skidders vandalized in Blue hill, Maine

rick f · January 17, 2013, 05:02:09 PM

I hope they find the one or ones responsable for this. Times are tough as it is without something like this to contend with.
I think the forestry dept is alot low on the price of new tires, I'd say closer to 20-22k for new ones.

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/01/15/news/hancock/rangers-seek-info-on-vandal-who-punctured-loggers-tires-in-blue-hill/

snowstorm · January 17, 2013, 05:07:02 PM

have you heard who owned the skidders?

rick f · January 17, 2013, 05:22:19 PM

Nope they didn't say in the paper.

mad murdock · January 17, 2013, 05:25:33 PM

That stinks! I hope they find the perps. With any luck if the puncture is clean, they may be able to section repair the tire(s), if they have a good tire shop around the area. I don't get why anyone wants to cause damage to anothers property, I guess I never have understood the reasoning behind, it, of course, maybe that is why they do it, lack of reasoning on their part :

dsgsr · January 17, 2013, 05:44:15 PM

Use to be a time when no one would even think of messin with a logger around here. For 2 reasons, one they were respected as the hardest working people around and the strongest:)

David

loggah · January 17, 2013, 05:56:07 PM

Im sure whoever did it ,dont want the owner to find out who it was. Generally around here its just mischief from kids,nothing serious. I would like to know what they punched them tires with,you dont punch skidder tires with a jacknife.

coxy · January 17, 2013, 06:06:49 PM

thats bull crap whene thay find who did it thay should take them out back 4 alittle time it happend to me 15 years ago thay broke all my gages,injector lines and winch lines

clww · January 17, 2013, 06:33:27 PM

Hope the vandals are caught and punished! >:(

treefarmer87 · January 17, 2013, 06:47:18 PM

I hope they can fix the tires with little cost to the owner. that's a shame I hope they are caught.

JohnM · January 17, 2013, 07:22:25 PM

Is that something that would normally be insured? Just curious if a one man operation would bother with that kind of insurance. Or maybe he has to if he's making payments on the equipment. ???

My guess is kid(s) but knowing Blue Hill could easily be some ELF wannabees.

Woodhauler · January 17, 2013, 07:24:37 PM

More likely a ticked off land owner,seen this happen in a town near me! A right of way dispute went sour!

Charles Barnes Sr · January 17, 2013, 08:16:39 PM

I hope they're caught then I hope they have the monies to pay for repairs!

Autocar · January 17, 2013, 08:27:35 PM

Thats to bad for sure he will have one heck of a repair bill. I worry every time when my equipment sets on a job.

Dom · January 17, 2013, 08:37:30 PM

A good punishement would be to have the vandals repair or replace the tires. That is NOT an easy job.
Downtime when its the busy time of year is the worst.

lynde37avery · January 17, 2013, 08:49:13 PM

my oldest brother use to be the post master in Blue hill up till not that long ago. wow. small world. i hope they catch those punks. give em a good old fashion belt whippin. then make em come up with the coin for repair.

rooster 58 · January 17, 2013, 09:24:38 PM

They should not only have to pay for repairs, but should also be required to work in the woods a day or two. maybe if they knew what it was like and how hard it was, maybe they'd have a little respect for folks

Timbercruiser · January 18, 2013, 06:40:00 AM

I feel sorry for the operator. With wood market in the tank and everybody trying to make one dollar thats a low thing to do to a guy.

thecfarm · January 18, 2013, 06:57:08 AM

That is not a good sight to see. He has to take the chains off than the tires,all that will take some time. All eight of them.

lumberjack48 · January 18, 2013, 10:51:50 AM

Anytime i've seen this much damage, there are issues involved over something or somebody.

jocco · January 18, 2013, 03:05:40 PM

Lumberjack you are correct (as always) ;D Usually 1. disgruntled employee

2. Other logger disgruntled because you got the lot smiley_fused_bomb 3. He owed some one some money

4. Over a mistress

5. Have seen this when someone bought a skidder out from under someone else smiley_beady_eyes

Quote from: lumberjack48 on January 18, 2013, 10:51:50 AM
Anytime i've seen this much damage, there are issues involved over something or somebody.

snowstorm · January 18, 2013, 05:23:47 PM

i used to haul wood for a forester in surry. lets just say he was kind of the shady type. any of you from that area might know who i am referring to. he never owned much for equipment. he always hied everything done. just kinda woundering if it was his job these skidders were working.

rick f · January 29, 2013, 05:15:52 AM

Just an update on this vandilizam:
Blue Hill - Money is being offered to figure out who damaged two skidders in Blue Hill.

It happened the weekend of January 12th, and was discovered that Monday.

All four tires on the skidders were drilled flat and it appears the engine may have been tampered with as well.

Damages estimates are upwards of $25,000.

The skidders were about a mile into the woods, on the Getaway Road.

They belong to Ed and Beth Gracie.

They tell us property owners in the area have come up with a $500 reward.

If you have information on the vandalism, please call the Maine Forest Service at 827-1800.

You can also post anonymous tips on their website

That was from WABI TV website
Findum and makeum pay big time.

snowstorm · January 29, 2013, 05:30:37 AM

i think i know him. havent seen him in yrs. did he have a c6 treefarmer?

rick f · January 29, 2013, 05:59:04 PM

I'm sorry I don't know the man.

GDinMaine · January 30, 2013, 12:33:36 AM

It sure sounds like whoever did that knew what it takes to flatten a skidder tire for good. I would say a competitor, but most certainly a guy familiar with forestry equipment. Around here fishermen damage each others gear and in rare cases a boat or two were sunk as well. Similar thing happening on land among loggers. Sad.