Earlier this week I received an e-mail from a hay customer referring me to a large red oak tree that recently fell at a local equestrian farm. I drove out today to look at it before incurring the cost to transport my equipment.
Whoa..... 208" circumference at breast height! Looks like I can get two 8' long, 5'6" diameter logs out of it / 24,000 lbs total. That ought to produce some nice quartersawn red oak! Hopefully it won't have much metal or rot, but I'll know more Saturday when I go up to retrieve it.
Looks like Saturday morning is going to be busy...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13296/1706/The_Kennals_oak.jpg)
Wow!
That will make for some nice pics....hopefully. :)
Will enjoy seeing how you approach that one. Top on down to the stump?
I bet there is some nice crock wood there too, and a branch or two that will produce a good bit of lumber!! NICE LOG!! ;D :P 8) 8) 8)
You sure know how to make a guy jealous! ;D
Post us some more pics!!
Don't care where you are, that's a decent log :)
Here I am cutting up 12" cedar logs with my swingmill, and you have that thing to play with :D
Ian
It should be interesting, so you will just have to open it up and see what is inside. I would suspect that the butt will have interior rot at least a couple of feet up.
WOW!! that is huge. I would like to see some pictures of that being turned into lumber.
Quote from: beenthere on July 15, 2011, 12:22:43 AM
Will enjoy seeing how you approach that one. Top on down to the stump?
That's my thought too.
Quote from: Magicman on July 15, 2011, 07:01:46 AM
It should be interesting, so you will just have to open it up and see what is inside. I would suspect that the butt will have interior rot at least a couple of feet up.
Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I'll say this, it looks solid from the bottom. We'll know more tomorrow.
Quote from: thecfarm on July 15, 2011, 07:09:51 AM
WOW!! that is huge. I would like to see some pictures of that being turned into lumber.
I'll end seal the logs on site and bring them back to the farm tomorrow. After that, I'll probably wait until fall to mill, so that I have some cooler weather for initial air drying before going into the kiln next summer.
Quote from: Husband on July 15, 2011, 05:04:58 AM
You sure know how to make a guy jealous! ;D
Post us some more pics!!
Will do, although it will probably be a few months before I mill them.
Please post pics of what you find when you buck them.
Like to see a closeup of your tires after it's loaded. :o
Quote from: terrifictimbersllc on July 15, 2011, 04:08:44 PM
Like to see a closeup of your tires after it's loaded. :o
I'm not sure that I want to look at them.... :D
Quote from: Ianab on July 15, 2011, 05:44:22 AM
Don't care where you are, that's a decent log :)
Here I am cutting up 12" cedar logs with my swingmill, and you have that thing to play with :D
Ian
Yeah, yeah, Ian, you can't fool me; I've seen photos of some of those mongo logs that you have in New Zealand! Some of them make this one look like a toothpick! :D
Quote from: Brad_bb on July 15, 2011, 01:16:15 PM
Please post pics of what you find when you buck them.
Brad, will do. Probably will post them this Sunday.
Keep us posted.
What do you have to load that with?
Yes, I was thinking the same thing as Millwright. How are you going to load it and what do you have to transport it?
Quote from: cutterboy on July 15, 2011, 08:03:33 PM
Yes, I was thinking the same thing as Millwright. How are you going to load it and what do you have to transport it?
My current plan is to cut it into two 8' long logs, estimate 6 tons each. I'm taking a Cat 420Dit backhoe, and there will be a farm tractor on site with a FEL that is supposed to be good for 5000 lbs, or so. Hopefully between both FEL's we can pick the logs up to place them on the trailer. Plan B will be to roll the log onto the end of the trailer with the backhoe, and then either winch or roll it up the ramp onto the deck. I don't really want to try parbuckling a log that heavy.
The trailer is a 37' deck, dual tandem gooseneck with a hydraulic dovetail. I'll have to go back for the backhoe, as there is neither room nor weight capacity for the logs and the backhoe.
I designed the trailer for 10 tons on deck, with an additional safety margin. I've actually had 15 tons on it and towed it for 100 miles w/o a problem, so I'm not concerned re the weight. The tires are new, and the brakes are good (electric over hydraulic disc).
It's not my first time to this rodeo....
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13296/scott_and_six_foot_logsv2.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13296/Scott_monroe_log_2.jpg)
Well how did it go?
