Hauling a windfall in a dump truck. What a luxury that must be. One should be so blessed! By one, I mean ‘ME’! And… my neighbor…. I told you about Bob.. the guy who tools didn’t like… so he had none. Well, the winter before ‘The rope is too small’ incident, another one occurred. You see, Bob is on the Board of a municipal golf course located about 16 miles away. They hired a logging crew to come in and clear over 50 huge trees from various locations around and on the golf course. As you can imagine, the logger was after saw logs. Most of the trees were red oak, white oak, black walnut and hickory. Part of the reason they wanted them removed is that these particular species of trees have the audacity to drop nuts on the golf course. Being sensitive to the complaints of their customers and aware that they could go other places where they didn’t have to “drive themselves” nuts…. Or man a broom on the greens to clear a putting line… the decision was made to get bids and contract the tree clearing. Bob handled all the negotiations and selected a logging crew located 150 miles from the course. The contract had all the T’s crossed and the I’s dotted. One of the board members was a divorce lawyer. So once he threw up a thumb, the board approved it. One of the stipulations was that the city would provide a crew and equipment to chip up the tops. That was the first contractual point where they ran into trouble… you see the city chipper could only handle 6” diameter limbs. Neither Bob, the lawyer or the rubber stamp portion of the board had ever dealt with logging so it is understandable that they missed it. The solution…. Offer leftover tops to anyone with a chainsaw…. Neil, have you ever seen a free for all wood cutting horde descend on a golf course…. the week after a heavy ice storm had started to melt? Well, here is what Bob told me. Apparently not everyone who cuts firewood is a scholar of golf course etiquette. With only one course keeper on staff, come Monday morning… the date announced in the billboards posted all over town…. (Bob’s daughter’s idea!) a termite horde found the fairways to be the perfect place to drive their trucks and trailers. The slushy topping readily gave way to the tires and the fairways now had ruts. At least one pickup got stuck in the landing area of a fairway. Fortunately, a couple of others were able to hook onto to him and save him a towing bill. Unfortunately, their efforts resulted in a mud wallow that would make a sounder of hogs squeal with delight. Not to mention the destroyed sprinklers… One crew even found the 14th green to be the perfect place to park and fill their pickup. Not only did they load it there, but on second trip they swept out the bed before they reloaded it. By afternoon of the first day, the temporary, part time, high school dropout, groundskeeper had figured out that something might be amiss. So, he approached one of the crews that had driven across a fairway. When he tried to explain to them that they shouldn’t drive on the fairway… they pointed to the sign that said, “Keep Vehicles Off Cart Path”. At this point, he had an inkling that he might be in over his head. So, he called the Golf Pro…. Who in turn called Bob. They contacted the city police who helped notify all the cutters to load up what they’d cut and drive their vehicles through the rough, on their way out. Well Neil, that was just one small stipulation in the contract that had slipped past Bob, the lawyer and the rubber stamp portion of the board. Another clause guaranteed a minimum volume of board feet of “hardwood lumber quality logs”. Because the logger was unaware of the history and maintenance habits of the golf course… this clause saved his bacon. It seems that most of the really big trees with straight trunks and promising looking logs on the outside… weren’t very good on the inside. The back nine was added to the course in the 1950’s. Before that, it had been a farm. The farmer had used the trees for fence posts. Hog wire, barbed wire, chicken wire, gate hangers, nails…. You name it, the trees had it inside. What trees weren’t too metal contaminated for saw logs… were hollow and vermin infested from root damage caused by various projects that wanted to take place amid their roots. The long and short of it was that once the trees were felled the loggers piled them in the rough. They then calculated how many board feet they were short of the contract minimum. The bill they sent to the board was about as much as they would have paid a professional tree service to do the whole job! A stalemate quickly arose… the loggers refused to remove the useless logs. The board under advice from their divorce attorney refused to pay…. That is where we come in. A few weeks after the termite horde affair… Bob called my neighbor and told us about the great opportunity available to get firewood logs. All we had to do was get them loaded and off the golf course before the ground thawed. And, he would even help. Well, it wasn’t that cold, temperatures were dipping above and below freezing between day and night. But, the weatherman promised a nice hard freeze the next weekend. He was right, not only was it near zero at night, the daytime temps stayed below freezing too. The cloud cover gave birth to a small sleet storm. This begat winds that cut through our layers upon layers of clothes like we had just stepped out of a cold shower on a frozen pond while having no towel to cover up with! But, we got all 16 trailer loads out before Monday noon when the temperature hit 32f! We still have most of those logs and we will be chewing them up for firewood this fall. Bob has kept us posted on the Loggers vs the Board… aside from all the rut filling, resodding, sprinkler repairs and such, the golf course is in pretty good shape. The members are pretty happy that several obstacles have been removed to open up the course. As we enter nut drop season I suspect they will be even happier. And hey, the temporary, part time. High school dropout groundskeeper won’t have to put brooms on the greens! With the abandoned logs removed from the course, the loggers lost all leverage to force the board to pay their bill. You see, Bob agreed to pay for our fuel for the 16 trips it took to remove the logs. The divorce attorney informed the loggers that if they filed suit, the board would file a counter-suit for all the costs of cleaning up the mess when they abandoned the job. (That amounted to all the costs of course repair from the termite horde + the cost of our fuel - the savings from purchase of green nut brooms. Although Bob said the divorce attorney never disclosed that to the loggers.) As a result, they quit pestering Bob for payment. Neil, the precious time he spent in his heated golf cart, while supervising our log removal, is the experience that Bob relied on to qualify him to assist us in the tree cutting this spring! Had we had access to a dump truck, we could easily have cut the trips by at least 1/3. That would have shaved hours off Bob’s time and saved a bunch on fuel bills for hauling and golf cart idling! I’d like to try log dumping some time. I wonder how many links do you leave to get them to spread one layer thick?
