Quick Introduction

ArcFault · August 31, 2010, 12:51:47 AM

Hey there my name is Brandon, I'm 19. I live in Ontario, Canada and saw this forum while I was googleing random logging stuff. So I figured I would check it out. I was sure there was a forum for diehard loggers somewhere in the world I may have found it.

I am currently in school for a linemen apprentice.

I now spend all off time and weekends learning how to logg and fix this old M.F tractor. I am working on getting next winters wood. I know I am starting early but I am just learning so it will take time.

I took on all these responsibility because this is my girlfriends house and her Dad passed away last year from a car accident so I am learning all I can to help her and her mother.

So any tips, advice or anything you guys have for me would be great. I have several hundred acres to look after now.

Thanks a lot.

Brandon~

thecfarm · August 31, 2010, 06:42:03 AM

Welcome to the forum Arcfault.Several hundred acres to look after is quite the under taking. You will never get through it all with a farm tractor and a chainsaw. Are you just using the draw bar to get the wood out? Take it slow and don't be in a rush.What you don't get done today will be there tomorrow. Keep your woods roads clear of brush and cut your stumps low.

fishpharmer · August 31, 2010, 07:50:39 AM

Welcome to the forum Arcfault!
What model massey do you have? I look forward to hearing more about your endeavers.

Chuck White · August 31, 2010, 07:58:57 AM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Brandon.

This is a good place to both, learn & teach.
What you don't know, someone on here surely will.
Lots of tricks to the trade!

Howdy neighbor, I'm just across the border from you in NY.

beenthere · August 31, 2010, 10:33:45 AM

Welcome Brandon.

Which MF tractor do you have?

We'll look forward to sharing experiences with you. And we like pics. (hint)

Jeff · August 31, 2010, 10:50:32 AM

Hey Brandon, welcome to the Forestry Forum. You have reminded me of something I don't think I have ever related here on the Forestry Forum.

My Dad was a Minister, but he also worked for almost 40 years for Dow Chemical. He was in charge of the electrical supply warehouse, and ordering for all the electrical supplies needed by the Dow Electricians and Linemen. Growing up knowing a lot of these linemen dad worked with, That was what I figured I would do when I got out of School (30 years ago). Starting on my 18th birthday, I began driving to Grand Rapids every week to the union Hall to keep my name active on the apprenticeship list. Once my name reached the top, I would then be able to go to pole climbing school and then on to be a lineman someday. At some point, while waiting I got a job in a sawmill. Two weeks later I was being trained to be a head sawyer. Two weeks after that I was called by the hall to report the following Monday. I thought about it over the weekend, and decided to call them and tell them I was going to continue with the job I had, but thanks for the opportunity.

If I would have followed that route, financially, I probably would have been far better off however there would have been one thing for sure that would never have eventually happened, and that was that the path I did take eventually led to the creation of the Forestry Forum.

Kevin · August 31, 2010, 11:07:25 AM

Welcome Brandon, I've hiked many a stick in the past and share your passion for the forest.
You'll enjoy the crowd here.

Coon · August 31, 2010, 01:54:16 PM

Welcome to the forum Brandon. You have just become a member of the greatest forum on the internet. I am sure you will fit right in here. Pull up a stump any time you feel the need. You have already got sawdust in your blood so there's no turning back now. ;) Oh and by the way.... this forum will grow on you after a while. ;D

Brad.

sandhills · August 31, 2010, 06:01:55 PM

Welcome to the forum! You didn't go wrong finding this forum, I found it the exact same way and as Kevin said you will enjoy the crowd here, ecspecially after you get to know them a bit. One question for you, I live in Nebraska, no mountains or forests for that matter where I live. I've been through the black hills in SD a few times and it always amazed me how they run the power lines through the mountains and forests. Be willing to give a little insight on that?

Jeff · August 31, 2010, 06:26:21 PM

I doubt if he has that info yet as he's currently an apprentice in Ontario, but I guess ya never know.

sandhills · September 01, 2010, 12:16:27 AM

Yeah, still would like to know how they get that job done though, gotta be quite a job between mountains and forest.

SwampDonkey · September 01, 2010, 04:20:35 AM

Around here, forestry roads is about 90% of access to remote power lines. I suppose they could build their own, but when you can use other's for free..... ;)

ArcFault · September 01, 2010, 10:18:08 AM

Thanks for the great welcome guys. I will give you guys more info on the tractor once I find someplace on the old beast where it says. As for pulling wood out. I use a weird attachment for the PTO. It has a long cable. It's kinda like a skidder. Cept small.

As for how they run those powerlines, I have not clue. Although, I have seen some odd machines in the yard so I am going to assume one of them have a part in that.

