Mass. Audubon job

[john plowden]

I got back from working down in Mass for the week – 170 or so miles from home- We were hired to harvest 4-6mbf 8″-14″ red pine off of a drumlin or knoll to be sawn on site for siding one of their buildings – skidding distance no more than 800′-
I took Big Dan our 6 year old belgian and the single horse arch I built because of the size of the trees and trail width requirements – It is a 350 acre wild life sanctuary so we needed to tread very lightly – They are also a working sheep and small animal farm with a vegetable csa right in the middle of Lincoln – a very affluent Boston suburb –
We worked 5 days, chopping for one solid day and the rest twitching after cutting for half a day – we twitched off the hill to the side of the trail where I used the arch to haul 2-3 logs at a time to the landing – I couldn’t use the arch on the hill because it was to difficult to back up and had the tendency to want to tip over ,so I ground twitched – Dan had a pretty easy time pulling down and would deal really well working side hill, sort of side stepping with his body diagonal facing up hill to keep the logs from heeling him –
On the last day Mass. Audubon invited the public for a tour and sort of Q and A session with the forester, logger, and sawyer so they could see the whole process –
There was ALOT of poison ivy,it was hot and humid and I pulled a calf muscle but we had a great time and every one was really pleased with the end result –
John

[lancek]

Did the public have any good questions for you Jhon? I was wih a friend the other day at the Jhon Deer dealer The head guy was there and during the conversation he heard that I was a horse logger, he couldnt belive it said that he thought that are group had died out years ago! Then he spent 2 hours asking me all sorts of questions about how we do things he then anouced that he thought I should preform at there customer appreciation days this fall This should be interesting!

[john plowden]

Lancek – The folks doing the tour asked quite a few questions and I spent a good amount of time explaining how to drop trees where you want them and how hauling logs cut to length does less damage and why certain trees were chosen to be cut and others left but most were impressed with watching the horse come around to hitch and calmly walk off down the trail leaving barely a trace –
John

[lancek]

Good deal maybe one day people will see how beniffical good forestry pratices can actuly incress the value of there property

[john plowden]

Would you describe a “log doggie”?

[Carl Russell]

I call that a “Bunk Cart”. The butt of the log is pressed against the wheel at the inside of the turn, so that as the wheel rolls forward the pressure causes the wheel to lift the log upward and inward, onto the bunk.

I made mine from an old truck rear end, so I have 17 inch wheels. Even at that height it is very stable. I have used it primarily to haul tree length pine (18-24″ at the butt-3-4 logs). It was great because I could overcome a lot of variable ground, and pull tree length, but it put a lot of pressure on going down hill.

Best I have found for skidding downhill is either bobsled, or scoot. Twitch log length to a main trail, then load the sled for the main haul.

Carl

[Gabe Ayers]

A picture of Joel device would be very helpful. Somebody go over and take a photo of that thing for Joel.

There were once similar devices with a rachet arrangement on the wheels that jacked the log up when pulled forward. I don’t know what it was called. Haven’t seen one for a while.

I am going to attach a photo of some of our new age forestry products, which are actually ancient food.

These are Chanterelle Mushrooms that brought about $10.00 per pound sold to our local organic farmer and food distributor.

They are in flush now in central Appalachia.

[john plowden]

I know now that a bunk cart is a log doggie – never herd it called that –

[john plowden]

Yeah I went diagonally and straight down – narrow path and almost no effort pulling – Dan was really good about walking and feeling what is behind him – I wish I had some video to share – slope was much greater than the 20-30% that the forester estimated – lesson learned – visit site first ! the only reason I didn’t was the travel distance – It was a really good job – I have a clam bunk that is very use full and will hold quite a load off the ground in front and break the load- twitching down to a hot yard or two then using the arch and or four wheeled bunks really worked well –
John

[Scott G]

Sounds like a good show, John. Just curious, how were you paid for the job since they were using the lumber; day,hourly, area, or volume?

Nothing like a quick, profitable, and sucessful project to make you feel good. Bet you get requests for more work in the Boston ‘burbs.

[john plowden]

Scott – I was paid a daily rate, transport and set up – plus they provided housing and fenced pasture –
John

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