Oh my. I was shaking my head and biting my lip as you described the "termite horde" descending upon the course. I can envision it perfectly and as someone that is familiar as well as has an appreciation for golf course etiquette, it made my stomach churn. I get frantic watching the locals drive across our local park grounds during the local festival so I can only imagine. I'm glad to hear it shaped up pretty good considering. It's amazing how often an attempt to save money usually ends up costing more in the long run. Sounds like many folks involved may be a bit wiser though as a side benefit, Bob included. :) Getting a pile of firewood logs like that is a great feeling, especially when they're paying the fuel bill to boot! Our friend Larry that is seen in this video has been kind enough to appoint me as the benefactor to all his clearing jobs. He hates putting good trees in a big burn pile and I'm grateful for it. Thankfully I don't have to compete with a termite horde when it comes to getting them off the jobsite though either! Really appreciate the story. That is a good one for sure. But, now I'm going to be having nightmares about pickup trucks playing mud bog on our beloved local golf course!
@@digdrivediy A side note… the part time, temporary, high school dropout groundskeeper is the Golf Pro’s son-in-law. Bob assured me he is a good boy who likes to play video games on the big screen TV in the Pro Shop when he isn’t too busy on the course. He thinks that may have contributed to the Termite Infestation getting out of hand. I played that course last month with my grandson…. The streaks of bright green fresh sod running down the fairways give it a unique character! LOL Glad you have a source of firewood that is easier than this one! I have all that I need at Sassafras Valley…. But, when your neighbor has a friend in need (like Bob)… You do what you need to do.
just found this channel, looking to get into log burning one day when we get our own property, nothing at your scale but the videos and this channel are just so amazing i watch them anyways, never feel bad for missing out on being there, your not off drinking and messing around with loose women, your devoting your time, effort and expertise on something that will benefit your family in the long run, your giving them warmth, a home and safety, your a role model and a hard working father. your not there in body, but your soul is always there at their side.
Neil, what a great video!!! This is exactly how I haul my firewood!! I use my mini or skid loader to load logs in the bed of my dump truck. I don't pull the tailgate off though. I have chains on the gat that I can lay it down so I can haul 12' logs. I have a good friend who owns a logging company and he pulls the tops out and all the crotch wood and piles it up for me. I can have all that I want if I can clean up the pile. I really enjoy cutting firewood and find it to be good exercise. My grandfather always told me that cutting firewood warms you TWICE! Anyone who cuts firewood knows how true and accurate this statement is. I've always wanted to make videos of my daily routines but don't know how to start or what to film so I guess I'll just settle for a spectator seat. Thanks again for the great content. Have a great Sunday!
Thanks so much Travis! Yeah, I think next time I'll try leaving the tailgate on there. I wasn't sure how it would do but enough people have said they do it that way that it sounds like it would work. Sounds like you and I have similar interests for sure. Did you ever see the video I made called "Firewood: Do you Love it or Hate It?" I talk about all that good firewood stuff in there and why I do it all. Thanks so much for watching!
Nice job Neil. You are a good example for your girls. Teaching the next generation to be ambitious and embrace work is something we should all be doing. But all work and no play makes Neil a dull boy so good job with the belly flops!
And that family is more important. I wish my parents and Grandparents taught me more basics, how things are done and why. And knowing I know nothing goes a long way, pride gets in the way.
Thanks so much John. I appreciate the kind words and reflection. Trying to find that proper balance and be the right example. I need to work on my dives a little more I think!
Vous ressemblez à plein de gens qui, comme vous, ont améliorė leur situation peu à peu et selon un plan et une réelle capacitė à le faire et surtout vous êtes un couple amoureux, une famille unie, et vous avez confiance en la vie et en Celui qui vous l’a donnée belle et bonne! Un grand bonheur pour tous que vous nous partagiez votre expėrience! Maintenant, une pensėe pour vous neighbors qui avez besoin d’un rėel redressement de votre démocratie! From Québec, I wish you the best!
Great video. Your message today on compromise and opportunity loss really hit home for me today. There is a constant feeling of that with me being deployed and abs as I get ready to go home and really put in the time to start the homestead. And, as always, great video. Thanks Neil, I needed that message today.
I appreciate it Stephen. I was apprehensive about this video and didn't know how it would be perceived but I'm glad to have at least one guy than can connect and relate. Good luck getting started on that homestead and thanks for your service. Appreciate you watching sir!
Whenever I haul logs like this I drop my tailgate down to a flat outward held with the chains to parallel with bed bottom. This helps out with the logs balance when longer and also when dumping them from dropping on rear of truck by hitch area and lights. Thanks for video
Whenever I do loads like that, I run a strap on the deck of the trailer before I start loading it up. Then you get to where you’re going and hook the strap to something and pull it off that way. But, your dump truck is a huge advantage. I’m hoping to be headed down past you tomorrow to pick up a 7.3 standard cab 4x4 2001 f-250 tomorrow man! Super excited about it! Hauling my trailer down with our ram, then hooking it up to the new truck and putting the ram on it for a proper christening buy hauling with it on the first trip! Seems to be a solid truck and real well taken care of, I’m real excited about it. 💪🏽
Great idea on the strap! That would work nice. Great score on the truck! I have always wanted one in the back of my mind. I kept the snow plow from my dump truck thinking that one day I might pick up a standard cab 250 or 350. I had a '99 F250 powerstroke that I drove for quite a few years. Those were some good years for them. Best of luck with your new ride and be sure to honk on your way past! Thanks Rob!
