I am 70 and my husband is 74. He cuts wood for us to burn in our fireplace insert all winter long. I help him split the wood using a hydraulic log splitter. We generally get about 4 cords of wood for the season. Jim says cutting wood warms you seven times: once when you cut it, once when you load it on your truck, once when you unload it, once when you split it, once when you stack it, once when you lug it into the garage, and lastly when you enjoy the warmth it provides when it actually burns in the fireplace. No desire to live off grid. I enjoy the comfort of home too much, but II really enjoy seeing your videos.
I use a similar rigging setup and recently bought a winch so I don't have to use my truck to pull the logs out of the woods. The winch sits on a mount that plugs right into my rear trailer hitch. Just a safety reminder, throw a heavy blanket or even a jacket over the cable while winching. If the cable breaks, it will prevent the cable from whipping around. Love your videos btw. Please keep them coming!
I love how you guys are just REAL! No pretensions about knowing everything, or how easy it is to live off grid. AND you keep a sense of humor about it. Well done!
A little trick for making it easier to winch/pull logs out of the woods is to cut a small wedge (triangle) out of the top and/or bottom of one the end of the log. This allows the tree to skim along the ground more easily, like the raised front of a sled in snow. Sure you loose a bit of wood, but it significantly reduces the strain on your equipment and makes the job a lot easier. I've done this miserable job for over a decade and I do whatever I can to reduce the time I have to spend doing it. Thanks for posting!
Great video! What we learned to do is take along the four-wheeler on a trailer and cut the logs into draggable lengths, then drag the logs to the truck. From there, they are cut to stove length and loaded. Years ago, we would cut the logs to the length of the truck bed, then load them up, take them home and cut, split and rank. Either way saved us extra labor and time vs cutting to stove length in the forest and lugging them piece by piece back to the truck. I hope your wood is dry before winter gets here! Here in PA, it takes two years for our firewood to dry. We finally wised up and have two winters' worth of firewood drying at any given time.
Ho how I feel good ... I'm sitting at my computer, in the warmt of my house, looking at you two go through all that trouble... remembering that I had days like that too... Boy I like your sence of humor, wish you two a long, healty life together because you are really made for one another. Keep smiling and making us smile too!
Nice video guys. In Sweden we typically fell the trees in the end of winter, when the sap is the lowest, and you don't have to sweat like a pig to get the job done. There is nothing else to do in that season, so you might as well make yourself useful. Then we pull the logs on snow sleighs if it is close to the property. If it is chopped up by April, it will have dried enough to be used for firewood the upcoming winter. Most firewood is birch here.
Wood is a lot of work for certain. Get a few years ahead on your wood supply and never cut again in heat or bugs - cut in the cool of late fall and when you want to cut, not because you have to do so due to limited supply. I keep no less than 25 cord stacked and burn 5 cord/year. Never in a rush to cut in conditions that make the work much more difficult.
Your optimism is crazy! How do you keep a smile on your faces and not go mad when your truck breaks down after a hard day's work in the middle of nowhere and no one is around to help ? I'm not from the US so I don't know the laws you have. Can anyone simply cut any tree anywhere in public forests ? Don't you need a permit or some kind of authorization from the state? Love watching your videos. Very educational and entertaining. And you guys are just so likable ;-). Good luck on you journey!
I am loving your videos! Keep them coming. I MUST say one thing. One part of this video scared me to death. Most loggers and especially off roaders have, when they could afford it, changed out their steel winching cables for synthetic lines. Watching you dance around between those steel cables sacred me to death. A Steel cable will store energy and WHEN it breaks it will release that energy like a razor sharp whip. A broken winch line and and has cut a man IN HALF! you will see loggers and off roaders drop a branch or a small log or something over their lines so that energy WHEN it happens is released into that limb and NOT their chest cavity. Get Synthetic lines. They do not store energy and when they break the just fall to the ground instead of whipping around cutting trees and humans in half. A great rig and smart use of physics. Just DANGEROUS as hell.
It doesn't take much load. If the log weighed more than you do then it is enough energy to cut you in half or take a leg off. I don't advise you test it.
You'll be fine with a steel cable... You could lay a jacket or blanket on the cable so if something does happen it draws the cable to the ground, not into your face!
Safety tip. When she pulls those cables tight with the truck, lay a towel or blanket over the cable about midway between the log and truck. If that cable snaps it can help obsorb the backlash so it doesn't hit you. Man I admire your dedication to this life. Would you go back and do it again given the chance?
The days when Murphy takes over are the days when you have to smile and realize...another day another time and the clouds will part, the stars will align and all will again be right with the world. I love your attitude and positive forward thinking. Beyond that, harvesting your own wood, as I do, gives a complete sense of accomplishment and determination in the face of adversity. You guys rock! Zip~
Collecting and cutting fire wood a great job at that....However, your ability to edit and put a good and enjoyable video together, has not received the credit you deserve. I am an experienced video photographer and editor and i give you 10/10 for a really good job with a very professional quality to it. well done!
I did this twice a year for 14 years and came to the conclusion that the only way to make it much easier was to have somebody else do the hard work. In my situation he was called "Barney" a 3 y.o. male stallion. The work he did was absolutely incredible. Of course I was tired and dirty in the evening but I had accomplished so much ( 8 to 12 full cords per day) that it was all worth it. As for cutting or splitting the wood, my ancestors told me to always wait for the winter. Frozen wood cuts and splits easily and it has all summer to dry for the next winter season so this means your doing your firewood 1 year ahead of time. P.S.: A horse cost about $100 per month to keep, feed and have the vet vaccinate it. PPS: Barney was with me for the full 14 years and was sold to a very good farming friend who had him for another 7 years.
