BIG logs.........

[stillhunter]

I have access to a fresh pile of 12/16' long, 24-50+" Oak logs that were stacked tight and 10' high w a large loader. Trying to cut and roll off the big stuff w 2, 20" bar saws....other than the obvious, any tips on cutting around the huge, heavy logs ? I told my brother we should pull 2 logs out like rails w a truck and chains and roll the higher ones onto them to cut'em up.

 

[fearofpavement]

There is a serious risk of being flattened dealing with large logs, hook a chain onto one and pull it clear.

 

[gunnusmc03]

Can you take a picture of the pile? Are they stacked pretty neat? If you pull a log out of the pile be careful about others settling and rolling out of the pile.

 

[stillhunter]

Can you take a picture of the pile? Are they stacked pretty neat? If you pull a log out of the pile be careful about others settling and rolling out of the pile.

They are stacked high and tight and just found out a friend of my brothers thinks his mini excavator can toss them on a trailer if we cut them in half. We pinched 2, 20" saws today but were able to get them out w a shovel and pry bar. We rolled a bunch of big rounds up the trailer ramp and a few that had to be 500#.

 

[Chainsaw Jim]

Bucking off of a pile like that sure will leave pucker prints on the back of your pants. I sure like the advise from the other guys about flattening the pile out first.

 

[AKDoug]

Depending on the mini-X you are only talking 2000# of lifting capacity at best because you have to reach out so far on a log pile. My Volvo ECR48 (roughly 10,500#) will pick up a 16" birch x 40' long right over the blade, extend out at all and I'm tipping over. I bet I couldn't even pick up a 48" x 8' long piece of wet oak...even if I could get it pinched in the thumb.

 

[wde_1978]

I try to get a log cleared from the others and raise it at least partially from the ground - much easier to process and significantly reduced risk of injuries and pinched bars.
Piled up logs easily pinch a bar and/or start rolling with no way to stop them once they start moving.
FYI , Dolmar PS-7900 with 20" bar , it smashed those oak logs!

 

[Guido Salvage]

You need to remove logs from the pile before you start cutting. I has to be done without someone climbing on the pile.

 

[Warped5]

What everyone else said ... work smarter, not faster.

... and get some wedges so you don't get pinched.

 

[Bearcub]

I try to get a log cleared from the others and raise it at least partially from the ground - much easier to process and significantly reduced risk of injuries and pinched bars.
Piled up logs easily pinch a bar and/or start rolling with no way to stop them once they start moving.
FYI , Dolmar PS-7900 with 20" bar , it smashed those oak logs!

View attachment 438362

Man those solid color Dolmars from Europe and OZ are gorgeous....

Jealous

Michael

 

[computeruser]

Man those solid color Dolmars from Europe and OZ are gorgeous....

Jealous

Michael

Yup, it's a shame they went red-and-black. Good thing I scored some extra red covers back when the black ones first showed up and everybody wanted to swap theirs out...

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

No value in making lumber out of these logs?

 

[Ironworker]

Take your time, pull'em out with a rope or cable and buck'em up like a gentleman. And you don't necessarily have to start from the top.

 

[Chainsaw Jim]

No value in making lumber out of these logs?

Mill them, sell the lumber and use the money to go buy firewood. Or just cut them up for firewood.

 

[stillhunter]

They are mostly White and Post Oak, I think 2 logs are Persimmon. There is a sawmill about 2 miles away.

 

[Bearcub]

Yup, it's a shame they went red-and-black. Good thing I scored some extra red covers back when the black ones first showed up and everybody wanted to swap theirs out...

Do you know if they ever made a red cover for the HD filter setup?

Michael

 

[lambs]

I've done it before but it is dangerous. 10 feet is too high for me to climb on. I usually stand on one log and cut off the ends of anything that is sticking out of the pile, then start rolling off the lighter ones to the ground for bucking and repeat. But no way I'd try that at 10 feet.

 

[david0858]

Just something to think about, my uncle has a wooden leg up to almost his hip from when he was a logger, was cutting up a good size tree and it rolled over one of his legs. Of course this was in '53 (yes, he's still alive) so if this had happened today they might able to pin it back together. The interesting thing is he logged for years after this with the wooden leg.

 

[Wood Doctor]

They are mostly White and Post Oak, I think 2 logs are Persimmon. There is a sawmill about 2 miles away.

Surprisingly, logs that size, even if oak, would only be worth $.25 a bd ft from sawmills around here. Cottonwood is down to $.20 a bd ft. They are all overstocked. Even the loggers are looking for firewood buyers. I bought three bunks of tops from a logger for $400. Most was dead dry. That produced about a grand in campfire wood sales and I still have half a bunk left to process. He wants to sell me more.

 

[MustangMike]

Be careful, log piles (as others have said) are dangerous. I addition to the wedges, I would also want an peavey or timber jack.

If the ends are clear, work on them to lighten the rest of it. The more manageable you make them, the better off you will be.

But again, be very careful!