@@digdrivediy man I had a 99 extended cab f250 with a 7.3 that I named Samson. It was the 250 horse engine in it, and I’ve regretted selling that truck every single day since selling it. I was just in a bad spot at my old house, no room for nothing, no real plan of ever growing, and at the time I said what do I need this big truck for. Well you learn from your own mistakes, and I finally said you know what, let’s go get a nice one and hold on to it. I have a ton more stuff than I ever dreamed of owning when I lived in the old neighborhood, have a lot more stuff going on that I need bigger stuff for now, doing more side jobs, seems the trailer is hooked to the 1500 ram twice a month hauling something heavy for me or someone..... yeah, it’s time. Even my sub compact puts a strain on the 1/2 ton truck it seems. I did buy a 10k trailer knowing that this day was coming, but I also knew I needed a trailer that the 1/2 ton could still work with too. Would that be a “opportunity cost”? 🤣 Love it Neil!
When we used our c60 Chevy dump truck to haul logs we could pull the top pins of the tailgate and drop it and it would stay on chains worked really well 👍🏻
That would have worked great too. I guess I just took it off so I wouldn't have to deal with it during the day but leaving it on makes sense. I do that for dumping cut firewood sometimes. Thanks for watching!
I haul all logs out of woods or fence lines with dump truck. Then cut up , split with home made splitter on skid steer, then load back on truck with SS and dump by boiler. Try to only touch wood with hands once when loading in boiler. Thanks for the video.
I'm right there with you Chris. I'll rent a firewood processor this winter and work up all these logs in an 8 hour rental. These days I'm all about the production and less labor than I was 20 years ago! Thanks for watching.
Nice job ,,free logs and dip in the pond , believe me those girls will think their dads a hero when their older because he was hard working hard playing and kept them warm in winter
Yeah, no joke. It was too heavy. Funny I couldn't really see how extreme it was until I got out of the excavator and walked around back. That's when I took the thumbnail picture. I didn't feel like unloading it though! Hopefully this can't be used for evidence of anything!
Neil this is exactly why I’ve been excited to get my dump bed back on the Red International. It makes projects like you just did in this video so much easier and quicker! Looked like you had a great ending to the day! Take care!
Oh yeah! That will be great Ben! This was sure easier than the trailer by far. This was a good day for sure and I didn't even show the best part... Pork chops on the grill! Thanks for watching!
We have a dump bed trailer we use to haul wood with. One disadvantage is it doesn't move through the woods too well but in open areas its great. You could haul something like that behind your dump truck, we use our tractor.
great name for the video, you are 100% right.when we load our dump truck we leave the gate attached at the bottom and us chains to hold it from top and it gives us extra length for longer longs
Thanks Ron. That's a great idea. I thought about leaving the gate on but wondered if the logs would get caught on the support chains when flying out. I guess I'd just leave them longer so they wouldn't catch. Next time I'll try leaving the tailgate on and see how it goes. Appreciate it!
I'd like to know more about that pond! I saw a shot of it when you and your brother were putting down fertilizer. I assume there is a liner in it? Also can't wait till you restore that F 750. Remember black and chrome and you can never go wrong! I'd drive it everyday! lol
No liner needed in the Great Black Swamp/lakebed/clay/jackwax/gumbo soils in that area! Tile mills were common in the area using the native clay to make field drainage tile.
I've thought about a video on that pond. Actually we may need to make one as I have to do some work on it soon. I dug that for him back in 2010 with a John Deere 9200 articulated tractor and pull pan. It does not have a liner other than just being lined with clay. Well, it isn't lined with clay as it is an all clay bottom. It has a leak around the geothermal lines that were trenched in afterwards so we're gonna need to try to fix that soon. Boy, I so want to get the dump truck fixed up. As the bed sun fades you can really see all my patch work. Time to get it done this fall or winter. There shall be black for sure! Thanks John!
That is some really good looking firewood, lots of hardwood in there. What a great haul for the time you had in it, even though you lost most of a hot day with the family. Glad nothing was broken... too badly at least. Amazing. I am so glad Tim from TTWT recommended your channel a while back, you really put out great content, keep it up, and I will keep watching.
Hey Curt I really appreciate that comment. It was a great score on firewood and I'm glad it worked out the way it did. I'm so very thankful for the folks that have jumped over to watch from TTWT. Thanks so much for watching.
Great job . That’s how I’ve always hauled my logs . I’m doing a big tree and fill job this week and then I guess I gotta get serious about cutting and splitting because I still haven’t done last summer’s haul . 👍👍
Oh yeah! Makes perfect sense to haul them this way. When I worked full time excavating we hauled them in our tri-axle all the time like this. But, I still had never done in my single. I'm always behind on cutting wood too! Thanks Steve!
That's actually not a bad idea JM! I can do that with my OSMO Action cams and watch through my phone. Could use that with the blind pallet forks on the backhoe bucket too! Brilliant.
I see a used log pup trailer for the dump truck in your future Neil! They are fairly popular here in Oregon with quite a few farmers and smaller logging operations. I see them for sale all the time along the highway. Just a thought.
That would be cool to have Greg. We see lots of logging semis around here but not the pups. Do you have to unload them with a crane? Sure would be easy to load them with the excavator though. Sounds interesting.
@@digdrivediy The yard I worked in just used an excavator with a thumb or log grapple. We just used chokers quite a bit as well. We weren't dealing with a bunch of ginormous old growth either. Also used the damn thing to haul hay during cutting season. Just built a crude, removable floor and we were good to go.