Dad and Grandpa were loggers and then I picked up a few things on my own. Don't fasten your equipment to dead trees, they may not hold or fall over. Use a "log skip" when moving logs up or down hill. Log skip is a chunk of metal at the front of the log, that's "j" shaped. All kinds of thing get used for skips or slice a wedge across the nose called a "sled," it will make a difference when moving wood. Since you're on the cheap, see what you can or cut a steep sled across the nose and then take your wedge. Stick trucks with a down hill run can often be started by "bumping" into gear. Sounded like your something with the starter died. Get the truck in neutral and then let it get moving and then jam it into 1st. Terrifying first time you try it and tough on truck, so don't do except when you have too! I'm sure there are videos of it. Best of luck guys. Cat
Excellent video! About a month or so ago, I got a 5' metal handled "cant hook" to help me leverage big logs. That really helped a short woman (me) move felled trees around. There are two tools, a cant hook and a peavey, that are very similar; the only difference is what is at the bottom of the handle. The peavey has a pointed spike, and my cant hook has a small tooth at the bottom. Near the bottom of the handle, both have a moveable curved hook (called a "dog") that bites into logs. A pickaroon is also a useful tool for moving logs around. it's a short handled tool with a perpendicular, stationary hook. My property came with a homemade pickaroon that I've used quite a bit. I love your videos! Keep up the great work!
Great video! Glad to see ya'll maintain your sense of humor thru all the hardships. Gathering firewood is definitely hard work, especially when your "yoinking" firewood uphill. You earned the huckleberry ice-cream for sure! Stay safe...
a few things guys firstly if you can buy a smaller saw for docking your logs its awesome so much easier also look at getting yourself a tungsten chain for the big saw or a skip tooth chain great chains and buy a length of threaded bar and cut it to the length you want and mount it through the hole in the bar and it will make it easier for you
I love going out and getting wood. Wife and friends don't like it as much as me . I already got all the wood we need for next winter cut , split and stacked . I had it easier before the snow started melting . Easier to drag across the snow and now the crust has thawed so I fall thru to my waist .
You two are amazing. I have watched your videos since day one and I'm so impressed with all that you have accomplished to date. This video gives a tiny little glimpse at how much work you are actually doing. You are making your dream come true!
Great video for those of us that think living off grid is just like camping, only longer. You guys have a wonderful can do attitude and I love watching the place come together. Me, I have a local guy deliver the wood already split, $125 a face cord. You need to live near a big city :-)
LOL, welcome to off-grid living. Have 2 of everything, you will always use it. As for crazy, didn't see anything crazy. Pretty common method of getting firewood. You two make a great team. Cherish these moments.
This is one of your absolute best videos, period. It really portrays the role Murphy's Law has in your daily life from the truck to waiting for a ride to finding flat tire... I was stoked to see you minimize your impact by the clean-up (not really surprised- you two are a Class Act :) )... Talking about communication is- IE: communicating about communication is so important but often overlooked. Having said that- I know you two work on a tight budget and try to have minimal impact, but a pair of rechargeable 2-ways radios (walkie-talkie style) would be a real asset anytime you two are doing separate tasks and are not visible to each other. Range is really good and battery life is decent on the rechargables.
+Pete Bachman Thanks for the kind words! We love the honesty of this video as well. Even with this video, it's challenging to accurately portray all that is involved with such a task. We do have rechargeable radios but both days one died too quickly (I think the LED light accidentally gets pushed and then is stuck on which drains them) and even when they work, yelling we can hear immediately but it's hard to say stop after holding the button down for a couple of seconds. Maybe we need an upgrade. We used them for longer instruction but not the forward, stop and back. Yes, communication is SO CRITICAL! Something that takes time to master as a team!
OMG, I had my boat trailer tire blow, life preservers fly out of SUV on HWY and car overheat all in same day too. I know exactly how you feel! I am an intense person and keeping my cool while I am changing a boat trailer tire in the rain is not the easiest thing to do as cars fly by you doing 70 mph! Stay committed! I love your channel!
Great video and you are right, it is hard to explain how difficult wood cutting is. Each time you fell a tree it is unique experience. I been cutting wood with my family, around 10 of us, for over the last 30 yrs and we hauled around 12 - 15 cords on a weekend. We had 3 trucks (regular pickips with 8ft beds) running all day delivery wood back to our house with a 1.5 hour turn around (drivers would unload their own truck). Then we would all stack the wood the following weekend. I would like to suggest one piece of advice, loose the cap on the truck. On your last load you can fit all of your gear plus a cord in the back. We used to use small logs, around 4 in rounds as vertical walls to secure our gear better. Not to mention if your just running wood you can get an additional 1/2 cord out of each run.
So the next video will be how to change the wheel on your car, and how to diagnose and fix the truck? Haha. I'm sorry to hear about all of your troubles. You're cutting firewood pretty efficient in my opinion. I do have one suggestion though. My suggestion is to get yourself a pickup truck crane and mount it to your truck bed or mount it to the corner of your trailer. Put an electric winch on it with wireless remote and then you can winch logs out of the forest and at the same time load them into the truck or trailer. That's what we do and it makes getting and moving firewood so much easier. Also, those 2 way walkie talkies would have helped with Allyssa in the truck and you saying stop, go and back. Great video!!! Love your channel. Glad I subscribed.
