ericm979
Super Member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2016
- Messages
- 5,367
- Location
- Santa Cruz Mountains CA, Southern OR
- Tractor
- Branson 3725H Deere 5105
A 24" 10' long black oak log weighs about 2000 lbs. A light weight grapple is about 450 lbs. So you'd need a 2500 lb loader capacity plus some since loader capacity is rated at the pins but the load is farther out. My Branson with loaded rears can just handle a hardwood log that diameter (but I cut them to 8').
Tractors are better at pulling than carrying, and to pick up a log you need to be able to get to it. My land is steep and I mostly work on the less steep parts. Even then I often need to pull logs with chains or cables in order to get them to where I can pick them up to transport to my firewood area.
If the trees are close to the house or difficult to fell you may want to hire out the felling at least. Depends on how experienced you are with that.
Rotten wood is not useful for firewood and it's nasty to chip with a chipper. If you can safely burn it that's better, or if you can't then pile it somewhere to rot.
Tractors are better at pulling than carrying, and to pick up a log you need to be able to get to it. My land is steep and I mostly work on the less steep parts. Even then I often need to pull logs with chains or cables in order to get them to where I can pick them up to transport to my firewood area.
If the trees are close to the house or difficult to fell you may want to hire out the felling at least. Depends on how experienced you are with that.
Rotten wood is not useful for firewood and it's nasty to chip with a chipper. If you can safely burn it that's better, or if you can't then pile it somewhere to rot.