Issuu

Keeping the Wheels Turning Nothing Stands in Schlafer’s Way

Joel Olson Trucking Inc.

Schlafer Logging, Mendocino County, Calif.

IFG’s WoodEating Machine The HewSaw Sl250 3.4 unveiled

New Cable Yarder Takes to the Woods

T-Mar’s steep slope cable yarder

Special Insert: 2015 Northwest Mill Location Map

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ON THE COVER

May/June 2015 Vol. 40 No. 05-06

Photo of the Schlafer team at Covelo, Calif., with Paul Shandel on the left, loader operator, Ramon Echeverria, in the center and Antone Schlafer on the right.

Nothing Stands in Schlafer’s Way

Schlafer and his small logging crew don’t know the meaning of impossible, and that is one of the keys to his success.

IFG’s Wood-Eating Machine

Idaho Forest Group (IFG) recently unveiled its new HewSaw SL250 3.4 installation at the 2015 Small Log Conference.

Cold Winter Bumps Up Demand for Pellets Purcell Premium Pellets, based in Hauser, Idaho, talks pellets.

New Cable Yarder Takes to the Woods T-Mar sees the need for a new steep slope cable yarder specifically designed to address the increasing volumes of secondgrowth timber.

Keeping the Wheels Turning Ever since Joel Olson built his first logging road and bought his first three log trucks, innovation and attention to detail have been key to his business.

IFG’s Wood-Eating Machine

New Cable Yarder Takes to the Woods

Top Five Causes of Forest Equipment Fires Although most machines are equipped with fire suppression systems, operators can take steps to help prevent fires.

Tech Review Firewood Processing Equipment

Keeping the Wheels Turning

DEPARTMENTS

Page 4 .............................................................In the News Page 26 ................................................. Association News Page 30 ..................................................... Machinery Row Page 35 ........................................................ New Products Page 37 .................................................Advertiser’s Index Page 37 ............................................... Calendar of Events Page 37 ................................................. Classified Section Page 37 ............................Subscription/Reader Service Page 38 ........................................................Guest Column

www.forestnet.com May/June 2015 TimberWest

OSU Recognized as World-class Center

In late May, the Oregon State University Extension Service, Northwest Fire Science Consortium, and Oregon Forest Resources Institute led a tour of the burned area. It became apparent that the stands that had been thinned by selective logging fared far better than areas that hadn’t been managed. “Forest management definitely made a difference,” said Mike Haasken, forester for the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Molalla Unit. “Areas where there was commercial thinning, the fire slowed down.”

Oregon State University (OSU) was recognized as a world-class center in agriculture and forestry, ranking ninth in an international survey. The listing appeared in the QS World University Rankings of approximately 200 top institutions for agriculture and forestry worldwide in 2015. “Our world ranking is a testament to the continued great work of our faculty and researchers,” said Dan Arp, dean of OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences. “We’re excited about another top global ranking that recognizes the breadth and depth of our research and teaching, and our great partnership with the College of Agricultural Sciences,” said Thomas Maness, dean of OSU’s College of Forestry. “It’s very satisfying to see the excellence of our faculty and students recognized internationally.” Published annually since 2011, the rankings take into account the number of citations for journal articles. They are also based on surveys sent to employers and academics, who are asked to list institutions they consider excellent for recruitment of graduates and research, respectively. Only eight other institutions in the world ranked above OSU, two of which tied for fifth.

A new study by the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that Americans are using as much renewable energy as they were in the 1930s, due to the burning of wood. Renewable energy accounted for 9.8 percent of the total domestic energy consumption in 2014. That is the highest percentage since the 1930s — back when Duke Ellington was at the top of the charts. Solar, hydro-power, and wind have been growing in use (approximately 5 percent a year) since 2001. Wood came in second among the renewables, which was assumed to come from the high demand for wood pellets.

Commercially Thinned Areas Fare Better in Fires

$20 million to Oregon Timber Counties

Americans Are Using More Renewables

If there is any bright spot when it comes to forest fires, there is evidence that commercially thinned areas recover faster after forest fires. The fire, which broke out Sept. 13, 2014, at the old 36 Pit quarry, spread quickly through steep terrain on both sides of the Clackamas River, about eight miles southeast of Estacada. It eventually covered 5,525 acres.

Checks totaling $20 million were mailed to 18 timber counties in western Oregon under the terms of a federal subsidy renewed by Congress. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced the money is being distributed to the so-called O&C counties under the terms of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. TW

Batteries from Wood Pulp

“Three-dimensional, porous materials have been regarded as an obstacle to building electrodes. But we have proven that this is not a problem. In fact, this type of structure and material architecture allows flexibility and freedom in the design of batteries,” Hamedi said.

Researchers from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, and Stanford University, U.S., may have developed a high-capacity battery created from wood pulp. Using nanocellulose broken down from tree fibers, the team created an elastic, foam-like battery material that can withstand shock and stress. “It is possible to make incredible materials from trees and cellulose,” said researcher Max Hamedi from KTH. The material can be used for 3D structures, allowing storage of significantly more power in less space than is possible with conventional batteries, he said. 4

TimberWest May/June 2015 www.forestnet.com

Editor: Diane Mettler, diane@forestnet.com Copy Editor: Beth Szyperski Contributing Editors: Barbara Coyner, Nate Burton, Mary Bullwinkel, Lindsey Mohlere, Jim Girvan ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Sales Mgr: James Booth – jbooth@forestnet.com Director: Rob Stanhope – stanhope@forestnet.com Sales Contact Information: Toll Free: 1-866-405-6462 Phone: (604) 990-9970 • Fax: (604) 990-9971 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Publisher & Production Manager: Sheila Ringdahl – sringdahl@forestnet.com Office Manager: Betty Rosales – brosales@forestnet.com Corporate Office Information: Phone: (425) 778-3388 Fax: (425) 771-3623 timberwest@forestnet.com www.forestnet.com Send all materials - Insertion Orders, Contracts, Copy, Photos, Disks to: TImberWest Publications, LLC P.O. Box 610 (300 Admiral Way, Suite 105) Edmonds, WA 98020-0610 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Send both OLD and NEW Circulation information to: TimberWest Magazine Attn: George Aldridge P.O. Box 610, Edmonds, WA 98020 Fax: (425) 771-3623 • subscribetw@forestnet.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Advertising created by TimberWest Publications, LLC is the sole property of TimberWest Publications, LLC and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the publisher. PUBLISHER’S EDITORIAL STATEMENT: TimberWest reports on the logging and lumber segment of the forest industry in the Western United States with emphasis on the states of AK, WA, OR, ID, MT and CA, providing current information on timber harvesting techniques, sawmill operations, news, legislation, events, people and products pertinent to this market. TIMBERWEST (USPS #024858) is published bi-monthly (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun, Jul/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec) by TimberWest Publications, LLC, 300 Admiral Way, Suite 105, Edmonds, WA, 98020. Periodicals postage paid at Edmonds, WA and at additional mailing offices. Copyright 2015. All rights reserved. Subscription rates to qualified subscribers are Free and all non-qualified subscriptions in U.S. are $22 per year payable in advance. Canada $35 (U.S.). Other $40 (U.S.). Single copies paid in advance $4. Company affiliation, title, date and signature must appear on subscription forms. Publisher reserves the right to refuse non-industry subscriptions and advertising. All other advertising is accepted at the discretion of the publisher. Publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents of any advertisement and all representations or warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher. Back issues, if available, $4 each. Directory and Calendar issue $10 each. Canadian Publication Mail Product Sales Agreement #40740074. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to P.O. Box 86670 Stn. Main, North Vancouver, BC V7L 4L2 Printed in Canada at Rhino Print Solutions POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to TimberWest, P.O. Box 610, Edmonds, WA, 98020-0610

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ContractorProfile

Nothing Stands in Schlafer’s Way By Mary Bullwinkel

on’t ever tell Antone Schlafer and his company, Mendocino County, California-based Schlafer Logging, that there’s a logging job that can’t be done. Schlafer and his small logging crew don’t know the meaning

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of impossible, and that is one of the keys to his success. “We’re niche loggers. We specialize in jobs that nobody else wants or can do,” Schlafer said. “That’s how we’ve made it so far, and that’s how we stay busy.” He points to one logging job in Covelo, Calif., which included about one million board feet of

burned timber. “Fifteen companies looked at it,” he says, “and they all said there was no way to log it.”

Teamwork

Schlafer and his cousin Paul Shandel, who has worked with Antone Schlafer on many logging jobs, went to look at the site

ContractorProfile Antone Schlafer does most of the falling, then he and his cousin come in with the equipment.

Schlafer Logging prides itself on specializing in jobs others don’t want or can’t do.

and figured out a way to get a truck road built and remove the timber, which was then trucked to a local mill. “My cousin is very adept at building roads,” Schlafer says. “He can see a [road] grade from a mile away.” After Schlafer does most of the timber falling on his logging jobs, he and his cousin bring together the necessary equipment to get the jobs done. Schlafer brings in his 287C Cat skid steer, D4H High Track grapple Cat, John Deere 2054 heel boom loader, and a Cat 525 skidder.

