LATEST NEWS
John Deere Tackles Steep Slopes with New FL100 Felling Head
MOLINE, Ill. (Feb. 28, 2020) – With the continued growth of the steep slope market and the movement from manual felling in mind, John Deere announces its new large-class directional felling head, the FL100. The FL100 model provides customers with a larger, more durable directional felling head solution.
“Our customers are continuing to tackle more challenging terrain, and we want to provide reliable, durable equipment that is designed to meet their unique needs. As they seek purpose-built equipment for their operations, the FL100 will allow them to efficiently and safely fell in both unique steep slopes and traditional felling applications,” said Jim O’Halloran, product marketing manager for John Deere Tracked Harvesters and Feller Bunchers.
The robust, durable design of the new FL100 makes it ideal for steep slope, shoveling, and traditional felling applications. Featuring increased grip strength, grapple capacity and shoveling performance, the FL100’s grapple arm effectively handles both small and extra-large timber. The increased durability of the FL100 reduces potential downtime in tough conditions, while allowing excellent access to maintenance and service points.
Factory installed on the new John Deere 959ML Shovel Logger/Directional Feller, the FL100 offers the ideal solution for felling and maneuvering timber in steep slope applications. To learn more about the FL100 Felling Head, as well as the full line of John Deere Forestry equipment, visit a local John Deere Forestry dealer or www.johndeere.com.
About Deere & Company Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land - those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world's dramatically increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure. Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at www.JohnDeere.com.
Updates Improve Comfort on the John Deere Knuckleboom Loaders
MOLINE, Ill. (Feb. 14, 2020) — New for 2020, John Deere updates its E-Series knuckleboom loaders with new features designed to boost operator comfort. Driven by customer feedback, the 337E and 437E models incorporate a redesigned operator station that is built to reduce noise and heat within the cab, while also including several options that increase comfort throughout the day. The new features, which build upon the fuel efficiency improvements introduced in 2019, provide customers with efficient, comfortable solutions for the loaders’ operation. “Since the introduction of the E-Series machines, we continued to speak with customers and collect their feedback so we can ensure our machines meet their needs,” said Brandon O’Neal, product marketing manager, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “Customers are concerned with comfort and fuel costs, especially as they manage labor challenges and tightening budgets. With the improvements we have made over the last two years, we are able to provide our customers with immediate solutions for their business.” One of the most notable changes on the updated E-Series machines is the removal of the rear and left back windows, reducing the heat load inside the cab and improving operator comfort. Additionally, the removal of the rear window helps to lower noise levels in the cab. Each cab can be equipped with several comfort-boosting options, such as a heated, ventilated seat; a premium radio package, including Bluetooth; a cell phone holder with power supply; or an in-cab storage cooler. Three lighting packages are available to help provide visibility in low-light conditions. To learn more about the John Deere E-Series knuckleboom loaders, visit www.JohnDeere.com or see your local dealer for more details. About Deere & Company Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land - those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world's dramatically increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure. Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at www.JohnDeere.com.
Tigercat Harvesting Head Product Line Expands
Tigercat continues to expand its range of harvesting heads with the new 568, a robust, productive four-wheel drive harvesting head for roadside processing.
The new Tigercat 568 harvesting head offers excellent productivity and reliability. Optimized harvester head hydraulics maximize performance and efficiency, while robust, high quality components provide long term reliability. Large diameter hoses and large capacity valves provide ample strength to match the greater hydraulic flow and power of Tigercat carriers.
For the full news release and a high resolution image visit: https://www.tigercat.com/568/
2020 Peterbilt ALC Member Discount
Peterbilt is pleased to offer the American Loggers Council (ALC) the following rebate incentive:
Program Details:
Members receive a $2,000 CASH rebate on Models 567, 367, or 365.
Limited to three (3) rebates per member for calendar year 2020.
ALC members must be in good standing for at least 90 days prior to taking retail delivery.
ALC members must take retail delivery between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Retail delivery is defined as the time the ownership of the truck is transferred from the Peterbilt dealer to the customer.
Other Details:
Request for customer rebate incentives must be received by ALC within 90 days of taking retail delivery.
Allow 6 to 8 weeks for check to process.
This program may not be combined with any other rebate offers from Peterbilt.
2020 Western Star Rebate for ALC Members
Western Star is proud to support and extend the association rebate for members of the American Loggers Council (ALC) and its affiliates. Dealers can apply the rebate to the truck purchase or process a direct rebate to the customer. ALC Members may qualify for a rebate when they purchase a brand new Western Star 4900 logging service truck; the leading brand in the logging industry. Members can now enjoy the power and versatility of a Western Star truck, which have been manufactured for higher payloads, better maneuverability, serviceability, and equally important, durability and dependability. Western Star Trucks reserves the right to terminate this program at any time without notice. Transactions submitted and approved for this offer are subject to audit at any time. Western Star reserves the right to charge back any incentives provided if found that the transaction does not fully meet the program requirements.
