Course Descriptions

Forest Ecology & Silviculture - NYLT

This workshop is a core course and is required for anyone to become Trained Logger Certified (TLC).  It is a full day indoor class with an outdoor component.  Its goals are to give a general overview of:

  • NY Forest History
  • Forest Ecology
  • Silviculture
  • Water Quality, Invasives & Endangered Species BMPs
  • Safety Information

Game of Logging (4 levels which must be taken in sequence) - Bill Lindloff Pro Cuts

  •  Level 1 – Focuses on introducing the participant to open face felling and the development of techniques to safely use it.  Topics covered include personal protective equipment, chainsaw safety features, chainsaw reactive forces, bore cutting, pre-planning the fell, and understanding hinge wood strength.

 

  • Level 2 – Focuses on maximizing chainsaw performance through basic maintenance, carburetor setting, and filing techniques.  Limbing and bucking techniques are introduced, spring pole cutting is covered and more felling is practiced.

 

  • Level 3 – Focuses on techniques for handling difficult trees.  Topics covered include limbing, height measurement, segment calculations, wedging techniques and hinge placement.  The felling is done against the tree's natural lean and participants also limb and buck using techniques demonstrated in level 2.

 

  • Level 4 – Focuses on ways to maximize a harvest plan for safety and productivity.  Felling is practiced at working speed using all the techniques from previous levels.  This level is geared towards the user group.

Storm Damage Training - Bill Lindloff Pro Cuts – (GOL Level 1 is a prerequisite) 

Provides specialized training that addressed the unique hazards inherent in storm damaged settings.  This training is meant to provide saw users the information and techniques demanded by this dangerous environment and the forces and pressures of wind felled trees.

Demonstration & Hands-On Techniques: Participants will be exposed to and have the opportunity to perform many of the following techniques during the day:

  • Limb-Loc
  • Top-Loc
  • Tongue & Groove
  • Axle Cut
  • Axle Loc
  • Notch Bucking & Directional Notch Bucking (Controlled Release Cut)
  • Roll Away Cut
  • Buck with Wedge
  • Flagging Hazards
  • Tab Cut
  • Oversized Log Buck
  • Dirty Log Bucking
  • Using ropes and mechanical advantage techniques

Demonstration Only by GOL Trainer: Participants will be exposed to these techniques, but will not necessarily perform them during training day:

  • Scissor-Cut - Show using wedge and if applicable rope and come-along option.
  • The release of extreme spring-pole tension.
  • "Pole in a Hole"

Five Point Plan for Storm Damaged Trees:

  1. Overhead Hazards
  2. Hazards on the ground
  3. Assess lean weight and pressure
  4. Cutting technique or cut plan
  5. Escape route

Critical Injury Response for Loggers - Rick Lutz

Topics address loggers on responding to emergency situations on the job site and with equipment.  This includes:

  • Maximizing scene safety
  • Protecting loggers trapped under trees and debris
  • How to assist in rescue
  • How to manage an accident scene in remote locations or when trained emergency help is not readily available 
  • Use of safety equipment and precautions

Professional Loggers' Orientation – W. J. Cox Associates

It is intended to provide basic information, practices to avoid injuries.  It is a classroom type session and is not a substitute for good hands-on training.  Its scope is broader than Game of Logging training and does not go into depth on the techniques of that training.

Objectives: 

  • Identify The Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment
  • Identify Safe Use & Maintenance of a Chainsaw
  • Identify Safe Use & Maintenance of Other Hand Tools & Equipment
  • Identify Proper Felling Techniques
  • Identify Different Types of Notches
  • Identify Dangerous Results of Incorrect Felling
  • Identify Potential Hazards during Limbing & Bucking
  • Identify Potential Hazards during Skidding
  • Identify General Requirements for Machines
  • Identify General Requirements for Flammable & Combustible Liquids
  • Identify 1st Aid & CPR Requirements

It will serve employers and employees.  First from the side of offering the kind of information employers should supply to new employees, second by informing employees who may not yet have been supplied with this formation or may be training co-workers.  It will also address who is to be trained and when, what is included in the training, how training is to be conducted and what records to keep.

While not supplying OSHA logging specific information line by line we approach from our claim experience and risk management.  It will utilize photographs and video from our and other sources.

