Tractors and wood! Show your pics

[WinterDeere]

I went out to the fire pit, and found the only-partly charred remains of that 30" slab, and was surprised to see the growth ring spacing near the pith was real fat, like only 3-4 rings per inch. But then at the perimeter it was maybe 8 rings per inch. If we take an average of 6 rings per inch, then a 30" tree = 15" radius = 90 years old. Not very impressive, for a pretty large tree, but I guess it spent its first many years growing in open sun, before other trees crowded in and slowed it down.

That's not far from the time that this farm would've been sold by the family which lived here 1773 - 1922, and built the main part of this house in 1775, so maybe the new owners had just then let that edge of the property slip from farmed fields to unkept woods. I don't know when this place ceased to be a "working farm", in fact I think it happened in several stages through a few changes of ownership in the 1900's. Aerial photos taken in the 1940's show it as mostly an apple orchard, but I know the 1770's - 1920's incarnation was a dairy farm, the barn of which was taken down in 1986.

 

[Jstpssng]

A little bit of tractor, a little bit of wood.

 

[WinterDeere]

A little bit of tractor, a little bit of wood.View attachment 2410369

 

[KeithT]

I finally got after two large trees that went down about a mile from my house. One was an oak one was a maple.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

This is how I deal with those totes of firewood I love to hate. lol

Because the bottoms are fairly weak, and I HATE having to get off my tractor and narrow up the forks "just to move one", I put a length of tree across the bottom of them in two places, like this,

and you can get a lot more in them easier if you don't cut the side open, and it makes them MUCH easier to empty too. Anyway, I put them away from my basement window a bit and then back up like this,

and slowly tip the tote over,

All the splits land right by the open window, so I can easily slide/throw them down into the basement while on my knees.

It's fast, and also very easy on my back that way..

SR

 

[two_bit_score]

Well, THAT is a good process.

 

[WinterDeere]

Too warm and muddy to split wood this weekend, but I did take the chance to do some saw maintenance. I knew my beloved 064 wasn’t new, but until today, hadn’t ever thought about just how old it really is!



West Germany ceases to exist in 1989, if I recall correctly.

The badge, for anyone who’s into bigger saws.



I’ve never actually bothered to look up what “electronic quick stop” even means. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever taken the opportunity to even stop and notice it said that, before today.

 

[Jstpssng]

Too warm and muddy to split wood this weekend, but I did take the chance to do some saw maintenance. I knew my beloved 064 wasn’t new, but until today, hadn’t ever thought about just how old it really is!

View attachment 2415077

West Germany ceases to exist in 1989, if I recall correctly.

The badge, for anyone who’s into bigger saws.

View attachment 2415296

I’ve never actually bothered to look up what “electronic quick stop” even means. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever taken the opportunity to even stop and notice it said that, before today.

I had to look... as near as I can tell the electronic refers to the ignition system. (No points/condenser). The quickstop no doubt refers to the chain brake. I could be mistaken but believe it was around that time that we started seeing inertia brakes.

 

[WinterDeere]

lol... yeah, that makes more sense than how I read it! Two features, not one. I was scratching my head when I noticed that phrasing on the tag, trying to figure out exactly what made their fully-mechanical brake system "electronic".

In fact the video on this site explaining it, is of the same 064 I own:

What Does Electronic Quickstop Mean On Stihl Chainsaws?

Stihl Electronic Quickstop, or EQ, has two different meanings. One to do with the ignition and the other the chain brake. EXAMPLES here.

fireandsaw.com

 

[Jstpssng]

I thought that some might find this interesting...
Or not.

How Trees Grow, Part II

In part two of this blog series, the focus is on the diameter growth (or thickening) of stems, branches, and roots.

extension.unh.edu

 

[Jstpssng]

How Trees Grow, Part I

Understanding how trees grow helps arborists and foresters do a better job of caring for trees. In the first of this two-part series, we will focus on tree height. In part two, we will focus on diameter growth.

extension.unh.edu

 

[BackRoad]

I've got about 100 yds x 20 yds of mixed Maple, some Cherry and pine that I'm clearing to open up the long view from the house.

I'll use the Maple and Cherry for firewood next year or the following.

I've decided it's a LOT more fun to just cut down trees than it is to limb them and clear the slash (even with a grapple)!

 

[WinterDeere]

I've got about 100 yds x 20 yds of mixed Maple, some Cherry and pine that I'm clearing to open up the long view from the house.

I'll use the Maple and Cherry for firewood next year or the following.

I've decided it's a LOT more fun to just cut down trees than it is to limb them and clear the slash (even with a grapple)! View attachment 2534801View attachment 2534819

Beautiful location, BackRoad! Reminds me of my family farms in New Hope PA, prior to the mid-1990's, when all the neighboring farms sold and the townships became covered in mansions on a few acres each.

There were a lot of farms around here until the generation operating them, mostly born before WW2, started retiring or dying. Several reasons for that, but sad all the same.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I've decided it's a LOT more fun to just cut down trees than it is to limb them and clear the slash (even with a grapple)! View attachment 2534801View attachment 2534819

It is indeed. But feel happy you have a flat place to lay them down in the open where you have good grapple access.

gg

 

[Portuguese Farmer]

I've got about 100 yds x 20 yds of mixed Maple, some Cherry and pine that I'm clearing to open up the long view from the house.

