Whoa, I might have bit off more than I can chew: BIG BIG logs

MotorSeven · August 02, 2011, 05:00:54 PM

After a two year delay I am finally back working on the log house. I didn't have enough ERC on my place, was unable to get any local loggers to deliver any, so after 6 months of false promises, no returned phone calls & my ignored calls, I started a google search for ERC in TN. After a few phone calls and sticker shock I found a Mill East of Nashville that specializes in ERC and bought 300 6x6x12' milled logs for $20 ea. This was not much more than the raw log quotes I was getting.

Anyway, they are on the way, so I then focused on getting Hemlock for my rafters. My neighbor who is a logger just happened to get into a stand about 3 miles down my road. Unfortunatly they are big, but after the "circus of cedar saga" I decided to take them. I just drove up and looked at the loaded truck....good grief, half a dozen of them are over 24". I had them cut at 25' becasue I need 23'8" long 5"x10"rafters.

Sooooo, it looks like I am going to need some advise on how to turn the big bastages on my LT15. Loading them onto the mill will also be fun..........

Dang it I have loaded the Hemlock oic's into my alblum, but can't open th elink to post them here........

MotorSeven · August 02, 2011, 05:02:56 PM

Ah ha....:

Bibbyman · August 02, 2011, 05:04:17 PM

Hire someone with a hydraulic mill to come in and saw the oversize ones.

Sure is nice when the logger comes in with a picker truck!

MotorSeven · August 02, 2011, 05:05:11 PM

MotorSeven · August 02, 2011, 05:07:57 PM

Bib, the problem with that is I don't think any mobile guys around here have an extension. And I really want to do this myself.... :

red · August 02, 2011, 05:38:10 PM

feast or fammin take a minute or two and just remember it all burns

Bibbyman · August 02, 2011, 05:46:47 PM

Quote from: MotorSeven on August 02, 2011, 05:07:57 PM
Bib, the problem with that is I don't think any mobile guys around here have an extension. And I really want to do this myself.... :

LogRite Arky special.

Coon · August 02, 2011, 05:47:43 PM

Seven, bring them logs over to me and I'll wrastle with em. ;) :D I got acess to another 20 feet of track if needed. ;D

MotorSeven · August 02, 2011, 07:13:08 PM

Quote from: Coon on August 02, 2011, 05:47:43 PM
Seven, bring them logs over to me and I'll wrastle with em. ;) :D I got acess to another 20 feet of track if needed. ;D

I do go to MB at least once a year....but shipping these things to "Sasquatchland" might be a wee bit expensive :D

Ga_Boy · August 02, 2011, 07:43:18 PM

Quote from: Bibbyman on August 02, 2011, 05:46:47 PM
Quote from: MotorSeven on August 02, 2011, 05:07:57 PM
Bib, the problem with that is I don't think any mobile guys around here have an extension. And I really want to do this myself.... :

LogRite Arky special.

Bibbyman,

It still brings a smile to my face every time I see the picture of me hanging off my Arky stick. If I remember correctly, that was the second load of logs. We were goofing off before we unloaded when Dan took that picture. We had no idea what we had gotten our selves into on that job. It was three days of hard work, but we had a blast recovering those big logs.

Mark

Tom · August 02, 2011, 09:03:34 PM

Don't be intimidated. Those logs are just right. The best logs to saw, to me, are 20" to 25" diameter. Two people with cant hooks should have no trouble turning them. I'll bet that you will find that you can turn them yourself. I'm talking about 5' cant hooks too. Just eat a good breakfast.

Bibbyman · August 02, 2011, 09:49:00 PM

We sawed for 7 years on an LT40 manual. Some of the biggest logs we've ever sawn - larger than the ones I see on the truck and we only had cant hooks. Sometimes we used a hi-lift jack or come-along.

MotorSeven · August 02, 2011, 10:27:07 PM

Ok guys I'll give it a shot...but I think I'm going to need another and bigger LogRite cant hook.

Tom · August 02, 2011, 10:31:30 PM

They will sometimes turn easier if the bed of the mill has a bit of wax put on it, or most anything to use for lubrication. Something that won't make the log stick. I think you will be surprised with how much leverage you can generate when you hook your cant hook into the but end of the log. I'd go there first and if the log doesn't want to behave, move to the center. The bigger the part of the log you get hold of the better your advantage.

Also, if you have trouble turning against the dogs, "slide" the log away from them a little so that the log can begin to roll.

