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the daily logger
United States
Приєднався 23 лис 2020
These compilations show examples of my daily life as a Tigercat LX870D operator in the Pacific Northwest. I hope that this is of interest to others who do what I do and those considering getting into what has been a satisfying and rewarding career. This is a team effort- I do my job, and my wife captures and refines it on video with her technological skills and an eye for detail. Thanks to her, and for watching, be safe!
Moving The 470 Hitachi Line Machine To Its First Job, The Summit Conversion Is Complete!
Moving day this past Monday in the drizzle. Lon showed up with the 12-axle setup and we got her loaded up. First time for an unusual machine is always a little bit of an experiment but Lon had it figured out so with some care and patience it fit well. We'll have to do some adjustments to get the height right and still don't know exactly what it weighs but all in good time. So after about 30 miles of rock and 4000' of elevation, it's on the job. Still hoping to have a video approved for you all of me getting going and what it was like but I can tell you now that tether with it exceeded all my best expectations and I'm completely stoked. Thanks for watching.
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Відео
470 Hitachi Line Machine Conversation Video #8 - Spooling The Line On The Drum
Переглядів 963Рік тому
Here's another quick video on the 470 line machine. I got to the Summit shop in time to watch the process of spooling the new line onto the drum. After this was completed, it was ready to be moved to the job. As always, some things to learn, something I will be doing a lot of as I get started cutting on the rope!
470 Hitachi Line Machine Conversation Video #7 - A Few Of The Things I Haven't Shown Yet
Переглядів 413Рік тому
Here's the most recent update on the Line Machine Conversion at Summit. It's really taking focus now. Tried to catch some of the things I've noticed but hadn't shown, the belly pans, the lights in the compartments, the Line catchers. Still missed some stuff. I think it will be fired up and set up this coming week won't be too far out there before the Line goes on. Stay tuned!
470 Hitachi Line Machine Conversation Video #6 - Painted & Curing In The Sun
Переглядів 451Рік тому
Here's another update. That actually is a full-size pickup in front of it, not a Matchbox truck! It was outside curing in the sun this afternoon and really looking great. I am planning on getting down there to the shop this coming week as it is back on the line and moving fast. Thanks for Watching!
470 Hitachi Line Machine Conversation Video #5 - Sanded & Prepped To Be Painted
Переглядів 589Рік тому
Here's another update on the 470 Line Machine at Summit. When I shot this, it was being prepped for the paint room. A lot of machine to cover, most of it by hand! The crew did a great job on it; very impressive to look at all the work that went into making a good surface for painting. New paint is coming up next!
470 Hitachi Line Machine Conversation Video #4 - In Line For The Paint Room & The Tower Is Up!
Переглядів 445Рік тому
Stopped by Summit after getting off the hill on a Friday and found the Line machine outside for the first time. She's looking pretty sharp, the cab guard is off for prep, but the catwalks, side steps, and drum assembly are good to go. Won't be long now.
470 Hitachi Line Machine Conversion Video #3 - And The Tigercat Buncher In For A Stinger
Переглядів 760Рік тому
I was in between units, so we got Lon to bring the Buncher down to Summit for them to install a stinger and do the electronics installation there. Also, a quick look around the 470 in the shop it's looking good.
470 Hitachi Line Machine Conversion Video #2: Components Getting Attached And Fabrication Underway
Переглядів 593Рік тому
The Hitachi has been at Summit in Kelso, WA, for over a week, and it's taking shape. The Tower/Stick extension is installed, and the Drum and Motor housing is getting fitted up. I appreciate having the opportunity to watch this machine come together; I hope you find it interesting too.
470 Hitachi Line Machine Conversion - Video #1 - In The Shop At Summit
Переглядів 535Рік тому
The Hitachi is in the door and on the line at Summit in Kelso, Wa. They have just gotten started on the conversion process. We want to give as close a look at it as we can; thanks to Eric Krume for being so generous with his time to allow that. Summit is an amazing facility; the innovation they are responsible for developing and manufacturing is changing how timber is and will be harvested here...
A Clean LX870D At 7600 Hours : She's Ready For Summer
Переглядів 1,4 тис.Рік тому
Was able to steam clean the Buncher last week, and it came out super nice. Our shop steam cleaner is in the shop for a major rebuild, so I rented one from Landa NW in Portland. It was a great Landa unit, with a wand that had a low-pressure mode allowing for detergent injection. I spray my cleaners on with a Chapin sprayer, but the low-pressure mode is terrific for cleaning close around all the ...
It's Always Something! Changes For The Daily Logger Channel
Переглядів 1,3 тис.Рік тому
It's Always Something! Changes For The Daily Logger Channel
40+ Years I've Been A Logger & This Is The Best Hi-Vis Vest I've Owned (Showing What I Carry In It)
Переглядів 902Рік тому
I really like this vest and have used it daily for about 6 years. It finally wore out so I ordered a new one with some custom features. If you're in the market for a well made vest that will take abuse, is comfortable and has all the pockets you'll ever need, than this is the one you should check out. They're made by Safety Apparel (link below) - the owner of the outfit is Matthew Stansberry. I...
Beautiful Ground, Beautiful Wood. No Music, No Talking, Just Cutting! "Tigercat LX870D"
Переглядів 10 тис.Рік тому
This is a piece of shovel ground I cut recently while the next block of yarder ground dried out a little. Doesn't get much better than this! Hope you enjoy it!
