate effect on the simulated machine. The simulator is built with the same high quality components as real Logset machines. It is an ideal tool for people working with technical support. More experienced operators can improve their skills and test new working methods. Visit logset.com.
Rebate On Terra TL Wallingford’s Inc., the exclusive distributor for Clark Tracks Ltd. in the U.S., announces an $800 rebate promotion on purchases made in 2015 of the Terra TL plate system for tandem axle forestry equipment. The Terra range is the ultimate multi-terrain and all season track system for forwarders, harvesters and tandem wheel skidders. The plate design offers a proven double grouzer bar that provides the needs of every machine operator. Maneuverability, excellent floatation, increased machine stability, reduced fuel consumption, traction control, and highly reduced ground disturbance are just a few of the benefits. Wallingford’s Inc. is offering the rebate on the following three options, the TL-85, TL-95 and the FX-95. Clark Tracks are built in Dumfries, Scotland. Visit clarktracksusa.com.
Mulch Coloring System
Amerimulch, a member of the ChromaScape family of brands, offers the new MobileTrom coloring system, ColorTrom. It is available in a self-contained, portable unit. If you are looking to enter the color-enriched mulch industry, or simply expand your current operation, and if 100 yards per hour hits your production target, the MobileTrom is an attractive option. Amerimulch provides landscape coatings and equipment for the production of profitable, in-demand color-enriched mulches. Its colorants are formulated for superior bonding, coating and coverage and its equipment is designed for producers who want simple, effective, high-volume production. Visit amerimulch.com. All product development news releases are provided by the manufacturer/supplier and all statements/claims are attributable to the manufacturer/supplier. 34
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EquipmentWorld
OLC: Big Turnout, Great Weather Great weather greeted the thick crowds that participated in the 78th annual Oregon Logging Conference (OLC) at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene, Ore. “The last time we had three days of no rain was about 23 years ago,” said OLC Conference Manager Rikki Wellman after seeing sun and temperatures in the mid 60s February 19-21. The 2015 event was also the best since the economic downturn began in earnest in 2008, Wellman says. Though the past two shows had seen increased energy, with more exhibitors and better crowds thanks to better lumber prices and increased woods activity, “This year, we were sold out of inside exhibit space in late December, and the outside display area was full,” she said. Wellman added that attendance was great throughout the show, with all seminars and meetings full or nearly full. She noted that several companies sold machines during the event, including one first-time exhibitor who has already signed up for 2016. OLC will access another building next year, adding 12,000 sq. ft. of additional space. This year’s venue featured dozens of informative seminars that let loggers know about new technology, issues facing their industry, or changes to regulations governing logging and forestry operations in Washington and Oregon. Visitors also enjoyed several fun events: ● The Log Loader Competition, ● Logger Dan Arens, Pollock Pines, sponsored by Triad Machinery and Calif., was among almost 1,000 who Link-Belt, attracted 27 contestants. took part in the “Guess the Load” Only four seconds separated first and contest (board foot scale of a load of third place. Bryan Chipps of Green Dilogs). Arens’ guess was the only one amond Resource Co., Korbel, Calif., that came within 5 BF of the 6,790 BF took first place on the truck. ● Logging and For exclusive online OLC product with a 2 min., coverage, visit: tinyurl.com/pdlghtt 40 sec. time; forestry skills were Layne Walker demonstrated as 35 of Spraul Timber Salvage, Myrtle high school students from across OrePoint, Ore., came in second at 2:42; and gon demonstrated skills with the assisZane Bryant of Bryant Logging, Beatance of students from Oregon State vercreek, Ore., finished third at 2:44. University and the University of Mon-
tana. Skills included cable splicing, cross cut saw, single bucking, log scaling, choker setting and arbor climbing. During the opening session new OLC officers were elected. They include Jeff Unger, Unger Logging, Reedsport, Ore., president; Jeff Wimer, Student Logging Training, Oregon State University, first vice president; Rick Kiege, Kiege Logging, Prineville, Ore., second vice president; and Mike Randall, Swanson Bros. Lumber, Noti, Ore., treasurer.
