Newbie Intro from Yukon

DGK · August 05, 2009, 08:48:17 PM

Hello FF Members,

After being a lurker for almost a year, I thought it was time to step up to the plate and introduce myself. My name is Doug and I live in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. I have just recently purchased a new LT40G28 with hydraulic log loader, debarker and log deck package.

My regular day job has me working out of town for extended periods but when home (equal time off) I have a small side business selling firewood. The reason for starting a firewood business was to secure a supply of logs for milling. In the southern Yukon, we have had a major infestation of Spruce Beetle that has killed off about 500,000 hectares of forest. Most of the trees are of poor quality for milling but perfect ( as perfect as it gets for wood here) for firewood. The trees are standing dead and are very dry. We don't have much in the way of variety of trees here, predominately Engleman Spruce, Pine and some Aspen. There are a few others as well but not too much.

I purchase the trees from a few different loggers by the semi-trailer load, sort out the ones suitable for milling and buck up the rest as firewood. So far, the wood is being used for personal projects around the property.

I'll attach a few pictures as I know this group likes pictures. Just want to say thanks to all of those responsible for this forum and the sponsors. It has been a great source of information and inspiration.

Bibbyman · August 05, 2009, 08:59:35 PM

Welcome to the Forum! 8)

Looks like you've got plenty of material to work with.

What's growing back to replace what is killed by the beetles?

beenthere · August 05, 2009, 09:13:31 PM

Ditto!! Welcome to the forum and looking forward to some pics of the Yukon area. Looks like a great operation going there.

Magicman · August 05, 2009, 09:19:02 PM

;D A newbie welcoming a newbie. Now if I can get "smart as you" and figure out this picture posting stuff...

DGK · August 05, 2009, 10:23:03 PM

Thanks for the replies.

Bibbyman - I believe that the forestry department is allowing natural regeneration of the native species at this time. Don't know if they will do any tree planting in the future or not.

Here are a few more pics:

Don K · August 05, 2009, 10:24:49 PM

Welcome to the Forum! 8)

Plenty of firewood there. What are you using to cut it up? Nice setup.

Don

farmboy1tn · August 05, 2009, 10:30:08 PM

welcome,great setup,got alot of toys i see

DGK · August 05, 2009, 10:32:13 PM

Hello Don,

Thanks for the welcome. I use the bobcat to hold up to 6 logs at a time off the ground depending on their size. I then buck them from the ends using a couple of Sthil MS660's with 28" bars. The remaining center section (9') long is then set in a bucking rack where it is cut to 18" pieces. The system works quite well.

ErikC · August 05, 2009, 10:49:43 PM

Welcome to the forum. You have cut yourself quite a pile of firewood there. Is it easy to sell it all up there?

DGK · August 05, 2009, 10:53:36 PM

Hi Eric,

Firewood is used heavily here in the Yukon. We don't have natural gas so your choices are heating oil, propane or wood. To heat with wood costs about half of the other two. No problem selling wood here. Biggest problem is getting it logged and out of the bush.

oakiemac · August 05, 2009, 11:01:42 PM

DGK,

You must be a DanG genious ;D to have already posted pictures. It still takes my simple brain a while to get them the right size.

Looks like you have got some firewood going there.

Sprucegum · August 05, 2009, 11:05:45 PM

Welcome home, been hot enough fer ya up there?

DGK · August 05, 2009, 11:07:21 PM

Oikiemac,

I practiced uploading the pictures before sending my first post. After reading so many of the other members posts, i knew it would be only a matter of time until someone requested proof -- ughh I mean pictures :D

Toolman · August 05, 2009, 11:09:34 PM

Welcome to the forum Doug. How many cords does it take to get you through those long, cold winters?

Look forward to seeing more pics of your region. Pictures from that part of the world always fascinates me.

toolman

DGK · August 05, 2009, 11:20:14 PM

Quote from: Sprucegum on August 05, 2009, 11:05:45 PM
Welcome home, been hot enough fer ya up there?

Hello Sprucegum,

Sure was hot a few weeks ago when I was home bucking wood. I prefer -20C to work in as opposed to +30C. Thankfully, we have not had too many forest fires so far unlike BC.

Toolman, Thanks for the welcome. I burn between 10 - 12 cords per year to heat my home, shop and domestic hot water using a Greenwood Hydronic Indoor Boiler.

Toolman · August 05, 2009, 11:29:58 PM

-50 f !!!!!

. I'll think of you when the temp drops to 20f down here. :D That'll keep me from complain'n.

farmboy1tn · August 05, 2009, 11:52:42 PM

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr i will stay in this tennessee hills 8)

John_Haylow · August 06, 2009, 07:09:21 AM

Welcome again to the forum Doug. It looks like you have a great operation going there. Thanks for the great pictures.

John

Sprucegum · August 06, 2009, 09:38:16 AM

I hear ya DGK, give me -10 and 6" of snow any day. I melt at +25(75?)

Burlkraft · August 06, 2009, 09:56:21 AM

Welcome DGK 8) 8) 8)

I like the pics and the looks of the operation ya got goin' there. Here in Wisconsin it gets cold, but nuthin' like that!!

You guy's are pretty hardy souls up there.

I look forward to more pictures and posts ;D ;D ;D

Welcome aboard

LeeB · August 06, 2009, 01:21:43 PM

Welcome aboard. Tell us some more about your day job too.

nas · August 06, 2009, 03:54:08 PM

Welcome DGK, you found a good place 8)

Quote from: Sprucegum on August 06, 2009, 09:38:16 AM
I hear ya DGK, give me -10 and 6" of snow any day. I melt at +25(75?)

Same here sprucegum. I start melting at about 20°C(70), although -50° is a touch too cold

Nick

Ernie · August 06, 2009, 04:21:49 PM

Welcome DGK, great pics, you'll fit right in here ;D

Meadows Miller · August 10, 2009, 09:17:32 AM

Gday

and welcome to the forum Doug ;) ;D 8) its always nice to see proof ehmm i mean pics of how other people are doing things all over the place mate ;) :D ;D 8) 8)

I ilike it cold about +10c is perfect to work in but i dunno about that cold weather you get up there ;) :D -4c here the other morning and thats plenty cold enough for me :D its usually around the -1or2c then gets to around 12 to 20 c by midday ;) if you reckon you's melt at +20 we had a runn of 40 to 45c+ days for the couple of weeks coming up to the fires then the two days the fires started had tops of around the 50c

Anyway i look forward to seeing more pics and imput mate ;) ;D 8) 8)

Chris

DGK · August 11, 2009, 04:14:12 AM

Hello Chris,

Thanks for the welcome. My regular job has me working in the +30C range but it's not labour strenuous like bucking and milling wood. When it's -10 to -20C, you don't need too much clothing and as long as you set the right pace so that you don't sweat too much and don't take too long of a break, conditions couldn't be better. When I say not to sweat, I not saying not to work hard, it is actually the opposite, you have to work hard to stay warm.

Additionally, the skid steer loves the frozen ground and my firewood stays clean and dry. No bugs, dry snow, saw has lots of power. A few good cold snaps in the -40 to - 50 range helps keep the town from getting too big. ;