Phase Congestion - Early Morning Cutting With The Tigercat Buncher Above An Icy Active Haul Road
Переглядів 1,9 тис.Рік тому
Here's the last block on the 2900 road unit. Last day of cutting and the first day of trucking. I got close to getting done before I fouled everybody up with my gates on the road, but not quite close enough! Some cutting and thinking out loud to go along with it. Hope you enjoy it!
Cutting A Split Line Down A Steep Ridge With The Tigercat LX870D
Переглядів 5 тис.Рік тому
This was some of the tougher ground on what was a really nice unit. I'm opening up another block so I'm cutting this split line down the hill and changing the lead to go to a different landing. Thought I'd talk about what I'm doing, and why I'm doing it. Hope you find it interesting!
Tigercat Buncher Cutting Timber In A Christmas Snow-globe
Переглядів 1,2 тис.Рік тому
Tigercat Buncher Cutting Timber In A Christmas Snow-globe
Mt St Helens Volcano : Cutting Reprod Timber With The Tigercat LX870D Buncher 40 Years Post Eruption
Переглядів 6 тис.Рік тому
Mt St Helens Volcano : Cutting Reprod Timber With The Tigercat LX870D Buncher 40 Years Post Eruption
Tigercat Bunching In SW Washington - Planning For The Worst, Hoping For The Best And Making It Work!
Переглядів 3,1 тис.Рік тому
Tigercat Bunching In SW Washington - Planning For The Worst, Hoping For The Best And Making It Work!
Tigercat Buncher Operator - 3 Things That I Do Prior To Cutting A Unit To Increase My Production
Переглядів 12 тис.Рік тому
Tigercat Buncher Operator - 3 Things That I Do Prior To Cutting A Unit To Increase My Production
470 Hitachi Line Machine Conversion Update, The Mechanics In The Shop Have Been Getting At It!
Переглядів 864Рік тому
470 Hitachi Line Machine Conversion Update, The Mechanics In The Shop Have Been Getting At It!
Tigercat Buncher Operator Filling In On The 5040 Shovel To Keep Wood Moving On The Link Belt Side
Переглядів 1,9 тис.Рік тому
Tigercat Buncher Operator Filling In On The 5040 Shovel To Keep Wood Moving On The Link Belt Side
Converting A 470 Hitachi Excavator Into A Summit Line Machine For The Tigercat (Video 1: Preview)
Переглядів 870Рік тому
Converting A 470 Hitachi Excavator Into A Summit Line Machine For The Tigercat (Video 1: Preview)
My Boss Getting It Done With The 568 Cat On A Tough Piece Of Shovel Ground
Переглядів 3,3 тис.Рік тому
My Boss Getting It Done With The 568 Cat On A Tough Piece Of Shovel Ground
First Block Is Opened Up, Time To Rock n Roll! Cutting Steep Shovel Ground With The Tigerkitty
Переглядів 1,3 тис.2 роки тому
First Block Is Opened Up, Time To Rock n Roll! Cutting Steep Shovel Ground With The Tigerkitty
Let's Get Off To A Good Start, New Farm, New Unit - Opening The First Block Up With The Tigercat
Переглядів 1,8 тис.2 роки тому
Let's Get Off To A Good Start, New Farm, New Unit - Opening The First Block Up With The Tigercat
Buncher Cutting Yarder Ground Above A Buffer Hoping Not To Get Stuck Cause There's Only One Way Out
Переглядів 1,5 тис.2 роки тому
Buncher Cutting Yarder Ground Above A Buffer Hoping Not To Get Stuck Cause There's Only One Way Out
Cutting Yarder Ground In The Dark With The Tigercat LX870D Buncher In Glenwood, Washington
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Cutting Yarder Ground In The Dark With The Tigercat LX870D Buncher In Glenwood, Washington
Temporary Joystick Fix On The Tigercat - Getting All MacGyver On It!
Переглядів 4572 роки тому
Temporary Joystick Fix On The Tigercat - Getting All MacGyver On It!
Another Unit On The Ground For The 3 Link Belts, Time For Me To Get Out Of Here!
Переглядів 9032 роки тому
Another Unit On The Ground For The 3 Link Belts, Time For Me To Get Out Of Here!
Cutting Trees Next To A Road And A Power-line With The Tigercat - Oregon Logging
Переглядів 2,5 тис.2 роки тому
Cutting Trees Next To A Road And A Power-line With The Tigercat - Oregon Logging
Just great ! Thank you. New sub here. Easternmost Canada.
Jason I haven't seen your video for some time , hope your doing will, be safe Jerry
would love to see what's happened in the last year for you. cool perspective on logging south of the border. I'm in BC near Oroville
Awesome content, always cool to see how another fellow buncherman works and lays out blocks.
Since you grease the bolt threads up, you could do with less torque than the prescribed 300 lb-ft (Pound-foot that is, and not Foot-pound as the latter is a measure for energy). Happy cuttin'!
To perform that kind of tree surgery and talk at the same time is impressive nicely done ✅
Hey, haven't seen anything new. How is the tethering going? When will you post again? Stay safe!
I like the way you compliment the driver. I haul equipment too and never get anything but, "you gettin close", or "you sure are particular about your chains"😂😂
Why are you tracking back and forth every time you go to dump?