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Deere’s L/M Machines: “Game Changers” DAVID ABBOTT On February 11, John Deere invited a group of forest products media and association representatives to Peachtree City, Ga., for the introduction of its new L and M series machines. Dubbed the “Game Changers,” the line includes L-Series skidders and wheel-type feller-bunchers and M-Series track-type
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feller-bunchers and harvesters. Development of the L and M series represents the largest investment Deere has made in the timber business since the acquisition of Timberjack 15 years ago, according to Marty Wilkinson, Vice President, Worldwide Construction and Forestry Div. The machines were tested more extensively both in the lab and in the field than any product Deere has ever built. Wilkinson adds the company has submitted 55 different patent applications and has already been awarded 30 new patents related to the L and M series machines. “Loggers today face a stiff challenge,” Wilkinson said at the event.
“They are continually being pressured to produce more wood per hour at a lower cost per ton. So much is asked of our loggers, they need more from their machines: more productivity, more reliability and uptime, and more efficiency. Or to put it another way, they need lower operating costs. It’s our job to provide the equipment that addresses the business challenges loggers face.” In designing and engineering the machines over the last three years, the company turned to its customers for inspiration. Deere assembled a Customer Advocacy Group (CAG) made up of loggers from around the world. Feedback from participants, built on real-world experience, laid the foundation for many improvements over preceding models. Thousands of hours of prototype testing and tweaking ensued before the new machines were deemed ready for prime time. Input from the CAG led to innova-
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EquipmentWorld tions common among several of the machines and included larger cabs, fingertip/joystick controls on fully adjustable armrests, and increased visibility. Serviceability has been enhanced with easier access for preventive maintenance. Hoses have been routed in such a way as to reduce the risk of damage. Remote diagnostics via John Deere ForestSight and Ultimate Uptime service packages are available for all models.
L-Series Marking the 50th anniversary of John Deere skidder manufacturing, the L-Series skidders and feller-bunchers are also the first Deere machines to debut with Tier 4f engines (6.8 liter in smaller models and 9.0 liter in bigger ones). Brandon O’Neal, product marketing manager for Deere Construction and Forestry, calls the L series a “ground-up redesign.” Available in four familiar models—640, 648, 748, and 848—the series is joined by another even larger model,
the 948. All have several noteworthy features. Continuous variable transmission (CVT) and drivetrain offers a combination of benefits from both a hydrostatic transmission and a torque converter—ease of operation and fuel efficiency, as well as constant engine speed. Shifting is no longer necessary, as the transmission can select the best operating point based on operator-selected speed range. The CVT also automatically senses load weight and adjusts torque appropriately. Axles have a life expectancy of over 15,000 hours, while grapples, bushings and roll-
er-bearings have all been built to last longer and are easier to repair or replace. Grapples are also larger—up to 22.3 sq. ft. available on the 948L—and independent axle lock provides flexibility in engaging all four tires, or only the front or rear two. Feller-bunchers come in two sizes, the 643L and 843L. A One-Button Quick Dump feature is just what it sounds like—a single button to open both accumulating and grab arms simultaneously and smoothly. A longer wheelbase and improved weight distribution improve stability on steep terrain. For work after dark, six high-intensity halogen lights come standard. Lift and tilt hydraulic cylinders and pins and bushings are more robust, offering increased durability and easier replacement. Electrical
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EquipmentWorld VISIT US ONLINE AT TIMBERHARVESTING.COM
systems have been simplified with a sealed switch module to allow faster servicing. Hydraulic filter service has doubled to 4,000 hours. The cab, 25% larger, features 17% more front window area than in previous series.
