Picking Up and Slabbing Ash Logs - Log Hauling Trailer Pt 3

The more I got into making my own lumber, the more I really needed a trailer. For years, I had want my own trailer outfitted with a loading mechanism. After building the mechanism, including the new arch mounts, I took the trailer out to pick up some large ash logs that were listed on craigslist for firewood. I hauled them to my backyard, cut them into slabs, and stacked them with all my other slabs to dry.
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[@jude.25]

OK. Fourth video in a row for me. But... A chainsaw or saw mill and a trailer for hauling logs... That's wonderful. But spending a day with your dad - that's priceless. For both of you.

[@mcremona]

thanks Jeff!

[@scatoutdebutter]

Including your thinking process, innovations with trial and error, overcoming problems, thinking process, etc. makes for engaging and educational videos!

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@pekesrepose7363]

all ingenuity, effort and success aside. I will say that for those people who have dads in their life that want to be a positive part of your life. you have one of the greatest things a man could ever have! if you have a dad or parent, don't pass your chance to have a good partnering relationship like Matt here. the lessons, skills, feats and wisdoms are more valuable than gold itself and as meaningful as life itself. the bells toll for those who have no mentors. thank you Matt for sharing the videos showing how you and your dad work along together. reminding people that it's not only good to have this relationship for you but also important for those fathers that have kids themselves and haven't yet spent the time involving them in their lives. 👍🏼

[@mcremona]

so very true. thanks!!

[@Retroweld]

Very cool. I think its safe to say your trailer will handle just about anything you throw at it. Wow! Those were some big logs!

[@mcremona]

+RetroWeld it's not an easy life being my trailer haha! Thanks Douglas!

[@thomaslindgren4602]

You seemed to enjoy "big ash logs" and I love the family portrait on the logs.

[@mcremona]

:) Thanks Thomas!

[@ringerson4x4]

Those ash logs were huge, great test for the trailer and arch. I have finished my trailer and arch and have hauled 7 loads home, mostly white pine which is much lighter than ash but heavier than the 2 poplar logs that were mixed in, go figure. I'm having some trouble with the editing of the videos I recorded, mostly how to do a voice over with the KZbin editing program. When I figure it out I will send you a message of where to find it. Great job Matt.

[@orelygarcia]

Awesome work Matt, them are some big Ash Logs. Thumbs up.

[@mcremona]

+MrThisIsMeToo that would work. I'd need a bigger hoist for that though. Now that I've done it a bunch of times it's really easy to get the length right

[@GregsGarage]

Nice ash!!! I'm going to have to make a sign for your front porch that says "Slabbin' Cabin" :D I love watching trees turn into slabs. It's mesmerizing

[@unico260]

Awesome footage. Nice seeing the process and just how long it's taken. Fall to winter to spring. Enjoy the weather.

[@larscw74]

Those are perfect thickness for guitar bodies. Thanks for sharing.

[@KennethSievers]

Nice work in getting and cutting slabs!!

[@mcremona]

Thanks Kenneth!

[@donnymcarter]

Really awesome series on the trailer Matt!

[@mcremona]

Thanks Donny!

[@R.E.HILL_]

All that noise in a residential area... neighbours must love you...

[@mihumus]

Very cool series, Matt. Those were big logs! Your trailer is ready to ride out whatever. :)

[@mcremona]

Thanks!!!

[@martydrennan7599]

Hi Matt, very helpful videos, I’ve learned a lot and appreciate your sharing your talents. The whole time watching I wonder about your neighbors and their patience listening to large saws . Again, thanks for the tips, was thinking of modifying my deck-over dump trailer with an arch.

[@petercollin5670]

Matthew, I have unloaded logs off my pickup in seconds. I find a slight incline, point the nose uphill, and drive at speed backwards. When you reach the spot you want the logs piled, you hit the brakes hard. They slide right off in one swoop. Don't know if that would work with logs that size, bit it sure is a time saver!

[@mcremona]

Curtis Buchanan has a very entertaining video of him doing that. It's one of my favorite youtube videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIXQZIB7gcymgpY Probably easier to do with the logs in the back of a pick up

[@bobleeswoodshop7919]

I enjoy watching . You gave me the inspiration I need . BUT I don't think I will be going out to mill any logs right away!!!!! lol Best Regards BobLee

[@joedimitrijevich7326]

man that 088 really did eat thru that ash! great video Matt!

[@cando9609]

Big Ash Logs? What's everyone giggling about??? Those WERE big ash logs! I even showed my Dad and he agreed.. those are big ash logs! ::heh heh:: Can't wait to see what they become someday. Very nice, Matt. Thanks for sharing!