Mechanical Harvesting Hazard Abatement - W. J. Cox Associates

Mechanical harvesting of timber has changed many logging operations to the point where almost everyone is a machine operator. But machine operation is not without hazards and people are still involved. Machines throw material, roll over, and get stuck. They catch fire. They are big and awkward. Operators have to deal with traffic of other machines, limited visibility, trucks and other outside traffic to the log job let alone recreational vehicles. Equipment has to be transported to and from the job and be serviced regularly in all weather conditions. This class covers the range of situations operators face in mechanical operations, how to operate safely and control hazards on the job.

Garage Site Safety: Managing and Maintaining a Safe Work Area - W. J. Cox Associates

This class will examine control of many hazards associated with work in forest industry repair garages as well as many repairs with identical hazards that occur off-site on log jobs. Among the topics are chemical hazards, compressed gasses, tools, electrical safety, lifting and jacking equipment, tires, welding, avoiding accidental movement, environmental concerns and personal protective equipment. Since many machine operators today service their own machines they face some of the same hazards as full-time mechanics. This class supports mechanics and machine operators. covers hazards working on equipment in garages and on log jobs.

GIS for Harvesters - NYLT        

This course provides participants a review of publicly available GIS data sets and resources that can help harvesters and other resource professionals understand such issues as satellite and cell tower location technology, use of cell phones versus GPS units for real time data collection and map making, sharing and transmitting collected data,  public record listings and property ownership (use and accuracy), web mapping resources for  issues such as wetlands, blue line streams, rare and endangered flora and fauna and quarantine update locations.  This course will provide the attendees with hands on knowledge and training for navigating and integrating web resources including Google Earth Pro and Google maps into day to day activities from pinpointing a skidder drop off spot to locating a landowner's favorite tree stand.

So, You're a Logger? - There's an APP for That! - NYLT

This course will introduce loggers to the benefits of utilizing smartphone and tablet application technology to improve profitability and reduce the workload of business management.  Apps are often free and available on a smartphone that’s already in your pocket.  Accurately determining skid distance, using mapping apps to plan job efficiency, recordkeeping of loads shipped, sharing documents with landowners and foresters, organizing parts and maintenance information, using weather radars to protect water quality and tips on social media will be covered.

Be a “GO-TO” Logger for Landowners, Foresters & Legislators - NYLT

The logging industry is quickly judged by first impressions.  This course will expose loggers to the tangible and financial benefits of professionalism training.  Being a professional, costs almost nothing and will result in more work and improved contract negotiations. You’ll learn how to manage yourself and the log job to make a positive and lasting impression.  These same skills apply to working with local, state and federal officials who determine the outcome of various policies that affect the workability of your operation.

Forest and Tree Invasive Species - NYLT

This workshop is a full day indoor class with an outdoor component.  Its goals are to:

  • Define invasive species and the characteristics that given them an advantage
  • Review key invasive species: their movement, impact and control
  • Review the impact invasive species have on forest management activities and how forest management can positively and negatively affect invasive species
  • Review key regulations, agencies and programs that deal with invasive species
  • Provide tangible actions that you can take to slow the spread of invasive species

Small Business Essentials for Loggers - NYLT

This course is intended for logging business owners, key staff, family members and those who aspire to owning a logging business.  Loggers are both owners and operators and their duties extend to many things beyond harvesting timber.  The course will show the logger the components of a good business plan along with why it is so important.  (A fillable template is included.)   The course will guide the participants through the process of developing that plan by including personal financial considerations, what type of legal entity a logger might want to set up, how credit comes into play, the 80-20 rule, financial ratios, ownership transitions and the 10 traits & 4 themes of successful and innovative loggers in the northeast.

Timber Measurements for Loggers - NYLT

This course teaches Loggers how to estimate tree and product volumes on an individual tree basis as well as a stand and property basis.  This course demonstrates how trees are measured for merchantable volumes of various products from pulpwood to sawlogs considering cull deductions.  Many of the tools used and methods of tallying are shown.  Ways to estimate tree volumes from tables, estimating acreage, planning & conducting a timber cruise, and summarizing the cruise data are all discussed.

A Little About Contracts for the Logging Professional - NYLT

There are a lot of similarities between a harvesting contract and most other contracts that we deal with. A Little About Contracts for the Logging Professional will highlight the requirements of everyone involved in a contract as well as the protections it affords each party involved. There will be a discussion on how contracts can help avoid disputes and misunderstandings and some examples of contracts will also be discussed. This event will benefit not only managers of logging operations but also everyone involved in carrying out the work that is outlined in a harvesting contract.