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Low-impact logging systems gaining popularity

Four basic types of harvesting or logging systems are used in low-impact logging. These systems differ from one another but have many of the same objectives.

Horse logging

Horse logging is the method of choice for many with environmental leanings. Sometimes, horses are used to skid the trees to main or permanent roads where machine skidders or forwarders take over. Proponents of horse logging point out that horses cause less soil compaction and ruts than heavy machinery, that skidding log lengths rather than tree lengths allows tighter turns with less residual stand damage, and that the operation is quiet. A specially designed arch on wheels can be used to raise the front of the log up off the ground during skidding. This prevents the front of the log from digging into the ground when it is pulled.

Horse logging is not a high-production system. Horses can skid several thousand board feet of logs per day depending on terrain, slope, log size, skidding distance, etc. Depending on conditions, this might be 15 to 30 logs 24 feet long and 20 inches in diameter. Several horse loggers work regularly in West Virginia.

Small farm-type machine systems

Small woodlot farmers use farm tractors with specialized attachments such as grapples, winches, blades, and log forks to harvest and process their own timber. Woodlot owners and workers should be trained in safety and be aware of the hazards of logging. West Virginia has several fatalities and many serious accidents each year from logging activities. Contact the W.Va. Division of Forestry or the W.Va. Forestry Association if you need a schedule of logging safety classes. Consider contracting with a professional feller if you have many trees to harvest.

A wide assortment of machines and equipment have been designed or modified for the small-scale woodlot logger. Felling by chainsaw is common. Skidding can be done with several techniques. The most common method is a four-wheel drive farm tractor with a winch or grapple. The tractor should have rollover protection. Remote radio-controlled winching can be an option. The winch allows the tractor to stay on a road or trail, which reduces soil compaction and disturbance. Some special attachments are now made to adapt all-terrain vehicles for skidding smaller logs. Log loading can be done with a farm tractor’s front-end loader equipped with forks or tines. Farm tractors can also pull specially built trailers equipped with an attachment that loads the logs and keeps them off the ground (forwarding). This will minimize any ground disturbance.

Conventional logging systems

Traditional logging systems in West Virginia use manual chain saw felling, limbing, and topping; then skidding to a landing; bucking into log lengths; sorting for specific products; and finally loading onto a truck or trailer. Several variations of this system are used depending on site conditions, season, and contractor preference. In many situations, these conventional logging systems have as much potential for reduced site impact as any alternative system if the owner, supervisor, and operators are trained, take careful measures, and have the “right” attitude. Conventional logging systems using smaller skidding machines cause less damage to remaining trees and provide improved profitability on stands with smaller diameter timber. A 1999 U.S. Forest Service study found that matching machine size to size of wood allows timber stands with smaller diameter trees to be economically harvested earlier, thereby adding value and quality to the future stand. The smaller machines with their tighter turning capabilities and lower weights should result in less stand and site impact if operators are carefully trained and conscientious.

Cut-to-length systems

Cut-to-length systems use combinations of tracked or wheeled harvesters and forwarders. These systems have become very popular in some areas of the country. Several loggers in West Virginia use them. The machines in these systems typically cost well over $100,000 each and can approach $200,000 or more. They operate on larger tracts where sufficient timber volume supports their relatively high operating and ownership costs. These high-tech machines can leave very gentle “footprints” in a variety of difficult terrain and conditions. Although production rates are usually less than with some conventional systems, they can operate with less disturbance on wet sites and steep slopes. Because these systems are usually operated with smaller crews, they can be owner operated or family companies.

The tracked harvester reaches out with its arm to select the trees marked for harvest, reducing damage to residual trees. The machine operates on tracks that minimize rutting. It is also much safer for the feller since he is in a protected, environmentally controlled cab. After the felling machine cuts the tree, it usually will pick up and place the stem in a position for bucking and delimbing. Some machines have special processing heads that can delimb and cut to proper log lengths based on information in an on-board computer. After delimbing and bucking, a forwarder will use its loading arm to pick up the logs and then haul them to the deck or landing. This forwarding function is a major difference from a conventional logging system. In a conventional system, the logs would be dragged to the landing by a skidder. Dragging the logs disturbs the soil, which can increase the potential for erosion.

Using forwarders to carry logs rather than skidders that drag logs can also reduce the number and density of necessary roads. This in itself will reduce impact to the site and stand. Because forwarders carry logs on wheels, they can be driven on truck roads without causing damage and can usually operate economically at farther distances than conventional skidding. Forwarders are equipped with six to eight large wheels, resulting in a low ground pressure and minimizing ground impact. Lowering tire pressure, adding chains or tracks, and putting on wider tires or bogies can all help reduce ground impact in special situations. Many combinations of harvesters, skidders, forwarders, and loaders are used, depending on local site conditions, markets, and customs. The logs can then be piled or directly loaded on a truck or trailer.

Best fit

Four general low-impact logging systems that can be gentle on the land, trees, and overall environment have been described in this article. No one system can be said to be the “best” in all circumstances. It is critical to match the logging system with the harvest and management plan, landowner desires, site, and stand characteristics.