[@moyperezwoodshop1722]

Very cool series Matt! Big ash log for a big ash trailer...

[@mcremona]

+Moy perez woodshop haha! Thanks Moy!

[@MattFriedrichs]

Quick tip for weighing logs: If you live near a smaller town with a grain elevator, a lot of those scales now have a digital readout that is always visible, and you can drive onto it empty and then full and do the math to figure out what your load is. Those scale are long enough for a semi tractor and trailer, so a pickup with a small trailer will easily fit.

[@elvenhippie]

If a grain elevator scale isn't an option, pretty much any medium sized or larger truck stop will have a scale. Weigh yourself empty on the way out and then weigh again on the way back. You'll pay about $10 each time you weigh, though. CAT scales (they have the CAT logo very obviously displayed over the scale) tend to cost more, so if you can find an independent truck stop with a non-CAT scale you might only pay $7 or so.

[@danjeffrey1531]

Wow. I love the milling videos. It is a real pleasure to see you mill all of these logs and turn them into something. Also, the trailer is amazing! BTW -- I have not heard any comments about what chain you are using. If you already know this, apologies in advance. It's hard to tell in the videos, but it looks like you're using full compliment chain. For milling lumber of the size you are working, it is best to use skip tooth chain -- so the chips will clear better. Skip tooth chain decreases the teeth per inch. Oregon uses the letter "J" to indicate skip tooth vs "L" for full compliment. For round-filed chain in .063 guage that would be 75JP. This will speed up your slab cuts. It also helps to file the top plate angles flatter -- about 10 degrees instead of the usual 35 degrees. This should make the slabs quite a bit smoother. And sorry if I am spouting info you already know. Thanks again for he great videos!

[@TheWoodguru63]

Excellent video , great commentary .

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@hardnox6655]

Wow, that's a nice piece of ash.

[@suzylarry1]

love seeing this work, nice wood ! now to dry and plane

[@robertevans6481]

like this series on the log lifter/ hauler....welcome to Matt's lumber yard.....lol

[@mcremona]

haha! Thanks Robert!

[@rickgreen9936]

Thanksgiving "Dad helped", Easter " Dad helped".....and he still visits, good Dad!

[@mcremona]

Lucky for me, my dad is just like me and enjoys physical work. You should have seen the crazy stuff he was doing when he was my age :)

[@popapoco]

I think you did a great job building your trailer ,those little welders are a great value for dollar spent , if you are going to do more fabricating you might want to consider a DC welder and 7018 rod , the 6011 in more brittle and more prone to cracking over time . I think your project is a ten out of ten . good show

[@dananelson3534]

Thanks for posting. Really like the trailer and the arch... Good idea. Darn carpenter ants.

[@SkipThorp]

Hi Matthew. Great series on the trailer. Not sure if anyone has suggested this but one thing I would add to your lifting set up is a roller bar at deck level in the back so that the logs would move more easily over the back of the trailer. Otherwise, great build.

[@mcremona]

+Skip Thorp I left those center ramp mounts so I can add one in the future. Hasn't been too great of an issue though so I haven't gotten around to it. Thanks!

[@grebdnulyrag]

I enjoyed the video Matt. I have a bunch of logs waiting for me in the spring too. It's way to cold now. I am up in Montana.

[@WoodenCreationz]

BIG ASH Logs! LoL You wear me out Matt just watching yA man! 😜 would love to have the center slab for a huge ASH table!!!! That would be so cool! Keep doin what your doin bud! -Brian

[@mcremona]

It's not going anywhere. hit me up in a year ;)

[@dpmeyer4867]

good job

[@scotthathcoat2269]

I would love to hear about some of the issues/problems you have had milling and how you have fixed them. I mill small logs with a small chainsaw and have run into lots of problems. some of the issues i have had are saw diving and jamming. bending the bar. keeping the chain sharp all the way through ( that one is fun)

[@nordyfamily]

Keep up the great work!!

[@octorsep]

Great video. Thank you!

[@zoriast]

Good work Matthew. I want follow your wood working. Thanks.

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@walterrider9600]

thank you Matt. the weight caculator seems a good system to guess weight . works for me it sure beats the grunt system one grunt 250 range 2 grunt over 300 lol take care

[@richryan8904]

That was cool. Thank you!

[@mcremona]

+Rich Ryan thanks!!

