My log skidding/ballast hitch project

   / My log skidding/ballast hitch project #1  

PapaPerk

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2004
Messages
2,404
Location
USA
Tractor
Kubota L3830, Ford Golden Jubilee, 1939 Sears Economy, Polaris Ranger 400, Honda Foreman 450 ES, 2004 Dodge Diesel 3500
Thought I would share my latest attachment design.

I wanted a skidding hitch that also served as a trailer mover and ballast box. Nothing of this type was on the market so I developed one. My tractor, L3830 Kubota, does not have filled tires. So I determined how much ballast I needed by developing an axle loading equation in excel. :teacher: Here's a screen shot.

axle loading.JPG

I determined wheel loading using a bathroom scale and long beam. :laughing: Worked great and is accurate enough for my purposes! :thumbsup:

To achieve 50/50 loading with loader empty, I need 550lbs of ballast at the 3 point.

I'll share pics of the hitch when time allows...
 
   / My log skidding/ballast hitch project #2  
That's cool how you used excel to figure it out.
 
   / My log skidding/ballast hitch project
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Yeah Excel makes the number crunching easy! Just gotta make sure I have my theory right. :reading:
 
   / My log skidding/ballast hitch project
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Here's the pics.

1.JPG2.JPG3.JPG4.JPG5.JPG6.JPG7.JPG8.JPG
 
   / My log skidding/ballast hitch project
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Notice the use of choker chains and grab links. This is a great way to choke logs.
 
   / My log skidding/ballast hitch project
  • Thread Starter
#7  
The hitch is ballast is visible in a couple pictures. Laser cut steel 1/2" plate. It looks small but this hitch weighs in at around 550 lbs. :blacksmith:

Also note is it compatible with my iMatch JD quick hitch.
 
   / My log skidding/ballast hitch project #8  
Nice work!
 
   / My log skidding/ballast hitch project #9  
Great idea, Superb craftsmanship. Many of us can't justify a $4k farmi for the amount of logging that we do.
 
   / My log skidding/ballast hitch project #10  
It looks very nice. I like that it is qh compatible.
 
 
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