Next 'big' job :)

OlJarhead · July 29, 2013, 07:26:17 PM

We'll be heading out on Friday for another gig. This time we'll be milling Ponderosa Pine for a customer who wants to use it for interior paneling. He wanted lap siding but we can't do that on an LT10 unfortunately (at least not yet). But he's got 8 logs ready to go, 3 up a hill which I'll need to skid down with my Jeep (we're taking the Road Warrior with us this time) or perhaps winch down and my only winch is on the Jeep.

The Road Warrior was named by my kids I believe and it's a combination of my being a Marine and Desert Storm vet as well as the crazy amount of driving my Jeep and I have done. It's currently over 257,000 miles (probably over 260k since the speedo was off a while until I fixed it). It's lifted 3" with an Old Man Emu 3" lift kit plus an addition leaf in the rear to improve towing (which gives it another 1/2" of lift or so), fenders are hogged out and have Rusty's Flex Falres, 4.10:1 gears, header, rebuilt head, HyperTech Tuning and so much more I can't even remember! lol

Looks like I MAY fall a tree for them too and buck it up before skidding to the mill with the Jeep.

Honestly, I didn't want to use the old beast for this anymore because of the miles and the hot weather but a test run for about 35 miles during the heat of the day today told me it can do it still. It's tired though but has a new 3 core rad, water pump (4 yrs old), heat shroud (just), rebuilt head, new header, flowmasters, Hypertech tuning and more...it SHOULD be able to make the 3 1/2 hrs drive in 80 degree weather but I can't say I want to push it too much.

Anyway, this will be our 4th paying job (yes only 4 :( ) and our 2nd biggest so we're excited about that

POSTON WIDEHEAD · July 29, 2013, 07:39:43 PM

Way to go JarHead! Don't worry about the 4th job. I promise, when word gets ALL THE WAY around....
You'll be having to schedule and learning how to juggle! smile_juggle

Ya'll be careful and have a good trip.....what do you charge to skid with a jeep? ;D

Meadows Miller · July 30, 2013, 05:56:29 AM

Gday Mate

Still be excited n Don't worry about it only being your 4th paying job as Dave said it comes in time Mate ;) ;D ;D 8)

I have been egging you on with this and I would not lead you up the garden path ;) I am Stoked for you as you are having a crack with what you have ;) ;D ;D 8) 8) as I have sawn over 1 million bft on the csm's and a band just like yours Mate ;) ;D It just takes longer

;) :D

Regards Chris

drobertson · July 30, 2013, 07:20:56 AM

sounds like a plan 8) after while you won't be counting any more, except maybe the greenbacks, ;D david

OlJarhead · July 30, 2013, 11:19:42 AM

Thanks all.

This job came via the Forest Owners Field Day we did in June in which we offered an intro rate of only $55/hr until August so we're milling and skidding for that rate (I know it's insane! but I decided to test the waters that way).

So we're not making a ton on this job or any we do at that rate but I figure it's a way to get our feet wet

drobertson · July 30, 2013, 04:01:34 PM

Not a bad wage, but depends on the potential struggles and damage that may occur, david

Delawhere Jack · July 30, 2013, 04:19:42 PM

At 260k a 4 liter Cherokee is just getting broken in. ;)

I've towed the LT40 with mine a couple times, last time gave me a good scare in a sudden braking situation. Had to sit in the truck for awhile after arriving on site. Finally the "pucker" effect wore off and released the seat covering....

OlJarhead · July 30, 2013, 05:00:16 PM

Quote from: Delawhere Jack on July 30, 2013, 04:19:42 PM
At 260k a 4 liter Cherokee is just getting broken in. ;)

I've towed the LT40 with mine a couple times, last time gave me a good scare in a sudden braking situation. Had to sit in the truck for awhile after arriving on site. Finally the "pucker" effect wore off and released the seat covering....

The challenge with mine was that it was getting too hot. Back in 2009 I replaced the rad with an all steel 3 core and the water pump (this after the header, a new intake with K&N, a Rusty's T-body spacer and more). It was doing ok for a bit and then started struggling again. I'd also replaced plug wires, plugs, coil, cap etc, new computer, dash wiring...the list is long...and after a crank sensor I had to have the head rebuilt. It was struggling to tow an empty trailer in 80 degree weather so I bought a truck and quit towing with it...then I replaced the O2 sensor up front and it was running better but struggled with the heat...I replaced the fan shroud and finally the rear O2 sensor and it now seems back in order.

So I'm going to take it out again! Though admittedly I'm spoiled because the F150's 329CID V8 doesn't even notice the mill back there whereas the Jeep slows a lot going up hills. However, with the skid plates, winch and brush guard, lift, gearing etc etc etc the XJ is MUCH better off road and as a skidder!

As for my wage, I think it's WAY too low! lol. With customers helping I've done $0.35/bf for pine at $50/hr but that's really working (not the best logs mind you) and I've actually produced over 180bf/hr with it for short periods with no help other then my son and I. However, an all physical job like that and two guys working hard ought to pay more -- I'm thinking $65/hr for mill an sawyer and an additional $25/hr for the helper or at least when no customer help is provided. Problem is that takes softwoods to $0.45/bf if maintaining a decent pace and that's not overly competitive I think.