I'll use the Maple and Cherry for firewood next year or the following.

I've decided it's a LOT more fun to just cut down trees than it is to limb them and clear the slash (even with a grapple)! View attachment 2534801View attachment 2534819

X2

 

[BackRoad]

New Hope is a very unique area...it's pretty with much history, nestled next to the Delaware - and it's walking a tight rope.

It's tries to provide a "simple, quiet country life" with multi-million dollar small acre lots, all with "high expectation" owners.

Somehow, I don't think many there would fully appreciate your Stihl...!

 

[bdhsfz6]

I have a question for those with wood splitting experience:

I just had some acreage timbered and the loggers, at my instruction, left the tops and trunks that had no value, for me to cut and split. I can only work a few hours per day when weather permits. Do I rent a splitter or buy one with the idea of reselling after the project is finished?

It's hard to estimate the number of days the project will take, and the days I can work will often be non consecutive. That means making a 45 minute drive to the rental yard on those days I need the splitter. I'm looking for a 30 ton horizontal / vertical model and no one around here offers long term leases.

Rough cost estimates for renting vs buying are a wash if I can get 70% of the cost back on a resale. From what I've seen on C.L. and Facebook marketplace, this is not unreasonable around here for a lightly used almost new splitter.

I also looked into hiring a contractor but no one around here does that type of work.

So... Do I rent or buy? If I buy, what type splitter would work best? I have a 60HP tractor with rear remotes but the low CFM would make for a slow cycle time on a 30 ton splitter. Splitters with a separate PTO pump are an option but cost more. Both would require the tractor to be running while splitting and not available for moving rounds or split wood. They are also harder to sell.

Self powered splitters seem to be more cost effective and much easier to sell. Any ideas or options I've missed?

 

[Rockbadchild]

I have a question for those with wood splitting experience:

I just had some acreage timbered and the loggers, at my instruction, left the tops and trunks that had no value, for me to cut and split. I can only work a few hours per day when weather permits. Do I rent a splitter or buy one with the idea of reselling after the project is finished?

It's hard to estimate the number of days the project will take, and the days I can work will often be non consecutive. That means making a 45 minute drive to the rental yard on those days I need the splitter. I'm looking for a 30 ton horizontal / vertical model and no one around here offers long term leases.

Rough cost estimates for renting vs buying are a wash if I can get 70% of the cost back on a resale. From what I've seen on C.L. and Facebook marketplace, this is not unreasonable around here for a lightly used almost new splitter.

I also looked into hiring a contractor but no one around here does that type of work.

So... Do I rent or buy? If I buy, what type splitter would work best? I have a 60HP tractor with rear remotes but the low CFM would make for a slow cycle time on a 30 ton splitter. Splitters with a separate PTO pump are an option but cost more. Both would require the tractor to be running while splitting and not available for moving rounds or split wood. They are also harder to sell.

Self powered splitters seem to be more cost effective and much easier to sell. Any ideas or options I've missed?

I would buy a used one and sell it at (or least try to) the same price, even if its a electric one... I don't know what is your physical condition but you can also consider doing it by hand. (axe, wedge and a sledge hammer)

Also could you rent/borrow to someone you know, a friend or something ? better giving some money to a friend vs a rental place, and a splitter is very hard to break so the risk are minimum.

 

[FriendwithTractor]

I have a question for those with wood splitting experience:

I just had some acreage timbered and the loggers, at my instruction, left the tops and trunks that had no value, for me to cut and split. I can only work a few hours per day when weather permits. Do I rent a splitter or buy one with the idea of reselling after the project is finished?

It's hard to estimate the number of days the project will take, and the days I can work will often be non consecutive. That means making a 45 minute drive to the rental yard on those days I need the splitter. I'm looking for a 30 ton horizontal / vertical model and no one around here offers long term leases.

Rough cost estimates for renting vs buying are a wash if I can get 70% of the cost back on a resale. From what I've seen on C.L. and Facebook marketplace, this is not unreasonable around here for a lightly used almost new splitter.

I also looked into hiring a contractor but no one around here does that type of work.

So... Do I rent or buy? If I buy, what type splitter would work best? I have a 60HP tractor with rear remotes but the low CFM would make for a slow cycle time on a 30 ton splitter. Splitters with a separate PTO pump are an option but cost more. Both would require the tractor to be running while splitting and not available for moving rounds or split wood. They are also harder to sell.

Self powered splitters seem to be more cost effective and much easier to sell. Any ideas or options I've missed?

Do you have a rough estimate of the size of the project? I would strongly recommend a horizontal splitter with a log lift instead of the vertical ones. Also, look for one that will push against a wedge rather than bringing a wedge down. I can't tell you how much time I've saved with mine having the option for 4 way or 6 way wedges at 32 ton.

That being said, your budget might not stretch that far. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Jstpssng]

How much wood are you talking about, i.e., how many acres did you have cut, and how much hardwood did you get paid for. Also, how big are the tops? I would buy used as has been suggested, although once you get one you may find that you don't want to part with it.