Poor ground conditions this winter…

[Gabe Ayers]

I am not sure what the rest of you are experiencing out there in the woods, but our winter thus far has been far from optimal in terms of weather and ground conditions for logging. We are slated to get our third rain event in the past three weeks, and there is some bare ground in the woodlot in which I am currently cutting. As usual, it has me thinking about what I can get away with in terms of forwarding with the bobsled while keeping my main sled trail in good condition. The ground skidding from stump to sled is still pretty good, but when I have to put on the bridle chains and head down the steeper sections of trail I am finding that the impact is heavier than I want. In the big picture this impact is still fairly minimal, but I do not like to see water running down the troughs that have developed from the sled runners and water bars disappearing along the way. Also, the chunky, wet ground is tough on the horses’ hooves as they have a difficult time getting good traction on the partially frozen ground. We decided to take a week off see what comes from mother nature, and it seems as though we may be headed into a more wintery, snowy pattern after this warm front passes tomorrow. The decision to stop and wait is painful financially with a partial load sitting on the landing and plenty of wood left on the stump, but I can’t take the chance of ruining a good working relationship with landowners and forestors due to high ground impact. Is anyone else struggling with these conditions? I hope this is not going to be the mid-winter norm from here on out.

[Baystatetom]

I have 4 jobs going now. 3 cable skidders and a forwarder, all have struggled with poor ground conditions since September. Rest assured your not alone.
Be safe out there,
~Tom

[Anonymous]

Hi Brad,
David here. I think we’ve been fairly lucky down here. Just enough snow cover to help the logs slide, but not deep enough to slow the work. Twitching from stump to skid road has been great, but our skid roads are getting ICY! I sometimes take my drop spreader and fill it with wood ash to put traction on icy farm roads. I’m considering taking it up in the woods to help with slick conditions up there. Fortunately it hasn’t thawed out, though today was in the mid 50’s and i’m seeing a lot more bare ground all of a sudden. What I’d do for 4″ of wet snow, turning cold.
cheers, David

[dominiquer60]

I feel your pain Brad, I just want to get my team out for a walk but glare ice and hillsides make for a difficult time just crossing the drive to the barn. Lets hope for traction any way we can get it at this point.

[Does’ Leap]

I have 2 loads of hemlock waiting to be shipped and I can’t get a truck out to my landing – 2″ of glare ice. I spent half a day sanding it with a tractor and shovel only to get more rain and have it ice over again before he could get out there. There was finally a window late last week as some wet snow and rain bonded with the ice and essentially made it disappear, but the log truck was down with boom problems:eek:. Now were back to the ice with yesterday’s rain. Another challenge for me is that my horses are not shod. I haven’t felt limited by this until this crazy winter. Oh yea, and then there is the mud!

How is that for a rant? Good luck everybody.

George

[mitchmaine]

we seem to have just missed the 60 degree weather the rest of the country was getting there, high 20’s here. it snowed for two days tues. and weds. and put down only 3″ of the finest snow you could imagine on top of the ice we all seem to be enjoying so we are all taking our tumbles. horses, people and so on. our border collie seems to keep his footing best. i’m just wondering whats going to happen to the sugar season? the willow buds seem already to burst. nothin’ to do but wait and see whats next.

[jac]

Jeeeeezz… you guys really need to try West of Scotland in winter !!!! mud, rain, sleet, mud, wet snow , mud… did i mention the mud ?? got a couple of days frost now tho but only minus 5 and will probly be gone by saturday… John

[Anonymous]

@jac 32198 wrote:

Jeeeeezz… you guys really need to try West of Scotland in winter !!!! mud, rain, sleet, mud, wet snow , mud… did i mention the mud ?? got a couple of days frost now tho but only minus 5 and will probly be gone by saturday… John

We are in the same boat John. Mud muck and more mud….. Last year worked in snow up our waists and good frost this year it’s been so warm I’m concerned our garlic is going to sprout. Every time snow comes it ends in rain. Hardest winter to work in I’v ever seen.

Tristan

[john plowden]

Its been a long friggin spring 🙂

[Baystatetom]

Spring? Isn’t February still winter? I saw a bunch of blue birds yesterday, maybe it is spring. Skidded logs through the last of my snow here today, I’ll be in the mud tomorrow.
~Tom

[Jim Ostergard]

Same here in Appleton, almost bare ground with ice. Wind is winding up all day long. Have not seen anything above freezing for the last 4 days though. Hard footing for the horses.
Jim

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