First time loading a short-logger

[Philobite]

I got a chance to load my first short-logger today with the CAT 950 WheelLoader. I've always done the regular long logger and I must say I really like the short-logger better. For one, it's easy to just get under the trailer to lift it out instead of putting the tine through the trailer loop and then adding a safety chain. Second, it's a lot easier to manage 25 footers than it is 33-41 footers.

Here are some photos of me loading the redwood logs that I felled, bucked and skidded over the last couple weeks using the Amsteel Blue 5/8" rope.

 

[2dogs]

I would love to own a short logger and a 950 with a winch up front. Someday maybe.

 

[Gumnuts]

Nice equipment.How far do you to take the load/ fuel costs ?? Believe your redwoods getting a premium $ .Much meat left on the bone, for you, after costs ?
Thanks again for the pics.
- Graeme

 

[Philobite]

Nice equipment.How far do you to take the load/ fuel costs ?? Believe your redwoods getting a premium $ .Much meat left on the bone, for you, after costs ?
Thanks again for the pics.
- Graeme

Redwood in our area this year is going for $950US/mbf 17" and over, and $850/mbf<17". Those are "camp run" prices. That's down a bit from last year. It's been much higher in the past as well.

However, the logs in I'm loading in these pics are premium logs, cut to a specific length for a mill that sells nothing but premium redwood products, no camp run. They want few knots because they make finish grade as well as filling orders for engineered exposed beams for expensive houses, etc. So for these particular logs it's in the $1,100 region, up to $1,175 for particularly fine logs that have no defects. This is working out well because I'm thinning a north facing slope where the trees are tall and even with fewer branches.

We can get about 4,700mbf (gross - figure on about 93% of that net) on a load, but the price of diesel has driven the price the trucker has to charge us through the roof. We'll pay almost $500 to truck that load about 55 miles. Last year it would have been $350.

 

[Gumnuts]

.

We can get about 4,700mbf (gross - figure on about 93% of that net) on a load, but the price of diesel has driven the price the trucker has to charge us through the roof. We'll pay almost $500 to truck that load about 55 miles. Last year it would have been $350.[/QUOTE]

Nice margin
Comparative to transport costs over here.Every things got to go up - playing catch ups with fuel.
Nice logs your getting - hope there's many more ,where they come from ,for you.
- Graeme

 

[2dogs]

.

We can get about 4,700mbf (gross - figure on about 93% of that net) on a load, but the price of diesel has driven the price the trucker has to charge us through the roof. We'll pay almost $500 to truck that load about 55 miles. Last year it would have been $350.

Nice margin
Comparative to transport costs over here.Every things got to go up - playing catch ups with fuel.
Nice logs your getting - hope there's many more ,where they come from ,for you.
- Graeme[/QUOTE]


How muh do you pay for fuel and how far do you have to truck your logs?

 

[rbtree]

Redwood in our area this year is going for $950US/mbf 17" and over, and $850/mbf<17". Those are "camp run" prices. That's down a bit from last year. It's been much higher in the past as well.

However, the logs in I'm loading in these pics are premium logs, cut to a specific length for a mill that sells nothing but premium redwood products, no camp run. They want few knots because they make finish grade as well as filling orders for engineered exposed beams for expensive houses, etc. So for these particular logs it's in the $1,100 region, up to $1,175 for particularly fine logs that have no defects. This is working out well because I'm thinning a north facing slope where the trees are tall and even with fewer branches.

QUOTE]


Nice...That's right about where western red cedar is paying....no deduction for knots with cedar though....of course, with the taper inherent in most cedar, we get less scale. About $200 more for 32 feet and up lengths....what about redwood, do you get a premium for long logs?

 

[Gumnuts]

Nice margin
Comparative to transport costs over here.Every things got to go up - playing catch ups with fuel.
Nice logs your getting - hope there's many more ,where they come from ,for you.
- Graeme

How muh do you pay for fuel and how far do you have to truck your logs?[/QUOTE]

Bout 60 miles radius.Only bother going that far if they're choice.Usually up for the round trip in fuel .Logs I'm getting usually from windbreaks or individual salvage pick-ups.
Fuels costs $100 - 120 on 100 mile round trip ,add 3-400 on wages to contract a truck.Usually get logs from mates in other tree services or the ones i do myself for dollars.Where i live borders on rural not in the isolated areas / bush.
Two years ago 60 mile pickup would cost me $250 .Now 4-500

 

[2dogs]

How muh do you pay for fuel and how far do you have to truck your logs?

Bout 60 miles radius.Only bother going that far if they're choice.Usually up for the round trip in fuel .Logs I'm getting usually from windbreaks or individual salvage pick-ups.
Fuels costs $100 - 120 on 100 mile round trip ,add 3-400 on wages to contract a truck.Usually get logs from mates in other tree services or the ones i do myself for dollars.Where i live borders on rural not in the isolated areas / bush.
Two years ago 60 mile pickup would cost me $250 .Now 4-500[/QUOTE]

Fuel prices really hurt! What is the price for diesel at the pump? I filled my pickup truck 2 days ago and the price was $4.95 9/10 per gallon!

 

[Gumnuts]

Bout 60 miles radius.Only bother going that far if they're choice.Usually up for the round trip in fuel .Logs I'm getting usually from windbreaks or individual salvage pick-ups.
Fuels costs $100 - 120 on 100 mile round trip ,add 3-400 on wages to contract a truck.Usually get logs from mates in other tree services or the ones i do myself for dollars.Where i live borders on rural not in the isolated areas / bush.
Two years ago 60 mile pickup would cost me $250 .Now 4-500

Fuel prices really hurt! What is the price for diesel at the pump? I filled my pickup truck 2 days ago and the price was $4.95 9/10 per gallon![/QUOTE]

$1.79 per litre ( and rising) Approx 3.8 ltr / gallon - varies week to week and state to state.I think Queensland 1/3 cheaper -differant state tarriffs !!

 

[Backwoods]

Those are some dandy logs. With the cost of fuel going up and the price of logs going down, More of the private timber land owners have been having us bring the mill to the landing and mill on site. It makes for less volume that needs to be trucked out of the woods. Corse you will want to bring in a good-sized mill or two, like the LT-70, or the Select double cut. Someone that can handle that kind of volume in a timely manor. Talk with your log buyer find out what they will pay for cant’s cut to there specs. It should pencil out to 15%-25 % over what you are getting now with trucking cost and milling cost included in that.

 

[Philobite]

Those are some dandy logs. With the cost of fuel going up and the price of logs going down, More of the private timber land owners have been having us bring the mill to the landing and mill on site. It makes for less volume that needs to be trucked out of the woods. Corse you will want to bring in a good-sized mill or two, like the LT-70, or the Select double cut. Someone that can handle that kind of volume in a timely manor. Talk with your log buyer find out what they will pay for cant’s cut to there specs. It should pencil out to 15%-25 % over what you are getting now with trucking cost and milling cost included in that.

I've been thinking on this idea. I've actually been considering getting a mill and doing it myself. This would give me the option of selling cants wholesale or selling custom wood orders retail. The main issue with retail orders I would think would be finding the customers consistently.

 

[Backwoods]

just keep a deck of logs handy and mill them as needed.