Good morning Jason. Loved this video and wished I could see more. You’re so professional when operating the buncher. How is the new tether machine doing?
Great job, love that nice work jason.
Why u cut the tree, then cut the storm again
What?
Yea im an old loger we stsrted with pencher, johndear in 1978. Im retired 1999 in east texas i love it.
Maybe add an Israeli bandage?
Cool to see this Jason, clearly a man of many talents! Always so good to see someone able to be adaptable, I really think it’s so valuable in today’s environment, and can certainly help keep a job running smoothly when needed. I had the chance to run that same machine whilst I was over- once I started to get the feel I found it a pleasure to operate, and I can certainly see how a more seasoned shovel operator than myself could really get some production out of it. You mention how bad the ground was there in places though; are you doing anything in particular there to combat that? It still takes some effort for me to wrap my head around a machine of that size working down in the unit, so I’d be interested to hear if there’s anything you might be doing that’s much different to the way I might deal with soft ground here. Hope everyone is well on your side of the pond, look forward to talking soon. Stay safe and happy cutting Jason! Harley.
Cutters dream
Clean, organized, and professional.
very nice box !!!! I like very mutch !!!!!
Very pretty. Wish we could play like that. Music makes me want to go to sleep😪
Great video. Was nice watching you cut hearing the commentary. I learned some things from you.
Thanks! During my time as a logger I've learned a lot of ways how not to do things so I'm happy to hear that you have gotten an idea or two about HOW to do some things! Sounds like you are running buncher, whereabouts in the world do you work? Thanks for the comment, be safe!
I love watching im a contract hand cutter in the northeast new Hampshire and Vermont and Massachusetts i hope to buy a feller buncher to grow my contract cutting business
Right on. I had an outfit based in Central Vermont for 20 years or so. Logged all over Vermont and NH, got up into Maine a bit as well as Mass. and. NY. some too. Glad to hear you like the vids, we're sorry that we had to stop. The toughest part of contract cutting is making sure your customers pay promptly I found, but if you get enough good outfits to keep the bunchers busy you're good to go! As you can tell, my blood runs yellow and black because of the Tigercat LX870D. Thanks for the comment and good luck to ya! Be safe
How much do you charge I get 250 a day contract cutting with a chain saw now
@@Loggeraaron1990 There are a lot of variables and differences between the east coast and the west coast. Generally Hand Fallers here bill out around $100.00 an hour. They generally work a 6 hour day. Workers Comp plays a huge part of that rate for them as contractors. Buncher rates vary but with the replacement cost for an 870 class machine at well over 800K the hourly bill out for an non-tethered machine should be $300 or better an hour. That may seem high to you, but the average volume per acre and the subsequent production for a buncher, or a good hand faller, plus taking into account the overhead costs they incur make it realistic. Its a good question, thanks for asking. Hope you're making money at it, be safe brother!
Happy new year 2024
Thanks, same to you!
Happy new year and i hope to see you again with your Feller buncher in action ,have a good season😊
Thank you sir! Hopefully we can get something out this year. Happy New Year to you as well!
You will be missed! Best of luck. Silly rule the land owner has!
Hey, thanks! Yeah, it seems pretty knuckleheaded to us too, but that's a big corporation for you I guess. Thanks for the comment and the interest, we appreciate it! Be safe
Thank you very much for the cool vids.
Thank you for the comment and for watching them. We appreciate that you find them interesting. All the best to you for the New Year! Be safe
Great stuff Jason! I do a lot of road building work here in Scotland at the moment since I’m mostly in the excavator, so this is cool to see. I don’t know if Alex has mentioned anything to you, but I’m planning to come out to your area in the beginning of next year. Hope you’re doing well 👍
Hi Harley, You bet, Alex had passed on your email so I had heard that you were planning on heading this way. I look forward to meeting you. What do you run for an excavator generally? Do you run one with one of those Engcon Tiltrotator buckets? Those seem like the Swiss Army knife of excavator attachments. We are all right in the soup now, full on winter, dodging the snow level and not being able to live without my Muck boots. Keep us posted on your travel plans, sounds good! Be safe
Glad Alex has let you know. My Visa application is submitted and my passport renewed, so as soon as I get an approval on that I can take the next steps. I run 8-25 ton excavators (mostly 13-18), the last machine I was on was a CAT but a wide range of brands are popular over here, probably Hitachi, Volvo and JCB the most where I work specifically. I don’t run a tiltrotator myself but I work with some guys who do and I have had a chance to do a little with one, and they are amazing pieces of kit for any application. They seem to be spreading out of Scandinavia at a steady rate so I think it’s a matter of time before they reach the US since they’re now quite common here. Stay safe
Hi Harley, sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. Sounds like your travel plans are taking shape. Are you traveling solo or with a wife/girlfriend? The PNW is pretty incredible,you're going to like it I'm sure. From what I've seen those tiltrotators are pretty slick, seems like you'd have to have a careful/delicate operator to have them hold up but man they are capable. All the best to you on the travel plans, Happy New Year to ya too!
