Low impact forestry services in Devon and the South West

[Big J]

Update/question:

 

I am speaking with Logbullet regarding the possible addition of a small skidding winch for the front of the machine. A two or three tonne pull. The idea is that I'll get most places with the 8x8 drive, but the timber that I can't reach can be skidded in to the machine. There is a little winch on the crane (600kg pull) but I feel that this would be too small for normal skidding, especially given that the machine can fairly easily load a 1000kg log. 

 

A worthwhile investment or just forestry bling?

[john k]

Update/question:
 
I am speaking with Logbullet regarding the possible addition of a small skidding winch for the front of the machine. A two or three tonne pull. The idea is that I'll get most places with the 8x8 drive, but the timber that I can't reach can be skidded in to the machine. There is a little winch on the crane (600kg pull) but I feel that this would be too small for normal skidding, especially given that the machine can fairly easily load a 1000kg log. 
 
A worthwhile investment or just forestry bling?

It will make the setup more versatile, but are you likely to have enough situations where you can't get within crane reach to make it worthwhile?

Good to see a small machine that doesn't need a midget to operate it btw

[Big J]

1 hour ago, john k said:

It will make the setup more versatile, but are you likely to have enough situations where you can't get within crane reach to make it worthwhile?

Good to see a small machine that doesn't need a midget to operate it btw

And the cab is being expanded slightly for my lanky self!

 

I'm thinking that in Devon there are a lot of very steep slopes, more than any machine could work on. The winch would give me the option of extracting just about anything. Waiting on prices and options

[john k]

And the cab is being expanded slightly for my lanky self!
 
I'm thinking that in Devon there are a lot of very steep slopes, more than any machine could work on. The winch would give me the option of extracting just about anything. Waiting on prices and options [emoji3]

Apart from the extra cost would there be any drawback to having a winch fitted?

[Big J]

7 minutes ago, john k said:

Apart from the extra cost would there be any drawback to having a winch fitted?

I don't think so. Probably an extra £2000-2500. 

 

Just wasn't 100% sure on whether it was worth the investment. That being said, it would mean I'd be able to extract more or less anything (up to 1000kg) from almost anywhere. The skidding winch would mean the machine could assist with directional felling of smaller trees too in a tree surgery setting. I suppose I could pop £25 on my day rate if I've got a winch bolted to the front!

[arboriculturist]

1 hour ago, Big J said:

And the cab is being expanded slightly for my lanky self!

 

I'm thinking that in Devon there are a lot of very steep slopes, more than any machine could work on. The winch would give me the option of extracting just about anything. Waiting on prices and options

Steep is an understatement!

Very few of your setups around this region, mainly small Valtras to skid run by one man band cutters - some are very good at what they do.

[Big J]

Update:

 

Forwarder due in June, and I've bought a Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 to tow it with. Trailer still to be decided. 

 

We've provisionally got a house, and we will be based 5 minutes from the M5 at Collumpton. We'll be moving down and getting set up through July and I'll be ready to get to work at the start of August. 

 

I've got a business name in mind, but I've not registered it yet, so I'll not share it until I have! 

[Stubby]

You are very brave Big J .I wish all you wish for your self bud .

[silky fox]

You are really going for it BigJ....[emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]

[Big J]

Life favours the bold, or the stupid, or a combination of the two!. I started my sawmill with a 20 year old pickup truck, an 041 Stihl chainsaw and a homemade Alaskan mill, with a couple hundred quid in the bank. Still just as poor, but with a lot more machinery, and several thousand tonnes of timber milled under my belt!

 

Looking forward to it greatly. Friends of ours very kindly viewed the house for us today and we joined them via video. Perfect house for us, and great access to the M5 for work. 

 

I'll keep the updates coming as they transpire.