Chainsaw Milling

[BuckSutherland]

Such a cool thread. I hope you post lots of pictures. I wouldn’t mind getting into wood working some day

 

[RockChucker30]

Mystery log is out!

First pull

Second pull

Third pull

Fourth pull

It’s not above flood stage yet but I can get to it easily. Went well, did break a chain. This would be easier if I had self releasing snatch blocks or someone to spot for me.

Lot of sweat.


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[RockChucker30]

On high ground and up on blocking.

Took a slice of root and split it to see what this log looks like and try to get an ID. Nice coloring, and either some curl or ray fleck. Im thinking maple? Maybe sycamore?

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[momatt]

I have done some too, I have a Husqvarna 394XP with a 36-inch bar and the granberg Alaskan. Milled quite a bit 10 to 15 years ago. Its back breaking work, eating exhaust and vibration, lol. I have not done it since I purchased a band saw mill. It sure is nice making a cut in 30 seconds that would take 10 minutes with a chainsaw.

 

[Tree Spud]

Mystery log is out!

First pull
Second pull
Third pull
Fourth pull
It’s not above flood stage yet but I can get to it easily. Went well, did break a chain. This would be easier if I had self releasing snatch blocks or someone to spot for me.

Lot of sweat.
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RC ... thanks for showing pics of how you actually pull out these large logs, really helps to understand the physics of trying to move these things.

 

[RockChucker30]

• I'm using 100 ft 3/8" 7X19 cable, break strength 14k+ lbs.
• 3/4" shackles
• 16K and a 22K rated snatch block with 30k rated tree saver anchors
• Chain choker plus a grab link (very handy)
• 70 hp tractor with 7k+ lb drawbar pull
• I run a box blade on the tractor, hoping that if it starts tipping over the blade will stop it. I keep the pull low, below the rear axles.
• Also have a set of forks for the front end loader, very handy. The FEL will usually pick up one end of a big log, but no chance it'll pick the whole thing. Great to move slabs though.

This setup works pretty well. I've moved some BIG chunks up some STEEP ground, stuff that I didn't think was going to work but did.

A big advantage of a chainsaw mill is portability...you can mill the log in place, but it is SOOOOO much easier if I can move it somewhere with truck access - the mill and all gets heavy carrying it up and down hills.

 

[RockChucker30]

Here's a big log I moved last winter. Real steep, with some exposed bedrock to hang on. It went better than I expected.

 

[spaniel]

Neat thread. Interested in what you get when you cut into that.

My last time back to my parents' farm the old barn was finally down to the point it was time to pull out the main beams. The guy who built it in 1902 insisted that the main spanner beams NOT be spliced. They were too big for any sawmill so they were hand hewn and I wanted to preserve that character and make a mantle piece out of one. They are about 16in on the square. Didn't measure length but 40-50 feet.

I had considered some sort of chainsaw mill but this is a one-time thing for me so I've located a couple people with operations big enough to cut one of these things square. I cut them into 7-8ft lengths for portability.

Counting rings these trees predate our nation...

 

[Mortenson]

I agree, great thread. Keep the pics coming. spaniel, any pics of yours?

 

[spaniel]

I agree, great thread. Keep the pics coming. spaniel, any pics of yours?

Here you go.

 

[RockChucker30]

Super cool. Do you know the species? Really tight growth rings so it’s old growth, don’t see any ray fleck so not oak??? Old growth pine? American Chestnut?


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[spaniel]

Super cool. Do you know the species? Really tight growth rings so it’s old growth, don’t see any ray fleck so not oak??? Old growth pine? American Chestnut?


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I really have no idea. This was Michigan's Thumb, so the old growth was 300ft tall white pine. That had been cleared by the time this barn was built, and the cutting heavily burned over by massive famous fires in 1871 and 1881. Likely the big trees left were from the creek bottoms. The barn's side cladding which lasted 100 years was swamp tamarack. But I have no idea what these beams are. My sister is a PhD botanist and they have connections, as soon as I can cut a few of the remaining wood/bark junctions out they will be sent for professional analysis.

 

[RockChucker30]

Got most of the Catalpa out. Neat tree, neat wood. Lightweight, soft for a hardwood, but highly rot resistant. Hosts the catalpa moth whose caterpillars make awesome catfish bait. Also an important tree for honeybees.

I got an 18’ clear butt log, a 12’ log, and two crotch sections I’ll likely chainsaw mill. The straight logs I’ll haul to a friend who has a bandmill and make dimensional lumber.

When the work is happening 100 ft behind you, around a bend, and down a hill hangups happen. Tractor squatting means stop and go rearrange snatch blocks.

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