[@richryan8904]

:-)

[@themrnorwood]

You'll be ready for the CrossFit games in no time. Training like Rocky when he fought the Russian

[@mcremona]

ha! so true! This is really the only form of exercise that I get and I love it

[@grintz77]

With your saw setup, I suppose you have to do flat sawing. Just thinking that some of those big logs would make some really nice quarter sawn lumber. Suppose you would have to use a band saw type mill for that though. Was thinking that the flat sawn lumber would tend to bow more. Nice videos, thanks.

[@stevecollins9450]

Lots of hard work but it paid off in the end!

[@mcremona]

it just keep on giving :)

[@RivertownWoodcraft]

Big Ash log :) Nice work.

[@mcremona]

Thanks Jim!

[@ryanmcmorrow6311]

I really enjoyed these. those slabs look amazing. we recently had a smaller ash tree cut down and destroyed due to the ash borer. Would have rather gotten some slabs out of it. Too bad the infected tree had to be disposed.

[@Cactusworkshopchannel]

Hasn't any crane truck company offered you support yet?? please donate this man an articulated crane!!. Still, great job on this trailer Matt!! I am amazed! I just want you to get the logs quicker and safer! :D

[@mcremona]

That would be an awesome sponsorship!

[@MattPeterson103]

Very cool stuff. Just got linked to your stuff from a buddy. Subbing for sure.

[@mcremona]

Awesome! Thanks!!

[@joeobrien196]

My neighbour is in the skip business. When he lifts a skip , the chains are connected equidistant between the front and back. That way the load will be level when lifting. Hope that helps.(if you understand what I mention)

[@TyMoser]

Good to hear that you didn't have any issues with the trailer and arch. What size winch are you running?

[@mcremona]

+Ty Moser (MonoLoco_Workshop) it's always nice when things go without issue. It's a 12000lb winch

[@davidfurr2480]

Hook a snatch block to the arch. then when the log gets over the trailer you can let it back down and re-hook or just hook to the log and pull it on.

[@MukYJ]

Would have been interesting to hit the truck scales before and after loading to see the real weight of the load. What are your axles rated for on that trailer?

[@generhodes3410]

would it be to your advantage to install a roller at the end of your trailer

[@MrRay3801]

Holy cow....did you see those big ash logs??? Hahaha

[@mcremona]

+raymond Moore haha!

[@zeke1eod]

For the actual weight go to a truck stop weigh your trailer empty, then whenever you get a log and want to know the weight go back to truck stop and weigh it. The scales are certified so truckers know what their loads weigh, hope this helps great video.

[@tomsdreamshopworx]

A thought popped into my head about your trailer, what about some rollers on the back to help the logs come up on the edge of the trailer?

[@mcremona]

+Tom's Dreamshop Worx I left the center ramp mount in case I want to add one. So far it hasn't been an issue though. Thanks!

[@jackfoo2]

you can run over a truck scale to get the weight cost around 3 bux can be found at most truck stops and cat has a scale finder

[@davidpowell6012]

Truckstops have scales you can use to weigh. Once you find your empty weight you will only have to pull across once. I don't know where you live maybe a grain elevator would let you pull across. I use local elevator all the time.

[@Clem_Kadidlehopper]

if you are midwest watch out when you take ash. I got some free and it was infested with the emerald ash borer and I didn't know. I took it to a mill and they didn't tell me either. I bring it in and started cleaning some up a year later and I found d out why my ash trees were dying. that bug is decimating our ash trees. it's gotten now where you can't transport raw wood products (custom milled or firewood) across County lines

[@WayneBrownWoodworking]

I'm on the way Matt....gotta have some of those slabs... ;)

[@mcremona]

+Wayne Brown see you soon :)

[@waldvogelreview7755]

With the high amount of wood activity going on outside of your house with the milling, and in your shop. Do you have to take extra ordinary precaution against termites and other pests that might want to feast on the shavings?

[@Mienecus]

Great logs, great trailer great video! Planning for a slab lifting device to save your and your fathers back?

[@scottc6537]

I enjoy all your videos. I do wonder what your neighbors think of the lumber jack in the back yard during dark evenings and every holiday weekend. Do they get free slabs?

[@mcremona]

+Scott Cunningham they don't seem to mind. They get free snow clearing in the winter ;)

[@Scott_C]

Man those are beautiful. I love the simplicity and efficiency of your tailer too, great design. Would you ever consider selling just a slab?

[@mcremona]

Thank you Scott! I sell just about everything that I cut.

[@zbyleq]

Hello, please explain when you are slabbing a logs with a chainsaw, the chainsaw have that oil to help the chain going, and it leaves that oil on the planks. Anyway to clean it up later ? Or you just use ordinary oil instead of the machine one ?

