I haven't cut many trees down this year

[Cowboy Billy]

Almost all the wood I got this year came from trees I had to clear off of my gravel pit this year. I don't know if it is cheating but most of the trees I pushed over with the dozer or loader.

I found if I push a tree over back the dozer a few inches and park it. As I limb it and cut it back to the stump it lifts up a little and stays out of the dirt so I can block it off clean with out hitting the dirt with the saw. If I take the dozer completely away quite often once I get enough weight off it will stand right back up.

Pushing over a white birch with the loader.

The chainsaw support vehicle. In the evenings it changes to the alcohol support vehicle running from the fire to the big cooler in the barn.

As I get older I don't like lifting and carrying wood. So I get the bucket close and keep moving it forward as I clear the wood from infront of it. Dad loves the hand tongs I got him. He doesn't have to bend so far over to pick up wood and he can through a lot 10 feet and into the bucket with it. For 77 he sure can move a lot of wood!

Its a bit easier getting it into the transport truck this way!

Got a load and ready to go.

Did I say I was getting lazy? Forget unloading by hand!

Boy I just love playing with the toys Dad got me!!

Billy

 

[Chargerman]

Dump beds rule. Unloading by hand is no fun and I don't do it either.

 

[oldspark]

You are one spoiled brat aren't you? :lol:

 

[thewoodlands]

And I run around with my little wagons, you have to love the power. Very nice.

zap

 

[Cowboy Billy]

No doubt about it! My family has always burnt wood and this was the most fun its ever been!

Billy

 

[oldspark]

Yep compared to Bill I really do have "toys"!

 

[Cowboy Billy]

You are one spoiled brat aren’t you?

Ya got that right OldSpark!

Although the only reason we have all the equ is with all the work we have to do to make out place liveable it was cheaper to buy it than hire someone else to do it.

Thanks Zap

I put my time in on little trailers too and I still use the mule to haul wood with if its just a little or its close. Of course that bit equ burns big fuel. We have spent a little over $1800 in fuel this year and will have to have our tank filled at least one more time.

Billy

 

[thewoodlands]

Ya got that right OldSpark!

Although the only reason we have all the equ is with all the work we have to do to make out place liveable it was cheaper to buy it than hire someone else to do it.

Thanks Zap

I put my time in on little trailers too and I still use the mule to haul wood with if its just a little or its close. Of course that bit equ burns big fuel. We have spent a little over $1800 in fuel this year and will have to have our tank filled at least one more time.

Billy

Watch those Barberchairs on the bulldozer.

zap

 

[Cowboy Billy]

I haven't had one do that yet. My problem is with dead trees. Either they shatter when I push them or I am pushing a sound tree and it hits a dead one and that one falls back at me. Good thing I have rops and a solid roof

Billy

 

[SolarAndWood]

If that's cheating, I'm a cheater too. By far the easiest way to clear trees and prep for another surface. If you dig on three sides with a hoe before you push, even the big ones hinge right over no matter where the weight of the tree is.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

sweet operation there. I love birch- straight, dry, easy splitting, and I save the bark for firestarter.

 

[Cowboy Billy]

Cool S&W glad I'm not the only one!

Thanks Adios

I love it for the morning when the fires died down and I can throw some self kindling wood in. My Niece and Nephew usually grab all the birch paper and throw it on the bonfire.

Billy

 

[northwinds]

You're all cheaters, and I'm jealous.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

That's good work Billy. Pushing the trees over like that is great and as you've found, you can cut them up without getting into the dirt and it also saves some bending. Then comes the loading and that is the sweet thing about having the loader. It saves much labor. Nice going.

 

[wooddope]

That looks like a ton of fun! I'm very jealous. Awesome pics

 

[70marlin]

No doubt about it! My family has always burnt wood and this was the most fun its ever been!

Billy

That woods of yours isn't in britton is it with a that birch?

 

[golfandwoodnut]

I got a Bobcat this year and have pushed alot of trees over too, but it is a toy next to some of those machines. I can go up to 12 inch diameter trees no problem and it is great to get the stumps out at the same time you push them over. If you dig on the opposite side you want them to fall it weakens the roots in the right spot. It would be sweet to have a dump truck too. As they say the difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. You have a great dad too if he buys you such toys. In the end you can probably sell the equipment for close to what you paid for it. I made the decision to buy also because after I got some bids to put in some trails on my land and level out some areas I figured I could almost pay for the Bobcat and had some fun doing it. You do have to be careful, but after awhile you get to be pro. Also there are some saftey advantages since you can stay in the cage, and lift the logs, etc. Makes it real easy if you get a tree hung up or a saw stuck too. Just give a lift or a push in the right place.

 

[Hiram Maxim]

Billy,

That has to be the U.P. property?

Looks like Cedarville.....not S.E. Michigan ;-)

Nice toys Bro!

Cheers,Hiram

 

[Skier76]

Great pics Billy! You have the ultimate set up. That looks like a ton of fun. Work...but fun work.

 

[Cowboy Billy]

Thanks Northwinds

Its still work but the toys makes it more fun!

Thanks Dennis

We have really been working on the place last four years but its starting to come together now. While we are not caught up yet we are getting close to even.

Thanks Wood Dope

We always have fun UP there! I have only had one new car in my life in 1991 and don't go out much. My Dad Brother and I spend our money on equ and enjoy doing things for ourselves and hanging out in the woods.

Howdy 70Marlin

You're right its in the Eastern UP. My Great grandpa settled there and I have a lot of family and friends there. My Dad Brother and I have 120 acres there and it adjoins my Uncle and Cousins property and total we have 440 acres in one chunk,

Ya got that right GolfandWoodNut

Even with the dozer if I get into a big poplar or spruce I have to gouge out the roots with the blade to get it to go over. But it sure is nice to have good trails where I'm not getting slapped with branches all the time.

Thanks Hiram

You're right! Let me know when you go up to your friends place. I'll give ya directions to our place and we can go cruse the woods.

Thanks Skier

Its all old equ and needs a lot of maintenance to keep running but its all worth it!

Billy