Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[GrizG]

I've become more disciplined with age. Though I did replace and add to my collection of screw drivers, adjustable wrenches, pliers, electrical tools and others with Klein tools in the past year and a half. They are SO MUCH better than my old stuff (some 50 years old) and I felt I shouldn't have to make do any more.

 

[JimR]

Some one here once asked why I never share advice on taking a tree down. Most people that come to a web site to look for advice, are homeowners too cheap to pay a pro. They post a pic of the tree. My advice is shoot a tag line as high as you can get it to help direct the fall, make an open face cut that doesn't slam shut too fast, then make a fast back cut. Then they post a video and say, it didn't go as planned. No tag line, the saw is a box store 16", trying to notch a 30" tree, so dull the notch looks like anything but a wedge, and the HO looks like he's going to have a heart attack pushing on it. Starts the back cut and is taking so long a gust of wind comes up and blows the tree in the wrong direction. Hypothetical of course. But, I like a bar that goes through a log in one cut, from one side, and SHARP.

Long story just to say I agree. I like to match the saw to the job, not make any saw try to do the job. But, I have more saws than most people.

I agree 100% on all points. I've been using a tractor with 1" lines and cables to drop trees on our place since the late 70's. The 1" lines now are pretty shot and I moved up to a logging winch about 5 or 6 years ago. That is something I wish I had bought many years ago. Chainsaws is one thing that I have no shortage of right now.

 

[JimR]

Yeah... When I ordered the 661 the only kits available from Stihl had a 20" bar... The bar length didn't phase me as I figured I'd swap the bars between saws and put the 3 free chains to use. I also had the saw in 2 days instead of waiting on a backorder. My standard set up is 16", 18", 20" and 25" across my four saws with the 36" in reserve. As I recall the store (my son works there) ordered 4 of the 661 kits and buyers could upgrade bars if they choose too. They had 462, 500, 661 and 881s on the shelf for the first time in years due to supply issues. Having the power heads was the key.... They have a full assortment of bars and chains to meet customer needs.

Quite frankly, almost all the guys buying the 881s around here act like guys back in the '70s who had to have a S&W Model 29 .44 magnum... no practical use to them but they had to have one! There are rare exceptions who can actually put them to good use in Alaskan Mills, not for felling around here. Same as there were rare exceptions who actually hunted with .44 magnums.

It's a male thing sometimes about always outdoing the other guys. That goes along with cars, trucks, firearms and just about everything else. Or you could say keeping up with the Jones and one better.

 

[svk]

Same as there were rare exceptions who actually hunted with .44 magnums.

AHEM....very useful when bears zigzag towards you and you are wearing assless chaps

 

[bob kern]

Should be a 80's-90's production, like 22 engine hp. (Ish) Capable tractors. Basically a older version of my B7510. If it's anything like other kubotas from that time frame it should be pretty stout and parts shouldn't be an issue so long as you don't mind the high price the kubota name commands.

Thanks. It doesn't have a loader but I think I could get mine on it.

 

[djg james]

Got some bad news today. My scrounging truck (only vehicle) is temporarily out of action. I was coming home from a nice morning at the lake and luckily I was on the country roads taking the back way to my house. Less than two miles from my house, I hear a clunking noise over the noise of the radio. I pulled over and looked under my truck expecting to see a dragging muffler. Oh Sh!t! It was the gas tank! The rear strap had rusted through. And I just had filled the tank (32 gal).
Coincidentally a neighbor came by, we got a jack and a put on a ratchet strap I had. Limped home.
Looks easy enough for a non-mechanic like me to fix. Looking for a local source now.

 

[kshansen]

Got some bad news today. My scrounging truck (only vehicle) is temporarily out of action. I was coming home from a nice morning at the lake and luckily I was on the country roads taking the back way to my house. Less than two miles from my house, I hear a clunking noise over the noise of the radio. I pulled over and looked under my truck expecting to see a dragging muffler. Oh Sh!t! It was the gas tank! The rear strap had rusted through. And I just had filled the tank (32 gal).
Coincidentally a neighbor came by, we got a jack and a put on a ratchet strap I had. Limped home.
Looks easy enough for a non-mechanic like me to fix. Looking for a local source now.

Sounds like the time I was going down the divided highway near here with my old Ford Ranger. Guy pulled up next to me and was pointing and waving his arms. So I finally pulled over not sure what "HIS" problem was. Then I found out it was my problem! Bracket that held the fuel tank on had failed and only one strap keeping it from falling right off. Guy was nice and even helped some while I used the ratchet strap I carried at all times to pull the tank back into position. A few months later sold the Ranger to a friend of guy I worked with ratchet strap still in use!

 

[sean donato]

Thanks. It doesn't have a loader but I think I could get mine on it.

I bought mine without a loader. There were 2 different models of loaders available for it, and it was basically impossible to find one that didn't come with a tractor. Paid $3k for the tractor and got a bit over $1200.00 into building the loader. Just had to buy lines, a valve and cylinders. We had the steel laying around from other projects. Got a ssqa plate and mounts for $200.00, and a nice bucket for another $200.00. Can't say I'd be without a loader anymore.

 

[turnkey4099]

Been out wooding almost every day. I finally finished teh Horse Chestnut. I have been working on it for 3 years now. Year 1 got started late in the year - mostly clean up around it cut a few limbs. Year 2 more cleaning and more limbing. This year was all clean up the old burn piles and then drop one big stem and then the main trunk. Lots of fun, lots of noodling. I wasd working on it for a break from the willow bush cleanups. Glad that is over with.

