Release No. OR110-03-48
US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management
Medford District
3040 Biddle Road, Medford OR 97504
Jeanne Klein, Public Affairs Officer
(541) 618-2424
(541) 734-4586 (FAX)
jeanne_klein@blm.gov
For more information contact:
Blair Moody, BLM Site Coordinator, (541) 618-2207
Bob Rummer, Forest Service, Southern Research Station Project Leader, (334) 826-8700
Dan Len, Forest Service Small Diameter Utilization Specialist, (970) 295-5751
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Slashbundler Equipment to be Demonstrated on BLM land
Medford, Oregon, August 19, 2003- On August 26, 2003, the Medford District of the BLM and John Deere
are offering the public a field demonstration of a unique piece of equipment designed specifically to reduce fire
hazard by picking up forest residue or slash from land management activities. The John Deere/Timberjack
“slash bundler”, the first of its kind in North America, collects, compresses, and bundles thinning slash and
logging residue. This equipment converts slash and small material into bundles, or slash logs for energy
production. Typical slash logs are around 30” in diameter and 10’ long and held together with a light rope.
This demonstration is one of eight demonstrations in four western states. Slash bundler technology may lower
the cost of fuels reduction by providing an easier way to dispose of brush, small trees, and tree limbs, which are
generally expensive and difficult to remove. The bundler is also engineered for minimal impact to the ground.
These demonstrations will study how well the bundler maneuvers in various forest types and conditions,
potential impacts on the ground and operation costs compared to other fuel reduction methods.
Partners include John Deere/Timberjack, Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management, USDA
Forest Service—Forest Operations Research, Small Diameter Utilization Program, Forest Products Lab, State
and Private Forestry R-1/4, Idaho Panhandle NF, Boise NF, Deschutes-Ochoco NF, Eldorado NF.
The demonstration will begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue until 1:00 p.m. The BLM is providing vans to the
demonstration site from a landing on Conde Creek Road. Shuttles will operate every 30 minutes. Please park
at the designated landing, as there is very limited parking at the demonstration site. From I-5 in Ashland, exit
freeway, proceed east, and turn on the Dead Indian Memorial Highway, County Road 722, for approximately
13.5 miles until you reach the Conde Creek Road 38-3E-17. This paved BLM road leaves the Dead Indian
Memorial Highway on an angle and heads straight up the hill. Stay on this road for approximately ¼ mile to the
parking/shuttle area.
Lunch and beverages will be provided by Timberjack. Please wear boots, bring hardhats and dress appropriately
for the weather, as this is a field demonstration of heavy equipment.
Please RSVP to (541) 618-2200 by Monday, August 25th if you are planning on attending, so that we can
prepare enough lunches and drinks.
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