Scrounging tips for n00bs to scrounging

Trailer is definitely the way to go! Do you have a hitch and light connection on your RAV 4?

jillybeansisme said:

So, Ignoramus Newbie asks, just how do you get the logs loaded onto some sort of vehicle in order to get them to their final destination? I'm 5'4" tall and 28 y.o. on one side (the other side is another 28 y.o.). I have a Toyota Rav4, 6 cyl.

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Utility trailer with drop gate. Buck log to rounds of your preferred length, and roll em up the ramp into the trailer. I do stuff up to 50" diameter this way, albeit using a heavier truck and trailer.

Buy a cant hook, and store it on the trailer.

Sure don't. I could get one installed at UHaul. I'll think seriously about doing that. Still, those logs are quite heavy and I've had my shoulder repaired for 5 tears already. Do you honestly think I can move those logs? I still have to get a chain saw at some point (and have someone show me how to sharpen it, use it, maintain it the right way). As a temporary solution, I do have a manual log splitter - one of those poles with a 10 lb. weight that you drop and it hits the maul and splits the log . . . supposedly. I can do it left handed with my good shoulder that way. I know I can't swing an axe with my shoulder or pull start an engine, but I might end up with an electric log splitter once I'm moved. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but thanks for the input!

jillybeansisme said:

Sure don't. I could get one installed at UHaul. I'll think seriously about doing that. Still, those logs are quite heavy and I've had my shoulder repaired for 5 tears already. Do you honestly think I can move those logs? I still have to get a chain saw at some point (and have someone show me how to sharpen it, use it, maintain it the right way). As a temporary solution, I do have a manual log splitter - one of those poles with a 10 lb. weight that you drop and it hits the maul and splits the log . . . supposedly. I can do it left handed with my good shoulder that way. I know I can't swing an axe with my shoulder or pull start an engine, but I might end up with an electric log splitter once I'm moved. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but thanks for the input!

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There are lots of labor saving devices you might look into. First and foremost is the chainsaw. You can always cut it into smaller pieces. You can even "rip" aka "noodle" large rounds into smaller, manageable chunks with it. After that, I'd recommend log tongs and a cant hook for picking up and rolling the pieces. When you get a trailer, you could mount a winch to the front, and use it to drag logs/rounds up a ramp, onto the trailer as well.

Here's a good video on proper chainsaw maintenance:

jillybeansisme said:

Sure don't. I could get one installed at UHaul. I'll think seriously about doing that. Still, those logs are quite heavy and I've had my shoulder repaired for 5 tears already. Do you honestly think I can move those logs? I still have to get a chain saw at some point (and have someone show me how to sharpen it, use it, maintain it the right way). As a temporary solution, I do have a manual log splitter - one of those poles with a 10 lb. weight that you drop and it hits the maul and splits the log . . . supposedly. I can do it left handed with my good shoulder that way. I know I can't swing an axe with my shoulder or pull start an engine, but I might end up with an electric log splitter once I'm moved. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but thanks for the input!

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There are lots of friendly hearth.com'ers all over this country. If I were closer to you, I'd offer to schedule a few Saturdays per year, where we could work together, and split the wood we process. Maybe someone closer will step up. Just sayin' ...

@Shaun Curry -- that was a really good video. All us newbie and some forgetful more skilled should watch that video a few times!
@Joful -- So, Philly ISN'T near Eugene? J/K! That's a really nice thought though.
@Poindexter -- Welcome to the hearth! When I get a chain saw, that's what I plan to do. Meanwhile, I've got all my cut offs to burn (2x6 and 2x4, not shorts!). And I'm working on getting my nephew to drive down and chop the logs for me! (OK, and deliver some wood to me and do some other work, but I do play to pay him -- it wouldn't be fair otherwise!)

I love this forum. You guys are great!

jillybeansisme said:

So, Ignoramus Newbie asks, just how do you get the logs loaded onto some sort of vehicle in order to get them to their final destination? I'm 5'4" tall and 28 y.o. on one side (the other side is another 28 y.o.). I have a Toyota Rav4, 6 cyl.

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A 4x6 trailer can be had cheaply at Harbor Freight or similar. If you're short on storage there is even a folding option.

Most scrounges I've run across have been bucked down anyway, so hoisting them onto a trailer with a hookaroon isn't difficult.

