Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

LaGrande, Oregon

• GOT A TREE PROBLEM? WHO YOU GONNA CALL? SLASH BUSTER - an article about the equipment demonstration printed in The Observer, a local La Grande, Oregon, newspaper, July 17, 2003.

Equipment Demonstration

• Bio-mass Processing and Utilization - John Deere 1490D Slash Baler/Bundler
• Thinning and Slash Processing/Grinding - Gary Wright, Daewoo excavator with Slash Buster Head

Sponsored By: Oregon Dept. of Forestry, USFS, Union County Extension Service, John Deere, Jim Voelz (Landowner).

What: A demonstration featuring two specialized types of equipment: a slash buster developed and operated by Gary Wright of Union and a slash bundler/baler manufactured by John Deere.

The new John Deere 1490D slash bundler/baler is the first machine of its kind in North America. This machine is being tested on seven sites in four western states this summer and we have a very unique opportunity to view it here in La Grande. This machine is uniquely designed to collect, compress and bundle logging and thinning residues(biomass) up to 26 inches in diameter and unlimited length (cut to length system). The bundles created can be transported by log truck for uses including fuel for bio-mass/co-generation plants as well as stream bank stabilization structures. This "tool" has the potential of revolutionizing the use, handling and economics of the by-product(bio-mass) of forest health improvement projects, harvesting and fire hazard reduction projects while creating jobs, producing a product, and eliminating unwanted smoke from burning or wildland fires.

The Slash buster featured actually cut the trees for the bundler as well as thinned and ground the trees on an adjacent site.

Contact: If you have any questions please call:

Rick Wagner (ODF) at 541-963-3168,
Email: mwagner@odf.state.or.us;
Tom Burry (USFS) 541-962-8537; or,
Paul Oester (OSU extension at 541-963-1010