My very first wack of logs

[Crusarius]

I picked up my very first wack of logs this weekend. I am wondering if now that I am so close to having a running sawmill will I get alot of calls from ppl just wanting the logs gone?

Here is what I got. The picture is missing 1 log that I had to go back and get today. That is a 5x8 trailer for reference. the one log that is missing is the biggest of the group and is black walnut with a nice curve to it.

[firefighter ontheside]

I have over 200 friends on Facebook.  Every so often I post that I'll take any logs/trees they don't want.  I've gotten numerous logs that way.  When I posted my million FB, several people expressed an interest in having me cut stuff for them or a family member and offered me logs.  You might need a bigger trailer.

[Crusarius]

yea. I was thinking about building a bigger trailer with a slight V to is specifically for logs. Make it deck over with stake pockets for loading ramps on either side and winch mount. The V would help keeping the logs from rolling right off the other side.

Could be a pain if I want to use the trailer for stacking skids though. I think I could make it work.

Of course I still only have a half ton so that would need to get upgraded to.

[starmac]

What are your plans for the lumber?

[starmac]

I would just make the deck flat and keep a couple of stakes to put in which ever side you need them to keep the logs from rolling off.

[firefighter ontheside]

It seems like we always have one piece of equipment that's in adequate.  I have am 18' trailer, a 1 ton truck, but a little tractor.  I keep hinting to the wife that I need a bigger tractor, but she isn't convinced.  Maybe I can play on the fact that I almost turned my little Kubota over twice the other day.

[KirkD]

yea. I was thinking about building a bigger trailer with a slight V to is specifically for logs. Make it deck over with stake pockets for loading ramps on either side and winch mount. The V would help keeping the logs from rolling right off the other side.

Could be a pain if I want to use the trailer for stacking skids though. I think I could make it work.

Of course I still only have a half ton so that would need to get upgraded to.

Log trucks are flat across the bed but have arms to keep them from rolling off. Besides at some point you want them to roll off. :D

[Crusarius]

We will start by making it smaller

Other than that, I have no idea. I have these delusions of grandeur about making my kitchen look like it has live trees growing in the walls and across the ceiling. I need to rewire the entire kitchen since I have to walk all the way across it to turn on the lights. So I was thinking instead of removing all the drywall and doing it right I would surface mount everything then cover it up with tree pieces.

My primary goal for the sawmill is to cut all the spruce I have where I want my shop and then build my shop. These logs just happened to be a guy at work wanting them gone.

I am sure I will get some crazy ideas for the wood after I get it cut. Or maybe sell it to finance the shop? I dunno. 

[Crusarius]

Maybe I have to build a side dump V bed trailer? would work real nice for alot of things. And the side dump is just super kool

[starmac]

And turn over real easy, I can't imagine a bumper light duty side dump.

[Crusarius]

I don't see how they would turn over any easier than anything else? I know rear dump is less stable all the way up. The side dump would not have to go up as far as rear dump.

[Southside]

All that weight suddenly going to one side without the benefit of a frame connected 5th wheel to distribute the torque to one or more additional axles, definitely very unstable.

[starmac]

Apparently you have never turned over a side dump, or even watched the wheels come off the ground everytime they dump. The weight of 3 axle side dumps hold them down better than just 2 axle rigs, but I have followed them round after round all day long watching them get 2 foot of air under the tires each and every time they dump, not to mentioned turned one over myself.

[climber2]

Have fun with your first pile o dust. I still remember the feeling of opening my first log... With a chainsaw mill, Alaskan style. Like everyone says on here, have fun with it

[Crossroads]

Looks like a fine wack at that!

[Brad_bb]

I agonized over my first cuts, afraid I was taking too much or not enough.  Now I can pretty much eyeball it and go.  You do want to have a plan for what you want to cut.  I cut my first wood too thin.  I wanted 1x so I cut 4/4 according to the scale on my woodmizer.  Later I found out that I really want to cut 5/4 If I want to end up  planing to 3/4.  You also have to be careful of cupping.  On smaller logs like that you might want to cut a little thicker to account for that.  My 5/4 on my LT15 isn't actually 1.25", but more like 1 1/8".

[Dave Shepard]

4/4 should get you 1 1/8" on a Woodmizer scale.

[mad murdock]

Congratulations on the first whack of logs! Looking good!!!

[Crusarius]

Apparently you have never turned over a side dump, or even watched the wheels come off the ground everytime they dump. The weight of 3 axle side dumps hold them down better than just 2 axle rigs, but I have followed them round after round all day long watching them get 2 foot of air under the tires each and every time they dump, not to mentioned turned one over myself.

That is why I asked. I do not have any experience with them at all. Thanks for the insight. definitely something I will keep in mind if I ever get around to building one.

[Crusarius]

I should probably figure out what I want to do with the lumber before I cut it. I was thinking about 2" slabs with the black walnut that has the sweep. That would make some  real nice benches. Maybe a pretty sweet table. I dunno. Will figure it out before I cut. I am working on the guards on my sawmill. Once those are done I will be ready to cut. After running the mill without the guards one time I don't want to do that again.

