Thread: Milling on a hill

Originally Posted by rustynail

Old saying in the timber game, "Slopes for dopes."

Large logs present risks of their own. When you add sloping mill site to this you are only making matters worse.
Its all very well to be looking at a standing tree and imagining the amazing slabs that could be produced. Once on the ground, the serious logistics begin.

I have been looking at the logistics of it all and am thinking of how I can do it smartly. I have a fair bit of free time coming up so I might be able to take it slow and not stress myself at all. Do a few cuts each day and return fresh. I do believe I can do it safely however, I understand I have only one back and it's not worth dying over. I'll keep you updated on how it goes or what I'm thinking hen it comes down.

Originally Posted by Emit

I have been looking at the logistics of it all and am thinking of how I can do it smartly..

The ONLY smart way Matt is to skid the log onto level ground if you decide to mill it.
GET IT OFF THE SLOPE...FOR GODS SAKE!!
Heed the advice of those that KNOW what they are talking about...please.
You have a lovely wife mate...she wont be happy if you get killed or seriously hurt ...MM

Originally Posted by Emit

I have been looking at the logistics of it all and am thinking of how I can do it smartly. I have a fair bit of free time coming up so I might be able to take it slow and not stress myself at all. Do a few cuts each day and return fresh. I do believe I can do it safely however, I understand I have only one back and it's not worth dying over. I'll keep you updated on how it goes or what I'm thinking hen it comes down.

Mate, its not time you need, its know-how. You mentioned earlier that the owner didnt want the lawn damaged. Well good luck with that when you bring that big girl down, you should create some pretty sizable divets with limb elbows etc.
I hope your tailing out down hill, otherwise you are going to be one tired puppy after pulling those slabs uphill.
Maybe I should go and press my black suit.

Look - I've done it. Milled on slopes like that with a portable sawmill... both a Lucas and the old LewiSaw.

The issues you face are as follows:
(1) It's extremely hard work. You've got to hold the mill to steady it from going too fast on the downhill. You've got to drag it back uphill in a cut as well and that is totally exhausting every cut. You've got to have an offsider to either do the vertical sizing adjustments or hold the mill while you do them because you can't let go of the carriage or it takes off downslope, and it'll get enough pace up that it'll blow clean through the stops or take the frame with it when it hits the end. Do not underestimate just how much effort it takes to hold a quarter ton of mill carriage that wants to roll downhill. Dealing with the sawn timber is the easy part, even if they are big slabs.
(2) you need to be REAL carefull about where you put your feet. If you slip, you're going down slope and thats where the sawblades be. Bad juju that.
Other then the increased risk of heart attack and amputation its just another day with a portable sawmill.

Question: whats stopping you falling it across the slope? Thats a far more manageable proposition... it makes the nearly impossible merely difficult.

Honestly. As I said - I've done this. I hope to never do it again. For that size cedar or silky or black nut I might, but I wouldnt bother if it was maple... I wouldnt even think about it if it was just another eucalypt. The work it takes.... its just easier to go find another tree.