rookie looking for input on cuting 3 acres pulpwood

[dGarnier]

Welcome to FF & Logging   :laugh:
Four guys & two small saws (455 rancher and stihl 180) gonna make for some guy's standing around waiting for cutting to get done. Ya should have another saw, an a extra, in case of problems. Have 2 guys falling & brushing, 1 guy skidding, 1 guy bucking up on the landing & piling the best he can.

We are going to tackle this in 2 steps, first one it so to do most of the cutting, and the second step will be skidding, bucking and piling. 
One of the guys in my duck blind runs a crew at a golf course and is going to let me use one of his pro stihl saws, he also thought I was pretty under powered.  So if I get 3 saws stuck..that is the trees way of telling my I shouldnt be out there.

[OneWithWood]

I can't emphasize enough the importance of getting some training on how to use a chainsaw and directional falling.  Ask your forester to point you to a program or at least seek out a professional faller who can give you a quick course.  For many years I thought I knew what I was doing and fortunately managed to survive the close calls.  Once I received good training I realized how foolish I was to attempt falling trees before.
At a minimum, search this forum and read the many threads about directional falling (felling).
Your two step approach may lead to a lot of tangled stems with dangerous stresses, not to mention a number of spring poles.  If you can fall a few trees and get the stems and slash out of the way for the next group you will have an easier time of it.
The first rule for any timbering activity is be safe.

[thenorthman]

There is an excellent book out, Professional Timber Falling, by D Douglas Dent.  Many of the pictures are very old, but the technique is still relevant.  Just visualize smaller saws.  Also Back Woods Lumber Jack, its geared more towards fire wood but still has some excellent info (its a story publication).  You should still be able to find Professional Timber Falling through baileys, one of the forum sponsors I believe, although its a bit spendy. its well worth reading and practicing.

There are many variables with falling any tree, they can be hard to learn, just from what one reads.  Real world experience is really the only way to get good at it.  The gol classes have a reputation, for teaching a safe way to fall trees, but not the only way to fall trees.  I've never take'n a class, from what I've heard about them I would probably fail... never liked hard and fast rules anyway.

It can be hard to learn whats really happening in the woods while logging until you go do it.  But keep an open mind, and be ready to fix a problem or find a solution at the drop of a hat.  That is what logging is really about, and why so many keep coming back to it, its always something a little new and different.  Being outside and making a Hel of a racket is just a bonus!

[dGarnier]

Talked with the forester and he has a few outlets I could use to sell the wood.  So I ordered some chokers and a 100' of 3/8 cable.  Snatch blocks were a bit more speandy then I had guessed so I am keeping an eye for for one.

Going to head up this weekend to cut in a new trail, and then walk this section to start marking some good spar trees.


Thanks all the good feedback so far

[thenorthman]

There are some cheap chines versions on the market... they do the job I think I paid $60. for a 5" version, just be sure to spot weld the center nut and bolt together, they have a habit of backing out...

[coco]

i would not cut any thing until you talk with a trucker and make sure you can get it hauled things are crazy now  it is getting hard to get would moved right before brake up you dont want that wood to sit to long when it gets warm out or it will dry out and all are pulp mills pay by weight

[dGarnier]

I have to file a cutting notice with the DNR 30 days before cutting and I will be getting that in this week.  Talking with the forester he feels that we are still a but too far out to line up what to do with the wood once its cut.  Plus it sounds like he is planning to have a few loggers come bid on the logs once I have them cut and sorted at the side of the road.  Sounds like I am going to have to sort into popple over and under a certin size, hardwood and then softwood.  Looks like I am goingto have to learn how to tell tress from the bark

[jd540b]

Not to rain on the parade, but IMO (again, just my opinion) get a professional logger to cut the wood and collect your stumpage money.  "Learn" how to cut wood messing around with some firewood or something that doesn't have such constraints on it. ie. markets, trucking, specs, etc.  This is not a good time of year to figure out how to do this stuff.  Just my opinion.  Also, having 4 guys working together in tight quarters who never cut wood productively before seems like a recipe for disaster. Cutting wood alone is far safer than with a bunch of guys (especially rookies). Be best to get the hang of the game, THEN try to make some money.  It's hard enough to make money logging right now with the right equipment and knowhow.  Again, just my immediate thoughts and don't mean to sound negative.

[jd540b]

[The plan is next week to get the details of what to die with the wood worked out.
[/quote]

Also, not sure if I like the freudian slip there. ;)