[YellowHammer]

yea. I was thinking about building a bigger trailer with a slight V to is specifically for logs. Make it deck over with stake pockets for loading ramps on either side and winch mount. The V would help keeping the logfrom rolling right off the other side.

Could be a pain if I want to use the trailer for stacking skids though. I think I could make it work.

I use a convertible trailer configuration I use for hauling logs as well as flat packs of lumber.  This is the second trailer I've configured like this, and I use it constantly.  The 4x4 steel crossbars allow easy access underneath to load or unload material with forklifts and loaders, and the side standards come off when not needed.  It's easy to roll logs over the stubs of required if the logs are too heavy.  There are detailed pictures in my gallery.
Log Trailer -

[Crusarius]

Thanks yellowhammer. that is really helpful. I like that idea a lot. That could even be adapted to fit on a trailer that is not deck over. The fork access under it is also very nice feature.

[isawlogs]

Nice logs, wish I had some nice walnut logs like that to play with! 

 I have an older lt40hd, the 4/4 scale saws out to 1 1/8 finished.

[Jim_Rogers]

4/4 should get you 1 1/8" on a Woodmizer scale.

My 4/4 scale gives me 1 1/16" lumber. I made up my own scale to get 1 1/8" lumber.
Jim Rogers

[Dave Shepard]

 Jim, does your scale have markings on the back? Both the '92 and '94 mills I've run had two types of scales. 

[trapper]

Woodmizer sells scales that give a board of either 1 1/4 or 1  inch that have an adhesive back.   I put them on an aluminum yardstick that attaches to my mill.  The kerf is already figured in on them.

[Darrel]

yea. I was thinking about building a bigger trailer with a slight V to is specifically for logs. Make it deck over with stake pockets for loading ramps on either side and winch mount. The V would help keeping the logs from rolling right off the other side.

Could be a pain if I want to use the trailer for stacking skids though. I think I could make it work.

Of course I still only have a half ton so that would need to get upgraded to.

Log trucks are flat across the bed but have arms to keep them from rolling off. Besides at some point you want them to roll off. :D

I've never seen a log truck with a bed. 

[Jim_Rogers]

Jim, does your scale have markings on the back? Both the '92 and '94 mills I've run had two types of scales.

I got several scales. The original one had the decal blow off while driving down the road one day. I am using a back up scale, now.
I bought one that was suppose to be for hardwood, I think, if I remember correctly. But I'm not totally sure. As far as I can tell there are none on the back side of either of these sliding scales.
Jim Rogers

[FLPINERAT]

I've never seen a log truck with a bed.

Hmm...that get's the design gremlins stir'n

Longitudinal rails above the tires..vertical rail supports drop down on 1 side, side mounted winch on the other. Same kinda deal as loading a sawmill. Just be tough to get the logs winched to stack on the trailer, higher the winch mount the easier??

[Crusarius]

I can't build a single purpose anything. If I built a trailer for fetching logs it would also be for hauling my toys or anything else.

Money and space is far to scarce to have purpose built anything.

[Southside]

I've never seen a log truck with a bed.

Hmm...that get's the design gremlins stir'n

Longitudinal rails above the tires..vertical rail supports drop down on 1 side, side mounted winch on the other. Same kinda deal as loading a sawmill. Just be tough to get the logs winched to stack on the trailer, higher the winch mount the easier??

Not to mention completely DOT non compliant. Those break away type bolsters used to be the thing a while back, but far too many guys got killed because of them.

[starmac]

I think they are still actually legal though, I don't know of anybody that wants to use them.

[YellowHammer]

I can't build a single purpose anything. If I built a trailer for fetching logs it would also be for hauling my toys or anything else.

Money and space is far to scarce to have purpose built anything.

Me too. I use mine for lots of things including hauling hay, moving farm equipment, and lots of logs and lumber.  I agree on the tripping bolsters, they can fail and kill someone.  Safety when hauling is top priority.  My system is full welded with reinforced joints and heavy steel.  A while ago, another Forum member refitted his trailer with these bunks and was in a serious wreck while hauling logs.  They logs stayed put and never moved.  I've known Glenn1 for years, he's a great guy.  I was very happy things turned out well for him and nobody got hurt.

Here's a link to the thread.
My Trip Down the Mountain in Sawmills and Milling

[btulloh]

I can't build a single purpose anything. If I built a trailer for fetching logs it would also be for hauling my toys or anything else.

What yellowjammer said. A flatbed can be whatever it needs to be for the job at hand.  I don't like deckovers because of the higher cg.  Putting some 4x4s across the bed keeps the logs above the wheels and lets the forks get under the logs. I set a 6x6 on the outsides and strap the whole thing.  Never had any dot issues. Of course I usually only have one layer plus maybe a couple smaller logs on top.  That's all the weight my 16ft can handle.

[starmac]

I am the other way around, I have a 20 foot car trailer, an 18 foot lowboy equipment trailer and a 20 foot deckover equipment trailer, I hauled one load on the lowboy trailer and anymore hauled will be on the deckover.