Multi-Use Equipment

Schlafer bought the Cat skid steer and a 303.5 mini hydraulic excavator in 2008 and used the equipment to get started doing little backyard jobs. “The skid steer has a four-inone bucket and a stump grinder and was big enough to pick up short logs,” he says. “I didn’t need to make long logs because I had a short logger,” he adds referring to the 1964 narrow nose self-loading log truck that he used to haul logs when he first got started, which is still in working order and used on occasion. The excavator was used to stack brush and move logs on some of the smaller jobs. “I would skid the logs with one or drag them as much as I could,” Schlafer says, “or push with one and drag with the other until I could get them to the landing.” The D4H grapple cat fits with Schlafer Logging jobs because it’s a small piece of equipment. “It was my first piece of equipment,” Schlafer says. He also uses a John Deere 2054 heel boom loader, which he says fits his logging operations very well. “It’s a little bigger than most of our other machines, and I was thinking it might be too big for us.” But Schlafer adds, with some of the smaller jobs he does, he finds big timber

and the John Deer loader handles it perfectly. “It’s the perfect size and it’s the first piece of John Deere equipment I’ve ever purchased. I wouldn’t be afraid to buy another one. I like it…I like it a lot.” Schlafer bought the heel boom and a Cat 525 skidder from another northern California logging outfit, and the heel boom came from its former owners who were logging in Trinity County, Calif., straight to work for Schlafer in Mendocino County. “It didn’t miss a day of work,” says Schlafer, and it has been “100 percent dependable.”

Clean Work

Schlafer Logging concentrates on smaller jobs and has a reputation for good, clean work. “Clean, clean, clean, clean, clean,” Schlafer says. “That’s what people want when you are working within sight of their front door. It’s a rarity these days,” he adds, “because many times, it’s cost prohibitive.” But that’s how he learned to log. “If you learn to do good work from the beginning, you can always do good work.” Schlafer’s logging philosophy: “When I move in to a piece of property, I’m treating it as if it’s mine.” When Schlafer is finished, he wants the landowner, when asked about the logging, to “jump out of their chair and say ‘I’ve got this guy who does really clean work.’”

Bouncing Around

By working smaller jobs, Schlafer and his crew have to move more often, but that’s not a big problem. “We bounce around a lot,” he says, adding he may work at five or six different sites in the same five-month-long season. “We’ll take jobs that the bigger companies don’t want to mess with,” Schlafer says, “because there may not be enough volume of

www.forestnet.com May/June 2015 TimberWest

ContractorProfile timber or the equipment might not be the right fit.” Schlafer has a Peterbilt dump truck and tilt trailer, which makes it easier to move his own equipment to the next logging job location. It’s important for a small logging company, working smaller jobs, to be as self-sufficient as possible. “Our crew is multi-talented to say the least,” says Schlafer. “Everybody on our crew can run the loader, run the skidder, run the Cat, and fall timber, to a certain extent.” He says that contributes to the company’s success. “Everybody knows how to do everything.” “We are all self-starters, so the right hand knows what the left hand is doing. We all know what we’re doing,” he says, adding, “symbiosis at its finest…we are just completely in sync.”

Planning Ahead

At lunch time Schlafer and the crew sit down to talk about the current job and what lies ahead. “We make a game plan from there and that helps everybody knowing what everybody else is doing.” Looking to the future, Schlafer has plans to grow, but not a whole lot more. “I would like to add at least one more and possibly two Cats,” he says. One is a D6H Cat that he is going to purchase to use as a road building Cat, and at some point he would also like to add a swing grapple Cat. Schlafer looks at growth as a key to

In the picture above and the two below, Schlafer Logging works a job in Covelo, Calif., that fifteen companies looked at and said it couldn’t be done. success. “If I am going to get bigger, if I am going to compete, I have to have new equipment. I can’t stay at that end of the pool for very long without drowning, I have to tread water.”

Next Generation

Antone and Melissa Schlafer are the proud parents of three boys, Tucker, Sawyer, and Cooper Wayne. The two older boys, ages 9 and 7, like to tag along with dad on his logging jobs, and no doubt the youngest (almost 2) will when he gets a little older.

Every chance they get, the two older boys head to the woods. “Tucker likes to watch skidding the logs, and Sawyer likes to watch timber falling.” Schlafer says he will let the boys decide if they want to join the family business, but he wants them to go to college first, stressing that in the world of logging today, “education is the key.” He adds that it’s not just about picking up a chainsaw and going to work or turning the key and skidding logs. “It’s more about crunching numbers and being able to do all aspects of the job. The competition is so tight nowadays, you really have to have your head wrapped around the business.”

A Passion for His Work

Despite the hurdles facing the logging industry, especially in California, Schlafer is optimistic about the future. He describes himself as “addicted” to the logging industry, proudly declaring, “It’s the only drug I’ve ever done.” He says, “You have to have a love for what you do to be in this industry. You have to love the industry, and you have to love the people in the industry…and you’ve got to be about half-crazy,” he adds with a chuckle. TW

TimberWest May/June 2015 www.forestnet.com

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MillProfile

Idaho Forest Group’s Wood-Eating Machine

Idaho Forest Group’s (IFC) HewSaw SL250 3.4 installation is a success with expansions in the future.

By Barbara Coyner

t was the forest industry’s version of the kid in the candy store as Idaho Forest Group (IFG) recently unveiled its new Lewiston, Idaho, HewSaw SL250 3.4 installation to over 100 attendees of this year’s Small Log Conference. Billed as the largest HewSaw installation in North America, the high-tech wonder has been the talk of the Pacific Northwest forest industry for months.

Cranking It out

In operation for close to a year during the pre-conference tour in March, IFG had run its first log through in April 2014. The new setup is already cranking out six million board feet per week, with room for expanded production. Mill manager Jesse Short is 12

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clearly impressed with the new Finnish line so far. “It’s a wood-eating machine,” Short said of the HewSaw. The saw, laid out in a welllit football-field-length building, can handle logs from four inches to 16 ½ inches, top end, to a maximum log diameter of 21 ½ inches. It can process log lengths from eight feet to 20 feet and has a line speed of 200 to 650 feet per minute.

Production Line

The production line includes a Login system, four-sided cant chipping, a cant saw, ripsaw, and cross saw, along with two board separators for edged sideboards and a cant turner. The cant height specs are 3” to 15 3/8”; width in the chipper canter, 3” to 15 3/8”; the cant height in the rip saw, 2 ½” to 10 ½”; and the cant width in the rip saw, 3” to 15 3/8”.

MillProfile The Lewiston line uses board separators to move edged sideboards on to conveyors running parallel to the HewSaw. Lumber from the center cant and the side board production all meet back up at the end of the line. Overall, the HewSaw can process multiple products, manufacturing up to eight edged sideboards from each log. The efficient system is monitored from a spacious perch up above the mill, where the operator has a wide-angle view of the mill’s activities. Here, the operator handles the infeed, watching several screens with real-time views of each machine center.

Right now, the scanner is only used for sorting and bucking, with future plans for optimization in sawing. As it creates a total three-dimensional profile for each log, the scanner focuses on features and properties of wood species common to the Intermountain West. “One of the owners told me it’s always been his dream to saw from the inside out,” said Laudon, acknowledging that the first cut is critical, although sometimes it’s not worth cutting at all. “Some of this is pretty

visionary, and you get to know what you’re doing before you cut. Right now we are the only ones making the CT log scanner so we feel like we are 10 years ahead of the competition.” In the current configuration, logs come into the mill and are first run through the CT scanner before heading to the chop saw and merchandizer. Then they go on to separate lines for the HewSaw, large logs, rejects, and flare reduction. In the near future, a Springer-Microtec Logeye 306 will

New Scanner Faster than Medical Scanner

The key companion equipment to the HewSaw, a Springer-Microtec CT log scanner, is no small part of the new mill setup, scanning each log at a blazing three rotations per second. The scanner conveyor speed of 525 feet per minute makes the log scanner 100 times faster than your regular medical scanner. Calling the CT unit nothing more than a huge medical scanner, Springer-Microtec representative Norvin Laudon explained that the goal is to see all the defects in each log, evaluating knots, cracks, and wane, which can affect total log quality. “The goal is to unlock the shape of the log,” said Laudon. “Usually bucking and debarking come first, but they don’t debark at the IFG mill until later in the process. With the bark on, there is less checking and bluing. You get to see the real shape of the wood with the scanner. There are some logs you never want to reach your sawmill because maybe they are rotten, twisted, or off-species.”

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MillProfile be operational to X-ray logs further before sending them to the sorting bins. Currently IFG has thirty sorts, with each having four sub-sorts, creating 120 destination sorts. Further plans call for a second Logeye 306 to be installed before the saw to further determine cutting options. The Logeye technology is used for scaling, sorting, and grading timber, as well as for bucking and primary and secondary cutting optimization. “The CT scan determines how the log is bucked and sorted,” said Laudon, explaining that Springer-Microtec optimization software calculates the cutting pattern with the highest yield, quality, and value. Once both Logeyes are in operation, IFG’s production line should be running at a brisk 360 million board feet a year. Last year’s performance was already at 220 million board feet.

