Log Weight Chart....????

T

TeamTree

Location
Indiana
We did a crane job the other day and we had a pick that ended up being double our estimate based upon the log weight chart we used.

What do you guys use to estimate log weights....I usually just think in terms of what our loader can pick up and get close. I estimate high almost every time but this time I was off.

Any advice on weight charts? Or words of caution?
 
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We did a crane job the other day and we had a pick that ended up being double our estimate based upon the log weight chart we used.

What do you guys use to estimate log weights....I usually just think in terms of what our loader can pick up and get close. I estimate high almost every time but this time I was off.

Any advice on weight charts? Or words of caution?

[/ QUOTE ]

What log weight chart were you using? That's a potentially deadly underestimation.
 
Be careful with eastern white pine. Most charts are based on 35# cubic foot. The 53# chart we have use is more accurate. I can't remember where I got the chart but I would like to talk to the person who put it together. I have one for red oak and one for white pine. X is average log diameter and Y is log length. Is the author out there is buzzland?

I was off last week by 900# too and it always pisses me off. It is a clear and present danger in this business. There are so many variables, its a difficult topic to address. When in double take a smaller piece. Start small. I did not follow my advice last week because the tree was sketchy and I wanted to make the cuts out of the bucket. Should have stayed attached to the stick and cut a smaller, shorter, lighter piece.
 
Does anyone know of any papers, etc about log weight by region? I assume the growing seasons and habits vary from georgia to eastern ontario.

-So if growth varies would cell wall to pore ration or size be any different?
-Would it vary by seed/ growing zone
-Charts measure 1 square foot of wood/log
-What's the variance of bark some trees have 1" of bark some have <1/4"

-As ropeshield says add 35% if things are soaked.
Going on that average water is held in the cell walls. So if I have a stunted/scraggaly tree compared to a healthy tree of the same species, age, planted same time from same nursery etc on the same site, maybe one didn't take or had a root issue there's a 100 reason why, would you not assume the healthy one would weigh more?

I see this in pines/ spruce cytopspora canker victims, etc all same size in a row but I've dragged enough to know there"s a difference.

Any thoughts?
 
Watch large crotches, and flares. Just my theory, but I have found areas were there is a lot of compression wood are extremely heavy, and often much heavier than an estimation from the chart. Extra care should always be given in these areas. Now if there was some research that would support this... The chart I use I believe was formulated by Adams, and is posted here somewhere... Yea I know thats helpful, but Im no good at the search thing on the buzz.
 
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