M-Series Already on the market, the M-Series feller-bunchers and harvesters come in both a midsized (800 series) and larger (900 series) range. To simplify maintenance and repairs, many components are shared between the 800 and 900 series: engine, undercarriage, booms and cab. There are three sizes in the 800 range—803, 853 and 859—both M and MH. The M suffix applies to feller-bunchers, while MH denotes harvesters. The 800M and 800MH models boast 25% greater engine power and 50% greater fuel tank capacity (now up to 230 gallons). In most conditions, these models can go a full 24 hours without refueling, according to Cliff Caudill, Manager of Product Marketing for Deere’s Construction and Forestry Div. That is especially significant in Canada, Caudill adds, where loggers often work three shifts. High-torque swing, standard on MH and an option on M models, also offers more power. A closed-loop hydrostatic drive adjusts priority between track drive and other hydraulic functions, allowing the machines to handle multifunctioning better on hills. Tractive effort increase of up to 45% also helps on rough terrain. The cab has 44% more window area, stretching from floor to ceiling. Changes are less dramatic with the 900 line, Caudill says. The series builds on improvements already introduced in 38
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EquipmentWorld James River Equipment Expands Again In NC
the 900K models, such as 30% increased cutting swath on the feller-buncher and 8% on the harvester booms. The 900s come in four sizes—903M/MH, 909M/ MH, 953M and 959M. The latter two are available as feller-bunchers but not harvesters. The MH-Series harvesters feature a 13% increase in swing torque. Floor-to-ceiling front window increases visibility by 22%. Other features common to both the 800M/MH and 900M/MH series include the Rapid Cycle System, which combines automated felling-head arm cycling with simple boom control. RCS can be turned on and off with a single button, and settings, tailored to individual skill sets, can be saved for multiple operators. Also, through-nose harvester head plumbing option extends hose life by routing them in safer areas.
With the acquisition of RW Moore Equipment Co. in January, James River Equipment has expanded into eastern North Carolina and now operates John Deere construction and forestry outlets at 36 locations in Virginia and the Carolinas. It first expanded into western NC in 2001. Founded in 1928 and today based in Ashland, Va., James River now deploys 100 service trucks in its territory. In addition to multiple John Deere lines, it sells and services products made by Morbark, Finn and Atlas Copco, among others.
Burroughs Retires; Schmidt His Successor Chip Burroughs, Caterpillar Territory Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Region, has retired, effective April 1. Burroughs served for more than 34 years in the forestry equipment community, primarily with Prentice, CTR
and Caterpillar, and his career spanned a broad range of duties. Justin Schmidt assumes the position being vacated by Burroughs. Schmidt is currently the Caterpillar product specialist for Forestry Work Tools. He has more than eight years of experience in the forestry industry.
Elmia Reports Forwarder Sales Komatsu Forest has long been number two in terms of forest machine sales in Sweden, but in 2014 the company overtook John Deere, according to the registration certificates issued for new forwarders by the Swedish Transport Agency, as reported by show organizer Elmia AB. The statistics for 2014 revealed a better market than in 2013. Sales rose from 257 to 301 machines. Komatsu Forest grew more than the market as a whole, from 63 to 101 forwarders. Ponsse increased its sales in Sweden from 28 to 41 forwarders. Rottne sold 34. EcoLog 11. 40
NC Site Secured For Mid-Atlantic Expo The site for the third biennial Mid-Atlantic Logging & Biomass Expo, set for September 18-19, has been secured. Located some five miles west of Smithfield, NC, the pine tract abuts farmland, which will be temporarily taken out of production to allow for the exposition. The owner is Olivia Holden, a major landowner in the area. According to Jack Swanner, executive director of the Carolina Loggers Assn., which is sponsoring the show along with the NC Forestry Assn. and Hatton-Brown Publishers, an exhibitor guide is now in the works and sites will be available for selection by early April. Visit malbexpo.com for updated information or contact Swanner at 828421-8444. Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers
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EquipmentWorld However, demand is in39 creasing for smaller forwarders, which are not registered by the Swedish Transport Agency. “Our sales grew by 130% in 2014,” says Magnus Wallin, founder of machine manufacturer Malwa. “At the same time there was a shift in the type of customers. Before, self-employed forest owners were in the majority but now it is forest contractors.”
Tigercat Increases Support In Southeast Tigercat announced two personnel additions for the Southeastern U.S. Based in Gaston, SC, Drew Beery has joined the Tigercat product support team and will focus on providing after-sales technical and commercial support. Beery has been in the diesel engine repair business his entire career. Based in Sunbury, NC, Aaron Piper will focus on providing after-sales technical and commercial support.
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Alliance Tire Expands To West Coast
acres at 1385 U.S. Route 7. The 13,000 sq. ft. location offers five dedicated service bays, a wash bay, and has an 1,800 sq. ft. parts department with ample room for parts display and inventory. The phone number is 802-725-0533.
