Greenhorn with a lot of questions!

[Dustin707]

Hey guys! I am new to the forum and the industry and have a lot of questions that hopefully I can get answers to on here...


First off, I am 30 years old from Northern California. I am in middle of a career change so to speak and hopefully start this Wednesday (I find out Tuesday evening).

Last year I responded to a ad online from a logging company that was looking for a choker setter. I had no experience but wanted to try it out so I contacted them with a little about myself. I was told that it was the end of the season and they didn't really have the time to train anyone but to contact them around April (this month) and maybe they would have work for me.

I kept in touch about every other month until I was told it was perfect timing and to contact the Owner of the company. I called him and he seemed interested but said due to the rain they weren't working much just yet. He kinda strung me along for a couple weeks with different explanations as to why he couldn't put me to work ect ect

Anyways, to make a long story short I MIGHT be starting work on Wednesday. I was originally slated to set chokers but he said that he was going to start me off on the "tractor side".

Now finally my first question: What is the tractor side? Would that be a Chaser?

I appreciate any help I can get. I am Green and I admit it. Looking to get as much info as possible!  ;D

[Bobus2003]

Welcome to the FF, I'm going to take a guess that "tractor side" would be dealing with Skidders, and Loaders.. I know that logging is done differntly down their to here, so i'm goin to say it may not be chasing chokers for a yarder, but maybe a Choker setter for a Skidder

[JohnM]

Hey Dustin, I can't answer your questions but I'm sure others here can.  But welcome to the forum and good luck with your new career.  Keep us updated, this sounds like a neat story.

JM

[Dustin707]

Thanks for the replies guys!

He seemed to refer to the "tractor side" as something completely different than setting chokers although I am a greenhorn so I could be completely wrong. He said that he was going to start me off on the "tractor side" and see how I work out. He really doesn't know much about me as I wasn't referred by anyone but myself so I think hes just putting me out there to see if I can hack it and then go from there. He had mentioned that he can "give me work but can't give me ambition". Even told me to hold off on buying the caulk boots until I know If it works out. I'm just extremely curious as to what he's referring to. Either way I am confident that I can achieve.

I grew up in a logging town and a lot of my old buddies are loggers. Unfortunately I've lost contact with them since Ive moved.


EDIT: I have no idea why my age is listed as 1813  ???

[logloper]

Around here, everything is tractor logging. You almost always start on a saw, usualy bucking and limbing in a landing. It shows the boss if you can take care of a thousand dollar saw, rather than a hundred thousand dollar piece of equipment. If you are running a saw here, you are required by OSHA to wear cut resistant boots. Whites, Danners, Wescos  corks etc. are not cut resistant. If hes starting you on a saw, that may be why he said to hold off on a pair of corks.  Mabe that requirement is only in Colorado, anyone else know?

[terry f]

        What part of Northern California are you in Dustin, I grew up in Mount Shasta. Seems to be a lot of logging going on when I go through there.

[Dustin707]

I'm in Mendocino County. About 5.5 hours from Shasta County.

[redprospector]

Around here a "tractor side" would be an area that they were using rubber tired skidders on. Could also be called a "cat side" but that could be steeper ground than a tractor side (confused yet?). Odds are they'll start you out on the landing "bumping knots". If that's the case, my advice is keep your saw sharp at all times, never, never, never let your saw run out of gas, and don't make the crummy wait on you. Letting your saw run out of gas on the landing could be considered the cardinal sin around here. It leaves a $100,000.00 machine waiting on a $1,000.00 machine. I've seen more than one guy loose his job like that.

Andy

[colinofthewoods]

I remember being nervous as hell my first day logging.  I was setting chokers on a tower.  On the ride out in the morning,  I was wondering what exactly this "tower " thing was.  Yup that green, 

The best piece of advice someone gave me before I started was just don't talk too much. They will probly tell you what you need to know to do your job.  Just use common sense , don't trust anyone with your own safety. If you make a mistake, fix it,  say ok and do it right next time and move on.   Don't get caught standing around,  like someone said,  if you have a spare minute, top up the saw , sharpen it, clean it , whatever, just don't get caught with your hands in your pockets when the foreman shows up.
        Make sure you have everything you need,  if you are running saw, on your person have- a bar wrench , files, wedge.  Everyone throws a chain once in a while, and everyone gets pinched once in a while.

loggers ( out here anyways ) arn't famous for being patient , you got to have thick skin.   

[Tramp Bushler]

Massive emphisis on being thick skinned !!!!!!!
Work your guts out . Logging is about as close to being a professional athlete as it gets . Without all the money , women and fame . .
Your body can't do what your brain can't control safetly . ( Your brain and body have to be in sync or you will get hurt or break something . )

I strongly suggest you find your old buddys and pic thier brains . !!

