Equipment & Supplier News

Carolina Log’n Demo attracted more than 800 visitors to the North Carolina State Fairgrounds for the 16th rendition. Due to economic conditions, the Demo was a static show but there was plenty of equipment on display.

“We received a lot of positive feedback on the setup and location of this year’s show,” explained Roger Pyle, NCFA’s Director of Safety, Logging and Transportation.

One of the highlights of the Demo was Forestry Mutual’s Loggers Challenge, which brings timber cutters from across the Southeast to compete in a one-day tournament. Keeping with tradition, the Loggers Challenge was a hotly contested event.

Castleberry High by David Abbott

Author Mario Puzo has described his novel, The Godfather, as a story about a king and his sons, the princes who would one day inherit the throne. It wouldn’t be a big stretch to see the story of Castleberry Logging, Inc. (CLI) in similar terms. Company founder and president Ezell Castleberry, 66, a well-known and highly regarded performer in chipping and grinding circles, has established himself as a kind of godfather figure to younger loggers interested in following in his wide path. Setting him and his business apart are his innovative thinking, attention to detail, sharp analytical skills, high production, dedication to high standards and industry activism and leadership. Castleberry promotes the industry he loves with conviction and integrity.

For all these reasons and more, the Castleberry family business, which includes sons Jeff and John and wife Earline, is Timber Harvesting’s Logging Business of the Year for 2009.

Good Timing by Jennifer McCary

Adusting of snow covered the landscape when Timber Harvesting visited the job site of Irish Logging on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest in western Maine. The drive up provided breathtaking views of scenic lakes and valleys along the northernmost point of the 2,169 mile Appalachian Trail that ends at Mount Katahdin in Maine.

“Weather affects us more than anything here,” remarks owner Andy Irish, 52. Terrain is steep, rough and rocky, but the ground is soft and quickly turns to muck with a heavy rain. It really hampers skidder productivity, the first generation logger explains. That is why brush is routinely spread on skid trails even in good weather. “Even on a good site, you can be going along and everything is good, then you get one of those three or four inch rains. All of a sudden you’re a half mile from the landing and if you haven’t put brush on the trail, you have hard time using the trail. It really slows you down.”

Guest Lines by Richard Shaw

Sometimes rumors take on a life of their own. This was demonstrated in a recent article in Timber Harvesting & Wood Fiber Operations that alleged that International Paper (IP) is opposed to using biomass from federal lands for renewable energy, and furthermore, that IP worked behind the scenes with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to exclude biomass from federal lands in the definition of renewable biomass. The allegations in that article couldn’t have been more incorrect, and we appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight with an audience that includes our respected suppliers, colleagues and long-time friends.

Item: IP supports including biomass from federal lands in the renewable biomass definition. In fact, IP has strongly advocated for a biomass definition that includes both private and public lands.

Making the Best of It

Mark Anderson of MVA Enterprises earns his living in the heart of the expansive hardwood forests of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. At 54, he and his sons rely on the company’s reputation and relationships to help keep MVA own crews and subcontractor crews busy.

He admits there is no way to sugar the pill in this economic environment. The deep recession has made it very tough going in his corner of the world. “This is probably the toughest market I’ve seen in my 29 years of logging. We’re happy to be running from day-to-day. Right now, we are very fortunate to be cutting on Plum Creek land.” In August MVA was cutting on 300-plus acres located close to his home base in Felch. The Plum Creek job, located near his home, is unusual in that it is a clear-cut that will keep his company busy well into the fall.

Q & A with Michael J. Mack, Jr.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Michael J. Mack, Jr. was named President, Worldwide Construction & Forestry Div. for John Deere in June 2009. Mack began his career at John Deere’s Des Moines Works as a summer intern engineer and has held positions in Treasury while living in Europe. He has held assignments elsewhere in dealer systems, business development, engineering, purchasing, manufacturing and marketing. Prior to returning to the Finance Division as Vice President and Treasurer in 2004, he served as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Administration for the company’s Worldwide Commercial & Consumer Equipment Div. He was named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Deere & Company in January 2006.

Mack is a graduate of Iowa State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering, and is a registered professional engineer. He holds a master’s degree in business administration in finance, operations and statistics from the University of Chicago.

New Products & Technologies

Tigercat has replaced its 630C with the new 630D, an advanced, high capacity model. The new D-series skidders are the most efficient, high production and operator friendly ever produced by Tigercat. While the 630C was equipped with an 8.3 L engine, the D-series is powered by the 260 HP Cummins QSB6.7 Tier III. Improvements to the hydrostatic drive line enable the 630D to get improved performance and superior fuel economy out of the smaller displacement engine. A variable/reversible pitch Flexxaire engine mounted fan further contributes to energy efficiency by automatically matching the fan blade pitch to cooling requirements.

Inside the cab, the 630D is equipped with the Turnaround rotating seat which has a two-position mechanical lock providing full rear-facing drive capability. The steering wheel has been replaced with an armrest mounted joystick for improved ergonomics. Drive pedals are located at both the front and rear of the cab. Combined with Tigercat’s hydrostatic dr

Developments, Meetings

Forest Resources Assn.’s Southcentral Region and Stihl Inc. recognized Greg Williams Logging of Saline, La. as the region’s 2009 Outstanding Logger. Owner Greg Williams received a wooden crosscut saw plaque from FRA President Richard Lewis and a Stihl MS 460 chain saw and a $250 check (courtesy of Stihl) in a ceremony at the Louisiana Forestry Assn.’s annual meeting in Baton Rouge on August 26.

One of the things that impressed the FRA selection team during its visit to Williams’ operation was his business management skills. He keeps accurate records that closely track the cost and performance of all aspects of his equipment and his operation. In fact, when Southern Logging Times featured Williams on the cover of its April 2008 magazine, the headline read: “Greg Williams: Eye for Numbers.”

True Companions by Jennifer McCary

This magazine devotes considerable ink to logging and other wood fiber operations bosses and their employees and often mentions the “other” member of the team—the woman in the background. To be fair, at least half or more of the interviewees I visit are quick to give credit to their wives, especially if their spouse shoulders most of the office load.

Earline Castleberry, co-owner of Castleberry Logging, Inc., Timber Harvesting’s 2009 Logging Business of the Year, is no exception. She is, in the words of husband Ezell, the “backbone of the business.” This is an appropriate analogy since her work involves the internal intricacies of maintaining a logging business. Without it no other part could function properly.

Industry News

Deere & Company plans to establish a manufacturing and parts center near Moscow, Russia. The site is expected to have the capability to manufacture a range of John Deere products, including construction and forestry products. At the same time, Deere will consolidate several depots into one site to improve parts and after-sales service to customers.

Samuel Allen, Deere President and CEO, says this is the first step to achieve the vision for Russia that Deere announced in July 2009 at the US-Russia Business Summit. This project complements Deere’s planned investment in a national operations and training center in the Kaluga region and its existing seeding equipment manufacturing facility in Orenburg.