Fastest way to get 1st thin of Sitka down!

[iainarkle]

Hi All, just after a few ideas...first thinning of sitka, single select and its taking forever to get them to the floor. Trees are around 150 - 350 kg. Need to be getting 4+ trees on the deck, processed, an hour to make any cash.

We are going to try using 'sleds' to flick the butt onto then pull back but I recon still going to be exhausting and struggle to get any volume down - consistently.

Thought about a quad with a winch? Hand winch but eats time again...all ideas welcome.

Cheers

Iain

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Hanging up are they? What's the dbh - silly question for 1st thinnings but important to understand. Have you cut a rack out? Much easier to drop into the rack where you'll be leaving the tops anyway...

 

Would be ace to see some pics - I'm imagining a dark mess!

[rapidlee]

how about puting a small ratchet winch 6ft off ground and ust the winch to lift pull them along. i have been having the same problem but have the use of tractor and use skidder grab or chain.

[iainarkle]

Hanging up are they? What's the dbh - silly question for 1st thinnings but important to understand. Have you cut a rack out? Much easier to drop into the rack where you'll be leaving the tops anyway...

 

Would be ace to see some pics - I'm imagining a dark mess!

 

OK, silly questions...dbh? Will get some pic's tomorrow.

As for cutting a rack, we can't really as it's single select. The woods have been left for years - surprise surprise - and trying to get into a bi-annual cycle so life will be easier next time around - I hope!!!

[iainarkle]

Been thinking about a small winch and will give it a go. I don't think that it will be any faster but certainly will save the guys backs. Would like to get some machinery into the wood but its too dense hence why thinking about a quad.

Will let you know how the butt-plates go.

[Peter]

What lengths are you processing the timber into?

[kernowstu]

OK, silly questions...dbh? Will get some pic's tomorrow.

As for cutting a rack, we can't really as it's single select. The woods have been left for years - surprise surprise - and trying to get into a bi-annual cycle so life will be easier next time around - I hope!!!

 

IMO you should cut a extraction rack 1in5,1in6 or 1in7 make the job a lot more easy and profitable(if 1ST thinnings can be profitable) then go back later on 3-5years and selective thin the remainder

[iainarkle]

What lengths are you processing the timber into?

 

4metres.

[czhey]

OK, silly questions...dbh?

 

Diameter at Breast Height- the diameter about 1.5m from ground level

[Moley]

DBH (diameter at breast height) is 1.3m from the ground