STAY OUT OF THE BIGHT !!!!!
Hopefully the landing is set up well organized for safety and production . !
Alit of guys in the brush live on adrenilin ,

[madmari]

 First rule of a GOOD employee is to ask questions and don't be afraid to do so. Ask him what he meant- Tractor side? Nobody here has given a definitive answer, so I'll guess you wouldn't know either. Knowing will settle your nerves and put you ahead in learing.
  Listen and ask... not asking can get you hurt. If anyone you work for makes you feel stupid for asking questions, they don't deserve you.
  Best luck in your new career.

[Tramp Bushler]

At the end of the day your brain will be as or more tired than your body ..
Being new you will be expected to run when someone needs u to get something . Just run safetly . Remember ! Don't get hurt
.
Post pics . Ask ? Here . If you not good at power saw stuff you need to learn . .
Lots of water , electrolite recovery and whey protien . .
Don't be late !!!!!! Don't get an attitude . Be a sponge for knowledge . . If there are any on your crew that do , DONT DO DRUGS . thats a fast way to die in the brush and I can show ya alot of headstones .

[Tramp Bushler]

Tractor side generally means dozers on the west coast .. Also , cat side . . As opposed to tower side .
Oh and No gangsta punk pants lookin cool in the brush is different than in town

[Dustin707]

Thanks for the advice guys I really appreciate it. I call the owner tomorrow evening to find out about Wednesday. Hopefully things will go in my favor. I have passed a few of their trucks with full loads today so I'm thinking it might finally be a go! I will let you know what he says after I talk with him. I will ask, as suggested, what exactly he meant by "tractor side" just to be safe and maybe I could get a brief job description off of him. I'm going to ask lots of questions and see what I can find out.

As for the difference between lookin cool in the brush and in town... Unfortunately, dressing up for me consists of finding the cleanest pair of Carhartt pants that are in my closet. Preferably ones that dont show any signs of a copenhagen can.  : Another words I dress the same whether working in the woods or walking the streets. I am green when it comes to logging but I am a country boy in heart. Born in Kansas grew up in a small logging town on the coast in northern california. I just chose construction over commercial fishing and logging even though I did fish one season.

Thanks again for all the help! Just got home from work but will get back on once I get settled to ask more classic greenhorn questions!  ;D ;D

[Tramp Bushler]

 No prob. . Don't ask too many ? .  This ain't some govmint job your after . . Loggers have a pretty short fuse when it comes to lots of questions . . You'll find out what kind of show it is when you get to the landing . . . If you got spenders u better wear them .

[gspren]

  I am not and was not a logger but I hired and fired people and across most of the business world more people get fired in their first year for missing work or showing up late than anything else! Be on time and be reliable! They can teach the rest.

[Tramp Bushler]

  I am not and was not a logger but I hired and fired people and across most of the business world more people get fired in their first year for missing work or showing up late than anything else! Be on time and be reliable! They can teach the rest.

.

X 2 . Yup !!!

[Dustin707]

Yeah, I dont plan on being late. I had mentioned that I have reliable transportation and he told me that the "crew truck" stops close to where I live and that I could just ride with them. What time would I expect to be at the landing? Crack of dawn would be my guess. The first time I talked to him he said that he is going to start the crew out on 8hr days the first week then 9hr days the second week. Said by week 3 and on out it will be 10 hour days. The more hours the better as far as I'm concerned.

As far as being nervous... I don't feel nervous at this point. If I would of started immediately I would have been nervous but at this point I feel I'm more anxious to just get out there than anything else. Its been almost a month since my first contact with the boss himself and Ive had time to get myself as prepared as a greenhorn could be (I think). Although I do wish I had found this forum board a lot sooner.

I'm ready to work hard and will stick to asking questions regarding my work at hand. I'm pretty confident with my ability to learn so as long as they take the time to show me I think I will be alright. If in fact the "tractor side" is the "cat side" I'm going to try to work my way over to the ummmm tower side? Hes probably just seeing how I pick up directions and get an idea of my work ethic. Keep in mind, I contacted the company on my own and I have never been face to face. Its all been contact through email at first then phone calls once they were actually hiring for this season.

I do have another question. How long is a typical logging season?

Thanks in advance guys. All advice is greatly appreciated!!

[colinofthewoods]

As far as logging season goes.  Up here on the coast in B.C, its all year. You may get shut down for a few weeks in august or september for heat ( fire season ) or you may spend half the summer on early shift ( light till noon ).   Some times you may bet shut down for snow but I never have. Some companies are market loggers , if prices are low you don't work.

to me a tower is the best place to learn to log. If you are setting chokers, then you can pick your rigging slingers brain as long as he will let you and you probably spend a bit of time with the hooktender as well. You get a chance to see how its done. If you start out on the landing yourself, so won't really be able to ask much questions. You will just have guys in machines screaming at you all day.


