My Little Logging Operation

[atgreene]

With only 7 snowstorms thus far things have been pretty slow. I've moved back onto a lot that I started cutting a couple years ago when things get slow. It's 22 acres overlooking Sebago Lake on Douglas Mtn.

I gave up on my Duo-grip tire chains in favor of some Trygg ice chains. The duo-grips just weren't cutting it. I am going to my supplier later this week for another set of ice chains for the front. Huge difference, expensive, but worth it.

The tractor is a 1986 Kubota 4150 with a Farmi 501 winch I bought used for $600.00 about 8 years ago. It's a nice match, a little steep in places, but the ice chains keep me from sliding too bad.

Pics of the view and some of the logs etc...

Last pics are of an 80' hemlock I dropped today and twitched out tree length.

 

[johnk]

What is the timber used for? Firewood, milling or both. Nice pics.

 

[arrow]

Love these pictures A.T. I personally think that the mini excavator is one handy piece of equipment for an operation like this especially with a thumb. I am curious to know how much weight one of these can hold about half way extended. Very nice set up and a great deal on the winch. Now all you need is a small dozer and I'd be totally jealous.

 

[JB4310]

Great pics, chains look awesome! Thanks.

How do you think this type of mild winter will affect the sap flow?
Or does the snow fall have nothing to do with it, more the temperatures?

Yup I'm thinking about syrup already

JB.

 

[Thomas]

Glad to see old man winter been good you...nice setup.

 

[atgreene]

The pine will go to a local mill for high-end boards, many of which are shaped for V match etc.....

The Hemlock goes for dimentional lumber.

Harwood I'm selling direct to customers 2-1/2 to 3 cord loads in 16' length.

There is a little veneer oak and some hardwood logs as well as some red pine, spruce and assorted other species.

Not sure what the weight limit is half-way out on the Tak. It had a break-out of about 8k on the teeth. I can pick-up almost any log I come across as long as I can find a way to grip it. Some logs are too big for the thumb.

As for sap flow, I learned a long time ago not to even try to guess. We'd love to think this year is going to be a record breaker, but we know better than to try to predict mother nature.

 

[Egon]

Nice operation! I like those chains. With a front set them hills are gonna disappear.

 

[20 20]

I have allmost the same type setup. Smaller tractor and x, but I have the mill and a small dozer. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Are you planting new trees also or is it gonna be developed for housing? Like your login operation, I am sure you enjoy to work it.

 

[WayneB]

Nice operation! Tough winter as far as snow goes and things are slow all over. Just curious as to what you are getting for the firewood down east!!

Wayne

 

[atgreene]

We have a pto Bellsaw Mill, but we rarely use it. Too much else going on to be able to take the time. I'll get some pics sometime.

This whole hillside was all owned by one owner back in the late 1800's. He hired my Great Grandfather, Great great Uncle and others to build a stone observation tower on top of Douglas Mtn, as well as build a couple stone houses on the side of the mtn. The bulk of the land is now in trust, once owned by the Nature Conservancy, now owned by The Town of Sebago for hiking etc.... What was left of the house and land (22 acres) was purchased back by the grandson of the original owner. He wants to bring it back to blueberry pastures as it once was.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evenin Al,
Thanks for posting some great pics !

Those chains seem to be the ticket ! Looks like your havin some serious fun !

 

[Taylortractornut]

Im wanting to build a set up like you have for logging/ thinning. Igot a pc50 UU Komatsu ex with a thumb, I thought about making a bypass grapple to make sorting easier. What kind of rig do you haul with? I ve got a 97 LP F700 I gotoff a gas company. Its got a forklift bottle carrier that I couldput a few bolsters on. I also have a leas on a cheap articulated crane set up and a small grapple.

 

[boxygen]

Hey AT!
Looks like you are having some fun. Good conditions for logging in Maine right now, too bad there isnt much market for wood. That Tak is a luxury to have on the landing, and great job with the neat piles. Are you selling the wood roadside or do you have the means to truck it also? Beautiful spot you're in, I am very glad to hear it is in conservation. Did you have to rehab the Farmi any for that price? They certainly are tough units.
Both of my parents are Foresters and I have spent a lot of time in the woods.
All the activity, sights, smells of a logging operation in the winter is one of my favorite things in this world

 

[arrow]

assorted other species.

Not sure what the weight limit is half-way out on the Tak. It had a break-out of about 8k on the teeth. I can pick-up almost any log I come across as long as I can find a way to grip it. Some logs are too big for the thumb.


If you'd like to know, give me the species, the length and tip/base diameters of the stem and I'll give you the estimate of the weight the mini is working with.

 

[tractor536]

It's very nice
i like photos from farming equipment and construction equipment
like tractors excavators etc...
when they work

 

[20 20]

Like the oshkosh video. Our town still has an old one, they only get it out on bad storms.

 

[spruce Deere]

Lumber prices are in the can over here on the other side of the country. The company I work for was forced into a 'hibernation' if you will. Went from 25-30 employees to 5, I being one of them. Lean and mean, we were getting by with the poor lumber market by means of a decent pulpwood demand but when pulp prices fell like a lead brick, well here I am in front of the computer insted of skidd'n logs. Stimulus act gunna save us all..... Im not holding my blue collared breath. Cool pics AT Here is some loggn pics I have...

 

[Nissan197]

Nice pictures. Thanks for sharing.

 

[atgreene]

Here's a pic from today. I off-loaded my sander and started hauling logs with my 5500. The Tak does a nice job loading.

Someone asked about firewood prices. I can fit about 3 cord of 16-18' wood on the truck if I load heavy. I charge $300.00 delivered.

Moved 4 loads to the mills today, roads are so rough I'd rather stay in the woods. 35 mph max anywhere I went, some areas down to 20 mph to keep from shaking apart.