The Next Step

Tyler Levy is a technical advisor with HewSaw, and he has worked with Jesse Short and others to fine tune the new mill. Levy came on board with the project soon after IFG bought the old sawmill from Potlatch Corporation in November 2011. At that point, IFG just ran the old mill, before clearing 14 acres and investing over $25 million in the new installation, which also

TimberWest May/June 2015 www.forestnet.com

The recent IFG Lewiston upgrade included the installation of a Nicholson A8 high-speed debarker (above). Next in line in terms of mill improvements will be a new planer, new shavings bins, and ultimately a remodel of the old large log mill. boasts a state-of-the-art hydraulic power unit by Bosch Rexroth Canada, new conveyors, and a Nicholson A8 high-speed debarker. Rawlings Industrial of Spokane was in charge of equipment installation. Next in line will be a new planer, new shavings bins, and ultimately a remodel of the old large log mill. The planer will come in late summer, because as Short said, “We are wanting more knife marks per inch and

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reduced operating hours. This planer does both for us.” Additionally, IFG is just about ready to move into its 6,600 square foot office/planning building. Interestingly enough, the Lewiston mill site is no stranger to innovation. The old sawmill purchased by IFG was originally built by Weyerhaeuser in the 1920s as a spin-off from the largest white pine mill in

MillProfile Vaagen said of the IFG mill. Vaagen, vice president of Vaagen Brothers Lumber in Colville, Wash., knows HewSaw equipment and small log milling first-hand, as the family-owned company has operated the Finnish-built saws for years.

The Payoff

Equipped with what is said to be the largest HewSaw installation in North America, the high tech IFG Lewiston sawmill is already cranking out six million board feet per week, with room for expanded production.

the world, built at Potlatch, Idaho, in 1906. Potlatch Forest Industries engineer Robert Bowling invented the revolutionary Presto-Logs at the Lewiston facility in 1929, and from there, Pres-to-Log machines went worldwide. Ironically, the Small Log Conference tour kicked off its bus tour at the Purcell Premium Pellet mill, which still operates several Pres-to-Log machines at its facility in Moyie Springs, Idaho.

As industry visionaries of the 1920s watched the last log drive on the Clearwater River (adjacent to the new IFG mill) in the 1970s, probably none could imagine the high-tech sawmill that IFG would operate at the same location. And certainly none could imagine a mill running with fewer than a dozen people. “It just blows your mind, even if you come from a sawmill background,” Russ

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As for mill manager Jesse Short, he’s counting on the new equipment to pay off for a number of reasons. “The main advantage to our new process is productivity and production costs,” he said. “The new lines allow for a quarter of the labor costs with nearly 40 percent more throughput versus a traditional line. By presorting logs, you can maximize feed speed through saw design versus running to the worst case saw design. Smaller gaps combined with higher feed speeds equals lower per unit costs.” Short noted that major challenges were related to controls and optimization. “We had never controlled a line with so many axes of motion and this level of sophistication,” he explained, adding that there were challenges optimizing fiber yields, as well as production costs between the different modes of operation. Other tweaks to the system included the tuning of multiple control systems and hydraulic systems.

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MillProfile Short and other mill employees did their training at a similar mill at Fort William, Scotland, and the comprehensive hands-on training was yet one more reason IFG chose to go with HewSaw. “Part of it was that they were the right people,” Short said. “They fit in with my team. The guys were in it forever, and their company is like our company. They like getting into new technology ahead of others.” With plenty of wood fiber out there, IFG will nevertheless have to compete for logs, especially with so much of the surrounding area locked up in national forest. “I think Potlatch Corporation has a good plan on their lands,” Short assessed. “The State of Idaho does a good job, and their volumes could likely improve. We’ve seen some improvement on the federal side of things and expect that has the most upside potential. “For us to reach our potential, supply will have to increase, or usage within the wood basket would have to change. I think there is more private wood available and if the market helps the landowners, it will also come to market.” Short adds, “There’s definitely fiber out there, but you have to pay the most for it. But we’re competitive and in the next 24 months,

Shorts says that the new lines allow for a quarter of the labor costs with nearly 40 percent more throughput versus a traditional line. we should hit our sweet spot.” In the words of Georgia sawmill owner Jack Jordan, at the opening of the Small Log

Conference, “They’re [IFG] going to set the standard.” TW

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Cold Winter Bumps up Demand for Pellets By Barbara Coyner

n my neck of the woods (Idaho),

it seems like every tenth vehicle rolling down Highway 95 is a chip truck, hauling wood chips from a mill to a cogeneration plant or some manufacturer making use of what used to be considered wood “waste.” There is huge competition for such woody biomass, and one customer vying for some of the spoils is Purcell Premium Pellets, based in Hauser, Idaho. The completely upgraded pellet mill has been online, churning out pellets for about two years now, and with the recent record-breaking cold winter in the East, product demand for such premium wood pellets remains very high. Now retired from the pellet business, Jim Fairchild knows the industry well. He and his business partners upgraded the alreadyexisting mill a couple of years ago, balancing the new facility with a companion energy log manufacturing plant at Moyie Springs, Idaho.

Finding Material

Jim led a number of us on a tour of the highly efficient pellet mill during the Small Log Conference, held at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in March. With more people using

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wood pellets for heating, and actual legislation advancing on crediting such energy as “renewable” and “green,” Purcell faces a rosy future selling high-grade pellets. But as Fairchild knows well, it’s a fine science making pellets, especially premium grade ones. It all begins with getting the right wood species into the plant. “There’s a lot of competition, and we haul up to 60 miles,” Fairchild says of the constant struggle to keep raw materials on hand. Currently the mill has 10 employees working 10-hour shifts, Monday through Thursday. Residuals come in from various local mills, with huge piles of sawdust and planer shavings piling up on the asphalt storage areas surrounding the mill. Purcell pays for its raw material by weight. “We use a mix of white wood, fir, larch, and some hemlock,” Fairchild explains. “We like to keep it at 50 to 60 percent Douglas fir, because it makes a better product. We test for moisture and ash content. The higher the moisture, the less heat. But we are at the mercy of the mills and what they send as separate species. We haul it to our yard and mix it to our formula.” Mixing is made somewhat less messy because the mill yard is paved, reducing dust and foreign debris. With literally mountains of sawdust

piling up around the manufacturing plant, the raw material first undergoes a drying process before being sent through the pellet mill, which churns out 4.5 to five tons per hour.

Just Like Pasta Making

“It’s just like making spaghetti,” Fairchild grins, comparing the pellet mill to a giant pasta maker. “With a pellet mill, you have to have small particles,” he adds. Because of the residues on the wood, the pellets come out naturally glossy. Once manufactured, products are bagged for shipment using an efficient robotic arm. With moisture content between two and three percent, Purcell’s product is considered super premium. As such, it is sought after in the Pacific Northwest region, but the company does ship as far as Boston. Given the record-breaking snowfall and cold temperatures around Boston this last winter, demand for pellets in general ran high, and nationally, pellet mills were challenged to keep up with demand.

The Bigger Picture

In the bigger picture, the United Kingdom still outpaces the United States in using pellets for heat, mostly because in Europe, carbon credits and renewable portfolios are part of the lifestyle. Here in the U.S., legislators are still on the fence about totally embracing woody biomass, often based on politics. Maine Senator Angus King has reintroduced legislation bringing woody biomass energy into the nation’s energy portfolio, making such energy acceptable for tax credits. Will the bill pass? People in the East acknowledge the value of wood pellets after last winter, and know full well that such energy can go toe to toe with heating oil. Stepping away from fossil fuels to embrace renewable woody biomass, often keeping products and employment local, is exactly what Purcell Premium Pellets is already doing. TW

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EquipmentProfile

New Cable Yarder Takes to the Woods

By Jim Girvan

eorge Lambert, the pres-

ident of T-Mar Industries in Campbell River, B.C., does not see himself as a visionary. But the need for a new steep slope cable yarder specifically designed to address the increasing volumes of second-growth timber became clear to him many years ago.

Decades of Experience

A lot of the traditional cable yarding machines used on the coast are old and in various states of repair, and they were all designed for larger, more valuable logs, Lambert says. “We needed a new solution to make second-growth and B.C. Interior harvesting viable on steep slopes—and we knew we could do it.” The T-Mar design team has deep roots in the forest industry. Jim Mantle has a long history designing forestry machinery as the lead designer at Mantle Industries and then lead designer at Cypress Equipment. In 1995, Mantle joined T-Mar Industries and assumed the role of engineering manager and lead designer. Ed Hughes was a senior engineer and designer at Madill Equipment from 19772008. Hughes joined T-Mar in 2008 to augment their engineering group and positioned T-Mar to be able to develop a new generation of forestry machinery. George Lambert’s son, Tyson, joined the T-Mar team in 2011 and brought with him university training in computer technology and controls. His addition to the design team brought a new and unique system to the table.

Taking a Risk

With a sputtering forest industry in the midst of a global economic recession, why did T-Mar take the risk of engineering a completely new design when the forest industry was down and out? “We knew that the knowledge of this type of product and design rested with our team, two of which are approaching retirement,” 20

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laughs Lambert. “If we didn’t do it, there was a risk that their collective knowledge base might be lost—and with the industry coming back after the recession, we knew we had the time to get the design right.” With the skills, experience, and confidence that they could design something that would work for this new application, they decided to completely modernize the traditional machines including a new winch, power train, hydraulics, engine, and superstructure to meet the design objectives, all with efficiency, speed, weight, and transport in mind.