Working on a tower is a different kind of workout. Having good bush legs is different than anything else.  When I started I was young and strong and in what I thought of as really good shape. 3 days later and with 11 to go in the shift I could barely move, it just murders your legs. I did make it though but I wondered why these 40 year old with beer bellies could fly up and down the hill while me and my six pack was sucking wind and dragging my feet. I worked with a guy who was a hockey tough guy who had just finished playing pro hockey ( not NHL ) . Just about everyone there could work circles around him,  he tried hard but he didn't have the right kind of muscles yet.

As excited you are going to be ( and in my opinion rightfully so ) I wouldn't be too chatty in the crummy. You will pick up more listening than asking questions, also you will get an idea of who to go to for help.

[Tramp Bushler]

1 other thing . Aluminum hard hats work great as long as they are the shame shape as New . Lots of loggers like to dent thier hats on purpose . Way bad . I 've had hard hats save my life 4 times . Since thay are only speced for 10 lbs at 10' its best to not weaken them.

Trust me , getting widow makered changes your life .its bestto have a good lid on.

[Dustin707]

Thanks yet again guys. Yeah, I plan on going out there and just working hard to make me a living. Hopefully everything works out! I wont be denting my helmet. I was actually torn between an orange one or the unpainted one. In the end I decided to go with the orange one as I'm sure they would want a greenhorn to stand out as much as possible for safety reasons.

As far as conditioning goes... Ive trained mixed martial arts for a long time and competed in Judo and Gracie Jiu Jitsu so my conditioning is pretty up to par. That aside, I'm sure i'm going to get my butt kicked physically as every physical task demands certain muscles in your body. I can train my stand up (kick boxing) till the cows come home and be able to spar and hit mitts and the heavy bag for hours without getting tired but when it comes to the ground game, if i'm not training it just as much I will get tired easily. And vise versa. So even though I'm in great shape I do plan on getting one hell of a workout while my body adjusts.

Someone had mentioned in a earlier posts for me to keep lots of water, electrolytes and whey protein. I have a scheduled supplement cycle that I use 5 days a week for training MMA that I might carry over to logging. I start with a blend of vitamins in the morning then my pre-workout which I usually take 30 minutes before I hit the gym (might take it maybe an hour after lunch time) then my post workout shake consists of 50g of protein and amino acids ect...

We shall see. I'm sure its going to take a little testing out to figure out when the best times to take the supplements will be but I definitely think its going to help.


Anyways, I call the boss around 7pm my time. I will let you guys know what he says. Keep your fingers crossed for me!  ;D

[Dustin707]

Just got off the phone with the boss. Said chance of showers tomorrow could put the crew out of work for the rest of the week. He said to keep checking back like I have been. Frustrating but its just the way it is yanno? If for whatever reason it doesnt rain tomorrow i'm supposed to get ahold of him in the evening and maybe start on Thursday.

Will keep yall posted!

[Woodhauler]

I would be pounding on more doors ! Sounds more like he is leading you on! I would ask everyone around that is logging if they need help!

[Dustin707]

Well thats what I thought at first also but his reasoning made sense. First he was running a small crew and one yarder while he waited for the roads to be made so he can get a second crew going on another yarder. Said that usually he makes his own roads but for some reason they didnt want him to this time.

Then the rain hit. Cleared up a little and he said he was close to getting the second yarder out there and to call him back in a few days (he gave me specific days to call him on). I was starting to feel a little discouraged but after talking to him today, even though he put it off yet again it did seem like hes trying to get me out there. A couple weeks ago I told him I would buy the gear I need as long as I have work and he said that he needs a couple guys actually. Said that the more people working for him the more the company makes. I don't know guys. The forecast calls for showers tomorrow but then clear the next 9 days ahead from what weather.com tells me so if I'm not working by monday I'm going to know something is up.

[Woodhauler]

Well thats what I thought at first also but his reasoning made sense. First he was running a small crew and one yarder while he waited for the roads to be made so he can get a second crew going on another yarder. Said that usually he makes his own roads but for some reason they didnt want him to this time.

Then the rain hit. Cleared up a little and he said he was close to getting the second yarder out there and to call him back in a few days (he gave me specific days to call him on). I was starting to feel a little discouraged but after talking to him today, even though he put it off yet again it did seem like hes trying to get me out there. A couple weeks ago I told him I would buy the gear I need as long as I have work and he said that he needs a couple guys actually. Said that the more people working for him the more the company makes. I don't know guys. The forecast calls for showers tomorrow but then clear the next 9 days ahead from what weather.com tells me so if I'm not working by monday I'm going to know something is up.

Still wouln't hurt to pound on a few more doors! Let them know you want to learn, will do anything that needs to be done!

[Dustin707]

Do you guys think I should pound on more doors even though I have ZERO experience? This guy is starting me out at 15/hr and had mentioned that if I show interest in the job that I would climb up the ranks because hes willing to train people. I just dont want to go with a different company and not have the pay or opportunity. From my understanding, starting off wages at 15/hr with ZERO experience is pretty decent. Am I wrong?