@@thedailylogger No worries Jason, always good to hear from you. I was initially planning to travel solo, but I'm now planning to come out with a friend of mine to share the stresses of travel with! He's never been to the area either so is looking forward to coming along with me just to see the area and enjoy the trip. I can't wait to see it myself, I've been doing a lot of research lately and I'm amazed by some of the sights. The tiltrotators are definitely a different animal, and they do require a certain style of operator. From what I've seen from the best operators I know It seems that the learning curve is understanding the balance between the range of extra movements the tiltrotator allows and still using the movements that are most efficient from the carrier, since the machines aren't really optimised yet for all that the tiltrotator can do. Even with that being true though, I know a few guys operating them and the amount they've increased the machine's productivity in each example is amazing. Stay well my friend 👍
@@Hp_409 Copy that! I'm sure it will be a great trip. I'd like to have a chance to look one of those tiltrotator heads over up close. Be safe!
Any new videos on your steep slope machine coming out soon? I’m falling some blocks that are machine assist, and it’s steep. Gotta be 100%….. I’m only able to climb until I can’t with the 870 LX with basic single grousers. I’m guessing 55-60%. I could be out to lunch though. Just goin by what the map says.. There is a timbermax that they use with a new LX870D for the machine assist, I haven’t seen it work yet. Looks scary…..
Hey, thanks for the note. I am tethering quite a bit, but it seems like the videos aren't really going to work. I'm disappointed to tell you the truth. The tethered cutting is interesting. I like it a lot, I know just what you mean when you say it looks scary, but I actually feel a lot more comfortable and less stressed on the line than off. Especially now, winter and fully saturated ground, when it gets steep and all you're thinking about is holding on and not breaking free, and if you're cutting down into some draw or hole if youlll be able to get out again. The Summit system is great, it works easily, no problems and simple to work with. I've found that the details of cutting a block are the most important and where I'm feeeling the most learning curve on. Opening a block up, and how I'm going to move through it efficiently takes more time than freestyling. And just working with the line is quite an issue to work with. So I'm trying to get more efficient and productive each block I move through, kinda picking up tricks and ways to make myself more productive. I don't know if other guys feel this way or not but I feel that my piece count when I'm tethering goes down significantly versus free styling on reasonable ground. But I'm really increasing logging production on tough ground. For the shovels even on the real steep ground, and doubling or even tripling the production for the yarder. So that bites me in the ass a little, I'm used to burying the crews behind me, now I'm struggling to stay ahead. Another thing I've found is there's a lot more to deal with, another machine to maintain, quite a lot of moving two pieces plus cutting gates and my truck. A setting where I can place the line machine well back from the break and sit there for multiple roads, particularly when I can reach out 800 to 1000 feet is the cats pajamas! Short, tough pitches into a draw directly below a road are really tough and time consuming. But I like it, and I'll get better as I go, I recommend it to you, I think it's the way we're going and I think you'll like it when you get going on it too. Thanks for the note man, be safe out there!
Jason I like how you are careful and dont put undo pressure on your machine. No fancy stuff.
Thanks! I appreciate the comment. Ground and wood like that unit make it easy but I'm a firm believer in making it as easy as I can on the machine and me. I've seen too much stuff get torn up and either had to figure out how to deal with it or pay for it to tear stuff up myself if I can avoid it. Thanks for the comment, good cuttin to ya! Be safe.
@@thedailylogger No need to dump the head all the way to 90 degrees and hold onto the tree all the way down...especially with conditions like that where it's a cut 1 and dump. You are putting an incredible amount of unneeded stress on every pin, bushing, grab arm, boom and the swing bearing. A good operator would be able to tilt the head 30 degrees, open the arms and have the tree land where in the right spot 90% of the time. I could see if you are cutting for a skidder where your piles have to be straight and the butts even but if you are cutting for a processor...open up those arms and let gravity do the work. Also, I notice how you don't drive the saw full speed into the tree...very well done. I have seen too many guys drive the head way too fast into big trees and not give the saw time to cut. I do the same as it dramatically lessens the stress on everything. Also noticed how you don't track back and forth for every tree...seen this way too many times with other operators. I've spent 25 years in various bunchers (Prentice 630, Tigercat 822, 870C and my current 855E) and the amount of unnecessary wear and tear makes me shudder every time i see it.
Have a Nice Day
Thanks! You do the same.
3 yrs is good life for your cab spring👍
Copy. It's the best setup I've come up with. It doesn't get out as well as it would in an upright position but then again it lasts because it's protected. You probably have to do this too, I have to set up gates when I'm cutting within 2 tree lengths of the road and the radio gets out reliably so I can hear and talk with trucks. That's really the most important use I have for the radio as it is a priority requirement of the landowner we contract with. I run a different channel than the job as I am not really a fan of yammering on the cb or listening to others either, it takes both hands and both thumbs to cut! I'll try to get a video of the gate setup I came up with. They work well too. Thanks for the comment! Be safe
Hope so. Your be back 2024
Thanks, I wish that was the case, I'm up against corporate policy so unfortunately I don't think it going to change. We'll see. Appreciate the comment, be safe.
Eighteen teeth per box and you need 20, forces you to buy another box. That’s what I call marketing!
