Weekend logging

[Highbeam]

Just a couple of photos before leaving the jobsite after falling, skidding, and either stacking, or bucking and loading a good 10 trees with my CK30. Pushing 945 hours on her now. I use one of those drawbars on the 3ph with a grab hook to pull the logs with chains. Skid length was about 400 feet.

Tractor loves to work though the front tires are getting a bit worn.

This is some of us drive one ton trucks. Truck weighs 7500, no less than a ton of wet red alder in the bed, 2500 lb trailer, 4500 lb tractor, for a total of 16500 going down the road. Don't do this with a half ton pickup.

 

[IslandTractor]

945 hours clearing land over the past ?4-5 years. Wow, that is a lot of work especially without a grapple. Tell me it wouldn't have been worth a buck an hour to have a grapple too.:laughing:

As I recall you mostly are clearing trees. How much acreage have you cleared? Is it primarily used as a wood lot or are you clearing for some future dwelling?

Glad to hear the CK30 has been holding up well. Too bad you cannot leave her up there and save some of the hauling back and forth.

 

[Highbeam]

Oh, it would have been wonderful to have a grapple. We've talked about this for years, I agree. Cost would be more than 1000$ though, I would need to address the hydraulics too. I'm getting pretty good at picking up logs with the toothbar. I am now only getting about a foot long, 5' wide, strip of grass scooped up with them!

I'm really clearing everything from a parcel that was clearcut about 30 years ago and allowed to naturally regen so the timber species are junk instead of the nice fir that should have been replanted. I've cleared probably half of the 15 acres overall with a healthy 5 acre clearing out of the center. All of the background in these photos was dense jungle that could not be walked through.

The plan originally was to build a home out there but the schools are terrible so I now must hold onto the land until the kids grow up or unless I sell it if the market ever recovers. I keep it maintained and cut wood there. Lot's of big camping trips with 50 of my closest friends.

The looters would have stolen this tractor real quick. No title, no way to lock the wheels. It would have been gone. So I trailer it all the time. Not a big deal now that I have a bigger truck but the chains and binders are the worst part.

 

[flyingcow]

Nice pics. What yrs your pickup? Diesel? Tranny? Quite a load, but balanced good.

Why i'm asking is I'm planning on buying a 3/4 ton crew in the next yr or so. In the '02 to '06 vintage.

Had good luck with your pickup?

 

[Thomas]

Nice setup.
945 hours and still putting money in your pocket,now that's good deal.

 

[IslandTractor]

I trailer it all the time. Not a big deal now that I have a bigger truck but the chains and binders are the worst part.

I think I recall photos of your tractor on the trailer at home. Do you just leave it on the trailer most of the time?

Too bad you have a problem with looters. That sucks (and probably has something to do with the schools you noted.) Luckily for me I'm on an island and I can leave the tractor in the barn unlocked with no fear and implements scattered around in plain sight. Everyone knows my tractor and there'd be some tough questions for anyone trying to load it on the ferry without me.

What do you do about stumps? You don't have a backhoe so you are presumeably not digging them out. Are they small enough to pull out? I've been pushing over any tree up to about 5 or 6 inches and dragging them away whole. Bigger stumps I've mostly dug out with BH. I just had Michigan Iron fabricate a ripper attachment for the BH that I have only used briefly so far but I hope it will allow me to rather quickly rip up roots and then push over somewhat bigger trees to avoid the digging of stumps.

I'm still impressed with 945 hours of land clearing with just chainsaw, tractor, FEL and toothbar. I did that with my CK20 for about 30-40 hours before going to the grapple. I know they are not cheap but boy does it make a difference. From my experience I'd estimate that adding a toothbar doubles or triples the work of the bucket but the grapple is worth about a 10 fold increase in productivity. Allows you to stay in the seat too! I hate chains.

 

[magicheater]

Oh, it would have been wonderful to have a grapple. We've talked about this for years, I agree. Cost would be more than 1000$ though, I would need to address the hydraulics too. I'm getting pretty good at picking up logs with the toothbar. I am now only getting about a foot long, 5' wide, strip of grass scooped up with them!

I have cleared much the same as you and have relied on my Loader Buddy. I have found that for me a grapple gets in the way when I am in the woods and is a more use specific tool if you will. I relish the fact that I can lift, pry, dig, rake, carry, manipulate, smooth, contour, grub, and generally do all I need to with one tool. I rarely get sod when I pick up a log along with increased visibility and decreased turning radius as well. Great for working in a pile too, when you want that certain one. Really sorry to hear you have a theft problem there in Washington. Great state, I have visited a few times. It has it all in it's breadth. Good luck with your on going project!

