Bandit Bits Vol. 42

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Call Factory Direct: 1-800-952-01782 BANDIT BITS / WINTER 2012

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Feature StoriesBandit Receives Grand

Welcome at Grand Hotel

Antoine Hardwoods Uses

E-Mulch to Find a new

Road of Revenue

The Steward of Snowfl ake:

Tri Star Logging

Stumping Grounds: Bigby

Tree in Astoria, OR

Bandit Customer, Local

Dealer Donate Time,

Money to Help Individuals

with Autism

Walking Tall: Michael Poor

Getting Vocal on Biomass

Bandit Debuts in

NASCAR Sprint Cup,

Camping World Series

The Secret to Success:

Tree Tech, Inc.

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Christopher Smith, Editorial [email protected]

Kimberly Hasenbank, Creative Directorkhasenbank@band i tch ippers .com

Produced by: Bandit Industries, Inc.

Reprints: Call 1-800-952-0178

T he Bandit Bits Customer Ne wsletter i s a publ icat ion of Bandit Industr ies , Inc. Bandit Industr ies reser ves the r ight to change des igns, speci f icat ions and opt ions without pr ior not ice. Al l f igures shown in technical data were current at the t ime of pr int ing. However, these can change as a resul t of fur ther product development. Written permiss ion must be obtained for the reproduct ion of any mater ia l , in whole or in par t , appear ing in this i ssue. The newsletter i s avai lable f ree of charge by request . Limited repr ints avai lable, p lease ca l l for avai labi l i t y. P lease contact Bandit Corporate Headquar ters for more information. Bandit Industr ies , Inc. i s a member of the Biomass Power Associat ion, a suppor ter of the 25 ’ x 25 Coal i t ion, and a member of the Tree Care Industr y Associat ion, the Internat ional Society of Arbor ists , and the Great Lakes T imber Producers Associat ion.

Customer Newsletter

Welcome to this same-yet-diff erent issue of Bandit Bits. Over the next few months you’ll be noticing a few changes that are designed to deliver a bit more knowledge, insight, and entertainment to your semi-regular dose of Bandit-related happenings. You’re already reading the most obvious change; starting this issue, we’ll feature regular columns from Bandit Industries President Jerry Morey, Marketing and Creative Director Kim Hasenbank, and from me, Bandit Bits Editorial Director Christopher Smith. Here’s a little background on your authors.

As president of Bandit and a true industry veteran with family ties stretching back to the pre-World War II logging world of the Pacifi c Northwest, Jerry Morey has a wealth of knowledge, interesting perspectives and fascinating stories to share. Expect to hear from him on everything from biomass to blue gill, and he might even share some secrets on his golf game while talking about chippers and grinders. He’s the president after all; he can pretty much say whatever he wants. Kim Hasenbank joined Bandit six years ago, wielding her talents in graphic arts to create just about every piece of Bandit literature you’ve seen ever since, including this very magazine. Th e Bandit ads you see in trade publications? Th at’s Kim. Direct mail pieces? Kim. Catch phrases like, “once you go track you never go back?” You guessed it—Kim. She’s also an accomplished writer, having penned many articles for Bandit Bits and other trade publications, and she’s Bandit’s leading social media guru as evidenced by her choice for an inaugural (and admittedly timely) topic for the new column. Check it out if you haven’t already. I’m the relative newcomer to the team. I was plucked in September 2010 from a career as a freelance automotive journalist. Th ere are just a few of us former auto guys fl oating around the Great Lake State, but I’m one of the fortunate ones. I went from 550-horsepower Ford GT supercars to 1200-horsepower Bandit whole tree chippers – getting my required daily horsepower fi x around Bandit HQ is not a problem. Th ese days if it’s written and longer than a paragraph with a Bandit point-of-origin, I likely wrote it. I’m the writer guy—that’s what I do. Customer stories are the staple of Bandit Bits and that part of the magazine will not change. If anything, we want to bring more stories, showcasing customers and companies of all shapes and sizes working in unique conditions but sharing the same passion for the business. Th ere’s a theme of passion for the business throughout the customer stories in this issue, and looking back I wish I could take credit for establishing that theme on purpose. Perhaps I was working overtime on a subconscious level as the stories took shape, but the reality is that the passion was already there and the real credit goes to the men and women working in the trees and on the ground. Th ey care about this industry—you care about this industry. You show up every day to climb, cut, chip and grind. You gear up, rope in, fi re up the equipment. You’re comfortable with the smell of diesel in the morning, but it’s not nearly as good as the sweetness of freshly chipped wood in the afternoon. Your friends and family work with you, and you don’t go home until the job is done. You’re a tree care professional, or a logger, or a certifi ed arborist, or you’re like Bandit—serving the folks who take pride in the work they do and how they do it. We’re happy to be a part of it all, and we’ve got more great stories to share. Stay tuned—the best is yet to come. -CS

THEGRINDBY CHRISTOPHER SMITH


THE MOVE TO BIOMASS ENERGY is still strong and steady and

biomass energy will continue—as it has in the past—to be the biggest player in the move to renewable energy. Th ere are, however, groups who are fi ghting biomass facilities in certain parts of the country. Th ose groups are spreading misinformation about biomass power plants; their biggest argument is over CO2 emissions. While wood fi red biomass plants do emit CO2, it’s not greater than the CO2 emitted from a coal-fi red facility. And, wood-fi red plants do not emit the sulfur or mercury that a coal-fi red facility emits. Th e white plume you see coming from a biomass facility? Th at’s primarily steam. Biomass facilities are still considered carbon-neutral, however, because the material will still emit CO2 into the atmosphere if allowed to decompose either in the forest or in a landfi ll, in which case it can not only emit far more CO2, but even more damaging greenhouse gases like methane. What most fail to realize is that a strong biomass energy market will signifi cantly reduce the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere while leading to healthier, expanded forest ecosystems that will absorb far more CO2 than older, crowded, unmanaged forests. Michigan, where Bandit is based, represents the perfect example of the benefi ts that a strong biomass market would provide.

Th ere is very little demand for wood in our area. Our forests are overcrowded and dying. Th e dead and decaying trees are emitting considerable CO2 through normal decomposition and controlled burns. Th at material could be harvested for biomass, leaving a healthier, more vibrant forest that will absorb more carbon dioxide. A strong biomass market would also provide an economic incentive to land owners to plant more trees; there is much idle land in Michigan that should be put back into forestland and that additional growth would further reduce atmospheric CO2. Th e rest of the world is moving very rapidly to biomass energy, with most of the fuel coming from wood. Signifi cant quantities of wood are already being exported from North America to Europe, to fi re their biomass plants. And that quantity of woody biomass exported from North America to Europe is projected to increase tenfold. An equally important advantage that biomass markets have over other renewable alternatives is that biomass is considerably more economical, while creating far more permanent jobs. If I recall correctly, employment for biomass energy is roughly ten times that of other renewable alternatives. Biomass energy can be produced for a fraction of the cost of solar or wind, and it requires little or no government support. A strong biomass market will also create markets for all the urban and land clearing waste, along with logging and sawmill

residues. Being that you are “the choir,” I don’t need to preach—I am sure you are aware of all the material that is available for biomass markets. But many outside our industries aren’t, and that’s where we can help with their education. I would like to arm you with a few other facts to keep in your pocket when talking about biomass energy. In the United States, biomass makes up 47 percent of the renewable energy market. Hydro-electric is a distant second with 36 percent, while wind, solar and geo-thermal constitutes the rest, approximately 17 percent. In the overall U.S. energy market, renewables account for 12 percent of our energy supply. In Europe, the move to biomass energy is much stronger. Not only is wood being used but grasses and other grass materials are as well. Th ere are also strong movements to biomass in other parts of the world, especially in South America and Asia. A strong biomass energy market is good for our planet in that it will lower CO2 emissions, lower our dependence on fossil fuels, create jobs—especially in rural areas where strong, reliable employment has always been a problem—and provide income to land owners. Isn’t that better than sending money to the Middle East? We need to eliminate the naysayers, and the good news is that we have the cold hard facts on our side to back it all up.

President’s Corner

BE AN ADVOCATE FOR BIOMASS ENERGY

BY JERRY MOREYPRESIDENT OF BANDIT INDUSTRIES

BANDIT BITS

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BANDIT DRUM CHIPPERS VS. THE COMPETITION:

Testimonials from the Front Line Many manufacturers produce equipment for the wood waste recycling and tree care industries. Only one, however, has an established track record of exceptional quality, durability and high-production. Only one has the reputation for legendary customer service throughout the ownership process. Only one off ers an industry-best fi ve-year GUTS warranty on hand-fed and whole tree chippers. Th at one manufacturer is of course Bandit Industries, but don’t take our word for it. Listen to what these industry professionals have to say about Bandit versus the competition. “We’ve got six Bandit chippers: a 1090, 1290, 1590, and three 1890s,” says Terran Arwood, president of Woodland Tree Service in Memphis, Tennessee. A young company born in 2003, Arwood and business partner Jesus Bueno have built a very strong, successful business through a great work ethic and even greater equipment. “Th e quality of Bandit, it’s just so superior,” remarks Arwood. “It’s the production that’s the biggest surprise though. Clients are just amazed when the 1890 eats a whole tree just like that. And there’s not a lot of stuff that goes wrong with them. Th e technical support is good, they’re very dependable; any issues we have are just normal wear and tear.” Arwood used to run a competitor’s 18-inch capacity chipper but replaced it with a Bandit, despite that competitor having a major regional offi ce in Arwood’s area. In fact, given a choice, his crew preferred smaller-capacity Bandit chippers over the larger competing models. “I just can’t believe the diff erence in production, and it helps to keep our cost of labor down,” says Arwood. “If it takes us longer, say 25-30 percent longer to do jobs, then that really eats into the bottom line. So the biggest thing is the production; it’s how Bandit chippers pay for themselves over and over again.” A little further to the south, Lee King of King Tree Experts in Conley, Georgia has been running Bandit equipment since day one. Like Arwood, he has competitor stores nearly, but the sheer performance advantage he enjoys with Bandit—not to mention the superb factory support—simply trumps everyone else.

“Th ey just don’t handle the material as well,” says King of other equipment. “Th ey use cheap metal and they aren’t as productive. Downtime is a big factor; if the chippers aren’t running, there’s a crew of guys standing around waiting on you to fi x it. My crews don’t stand around.” With a Bandit Model 1590XP and two Model 1890XP chippers currently in his fl eet, King’s customers rely upon his ability to fi nish jobs in record time. “In a residential build project, we’re the fi rst on-site to help clear out the trees,” he says. “A lot of builders like to work with us because we get in, get out, and they can get on with their job. Th e combination of being able to get to work and be productive with manpower-plus-equipment has brought us the success we’ve had today.” Being an infl uential 30-year tree service veteran, competing manufacturers often come calling to King for demos. None have lived up to the standards set by Bandit, both in terms of equipment and customer service. “Bandit takes care of their people,” explains King. “It’s a trickle-down eff ect; you take care of your customer and your equipment, and others will see it.” Th at’s exactly what happened when a long-time friend and local competitor tried to convince King to leave Bandit in favor of another manufacturer. Instead of defecting to the competition, King turned the tables and convinced his friend to defect to Bandit. “He’d been trying to talk me into using his brand, and I’d been on him to switch to Bandit,” says King. “After running another chipper brand for 20 years, he traded them in for a pair of Model 1590s.” Many other logging and tree service companies have discovered what Terran Arwood and Lee King already know. Th ere are several manufacturers producing equipment for the wood waste and tree care industries, but there’s only one Bandit. Schedule a free equipment demonstration today by calling 1-800-952-0178—only Bandit delivers the production you need, the reliability you require, and the professionalism you deserve.

King Tree Service goes to work everyday with their fl eet of Bandit chippers. Shown here from left to right: German, Tony, Terry, and Armando.

CUSTOMER STORIES



With fuel prices on the rise, fi nding ways to save money isn’t just good for business, it’s vital to staying alive. In an eff ort to achieve these savings many companies are now looking at smaller capacity machines that will still handle their day-to-day workload. Enter Bandit’s Model 1390XP—this chipper is becoming increasingly popular due to its compact size and ability to process larger diameter material with less power, delivering greater fuel effi ciency in the process. Th is chipper caters to a wide variety of industries, including landscapers, tree service companies, municipalities, forestry organizations and equipment rental locations, just to name a few. We know the Bandit Model 1390XP heavy duty version is the most productive and reliable 15-inch drum chipper available, but we also understand that it takes more than a bold statement to convince the hard working professionals who rely upon chippers every day. Th at’s why we’re going to take a closer look at what separates the 1390XP from the rest of the pack, because success in this segment isn’t simply determined by a basic set of performance stats or teaser price tags—the latter of which usually point to lower quality construction that will ultimately cost more in the long run.

Heavy-Duty Oversized Drums With More Knives One of the most important factors setting the Model 1390XP apart from other 15-inch capacity drum-style chippers is its oversized 37-inch diameter drum with four knives, compared to the 22-inch diameter, two-knife drums commonly found on other 15-inch capacity units. Th ese heavy-duty drums feature reinforced knife pockets, numerous internal baffl es, and thick drum skins. Th e weight of the combined drum and shaft is nearly double that of the smaller 22-inch diameter drums; this is why Bandit has the reputation for exceptionally durable drums that will not come apart, and that’s why Bandit drums are backed by a fi ve-year “GUTS” warranty. Th e larger drum and additional knives also ensure a smoother, more effi cient cutting action that reduces vibration. Higher vibration on a smaller drum increases the chance of steel cracking and infl icts stress on other components as well. Larger drums also turn slower; the

1390XP’s drum spins at just over 1000 RPM which is approximately half the speed of most 15-inch chippers, further enhancing the chipper’s effi ciency and eff ectiveness. Notice from the diagram below that a large diameter drum chips material on the top half, on an angle with the grain of the wood. Th is will allow the chipper to run much smoother, use less horsepower, feed easier, use less fuel and be more productive overall.

Dual Horizontal Feed Wheels With Bandit’s Slide Box Feed System As with all Bandit chippers, the Model 1390XP features Bandit’s Slide Box Feed System which is the best in the business thanks to its strength and fl exibility. Th is feed system features horizontal top and bottom feed wheels providing unmatched pulling and compressing power. Th e top feed wheel moves straight up and down with the fl ow and diameter of material as it enters the feed system, providing direct down pressure for maximum compressing power. Th e top wheel features two springs on each side that can easily be adjusted depending on the material being chipped. Little or no spring tension can be utilized for chipping larger diameter material, or maximum spring tension can be used for chipping limby trees or branches. Th is system makes the 1390XP easy to feed while reducing chainsaw work and operator fatigue, leading to greater productivity.

Th e Model 1390XP can also be equipped with a hydraulic lift cylinder. Th is cylinder allows the operator to simply actuate a lever to engage maximum hydraulic down pressure for the top feed wheel. In almost all instances this will allow the material to be fed through the chipper free and clear, without the need to remove it for additional trimming.

