The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: Dangerous_Dan on October 16, 2006, 10:07:00 PM

Title: This might be too big!
Post by: Dangerous_Dan on October 16, 2006, 10:07:00 PM
This big ash was removed with a crane. 13,000 pounds on the scale in the crane.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12002/PatsBigAsh1ff.jpg)


My buddie took this down today and just dropped it off tonight after 9:00 pm.
He's going back now-tonight for another load from this tree and to unblock the crane so it can go to another job.
The guy they took it down for heard they were dropping it at a mill and asked for some free boards in exchange for the log. My buddie said if you want free wood I'll dump the log on your lawn. :D
We will see if the homemade swing mill can swing it when I have some time.
If it's too big for the mill I'm going to try to split it with a jack.  ::)
If that don't work I might try to blow it up! YaHOO!  8)
When all of the above fails my buddie said he would help cut it up for the Retromiser.
It's almost 3 cords!
Anyone with a lucas or Peterson is welcome to come by, get milling on it and load up some boards on your truck.  Don't forget the beer.  :)
DD
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: sprucebunny on October 16, 2006, 10:32:33 PM
That's HUGE  8) 8) 8)

Maybe if you roll it into a hole, you can get your swingmill into it ???
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Dan_Shade on October 16, 2006, 10:36:01 PM
logs that big are a lot of work, but a lot of fun.

figuring it out is half the challenge!  good luck with it.  how much does it flare down?
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Dangerous_Dan on October 16, 2006, 11:53:16 PM
Butt end is 7 feet across.
Small end is 55 inches one way and 75 the other.
12 feet long.
I'm going to have to split it. I currently don't have a machine that can lift 13,000 pounds and move it onto the mill.
The biggest thing I have is a 120 size excavator and I don't think it can lift this log.
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: metalspinner on October 17, 2006, 12:21:55 AM
That's awsome!  I hope you have a new 5 gallon bucket of Anchorseal. :D
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: sawguy21 on October 17, 2006, 12:45:50 AM
13000 lbs :o Sheesh, we never had a chopper that would lift that. That is huge.
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Ianab on October 17, 2006, 01:12:24 AM
yup.. thats a pretty good sized log  ;D

It would need some serious trimming or splitting even with a normal swingblade.

Should be some nice wood in there though, well worth the effort.

Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Captain on October 17, 2006, 06:39:27 AM
For one that big, I'm scheming a super size frame to drop my Peterson center unit in.  I can't stand to walk a way from anything.  Great pic Dan, wish you were closer.

Captain
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Burlkraft on October 17, 2006, 08:30:22 AM
Wow.............. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Fla._Deadheader on October 17, 2006, 08:34:08 AM

Big Ojoche I have waiting for me is that big or bigger. I have the standard width frame Peterson.  ::) ::) ::)  No idea, YET, how i'm gonna saw it  ::) ::)  Been thinking about extending the frame, same as Captain.  8)

  Niiiice log, DD.  ;D
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Dan_Shade on October 17, 2006, 08:47:53 AM
I'd hack it down with a chainsaw jig of sorts, then saw it up.

we had to block up Ga_boy's peterson to saw up some 62" oaks.

it's a big job to tackle a tree that big.
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Norwiscutter on October 17, 2006, 01:00:42 PM
Cut it into a table top across the center.  I bet you could get a ton for it. maybe use a long chainsaw bar with a rip chain from both sides. Yup, rip it in half and sell it as a conference table to a big company. By my estimate a 72" x6"x 12' long table top should get you some serious cash... probably well over $1500.00 to the right person.
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Dangerous_Dan on October 17, 2006, 07:49:46 PM
I cut into the butt end and set up a 20 ton jack but only got 1 good pop.
Took a chainsaw and started cutting down the log on both sides following some natural cracks 24 inches in and about 3 feet toward the small end. The gap is opening up but not enough to break loose into 2 pieces. I'll get someone with a huge saw to help out when the rain stops. The jack is still in there applying pressure and tomorrow is another day.
I would like to make 2 full width slabs. The rest of the log ?? ???
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: thecfarm on October 17, 2006, 08:04:46 PM
That is a big log.Looking forward to some more pictures.I want to see that cut up into something that is flat.
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: jpad_mi on October 17, 2006, 08:24:15 PM
That log is incredible! Can't wait to see more pictures.

There are a lot of bat blanks in there.
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Dan_Shade on October 17, 2006, 08:25:09 PM
haul that thing down this way, and i'll give you a hand :)

Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Part_Timer on October 17, 2006, 09:13:47 PM
Deadheader

Don't you have an ATS.  IF so you don't need to stretch the frame.  Make a frame shaped like a "U" to fit cross members in.  set it up cut as far right as you can then move the head back to the left and slide the mill in the "u" and cut again.

You just have to make the frame tall enough to get over the log.

I bet that was clear as mud.