Not properly logging, but I've spent a few years working with a tree service. We use chains sometimes, but almost always use nylon webbing chokers. They are light, and a couple different sizes will enable you to get just about any log you want. We use shackles to join them to the cable/rope we are rigging with ( most often a 3/4" bull rope). Rope is much lighter to work with than chain, and good nylon rope has plenty of load capacity. I have shock loaded over a ton onto that 3/4 rope without any damage at all (I don't suggest that). The snatch block you are using is one of my favorite tools. The one we have slides open so that you can load a rope midspan. You might also want to look up some basic rigging knots and techniques, light friction brakes and different hitch knots. It is all dangerous work, but the danger can all be managed with a bit of planning and attention to detail. You guys seem to be off to a great start. Good luck and be safe.
for future reference.... if you need a ride like that, i've always found it's best to take a leak on the right side of the road. a vehicle always comes by at that time.
I have cut firewood all my life and enjoy doing it, being an ex logger i do have some skills with rigging , any wood is moved out of the forest more efficient with some lead of getting them off the ground.. I rig up myself for sections of logs, it's some fooling around but still a lot better once you get rigged up.. good job both of you..
I added a skid steer to my arsenal soon after I started heating with wood. It doubles as my wood splitter also. Firewood harvesting is labor intensive.
Thanks for the video. It was great as always. I love how you try to stay positive even when you want to scream Jesse. It is clear that you are very frustrated at the end of this video. Good job on making a video even with the hectic wood gathering process.
Well I'm glad that day is behind you all, hoping your future days don't fall flat.....:) We just stacked our wood, and are not having to chop very much thankfully, we got it a local pallet company that has it already chopped.
hang in there guys it will turn around soon enough. Im cutting wood to stave off the cold in South Western Australia. No snow but still bloody cold. sitting in front of the fire in the death of winter makes it worth all the effort.
we used to have wood cutting parties - all the guys would come out with several chain saws bc you know some won't start, and women would bring food and gather the slash piles. We were out on state land so you had to bring in your slash piles. we just saw it as a necessity of life every summer
These things are sent to try us, aren't they? Still, you'll be glad of all that wood when the snow flies in January! If hard work brings success, then you guys are succeeding in spades! Love watching you videos and following your journey and it's always a red letter day when your blog pops up in my inbox. Looking forward to seeing the start of you Barndominium!
I can empathize with you guys!...I have dropped numerous 90 foot Aspen and 80 ft Spruce, on my own in 30C+ heat. I fetched my Kubota Tractor up to drag them and within a week had leaking transmission, hydraulic oil and now diesel, so had to use my truck to drag some and roll others down the hill. My brush monkey went weak at the knees after 4 hours so i had to take him home. So much downed timber now I can hardly move, giving it away! I am using 3 Jonsered saws the biggest of which has a 18" bar, they are fantastic saws.
I used to cut fire wood in central Idaho for our home heating. I needed 7 cords to last the winter. I figured out that my labor, my wifes labor, plus my truck, plus my saw, plus the repairs on my truck, and repairs on my saw it was cheaper to heat with natural gas, and instead of gathering wood all summer, we went on vacation.
You folks are funny as heck, , if there was enough room on this page I could tell you some of my wood cutting stories, , it is great to see all you do, and I am impressed at the Wife's canning, I do that too. Grandma taught me , and I learned some on my own too. keep up the good work, YOU are doing great.
Love chopping wood, even still after hurting my back, now I take it easy, put the brace on and chop a few rounds each over a week. We used to go down the logging roads and grab the wood but I use to go out in June to get it, just in case it was still green. Now I just buy it for the most part ( due to the back) from time to time may go out and get a tree or two. not cheap not expensive but a full cord here of fir or larch is $200.
I have some remarks, 1st, when you used the pulley, you used a steel cable around the tree. this causes quite a bit of damage to the tree... this one turned out to be dead , but maibe not on you next job. 2nd, i'd use a second pulley at the tree side that would allow you to hoist up long // multiple logs at a time , you'll also slow down the log speed in half so less riding the clutch 3th, i'd fabricate some sort of skid for the front of the trees. this will make pulling easyer and thus allow heavyer loads. i may seem to be nagging but you guys did a great job
If you add a piece of sheet metal under the front of the log it will slide better, I used a hood off a old truck on my property, it makes dragging logs easier.
Great videos! I know I am about two months late on this, but you can keep in mind for future reference. The broken truck has a manual transmission. It turned over but wouldn't start. You even towed it off to the side of the road. You were SOO close to possibly driving it home that evening since you mentioned it was not too far from home. I was hoping you would pull start it by dropping the clutch in reverse when you had it pulled by the subaru.
There was a recent report that the 1935 Hide n Go Seek Champion was found in southern Washington state . . . Glad Kirk you got back so we could see your video.
a metal nose cone/sled of some sort for the tips of the logs. to slide up hill instead of catching edge and digging into the hill side. trunk sled for the win.
Most people try to cut their fire wood in late febuary, and march, as long as winter cooperates. once you get ahead far enough to have two years worth it gives you some breathing space. Only a crazy person would cut wood in july or august unless just starting out like you guys, happy blisters and sore backs, we burn wood too, peace.
On my Shindaiwa 488 chainsaw, I have a piece of plastic tubing attached under the saw which provides a perfect 16" long cut. Basically, you don't need to mess around with a piece of wood to space your cuts correctly. Pretty useful!
I used to cut and sell firewood when I was a teenager. I used a winch to pull the trees to me. I was lucky and had a used Warn, but there are a number of lower price but good options. Looks like you already have the rest of the gear.
Check out a choker chain, logging chain. They have a piece of rod stock for feeding under the log through the dirt, and have a choker lead instead of one that locks onto each chain link. Then you can put the chain a little further forward on the log which reduces it biting into the dirt.
we all just got a great laugh. Boy that reminds us of our life! Now about the fire wood. if you make a simple skidder out of wood/ and metal bracing for the front of the log you will use much less force to bring it up. also a double snatch block/tackle set up would reduce drag on the truck. You may be able to use a simple winch system with that set up. we have done this for the last 13 years.
