Ed's place

[turnkey4099]

After the fiasco a couple days ago I decided to climb back on that horse. Opened up this site:

Row of willows along highway - haven't been down to he end but it goes down 1/4 to 1/2 mile. Back story. While I was working to finish up the locust at Randy's, Ed stopped and asked if I was interested in clear-cutting this place. Told I wasn't really but did know someone. I passed it off to Mike who looked it over then decided not.

I just finished up the last locust on Steve's, waiting for one more I can have when the fire danger eases off and need something to do. Disabled wife's sister here for a visit so I decided to at least cut a few of them. Don't need the wood but I have an old customer who likes it.

Took down and cleanedup most of the first tree. Wasn't as big as I thought but a good load out of it.

I had to pull that over with the truck to get it to roll to the right. If it came left about half would have been over the bank.

Last 8 rounds went 20" plus a bit and down over the bank. I left them to pick up tomorrow. They'll have to 'halved' to get them down to a size I can lift.

Planning to pick those rounds first, then fall that next tree - bit bigger and less brush.

Only put in about 4 hours with several breaks while clearing the brush. Came home, dumped load and sharpened the 361. Dunno what happened one round it went through like butter, start the next cut and had to 'ride' it. Couldn't see anything wrong on the bench but while filing the first file strokeon each tooth on the left side cutters felt 'rough'.

Dunno about having a 'sitter' for the wife. I can cut every day and don't have to stop early but then I don't need to be in a rush anyhow, Ed left an unworked strip on the field for me and says he doesn't care if it takes a year.

I no locust falls in my lap next year it looks like I have stuff to work at.

 

[rmotoman]

Harry we know you can't sit on the sidelines for very long. Looks like there's enough work there to keep you out of trouble for some time. :msp_thumbup:

 

[Steve NW WI]

That should keep you occupied for a while, and it doesn't look like such a tangled mess to work in. Nice score.

That willow looks a lot different from the weeping willows we have around here. Those are a tree I'm glad to not have to tackle, brush city.

 

[turnkey4099]

Yep, nice to have most of the trees land in the field for easy working. Much of a fight clearing a way down into the ditch to fall them and then having to roll the rounds from the butt log up the bank.

Day 2, tree 2:

Basically a single stemmer, what looks like a 2nd stem there to the right is actually the third (and biggest) of a 3 tree clump.

About 3 1/2 hours of pure scut work (included rolling 7 rounds up he bank, noodling them in half and loading) dragging bruhs later I had the log skinned:

But the last hour of that was a lot of "drag soem brush, sit awhile to recuperate, rpt". I was wondering if I could make it as far as I wanted. Did though, 4 1/2 hours later it was cut up from tip to the edge of the bank and on the truck. Leaves about a dozen rounds to cut and roll up the bank next trip. Butt rounds going a bit better than 20" They'll need noodled before I can load them.

That brush pile is impressive for only two medium size willows, 7'high x 12' , dunno if he will burn or not. If I continue working this ?score? there will be many piles but I don't think any of that size anymore.

Taking tomorrow off, need a trip to Wal Mart to return a microwave that doesn't (only 6 months old) then unload, service saws, etc in prep for taking that 3rd tree.

Harry K

 

[sdt7618]

Yep, nice to have most of the trees land in the field for easy working. Much of a fight clearing a way down into the ditch to fall them and then having to roll the rounds from the butt log up the bank.

Day 2, tree 2:

Basically a single stemmer, what looks like a 2nd stem there to the right is actually the third (and biggest) of a 3 tree clump.

About 3 1/2 hours of pure scut work (included rolling 7 rounds up he bank, noodling them in half and loading) dragging bruhs later I had the log skinned:


From a young un to the old head, work safe man, keep taking them breaks!

But the last hour of that was a lot of "drag soem brush, sit awhile to recuperate, rpt". I was wondering if I could make it as far as I wanted. Did though, 4 1/2 hours later it was cut up from tip to the edge of the bank and on the truck. Leaves about a dozen rounds to cut and roll up the bank next trip. Butt rounds going a bit better than 20" They'll need noodled before I can load them.

