True Blue Sam the Travelin' Man

Friday, March 22, 2024

Pruning Walnuts (And Other Trees, Too!)

Prioritize your cuts and make them right. Will the tree be merchantable as is, or if you prune it? Can you make the tree produce more merchantable volume? Can you improve the value of the wood? Let the answers guide you as you prune.

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Pipeliner Fly-By

The pipeliner flies by about once a week, looking for problems along the petroleum pipeline that goes through our timber. In the rare event that we would have equipment on or near the line, we call the operator so they can inform the pilot, rather than trigger alarm bells. We always enjoy seeing him go over.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Waiting To Pounce!

Something is always out to get you, even in the relative safety of your back yard. Keep an eye out for hazards!

Remember The Guy Using A Stick And His Flipped Cart...

...to start his little Diesel engine? He now has an upgrade to his starting system!

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Story Of The Chestnut

Monday, March 18, 2024

Tuesday Torque: Midwest Old Threshers Parade Of Tractors

Merle picked out a short by Someplace or Another of the LaCrosse Rein Drive Tractor at Mt. Pleasant. I have admired this little mechanical wonder since I was a kid. I looked up the long version, and you can see the LaCrosse at the 8:00 minute mark. Thank You, Merle!

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Enjoy Spring!

Down in the twenties tonight, so unhook your garden hose! Admire the flowers while we have them!

Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam II: Irish Steam At Speed!

Friday, March 15, 2024

Weekend Steam: Homemade Steam Motorcycle!

This is a great one, Merle, and obviously one-of-a-kind. Thanks for spotting! I wonder what the range is on this baby.

Here is a better look at this nice ride.

Monday, March 11, 2024

Tuesday Torque: Poor People Have Poor Ways...

Thanks, Merle!

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Rules To Live By

Firearms; Col. Jeff Cooper's Rules
1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
4. Be sure of your target and what lies beyond it.

Knives
1. Never cut toward yourself.
2. Always cut away from yourself.
3. Never cut yourself.

AND
If you drop a knife or gun, let it fall!

Chainsaws

1. Always wear your safety gear when running your saw: hard hat, eye, face, hearing protection, cut resistant protection for your legs, heavy boots, gloves (depending on work conditions).

2. Safety devices on the saw must be in working order: front hand guard,chain brake, chain catcher, throttle lockout, and right hand guard.

3. Hold the saw on the ground or lock it between your knees for starting. No 'Drop Starts.' Set the chain brake before cranking.

4. The engine must idle reliably without turning the chain.

5. The chain must be sharpened properly, including properly set depth gauges.

6. The chain must be adjusted to remove slack and still run freely.

7. The operator must understand the forces on different parts of the bar as the saw runs: push, pull, kickback and attack.

8. Both hands must always be on the saw when the chain is running. The thumbs must be wrapped around the handles. Both feet should be firmly planted on the ground.

9. The operator must always know where the end of the bar is, and what it's doing.

10. Don't let the upper (kickback) corner of the bar contact anything when the chain is running unless the tip has been buried with the lower corner.

11. Let off of the throttle before pulling out of a pinch on the top part of the bar.

12. Make a plan for every tree you cut. Assess hazards, lean, escape routes, forward cuts, and back cuts. Evaluate the forward or backward lean, and the side lean of every tree you cut. Know your limits.

13. Clear your work area and your escape path of brush, vines, and other hazards that can trip you or catch your saw.

14. Escape from the bullseye when the tree tips. 90% of accidents happen within 12 feet of the stump. Go more than 15 feet, and stay out of the bullseye until things stop falling.

15. Keep spectators away more than twice the height of the tree in the direction it will fall.

16. Don't cut alone.

17. Keep your body and the swamper's out of the line of the bar in case of a kickback.

18. Set the brake when taking over two steps or when moving through tripping hazards. Keep your trigger finger off of the throttle when you are moving.

19. DO NOT operate a chainsaw from a ladder! Operating with your feet off the ground requires special training.

20. Do not cut above your shoulders.

21. Springpoles must be shaved on the inside of the apex between the ascending and descending sides. If the apex is higher than you shoulders, stand under the springpole and cut it low on the descending side. It will release upward, away from you.Leaning and heavily loaded poles that are too small to bore cut for a hinge should be shaved on the compressed side until they fold.

22. Do not cut a tree that is holding up a lodged tree. Do not work under a lodged tree. Think about a mouse trying to steal the cheese out of a trap.

23. Instruct your swampers and helpers to NEVER approach you from behind or the sides to within the reach of your saw when you are cutting. If you pull out of a cut with the chain running, or have a severe kickback, the swamper can be killed if he is coming up behind you!

24!! Quit When You Are Tired!

25!! Pause and review; reflect, when you are being pushed. You may be pushed into danger. Do not let pressure cause you to ignore safety rules!

Cutting dead and rotten trees is extremely risky, and your safety always comes down to basics and following the rules. Build a good hinge, even if there is just a thin shell to work with. Support the back side of the hinge with wedges if the tree is punky or hollow before you cut out the back. Don't fight side lean or back lean when cutting unsound trees. Release it quickly and get away from the stump. Tell your co-workers what your steps are before you crank your saw. You will live long.

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