Bragged at coffee this morning that I was getting one pull starts with the MS441. I should have kept my mouth shut. Lots of pulls and was getting ready to quit for the day when I remembered I had that can of "Start, ya Bastard!". Couple tries spraying around the hood for no go. Pulledd the cover and gave a small squirt right on the filter. That did it.

Tried the 400. No go without a dose of brake cleaner. I misght try that tomorrow. Just getting a cold start isn't enough - it also has to start without any screwing around warm. If not I'll retrieve my MS362 from the community stash and put the 400 there. Let some of the younger bucks fool around with it.

 

[sean donato]

It's sad to hear your having issues starting your saws. I wouldn't trade the 400 for another 60ish and most 70cc saws. I'm also half you age, so I'm sure that's part of it. Have you tried drop starting it? I think that was a prior suggestion.

 

[farmer steve]

It's sad to hear your having issues starting your saws. I wouldn't trade the 400 for another 60ish and most 70cc saws. I'm also half you age, so I'm sure that's part of it. Have you tried drop starting it? I think that was a prior suggestion.

I drop start mine. It can make me say bad words occasionally. I stihl think the cord is a tad long.

 

[sean donato]

I drop start mine. It can make me say bad words occasionally. I stihl think the cord is a tad long.

I'd saw just cut it off a bit... but then it would be too short lol.

 

[djg james]

Sounds like the time I was going down the divided highway near here with my old Ford Ranger. Guy pulled up next to me and was pointing and waving his arms. So I finally pulled over not sure what "HIS" problem was. Then I found out it was my problem! Bracket that held the fuel tank on had failed and only one strap keeping it from falling right off. Guy was nice and even helped some while I used the ratchet strap I carried at all times to pull the tank back into position. A few months later sold the Ranger to a friend of guy I worked with ratchet strap still in use!

So I guess then I don't need to buy parts? Just keep the ratchet strap on?

Arrrh. There are two sizes of gas tanks in my size, a 34 gal and a 35 gal. Each has there own straps. I was under the impression mine was a 32 gal. Ordered both.

 

[sean donato]

So I guess then I don't need to buy parts? Just keep the ratchet strap on?

Arrrh. There are two sizes of gas tanks in my size, a 34 gal and a 35 gal. Each has there own straps. I was under the impression mine was a 32 gal. Ordered both.

Even on E there is still some gas in the tank, more then most would think. But just being 1 gallon difference it would be a tough guess.

 

[GrizG]

AHEM....very useful when bears zigzag towards you and you are wearing assless chaps

As I recall from my extensive "gun reading," in the 50s and 60s pretty much only those who needed a .44 magnum bought them... Guys in big bear country for example. Even with Elmer Keith's writings the sales were somewhat slow but it was the big gun of the day so it stayed in the line up. Once Harry came out in '71 the market exploded... guys paid stupid money for them and got on waiting lists.

I used to regularly stop at a water falls known as Coward's Falls that was well known for informal target shooting. Especially so in the days leading up to the Monday opening of deer season. I helped a lot of guys sight in their guns (which sometimes involved dismounting and remounting scopes with loose base screws). I got to shoot all kinds of stuff there on somebody else's dime.

Anyhow, one time I showed up and there were two couples from downstate there with an HK .308 semi-auto rifle with polygonal rifling... a rarity in those days. It was more of a toy to them than hunting tool... I didn't see anything approaching proper form or accuracy. Another guy showed up with a PU camper. He was from Long Island and usually shot bench rest at a club range. He had myriad guns ranging from Unertl scoped target rifles to a Model 29. He took out the Model 29 and started with the "world's most powerful handgun" scripts to show the gun off in front of the two couples. He fired 6 rounds at maybe 15 yards and was all over the place. He asked if I'd like to shoot it. Stupid question to ask an 18, maybe 19, year old in the post Harry days. I took one shot... it was a 10X. I clearly embarrassed the guy in front of the two couples so the gun was quickly put away. I never told him I'd shot thousands of pellets out of pistols so I had the shooting fundamentals down cold. Over time that water fall "range" was shut down by the property owner and now it is used as a meditation site by some. Hell... shooting is Zen so I guess it's role in the world is intact.

 

[Sawdust Man]

Scrounged this today.... red oak, Ash, and hickory.

Planning to make lumber outta the oak in the AM, the hickory will be made into smoker wood cause it's too doggone hard to mill, and I'll probably mill the bigger ash log.

 

[olyman]

Got some bad news today. My scrounging truck (only vehicle) is temporarily out of action. I was coming home from a nice morning at the lake and luckily I was on the country roads taking the back way to my house. Less than two miles from my house, I hear a clunking noise over the noise of the radio. I pulled over and looked under my truck expecting to see a dragging muffler. Oh Sh!t! It was the gas tank! The rear strap had rusted through. And I just had filled the tank (32 gal).
Coincidentally a neighbor came by, we got a jack and a put on a ratchet strap I had. Limped home.
Looks easy enough for a non-mechanic like me to fix. Looking for a local source now.

do both straps. the one broke, the other aint far off!!!!!!

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Scrounged this today.... red oak, Ash, and hickory.View attachment 1086934

Planning to make lumber outta the oak in the AM, the hickory will be made into smoker wood cause it's too doggone hard to mill, and I'll probably mill the bigger ash log.

I've sawn some nice hickory logs on my mill, a good sharp band slices right through them. I don't mind milling them at all.

SR

 

[djg james]

do both straps. the one broke, the other aint far off!!!!!!

Actually, the rear one that broke was all rusted up. The front one was still painted black. But since they come as a set, I'll change both. Front bolt may break.

 

[olyman]

Actually, the rear one that broke was all rusted up. The front one was still painted black. But since they come as a set, I'll change both. Front bolt may break.

if those are a special bolt, get those also