Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

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This is a different era than we grew up in bud, it can be whatever color it wants to be.
Don't get me wrong, if price WEREN'T an issue, I'd almost certainly be strictly looking at orange, green, or even blue (New Holland, not LS). But in this day and age, and with the price of everything getting so crazy, I do have to balance risk of a more unknown brand and it's price vs. the solid reputation of the others and their prices. There's always that saying that "you get what you pay for", and "buy once, cry once", and I DO believe those phrases have merit, but when making a new purchase, and the same spec machines have a 20-30K price difference, damn, I have to weigh that as well.
 
Stihl for $1,200. Last I checked that is the price for the 400i .
That's not a bad price at all. I've found that prices can vary greatly depending on what dealer you're at. I got my 462 when they were still pretty new to the market for a grand from my dealer. Other places were charging 1,300 or so for the same model. And ironically, like you mentioned his Stihl dealer is also a John Deere dealer, the place I got what I thought was a good deal on my 462 is also a Case tractor dealer.

I'd really like to give their fuel injected saw a shot, and may if the prices come down a bit, or I can find one for what your neighbor paid.
 
Yeah, but are they orange :rock:.

I've researched LS as well. I actually got a quote for a 73HP cab machine from a (relatively) local dealer. They have a demo with I forget exactly how many hours on it, but not many at all, that I could get for 48.5K.

The only problem with LS, and more accurately is their dealers. If you go on YouTube and watch reviews, MANY of them have had terrible problems with warranty/repair issues almost always relating to the DPF/emissions. As with most tractor brands, if your dealer isn't worth a crap, it can ruin the entire owning experience. I can turn a wrench, but I'm no expert, and I have ZERO knowledge in dealing with emissions related issues, so that's not something that I'd want to tear into. If you stay under the 75HP threshold, you at least don't have to deal with DEF, but you'll still have to deal with a DPF and re-gen related stuff.

So, I guess for me to consider an LS more seriously, I'd have to be sold on their service department, and feel somewhat assured that they were competent to deal with whatever came up, at least during the warranty period.
I think that's the key, the dealer is taking care of them.
 
Okay Gays and Gals. I was only gone two days and had to wade thru 4 pages just now. Where are the wheel barrows. Not a one. None hauling wood. None hauling catalogs of loading supplies for medium and large game. None hauling literature about tractors or brush mowers. Oh and only one post about cutting down a broken willow. I was hoping a wheel barrow got used in that one, but noooo......
 
Okay Gays and Gals. I was only gone two days and had to wade thru 4 pages just now. Where are the wheel barrows. Not a one. None hauling wood. None hauling catalogs of loading supplies for medium and large game. None hauling literature about tractors or brush mowers. Oh and only one post about cutting down a broken willow. I was hoping a wheel barrow got used in that one, but noooo......
It can't ALL be about scrounging firewood and wheelbarrows! :) Sometimes we just have to do some B.S.ing as well!
 
:laughing: No , however a 405 grain partition bonded round will hit its mark in the boiler house more often than a 225 gr. A-Frame travelling @ 2668 fps through dense brush was my point brother . Actually a 6 lb lever action with a 26 " barrel with a peep sight mounted under see through Weaver mount on a 3x9 Bushnell Trophy T scope works very nice , compared to any open country rifle with fixed sights . How do I know ? Have shot more Deer , Bear & Moose in deep cover in Northern Michigan & Ontario than I can count on both our hands brother. :blob2:
Well, you probably have more big game hunting experience that I do, best I can remember I've only shot 25 moose, including two in Ontario. I can't remember how many caribou, then there's bears, sheep a big truck load of blk. and white-tailed deer, and...

