Got the chance to get out Saturday and do some cutting, there hasn't been much time for that this year so I had big plans for the day. It was a beautiful day in central Indiana, the weather was perfect and the fall colors were spectacular, it was the kind of day that even a blown brake line couldn't ruin. First order of business was to drag this section of red oak up the hill to cut, this was a twin stem and the bigger half had recently succumb to gravity poisoning. Haven't run the old super ez in a while so I brought it out and used it for a little bit. For a small saw it does pretty well with the bar buried in the oak. Loaded those rounds up along with a couple others, decided while I had the extra traction I would go ahead and drag a couple more up for the next cutting session. I couldn't make a straight pull without the cable riding against another tree. I used a snatch block tied to a different tree to make a corner and keep the cable from cutting into a healthy tree. On the left is more of the same tree, on the right is another red oak next to where that one had fallen. If your lucky enough to come across fallen oak dont hesitate to check it out. Even if it has been down for a while it's likely that the heart wood is still good. About that blown brake line... While pulling the logs up I noticed the brake pedal was awfully soft but didnt think much of it at the time, i initially attributed the extra pedal travel to being in 4 low. After switching to 2 high I immediately became aware that something was awry. After checking the nipple (which was extended) on the brake fluid reservoir cap I started looking for a wet spot. Couldn't see a wet spot in the dirt so I moved onto my in laws freshly paved driveway and hit the pedal again, found it very quickly that way... after what felt like hours of fighting to get the old spare tire down I was able to make some progress Replacing brake lines had been on my mind but apparently werent a high enough priority before now, this was the line running to the rear. Looks like I'll take this hint and go ahead with them now. While this derailed any further wood work, I was quite pleased that it happened when and where it did. I definitely consider that a blessing. I doubt my in laws consider the brake fluid on there new driveway a blessing though. Then Sunday afternoon I got to go unload the truck and had my two favorite helpers with me, my dad and my son. My son is a little helper, though it is difficult to get much done while he is helping. Hoard on hoarders!
Standing dead red oak is my favorite. I find it still needs some to mg e under cover, before putting un the wokd stove. Especially, lower on the trunk. I have some that I cut a year ago. That rack is on my list for burning this year. Sorry to hear about your brake line. Life happens.
Good score on the bark-less dead oak, my favorite. Have had lots of brake line rust issues with my Chevy truck too. PA DOT loves to treat the roads in winter with brake line rust material.
Nice wood, work and saws Boogeyman! Scary when brakes go. Good thing it wasnt worse. Its happened to me more than once. Funny coincidence about the pavement. My friend had his paved on Tuesday and has asked me to put cardboard under my 2008 PU so the small oil leak wont ruin it when i park there.
Around here people throw big baby fits if a flurry falls and the roads aren't treated. Whatever they are using does seem to target brake lines lol
I had my break line blow out in my 2000 K2500 this past June while towing a trailer. I was slowing down for a yellow light and the line broke and my foot went to the floor. Luckily nobody was in front of me and the opposing traffic didn't start moving while I coasted through the intersection. I had to use my E brake to slow it down and come to a stop on the shoulder. There was brake fluid all over the front passenger side. Got it towed to the shop after removing the trailer. Not something I want happening again! Nice haul Boogey.
