Log truck = hazard

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:lol: We just need a crane/loader, Scott!

Think you're thinking of the USFS dood who's brush guard snagged the pipe gate as he was turning in, directing it through the firewall and stopping somewhere near his delicate region. Think that was in 09, Burn posted pics then too.
 
I lost a friend about 12 years ago, didn't stop for a T intersection and ran into a pipe gate, the gate split up and impaled him. 17 years old, it was a bad deal.
 
Wow, thats nasty. I guess that trucker will get a ticket? Shouldn't have a limb like that on a log truck.
 
When I was about 12 years old, we were sitting at some gas pumps at a little station, waiting while the attendant filled the tank. His diesel pumps were about 50 feet away and off to one side. A log truck pulled in and had to back up a little to position his truck close enough to the pump. He had a really long log sticking out (prolly 20') and as he backed up, my mother hollered....the log was coming right at my dad's face. Just so happened it hit the chrome rail above his door window and slid upward along the top of the door. They got the guy stopped before drastic damage was done. Just some creasing of chrome trim and a good smear of pine rosin. Could have been much worse.
 
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I would expect so, Willie. Didn't hear that part of the story. You're right, no good reason for a loose limb like that to be in the log load, but stuff happens, I guess.
 
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lumberjack said:
:lol: We just need a crane/loader, Scott!

Think you're thinking of the USFS dood who's brush guard snagged the pipe gate as he was turning in, directing it through the firewall and stopping somewhere near his delicate region. Think that was in 09, Burn posted pics then too.
Click to expand...

I looked to see if I still have those pics...seems like I would but can't locate them now. That was a near deal, too.
 
Here in the South we see wood beside the road all the time that blows off trucks. Most wood here is moved in log lengths, so you would not think that a peice this small would easily come off a load. Imagine if that stick had been a 10" X 50'er like is moved over the roads every day! Another reason to give these trucks wide berth and long following. He certainly had his wits about him as you can imagine a quick reflex twitch of the steering wheel is all that saved his life. Thank God!
 
I've never seen a whole pulp tree sitting on the side of the road. They generally do a pretty good job trimming up the pulp loads here (tree length). I only recall people running into the back of the trucks around here.
 
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That piece had to have just accidentally been pinched in when the loader grappled the log to load it. The logs would be bound with 4 chain and cable binders spread out along the load. That chunk of limb should never have been on that truck.
 
I used to see the loader operator put branches like that into a load of logs just to take up a gap and make things fit more tightly in the trailer so the logs wouldn't shift. We never even thought about what would happen if they fell out. Scary!
 
Whoever was driving that pickup sure has steady hands. Most people would not be able to keep the truck under control after something like that. Nice to know you've got a guy like that around.
 
I guy I went to Jr High with and then ran into at college, had an old 66 ford van. He was home on break and was driving with his little brother, ran into a split rail fence. One of the rails came through the cab and impaled the younger brother. Poor kid died right there. 30 years later I still don't think Doug has forgiven himself.
 
Bounce said:
I used to see the loader operator put branches like that into a load of logs just to take up a gap and make things fit more tightly in the trailer so the logs wouldn't shift. We never even thought about what would happen if they fell out. Scary!
Click to expand...

Thats just silly
 
I don't know if it's useful information, but since Scott was saying....and Carl figured it, the way I load brush is to wire choker it in bundles, 4-6 per load. The first sits way out towards the rear, the next dropped in front, rear, front, rear, front, then one on top, or so....open to change without notice. :D The boom presses down during the process when the brush gets high enough to pack in, and also is real useful for sweeping overhang in from the sides, Trying to cut all the brush about the same length, a meter and a half or thereabouts, helps to maximize how much will go in. The boom gets lowered down to hold it, roped if necessary, then too much sticking out gets trimmed. Ready to roll...

I wouldn't attempt to haul brush on a regular basis without the crane on top of the truck, both to bring in the chokered bundles if a larger crane isn't on site, plus for the packing.

Sorry if I'm giving standard everybody knows it info, but I haven't worked with enough other people to see how they do it. I have worked with a few who seem to load without rhyme or reason, and also see that approach on the road sometimes. Seeing how much you can get in is good for a laugh too. A nicely packed truck is a pretty thing, maybe that's why I've never been written up, technically the load should be covered over here.

I'd be curious to see how the time factor would compare with hauling as opposed to chipping. It seems like with chipping you need more people? Even one guy and a mini, the loading goes pretty quick.
 
Yeah but with my chipper, 2 guys could chip that in a half hour to 45 minutes and take a third of the room of that load
 
I load my brush from rear to front as well, with the first (rear-most) tier hanging out, sometimes as far as six to eight feet, depending on how far and on what roads I have to haul it. I then progress toward the front, so the whole load is locked together. Then the load rope is tied across the top, and a binding strap is added if needed. In 20+ years of hauling brush, I have never had a big piece come off. I check for loose limbs and chunks before hitting the road. I did lose a little pile off the back once when working a couple of miles from home. I didn't tie it very well as I didn't have far to haul it, and the rough roads didn't help with its ride either. I lost it about 1/2 mile from the house. I saw it when it slipped off, so I backed up and pitched it off the side of the road...no problemo.....Oh, and I don't drive fast with a load of brush.

As a side note, do you know the full scopp on that accident, Burnham? I was thinking like every one else that the guy kept his cool, but have you thought he may have been texting/talking and if he had been fully alert, might have avoided it altogether?
 
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