Yeah it's always kinda baffled me, I've never run a disc with less so I have always wondered if it was a weight issue for shipping, or like you say, marketing. But after this video came out I had several operators from the SE point out that a lot of the wheeled bunchers run 18 tooth discs. Worldwide they outnumber track machines pretty heavily so that may explain the box count. In the past I've looked into buying 10 boxes or more at a time, to get a better deal and have the teeth on hand, but the margins are pretty tight, the volume you'd have to buy to get a significant discount has always been more investment than I, or the guys I've worked for, wanted to tie up. It's pretty easy to get the 2 extra teeth at dealers with the box, so it's not like you have to buy a whole extra box. As I show in the video, I like to keep a full set of 20 on hand in the Pelican case just in case! Thanks for the comment, and for watching, be safe.
Good job
Thanks!
Great stuff Jason. Interesting to hear you talk about this, I’ve only done very little work around yarders over here, so it’s good to learn. Stay safe my friend. Harley
Copy. Glad you find the videos interesting. I'm disappointed that I can't keep them coming. Working my way through picking up the tricks necessary to make using the line machine efficient. It's a learning curve. I'm currently on a pretty nice unit in the blast zone, fun to be on reasonable ground and good wood. Freehand bunching is a treat! My production went through the roof! Be safe.
Great unit there! Haven’t seen any new videos in awhile, hope you’re doing well. Take care!
Yup, it's that time of year, everybody's getting worn down, and we still have to go like a sonofagun to get off the hill before snow. Some tethering vids in the works, hope they'll let us put them out. Best
@@thedailylogger Been there! In Montana and NE Washington we’d run super hard before spring breakup, loading trucks at night to get the wood out. Stay safe!
@@bobmartin6055 Copy that. I just took a week off, a road trip around NW WA. If you don't mind me asking, what work are you doing now? I'm getting more time under my belt with the line machine cutting both yarder and steep shovel/skidder ground, wish I had a free hand to show it. It's an interesting learning curve. Thanks for the comment!
Nice! It’s a long story but I left the woods up in NE Washington and went to school in Spokane to be an industrial electrician. From there I went to work in the federal hydroelectric industry, worked on the Columbia River for 13 years and then moved down to the Colorado River for the past 9 years. It’s been a journey but I’ve never forgotten the lessons I learned in the woods and am glad for the work ethic it in instilled in me. I would still love to get back into the woods after I retire from hydropower. If you feel the need to warm your bones up this winter, I’d be happy to show you around southern Utah and share some of the sunshine! The trees are shorter and the dirt is red but it’s pretty amazing country. Good talking to you! Best wishes.
@@bobmartin6055 Interesting where life takes us all. Thanks for the brief snapshot. Hydroelectric and Logging share a strikingly different public perception from our parents generation. I think it would be hard to imagine support for removing dams from rivers in their times, just as it is difficult for me to understand the rationale for not practicing sound management on previously harvested lands in our state and federal forests. But both are easy targets for avoiding the harder choices involved in addressing ill-considered growth and consumption. But we sure are fortunate in this country to have so much wealth in natural resources and beauty. I haven't spent much time in Utah, you make it sound pretty nice! Always good to hear from you.
I sure hope wayerhaeuser stays out of Washington state. They sound like a real wet blanket to the industry from what ive heard of them. For sure when it comes to public interest anyway
I'm not quite sure if you message came through the way you wanted. But I think I hear what you are saying. The whole thing with our channel is certainly disappointing, but it's really more about Big Corporations and the Lawyers that run them than about Weyco in particular. Basically eliminating any type of liability is the name of the game in all the big businesses of the world today, and with that attitude nothing else can really be considered. It's unfortunate, but a reality. With that being said, I actually feel that Weyco, for example, does a really outstanding job of protecting the resources the public wants protected, growing timber and ensuring that their best timberland remains as that. I've always been an independent minded person, as another logger no doubt you are the same, so working within the rules of corporate structure isn't easy for me. But another reality of the industry is that in the US the big blocks of timberland necessary for progressive, high production logging are owned by corporations. They own the sandbox, so they get to make the rules. Not saying that it rests easy on me all the time, it's just the way it is. Thanks for the comment, be safe out there!
Lookin forward to the new adventure. 470 looks amazing. I’ve never been hooked up to the teather line…… never really wanted to be either.😂
Hey thanks. We're working on a video of me getting dialed in on it. I've been interested in the winch assist idea ever since I saw that Climbmax video from New Zealand of that machine sliding down the hill in a flood of soil and stumps. Not quite sure how they can get away with that much disturbance but I liked the concept. I'm just now getting my feet wet with it but I have to say I am completely stoked about being on the line. I've spent so many days free styling, especially in the winter, all puckered up and using every trick I have to get around and not fall off the hill that for me from the first trip over the hill I felt completely comfortable cutting with that positive connection to the ground. For quite a few years now I've felt that my Buncher was capable of operating on ground that I wasnt confident about my ability to hold on to. To feel comfortable working on that ground cutting all day is to me the best thing about tethering. Cutting above a road cut bank, on rock or above a creek and being able to get the wood and not be stressed about breaking free is more productive and way more enjoyable. The thing I realize is that the key to working with the system is tuning up the technique of using the line effectively, cutting layout and working the tough spots efficiently. I'm no line guy so that will take a while, but it's coming along. Thanks for the comment and the interest, stay tuned for the video! Be safe
Absolutely agree with you. Smokie days where I am in Campbell River. B.C. Stay tuned I will…..😁
@@Stormdodger Copy. We're coming into the thick of the season now, aren't we? So far down here fire season has been pretty good but that can change quick. You guys are getting hammered. Good talking with you, stay safe out there, and good cuttin to ya!
