[AT] Swamp loggers. A log skidder is a tractor isn't it?

[David Bruce]

After having a small tract logged a couple years ago I have a much 
greater understanding of the small operators.  I ended up using two 
different ones.  The first blew up his truck engine and then his skidder 
with no funds to make the repairs.  In fact the skidder stayed here 
several months until he sold it to the man who eventually employed him.

The second group was local, just a bit larger (3 man versus 1 1/2 ). 

Each had weekly problems with equipment failures, mill closings and 
always problems finding a buyer for the timber.  Not an easy life 
certainly. 

I had few of the oft mentioned problems with loggers "trashing" things 
and not being honest with timber payments BUT I was on site and was 
counting all the truckloads.  They each showed me ALL the receipts for 
the wood they sold.
I can see the potential for double dealing with larger jobs where the 
owner/owner's rep isn't as vigilant.  I never felt either was dishonest 
but they sure push the bounds of the contracts (as expected).

Apparently locally logging is picking up again.  Last winter there was 
almost no activity.  This winter I see several crews working locally.  
Maybe a sign the city is once again creeping toward me.

David
NW NC

charliehill wrote:
> If any of you happened to see that marithon of the Swamp Loggers series last 
> night, I know those folks.  Well I say I know them,  back when I worked in 
> the logging industry we often worked along side of the senior Bobby 
> Goodson's crew and passed their trucks on the road all the time.  Bobby Jr 
> who runs the swamp logging show crew looks a lot like his daddy did back 
> then.
> I also found it interesting in one of the episodes last night they mentioned 
> working on Caintuck road.  That is where my grandfather grew up over in 
> Bladen County NC.  Interestingly enough he worked in the "log woods" in 
> those same Cape Fear River swamps that the Swamp Loggers are working now.
>
> Those shows might sound like they are highly exagerated with all of the 
> machinery problems and mill closings, etc.  However, from my experience 
> logging that is pretty much the way it goes.  Something is always broken. 
> It cost a lot of money to fix and when you get everything running it rains 
> too much and you can't get the wood out or the weather is good, everyone is 
> in the woods, the mills get overloaded and shut down or put you on quota.
>
> That kind of work gets in your blood.  I wish I was still doing it. 
>
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