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Brad Johnson
ParticipantThe last couple of days Bob and I have been using the tractor to get after a number of red spruce and hardwood stems that are on the bank of a small stream that serves as the boundary for the cut. It is great to be able to fell the stems and then pull them with the Kubota back across the stream bed before limbing, keeping the tops and slash out of the waterway. I am not sure I could have done much with these trees with the horses as the bank is steep and slippery. Once the logs are up the bank and limbed, I have been pulling the marketable logs and firewood out with the arch. Such a nice pairing of old and new technology. So far, having worked about 12 days or so. we have shipped about 13,000 bf of pine logs and 10,000 bf of spruce/fir/harwood. The firewood is coming out last, and it looks like there will be quite a bit of that as well. The landowner has a neighbor who is going to take 7-10 cords off then landing in his dump trailer, which is good for us and for him. This really is a great spot for horses an well as the tractor. I invite anyone who is close enough to come for a visit to do so – it is a beautiful lot and we are really enjoying the work. I am hoping to get some photos and video at some point – maybe we can get Carl over to work on that, but if we do I will post them here.
-BradParticipantBradley-
You might give John Plowden a call. He has at least one good horse to move, and may have another one or two that he knows of 207-890-7576. Good luck!
-Brad
ParticipantI may be in the minority here, but I still that if you have just the right collar fit then a bare collar works best, particularly with heavy work. The analogy I like best is that if you have a good set of work boots that fit well, a thin sock does the trick, rather than stuffing in thick, heavy socks. That said, my horses do gain and lose over the season and I have a limited number of collars to use so I too have multiple pads to accommodate the changes in sizing during the season. The vinyl collars do not get as wet so I like them best, but felt and deertick work fine as well provided you can dry them out sufficiently between uses. In very hot, humid weather I have found any pad can create discomfort , particularly in the top half of the collar. I don’t usually roach my manes and perhaps this is an issue as well, but I like my horses to have the hair to help deal with flies in the summer.
-Brad
ParticipantGrey-
I have a job that I worked on last fall that is very, very steep. I found that my team was limited in terms of the number of times I could walk up the grade, rather than in terms of skids out. I did something similar to what George suggests, leaving the chain long over the tipping point. The other trick I found was leaving the logs quite long (ash sticks 45-50′ in length, 3-4 logs in each stick). That way, the weight of the log helps to provide a friction brake once you get it going down the hill with the arch. I am going back to finish up this spring, so I will try to get some photos. John Plowden worked there with me and might have some pics, so you might contact him.
-Brad
ParticipantHello-
I have used a number of different arch designs, though not Jason’s design. I have seen his plans, but have not seen the arch. I will say that I use an arch built by John Plowden, in Stow ME, for commercial logging (150-200 days a year), and I really like his design. Good luck with your build.
-BradParticipantJust home from Lincoln, having driven through freezing rain, rain, and snow – what a mess! That said, the project went quite well this week. The horses, teamsters, and volunteers all did a super job with some pretty unusual scoot loads. I want to send out a special thanks to the volunteers for doing a superb job with all the logistics and support work. Thanks to Ed, Jane, Jim, Glen, Mark, Dan, Jake, Tracy, and Scott (hope I did not leave anyone out there). This kind of work really makes my proud of this community of folks and what we are able to accomplish when we come together for a project. I think the FS is very pleased to have that mess out of the wilderness area. And, maybe this will lead to more work for our horses with the FS…
-BradParticipantVery cool video, Ed. I wish I had your technical skills – I have been thinking of making logging videos for some time and this is as far as I have gotten. Perhaps your video will give me the inspiration I need.
And, I would second Carl’s comments on how skillfully you are using the various methods of moving would with Ozzie. I learned on a single horse and still love the simplicity and usefulness of a single in harness.
-BradParticipantI have using a Jon 2172 for a year or so now, and I really like that saw. I have used Husky and Stihl as well, but like the Jon better. It pulls chips great with a 20″ bar and parts are a bit cheaper than the orange saws. Also, clutch assembly is far easier to work on with not clutch puller and piston stop needed…
-BradParticipantThere are few more satisfying feelings than riding high on a load of good logs as you pull off with your team on the sled. I never get tired of that moment when the horses start of move ahead and we start off towards the landing – pure magic in the woods!
-BradParticipantI really an enjoying this thread – so much wisdom here. I have been thinking a lot recently about how each horse I work with teaches me something, even when I am too foolish to realize it at that moment. Since I sold Pete last spring, I have had seven different partners working with my Bob horse, some for just a short time and others for months. Although this experience has certainly given me a few grey hairs dealing with different personalities, harness adjustments, squabbles around feed, equipment adaptations, etc. I think this whole thing is making me a better horseman. I realized very early on in my work with horses that the best teamsters are not young men, and I say that with great respect for those of you that have made a lifetime commitment to horsemanship. It is both an art and a science, as well as a way of life. I think that it takes time to develop a successful manner that allows a person to work in concert with different animals, just like it takes some decent people skills to form good working relationships with different types of people. Perhaps that are people around who are born for this work, but I don’t think I am one of them. I seem to create success from repetition and practice. The horses I have been fortunate enough to interact with have all offered me something, and it feels as though I get a little older I am more open to what they have to offer. Or maybe it is that I can see how the experiences I have with these animals might impact the next time out of the barn. And, the so called “bad experiences” – runaways, getting kicked in the pasture, overworking an animal and causing some injury, etc. – seem to offer the most in terms of my own learning and development as a teamster. I love this work and am happy to know that you all also take great joy from your work with your animals. Happy holidays, and be safe out there!
-BradParticipantJohn-
Happy to have a cup of coffee and talk shop. Next time you are over our way you should swing up to the farm….
-BradParticipantI much prefer a wooden pole on my Plowden team arch. First, it is cold up here in VT and a metal pole is no fun in the cold weather. Second, wood like ash, oak, or hornbeam has some flex in it which is important in tight spaces and with big loads on the arch. I have had situations where my pole flexed but did not break and metal would have folded and been a wreck. And, you can use square tube to make a receiver so that your wooden pole can come on and off easily…
-BradParticipantMark-
Should be able to get down there by 12/11. Not sure what day, but will be in touch once my schedule gets ironed out. Thanks.
-BradParticipantNot sure how similar horses and mules are, but I like to have an established routine for bringing my horses in. The brushing, hoof picking, and a little grain with mineral mix is good reward for coming to me in the AM. They enjoy the time spent with them and are happy to be caught. Do you have any routine with the mule?
-BradParticipantMark-
Emily and I have finished the barn and pig pen rebuild, so we are ready for two piglets. Do you have any left? I am not sure when I can get down there, but I would come down if that works for you. Hope all is well with you guys. Woodrow is doing great – LIF was super fun and the team was superb with new hands on the lines.
-Brad- AuthorPosts