The center looks to be in real good shape, your going to have some fine looking lumber from those mamouths! I bet those were over 5000 lbs. each.
Pleasepost the pics as you saw this monster and give us the BF tally
Quebecnewf
Nice logs, there is gonna be some really nice boards in your futur 8) :)
I'd love to be there ,just for the truoble shooting, idea's needed to get it done!!! 8) 8) :P Always a learning curve with these types of projects. It's what keeps the mind active.
Marcel
Quote from: scsmith42 on July 15, 2011, 05:44:04 PM
Quote from: Ianab on July 15, 2011, 05:44:22 AM
Don't care where you are, that's a decent log :)
Here I am cutting up 12" cedar logs with my swingmill, and you have that thing to play with :D
Ian
Yeah, yeah, Ian, you can't fool me; I've seen photos of some of those mongo logs that you have in New Zealand! Some of them make this one look like a toothpick! :D
Well this is true, but right now I've got another 20 12" cedar logs to deal to... ::)
Problem is we are getting some nice boards out of them, so we keep sawing :D If they were rubbish we could firewood them in a couple of hours.
Rather be dealing to a log like that though ;)
Ian
Ian
Nice looking logs. Are you still breaking them down with a chainsaw?
Hope everything went ok yesterday.
Loking forward to seeing your pics.
We made good progress on Saturday, but did not wrap things up. Part of the problem was that I had a previous commitment at 1pm, so we only had 4-1/2 hours on site. We were able to assist with other volunteers and get a lot of the canopy removed and loaded onto trailers / hauled into the woods.
The plan is to complete things next weekend.
Unfortunately, we discovered some rot in the base of the tree, so it looks like we *may* be able to net one log out of the trunk w/o rot. Won't know for sure until next weekend though.
Start of day, before canopy removal.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13296/1706/Canopy.JPG)
4 hours later:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13296/1706/end_of_day.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13296/1706/Scott_and_BonfilioX.JPG)
It gets interesting a that stage doesn't it ;D
Figuring out how to cut the last 2 branches to get the think on the ground.
At least you have some machinery to help out.
Ian
I reckon you may need some blackpowder for that one mate. ;D
I was going to come up there and offbear for you one day, but I changed my mind :D.
Quote from: WDH on July 18, 2011, 11:13:30 PM
I was going to come up there and offbear for you one day, but I changed my mind :D.
:D :D :D
Remember those root ball stalks can sometimes set back up when the weight is removed-make sure no one is underneath.
UPDATE. Yesterday we went back to the log site to complete the removal. Volunteers had cleared most of the remaining canopy the previous weekend, which made our job much easier.
Here is a view of the upper end of the log after we made our initial cuts.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13296/1706/Scott_log_3x.jpg)
In order to load the log I had to take both my backhoe as well as the skid steer loader from the farm. We placed a machine on each side of the lot and used both to raise it, and then back it up about 15' so we could back a trailer underneath it. Here is a photo of the log up in the air before backing the trailer under it.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13296/1706/Loading_log_1x.jpg)
Once we got back to the farm, we borrowed a 25 ton crane from the railroad museum to unload the log. After the weather cools down we will place it in the sawmill to mill it into quartersawn boards. There is minimal rot on one end, but the bottom end shows tell-tale signs of metal which we will need to be on the lookout for when we mill it.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13296/1706/Unloading_log_2x.jpg)
A lot of work went into retrieving the log, but I think that it will be worthwhile in the long run. When the time comes to mill it, I'll post additional photo's.
Holy Moly! I can't wait for the main event popcorn_smiley.
How come the bottoms of the front backhoe tires looks on the flat side? ;) :D I reckon you will be able to make a few dozen match sticks outta that tree. ;D
Nice job Scott!
I think you need to get a trackhoe if you're going to keep finding logs like that. :)
Sawing that will be fun. I assume that it will be with the Peterson?
Well Scott, that is a big log, I am sure the backhoe was releived to have that off the front end :o
Personaly I never liked sawing those big logs, way to hard on equipment ( and me ), then again I don't have access to a slabber :) or have a long bar to cut them in half with , oh and don't plan on getting any of the above :D ;D
Quote from: Norm on July 25, 2011, 08:00:19 AM
Nice job Scott!
I think you need to get a trackhoe if you're going to keep finding logs like that. :)
Norm, you know that you're an enabler, don't you.... :D
Quote from: Magicman on July 25, 2011, 08:43:07 AM
Sawing that will be fun. I assume that it will be with the Peterson?