Durable Components All Bandit products are constructed of heavy-duty steel and are supported by high quality components. An example of this construction is the 1390XP’s 8,000-pound axle with tires rated at 4,806 pounds each, to support the machine’s approximate 6800-pound weight. Some competitive 15-inch drum chippers rely upon a 7000-pound axle even though many of these machines weigh as much or even more than the axle’s rated capacity. Th is leaves no leeway for additional options like hydraulic winches, which if installed would further stress an already overstressed axle. Th is important rating is often overlooked—having a heavy-duty axle with properly rated tires beneath the chipper plays a pivotal role in the reliability, functionality, and safety of the machine. Excessive tire wear or a premature axle failure can temporarily sideline the chipper, costing time and lost productivity, not to mention repair costs for components that should’ve been stronger in the fi rst place. Th ese are the reasons why Bandit elects to use a larger axle for the 1390XP.

More Engine Options With Greater Torque And Effi ciency A wide array of engines power the Model 1390XP, emphasizing both horsepower and torque. Because the 1390XP’s drum runs at a slower speed, it requires less power to accomplish the same work in competing machines. Diesel engine options from 84.5 to 142-horsepower are available to handle an extremely broad array of projects, but mid-pack choices like the Caterpillar or Perkins 97-horsepower engines are extraordinarily eff ective at tackling large jobs while off ering better fuel effi ciency. Th is is due to multiple factors, including the 1390XP’s drum design, aggressive feed system, and the engine torque ratings that are comparable or in some

Effi ciency, Longevity and Production Make the Model 1390XP a Popular 15-inch Chipper

EQUIPMENT PROFILE


cases greater than other, larger engines. Best of all, they achieve this while fi nding an unbeatable balance between effi ciency and production. In a recent side-by-side comparison, a 97-horsepower Model 1390XP and a 142-horsepower Model 1390XP went up against a competing 125-horsepower 15-inch chipper. All machines were given 8-inch diameter by 25-foot long logs of the same material, and all machines were in proper operating condition with fresh knives. Th e competitor’s 125-horsepower chipper processed the log in 35.02 seconds, while Bandit’s 142-horsepower Model 1390 cut that time by more than half, completing the task in just 14.07 seconds. Even more impressive, however, was the 97-horsepower Bandit, which chipped its log in 19.20 seconds despite having 28 less horsepower than the competitor’s model. And with fuel usage estimates of just 4.8 gallons per hour, the 97-horsepower 1390XP is also far more fuel effi cient, making it the very defi nition of accomplishing more with less. And that’s exactly what our customers have discovered with the Model 1390XP. Th e details make all the diff erence. Th at holds especially true a year into new chipper ownership, when Bandit’s 1390XP is still chipping and saving on fuel costs while other machines are drinking down the diesel and going down for repairs. Don’t just take our word for it—contact your local Bandit dealer or give us a call today to arrange a Model 1390XP demonstration. See for yourself the diff erence in effi ciency, longevity and production that sets Bandit Industries apart from the rest.

Bandit 1390XPCAT 97-HP

Vermeer BC1500XL DEERE 125-HP

Morbark 15R DEERE 140-HP

Monthly Savings

Bandit vs. Vermeer

Annual Savings

Bandit vs. Vermeer

Monthly Savings

Bandit vs. Morbark

Annual Savings

Bandit vs. Morbark

Approximate monthly fuel usage Max Load | 1 hour/day | 5 days/week

$384.00 $560.00 $616.00 $176.00 $2,112.00 $232.00 $2,784.00

Approximate monthly fuel usage Max Load | 2 hours/day | 5 days/week

$768.00 $1,120.00 $1,232.00 $352.00 $4,224.00 $464.00 $5,568.00

Approximate monthly fuel usageMax Load | 3 hours/day | 5 days/week

$1,152.00 $1,680.00 $1,848.00 $528.00 $6,336.00 $696.00 $8,352.00

How does your 15” chipper stack up? Below are the advantages of the 1390XP with a 97-horsepower engine compared to the Morbark 15R and Vermeer BC1500XL with John Deere engine options.

Fuel savings above do not refl ect additional savings that will be achieved with the larger Bandit drum turning at a slower RPM. Overall fuel economy will be better on the Bandit, based on the smoother chipping

action and less horsepower required to chip material. Fuel prices are based on $4.00 a gallon.

Torpy Tree Care wins Bandit Model 1390 at TREE Fund charity auctionThe new Bandit Model 1390HD 15-inch chipper was the star of the 2011 TCI

Expo in Hartford, CT! Donated by Bandit Industries for the TREE Fund charity

auction, the Model 1390 was the focus of several companies’ attention thanks

to all of the storm damage in the area. When the bidding was done it, was

actually Nebraska-based Torpy Tree Care from Omaha that came out the winner.

More importantly, the auction generated $18,500 for the TREE Fund.

Bandit Industries would like to extend a BIG thank you to co-sponsor

Power Great Lakes for their generous annual donation of the power unit

for the TREE Fund charity auction chipper.

LEFT TO RIGHT: TCIA President Scott Jamieson; TREE Fund Executive Director Janet

Bornancin; Bandit Industries President Jerry Morey; and auction winners Terri and Larry

Torpy of Torpy Tree Care in Omaha, Nebraska.


“I’d checked out a lot of chippers and for what we needed, this one fi t everything,” said Mary Stancik, superintendent of grounds and golf for the hotel. She initially spotted Bandit at the Great Lakes Trade Expo in Grand Rapids, Michigan while researching various models to replace the hotel’s worn out, 20-year old chipper. After checking out the other manufacturers, she decided Bandit was the way to go. Th e only question she needed to answer was which size machine would best suit the situation. “I picked up all the literature for the other sizes but I knew we didn’t need anything big,” explained Mary. “Material larger than six inches is used for fi rewood, so it didn’t really make much sense to go for a chipper bigger than that. We talked with Bandit about what we needed and the Model 65 worked out to be the best.” Material size wasn’t the only determining factor in choosing the Model 65XP. Grand

Bandit Receives Grand Welcome at Grand Hotel

Leaving Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel by ferry, the new Bandit Model 65XP can be seen at work in the distance. The 6” capacity chipper is just the right size for processing tree waste and storm damage in compact spaces.

CUSTOMER STORIES

In its rich 124-year history, the award-winning Grand Hotel on Michigan’s Mackinac Island has hosted over fi ve million vacationers from around the globe, all seeking an idyllic escape amidst the picturesque setting of the Straits of Mackinac separating Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas. Several U.S. presidents, foreign dignitaries, celebrities, special events too numerous to count and even two Hollywood fi lms are all a part of Grand Hotel’s impressive resume. With 385 unique guest rooms, abundant sitting areas, a massive dining room and the world’s longest front porch at 660 feet, Grand Hotel is the largest summertime-only resort in the world. It’s also a National Historic Landmark and it resides within Mackinac Island State Park—the oldest state park in the nation.

So when Bandit got a call from the hotel about acquiring a

new Model 65XP hand-fed disc chipper to help maintain their

grounds, we weren’t just excited, we were honored.


Hotel’s p r o p e r t y

spans 200 acres of lush gardens, walking paths, an 18-

hole golf course, a statuesque tea garden and more, but working space is limited for something like a chipper. Th e Model 65XP’s compact size along with its effi cient production and six-inch capacity made it the ideal machine for maneuvering around the hotel’s delicate grounds. “Our old chipper was just a beast of a machine; we could barely turn it around,” she said. “We’re limited for space so physical size was a key factor. Th e size, the performance; the 65 was just the right machine for what we needed.” Grand Hotel took delivery of their Model 65XP at the end of March, riding to the island on one of the fi rst ferry runs of the season. Bandit’s exceptional reputation for reliability and dependability was immediately put to the test, as Mary and her crew of chipper specialists can only run the 65 a few weeks in the spring and fall due to noise. Mackinac Island is unique in that motorized machinery isn’t permitted, save for emergency vehicles and specialty equipment like the chipper. Once guests and tourists are on the grounds, even the noise of a small chainsaw can reverberate mercilessly throughout the area, signifi cantly aff ecting the otherwise tranquil surroundings. Th e noise also tends to disturb Mackinac Island’s generous population of horses, which help transport the visitors around the island each

summer. “Right now we only have this bit here to chip,” said Mary, p o i n t i n g to a pile of limbs and small trees in a clearing between the hotel and the shoreline. “We try to start the spring fresh with nothing to be chipped, but when we go around for our spring cleanup, we usually fi nd

some trees or branches down. We probably won’t run it more than 20, maybe 24 hours in the spring then more so in the fall, so we can get rid of the stuff we stockpile over the

summer. But once we get people onto the island, because of the noise we just can’t use anything loud.” Mary said the chips are used primarily to cover the hotel’s half-mile long Vita Course—a woodchip path with numerous exercise stations meandering through the trees at the base of the hotel. Chips are also used in areas around the hotel’s golf course, but the trail gets a fresh coat of chips each spring. Walking along the path with Mary, she points out a portion of the approximately 15,000 daff odils planted in the fall. Flowers and gardens cover roughly 50 acres of Grand Hotel’s grounds, though during our early April visit the area retains the gray stillness of winter. Offi cially, 492 year-around residents call Mackinac Island home, but that number is thought to drop well below 100 once the autumn snows hit. By comparison, the island as a whole will host over one million visitors during the summer tourist season. “Only a few places downtown stay open through winter, a few little inns that are open year around,” said Mary. “We do an early opening with one wing of the hotel later in April, but our

Bandit’s factory representative Liz Koop and proud new Bandit owner Mary Stancik take their Bandit Model 65XP chipper around the trails surrounding the Grand Hotel.

“Our old chipper was just a

beast of a machine; we could barely

turn it around. We’re limited for

space so physical size was a key

factor. Th e size, the performance;

the 65 was just the right machine

for what we needed.”

– Mary Stancik

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE


season is May through October. Right now the roads are still dirty and none of the stores are open, but by the beginning of May the place just transforms. It’s pristine clean and vibrant; it’s amazing to see.” Ordinarily that would be the end of the story, but then Mary asked us if we’d like a small tour around the hotel. With a couple hours to spare before the return boat ride to the mainland we graciously accepted, not yet realizing that “small tour” would actually mean a top-to-bottom, VIP showing of the hotel that few people outside the staff ever see. We started at the Vita Course and followed it to the pool house near the base of the hotel, which aside from boasting a sauna and two whirlpools also features the heated, 220-foot long,

500,000-gallon Ester Williams Swimming Pool, so named for the actress who starred in the 1947 fi lm Th is Time For Keeps, which was shot at the hotel. Had it not been for the snow fl urries and a lack of water in the pool, we might have been tempted to take a dip. Mary then pointed us east of the pool house to the tea garden; a fl owing expanse of open fi eld spotted with trees and fl owers extending along the base of the hotel. Th ough a bit dreary in early April, the tea garden becomes a veritable pallet of color and beauty in the summer, playing host to special events like musical concerts and countless weddings, all framed by the bright white facade of the hotel. It’s from the tea garden that the true scale of Grand Hotel’s size can be realized; ascending the steps to the main driveway felt more like

CUSTOMER STORIES

Completed in 1957, the Mackinac Bridge is the third longest suspension bridge in the world and the longest in the Western Hemisphere. At 26,372 feet from start to fi nish (8,614 feet of which are suspended over water), the Mackinac Bridge connects Michigan’s lower peninsula to its upper peninsula (also known as The U.P.).

While delivering the Model 65XP to Mackinac Island, Bandit’s staff was treated to a private tour of the Grand Hotel. Before the offi cial season begins, much of the antique furniture is covered in sheets to protect from the sun, dust, and other elements.


walking towards a medieval castle, and when we reached the hotel’s legendary 660-foot long porch, we turned to see an amazing view of the Straits of Mackinac despite the late-season snow. During the summer months the porch is lined with American fl ags and fi lled with chairs, tables and fl owers, but even in its preseason emptiness the porch was impressive to behold, with its massive columns and brass-trimmed railings. Our tour continued along the driveway to the east end of the hotel as Mary talked about the amazing transformation that occurs in just a few weeks’ time, awakening the hotel from its quiet slumber to reveal an award-winning, nationally recognized, top 10 resort destination. Th e fl ora alone is amazing; over a ton of bulbs are planted each year, including 25,000 tulips in addition to the daff odils, and they combine with more than 125,000 bedding plants to create the many gardens and the rich color found at the hotel. Th e island’s winter time horse population heads off for summer vacation, replaced by fresh horses to carry goods and passengers to and

from the hotel. Th e staff , which falls to just a handful of maintenance personnel in the winter, swells to over 650 for the summer to accommodate an average of 130,000 guests that stay at Grand Hotel each season.

A horse-drawn carriage was approaching the hotel as we reached the eastern end of the complex. Mary had just fi nished explaining how she fi rst hired on with the hotel to manage the grounds of their 18-hole golf course, then transitioned to the role of superintendent for

the whole enchilada back in 2007. We assumed the tour was over at that point since the hotel was still closed, and even when opened only registered guests are allowed inside, but then Mary guided us to the side entrance where the horses deliver goods, clueing us into the nuances and behind-the-scenes activity that even hotel guests never see. Places like the maintenance garage, laundry facilities, offi ces, and the hotel’s massive kitchen, where a staff of 100 prepare and serve as many as 4,000 meals each day. Over the course of the season, Grand Hotel guests will consume 83,000 pounds of prime rib, 84,000 pounds of potatoes, 23,000 pounds of ham, 23,000 pounds of carrots, and that’s only a portion of the total menu. Th e tour eventually led into the building proper, where we were off ered a very rare glimpse of Grand Hotel being awakened from its winter time hibernation. Hallways and rooms were a mix of darkness and light as crews replaced sections of carpeting and applied fresh paint. Th e front desk still wore white covers, as did many of the ornate fi xtures

“I’d checked out a lot

of chippers and for

what we needed, this

one fi t everything,”

– Mary Stancik



and other pieces of furniture throughout the hotel. A theme of green, white and red was prevalent throughout the Victorian-styled rooms and halls; some areas such as the art room appeared almost ready to go, while the hotel’s traditional theater remained untouched and cloaked in darkness. One of the more memorable stops on the tour was the massive dining room, which mixed carpeting and original hardwood fl ooring with more Victorian architecture to create an authentic 19th century atmosphere. Off the dining room towards the north side of the hotel were more tea/sitting rooms, many adorned with crystal chandeliers, antique furniture, fi ne paintings, and the occasional grand piano. Standing in this part of the hotel overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, Mary captured a bit of that atmosphere as only a member of the Grand Hotel staff could. “Th e night before the main opening we have a mandatory staff meeting in here. Th ere’s probably a little over 500 of us; we all have to be in our uniforms and it’s really neat because the servers wear tuxes with tails, and

since we have our own stables the carriage drivers are all here with their top hats and black riding boots. It’s just really cool to be here, to see each group all dressed up.” And that was just the fi rst fl oor. Th e hotel’s 385 guest rooms occupy the upper fl oors, each one being unique in some fashion. As with the main fl oor, some of the guest rooms and connecting hallways were as-yet untouched from the winter while some areas were engulfed in renovation. Mary showed us a variety of rooms, the more elegant accommodations featuring large bathrooms and private balconies overlooking the straits but even the “entry level” rooms were far more spacious and elegant than typical off erings from chain store hotels. Th en again, entry level rooms at Grand Hotel can cost as much as $269 per person on the weekends, but that also includes a full breakfast, fi ve-course dinner, and access to all the hotel’s amenities. Th e intimate, two-story Cupola Bar numbers among those amenities, located at the top of the hotel where guests can enjoy a drink while listening to live piano

music, all while taking in a panoramic view of the straits that is without question the best view on the island, period. Returning to the lobby, we were greeted with numerous photos and memorabilia from the hotel’s second Hollywood experience—the 1980 cult classic love story Somewhere In Time, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. In the movie, Reeve plays a modern day Chicago playwright who uses hypnosis to “fi nd” a turn-of-the-century actress played by Seymour, after seeing her portrait hanging in a hotel. Grand Hotel hosts an annual Somewhere in Time convention every October, bringing fans, former cast members and crew together to celebrate the fi lm,

CUSTOMER STORIES

SCAN THIS CODE WITH YOUR SMART PHONE for bonus video footage

of the Grand Hotel!