Tom
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Fla._Deadheader on October 17, 2006, 09:43:54 PM

Nupe, mine's a WPF  ::) ;D
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: red on October 17, 2006, 10:26:36 PM
try a stump grinder

hold it down with the loader or excavator  and whittle away
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Burlkraft on October 18, 2006, 09:57:24 AM
I think ya 'otta call StumpJumper...he'll have that thing in 2 pieces before ya know it... ;D ;D
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: BigTrev on October 18, 2006, 04:56:28 PM
With an ATS you could bolt a 6x4 'shelf' onto each end and sit the mill on that, no need to mod the mill or the log then.
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Dangerous_Dan on October 18, 2006, 05:03:22 PM
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12002/BottleJackinLog3ff.jpg)

I made some cuts to put a 20 ton bottle jack in the butt end.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12002/DanSawingPatsAsh1ff.jpg)

Cut the length of the log on one side.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12002/DanSawingAsh1ff.jpg)

Then the other side.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12002/AshSpliting01ff.jpg)

Pumped the jack a while. Made a couple good pops so we knew something was happening.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12002/AshSpliting02ff.jpg)

Opening up nicely.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12002/AshSpliting04FAff.jpg)

A little help from the machine.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12002/AshSpliting06FAff.jpg)

Now I can lift the pieces and move them onto the mill.
My mill can move side to side 48 inches + 7 inches depth of cut for the blade, so I can mill flat 55 inches wide. The log is wider so I may be trimming it up with a chainsaw once on the mill.
Don't worry I'll get you guys some pics when milling it up in the next few days.
DD out  ;D

Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Burlkraft on October 18, 2006, 05:07:36 PM
I can't wait ta see what's in there...... ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Stump Jumper on October 18, 2006, 05:55:03 PM
 8)
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: lmbeachy on October 18, 2006, 09:01:37 PM



Hey Dangerous Dan, your location is given as Northeast, would that by any chance be Northeast MD. If so you are not to far from me. Lester
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Captain on October 18, 2006, 09:45:53 PM
If I didn't know he was from Jersey, I would swear he was a Swamp Yankee...

(don't worry Dan, it's a compliment)

Captain
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Part_Timer on October 18, 2006, 10:02:15 PM
How could he take it any other way. :)
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: submarinesailor on October 19, 2006, 09:40:29 AM
I was raised to believe at "Yankee" in any term was a 4 letter word. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Bruce
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: twoodward15 on October 19, 2006, 10:14:31 AM
where in jersey?
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: rebocardo on October 19, 2006, 11:41:04 AM
Nice to have some heavy equipment around. Excellent pictures :-)
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Dangerous_Dan on October 19, 2006, 05:41:37 PM
I'm in Northern Central Jersey.
I got a question for the Peterson and Lucas guys.
What is the widest log you can mill?
In other words how far does the saw carrage go left to right?
Thanks DD
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: solodan on October 19, 2006, 06:25:09 PM
Any size on my 827. as long as the log is shorter than 16 feet is what they say, but  I think if you move you're up-rights to the ends of the main rails, and extensions at each end you could get it to about 19 feet long, any width. If it is wider than 60" than you just block the mill up. The blade cuts down below the level of the rails, so you may need to move the whole mill side to side to cut a very large log. 61" is the largest I've milled, but I hope I get a chance for a really big one one day. Too bad I didn't have the mill a few years back when a friend of mine fell a 114" sugarpine.  ??? There is word that another guy  I know, may get to fall a Sugar pine that is about 130"

One more note,  If I were to mill that log into lumber only, and take no slabs, I would have trimmed the flair off. If the small end was 55", well that is all you're gonna get any way. The nice thing about splitting it as you did, is you'll get some live edge slabs.
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Dan_Shade on October 19, 2006, 09:39:33 PM
I've only helped mill up one big log.  I helped with a 62" diameter log with a peterson.  it was a hassle. Ga_Boy could give more specifics, I get a bit hazy in working the the swingblades. my brain doesn't work that way.

if you are too far on the left side, you can't edge the first boards, if you are too far to the right, you can't drop down for the next row after you start to get to the wider portion of the log.

A log that big, I'd suggest hacking it down with a chainsaw until you can saw up the chunks, be it quartered, or cut down into a big square.
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Furby on October 19, 2006, 10:05:14 PM
I belive what solodan was saying was that as you work your way across the log, you can slide the whole mill sideways as well.
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: solodan on October 20, 2006, 12:40:33 AM
Thanks for the interpretation Furby. :D ;)

Yes, that is what I meant. ;D
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Captain on October 20, 2006, 05:42:24 AM
Dan, my WPF is a small frame, it truly has a 51" capacity from the hub of the blade when all the way left in horizontal, to the outside of the blade all the way right in vertical.  If I cut a 48" log, for example, I have to place it correctly in the mill and the boards off the left in the widest part of the log are unedged.

To saw larger (up to about 64" on my mill)  I setup on 2 long, parallel beams and block up from there to get to the top of the log, and slide the mill left and right as others have mentioned to get the whole log cut. 

I can't quote you the exact dimension capabilities of a large frame WPF or ATS (they would be the same) however.  Because of the hassle, I'm scheming a large frame to drop in the center unit on the big boys.

Captain
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: Dan_Shade on October 20, 2006, 06:29:01 AM
I'd say Mark's saw would saw a "little" bigger, but that's about it, without having to slide the saw sideways.

getting all of those bunks level so you can slide left or right would be a real hassle.

we had to block up Mark's saw to get it to do what it did, then we had to build a platform to stand on to get to the top of the log.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12217/kennedy_tree_sawing0016.JPG)

it's also a real feat to get the saw up on the frame for a log that big too.
Title: Re: This might be too big!
Post by: SwampDonkey on October 20, 2006, 03:45:51 PM
 :D You earned your pay for today D_Dan  :-X :o 8)