For the Foresters... Well Anybody Interested in Forestry for that Matter.

[OlympicYJ]

Well I just got back yesterday from the Society of American Foresters National Convention. For those not familiar with SAF its the professional organisation for foresters. This year it was held in Spokane so right in the back yard and I was able to attend. Saw lots of familiar faces from the West Side and allot of new ones from around the country. There were 1,400 people in attendance with 400 of those being students. There were some pretty good workshop sessions even thought I didn't make many :msp_rolleyes:

Of particular interest to me was talk on mat logging in swamps in the south. Its the same thing they do on Swamp Loggers... using the timber as puncheon of sorts to skid across. Anyhoo was pretty interesting how they reduced the number of skid trails and the depth of compaction and the amount of hummock disturbance. But for me it was cool for the east coasties to admit they were using shovel logging In base its the same principal out west just instead of building permanent gravel roads they were using the timber instead. Which would be much more cost effective because I don't think their roads would last because of soft soils and the cost would make logging prohibitive. You learn something new everyday.

Also had a blast with the after hours sessions as well!

Oh and the few Canucs in attendance were pretty cool too!

 

[madhatte]

using the timber as puncheon of sorts to skid across. Anyhoo was pretty interesting how they reduced the number of skid trails and the depth of compaction and the amount of hummock disturbance.

Corduroy roads, a 100-year-old PNW invention. Sha-Zammmm!

 

[OlympicYJ]

Oh yea. Lousiana Tech I believe it was? had one guy there. He was also the one man quizbowl team... pretty chill guy. All the southern folk had vented columbia shirts with their school name on em. Well not all but most. Was good for a chuckle how they needed venting in Spokane.... guess it would come in handy in the muggy bar at night

Although I might need one since next year its in Charleston haha

 

[madhatte]

I might need one since next year its in Charleston haha

FWIW -- I did some of my military schooling in Charleston and LOVED that town. Food, music, history, everything. It's a neat place. Might have to finagle my way to that convention.

 

[OlympicYJ]

FWIW -- I did some of my military schooling in Charleston and LOVED that town. Food, music, history, everything. It's a neat place. Might have to finagle my way to that convention.

Our advisor wants to raise enough money so we can go fishin! We've got some good fund raiser ideas kicking around too. I'm stoked for it and so is everyone else here at the U of I. I think they have some stuff planned at a historic plantation. Just vaguely remember hearing something about it.

 

[hammerlogging]

Of particular interest to me was talk on mat logging in swamps in the south. Its the same thing they do on Swamp Loggers... using the timber as puncheon of sorts to skid across. Anyhoo was pretty interesting how they reduced the number of skid trails and the depth of compaction and the amount of hummock disturbance. But for me it was cool for the east coasties to admit they were using shovel logging In base its the same principal out west just instead of building permanent gravel roads they were using the timber instead. Which would be much more cost effective because I don't think their roads would last because of soft soils and the cost would make logging prohibitive. You learn something new everyday.

a big difference is that swamp loggers then have to skid to where the trucks can get to- usually 1- 3 passes with the shovel between roads spaced at about 400'. vol/acre and the swamp thing make adding the skid cheaper than building a road. Glad there were some east coasters there

 

[Humptulips]

a big difference is that swamp loggers then have to skid to where the trucks can get to- usually 1- 3 passes with the shovel between roads spaced at about 400'. vol/acre and the swamp thing make adding the skid cheaper than building a road. Glad there were some east coasters there

You would be amazed how far some guys are shovel logging out here. I talked to one guy that said he was out 21 throws. Not sure how profitable that is but 400' is nothing.

 

[hammerlogging]

You would be amazed how far some guys are shovel logging out here. I talked to one guy that said he was out 21 throws. Not sure how profitable that is but 400' is nothing.

no, I believe that, and I'm a big fan of true shovelling, but these swamp blocks are big enough that its a skid.

1 swing= 50' stem (60' minus the 10' to heel it) + 50' stem + (25' machine reach x 2) plus 15' machine as it turns = 165' per swing. Sound right? Can't blame them. Shovel logging is best, where it can be done.

 

[Humptulips]

no, I believe that, and I'm a big fan of true shovelling, but these swamp blocks are big enough that its a skid.

1 swing= 50' stem (60' minus the 10' to heel it) + 50' stem + (25' machine reach x 2) plus 15' machine as it turns = 165' per swing. Sound right? Can't blame them. Shovel logging is best, where it can be done.

Nope doesn't sound right. With all the tree lengthing going on you seldom see them heel a log and swing it.
The butts always towards the landing. Walk away from the pile as far as you can still reach, grab the butts and swing while dragging the logs to as far as you reach. 2x boom reach plus length of machine. More like 80' but your mileage may vary.

 

[Oldtimer]

1400 foresters in one place....imagine the amount of logging that got done with all those self propelled roadblocks out of the way!

 

[madhatte]

self propelled roadblocks

Now, that's just unfair. I, for example, let the truck do most of the driving. Walking is hard work!

 

[OlympicYJ]

Nope doesn't sound right. With all the tree lengthing going on you seldom see them heel a log and swing it.
The butts always towards the landing. Walk away from the pile as far as you can still reach, grab the butts and swing while dragging the logs to as far as you reach. 2x boom reach plus length of machine. More like 80' but your mileage may vary.

Yeah I've only ever seen a shovel op heel logs once. Butts forward is easier on the machine, requires less effort because the small end is supported and the butts are toward the landing/road for processing.

1400 foresters in one place....imagine the amount of logging that got done with all those self propelled roadblocks out of the way!

You know there were some guys from NH; maybe I sould give them a call... :msp_rolleyes:

Just remember were well connected self propelled road blocks

 

[slowp]

We need coffee for fuel to self propel.

 

[Oldtimer]

You know there were some guys from NH; maybe I sould give them a call... :msp_rolleyes:

Just remember were well connected self propelled road blocks

I do not work for Foresters. :msp_tongue: Buy stumpage myself.

 

[OlympicYJ]

I do not work for Foresters. :msp_tongue: Buy stumpage myself.

Well then we shouldn't be any sort of road block to ya!

 

[Oldtimer]

I was just thinking aboot my logging bretheren. They need all the breaks they can get!:msp_thumbup:

 

[madhatte]

You guys wouldn't know where to cut if we weren't there with paint and flagging and legalese. It's a symbiosis.

 

[Oldtimer]

A wonder how I have been able to log for 17+ years without a forester.
Just dumb rookie luck is all.

 

[madhatte]

 

[Oldtimer]