See for yourself what

makes the Grand Hotel,

America’s Summer Place.

You can also log onto

www.grandhotel.com.


complete with people dressed in early 1900’s attire. With time drawing to a close, we graciously thanked Mary for the honor of experiencing Grand Hotel in a way few people ever do. Bandit is proud to be among the presidents, the royalty, the celebrities and the millions of hotel visitors that have experienced this amazing destination. Grand Hotel’s offi cial season runs from May 5 through October 26, and it’s an outstanding vacation destination for couples or families seeking a truly unique blend of modern living with 19th century ambiance. Learn more about this special resort and make reservations at www.grandhotel.com, or by calling 1-800-33-GRAND.

Bandit’s Model 65XP is in charge of keeping the many miles of wooded trails around the Grand Hotel’s grounds clear of brush and wooden debris. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the island, so all of the work is completed during the off-season so as not to interfere with the peaceful quietness that Mackinac Island is known for.


Antoine Hardwoods Uses E-Mulch to Find a New Road of Revenue

CUSTOMER STORIES

ELECTRIC AVENUE:ELECTRIC AVENUE:


ost people enter the professions of logging

and saw milling in one of two ways: either they follow in the long

standing footsteps of the family business,

or they fi nd themselves knee deep in the industry almost completely by surprise. Antoine Hardwoods founder Charles Ledbetter went from a military stint in Vietnam to working on a dairy farm, followed by a job selling cars. At the time he was also going to college on the GI Bill while supporting a wife and two sons, and if you’re wondering how a Vietnam veteran-turned dairy farmer/car salesman made the transition to running a saw mill, well, that’s the surprise. Selling cars turned out to be a successful line of work, leading Charles to purchase the Chevrolet dealership in Gurdon, Arkansas, on the southwest side of the state. Among the run-of-the-mill passenger vehicles on his lot he also sold larger commercial trucks, with some of those sales going to—you guessed it—professionals in the logging industry.

“He’d been the Chevrolet dealer for awhile,” said John Ledbetter, Charles’ son, offi ce manager and the number two guy at Antoine Hardwoods. “He was selling trucks; logging had turned bad and there were some trucks he had to take back. Rather than letting them sit on the yard he put old trailers behind them and put them to work, hauling logs. Well, the guy he was hauling from was going to lose the loader so he wound up taking that over, and then he took over the skidder too. It just kind of snowballed from there.” Th at snowball led to the purchase of a saw mill in 1997, located a few towns east of the dealership just outside the small village of Antoine. Th e old mill had been previously owned by Couch Hardwoods and was still fully equipped, but having been idle for some time it was in need of signifi cant freshening before new operations could begin. “We bought this in December

1997,” explained Ledbetter. “It had been here for a long time; most of the work we did was just trying to make it

cleaner than it was. We worked on the throughput of the mill a bit

to make the fl ow easier, but other than that, most of

our prep work was just cosmetic.” With everything restored to working condition, Antoine Hardwoods offi cially began production with the saw mill in April 1998 and then broke ground on a new chip mill soon thereafter, just a couple hundred yards away. Utilizing a stationary chipper in the chip mill, Antoine Hardwoods expanded their operation to cover everything from chips for paper mills to hardwood lumber for a range of customers, including fl ooring companies, railroad contractors, pallet manufacturers and many more. Th ey also acquired a band mill several miles off site that processes primarily red and white oak, further adding to their capability. Th e company’s own logging crews provide roughly 50 percent of the material for the mills, while the rest is purchased from outside suppliers. All total, Antoine Hardwoods relies on a quality workforce of roughly 110 people and a bevy of equipment to pay the bills, and the result is an average production of around 30,000 board-feet a day. “We have Prentice and John Deere knucklebooms, a Volvo excavator with a knuckleboom conversion, and Volvo wheel loaders,” remarked Ledbetter. Th ey also run circle saws and an older debarker in the saw


SHOWN HERE: Mill Manager Greg Rubach with the

Model 1680 Electric Beast at Antoine Hardwoods, Inc.


mill, while the chip mill is host to a stationary chipper. And then there’s the Bandit Model 1680 ‘Son of a Beast’ horizontal grinder, which is very popular with companies all around the world thanks to its compact size and impressive production. Th e 1680 at Antoine Hardwoods, however, is a bit diff erent than most. “We went with the Electric Beast because of fuel prices,” explained Greg Rubach, mill manager for Antoine Hardwoods. “We knew we needed to go with something that wasn’t diesel, and in talking with Bandit this was the best option. It’s just much more effi cient, and it works great.” Following the old adage of ‘work smarter not harder,’ Antoine Hardwoods looked to the Electric Beast as a means to turn the company’s abundance of hardwood bark into high quality mulch, creating a new source of revenue in the process. “We grind all our hardwood with it, all bark and anything else that might come out of the drum debarker,” said Rubach. “Occasionally there may be a bit of wood fi ber in it but it’s primarily bark. If we’re running it all day we probably run 100 to 150 tons, all natural color mulch and it sells well just the way it is.” Ordinarily, the 1680 Beast would be chewing material up to 16 inches in diameter with a variety of diesel engines from 173 to 325 horsepower, but the Electric Beast at Antoine Hardwoods uses a 200-horsepower, 3-phase WEG electric motor to turn their leftover material into mulch. WEG electric motors are considered by many to be the best in the business, having earned their reputation for ruggedness in the rock-crushing industry. Th ese motors aren’t just workhorses—they operate with an energy effi ciency rating approaching 95 percent, and they employ a soft-start feature to increase the longevity of the motor and associated components while also reducing line-voltage drop on startup. Other features

unique to the Electric Beast include a special communicator panel that monitors amperage while also providing control for the continuous feed system, helping to ensure a uniform product. Like its diesel-powered siblings, the 1680 Electric Beast can wield options like customizable discharge lengths, numerous screens and various teeth to create a wide range of end-products. In the hands of Antoine Hardwoods the 1680 churns out material for landscapers, nurseries and anyone else with a need for high quality, hardwood mulch. And since the 1680 Electric isn’t tied down with expensive foundations or dependent on diesel fuel at more than $4.00 per gallon, it pays for itself in a surprisingly short amount of time. “Fuel prices back two years ago became ridiculous like they are now, and we had to force ourselves to become a bit more effi cient” commented Ledbetter. “To deal with that we had to throttle back our production some, look into new things, new ways to make the most of what we had. Th e Electric Beast works great for that.” Th inking outside the box on bigger markets and ways to curb expenses helped Antoine Hardwoods weather the economic storm without taking any signifi cant hits. Ledbetter also points to Arkansas’s relative fi nancial wellbeing compared to other states as a factor in their continued success, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a diversifi ed client base and a knack for quickly adapting to changing conditions. “We really had to work around the big crunch, open up some diff erent markets,” added Rubach. “Th ings haven’t really been good, but we’re still selling enough to where we can keep going up, keep going on, so it’s not bad either.”

Going up and on is the motivation behind a proposed pellet mill that Ledbetter and company would like to build, but the economic downturn has slowed their development ideas on larger projects. Instead, the near future for Antoine Hardwoods is one of smaller investments like the Electric Beast while taking a wait-and-see approach to the bigger picture. “Th e pellet market last winter was pretty bad, so that encouraged us to pause,” said Ledbetter. “We’ve had plans for the pellet mill drawn up for a year or so, but we’ve put things on hold until the economy improves some, see how the market is going to shake out before we get into that.” Whatever the future holds for Antoine Hardwoods, it’s safe to say that prudent planning, innovation, and effi cient operation will play a signifi cant role in their continued success. Between the traditional lumber production, wood chip sales, mulch from their Electric Beast, and non-traditional products like hickory chips for cooking and even fi rewood, there doesn’t seem to be much the company can’t handle. Looking back on the early days, Ledbetter fondly recalls the way his father transitioned bit by bit from auto sales to the world of logging, very much entering the business by surprise. His father still helms the company today, working with John and a dedicated team of professionals to keep Antoine Hardwoods the successful company that it is. Whether or not there are any other surprises in store remains to be seen, but if John Ledbetter’s recollection of the past is any indication, surprises aren’t such a terrible thing. “We basically got into this whole thing by accident,” he said, laughing. “And so far, we haven’t done too bad.”

The Model 1680 Electric at Antoine Hardwoods produces a high quality bark mulch that the company sells as-is, all from a single pass through the machine.

Logs exit the debarker (upper left) and head for the stationary chipper. The bark travels via series of conveyors to the waiting Model 1680 Electric (upper right).

CUSTOMER STORIES



SNOWFLAKE, Ariz. — As a young child, fi fth-generation logger and Tri Star Logging owner Steve Reidhead once used horses to help with the family logging business. Now, Reidhead and his son—sixth-generation logger Allen Reidhead—use 875 horses of drum chipping intensity packed into their Bandit Model 3590 whole tree chipper, supplemented by a 700-horsepower Model 3680 Beast recently acquired to handle the 3590’s leftovers. Wielding the two big Bandits from their home base of Snowfl ake, Arizona, Tri Star has the ability to process anything the Arizona forests can throw at them and there’s plenty of work to do. Not only is this successful logging company a favored supplier of wood chips to Arizona’s sole biomass plant, they are also involved with the White Mountain Stewardship Project—one of the largest forest stewardship programs in the country—restoring balance to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest while working to signifi cantly reduce the risk of wildfi re. “We came right on at the beginning of the stewardship,” said Steve Reidhead. “We basically take care of the west side of the forest.” Th e beginning of which Reidhead speaks was August 2004, when the U.S. Forest Service awarded the stewardship contract to a company called Future Forest, LLC. Th e project was borne out of an urgent need to address dangerous overgrowth throughout the forest, with the catalyst being the Rodeo-Chediski Fire of 2002 that burned 468,000 acres in east-central Arizona. Th e fi re was the worst in Arizona’s history (see page 22 for an update) destroying over 400 homes and forcing thousands to evacuate. Following the blaze, a collaborative eff ort from numerous municipalities, organizations and citizen-based groups found 150,000 acres of Ponderosa Pine were in dire need of thinning to reduce the risk of catastrophic fi res or major insect devastation. In response, the U.S. Forest Service developed the stewardship program to thin at least 150,000 acres over a 10-year period, relying on Future Forest and the companies working with them to handle the workload. To date, the

program has thinned more than 50,000 acres in what is the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in North America. “I still remember meeting with Dwayne Walker of Future Forest,” recalled Reidhead. “We were at a hamburger shop in Heber and we discussed the possibilities of Tri Star working for them. We had an immediate connection and we’ve had a very good relationship ever since. Dwayne is a good boss to work for; he’s been very fair to us and I attribute much of our success to

him giving us a chance and working with us on several projects.” Working with Future Forests as a contractor, Reidhead and Tri Star initially launched into the program using a Bandit Model 4680 Beast horizontal grinder to produce fi ne material for a variety of clients. Th ey captured the material according to specifi c guidelines. “It’s select cut,” he explained. “In some areas you’ll have a blue mark which is called a cut tree mark, usually fi ve or maybe ten-inch DBH trees.

Th en we’ll clear everything below that size to a basal area of 20’ by 20’, 25’ by 25’, or 30’ by 30’. Lately we’ve been given leave tree marks, where trees to be kept are marked with orange, and we cut everything else within that certain basal area.” As the operation progressed, Steve and his son Allen elected to trade in the Beast for a Bandit Model 3590 whole tree chipper, gambling that a deal to supply a recently constructed biomass power plant in the area would come to fruition. With the 3590, Tri Star could supply the plant with high quality wood chips while also continuing their thinning operation as part of the stewardship contract. Originally called Snowfl ake White Mountain Power, the 24 MW biomass plant went into operation during the summer of 2008 but struggled with numerous issues. Th e plant ultimately fell into bankruptcy in July 2010 and was sold to Phoenix-based investment fi rm Najafi Companies later that year. With additional investments and updates from Najafi , the plant continues operation as Snowfl ake Power LLC, and Tri Star Logging continues to supply them with chips from the 3590. “We felt like it was going to happen,” said Reidhead about the plant. “We fi nally got involved in 2010; we’re whole tree chipping and it takes us about 10 to 15 minutes to throw a load running anywhere from 79,000 to 89,000 pounds. We’re putting in about 25 to 30 loads a day; they’ll mix three of our loads with one of the loads coming out of the valley because that stuff down there, it’s pretty dirty and creates a problem for their boiler, so when we shut down, it really aff ects the plant. And they just love our chips. It’s the best stuff they have so this was a really good move for us.” Biomass plants and stewardships are merely the latest chapter in Tri Star’s logging legacy, which dates back to 1986 when Steve started the company. He was poised to pursue a diff erent career path back then, but as many people with rooted family histories can attest, it can be tough to leave the family business. “I actually went off to school, graduated in Accounting from Arizona State University and did the stupid thing; I came back,” he fondly explained. “It turned out that my biggest account was my dad’s company. I worked for him roughly fi ve to six years and all of a sudden I was back out in the woods. He didn’t have a loaderman one morning so he calls me up at 2 a.m., and I went out and started loading.” Th e fi eld experience working with his father’s company was invaluable to Steve when he decided to break away and start his own logging business, a decision he describes as the best move he ever made.

The Steward of Snowfl ake Tri Star Logging Turns Potential Forest Fire Fuel To Biomass Power Th rough Stewardship

We enjoy the people we’ve

dealt with [at Bandit] and

the support we’re given.

Even though they’re a long

ways away, they’ve always

just been great. Th ey’re part

of our family.