@@thedailylogger The New Zealand Forestry companies/ loggers do not get away with excessive environmental collateral damage (search keywords Gisborne Forest Companies slash fine) The environmental authorities are forcing change. The production forest cutting area permitted in one place at one time is likely to be further reduced, the stream side buffer zones widened and full size log debris left behind and birds nest tree limb stacks will have to chipped and dispersed as much as possible. There are more and larger sediment ponds for runoff water from logged areas entering larger streams. In places, the very steep terrain production forest is being converted back to no-cut very slow growing permanent forest after this production forest cycle. New replacement production forest has being planted on easier terrain in medium rainfall areas.
Love the videos bud, I’m from Scotland and it’s done very different over here, my dream is to work out where you are so it’s really great to see how you do it. Keep up the good work 💪
Hey Thanks, glad you like them. Are you working in the Timber industry now? Maybe Cut to Length? I've seen a few videos set in Scotland, one of a Tigercat harvestor working Salvage. If you have experience and are serious about working in the industry in the Pacific NW there is a huge need for qualified operators! Thanks again for the comment and for watching, we appreciate it.
@@thedailylogger Yeah almost everything we do is cut to length, and a lot of adaptations for soft ground as well. Many similarities in certain areas, salvage work being one of them actually, but very different overall. I’ve actually just started working full time in the business having left school, but grew up in the industry through family and friends. For that reason I’m not yet qualified, even if I do have almost a decades experience now. I’ve been quite lucky to have known quite a few American and Canadian guys working over here though, hence I developed the love of the way you guys do it early on. What do you recommend as a good way to get into your side of the industry if I did manage to make the move?
@@Hp_409 Interesting. I've only been to Scotland once, briefly, but it seems as though there may be some similarities in climate. You guys get a lot of rain, don't you? When you refer to being qualified, I assume you are speaking to an accreditation or certification? Am I correct in thinking that there, as in other parts of Europe, a degree of some sort is required? Have you or are you currently running a forwarder, a harvester, or a truck? A lot of questions, sorry! A little bit of background on me, I started and built a logging business on the East Coast with a business partner. After 20 years, we dissolved that and sold it off, and after about 6 months of exploring Logging/Forestry/Industry-related opportunities around the world and a couple of interview trips out here, I made the decision to move out to Oregon and see what happened. In my experience, the main ingredient for success in life is drive. If you are ready to move forward, I would suggest a couple of things. First, get in touch with me through Pacific Forest Contractors. Second, start setting yourself up to make a trip over here to suss things out. If you like it and have the drive to make it work, it will! Good luck! I hope to hear from you.
@@thedailylogger Yep you’re right, pours down about 90% of the year! That’s right about the qualification too. To be able to operate any machinery on a site over here you have to have a ‘ticket’- usually either an FMOCS (forest machine operator certification scheme) card, or in some cases a CPCS (construction plant competence scheme) card will do too. These are really just like driving licences, and you obtain them in a similar way. You have to have them to be allowed to operate machines on site, but along with some decent experience that’s really it. In the rest of Europe it is more common to get a degree in something like forest management, but unless you’re going straight in to surveying or jobs along those lines it’s really not that common here. The one exception may be apprenticeships, which in some cases offer a degree level qualification even though they are still on the job style training programs. I am currently running an excavator in road building applications, which is what I have most experience on, although I do have experience running forwarders, loaders, trucks, tractors and a little experience on tracked harvesters too. It’s great to hear a little about your background, it’s been a great insight talking to you so far. Am I right to say from reading other comments that your name is Jason? I have looked up Pacific Forest Contractors and it takes me to a Facebook page, is that how you would prefer I contact you? Thanks again, Harley.
@@Hp_409 The week is pretty busy for me, sorry it's taken me a bit to get back to you. Well, it definitely sounds like the weather is similar, interesting about the License requirement. From what I've heard, the industry has more respect given to it in Europe and other parts of the world than it does here in North America. A higher bar for working in the industry and higher value placed on the work would help us out here, I think. It would be great to have a chance to talk with you more, but first, the thing to do would be for you to contact my boss, Alex, through Facebook and use that platform to establish a secure contact with him. I will let him know that you will be contacting him so he can keep an eye out for it. It's a big project, and a move of this type involves a leap of faith really as there are a lot of details we would all have to think of, work visas plus all the little things, but anything good takes a lot of work so if it seems like a good match to Alex and you are committed I'm sure we all could make something come together. Good luck, and I look forward to speaking with you in person! Best, Jason
Awesome, can't wait to see her run. There will be a learning curve for sure.
Yeah, I hope the powers that be will give us the ok on a video. I've cut some on the line and it's great. I felt much more comfortable right from the get go than I could have hoped for. I can see that the learning curve will be more in planning and layout so as to be as efficient as possible when on the line. I've felt comfortable in the 870 for quite some time on ground that I didn't feel comfortable on, if that makes sense. Being on the line changes the dynamic completely, I feel comfortable on ground I couldn't consider before. The capability of the tethered Buncher goes up exponentially. We also took delivery on a 635H swing boom and I tether skidded a unit with that too. What an animal. I still have reservations as to how much we will be able to untilize it in the winter rains but it is very impressive on the dry. Thanks for the comment, hope you aren't being impacted by all the fires up north. Be safe!