SR
 
Damn!!! Guy I cleaned up a willow bush for came this morning "a big branch fell during th wind this morning, would you help clean it up?" Sure. Got out there and it was more like half a huge old willow. His whole family including son's in law were there. I was brushing on one side, he and family brushing and cleaning up on the other. We got it down to the main stem that was still partially attached about 15' up. He brought out his bucket truck and fired up a asaw that souded "serious". Looked farly ne, Stihl had a wonderfuj "crakle to it. After we got it on the ground I got a close look= MS500i

What a 60yoa farmer is doing with a saw like that I don't know but I'm willing to marry any one of his daughters in hope of inheriting it!! He says he bought it at the local Pape John Deere dealership which carries Stihl for $1,200. Last I checked that is the price for the 400i .
Sounds like quite the work party.
How's the hernia after that workout.
I ran a 500i that was ported with a 20" square chain, it was pretty fast ;).
I was out front working on the barn today and heard some crashing out back, looked and saw a small "tree" come down. So when I was heading inside to take a break I went and took a look, ended up it was a 5" branch off a 28-32" cherry tree that fell from around 60'.
Was wondering what tree that size fell down, because they should all be pretty solid that size back there lol.
You can see the tree it came from in the background where it's pointing. Not sure how the broke end got so far from the tree.
Firewoods falling from the sky :laugh:. Glad noone was under it!
20220827_142912.jpg
 
Okay Gays and Gals. I was only gone two days and had to wade thru 4 pages just now. Where are the wheel barrows. Not a one. None hauling wood. None hauling catalogs of loading supplies for medium and large game. None hauling literature about tractors or brush mowers. Oh and only one post about cutting down a broken willow. I was hoping a wheel barrow got used in that one, but noooo......
How bout taters!! I dug some Yukon's today!1661647817691595450640242687381.jpg
 
Okay Gays and Gals. I was only gone two days and had to wade thru 4 pages just now. Where are the wheel barrows. Not a one. None hauling wood. None hauling catalogs of loading supplies for medium and large game. None hauling literature about tractors or brush mowers. Oh and only one post about cutting down a broken willow. I was hoping a wheel barrow got used in that one, but noooo......
No picture, all my wood is cut for the season, unless a tree fall down.
 
I think your manual has a misprint in it, Land Pride cutters with 130hp gearboxes on them are only rated for 3" tree's.

Mine in the above pict. has a 120HP gearbox on it and is considered a medium duty by Woods, I've taken out 5" pines, but I wouldn't make a habit out of it! It will take out 3" pines all day long, but I'd hate to have to do that too. lol

It's hardwoods that are hard on those gearboxes, not to mention the driveline in the tractor!

SR
Beating them hard is expensive when they break. Anything over 2" I like to cut them off at the ground. I have a JD MX6.
 
Yeah , Vince the Mauser K-98 was a very well know German infantry Sniper Rifle . It was idolized on "Enermy at the Gate" film a few yrs back . A very effective 8mm round also ballistically speaking . P.S. My Uncle landed on Juno Beach with the Canadian 3rd Infantry carrying a 10 round Lee-Infield .303 bolt action . He remarked often , how accurate it was also as a Sniper Rifle but a load to carry for the Infantry . He further remarked how later numerous Canadian's were issued USA M1 Garand semi auto 30 caliber carbines during the Campaign once into Paris . He once at our farm loaded his service rifle just prior to hunting season and demonstrated its fixed peep sight accuracy , lit a Eddy hardwood match 3 out of 5 times @ 20 yds . @ 78 yrs young . Blamed windage on the 2 miss's , wiry ole coot . P.S. Still have it in my Gun Chest , been offered over 5 K for it twice . Its not going anywhere . I fire it every Moose season on his Birthday , just once . Then clean & oil it , have a toast to him & Dad , & put it back in its case for another yr . Good Bless our Servicemen !
The M1 Garand is a 30-06 not a 30 caliber carbine like my father carried during WWII in the African and European theater.
 
Your story makes me wonder why the famous bear guide, Phil Shoemaker also recommends either 200 NP's or 220 NP's, your choice, in 30 cal., and has no problem with someone showing up to camp with a 30-06? He says it's a most reliable bullet, too. Phil is a great guy and a great Alaskan bear guide, you must know him, if not you should try to catch up with him, he's a wealth of bear hunting knowledge. Ask him about him killing a fairly big charging brown bear with his 9mm pistol! lol

I've shot and have seen shot my share of big bears, also other big animals like moose, and had the chance to see how a number of different bullets work, used by hunters I took out, and I've got nothing but good things to say about NP's, they work very well in the biggest big game and still better than the others in smaller animals, making them the best all-around bullet available.