– Steve Reidhead

CUSTOMER STORIES


“It was just me and Trish, my wife. We started out with one skidder—a new Timberjack—and everything else was used like you wouldn’t believe,” he said. “I just worked and worked, and we came through with a few opportunities. Now it’s the right size company and I absolutely love it. I’ve got a super crew that has been with me for 20 years; they know what

they’re doing and they fl at get after it.” Th rough the years, Tri Star has worked everything from traditional logging operations to land clearing projects for home builders, orchard clean up and more. Steve’s work ethic along with the leadership from his son Allen and the devotion of his crew are clearly the driving forces behind the success of the company, but

Steve is also keen to recognize the importance of having newer equipment on hand to not only get the job done, but get it done in a timely, effi cient, safe manner. “Newer is better. As long as you have demand for your product, then to me I say go with the payment,” he said. “Run a smaller crew, have fewer

ABOVE: Steve Reidhead (left) and

his son Allen (right) make short

work of Arizona timber with their

Bandit Model 3590. The father-son

team furnishes Snowfl ake Power

LLC––Arizona’s sole biomass

plant––with the 3590’s chips.

LEFT: Steve (right) and Allen

(left) recently purchased their

Model 3680 Beast to make

use of the pieces left behind

from the Bandit 3590.


SCAN THIS CODE WITH YOUR SMART PHONE to learn more about the 24 MW biomass plant in Snowfl ake, Arizona!


problems, and then you can stick better to your budget. If you go with the older junk that’s really hard hit, it’s very tough to stay consistent. And that 3590 is one kicking machine; I kid the crew all the time because we used to have stuff like those little Timberjack skidders and we’d have to jump out and warm up by the fi re after two drags in the winter time. Now, we’ve got a nice little operation.” Tri Star utilizes a modest fl eet of machinery ranging from John Deere skidders and track loaders to a range of trucks, relying primarily on a John Deere 843 with a hot saw for most of their cutting. Th e big dog of the operation is of course the Model 3590, which the company purchased in July 2010 after trading in their 4680 Beast. “We were working in this citrus orchard, and I kept asking Allen if the 3590 will handle the limbs,” said Reidhead. “Even with the 4680 we’d have to pull and turn those old limbs, sometimes even break them because they were so hard. Th is was a younger grove and Allen said it wouldn’t be a problem; they came up with a pretty knarley pine that had some big limbs sticking out and man, it didn’t have any trouble. It ate it up like it was going out of style; we’ve just been really impressed with it.” As eff ective as the 3590 has been for Tri Star, Steve and Allen began to miss the Beast’s ability to process the excess slash left behind by the big chipper. After considering options for a smaller grinder to supplement the chipper, Tri Star returned to Bandit for another Beast and purchased a Model 3680 with the 700-horsepower CAT diesel. “Th e only thing we were struggling with was leaving too much product on the ground at the landings,” explained Reidhead. “We were

very concerned about picking up the smaller stuff and sending rocks or other debris through the chipper, but we don’t really have to worry about that with the Beast.” Now packing a one-two Bandit punch, Tri Star is uniquely equipped to tackle new projects while continuing to furnish Snowfl ake Power with the wood chips they need. Tri Star will also continue thinning operations within the stewardship program, but a much larger eff ort called the Four Forest Restoration Initiative is in the works that may draw funding from the stewardship. Th e new initiative would expand the forest thinning and fuels reduction work from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest to three other Arizona forests, stretching southeast from the Grand Canyon to the New Mexico border. Th e 20-year plan would encompass 2.4 million acres of Ponderosa Pine forest—making it the largest operation of its kind by far—and it would seek to continue the development of new forestry-related industries such as the biomass plant that has already sprouted through the stewardship program. While the Four Forest Restoration Initiative and the stewardship program both have the support of numerous organizations including conservationists that once opposed such action, there is some concern among companies like Tri Star that funding for the stewardship will be prematurely cut or diverted to get the new program rolling. Depending on specifi c circumstances, this could leave those involved with the stewardship holding the bag on what was supposed to have been a sure thing for 10 years, but Steve is optimistic about going with the fl ow. “Th ere are just all kinds of rumors going

on that the government will pull out of the stewardship contract to help the other one,” he said. “Th e big thing with us is, if someone else were to come in on this, we would probably produce to them as well.” Whether working to restore unhealthy, overgrown forests, creating high quality woodchips to serve the biomass industry, thinning orchards, grinding waste wood or clearing sites for new home construction, Tri Star Logging is sure to thrive using the same basic ideals of hard work and dedication that drive all successful companies. Steve also sees his operation as a family venture, not just in the strict sense of blood relations but in the camaraderie, the support, and the respect that exists among the entire team, from the guys on the ground to the equipment manufacturers they rely upon. Steve is very happy to welcome Bandit Industries to that family, joining John Deere and Caterpillar as Tri Star’s manufacturers of choice for the equipment they need. With this kind of personal involvement and unwavering respect, it’s no surprise that Tri Star has a reputation for being one of the best logging and forestry companies in Arizona. “Th ere’s nobody in this country that’ll out produce my guys and what they do,” said Reidhead with pride. “Th ey’re outgoing, we’re all really excited about the work we do, and we really like Bandit. We enjoy the people we’ve dealt with and the support we’re given. Even though they’re a long ways away, they’ve always just been great. Th ey’re part of our family.”

Editor’s note: In the time since this article was written, portions of eastern Arizona and extreme western New Mexico fell victim to another major fi re called the Wallow fi re, consuming over 500,000 acres and eclipsing the Rodeo-Chediski blaze of 2002 to become Arizona’s largest forest fi re in history. Th e Center for Biological Diversity acknowledges the White Mountain Stewardship Program and how the eff orts of that program—and those involved—lessened the severity of the fi re and contributed to the safety of numerous communities threatened by the blaze.

SPRINGERVILLE, Ariz.— U.S. Forest Service offi cials say forest restoration work implemented under the White Mountain Stewardship Contract — part of a cooperative project among conservationists, local communities and government agencies — has lessened the severity of the Wallow fi re and helped fi refi ghters

save towns threatened by the fl ames. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Supervisor Chris Knopp told the Associated Press on Th ursday that he credited treatments with helping to save Alpine, Nutrioso and Springerville. A district ranger from the same forest told the Los Angeles Times on Th ursday that restoration treatments aided fi refi ghters’ ability to save homes in the White Mountains. “Ever since Arizona’s last mega-fi re — the Rodeo-Chediski in 2002 — communities, environmentalists, local industry and forest offi cials have been pouring their hearts and souls into community protection and landscape-scale restoration of the degraded pine forests in the White Mountains,” said Todd Schulke of the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the groups involved with the project. “Th at work began next to towns where the fi re danger was high, and it looks like those years of cooperation are paying

big dividends in the Wallow fi re.” Th e Center for Biological Diversity publicly supported the White Mountain Stewardship Contract creation in 2004. Since then the Center has actively worked with communities, the Forest Service and businesses that thin small-diameter trees to ensure the project’s success. Th at work included lobbying Congress for adequate funding. Because of broad agreement around the project — which resulted in forest recovery and local jobs — it has been hailed as a model for collaborative forest restoration. “Without the success and cooperation of the stewardship contract, damage from the Wallow fi re would have been much worse,” said Schulke. “Our forests need more of this kind of cooperation if we are to have any hope of restoring them.”

Collaborative Forest Restoration Project Has Lessened Damage, Severity of Arizona’s Massive Wallow Fire

CUSTOMER STORIES


HARTFORD, Conn. – Th e last time New Englanders witnessed such a brutal fall snowstorm was the great Snow Hurricane of 1804, which was literally a late-season hurricane that happened upon an arctic air mass as it moved north. Th at storm deposited anywhere from one to three feet of snow throughout northern New England, compared to the recent blizzard that dumped similar amounts of snow—through the entire region. Dubbed Snowtober, this historic storm devastated trees and power lines from New Jersey to Maine, leaving 3 million people without power and covering Hartford with over a foot of snow just two days before the annual Tree Care Industry Association TCI Expo. Th e irony of the situation was simultaneously comical and worrisome—would the massive amount of downed limbs and trees actually delay the world’s largest convention for tree care professionals? Th e answer came at 9:57am on November 3rd, when the doors of the Connecticut Convention Center opened as scheduled. And Bandit was ready for the crowds that followed. “Th ere was defi nitely plenty of excitement once the show kicked off ,” said Bandit Marketing Director Kim Hasenbank. “Th e weather presented some challenges but that didn’t seem to slow the show down. We stayed busy, talked with a lot of people and got some great feedback from customers. Considering the snow and all the mess it caused, we are very happy with how

the Expo went. And it also goes to show just how dedicated the people in this industry really are.” Th ose tree care professionals visiting Hartford, either for the convention or to assist with the cleanup eff ort, were faced with widespread power outages that aff ected everything from grocery stores to gas stations. Several hotels in the Hartford area were forced to close due to lack of power, leaving some convention goers homeless. Others electing to leave faced long waits at the few gas stations fortunate enough to have power. And yet, according to TCIA, 2200 people attended the three-day convention—an impressive number considering the circumstances. Many tree care professionals throughout New England had to adjust their schedules or cancel completely in order to deal with the storm damage, while numerous out-of-state companies pitched in to help with the cleanup once they arrived and saw just how bad the situation was. Many of these companies still found time to visit the show between jobs, and Bandit found the audience to be extremely focused and motivated to buy. Th e result was a very active Bandit booth for the show, with many of those visitors walking away as new Bandit customers. “Th is was one of the best shows we’ve ever attended,” commented Bandit President Jerry Morey. “We sold a lot of machines at the show, and not just to companies from the area. But it

was also gratifying to see how dedicated to our equipment our customers are. I heard lots of positive comments during the show.” An array of Bandit hand-fed chippers and stump grinders were on hand for attendees to peruse, but some of the biggest excitement stemmed from Bandit’s brand new Model 3000 forestry mower and Model 2250XP hydrostatic stump grinder, both of which were unveiled to the public for the fi rst time at the convention. Bandit’s new exclusive distributorship with Zenith knives was also revealed at the show to considerable success. By the time everything wrapped on November 5, power had been restored to much of the area and almost all the snow had melted. Th e considerable tree damage, however, was still quite prevalent throughout the region. Chippers were in such demand that some Bandit machines scheduled for the show went straight to work—one company that had planned to display their new Model 255XP at the Bandit booth instead picked it up outside the convention center and started chipping. Th at same customer then ordered a truckload of chippers a couple days later! Th e 2012 TCI Expo will take place in Baltimore. It’s a safe bet there will be no snow emergencies but whatever Mother Nature has in store, rest assured that Bandit will be there!

Historic Snowfall Not Enough to Cool Bandit at the 2011 TCI Expo


ASTORIA, Ore.— If it’s not raining in Astoria today it almost certainly will be tomorrow. Th at’s because it rains in the Pacifi c Northwest an average of 190 days each year, but that doesn’t stop Astoria’s residents from enjoying life in this beautiful, historical coastal city of 10,000. While locations in California often get the glory, Astoria is actually the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains, founded by members of John Jacob Astor’s Pacifi c Fur Company in 1811, not far from where Lewis and Clark concluded their famous westward exploration up the Columbia River in December 1805. Steeped in 200 years of history, rich in culture and framed by the Pacifi c Ocean to the west and fabulously wooded hills everywhere else, Astoria is the kind of home you never want to leave, despite the wet weather. Th at’s why Astoria-native Jason Bigby, founder and owner of Bigby’s Tree Service, elected to strike out on his own when the lumber manufacturer he worked for started talking about relocation. Having worked his way through college as a logger before spending four years as a supervisor in a lumber mill, he already had a solid foundation of experience to draw from. He knew

the terrain and he knew the market, so Jason ultimately chose home over job and returned to logging in the area while building his tree business on the side. “My family is here, and I knew there was a market for tree work,” he explained. “I bought a used Bandit Model 200 from a guy in Portland, and for the fi rst year I went to work in the woods while doing the tree service on the weekends or whenever I was laid off . I did that for about a year and then decided it was time to either fi sh or cut bait, so I went full tilt. And I never looked back.” Th at was in 2004. Since then he has grown his operation into a true full-service tree company while keeping things comfortably small, working with just one employee and a short list of contractors to pick up the slack when needed. And when Jason says full service he’s not messing around—both he and his employee David Cook are certifi ed arborists with the knowledge to prune and treat diseased trees. Th ey conduct full take-downs, including diffi cult-to-remove trees requiring specialty equipment like cranes and bucket trucks. Th ey traded the older Bandit Model 200 chipper for a brand new Model 1590

Stumping GroundsBorn and raised in Astoria, Jason

Bigby delivers full-service tree care to the community

he loves.

CUSTOMER STORIES


Intimidator in 2006, using it to chip material which is then left on-site per customer request or captured for use in numerous applications. Rounding out Bigby’s scope of services are a pair of Bandit stump grinders—a Model 3200 Track that excels at grinding the big northwest spruce stumps, and a self-propelled HB20 Sidewinder stumper that tackles the delicate, hard-to-reach areas. “We wanted to be able to off er full service, and that was something nobody else could do,” explained Jason. “Th ere were guys that would do removals, and guys with a chipper, and there were a few guys that maybe had a small stump grinder, but there wasn’t anybody that could do it all. We wanted to be able to off er everything—from fi ne prunings to removals and land clearing.” To realize this goal, Jason stepped into stump grinding with a used tow-behind stumper from a competitor that he aff ectionately refers to as his ‘education’. Well-worn and not particularly convenient to operate, he ultimately invested quite a few resources just to keep it running. However, it also enabled him to off er the full range of services he was seeking, all while showing him which stump grinder features and options would best serve his company. Th e pre-recession construction boom in 2006 and early 2007 convinced him that stump grinding would be an integral part of the business, but he didn’t

want to make the same mistake he did with the used towable unit he’d jumped into. Th at led him to extensively research new machines while also conducting in-depth feasibility and cost studies, and that eventually led him to Bandit’s Model 3200 Track. “Th ere was a market with the construction crews for track mounted machines at that time,” explained Jason. “We went out and started counting stumps even before we had a machine, and then we demoed a Model 2900 Track. We wanted to see how long it would take to grind some of the stumps so we did time trials, and we were pretty happy with it but I thought it might get pretty beat up with some of the major work we were planning to do, so we started looking at the 3200.” Using a 32-inch diameter cutter wheel with a 72-inch swing on a CAT 303 undercarriage, the Model 3200 Track is tailor-made for land clearing operations over a variety of terrain. Once the machine showed up to Jason for a demo, it didn’t take him long to realize he’d found the stumper he was looking for. “It was like, the heavy duty machine with that CAT undercarriage,” commented Jason. “Th at was huge for us because we felt the competing models with generic undercarriages weren’t going to hold up long-term. Th e hydraulic systems have a ton of volume which keeps the temperatures cooler. Th e framework is heavy duty. Th e diesel engine is a bulletproof engine and it’s a great application for us because it’s air-cooled, so it eliminates having a radiator. We fi nally demoed the 3200 and were just blown away with how fast it was. I looked at that machine and took the experiences I had from working in the woods and from working in a mill, and I knew that it was the heaviest duty machine in its class. It just crushed the other stump grinders with the power that it had.” Enter the Great Recession of 2007. Like many companies, Bigby’s Tree Service pulled back on new purchases so acquiring the 3200 was put on hold—until a major storm in December of 2007 slammed the Northwest, dropping trees

like they were toothpicks and leaving businesses scrambling to clean up the damage. Jason made a quick phone call and immediately bought the 3200 he’d demoed just a few months prior, and he put it right to work on a major project that remains one of the largest chipping/grinding jobs in the history of Bigby’s Tree Service. “It went straight to a local golf and country club; there were about 400 stumps to grind,” recalled Jason. “Th e club wanted to get everything done and buttoned up as fast as they could, and while I was waiting to get the 3200 another company came in from out-of-town with a competing stumper and started grinding. I’d already talked to a friend for advice on pricing the job, to try and get an idea on a daily rate for this project since I wasn’t accustomed to a track stumper. We ended up being a third again higher than the competitor, and the golf course superintendent was a bit hesitant because of that. Th e stumps were 12 inches up to 30 inches, and I said to give us a day to see what we could do. So we ground for one day—and then they sent the other guy home.” Jason and David have since put the 3200 through some pretty serious trials, including tackling spruce tree stumps over 12 feet in diameter, large land clearing jobs, delicate utility work and much more. It has served to open up many new markets and opportunities that the duo just couldn’t handle with the older grinder. “It has been a great niche for us in the construction industry, where big excavators can’t get in to dig out a stump,” he said. “We use it around utilities; we did a municipal project where we had to remove a tree and then the stump, and we had utilities everywhere. Th e guy from the phone company said to not even worry about it; he expected to replace the utility box anyway. I said to let us give it a try, and we were able to remove the stump without damaging any utilities. Th at’s a big thing the 3200 has allowed us to do—we can get in there and hammer on it, but we still have a machine that can surgically remove something and be delicate at the same time.”

