Box Scraper hauling logs

[Cowboy Billy]

Skidding logs packs dirt in the bark. I load mine on a hay wagon running gear and pull them out. I've loaded 20' logs 18" dia at the butt on my running gear with a Kubota B21 backhoe with only 930 lbs of lift.

You may need a weight box to be able to pick the logs up as I know I needed the weight of the hoe on back to keep the rear tires on the ground. You need to have flat level ground to lift them. Keep the log near the ground until are right next to the trailer then lift it on to the trailer keeping your hand on the bucket control so you can drop it fast if it starts to tip.

Here I am picking a 20' spruce with the B21



A load of logs hauled back in through the mud but the logs are clean.



Billy

[CharlieR]

I like the logging arch idea 'cus I made one (not long enough - would prefer it to be 8' long) see the photo.
I've skidded the size log your talking about and much longer with this rig because my woods are too rough to get the tractor into.
With an 8' tongue you could lift the log in the middle (more or less) and chain the butt to the tongue resulting in having the entire log off the ground.
Because mine's short, I just lift the butt, drag the tree to the work area, roll it over and clean off the end that dragged.

[Wyobuckaroo]

In post #28 Baby Grand shows about what I am using.

Only the lift arm I'm using off the top link part of the hitch is only about 1' long.
Works well.

Good luck

[grnspot110]

I like the logging arch idea 'cus I made one (not long enough - would prefer it to be 8' long) see the photo.
I've skidded the size log your talking about and much longer with this rig because my woods are too rough to get the tractor into.
With an 8' tongue you could lift the log in the middle (more or less) and chain the butt to the tongue resulting in having the entire log off the ground.
Because mine's short, I just lift the butt, drag the tree to the work area, roll it over and clean off the end that dragged.

This is what I use for poles I don't want in the dirt, just make sure you can stop it when needed!

[Chilly807]

I used a log frame for a few years until I could get a winch, the frame is designed to do the same thing the winch does (sans the winch part). It cost me about $50 in steel and a few pounds of MIG wire. 4 hooks for chokers at the top of the frame, and steel mesh to keep the log from visiting the back of the tractor.

Sean

[easygo]

Coboy Billy, that old Farmall Cub looks real bad azz with the wide rears. http://photos.cubfest.com/albums/use...6/IMG_0557.JPG

[Code54]

What size are those rears - are they on the sock rims? Wouldn't mind having wider rears on mine...

[monheganview]

Many thanks to all who posted...
You offered experience and perspective from Nova Scotia to Texas.
I will move forward with more confidence and more humility.
Somehow this planning for hauling logs is a bit like when I recently took on sanding and scraping and painting my house... I gather up all these tools, set up the staging... and in about 5 minutes of work... half of the tools I figured I would need I realize are probably not necessary. I tried grinder this and that... I realize over and over again that traditional ways... like a scraper and disc sander... get the job done. I have read variations in several traditional ways of hauling logs and for that I am very grateful. I will guess that any half baked ideas will be seen in the woods as half baked after about 5 minutes. If I can I will try to use a log arch, as I can pull from the tow bar and keep a bunch of the "swamp" and "mud" off the logs. My take home is work slowly, enjoy the work in the woods, above all stay safe and respect the fact that logs are very heavy. I believe in stone work there is a phrase in Maine called the "granite kiss"... this is when a heavy stone pinches the fingers. I will do my best to avoid the "white pine kiss" Cheers. A Happy New Year to all.

[DennisFolsom]

Easygo's idea is probably the most economical.

The photo shows a rig that I made that goes a step further. I bought a 3 Pt drawbar from Tractor Supply, a Drawbar Stabilizer from Northern Tool, some flat bar, and a pair of grab hooks from a hardware store. I have mostly used it for waste logs that were smaller than the one hooked up in the photo. If I were to haul anything bigger, I would be sure to carry low, and to have it hitched such that the drawbar would stop it from coming forward.

Another benefit to the Drawbar Stabilizer is that it includes a 2" receiver. I put a ball mount into it when I want to move my utility trailer around with the tractor.

I bought my used tractor with a backhoe on it. I got the 3PT arms and all except the top link (which I replaced from Tractor Supply). However, I did not get the original low drawbar. I may see If I can get one made someday.

Go carefully, and you should be safe.

[wcampbell47]

Just thinking out loud here.

A quick hitch could be used to lift, secure and control the butt end of a log. Cat 1 QH is 27" wide so your logs would fit nicely.

Then place a two or four wheeled fat tire dolly toward the middle of the log. Probably would have to be secured with chain and binder. Then tow away.

Hmmm. Maybe one of those half baked ideas.