Perhaps the most important factor in any system is the care, training and dedication of the contractor and operators doing the work. Many conventional or traditional West Virginia logging contractors already use low-impact practices. A logger’s attitude can be more important than size or type of equipment. Even horse logging can cause skinned trees if not done carefully. Landowners who demand certain special practices must understand that there is an added cost to the logger. Loggers who make specific efforts to lower impacts may need to be paid incentives or higher logging rates.

The real challenge is logging smaller woodlots in a sustainable manner using low-impact methods. It is in these smaller woodlots that minimizing damage to the residual trees and site is especially necessary. The left trees are the growing stock for the future stand and as such are extremely valuable. The growing stock that is left should include valuable species with good form, quality, health, and potential for growth. In some ways, managing smaller woodlots is more challenging than larger acreages since there is little room to compensate for negative practices. Landowners using gentle logging methods will have much satisfaction and pride, along with periodic income from their forest.

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I know cattle like Brahmans, Zebus, and some others with large humps on there shoulders, and short hair on there bodies grow quite tall in size, and can withstand a lot of hotter weather than most other cattle can, and have a strong resistance disease.

They are used in many countries as oxen ( A Beast Of Burden )

I was wondering if anyone used them on logging jobs now a days.
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I don’t know where all of these people live, or in which state they live in, but I read a lot of threads that contain loggers saying they can’t get job to feed there families, and they are loosing there equipment and business.

Some have reduced down to nothing but cutting cheap fire wood, and pulp wood if they can find it.

Even something like this might help a person keep a float.

Is posting logging jobs like this not allowed on this site ?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Standing Timber For Sale – $1 (Lincoln Co. WV)

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Date: 2009-09-28, 1:24PM EDT
Reply to: sale-aty6s-1396460678@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

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Approx 14 acres of standing timber for sale. There is Red Oak, Black Oak and White Oak. Timber has not been cut in at least the past 30 years. There is approx 4,000 feet of timber per acre. Call Melvin if you are interested at 419 560 9769.

Thanks,
Mel

Location: Lincoln Co. WV

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This is just one of the many efforts being done in the past
and even today so they can do away with:

Rodeos, Trail Rides, Horse Pulls, Carriage Rides, Circus Horses
Horse Shows, Pleasure Riders Race Horses, etc. …even horses as Pets.

By more that one Animal Activist group in the World.

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News Report:

PETA criticized Salt Lake City for allowing carriages to operate,
citing inhumane conditions the animals are forced to work
in as well as safety hazards the carriages pose for the public.

“Horses are forced to work in extreme weather conditions while walking
on hard pavement next to passing cars and buses, which can terrify them.
Local cyclists, pedestrians and motorists are put in harm’s way when
cumbersome carriages are pulled by frightened, unpredictable animals,
“Desiree Acholla, an animals in entertainment specialist with PETA
wrote in her letter to Becker and council members.

She asked the city to put a ban on the practice, following suit with
places like Biloxi, Miss.; Reno, Nev.; Palm Beach Fla.; and Santa Fe, N.M.

For the rest of the story:

http://www.sltrib.com/justice/ci_13258104
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@Carl Russell 11877 wrote:

Bumpus, I’m still unclear about the premise of your original post. Carl

My questions and requests have nothing to do with this site itself
which I do like very much.

Keep Up The Good Sharing which is much needed.

But your question you have made ( in the quote )
is somewhat how I and others feel also.

You may not understand me even thought I am trying to make it
very simple, using common everyday language.

Now think how much we do not understand, ( who read words we don’t
always understand, ) which also have many different meanings
that can be applied to them.

I will try to post questions along this line in the other forum.

Keep watching.
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Trust me I am not against … Sustainable Farming, and Forestry.

I guess what I have said might not be simple enough either, and I am not talking about anyone being dumb.

When I say sell which is a figure of speech I am not talking about money at all. Just talking about how a new idea you are going to use to convince me and others through simply talk so I can realise how I can make more money for my timber in the future instead of now and do you have proof that I and others can understand in proven results through figures and facts that we can look at in writing.

If I have a Two hundred acre Farm with one hundred acres of Good High Quality Hard Wood Timber and allow you to cut my timber your way using Sustainable Farming, Forestry. How long would it take to show the difference
and why.

Example:

How much more money increase will I benefit from it down the road, and how many years will it take to show a profit increase over what I would receive by cutting it today.

Also:

I just saw where there were 30 guess looking at this website, and I am wondering how many have the same ideas.

The vote so far itself has a lot to say to the idea of being more simply explained because out of 8 votes only one person voted and cast a vote for yes it is simple enough

That does say something to the facts and need.

If a woman is in a delivery room and ready to deliver a baby and the head nurse tells the husband that they are going to have to give his wife a saddle-block, the husband may know nothing about what she is saying.

So the Husband looks at the doctor and says
why would you do that … she is not a horse.
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Hello Everyone:

So far there have only been 7 people to cast a vote and share there view
on this subject out of 106 people who did view this thread.

