This scene is part of the collection of models from the special diorama Dennis Raper presented to Discovery Channel's Bobby Goodson (of Swamp Loggers fame) for his birthday the weekend of May 7-8, 2011. Dennis made a special trip to North Carolina to deliver this diorama.

The model above is a Tigercat 640C "clambunk" that we've featured previously in Photo Gallery 424.This is the model that Mrs. Goodson saw that got the Swamp Loggers diorama project started. Dennis has reworked it to make it more accurate by adding 4 scale feet to the rear frame and builing a correct headache rack for it. This is an old model, about 6 yrs. or so. Dennis says it was built from wood,aluminum,cardstock and whatever else he had on hand at the time.The tires are Resin Unlimited on the front and Micro Machines on the rears.

The photo below is a model of a C.S.I. (Cutting Systems Inc.) slasher-saw. It has an 18 ft. frame and a hydraulicly operated 42" saw bar. The frame is built in 2 foot increments which act as a "measuring tape" that allows you to cut trees to certain lengths. The hydraulic lines hook up to the loader and the slasher is operated from inside the cab of the loader. This pretty much eliminates the need for a "deck hand" and a much safer operation.

Posted June 4, 2011