Back in the day we would descend on fire wood like locusts. Dad and grand paw wood cut the wood to bite size pieces My brother and I with the help of friends we brought along would load and stack
Oh yes. We had lots of those days growing up as well. My extended family had several homes that all heated with wood and everyone would get together. Good times. Did you ever see the video I made about Loving and Hating Firewood? That says it all. Thanks for watching Henry!
Thanks Mom! I actually hit it on the first try when the camera wasn't close enough to see it, then it took me a couple tries when I moved the camera and filmed up close (of course). If there had been people around to watch it would have taken me 5-6 tries!
The same camera that videos the truck bed should have a Bluetooth connection to a screen in your cab of whatever you’re using so you can see more of your loading.
Great video again Neil I’m the exact same way lots of time I jus dnt have the time to go cut the wood when it’s available so I go cut in log length of usually 8 feet load them up on my trailer with tractor and bring them home for another time to process into fire wood I have a 2 year old baby girl n hate to b away nemore than I have to b so I try my best to b done by late mornings
I know you were pressed for time. Seems like something always has to happen when using equipment. How did you fix the left side of the bed of the dump truck? Are you able to get the tailgate on and have it work properly?
I straightened it out with the mini excavator on the next project I was working on. I was able to wedge the tooth down in there and it bent back really easily. Both sides were bent too. I haven't even put the tailgate back in yet to see if everything is OK. Thanks so much Richard!
I hope so Andrew. I haven't talked to them since the last video but hope they'll let me still rent it. That's the only way to go for me so that I can get a lot done in a short time period.
A couple people have mentioned that so I think that I likely will do it. I have some work to do on the pond so I'll likely do a feature of it then. Stay tuned!! And thanks for watching!
Hey Neil, have you seen the eggscavator challenge from outdoors with the Morgan’s? I’d love to see your attempt at it with your backhoe and the excavator!
I'd love a Pete! I filmed a tri-axle dump truck that I had originally put into the end of this video but took out the footage at the last minute. It belongs to the friend in this video that has the big excavator. I could buy it if I want it pretty cheap. It is a big square nosed GMC General. I should have left it in the end of the video for fun. I'm thinking about it... Thanks Trey!
If you would like to haul more fire wood at once maybe a bigger truck? Because of you, when I retire I was looking into a truck, F250. After some of your videos, now a F350. If we do a F350 why not a F450? Oh my, what should a person do?? Have a great week, peace
Ha! I went through those same struggles Curt. Now look... an F-750! I sure have used the heck out of this truck though. Sorry to be a bad (or good?) influence :) Hope you get that truck!
@@digdrivediy you have been a great influence because you never know what you might want to haul or do. When it comes to trucks and some other things bigger is better. I enjoy your videos a lot, keep up the great work and take time for your family, kids grow up so fast
Because it puts tremendous strain on the tailgate when you go to dump and the tailgate hits the ground. I bent some lower pins on a tailgate doing exactly that one time.
Hauling a windfall in a dump truck. What a luxury that must be. One should be so blessed!
By one, I mean ‘ME’! And… my neighbor….
I told you about Bob.. the guy who tools didn’t like… so he had none. Well, the winter before ‘The rope is too small’ incident, another one occurred.
You see, Bob is on the Board of a municipal golf course located about 16 miles away. They hired a logging crew to come in and clear over 50 huge trees from various locations around and on the golf course. As you can imagine, the logger was after saw logs. Most of the trees were red oak, white oak, black walnut and hickory.
Part of the reason they wanted them removed is that these particular species of trees have the audacity to drop nuts on the golf course. Being sensitive to the complaints of their customers and aware that they could go other places where they didn’t have to “drive themselves” nuts…. Or man a broom on the greens to clear a putting line… the decision was made to get bids and contract the tree clearing.
Bob handled all the negotiations and selected a logging crew located 150 miles from the course. The contract had all the T’s crossed and the I’s dotted. One of the board members was a divorce lawyer. So once he threw up a thumb, the board approved it.
One of the stipulations was that the city would provide a crew and equipment to chip up the tops. That was the first contractual point where they ran into trouble… you see the city chipper could only handle 6” diameter limbs. Neither Bob, the lawyer or the rubber stamp portion of the board had ever dealt with logging so it is understandable that they missed it. The solution…. Offer leftover tops to anyone with a chainsaw….
Neil, have you ever seen a free for all wood cutting horde descend on a golf course…. the week after a heavy ice storm had started to melt? Well, here is what Bob told me. Apparently not everyone who cuts firewood is a scholar of golf course etiquette. With only one course keeper on staff, come Monday morning… the date announced in the billboards posted all over town…. (Bob’s daughter’s idea!) a termite horde found the fairways to be the perfect place to drive their trucks and trailers. The slushy topping readily gave way to the tires and the fairways now had ruts. At least one pickup got stuck in the landing area of a fairway. Fortunately, a couple of others were able to hook onto to him and save him a towing bill. Unfortunately, their efforts resulted in a mud wallow that would make a sounder of hogs squeal with delight. Not to mention the destroyed sprinklers…
One crew even found the 14th green to be the perfect place to park and fill their pickup. Not only did they load it there, but on second trip they swept out the bed before they reloaded it.
By afternoon of the first day, the temporary, part time, high school dropout, groundskeeper had figured out that something might be amiss. So, he approached one of the crews that had driven across a fairway. When he tried to explain to them that they shouldn’t drive on the fairway… they pointed to the sign that said, “Keep Vehicles Off Cart Path”.
At this point, he had an inkling that he might be in over his head. So, he called the Golf Pro…. Who in turn called Bob.
They contacted the city police who helped notify all the cutters to load up what they’d cut and drive their vehicles through the rough, on their way out.
