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Moving Forward in the Laurentides

Quebec-based contractor Mathieu Lahaie chooses Tigercat for his select-cut CTL harvesting operation.

— Jorge Victoria

Man standing in front of Tigercat machines.
Mathieu Lahaie stands proudly in front of his Tigercat fleet.
Services Forestiers Mathieu Lahaie operates in the Laurentides and Lanaudière regions of Quebec. Logging is woven into the history of the Laurentian Mountains and for the Lahaie family, logging has been a way of life for three generations. Established by 30-year-old Mathieu Lahaie in 2020, the company is based in Sainte-Sophie, Quebec and focuses on select-cut harvesting and land clearing for new development.

From January to March, the company works on harvesting contracts, and from April to December, land clearing. “Winter is our big logging season because we can access the terrain that is not practical in the summer. And spring, that’s the mechanical season where we stop working in the woods because everything becomes wet and soft, and you cannot haul the wood on the road anyway,” says Mathieu.

Starting in the logging industry when he was sixteen years old, Mathieu learned the craft from his father, Alain Lahaie who has been working in the industry for 35 years and built a solid reputation in the Quebec forestry sector. Hand-falling trees and operating all kinds of machinery were Mathieu’s tasks at the time. After graduating high school, he enrolled in a forestry equipment operation program at the Centre de Formation Professionnelle in Mont-Laurier. Today, as an independent contractor, apart from serving his growing client base, he also subcontracts for his father.
822E selective felling
In Mathieu’s logging operations, being able to control the tree is a necessity. The 570 fixed head has proven effective when it comes to positive control. Wrist float allows the head to easily align with the tree during processing.
To tackle the different applications and terrain types, Mathieu relies on his Tigercat 822E equipped with the fixed wrist 570 harvesting head, and a Tigercat 1055C forwarder. With 1,600 hours, the fixed wrist 570 is the first of its kind in Quebec. “It’s very practical to the fact that you can control the tree. And it’s very strong and good with big wood. It’s a wonderful and solid product,” says Mathieu.

At the time of our visit, Mathieu was employing his Tigercat machines in a select-cut harvesting application on private land, producing ten to twelve loads per day with as many as fifteen different sorts bound for several buyers. The prescription called for a 30% selective removal. The mixed stand included species such as pine, fir, maple, spruce, birch, aspen and cedar. The Tigercat 822E/570 package was producing logs ranging from eight to 26 feet, with lengths varying in two-foot increments. Markets and final products include lumber, firewood, paper, veneer, and hardwood flooring. Mathieu relies on the D7 control system to monitor production volume, taking advantage of features such as mapping and production reporting.

In search of efficiency, Mathieu recently acquired the Tigercat 1055C to replace his old, downtime-prone forwarder. Mathieu attributes his buying decision to the reputation of Tigercat machinery. “Why did I want the Tigercat? Because the mechanics are simple and easy and the service is good. It’s more solid. The support is incredible.”

In most of Mathieu’s logging operations, the roadside landings are narrow with limited staging areas. The narrow width of the 1055C makes it a perfect fit. The swing out stakes are also an important feature for Mathieu. As the machine often operates in tight trails, the stakes are swung inward to reduce the bunk width, thus improving manoeuvrability and avoiding damage to standing trees. The machine’s ability to double bunk is equally important, as many of the processed logs are eight and ten foot lengths.
1055C Tigercat forwarder
Its size makes the 1055C ideal for select cut harvesting and thinning applications.
The forwarder is operated by Benjamin Emond, Mathieu’s only employee. He comments that the 1055C works well and is fuel efficient. He adds that the hose routing allows for clean sightlines to the wheels and load area. He also notes that the 1055C is more stable than the previous forwarder. The frame oscillation bearing is in the wagon frame, as opposed to the front frame, contributing to enhanced stability. “The mechanics are good. I like the vacuum pump for the hydraulic system to save oil when you bust a hose. You also have a separate pump for the hydraulic tank to put some more hydraulic oil in the tank. It’s very well made,” says Benjamin.

With so many products, Mathieu’s logging operations are far from simple. Success requires precise and efficient forwarding. Benjamin needs to constantly sort and forward the right products in order to maximize bunk space and minimize travel. Mathieu and Benjamin agree that the 1055C is the right tool for the job.
Benjamin Emond, forwarder operator
Benjamin Emond, forwarder operator, says he can accomplish more on the job with the new Tigercat 1055C.
Mathieu’s Tigercat equipment is supported by Wajax sub-dealer, Centre de Réparation Léon, located in Mont-Laurier. “When you need a part, you have it the day after. It’s very quick, very efficient service. They know what they’re doing. They know the machines,” comments Benjamin.

Mathieu’s main goal is to keep moving forward and grow the company. He wants to increase the number of Tigercat machines in his fleet, as well as the number of employees in his organization. Although he sees some contractors leaving the logging industry, he predicts that the demand for forest products will eventually return to higher levels. With reliable machinery, Mathieu will be one of the contractors positioned to fulfill future needs.

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