Oh, and I'll see the weak shoulder, and raise you a transhumeral amputation and a humeral ball replacement. Physics is your friend when used correctly.

jillybeansisme said:

So, Ignoramus Newbie asks, just how do you get the logs loaded onto some sort of vehicle in order to get them to their final destination? I'm 5'4" tall and 28 y.o. on one side (the other side is another 28 y.o.). I have a Toyota Rav4, 6 cyl.

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I pick them up and put them in the bed of my pickup truck. If they're too big for that I split them first. If that doesn't work they stay where they are.

Thanks Bluedogz -- I guess you're hooked on scrounging! I wasn't complaining about the shoulder, just stating the facts. I'll presume it's leverage I need. First I have to get there, but thanks to all you folks here at Hearth, I'm learning! Knowledge is power (and that's how those bucks'll get on board!).

jillybeansisme said:

Thanks Bluedogz -- I guess you're hooked on scrounging! I wasn't complaining about the shoulder, just stating the facts. I'll presume it's leverage I need. First I have to get there, but thanks to all you folks here at Hearth, I'm learning! Knowledge is power (and that's how those bucks'll get on board!).

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Hooked on scrounging? I suppose so...

I use a landscape trailer that has a drop gate, intended to drive a mower up it- I used it for motorcycles for years.It's not terribly hard to roll rounds up the gate into the trailer- just be judicious.

Also, one of these: http://www.baileysonline.com/Forest.../Lockhart-s-Firewood-Gripper-15---18-Logs.axd
makes it much easier to pick up rounds like a suitcase and hoist them into the trailer.

Poindexter said:

Can you guys chime in with what works for you? I searched on "scrounge" in thread titles and found a lot of "So my friend called me yesterday.." but not a lot of how to be a successful scrounger.

I know there is more than one way to skin this cat, but if we each share what works for us we can probably help each other out _and_ take the new burners to school all at once.

I'll start....

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Every single person I know knows I burn wood. They all know I have a saw and a truck. They all know to call me if they (or someone they know) have a tree down. The main thing is you have to be ready to drop whatever you are doing and go get the wood.

Poindexter said:

can buy wood from the state, ten dollars a cord for standing timber. What this really means is I have to drive about 22 miles one way, fell my own trees and drag everything home. One cord takes four or five trips in my wee tiny 4x4 Ranger. Really it costs me about $80 per cord cash out of pocket which isn't too bad - and four nights after work of humping hard to get one cord of rounds on the landing at my house.

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Sounds like you need a kid and a bigger truck. If you burn that much and wish to cut your own, a full size truck is a no-brainer.

I drive around my state for work, and drive a truck. I've done well in the past when I spotted tree cutting crews clearing the sides of the road. Lately, in this economy...every homeowner now immediately puts up "no trespassing" signs so people dont grab the wood that the state cut. Half of them don't appear to even burn judging from their chimneys...so I assume they're selling it on CL. Times change. I depend mostly on what I cut off my property but I do get a giggle when I drive home with a "free" load of wood in the truck. LOL

MJFlores said:

I drive around my state for work, and drive a truck. I've done well in the past when I spotted tree cutting crews clearing the sides of the road. Lately, in this economy...every homeowner now immediately puts up "no trespassing" signs so people dont grab the wood that the state cut. Half of them don't appear to even burn judging from their chimneys...so I assume they're selling it on CL. Times change. I depend mostly on what I cut off my property but I do get a giggle when I drive home with a "free" load of wood in the truck. LOL

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My neighbor just had 10 or so trees dropped right by the road. I told them I'd take the wood when they asked, but I haven't had a chance to go get them all. Now I see people just stopping and pulling off the road a little and throwing as much in the back of their truck as they can and speeding off. I don't really care, as I don't need the wood. What bothers me the most is this is a busy state road and they're stopping in the middle of a dangerous curve and their isn't enough room to get completely of the road. Every time I'm outside and see this happening, I'll walk over to say something about stopping in the road, but they drive off as soon as they see me. If they'd hang around, I'd tell them to pull in my driveway and take as much as they wanted, since I don't have the time right now to clean it up. It irritates me though, people would rather steal the wood than ask about it. I kind of see why people would put up "no trespassing" signs.