+Beth Addis All good tips. Surely we'll refine our tools and techniques over time. Happily we got this project done with minimal cost and minimal damage. The truck was just a random thing. Hah.
Suggestions: Peavey and pickaroon will make handling wood easier; a timberjack saves your back and your chainsaw chain. A truck bed full of wet firewood can weigh 2000+ lbs, so if you have a half ton truck hauling that much wood that can be bad juju. Keep up the great videos!
Btw, I just saw the rarest of sights nowadays: a woman who can drive a manual transmission! Heck, darn few men can anymore! Kudos and hats off to you!!
Man you guys are having some car troubles, but at least no one got hurt! Only suggestion I can add about your wood cutting adventures is that a peavey or a cant hook with a timber jack might be a good idea, easier to roll around some of them bigger logs. Also just a skidding slead makes for sliding them logs up the hills a LOT easier, google it, they are not hard to make, you can make a decent one out of a 55 gallon plastic barrel or some steel if you have it lying around. Really it makes a difference, when you use one you put a lot less strain on your truck, your cables etc. BTW I hope the truck is fixed soon, sounded like it was not getting any spark. Domo
hey guys build yourself a small sled to stop the nose of tne log from burying itself in the ground. You will be able to pull the bigger pieces with less resistance
we here in E europe do logging in wintertime.. when ground is frozen solid u can go over it with heavy equipment and it doesnt get disturbed.. pulling stuff is easier aswel if u can get good traction. And wood splitting is easier in winter to.. or the end of winter.. they just somehow split much better.. with an axe.
I refer to wood cutting as productive exercise.....that means, you are getting good exercise without paying gym fees. Plus, getting some nice firewood to keep the house warm and save on heating costs. Nothing better than a good day in the woods, especially when you are not in a rush. Keep ahead of the cutting and it is a lot more enjoyable........ Plus, makes it a lot easier when you have a really good looking helper......she looks awesome!!!!
Firewood warms you twice, once when you cut it and once when you burn it. Most people add more times, like when you split it, when you load it in the truck, etc, but I count all of that as part of the cutting process.
SLABS! Wow guys. We did this for a while but realized quickly that an easier way is to contact your local saw mills and bring home slabs. They practically give them to you for free unless they load them for you. SLABS! Man, you wore me out just watching you and it's because we've done that. Did I mention SLABS?
Good call on having the fire extinguisher handy. Be careful with those plastic gas cans, they are very dangerous. Metal cans are expensive but they do last a lifetime and they are decidedly more safe.. And good idea putting flagging on the cable across the road, too. You are doing a great job with your blog / videos.
great video but keep in mind safety i see alot of no nos in this video. like standing next to a cable under tension, standing over the kickback line of the saw, cutting over head ect. ect. keep having fun and stay safe!!!!
Livin' the dream is genuinely hard yacka...my hat is off to you guys. And my wife thinks it would be good to have a fire place!!! I will get her to watch you two in action...LOL
Every time I see your lovely lady doing her fruit mui especial; I am frothing at the mouth. Wild berries, that must be quite out this world. I've got a funny feeling that once you fine folks have got your home; you may very well consider having a special dedicated to this wonderful elixir that could potentially earn you a side living & some fame in the process. Great stuff, I am enjoying every episode. Kind regards.
I am 70 and my husband is 74. He cuts wood for us to burn in our fireplace insert all winter long. I help him split the wood using a hydraulic log splitter. We generally get about 4 cords of wood for the season. Jim says cutting wood warms you seven times: once when you cut it, once when you load it on your truck, once when you unload it, once when you split it, once when you stack it, once when you lug it into the garage, and lastly when you enjoy the warmth it provides when it actually burns in the fireplace. No desire to live off grid. I enjoy the comfort of home too much, but II really enjoy seeing your videos.
+Louise Dillon This is so inspiring! We hope to share your teamwork and sense of humor in our golden years!
When it rains it pours, you guys have a good sense of humor. Thanks for sharing.
And when You gonna start splitting it its funny too .
I use a similar rigging setup and recently bought a winch so I don't have to use my truck to pull the logs out of the woods. The winch sits on a mount that plugs right into my rear trailer hitch. Just a safety reminder, throw a heavy blanket or even a jacket over the cable while winching. If the cable breaks, it will prevent the cable from whipping around. Love your videos btw. Please keep them coming!
I love how you guys are just REAL! No pretensions about knowing everything, or how easy it is to live off grid. AND you keep a sense of humor about it. Well done!
A little trick for making it easier to winch/pull logs out of the woods is to cut a small wedge (triangle) out of the top and/or bottom of one the end of the log. This allows the tree to skim along the ground more easily, like the raised front of a sled in snow. Sure you loose a bit of wood, but it significantly reduces the strain on your equipment and makes the job a lot easier. I've done this miserable job for over a decade and I do whatever I can to reduce the time I have to spend doing it. Thanks for posting!
Great video!
What we learned to do is take along the four-wheeler on a trailer and cut the logs into draggable lengths, then drag the logs to the truck. From there, they are cut to stove length and loaded. Years ago, we would cut the logs to the length of the truck bed, then load them up, take them home and cut, split and rank. Either way saved us extra labor and time vs cutting to stove length in the forest and lugging them piece by piece back to the truck.
I hope your wood is dry before winter gets here! Here in PA, it takes two years for our firewood to dry. We finally wised up and have two winters' worth of firewood drying at any given time.
