Advice for skidding logs.

[dangerdoc]

I have a number of large oaks that have died. Unfortunately, it is on a rugged part of the property and all of the dead trees are leaning over gulleys that are 10-15 feet deep. They are all more than 2 ft in diameter

Last year, I dropped one and then sectioned it up into 6 foot lengths and pulled them out with the tractor.

It was a hard dirty job and unsafe on multiple levels. When sectioning it up, I had multi ton pieces of timber moving in unpredictable directions and it was all the tractor could do to pull them up and out. It involved getting the tractor near the edge, pulling to the point of getting tippy and trusting the chain and dirt not to give way.

I don't own a logging wench, all I have is the tractor, loader with grapple and three chains totalling about 50 ft.

I just priced logging winches and can't justify the price.

When I was younger, I would just cut them into 18 inch lengths and carry them out of the ravine, I just don't have the stamina or knees to carry 150 pounds out of a gulley any more.

What I did with the tractor felt unsafe and I am looking for a smarter way to get the job done.

 

[beenthere]

There are capstan winches that will take many feet of strong rope, and move quite a good size log slowly, but surely. Some fit onto a chainsaw motor in place of the bar and chain. Others just have a small dedicated gas engine. If that is of interest.

I'd at least get some cable to stretch out to get the tractor on safe ground, that will run through a snatch block to help with direction, and use that rigging to attach to your tractor (what tractor we talking about ? ).

Or one trick, is to cut the wood into firewood lengths, rig a handle (like an old push mower handle) with lag screws in the ends of the log, and "wheel" it out - rolling the log along the ground. A lot of walking out of the gulley, but whatever works.

A PTO winch from Surplus Center might be reasonable way to go.

 

[First one]

www.forestryforum.com
This is a site that a friend told me about . Don't know if you have checked it out before ,but you may get some good info. Scott

 

[dave1949]

You might be able to get them to fall parallel to the gulley. Even a tree with a good lean might fall 'sideways' on its heavy side if you make your cuts there. For every one that fell to the side instead of over the gulley, it would be easier at least.

I hear ya on carrying that wood up hill.
Dave.

 

[trek5900]

Sometimes it is wise to move on to safer to gather wood. There is no good reason to risk your life and limb or risk damage to your equipment. From the looks of your signature picture there is plenty of other wood to harvest. I have 38 acres of woods with a deep ravine going thru it. I have no problem leaving dead trees for the insects and birds.
Be safe.

 

[MarkV]

I would get some wire rope, like winch cable, and use a pulley,snatch block, so you can pull out of the ravin at an angle. Much safer to me than the risk of ending up in the ravin we the tractor.

MarkV

 

[MMagis]

At the very least, get more chain (or cable). I'm guessing things will go much smoother (and much safer) if you can get away from the steep edge.

 

[studor]

+1 on more chain,wire rope etc and a snatch block with a couple of tree straps. I too have ravines on my property and the ridge above them is not at all smooth either . I have to use enough rigging to keep the tractor somewhere on reasonably level ground and maintain traction. I often block from another tree to pull logs to where I can then pull them out of the ravine. If it looks too dangerous or like too much work, I have a new cavity tree for wildlife

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Having plenty of cable and chains could help. If you have any standing tree's that you can run a snatch block pulley as high as possible. Strong climbers rope could work if you don't stress it too much. Then come back down to another ground level anchored snatch block. Then off to your tractor or vehicle. Always always be careful of breaking ropes, chains or cables. I wouldn't try dragging uphill too large of pieces. If you can get an observer to guide and watch from a safe distance as you are pulling incase the log or rounds get hung up. I tried to use Word to draw up a really really basic outline. So don't laugh too much. Ok well after doing a hand drawing and then putting it on my scanner the picture keeps showing up as the tractor going straight up. For some reason it won't rotate to horizontal. Let's pretend the tractor is on flat ground

 

[beenthere]

No need to laugh. It was a good drawing.