Well Neil, that was just one small stipulation in the contract that had slipped past Bob, the lawyer and the rubber stamp portion of the board. Another clause guaranteed a minimum volume of board feet of “hardwood lumber quality logs”. Because the logger was unaware of the history and maintenance habits of the golf course… this clause saved his bacon. It seems that most of the really big trees with straight trunks and promising looking logs on the outside… weren’t very good on the inside. The back nine was added to the course in the 1950’s. Before that, it had been a farm. The farmer had used the trees for fence posts. Hog wire, barbed wire, chicken wire, gate hangers, nails…. You name it, the trees had it inside.
What trees weren’t too metal contaminated for saw logs… were hollow and vermin infested from root damage caused by various projects that wanted to take place amid their roots.
The long and short of it was that once the trees were felled the loggers piled them in the rough. They then calculated how many board feet they were short of the contract minimum. The bill they sent to the board was about as much as they would have paid a professional tree service to do the whole job!
A stalemate quickly arose… the loggers refused to remove the useless logs. The board under advice from their divorce attorney refused to pay….
That is where we come in. A few weeks after the termite horde affair… Bob called my neighbor and told us about the great opportunity available to get firewood logs. All we had to do was get them loaded and off the golf course before the ground thawed. And, he would even help.
Well, it wasn’t that cold, temperatures were dipping above and below freezing between day and night. But, the weatherman promised a nice hard freeze the next weekend.
He was right, not only was it near zero at night, the daytime temps stayed below freezing too. The cloud cover gave birth to a small sleet storm. This begat winds that cut through our layers upon layers of clothes like we had just stepped out of a cold shower on a frozen pond while having no towel to cover up with!
But, we got all 16 trailer loads out before Monday noon when the temperature hit 32f! We still have most of those logs and we will be chewing them up for firewood this fall.
Bob has kept us posted on the Loggers vs the Board… aside from all the rut filling, resodding, sprinkler repairs and such, the golf course is in pretty good shape. The members are pretty happy that several obstacles have been removed to open up the course. As we enter nut drop season I suspect they will be even happier. And hey, the temporary, part time. High school dropout groundskeeper won’t have to put brooms on the greens!
With the abandoned logs removed from the course, the loggers lost all leverage to force the board to pay their bill. You see, Bob agreed to pay for our fuel for the 16 trips it took to remove the logs. The divorce attorney informed the loggers that if they filed suit, the board would file a counter-suit for all the costs of cleaning up the mess when they abandoned the job. (That amounted to all the costs of course repair from the termite horde + the cost of our fuel - the savings from purchase of green nut brooms. Although Bob said the divorce attorney never disclosed that to the loggers.) As a result, they quit pestering Bob for payment.
Neil, the precious time he spent in his heated golf cart, while supervising our log removal, is the experience that Bob relied on to qualify him to assist us in the tree cutting this spring! Had we had access to a dump truck, we could easily have cut the trips by at least 1/3. That would have shaved hours off Bob’s time and saved a bunch on fuel bills for hauling and golf cart idling!
I’d like to try log dumping some time. I wonder how many links do you leave to get them to spread one layer thick?
Oh my. I was shaking my head and biting my lip as you described the "termite horde" descending upon the course. I can envision it perfectly and as someone that is familiar as well as has an appreciation for golf course etiquette, it made my stomach churn. I get frantic watching the locals drive across our local park grounds during the local festival so I can only imagine. I'm glad to hear it shaped up pretty good considering. It's amazing how often an attempt to save money usually ends up costing more in the long run. Sounds like many folks involved may be a bit wiser though as a side benefit, Bob included. :)
Getting a pile of firewood logs like that is a great feeling, especially when they're paying the fuel bill to boot! Our friend Larry that is seen in this video has been kind enough to appoint me as the benefactor to all his clearing jobs. He hates putting good trees in a big burn pile and I'm grateful for it. Thankfully I don't have to compete with a termite horde when it comes to getting them off the jobsite though either!
Really appreciate the story. That is a good one for sure.
But, now I'm going to be having nightmares about pickup trucks playing mud bog on our beloved local golf course!
@@digdrivediy A side note… the part time, temporary, high school dropout groundskeeper is the Golf Pro’s son-in-law. Bob assured me he is a good boy who likes to play video games on the big screen TV in the Pro Shop when he isn’t too busy on the course. He thinks that may have contributed to the Termite Infestation getting out of hand.
I played that course last month with my grandson…. The streaks of bright green fresh sod running down the fairways give it a unique character! LOL
Glad you have a source of firewood that is easier than this one! I have all that I need at Sassafras Valley…. But, when your neighbor has a friend in need (like Bob)… You do what you need to do.
just found this channel, looking to get into log burning one day when we get our own property, nothing at your scale but the videos and this channel are just so amazing i watch them anyways, never feel bad for missing out on being there, your not off drinking and messing around with loose women, your devoting your time, effort and expertise on something that will benefit your family in the long run, your giving them warmth, a home and safety, your a role model and a hard working father. your not there in body, but your soul is always there at their side.
Thanks. Appreciate you watching the videos!
Neil, what a great video!!! This is exactly how I haul my firewood!! I use my mini or skid loader to load logs in the bed of my dump truck. I don't pull the tailgate off though. I have chains on the gat that I can lay it down so I can haul 12' logs. I have a good friend who owns a logging company and he pulls the tops out and all the crotch wood and piles it up for me. I can have all that I want if I can clean up the pile. I really enjoy cutting firewood and find it to be good exercise. My grandfather always told me that cutting firewood warms you TWICE! Anyone who cuts firewood knows how true and accurate this statement is. I've always wanted to make videos of my daily routines but don't know how to start or what to film so I guess I'll just settle for a spectator seat. Thanks again for the great content. Have a great Sunday!
