Building a "Log Horse?"

[s219]

S219, that should work for me, about how wide is it?

Mine is about 4' wide, but mainly because I was using up scrap 8 footers of lumber and being cheap. It will hold a 7-8' log OK if balanced right, but you might want to go wider if you cut a lot of long logs and depending on your workflow. At the time, I had a B2920 and cut many of my logs at 4' so they'd fit in the front bucket. I'd skid a bigger 8-12' log behind the tractor and put 2-3 smaller 4' logs in the bucket on every trip out of the woods. At the end of my clearing work, I had a pile of about 50 4' sections and 15-20 8-12' sections. The 4' sawbuck made sense for that.

The only issue I remember is that sometimes it's hard to squeeze in between the uprights to make a cut if I have a short bar on my big saw. So think about access and spacing of the uprights.

Might almost make sense to only have tall uprights on the ends and provide shorter uprights in the middle, or some other means to cradle the cut rounds so they don't fall off the middle sections.

 

[Garandman]

Right now I'm planning on something like this one, four feet wide, out of pressure treated 2x4's.

 

[Parkanzky]

I think I'd add some ties at the bottom of that to keep it from trying to spread when you put heavy logs in it.

 

[s219]

I think I'd add some ties at the bottom of that to keep it from trying to spread when you put heavy logs in it.

Could, but the horizontals near the hinge line do that surprisingly well on mine. With one on each side, it doesn't budge, and I just have a few nail gun nails holding mine together. I guess a side benefit to this design is that if you bolt through the hinge line, it can fold up if needed.

 

[tcreeley]

There is always this: - 35 dollars before shipping
View attachment 406590
Ironton Wooden Handle Timberjack — 48in.L | Logging Hand Tools| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Garandman]

OK, knocked it together pretty quickly. Used three 2x4x8 and two 1x4x8 pressure treated lumber and some 5/16ths by 4" bolts. Total cost was $22. I made the legs 42" instead of 36" and the width 48". Offset the center section slightly so I could cut pieces in the middle. Also marked the cross pieces with a marker for 15" pieces I use for the stove and 18" for the fireplace.

I think I'd add some ties at the bottom of that to keep it from trying to spread when you put heavy logs in it.

I drilled some holes at the bottom of the legs so I can put lines through if necessary. I think I'm going to want to add diagonal braces to make it stronger.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I think I'd put a piece of chain (like on a cheap kids swing) on the bottom of each end leg to keep the legs from spreading. That way it would still fold easily.

I think the diagonals are a good idea.

 

[beeforty]

Lots of these cheap in thrift stores. Take off the swinging foot pieces, drop your log in, and saw. You could have several in line for long logs.

View attachment 406303

Bruce

Exactly what I have, only mine was free setting on the side of the road. Plastic foot holder was broke and someone didn't want it anymore. Plus the handles slip right over the pipe handles on my wheel barrow giving me more leverage when I have to use it instead of the loader on the tractor. A real twofer!:thumbsup:

 

[Garandman]

Never seen one before, but I'm all set now, anyway.

 

[Rio_Grande]

There is always this: - 35 dollars before shipping <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/build-yourself/406590-building-log-horse-38676_700x700-jpg"/> Ironton Wooden Handle Timberjack &#151; 48in.L | Logging Hand Tools| Northern Tool + Equipment

We have one of these, it absolutely wrecks my back to cut using it. Love it for rolling logs though.