Tractor Sizing What do you use for logging? Prevent my divorce.

[Surgeon]

We actually had a private forester that managed the continued land use program we are in. I thought he was a decent guy but he clearly sold out when there was a real windfall (pun intended) to be made from our decimated property.

 

[crazyal]

I didn't even bother trying to put my land in the land use program. I talked with two foresters and each one wanted to make money (who doesn't) and it could either be by me paying them directly or a cut of the wood sold. I would of had to all but clear cut my land just to get a small break on my property taxes. It just wasn't worth it to me.

I know a few loggers around here. They buy land, log it, and then sell it for cheap. No land owners to deal with.

 

[arrow]

This is pretty much the same story in all of North America these days. I've never before seen messes like those left behind by so-called professional loggers. If there's one common theme, it's "cut it and get to the next job".

Part of the problem has been the evolution from axes to chain saws to harvesters. An axe will run you about $35, a chain saw (even pro models) maxes out about $1000, and harvesting equipment can have you tied up for close to $250,000... small wonder that they have to be kept running as close to 24 hours a day as possible to break even and make money on a good day.

It's getting to the point that wood growth can't keep up with cutting demands in some markets. My property isn't big enough to support even a casual chain saw logging campaign, but even if I owned more property no one would be cutting on it except me. I've seen too many properties virtually destroyed by harvesters determined to get every last stick of wood, and the mess left behind. I've seen good hauling roads ruined, with three foot deep ruts left by skidders, etc.

I wait until the ground is either dry or frozen hard before I cut and haul, and if I only get a couple trees a day that's fine too.

Sean

I was a professional logger and I have to agree. We had our harvesting crew and we left a mess. But we realized that we did and yes it was for the sake of production. We hired another crew to every site we logged that we called "slash harvesters" They went in after us and took the crowns out for firewood. They would then burn the residual. It made a world of difference and we built a reputation of the cleanest guys in the business but the reality was we weren't. We were just smart enough to realize this and do something about it.

 

[Martian]

Well, Surgeon, I've been waiting, and it's the new year, so are you happily married with a new tractor?:thumbsup:

 

[Surgeon]

Martian,
Still married and no tractor. Right around Christmas my wife walked out the back door and found roofing shingles on the ground. Our less than two year old roof is falling off and of course neither the contractor or the shingle representative will even come out to even look at it. Even my five year old does it ignore me like these two have. Looks like the next stop is the lawyer but in the mean time my tractor budget has disappeared. Sent my MF 1428 in to the local dealer for servicing but it came back with more problems than it left with...the reason I will not be buying another MF, a brand my family has had for years. Guess it serves me right for not servicing it myself. Fortunately we have had zero snow so I have not needed the tractor. Will keep you posted.

 

[Jay4200]

Our less than two year old roof is falling off and of course neither the contractor or the shingle representative will even come out to even look at it.

I hate the construction industry. I can honestly say, I have never seen a "professional" in the industry that does competent work, at least in New England. I do everything myself, but don't want to. I do great work, but don't really have the time to do any of it. It's just that if I want a job done that isn't completely screwed up, I HAVE to do it myself. And these guys think they should be paid like doctors. I say $7/hour is too much.

JayC

 

[SpringHollow]

There a re lots of extremely qualified professionals out there but most of us are not willing to pay for them.

Ken

 

[Martian]

Martian,
Still married and no tractor. Right around Christmas my wife walked out the back door and found roofing shingles on the ground. Our less than two year old roof is falling off and of course neither the contractor or the shingle representative will even come out to even look at it. Even my five year old does it ignore me like these two have. Looks like the next stop is the lawyer but in the mean time my tractor budget has disappeared. Sent my MF 1428 in to the local dealer for servicing but it came back with more problems than it left with...the reason I will not be buying another MF, a brand my family has had for years. Guess it serves me right for not servicing it myself. Fortunately we have had zero snow so I have not needed the tractor. Will keep you posted.

Wow, sorry to hear. Hope for the best.

 

[shane]

I hate the construction industry. I can honestly say, I have never seen a "professional" in the industry that does competent work, at least in New England. I do everything myself, but don't want to. I do great work, but don't really have the time to do any of it. It's just that if I want a job done that isn't completely screwed up, I HAVE to do it myself. And these guys think they should be paid like doctors. I say $7/hour is too much.

JayC

Wow! What an arrogant blanket statement. Just because you have not seen, or hired,
any of the master craftsmen in New England they don't exist.

 

[Doppelgangar]

There a re lots of extremely qualified professionals out there but most of us are not willing to pay for them.

Ken

You got that quote wrong.

There are lots of extremely qualified professionals, with out any skill base out there but most have not obtained the skills to complete any work fully, let alone do any work that they were paid to do.