Thanks so much Travis! Yeah, I think next time I'll try leaving the tailgate on there. I wasn't sure how it would do but enough people have said they do it that way that it sounds like it would work. Sounds like you and I have similar interests for sure. Did you ever see the video I made called "Firewood: Do you Love it or Hate It?" I talk about all that good firewood stuff in there and why I do it all. Thanks so much for watching!
Nice job Neil. You are a good example for your girls. Teaching the next generation to be ambitious and embrace work is something we should all be doing. But all work and no play makes Neil a dull boy so good job with the belly flops!
Lol, right! Greg Louganis over here.
And that family is more important.
I wish my parents and Grandparents taught me more basics, how things are done and why. And knowing I know nothing goes a long way, pride gets in the way.
Thanks so much John. I appreciate the kind words and reflection. Trying to find that proper balance and be the right example. I need to work on my dives a little more I think!
@Tony Casterline Minus the speedo...
It was really considerate of you to slow all that footage down, except a couple sections, so we won't get overwhelmed with how fast you work.
Oh yeah, I like a really nice slow-motion montage! I was trying to get done with the saw before it really got hot!
Vous ressemblez à plein de gens qui, comme vous, ont améliorė leur situation peu à peu et selon un plan et une réelle capacitė à le faire et surtout vous êtes un couple amoureux, une famille unie, et vous avez confiance en la vie et en Celui qui vous l’a donnée belle et bonne! Un grand bonheur pour tous que vous nous partagiez votre expėrience! Maintenant, une pensėe pour vous neighbors qui avez besoin d’un rėel redressement de votre démocratie! From Québec, I wish you the best!
Great video. Your message today on compromise and opportunity loss really hit home for me today. There is a constant feeling of that with me being deployed and abs as I get ready to go home and really put in the time to start the homestead. And, as always, great video. Thanks Neil, I needed that message today.
I appreciate it Stephen. I was apprehensive about this video and didn't know how it would be perceived but I'm glad to have at least one guy than can connect and relate. Good luck getting started on that homestead and thanks for your service. Appreciate you watching sir!
Whenever I haul logs like this I drop my tailgate down to a flat outward held with the chains to parallel with bed bottom. This helps out with the logs balance when longer and also when dumping them from dropping on rear of truck by hitch area and lights. Thanks for video
That makes good sense Paul. I'm going to try that next time around and think it will work out great. Really appreciate you watching!
Whenever I do loads like that, I run a strap on the deck of the trailer before I start loading it up. Then you get to where you’re going and hook the strap to something and pull it off that way. But, your dump truck is a huge advantage.
I’m hoping to be headed down past you tomorrow to pick up a 7.3 standard cab 4x4 2001 f-250 tomorrow man! Super excited about it! Hauling my trailer down with our ram, then hooking it up to the new truck and putting the ram on it for a proper christening buy hauling with it on the first trip! Seems to be a solid truck and real well taken care of, I’m real excited about it. 💪🏽
Great idea on the strap! That would work nice.
Great score on the truck! I have always wanted one in the back of my mind. I kept the snow plow from my dump truck thinking that one day I might pick up a standard cab 250 or 350. I had a '99 F250 powerstroke that I drove for quite a few years. Those were some good years for them. Best of luck with your new ride and be sure to honk on your way past! Thanks Rob!
@@digdrivediy man I had a 99 extended cab f250 with a 7.3 that I named Samson. It was the 250 horse engine in it, and I’ve regretted selling that truck every single day since selling it. I was just in a bad spot at my old house, no room for nothing, no real plan of ever growing, and at the time I said what do I need this big truck for. Well you learn from your own mistakes, and I finally said you know what, let’s go get a nice one and hold on to it. I have a ton more stuff than I ever dreamed of owning when I lived in the old neighborhood, have a lot more stuff going on that I need bigger stuff for now, doing more side jobs, seems the trailer is hooked to the 1500 ram twice a month hauling something heavy for me or someone..... yeah, it’s time. Even my sub compact puts a strain on the 1/2 ton truck it seems. I did buy a 10k trailer knowing that this day was coming, but I also knew I needed a trailer that the 1/2 ton could still work with too. Would that be a “opportunity cost”? 🤣 Love it Neil!
I’ll blow the horn for ya when I’m on 24 before I renter Ohio too. Hopefully you can hear it. 🤣🤣🤣
What a life... I'm sure you're grateful. Love your videos.
When we used our c60 Chevy dump truck to haul logs we could pull the top pins of the tailgate and drop it and it would stay on chains worked really well 👍🏻
That’s how I do it, gives you that extra little bit of length. Works out nice
That would have worked great too. I guess I just took it off so I wouldn't have to deal with it during the day but leaving it on makes sense. I do that for dumping cut firewood sometimes. Thanks for watching!
I haul all logs out of woods or fence lines with dump truck. Then cut up , split with home made splitter on skid steer, then load back on truck with SS and dump by boiler. Try to only touch wood with hands once when loading in boiler. Thanks for the video.
I'm right there with you Chris. I'll rent a firewood processor this winter and work up all these logs in an 8 hour rental. These days I'm all about the production and less labor than I was 20 years ago! Thanks for watching.
This video finally clued me in on your purchase of the big gmc dump truck! Hauling logs!
Going back through these older videos, you certainly put together a very good narrative script.
That should keep you warm over the winter. It’s just around the corner 🔥🔥🇬🇧😘
Yeah, no doubt about that Russell! Pond parties today and hot chocolate and bonfires next month!
