I never need to scrounge wood, as I have more on my own place then I will ever be able to cut, but a nice Red Oak fell down and was hanging out over the road, going down the mountain where I live. Someone had already cut a little bit out of the top to help clear the road, but did not cut it back far enough and after almost hitting it a couple of times with my windshield on my truck, I decided to take matters into my own hands. It had uprooted up high on a steep bank and was hanging out over the ditch, about 5 feet in the air. I decided to climb the steep bank, chainsaw in hand and cut it off at the root ball. Everything was wet and muddy, and leaf covered on the hill side. I have to brag just a minute. I had recently bought a new pair of custom Wildland fire boots from JK boots with the Honey Vibram sole, and all I can say is Wow! They have been hell to break in, but boy do those deep lug soles give traction. I have never had a pair of boots I could stand on ground like this much less, run chainsaw safely. Enough of that. Anyway, I understand first hand why some of you haul full rounds to the house, instead of splitting first, now. I didn't want to split down on the road, so hauled the rounds home first, which I never do. The bank was so steep, every time I cut a round off, it would take off and roll all of way down the hill and land in the ditch, which was kind of deep. I had to get in the ditch and throw them out into the road after that. I could gotten easier wood somewhere else but it was good wood and I couldn't leave it in the ditch, as it might cause the road to wash out as it will really get to rolling in a hard rain. Anyway, made almost exactly a rick of wood (face cord for you northern guys), two full loads for the side by side. I split it and stacked it later in the day. I didn't get permission to cut it up, but I figured it was a community service to clear the road, before someone had an accident, and I hated to leave the wood to rot, and figured it belonged to me as much as anyone for clearing it.
Good for you! I used to work for the county, most people would drive around it all day and not cut it back. Or, if they called they'd give a address or directions that didn't fit the scenario. So, we'd burn up daylight looking for it. Then, there's the one's who would not call, or cut it back, they'd leave it in the ditch line, cause a damming affect, and maybe a wash out. Not good.
Only I ever heard a rick as a firewood term was some youtuber in Wisconsin. So might not just be a Southern thing. Is that the Defender? How do you like it?
Good on you to do that and you are right by taking what you cut in this case; you did a good and much needed service. I've done some trimming of downed trees over the years but don't think I ever took the wood as most were a long way from home. Once a big box elder came down during the night shortly after Judy and I got married. Someone came to wake me up to see if I could clear the road so I did but only enough so people could go through. Someone else got the wood which was okay with me.
Great job there. Idve hated to see it just sitting there going to waste. Send a bill to the town for your emergency clean up services! 90% of my stuff is roadside scrounge.
I thought the expression "rick" was mostly a southern thing. As no one sells by the cord down here. The Defender? Yes it is an 800 Defender. I would have bought the 1000 if I had really thought I needed it, but was told by a hunting guide/dealer that unless I needed to go really fast, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference, and the 800 was actually better in some ways. He had a hog hunting ranch/guide business and I hunted with him some. (picture of his 800 loaded down with hogs we killed) He had both sizes, 800's and 1000's, so I trusted him and bought the 800. I have not been disappointed, as it's really served me well, so far. It will run about 50 mph but I never go much over 40 mph, anyway. It has all of the power, I need, and will haul all of the wood I can pile on it, without adding side boards or something. I did put a 2 inch lift kit on it, as it needed a little ground clearance increase. And I added 1.5" wheel spacers to widen the track out, as you loose track width when you do a lift, even a mild one. I also relocated the winch up higher, and added a front trailer hitch for pushing trailers around. I built that myself. And I added the rear bumper. If I was going to buy again, I might get the same thing, but I would also look at the Honda as I think the later model years, like this year or last year are quite good anymore, and they have a solid gear drive transmission where mine has a drive belt, but I have had no issues with my drive belt, so far. My brother in law has the Honda 1000 and it's been good also, although, he doesn't haul the heavy loads on his, that I do, but he does have more miles on his.
Thanks for the Defender review. Funny I am also considering the Honda. I like the folding seats for four passengers. Would be great for my family. I’m not crazy about the four passenger UTVS...they look too long. But I did check out the Defender too. Got goid reviews and I think it looks cool. anyways not for a couple years.
Here is a picture or two, when new, they still look about the same but a little more broken in. I have been having some trouble with my feet, and I have been struggling a little with about everything I own, boot wise. Which is one reason I ordered these. They have a high instep which I need, because of a heel spur. JK's are supposed to be easier to break in then White's or Nick's boots, but I don't know, maybe so, as I have no experience with White's or Nick's. I do know that JK's are hard enough to break in. But I am about there on the break-in, now. It's funny, though, as hard as they were to break in, they are still the most comfortable boots I have right now. I do wear them with two pairs of socks, a real thin liner sock, and a medium weight Red Wing sock. This seems to be about the best combination for me, right now. Would I buy these boots again? Yes I would, but probably 1/2 size bigger, but the jury is still out on that. I think I will eventually get a second pair, that is probably 1/2 size bigger so I can put a foot pad in and or wear a heavy winter sock. I later, switched over to leather laces, which I think I like better, and they kind of develop a memory after a while, so I am more consistent with lacing them to the same tightness, each time, which I am a bit sensitive to, but was just probably part of breaking them in. They are definitely the heaviest built boots I ever had, except for not being steel toe, which I don't need or want, since I am retired and not a requirement for my job.
Nice looking boots. Do you send them an outline of your foot like some other companies and they custom build? I wear Redwing fire boots, have for many years, theyre ok. With something like boots, I like to try them on first, so the custom thing scares me a bit. With the Redwings I know what to expect. I too wear 2 pairs of socks, 10 degrees or 100 degrees. A standard cotton crew type sock (I have lately gotten to like the over the calf style sock), and one of the Redhead wool socks with lifetime guarantee.
Yep, my brother in law's has the fold down seats. Good Idea if you need it. But in his case, the bed is always full of tools, and fencing materials, barbed wire, etc., so, not sure how practical it is for people like me or him. The longer full sized with the fixed rear seat and bed are really pretty good, but I wanted the shorter wheel base, however, it would have been handy to have the back seat area for chainsaws and tools, and still have the full bed, open and available. Honda, also now has a model with just the bed on the back and no fold down seats. For my use, that's probably the one I would get, if I bought a Honda, but I am hoping to keep the Defender for a long time. I don't trade much, usually.
Yes, I mailed in a fit sheet, and then they sent me a pair of try on boots, first, but that cost an extra $50.00 for shipping back and forth. However, it's probably a good idea, on the first pair. And they got mine pretty close, they fit pretty good now, but have a fairly snug fit, which is probably better in some ways. However, I think it would be best to do the fit sheet while wearing thicker socks then normal to make sure the fit is roomy enough. However, I would much rather have gone to their shop for a fit, Spokane Washington is a stretch from here, and I had no other reason to go up there. However, If I am ever in that area, I am going to drop in on them, and also maybe Whites, and/ or Nick's. It seems that Spokane is the hand made logger and wildland fire boot capitol of world. White's, Nick's and JK's are all located there. But it's probably because, someone would leave White's and start their own boot business. I know the owner of JK's used to work for Nick's. Similar deal with custom Combat Handguns, (1911's in particular) Wilson Combat is in Berryville, Arkansas, and now we have two other spinoff's there, Night Hawk being one, and another one, which I can't think of right now.
Yeah, the $50 would be some peace of mind, and a heck of a lot cheaper than gas or a plane ticket from VA....
Yep, but I would like to get out that way, maybe on vacation, sometime. Yellowstone is about as close as I ever got to there, on a trip, years ago.