[Woodhauler]

No your not wrong, but your also not working!

[snowstorm]

if you know where his job is ride up there. tell him you would like to see what its all about. and will help out for free the first day

[Dustin707]

if you know where his job is ride up there. tell him you would like to see what its all about. and will help out for free the first day

That's a *DanG good idea. When I talk to him tomorrow I will mention that.

[Tramp Bushler]

 Bein I'm a tramp I may not be the best advice giver . However    all the experience you can get will help you . I don't have any idea how many loggin outfits are in your area but I would get all of them lined out in yoyr head . Heres the thing , if your gonna become a logger , then thats what your gonna do !! .
Lots of loggin outfits on this planet . Some of them will put u to work . 15 an hour isn't bad for a green hand . But thats what I pay green hands that work for me . . . I started hideing babbet in 83 for $11.43 an hour . In a month I was makin $12.35 an hour . . I already had my brush legs and I was a climber already . Took me 2 weeks to stop Oky chochin . Under the bottom and over the top . Not the right way to do it . But the slinger never had t slow down so I could keep up . And I wanted to learn all I could . I was never a riggin man at heart so I had to be pacient for a LONG time to get broke in cuttin . But bein a good hand I could get on where ever there was tower loggin . And I did .

[Dustin707]

Just thought I would give the ones interested in my situation an update. Rained today as predicted so I didnt call the boss. Says its gonna be clear starting tomorrow so I will give it a couple days then probably call him on Sunday to see about starting Monday. If he puts me off again, I will know something is up.

Thanks again guys! I will be back on with more green questions as soon as I can think of any  ;)

[Tramp Bushler]

Hey Dustin , There are some things I have thot about a couple things that will come in handy for when u start work . You can keep them in your tramp sack . But if you need them it will be good to have them with you .
1, good pocket knife
2, Husky bar wrench
3, Multi tool , like a leatherman, Gerber, SOG .
4, 8" cresent wrench .
5, roll of black tape , electrical tape.

2 other tools that are real handy to have is a Stihl Torx wrench and a HuskyT allen wrench with the 2 different size sockets

[lumberjack48]

If you get on as a chocker setter, make sure to always hook chockers from right hand side only.
If your doing your own rigging slinging, while the machine is gone, you plan the next turn, take only top logs, and make sure you can get under everything your going to hook. The machine operator don't like watching you dig under a log.

I ran rigging behind a D8 skid cat, out of Libby, Mt. back in 66

[clww]

And a Happy Birthday to you, too!

[Dustin707]

Hey guys, sorry I haven't been around the last few days. I've been busy with my current job and everything else in life. Thanks for the tip Tamp Bushler! Oh, and the bday wishes also.


So, I've got an update to the situation. I called the boss on Sunday since the forcast has been clear and I was hoping he was going to put me to work today (monday). He said I should call him Monday night because he's got two other new guys out there and he doesn't too many green guys working together. He said he wanted to split us up between Yarder side and "Cat side" (he referred to it as cat side this time and not tractor side like he had before).

I started to feel like I needed to step up and say something because in my previous conversations with him I had let him do pretty much all the talking because I didn't want to come off as too needy or pushy. I say this: "I can call you tomorrow night if you'd like. I've got an idea that ive been thinking about. I am willing to come out and work for a day for free to prove how serious I am. I feel I will catch on and that way you don't have anything to lose. If I work out then thats great, If not, you wont have to fire me because I wont come back and waste your time".... I think he liked that. He had said that its an easy job as its not so much mentally demanding but its physically. So I respond with "I dont want to come off cocky but I'm in great shape." And I filled him in a little on my cage fighting that I do 5 days a week and he laughs a little and said, you must be in pretty good shape then. I tell him I'm just ready to work. He asks me if I knew where a steak house was at in town and then began giving me directions. He said for me to show up Tuesday morning at 5:20am and I will catch the crew truck.

So, to make a long story even longer, I start tomorrow. I am going to head in and get some lunch meat and what not and then crash out early tonight. Alarm will be set for 3:30-A and then its rock and roll. I'm not nervous yet. I probably will be when I am laying in bed tonight and my mind is racing. I think what i'm most nervous about is walking up to a bunch of these guys and saying "I'm the new guy". I'm not sure how happy some of these guys are going to be to have to train yet another greenhorn but oh well, its the way it goes. Everyone starts off as a greenhorn at some point in their lives....i'm just a late bloomer I guess haha  :D


Oh, and sorry for the bad grammar.  ;D

[240b]

so, if your working for free are you covered by workers comp? 

[Dustin707]

ah, probably not. Who gets paid to work these days anyways? I think getting paid is over rated! Just kidding, I doubt I'm working for free means he said he was going to hire me from the beginning. I'm guessing that just helped motivate him to get the ball rolling ya know? But, if I do end up putting in a free day it will be well worth it in the long run. I dont see him putting me out there, being as green as I am and not be covered by any workers comp insurance. But stranger things have happened I guess. I should find out tomorrow and will let you know.