Nice job ,,free logs and dip in the pond , believe me those girls will think their dads a hero when their older because he was hard working hard playing and kept them warm in winter
Boy, I hope you're right Derek. It was a pretty successful day now that I think back on it. All good all around! Thanks for watching sir.
Great minds think alike. I spent most of the weekend cutting & splitting firewood. Glad you got such a good start on yours
Yeah, the time is upon us for sure. All this wood will hopefully be for next year.
Nice D O T disclaimer in case officer Hover is watching, That last load was to heavy, I wont load like that again lol Great job Neil!!
Yeah, no joke. It was too heavy. Funny I couldn't really see how extreme it was until I got out of the excavator and walked around back. That's when I took the thumbnail picture. I didn't feel like unloading it though! Hopefully this can't be used for evidence of anything!
Neil this is exactly why I’ve been excited to get my dump bed back on the Red International. It makes projects like you just did in this video so much easier and quicker! Looked like you had a great ending to the day! Take care!
Oh yeah! That will be great Ben! This was sure easier than the trailer by far. This was a good day for sure and I didn't even show the best part... Pork chops on the grill! Thanks for watching!
We have a dump bed trailer we use to haul wood with. One disadvantage is it doesn't move through the woods too well but in open areas its great. You could haul something like that behind your dump truck, we use our tractor.
I'd love to have a dump trailer as well Dustin. My brother in law has a really nice one that can haul a bunch of firewood. Thanks for watching!
great name for the video, you are 100% right.when we load our dump truck we leave the gate attached at the bottom and us chains to hold it from top and it gives us extra length for longer longs
Thanks Ron. That's a great idea. I thought about leaving the gate on but wondered if the logs would get caught on the support chains when flying out. I guess I'd just leave them longer so they wouldn't catch. Next time I'll try leaving the tailgate on and see how it goes. Appreciate it!
I'd like to know more about that pond! I saw a shot of it when you and your brother were putting down fertilizer. I assume there is a liner in it? Also can't wait till you restore that F 750. Remember black and chrome and you can never go wrong! I'd drive it everyday! lol
No liner needed in the Great Black Swamp/lakebed/clay/jackwax/gumbo soils in that area! Tile mills were common in the area using the native clay to make field drainage tile.
I've thought about a video on that pond. Actually we may need to make one as I have to do some work on it soon. I dug that for him back in 2010 with a John Deere 9200 articulated tractor and pull pan. It does not have a liner other than just being lined with clay. Well, it isn't lined with clay as it is an all clay bottom. It has a leak around the geothermal lines that were trenched in afterwards so we're gonna need to try to fix that soon.
Boy, I so want to get the dump truck fixed up. As the bed sun fades you can really see all my patch work. Time to get it done this fall or winter. There shall be black for sure! Thanks John!
I would also like to see a video on that pond!
That is some really good looking firewood, lots of hardwood in there. What a great haul for the time you had in it, even though you lost most of a hot day with the family. Glad nothing was broken... too badly at least. Amazing.
I am so glad Tim from TTWT recommended your channel a while back, you really put out great content, keep it up, and I will keep watching.
Hey Curt I really appreciate that comment. It was a great score on firewood and I'm glad it worked out the way it did. I'm so very thankful for the folks that have jumped over to watch from TTWT. Thanks so much for watching.
It's hard to say NO to free fire wood. Nice video.
So very true. I couldn't imagine him burning it all up when it was ripe for the picking!
My family does our best work on Sundays and holidays. In a couple years you can have the girls operate the machine!
There ya go David! That's a great idea! We do a lot of projects around home on Sundays for sure! Thanks!
I really enjoy all your videos but firewood videos are my favorite lol
Hey thanks a lot Brae! I'm sure I'll have more of them come winter!
Great job . That’s how I’ve always hauled my logs . I’m doing a big tree and fill job this week and then I guess I gotta get serious about cutting and splitting because I still haven’t done last summer’s haul . 👍👍
Oh yeah! Makes perfect sense to haul them this way. When I worked full time excavating we hauled them in our tri-axle all the time like this. But, I still had never done in my single. I'm always behind on cutting wood too! Thanks Steve!
Great storytelling, love going with you on this journey.... There is nothing you can't do sir!
Strap a camera on the arm of the excavator, Bluetooth to iPad on Ram Mount in the cab of the excavator, send spotter on a lemonade run.
That's actually not a bad idea JM! I can do that with my OSMO Action cams and watch through my phone. Could use that with the blind pallet forks on the backhoe bucket too! Brilliant.
@@digdrivediy So easy, a caveman like me could picture it.
I see a used log pup trailer for the dump truck in your future Neil! They are fairly popular here in Oregon with quite a few farmers and smaller logging operations. I see them for sale all the time along the highway. Just a thought.
That would be cool to have Greg. We see lots of logging semis around here but not the pups. Do you have to unload them with a crane? Sure would be easy to load them with the excavator though. Sounds interesting.
@@digdrivediy The yard I worked in just used an excavator with a thumb or log grapple. We just used chokers quite a bit as well. We weren't dealing with a bunch of ginormous old growth either. Also used the damn thing to haul hay during cutting season. Just built a crude, removable floor and we were good to go.
How about making a trailer out of an old truck frame...and don't make logs so long. Ah you got this.
God bless you and your family.
That's not a bad idea. Yeah, I got too carried away on the log length a few times :) Thanks for watching and commenting Michael!
That's nice wood ,well worth it
You're right about that Greg! Thanks!
Back in the day we would descend on fire wood like locusts.