[@KSFWG]

Those "big ash logs" almost matches your "big ash grin"... ;)

[@shawneeheltsley8534]

Hi Mat--Just wondering if you would be able to transfer the logs from trailer to your new saw mill. would the arch be able to move them over? Love your videos. waiting to see you use your new saw mill

[@mcremona]

My plan is to use the trailer to move the logs onto the mill. The small ones I'll just suspend from the arch and drive them over to the mill. The big ones will be loaded onto the trailer and then pushed off onto the bed.

[@tomsdreamshopworx]

And now you wait a couple of years! That would be the hard part for me. Do you seal the ends at all?

[@mcremona]

+Tom's Dreamshop Worx haha yeah should be a around 18-20 months. I seal them with Anchorseal.

[@BriansWorkshop]

"Big ash logs".....I coulda sworn I heard that differently, lol.Just curious on this, but what do you do with all the sawdust this generates?

[@MrThisIsMeToo]

I would think a small chain-hoist (rated of course) would do better with the guessing of the chain length? The lever ones are pretty short.

[@VampireOnline]

So how do they dry out if they are sitting outside year round?

[@CharlieHamilton]

I fell like you get all the felled trees in you town.

[@mcremona]

+Charlie Hamilton lots still get cut into firewood :(

[@drawvenmusket]

Hi Mat I just started watching your videos, I found you from April and the wood whisperer what would you say is the smallest size saw someone would need to be able to use a chainsaw mill I know the bar length is limiting factor in width thanks for all your hard work and time

[@mcremona]

Thanks! I'd say 60cc is the bottom end. Going smaller than that will make you wonder if it is worth the time. Unless you're milling really small logs or just don't care how long it will take.

[@Wordsnwood]

Makes my back hurt just watching this... ;-)

[@mcremona]

Sounds like it's a good day to hit the spa

[@howardhall2026]

Matt.....just curious I see on your chainsaw mill you have the vertical adjustment guides on the outside of the jig. Others have them on the inside. Dose it restrict the width of the lumber you can cut? Is it more stable on the outside. I enjoy you videos...keep it up.

[@savageboner]

It does restrict the width if you run them on the inside.

[@MrPoppadog1955]

Nice Matt wish I lived in an area that had more of a selection than pine pecan or scrub oaks how much weight will your trailer hold?

[@mcremona]

Thanks! Somewhere around 5000lbs

[@superdrs1960]

You made that look soooooo easy! Do you do anything to keep the bugs from doing any further damage ? Thanks for sharing the process.

[@mcremona]

+David Sutton thanks! It's a little bit of work :) the colony was frozen when we cut the logs and cutting really disturbs the colony. This is usually enough to kill them off. In the spring (and as they continue drying) I'll visually inspect for any activity. If they're still there, I'll spray them with carpenter ant spray.

[@anonymous_friend]

I'm just learning about all of this, but you might be able to sprinkle sevendust around the wood piles avoid problems.

[@JPearlLapis]

Here's a way you could weigh a log yourself if you were interested in getting a more specific result. You just need 2 identical scales with a high enough range and a platform to put the log on so it is stable and wont roll off. Just put each end of the log onto a scale so that it is stable and balanced between them. Both scales should show the same reading; if they are different then the log is unbalanced in one direction and you'll have to adjust till they read the same. The weight of the log should be twice the displayed weight of the scale.

[@mcremona]

Hey Jake, I like that idea. I'm going to have to shop for a scale that will work. I'm curious about the weight of the logs I currently have. thanks!

[@JPearlLapis]

Make a video when you do it! It should be interesting to see

[@anonymous_friend]

I love this trailer design. Is it good to store the slabs with the bark on the sides? Seems like it would soak up more water and attract bugs. What do you make out of slabs this size? Thanks!

[@mcremona]

Thanks! I haven't found it to be an issue.

[@bobrenner1624]

Hey Matt ,what is the best 18,000lbs winch to buy ?

[@lindanwfirefighter4973]

Could you not use the arch to pull the logs off?

[@jasonpatterson8091]

How tippy are your slab stacks? It looked like some had tie downs, but when you were putting the last slab on the stack it was pretty wobbly (though clearly you can climb up and sit without the whole thing coming down.) I'm just thinking about neighborhood kids climbing up there and getting squashed, both the liability aspect and the not wanting to see kids squashed aspect of it, you know?

[@mcremona]

+Jason Patterson the other stack is strapped for exactly that reason. This stack will get strapped too one I find the extra ratchet straps I bough for this purpose. They would take a lot of force to knock over but the last thing I want are some stupid kids (or adults) messing around in my yard. The good news is most people can't work a ratchet strap.