Dorsey Trailer Expands Production Capacity Alliance Tire Group recently opened a 100,000 sq. ft. warehouse in Pomona, Calif. The warehouse supports ATA’s growth initiative west of the Rockies, which also includes expanding the company’s sales, customer service and field engineering staff in the region. ATA representatives from left: Tim Phillips, Domenic Mazzola, Robert Arnold, James Clark, Mike Bicknell and Tim Karnitz.
Green Mountain Kenworth Opens Vermon Location Green Mountain Kenworth has opened a new parts and service location in Pittsford, Vt. The Pittsford business sits on 10
Dorsey Trailer, Elba, Ala., has opened a 55,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility dedicated to platform trailer production. The addition, less than a mile from Dorsey headquarters, expands Dorsey’s footprint to 850,000 sq. ft. Dorsey President Trey Gary says high sales volume led to the expansion. “Our customers rely on us to provide a quality product in a timely manner. The production capacity added from this new facility will help us meet market demand and satisfy our customer’s needs.” Founded in 1911, Dorsey offers a variety of trailers.
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BuildingBlocks
Keep Your Undercarriage On Track TIM NENNE Undercarriage Market Professional Caterpillar, Inc. If you have track machines in your operation and you’re working hard to keep expenses in line, you need to know that the undercarriage can account for up to 50%, on average, of your costs to maintain these machines. Proper operating and maintenance procedures can help you hold the line on operating costs. Here are a few suggestions: Maintain track tension daily— Improperly adjusted tracks are the primary reason for increased wear and reduced life and performance of an undercarriage. When tracks are too tight, the contact loads between the components go up substantially (see graph). These higher loads increase the rate at which components wear. Tight tracks also increase the risk of dry joints, create stress on drive train components and increase fuel use. If tracks are too loose, they can drag on top of the roller frames, damaging the roller frame structure and causing premature wear on the links. When you move to a new site or start a new application, run the machine for an hour and then adjust the track tension to the manufacturer’s specifications. When conditions change, re-check the tension and adjust as needed. For example, rain may change the track tension due to packing of debris within the undercarriage components. Travel with idlers in front— Traveling is one of the most difficult applications for a track machine, but you can minimize wear by always traveling with idlers in front. The idler has a spring assembly that acts as a shock absorber and chain tensioner. When tracking among stumps and rocks, traveling forward helps reduce undercarriage wear and prolongs final drive and sprocket life. Traveling idler-first also makes the ride smoother and minimizes wear on the chain. Inspect daily—Your daily machine inspection should include key aspects of the undercarriage. Look for loose or missing bolts, oil leaks, unusual wear patterns, loose or bent shoes, debris stuck in the undercarriage, etc. Pads
track joints don’t seize up. Here are a few suggestions specifically pertaining to track fellerbunchers: Avoid sharp turns—Try to avoid spinning the machine sharply in place to turn. This pivoting motion tears up the ground and is very hard on track chain bushing life. Take stumps head on—If you can’t avoid a stump with a track, take it straight on and line up the center of the stump with the center of the track. The bolts in the center hold the track pad to the chain; taking a stump on the edge puts a bending force on the track pad and the chain. Minimize travel with loads—You can’t completely avoid traveling with a load in the head, but minimize this as much as possible because the extra weight puts more stress on the track chain.
are the components most likely to come loose, so tap on each one to ensure they are secure. Clean carrier rollers daily— During winter, mud and debris can get packed around top rollers and freeze overnight. In the morning when you try to move the machine, the track may move but the rollers sometimes will not turn. Operating in this condition will eventually wear a flat spot on the rollers. It is very important that the top rollers are cleaned out at the end of every shift to prevent downtime. Also, mud and debris may freeze between the track bushings overnight. In the morning, use the boom to gently lift the machine and then slowly rotate the tracks. This will help clean the bushings and get the stiff tracks moving. Machines equipped with star top rollers help reduce mud in the track chain. Exercise parked machines—If you’re parking your machine and the tracks have over 1,500 hours, exercise the tracks for a few minutes each month so the As track tension increases, the wear rate can also increase by a factor of four!
The undercarriage can account for 50% of a track-type machine’s maintenance costs.
