putting my skidding tongs to work

I bought some skidding tongs a month ago which I haven't found much use for yet. Easier to hook a cable or chain around the log and I know it won't slip off. Then yesterday, on a lark I tried hanging them off the loader. Worked great! I was able to slip them over the trees, move them and then slip them off without getting off the tractor. Probably an old trick but it's new to me. I set the chain so if I roll the bucket forward and let it hang loose, the chain makes the tongs hang parallel to the tractor. If I roll the bucket back, the ring on the tong hits the lip on the bucket and turns the tongs perpendicular. It was easier than I expected to pick up and drop off the logs. Those are only 16" tongs, so I couldn't pick up anything too big. Now I need a bigger set. I figure I could hang both off the bucket, depending on what I want to pick up. I thought about calling this post grappling with a problem, but too corny even for me.

That's a good use. I've also seen people hook them to 3 point hitch and use them to drag from the back.

Might want to check this out:
Using logging tongs

From my other favorite forum...

Nice write up. Good to see a bucket that's shiny steel.

Egon

I agree. Many of those guys are pros and it really shows.
I hope one day to be half as wise as they are...

That's a good article. I go to that site a lot too. Must have tucked that article away in my subconscious for future use. Also a good point in there about the log swinging around if you tilt it up too far. I usually leave about 3' of tree on the stump after I pull it over, and the tongs makes moving the stump a lot easier. I used to fiddle around trying to get it in my bucket to save a trip off the tractor.

If I remember correctly, tongs are rated as for skidding or for lifting. I don't think skidding tongs are reccomended for lifting.