[Woodhauler]

Well GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!Listen to the old guys on the crew, they got to be old guys for a reason! ;D

[snowstorm]

free........gets there attention

[Dustin707]

free........gets there attention

Yeah, it was suggested in a previous post. It seemed to work  ;D

[Tramp Bushler]

Good deal . You'll do great . Make sure your hard hat stays on . !!

[PC-Urban-Sawyer]

Dustin must be too tired to type...

[lumberjack48]

To tired or out of breath, i had been logging 6 yrs in Minn. before i went to work in Montana. I was in exultant shape [ 18 yrs old] when i stated running with chockers i didn't understand why i got out of breath so easy. Being a flatlander and a Finn, i learned real quick, thin air, no oxygen, i thought i was going to die the first day.

About the third day in the morning, the crew boss sent me down to the other crew to get a Sky hook. I asked them, they didn't have one, they sent me over to another crew. I was driving and thinking what could it be, i stopped in the road, [Dummie] there is no such a thing. They got a good laugh out of it, not me, i felt kind of foolish. [ the wife thought it was funny to]

[Weekend_Sawyer]

I just finished reading this whole thread. What a motivated guy you are Dustin.
Good luck, I'm pulling for you.

Jon

[Tramp Bushler]

Ya, I looked for his post yday .
I thot about a friend who broke in settin snares under an 071 Madill out of Ketchikan . His friends had to help him up the stairs to his apartment after his first day . He made it tho .

[Woodhauler]

Waiting for a update!  ;D :D

[Dustin707]

Hey guys!

Things are going great! Sorry to leave everyone hanging. My days now start at 3:30am and I've never been all that great at falling asleep at night so not long after getting home I drink some night time tea (called Sleepy Time Tea) and kick back and hope to doze off.

Things are going great at work. I'm working cat side (tractor side) setting chokers. I'm yet to be set up on any greenhorn jokes but I'm sure they are coming. I dont know the exact dimensions of the chokers we are using but I know they are big because someone had mentioned that the boss obviously didn't want to risk breaking any. My conditioning has kept me alive but my feet hurt like no other. Actually just wrapped them both in bandages about 20 minutes ago ;D. Theres another green guy who's got a 1 day head start on me out there. He went in completely blind (more green than me believe it or not) and is having a little trouble but seems to be just as motivated as I am.

I do have one complaint. The guy who is "training" me speaks ZERO english. I'm not talking english with a strong Hispanic accent i'm talkin ZERO english. Actually he did speak one sentence, he knows how to ask "Do you speak spanish" in English. So my training consists of hand signals. Its absolutely frustrating to say the least and I plan on talkin to the boss about it after my first week. Just dont want to come off as someone who cant work with others. Its tough as you could imagine. Theres no "am I doing this right?" or "how am I doing?" none of that. I'm just watching what he does and how he does it but I'm definitely not having the opportunity to soak up information yet.

The guy whose driving the Cat for us is cool and understands my frustration. Hes logged for 50 years and has a bunch of knowledge just like you guys here so I have been picking his brain when given the chance. Lets see, what else...... we are logging 350 acres and when we are done he has another contract lined up. I THINK I remember hearing he bid it at 3-4 million. I don't have much information on the equipment we are running but if anyone is curious just shoot me some questions and I will get that info for you. I am slinging 4 chokers at a time. Its the ummm bell style choker?

The process that seems to work best for me and Alberto is: The cat backs up to us and Alberto grabs the chokers and stands stationary. The cat then moves forward until the hook on the cable is exposed then the cat backs up and I unhook the chokers and run the cable back then I jump in and help set chokers then whoever is closest to the hook once the last one is set then connects it to the cable hook then we bolt while the Cat yards the logs out. If we are only pulling one or two logs from a specific spot but have others ahead I will unhook the unneeded chokers and throw them in the direction of the next set. If there isnt anything near by I leave the unused chokers connected to the cable hook and hook the Eye of the set chokers over the unused one to prevent them from falling off. I learned what I think is called a bonus log? Just choking two logs with one choker. Also learning how to choke logs in certain ways to make them move in the direction needed in tight spaces.

We have 2 cats 2 skidders and a few loaders from what Ive seen (big crew). We are ahead in production as the quota is 14 loads a day and we are pulling off 18. I dont know if that is a lot or not all I know is we are ahead of schedule. Tomorrow calls for 30% chance of rain at 4am and 50% by noon so I may not be working tomorrow. Was told to check to see how wet it is in the morning and if its damp or raining then to just go back to sleep. In that case we wont be working until Monday even though the only day for rain is Thursday. After being out there and seeing everything for myself I totally understand why we cant work the tractor side unless the ground is dry. Yarder side may be a different story, then again, maybe not...