Log Champ 550 Comes to Life

There were plenty of challenges over the next four years as the machine came to life, with a particular focus on meeting the onepiece move criteria. The resulting Log Champ 550 (LC550) was designed using solid modelling in Auto Desk Inventor, a computer engineering design software that allows the building of a three-dimensional model, and then drawings to be pulled out. As a result, every part fits when it is manufactured. Stress and weight analysis can be done prior to ever building the machine. This program, which proved to be a key factor in T-Mar’s success, was traditionally used for fighter jet designs and has only recently become available for this type of application.

“We came up with some pretty clever ideas,” notes George Lambert. “We used some conventional stuff that worked on other machines but updated everything else including the layout of the powertrain, a modern regeneration clutch that is lighter with higher torque—less weight being the key—and a unique superstructure and gantry that holds it all together.” This was the first time Mantle and Hughes had worked together, and the result was a true collaboration of skills and experience. Mantle designed the winch, and Hughes designed the superstructure and gantry. “They knew what would not work and what they did not want to do,” says Lambert. “They used experience not available anywhere in the world—and the result speaks for itself.” The LC550 utilizes a Cat 9 liter engine, Cat CX28 Powershift transmission with lockup torque converter and five speeds forward, a new generation 25-inch Wichita regenerating clutch and, of course, the sideby-side winch, all built on a T-Mar designed mainframe utilizing a Cat Forestry undercarriage. The main drums have a 1,500 foot (3/4 inch) capacity, and the haulback drum has a 3,100 foot (3/4 inch) capacity. The gantry is a 35-foot walking fairlead design. With an operating weight of 105,000 pounds, shipping width of 12 feet 6 inches, and shipping

EquipmentProfile height of 11 feet 6 inches, the entire machine can be moved as a single piece. But it is the Precision Yarder Control (PYC) system that is the signature advancement in the machine. “We had to have a modern controller to interface with the operator and the parts of the machine we were trying to control,” explains Tyson Lambert. “The result is a precise and easy to control computerized system that can be customized to the user. It is significantly easier to operate than any machine like it.”

First Time in the Woods

On its maiden voyage, the Log Champ was used by new owners Southview Forest Services Ltd. on Redonda Island, B.C., yarding second-growth fir. Southview Forest owner Howie McKamey said they carefully thought things through when they considered the LC550 purchase. “We asked ourselves two questions: First, what is our timber going to look like in the future? And second, where is this timber going to be? The answers were a diet of largely second growth timber back up on the hills on patches of ground that are too severe for conventional ground base equipment.” The LC550 made a lot of sense for them in a number of respects, says McKamey.

“Second growth wood is smaller, so a smaller yarder makes sense. We will be moving lots, so a one-piece-move yarder makes sense. A yarder with versatile logging capabilities— we will be faced with logging among retention trees or poor deflection where we need skyline capabilities—also makes sense. And a smaller yarder requires less power to run. Less power translates into less fuel and cost.” But there is really more to the story. “I don’t believe the industry really understands the cost of downtime or the cost of lost productivity,” notes McKamey. “There are only so many yarding days in a year, and we can’t afford to lose many. How does the downtime of a key piece affect the equipment down the chain? You can have a loader, processor, log trucks, and an entire log sort that are all affected. A day of lost productivity in a camp results in enormous lost revenue. Yes, new equipment breaks down, but not as much as older iron.” With the shortage of experienced yarder engineers and hook tenders in the industry, the decision became easy. “Will it be easier to attract people to run a new piece of equipment? We thought so—and in fact we have had applicants send in resumes with a note they would like to have a job on the Log Champ. Will it be easier to train young

operators on the new yarder? We believe so,” smiles McKamey.

Financing

With a brand new state-of-the-art piece of equipment to own and operate, how did Southview Forest make financing affordable? McKamey explains, “First, we discussed buying a new yarder with our banker. We demonstrated that grapple yarders do not depreciate like other pieces of logging equipment, and as a result amortized the purchase over six years, which reduced our unit costs of production; that we had a reasonable balance sheet; showed some resale history; and we had the bankers’ confidence that we maintain our equipment well.” “We couldn’t be happier with the result so far,” says T-Mar’s George Lambert. “We see the Log Champ as the first significant step towards a company strategy to be global leaders in steep slope harvesting solutions.” ___________________________________ Jim Girvan, RPF, MBA, is the principal of MDT Management Decision and Technology, where he provides consulting support in the areas of timber supply and fiber flow modeling and analysis, industry forecasting, statistical analysis, license acquisition, and forest policy. TW

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Trucking

Joel Olson and son Darin enjoy a sunny break in the rainy weather.

Keeping the Wheels Turning Joel Olson Trucking Inc.

By Lindsey Mohlere

ver since Joel Olson built his first logging road and bought his first three log trucks, innovation and attention to detail have been the hallmarks of Joel Olson Trucking. Olson, past president of the Oregon Logging Conference, began his business in 1962 rocking roads for Oregon Pulp and Paper. A short time later, he began hauling for Longview Fiber out of Lincoln City, Ore. “A friend of mine, Dave Bruijn, had four log trucks, and we were talking about

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combining the two…I had rock trucks and he had log trucks…but he passed away at an early age. I ended up buying three of his log trucks,” says Olson. “That’s how I got into hauling logs.”

Continued Growth

After buying Bruijn’s log trucks, Olson combined the operations, building roads and hauling logs throughout the seventies until Longview Fiber moved most of their timberland to the Oregon valleys through a land swap with Boise Cascade. As Longview Fiber’s primary hauler, Olson

took the challenge and moved his operation to Clatskanie, Ore., sold off his gravel trucks, and began hauling logs exclusively. By the early eighties, Joel Olson Trucking had grown into a sizable fleet of over 30 log trucks. Shortly thereafter, Olson took on another challenge with the same energy and attention to detail that helped his business grow from the beginning. RSG Forest Products asked Olson to haul a majority of its finished lumber products from the mill in Mist, Ore. That meant Joel Olson Trucking needed to step up into running flatbeds. It was an opportunity too good to pass up and Olson, along with his son Darin (company VP/general manager), began building a fleet of flatbeds to meet new customer demand. During the eighties and into the nineties, the company expanded its line-up of Peterbilt and Kenworth log trucks and flats to include curtain vans, end dumps, drop box trucks, and low boys. Currently, the company runs a fleet of 70 over-the-road rigs out of its Vancouver, Wash., office and 35 logging trucks out of Olson’s shop in Longview, Wash. (continued on page 24)

MOVE MORE WOOD BURN LESS FUEL

Head-to-head millyard tests prove the new Cat® 966M burns at least 13% less fuel than a leading competitive wheel loader in the same class. Save fuel and boost productivity. The lock-up clutch torque converter in our powershift transmission helps you climb ramps without losing speed, and disc-type differential locks improve traction when the ground is slippery or muddy. Just hit the button and drive right through. Comfort, too. The new Ride Control system has two accumulators to cushion the ride full or empty. Want more? Get up to 25% more fuel savings with the 966M XE compared to the standard model. Cost-efficient millyard systems — that’s what we’re built to deliver. Look to your Cat dealer for financing and all the machines you need for sustainable harvesting and land management, forestry road construction, hauling and millyard. Total support from one source.

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© 2015 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, BUILT FOR IT, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” the “Power Edge” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission. www.cat.com www.caterpillar.com

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Trucking Maintenance – Keeping the Rubber on the Road

(continued from page 22)

Timber Operations

In addition to hauling logs for large timber operations like Weyerhaeuser, Stimson Lumber, C&C Logging, and others, Joel Olson Trucking also operates their own salvage logging sides, ranging from small plots to sides as big as 120 acres. All of Olson’s salvage crews are currently working for Weyerhaeuser. The company’s salvage logging business runs 13 Kenworth 800s with end dump trailers as well as a CAT 325 excavator, two CAT 320 log loaders, a CAT D5 dozer, a rubber tire backhoe, and a CAT 320 Forest Machine with a Jewel bucket grapple. Pat Balch, Joel Olson Trucking general manager – Longview, likes how his salvage team works together. “The CAT 320 is very reliable and operator friendly. They hold their value and run smooth with good power.” Balch also prefers the Jewel grapple to others because of its versatility. “The Jewel is easy to control and has the ability to reach into a pile and pull out a piece of chunk wood or salvage wood. Control is good with minimal swing. They work really well for what we’re doing.”

Keeping the iron in tip-top shape is a key factor to success. Joel Olson Trucking has two shops, one in Vancouver for over-theroad rigs, and one in Longview dedicated to the logging operation. Both shops work swing shift, and the Longview operation is staffed with three mechanics and a shop boy. Three bays are used for maintenance and the other is used for fabrication. “It’s all about the maintenance,” Balch says. “Off-road work just destroys things, especially around the St. Helen’s area. You’d assume this many years post eruption it wouldn’t matter, but the rock and sand up there is like running 40 grit sandpaper on all the components every day, day in-day out. It eats equipment alive. But if you can maintain a good truck and keep the driver from tearing it up, you can keep a truck on the road a long time. We’ve got a 1992 that’s still in service. There’s a lot of life and service left in these trucks, but it is…all about the maintenance.” Balch says an example of good maintenance combined with some driver TLC is veteran driver Carolyn Mabee and her 1996 Kenworth named “Lily.”

