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Jim Ostergard
ParticipantI built a small scoot this winter. Used pine for the runners with locust for shoes. Its about 9′ overall. On the bunks I kept my stake holders flush. Use it for small logs, and 4′ firewood. I also rigged a piece of plywood that went from bunk to bunk and cut out over the stake holders. I then built a small plank stake body to go into the stake holders. They hold the plywood down well enough when light and I now have a box for fitted wood. Saves me the extra handing that goes with 4′ wood. I can fit it at the dropped tree and haul directly to the wood shed or truck to take home. Also the small rig I can easily take apart and load it by myself into the horse trailer. I sure like it. Am using it now to haul brush and small dia stuff to a burn pile on a house lot, “parking it out” job.
ParticipantCarl, I have to support your statements in your last. This was and is a good discussion thread. I am sorry to see Brett go in that he often had good things to add. However, I was uncomfortable with some of the tone, in the, “I’m right and you are an idiot if you believe otherwise,” passages. We are here in my mind to share as a community shares. There will; and aught to be, strong differences of opinion but it is the caring for the community that counts for me.
ParticipantNAIS is a terrible idea and threat to us all. However there is another movement by the USDA which will really threaten farmers. In the guise of food safety USDA (in conjunction with large agri-business in California developed socalled Good Agriculture Practices or GAP. They use a score sheet for each farm and according to Russell Libby of MOFGA no farm in Maine would make the grade. One provision is no livestock within a mile of the market garden or food crop. Farmers in Cal. Are cutting down all hedge rows, using posion in farm ponds in order to reduce the likely hood of salmonella getting into the leafy greens. All the while large feed lot operations operate up stream. Not much logic in that, eh?
In one of my other lifes I did a lot of food safety work and know that this will not address the problem, only help the largest farms look good.
Recently I heard (have not seen) that Hannaford Super Markets have sent a leter to supliers that they will have to meat the USDA GAP’s. It this is the case, we will see very little local food in the big markets. Maybe not a bad idea.
There are some alternative ideas being considered but unless we get a public outcry the big guys will rule.
Jim OstergardParticipantNot too much to add but here in the mid-coast area the pulp and log market are very slow. The Verso mill in Jay has stopped 3 or 4 paper machines and there mill in Bucksport (spruce & fir) is shutting down for a month. Jay is taking no hardwood pulp which will I believe drive down firewood prices in the short term. So they are contacting all contract holders and letting them know they will be taking only about 25% of the normal when the shut down ends. My trucker says 50 to 60 trucks line up at 4am when they are open only one or two days. Pine log buyers are going to a quota system.
We have kept busy (sort of) doing some lot clearing ( a new school building these last two weeks) where the ash is going to firewood (to be auctioned) and saw logs. The snow is wicked deep and another foot is falling as I write. It is a time when our approach and the niche of that approach will be the only thing that works.
Hang on all and keep up the good flow of information. It makes it work for all of us.
JimParticipantThe beam pivots in the center. Actually one can rotate the beam 360. Nice when it falls off the back of the pick up. It is just about all I can handle alone which I like it terms of taking it to a job. I got it mostly because of the way it lifted the buts. Lots of modifications as the tongue weight was way too much for shafts. But it does work well now. I’m guessing they are used almost always in logging rather than a forecart. But a draw bar on it will work for me until I build a two wheeled forecart.
JimParticipantRobert,
The walking beam has 4 wheels. A beam connects the two on each side with a spindle in the middle. So it rolls over rough ground indepently. Pretty good when backing when one wheel wants to hang on a stump it lifts ofver it pretty easily. I think the following like will get to the jpg in the gallery. Listed under J rather than O: http://www.draftanimalpower.com/photoplog/index.php?n=92
I am anxious to try it as a forecart as long as I don’t have tight turns. When twitching long poles 40′ or better I swing wide as the log will roll up on the rear tire and can case an interesting jam.
peace…..JimParticipantJust a short note on the walking beam. I use one all the time in the woods with a slngle. I love as it is among other things very easy on the knees. It took Rusty a good while to get used to backing and filling with it though as on a tight turn or, “come around” command you are dragging the wheels side ways. So there is some resistance. However, that said we have used it in very tight situations. Mine is similiar to the west coast model where the keeper slides up a rod to lift the log as one starts forward. It is more difficult to put more than two logs on it as the keeper when down is well forward of the front wheels. I would like to build a model similar to the archs in use around here. John Plowden has buillt the Europen model which would be a great additional piece of equipment for woods work. I will add a draw bar across mine for field work and hauling a small trailer, manure spreader, etc. I think there is a jpg of it in the gallery under, “O.”
Good discussion as always.
Jim OstergardParticipantJason,
Nice job and good press. I think all would do well to check out the links. I often get requests from local papers to come and shoot pictures and even the Portland tv station. Sometimes I’m a little hesitant but then I think it is better to get some word out even if it is a, “photo opp.”
Hard to get the, “sound bites,” to something short that might get used but will a little practice we can all help folks learn about what we can do. Really glad you had the chance to go to Georgia, do the work and then share it will all of us.ParticipantJust want to add to what Donn has said. This thread will benefit all as it keeps going. Some sage advice and experience so far. I can’t add much except to say that when I’m having problems with Rusty it always helps to get him to work and get him tired. After that it is almost always smooth sailing. Thanks to all for participating in this and peaceful New Year to all.
JimParticipantJason,
Nice shot of the shoes. I have the same problem with the standard deep heel caulks on Rusty. He is foreever whacking himself. Seems like these older guys like to scratch themselves a lot. So I’m going to print your picture and give it to my farrier. Rusty is do to be fitted within the next couple of weeks. Thanks…JimParticipantI use more than one chain when ground twitching but I usually hang the extra ones on a nearby branch. Working single I can drive with one hand and hold the rigging (single chain) with the other. Sort of keeps me in a balanced tension.
I put “g” links at the end of two 7′ chains. Got them off a set of skidder chains. This allows me to hook to chains together when I am not able to get the horse close to the twitch for what ever reason, brush, standing wood and such. Hopes this helps.
JimParticipantThe LaBonville boots are gone with the exception of size 42 which you can get for about $50. Great boots for woods work. They are trying to find another manufacturer.
I’ve used Baileys since the late 70’s and they are pretty good, especially if you have enough of an order to justify the shipping. I think there logging equipment end has lessened over the years. I have a heck of a time getting the right size pants they list a 32 which would fall off a 35″ waist in the new line of jeans. Not as heavy as the old “kick ass,” ones.
Out in washington state there is Madsens which I like a lot.
Jim O.ParticipantAs as member of the Low Impact Forestry ad-hoc staff a very gratefull thanks go to Carl for coming over and spending so much time will all of us. Your talk on Friday night will help those of us who work and are committed to work in the woods in a correct manner frame some of the issues we deal with. You work in the stables and with the various teams (real good for me that you spent time with Jason and his Brabants as I need him to help me and Rusty get some jobs done) was extremely helpful to all those to hung on your words.
Again Carl we are indebted to you. And, what goes around will surely come around.
peace….Jim OParticipantIn addition to the occasional 20 bucks I find to send I would be willing to pay for a listing of my services as a full time horse logger. I still get hits from a simple listing on Rural Heritage and sometimes from Maine Organic Farmers and Gardiners (MOFGA). I wonder if that would generate some additiional income for this fine site.
JimParticipantI think Jennifer is on to something. The reminder thing. Maybe a twice yearly email to members, just a gentle nudge. Took me a while this summer to send a little and then only because it hit me that something was needed. Most days I’m not thinking that way. This is much too much a valuable place for us all to communicate.
Jim O- AuthorPosts