First mobile job is coming, what to bring? ** Update, did the job !!***

[Kipper]

Hey guys! Booked my first mobile job today. It's about 30 miles from home, plenty of room to maneuver around. Southern yellow pine and cypress roughly 1450 bd ft and clean logs. Just wondering what you guys think I should not forget?

So far I have the following items on the list:

5 extra gallons of fuel
Metal detector
Cant hook
small tool set
small jug of dawn dishwashing detergent
gloves
hearing protection
ten new blades
ATF squirt can


Thanks in advance. Hope this works out well !

[thecfarm]

Extra gloves in case someone wants to help.  ;D

[dgdrls]

Congratulations on the project,
I know there is a better list on the site but I found this one
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,29941.msg431343.html#msg431343
 
Based on your list
More fuel, another 5 Gallons
Safety Glasses

One of these


 

[Magicman]

Drinking water and sammich.

Why would you need 10 extra gallons of fuel for sawing ~1500bf?

[Tom the Sawyer]

I carry a zippered money bag with $99 cash and $1 in coin (the denominations are so that I can make change for any amount up to $100.00).  Also carry a carbonless receipt book, although it isn't needed that often.  Extra brochures and/or business cards in case a helper, or passerby, wants to know how to find you when they have a log(s). 

[homesteader1972]

I bring a lot of things, never know what you need, but I would add

Shovel
Digging iron
Chainsaw
At least two cant hooks
Fire extinguisher
Plenty of water/drinks
Clipboard and calculator
Business cards
Toilet paper
Tape measure

I bring a toolbox full, another toolbox with mt extra mill parts and a 12volt toolbox. I also bring 5 gallons of soapy water ready to use, and a squirt bottle with diesel in it to use on the blade if it gets too pitchy.

Good luck on your first job!!!!!

[WV Sawmiller]

   Good items listed by all.

   I'd add maintenance manual, cell phone and numbers for the mill (WM for me), leafblower, spare tire, tire iron and jack for the mill, wedges and hammer (in case you have to back a blade out), first aid kit, and a spud bar.

    I assume you have already included PPE (gloves, glasses, hearing protection, good work clothes and safety boots/ shoes). I just now recovering a toenail on my left big toe where my son dropped a small log on my foot and nearly broke my toe a month 6 months ago.

    Be careful and enjoy.

[dgdrls]

Drinking water and sammich.

Why would you need 10 extra gallons of fuel for sawing ~1500bf?

an excellent point,  as long as the mill is full prior to leaving ;)

D

[thechknhwk]

All good stuff.  You won't need 10 extra gal of gas.  I would add, cats claw, hammer (pulling nails), and some wedges in case you get your blade stuck, and a spray bottle of diesel if you're sawing pine and need to clean off the blade.  If you have 2 cant hooks bring both in case you and the customer need to team up on a log.

[Alyeska Pete]

Ten new blades?  For 1,450 bf?

[Nomad]

     In addition to the things mentioned above, I carry a box of cheap foam ear plugs for any helpers/observers who would like a pair.  An inexpensive courtesy that seems to be well appreciated.

[bkaimwood]

Only thing I would add is a wire brush, to go with the extra diesel, for cleaning blades, or similar, and whatever wood pads you use underneath your leveling feet, if you do so...I typically have a selection in thickness from 1/2"-2"... A pile of them...oh yeah, and a spray can of an emergency spray rust penetrant, or similar... And a camera if your phone doesn't take pictures.... And a hat....and don't wear black if its sunny....and bug spray, and sunblock....and a great attitude!!! Have fun!

[Ga Mtn Man]

In my neck of the woods, I never go to a job without wheel chocks.

[Magicman]

I never set up anywhere without chocking both wheels.

[Don_Papenburg]

You all forgot the dust masks!!!!!!

[thechknhwk]

Oh yeah, remember to park with the wind at your back.

[dgdrls]

when are you going?  I think we all want to know how it went for you

Dan

[Kipper]

Thanks everyone for all of the comments. It's scheduled for Saturday morning. I will be sure to let everyone know how it goes.

