FAE Stories - Alaska
Formidable forestry work made easy in Alaska
A PT175 tracked carrier, and an FAE forestry mulcher are helping a local company grow.
Find out more
BlackHawk Works, founded in 2011 in Fairbanks, Alaska, is a family owned and veteran operated company specializing in land clearing, tree removal, stump grinding, right-of-way maintenance, and fire break creation.
“After 4 years of service with the Marine Corps and 16 years with the Army, I retired and started BlackHawk Works in November of 2011. I wanted to go back to my roots of growing up in Montana where I logged with my father,” says Derek Broderick, the owner.
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“We quickly grew and purchased equipment and gear to be able to accomplish any job from top to bottom. We are equipped with plow trucks for residential driveways and heavier equipment for commercial plowing, sanding, and hard pack removal. Since 2016 we added climbers to our staff and are now capable of hazardous tree removal and emergency call outs”.
"We also proudly own an FAE PT175 tracked carrier and an FAE 140/U/PT175 forestry mulcher, which we purchased from FAE dealer North Pole Equipment in September 2023. Since then, we have used this powerful combo for forestry work and land clearing projects all over interior Alaska”.
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North Pole Equipment Rentals is a local equipment rental company and FAE dealer located in North Pole, just south of Fairbanks. “We sell and rent forklifts, excavators, dozers, generators, trailers, forestry mulchers and tracked carriers” says owner, Dan Sheridan.
"We pass on the best products because we know that working in Alaska is a real challenge. And we are always happy to know that our customers are satisfied with their purchase."
“Every day, we clear large properties for homeowners, removing trees and brush across vast areas” continues Derek.
“In a country as vast and rugged as ours, we need top-of-the-range machines to tackle these challenging environments effectively. That is why we decided to purchase a PT175 tracked carrier. We use it regularly and know we can rely on it!”.
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What does daily work life look like in Alaska?
“Sometimes our crew finishes up beautiful lots with incredible views; sometimes they must deal with ice and snow. Whether it's winter or summer, the PT175 can cope with all kinds of weather and extreme temperatures. The work is always fast and efficient. In Salcha country, a few kilometres south of Fairbanks, we filmed the FAE PT175 at work and posted the video on our Facebook account: it's so beautiful to watch! It gives you an idea of how smooth the work can be”.
What goals are you aiming to achieve in the future?
“We have experienced positive and responsible growth since we opened and plan to continue serving our community for many years to come, thanks to our expertise, skilled team, and machinery. Our goal is to service one customer at a time and complete the work to 100% satisfaction before moving onto our next project!” says Derek.
For more information: blackhawkalaska.com
For more information: northpoleequipment.com
For more information: [email protected]