I still want to work the Yarder side but right now they needed me where they put me. Either way I'm having a blast. Call me crazy but I like the rush of knowing how dangerous this job is. I also like how physically demanding it is. I'm yet to get a pair of cork's so Ive been extra careful on where I stand. Ive worked 2 full days and have already experienced all kinds of crazy terrain from VERY sharp grades on the side of the mountain to climbing on top of huge piles of brush. One time I stepped on a branch for support, it snapped, and I pretty much disappeared from plain view. All within the blink of an eye I was up to my chin and still didnt feel the ground at my feet. Its great guys and I really envy all of you!

Anyways sorry about my bad grammar again. I got a couple email notices on my cellphone that there were replies here so I wanted to jump on and catch you guys up on my situation real fast then i'm hittin the sack.

Sorry for my ignorance when it comes to explaining what i'm doing. I'm still learning.

I will try to come on more often. Boss says two weeks before you start to adjust to things so we shall see. Its hard as hell but I'm pulling it off and dont plan on giving up. Once I'm more established I will pull out the cell phone and snap some pictures. Take care guys talk to you soon - Dustin

[Dustin707]

One last thing... if I had to guess as to how many guys we have out there I would say maybe 15 or so. I know I said "big crew" in my above post but never mind that because I honestly dont know what a big crew consists of. I guess its bigger than I was expecting...Could be small feel free to correct me  :D We do have a Yarder set up. Ive seen it moved twice so far. Once yesterday and once today. Was quite the process.

Talk to ya'll soon

[beenthere]

Good to hear from you Dustin, and sounds like some good work for you.

No apologies needed for any grammar that you think isn't right. You 'speak' quite well.

[colinofthewoods]

Get yourself some Caulk boots, you will love them.  Hopefully you can get yourself on the tower soon,  then you will have some real fun.

[Tramp Bushler]

 Hey Dustin; don't stress about working with a non English speaker . I gather he's from south of the border . Try bein the only white guy in a box crummy full of Tlingits  ( Klin- ket) . Or , worse a drill rig of Cajins . 
If he's a good hand , try to learn all you can from him . And everyone . . Sounds like your doin good .

  Corks may well help your feet feel better . But really , your just finding out one of the tough parts of runnin your a$$ of all day long . They will toughen up . Oil up your boots good at least once a week . Huberds or similar . .
Keep your boots snug . 2 or 3 pair of socks at a time . It cuts down on the rubbing and blisters  . Thats a good size crew . What dozer are you  working behind . What size timber . . Pics . Lots of pics .  8) :D

[terry f]

    This is a great read, and I wish you luck. I wish I had just one worker with your enthusiasm.

[lumberjack48]

The mainline hook or cable hook is called the Sea hook, at least is was 46 yrs ago. The draw bar hook on the cat is the Bull hook.

I had a problem with blisters until an ole Finn Gypo told me how to solve the problem. Put your boots on, lace-em up tight, stand in the bath tub or a creek, get-em wet and ware-em until there dry. I never had a problem with a pair of new boots again, they dry right to the form of your foot. This is the first thing i did with my new White cork boots. [ Then bear grease-em ]

Sounds like your doing excellent, observing sounds like the best tool you have. You got whammed, no english

[Sprucegum]

Keep Alberto talking; you might as well learn Spanish while you are there  :D  When you are boss you will have to tell the new "Albertos" what to do  ;)

[Holmes]

Keep Alberto talking; you might as well learn Spanish while you are there  :D  When you are boss you will have to tell the new "Albertos" what to do  ;)

   I like that idea. Live and learn.

[Stephen Alford]

Hey Dustin great thread. Just a couple of thoughts. Have always found oranges and bannannas helpful. An orange every hour will boost energy and hydration. Bannanas will steady your hands. Tums and pepermints can win over an  "OF" . As others have said footwear crucial. One issue with rough ground is achilles tendon problems. Watch for a burning sensation in your heal, can be painfull and a bit hard to make right. Heel lifters for inside your boots can provide temporary fix.  Another thing I have always found a good habit is when I am bent over working with chockers etc.  I brace one forearm across the knee, seems to help the lower back.  Good luck with your endeavor. 

 

[240b]

I've been working with two guys who have limited english skills. I know whats going on and what to do.
I can not fathom being in that situation. Way too easy to get hurt. One of the truck drivers joked, "how you coming on your broken english?" the other day. Great..   The saving grace is they are both good natured. They get pretty nervous when we see a cop in the morning.  wouldn't want to live like that...

[Dustin707]

Thanks for the tips guys! Thursday and Friday were both rained out but its been nice and sunny over the weekend. Its about that time of year were its going to stay pretty sunny so I'm expecting to put in at least 40 hours this week. Going to be a warm one, 80 - 90 degrees. Wish me luck. Feet are all healed up so I should have a good start to the week. I went out and bought a couple pairs of more realistic socks and on Friday I will be ordering my boots.