[terrifictimbersllc]

My most common and annoying forgets are things I bring in the house after a job (don't keep in the truck):
-work boots
-lunch/drinks
-phone
-my means of making out an invoice

[ncsawyer]

I think everyone about has it covered.  The one thing that I take that I didn't see listed is a small level to know when I get the mill level when setting up and of course a shovel.  I also have a neat scrapper tool from Tractor Supply that is just a wooden handle with a flat metal end to scrap bark or dirt off logs if needed.

[UpInATree]

I like to bring a chainsaw with fuel and bar oil, and some wooden blocks just in case the ground is soft or really uneven.  Hammer and chisel?

[isawlogs]

  Bring da mill!!!   

• chainsaw
• cant hooks at least two


• axe
• gas


• tool kit
• blades are nice to have too!!


• a lunch
• Something to drink

[LittleJohn]

If your tow vehicle can haul it, I would bring everything you need x2; cause it being your first time being portable YOU WILL FORGET SOMETHING!

..."I would rather have something and not need it, then need it and not have it" 

Dont forget the little things, like sunscreen and bugspray, assuming its not snowing where you are at  ;)

[4x4American]

Looks like everyone covered it...one thing I also bring is a string trimmer, cause sometimes they have you setup out in the dingleweeds and I take 5 min to be a landscaper I've found that I like working in stubble over knee high.  Oh and I also bring a gun.  That's one tool that I'm hardly ever without.  Not really needed this time of year but an umbrella that I jam into my hitch for when it's so sunny I cant read my accuset screen.  Maybe chap stick if youre into it, good for many things.  Stop bleeding, make a candle, put on nose when its real cold, etc.  Also a broom and wire brush to clean off dirty logs.

Good luck!

[4x4American]

Ten new blades?  For 1,450 bf?

Can dull a blade in one pass.  Can hit multiple nails.  I'd rather bring a box of ten and not look like a bozo when I don't have any more blades due to the unforeseen and have to stop work to go get more blades. Some things you can get by without, but blades are arguably the most important part of sawing.  Just how I feel...

[GDinMaine]

One of these



 

and one of these



 

[4x4American]

I also bring a mess of short boards.  Sometimes to get the mill closer to level I drive it up onto some boards on one side, and if that side is the log loader side, I then put some boards underneath the loader outrigger support units because otherwise it'll be pushing the weight of the log into the tire.  Also I put a 6/4 board under each outrigger for flotation, makes it sink into the ground less.  A good sized pry bar is also handy.  Sometimes I use it to debark a muddy log, somtimes you have to pry something.  If u bring a dog, food, water, and leash.

[Kipper]

Well, we started about 10:00 am and finished up at 5:30 pm. The mill did great, I didn't need anything that wasn't on the truck. The logs scaled out to 1850 bdft on the international scale. The mosquitoes were real bad though, had to put bug juice on four times. This area had two feet of water running through it when the floods came a few weeks ago. I really have a better understanding of enjoyment that can come from mobile work. Met some cool folks as well.

[bkaimwood]

How much lumber came out??? 1850bf scaled, but by looking at the quality of the logs, I cant imagine finished product was close to that...not knockin' them, just hoping you did OK...most of stuff I saw isn't pretty. Did you get paid bf or hourly? Congratulations on the first portable job done!!!

[terrifictimbersllc]

Woo-hoo!   8) 8)  Nice job & congratulations on your first one.

[Kipper]

They wanted almost all of it slabbed with as much live edge as possible. I was paid on the scaled bdft amount. It was a lot of fun and I am looking forward to the next one.

[bkaimwood]

Excellent!! Slabbed explains the non saw logs type appearance... The best kind for the application... Congrats again!! Feel free to post some slab pics, I'm a sucker for slabs...