“Carolyn’s been with us about 13 years,” Balch says, “and her truck has over a million miles on it. Sure, it’s been rebuilt and refitted, but it’s still on the road. Joel once bought a new truck for Carolyn, but she preferred her old one and got it back.”

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Trucking The company puts a lot of work into finding the right drivers. The process can take up to two weeks. “There aren’t many “good” drivers out there,” says Darin.

Good Drivers, Safety, and Compliance – the New Normal

Like many other trucking companies, Joel Olson Trucking is always on the look out for good drivers. “Between Vancouver and Longview we probably have seven

trucks sitting because we can’t find drivers,” Joel says. “There’s a shortage, but everybody’s confronted with that same problem. We get a lot of applicants, but we’re pretty strict on who we hire.” Accordingly, the company puts a lot of time and effort into finding the right driver. “We have a pretty thick employment packet,” Joel says, adding, “It takes a while to fill out, and we don’t let the applicant take it home. We want to talk to them after they fill it out.” From start to finish, the hiring process can take up to two weeks once a prospect comes through the door. The company has to follow all the Federal Motor Carrier requirements, pull the prospect’s MVR, and drug test the prospect. After that, the prospect takes a drive test and, finally, spends one to three days training with one of Olson’s senior drivers before the company makes the decision to hire. “There aren’t many “good” drivers out there,” Darin says. “We’re doing ourselves

and everybody else a disservice if we take on a sub-par guy. The last thing we want to do is have somebody out there in over their head and have an accident.” Another aspect of the trucking industry is the new world of electronic driving logs and GPS tracking systems to comply with stringent state and federal regulations. Electronic reporting of driving logs is set to become mandatory in 2016. Recently, Joel Olson Trucking brought Susan Reszczynski on board as the company’s safety and compliance manager. Susan’s experience and deep understanding of compliance requirements and safety standards will help pave the way for running a smoother operation. She will also be part of a new consulting team that will offer its expertise to other companies in the business. “A lot of these smaller companies aren’t in compliance, and they need to get on board or they’ll be in a world of hurt,” Joel says. “We’ve already talked to a few of our competitors. A lot of loggers, ones with five or six trucks, have expressed an interest in coming down and taking a few classes from Susan. They don’t want to mess with this kind of stuff. You can’t fly under the radar anymore. You’ve got to play by the rules.” TW

Eliminate engine overheating and operator downtime with a Flexxaire engine-cooling fan.

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Coalition Announces Biomass101 Campaign

A leading coalition of forest owners, wood suppliers, and manufacturers of pulp and paper goods announced the creation of Biomass101.org, a clearinghouse for scientifically sound information on carbon-neutral bioenergy. Biomass101 is an effort jointly produced by the American Forest & Paper Association, American Wood Council, Forest Resources Association, and National Alliance of Forest Owners. “With biomass becoming a more prominent part of the national renewable energy discussion, Americans deserve a conversation that is honest, accurate, and reliable,” said Chuck Fuqua, executive director for Strategic Communications at the American Forest & Paper Association. Biomass101.org will include blog posts, infographics, videos, and other digital media content that corrects false or distorted information in the press. The effort will also have a robust social media presence. “It is essential that leading publications get the basic facts on biomass right to ensure objective analysis. As the hands-on stewards throughout the life cycle of forestry and forest products, we should be a central voice in the discussion and make sure that

coverage is accurate and fair-minded,” said Neil A. Ward, vice president of Public Affairs at the Forest Resources Association.

Choker Setter Killed

In the wake of the death of a skilled choker setter this spring, the Washington State Dept. of L&I sent out this information to help other operations remain safe and injury free. Safety Requirements • Employees must move away from the turn so as to be above or behind the turn in the clear. They must remain on their feet and face the turn before the go-ahead signal is given. See WAC 296-54-577(5). •Employers must provide safety training for each employee. See WAC 296-54-507(1). Recommended Safe Practices Failing to be “in-the-clear” is the number one cause of death and serious injury to rigging crew members. To be “in-the-clear,” employees must know what hazards to expect, how unexpected events can trigger hazards, and how to put enough space or barriers between themselves and the likely hazards. Crew members are not “in-the-clear” unless they are out of the swing radius of the longest log in the turn. This means the length of the log, plus the length of the choker and

dropline, plus any deflection that could occur. For more information and safety publications, visit the SHARP publications page at www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/.

Meeting with McCain

The Idaho Logger reported that in March, U.S. Senator John McCain met with American Loggers Council Executive Director Danny Dructor, Idaho’s Tim Christopherson, and two American Loggers Council Board Members:

Dan Leeds from the Northern Arizona Loggers Association and Mark Turner from the Associated Oregon Loggers, both of whom are actively working logging contractors. The senator had asked to meet with the Council and with logging contractors from the West because he is sponsoring legislation to fully fund wildfire suppression while requiring the USFS to conduct proactive forest management to reduce wildfires. TW

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GAME CHANGERS. We changed the game, but you wrote the rules. Designed with input from Customer Advisory Groups, John Deere is proud to introduce the strongest, most productive forestry machines we’ve ever offered: our all-new M-Series Harvesters and Tracked Feller Bunchers. One look tells you they’re not interested in playing nice. In fact, they can’t wait to fell the competition. At John Deere, We’re For Loggers.

It’s so important to get customer input into a product... and [these machines] represent pretty much everything we asked Deere to build. Mark Maenpaa K&M Logging, Inc., Thunder Bay, Ontario Learn more about our game changing machine lineup at JohnDeere.com/GameChangers.

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SafetySpotlight

Top Five Causes of Forest Equipment Fires... and How Operators Can Avoid Them

By Nate Burton, Technical & Safety Services Manager, Association of Equipment Manufacturers

quipment fires—expensive in terms of injuries, property damage, and lost production—increased through the economic downturn, possibly a consequence of squeezed revenue and earnings. “Contractors appear to be doing more with less,” said Chris Colello of Acadia Insurance, an insurer of logging operations. “This may involve double shifting—putting on more hours in a shorter time.” Colello says aging equipment, fluid leaks, and worn electronics result in more fires. And although machines are generally equipped with fire suppression systems (often at insurer request), operators can take steps to help prevent fires. For one, keep debris away. “The work environment is as dirty, if not dirtier, than even agricultural harvesting,” says John Walker of Walker Fire Forensics. “You move a tree, debris falls. Processing and chipping creates more debris. This ‘trash’ finds its way into the engine compartment.”

Top Causes

Debris accumulation is only one cause of forestry equipment fires. Here are five causes of forest machine fires and how operators can help avoid them: 1. Debris in the Engine Compartments Leaves, needles, twigs, and sawdust will build up, particularly around engines. This highly combustible debris must be removed frequently—once a day is not enough— make it a habit, check for debris at breaks, and if needed take time to remove it. 2. Hotter-Running Tier 4 Engines Tier 4 engines run 15° to 20°F hotter than earlier models, so it’s more critical to remove debris. The injector pump’s fuel

bypass to the tank is also warmer. 3. Debris Ignited by Rotating Components Rotating parts can rub on debris until it ignites. Remove this debris to prevent fires. 4. Altered Electrical Systems Unauthorized and inadequate modifications and ‘temporary repairs’ to electrical systems frequently lead to shorts, overloading, and fires. Never add unauthorized electrical components to wiring. Only use power outlets provided by the manufacturer. 5. Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Ignition Hazard Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) poses a greater ignition hazard than earlier diesel with higher sulfur content. The absence of sulfur allows static charge buildup in fuel delivery systems. Higher fuel tank temperatures (see #2) make vapors more combustible should a spark occur, resulting in a fire or explosion. Bonding and grounding machines with the fuel delivery system is now important when refueling. A simple wire connection between the equipment creates bonding; an electrical path between the tank and the ground creates grounding, to help dissipate static charge and reduce spark potential. Direct any fuel system bonding and grounding questions to your fuel system supplier and review the Association of Equipment Manufacturers bulletin on “Best Practices during Refueling” at aem.org/ulsd. Safety is everyone’s job. Hazard awareness and reduction keeps everyone working and minimizes injuries and property losses while improving working conditions for all. TW

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John Deere Celebrates 50 Years of Skidder Manufacturing

In 1965, John Deere introduced the 440 Skidder. The quality lives on in 2015 through the introduction of the L-Series and a celebration of John Deere’s 50th Anniversary manufacturing and designing skidders. Built on 178 years of groundbreaking innovation, backed by over a half-century in the woods and designed with proven components to withstand the toughest environments, these machines represent the best that is in John Deere as a manufacturer. “The 50th anniversary of our first skidder is a major milestone that demonstrates John Deere’s unmatched commitment to developing equipment solutions for the types of challenges loggers face in the woods every day,” said Marty Wilkinson, vice president, Worldwide Forestry & Business Development, John Deere Construction & Forestry.

