Log Troubles

Those two innocent logs in the first post of this blog turned out to be more trouble than I had ever imagined. When Public Works installed the culvert, they moved the logs back out of the way enough we could get by them but they were still blocking the driveway we are planning to build. 

First, we tried the truck. After delivering the backhoe, we had my dad's four wheel drive truck for a couple of days. The truck had more than enough power to move the logs but not enough traction. Unfortunately, I left the chainsaw we planned to borrow in Florida.


So back to Florida we go to drop off the truck and bring back a chainsaw. We borrowed a gas powered chainsaw and an electric chainsaw with a generator. Of course, the gas powered chainsaw worked fine before we left but as soon as we got to the property it wouldn't start. I ended up sawing these logs with the electric chainsaw. Honestly, I think I like the electric chainsaw better - it had plenty of power and it worked when I needed it.

Log #1 - 37 feet long in total, I cut 17 feet from the top of the log (16 inch diameter at the point of cutting). I actually cut most of the way through the log and then used the back how to pick the log up and drop it until it snapped. Then, I was able to chain the 17 foot cutting to the bucket on the backhoe and drag the log to where I wanted it. Overall, not too bad - the cutting of the log was difficult but smooth and moving the log was almost easy in comparison to cutting it.

Victory! But the war has yet to be won.

Log #1 - The remaining 20 feet of the log was too big for the Hoe. Actually, I think the hoe could have moved it had the traction been better - similar to the truck, traction was the limiting factor in moving this log. So, a cutting we go. This time, the spot I chose to make the cut seemed good at first, but there was a large sappy area which was like cutting through stone. After much cutting, trying to snap the log with the backhoe, more cutting, trying to snap the log with the backhoe, more cutting, snapping, cutting, snapping - this went on for about four hours. We placed another smaller log under the log to help it snap, it just crushed the other log; we tried this again to no avail. Then we got smart and piled several logs under the log we were trying to snap. Shazamm, the log finally snapped!!! We ended up with a 12 foot section and another 8 foot section with a 22inch diameter cut - not bad for an electric chainsaw and "Tonka Toy" backhoe/front end loader.

Notice the chunk of sappy stone like wood which stubbornly held this log together for hours.

Log #2 - 24 feet long in total. I made my cut at the 11 foot mark starting with the thicker end. A 24 inch diameter cut. This time, the log was somewhat rotted and cutting the log was like slicing butter with a chainsaw (not fun but relatively easy). Again, I made my cut most of the way through and then snapped the log.

 

 After sawing the logs into manageable sections, the weather took a turn for the worse, time to call it quits for the day.

Both logs cut, four pieces left to move. Cutting is half the battle.

The following day I took on the simple task of moving the logs I had cut. Agghh, if only that simple - traction was again the limiting the factor. After several hours of attempting to move the logs with the front end loader bucket and various other maneuvers. I finally realized that I could push the logs. So I pushed the three logs to their resting places. By the way, steering a log is a lot like backing a trailer - you do everything in reverse and you follow it in.Sorry no pictures or video of this feat.

All in all, a task I thought would take an afternoon took 4 days. But hey, life has no deadlines and the job is done.