Part-time Logging?

[Tayook]

So we have concluded that starting a full-time horse logging operation is not feasible. However, we are still interested in doing trying this part time. So here is a whole new set of questions: )

1. We have a QH/Belgian cross. Is it possible to skid with a single horse? I have read a few articles that talk about skidding with one horse, but most have been using a team. Taylor is a big boy and I think has the personality to learn to drive (I did a lot of ground driving during his saddle training). Should we try him out, or should we look into getting a full draft?

2. What are the bare-necessities to harvest sawlogs and firewood?

3. In your experience, would clients be willing to have their timber harvested by a part time operation?

4. Do any of you do this part-time?

Toby did stop into the saw place again, the guy should be getting in contact with us shortly.

[perchhauler]

You can log with one horse, but you dont have enough lift to log big timber with one horse, I usually just use one horse at a time for paperwood, however my horses are 2,100lb. drafts that have worked in the woods since started.. Starting out in the woods green, with a green horse is a very dangerous adventure!! If you have only ground driven your boy, and he’s never skid a stick in his life, I would consider checking into an older experienced logging horse for you to start with, til you get your feet wet, meanwhile you can be starting your boy, slowly working him into the woods.. You have to start somewhere, just be careful!! bare necessities would be, good work harness and well fitted collar, singletree, tear drop, chokers, two good saws, cant hook, and off you go.. You’ll get into your own groove so to speak and realize other tools you’ll need to do your job, but that much should get you started.. It would be a good idea if you’re able to tag along with an experienced horse logger for a while, hope this helps, best of luck, have fun:) and be careful!!! Steve

[perchhauler]

Starting out part time is a good idea, I log somewhat part time myself.. I work a job thats seasonal, mainly in the summer, so in the fall winter and spring I log quite a bit, and in the summer when I’m working elsewhare I can cut on weekday’s after work and skid on the weekend.. As far as clients having you log their land because you’re part time usually will make no difference… Steve

[jen judkins]

@perchhauler 7412 wrote:

bare necessities would be, good work harness and well fitted collar, singletree, tear drop, chokers, two good saws, cant hook, and off you go..

Steve, What are a tear drop and cant hook?

[Carl Russell]

Tayook,
Your horse would be fine for fuelwood operation, but as Perchhauler points out green + green = black and blue. Spend time with some more experienced, take training programs, like Game of Logging, or the program offered by HHFF.

I also work in the woods part-time, because of family, and home-farm responsibilities. One of the beauties of animal-power is the low overhead, so working them only part-time is not the same noose that power equipment can create.

The only problem that I have run into is that it can be very difficult to get jobs completed when you throw in bad weather, sick days, family responsibilities, farm chores, etc. Also I get really self conscious about telling someone to keep waiting, and if you work with a forester, they may need time commitments from you.

But, it can work, and it is probably a good way to progress. I started out with one horse, working a couple of other jobs, and worked my way into a full-time 2 horse operation that lasted for 10-15 years.

Carl

[perchhauler]

Jennifer, a tear drop is a grab link to slide your choker through, and adjust it at any length, its known as a tear drop because of its shape, I usually use a clevis on the single tree and two tear drops n chokers.. A cant hook is a hand tool used to turn or roll a log, they usually have a wood handle 3′ to 5′ long with a tong to grab the log, a peavey is similar, but with a point at the end.. Steve

[OldKat]

@perchhauler 7419 wrote:

Jennifer, a tear drop is a grab link to slide your choker through, and adjust it at any length, its known as a tear drop because of its shape, I usually use a clevis on the single tree and two tear drops n chokers.. A cant hook is a hand tool used to turn or roll a log, they usually have a wood handle 3′ to 5′ long with a tong to grab the log, a peavey is similar, but with a point at the end.. Steve

Steve or Carl,

I knew what a cant hook was, but not a peavey. Just curious how a peavey is used and any ideas on the origon of the names of these tools?

[Tayook]

So a loggign arch is not needed? Is there something else that can be used to make skidding easier when only using one horse?

[perchhauler]

I sometimes use a skid cart with a team, but just ground skid when using a single horse.. You can use a scoot, or use a cart with shaft’s for a single horse… Steve

[perchhauler]

Kat, a peavey is used like a cant hook but has the point to dig in the ground for more leverage.. I actually like the cant hook better, I have a short handle and a long handle cant hook and only one peavey.. Not sure of the origon of these tools.. Steve

[Carl Russell]

Peavey was the name of the guy who invented it. A must for horse logging in my mind. I can practically move the world as long as I have a peavey in one hand. I use the point to pry between logs. Cant hooks are traditionally used on sawmills, turning cants.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Tayook, you can use any logging equipment, cart, bobsled, scoot, arch, with single horse, just smaller and lighter. You would really benefit from watching someone doing it for a while, just to give you a perspective on the possibilities.

Carl

[Howie]

Boy Carl If you move the world with that peavey you are going put an awful sag in the handle.

[Carl Russell]

Here are a couple of photos showing single horse logging equipment.
Carl

[Gabe Ayers]

I am going to attempt to attach another single horse on our Fisher style logging arch.

[Author]

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