Coon · August 02, 2011, 11:33:39 PM

But Seven, aren't those logs from all those money trees you have up your way? ;) :D I could take you out sasquatch huntin' while you're here as well there are plenty trophy specimen for you to choose from. :D

Bibbyman · August 03, 2011, 01:22:34 AM

Quote from: Tom on August 02, 2011, 10:31:30 PM
They will sometimes turn easier if the bed of the mill has a bit of wax put on it, or most anything to use for lubrication. Something that won't make the log stick. I think you will be surprised with how much leverage you can generate when you hook your cant hook into the but end of the log. I'd go there first and if the log doesn't want to behave, move to the center. The bigger the part of the log you get hold of the better your advantage.

Also, if you have trouble turning against the dogs, "slide" the log away from them a little so that the log can begin to roll.

Also... Go over the logs with a chainsaw to trim all the knots and bumps off as close to round as possible. It's amazing how much harder it is to turn against even a small bump or knot.

thecfarm · August 03, 2011, 06:35:24 AM

I think the hardest time will be when you cut one slab off. Hard to keep the log in place and dog it in too. It will try to roll back on you. I had to have the wife come help me once on a log that size. As soon as I had 2 slabs,sides off, it was flat and I could dog it in myself.

MotorSeven · August 03, 2011, 07:27:11 AM

Hmmm, didn't there used to be a member discount when ordering off the links here on the forum? I have a MegaHook in the checkout area I see no promo or discount...am I missing something?

ladylake · August 03, 2011, 07:35:56 AM

Quote from: thecfarm on August 03, 2011, 06:35:24 AM
I think the hardest time will be when you cut one slab off. Hard to keep the log in place and dog it in too. It will try to roll back on you. I had to have the wife come help me once on a log that size. As soon as I had 2 slabs,sides off it was flat and I could dog it in myself.

It really helps to rotate 180*, once in a while I rotate 90* and the log refuses to stay against the stops even with my chain turner. These are nasty crooked knotty logs or I'd be rotating 180. Steve

Dan_Shade · August 03, 2011, 08:08:19 AM

A handyman/hi-lift/farm jack can help turn the monsters too. Set the jack against the log, and lift the jacking part against the log and pump away. I don't have a picture...

An engine hoist with a chain and can't hook hook will do it as well.

You could also wrap a chain around the log and roll it against the backstops with a truck or tractor. Use care, this could flip the mull on its side.

MotorSeven · August 03, 2011, 08:24:32 AM

Well in case anyone else is planning on ordering a Peavy or Hook, I checked Woodmizers price... on their Logrite's and it was $10 cheaper and shipping was half as much as ordering direct. So my MegaHook in ORANGE is enroute!

Tam-i-am · August 03, 2011, 11:30:04 AM

Motorseven

It was Logrite's plan to sell through dealers, so we can concentrate on manufacturing and bringing new tools and ideas to market. We have suggested retail prices which dealers can use or not. We do not undercut our dealers.

It is stated somewhere on the forum that we offer what we label as Scratch and Dents to FF members for big discounts. A scratch and dent tool has a blemish somewhere, sometimes the powder coat is scratched or pitted. Sometimes the hook itself has a blemish. Nothing that would keep the tool from working at its best. If we don't have a scratch and dent tool then we either offer free freight or a discount depending on the order.

With all that said you either need to call us or when you place your order through the store you need to identify yourself as a FF member in the comment section.

Bibbyman · August 03, 2011, 12:04:20 PM

Here is the first LogRite cant hook to ship from Wood-Mizer - before it was scrached - I don't think it's dented yet.

The shorter "mill special" was special made for Pro-Sawyer Mary in WM orange. Here is Dave Mann of Wood-Mizer showing how it's done.

We have two loaders and a hydraulic mill but still find uses for 4 logRite cant hooks.

MotorSeven · August 03, 2011, 04:27:11 PM

Quote from: Tamiam on August 03, 2011, 11:30:04 AM
Motorseven

It was Logrite's plan to sell through dealers, so we can concentrate on manufacturing and bringing new tools and ideas to market. We have suggested retail prices which dealers can use or not. We do not undercut our dealers.

Tammy, you know my wife said the exact same thing this morning(Im feeling a little ganged up on ;D). I do understand the dealer thing and I have to say if the price was close(r) I would order direct from Logrite because I know there is more profit margin there for you. I ordered a 60 Peavy from y'all a couple of years ago...the thing is amazing. Thanks to this thread I learned about the Mega Hook & Woodmizer is shipping it today. Between the Logrite Peavy and Cant I am feeling a little better about rolling these beasts.
I'll keep the sctatch & dent thing in mind but I had not read about that before...thanks.