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SKIDDERS
2005 CAT 525B ...............................$44,805 2001 Deere 648GIII .........................$40,625 2008 Deere 648H ............................$85,500 2009 Deere 648H ............................$89,500 2010 Deere 648H ............................$84,000 2011 Deere 648H ..........................$130,000 2005 Deere 748GIII .........................$57,000 2008 Deere 748H ............................$82,500 2004 Tigercat 620C.........................$67,500 2005 Tigercat 620C.........................$66,000 2012 Tigercat 620D.......................$180,000 2004 Tigercat 630C.......................$100,000 2005 Tigercat 630C.........................$65,000 2011 Tigercat 630D.......................$160,000 2012 Tigercat 630D.......................$210,170 2013 Tigercat 630D.......................$245,000
FELLER BUNCHERS
2011 CAT 563................................$119,900 2009 Deere 643J .............................$85,000 2011 Deere 643K ..........................$168,300 2007 Prentice 2384 .........................$75,000
2007 Prentice 2470 .........................$54,000 2008 Prentice 2470 .........................$81,250 2008 Prentice 2570 .........................$95,000 2006 Tigercat 718 ...........................$65,000 2011 Tigercat 718E.......................$152,335 1998 Tigercat 720B.........................$22,500 1998 Tigercat 720B.........................$30,900 2010 Tigercat 720E.......................$145,690 2005 Tigercat 724D.........................$85,200 1995 Tigercat 726 ...........................$25,000 2004 Timberking TK360 .................$58,000
LOG LOADERS
2008 Barko 495ML..........................$70,000 2006 Prentice 280 ...........................$40,000 2002 Tigercat 230B.........................$50,000 2008 Tigercat 234 ...........................$87,500 2011 Tigercat 234 .........................$132,500 2010 Tigercat 234CS ....................$125,000 2007 Tigercat 244 ...........................$79,900 2005 Tigercat 250 ...........................$60,000 2003 Timberjack 430B....................$24,500
INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT
1997 MORBARK 22 ........................$60,000 2009 MORBARK 40/36 NCL DRUM CHIPPER...................................$243,750 2010 MORBARK 40/36 NCL DRUM CHIPPER...................................$232,000 2010 MORBARK 4600XL..............$349,500 2011 MORBARK 40/36 NCL DRUM CHIPPER...................................$225,000
MISCELLANEOUS
Assortment of tires and rims for Deere/Tigercat CTR 314 and 400 Delimbers ....................................$1,000 to $18,000 Tigercat Shears and Saws ....................................$2,500 to $20,000 Please come see us at our new parts locations: – Waycross, GA (912) 282-9284 – Statesboro, GA (912) 601-9924 – Elizabethtown, NC (910) 876-7058
View our web site for over 200 listings with newly reduced prices and pictures
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2007 KENWORTH W900—SX15 Cummins Engine; 565 hp; 8LL; 4.30 Ratio; 24.5 Tires; Aluminum Wheels; Double Frame; Half Fenders; 46K Hendrickson Suspension; Double Locking Rears; Wet Kit; 684,872 mi; VIN: 1XKWD40X07J172217 ..........................$59,500
2012 DEERE 648H— Direct Drive; SWEDA Axles; Dual Arch; 30.5x32 Tires; 7072 Hours ..............................................................$139,500
KNUCKLEBOOM 2583
2010 DEERE 437D—CSI 264 Delimber; Bucksaw Ready; Pitts Trailer; New Turn Table—Dealer Installed; 7860 hours........................$115,000
2005 TIGERCAT 620C—30.5 x 32 Tires; Hours: 9,744; S/N: 6200610 ..................................$74,500
FELLER BUNCHER 3723
2009 PRENTICE 2670—With Quadco CP22 Sawhead; 67 x 34 x 25 Tires; Hours: 8,186; S/N: PB19763................................................$109,500
2006 CAT 525C—Single Arch, with 67 x 34 x 25 Tires; Hours: 9,910; S/N: 00192 .............$64,500
DOZER
2008 KOMATSU D61EX-15—6 Way Blade; Hours: 4511; S/N: KMTOD 102K51B45215 ............................................$109,500 $99,500
2013 TIGERCAT 620D—Dual Arch; 30.5x32 tires; Turn around seat; Tight, s/n: 620616; Hours: 3,065 ...........................................$219,500
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SelectCuts As We (ALC) See It
Let’s Give Young People Inspiration MIKE ALBRECHT Here is an abbreviated version of a speech I’ve written for President Obama, or Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, or anyone in a high-ranking office who can muster an audience: “America is truly a country of great achievement. America leads the world in food production. In 2011 U.S. farmers produced $388 billion of goods, with approximately one third of that being exported. In the 1970s America deAlbrecht cided it was time to shed its reliance on foreign oil. Today America is undergoing a revolution in energy production, a revolution so dynamic that the International Energy Agency predicts that the U.S. will surpass Russia and Saudi Arabia as the world’s top oil producer by the end of this year. America’s pride of achievement is
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showcased in so many other fields, including space exploration, medicine, and athletic prowess. Today I’d like to issue a challenge to an industry that helped build this country, an industry that produced the railroad ties that linked our country together, and provides the raw material that builds our homes, schools, and offices. Today this great industry, the timber industry, is languishing. America leads in exporting so many goods and services to the world, and yet is now the second leading importer of lumber in the world. We were number one until 2012, when China became the leading importer. California, the Golden State, blessed with over 33 million acres of forestland, imports over 75% of its wood products.
