Update on the seismic exploration in Lincoln County.

[cleller]

A few months ago I posted a question about what to expect when a big company wanted to do seismic exploration on our land for a mapping project for oil companies. Since then guys on four wheelers have been all over the area, flagging and staking places for the project. Last week, we heard a bunch of racket, and found two machines like this chewing thru a path on our place:

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/cs6000/FOR20WEB.jpg

These suckers don;t knock down trees, they chew them up, leaving behind mulch and a few medium sized chunks of tree branches. We were startled, but it turned out pretty well. They are clearing areas where a vibration truck can enter to do the soundings. The crews have been good to try and stay on areas where I already had some trails.
Way back on one corner of our property there's a wooded area so thick and tangled you can hardly hack your way thru. I now had a road through that I can drive my tractor on. Even made a creek crossing.

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/cs6000/IMG_2046.jpg

So far, so good. Hopefully they'll get their "vibe truck" in and out before too long, and it will all be over. I may have to find out who owned those big tree eaters. It can clear in a few minutes what it would take a man with a chainsaw days to accomplish. And no brush piles left behind. Just one day with that thing, and I could get all my clearing ideas done.

[Breadburner]

I see a good spot for a tree stand....!!!

[Prodigal]

I hired a guy in one of those machines a few years ago to clear some underbrush and all small trees 6 inched diam and smaller. The price was $250 per hour or $500 per acre. When finished we had a nice 6 acre area of mature, scattered trees.

[I Am Right]

I want one, by the way do not sign a seismic unless you have signed a lease, a good way to
reduce your mineral values is seismic without a lease.

[Petro-Sooner]

Those vibe trucks are cool to watch. Had a chance to be up close to a few during a shoot for a class. They'll shake the ground pretty dang good. If your around the days they are doing the shoot ya might want to check them out.

[IB4OU2]

It's amazing how those vibe trucks work in unison and the depth of the reflections produced and the detailed data they provide the geophysicist.

[oudavid1]

You guys are telling me this thing
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/cs6000/FOR20WEB.jpg

Can just virtually eat up forest(Oklahoma sized trees, obviously) area like its no big deal?

That is awesome. What are the capabilities of a machine like this? How big can the trees be that it eats?

[StoopTroup]

Goats will clear brush cheaper but you'll attract Aggies if they find out you have them. Once that happens, your horses ain't safe either.

[olevetonahill]

You guys are telling me this thing
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/cs6000/FOR20WEB.jpg

Can just virtually eat up forest(Oklahoma sized trees, obviously) area like its no big deal?

That is awesome. What are the capabilities of a machine like this? How big can the trees be that it eats?

Dude done said up to 6 inch diameter
Pay Tention

[pphilfran]

Do a search for Prentice tractors and they have lots of vids on the various attachments...they make logging eq...

[StoopTroup]

6" seems to be the Standard with Goats and Horses when Aggies are involved.

[olevetonahill]

6" seems to be the Standard with Goats and Horses when Aggies are involved.

:tan::drunk:

[cleller]

You guys are telling me this thing
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/cs6000/FOR20WEB.jpg

Can just virtually eat up forest(Oklahoma sized trees, obviously) area like its no big deal?

That is awesome. What are the capabilities of a machine like this? How big can the trees be that it eats?

I was talking with the kid running the thing, and asked him what the basic operation was. He said smaller trees, they just go right thru them. Trees with a trunk around 12 inches in diameter, they start about 10 feet up the trunk, and chew thru it pretty quick, they then mulch down whatever hits the ground. They then return to the trunk, going up and down, and chew it all gone. Takes 2-3 minutes.

I pointed out a mature, old post oak, and asked if they can go thru those. He said they usually avoid them if possible, but could still take one down in about 5+ minutes. These operators clearly had a good feel for what they were doing, and picked the logical routes.

The cutters on the front end spin around like a sawmill. They can be raised up probably 10-12 feet. The machine is so big, it can shove down just about anything they'd encounter around here. Once its on the ground, they can grind it up into nothing if they take the time. Generally, the closer to the house and civilization they were, the more ground up the debris was. Like large mulch. Back in the deep woods, they'd leave bigger chunks, a few good sized limbs etc. I'm going to collect the good hardwood to cut up into firewood.

In one area, they cut a road around 1/4 mile long thru dense woods in around an hour. I'd never seen anything even close to this for clearing timber. Nothing like the damage a dozer can leave behind, and much, much faster.

[SicEmBaylor]

Lincoln County can fall into the earth for all I care.

[StoopTroup]

Lincoln County can fall into the earth for all I care.

Did they put you in the little holding cell?

[oudavid1]

I was talking with the kid running the thing, and asked him what the basic operation was. He said smaller trees, they just go right thru them. Trees with a trunk around 12 inches in diameter, they start about 10 feet up the trunk, and chew thru it pretty quick, they then mulch down whatever hits the ground. They then return to the trunk, going up and down, and chew it all gone. Takes 2-3 minutes.

I pointed out a mature, old post oak, and asked if they can go thru those. He said they usually avoid them if possible, but could still take one down in about 5+ minutes. These operators clearly had a good feel for what they were doing, and picked the logical routes.

The cutters on the front end spin around like a sawmill. They can be raised up probably 10-12 feet. The machine is so big, it can shove down just about anything they'd encounter around here. Once its on the ground, they can grind it up into nothing if they take the time. Generally, the closer to the house and civilization they were, the more ground up the debris was. Like large mulch. Back in the deep woods, they'd leave bigger chunks, a few good sized limbs etc. I'm going to collect the good hardwood to cut up into firewood.

In one area, they cut a road around 1/4 mile long thru dense woods in around an hour. I'd never seen anything even close to this for clearing timber. Nothing like the damage a dozer can leave behind, and much, much faster.

Good God! That is amazing!

Sure beats the hell out of Napalm.

[47straight]

Did they put you in the little holding cell?

Not much scooter parking in Meeker.

[OUDoc]

Lincoln County can fall into the earth for all I care.
You have lots of anger. Strangely placed anger at that.