First attempt at log tow this year ( no joy)

[Quebecnewf]

 

 

 

 

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]

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

[mike_belben]

ditto.

hows the mini excavator hunt going?

[Southside]

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

[doc henderson]

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

[Andries]

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]

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]

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]

Good luck next time.

[sawguy21]

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

[GRANITEstateMP]

It's like a log CONVOY!

[Quebecnewf]

 


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]

Looks like things are starting to move forward,

nice job

D

[cutterboy]

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]

 8)

[doc henderson]

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]

...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]

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

[DonW]

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

[47sawdust]

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

[Quebecnewf]

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]

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]

 

 

 

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

[dgdrls]

Looking good,
How many more towing trips?

D

[Quebecnewf]

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 

[doc henderson]

so do you tie each log individually or bundle in a raft.  what knots are you using, or is it just a half hitch?  do you tie them on land and pull into the water with the boat, or is it a wait for the tide to come in and then pull I assume.  are they skidded to the point in the picture.  do you have equipment to move the on land, or use a peavey?  i think I see a log arch in the pics.  some appear to up on bunks.

[Quebecnewf]

Try to answer all .

We roll them down into the water . As the tide comes in I hitch them together in racks of 20 . You can't hitch until they float . I'm using a half hitch with one extra hitch added for good measure . 

Once we arrive at the mill we float them in onto the shore line and move them up from the shore line with skidding arch and atv . 

Quebecnewf 

[thecfarm]

Well at least when you get to the mill there is no mud. ;D  

[doc henderson]

for some reason, we do not get much "tidal" movement here...   .  very interesting.

[Tacotodd]

@doc henderson  if you have THAT much tidal there, then we ALL are in trouble 👿 

[Magicman]

Doc, are you saying that the Arkansas River sees very little tidal movement??  :

[Satamax]

for some reason, we do not get much "tidal" movement here...   .  very interesting.

Doc, no tidal, but middle aplenty !  :D

Middal!

[Quebecnewf]

 

 

 

 
Weather not working out for another tow so we're sawing some . Will put this through the planers tomorrow 

Quebecnewf 

[Andries]

From the Globe and Mail today:
Lumber contracts last month went for three to four times higher than in April, 2020. Benchmark two-by-fours made from Western spruce, pine and fir sold last week for a record US$1,420 for 1,000 board feet, quadrupling in price over the past year, according to industry newsletter Madison's Lumber Reporter. 
That's a lot of good lumber Quebecnewf. You're probably on a first name basis with all your lumber customers - but don't sell yourself short on what you're charging. You've been at this for a while and have a handle on your costs, but as the world is changing with the virus, the price tag on equipment keeps going up. 
Those lumber customers may want to help you pick up that new/used excavator on Kijiji? 

[Quebecnewf]

 

 

 Got it all passed through the single sided planer this afternoon .

It will go through the three sided one tomorrow and be ready to sell . Lots of orders coming in so keeping busy

Quebecnewf 

[nativewolf]

Really appreciate and enjoy the pics!  What's the primary end product?  

[Quebecnewf]

2 by 4 and 6 in lengths of 8/10/12' 

Construction lumber . Sold green or air dried depending on how long it sits 

Quebecnewf 

[teakwood]

can you plane the green wood? for me if it's a little too wet it won't pass the planer without trouble 

[Quebecnewf]

No problem planing green wood with those old planers . They were built for that .

Quebecnewf 

[robpm]

As others have said.  Really like the pics and the information!

Forgive my questions for all those who already have asked them and you have answered them.

What species of trees are these?
I am assuming that you are cutting them down and stacking them to then float on the river to your sawmill.  Do you cut them in the winter or all year long?
What river in Quebec is it that you are floating them on?
Do you have any pictures of your mill?

Thanks for your patience.

[Quebecnewf]

Another tow in progress as I'm typing this . Speed of 3.6 knots so lots of time . 105 logs in tow this time . Smooth on the water so that's good .

Reply

Logs a balsam fir and spruce .

We log in winter only .

Stack by the shoreline and then tow by boat in the spring after the ice melts . 

It salt water ( ocean ) 

We use the ebb and flow of the tides to help us

Quebecnewf 

[Andries]

And you have cell reception out there?
That's great!
Lucky you, most of Middle Canada only has cell service near the Trans Canada Highway or built up areas.