 

[Highbeam]

Nice pics. What yrs your pickup? Diesel? Tranny? Quite a load, but balanced good.

Why i'm asking is I'm planning on buying a 3/4 ton crew in the next yr or so. In the '02 to '06 vintage.

Had good luck with your pickup?

The F350 is a 2000 with the 7.3 powerstroke and auto trans. I have lowered the rear end to the F250 stock height since I appreciate a lower tailgate height. Always always always buy the one ton SRW if they offer it instead of a 3/4 ton. The only difference is 1100# of allowable payload capacity. That's big, it makes my F350 able to haul 2400# instead of 1300# in the bed.

Since you say 02 to 06 you must be looking at dodges. I agree with your year range and shoot for the 5.9. That's what I initially wanted but the 7.3 was cheap, like half. It has never let me down. I really like the huge crew cab on the Fords.

I've put 20k on it in the last two years with about every tank of fuel including some towing or hauling. Makes it tough to measure mpg. It's not as good as people say, 12 towing, 15 short drives to work, and 18+ on long empty runs. I can acutally slide a full height 5 gallon bucket under the oil pan for oil changes. It's a real truck.

 

[Highbeam]

I think I recall photos of your tractor on the trailer at home. Do you just leave it on the trailer most of the time?

Too bad you have a problem with looters. That sucks (and probably has something to do with the schools you noted.) Luckily for me I'm on an island and I can leave the tractor in the barn unlocked with no fear and implements scattered around in plain sight. Everyone knows my tractor and there'd be some tough questions for anyone trying to load it on the ferry without me.

What do you do about stumps? You don't have a backhoe so you are presumeably not digging them out. Are they small enough to pull out? I've been pushing over any tree up to about 5 or 6 inches and dragging them away whole. Bigger stumps I've mostly dug out with BH. I just had Michigan Iron fabricate a ripper attachment for the BH that I have only used briefly so far but I hope it will allow me to rather quickly rip up roots and then push over somewhat bigger trees to avoid the digging of stumps.

I'm still impressed with 945 hours of land clearing with just chainsaw, tractor, FEL and toothbar. I did that with my CK20 for about 30-40 hours before going to the grapple. I know they are not cheap but boy does it make a difference. From my experience I'd estimate that adding a toothbar doubles or triples the work of the bucket but the grapple is worth about a 10 fold increase in productivity. Allows you to stay in the seat too! I hate chains.

I changed homes about 4 years ago and my current home has a tiny barn to park the tractor. Trailer stays outside.

Stumps and slash are the problem. Some I can pop out with the tree, some I cut real low to the ground and I can mow over them, and some have big butt ends that I leave tall enough that I can see them while mowing. I hate stumps. They are the worst part. I have had two permitted burns where I hired an excavator to pop, stack, and burn the slash. My permits were for 50 feet in any direction and boy were those fires big. I'm not even sure you can get those permits anymore and for the last couple of years I have been either brush hogging the slash or piling it into a huge heap. I figure I will either burn that heap someday or forget about it. I've even thought about getting a tub grinder out or burying everything. I don't know.

I can drag some pretty huge trees with the chains. Then dismantle them in the processing area. But there is plenty I could use a grapple for. I really do want one. I am happy now to be able to have a machine and enjoy this recreation. Once the economy rights itself I can look into it again.

 

[flyingcow]

The reason for the '02 was I am looking at the fords w/7.3 power. Just cruising the internet, learning prices, whats good whats not, etc. Looking in the southern eastern U.S. Would like to find a truck w/no road salt issues. i can Fly one way to Atlanta or Tampa for $100+/-. This will take a while before i do anything.

And yes, have been looking at the dodge/cummins power. Found one w/8ft bed, but time will tell. I presently have a '03 quad cab,4x4, 1/2 ton w/gas motor. like the interior room of the dodge.

Also part of the daydream is to but a pickup down south, swing into Kaufman Trailers and hook onto a 24ft gooseneck. just dreamin'

 

[kubotalinc]

Just a couple of photos before leaving the jobsite after falling, skidding, and either stacking, or bucking and loading a good 10 trees with my CK30. Pushing 945 hours on her now. I use one of those drawbars on the 3ph with a grab hook to pull the logs with chains. Skid length was about 400 feet.

Tractor loves to work though the front tires are getting a bit worn.

