New member's intro comments

lamimartin · June 11, 2014, 10:38:53 PM

Hi,
I just discovered this forum as I was chasing for a source of self releasing snatch block for the tractor's logging winch I just purchased (used). I just purchased a 130,000 sq feet of maple bush over here in Qc that I currrently prepare for construction of my new house in the next two years. Considering the long term need of a modest tractor, adding a PTO driven winch appears to me the only way to prepare the area and maintain the properly by myself.

Both my Dad and grandfather were loggers (with horses, not tractors). I'm a Registred Nurse, preparing for retirement in a few years. The forestry forum will really help me plan and get deeper into technical matters that I need to learn in a hurry. :P

I hope you will be patient with me, and don't hesitate to have a good laugh at my stupid questions... I'm diving into forestry as a back to roots and nature project. I've got a ton of things to learn about and already quite a few things I am comfortable with (like my Stihl MS261 chainsaw...)

I hope to have fun with you guys in the next few years to come !

Best regards,

Martin

Magicman · June 11, 2014, 10:43:10 PM

Hello lamimartin, and Welcome to the Forestry Forum. I wish the the best with your new adventure. 8)

justallan1 · June 11, 2014, 11:37:20 PM

Welcome to the forum, Lamimartin.
There's a bunch of great people here. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Allan

Chuck White · June 12, 2014, 06:23:41 AM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Lamimartin.

goose63 · June 12, 2014, 07:05:05 AM

Welcome to the Forum Martin the only stupid question is the one you don't ask

sandhills · June 12, 2014, 10:15:41 AM

Welcome Martin, and to contradict what goose said, the only stupid questions are the ones I ask :D :D

yukon cornelius · June 12, 2014, 10:18:07 AM

welcome martin! we are trying the same type of back to the roots life also. it has been a long hard road it seems but most days it is amazing. we bought 30 acres in southern missouri in aug. of 2012 that is so thick with hardwood and cedar, we had no idea what we even had. well here we are going on 2 years later with a big shop, a cabin, sawmill shed, and a house that we logged-milled-built ourselves. we started with some livestock but we were not ready for them (we didn't even have water onsite) so we sold all of them. we will be revisiting livestock in the near future. we are raising 2 boys here and trying to make a living off our land. it has been a blessing but a struggle.

I love to here more people are doing this! this forum is full of vey smart people willing to offer advice freely. just ask and you shall receive. we all like to see pictures of projects and progress.

lamimartin · June 16, 2014, 07:29:27 PM

Have a look at my initial equpment completed in lamimartin's new Gallery
I'm working on inserting pictures in posting

Bill Gaiche · June 16, 2014, 08:31:00 PM

Welcome aboard. bg

SawyerBrown · June 16, 2014, 08:32:35 PM

Welcome, lamimartin! I'd suggest to avoid asking stupid questions, review my posts first, because I probably beat you to it! ;D

lamimartin · June 16, 2014, 08:52:57 PM

First attempt to post a picture of my tractor, ready to start serious logging.

thecfarm · June 16, 2014, 08:59:46 PM

That looks good. You will like the winch. ;D

lamimartin · June 16, 2014, 09:21:44 PM

Here is the other side of the beast: 41HP is plenty to drive the 3 tons winch that can pull very large logs to solid ground, so I have very little chances to get stuck out in the mud. Even if I did get stuck, the winch has plenty of power to pull me out of trouble.

This tractor is fitted with an overbuilt subframe to support the heavy duty loader and protective roof. Each rear wheel has a pair of cast iron weight to balance the loader.

Only serious limitation: This tractor front end was designed only to support a small bucket load of manure. Consequently, I must be very gentle on the steering if I put any significant weight on the large bucket. OK for snow and to carry bits and pieces, but for gravel, I must be very conservative. Once loaded, I only steer in motion or I put the bucket on the ground first. Other than that, this tractor is very rugged and reliable.

clww · June 16, 2014, 09:31:01 PM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum.

Everyone on here knows something about nearly every subject. Together it adds up to a tremendous resource of knowledge. ;)

Hilltop366 · June 16, 2014, 09:47:41 PM

Greetings, you have a good start on things with the tractor and winch, stay safe.

thecfarm · June 16, 2014, 09:53:22 PM

I suppose a manual came with it? How to use it and not to use it? I made up some 4 foot chains. I use them as much as my 8 foot ones.I brought three 8 foot chains and 6 hooks. I cut a lot of small stuff too.

lamimartin · June 17, 2014, 04:25:56 AM

Quote from: thecfarm on June 16, 2014, 09:53:22 PM
I suppose a manual came with it? How to use it and not to use it? I made up some 4 foot chains. I use them as much as my 8 foot ones.I brought three 8 foot chains and 6 hooks. I cut a lot of small stuff too.

I've got ALL users, shop manuals and parts manuals both on paper and DVD. This is a must to order parts and keep the beast in good shape. The previous owner was a retired mechanic who had split transmission, replaced the main clutch, the PTO clutch, the steering box, the steering hydraulics, etc. So it works like a new tractor. I was fortunate to get wise recommendations from this old mechanic (Do's and don'ts) . He used this tractor as a toy for clearing up snow and as a landmower at his cottage. He bought something bigger with a heated cabin because he wanted to get to the cottage later into the season clearing up several miles of country roads, which this beast is not ideal for.

As for the choker chains, I've got two 8 feet for now, and material to make many more as I adjust to the work in progress. My first job is to clear fallen trees to make room for the second step: piling up large logs I will have processed into a portable saw mill this fall. I will also stock up maple for firewood (my property is mainly a maple bush). Right now, I have to fit a stabilizer bar on the 3 points to prevent lateral swing of the winch. I've got the bars, but the pin on the winch are bigger than the bar holes and just a bit too short to fit in. My main concern is to keep the drive shaft in alignment when operating under load.