Skidding logs

[Mark Page]

Unless you like sharpening chain saw teeth buck em' in the woods and take em' out with your loader. If you drag em' out on dirt you'll get the bark packed with dirt, which is hard on chains.
The exception of course is when there is snow to drag em' on.
I really hate sharpening chain saw chains.

 

[g0rd0]

Ken I like what you did there:thumbsup:

 

[smfcpacfp]

An alternative to skidding might be what I use most of the time is a Westendorf Brush crusher or similar device. Not only is it good for moving trees (if you have the space), but it great for cutting them up on the spot. I use tow chains for skidding if I have two, but normally I would not.

 

[simoutdoors]

If you are going to do much I suggest a device such as the log hog for the BX. I have one for my BX 2360 and it works well for skidding trees for firewood. The BX is a surprisingly strong puller, but isn't a skidder. Start small with your logs and get a feel of how the tractor handles the load.

Norwood Log Hog Log Skidder Tractor Attachment, Model# 41255 Log Hog | Logging Accessories | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Short Game]

In the years when I'm far enough ahead to have the time, I like to pressure wash the logs before I buck them to firewood length. It's amazing how many cords I can buck without filing the saw when I do that. Having clean wood to bring in is nice on the other end too.


I drag most logs out with a chain choker, grab hook on one end and a slide hook on the other. I have a receiver hitch in the middle of my box blade and an electric winch on top of it. I rarely use the winch. I take the chain around a trailer ball to a grab hook on the corner of the box blade. This works well for me. I have a home built set of log forks that are 75 inches wide. As soon as I have the logs in the clear, I buck them to a length I can carry to my wood yard for bucking and splitting. The less I have to skid them, the cleaner they stay.

 

[s219]

If you are going to do much I suggest a device such as the log hog for the BX. I have one for my BX 2360 and it works well for skidding trees for firewood. The BX is a surprisingly strong puller, but isn't a skidder. Start small with your logs and get a feel of how the tractor handles the load.

Norwood Log Hog Log Skidder Tractor Attachment, Model# 41255 Log Hog | Logging Accessories | Northern Tool + Equipment

Here's the one I bought for my tractor:

Heavy Duty Three Point Tractor Trailer Hitch | eBay

It's real well made, and the guy has them available in multiple colors to match the popular tractor brands. It's very well made, and the price is right. I've been real happy with it. I mainly bought it to skid logs, but have used it even more to move my trailers around.

 

[Tollster]

Some great information here,I love the attachments and have a birthday coming, so I am working on my wish list. I also have a local fabricator that seems to be a decent welder with fair prices. I like the three point attachements,but have saw some last night where the load looks like its placed high if that is the only attachment point. I was wondering if it would be worthy to have something fabbed that rigs on the three point, but no cross bar on the lower side.
That way I could lower the 3 point right over the stump,and use a chain achored to the rear of the tractor chassis for pulling. I loooked around last night and found this on a deere,but thought if it has a hook up on top for the choker or tongs,it could be the ticket. I was able to get some brush forks from brotek and bolted in the bucket. But have not had a chance to use them as the property is about 8 mlies away.

What do ya'll think.

I burned a few more piles today, I am trying to get the small suff knocked down and burned so I have room to move, particularly with the mild weather and tick season coming. Lyme is pretty bad in these parts and the mild winter is gonna make it that much worse. I am working all pine saplings,and hemlocks up to about 6-10".
I have been using diesel for starting the fire with cardboard and used motor oil to get the temps up (Larger stuff) so it consumes the green wood, but the coolest thing I have I have up my sleave and help reduce diesel usage is my leaf blower. I figure there is plenty of fuel in the pile, so just add air...turns into a blast furnace/forge pretty quick. Most of the time I set the blower down and just let it idle while I work another pile. It really is unbelievable how hot it gets...within 3 minutes or so.

I like that rig s219,and the price is fair..for sure.

 

[Gordon Gould]

If you are considering getting something fabbed up you might think about the arrangement in the first picture. You get plenty of lift but you are connected to the draw bar not the top link.
If I am not using my winch I use a cross draw bar on the 3 pt arms, a tractor hook, and a couple chokers. All available at TSC.
All the ideas will work as long as you are careful.

 

[schweizer]

Why not just use chain hooks on the FEL and drive backwards? You can't do a wheelie then and you can lift the log easy enough. Has to be pretty big log to max out the FEL.

Just a few days ago I was pulling out logs from the hillside onto the road by using a choker on a 75' x 1/4" cable. I pulled at 90 deg to the log via a pulley attached to a tree on the opposite side of the road from the log. You don't want to pull in-line w/ a cable. If the cable breaks you could be sliced pretty good. Once the logs were on the road, it was easy to buck and split. (Actually, I did break the cable eventually, but we were hauling up a big tree that got caught on a stump. The 7500 lb tractor was no match for a 1/4" cable.)

Marcus

 

[Baby Grand]

I wouldn't use the FEL that way. Pulling at any kind of angle and hanging up on a root could tweek it. May work fine with your machine, but not for everybody.