Rebate amount is based on truck model and configuration: $3,000 for 4900 model with vehicle service code of A85-012, logging service truck Requirements: Valid only on vehicle service data code of A85-012, logging service truck. Valid only on StarQuote pricing. Not valid with stock truck concession or other program incentive claims. Verification of membership or affiliation status with ALC. Association membership must be valid for at least 90 days prior to retail sold date. Trucks must be new and never been retail sold regardless of model year or mileage. Maximum of five (5) trucks per customer/company in a calendar year. Rebate claim must be processed within 30 days of retail sale date. No gliders or used trucks are eligible. Only one association rebate can be applied per claim per truck.
Safe Routes Legislation for Log Trucks
H.R. 2453 allows log trucks to utilize federal interstates for short-haul trips. Click here to urge your federal representatives to support this important measure!
May 2, 2019, Hemphill, TX— The American Loggers Council (ALC) today applauded the introduction of the bipartisan Safe Routes Act of 2019 (H.R. 2453) allowing log trucks to utilize federal interstates for short-haul trips. The legislation was announced today by U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI); other original sponsors include U.S. Representatives Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Jared Golden (D-ME) and Jim Sensebrenner (R-WI).
The ALC along with its partners have advocated “Safe Routes” legislation to allow the industry’s trucks to haul state legal weight tolerances on the Federal Interstate Highway System, which often provide safer routes to mills. Due to inconsistent truck weights in many regions throughout the country, trucks hauling logs to mills are often forced to use city, county and state roads, where more than 96 percent of log truck collisions occurred, according to a study.
“Preventing fatal log truck collisions is a high priority in our industry and our communities,” said ALC Executive Vice President Daniel Dructor. “One proven solution is to give log trucks the option of using federal interstates on short hauls, where they can be routed away from schools, crosswalks, city intersections, railroad tracks, and other challenges. A few individual states have received exemptions that lifted federal truck weight limits on interstates, and in each case it resulted in fewer collisions, reduced driver fatigue and improved equipment safety.”
Dructor says improving log truck safety will help in the recruitment of new operators to replace an aging workforce, and with few insurance carriers willing to write policies for log trucks, the Safe Routes Act may help reduce those costs as well. The legislation only applies to short hauls typically within a 150-mile radius, and does not apply to long hauls.
“The ALC would like to thank the Democratic and Republican members who are supporting this bill as original co-sponsors, including Congressman Mike Gallagher for being its first champion in the 116th Congress,” Dructor said. “We also thank our partners, including the Forest Resources Association, and our members for educating their federal representatives and staff on this important safety issue. We’ll continue to work across the aisle, in the both the House and Senate, until this safety solution reaches the president’s desk.”
CONTACT: Daniel Dructor, 409-625-0206, americanlogger@aol.com
Loggers Helping Loggers
The American Loggers Council is described as “loggers working for loggers.” The forest products industry is very broad and diverse in our country, ranging from forest land owners to manufacturers to forest land owners. The ALC works to promote and strengthen the whole industry. However at the end of the day, we are the only organization that focuses on supporting the needs and interests of professional timber harvesters. As loggers, we must stand up, speak out and support each other, because nobody else will.
“Loggers working for loggers” is a constant theme of our “As We See It” columns not only because it defines who we are, but how we as loggers can be most effective. The strength of our organizations is our members- our 30 state and regional logging association members and our individual members. The ALC is at its best when everyone works as a well-oiled machine to achieve a shared goal, whether it’s passing legislation, promoting professional logging standards, or improving safety for log truck operators. When one part isn’t working, the machine tends to break down. And when loggers are active at the grassroots level, there’s nothing that we can’t accomplish.
I was reminded of this in June, when individual loggers and log truck drivers organized themselves as “Timber Unity” at the end of the Oregon legislative session. Concerned about proposed “cap and trade” legislation, these individuals got together on Facebook and put together demonstrations at the State Capitol unlike anyone in Salem had ever seen. Its third demonstration, consisting of hundreds of log trucks, attracted thousands of people in the timber industry to make their voices heard. Timber Unity was successful in helping to defeat this harmful legislation, which as a top priority of the state’s governor and legislative leaders.
These loggers and log truck drivers didn’t show up because they were called upon by the Associated Oregon Loggers (AOL), our member association representing over a thousand logging companies. They showed up because they got informed-- thanks to AOL’s efforts to educate them--about how this legislation would affect them, and were passionate enough to put their work and businesses aside to go to the Capitol and make a difference. It is an example of how our industry is stronger when an association, with its professional staff and lobby team, is supplemented by an organic and truly-authentic grassroots effort of people supporting each other.
The ALC was launched 25 years ago when a group of loggers decided we needed a strong, consistent presence in order to impact issues on a national level. As a trade association, we are stronger than ever. But an association itself cannot solve all the problems facing an industry. It requires commitment by individuals to get educated and to take the time to contact their legislators, attend the meetings and ultimately influence the decisions.