That brush pile is impressive for only two medium size willows, 7'high x 12' , dunno if he will burn or not. If I continue working this ?score? there will be many piles but I don't think any of that size anymore.

Taking tomorrow off, need a trip to Wal Mart to return a microwave that doesn't (only 6 months old) then unload, service saws, etc in prep for taking that 3rd tree.

Harry K

Well all knew you wouldn't, be always from the saws long

 

[toqua]

Harry

Is that outside of Colfax on 26?

 

[turnkey4099]

Harry

Is that outside of Colfax on 26?

Yep, Colfax side of twin bridges just past Filan road on the left.

Stop in if you see my truck there. I am starting on the uphill end and working down. Probably be at it all next year.

I hope my customer will still be wanting it next fall.

Harry K

 

[toqua]

Next time I go by there I will stop an say hi.

 

[turnkey4099]

I'll be easing off now. No point in getting a rush. Put in anohter 4 1/2 hours this morning almost all of it just packing brush. Pulled in an looked at the tall brushy mother and wondered if I still had enough 'go' to fall and brush it out in one work session - almost quit at the 3 1/2 mark but pushed on. Brushed out and the top half cut up and on the truck. Pinched the 310 about as hard as I ever had on pinched. Took some study and finesse to get it freed up using the 210 and blocking under and 2 instead of 1 wedge on the next section to cut free. God Bless Mr. Stihl for that inboard clutch!

Scouted it down to the end. Not as much there as I thought. Several good big trees, couple medeium and the bottom end just saplings growing from down logs and stumps. Plan to hit it no more than 1 time a week, mayh have made the last day for this y ear. Good rains predicted in a couple days - finally after almost 80 days with no measurable precip.

Harry K

 

[turnkey4099]

Out today to work up the two butt logs. Put saws in truck and check to be sure the sledge/maul/hookeroon is there and go. Pull in and know i need to service both says - usually I do that at home the day befoe - dunno why I didnt' this time. Grab saws fromcab and don't even have to look in bed to know I did not have the gas/oil/tool caddy with me. HOW DID IT NOT SEE THAT WHEN I LOADED Great - senior moment strikes again and ruins a good plan. I am holding a 310 and a 210 each with at most 1/2 tank. Cut as long as I could getting both logs cut well back from the field edge and pulling one 7' section up out of the ditch. On truck and scouted next one. What's left may be there for the winter now, supposed to turn wet for several days now.

Clump of two fair size ones 2nd one is no problem. I can't decide yet on the that first one. Depending on where I stand the eyeball says it leans to the highway. I'll do the 2nd first and get a good look at the first one from the other side - may have to leave it.

If my memory doesn't improve I'll forget where all my "scores" are

Harry K

 

[WidowMaker]

Harry'
How far do you generally have to travel to find your wood scores over there???

 

[Dalmatian90]

If my memory doesn't improve I'll forget where all my "scores" are

Just don't forget your Arborsitsite logon

 

[H 2 H]

It's raining pretty good right now on the wet side of the state (Stanwood)

 

[turnkey4099]

Harry'
How far do you generally have to travel to find your wood scores over there???

I generally restrict it to 30 miles or less. This year I have been lucky, fartherest was 19 miles, most in mid teens. The last three were only 11 and Ed's is 12. Still eats me alive on gas as I don't make very big loads anymore.

I haveone good locust (group of 3) that I might chase after but they are about 35 miles.

Harry K

 

[turnkey4099]

It's raining pretty good right now on the wet side of the state (Stanwood)

Took the garbage out an hour ago and see we must have had a bit, just a few damp spots on the patio - first in 83 days.

Harry K

 

[chucker]

know how you feel harry! its been 60 plus days here since we have had rain to amount to more than a good frost. rain south of us in the lower third of the state but nothing here again?? spread a 1.5 yard load of menure last evening with some heavy straw to hold moistue for next years garden and its dry 16" down !! sure do hope winter brings a better amount of snow as the swamps are dry as a popcorn fart on a windy day! stay wet friend?? lol and good luck with your wood venture, looks good.