After reading your posts Ive decided against mentioning the barrier between Alberto and myself. I'm just going to learn as much as I can while working with him since he is a good worker then maybe try to move to the Yarder side.

Will keep you guys posted!

[Dustin707]

Hey Dustin great thread. Just a couple of thoughts. Have always found oranges and bannannas helpful. An orange every hour will boost energy and hydration. Bannanas will steady your hands. Tums and pepermints can win over an  "OF" . As others have said footwear crucial. One issue with rough ground is achilles tendon problems. Watch for a burning sensation in your heal, can be painfull and a bit hard to make right. Heel lifters for inside your boots can provide temporary fix.  Another thing I have always found a good habit is when I am bent over working with chockers etc.  I brace one forearm across the knee, seems to help the lower back.  Good luck with your endeavor. 

 

Thats a great idea. I will give it a shot. I'm new so when I'm setting chokers i'm usually going 100mph and havent really paid any attention to how i'm crouching/standing. As time goes by I'm sure I will figure out a great method. I will give the forearm across the knee a try tomorrow. Thanks for the help!

[lumberjack48]

The fastest way i found, from the left hand side of the log, i laid-ed over the log at a 45 degree angle facing the long end. With chocker in the right hand, shoving nob under log and grabbing it with the left hand, pull it though an hook chocker bell. [ 5 to 10 seconds ]

When i hooked behind the D8, it had a skid pan behind it, i ran 16 chockers. They used a Boxer Glove bell, they were 100% faster to unhook on the landing. I'll post a pic of one.



 

[Dustin707]

Hey guys just dropping in to give an update...

Well, equipment started to break over on the cat side where I was working. We had a string of bad luck that included each of the crummies getting flat tires 3 days in a row. Oh, also 2 fires in the engine compartments of the cats.

Anyways, over on the yarder side we had a guy quit so they pulled the other greenhorn over because he spoke a lick of spanish and they had him setting chokers but mostly running haywire. Was a good move for him because a few weeks later 4 of us over on the cat side god laid off.

Two of the cats broke down towards the end of the contract and the boss decided to pull us choker setters and finish the job with Grapple Cats. I'm not sure if there was another job panning out because last I heard they went to bid it but the quality of trees were poor and word has it that the boss won't bid a job unless he's going to make good money off it. I haven't heard from them yet and its been about 4 weeks now.

Unfortunately for me I left my previous job and forfeited my unemployment I earned and I didn't work long enough before getting laid off to earn any logging.
The good news is I relocated and now live with my girlfriend up in Crescent City which is up next to the oregon border. There is only one logging company up here and judging by the amount of loads I see passing through town daily they have a lot of work. I've called them but they tell me they are running a full crew.

The girlfriend and I have been trying to figure things out for awhile now and after I got laid off I decided to relocate up there instead of move here down and so far its worked out...

The other day I found a posting on craigslist in the help wanted section from a logging outfit looking to hire a few positions so I contacted them and found that they are from out of town but have a contract in the area up here. I traveled to their office and spoke with them and filled out an application and then shortly after I got a call saying I got the job. I'm going to be a chaser now so no more setting chokers. I don't care what anyone says, to me its a step up the ladder haha I'm not sure what the pay is going to be and I don't care at this point. I did find out that shortly after I got hired with the last company I got a raise to 16/hr so that was cool.. Oh and we were sending out 90 loads a week on average (18 a day) that's both yarder and cat side.

Anyways, I was supposed to start tomorrow but rain is comiing tonight so I will probably start tuesday. I'm gonna go ahead and call it on this thing tonight because I'm on my stupid cell phone and its giving mne fits.


Take care guys and be safe! I will be back on in a few days or so hopefully and give updates on this new job. Maybe a new topic too?

[beenthere]

Thanks for the update Dustin.  Never a dull moment, and hope this new job will pay off better for you.
Keep us posted. And good luck to ya, and be safe.

[thecfarm]

Good to hear from you.Sounds like the logging bug has bit you. ;D Good luck to you.

[PC-Urban-Sawyer]

Dustin,

Good to hear from you. You've had both ups and downs but that's all part of getting the experience you need in the long run. You've chosen a tough way to make a living but you seem to have the kind of attitude that will help you make it.

Good luck, be careful and don't be a stranger.

Herb

[clww]

Thanks for the updates. "When one door closes, another door opens". Stay after it, because the more you work, the more experience you gain, and the more valuable an asset you become.

