Logging tongs...need a bit of advice.

[adegiulio]

I read this thread about logging tongs, but still have a couple basic questons. Does the top ring of the tongs attach to the top link of the 3PH or the lower drawbar? It appears from the picture that it attaches to the 3PH, which would make sense. Also, I assume that you simply open the jaws, whack the points into the trunk of the tree, and the pulling action of the tractor squeezes the tongs to really grab the tree. Is it this simple?? Since the tongs only have 4 parts, assume it cant be TOO difficult...

Thanks for the help...again.

Anthony (hoping to be good at something soon!!)

 

[Slamfire]

If you attach the tongs up high so the strain comes on the top link, it will lighten the front end of your tractor. I prefer to chain 'em up short on the draw bar. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Anthony,

You're right on both counts if you want to lift one end of the log. Doing that does make dragging it a lot easier as you're not 'plowing' with your lead edge. I'm not sure just how much you need to "whack" the tongs into the log, either.

Once the ends are caught a little the lifting action tightens them and does the rest. Pretty simple, really. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[DavidJ]

<font color="blue"> Does the top ring of the tongs attach to the top link of the 3PH or the lower drawbar? </font>

The safest way is to attach them to the draw bar. The higher you attach something the greater the chance of overturn. You can attach it to the 3pt if you need to lift the butt end a bit but be real careful when dragging because if you hit a snag with it raised things will get hairy real fast.

<font color="blue"> I assume that you simply open the jaws, whack the points into the trunk of the tree, and the pulling action of the tractor squeezes the tongs to really grab the tree. </font>

You've got it right, but not much whacking required. They dig in really well. The harder you pull the more they dig in. Be careful because they have a tendency to "dig out" on the rare occasion and fly off toward the pulling rig.