USNR Acquires Söderhamn Eriksson

USNR announced that it has acquired Söderhamn Eriksson and all of its subsidiaries from Cellwoodgruppen AB. Even before this acquisition, USNR was the world’s largest supplier of equipment and technologies for the sawmill industry, and the addition

of Söderhamn Eriksson further cements USNR’s leadership position. George Van Hoomissen, president and CEO of USNR, commented that he was very interested in the opportunity to acquire Söderhamn Eriksson because he felt that Söderhamn Eriksson’s strong market position in Europe would complement USNR’s strong position in North America, and that both companies’ positions would be strengthened as a result of the combination in South America, Australia/New Zealand, Russia, and Asia. www.usnr.com

Leavitt Machinery Named Dealer for Pettibone/Traverse Lift

Pettibone/Traverse Lift, LLC announces the addition of Leavitt Machinery to its dealer network for all material handling product lines. Leavitt will carry Pettibone equipment at its locations in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia in Canada, and Washington in the U.S. Leavitt Machinery’s full-service branches provide cost-effective new and used equipment sales, emergency repairs and planned maintenance, long- and short-term equipment rentals, operator safety training and extensive parts support. The company’s primary emphasis with Pettibone will be promoting the Cary-Lift product line for pipe handling in oil and gas applications, as well as for tire handling in mines and quarries.

Peterson Awards Barry Equipment Dealer of the Year

Peterson Pacific, of Eugene, Ore., announced Barry Equipment Co. of Webster, Massachusetts, as their 2014 Dealer of the Year. This is the third year in a row that Barry Equipment has won the award. “Barry Equipment Co. has achieved this award three times in a row due to their

assembly of a world class sales and product support team. Their support after the sale is unsurpassed within our industry, and Barry’s dedication, focus, and vision to the Peterson product line, and the markets we serve, make them a tremendous partner and raises the bar for dealer performance,” said Brian Gray, Eastern Sales manager.

LBX Company Announces Director, Marketing and Communication

LBX Company, maker of Link-Belt excavators has announced that Rob Orlowski has joined LBX as Director of Marketing and Communication. Prior to his most recent role as Product Manager for Excavators at Komatsu America Corp., Rob spent 14 years with CNH in various sales and marketing roles in construction equipment, after sales and financial services, including Marketing Product Manager-Global Telematics, Market Intelligence Manager, and Business Development Manager. Rob is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and has a good knowledge of Mandarin. “I am very pleased to have Rob join our team as Director of Marketing and Communication. As LBX continues to grow in North America and Latin America, Rob’s leadership and broad experience in our industry make him well suited for the job,” stated LBX President and CEO Eric Sauvage. TW

Hyster Names Elite 2014 Dealer of Distinction Award Recipients

Hyster Company announced its 2014 Dealer of Distinction award recipients. This annual award recognizes the company’s most elite, top-performing dealers who have achieved the highest level of customer support and business performance. Most of the companies recognized came from the Northwest. Congrats! Hyster Dealer: Dealer Principal: Arnold Machinery Company – AZ Kayden Bell Arnold Machinery Company – CO Kirk Reese Arnold Machinery Company – UT Mike Brown Papé Material Handling, Inc. – Central Wash. Chris Wetle Papé Material Handling, Inc. – Eugene Brian Harris Papé Material Handling, Inc. – Fremont Rick Bray Papé Material Handling, Inc. – Fresno Randy Hall Papé Material Handling, Inc. – Portland Paul Jensen Papé Material Handling, Inc. – Sacramento Chris Blythe Papé Material Handling, Inc. – Seattle Dave Pickard Papé Material Handling, Inc. – Spokane Ken Pollard Circle Reader Service Card 120 30

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Firewood processing Equipment Bell’s Machining, Welding & Hydraulics

Bell’s Firewood Processors are ruggedly built, easy to use, and productive processors. All firewood processors come with a one-year parts and labor warranty that can be performed by a capable local professional. Each machine is portable and easy to transport. With an aggressive tooth on the in-feed conveyor, almost nothing will stop a log from progressing to the saw. The live deck is raised substantially, meaning logs will enter the in-feed trough with ease, eliminating log pile-ups and the necessity of a cant hook. An adjustable hydraulic log stop gives perfect length to the wood every time. Hydraulically adjustable 4, 6, and 8-way splitting wedges are available to ensure uniform blocks every time. Conveyors come in standard 24 ft and 32 ft lengths. A 14 ft attached conveyor option makes transporting the processor even easier. www. bellsmachining.com

Blockbuster Inc.

For the last 28 years, Blockbuster Inc. has manufactured firewood processors. Currently offering eight different sizes with a variety of specifications, Blockbuster. can customize your machine to help fit your particular needs. Blockbuster builds firewood processors, elevators, cut-to-length machines, and log maximizers. These machines are offered as portable, stationary, diesel, gas, or, electric and with right or left hand variations. Disability customizing is also available. Blockbuster equipment is manufactured in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and shipped anywhere in the world. All Blockbuster firewood processors are dependable, portable, and low-maintenance. www. blockbuster-inc.com

Cord Master International

The Cord King firewood processor has been in production since 1978. Cord Master manufactures eight different sizes ranging in price from $30K-$140K to fit the budgets of most firewood producers. Cord Master has equipment in Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden, England, France, and South America. Simplicity of design is a hallmark of their machines. “Off the shelf ” components ensure availability of spare and replacement parts at competitive prices. The Cord King Compact will maximize your productivity by providing the means to produce more than 9000 full cords in a standard working year (220 days). The Cord King’s unique design allows for accurate cutting and splitting of wood with a cycle time of 2-4 seconds and a production rate up to ten full cords of firewood 32

TimberWest May/June 2015 www.forestnet.com

per hour. With many different splitting configurations available, the customer can choose the splitter blade that will produce the desired product. . Properly maintained and operated, Cord King firewood processors will provide years of reliable service. All machines are covered by a one-year bumper-to-bumper comprehensive warranty, a two-three year engine warranty, and Cord King’s exclusive lifetime splitter chamber warranty for the original purchaser. www.cord-master.com

Dunlap Enterprises

Dunlap Enterprises offers firewood processing equipment and handles equipment from Bells, Brute Force, Dyna, Halverson, HudSon, Range Road, Tajfun, and many more. With over 35 years of experience processing firewood, Dunlap Enterprises can provide expert advice for a successful business.

Faver Inc.

The new F137-STS Commercial Firewood Log Splitter debuted on September 20, 2013. It is one of the most advanced, productive, and pleasurable firewood splitters to run. With a host of industry leading features, the F137-STS comes standard with all new STS technology. STS (Safety Turbo Splitting) technology is a two-step splitting system designed to increase operator safety by encouraging the operator to remove both hands from the wood to achieve higher production. The first splitting control lever works like most log splitters. Pull the lever out for stroke and push it for retract. The first lever works at a slower ram speed. The second lever (two levers on models equipped with Auto cycle) increases the splitting speed. However, the faster splitting speed lever(s) can only be activated in the outstroke if the slower speed lever is being held simultaneously. The return stroke does not require both levers to be held for quick return. The slower speed helps minimize the risk of the operator accidentally putting a hand in harm’s way while securing the wood between the wedge and ram. Once the wood is caught, the system encourages the operator to remove both hands by requiring them to pull two levers to achieve a faster splitting cycle time. www.faverinc.com

TechReview Hahn Machinery Inc.

A pioneer in the development of timber processing equipment for more than 40 years, Hahn Machinery Inc. continues the tradition with its line of innovative firewood processing attachments for skid steer loaders, compact track and wheel loaders, and smaller excavators. When installed on a suitably equipped carrier, the HFP160 Firewood Pro and the new HFP150 Compact can pick a log up off the deck, cut the log into firewood blocks, and split those blocks into 4, 6, or 8 pieces with all functions being performed by one person from the comfort and safety of the loader’s cab. The finished wood can be piled on the ground or deposited into a truck or trailer, minimizing handling. The HFP series processors are designed with a “universal quickattach” mount and coupling up to the loader so firewood can be cut in minutes, with no crews to assemble and no set-up time. Just hop into the cab and go to work. The HFP Firewood Pros are simple, rugged machines that deliver a long service life and exceptional availability. They feature a hydraulic chainsaw with an efficient piston motor running .404 pitch, 18HX Harvester chain, and .080 ga Harvester bar. The splitting system uses an automatic “regeneration” circuit to ensure fast cycle

times while retaining high splitting forces. The hydraulic requirements call for an auxiliary hydraulic flow of 20 gpm and an operating pressure of 2850 psi. www.hahnmachinery.com

Palax Firewood Processors from Hakmet

With over 10 models to choose from, the Palax firewood processors are available in both chain saw and circular saw configurations for processing wood up to 17” diameter. These processors can produce one to three cords per hour depending on model and setup. The machines are PTO driven and some come with a three-point hitch. PTO power packs are available for some models, or they can be mounted to the owner’s motor. Depending on the model, adjust the length of the log from 10” to 22” and split the wood up to 12ways with up to 35,000 pounds of force. The units have a high-speed valve, sealed bearings, rear swingable 14’ conveyor with chains, and scrapers. A joystick-controlled unit is available. Some models come with a power booster to speed the splitting process. Larger units have live log decks with chains and rollers to speed up the processing time. The units fold up for transportation. These professionally-built processors are easy to use and service. Large and small packing solutions are available. www.hakmet.com

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TechReview Multitek

The Multitek Pro Model 1620 SS Firewood Processor has many features that are well suited for the firewood producer. A 30-strand hydraulic folding live deck processes logs up to 20 feet in length. This model is professionally engineered for maximum performance and low maintenance. With a 4.5-second cycle time, this machine will efficiently cut and split hardwood logs into saleable firewood. The circular saw option is 20 percent faster than comparable bar and chain machines with significantly less maintenance. The 1620 SS is professionally engineered to be the most efficient, safest, and operator-friendly mid-size machine available on the market. The circular saw requires no oil or lubrication, sharpening, or other daily maintenance, and this machine is praised for its portability, versatility, low operating costs, and high rate of productivity.

