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

[charliehill]

David it can be a tough business but it can also be a very profitable 
business.  Depends on skill, luck and financing.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Bruce" <davidbruce at yadtel.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 7:11 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] Swamp loggers. A log skidder is a tractor isn't it?


> 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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