ABOVE: Jason Bigby (right) and David Cook (left) get the most from their equipment, which includes a Bandit Model 1590 chipper, a Model 3200XP stump grinder, and a Model HB20 ‘Sidewinder’ handlebar stump grinder (upper right hand photo)



Th ough surgical and delicate in the hands of Jason and David, they still couldn’t use the 3200 on every job, especially the ones requiring a lighter, more maneuverable machine to grind stumps in carefully landscaped areas. Th at’s why Jason made another Bandit stump grinder investment in 2010, this time going to the other end of the lineup with a self-propelled HB20 Sidewinder handlebar stumper. “I knew we’d missed out on jobs where we couldn’t get the big stumper in there,” he said. “Being in this recession we didn’t have much money for big purchases but we could get into this smaller stump grinder and not have a huge debt. We bought it, used it at a couple jobs, and once people found out about it, now it goes to a lot of jobs. It really allowed us to get more into the fi nish landscape market, and it has been a great tool for that because now we’re getting calls from landscapers who need stumps removed without tearing anything up. It’s a great little grinder that goes anywhere.” And the stump grinders indeed go to pretty much every job. Bigby’s Tree Service generally operates within a 50-mile radius of Astoria, and Jason estimates that roughly half of the jobs require some measure of stump grinding. Th is isn’t necessarily by accident—Jason has been rather aggressive in advertising his stump grinding capability, and he regularly extends special package pricing to customers that may or may not have been considering stump grinding otherwise. He’s also aggressive in seeking out new jobs and creative uses for his equipment, and he’s not afraid to work hard. Th at last bit might sound rather like a cliché, but with Astoria’s temperate mid-50s climate, gusty west winds and persistent rainfall that’s present nearly 60 percent of the year, conditions are seldom ideal for folks who make their living in the great outdoors. “It’s really not a bad work environment,

but there are times during the winter where you defi nitely have to work a bit safer,” said Jason. “Th ere are some of the things like climbing that you just can’t do safely when there’s a lot of wind so that can shut you down. A big portion of getting the work done is having the right gear, having the right equipment, and just being ready to work safely. In this economy you can’t be afraid to get out and work; sometimes you’ve got to just get out there and put in some hard labor because this is a hard-working industry.” Jason emphasizes that point when talking about his Model 1590 drum chipper, which he considers the key to his operation. “Th e 1590 allows us to get many of our jobs, from tree work to stump grinding, all kinds of diff erent jobs,” he said. “Bandit rates it as a 17-inch chipper, but if it will go through that big opening, it will go through the chipper. It allows us to take on projects others can’t, and it takes stuff that the competition has to leave on the ground for fi rewood. Th e 1590 is just an absolute performer, and it’s hands down—and I can show it on my books—the least expensive piece of equipment to operate that I own.” Relying on his Bandit equipment is something Jason doesn’t take for granted. He’s adamant about keeping his machines on a very strict maintenance schedule and that keeps them up and running with minimal downtime. When issues do arise, Jason says Bandit’s customer service is what keeps him coming back. “I’ve been pretty darn happy with the customer service I get from Bandit. Dan in the stump grinding department has been great; he gets right on the phone and he makes stuff happen for us. Th ere was one time in particular where we were in kind of a bind and had to get going; we had a couple issues with the engine and some sensors and he just made things happen for us. It was a $70 dollar part and we

got it real quick, and that’s why I do business with Bandit, because that’s the kind of stuff I need. It kept us working and it will keep them selling machines. It’s just good business and I really like it. It makes you feel like a valued customer.” Speaking with Jason and reading the testimonials on his web site, it’s easy to see the immense pride he carries for his company, his work ethic, and for the town he calls home. Bigby’s Tree Service participates in local events whenever possible and serves the community in some rather non-traditional roles, such as helping to hang Christmas lights in town, saving cats from trees, or showing off his equipment in Astoria’s annual Regatta Festival Parade. He also takes considerable pride in the accomplishments shared over the years with the people he has worked with. “You’ve got to surround yourself with successful people, and I think I’ve done that with David. Just having him be here for fi ve years tells me we’re doing something right. We’ve worked with each other long enough that there’s a lot of continuity in what we do, and he can run every single piece of equipment we’ve got. If I’m on vacation I know I don’t have to worry, and if one of us needs to take some time off we can, and the other person can handle things. Our part-time bookkeeper Sandy Ford is also a big part of the operation; she’s the mastermind of keeping us running on the fi nancial end. She could tell me how much money was spent on ear plugs if I needed to know. Th ey’re both real assets to the company; we couldn’t get by without them.” Nothing is more important than home, family and friends. Taking a leap in 2004 to preserve these ideals, Jason Bigby eff ectively turned his old stomping grounds into new stumping grounds thanks to his pair of Bandit stump grinders, all while keeping his operation small, manageable, and very successful. “I don’t see this really changing,” he said. “If there was a ton of work, I could see possibly adding another guy but we’ve got a really good thing going here. Why mess with it?” As the residents of Astoria celebrate their town’s 200th birthday, Jason also has reason to celebrate. In seven years he has built a full-service tree company using just a handful of reliable equipment, a dedicated and experienced employee, a close group of contractors and a dedication to treating customers the way he would want to be treated—with respect. Yes, it rains a lot in Astoria. But with businesses like Bigby’s Tree Service supporting the community, somehow it just doesn’t seem to matter that much.

CUSTOMER STORIES

SCAN THIS CODE WITH YOUR SMART PHONE for bonus video footage

of Bigby’s Tree Service

grinding some of the

largest stumps around!

You can also learn

more at their website,

bigbystreeservice.com

The trees are big in Astoria, as evidenced by this 12-foot diameter stump Jason tackled with his Bandit Model 3200XP.


ALBEMARLE, N.C.— April is recognized nationally as “Autism Awareness Month” and one locally owned and operated business donated its time, talents and dollars to GHA, an Albemarle agency that helps individuals with autism. Jeff Shaver & Sons worked to clear approximately three acres of heavily wooded land at Carolina Farms, a program owned and operated by GHA. Carolina Farms is on 39 acres in the Millingport community. It is a farm where 17 individuals with autism live, work and play. Daily farm operations, such as caring for the animals and harvesting vegetables, are performed by the individuals with assistance from support staff . Jeff Shaver, along with help from his two sons, Brandon and Jeremy, and two truck drivers, operated their equipment to fi nish

the task in less than two days. Th is particular tract of land will be utilized for the future development of the Carolina Farms program. Upon completion of the job, GHA staff were invited to join the Shaver family and business associates at a cookout luncheon provided by Steve Ford, sales manager for Bandit of the Southeast. Jeff Shaver & Sons presented a check for $2,000 to GHA to provide fi nancial assistance for the ongoing programs for the individuals with autism that GHA supports. Jeff , along with support from his wife Vicky, began the family owned and operated business in 1989. Joined now by his two grown sons Brandon and Jeremy, the business specializes in the logging of small and large tracts of timber, the chipping of brush and debris, general tree service work and stump grinding. Shaver is a member of the North

Carolina Forestry Association and the Nationwide Trucking Association. “We are grateful for the fi ne job that Jeff Shaver & Sons completed and we greatly appreciate his fi nancial support. Th e company’s quality is evident in the work completed at Carolina Farms,” Allen said. Formerly known as Group Homes for the Autistic, GHA began in 1978 with the development of a home for children with autism by parents and professionals in our area that recognized the need for such services. 33 years later, the local non-profi t provides a number of supports to individuals with autism including residential, vocational, educational, supported employment and community services.

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, MAY 18 2011

Bandit Customer, Local Dealer Donate Time, Money to Help Individuals with Autism

Jeff Shaver, second from left, presents a check for $2,000 to GHA Chief Executive Offi cer Dawn Allen while standing in front of the company’s latest purchase, a Bandit Model 2290 chipper. They are joined by Brandon Shaver (far left), Steve Ford (third from right), sales manager for Bandit of the Southeast, Jeremy Shaver and Michael Forrest, farm technician for Carolina Farms.


“Th is one is really a pretty easy one,” remarked Michael Poor, referring to a 40-inch diameter cottonwood growing 20 feet from a house and 50 feet from a busy residential intersection. “Th ere are just a few stems over the house, and there are some small obstacles like that tree the city has out front—a really nice little oak that I’m going to crane the stems out away from.” Some tree care professionals might hold a diff erent opinion of just what “pretty easy” actually means. But as a certifi ed arborist with over 25 years of experience and a true passion for his craft, Michael isn’t just prepared to take on diffi cult projects with his tree

service company—he seeks them out. And as a one-man operation with unique equipment, he often tackles these projects solo. “I’ve been doing this all my life,” he proudly proclaimed. “My dad got me started at a real early age, and so it’s something I just learned to love. Th e more I learned about it the more I did; I just really enjoy working with trees and whatever I can do to help customers out. It’s all I know how to do.” Even a sprawling cottonwood in an active residential neighborhood isn’t enough to faze

Michael. He simply straps on his climbing gear, buckles into the rigging from his 55-ton Volvo knuckleboom truck, then lifts himself and his chainsaw to the top of the tree, operating the knuckleboom via radio remote. Once in place he drops branches with swift effi ciency, fl ying through the tree via the knuckleboom at fi rst then

Walking TallSpecialty equipment and a customized Bandit 1990XP make Michael Poor’s one-man operation look “pretty easy”

MICHAEL POOR takes pride in his fl eet of equipment, which is some of the biggest and best in the industry. For a one-man operation, Poor often handles jobs on his own in hours that would take whole crews days to complete, thanks to his equipment.

FEATURED STORY


eventually roping into the tree itself, using the knuckleboom to rope the tricky sections which he then guides safely to the ground using the remote. Awaiting the material is his latest acquisition—a Bandit Model 1990XP “brush” chipper which actually functions more like a whole tree chipper in Michael’s care. With a

large 24.5 by 26-inch chipper opening there isn’t much the 1990 can’t handle, but just as Michael is a unique arborist, his 1990XP is a very unique chipper. “Th e neat thing

about the 1 9 9 0 X P

is the

custom-built rack on the front so I can haul my mini loader,” he explained. “A lot of people like to have a big grapple arm on the back, but with the mini loader you’re not limited to distance. If you’re working in a yard that’s soft and wet you wouldn’t be able to back the chipper in without sinking into the ground. With the mini loader you can drive over, grab the pieces and set them right where you need them, and feed the chipper. Or if a customer has a pile of brush inside a back gate, you can drive the loader right through and bring the material out.” Michael’s mini loader is actually a Toro Dingo TX-525 outfi tted with a grapple. He came up with the idea of using and toting the mini loader some time ago, designing and creating a rack on his older tandem-axle chipper from another manufacturer. When the time came for a new chipper he looked to

Bandit, ultimately working directly

with the company on

his designs

for a new rack, which Bandit then installed on the machine straight from the factory. When the modifi ed 1990XP arrived, Michael only needed to load his Toro to be ready for the next job. “A lot of thought, calculations and measurements went into this, and Bandit really helped me with the weight and dimensions so we could make sure the changes wouldn’t lead to any towing or performance issues,” said Michael. Th e 1990XP joins his small but impressive fl eet of specialty equipment that enables him to not only accept big jobs, but complete them in a quick and effi cient manner. Aside from the chipper and Volvo-mounted 55-ton Eff er knuckleboom, he also has the world’s largest available knuckleboom for tree services—a 155-ton Eff er riding on a spiff ed-up Western Star—and a pair of chip trucks to tow the 1990. “I’m a real small company,” he explained. “With the big knuckleboom cranes and the big new chipper I just picked up, I can do

more myself. My philosophy is that, between rain days and weather and everything else, you’ve only got so much time to go out and get work done. If you can do it easier, safer and more effi cient with equipment, then you’re better off to buy the equipment. Back in the day when we’d climb and rig in huge trees it might take us two days to fi nish a job. With the equipment I have now it makes that work a cakewalk; I can do it in a couple hours.”



