Rather pathetic day

AIM · Dec 18, 2015

Well I'm at an odd spot at work. Got our jobs done and can't start the next one till after Christmas. In order to keep my guys working so they have a decent paycheck I thought I'd help myself out a bit by having them help cut wood. I thought we could really knock out the loads today. 5 guys cuttin and haulin. After 6 hours in the woods we only managed a load an hour. 6 stacked in heaping pickup loads. Myself and my girlfriend ran the saws (she can cut almost as good as anybody) and the other 3 guys loaded and hauled 3 miles each way.
Had a goal of 10 loads but fell way short. Quite honestly we could have maybe gotten seven loads but due to the occasional coffee break, stuck saw, pullin brush, etc, 6 was all we got. Plus being a Friday and sort of a screw off day 6 hours was all we really put in.
Now I'd hate to do the real math as to what those loads cost me but I did it for the guys more than myself.
(hate to see my guys not working before Christmas)
After doing this I realize that 10 loads is a possibility but the conditions would have to be perfect. No brush. Trees lined up and falling right in the lanes. Nice tall rather limb free trees. Then MAYBE 10 loads in an 8 hour day might happen.
Now what to do next week? cut more?

svk · Dec 18, 2015

If there was a work crew of your clones I'd be pretty certain you would reach your goal. Most guys, even young, fit ones just don't process wood very fast. Except for @MustangMike and @chucker I can do wood faster than anyone I've ever worked with.

Just put them to work till Christmas. May cost a little extra but if the main goal is to keep them working you will achieve it and get your wood done too.

babybart · Dec 19, 2015

Pay them piece work and I'm sure the output will improve!

Ironworker · Dec 19, 2015

One thing I've learned when you have people working for you. If you take care of them, they will run through a brick wall for you. Cut wood, have fun.

nk14zp · Dec 19, 2015

It would be nice if we had more employers like you.

c5rulz · Dec 19, 2015

Kudos for treating the guys to this before Christmas. :clap:

Dealing with brush is always a time killer. :angry:

Yesterday was the first time I could cut in the last 2 weeks as it has been way too soft and hasn't frozen which is very unusual this time of year.

Got load # 29 in though. A little old retired guy can get it done too. I would have gotten more but I installed 1000' of 8' deer fencing for the new orchard. Had to take it down and salvage from a deer farmer, cut down 25 standard trees and burn, grub out stumps with an excavator and remove root balls, but I am making progress.

midwest_170 · Dec 19, 2015

C5, nice looking place you have there, how big is the orchard?

Jakers · Dec 20, 2015

best thing i can tell you is to give them the option to work, dont make it mandatory. I always give my guys the option of time off or helping me around home when schedules change. it surprising, i never seem to get much for help around home but its their choice when the check is small. they always seem happy though