Nice post Woodsnwoods , working in the snow brings it's challenges. But I'll take it any day over Mosquitoes and humidity, ticks and poison ivy. It makes it so much easier when you have the right toys, er, tools to get the job done. Looks like you got about the same amount of snow as we got. How far do have to skid those logs out?
Now that I got my tractor back together I was thinking about heading into the woods. I got an area that I have not logged since 1994 and it is heavy on the Ash. Since the Emerald Ash Borer has not got here yet, I have been eradicating Ash and really need to get this wood out of here. But what a spot! Part of me says just head in and make it happen, but man is it in a tough spot to log. Steep hill, wet and rough. I can winch the trees up over the hill and then load the wood onto my woods trailer and head out, but all that is going to kill production.
I have heard others say this too...what's the point? I get it if it was gonna stop or slow the spread, but it won't. Either way you end up with no Ash trees...
The point of getting it out now, is being able to market them while there is no quarantine on them. It does not really matter on pulpwood because the paper companies take the wood anyway, but it sure does on Logs. With the Ash Log market decimated in other parts of the country, prices for Ash Logs are really high right now. Getting them out while they are marketable makes a lot of sense. There is a HUGE difference in marketing a dead, standing tree, and a freshly felled one.
My land is incredibly steep so drainage is not an issue. It’s pretty tricky getting up the hills, but luckily the logs are coming down hill. My big concern is getting sideways and dumping the tractor. No chains, but probably should. I just like that the log stays relatively clean. Fresh air is nice.
A homeown Chains on a tractor are a real pain to put on, but they make a huge difference once they are on. With rubber tires only, it does not take much to spin out, but on a stump, stick, log or just plain icy ground, chains grip a lot better. I prefer 4 square ladder back ice chains (tiny knobs that grip the ice) over that of Ring Chains, also called Canadian Chains here. I think they give the tractor more constant grip, but also do not ride rough from the up and down thrashing a ring chain gives. Inevitably ring chains get "into time" and thump, thump, thump as you are traveling. But even straight ladder back chains are a vast improvement over rubber tires. But then there is the price. They are not cheap. Sometimes a person can buy them used and it be a good deal. My Grandfather, has (6) skidders and so they forever need chains. What he does is buys new chains for them, then when they are half-worn out, sells them to other loggers, and then puts new chains on his machines. In that way his machines are always getting good traction, and thus good production. A landowner could do the same thing, on either side; run new and sell them at half-wear and get new ones, or buy a used pair and still get their money's worth for many years to come.
A little more skidding of maple and beech, and knocked down a leaning hickory. Perfect start to thanksgiving vacation
What a great day. So many folks say the like the heat from a woodstove, but don't like all the work. That "work" is our idea of fun!
So true! I Love my fires and the warmth, but I think we are all on this site because we enjoy the entire organic process. Securing our own firewood connects us to the environment in a way that is hard to describe and though I am not the most religious person, working in nature with wood is the closest I feel to God. I hope my health allows me to enjoy this process for many years to come.
All though I like felling trees up in the mountains and looking out at my stacks through the front window of my house. there is no way I would ever do it for a living. Just too much physical work. I am glad I can spread the work out over a full year.
