How To Move The Chunked Tree

[Oldschooljeep48]

I have a job comming up that is on the larger side of my capabilities but I am looking forward to the chalange of it. Its a Silver Maple that is 48"ish at the base and then like all silver maples, splits into multiple large trunks after the base 10' or so going up. The tree is in the back yard and im wondering what the best way to get it to the front is?

I was thinking of cutting it up into 18" wide pices and having the guys haul it out front but whats the best way? I was thinking of getting a timber carrier or a skidding tong and have them use that?

How do you all do it? Thanks!

 

[lone wolf]

I have a job comming up that is on the larger side of my capabilities but I am looking forward to the chalange of it. Its a Silver Maple that is 48"ish at the base and then like all silver maples, splits into multiple large trunks after the base 10' or so going up. The tree is in the back yard and im wondering what the best way to get it to the front is?

I was thinking of cutting it up into 18" wide pices and having the guys haul it out front but whats the best way? I was thinking of getting a timber carrier or a skidding tong and have them use that?

How do you all do it? Thanks!

rip them into quarters.

 

[NeoTree]

rip them into quarters.

Or 6ths, lol, I had to do that a few weeks ago.

 

[Damon]

i have cut wheels in things that big a few times and you can roll them like 6 inches thick or we have split the trunk into manageable pieces with a maul
its a silver so it will probabley split decent thats probabley what i would do, failing that cut it in haves or quarters and use a GOOD hand truck we often lay out 2x6s and build a walkway if its any distance which is easier on my guys, some times though i just higher cheap like8-10 bucks an hour college kids and turn them loose if you can get one forestry student and one engineer and a bunch of pot smoking hippies for grunts they'll figure out a way to get it out front, but hey if that fails and your having a hard time ripping it you can always buy a pound of pyrodex and split it the old fasioned way : P

 

[Oldschooljeep48]

So should I get some hooks or tongs to grab the logs better or just let them go at it? Looks like I need a BUNCH of Chain!

 

[ATH]

It is amazing how much these weigh...you may already know, but just to make sure you are aware, those butt end pieces are going to need more than a heavy duty dolly...

Silver maple each foot of length weighs (looking at the the woodweb calculator):
30" diameter by 1' long weighs 236 lbs.
36" diameter by 1' long weighs 340 lbs.
40" = 420#
44" = 508#

 

[NeoTree]

well....8ths then!!!?! That's alot of noodles
If I was closer I would help out, atleast fill that engineering college student spot, lol

 

[treemandan]

Rent a machine so you are not stuck there for days on end moving wood and making more saw dust, which is harder to move than the wood, and totally pissing off your crew?

 

[Oldschooljeep48]

Rent a machine so you are not stuck there for days on end moving wood and making more saw dust, which is harder to move than the wood, and totally pissing off your crew?

That may be the best advice so far...

I had no idea about the weight, i knew it was heavy but 500+lb per foot! Yikes! There is no room for a bobcat so maybe rentinga small "dingo" type of machine is best for this one.

 

[brisawyer]

Rent something and cut the biggest pieces it can move. The time you save will offset the machine cost. I used to cut everything in firewood at the job. I did some big pines and used a machine and cut to the max size the machine would move. I was amazed at the time saved in sawing and cleaning up sawdust.We saved a whole day and our backs on that job. I would much rather whittle on firewood at home at my liesure than pushing to get a job done.

 

[D&B Mack]

I have a job comming up that is on the larger side of my capabilities but I am looking forward to the chalange of it. Its a Silver Maple that is 48"ish at the base and then like all silver maples, splits into multiple large trunks after the base 10' or so going up. The tree is in the back yard and im wondering what the best way to get it to the front is?

I was thinking of cutting it up into 18" wide pices and having the guys haul it out front but whats the best way? I was thinking of getting a timber carrier or a skidding tong and have them use that?

How do you all do it? Thanks!

How much room do you have to get around to the back?

What is your situation with disturbing the existing lawn?

 

[Oldschooljeep48]

How much room do you have to get around to the back?

What is your situation with disturbing the existing lawn?

Well there is about 4' width at the narrowest spot that i have to get through. As far as the lawn, I need to fix whats really messed up. A few gouges heer and there, no problem. Skid steer tracks all over the lawn, I would need to top dress and reseed or something.

 

[tree md]

You can put down some 4x8 plywood to avoid track damage to the lawn.

Once upon a time I could rent a bobcat for $125 a day or $500 by the week, have a 30 yard dumpster delivered for $90 and load every piece of wood in no time. That was many a moon ago and have no idea what rentals go for now.

Personally, I have a few guys who I am trying to keep working so I just work them and do it the old fashioned way. I'd rather pay them than rent equipment. I can bring anything I need to bear on a job including a crane but I will use man power all I can right now to try and keep guys working.

 

[D&B Mack]

Well there is about 4' width at the narrowest spot that i have to get through. As far as the lawn, I need to fix whats really messed up. A few gouges heer and there, no problem. Skid steer tracks all over the lawn, I would need to top dress and reseed or something.

Small skid steer if you don't want to use the manpower, noodle them down if you do. One tree, 10' at 48", balance is manageable, shouldn't take that long by hand.

 

[D&B Mack]

You can put down some 4x8 plywood to avoid track damage to the lawn.

Once upon a time I could rent a bobcat for $125 a day or $500 by the week, have a 30 yard dumpster delivered for $90 and load every piece of wood in no time. That was many a moon ago and have no idea what rentals go for now.

Personally, I have a few guys who I am trying to keep working so I just work them and do it the old fashioned way. I'd rather pay them than rent equipment. I can bring anything I need to bear on a job including a crane but I will use man power all I can right now to try and keep guys working.

:agree2:

In the same boat...

 

[ozzy42]

I would noodle em up .
Size would depend on what you have the most of that day:saw power or back power.

2 cutters with good sharp saws: cut into 1/8ths and make it easy for the grunts.

1 cutter,1 saw: 1/4 them and tell the grunts OOY.

 

[lone wolf]

I would noodle em up .
Size would depend on what you have the most of that day:saw power or back power.

2 cutters with good sharp saws: cut into 1/8ths and make it easy for the grunts.

1 cutter,1 saw: 1/4 them and tell the grunts OOY.

Simple cheap fast and effective what are you waiting for?

 

[fishercat]

i got a compact tractor.

with a front grapple.it's worth every penny.i didn't want a blown back when i'm 50.there is a pic of it on here somewhere.

 

[Oldschooljeep48]

I like the idea of a small loader or dingo to help haul stuff around. never though of a dumpster either, that would help out as I dont have to haul it away and it can take much more than my small trailer. I just need to decide whats worth keeping for fire wood vs the use of a dumpster. As I mentioned before, this is just a sidejob for me, so usally I keep the bigger stuff and it helps on my disposal cost. Maybe I just wont bother with it this time.

Would you rent a chipper and chip into the dumpster or just load up the smaller stuff not worring about volume so much?

Thanks again for all your advice!

 

[Tree Pig]

with a front grapple.it's worth every penny.i didn't want a blown back when i'm 50.there is a pic of it on here somewhere.

Yup here it is and sure does work well