Yup. I need to get my tail in gear and finish building my dedicated slabber. Thanks to FF members, I have the frame and bar for it, and a 40 hp electric motor to power it.
Quote from: isawlogs on July 25, 2011, 09:38:10 AM
Well Scott, that is a big log, I am sure the backhoe was releived to have that off the front end :o
Personaly I never liked sawing those big logs, way to hard on equipment ( and me ), then again I don't have access to a slabber :) or have a long bar to cut them in half with , oh and don't plan on getting any of the above :D ;D
Marcel, AMEN re the backhoe tires!
Personally, I really like milling the big ones. Must be the Texan in me.... ;D
Quote from: Norm on July 25, 2011, 08:00:19 AM
Nice job Scott!
I think you need to get a trackhoe if you're going to keep finding logs like that. :)
Quote from: scsmith42 on July 25, 2011, 10:41:32 AM
Quote from: Norm on July 25, 2011, 08:00:19 AM
Nice job Scott!
I think you need to get a trackhoe if you're going to keep finding logs like that. :)
Norm, you know that you're an enabler, don't you.... :D
:D :D :D :D
Scott, what size Stihl and how long is that bar?
Quote from: scsmith42 on July 25, 2011, 10:44:57 AM
Must be the Texan in me.... ;D
You're asking a Texan How BIG and how LONG ::) :D :D :D
It's OK, Marcel. I know with Texans you need to divide by at least two, subtract some more, and test for creditability before arriving at the answer :D :D :D :D :D
TR taught me that :D
Cant wait to see what type lumber that log produces, that is a good size log.
GF
Quote from: OneWithWood on July 25, 2011, 11:58:31 AM
It's OK, Marcel. I know with Texans you need to divide by at least two, subtract some more, and test for creditability before arriving at the answer :D :D :D :D :D
TR taught me that :D
Ouch!
Robert, I use an 066 Magnum and an 044 with that 42" bar. It is surprising how well the 044 handles it too.
Give us a couple of weeks notice on the milling of this baby and maybe some of us will have to take a bike ride up and watch the heavy lifting. ;D
I reckon whoever is pulling boards will be draggin' tail by the end of the day. Better take em to an old time dance that night and limber them back up with a few polkas. :D
I don't know if Jake likes to dance or not, but I bet Lorraine does :D.
Thanks for the quick reply, Scott.
I have used a MS460 with a 37" and standard chain in an old Granberg mill setup to split large ash logs in the past. It did the job but seemed to really lug the saw. The Granberg clamp takes up about 8" of bar length so I was contemplating going to a longer bar coupled to a MS660 and getting some ripping chain to make things easier. There are about 20 40"+ ash, tulip, cherry and red oak logs in the yard awaiting my attention.
The only thing holding me up is the $1300 price tag of the 660 :-\
Quote from: customsawyer on July 26, 2011, 09:03:18 PM
Give us a couple of weeks notice on the milling of this baby and maybe some of us will have to take a bike ride up and watch the heavy lifting. ;D
*watch*?????? >:(
We have a motto here on the farm. A happy guest is a
working guest. :D :D
Seriously, you bet I'll provide some advance notice! Probably some time in October or November.
Quote from: OneWithWood on July 27, 2011, 09:57:13 AM
Thanks for the quick reply, Scott.
I have used a MS460 with a 37" and standard chain in an old Granberg mill setup to split large ash logs in the past. It did the job but seemed to really lug the saw. The Granberg clamp takes up about 8" of bar length so I was contemplating going to a longer bar coupled to a MS660 and getting some ripping chain to make things easier. There are about 20 40"+ ash, tulip, cherry and red oak logs in the yard awaiting my attention.
The only thing holding me up is the $1300 price tag of the 660 :-\
Robert, would you believe that I picked up my 066 for a few hundred bucks on e-bay? I've seen several go for $500.00 or less.
Quote from: WDH on July 26, 2011, 10:36:07 PM
I don't know if Jake likes to dance or not, but I bet Lorraine does :D.
Rumor has it Jake's a dancing fool! 8) 8) smiley_love
QuoteRobert, would you believe that I picked up my 066 for a few hundred bucks on e-bay? I've seen several go for $500.00 or less.
I picked up mine from a tree service guy for a couple hundred bucks - minus a bar. Been several years now and the saw has performed wonderfully. :)