I wasnt ripping you or your work I think your confused I am more then polite all the time. If I am ripping someone here its usually in fun not on their work quality. I was honestly just questioning the soundness of dropping all that weight on the ice with 80k in equipment parked on it. Sorry you took offense at the first post... but not the second. I know as Oldirt mentioned I am not a "fulltime" tree worker but I know enough about WLL and dynamic weighting that it may have been a little questionable. I just think if you calculated it and new it to be safe maybe you should have supported that with a little data so every Do it yourselfer or part time know nothing doesnt think that is safe to do all the time.
No problem man you make some valid points. The lake depth (Chemong Lake is 6 feet deep at it's deepest point!) at the shore was 3 feet and the ice was 2 feet thick so I felt pretty good. I was nervous as hell driving on the ice especially since a guy put his truck through the ice 20 mins south of here last week pulling out an ice hut. That lake is a lot deeper and has many rivers and underground streams taht don't freeze over that well. I know this lake quite well. I said a little prayer before I drove onto the ice!!
I definately don't recomend this to anyone, but knew the homeowner was getting a few quotes and priced it to be in and out in less than 3 hours. It's been a slow winter! Would I do it again? Yes, definately on this lake because I know it so well, but never on any other lake. The temp has been -20 for the last 3 weeks overnight.
At least you know what saws to use! Now, I will live up to another Canadian stereotype and crack my 10th beer for the night and continue celebrating my Toronto Maple Leafs stomping of the Ottawa Senators even though we are last place in the league!!!