This is some of us drive one ton trucks. Truck weighs 7500, no less than a ton of wet red alder in the bed, 2500 lb trailer, 4500 lb tractor, for a total of 16500 going down the road. Don't do this with a half ton pickup.

looks similar to my superduty (weight wise) labor day weekend my towing came to a hault when the sole left my tranny with 35900 miles on it, silinode got stuck with it in third gear (not good) so I drove up to where it was with my Envoy and hauled the tractor home,towed it 300 miles a weekend all summer

 

[Highbeam]

The reason for the '02 was I am looking at the fords w/7.3 power. Just cruising the internet, learning prices, whats good whats not, etc. Looking in the southern eastern U.S. Would like to find a truck w/no road salt issues. i can Fly one way to Atlanta or Tampa for $100+/-. This will take a while before i do anything.

And yes, have been looking at the dodge/cummins power. Found one w/8ft bed, but time will tell. I presently have a '03 quad cab,4x4, 1/2 ton w/gas motor. like the interior room of the dodge.

Also part of the daydream is to but a pickup down south, swing into Kaufman Trailers and hook onto a 24ft gooseneck. just dreamin'

Nothing good happened in 02 for the 7.3. The super duty came out in 99 and the 7.3 saw actual improvements with the 2000 model year. 2000 is most desirable. Up until 2003 there were 7.3s but you could get a 2003 with a 6.0 liter engine that is not very good so be sure to check on the 2003 models. Ford short beds are pretty decent at 6.5 feet. You don't want a long bed crew cab ford unless you have plenty of room.

Dodge years that are good are 2003 with the CR 5.9 and crew cab up to 2006 or 2007 when that silly company dropped the legendary 5.9. I would love one of the late model 5.9s. These crew cab dodges have silly short short beds. Get a long bed dodge.

 

[flyingcow]

Nothing good happened in 02 for the 7.3. The super duty came out in 99 and the 7.3 saw actual improvements with the 2000 model year. 2000 is most desirable. Up until 2003 there were 7.3s but you could get a 2003 with a 6.0 liter engine that is not very good so be sure to check on the 2003 models. Ford short beds are pretty decent at 6.5 feet. You don't want a long bed crew cab ford unless you have plenty of room.

Dodge years that are good are 2003 with the CR 5.9 and crew cab up to 2006 or 2007 when that silly company dropped the legendary 5.9. I would love one of the late model 5.9s. These crew cab dodges have silly short short beds. Get a long bed dodge.

Thanks. Staying away from the ford 6.0's.

 

[arrow]

Just a couple of photos before leaving the jobsite after falling, skidding, and either stacking, or bucking and loading a good 10 trees with my CK30. Pushing 945 hours on her now. I use one of those drawbars on the 3ph with a grab hook to pull the logs with chains. Skid length was about 400 feet.

Tractor loves to work though the front tires are getting a bit worn.

This is some of us drive one ton trucks. Truck weighs 7500, no less than a ton of wet red alder in the bed, 2500 lb trailer, 4500 lb tractor, for a total of 16500 going down the road. Don't do this with a half ton pickup.

Would have loved to have seen pics of the tractor in action. Had the same problem as you with log pick up trying to only use toothbar. Made my own toothbar with 14" tines with a bend that just pops the log into the bucket. Comes in handy for a myriad of other work for slash and all the way to being used as a hoist and table for the splitter.
Because my tractor weighs in around 3000#, I cannot drag an entire 60' oak to the landing. I take the trunk then go back for the top. I cut branches and then run the tractor with the tines down along the tree. Picks up the slash in 2 trips. Your CK may be able to drag an entire 16"-18" oak. What does your forest climax with?

 

[Dano5509]

Nice photos and glad to see how much use you are getting with the Kioti and your F350. My parents just picked up a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 club cab short bed with the last 5.9 Cummins over at Dave Smith Motors in Kellogg Idaho. We live just north of Spokane, WA and my dad made a real score with that truck. Even though its a 2500 it looks like a light one ton as the GVW is 9900k. I think the specs on the last year 5.9 cummins are 325hp and 600+lbft of torque. It hauled their new 5th wheel back from the midwest (9000lbs) without breaking a sweat....

I picked up a 2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 long bed crew last year in Coeur D Alene, ID with the LLY Duramax/Allison 1000 combo with 45k miles for $21k. Its white with black trim and I have not regretted getting the 1 ton SRW and completely agree with you. A 3/4 would have likely worked out well but the heavy one ton leaf pack with the overloads (factory) are nice. Its hard to find a GM3500 SRW so I jumped when this one popped up as we were headed to Dave Smith to find a 2-3 yr old pre-owned Ram 2500......