The ergonomic operator station with twin joysticks makes operation simple. The splitter features an auto retract, allowing the operator to cut and split at the same time. The innovative patent pending guillotine cutting system provides a safer, more controlled cut than comparable machines. Scheduled maintenance is not required until approximately 500 cords of wood have been cut, and saw teeth are easily replaceable with the saw on the machine. The 40” saw blade turns at 1400 RPM and allows the operator to cut and split at the same time. The 44 hp turbo charged diesel optimizes operator productivity and maximizes throughput. Threestrand hydraulic log deck is rugged and utilizes Multitek’s log flippers to aid the log entering the trough. Available with 4, 6 or 8-way hydraulic adjustable wedges. www.multitekinc.com

This machine can be towed to the site with an ATV or easily towed behind a pick-up truck using the optional highway wheel package with lights and 2” ball. www.woodbeaver.net

Tajfun USA Inc.

The RCA 400 Joy is Tajfun’s flagship firewood processor. It has all the basic machine functions such as log feeding, clamping, cutting, and splitting, and the splitting wedge height adjustment is controlled via a single joystick. Power to the cutting chain is clutch controlled

allowing for stopping the blade between cuts, which saves on chain slash/bar wear and chain lube. An oil cooler on the self contained hydraulic system ensures reliability during sustained operation. The length of the log cut is eight to 20 inches, and the log diameter is four to15 ½ inches. The chain bar is an Oregon 17-inch with Oregon 3/8-inch MULTICUT. www.tajfun.com

Timberwolf Manufacturing Corp.

The Timberwolf TW-PRO MP XL firewood processor weighs in at 5,750 lbs. and features a powerful 45 hp Mitsubishi Power Plant. The TWPRO MP XL’s 22-22-8 gpm three-part hydraulic pump runs all processing functions, with the ability to hydraulically operate an attached conveyor. This firewood processor can handle logs up to 22 inches in diameter and 14 feet long, rendering salable firewood within an impressive 4.5 second cycle time.

Resource Recovery Systems Inc. (Wood Beaver)

The “LIL Beaver” Firewood Processor is the most economical and perfect machine for getting a firewood business off the ground. The new LIL Beaver 13 Firewood Processor handles 13” logs, but don’t let that size fool you—this is a commercial grade machine on a

smaller log platform. The standard Subaru 14 hp has plenty of power. A log lift and shuttle table are standard. Highly mobile and designed with the homeowner, farmer, or contract firewood producer in mind, this one-operator machine will quickly and efficiently cut and split logs up to 16” in diameter and 12’ long at a rate of up to a full cord-plus per hour. It features a 3 ½” bore and 2 ½” rod specifically designed and engineered; a welded hydraulic cylinder with a 24” stroke for “fast splitting”; hydraulic saw, and 2/4-way adjustable wedge. 34

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With a number of timesaving functions such as the simply deployed and retracted live deck, which features a hydraulic winch as standard equipment, it can be equipped with a hydraulic piston for faster setup and takedown. Once loaded onto the live deck, logs progress via the PRO-MP XL’s chain-run, 10 ft long feed trough to the patented Top Roll Clamping System, which applies an even, automatic pressure to hold logs firmly while allowing knots and irregularities to pass smoothly through. The 25-inch hydraulic chain saw utilizing a .404 chain gauge cleanly feathers through passing clamped logs and drops them into the log carriage. The 4” diameter splitter cylinder makes short work of the remaining pieces. The TW-PRO MP XL is equipped with electric auto cycle for push button efficiency in regulating splitting cycles, and a hydraulic oil cooler to maintain an even operating temperature for hydraulic fluid in warmer months. Maximum hydraulic oil capacity is 40 gallons. www.timberwolfcorp.com TW

Doosan DX140W-5 & DX190W-5

Doosan expanded its Tier 4 excavator lineup with two new wheel models—the DX140W-5 and DX190W-5 — for applications that require an excavator with rubber tires. The “dash-5” excavators replace the “dash-3” (interim Tier 4) models. In addition to a Tier 4 diesel engine, these models feature improved fuel efficiency from a new Smart Power Control (SPC) selectable engine mode and multiple product enhancements. The 132-net-horsepower DX140W-5 and 168-net-horsepower DX190W-5 wheel excavators feature rubber tires, making them a popular choice for customers who regularly drive on finished concrete or asphalt surfaces. doosanequipment.com.

Tigercat Releases the 1085B Forwarder and New Low-Wide Boom and Hooked Crain for the 1075B and 1085B Forwarders

With the new 25-tonne-capacity 1085B, Tigercat enters a new forwarder class. The 1085B stands alone as the only 25-tonnecapacity forwarder offered worldwide by a major industry player. The 1085B excels in severe duty applications such as long distance forwarding and is especially well matched to steep slopes. The

1085B is equipped with Tigercat’s unique WideRange transmission, innovative low-wide bunk system, and hooked crane. The new low-wide bunk system combined with the reshaped F195T85 hooked crane provides many benefits for Tigercat’s forwarders. The extendable bunks are angled to reduce overall gate height and eliminate the need for a vertically sliding gate. The lowwide bunk system allows for easier crane operation and decreases loading and unloading cycle times. Also, in combination with the hooked crane, the low-wide bunk system significantly reduces the chance of contact with the gate or bunk stakes. www.tigercat.com

Waratah FL-85 Series 2

The New Waratah FL-85 Series 2 felling head gives increased durability with a heavier frame, includes a larger saw box design and improved heavy duty guarding protection. The Series 2 features full 360 continuous rotation, a unique hydraulic link-brake for improved control, and a strong upper–boom link system that provides simple installation on log loaders, excavators, and feller bunchers. Weighing 3844 lbs., you can even toss in a heal rack. New larger ¾ saw unit with auto tensioning provides a single pass cut capacity of 37 inches. Picking, sorting, or piling. Perfect to harvest steep slope timber. Fewer cuts on larger timber and minimizing the need for manual hand falling make the new FL-85 Series-2 a go-to attachment. www.waratah.net

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Intercomp CS1500™ LED Crane Scale

Intercomp announces the launch of their new and improved CS1500™ LED Crane Scale. With capacities ranging from 500 lbs to 20,000 lbs, this NTEP-certified scale now comes standard with an enlarged 1.5” five digit LED display and Intercomp’s RFX™ Wireless Weighing Technology for viewing and recording weights remotely. Along with making the display larger, battery life has also improved; increasing to an impressive 500 hours of continuous use and 9,000 hours in standby mode. This new, LED display features an adjustable brightness setting to achieve optimal visibility; it is even bright enough for use in outdoor applications. www.intercompcompany.com

The free-of-charge GoFell mobile application is available for iPhone® and Android® devices and acts as an operator’s quick reference guide, providing loggers with instant access to information about their M-Series Tracked Feller Buncher. The application boasts a number of features, including a guide to better understanding unique John Deere M-Series equipment features and tips to customize the operating experience to maximize productivity during regular operations or extreme conditions. “Whether you’re an operator, site foreman, or fleet manager, this M-Series Feller Buncher app will help make your life easier,” said Cliff Caudill, manager, Product Marketing, John Deere Construction & Forestry. www.JohnDeere.com

Wood-Mizer Releases New Line of Lumber Drying Kilns

Fecon Introduces New Power Pack

Wood-Mizer LLC has released a new line of lumber drying dehumidification kiln kits, the Wood-Mizer KD Series of kilns, ranging from 1,000 to 35,000 board feet capacities. Joining the Wood-Mizer KS50 Solar Kiln, the KD Series Dehumidification Kiln Kits feature 100 percent corrosionresistant aluminum cabinets and specially coated dehumidification coils to ensure quality performance and an extra-long life.