Ho how I feel good ... I'm sitting at my computer, in the warmt of my house, looking at you two go through all that trouble... remembering that I had days like that too... Boy I like your sence of humor, wish you two a long, healty life together because you are really made for one another. Keep smiling and making us smile too!
Nice video guys. In Sweden we typically fell the trees in the end of winter, when the sap is the lowest, and you don't have to sweat like a pig to get the job done. There is nothing else to do in that season, so you might as well make yourself useful. Then we pull the logs on snow sleighs if it is close to the property. If it is chopped up by April, it will have dried enough to be used for firewood the upcoming winter. Most firewood is birch here.
Wood is a lot of work for certain. Get a few years ahead on your wood supply and never cut again in heat or bugs - cut in the cool of late fall and when you want to cut, not because you have to do so due to limited supply. I keep no less than 25 cord stacked and burn 5 cord/year. Never in a rush to cut in conditions that make the work much more difficult.
+Jacques Veilleux We look forward to getting ahead. For once we are caught up but still a ways from being ahead.
You'll get there - you aren't afraid of hard work and that is what matters!
Your optimism is crazy! How do you keep a smile on your faces and not go mad when your truck breaks down after a hard day's work in the middle of nowhere and no one is around to help ?
I'm not from the US so I don't know the laws you have. Can anyone simply cut any tree anywhere in public forests ? Don't you need a permit or some kind of authorization from the state?
Love watching your videos. Very educational and entertaining. And you guys are just so likable ;-). Good luck on you journey!
I am loving your videos! Keep them coming. I MUST say one thing. One part of this video scared me to death. Most loggers and especially off roaders have, when they could afford it, changed out their steel winching cables for synthetic lines. Watching you dance around between those steel cables sacred me to death. A Steel cable will store energy and WHEN it breaks it will release that energy like a razor sharp whip. A broken winch line and and has cut a man IN HALF! you will see loggers and off roaders drop a branch or a small log or something over their lines so that energy WHEN it happens is released into that limb and NOT their chest cavity. Get Synthetic lines. They do not store energy and when they break the just fall to the ground instead of whipping around cutting trees and humans in half. A great rig and smart use of physics. Just DANGEROUS as hell.
+J Simpson Good tips! As you can see in the video the cable wasn't under tremendous load. No need to dramatize it.
It doesn't take much load. If the log weighed more than you do then it is enough energy to cut you in half or take a leg off. I don't advise you test it.
You'll be fine with a steel cable... You could lay a jacket or blanket on the cable so if something does happen it draws the cable to the ground, not into your face!
Safety tip. When she pulls those cables tight with the truck, lay a towel or blanket over the cable about midway between the log and truck. If that cable snaps it can help obsorb the backlash so it doesn't hit you.
Man I admire your dedication to this life. Would you go back and do it again given the chance?
The days when Murphy takes over are the days when you have to smile and realize...another day another time and the clouds will part, the stars will align and all will again be right with the world. I love your attitude and positive forward thinking. Beyond that, harvesting your own wood, as I do, gives a complete sense of accomplishment and determination in the face of adversity. You guys rock! Zip~
Collecting and cutting fire wood a great job at that....However, your ability to edit and put a good and enjoyable video together, has not received the credit you deserve. I am an experienced video photographer and editor and i give you 10/10 for a really good job with a very professional quality to it. well done!
Having a get home bag in your vehicle takes on real meaning on that "busy road". Great video and awesome to see you both are safe.
I did this twice a year for 14 years and came to the conclusion that the only way to make it much easier was to have somebody else do the hard work. In my situation he was called "Barney" a 3 y.o. male stallion. The work he did was absolutely incredible. Of course I was tired and dirty in the evening but I had accomplished so much ( 8 to 12 full cords per day) that it was all worth it. As for cutting or splitting the wood, my ancestors told me to always wait for the winter. Frozen wood cuts and splits easily and it has all summer to dry for the next winter season so this means your doing your firewood 1 year ahead of time.
P.S.: A horse cost about $100 per month to keep, feed and have the vet vaccinate it.
PPS: Barney was with me for the full 14 years and was sold to a very good farming friend who had him for another 7 years.
I live in Florida, Did your ancestors happen to mention how long to leave the wood in the freezer before splitting it?
You don't have to "freeze" it, but it does help if the wod has been stored outside at
I see... a few days... Thanks, but I can tell you didn't read closely, > outside
Oh my, you two are so cute. To stay so calm with so much frustration and keep smiling. Wow!
Dad and Grandpa were loggers and then I picked up a few things on my own. Don't fasten your equipment to dead trees, they may not hold or fall over. Use a "log skip" when moving logs up or down hill. Log skip is a chunk of metal at the front of the log, that's "j" shaped. All kinds of thing get used for skips or slice a wedge across the nose called a "sled," it will make a difference when moving wood. Since you're on the cheap, see what you can or cut a steep sled across the nose and then take your wedge. Stick trucks with a down hill run can often be started by "bumping" into gear. Sounded like your something with the starter died. Get the truck in neutral and then let it get moving and then jam it into 1st. Terrifying first time you try it and tough on truck, so don't do except when you have too! I'm sure there are videos of it. Best of luck guys. Cat
Excellent video!
About a month or so ago, I got a 5' metal handled "cant hook" to help me leverage big logs. That really helped a short woman (me) move felled trees around. There are two tools, a cant hook and a peavey, that are very similar; the only difference is what is at the bottom of the handle. The peavey has a pointed spike, and my cant hook has a small tooth at the bottom. Near the bottom of the handle, both have a moveable curved hook (called a "dog") that bites into logs.
