I would much prefer that method, but at the time, didn't have a 3-pt attchmt that could lift it. All I have is a back-blade attachment, which extends about 4 feet back. Three-point lift capacity for B2710 is 1,655 lbs, certainly sufficient, I need to build something for that, thanks for the note. Not sure why I haven't built one, it sure would have been useful in this example.
I built the log dolly to be lightweight, to be carried up & down steep hills by hand. I never expected it to have such weight on it. This is a "wet" log, cut a few days prior.
I got it onto the dolly by dragging/rolling the log onto another log. So the log counterweighted itself and I was able to raise the rear half high enough to slide the dolly under the raised log end. Other times I've strapped the dolly onto the log with wheels-up, then carefully rolled the log+dolly over until the dolly was wheels-down. All this is far far beyond the intended capacity of that dolly. It's made with 1.5 x 1.5 x .062 sq. tube steel (16ga). Notice the V-cradle is not even braced. I'm amazed. Harbor freight tires have been the only disappointment, they crack after one year then explode under weight.
More info on the (
Lightweight log Dolly) is here, posted back when emotions ran high
whenever 120volt MIGS were mentioned.