[Kipper]

Thanks !! I was so busy sawing I didn't get any pics of the boards or slabs. I may catch up with them again in the next few weeks to saw some more for them and I will try to get some them. I really liked the building in the background. It was built from pine and stained a year ago. It was very nice!!

[WV Sawmiller]

Kipper,

   Congrats. The first job is always the most nerve-wracking. If they want you to come saw some more they were obviously happy. Word of mouth is your best advertising so keep up the good work.

[hunz]

Awesome!, like someone else said, the first one is always the most nerve-wracking. It's a great feeling to walk away after a day like that, and a pocket full of money.  By the way nice mill.....I have the exact same one. How many hours on the ticker?

[Kipper]

Thanks y'all! I was skeptical and almost waiting for something to happen... It really was a good feeling, makes me want to advertise so I can get some more.

It is a great machine, it just turned 400 hours.

[Magicman]

Congrats on a job well done. 

Just a curiosity, where were your blade covers?   

[Kipper]

Thank you MM!

I usually do not saw with them on, just personal preference.

[Magicman]

I have seen what blades breaking can do.  I never saw without them, just personal preference.

[ncsawyer]

Thank you MM!

I usually do not saw with them on, just personal preference.

I was going to ask the same thing.  I've seen my blade break or come off too many times not to have the blade cover on.  I hope your liability insurance man doesn't see that.  He might cancel your policy.

[4x4American]

X3 it doesn't take long to put them on, not worth someone losing their eye over!


Nice setup btw. 

[Ljohnsaw]

That was some gnarly logs.  I like that grapple log lifter thing!  Never seen anything like that - looks like it works great in tight places.

Good job and hope to see some slab pictures.

[customsawyer]

Happy customer always makes me smile. What is the reason you aren't using a drag back arm?

[Quebecnewf]

I saw with one cover off but that side of the mill is against the wall in my shed and there is no room for a person in there.

If I was mobile I would NEVER saw with the covers of. I to have seen blade ends fly when they break.
Your asking for trouble if you continue this practice. The law of averages will catch up with you. Just friendly advice nothing more.
Quebecnewf

[Nomad]

     Congrats on getting the job done! 
     Sawing portable with people around and no covers installed would scare the snot out of me.

[Kipper]

Ok ok for the sanity of all involved and my safety as well as all bystanders I will promise to never saw with the covers off again. Fwiw everyone at the site was instructed to stay behind the head rig while the blade was spinning.

The grapple log lifter thing is actually an old feller buncher, I thought it was pretty cool too, very maneuverable and strong.

I have been thinking about adding a drag back arm for a while and the time may be now to do so. It would certainly make board sawing a lot more efficient with my setup.

[Magicman]

I removed the Drag Back from my sawmill years ago to add those extra inched to the depth of the throat.  It served no real purpose sawing portable without roller tables set up anyway.  I will never reinstall it.

[isawlogs]

 I would not saw with out the covers on... I don't even park the mill in my yard without them on. There is no advantage to not have them on, it takes so little time to take them off when a blade needs to be replaced.
 
   ( You could repaint them with your logo, name and phone number on them.......   :P  )

  That being said,  ;D  ,you have a nice rig!  On those types of jobs, I saw by the hour its a win win situation. Those knarly logs can take time to cut through, they do though make nice slabs, but take extra time to cut.
  Actualy, I saw mostly by the hour now... Easier to make the bill out at the end of saw jobs.  :D

[Chuck White]

They wanted almost all of it slabbed with as much live edge as possible. I was paid on the scaled bdft amount. It was a lot of fun and I am looking forward to the next one.

FWIW, I've always scaled logs using International ¼ inch scale and added 15-20% and came out pretty close to the actual board footage sawn!  ;)

[4x4American]

Ya, the Belle Feller Buncher with the log bucket is a real neat idea!

[SawyerBrown]

Way to go, Kipper!  Glad you had fun.

You bring up something that I enjoy almost as much as sawing: meeting new and interesting people.  Good common friendly family-oriented folks, all, though very diverse in so many ways.  Hope you are as fortunate ...