Flotation Forestry Tires

A recent decision by the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in favor of a thinning project in the Mt. Hood National Forest is a victory for the U.S. Forest Service and the logging industry—but it’s also a reminder that every move loggers make is being carefully watched and challenged at every bend in the (temporary logging) road.

That’s no surprise that loggers are under a lot of scrutiny. But it underscores the importance of the professionalism of today’s loggers, and the role that tires and tire inflation pressure can play in protecting the fragile soils of the forest. 

The Mt. Hood case hinged closely on the Forest Service’s Aquatic Conservation Strategy. One of the planks of that strategy is “maintaining and restoring sediment regimes.”  We’ve put countless R&D hours into developing high-flotation forestry tires that minimize soil disturbance and compaction.  Tread design, bead strength, carcass engineering—they all contribute to a lighter touch at the logging site.

The result is a more intact root zone for standing trees and healthier soil for reforestation. 

Now, that light touch is not just for skidders and conventional harvesters.  We’ve purpose-built new versions of our popular Alliance 343 (pictured to the left), 344 and 346 logging tires to handle the massive stresses of CTL harvest equipment while protecting the soil.

It’s our way of helping protect not just the forest, but the logging industry itself.

In a related Hub story, please read this on the importance of tires in operating in muddy conditions.