[stoneeaglefarm]

The best advice i can give after 26 years in the woods is this, Every day is a bonus if youlove cutting trees, Us OLD Farts have learned alot, Being and looking cool is not ment for the real logger, Being good and being good is a reward that sets you aside from the folks that think they are loggers and guys that haul a saw just to be what they think are loggers, Time proves that you are a logger, A year or 2 means nothing, Like so many others on this site, Time is experience and experience makes you a logger, A true woodsmen is one that spends his time in the woods, All the power to those that want to be loggers, But, So much more power to those that have stayed the course, We are not hero,s like them folks on that stupid show AX Men. We are true people that just love what they do, I hope you write a note 10 years from today saying you are still cutting wood. Good Luck

[logman81]

Well said!

[Dustin707]

BUMP!

[beenthere]

A BUMP isn't an update.  What's up?
@Dustin707

[Dustin707]

Well, I ended up Chasing for an outfit up by the Oregon/California border. Was a great experience. Finished up the season and ended up splitting with my girlfriend at the time. Relocated to Southern California to just get away for a while and now I am moving back north in a few weeks and am looking to get back at it!

Its been rough between the new relationship status and living in an area where there are no real trees but hard times are behind me now! (hopefully)

When I was chasing we were getting it done. Was a company that downsized and was at the end of their career. We were running 3 chasers, 1 loader operator, and 2 cat skinners. We were loading 20 trucks a day on average. Was wide open! It was an amazing experience and I really cant wait to get back at it!

[Tramp Bushler]

 You should give Evergreen Timber in Ketchikan a call and see if they need any riggin men?  You may have to set snares for a while but that's ok. Alaska is a different place and tower loggin is way different than cat loggin.  But you'd b loggin  !! If I still have their phone # I'll send u a pm. 

[Dustin707]

Thanks man! Yeah, if you have their number shoot it on over.  It's good to see you are still around. You gave me some solid advice in the past!

[Tramp Bushler]

1-907-680-2304
Try this one.  I think its for the Afognak Side.

[Dustin707]

Thanks for the info! I will post an update on my next move soon. I'm pretty happy this thread is still around it was neat reflecting on my experience getting my foot in the door. Hopefully I can keep it going for a couple more years and maybe others could benefit as well

[Warped]

Hey guys just dropping in to give an update...

Well, equipment started to break over on the cat side where I was working. We had a string of bad luck that included each of the crummies getting flat tires 3 days in a row. Oh, also 2 fires in the engine compartments of the cats.

Anyways, over on the yarder side we had a guy quit so they pulled the other greenhorn over because he spoke a lick of spanish and they had him setting chokers but mostly running haywire. Was a good move for him because a few weeks later 4 of us over on the cat side god laid off.

Two of the cats broke down towards the end of the contract and the boss decided to pull us choker setters and finish the job with Grapple Cats. I'm not sure if there was another job panning out because last I heard they went to bid it but the quality of trees were poor and word has it that the boss won't bid a job unless he's going to make good money off it. I haven't heard from them yet and its been about 4 weeks now.

Unfortunately for me I left my previous job and forfeited my unemployment I earned and I didn't work long enough before getting laid off to earn any logging.
The good news is I relocated and now live with my girlfriend up in Crescent City which is up next to the oregon border. There is only one logging company up here and judging by the amount of loads I see passing through town daily they have a lot of work. I've called them but they tell me they are running a full crew.

The girlfriend and I have been trying to figure things out for awhile now and after I got laid off I decided to relocate up there instead of move here down and so far its worked out...

The other day I found a posting on craigslist in the help wanted section from a logging outfit looking to hire a few positions so I contacted them and found that they are from out of town but have a contract in the area up here. I traveled to their office and spoke with them and filled out an application and then shortly after I got a call saying I got the job. I'm going to be a chaser now so no more setting chokers. I don't care what anyone says, to me its a step up the ladder haha I'm not sure what the pay is going to be and I don't care at this point. I did find out that shortly after I got hired with the last company I got a raise to 16/hr so that was cool.. Oh and we were sending out 90 loads a week on average (18 a day) that's both yarder and cat side.

Anyways, I was supposed to start tomorrow but rain is comiing tonight so I will probably start tuesday. I'm gonna go ahead and call it on this thing tonight because I'm on my stupid cell phone and its giving mne fits.


Take care guys and be safe! I will be back on in a few days or so hopefully and give updates on this new job. Maybe a new topic too?

I know this is one of your long ago posts but wanted to address something. In New York and most likely in Ca. your unemployment claim stays open. You don't lose it for having taken a new job that didn't pan out. Should be open until it's exhausted, in which case you would need to qualify for a new claim. If you didn't max the original, and new employment paid more and didn't pan out you should qualify for a new claim at a higher rate. Of course you would need the required time at the new employment or it revert back to the original
You may have already dealt with this in 2012 but figured it may keep someone else from failing to report down time.
Good luck!

[Warped]

Not sure if starting greenhorn wages have increased from the 15 you were
hustling to land. But, I'd like to see these fast food workers deserving of $15 an hour dropped on a dangerous mountain side at 5 a.m. with chokers in hand........the logging company can set up bleachers and charge admission. I'd be there! :laugh: