As always great info; now I'll try to give you a little background and insight on me (so you all can get a better understanding of who I am and what I know) While not a timber faller with decades of exp (I am only 28) I do have alot of time on the loud side of a 2 stroke! This is by no means my first logging job either, I cut for a crew for about six months (contract cutting), have bought small boundaries and logged them before (full time for a while then part time) and have logged ice storm damaged timber in 09. Currently I have bought a boundary of approximately 75 acres of blowdown that I have been in for about a month now. I have been logging with a tractor and winch and NEED to upgrade equipment (35 acres of the boundary I am on now are under the cliffs, big second growth oak, poplar, and white pine, so a skidder and dozer are needed to get it out) I know I can get timber bought on my own, but as I see it, it will take some time. I was just considering this as a means of added income until I can get my schedule full. I understand this guy is a businessman and knows he can make money off of my labor, which I do not mind as long as I can make a decent living. I had only planned doing this as a one time deal and did not want to get sucked into the "working for the man" vortex. Currently I am employed by a pipeline contractor who works for Columbia Gas, I am home every night but am currently working 92 miles one way from home and am getting tired of relatively low wages and seeing my house only in the dark, not to mention missing my 4 year old boy growing up
And logging on raindays and weekends is just not cutting it, hauling to the mills at night and on the weekends and having to unload the truck myself. Absolutely no production there!
As I was formerly self employed I fully understand the: sometimes you just gotta say NO! I learned the hard way if you don't you can end up working you hind end off for little or no profit!
And a big 10-4 on the blowdown being absolutely NUTS..........IT IS.............. Buckin' em off the stump is always a blast! (note the sarcasm) About 3/4 of the root balls set back down so you think you know whats gonna happen........until it doesn't!
Tom