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Rick Alger
ParticipantSounds good. Please keep mein the loop.
ParticipantTo return to Brad’s topic, “how we might organize … an association”
I think it should start with a cooperative logging venture along the lines of Carl’s project, only on an even larger scale.
It might be broken up into say three two-man crews and a forwarder. Each two-man crew could be assigned to a different stand, and they could “sell” their wood to the forwarder operator. He would be the jobber, pay the stumpage etc, but he would be no more the employer of the crews than the trucker would be. So perhaps, no worker’s comp required of him.
The two man crews could swap off working weekends, so that for those who traveled, there would always be someone to take care of horses hovelled on the job.
If things work out the association should start to attract some interest.
ParticipantOne thought to mitigate the travel challenge might be to work out something with a mom and pop motel.
A few years back I did this – off season, linen changed only once a week, cash in advance- $200 a week.
It was still expensive for a logger, but with three or four guys in the bargain, it might get cheaper.
ParticipantTo keep this topic active, here are a few thoughts.
There are already plenty of good trainers – Carl, John Plowden, Jason Rutledge, Tim Carroll and Taylor Johnson to name a few.
What we need is viable full-time job opportunities with respectable pay. The one-man crew thing, hopping from job site to job site with big gaps between paydays, gets old fast and it’s far from safe.
ParticipantI am scaling way back on commercial work, but I remain interested in this concept.
ParticipantThe sawmill here in town, Milan Lumber, had temporary layoffs earlier in the winter because of low inventory, and they are now working at reduced hours. I think this is mostly weather related, but the paper mill closures in Maine are probably a factor as is the low price for biomass.
There are a lot of machines for sale.ParticipantLike George, I’ve found shortened spikes work well. For copper rivets, I once got some from an ice hockey pro shop. They attach old-style boots to blades.
ParticipantIn my area at this time, round wood biomass is the only option.
ParticipantLooking good, Michael.
ParticipantCersosimo in Brattleboro took basswood the last I knew. You can also sell a small number of logs to a concentration yard.
ParticipantThat should work.
ParticipantYes, I have a part that allows me to connect the arch to the forecart with a 2″ trailer ball. However, the winch is geared for lifting, which it does very well, but it is way too slow to efficiently pull logs any distance on the ground. One way to pull logs to a trail is to use a cable or rope with a self-releasing pulley in a tree.
ParticipantHi Ed,
I have a Logrite Fetching Arch. I don’t use it regularly; it’s hard to beat a scoot for keeping logs out of the mud.
I have used it to move logs down a gravel road, and I have also used it as a tag axle for long or large logs (like linemen pull telephone poles.)
I find it will definitely do the job, but it’s best to have a helper. It takes a while to get things hooked up, and the horses don’t like the way the pole moves as you winch up the log.
You are welcome to come over and take a look at mine and borrow it if you like what you see. I’m at 354 French Hill in Milan.
ParticipantSame here in NH. My wood road and yard is too boggy to even think about trucking.
ParticipantI too no longer have logging insurance. When I did, I used W. J. Cox. for liability. The agent was Chris Armstrong, and the cost averaged around $600 a year. When I had employees, I used Cross Insurance and others at various times. The rate averaged about $45 per $100 of payroll.
About half the jobs I took required a certificate from my insurance people proving I was covered for liability, Workers Comp, and auto.
The local Farm Bureau agent didn’t want my business.
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