Thread: Looking at and quoting timber blocks.

We didn't have winch/tirfor, ropes etc. funnily enough I set this up about 10 degrees off and it went right down the line of that wedge - my plunge wasn't as directed as it should have been.

They have been some nice logs so far, cutting of them will start very soon - we got called to another block under impending danger of being chipped this last week and managed to pull out 65 cube of blue, spotty's and gum top box.

Originally Posted by rustynail

When all you have is a saw, an axe and a couple of wedges, this is the standard method for steering a difficult tree. By the time you have shimmied up to attach lines, moved vehicles into position,etc. a good man would have the tree down,bucked and ready to load.
Al, just a tip, to save a lot of wedging with this method we often wait for a suitable wind then rush back and knock over the ones that need serious steering.

Rusty, I have to admit, I was kinda scared of this. Had seen it done and was talked through it, but hadn't done one myself before, cause of that I gave myself a lot of extra wedge work. Turns out I didn't bring my 3 "backcuts" close enough together and had to 'break out' more timber than I needed to - another point of learning.

We tried to work a patch, and move off to make sure we didn't leave or lose anything out in the paddock - 700 acres and it gets a bit easy to 'miss' a log I reckon :d maybe as I get better/more experienced things may be a bit easier that way

Well that explains all the wedging. If the cuts are too far spread it leaves a lot of meat to eat out. I think every one makes that mistake first time. You will probably find you will be tempted to do it again on a difficult looking tree, but just remember what happened last time and you'll be right.

Originally Posted by Sigidi

So we got back out to this block and I managed to get some pics - but we've been going from 0400 to 2200-2300 most days......Waking up in our swags at 0400, breakfast done, cooked and smashed down before sunup. In the truck (that was loaded and tied down the night before under ute lights and bob's spotlights) drive 100k to the new mill yard to drive in the gate at 0700, unload, then drive back and do it all over again....

Geez guys that is really putting in the effort. I assume the $'s are worth it . Hopefully when done you can take a well earned break.

PS At the end did you throw the swags . Ultimately they wouldn't have been a pretty sight, or smell

Thanks Rusty

Neil, same swags in use tonight and next 4 days - more of the same heading out to Redbank to cut some log. As for pay......well that hasn't turned up yet but hopefully we've done enough prep now to earn around $35k - fingers crossed

krunchie - a bloke can have a tree SAFLEY on the ground in almost any direction regardless of lean using this method of falling in the same amount of time as a regular hinge cut. the tree CANNOT go teh wrong way if its done properly. having said that specialised falling cuts should not be attemped without proper instruction and knoledge.

we took about 70 cube all up out of roughly 25-30 acres of this 700 acre property and you wouldnt know wev been in there apart from teh snig track. it should be right for another harvest in 15-20 years. sustainable forestry in native forest is the best way to use our only truely regenerative resorce.

I never go any where without my cruiser which has winch on it and i never trust a wedge when a cable or dynema will do a better and safer job

if you wanted to get your cruiser any ware near these trees your want about 8 spare tyres and a good solid bullbar.

a tree with >10% holding wood will not fall backwards, no "trust" is being put in a wedge its just there to lean the tree, the sides of teh mortise stop teh tree from falling sideways, depending on how big the lean how far up you come with your back cuts and how many wedges you need to lift it.

[QUOTE=Krunchie;1723626]I never go any where without my cruiser which has winch on it and i never trust a wedge when a cable or dynema will do a better and safer job[/QUO
I wish we could drive up to all the trees, it would make life much easier. Unfortunately, a lot of the timber we cut is in very remote and steep locations, a dozer is the only means of snigging in this sort of country. As for a 4x4 with a pocket watch electric winch it would never cut the mustard. Even the dozer and its winch get pulled about on some of the bigger trees. As an electric winch on a 4x4 is only capable of pulling, one can be hard pressed up here to find enough level ground to position the 4x4 far enough away so it doesnt end up in a wooden garage.

Originally Posted by weisyboy

sustainable forestry in native forest is the best way to use our only truely regenerative resorce.

Very true Weisy,pity not all timber cutters have the same mindset.The mess and destruction that was left,on the property that i am presently milling on,would put people off loggers for life..the father/son combo left also without paying for nearly 30 'poles', for powerlines ,pushed all the heads into the gullies ,and decided to reduce royaltly halfway through the job ..GRUBS..MM

Originally Posted by MAPLEMAN

Very true Weisy,pity not all timber cutters have the same mindset.The mess and destruction that was left,on the property that i am presently milling on,would put people off loggers for life..the father/son combo left also without paying for nearly 30 'poles', for powerlines ,pushed all the heads into the gullies ,and decided to reduce royaltly halfway through the job ..GRUBS..MM

Almost same story with this block for Carl and I, the fella's before where ridiculous hey Carl??? who can expect to turn a dollar when they only turn up and start the saws at 1100, and between one machine and 3 people they cut and snig 6 cube for the day.....