Forestry work

[Rough Hewn]

West Sussex is cowboy country. Be very wary.

[trigger_andy]

2 hours ago, Stubby said:

You could bash your bishop for abit , just to relieve the boredom ! ?

I save that for a special treat at the end of the shift. Something to look forward to.  

[luftwaffe]

What kills the job is the  low value chip, but that can’t be helped, if the site is not steep get a harvester in, it will stop his staff problems and get the job done and move on, 

Edited December 1, 2019 by luftwaffe

[Elmsdown Forestry]

55 minutes ago, Rough Hewn said:

West Sussex is cowboy country. Be very wary.

think you will find that is Kent!!

[Elmsdown Forestry]

 

As a ex handcutter cant believe the piece rate for chestnut product is so low when the end product is going up in price. Should be a minimum of £15 ton cut stack and run the saw through the top in descent firewood chestnut fencing a good chunk more. 
A lot of mention of chip being low value but it isn’t, £32 roadside, ok ain’t great but 18-20 ton to cut 6-8 to extract and a token gesture to the land owner. 
 

As previously mentioned piece/tonnage rate is the only fair way to work. Over the years I’ve done day works and tonnage and always made more on tonnage with a decent rate and getting on with it. I’ve also employed guys on day works and doesn’t really work out unless it’s the big narly stuff I can’t do with the harvester. Unless the cutters are too notch and get there arse into it it will never pay for anyone no matter how it’s paid out. 
Margins are just too tight in forestry with the middle man being the top earner for doing the least amount of work. Decent hand cutters are a rare find and undervalued heavily with the skill and knowledge required to go home safe with a sensible income. 

Edited December 1, 2019 by Elmsdown Forestry

[Jack.P]

If the Birch and hornbeam 8ft firewood was on a ton rate and not piece rate I could have made more and might have stayed on .few people had suggested that I do a 40hr week on there piece rate then clearly say at the end of the week your company is shite I have worked hard all week for f##k all.dont see much point though in that but it would prove a point they are cowboy conmen

 

[Elmsdown Forestry]

4 minutes ago, Jack.P said:

If the Birch and hornbeam 8ft firewood was on a ton rate and not piece rate I could have made more and might have stayed on .few people had suggested that I do a 40hr week on there piece rate then clearly say at the end of the week your company is shite I have worked hard all week for f##k all.dont see much point though in that but it would prove a point they are cowboy conmen

 

Have you suggested a tonnage rate? 
 

Crap rates don’t make him a cowboy conman, paying someone 10ton per forwarder that clearly holds more fills that comment more. 

[doobin]

On 28/11/2019 at 18:20, Jack.P said:

Hi .Yes been using large  husqvarna tongs which work well if the logs are not too heavy to drag.the new Stihl ms241 running 14’’ has been perfect for this sort of work .the only snagging point I have found is that the bar is a bit short for pointing strainers and any longer than 14’’ and won’t run as good .also so far  it’s been pretty fuel efficient compared to the other machines and surprisingly powerful for a lightweight saw

I had bought some rotatech chains for it which I’m less than impressed with as not compatible with the drive wheel so waste of time trying to save money there 

still unsure if this work is for me though.at least I would have done a week of it so got good idea what’s involved now 

 

No offfense mate but if you don’t know how to match a chain to a sprocket (not drive wheel) then you have a bit more to learn before you’ll be able to make top rate. Ms241 can run 3/8p or .325, if you use northern arbs domestic aimed chain selector it can go wrong. They need to cater more for pros but that’s by the by. 
 

that said it does sound like a poor price rate. Is it sussex or Kent? 

[Jack.P]

That is irrelevant.it said on there website clearly fits 241 and didn’t fit the sprocket.they are crap anyway and won’t be buying anymore . Stihl ones are far better

[doobin]

You’re not listening. I said northern arbs selector page needs work. Are you running 3/8p or .325? Full or semi chisel?