How can this be? One third of our nation is covered in forestland. We have arguably the best growing climate for timber production in the world. Our timber industry is second to none when it comes to technological know-how and work ethic. When the American people put their heart and soul into something, they achieve it. It’s time to bring homegrown timber products back to our hardware stores and lumber yards. If we all work together, America can become a leading exporter of timber-related goods and services. We should not accept anything less.” If that speech was given, could we rise to the challenge of retooling and expanding our industry? Does the U.S. have access to enough homegrown timber to feed our annual lumber appetite of 40 to 65 billion BF a year? The answer is, Yes we do, in spades. According to data from the Western Wood Products Assn. and the Forest Service Inventory and Analysis Group, the standing net volume in America’s forests is approaching 2.25 trillion BF.
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SelectCuts Annual growth on this inventory is approximately 150 billion BF. This easily meets our nation’s lumber demand. The truth is, the U.S. has 750 million acres of forestland growing enough timber to meet our own lumber needs, and export billions of board feet to other countries, while continually adding inventory to our forests. In addition to prodigious timber growth, two-thirds of our nation’s drinking water comes from our forests. On average, once acre of trees annually consumes the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent to that produced by driving an average car for 26,000 miles. That same acre of trees also produces enough oxygen for 18 people to breathe for a year. Economically, there is no better investment than forestry. Every $1 million invested in forestry creates approximately 40 jobs. That is almost double the next highest investment sector of mass transit and freight rail construction where $1 million invested creates approximately 22 jobs. Unfortunately, these facts are not
what I hear talked about at the landing, at coffee shops, or at conventions and meetings. Instead, it’s usually acres burned, mills closed, government regulations, environmental lawsuits, and jobs lost. The Associated California Loggers just finished its annual meeting. At an evening banquet, my wife, Vicki, looked around the room of 250 plus folks and said, “Wow, there are a lot of young people here.” There were indeed young loggers and their wives, many sitting with their moms and dads. These young people are hungry for inspiration, and our association, the American Loggers Council, must remain the prime source of that inspiration. We need to talk more about acres harvested, mills reopened, new laws to support our industry, and environmental groups that support our goal of healthy forests. For the older generation, our charge is to inspire this new generation of loggers to continue not only to work hard and smart, but also to understand and promote the proud and positive
facts about our forests and our industry. Let’s face it. If we are going to rejuvenate America’s timber industry, it will be on their watch. With their help, America can trade the stigma of being a leading lumber importer, with her overgrown forests burning to the ground, for the pride of supplying lumber to the world. Albrecht is co-owner of Sierra Resource Management, Inc., located in Jamestown, Calif. He was selected as the American Loggers Council’s National Logger Activist of the Year in 2014. For more information, please contact the ALC office at 409-6250206 or visit americanlogger@aol.com.