 

[kattywumpus]

HighBeam,
I am surprise you do not have some forks. I would love to have a grapple too but the cost and concerns about my tractor have delayed this purchase. While a grapple is the best solution I have moved some very large bush & log piles with the my pallet forks. It is a little tricky lining up the small logs but once done I can move a good size pile at once. Plus the fork have been very helpful with my latest truck deliveries.

 

[Highbeam]

I've been able to get along just fine with only the toothbar. Actually I don't miss the grapple when I am logging since I am able to move the whole tree with the slash attached. I then shove the detached limbs into the heap by raking them with the toothbar. I have drug 80 foot long red alders that were 18" at the base, I have also been maxed out at an 8 foot section of 30" doug fir. What I do is hook onto the butt end of the tree, lift it and try to move. If I can't move then I wack off the top of the tree and try again. Keep going shorter until I get her moving.

Not sure what climax means with regards to my forest but I have some very large maples, one big guy is 4 foot DBH, many western red cedar, some doug fir, and some hemlock. The smaller, temporary species seem to be these red alders and the willow trees. Both of these species are experiencing some rot and will naturally be eliminated from the stand either by me or by time. So I seek and destroy the alder and willow plus any other species that blow down in storms.

I have had some previous photo threads of super good toothbar and brushhog clearing work over the years. Some of those threads show the very spot where the Ford is parked as I was initially clearing it. It has been a long journey. I do it for recreation now and to maintain the clearing work that has occured.

I had priced my desired Dodge from Dave Smith two years ago at around 20,000$. While trying to sell my half ton chevy I stumbled upon this Ford on Craigslist for about half that and jumped on it. I left work early and actually had buyers in line behind me to buy the truck. Seems that prices have actually gone up for used late model diesels. The Ford F250/F350 are nearly the same underneath. Same leaf pack in the rear. Just a higher GVWR sticker.

 

[MotorSeven]

Camping with 50 good friends?? 50? That there sounds like a lot of work..the friends not the camping....;>O

RD

 

[Highbeam]

Yeah, this labor day we counted 47 heads. Lots of kids that get there own 5 acres to run in, they actually run around for hours. We have a few of those per year with great success. Our "camping" is 90% RVs with a huge non-stop bon-fire, plenty to eat and drink, lots of shooting clay pigeons and metal targets, and general lounging around. There is a beach park within a couple of miles for people to go play in the puget sound and harvest oysters, clams, and crabs but we mostly stay at the property relaxing.

Even though you are camping with friends you find that you didn't spend much time with any of them since you are bouncing around so much.

First thing I do when I get there is go fill up the truck with firewood for the fire. Then make sure the outhouse is clean. Then roll out the coolers.

 

[LanceH]

Nothing good happened in 02 for the 7.3. The super duty came out in 99 and the 7.3 saw actual improvements with the 2000 model year. 2000 is most desirable. Up until 2003 there were 7.3s but you could get a 2003 with a 6.0 liter engine that is not very good so be sure to check on the 2003 models. Ford short beds are pretty decent at 6.5 feet. You don't want a long bed crew cab ford unless you have plenty of room.

Dodge years that are good are 2003 with the CR 5.9 and crew cab up to 2006 or 2007 when that silly company dropped the legendary 5.9. I would love one of the late model 5.9s. These crew cab dodges have silly short short beds. Get a long bed dodge.

I have an 05 cummins quad cab long bed and I love it, especially because its a 6 speed manual. I wont lie, I bought the truck for the engine. But had to go to Texas to find it because I could not find a quad cab, long bed, stick, 4x4 here in the Ohio valley.

My previous truck was a 99 powerstroke reg cab, long bed, 4x4 auto and I loved that truck. No trouble whatsover.

Regardless of whether you buy new or used, I would always buy a manual tranny unless one of the big 3 come up with a good dang transmission that is going to be beneficial when going up and down hills and long hauls. (Not the durajunk and the only good thing Chevroletchadown has...the Allison tranny).

A lot of guys around here take 12valve cummins and put them in their Ford trucks. Great combination!

I would say that my back seat is smaller than the fords and chevys. The new megacabs that Dodge sells only comes with a short bed, but there is a company out west somewhere (saw a write up in "Diesel Power" mag) that takes a MCSB and adds 2' to the frame, gives you a new bed and you then have a big long truck!