I have one of the old trails open all the way to the end of the property, annd two others are being worked on.

I will need to find a better saw. I am currently using a little husky. 14" bar. My trees are little. :P I am working on getting bigger ones though. I will bring my camera out with me from now on and take pictures of my work.

Again, thanks guys.

isawlogs · September 01, 2010, 03:39:35 PM

Well then take a pic of the tractor , I am sure between us , we will be able to find what model you are working with . ( the thing on the back might be a winch made for a tractor . ) Again a pic would help.

Quote from: sandhills on September 01, 2010, 12:16:27 AM
Yeah, still would like to know how they get that job done though, gotta be quite a job between mountains and forest.

The roads going to James Bay Hydro here in Québec where done , first a surveying team would go in and mark out the roadway .. then a bunch of chainsaws would go in and slash the line , where economicly fisable , the wood was taken to a mill. where it was not , skidders pushed it in rows and all was set a fire . Dosers and shovels came in after with tandem truck following and the road was built .. camps where put up and bridges where made.
I was in one camp with 4999 others working on two 12 hour shifts while this complex was going up. Never ate so well in my life ... :D Man food was good there . Well it was when you where in the camps :

Once the roads where in , the lines where cut out and they used Bombardier tracked vehicules to do the hauling of materials over the taiga , as it was either rocks licken or mud up to your arm pits .. these where the only machines able to travel all of the afor mentioned . Helicopters where used where access was remote and a crane could not be brought in to raise the towers .
I assume the construction of other hydro lines would be simular to this,

Magicman · September 02, 2010, 06:31:13 PM

Welcome, ArcFault, to the Forestry Forum. I retired after 32+ years with the telephone industry, so I've walked a few poles myself. Just did something a bit different when I got up there. Now days, it's bucket trucks. ;)

ArcFault · September 03, 2010, 12:58:09 AM

Quote from: Magicman on September 02, 2010, 06:31:13 PM
Welcome, ArcFault, to the Forestry Forum. I retired after 32+ years with the telephone industry, so I've walked a few poles myself. Just did something a bit different when I got up there. Now days, it's bucket trucks. ;)

I've done a bit of pole climbing. No bucket trucks in the middle of the bush. :D I bought some bigger gaffs and was climbing trees the other day too. I went up with a little buck saw and de limbed the tree before I took it down. It's easier that way for me. I always get my saw pinched while delimbing on the ground for some reason. (Still learning) :D Loving every minute of it though. This forestry thing is addicting. :D

Okrafarmer · September 03, 2010, 01:50:04 AM

Welcome, Arc! I think we'll all find your adventures to be good reading. Don't feel ashamed of your humble beginnings in forestry-- I grew up hauling wood out with an even older tractor-- well, older model, 1948 John Deere B-- it might have been as old then as the tractor you're using now is today. My boss has two Massey tractors-- one quite new, the other a 1956 from the merger time period. Just be very careful-- logging is always potentially dangerous, so please take time to absorb the safety sections of the forum. If you go out by yourself, try to always tell somebody where you're going and when you expect to return, and stick to the plan. That way if you're in trouble, they'll know where to look. It could save your life.

Quote from: ArcFault on September 03, 2010, 12:58:09 AMI went up with a little buck saw and de limbed the tree before I took it down. It's easier that way for me. I always get my saw pinched while delimbing on the ground for some reason. (Still learning) :D

I'm still laughing over this one-- many of us would think you're actually making it a whole lot harder than it has to be! But whatever works best, and you are getting good climbing practice in the mean time. Climb safe, man!

nas · September 03, 2010, 07:23:35 AM

Hi Brandon
Welcome.
Where in Ontario are you?

Nick

paul case · September 03, 2010, 07:10:35 PM

Quote from: Jeff on August 31, 2010, 10:50:32 AM
If I would have followed that route, financially, I probably would have been far better off however there would have been one thing for sure that would never have eventually happened, and that was that the path I did take eventually led to the creation of the Forestry Forum.

i for one am glad you didnt become a lineman because i might not enjoy this as much nor learn as much from '' the linemans forum'' thanks jeff

welcome arcfault. glad to hear you are getting some wood cut and i too would like to see a pic of that tractor. pc

JohnG28 · September 03, 2010, 10:38:02 PM

ArcFault, welcome. You have found a good place and good people here. Sounds like your taking a lot of responsibility on, a very good gesture to your girlfriend and her mother. Take it easy and be careful, and there is guaranteed to be someone here that can help you with about anything you may encounter. I have learned a lot in the time Ive been here, and have met some great people along the way. Im sure you will too. Good luck to you.