A pickaroon is also a useful tool for moving logs around. it's a short handled tool with a perpendicular, stationary hook. My property came with a homemade pickaroon that I've used quite a bit.
I love your videos! Keep up the great work!
Nothing but respect for you two! Great job!
Great video! Glad to see ya'll maintain your sense of humor thru all the hardships. Gathering firewood is definitely hard work, especially when your "yoinking" firewood uphill.
You earned the huckleberry ice-cream for sure! Stay safe...
I'm always amazed at how well you guys work together. My wife and I always just end up arguing when we attempt a project. Haha
Wow! We generally have drive on access to our wood. Seeing this makes me realise how fortunate we are!
Haha "aint nobody gonna give this girl a ride" XD Love that you two are open and honest about the pros and cons!
a few things guys
firstly if you can buy a smaller saw for docking your logs its awesome so much easier
also look at getting yourself a tungsten chain for the big saw or a skip tooth chain great chains
and buy a length of threaded bar and cut it to the length you want and mount it through the hole in the bar and it will make it easier for you
I love going out and getting wood. Wife and friends don't like it as much as me . I already got all the wood we need for next winter cut , split and stacked .
I had it easier before the snow started melting . Easier to drag across the snow and now the crust has thawed so I fall thru to my waist .
I have had one of tho's weeks. Love how much hard work you guys into your videos. Keep up the hard work. God Bless
If i watch Wranglerstar he uses an old Jeep hood under the front part of the log it keeps it from digging into the ground and pulls easier.
Yeah, or find an old shovel or shovel head rig it as a slide...
you can also notch the front of the timber to prevent hang ups and digging in the soil.
Robert Scarpone easiest solution ever unless it rolls, then it's a wedge, lol
Or just use a trash can lid without the handle, like the cartoons
Murphy's Law what can go wrong will go wrong. Keep at it you are an inspiration!
This makes me greatly appreciate the hardwood I get to gather "out back"
You two are amazing. I have watched your videos since day one and I'm so impressed with all that you have accomplished to date. This video gives a tiny little glimpse at how much work you are actually doing. You are making your dream come true!
Subarus always save the day. I love Fords too though
I was pleased to see that you were wearing the special chain saw safety trousers.... Well done.
Great video for those of us that think living off grid is just like camping, only longer.
You guys have a wonderful can do attitude and I love watching the place come together.
Me, I have a local guy deliver the wood already split, $125 a face cord. You need to live near a big city :-)
LOL, welcome to off-grid living. Have 2 of everything, you will always use it. As for crazy, didn't see anything crazy. Pretty common method of getting firewood. You two make a great team. Cherish these moments.
You guys are definitely getting ahead of the curve! Good for you!
This is one of your absolute best videos, period. It really portrays the role Murphy's Law has in your daily life from the truck to waiting for a ride to finding flat tire... I was stoked to see you minimize your impact by the clean-up (not really surprised- you two are a Class Act :) )... Talking about communication is- IE: communicating about communication is so important but often overlooked. Having said that- I know you two work on a tight budget and try to have minimal impact, but a pair of rechargeable 2-ways radios (walkie-talkie style) would be a real asset anytime you two are doing separate tasks and are not visible to each other. Range is really good and battery life is decent on the rechargables.
+Pete Bachman Thanks for the kind words! We love the honesty of this video as well. Even with this video, it's challenging to accurately portray all that is involved with such a task. We do have rechargeable radios but both days one died too quickly (I think the LED light accidentally gets pushed and then is stuck on which drains them) and even when they work, yelling we can hear immediately but it's hard to say stop after holding the button down for a couple of seconds. Maybe we need an upgrade. We used them for longer instruction but not the forward, stop and back. Yes, communication is SO CRITICAL! Something that takes time to master as a team!
Ya gotta love life and it's hiccups.... Love watching you two doing your thing!!
This video is great! Thanks for sharing! Love seeing the realness of starting out off grid
OMG, I had my boat trailer tire blow, life preservers fly out of SUV on HWY and car overheat all in same day too. I know exactly how you feel! I am an intense person and keeping my cool while I am changing a boat trailer tire in the rain is not the easiest thing to do as cars fly by you doing 70 mph! Stay committed! I love your channel!
Glad to see you guys wearing kevlar. that would be a fatal injury way out there. great job you two you are an inspiration
Great video and you are right, it is hard to explain how difficult wood cutting is. Each time you fell a tree it is unique experience. I been cutting wood with my family, around 10 of us, for over the last 30 yrs and we hauled around 12 - 15 cords on a weekend. We had 3 trucks (regular pickips with 8ft beds) running all day delivery wood back to our house with a 1.5 hour turn around (drivers would unload their own truck). Then we would all stack the wood the following weekend. I would like to suggest one piece of advice, loose the cap on the truck. On your last load you can fit all of your gear plus a cord in the back. We used to use small logs, around 4 in rounds as vertical walls to secure our gear better. Not to mention if your just running wood you can get an additional 1/2 cord out of each run.
Glad you made it back!
ive watched so many of your videos in the past few days lol... great vids and your positive attitude is what gets you through :)
So the next video will be how to change the wheel on your car, and how to diagnose and fix the truck? Haha. I'm sorry to hear about all of your troubles. You're cutting firewood pretty efficient in my opinion. I do have one suggestion though. My suggestion is to get yourself a pickup truck crane and mount it to your truck bed or mount it to the corner of your trailer. Put an electric winch on it with wireless remote and then you can winch logs out of the forest and at the same time load them into the truck or trailer. That's what we do and it makes getting and moving firewood so much easier. Also, those 2 way walkie talkies would have helped with Allyssa in the truck and you saying stop, go and back. Great video!!! Love your channel. Glad I subscribed.
