Got rigged up today (beautiful sunny day) and started with some small ash that was in the way of larger ash I want to take. Then, there's a nice big red oak that should drop right in the area where the ash is now. Good trails in and out. Not a long haul either. Started pulling out that small stuff and used the Suz like a horse to pull logs up onto the stringers. Not a lot to show for the time spent, but I feel good about just getting going. Next loads will be bigger stuff. Wasn't sure how well the rope would work with no one to guide it while it was moving (cause I was handling the hoss), but most of the logs centered by themselves and pulled right up slick. I'll parbuckle larger logs. Also, didn't need to use the skis or sled to haul these smaller logs, so it saved a little time. It's a start… and I'm pooped. So is Giz… lots of chompin sticks and running all around looking for squirrels.
Soon as the snow is gone and the ground is hard enough I'll use the tractor with my claw to move the logs for bucking. I want to get the splitter work deck finished first. Lots to do.
Ash mostly and a couple small maples. Usually, I'd leave stuff like this, but there's a lot of it and I want to open a little area a bit.
Oh. That stuff is nice size. I have lots of areas where things need to be thinned out, and then the ones I leave will get bigger, quicker. Hopefully! There goes those smileys again. They must want more attention by jumping to the beginning of my responses! WTF?
I've gotten so I'll take them off after the mud season and back on at the first snow. They're 4 season tracks. The single problem with the whole tracks thing is the steering. It's brutal on solid ground and solid hard snow too. I've run one season with tracks on the back and tires on front just because of the steering. Traction was amazing but really tears up grass when turning. On soft snow or sloppy muck, it steers pretty easily and can go just about anywhere. The low range is huge too and I use it most of the time pulling logs.
