what's the logging habit you never skip after learning the hard way?

[Alan]

Logging people, what's one thing you do without thinking about it now because you missed it once and it cost you time, money, or scared you? I'm talking about the little things that seem boring until they save the day.

It could be checking the sharpness of the chain, the oil habits for the bar and chain, the air filter and fuel routine, the PPE you always wear now, the steps you take to prepare for felling, or the setup for the winch and choker before a pull. What did you do the one time you didn't do it, and what is your "never again" version of that habit now?

If you want to add more information, what type of work do you do most of the time? Firewood, small property, skidder work, or more production logging? The habits may differ based on the occupation.

 

[gologit]

Gas and oil...always fill up every day after work. You can get by with a lot of things but when you're thirty miles from the nearest town and your gas cans are empty you're done for the day.

 

[ClaussellFighter]

I don’t start a day now without checking chain sharpness and bar oil flow. I tried to “push through” a dull chain once and it turned into heat, smoke, and a wasted afternoon. Two minute check saves hours.

 

[What]

Never turn a dozer sideways on a hill, push up and down the hill, maybe 5⁰ off straight down. But absolutely nothing is scarier than a run away dozer, sliding down a hill. The sudden stop when it hits something, can also be an easy $200,000 bill, and 3 weeks without it. Do it once, you'll never forget it, and everything else after will seem like nothing.

 

[Barry]

Chain sharpness and oil level are the two I never skip now. I learned the hard way that a slightly dull chain and low bar oil turns a simple cut into a dangerous fight fast. Now I check both before the first start of the day, every time without thinking about it.