For Michael, back in the day was the 1980s, when he worked with his father who was also a certifi ed arborist. Initially part of his dad’s team, Michael became a self-employed contractor and continued to work for his father, forming his own company at the ripe old age of 18. His passion for trees and the outdoors took him from his Urbana roots to the West Coast, where he spent four years working in a variety of environments. “I wanted to work on some of the larger trees and get into that for a few years,” he said. “And there was a real diverse population of trees there. You drive up the mountains and you’re into ponderosa pine and incense cedars and giant sequoias, and then you head the other direction and you get into tropical trees near the coastal areas and even some of the desert species. To work with all that was really interesting.” He eventually returned to Urbana and began investing in equipment. A 1994 Bandit Model 250XP was his fi rst major purchase. “We were cramming brush into a tiny hand-fed chipper,” commented Poor. “When the Bandit XPs came out in that time with the nice thrower and infeed system, we were able to really increase production just with that. I was still doing all the rigging and removal and everything was done by hand, but I took a lot of pride in getting that Bandit chipper.” Flash forward to a hot spring day on the southeast side of Urbana. Aggressively swinging through the cottonwood like Tarzan, it’s clear his love of the job is as strong as ever. Th is particular day had Michael working

with a couple reinforcements, manning the 1990XP and the mini loader to speed up the project given the tree’s proximity to the intersection. As the limbs and tree sections came down they went right to the chipper via the loader, save for a large 20-inch diameter piece that Michael himself expertly guided into the infeed with the crane, using the remote from his perch high in the tree. He defi nitely takes pride in his skill, and he couldn’t be happier with the performance from the 1990—especially its production and fuel effi ciency. “I knew I would see more production, but the 1990 is so much more productive that I’m actually able to get an extra job in at the end of the day; it’s that much faster,” declared Poor. “And I’m actually using less fuel because the engine spends way less time at high RPM. When I bumped up to 275 horsepower and with the big pieces it was taking I expected the opposite, that I’d be going through more fuel. I was running a 250-horsepower, 20-inch capacity chipper before this one and it should’ve been comparable, but the Bandit is a big, big step up. I can’t believe it made that big a diff erence.” With Michael fl ying through the tree and his crew chipping on the ground, it wasn’t long before neighborhood residents gathered with camera phones to watch the team in action. Despite the somewhat precarious location next to a busy street, the fl ow of traffi c was never interrupted by their eff orts even though

Michael Poor’s Bandit Model 1990XP has been customized to include a carrier for his Toro Dingo TX-525 with grapple. Custom utility racks are also included for his ladders and other tools.

For material that can’t be put through Michael Poor’s Model 1990, Poor has a fl eet of trucks to haul it away.CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

FEATURED STORY


A VIEW FROM ABOVE...SCAN THESE CODES WITH YOUR SMART PHONE for a unique aerial view video from a helmet-

cam of Michael Poor and his crew operating their

grapple and Bandit chipper combo set up!

TWO MUST SEE FEATURES!


33Log on to www.banditchippers.com BANDIT BITS / WINTER 2012

they worked at an impressive pace. Th e 1990’s pulling and crushing power was a big asset in this situation, as very little saw work on the ground was required to process the material. Michael said this was one of the 1990’s main selling points for him, along with the heavy duty construction Bandit is known for. “Th e power of the infeed is just amazing,” he said. “Th at was one of the things that really surprised me on the demo; it really breaks down limbs better than anything I’ve ever seen. Bandit rates it as a 21-inch capacity machine, but this thing will chip a 24-inch diameter log in an extreme case—usually a chipper that big needs a semi to haul it around. Th is one is really towable and works fi ne for residential jobs, and that’s what most of my work is. It’s a good overall package, and you can tell that Bandit didn’t spare a lot of expense to build it the right way. Th e drum is really heavy and it’s really solid overall; on other machines I’ve

looked at it’s easy to tell where they skimped to save money but the 1990 is just a well-designed, well-built machine.” Watching Michael and his crew quickly and effi ciently process the cottonwood, it’s easy to see why he so often gets the call for diffi cult removals, be it residential, commercial or municipal. “I’ll go to whoever needs their trees taken care of,” he explained. “A lot of the trees we do are in real tight spots. Th ey’ve got power lines under them, or they’re in between houses or at the back corner of a lot and so I’ll have to go in and crane each piece out. Sometimes it’s blocking the road so I’ll need to work quickly to get that piece out of there, and that’s where the chipper really helps out, because I don’t have to be sitting around.” Th ough Michael has been climbing, roping, dropping and chipping for over 25 years, he sees the investment in good

equipment as a key to keep doing what he loves for 25 more. “Th at’s part of the strategy behind the equipment, saving my back and shoulders,” he said with a smile. “I hope my body holds up that long.” Walking tall with specialty equipment and a pride that only comes from building a career around a passion, Michael Poor epitomizes the phrase ‘doing what you love’. And judging by the professionalism he displays on the job—not to mention the shiny chrome and paint on his machinery, there’s no mistaking what he does best. “Some people are into cars and boats and motorcycles and things like that,” he said simply. “I’m into trees. I’m really into trees and working with them, whether it’s pruning a really large tree or doing a removal in a really tight spot, or something else to help people out. It’s just what I do.”

Michael Poor’s team of arborists process material by loading it into the Bandit Model 1990XP with a Toro Dingo mini-loader. By using the mini-loader, they are able to take a tree removal from start to fi nish.

Want to see actual footage from our day with Michael Poor?

SCAN THIS CODE WITH YOUR SMART PHONE FOR A SNEAK PEEK!


Industry News & UpdatesEPA Tier 4 Emission Regulations in Eff ect Th e next step in EPA Tier 4 engine emission regulations is upon us. Beginning January 1, 2012, smaller non-road diesel engines ranging from 74 to 174 horsepower will be required to meet Tier 4 standards. As with the larger engines, there will be a “fl ex” period in which Tier 3 engines will still be available for purchase. Th ere is a notable diff erence, however, in the availability of these smaller engines. Whereas a fi xed amount of the larger (175 horsepower or greater) Tier 3 fl ex engines are available, our stock of smaller fl ex engines will be based on a percentage of total machines built. Th at means a portion of machines sold after January 2012 will be required to use Tier 4 engines, regardless of other availability. Th ere are many variables in place that will determine the exact number of Tier 3 engines manufacturers will be able to off er, but the bottom line is that, for equipment using non-road diesel engines in the 74 to 174 horsepower range, all manufacturers will be required to equip and sell a certain number of Tier 4-compliant machines after January 1, 2012.

What does this mean for future equipment purchases?

As with the larger Tier 4 engines, prices are expected to be signifi cantly higher as compared to Tier 3 units. Specifi c costs have yet to be determined, but engine manufacturers are estimating signifi cant increases that could top 50 percent. Bandit will continue to work with suppliers to keep price increases to a minimum, but for anyone considering a machine purchase the time to buy is now. Placing an order sooner rather than later will help ensure pricing at the less expensive Tier 3 level.

Bandit Welcomes Dealers in the West, Midwest, Mid-South Bandit Industries is proud to announce the addition of several new dealers to our continually expanding authorized dealer network. Tri-County Equipment in southern Indiana, Arrow Tool Rental Corporation in central Indiana, Emery Equipment Sales & Rentals, Inc. in Louisiana, Diamond Rental in northern Utah, KC Bobcat in western Missouri, White Star Machinery in Kansas, Central Illinois AG in Illinois and Williams Equipment and Supply throughout the Mid-South will join more than 170 dealers in over 50 countries to off er Bandit equipment. Th ese new locations will further extend Bandit’s reach to the professionals in the fi eld, while also providing the trademark levels of exceptional customer service Bandit customers have come to expect.

ARROW TOOL RENTAL CORP. already brings a strong familiarity of Bandit equipment to the table. As one of the most respected equipment rental locations in Indianapolis, they’ve stocked Bandit rental machines for years so the staff at Arrow Tool knows fi rsthand just how popular these machines are. Th e company will now off er Bandit’s full line of hand-fed wood chippers and stump grinders for sale, while also continuing to rent Bandit equipment alongside their impressive rental stock that includes everything from larger industrial equipment to basic hand tools. Arrow Tool Rental serves Bandit customers throughout central Indiana; they can be reached at 317-547-8118 or online at www.arrowtoolrentalcorp.com.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS AG is located in the heart of the Illinois prairie, serving a wide range of customers through a fl eet of small and large equipment representing 18 manufacturers. Locations in Atlanta, Farmer City and Clinton, Illinois will off er sales and full service for Bandit hand-fed chippers and stump grinders,

serving customers throughout Central Illinois. Th e company’s humble beginning from a one-person blacksmith shop in 1898 to a multi-line dealer with 90-plus employees is a testament to Central Illinois AG’s commitment to excellence. Contact them at 800-334-8942 for branch information, or on the internet at www.centralilag.com

TRI-COUNTY EQUIPMENT operates two locations in Evansville and Poseyville, Indiana, serving residents of southern Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. Bandit hand-fed chippers and stump grinders will join the company’s already impressive fl eet of represented manufacturers that includes the likes of Kubota, Bobcat, New Holland, Great Plains and many more. Tri-County Equipment has delivered superb service under current ownership for over 32 years; the company belongs to the Mid-America Equipment Retailers Association and their experienced personnel in service, sales and parts refl ect the very best in customer service. Th e Poseyville location can be reached at 812-874-2231; Evansville at 812-422-8200. Tri-County Equipment is also online at tri-countyequip.com.

EMERY EQUIPMENT SALES & RENTALS

has been a staple of southern Louisiana since their doors fi rst opened in 1966. In the 45 years since, they’ve built a solid reputation for great equipment and even greater customer service, making them an ideal match for Bandit. Based in Baton Rouge, the company will sell Bandit’s line of hand-fed chippers and stump grinders alongside their stock of new and used Bobcat machinery and King Kutter attachments. Th e company belongs to several organizations including Associated Equipment Distributors, the local Pelican Chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractors, and the LA Rural Water Association. Emery’s commitment to serving customers throughout Louisiana is further enhanced by an excellent parts and service department featuring factory trained technicians. Th ey can be reached toll free at 888-654-3125 or online at www.emeryequipment.com.

DIAMOND RENTAL is Utah’s premier company for tool and equipment rentals/

INDUSTRY NEWS


BANDIT INDUSTRIES HAS PARTNERED WITH ILLINOIS-

BASED ZENITH CUTTER CO. to be the exclusive distributor for Zenith Cutter hand-fed and whole tree chipper knives. Zenith Cutter’s full line of competitively priced chipper knives for Bandit, Morbark, Vermeer and Altec chippers will be available for purchase exclusively through Bandit’s global dealer network of over 170 locations, parts and service outlets, or directly from Bandit. A leading manufacturer of high quality industrial blades and knives for nearly 90 years, Zenith Cutter is the largest manufacturer of chipper knives in the United States with over 250,000 units produced annually, serving 10,000 customers and several OEMs. “We’ve spent considerable time looking at the Zenith brand, from the manufacturing process to materials testing and real world applications, and these knives are better than any other knife on the market,” said Bandit Industries President Jerry Morey. “For nearly 30 years, Bandit has built a reputation for quality by not settling for anything but the best in materials and construction. Zenith Cutter meets these standards and we’re proud to be the exclusive distributor for their knives.”

Zenith Cutter products are manufactured in two state-of-the-art, 100,000 square-foot facilities in the United States and Vietnam, using high-grade, modifi ed A-8 chipper steel sourced from U.S. and European suppliers. Zenith Cutter knives undergo a proprietary heat treatment developed to reduce brittleness in the center while maximizing the durability of the edge, reducing the possibility of knife breakage that can infl ict catastrophic damage to a chipper. Bandit dealerships will stock a wide assortment of Zenith Cutter knives in conjunction with online 24/7 ordering and available same-day shipping, ensuring the quick service and minimal downtime Bandit and Zenith Cutter customers are accustomed to. Customers will also be able to order knives directly from Bandit, and all Zenith Cutter knives will continue to enjoy competitive pricing. “No matter where you are in the world you’ll be able to get the Zenith knives you need, when you need them,” said Morey. Headquartered in Loves Park, Illinois, Zenith Cutter Co. currently employs approximately 500 professionals worldwide and is an ISO 9001:2008 company.

Zenith Cutter Partners with Bandit Industries on Exclusive Chipper Knife Distributorship

purchases of all sizes, for projects large or small. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Diamond Rental is one of the largest organizations in the area with 13 locations throughout the Wasatch front. Having been in business since 1979, the professionals at Diamond Rental are well-versed in delivering the right equipment for the job, be it construction, demolition, refi nishing, lawn and landscape, and much more. Bandit’s full line of hand-fed chippers and stump grinders will join their rental fl eet and sales inventory, and a highly qualifi ed service department will keep the equipment operating at peak effi ciency. Diamond Rental belongs to national and local chapters of the American Rental Association, and they’re ready to serve the needs of Bandit customers. For Diamond Rental branch locations contact them toll-free at 888-844-4007, or online at www.diamondrental.com.

KC BOBCAT off ers three locations to serve customers in eastern Kansas and western Missouri—Blue Springs and Platte City, Missouri, and Olathe, Kansas. Th is dealer has experienced substantial growth since

entering the scene in 1974, becoming one of the most respected equipment dealers in the Kansas City area. Bandit hand-fed chippers and stump grinders will accompany their fl eet of Bobcat equipment, available for purchase. KC Bobcat’s exceptional parts and service department is equipped to handle any situation including service work in the fi eld, and with over 36 years of experience they know how to get the job done right the fi rst time. Contact KC Bobcat at 816-215-6606, or see them online at www.kcbobcat.com

WHITE STAR MACHINERY is a division of Berry companies of Wichita, Kansas that operates 22 separate compact equipment locations throughout the lower central Midwest. White Star serves Kansas residents through four locations, backed by a legacy of service that spans 100 years. White Star’s current lineup focuses on compact equipment including Bobcat, Stihl, and now Bandit hand-fed chippers and stump grinders at Kansas locations including Wichita, Manhattan, Garden City and Topeka. Th e company also features a comprehensive parts

and service department to provide exceptional support when required. Whether renting or purchasing equipment, the staff at White Star Machinery has the experience to deliver the services needed, with the professionalism Bandit customers deserve. Th ey can be reached at 888-681-0821 or online at www.whitestarmachinery.com.

WILLIAMS EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLY

serves customers throughout the Mid-South by off ering a wide variety of equipment and tools. With roots dating back to the 1950s, this pioneering company was among the fi rst in the region to off er rental equipment in addition to sales, and their early expansion into rural areas brought quality, personalized service directly to their customers in the fi eld. Bandit hand-fed chippers and stump grinders will join their inventories at six locations throughout Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas, backed by a highly qualifi ed and experienced staff for sales, parts and service. For branch locations, contact Williams Equipment Supply at 888-553-8211 or online at www.williamsequipment.com.

All trademarks, service marks, and trade names used in this release are the property of their respective owners.


Industry News & UpdatesNew Equipment, New Options, and New Hybrid Technology Keep Bandit Ahead of the Pack New machines and equipment updates from Bandit Industries are further expanding the company’s dominance in the hand-fed wood chipper and stump grinder markets. Initially revealed at the company’s triennial dealer meeting in August, the announcements include a new 7-inch capacity disc chipper currently available for order, several updates and new options for select hand-fed chippers and stump grinders, and a forthcoming series of screen chippers specifi cally designed for biomass applications. In addition, the company is introducing patent-pending hybrid technology installed on a pair of prototype machines that can deliver unparalleled combinations of performance and fuel effi ciency for chippers and horizontal grinders. “We have continually raised the bar for manufacturers serving the tree care industry,” said Bandit Industries President Jerry Morey. “We listen to our dealers, we listen to our customers, and then we build the machines they ask for. Companies continue to struggle with high fuel prices and are actively searching for ways to stretch every dollar they make. Our new designs will help make that happen.”

