I have some property out in the forest (plumas county California) and do pretty good selling firewood year round. I was cutting into a real nice cedar the other day and thought it was a waste to burn something as pretty as this, so I did some looking around online and found this forum and the whole milling niche. I have been looking at different setups for the last few days and came across the harbor freight saw mill for $2000 which seems like a great mill. The real problem for me is how to get the logs into my trailer or truck and back to my property. I've never had an issue moving firewood rounds because I can just split them, but how would you guys recommend loading large 8'-10' section of tree into a trailer or truckbed, or is it better to take the mill to the logs?
I want to eventually start selling small batches of lumber on craigslist or locally. Nothing big, but enough to cover the price of the equipment needed to mill my own lumber. Mainly this would be a hobby as im working with wood on a daily basis anyhow.
Go to the search button on here and search par buckling. Welcome to the forum.
black_edelweiss,welcome to the forum. Nothing a matter with a harbor freight sawmill. BUT it's not the best to use it as a long time investment. Not a mill that can be used to saw alot of lumber. Any way for you to go to a few shows to see some other mills? That will open your eyes more.
Welcome :)
Couple of ways you can load a trailer.
One is called parbuckling. This involves putting a couple of ramps on the side of the trailer and rolling the log up those using a winch and cable. Demonstrated here, with pictures
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,80686.msg1227359.html#msg1227359 (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,80686.msg1227359.html#msg1227359)
Another way is with a hinged frame at the back of the trailer that lifts and drags the logs up onto the trailer with the help of a winch. Known on the Forum as the Dang loader. See one in action here.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,76289.msg1157562.html#msg1157562 (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,76289.msg1157562.html#msg1157562)
Both would work with either an electric winch or a geared manual boat winch and some arm power. Just keep your body parts in a safe place in case anything goes wrong
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Welcome to the forum for a little money you can get a Woodland mill thy are a sponsor here at this great forum
I have a woodland and it's doing a great job for me
Welcome to the Forestry Forum, black_edelweiss.
welcome to the forum
Welcome to the Forestry Forum, black_edelweiss. I personally prefer to take the sawmill to the logs.
I use a tow strap, come alongs and loading ramps. Slow but works well. Loaded a pine log that maxed out my truck suspension with that method today.
I like the come along, two actually, because I can move them around to redirect the log. A fixed winch can be problematic if you are trying to load multiple logs, load them at an angle etc.
I've also used a come alongs and ramps ... definitely slow:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/35642/P1080409.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/35642/P1080412.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/35642/P1080411.JPG)
I would like to rig something along the top of my ramps to use the ramps as a dang loader. Also thinking of making a log arch to retrieve logs from lawns and load pulling the arch up the ramps.
BTW, I wasn't the one who made the butt log shorter :embarassed:, just used it cause it was there when I got there.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/DSCN0689.JPG)
My way when I get free logs.