[john plowden]

Joshua – As lancek says pine or fir boughs – layers with snow and pack, splash some water on and let it freeze over night – should be solid enough for a days worth of work – do the same at the end of the day and you’ll be able to keep going – if you can drag a grey birch or limby fir out on the last twitch so the road smooths and freezes for the next day –
Sounds like you’ve got a good team – mix up the loads during the day – go light and go often-
John

[john plowden]

Really nice job Donn – you have articulated very well the idea of calm leadership –
There are so many subtleties that need to be understood before picking up the lines –
John

[john plowden]

good one Scott!

[john plowden]

Can you post a picture?
John

[john plowden]

Nice work Jason !
This is what people need to see – Not just you but the young folk talking and enthusiastically involved!

[john plowden]

well put Tim – I think both tools have their place perhaps in different situations and that we as teamsters need to choose for our animal’s comfort the tool that works for each one –

[john plowden]

There are advantages to both rigs – clearance is a big one though my rig will drive over and hitch like the “Forest” rig – I have one that a friend gave me before he past – and my hitch point is high enough to get the pendulum effect as well -The issue that I have with it is the angle of the posts from the axles to the chain hitch is to steep so that when a heavy log is hitched the pole tends to lift and the wheels trig on even the smallest obstacle -and that the evener is attached so high – brad johnson has an arch that I built and have used for years that has the same lift but a much sharper angle – Any time you can avoid backing is an advantage –
John

[john plowden]

I’ll try to explain my understanding – the lower point of draft allows the line of the traces to stay at a ninety degree angle to the shoulder – this can be maintained with a d-ring belly band and saddle adjusted properly holding the trace at this angle – one difference between the two is the shaft /traces are already at the optimum angle allowing for maximum lift at the hitch point – if you can imagine a straight line ninety degrees from the hame all the way down to the point of draft –
Does this help?
John

[john plowden]

Simon – There is about 1/16″ space between the tube that fits inside the “support” tube leaving at least 4″ of movement – Somehow it works without being to sloppy – I do think that round tube would give limitless movement barring the retaining pin – Square tube is what I’m set up for – John

[john plowden]

I have been trying to figure out an easy mod for a western style harness – as of yet have come up with a custom tug so to speak that replaces the original tug – I made the harness I use from a wesern britchen – I have a simple d-ring mod that removes the rear tug replacing it with a bolt and pin for the shafts –
As far as articulation I have designed enough play in the joints that is more than adequate – the square tubing is light and strong and the joints between the shafts and arch are reinforced – We put some really good loads on in the woods and have never had to repair or add more bracing – The shafts are adjustable by removing a pin and sliding to anothe hole –
John

[john plowden]

Cutting tree length firewood- then some mature pine – then…

[john plowden]

These are really nice looking rigs – I have some pics to post of the equipment I make and have sold that is Scandinavian inspired – Until then for those interested go to my website or facebook –
John

[john plowden]

Keep the horns – John

[john plowden]

It’s not to late to sign up for the LIF workshop at MOFGA – Nov 19-21 –
Hands on and lots of folks to answer questions –

[john plowden]

Forwarders and horses are a great combination – We’ve worked several jobs with a tractor drawn one and have really been able to boost production – A horse drawn one would be great – How about purchase cost?
Are there any North American manufacturers other than Payeur?
The SJM I’ve seen in Europe looks like the right weight and size –
Majaco/Anderson made one –
John

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