First attempt at log tow this year ( no joy)

Quebecnewf · April 15, 2021, 05:34:55 AM

Went to the river to attempt a log tow yesterday . Sad to say there is still some ice along the river bank so we had to return empty handed.

To bad as it was a beautiful day. Winds were calm and it was warm and sunny.

We have been plagued by strong easterly winds for a week or more and the long range forecast is for another full week of the same coming again .

No choice but to wait on the weather . Can't fight Mother Nature.

( not sure why One pic is up side down )

Quebecnewf

nativewolf · April 15, 2021, 08:32:35 AM

Sorry about the ice/wind but really enjoying the pics.

mike_belben · April 15, 2021, 08:42:41 AM

ditto.

hows the mini excavator hunt going?

Southside · April 15, 2021, 08:51:41 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTMxZxI7-SQ&t=2s

doc henderson · April 15, 2021, 09:16:07 AM

at first I thought it was reflecting off the lake, but then realized that was the sky.

Andries · April 15, 2021, 09:52:35 AM

Ironic.
During the winter, there wasn't enough ice to allow you to cross over to the mainland.
Now that it's Spring, you've got too much ice to let you retrieve the logs.
You're right about Mama Nature - adapt and overcome.
Thanks for the update.

doc henderson · April 15, 2021, 10:41:50 AM

i see some line, and in one pic, but it looks pretty light. what is the mechanism used to get these in the water. are they staged with roped attached that allow easy movement into the water. I have seen some pretty smart ideas on some of the Alaska shows, no personal experience.

Quebecnewf · April 15, 2021, 07:12:57 PM

We roll them of the bank into the water . Hitch them into racks of 20 then attach them to the main tow line one rack behind the other .

Still no luck on the machine search . Not able to travel and not finding anything online yet that I like

Quebecnewf

This is what It looks like when ready to tow

thecfarm · April 16, 2021, 05:33:59 AM

Good luck next time.

sawguy21 · April 17, 2021, 01:44:11 PM

That sure looks similar to what we see on the coast and our larger lakes. I really enjoy your posts and pictures. 8)

GRANITEstateMP · April 17, 2021, 03:34:42 PM

It's like a log CONVOY!

Quebecnewf · April 27, 2021, 06:10:06 AM

Well we finally got a tow home to the mill (145)

Just made it though . Lost the front oil seal on the transmission just as we arrived .

Here they are at the door at last . We have sawed 50 of them and have repaired the transmission .

Going to try for another tow tomorrow . We are continually plagued by strong winds at this time of year so it's a waitin game .

Quebecnewf

dgdrls · April 27, 2021, 06:12:51 AM

Looks like things are starting to move forward,

nice job

D

cutterboy · April 27, 2021, 06:54:17 AM

Some of those logs look rather long. How long a log can your mill take? Or do you cut them to shorter lengths?

BTW, I love your pictures.

mike_belben · April 27, 2021, 07:20:30 AM

8)

doc henderson · April 27, 2021, 07:30:30 AM

I am still curious about the mechanics of getting them in and out of the water. I saw rope and imagined an elaborate way that they all fell into the water and ready to tow directly from the shore, and then onto your raised bunks. Maybe you just have to work you bum off.

samandothers · April 27, 2021, 08:27:55 AM

Quote from: doc henderson on April 15, 2021, 10:41:50 AM
...I have seen some pretty smart ideas on some of the Alaska shows, no personal experience.

Doc don't sell yourself short, you have some good ideas too!

thecfarm · April 28, 2021, 06:35:11 AM

Always enjoy seeing how you get your logs to the mill.

DonW · April 28, 2021, 09:57:11 AM

Watered wood, nice, adds value but more important makes for better quality lumber.

47sawdust · April 28, 2021, 06:43:40 PM

Very nice looking logs. Clean,straight and nice diameter to handle.
Great job by all involved.

Quebecnewf · April 29, 2021, 04:47:02 AM

Made another tow yesterday . Went well was nice and calm . We only brought 105 this tow . Testing out repairs to transmission . Seems good ( lost front seal on first tow and was lucky to make it to the mill )

Sorry no pics . Too busy . One issue I had as I was hitching them together in the water and the tide rose I realized how cold the water was . Standing in water to your knees with chest waders on ( not to bad ) standing in water above your crotch ( not so good ) . Mental note to self ( in future wear fleece pants inside chest waders )

We will be going to the mill this morning to put them ashore . Right now there tied at the shoreline . We tied them tight there yesterday afternoon . Was a real high tide through the night so hopefully they floated in in the rock further . Will get a few pics this morning .

Quebecnewf

Andries · April 29, 2021, 05:36:08 AM

With all that wind, and if you can work with the timing of the tide, the logs will float right up to your mill door. 😆

Quebecnewf · April 30, 2021, 06:00:23 AM

Unhitching logs at the mill shoreline yesterday . Went well . 250 home at the mill (2 tows)
Quebecnewf

dgdrls · April 30, 2021, 06:06:17 AM

Looking good,
How many more towing trips?

D

Quebecnewf · April 30, 2021, 04:06:46 PM

I'm thinking four more should clean it up. Depends on the tide and the wind .

This one was 105 but I'm thinking next one we will try for 125 . Not a big run of logs so should be doable .

Lumber sales are brisk so as fast as we're sawing ( we don't saw very fast ) we're selling it .

Quebecnewf