Tractors and wood! Show your pics

[Sawyer Rob]

I picked a few up the other day when I was out riding my bike,

SR

 

[94BULLITT]

You all got me to wondering about hedge apples. They don't work as an insect repellent according to Iowa State University.

Facts and Myths about Hedge Apples

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I picked a few up the other day when I was out riding my bike,

SR

YOU STOLE HEDGE APPLES!!! Awe APB out on those apples, you better turn yourself in before they chop off your hands, or is that just for horses.

Joking aside those are some really big and healthy hedge apples, must have came from a large healthy tree.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

You all got me to wondering about hedge apples. They don't work as an insect repellent according to Iowa State University.

Facts and Myths about Hedge Apples

When I googled it earlier today I think it was on Nebraska's page, they said that there is a substance in the hedge apples that repels insects, that is True. BUT, they said the natural concentration is so low that it's simply not strong enough to repel any insects, so basically there just good to shoot at and look at.

 

[motownbrowne]

I have the itch for a new saw. I really want a 241 or a 661 but I don't need either one of them. The Dolmar 421 has my interest too. The thing that scares me about it is the parts availability. I don't have a local dealer.

I'm pretty sure you're a member on AS or OPE. Ford150 has a bunch of very happy customers who have never been to his store. I bought mine locally, but I did chat with him. Very nice guy. If it was gonna be a guy's only saw, a local dealer would be good, but if there's another saw for backup, I wouldn't worry. Just my .02. I love that saw.

 

[check]

I would definitely not take my loader or bucket off. Dragging the logs to me sounds like the safest option. If you insist on using the trailer I would mount a ball and receiver on the top of your front and loader and I would let the trailer back down the hill while you're driving forward. You should be able to drop the Bucket if things start to get away from you. I would also keep some type of box blade or straight blade on the back of your tractor if you have it available for extra weight and you could also lower it if things start to get away from you. But again dragging logs one at a the time slowly down the hill sounds safer to me. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=487443"/>

Yup. That's how I would do it. The box blade on the back would stop you PDQ if you start skidding. I welded a 2" receiver inside my FEL long ago, and I move all my trailers with the ball on the FEL. It allows for very precise movement of trailers, and you can of course change out the male end easily. (I have one of those inserts that has 3 ball sizes welded to it, which comes in very handy.)

 

[Budweiser John]

I'm sold on the mesh bag.
I purchased 12 three years ago and my system works as follows.
1. Cut logs in woods to lengths divisible by 16" in woods
2. Haul logs to splitting area near storage area with tractor and grapple
3. Cut logs into 16" lengths
4. Swap out grapple and attach pallet forks with forks through wood bag loops
5. Position tractor so bag is adgent to wood splitter
6. Split, toss, and done

Full bags are stored on pallets and are under cover. I think the dry down time is equal or better than stacking and handling is ten times faster than handling each individual split.
Each bag holds a tad less than a face cord and when the need arises to re inventory the shop, I simply grab a pallet from the wood shed and bring it to the shop building and place the pallet on a 4 wheel cart and stoke up the fire.
Empty bags are shaken out and stored in a plastic drum until the next filling.

B. John

 

[MossRoad]

Regarding hedge apples as insect control...

The theory is you're supposed to space them every X feet around the sill of your basement to repel insects, spiders, etc....

Its always been my theory that if someone is so concerned about insects that they'll take the time to go out and gather hedge apples, then go around and methodically place them all the way around the sills in their basement, I'll bet they're also the type of person to regularly dust the sills, caulk any weather gaps, etc... and that's why they see no signs of insects. They'll swear its the hedge apples but it's really just their good housekeeping habits that are keeping the signs of insects away.

 

[94BULLITT]

I'm pretty sure you're a member on AS or OPE. Ford150 has a bunch of very happy customers who have never been to his store. I bought mine locally, but I did chat with him. Very nice guy. If it was gonna be a guy's only saw, a local dealer would be good, but if there's another saw for backup, I wouldn't worry. Just my .02. I love that saw.

Yes, I'm on AS and OPE. Good point about buying from non-local dealer if you have another saw. Does it have .325 or 3/8lp chain and how many drive links?

 

[motownbrowne]

Yes, I'm on AS and OPE. Good point about buying from non-local dealer if you have another saw. Does it have .325 or 3/8lp chain and how many drive links?

The standard bar that mine came with is 3/8lp. 56 DL, 16". I bought a loop of Stihl PS without knowing the number of links, so I can report that with a little bit of filing, a 55 DL loop will work. I just had to take a touch off the tail and lengthen the oiler hole. Mine's currently running a 45 dl loop of Oregon VXL on a $9 12" bar from left coast supplies. The safely chain that came on the saw was pretty lame, but the PS, VXL, and Carlton N1C that I've run have all been good.

Also, for a few bucks more, Nate will swap the LP spur for a . 325 rim sprocket. Personally, I've been liking the LP, but options are always good.