I need a 2 man log carrier

[pharmvet]

I have cut up several large dead trees and am planning to split them with my hydraulic 3 pt. splitter. Many of them are large and in order to try to save my back, I thought I might use some of those 2 man log carriers (long handle with tongs in the middle) to pick up the chunks and place them on the splitter. I figured having someone else split the wt as well as putting a handle on those bulky trunk pieces would make life a bit easier. Problem is, I have found that most of the 2 man log carriers have tongs that will only open to about 16 inches max. Do any of you know if there are any that open wider? I thought about using skidding tongs hanging from the middle of a steel pipe?? Has anyone else used tongs for this use? thanks

 

[Egon]

Roll them up a plank!:thumbsup:

 

[groundcover]

Looks like a good excuse to buy a tractor with a front end loader ! :thumbsup:

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I have one of these:
Northern Industrial Log Tongs | Logging Accessories | Northern Tool + Equipment
Mine opens to 20.5" The straight part of the handle is 8" wide - plenty wide for 2 hands. You could try tying it to a long pipe or handle with a short loop of rope or strap using 2 cow hitches. It can be pretty handy using it alone as-is since you don't have to stoop to lift the log. The current sale price is pretty good.

 

[Shutesbury]

I also do some very large pieces, and have a double-height pallet next to the splitter, and load that up with the FEL. Then I'm just rolling them into place for the first split, and let half roll back onto the pallet while working through the other half.

My back has felt a lot better this year, after loading into the FEL on the opposite side of the splitter, rather than creating a ground pile and lifting and loading it again. Every time the FEL is loaded up, I head to the stack, work from a comfortable FEL height for the stack progress, and I've bent and stretched different muscles for ten minutes.

 

[studor]

I guess your splitter does not tilt upright?
Because it is a three point will it not lower almost to the ground?
I have a set of logging tongs that I use to haul lengths up with the fel that open to about 24 inchs. If you search on here for logging tongs I remember someone made a set that looked like bar stock with spikes. Having tried to lift big rounds onto the splitter with just about every method you can think of (including an antique set of two man ice tongs), I discovered that the key is not to lift them at all
I either set the splitter upright and roll them to it or roll them up on a plank as Egon suggested. Sometimes if I am going to be splitting by myself I just chainsaw them in half. -- JMHO

 

[EddieWalker]

Since we only have about a three month window of when it's cold enough to enjoy a fire, I don't mess around with those really thick parts of the tree anymore. I just cut and split the stuff that is easy to pick up and work by hand. I get all the wood I want, and I never have to worry about injury or not having enough power to get the splitter through the log.

I use a wood stove, and have also found that smaller is better. I'm cutting my wood at 12 to 14 inch lengths and splitting it fairly small. I still carry in the same amount, but it's twice as many pieces. Now I can start my fire faster and easier, and I can add just a little at a time to keep the temp where I like it and not overheat myself.

Last year, I used wood that was too big going smaller has really made a huge difference this year.

Eddie

 

[Barry 1]

If they are too big to pick up,split them into two,or four pieces with a chainsaw first.

 

[Groo]

I have cut up several large dead trees and am planning to split them with my hydraulic 3 pt. splitter. Many of them are large and in order to try to save my back, I thought I might use some of those 2 man log carriers (long handle with tongs in the middle) to pick up the chunks and place them on the splitter. I figured having someone else split the wt as well as putting a handle on those bulky trunk pieces would make life a bit easier. Problem is, I have found that most of the 2 man log carriers have tongs that will only open to about 16 inches max. Do any of you know if there are any that open wider? I thought about using skidding tongs hanging from the middle of a steel pipe?? Has anyone else used tongs for this use? thanks

the small ones can grab bigger logs, especially if you smack the points in.

could you just take you splitter off, and leave the hydraulics attached to use it on the ground?

 

[300UGUY]

Since we only have about a three month window of when it's cold enough to enjoy a fire, I don't mess around with those really thick parts of the tree anymore. I just cut and split the stuff that is easy to pick up and work by hand. I get all the wood I want, and I never have to worry about injury or not having enough power to get the splitter through the log.

I use a wood stove, and have also found that smaller is better. I'm cutting my wood at 12 to 14 inch lengths and splitting it fairly small. I still carry in the same amount, but it's twice as many pieces. Now I can start my fire faster and easier, and I can add just a little at a time to keep the temp where I like it and not overheat myself.

Last year, I used wood that was too big going smaller has really made a huge difference this year.

Eddie

I found that over the years, less ( work ) is always better!!!