[Quebecnewf]

Cell service just new here last summer . We have coverage along the shore line pretty much . Not much in over the land 

Quebecnewf 

[Quebecnewf]

 

 Last 130 logs from our pile that we cut in the winter . Rafted and towed home . 



 So this pile is now all home at the mill and we have about 1/2 of them sawed.

Good going for two older persons . 

Quebecnewf 

[Bruno of NH]

Nice work Sir 

[Andries]

It appears that you've got a good system going - well done!
How long will it take to mill this half of your lumber?

[Quebecnewf]

We mill only on a part time basis . It varies a lot . We may mill for a few days then plane for a day . 

Summer coming up so milling will slow down . Once fall arrives we may pick up the pace . Very much hit and miss.

This is just a hobby/passion of mine 


 

In the process of building a new dock so working at this as well . We work at retired speed ( slow)"
Quebecnewf 

[Andries]

The timbers look fresh cut from your mill, nice and straight.
The verticals on that cribbing look really tall - how big are the tides in your bay? 
With projects like yours, this has gone way past a "hobby" label. This is full on construction. 👍👍👍

[Quebecnewf]

The timber's are fresh cut of the mill . The average tide here is 5 ft .
 Vertical members will be trimmed after . There is a section to be added to the end that will ( tip up ) during winter freeze up hence the two extra tall vertical posts at the end . These will have pulleys to pull up the drawbridge end so to speak . 

It's a project 

Quebecnewf 

[chet]

Curious as to how long those untreated timbers will last in that environment. 

[mike_belben]

where is "here" again.. if youre willing to share?  how far do you have to tow these logs?

[Andries]

Mike; From Upstate NY, follow the blue line NorthEast to Harrington Harbour, Quebec (lots of trees). 
Then, head out to sea, and across the Provincial boundary, to a number of Newfoundland islands (no trees at all), which is where QuebecNewf lives. 
Back in 2016, a FF somebody wondered the same thing - they were pondering a drop-by for coffee. . . . I'm thinking that would be a pricey coffee.   :D

[mike_belben]

Ive been trying to sketch out a family tree for the kids and have got my namesakes side figured back 9 generations to seal cove ( new chelsea ) in trinity bay.  Theres a lot of belbens there, conception bay and st johns.   So the landscape is extra interesting to me, i was just wondering if any of my ancestors ever looked at the same foreign (to me) shoreline.  
  

7 generations of deep sea fisherman and i dont like grabbing a bluegill.   What a shame i must be to them! :D

[curved-wood]

Last year my wife and I  got at the end of the road which is Kagaska. Quebecnewf live another 150 kms ( I guess ) farther and by boat only. I love that coast. We were not able to meet ...may be another year. I asked about him at a fisherman at the dock in Kagaska and he knew him!!! 150 kms away!!! A lot of people in my own village don't even know me !! Another world

[Stephen1]

Great work and Thanks for the pics.

[Quebecnewf]

Curious as to how long those untreated timbers will last in that environment.

Timber's last along time . It's salt water of course . The biggest problem is that some type of small white worm eats the wood. These only exist at the lowest wood on the dock . They eat those timber's and then the rocks spill out of the crib and you have to rebuild . They eat treated wood as well so that's not an option . 
The island we live on is part of Quebec not NFLD . 
Quebecnewf 

[Andries]

Thanks QN.
I stand corrected.

[Satamax]

Curious as to how long those untreated timbers will last in that environment.

Timber's last along time . It's salt water of course . The biggest problem is that some type of small white worm eats the wood. These only exist at the lowest wood on the dock . They eat those timber's and then the rocks spill out of the crib and you have to rebuild . They eat treated wood as well so that's not an option .
The island we live on is part of Quebec not NFLD .
Quebecnewf

You don't have larch near you. I think it could last longer. All the piles under Venice are larch.  Western red cedar could may be do too. Cypress or yew as well. 

[Quebecnewf]

We do have larch but very scattered now . It was all cut out years ago for boat building . 

I agree larch would be lots better and if I could I would build with it . It's a great wood .

I'm not sure but I'm thinking the worms could eat that as well . I saw a piece of 10x 10 from the federal wharf here that had the centercompletly eaten out of it . Now this is black creosote treated wood , real nasty stuff . I can't believe anything could eat that and live . .

These worms seem to be a new thing here . My dad never saw them when he built docks etc in his days .

Quebecnewf