All loaded up
Categories: Projects and equipment
Word count/read time: 392 words; 1-1/2 minutes
Two large oaks were felled at a local house. The big stuff hadn't been chopped yet.
Maybe they'd be willing to part with a couple of trunk sections?
I'm glad I got the largest SUV possible instead of almost the largest
because these behemoths barely fit!
Given the size of the trees, I was expecting "That'll
be $50." Luckily, the gentleman said he'd do two sections for $20. I picked which
sections I wanted and how thick. He said to come back in a few days to claim my preciouses.
They were more massive than I expected. I brought a 10ft x 2" x 12" board
so we could roll them up it but it was quite obvious this was a no-go. I conceded and came back
armed with two 2x12s, plywood,
heavy duty lifting straps and shoulder harnesses, and a moving platform
on wheels.
It took a little bit of everything to get them loaded. The first one was
relatively easy - the baby - and went up without incident.
The second one was much heavier - I'd estimate 400 pounds minimum as it was still fresh,
soaking wet even. Nearly 36" the short diameter, a big mofo!
The hatch closed with an inch to spare front-to-back and top-to-bottom.
The large piece was balanced precariously on the wheeled platform so
if it toppled the window would certainly shatter.
Only five twisty and hilly miles to drive.
Unloading is always easier.
A helping hand from gravity and some well-placed levers and ramps got them out.
I hatcheted off the bark as I rolled
them into the garage, the shards spread all over the driveway. The bark is
three inches thick on the ridges and no easy task to cleave.
Splitting and shrinkage are almost inevitable if left untreated.
I planed the ends mainly to get rid of the riffraff,
applied a specialized preservative, then an end grain sealer, and
covered the ends with cardboard to regulate the drying process.
It will take several years for them to dry fully.
They are on moving platforms because they are too bulky as static features.
The anvil rests on one (not attached yet). Being on wheels, i.e. the trunk doesn't touch the floor,
is not good, I realize that. Wouldn't forge a blade
on it, not a chance, but for light duty it works OK.
Posted by M: January 26, 2022
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