 

[turnkey4099]

-BUMP-

At last! House cleaner here early and I had to leave the house. Weather cloudy, dampish, bit of a breeze. Through the saws, gas/oil caddy, empty 5 gal can and headed out to murder another of Ed's willows:

Rather small but very brushy, Had to chop and brush out a veritablejungle of water sprouts around the base. Had a nasty lean and lots of dead wood at the base. Standing Willow with bare dead wood says that stuff will be rotten. Managed to get in a 'sorta' undercut and then fast cut the back side. All went well except it hung on the stump - makes for 'twitchy' working as one doesn't really know when it might roll off.

Started at the top, worked down clearing brush as I went. 2 1/2 hours later it was all done, brush piled, bucked up and ready to haul. Only about 1/3 cord. I'll have to 'hi-grade' the bottom 8 ft, only about 1/2 of each round is useable. Too wet to risk gettin the truck to it.

Nice way to open the season and ease out of the cabin fever, easy work, all brush was within tossing range of the pile. I'll take out the other tree of that pair on next trip probably next week.


Leaves three at that site (one will hve to be pulled) plus a couple groups that have grown from old stumps - nothing worth hauling there, just small gauge stems. He wants a 'clear cut'. I'll have to warn him to spray any new growth or he'll be right back to square one in a few years.

Harry K

 

[Elim]

I am so glad you had a chance to get out and stretch your legs, and get some therapy Harry. Thank you for the pics, and the stories behind them. I enjoy your posts very much. You make my wait for Spring to get out and cut a torture. I wish I was there to give you a hand, and smell some two stroke.

You guys must be having a heat wave on the left coast to not have snow on the ground. Care to send some heat this way for a while? I think the extended forecast shows it should warm up late next week, and with any luck at all into next weekend.

Thanks again, and take care of you and yours Harry. Please keep the updates coming!

 

[turnkey4099]

I am so glad you had a chance to get out and stretch your legs, and get some therapy Harry. Thank you for the pics, and the stories behind them. I enjoy your posts very much. You make my wait for Spring to get out and cut a torture. I wish I was there to give you a hand, and smell some two stroke.

You guys must be having a heat wave on the left coast to not have snow on the ground. Care to send some heat this way for a while? I think the extended forecast shows it should warm up late next week, and with any luck at all into next weekend.

Thanks again, and take care of you and yours Harry. Please keep the updates coming!

We have had a very mild winter but bare ground this time of year is about on track. Some ahead of a normal season as the ground is not saturated pernormal. I think I can get the truck out there next week. Probably could yesterday. today but I am averse to tow bills (BTDT)

As for "smelling 2 stroke", yep did that. Mixed what I thought was a fresh gallon, filled the MS210, 310 and topped off the MS361. Then got one more fill out of it and it was empty. I must not have put in a full gal of gas. I was wondering why I was getting that old timey blue haze.

Forgot to mention tht teh MS210 failed me. I could not get it to start. It was getting more and more particulary the past two years. It goes to the dealer tomorrow.

Harry K

 

[turnkey4099]

Went out again today. 24 when I left the house but clear sky and sun starting up. Long John top on. Medium size Willow. Some question about just where it wanted to go to to various limb loading and bends. I either guess right or got lucky. 3 1/2 hours and almost all cleane up and bucked except aobut 15' of butt log. I was half way through a cut when I noticed my inside dog was loose on one end and trying to play kissy face witht the. Bagged it for the day, stopped at NAPA and bought some 6mm bolts. I'll go thrugh that 361 and check any bolt I can see. It has a habit of loosing bar nuts also. Only other saw I every had was "old shaky" an 041. That thing could shake screws loose that weren't even on the saw.

Got a fair size load bucked up so I might risk the truck next tiem. Ground still a bit moist to haul a heavy load yet.

Sorry I forgot the camera but I promise I will take a pic of where the tree was next trip. No, you will not get to see the 'beavered' stump.

Harry K