Really enjoying this.....

[jockeydeuce]

I'm no logger. (That's my disclaimer )

Timber prices have taken a short term upturn, so I made a deal with our local mill for some of the wood on our property. It's pretty decent revenue and I have to say, I'm really enjoying doing this all myself. I bought a John Deere 440B skidder to go along with my 350 dozer and of course saws aren't an issue, so away I went. The aim is to log this rather selectively.

I'm doing it all myself other than hiring a self loader.....Remarkably weird weather in Northern British Columbia too. Looks like a brown Christmas for us.....

A few pics of my spare time shenanigans over the last few weeks....

 

[J. Loe]

I’m jealous.
I’d love to be in the woods more.
Looks like fun man.

That woods looks like it could use a thinning, if you do it well the remaining timber will really put on diameter in the coming years.

Careful with the ruts, I don’t know bout bc, but we’ve always gotta careful about erosion on hillsides.

 

[jockeydeuce]

I’m jealous.
I’d love to be in the woods more.
Looks like fun man.

That woods looks like it could use a thinning, if you do it well the remaining timber will really put on diameter in the coming years.

Careful with the ruts, I don’t know bout bc, but we’ve always gotta careful about erosion on hillsides.

I'm definitely having a hoot and getting in shape at the same time. Yes, my little forest needs thinning badly and now is the time.

They say they worry about ruts and erosion, but if you saw the big logging shows here, you'd be disgusted. I'm concious of it and not worried about anything I'm making on my own property.

 

[J. Loe]

Well I’m a fanatic and hope I don’t come off know it all..
.
Man, I wish you the best.
Looks like a blast

 

[jockeydeuce]

Well I’m a fanatic and hope I don’t come off know it all..
.
Man, I wish you the best.
Looks like a blast

Not at all my friend....Seriously I'm mostly making it up as I go here. I have no logging back ground. I'm good with saws and I have some machinery savvy.

I'm open to ideas and criticism even.

 

[Nutball]

Looks like fun, I've always wanted to give logging a go.

 

[Dub11]

Not at all my friend....Seriously I'm mostly making it up as I go here. I have no logging back ground. I'm good with saws and I have some machinery savvy.

I'm open to ideas and criticism even.

Yeah more pics and video.

 

[jockeydeuce]

Yeah more pics and video.

Well I can strive for that...lol

In no way do I claim to be a faller, but my stumps aren't too ugly....



Another load leaving.....

 

[rocketnorton]

sub

 

[jacob j.]

It looks like you're doing good Rob...just be conscientious of wood pull/fiber pull from your butt logs...wide face cuts will help avoid that, especially if you're falling a stick into an open space.

It also doesn't hurt if you have a clean lay to take a snipe from from one of your falling cuts - I usually do it on the angled cut, regardless of which style of face I'm using. It helps with fiber pull and can help get a stick down cleanly if you're falling into a tight shot or you have some limb clash with neighboring trees.

 

[J. Loe]

 

[jockeydeuce]

It looks like you're doing good Rob...just be conscientious of wood pull/fiber pull from your butt logs...wide face cuts will help avoid that, especially if you're falling a stick into an open space.

It also doesn't hurt if you have a clean lay to take a snipe from from one of your falling cuts - I usually do it on the angled cut, regardless of which style of face I'm using. It helps with fiber pull and can help get a stick down cleanly if you're falling into a tight shot or you have some limb clash with neighboring trees.

Thanks for the input and I'll put it to use. Trying not smash what I'm leaving is tough and definitely challenging. Lots of ugly leaners. In fact almost nothing is standing straight.

I am struggling with some butt tear up the side of my hinge often....Not sure what I can do to avoid that?

 

[jacob j.]

I think I know what you mean...you can snip the sap wood (aka Cambium) on either side of your hinge...that's the "stringy" wood in the stump in most species.

 

[jockeydeuce]

@jacob j. ....Spot on where my trouble is and I was contemplating snipping the sides just like your pic....Thanks. I'll do that.

 

[Moparmyway]

I think I know what you mean...you can snip the sap wood (aka Cambium) on either side of your hinge...that's the "stringy" wood in the stump in most species.

When is it best to make these 2 cuts, before the backcut, but after the notch ?

 

[J. Loe]

When is it best to make these 2 cuts, before the backcut, but after the notch ?

Yep.

 

[Moparmyway]

Yep.

Could also get them cut in first, before the notch

Is one way better than the other ?

 

[J. Loe]

Always seen it after the notch.

Not a bad guide to the back cut placement as well.

In the Eastern hardwoods we do a lot of bore cutting to avoid pulling fibers..
Check this guy out.

 

[jockeydeuce]

Well snow has been the order of the day constantly for the last 10 days and my time has been taken up with shoveling and plowing plus in the shop fixing everyone else's saws......

Had a truck come grab a load this morning and caught a pic as it rolled past my front door...lol

I've got to say....With 3 feet of snow, this is all becoming a lot harder work, but I'll be back out there this weekend.