“The KD Series gives both entry-level and mid-size lumber operations an opportunity to maximize the value of their lumber in-house while eliminating the need to rely on outside vendors for drying lumber,” said Darryl Floyd, Wood-Mizer COO. www. woodmizer.com/kilns

John Deere GoFell Mobile Application for M-Series Feller Buncher Customers

John Deere Forestry has created the GoFell mobile application for M-Series Tracked Feller Buncher customers. The app is designed to assist operators in understanding machine controls, settings, and diagnostics to help users get the most out of their machine. 36

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Fecon Inc. introduces the BHP270 Modular Power Pack featuring Fecon’s Power Management System for maximizing performance and torque while minimizing fuel consumption. The BHP270 is designed for use on most excavators in the 20-30 ton range.

designed to pre-process stumps, commingled C & D, railroad ties, and other forms of mixed or contaminated waste. The HTS-2 shredder is available with diesel or electric power units from 400 to 630 hp, in stationary, portable, or track-mounted configurations. Seamless Integration with Rotochopper Grinders and Hammermills. It’s the answer to processing nasty, contaminated material without pre-sorting. The HTS-2 coupled with a Rotochopper horizontal grinder and hammermill can turn contaminated C&D into whatever product the local market wants. www.rotochopper. com

Komatsu Launches PC210LL-10 Log Loader

The Forest Machine Business Division of Komatsu America Corp. introduces its PC210LL-10 Log Loader, which replaces the former Tier 3 PC200LL-8 model. Featuring a more environmentally friendly engine that increases horsepower by 7% and lowers fuel consumption by 10%, the Komatsu engine in the PC210LL-10 is EPA Tier 4 Interim certified. The modular aspect of the BHP270 overcomes custom engineering of the power pack and dramatically shortens lead times so the installer can begin work more quickly. Where industry lead times for power packs had run 6-8 weeks or more, the modular design of the BHP270 allows Fecon or its dealers to have units in stock for immediate shipment. Fecon’s BHP270 comes with a Cummins QSB 6.7 260 hp engine, 105gpm hydraulic flow, swing out hydraulic oil cooler, reversing cooling fan, and an 84 gal. fuel tank to work a full eight-hour day or more between re-fueling. www.fecon.com

Rotochopper Launches Slow Speed Shredder Line

Rotochopper is launching a new line of industrial slow-speed shredders. The first model in this new line, the HTS-2, made its debut at Waste Expo in Las Vegas. The HTS-2 is an aggressive dual shaft shredder

This PC210LL-10 has a flywheel horsepower of 158 HP and weighs 65,118 pounds in road builder configuration. It’s also available in log loader and processor head carrier configurations. The PC210LL-10 is equipped with the KOMTRAX® 4.0 technology, which wirelessly sends machine operating information to a secure website. Data such as operating hours, location, cautions, fuel consumption, and maintenance alerts are relayed for analysis. www.komatsuforest.us TW

CLASSIFIED AD INDEX

CALENDAR

PG COMPANY RS# 30........ AGRI-TOOLS SUPPLY............................120 9.......... BANDIT INDUSTRIES / BEJAC...............103 33........ Cascade Trader / Doosan...............122 23........ CATERPILLAR.......................................113 21........ CLEANFIX NA........................................112 14........ FEENAUGHTY Machinery / DOOSAN...106 25........ FLEXXAIRE.......................................... 116 24........ HANGZHOU QUIRI TOOLS......................114 26........ JEWELL................................................117 27........ JOHN DEERE........................................118 15........ JORAL / loggingencoders...............108 5.......... LBX / TRIAD / BEJAC............................102 29........ LOG MAX..............................................119 16........ OLOFSFORS.........................................109 17........ PAPE MACHINERY.................................110 19........ PETERSON...........................................111 13........ PIERCE PACIFIC MFG............................105 10-11... PONSSE north america....................104 15........ QUADCO usa.......................................107 2.......... ROTOCHOPPER....................................101 31........ T-MAR EQUIPMENT..............................121 40........ TIGERCAT.............................................125 24........ WALLINGFORDS...................................115 39........ WARATAH.............................................124 35........ WAY MACHINE......................................123

June 25-27 57th Annual Libby Logger Days, Libby, MT 406-293-1074, www.loggerdays.org

2015 NORTHWEST MILL MAP ALLIED SYSTEMS / WAGNER BEJAC CORPORATION CLEANFIX NA KOMATSU AMERICA L.G. ISAACSON CO. LEAVITT EQUIPMENT LOG MAX PETERSON PONSSE North America RAWLINGS WASTE WOOD HOGS

June 27-28 Buckley Log Show, Buckley, WA 360-829-0474, www.buckleylogshow.com July 2-5 Annual Logger Rodeo, Sedro-Woolley, WA 360-770-8452, www.loggerodeo.com July 17 South Fork Loggers Day Festival, South Fork, CO 800-571-0881, www.southfork.org July 17-18 Darby Logger Days, Darby MT www.darbyloggerdays.com July 19-22 Council on Forest Engineering Annual Meeting, Lexington, KY 240-382-2633, www.cofe.org July 28-30 Pellet Fuels Institute Annual Conference, Asheville, NC 703-522-6778, www.pelletheat.org August 6-9 73rd Annual Morton Loggers Jubilee, Morton WA 360-496-6362, www.loggersjubilee.com August 8-12 Int. Society of Arboriculture Annual Conference & Trade Show, Orlando, FL 217-355-9411, www.isa-arbor.com August 14-16 New York State Woodsmen’s Field Days, Boonville, NY 315-942-4593, www.starinfo.com/woodsmen

100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116

134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150

117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133

151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167

MAY/JUNE 2015

www.forestnet.com May/June 2015 TimberWest

guest columnist

Wildfires, Who is to blame? By Bruce Ward

Bruce Ward and his family live just southwest of Denver in the “wilderness urban interface”. They have had a firsthand look at the devastation of forest fires.

hy are we suffering such

yearly fire catastrophes? Is this just the cost of living with trees? Can this trend not be extinguished? Is this inevitable, the truth behind Smokey the Bear’s ringing accusation, “Only YOU can prevent Forest Fires!” Is there anything else we can do? Can future fires like this be prevented or only fought after the fact? The Good News? We may well be able to reduce or prevent future fires by promoting forest health and youth. The Bad News? We may have to give up the easy answers of either blaming one person for “setting” each fire, or saying that there is nothing we can do to prevent these fires. Understanding the underlying cause and addressing it gives us the ability to stop the endless cycle of tragic yearly fires.

Move Away from Fiction

We need to drop the fiction that trees are not living things; like all living things they have finite life spans. Like us when they get old, nature wants to help them go to bring in new life. This radical idea of recognizing the cycle of life means forest health is contingent on new trees—which requires us to challenge our collective belief that cutting down trees is not “environmental” or “green.” We need to see Nature’s agenda as our own and be more pro new growth. The old ethos of “Let nature take its course,” and “in 500 years the earth will have healed itself ” must be seen as flawed. We can contribute to Nature’s health, the health of the forest, and in so doing, our own health too.

Roots in the West

The problem has roots from when the West was being settled and clear cutting was considered expedient, but wasteful, and we were more focused on creating a civilized west even if we disrupted the natural environment and the natural cycle of fire burning old trees to keep the forest young 38

TimberWest May/June 2015 www.forestnet.com

and healthy. The unintended consequences of that fear of fire and of endless fire suppression are now manifesting themselves in these massive forest fires as Nature works to keep the circle of life turning. Native Americans, who understood the value of “controlled burns,” commonly set fires every Spring knowing it kept the trees and animals younger and stronger, and fire was a tool used extensively prior to the white man’s encroachment and restrictions.

economies, and most importantly bring our environment back into balance, introduce health and youth into our forests as we reduce the density of forests back to the preColumbian norm. When I was first asked by Undersecretary of Agriculture Harris Sherman to help increase the public’s awareness of the mountain pine beetle epidemic and help engage the private sector to create solutions to deal with millions of acres of pine trees dying and turning brown—our own “Katrina of the West”, local stakeholders shared with me the problem of geriatric forests and explained to me the complexity of our problem and the unprecedented magnitude of the epidemic we have created.

Finding New answers

The well documented excesses of tree harvesting without environmental limits in the 19th and 20th Centuries created a culture that reacted by believing that cutting any tree was sacrilege, using products made from trees wasteful, those who cut trees uneducated, and that tree killers should feel guilty about their role in hastening the destruction of our planet.

We’re Wiser Now

But we are wiser than that now. We know many pine trees in nature would have life spans not much longer than the longest living human, yet we protect geriatric trees whose very nature is turning them toward fire and replacement as though they could last forever with our help. This is wrong. Now that we can see the effects all around us as nature pushes to return to a balance allowing new trees to replace the old, the time has come to dispel that well intentioned but wrong environmentalist mantra that forbids “killing trees” and realize that interfering with nature is what creates the problem. Now is the time to embrace a new environmentalist culture that embraces planting new trees, that enjoys wood products from local sources because they come from renewable resources, provide jobs to rural

Turning to those working to solve the ongoing beetle kill catastrophe, I found caring citizens who were using and encouraging the use of “Rocky Mountain Blue Stain” wood; a community throughout the west of environmentalists, lumbermen, builders, lumber yards, pellet mills, furniture makers all working together to take our blue wood and turn it into products that would help the forest heal. But even these efforts struggle against the mistaken belief that using wood is bad. This is just the first of many steps to use wood as part of a pro-environmental effort to heal our forests and make them young and healthy again. With careful effort, we can harvest the wood, use this gift, and make these living wooden lungs pull more carbon from the air, leave more oxygen, and make our world safer and greener and healthier. They encouraged me to join their longstanding efforts to tell the story of aging trees, dead trees waiting to be used—of too much wood waiting for us to use it to build a better world, and the dire consequences inevitably waiting if we didn’t educate the public’s mind about the wisdom of using wood for all the right environmental reasons. The time is now to change decades of outmoded public perception that the only good forestry goal is to let our forests age, and how sustainable forestry is married to utilizing wood products in order to plant and grow new trees. Bruce Ward, Founder and President of Choose Outdoors. TW

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PROVEN PERFORMANCE

Tigercat feller bunchers outperform in the most demanding steep slope applications. The unique geometry of Tigercat’s levelling system provides the balance and stability that experienced buncher operators crave. Add to that powerful lifting force, swing torque and tractive effort. The result is a proven performer in the toughest terrain and lowest cost per ton felling in challenging Pacific northwest conditions.

519.753.2000

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