Quebec-based logging contractor, Steeve Ladrie explains that his equipment approach is about meeting the needs of his teams: his selection of harvesting equipment is based on having a diverse set of machines assigned to his two separate teams, so that each team can efficiently – and productively – handle the diverse forest stand types assigned to them.
Steeve established Les Chantiers du Lac in 1998 when he began a now 26-year association, contracting for Groupe Lebel. Les Chantiers du Lac is based at Steeve’s home at Riviere Bleu, situated on the Quebec-Maine border, and about 50 kilometres north of the Quebec/New Brunswick border. Les Chantiers operates on public lands in southern Quebec and on Anticosti Island, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Steeve began his forestry career in 1982 as a tree planter and later joined his father Richard’s chainsaw/cable skidder operation, contracting private woodlots through Groupement Forestier Temiscouta, around their home at Riviere Bleu. In 1986, he joined his uncle’s cable skidder crew harvesting for Abitibi Power and Paper Company.
His first adventure in mechanised harvesting was with a John Deere 693D harvester in 1994.
Les Chantiers du Lac divides its operations into two teams. Late in February 2024, Steeve’s son, Alex, began supervising a team in Reserve Faunique Rimouski, while long time supervisor, Tommy Senechal’s team was operating in Reserve Faunique Matane. The harvested wood is shipped to Groupe Lebel mills in the Gaspe region.
Both reserves are managed with Integrated Forest Management Plans (multiple use), which are guided by procedures and rules established by Quebec’s Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. The Rimouski Reserve covers some 729 square kilometres and the Matane Reserve covers 1,275 square kilometres. The Matane Reserve boasts the most dense population of moose in Quebec, and many streams and lakes that offer fishing opportunities. The reserve also hosts many recreational trails including a portion of the Appalachian Trail and the approach to the Chic Choc Mountains.
Throughout the year, Les Chantiers du Lac also contracts for J.D. Irving operations in Quebec and Maine, as well as contracting on private woodlots in Quebec through the Groupement Temiscouta.
The right mix
The harvesting team in Tommy’s Matane operation consists of a Weiler H457 harvester, with a Waratah H415HD head and a John Deere 753 with a 480 Waratah head. The Weiler harvester operates double (12 hour) shifts, while the John Deere operates only on day shift. The Weiler/Deere harvester team is supported by a 20-tonne Rottne forwarder, which is double shifted to handle the three harvester shifts. Tommy’s team also includes a second Weiler 457 with a LogMax 7000 Extreme head, matched with a John Deere 1210G forwarder.
Alex’s team – harvesting at Reserve Rimouski – includes a John Deere 803 harvester with 480 Waratah head, and a John Deere 753 with a LogMax 7000XT head. Forwarding capacity is handled by a John Deere 1010E and a Deere 1110G forwarders.
The Rimouski and Matane teams operate about...