NEW—Model 2250XP Hydrostatic Stump Grinder Beltless hydrostatic power fi nally comes to a small stump grinder with Bandit’s new Model 2250XP. Th is compact, self-propelled stumper uses a 27-horsepower gas engine and a large hydrostatic motor that replaces the common belts and bearings typically associated with small stump grinders. Th is also eliminates the clutch, belt tensioning system and the many sheaves and bearings that normally require regular maintenance, signifi cantly reducing

machine downtime and maintenance costs. Th e 2250XP is very simple to operate and maintain, utilizing two-wheel drive with fl otation tires and a 35-inch stance for exceptional stability and maneuverability. Separate hydraulic pumps power the undercarriage and 20-inch diameter cutter wheel, and it features a wide 50-inch swing arc that reduces repositioning at the stump. And with a weight of just 1500 pounds it gingerly crosses manicured lawns while being very easy to transport. Th e Model 2250XP is now available for order, with fi rst deliveries expected in spring 2012.

NEW—Model 75XP Hand-Fed Disc-Style Chipper Similar in stature to the popular Model 65XP, the Model 75XP off ers a slightly larger 7-inch capacity but wields larger knives and chipper bearings. Th e bearings are also located on the back side of the disc, allowing the feed wheel to operate closer to the disc for more effi cient chipping. Engine options up to 44 horsepower are off ered, making this compact machine extremely capable for brush and small trees. Th e Model 75XP is perfect for rental companies and tree services requiring big production from a small machine, and it’s available now.

UPDATE—Model 1590XP Hand-Fed Drum-Style ChipperBandit’s most popular hand-fed drum chipper can now be optioned with wider horizontal feed wheels, measuring 25 inches versus the standard 20-inch wide wheels. Th is new option allows the 1590XP to more aggressively crush and compress limby material, reducing the amount of trim work required on larger material entering the chipper. In addition, the Model 1590XP now off ers engines up to 180 horsepower, further enhancing the capability of this machine. Th ese new options combined with the 1590’s throat opening of 19.75 by 20.5 inches allow it to easily outperform every other chipper in its class, delivering production more in line with much larger units while retaining the maneuverability and fuel effi ciency of a mid-size chipper.

UPDATE—Model 490XP Drop-Feed Drum-Style ChipperTwo new versions of Bandit’s smallest chipper make it a big asset for rental stores, farms, orchards, or other applications where a versatile, lightweight, extremely mobile chipper is needed for brush trimmings and small trees. Introduced last year as a PTO-mount or manual-push unit, this 4-inch capacity chipper is now available as a self-propelled machine that utilizes a drive motor to power a pair of all-terrain tires. A skid-steer mount version of the 490XP is also under development, powered by the skid steer’s hydraulics. Regardless of the specifi c design, all Model 490XPs are inexpensive to own, easy to operate and simple to maintain.

UPDATE—Grapple Options for Loader-Equipped Hand-Fed ChippersEnhanced brush grapples are now available on larger hand-fed chippers optioned with a built-in loader. Th e grapple is specifi cally designed to grab and crush brush and limby material, and the loader designs are particularly useful in urban situations where space is limited. Loader options are available for the Model 1890XP and Model 1990XP and are a popular option for tree services consistently dealing with large or limby material.

UPDATE—Stump Grinder Cutting WheelsTh e Revolution® stump grinder wheels and teeth from New River Equipment are now available as options on Bandit’s comprehensive line of handlebar, self-propelled and track stump grinders. Th ese durable components will give additional grinding choices to Bandit customers while delivering the same level of reliability and production expected from Bandit stump grinders.

INDUSTRY NEWS


Th e biomass industry in the United States is at a bit of a crossroad. On one side we have the benefi ts of biomass energy for which we’re all familiar—renewable and carbon neutral with the potential to create untold numbers of quality jobs while promoting healthier ecosystems. On the other side of the road are the perceived pitfalls of biomass energy—non-sustainable and a worse polluter than fossil fuels with the potential to destroy forest ecosystems through overharvesting. Biomass opponents continue to press their case through misinformation, such as a recent report from Oregon State University that concludes the harvesting and processing of biomass increases atmospheric CO2 versus traditional fossil fuel use. Th is report—like the Manomet study before it—conveniently excludes several real world factors such as the aff ect of forest fi res through lack of proper forest management, or the use of wood waste products. Th e study also accounts for carbon emissions starting at the point of harvest without considering the full carbon cycle of sequestration and release, which the authors themselves admit would lead to a very diff erent (and carbon neutral) conclusion. Others, such as the environmental activist group Greenpeace in a release titled “Fueling a Biomess,” simply turn to sensationalism and exaggerated worst-case scenarios to blast biomass. Curiously, both sources do admit—buried deep within their reports—that there is a positive potential for biomass energy under certain circumstances. Of course, neither report mentions the eff ects of strip mining or massive oil spills associated with fossil fuels, nor do they off er alternative solutions to meeting the energy needs of the future. Th ey also choose to ignore some of the best-case biomass scenarios already taking place, like the new 50-megawatt Aspen Power plant in Lufkin Texas which produces zero smoke with

emissions 98 percent cleaner than other traditional plants in Texas. Last October, Biomass Power Association President and CEO Robert Cleaves had the opportunity to directly address the EPA regarding this misinformation circulating through the media. His message? Use real-world situations to determine biomass emissions. Th e following article by the Biomass Power Association discusses the meeting and includes the speech Cleaves delivered to the EPA, reprinted here with permission from Biomass Power and Th ermal magazine:

Biomass Power

A s s o c i a t i o n

P r e s i d e n t

and CEO

Bob Cleaves

a d d r e s s e d

the U.S. EPA’s

Science Advisory

Board Biogenic

Carbon Emissions Panel at its

meeting Oct. 25 to review its recently

released Accounting Framework

for Biogenic CO2 Emissions. The

panel’s September report could have

potentially major implications for the

biomass industry by excluding waste

wood, which has been recognized

as “carbon neutral” by numerous

scientists, from CO2 emissions

standards.

The panel invited Cleaves to

comment at its public meeting, which

continues Oct. 26-27. Below are his

comments:

“Good morning and thank you for

the opportunity to speak. My name is

Bob Cleaves and I serve as president

of the Biomass Power Association.

BPA is the Nation’s leading voice for

biomass-to-electricity facilities. We

use a wide range of organic waste

materials—forestry debris, rice hulls,

orchard prunings, urban wood—in

COMING SOON—Bandit “SVC” Screen Vacuum ChipperAn exciting new line of chippers from Bandit Industries will provide specifi cally sized wood chips to accommodate the strict sizing needs typically required in biomass applications. Th e Bandit Screen Vacuum Chipper—or SVC for short—utilizes greater knife adjustment in conjunction with interchangeable screens to produce a highly uniform product with virtually no oversized chips. Depending on the confi guration, the Bandit SVC can create a multitude of chip sizes to address the specifi c needs of various end users. Th e Bandit SVC is also unique thanks to its vacuum throwing system that draws chips from the screen, eliminating the need for an auger system. Th e chips are forcibly sent through a special top-load discharge chute designed to effi ciently load open-top trailers, packing more chips per load. A conventional end-load discharge chute is also available.

COMING SOON—Hybrid Technology for Chippers and Horizontal GrindersTh is revolutionary technology uses off -the-shelf components to capture and store energy from chippers or horizontal grinders that are running but not processing material. Th at energy can then be returned to the cutting head to supplement engine horsepower, all without using an abundance of batteries or complex electrical components normally associated with hybrid systems. Depending on the confi guration, this technology can potentially double the machine’s available processing power, allowing companies and tree services to run smaller, more effi cient engines without sacrifi cing processing power or production speed. Th e system can be used with gasoline, diesel or electric motors; two prototype hybrid machines were introduced to dealers at Bandit’s 2011 dealer meeting—a Model 1680 Electric Beast horizontal grinder and a Model 65XP gas-powered disc chipper. Trial testing is underway with the technology expected to be available in the near future.

Getting Vocal on Biomass


CLEAVES

REPRINT


Following the excitement and encouragement from Bandit fans after last year’s Nationwide Series campaign, Bandit Industries stepped up in 2011 to a special three-race NASCAR Sprint Cup sponsorship, followed by a pair of Camping World Truck Series events. Bandit’s 2011 racing season began in May with a stint in NASCAR’s big leagues—the Sprint Cup—sponsoring LTD Powersports and their driver, T.J. Bell. Th ough new to Sprint Cup racing, Bell was a veteran NASCAR truck series driver and ARCA Rookie of the Year from 2004. Prior to that, his racing portfolio included considerable success in the CART Toyota Championship, and he’s also competed in every major worldwide auto endurance race, including the 24 Hours of LeMans and the 24 Hours of Daytona. LTD Powersports was planning a partial 2011 schedule in preparation for a full-time run for the Cup in 2012. Bell quietly unveiled the no. 50 Bandit Chippers.com Toyota Camry on May 7 at the Southern 500 in Darlington, where he qualifi ed and spent 67 laps on track to get a feel for the new car. Th e team’s debut was purposefully low key, as their goal at Darlington was to simply run a few laps for testing and shakedown, while qualifying for a spot in the Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Th e black and yellow Bandit Toyota ran consistent at the Sprint Showdown during NASCAR’s all-star weekend at Charlotte on May 21, where Bell qualifi ed in 21st position and fi nished 18th after narrowly avoiding two major accidents. “I was in the smoke, couldn’t see anything,” said Bell. “Th e spotter did an unbelievable job getting me through; he really delivered. Th ings were getting crazy.” A fi rst or second place fi nish in the Showdown would’ve placed Bell in the evening’s main attraction, the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star race. Despite missing the headlining event, Bell was thrilled to be on-site for all the action and to share it all with the folks from Bandit. “Th e atmosphere is just electrifying for the All-Star race,” he said. “It was great to be here and to have everyone from Bandit supporting us.” Bandit shifted to a secondary sponsorship for the last race with the team at Pocono. Bell qualifi ed 43rd and ran 33 laps before an

electrical problem sidelined the team for the race. “We were very excited and proud to support LTD Powersports and T.J. Bell in their Sprint Cup debut,” said Bandit Large Equipment Sales Manager Travis Lint. “We’re also very happy to give a little glory back to our customers and friends who’ve supported Bandit through the years. Seeing our car running door-to-door in the greatest spectator motorsport in the world is something very special for us, and we can’t wait to do it again.” And that’s exactly what Bandit did, only this time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Jake Crum and the no. 01 BanditChippers.com Chevy Silverado. Paired up for a special one-race sponsorship, Bandit and Crum attacked Bristol for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 200 on August 24. “We’ve had lots of questions from our customers and fans about getting involved in the Camping World Truck Series,” said Lint. “Jake already has a racing resume packed with wins despite his young age, and we jumped at the opportunity to go racing with him at

one of the most exciting tracks on the circuit.” Crum’s fi rst outing in a truck was at Bristol in 2010, where he started 13th and was running in the top 10 before a fuel pump failure took him out of the action. Prior to trucks, Crum’s racing career included more than 350 victories, 53 state and national championships, and considerable seat time in numerous racing series such as ARCA, UARA, the World Karting Association and more. Not bad for someone who just turned 20 on September 25. From the very beginning the race was special, with the announcer giving a big shout out to Bandit and to Crum as an up-and-coming force to watch in the NASCAR ranks. Crum

TOP: Jake Crum scraps for position in the #01 BanditChippers.com Silverado during the O’Reilly Auto Parts 200 at Bristol. ABOVE: T.J. Bell takes the #50 BanditChippers.com Toyota into the pits for a quick stop during the Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Bandit Debuts in NASCAR Sprint Cup, Camping World Truck Series

HIGHLIGHTS

39 BANDIT BITS / WINTER 2012Log on to www.banditchippers.com 39BANDIT BITS / WINTER 2012

started 25th and was running consistent while pulling towards the front, eyeing the top 10 when contact on lap 51 between him and Chris Jones in the no. 87 Chevy caused Crum to lose a few spots. Drama ensued when Jones elected to retaliate for the bump by “tapping” Crum’s Silverado under caution before steering his damaged truck to the garage. Crum continued on and was poised to make another run for the front when a multi-truck crash on lap 62 ended his race prematurely. He ultimately fi nished 33rd. “Jake was racing his heart out, running in the thick of it and swapping paint on his way to the front,” said Lint. “He’s not afraid to push hard and that’s what makes him a winner. We’re proud to have been with him at Bristol.” Th at pride led to additional outings with Crum, including a NASCAR Late Model race at Martinsville on October 8 that saw Jake take a dramatic come-from-behind win in his heat race, followed by an exciting feature where he survived two accidents to fi nish 21st. Bandit returned to trucks a few weeks later in Texas for the WinStar World Casino 300, once again serving as the sole sponsor for Crum. Th e Tree Care Industry Association and the American Loggers Council joined Bandit on the truck under the lights for the race, helping to raise awareness for these two organizations while enjoying some NASCAR glory. Now driving the no. 55 BanditChippers.com Silverado, Crum ran as high as 7th before succumbing to a spin-out on lap 96, closing out Bandit’s 2011 NASCAR season. “Jake and T.J. gave our fans and customers plenty of exciting racing throughout the year, and that’s the reason we’re in NASCAR,” said Lint. “Every fan, every person or company that has a Bandit machine, they’re all part of that car or truck that millions of people are seeing. We love racing, we love the excitement of NASCAR, and we’re so happy to see the pride being shared among our employees, customers and friends. We’ll be doing this for as long as we can.” Bandit is currently exploring options for the 2012 NASCAR season.

the generation of grid-connected

electricity.

“My members have been waiting for

two years for a well-respected panel

of experts to be convened on this

important topic. Sadly, in the absence

of a national inquiry like we have here

today, the issue of biomass and carbon

has been hijacked by those who wish

to advocate for a narrow renewable

energy agenda that is not embraced

any other place in the world.

“So on behalf of my members and

the thousands of workers in the woods

and on farms, we thank you for your

service and thank EPA for dedicating

the resources necessary for you to do

this work.

“We will leave it up to others to

discuss the merits of the debt/dividend

approach. Fundamentally, and simply,

we believe that so long as carbon

stocks are not reduced, bioenergy is

favorable from a carbon perspective.

“But we have two thoughts to leave

you with.

“First, we ask that you address what

is happening in the real world. A little

known observation by Manomet (Center

for Conservation Sciences)—that is

central to their, and your inquiry—is

that ‘all bioenergy technologies—even

biomass power compared to natural

gas electric—look favorable when

biomass waste wood is compared to

fossil fuel alternatives.’

