skidding tong question

[Case485Guy]

I am going to be building a set of cattle pens in about a month. I have 100 -9ft railroad ties I am building the outside peremiter with. Will these tongs work with my FEL to pick up and set RR ties in the holes? I never have used tongs before, but it sure would speed up the pick and stab in hole vs. using a choker chain.
If they would work, size/brand suggestion?

[MIKE R]

I would think they would work. They tighten up as more pulling force is applied to them. It will be a balancing act if you just use one. Go for two and make it a lot easier.

[Case485Guy]

I would think they would work. They tighten up as more pulling force is applied to them. It will be a balancing act if you just use one. Go for two and make it a lot easier.

How would using 2 work? I want to pull up to the post laying on ground, hook tong to one end and lift it vertical, then take over to post hole and set in place.
Being used like this do you think the tongs would work?

[hosspuller]

I use the economy set from Northern Hydraulics to pick up rounds onto my log splitter. The tongs will work well on a RR tie. The only issue will be keeping the pressure on the tongs until you take up the slack. This only applies if you're working alone. A bungie cord over the tong arms works almost as well as a helper.

[Gordon Gould]

I have used tongs in used ties. Worked good. I was skidding them not picking them vertical like you. Like they said pressure when initially setting the tongs really helps. I hooked a strong rubber bungie in my chain so there was a slack section of chain that could be stretched. I stretched the chain a little when I set the tongs and the pressure was enough to hold the tongs in the tie til I got going. A little rap with a mallet doesn't hurt either.

I also use the Northern Hydraulic el cheapos.

[Ed of all trades]

I use a cheep set as well and after I sharpened them they work well and would work well setting ties in holes.

[MIKE R]

How would using 2 work? I want to pull up to the post laying on ground, hook tong to one end and lift it vertical

Sorry. I missed that part. I was thinking of carrying them horizontal.

[jenkinsph]

I have a set for pulling railroad ties with and they work okay. Pulpwood cutters use them all the time to pick up the 63" wood and load it on to their trucks with a winch and boom.

[bcp]

There are two styles of tongs.

From:
Husqvarna Chainsaws, Outdoor Power Equipment and Tree Care Supplies from Bailey's

[Case485Guy]

There are two styles of tongs.

From:
Husqvarna Chainsaws, Outdoor Power Equipment and Tree Care Supplies from Bailey's

Thanks BCP, did not know they had different Tongs for lifting.
Thanks everyone for the info. I will have my 2 teenage boys for help when setting the RR ties. Think I will have one hooking up the tongs and one to help when setting in hole. I think the tongs will definetly speed up the process.