Sage advice! “Just let it go, she’ll be there when you get back” You might have a good country song there? Great job as always!
Oh man I like that! On a more serious note though, I've seen more stuff get torn up by fighting the inevitable or just plain old bullheadedness than I care to remember. And as an old guy I've done some of that myself too! One of the benefits of getting older is that I don't have to make the same mistakes twice. Having an out if things go sideways and using it if they do is a lot better than tearing something up. Cheaper too. Thanks for the comment and the continued interest.
Have you replaced leveling pins and bushings yet?? I’ve got 6200 hrs on my 830 and they pop often now wondering how yours are holding up??
That's a good question. I've got 3000 hrs on the tilter pins and bushings now. The original set began to show excessive wear at 4000 + hrs and Triad/Tigercat replaced them at 5000. I guess they had tried out a different manufacturer and had experienced problems with them so I have the original supplier hardware on now. This spring I had Dan Sprague from Triad give the machine a lookover and there was very little play in the pins and bushings and he didn't feel it was out of line. Accordingly, he saw a little bit of play in the rotek, again, not out of line for the hours. One thing I did religiously on this new set that I didn't do as well on the originals was to torque check them from the get-go at the recommended intervals during break-in to seat them. Took a week of diminishing intervals until they were all tight. I don't think the manual or the dealer (Triad) makes the point that this is the priority it is for getting good life out of them. I didn't check them enough when it was new and had a couple of pins move. That's a pain in the butt to shift them back so I got right with the program and torque-checked them after doing that and seated them all down so I didn't have any more issues until they showed wear. With that being said I think at 6200 hours you have done well in terms of taking care of your machine and getting that kind of life out of them. Sounds like they are showing some wear/movement but not failed? What does your dealer say? Is Triad your dealer? I do know that if you let them go too bad they will start to impact the leveling system upstream, like wearing your counterbalance cartridges so if they are worn out you will probably want to get a new set on. Or they can get real bad and waller out your cylinder bores. But you don't sound like that kind of animal! After getting the new set I started giving the spherical bushings top and bottom a double dose of grease, 50 shots, daily. I like grease. I also had Dan measure the track pins and bushings at the same time this spring and they showed 60% wear, or 40% remaining. This was at 7500 hrs, I generally figure that a Buncher undercarriage should go about 10000 hrs before you have to keep your fingers crossed all day so I feel like I'm right there in terms of life. How is your undercarriage holding up? That depends a lot on what you're working on for soil or the lack of it right? But operation plays a huge part there too. I appreciate your asking and am interested in how it goes and also how your undercarriage is holding up. Thanks for asking, good cutting to ya!
Copy that yeah my dealer is Bejac out of Anderson I’ve had my leveling top and bottom adjusted and tightened by taking shims out every 1000 hours since new, and have had my two center one tightened by undoing that bent tab on the inside and hitting that big but hard!! Yeah my counterbalance valances prob do need replaced I will this winter when I do the leveling! I have the up dated counterbalance valances in my leveling blocks since 3000 hours so they have been replaced once! I haven’t had any of my end caps on the pins come lose on my leveling pins though! Luckily! My undercarriage I would say is at 50% my sprockets and rolllers and look good! My pads are really wore on the bottom from rubber on the bottom slides though! My 755c with 6,700 hours undercarriage is in way worse shape then the 830 there steel isn’t even close as good.!it’s an animal thought yeah it’s my baby that’s for sure just got a 625H too that things an animal goes where ever I go with the tracks and chains on!
You have instagram or anything?
@@merritwalters5236 Hey right on. I've had the cylinder pins shimmed down once and the main pins at the same time. Didn't have to adjust the main pin though. Sounds like you get good service from Bejac. Once they are torqued up I haven't had the caps loosen for me up either. I just replaced the cartridges on the right side cylinder a couple of weeks ago. Got about 4500 hours on them. I haven't done the left side yet since it's not showing drift but I will when I get a spare minute. I find that I tend to see drift on the right side first, I may overreach on that side more? You may already do this but I bought a set of two new cartridges and that allows me to reseal them and keep one set in rotation. It's a Sun Hydraulics seal kit, 990-022-007 but the price is close to the same through Triad/Tigercat so I just go with that as they keep them in stock. Tigercat number 93511. They are only 25 bucks or so for each kit or so and is an easy reseal. The cartridges were like 900 bucks though so I keep up on replacing the seals as soon as I see drift. There is an outfit online, Radwells that I would probably go to if I need new cartridges, they have good prices on Sun stuff. I sucked a section of old mainline in last Thursday. Man, what an ass ache. It happens but it's never fun. I've had good luck getting them out sometimes and sometimes you have to cut it out with a torch. This wasn't real bad, I got two of the chunks out myself, and my boss helped me with a shovel pulling another two out. It was from the last rotation, after the mountain blew so it was still pretty tough. The really old stuff generally is more forgiving. You just can't always see the damn stuff, but if you pick it up you know it fast right? Good talking with you, be safe!
@@merritwalters5236 No, I keep it pretty simple.
Hoot-owling!! I remember setting my alarm clock for 0150 to be working before 0500. When folks walk in to Home Depot they don’t often realize what others did to put that wood on the shelves. Thanks for all you do!