SR
👍 I mean no disrespect to the NP! It is a very proven Big Game bullet. Many Alaskan hunters swear by the NP, and thats all they'll use! IMOP It's all a matter of personal preference based on experience and it sounds like you Sir, have plenty when it comes to hunting Alaska's big game!👍 I like the A-frame better than the NP simply because it is a bonded partition and retains more weight than the NP, and I've had great results with the A-frame in the field on big game.
My primary blacktail rifle for hunting the Island has been for 30 years and Stihl is a 30-06 with 200gr Trophy Bonded BC. I shot 180 NP's out of it for two decades!👍 Anyone who says an 06 isn't enough gun for Coastal Bruins is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship!😂 The World record Kodiak Bear was taken with a 30-06, and Im a tremendous fan of the historicaly epic cartridge! However, if Im specifically hunting Bruin? My 06 stays in the Safe and Im bringing my .338WM. If I'm backing up a hunting partner that has a berar tag, or going into thick cover after à wounded Brownie? Its my .416 All day! Im a firm believer that when it comes to Dangerous Game? "Bring Enough Gun" Yes, I know Phil. Not personally, but I'm very aware of his outstanding reputation! 👍

Good Hunting to you Sir
 
KK, along those lines, I heard decades ago that some PH/Guides would carry 12 gauge shotguns with slugs to stop wounded (by their clients) big game that was coming at them.

I imagine at very close range a 12-gauge pump with 5 quickly fired 72 cal slugs would be hard to beat for stopping power!
 
The M1 Garand is a 30-06 not a 30 caliber carbine like my father carried during WWII in the African and European theater.

The M1 Garand! 👍 A truly iconic and historic all American battle rifle!!!

I have two different model's of the M1A for more practical purposes. However, one day I will have a Garand in my gun locker and look forward to firing it ! 😉
 
KK, along those lines, I heard decades ago that some PH/Guides would carry 12 gauge shotguns with slugs to stop wounded (by their clients) big game that was coming at them.

I imagine at very close range a 12-gauge pump with 5 quickly fired 72 cal slugs would be hard to beat for stopping power!
I've also heard that! I know a local cattleman here on Kodiak that took a 10 footer with a 12 gage. A ten foot bear is a big bear! He said it took only one 1oz slug.👍 It's not my firearm of choice for a Bear hunting firearm or DG stopping gun. But what ever works I guess? A 12 gage slug is pretty slow, although it is a very heavy projectile. IMOP velocity is a big factor for a DG load. To fast is not good, but to slow is not good either. IMOP based on what I've read, heard, seen from other hunters afield and experienced myself. 2300 to 2400fps is the standard for the big 400gr and 500gr DG cartridge's. like the .416 Rigby (400gr) or 505 Gibbs (500gr) for example. These are just two of the many Big Bores out there. The velocities out of the .378WBM .416WBM and even the 460WBM are really unnecessary IMOP. Faster velocities increase accuracy at longer ranges, but decrease terminal bullet performance at close range. The projectile dosent really have time to do its job by maximizing its energy during expansion while penatrating so the speak. The same can be said about a DG solid projectile.

At extreme velocities, too light of bullet, regardless of construction. Punches right through muscle tissues and vitals, or shatters upon the impact of heavy bone. That's why the .264WM, 7mmRM and 270WBM are a horrible choice for hunting big costal Brown Bear. The projectiles are too light and too fast. Id take an 06 for Brown Bear over those other three Magnum cartridges any day of the week. It doesn't have near the velocity of the others but can be loaded with a 200 or 220 grain at 2600fps to 2700 fps

Also, thats why Nosler has the "Ballistic Tip" for long range shots. The BT shatters into fragments at close range, but stays together at longer distance of lets say 400 or 500 yards or further. Any thing closer than those ranges. A hunter should be using a NP. Barns offers the TSX in a longer range projectile also. The ”Tiped" TSX or TTSX if you will. Swift offers the A-frame for more stoping power at close range and the Sirocco for longer ranges. There are so many bullets to chose from these days to match the load to your type of hunt and the likeliness of shot distance 🤔 that a guy can sit in the Local gun shop scratching his head trying to decide on one for hours. Sawer Rob is very correct on the fact that the NP is a great hunting projectile for many different species at many different ranges!

Ballistics!!! The never ending debate! 😂 Sorry for the ear full. Ballistics, bullet construction, and hunting, are some of my favorite topics to discuss! 👍 Along with chainsaws of of course!!!

Cut safe, stay sharp, and be aware!
 

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