Dad and grand paw wood cut the wood to bite size pieces
My brother and I with the help of friends we brought along would load and stack
Oh yes. We had lots of those days growing up as well. My extended family had several homes that all heated with wood and everyone would get together. Good times. Did you ever see the video I made about Loving and Hating Firewood? That says it all. Thanks for watching Henry!
Awesome. Family time. Love it!
Great way to end the day!
I've been wondering how many tries it took to thread that. S hook onto the tailgate....or was it focus pocus camera operator stuff? Great video!
Thanks Mom! I actually hit it on the first try when the camera wasn't close enough to see it, then it took me a couple tries when I moved the camera and filmed up close (of course). If there had been people around to watch it would have taken me 5-6 tries!
Another good one.
Thank you kindly Jim.
The same camera that videos the truck bed should have a Bluetooth connection to a screen in your cab of whatever you’re using so you can see more of your loading.
Like the hauling wood with your truck it was to long of loads for your dump .
Yes for sure. I won't make them so long next time!
Before you even said swimmin whole, I was thinkin it. And now all your winter's wood is just a few feet from the house waiting to be worked up.
Right on Charles! That pond felt good at the end of the day. Was almost too warm! That wood will be there waiting on me.
Hot day paradise.
No joke. I hate cutting wood in the heat but beggars can't be choosers I guess.
I've had this internal debate multiple times. Is it faster to buck on site or haul logs? One of life's great mysteries!
The struggle is real! I rent a firewood processor once a year so I save up the logs most of the time. Thanks for watching!
If you just dropped the tailgate and let it hang on the chains you could haul longer logs
COOL!
Great video again Neil I’m the exact same way lots of time I jus dnt have the time to go cut the wood when it’s available so I go cut in log length of usually 8 feet load them up on my trailer with tractor and bring them home for another time to process into fire wood I have a 2 year old baby girl n hate to b away nemore than I have to b so I try my best to b done by late mornings
I'm right there with you Adam. When the girls were even younger it was tougher yet. Thanks for watching!
I know you were pressed for time. Seems like something always has to happen when using equipment. How did you fix the left side of the bed of the dump truck? Are you able to get the tailgate on and have it work properly?
I straightened it out with the mini excavator on the next project I was working on. I was able to wedge the tooth down in there and it bent back really easily. Both sides were bent too. I haven't even put the tailgate back in yet to see if everything is OK. Thanks so much Richard!
Nice we youse my gramps old kabota and at one time the hole barn was full
That's cool. I go from clear full to clear empty really fast it seems :)
You are right
Great video
Thanks so much!
Another masterpiece! Keeping number one number one is hard but if Cara watched see knows you are trying!
Take care my friend!
Thanks so much Mike. Just gotta keep grinding away and do the best I can at both it seems. They're still #1.
Does this mean we might get to see another firewood processor video?! A processor isn’t quite right for my setup, but I still love seeing them work
I hope so Andrew. I haven't talked to them since the last video but hope they'll let me still rent it. That's the only way to go for me so that I can get a lot done in a short time period.
My buddy Logan has early 90s he used on his dairy farm n delivery logs two me for my, fire wood busines
Nice. It's great when you've got people helping to supply you with firewood. I know it's great for me!
You should do a video of the pond
A couple people have mentioned that so I think that I likely will do it. I have some work to do on the pond so I'll likely do a feature of it then. Stay tuned!! And thanks for watching!
another good video Neil
Thank you cousin.
Hey Neil, have you seen the eggscavator challenge from outdoors with the Morgan’s? I’d love to see your attempt at it with your backhoe and the excavator!
Yes I have seen that. Looks like it would be really fun to try. I might give it a go for the heck of it.
I'm on board with the bigger dump truck. Do it right though, get a Peterbilt lol
I'd love a Pete! I filmed a tri-axle dump truck that I had originally put into the end of this video but took out the footage at the last minute. It belongs to the friend in this video that has the big excavator. I could buy it if I want it pretty cheap. It is a big square nosed GMC General. I should have left it in the end of the video for fun. I'm thinking about it... Thanks Trey!
@@digdrivediy There is absolutely nothing wrong with an old General! Those are some rare birds anymore.
@@digdrivediy I think it'd be pretty cool to see an old General all fixed up right. Nothing overboard but like a nice cared for work truck should be.
from the Netherlands thanks for the video Neil
👍 Hi Hollandduck!
Opportunity Cost - Propane 😜
Yeah. It's getting closer and closer to that. One of these days. I'm just gonna need your address for the billing...
Good job Neil...:)
Appreciate it John.
If you would like to haul more fire wood at once maybe a bigger truck? Because of you, when I retire I was looking into a truck, F250. After some of your videos, now a F350. If we do a F350 why not a F450? Oh my, what should a person do?? Have a great week, peace
Ha! I went through those same struggles Curt. Now look... an F-750! I sure have used the heck out of this truck though. Sorry to be a bad (or good?) influence :) Hope you get that truck!
@@digdrivediy you have been a great influence because you never know what you might want to haul or do. When it comes to trucks and some other things bigger is better. I enjoy your videos a lot, keep up the great work and take time for your family, kids grow up so fast
A lot of wood
When the pool to use so the tween will swimming?
Have you been challenged to the eggxcavator challenge?
No, not that I'm aware of yet. Should I give it a go? I was thinking about it.
Why didn’t you just leave the door on with very strong chains holding it level, this would give you more deck area to support the trees
Because it puts tremendous strain on the tailgate when you go to dump and the tailgate hits the ground. I bent some lower pins on a tailgate doing exactly that one time.
👀👀🍺🍺👍👍
get a log truck
Then I'll need a fellar buncher and a skidder and a saw mill... It would be so cool to have a log truck though!!! Thanks Dani for watching!