[@tonymontgomery1033]

I watch a lot of your videos and a question just occurred to me. What do you do with all of that saw dust you produce with your chainsaw mill? I am guessing that whatever it is that you do with it, it will be the same when you get your bandsaw mill running.

[@mcremona]

I spread it along the back of my property. You can see some planer shavings on the ground at 9:07

[@chemcody5119]

Very interesting series Matt. What do you do with all of the sawdust?

[@mcremona]

Thanks! Big compost pile

[@herotaco]

how long do those slabs sit in your yard before you can make use of them, also, do you tarp them or leave them exposed to the elements? love your channel man!!

[@rcawesome4123]

You should put a tall pole for a fluid light adjustable for at night what ya thing?

[@mcremona]

+Rc Awesome work lights are on my list of improvements 👍

[@rcawesome4123]

+Matthew Cremona ya cool

[@robevans8555]

cool

[@mcremona]

+Rob Evans thanks!

[@demos235]

now that is a big-ash log.

[@mcremona]

+Duke 😂

[@demos235]

+Matthew Cremona It's the truth! I've done some milling on ash...it's harder than it has any right to be. (custom cabinetry for a california hotel. I work in a furniture shop)

[@mcremona]

+Duke oh yeah! It's incredible how hard it is. It really slowed the saws down.

[@demos235]

+Matthew Cremona It took us an entire day to mill down the solid stuff for the trim, and I had to go in and turn all the blades in the planer afterwards. (we'd already been using that planer, I think the same one you have, for several months and it was finally time) Turned out looking pretty good though.

[@jamesmitchell5013]

Think you have enough wood for a day or two? :) Had to laugh when you said, after it had warmed up a bit and you had on this heavy jacket (at least for me from southeast Texas)!

[@mcremona]

Have you seen the logs I've gotten recently? haha anything above freezing that time of year is warm

[@scatoutdebutter]

3 questions please, sir... Thanks. How many slabs between sharpening chain? What are you using for stickers? How thick are the stickers?

[@mcremona]

I don't recall exactly but I do know that I was able to cut the last 4 slabs from the short log on one sharpening

[@scatoutdebutter]

How about your stickers?

[@mechanicandskills7215]

looks too me 2 winches would solve your problem one for the arch as you have and one for hanging the log height above the trailer hanging a snatch block from the top inside of your arch and mount the 2nd winch some where near the first one. in such a way the 2 wires do not interfere with each other

[@Torsan1977]

Shake dat ash!! Nice job! :)

[@mcremona]

hahaha!

[@TurntasticWoodDesigns]

Cool

[@mcremona]

+Turntastic Wood Designs thanks!

[@andrewlynch27]

What do you do about the sawdust in your yard? Do you clean it up or just allow the grass in that area to die off?

[@mcremona]

I mostly mill on the driveway so it's easy to clean up. I shovel it into the wheelbarrow and dump it along the back of my yard to compost: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4iylKCoZ6trbtkm53s

[@treserious]

What do you do with all your saw dust/chips? looks like they get ankle deep when you mill a log that size.

[@mcremona]

+treserious I have a big compost pile

[@seadoogti9288]

I noticed that when the arch is at full height (straight up) the winch cable is at a pretty extreme angle upward and likely putting pressure on the winch roller. Does this work OK or did you have to modify to make this work? Wrap the cable differently? Thx

[@mcremona]

It's not an issue. The fairlead is meant to carry the winch cable at odd angles

[@Johnnydblanco]

Heyy I have a question is there a video where you go over your milling equipment such as your mill and chainsaw?

[@mcremona]

+john dunne here's the one I did about my chainsaw stuff: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmnCZJxjeMRjarc

[@cleokey]

Great job. Any chance that 3" rollers would work on the bed of the trailer to assist moving the logs?

[@mcremona]

I've gone back and forth on the roller idea. I left the middle ramp mounts thinking I'd install a roller there but my thought now is that the bit of friction that I do have give me much more control over the log as it is moving.

[@woodturningjohn]

I wonder how many more logs you can fit into your yard :)

[@mcremona]

Depends on how tall I can get the stacks ;)

[@woodturningjohn]

Matthew Cremona You might have to start thinking of a Cat V150 one of these days, lol

[@joelwilkins8695]

great vids. found you from April's bandsaw mill build. what are the specs on the winch? thx

[@mcremona]

12k. thanks!

[@ursday]

Innovation! The American way since 1776!