Was probably overloaded with this load today, but didn’t want to leave any soldiers behind. Going after a load of big white oak early tomorrow morning. Will be my last day of cutting for awhile since 100 degree temperatures are moving in. Mother Nature will be kiln drying my inventory quickly. 10-15 mph winds also
Bagged my 95th load this morning from my current cutting location; mainly white oak. Started out at 78 degrees this morning and 91 while I was unloading at the woodyard. Fun in the sun! Next up is a big ash ash. Then I have a $1,000+ hickory further down the hill. Thinking I will have to tie off each round before cutting so they don't roll 300' down into the gulley. And will likely just cut them 14" since I will be carrying each round over 200' up hill. Hard to maul a round in half when on a steep slope.
Close to three dozen mature trees down within 400' of my access trail. I love the physical challenge of loading my truck with rounds from far distances, but the trees at the bottom of the gulley are out of my reach.
Dang, sounds like you’ll be working for that hickory! Looks like you have a little shade to work in. The heat is one thing to contend with, but wondered if the bugs are bad where you’re at?
May defeat your minimalist approach, but seems like you could get a winch setup for your hitch receiver to get to some of the ones that are too far down the gulley. At least you could drag them part way out so you could still get your workout
The bug chitters are getting very bad! I spray everything with permethrin, but isn't 100% effective. My ankles currently have about a dozen chigger bites and I tuck my pant legs into my socks and wear sprayed gators and sprayed cutting chaps. Had two ticks crawling on me this morning and one on my tailgate. After unloading my truck each day, I immediately shower and my clothing goes into a bucket of bleach and soapy water. Price I have to pay being in the woods everyday.
All the trails I travel on this property are very tight with huge mature trees. I wouldn't be able to get inline with most trees that are down. And I would have to cut down a lot of out trees to clear a path for the wenched logs. Owner would not appreciate me cutting down his live standing trees for making paths. The owner has offered to help me with his tractor, but way to0 steep and thick for him to get close to most trees. I have plenty of close trees to cut for the next few months, but they are mostly red oaks and less desirable stuff. White oak and hickory are what my Nashvillian customers demand most, so what I go after if feasible.
July has been very good to me so far. Sold a cord total on two deliveries this morning and then bagged over two face cords of maple from next door to my last delivery. Think I earned a FHCer trophy! Could have loaded four face cords worth, but it was already in the nineties, humid and I had already wheelbarrowed and stacked a cord. Only one piece was a little punky. Would it be rude to ask the homeowner to cut exactly 16" rounds next time so I didn't have to do any extra cutting? Not a sugar maple, but will sell it for the same price of all my other firewoods.
Just had a guy drive 120 mile round trip to my wood yard for 1/2 a FC of cherry. He is smoking a lot of ribs for his employees tomorrow. $850 day. Not bad for July.
Wow, you're hitting home runs out the park with every swing. That's great. I know you earn it though with the area you cut in...
One idea, I've used a hand truck in the woods before to move rounds. It works surprisingly well. Could an ATV or UTV reach any of these locations and use it as a mule to your truck?
Wow, only $3,800 + tax. And what do you spend on a ramp and modifications to get it to the cutting site! I believe in KISS. Keep it simple stupid. I am on track for selling 60k this year keeping it old school. Toys need buildings and storage space also. No thanks
Just a suggestion! Mines not a TOY to me, it's a tool and helps the mobility of moving. Work smarter, not harder! And, it's $2800.
You could save more money if you use a cross cut saw and maul for splitting. Like any tool, everything has its place. And not every tool is for everyone or every situation.
If there are 3 dozen trees (presumably desirable) at the bottom of that gully that would otherwise just sit there and rot, one could presumably purchase a tool like WeldrDave has, use it for the job and then sell it. With the price you are receiving for your premium wood, what is the retail value of those 3 dozen trees once processed and dried? Of course, if you have ready access to similar wood that is already down and of similar value, the point is moot. But if supply became limited, a mechanized method of retrieving wood is an option. edit. I guess you didn’t say that all 3 dozen were at the bottom of the gulley. At this point, it is unclear how many trees are currently out of reach based on your assessment of what is and what is not worth the effort.
Keeping it simple has it limitations and so does your body. I’d venture to say every person in here got by with less when younger but now see the value in spending money to make physical work more manageable as we get older. The thing with tools is you spend the money once but can use them for years and if they make it easier, you can work longer and potentially make more money.