Not properly logging, but I've spent a few years working with a tree service. We use chains sometimes, but almost always use nylon webbing chokers. They are light, and a couple different sizes will enable you to get just about any log you want. We use shackles to join them to the cable/rope we are rigging with ( most often a 3/4" bull rope). Rope is much lighter to work with than chain, and good nylon rope has plenty of load capacity. I have shock loaded over a ton onto that 3/4 rope without any damage at all (I don't suggest that).
The snatch block you are using is one of my favorite tools. The one we have slides open so that you can load a rope midspan. You might also want to look up some basic rigging knots and techniques, light friction brakes and different hitch knots. It is all dangerous work, but the danger can all be managed with a bit of planning and attention to detail. You guys seem to be off to a great start. Good luck and be safe.
for future reference.... if you need a ride like that, i've always found it's best to take a leak on the right side of the road. a vehicle always comes by at that time.
I have cut firewood all my life and enjoy doing it, being an ex logger i do have some skills with rigging , any wood is moved out of the forest more efficient with some lead of getting them off the ground.. I rig up myself for sections of logs, it's some fooling around but still a lot better once you get rigged up.. good job both of you..
+Norman Mallory Totally agree! Can't wait to play with better rigging next year!
Also the cleaner you can keep you logs the less you have to sharpen your chain saw. BTW: good chain saw.
Man oh man , those logs would've made some beautiful saw logs for the beams in your new house
I added a skid steer to my arsenal soon after I started heating with wood. It doubles as my wood splitter also. Firewood harvesting is labor intensive.
You two work good together. Keep smiling.
Thanks for the video. It was great as always. I love how you try to stay positive even when you want to scream Jesse. It is clear that you are very frustrated at the end of this video. Good job on making a video even with the hectic wood gathering process.
Well I'm glad that day is behind you all, hoping your future days don't fall flat.....:)
We just stacked our wood, and are not having to chop very much thankfully, we got it a local pallet company that has it already chopped.
best video yet showing real life
Great videos guys and you have a good sense of humor
hang in there guys it will turn around soon enough. Im cutting wood to stave off the cold in South Western Australia. No snow but still bloody cold. sitting in front of the fire in the death of winter makes it worth all the effort.
i enjoyed this,your both so good natured.ive learned a lot from you guys.
Wow! I was just asking my husband the other day if he knew about cutting wood. This is *nothing* like we thought!
we used to have wood cutting parties - all the guys would come out with several chain saws bc you know some won't start, and women would bring food and gather the slash piles. We were out on state land so you had to bring in your slash piles. we just saw it as a necessity of life every summer
These things are sent to try us, aren't they? Still, you'll be glad of all that wood when the snow flies in January! If hard work brings success, then you guys are succeeding in spades! Love watching you videos and following your journey and it's always a red letter day when your blog pops up in my inbox. Looking forward to seeing the start of you Barndominium!
I can empathize with you guys!...I have dropped numerous 90 foot Aspen and 80 ft Spruce, on my own in 30C+ heat. I fetched my Kubota Tractor up to drag them and within a week had leaking transmission, hydraulic oil and now diesel, so had to use my truck to drag some and roll others down the hill. My brush monkey went weak at the knees after 4 hours so i had to take him home. So much downed timber now I can hardly move, giving it away! I am using 3 Jonsered saws the biggest of which has a 18" bar, they are fantastic saws.
I used to cut fire wood in central Idaho for our home heating. I needed 7 cords to last the winter. I figured out that my labor, my wifes labor, plus my truck, plus my saw, plus the repairs on my truck, and repairs on my saw it was cheaper to heat with natural gas, and instead of gathering wood all summer, we went on vacation.
You folks are funny as heck, , if there was enough room on this page I could tell you some of my wood cutting stories, , it is great to see all you do, and I am impressed at the Wife's canning, I do that too. Grandma taught me , and I learned some on my own too. keep up the good work, YOU are doing great.
Love chopping wood, even still after hurting my back, now I take it easy, put the brace on and chop a few rounds each over a week. We used to go down the logging roads and grab the wood but I use to go out in June to get it, just in case it was still green. Now I just buy it for the most part ( due to the back) from time to time may go out and get a tree or two. not cheap not expensive but a full cord here of fir or larch is $200.
I have some remarks,
1st, when you used the pulley, you used a steel cable around the tree. this causes quite a bit of damage to the tree... this one turned out to be dead , but maibe not on you next job.
2nd, i'd use a second pulley at the tree side that would allow you to hoist up long // multiple logs at a time , you'll also slow down the log speed in half so less riding the clutch
3th, i'd fabricate some sort of skid for the front of the trees. this will make pulling easyer and thus allow heavyer loads.
i may seem to be nagging but you guys did a great job
OMG Do not stand close to the line while pulling, if it rips off, it'll cut you right in half!
6217lex life is full of risks dude it all comes down to care for you equipment and not working it to hard
If you add a piece of sheet metal under the front of the log it will slide better, I used a hood off a old truck on my property, it makes dragging logs easier.
Great videos! I know I am about two months late on this, but you can keep in mind for future reference. The broken truck has a manual transmission. It turned over but wouldn't start. You even towed it off to the side of the road. You were SOO close to possibly driving it home that evening since you mentioned it was not too far from home. I was hoping you would pull start it by dropping the clutch in reverse when you had it pulled by the subaru.
Dang! Rough day but at least you stayed positive...on camera :) Thanks for the video!
There was a recent report that the 1935 Hide n Go Seek Champion was found in southern Washington state . . . Glad Kirk you got back so we could see your video.
a metal nose cone/sled of some sort for the tips of the logs. to slide up hill instead of catching edge and digging into the hill side. trunk sled for the win.
