How far is too far from the truck to grab wood?

If I can't drive within 30' or less I'm not loading it. I've been known to pick up wood further out than that and toss it over a ditch rather than walk it to the truck!

It's a supply/demand thing; I've got a good supply, so my demand isn't that high.

 

Back in the 80's, I would throw a tow chain over my shoulder and drag the logs out closer to the truck before I cut them. Sheesh!

 

Got two of these myself. They do help quite a bit!

 

That question is right up there with how small is too small load into the truck.
I like to be able to back the truck right up to the tree, but some of the trees I cut are over 30ft long, if I back up to one end of the tree the other end may be more then 30 ft away, so no 30 ft rule is gona work for me. However, if I back up to the stump end of the tree I'm likely to leave a lot of the smaller rounds from the top of the tree on the ground, whereas if I back up to the top of the tree I'll likely take a lot of the smaller stuff from the top end of the tree, but you can be sure I won't be leaving rounds near the stump, even if they are more then 30ft away.
I always feel bad leaving the smaller stuff though. I find it strange because I'll leave stuff on the ground that is 3" or less in diameter and I'll bring home those bigger rounds. Then when I get those bigger rounds home I'll split a lot of them up into smaller 3" splits and kindling even smaller than the stuff I left on the ground out in the bush. I guess for me it all comes down to what is the quickest way to get the truck loaded.

 

I've left plenty of tops in the woods thinking I'll get back to 'em one day.
That day finds me cutting up another tree and taking the larger rounds and leaving the top of that tree too.
It's a vicious cycle, I tell ya'.
If I get back in the woods, at least those tops should be dry by now.
Definitely no hard and fast rule how far I'll walk rounds back to the vehicle, as I've made some pretty distancy kinda treks with rounds in my arms. Not my favorite thing to do, but once I cut it up, I don't wanna' leave it.

 

+1

 

Op, can you scope out the terrain before driving on it? Clearing out tire hazards may take a little time, but it would be time well spent if you only have to make the long walk once and save a lot of back and forth with the wheelbarrow.

 

I bought two of them for myself. It helps keep me balanced with one in each hand. Wife doesn't help me with firewood much anymore. They are good for dragging a log for short distances.

 

These darn things look so logical but Ive never seen them in stores. With my back the way it is I sure would like something like this. I should drop some hints to Mrs Sean although she did just bring me back some super cedars from the states. Never used them before.... me like.

 

Each year is different for me, sometimes I can get wood that I can drop and throw right in the truck. Some years I have to use the wheelbarrow. I've wheeled quite a distance and just a short distance. I don't mind wheeling it out, even quite a distance if it's flat ground or a slight down hill grade. Of course now I don't cut anything less on the hardwood variety than cherry and generally something better.

 

Two words....log arch
Before my arch it all depended on size and distance. I would go 100 feet rolling the big ones. Or cut or snake into an area to get something worth while.

 

Did you decide on how you were going forward with this? If you have plenty of wood, this may not make sense. I say compare this to the next best alternative and see how they compare. I bought a skidding winch for my tractor for just these reasons, but for one off projects here and there it may not make sense.

 

I went back and walked it, no tire hazards, and an abundance of small saplings that are a non threat to F-150. The trees are easy to get at, but dead fall and some random pushed up small piles to the outside would hinder a wheelbarrow. I don't think I'll sneak my trailer in there, as it's steep coming out.

There's a power line down the center, so I have to be careful with how I drop the outside trees.

 

How far is too far from the truck to haul wood? I say, it depends on who's hauling it and how cold the house is!!!!!