“Manomet points out that

agricultural crops, residues, plantation

trees, urban wood—all important

and overwhelmingly the source of

most bioenergy feedstocks today—

were not the focus of their study as

mandated by the commonwealth of

Massachusetts. That was unfortunate,

because the takeaway—that biomass

is dirtier than coal—has been an

enormously time-consuming myth to

correct among policy makers and the

public generally. In short, do not make

the same mistake as Massachusetts.

“This panel should undertake an

inquiry that is relevant to today’s

market. Not one of the case studies

covers how almost all grid-connected

electricity is produced today—from

what we call ‘open-loop’ biomass

(meaning residues, not natural forests)

from a grid-connected, electricity only

facility.

“The panel’s work will be for naught

if it focuses, like what Massachusetts

asked Manomet to do, on a practice

that isn’t done in the industry today

to any large degree (i.e., natural

forests for energy) or is preoccupied

with making pyrolysis and biochar—a

business that may have potential but

has not yet been fully commercialized.

“Second, make it simple. With

that, I thank you for your work, and

welcome the opportunity to follow

your deliberations.”

As professionals in the logging and tree care industries, your real world experience can help steer the future of Biomass in the right direction. Attend local meetings where biomass issues exist and share your stories. Contact your representatives at the local, state and federal level and let them know the real-world benefi ts of biomass. Counter the claims of greater pollution and forest destruction with the facts on healthy forest management, the dangers of uncontrollable forest fi res, and biomass success stories like the new low-emission plant in Texas. Th ere is a strong future for biomass energy—as a unifi ed voice we can help realize this future today.”

The Biomass Power Association is a member-driven organization with the goal of increasing the use of biomass power and creating new jobs and opportunities in the biomass industry. As policymakers at every level explore ways to lower greenhouse gases and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil, BPA is the leading advocate at the state and federal level for a strong commitment to clean, renewable biomass energy. Members include local owners and operators of existing biomass facilities, suppliers, plant developers and others all across the U.S. For more information please visit www.BiomassPowerAssociation.org.

Reprinted with permission by the Biomass Power Association.

(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)

END OF REPRINT

SCAN THIS CODE WITH YOUR SMART PHONE to see exclusive video

of Jake Crum racing the

no. 01 BanditChippers.

com Chevrolet truck

at the Camping World

Truck Series O’Reilly

Auto Parts 200 in Bristol


FOXBORO, Mass.—“Tree climbing is still the backbone of this industry,” proclaimed Andy Felix, founder and owner of Massachusetts-based Tree Tech Incorporated. “It’s the backbone of this business, that’s for sure.” Th at’s a noteworthy statement, because Andy turned his company from a two-man/one truck operation into a multi-million dollar organization currently celebrating 25 years of success. Building from the company’s humble beginnings in 1986, Tree Tech Inc. is now one of the largest tree service companies in New England, employing more than 80 people and operating no less than 68 pieces of specialty equipment. Some of their more notable machines include 4 boom trucks, 12 bucket trucks, 14 chip trucks, and 20 Bandit chippers that range from disc-style Model 250s to drum-style 1890s, a grapple-equipped 1850 disc whole tree chipper, and a brand new Model 1990 with a grapple. Despite the palette of machinery at his disposal, Andy is adamant about emphasizing seasoning over technology. Th is is why Tree Tech’s client roster reads more like an A-list of attractions and prestigious organizations throughout eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Among them are 16 colleges and universities, 22 municipalities (including the cities of Boston and Worcester), esteemed golf courses, museums, schools, hospitals, utilities, landscaping specialists, contractors and much more. And those are just some of the company’s commercial clients—roughly 50 percent of Tree Tech’s business is residential. So how does one go from a two-man/one-truck operation in 1985 to a bona-fi de New England tree care empire today? Th ere’s no small amount of hard work and vision behind Andy’s operation, but having parents who were in charge of what would ultimately become the Tree Care Industry Association certainly didn’t hurt. “My dad had an opportunity to take over management of the National Arborist Association in the early 1970s,” said Felix. “He left a private tree business that he developed into one of the largest tree companies on Long Island and went into NAA, and since he’d been a past president of that association he was very familiar with it. My mom ended up working with him on that; they ran it out of our home until around 1980 or so. He eventually started TCI magazine to help generate revenue for the NAA and also to give back to the industry. He passed Ground crews await a large pine that will be processed by one of Tree Tech’s twenty Bandit

chippers, in this case an older Model 1890XP that still works despite many years of service.

The Secret to Success(For Andy Felix and Tree Tech Inc.,

it’s not really a secret)

CUSTOMER STORIES


away suddenly in 1996; he was a great resource and a great dad. I had no greater infl uence than my parents.” Growing up in an environment steeped in the practices of arborists and tree care professionals gave Andy an early taste of the business. It was something that he found appealing, even at an early age. “I was exposed to many good arborists and tree companies when I was a kid,” he explained. “I saw that it was a nice industry where people had success. Th ey were able to work outside yet be professional and earn a good living. Because I traveled with my parents to those National Arborists Association conventions and the conferences back in the day, I got to meet a lot of good people, too.” Having such a comprehensive background in tree care from an early age certainly gave Andy an advantage, but it was by no means a guarantee for success. He enrolled at the University of Massachusetts while working as a climber and spray technician for a couple diff erent companies, specializing in insect and disease control. He graduated from UMass in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in arboriculture and urban forestry and joined up as a crew leader for Bartlett Tree Expert Company in Newton, where he had his fi rst experience with Bandit equipment. “It was 1984 or 1985 when they had that fi rst machine, in Newton anyway,” he said. “It was an old four-cylinder Wisconsin with direct drive. Guys would almost come to blows about who was going to take that chipper; that’s how much better it was than chipping with the other machines we had.” After nearly three years with Bartlett, Andy had the opportunity to start his own tree company and he took it. Tree Tech Inc. was founded in April 1986 with a two-man crew, a single truck and a chipper, and then he built his business the old-fashioned way: He climbed, he cut, he took care of his customers, and he jumped at every opportunity to gain some exposure. “My goal was to just cover as large a geographic area as I could, so the odds of getting work were that much better,” recalled Andy. “Th is was back when remote call forwarding fi rst started, and I was in more of a remote area. So the second week I was in business I put up a second phone number closer to Boston that would ring to me in Foxboro, so I could get myself closer to clients who cared more about trees. Th at’s how I marketed to higher end residential clients, and we were fortunate enough to work with the biggest landscaping company in New England. Th at landed us on premier properties throughout Boston, and from there we were able to reach out to people in charge of those properties.” Today, Tree Tech is a full service tree company running 18 diff erent crews. Andy is very active throughout the business as well as the entire industry, having recently been elected to the TCIA Board of Directors. Th ough his

background is in arboriculture and treating diseased trees, the bulk of Tree Tech’s business actually comes through tree takedowns. His crews can also handle pruning, trimming, land clearing, and for the past several years Tree Tech has performed utility work as well. “I started as an arborist in insect and disease control, but the calls that came into our business were primarily for tree removal” remarked Andy, speaking about the earlier years. “I’ve always kept plant healthcare a percentage of our services, but rather than pass that removal work on to others we decided that we’d do it—and do it as best as possible.” Th at’s how the backbone of Andy’s company came to be roping, climbing, dropping and chipping trees. Supporting those eff orts are a host of Bandit chippers, which have become the backbone of Tree Tech’s fl eet since the company fi rst switched to Bandit in the late 1980s. “It’s the durability and reliability,” commented Andy. “We’re still using Model 200s from 1999, just an insane amount of hours on them, really big hours. We’re really pleased with the product, and with the service from Cleaves Company, our local Bandit dealer. Th ey represent Bandit very well.” Th e numerous Model 200s and 250s are appreciated, but the team members at Tree Tech really have an affi nity for the grapple-equipped Model 1850 whole tree chipper and their brand new Model 1990. Truth be told, the 1990 was supposed to replace the older 1850, but the crews like each machine so much that they’re both still working hard. “Th e guys are freakin’ in love with that 1990!” proclaimed Andy. “On land clearing, we can go right in with it and a shear. And the 1850 with the grapple, we’ve still been utilizing that as well. For the machines we’ve got, we love them.” Building such a strong business is one thing, but keeping it there—especially in post-Great Recession America—is another story. Many companies have found success in taking an aggressive approach to weak market conditions, and Tree Tech’s similar strategy is one of the reasons why Andy’s company isn’t just alive and kicking, but poised to expand into the realm of wood waste recycling. Th e old adage of ‘location, location, location’ also comes into play, and according to Andy, that defi nitely makes a diff erence. “We’ve been very fortunate. We happen to have a mix of business that allowed us to stay consistent. It’s still tough here for sure, but we’re aggressive. We looked at diff erent markets; we just opened a satellite offi ce to try and increase our exposure and open another market area on the south shore of Boston. Also, being headquartered in Foxboro we’re in the middle between Providence and Boston, and that’s perfect because we’re servicing Brown University and Providence College, and we’re also at Boston University and Boston College.”

Finding the right location, having the best equipment and staying motivated in opening new markets are keys to building and maintaining a successful business. Having family ties and deep roots within the industry certainly contributes to the equation. But in the end it all comes down to people. People on the ground, people in the trees, people in the offi ce, people at all levels of the business who are interested in a simple, fundamental goal of doing the best job possible. For Tree Tech, that means respect for the customer and for the tree, and with a reputation of excellence throughout New England, it’s abundantly clear that Andy and those at Tree Tech have learned the secret of success. Th e irony is that it’s actually not a secret at all. “You can’t just rely on equipment all the time,” he confessed. “But a good climber, well, that’s one of our biggest assets for sure.” It may seem strange to read such a statement in a magazine from an equipment manufacturer, but Andy’s success is a clear example of how the right combination of equipment and skilled labor can pay dividends. To see more of Tree Tech Inc. be sure to visit the company’s website at www.treetechinc.net.

With a fl eet of nearly 70 machines, including numerous Bandit chippers, there isn’t much Tree Tech can’t handle. Supporting the equipment are more than 80 professionals who take pride in every aspect of the job, from prep work at the shop to on-site chipping and clean-up at the end of the day.


Alright, perhaps we’re not quite there yet. If you’re anything like me, you still like the smell of fresh newsprint, the feel of magazine pages in your hand, being able to fl ip through, set it down, and pick it up later at your convenience. I like a good paperback, and I like getting subscriptions by mail. But I’m guilty of having two phones (one in each coat pocket right now) and spending more than half my day in front of a computer, too. You can’t deny the everbearing presence of the Internet. Even my grandma (who nearly fi fty years ago spent her time helping my grandfather and his logging crew (my uncles) in the forests of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and once competed in cross-cut saw and log rolling competitions) has a Facebook page. And she uses it. I know this because she and I had some very revealing conversations during my latest visit over Th anksgiving break. (Note to self: must tighten up Facebook privacy settings before Christmas.) If you’re a business person, you likely have an email address and a smart phone. Most of the people in your crew probably have smart phones. Heck, even your kids have smart phones. Th ey impact the way we spend our downtime, the way we take vacations (ever used your smart phone next to the pool or on the golf course?). Th e way you shop is diff erent. Th e way you research new equipment probably

involves clicking, printing, comparing. Who has time to wait for a call back? You do your research online, as our YouTube channel can attest with its nearly 400,000 views at the time of printing. People want to see it in order to believe it, and the internet makes that happen. Welcome to the world of social media. It’s a form of media that lets you interact. Join the conversation. Become informed. Of course, distractions abound (Angry Birds, anyone?) but it’s reassuring to know that if you’re looking for information on a subject, you can probably fi nd it. Here at Bandit, we’re trying to make it easier than ever to give you the information you want at the click of the mouse or tap of your phone. Some of the things we’ve implemented include integrating QR codes (small, often square, barcodes that link to more information) into advertising and other print that let you see quick video clips taken during the photo shoots and testimonials with customers. It’s one thing to read about the machine’s performance, but a whole ‘nother story to actually see it run. We’ve also stepped up our Facebook presence, posting pictures and clips from demonstrations and trade shows we attend so you can get a feel for life here at the factory. We’ll be expanding soon to include shots from around the shop – you may even get to see pictures of your very own chipper being built!

Th e next and biggest overhaul we’ll be undertaking is the redesign of our website, which should launch Summer 2012. Shortly thereafter, plans are in the works to implement a mobile Chipper Assistance site, similar to what Briggs & Stratton has done with their industrial engines (scan the code on this page to read about their program – it’s quite revolutionary.) It is our vision that when you receive a Bandit machine, the wear parts and components will be stamped with a unique QR bar code that links to data associated with your specifi c serial-numbered unit. A quick scan of the code would provide you with your nearest dealer and service center information, a list of frequently asked questions for that component, even a downloadable service manual and parts reorder information. All with the scan of your smart phone! Of course, these things take time to develop, but its moving toward these big goals that keep you happy, and keep us in our position as industry leaders and innovators. We want you to be engaged and interact with our machines and our company, and we hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy the special multimedia features on your smart phones as you’ve read this issue. So what’s the next step for your business? I encourage businesses of all sizes, even small 1 or 2 man operations, to set up a Facebook page and become active in your online communities. Word of mouth spreads like wildfi re. Imagine how fast word of mouse travels!

THE LAST WORD:

SOCIAL MEDIA:ARE YOU ON BOARD?

BANDIT BITS

BY KIMBERLY HASENBANKDIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Like it or not, the days of traditional, static media are over. Th at’s right, put down your newspaper, put down this magazine, and get out your smart phones and iPads. Th e digital revolution is now.

Interested in learning about Briggs & Stratton’s

Mobile Service Site? SCAN THIS CODE WITH YOUR SMART PHONE

and let us know if this would be a

valuable feature on Bandit machines!



Call Factory Direct: 1-800-952-017844 BANDIT BITS / FALL 2010

United Rentals Supplier ShowJan. 8-9, 2012St. Louis, MO

•US Composting Council’s 20th Annual Conference & Equipment Demonstrations

January 17-20, 2011Austin, TX

•The Rental Show

Feb. 6-8, 2012New Orleans, LA

•Yoder & Frey Auctioneers, Inc.

38th Annual Auction Sale Feb. 6-13, 2012Kissimmee, FL

114th Annual IHLA

Convention & Exposition February 7-9, 2012

Indianapolis, IN •

The 2nd Bioenergy, Fuels & Products Conference & Expo

February 28-29, 2012Atlanta, GA

•Southern Chapter ISA

Annual Conference March 18-20, 2012

Birmingham, AL

Waste Expo May 1-3, 2012Las Vegas, NV

•Northeastern Forest Products

Equipment Expo May 11-12, 2011Essex Junction, VT

•33rd East Coast Sawmill and

Logging Equipment Exposition May 18-19, 2012

Richmond, VA •

Michigan Chapter APWA May 21-25, 2012

Boyne Mountain, MI

International Bioenergy Conference

June 13-15, 2012 Prince George, BC

•88th Annual ISA

Conference & Trade Show August 11-15, 2012

Portland, OR •

TCI Expo November 8-10, 2012

Baltimore, MD

Documents

Bandit Bits Vol. 42