Your wife is AWESOME!!! You are a lucky man.
Most people try to cut their fire wood in late febuary, and march, as long as winter cooperates. once you get ahead far enough to have two years worth it gives you some breathing space. Only a crazy person would cut wood in july or august unless just starting out like you guys, happy blisters and sore backs, we burn wood too, peace.
On my Shindaiwa 488 chainsaw, I have a piece of plastic tubing attached under the saw which provides a perfect 16" long cut. Basically, you don't need to mess around with a piece of wood to space your cuts correctly. Pretty useful!
I used to cut and sell firewood when I was a teenager. I used a winch to pull the trees to me. I was lucky and had a used Warn, but there are a number of lower price but good options. Looks like you already have the rest of the gear.
Check out a choker chain, logging chain. They have a piece of rod stock for feeding under the log through the dirt, and have a choker lead instead of one that locks onto each chain link. Then you can put the chain a little further forward on the log which reduces it biting into the dirt.
Alyssa is quite the chucker.
Great video, guys...
Cut your own wood,
it'll warm you twice!
we all just got a great laugh. Boy that reminds us of our life! Now about the fire wood. if you make a simple skidder out of wood/ and metal bracing for the front of the log you will use much less force to bring it up. also a double snatch block/tackle set up would reduce drag on the truck. You may be able to use a simple winch system with that set up. we have done this for the last 13 years.
+Beth Addis All good tips. Surely we'll refine our tools and techniques over time. Happily we got this project done with minimal cost and minimal damage. The truck was just a random thing. Hah.
somedays every step forward is met with a half step backward. the thing is not to quit. thank you for the video.
pure living for life if you use an old car hood or a piece of heavy gauge steel to lay the nose of the log on they are much easier to pull.
good stuff , nice to see an honest video about the pitfalls , you might wanna brush up on your bush survival skills if no one came by.
Love your vids. We did something similar over the last 4 years but it's more in town. We are now wanting to go further out and do it all over again.
+johnbrakingground Gluttons for punishment eh? Haha! Best wishes to ya!
On days like that just remember that you guys are living the dream 😀😀
Great video. Love what you are doing.
Suggestions: Peavey and pickaroon will make handling wood easier; a timberjack saves your back and your chainsaw chain. A truck bed full of wet firewood can weigh 2000+ lbs, so if you have a half ton truck hauling that much wood that can be bad juju. Keep up the great videos!
Some days be like that...at least you can still smile.
You guys are inspiring
You guys are fun to watch. Thanks for the ride along.
LOL! LOL!
Btw, I just saw the rarest of sights nowadays: a woman who can drive a manual transmission! Heck, darn few men can anymore! Kudos and hats off to you!!
Man you guys are having some car troubles, but at least no one got hurt!
Only suggestion I can add about your wood cutting adventures is that a peavey or a cant hook with a timber jack might be a good idea, easier to roll around some of them bigger logs.
Also just a skidding slead makes for sliding them logs up the hills a LOT easier, google it, they are not hard to make, you can make a decent one out of a 55 gallon plastic barrel or some steel if you have it lying around. Really it makes a difference, when you use one you put a lot less strain on your truck, your cables etc.
BTW I hope the truck is fixed soon, sounded like it was not getting any spark.
Domo
hey guys build yourself a small sled to stop the nose of tne log from burying itself in the ground. You will be able to pull the bigger pieces with less resistance
we here in E europe do logging in wintertime.. when ground is frozen solid u can go over it with heavy equipment and it doesnt get disturbed.. pulling stuff is easier aswel if u can get good traction. And wood splitting is easier in winter to.. or the end of winter.. they just somehow split much better.. with an axe.
I refer to wood cutting as productive exercise.....that means, you are getting good exercise without paying gym fees. Plus, getting some nice firewood to keep the house warm and save on heating costs. Nothing better than a good day in the woods, especially when you are not in a rush.
Keep ahead of the cutting and it is a lot more enjoyable........
Plus, makes it a lot easier when you have a really good looking helper......she looks awesome!!!!
Firewood warms you twice, once when you cut it and once when you burn it.
Most people add more times, like when you split it, when you load it in the truck, etc, but I count all of that as part of the cutting process.
SLABS! Wow guys. We did this for a while but realized quickly that an easier way is to contact your local saw mills and bring home slabs. They practically give them to you for free unless they load them for you. SLABS! Man, you wore me out just watching you and it's because we've done that. Did I mention SLABS?
+An American Homestead We have a sawmill right behind us. Has acres of mill ends. Has refused to allow us to cut off them. #tightass
Good call on having the fire extinguisher handy. Be careful with those plastic gas cans, they are very dangerous. Metal cans are expensive but they do last a lifetime and they are decidedly more safe.. And good idea putting flagging on the cable across the road, too.
You are doing a great job with your blog / videos.
great video but keep in mind safety i see alot of no nos in this video. like standing next to a cable under tension, standing over the kickback line of the saw, cutting over head ect. ect. keep having fun and stay safe!!!!
Livin' the dream is genuinely hard yacka...my hat is off to you guys. And my wife thinks it would be good to have a fire place!!! I will get her to watch you two in action...LOL
Haha! You 2 will never forget this day!
Every time I see your lovely lady doing her fruit mui especial; I am frothing at the mouth. Wild berries, that must be quite out this world. I've got a funny feeling that once you fine folks have got your home; you may very well consider having a special dedicated to this wonderful elixir that could potentially earn you a side living & some fame in the process. Great stuff, I am enjoying every episode. Kind regards.