New VLA Leader Is Ronald Jenkins Ronald Jenkins has been hired as the new executive director of the Virginia Loggers Assn. (VLA), effective April 1. He assumes the role filled by the late Jim Mooney. Jenkins recently retired from the Virginia Dept. of Forestry, where he served for 37 years in various posi-
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SelectCuts tions, the most recent being Assistant State Forester for Budgeting, Legislation, Planning and Administration. After serving in the Air Force four years he earned a BS in Forestry at Virginia Tech and a Masters in Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. “It will be a privilege for me to follow Jim Mooney as executive director and represent Virginia’s logging business leaders in all areas, helping them to speak in a unified voice,” says Jenkins. “I am excited about the opportunity of building on VLA’s strong foundation.” Jenkins will work from his hometown of Goochland. He can be contacted as follows: jenkinsgzj@aol. com, 804-677-4290.
Al Lassiter Had Long Equipment Career Allen G. (Al) Lassiter, Jr., who spent 43 years in the logging equipment retail business and who founded and owned
AG Lassiter Equipment Corp., Chocowinity, NC, was remembered at a memorial service in nearby Washington, NC on January 28. Lassiter, 72, died Lassiter January 25 following years of failing health. A native of Halifax County, NC, Lassiter attended East Carolina University before joining the Air Force, after which he joined Tidewater Equipment Co. in Washington, where he eventually became sales manager. He was later transferred to manage Tidewater’s location at Perry, Fla., and thence to Brunswick, Ga. to manage the company’s multiple Georgia outlets. After several years he returned to North Carolina (Greenville) to deftly manage the affairs of S&M Equipment Corp., only to later become affiliated with Franklin Equipment Co.’s retail store near Washington. Remaining at
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EventsMemo Listings are submitted months in advance. Always verify dates and locations with contacts prior to making plans to attend.
March 25-27—Hardwood Manufacturers Assn. National Conference & Expo, The Omni Nashville Hotel, Nashville, Tenn. Call 412-244-0440; visit hmamembers.org. March 25-27—Kentucky Forest Industries Assn. annual meeting, Embassy Suites, Lexington, Ky. Call 502-6953979; visit kfia.org. March 27-28—Washington Contract Loggers Assn. annual meeting, Tulalip Resort Casino, Marysville, Wash. Call 800-422-0074; visit loggers.com. April 7-9—American Forest Resource Council annual meeting, Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, Wash. Visit amforest.org. April 8-10— Intermountain Logging Assn. Equipment Show & Conference, Mirabeau Park Hotel & Convention Center, Spokane Valley, Wash. Call 208-245-3425; visit intermountainlogging.org. April 12-14—American Wood Protection Assn. annual meeting, The Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC. Call 205-733-4077. visit awpa.com. April 13—Great Lakes Timber Professionals Assn. Spring Celebration, Radisson Hotel, Green Bay, Wis. Call 715282-5828; visit timberpa.com. 46
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that location, Lassiter became a dealer for Tigercat in 2001. Those associated with Lassiter over the years tell of the respect he earned and describe him as “a very good businessman” and as “a man of his word.” Well liked, kind, and compassionate, he had a very loyal following of customers and employees. According to his daughter, Leah Lassiter King, AG Lassiter Equipment “was his dream and he made many personal sacrifices to keep the business going during lean times. We intend to carry on the business.” She notes that he supported many charitable organizations, “most of which he did silently and we learned of his donations only after his passing.” In his younger years Lassiter participated in racing boats and later moved on to sponsor other racers. He also appreciated music and loved to play the guitar and trumpet. Survivors include his widow, two daughters, one stepdaughter and two grandchildren.
Easy Access to current advertisers! http://www.timberharvesting.com/advertiser-index/ This issue of Timber Harvesting is brought to you in part by the following companies, which will gladly supply additional information about their products. American Logger’s Council BITCO Insurance Cat Forest Products Chain-Serts Cleanfix Reversible Fans John Deere Forestry Forest Chain Gem Chain Bars Husqvarna Forest & Garden Intermountain Logging Conference InWoodsExpo Log Max Manac MenSe Morbark Northeastern Loggers Assn. Olofsfors Pemberton Attachments Peterson Pacific Pettibone Pferd Prolenc Manufacturing Southstar Equipment Terex Environmental Equipment Tigercat Industries Timber 2015 Wallingford’s Waratah Forestry Attachments Wood Supply Research Institute
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