Cut plan for 44" diameter log

[DAlston]

Small farm operation.  We have a 44" diameter x 12 ft red oak were trying to get to a mill nearby.  Problem is its in an area I can't get my trailer to. Tractor and truck yes but not my trailer (ditch problem).  I have a log arch that'll handle 25" and 2000# but only a 22" chainsaw. We do have a chainsaw mill and edger.  Any good ideas if/how best to cut it so the arch can handle it? Tractor wheels spin when trying to drag it and same for the truck.  Thanks.

[scsmith42]

That log may be an excellent candidate for quartersawing, so I would consider cutting it right down the middle with your chainsaw mill.  That would yield two pieces 22 x 44 x 12'

OR - use some wire rope, multiple blocks and winch or drag it out.

That's around an 8,000 lb log.

[DAlston]

Thanks for taking time to reply.  We're new to this so...would it be best to try to saw a vertical cut down the middle using the edger then try to roll it over somehow and cut again? With the edger on the saw won't reach to the middle.  So me might have to just free hand the cut.  Or try to cut horizontal from the side.  I was concerned it might split on a vertical cut.  
Dragging or winching it out is a pain as its .6 miles to the trailer loading location.  I might be able to get closer like .4 miles.  
With lumber prices so low right now our motivation for this is dwindiling.  But I just hate to see it go to waste as it was a victim of a storm and is such an awesome tree.  

[Magicman]

Whatcha Sawin' ??? in Sawmills and Milling

Scroll to Reply #5670.

[GRANITEstateMP]

Where abouts are you located?  Anybody around with a cable skidder? Small dozer? Or a bigger tractor?

[DAlston]

Going to get a cheap 12000 winch tomorrow and try to get it on an old metal plate thay has a upended bend to it.  And put some eyelets on the plate.  Maybe that will make it smooth enough on the bottom to skid.  

Magic Man.  Cool pics. 

If I can get it to my load spot maybe I'm thinking about just sealing the ends and leave it there wait for prices to  come back up a bit.  

[Ianab]

Nobody local with a Swing Blade portable mill?  Set it up where the log is laying and quarter saw it  on the spot. The whole problem of how to move an 8,000lb log becomes just one board at a time ;)

[DAlston]

Thanks for replies.  What thickness should we cut to get 1 inch boards later with a sawmill?  2.5?

[mike_belben]

Snap a chalkline and lay your longest bar flat on the line from an end then dog it and noodle a trough.  Now just plunge forward and back so you cant steer out of line.  Noodle it in two.  If its in a great spot just CSM it right there