Copy that. We'll probably go to a level 3 this coming week. I'll be getting up at midnight so I can cut until 1pm and then do an hour and a half or better of maintenance. We're at about 3700 feet, it's 50 miles for me each way with 25 of that being rough rock. Gotta love it, liking it is not enough!
@@thedailylogger Well said! A logger’s passion for the work runs deep! Happy cutting!
@@bobmartin6055 Thanks!
I could watch this for hours..... Love the videos and the information you bring with them. Keep it up and thank you!
Thanks, glad you like them. Appreciate it!
The day>> THE DAY IS HERE!!!! :0 wooooooooOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I can't wait to see her in action.
Copy, it will be a while before we can get the video together, it's going to be a long one. But it's working great, I've been cutting and also tethered skidding. Exceeding our expectations! Thanks.
Thx be safe and keep her rippin sticks@@thedailylogger
@@bearbait2221 You bet, will do!
Great! Seeing the video must mean you got permission to film on the corporate ground huh?
Unfortunately no. We'll have to get the tethered video approved, hopefully that willl work out. There is a strong push towards no boots on the ground so hopefully the "how to" message will allow it to get posted. Thanks, stay tuned.
Hey there, haven’t seen anything from you in a while, hope you’re doing well! Stay safe!
Amazing!! Congratulations on pulling this off ! Hope it services you well.
Thanks, I've got my feet wet so to speak and the line machine is working great. We'll try to get a video together as quick as possible showing what it's like to get started. Hopefully it will be approved!
Wow so exciting, I look forward to seeing this all work Jason
Hi Craig, yeah it's awesome. You'll be happy to know that we added a 635H swing boom skidder setup for tethering too. I was over the hill with that this past week. The consensus was that I was too far ahead on my cutting. We started on a tough block of yarder ground, logged it in 2 days, probably would have taken the yarder a week given the difficulty and logistics. Awesome! We had the 855 bunching the handfall wood up for me as well as the out of reach wood that I had cut. Then at the deck I pulled into either a 568 shovel that decked up the turns and some I was able to pull directly to the processor. Worked great. It will be interesting to see how much we can use the skidder as the rain sets in, but it is an animal for sure. We're working on a tethering video for approval. Cutting on the line is unbelievably comfortable. I've been comfortable in the machine cutting with the LX870D on ground I'm not comfortable on for quite some time now, tethered up I feel comfortable on ground I couldn't consider before. It's amazing. Hopefully the powers that be will allow a video, stay tuned!
Wow@@thedailylogger
Wow great news. I think you with love the 635H on the tether…it can move a lot of wood this way. If you bunch it right the production is awesome. I sure hope we get to see it some day…so nice to hear from you Jason! I bet the 470 is a fantastic anchor for everything. Safety is always first and with this system you are proving it….I would hope they are funding you for this as the cost is higher. Thanks for the message Jason most likely you will be off for heat. We are coming down and staying in salam Oregon for a week AUGUST 24 to 29th we have a 30 foot travel trailer should be fun@@thedailylogger
@@craigtjen9130 Hi Craig. Yeah, the 635 is an animal for sure. We'll have to have another line machine right off for that cause I can't cut for 2 big shovels, the skidder, the 855 and the yarder and still keep a buffer behind me. So far what we've been doing is working the 635 in front of the 855, using that to grab tough stuff or handfall and pulling to a big shovel decking for the processor. Once we get a dedicated tether for the skidder I can cut with that in mind. From my experience in the past, I think correct bunch size is a key element. Would be glad to hear any suggestions you have for me though. Since it's me hanging on the line I'm pretty touchy about anyone else getting in my big old red-headed girl. Did you hear what the line machine said to her husband? Does this drum set make my butt look big? Glad to hear you're taking some time off. Are you being impacted by the fires? We're going to take a week off in September and do a road trip up north, we actually were figuring on taking the Coquahalla up to Kelowna maybe. Just saw that it's burning again there so we'll have to adjust. The fires seem really bad. Good to hear from you as always, be safe!
Right now no one is Allowed in to the area. Everything is on fire up here highway 1 is closed maybe Sept will be better Looking forward to watching you use the machine @@thedailylogger
Big iron
Copy that. Did you hear what the Line Machine said to her husband? Does this drum set make my butt look big? Thanks for the comment.
Well Jason I wanna hear what you think about hanging on the line! I know this video is a week or so behind since u got the machine delivered! Enjoy the new adventure!
Hi Josh, yeah, it's awesome. I felt comfortable immediately, I was surprised. Thought I might feel the same trepidation as when im free styling on real steep ground. It's is completely different, the control is apparent from the get go. The concept is pretty straightforward, just like all the rest of logging the nuance of getting skookum will take some time, efficient layout and figuring out lines of cutting and how to get to the stuff I can't go over. I picked out some bunny slope to get started with, good soil, later moved onto some rocky soil. I was impressed working over that too, the control is phenomenal. We hope to get a video together and approved, we'll see what happens. Thanks!
New equipment always looks better in the brush. Congratulations on completing the set-up.
Copy that. She's a beauty. Although I'm sure at times it will be a bit tricky to shoehorn it into tight spots I'm very happy to be outweighed by the Line Machine! Thanks for the interest! Be safe.