Your vote is made in secret and no one knows who you are.
But your vote will help in the long run for everyone to benefit in a more clear understanding.

So if you have not voted, reconsider not only for the benefit of others
but it will also help you and us all to be more educated in the future.

Also it will be helpful for the many guests who visit here daily.

From one who cares about keeping it simple ! ! !
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Some other types and uses:

1. http://www.foxcombewoods.co.uk/logging.html

2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/15724139@N00/2329900491/

3. http://www.pacinfo.com/~dfrench/horselogging/logarch1.JPG

4. http://www.heavyhorses.net/images/pole-archat-rest-front.jpg

5. http://www.horselogging.co.uk/images/6J284.jpg

6. http://www.heavyhorses.net/images/polearch.jpg

7. http://home.centurytel.net/glenn/AmishLoggCart.JPG

8. http://www.heavyhorses.net/images/forwarder3.jpg

9. http://heavyhorses.net/images/forwarder4.jpg

10. http://www.heavyhorses.net/images/erddigforwarder.jpg

11. http://home.centurytel.net/glenn/underslunglog2C.JPG

12. http://www.oldphotoguy.com/images/logging-0007-t.jpg
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Reshaping Crooked Horns in Oxen

http://www.ruralheritage.com/ox_paddock/ox_horn.htm
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[Bumpus]

@Joshua Kingsley 11750 wrote:

Those arches look neat with the rachet to lift the logs. I wonder if they would work with bigger wood though.

Take a larger log and have it in the middle.

Then use two different chains one on each side of the log
hooked low at the sides.
Then hook each one to a different ratchet and
crank up each one individually.

Remember one horse or mule can only move so much.

You could use a larger set of wheels
for more ground clearance on bigger logs.
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@northplow 11736 wrote:

They are using huge amounts of money on “enviromental friendly” cars, but totally ignores the enviromental effects of large machines in the forest. I will be working towords opening their eys of the sad fact that using enviromentaly friendly cars is like pissing in the atlantic, it doesen’t count.

If you imply that type of reasoning for promote you agenda, they will turn a deaf eat toward your presentation and efforts of your objective.

You will be waisting you time and hurting any chances for them to hear the good in Animal logging for many in the future.

Mechanical logging does not need to stop. It just needs to be regulated to better standards. Which they are doing in the U.S.A.
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@Joel 11737 wrote:

You really think docking tails & cutting manes are going to make them work better?

NO !

Looks are deceiving even with people.

An animal is what it is no mater how old or young, color, size shape, mixed or matched, as a team or single.

They can only do what they can do, and they can do not more.
But they can do less.

Those horses I would pay high dollar for because
they haven’t been ruined yet.

OH … by the way the man on the right side doing the hollering was killing the ability of the horse beside him by coming up along side him of him.

If he would have stayed in behind the horse
he would have performed much better.

When he hollered In the rear he was a driving force … but when he came up toward the front of the horse he stopped pushing in the collar and moved to the other side toward the other horse.
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Has this horse ever worked in a plow, pulled logs, or a wagon, sled, etc. or worked in parades ?

Has he ever had strangers ride him by there self on there own ?
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[Bumpus]

@matt wny 11731 wrote:

i have an old #6 mccormick mower i am working on restoring for next year.i have always mowed with a haybine that has rolls in it.my question is does the hay take a lot longer to dry if it is not conditioned through rolls?

Yes, about 3 sometimes 4 good dry sunny days, and according to the humidity, and then it also has to be tethered, and it will be golden yellow in color and not as very green when it is finished.

But they say it will have a little more nutrition in it because you are not squeezing it out along with the water and juice, like the rollers do when you crimp it.
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It is kind of odd that some feel that what works best for them is best for all or what does not work for them won’t work for others either.

I know people who take junk wood and cut wood wedges for coal mines and employ 4 and 5 people at a time, and make good money for them all to share.
While big long standing timber companies and huge and small saw mills who have been in business for years and years have shut down production, closed and give it up.

There are many different markets for any wood products, and many different ways of marketing them.

But they will not work in every area of the country.

Anything new to the public is hard to sell, and Jason Rutledge is one person who knows from many years experience how that comes about.

I have talked to him in person more than once, and even been in his house and on his farm, and on a couple of his job sites.

I told him over 15+ year ago that the road he was taking would slow down for him with his working in the woods manually, and he would spend more and more time teaching and developing the system he has grown more and more in passion to love and his life style.

I have watched this progression over the years from the side lines.

Even though I was never completely sold on this way he has adopted, I still wanted to log with horses but in a different way.

Jason is still filling a system that is in much need for the logging and timber industry.

He has taught me much, through his videos, one on one personal talks, YouTube, News Articles and Emails, and he has helped many, many people along the way ! ! !

I remember one of his long standing apprentices and friend years ago wore a tee shirt while logging on Jasons job that said something like.

No Crybabies Working Here.

That’s My Opinion
And I’M Sticking To It ! ! !
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