On the otherhand we're willing to travel which a lot are not these days (in our neck of the woods) and we'll do smaller logs as well as dirty logs (sure we want them clean but we'll take them all).

OlJarhead · July 30, 2013, 05:07:31 PM

Here's a better shot of the XJ

Gotta love jeeps!

Jeep Logging

it's a Jeep Thing

hackberry jake · July 30, 2013, 06:13:22 PM

Kinda reminds me of a younger version of my old girl. Wish i had a pic of her all cleaned up with the tires remounted :(

staker · July 30, 2013, 07:14:07 PM

To make your bevel siding, just cut some wedges and you have to keep putting them in and taking them out from under the cant, its a little more work but can be done.

Dave

Buck · July 30, 2013, 07:18:28 PM

Agree! two little blocks of wood and the same result!

OlJarhead · July 30, 2013, 08:42:10 PM

Saw those jeep pics in another thread

Cool!

As for bevel cutting, I was thinking that but figured the time it would take to do would be too much. Unclamp, place bevel, clamp, mill, unclamp.

Would work for me personally (and I may try it for another project) but for a customer production rates would be horrible!

hackberry jake · July 30, 2013, 08:54:34 PM

I kind of like just cutting it at 3/4 and lapping it. it works for me anyways.

Brucer · July 31, 2013, 12:48:21 AM

I sell a "standard" siding -- 5/8" x 8". I just drop the blade by 3/4" each cut and the kerf pretty much brings the thickness to 5/8". Don't forget to allow an inch for the last board.

This spring I had a desperate request for 10" bevel siding to do a repair on an existing house. None of the local lumberyards stocked it and they were talking 2-3 weeks to "maybe" get it in. I made it by cutting a 10" wide cant and then alternately shimming and "unshimming" with 2" long pieces of 1/2" square keystock. It won't crush or wear as you use it.

Inserting and removing the shims was tedious but I charged enough to make it worth my while. The customer didn't care about the price -- I could deliver "for sure" in 2 days, not "maybe" in 3 weeks.

Magicman · July 31, 2013, 09:27:16 AM

Quote from: OlJarhead on July 30, 2013, 11:19:42 AMThis job came via the Forest Owners Field Day

Congrats. Our Forestry Association Field Days have brought me many sawing jobs. ;D

Slingshot · July 31, 2013, 09:24:56 PM

OlJarhead,
Speaking of your Jeep getting hot, Have you done anything with
the catalytic converter (exhaust)? I have a 1995 Grand Cherokee
with 185,000 miles that was causing a lot of trouble with no power
and getting hot after only a few miles. Changed plugs, checked wiring,
bought a thermostat to install and then it just all but stopped running.
I had noticed a rattling noise in the exhaust so decided to check the
catalytic converter and found it was disintegrating and stopping up
the outlet. I took care of it

and that had been the cause of no
power and heating up. Now it likes to work again.....

_______________________

WDH · July 31, 2013, 09:38:06 PM

After seeing those cherry logs, I won't sleep tonight

.

OlJarhead · July 31, 2013, 09:40:39 PM

Nice jeep logging!

Hmmm.....this cat has about 100k miles on it...hadn't thought of that.

POSTON WIDEHEAD · July 31, 2013, 09:44:43 PM

Quote from: WDH on July 31, 2013, 09:38:06 PM
After seeing those cherry logs, I won't sleep tonight .

I can understand why!

hackberry jake · July 31, 2013, 09:52:45 PM

And you guys give me grief about having good logs... Wheeew-Weee!

Slingshot · July 31, 2013, 10:57:26 PM

Those cherry logs had some good looking boards hiding
in them......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5lbiwPvDio&feature=youtube_gdata

___________________

OlJarhead · August 01, 2013, 12:57:55 AM

Cool!

customsawyer · August 01, 2013, 02:42:16 AM

That is some really nice cherry.

OlJarhead · August 05, 2013, 11:08:01 AM

Done! 8)

This was the first pic I got for the job and it's pretty clear. There were actually 4 logs worth milling in there and a 5th that was short but millable so we made into lumber too.

The electric winch broke (won't reel out) and we had to roll all logs up onto the mill which we normally do anyway but this time had no help loading and it would have been nice to be able to use it now and then to save our backs!

After falling a tree for the customer (dropped RIGHT where they wanted it ;) ) 8) I delimbed and bucked it up and skid it to the mill with my Jeep. I also had to climb up a bank and choke up 3 older logs and skid them down. The mill wasn't in a great place but it was the only place so we made do.

Despite the falling, skidding and constantly repositioning of logs we milled up 590bf of pine for them with most of it being 1x6 (about a dozen 1x4's and 1x5's came out of the flitches).

Even the 1x8's etc were milled down to 1x6 for them. They wanted as much 1x6 as we could give.

Last log on the mill (and first chance to use my camera).

Was a great day and while I'm sore today it feels good to have another paying job under our belt