Loader Lifting Logs

[oosik]

I routinely lift chunks of very large ponderosa pine - 18" to 36" diameter. As best I can figure my max lift is around 2750 lbs minus the grapple = around 1930 pounds. I've made a cheat sheet that will tell me the approximate weight of pine logs. I check the cheat sheet to see if I can lift a ten foot or five foot chunk before I do any lifting. So far this has worked well. The last thing I want to do is break something or become unstable.

Most likely your lift capacity is calculated with the weight 24 inches forward of the lift pins and 24 inches off the ground. No matter what I'm lifting - log wise - I never get the load more than 6" to 12" off the ground. Bad things seem to always happen faster than the speediest of reaction times.

 

[Garandman]

Math, be my friend.

A 36" diameter log is 1 cubic foot of wood for every 1.7 inches. Put another way, 7 cubic feet per foot. I come up with weights much higher, depending on density. Most hardwoods are around 40-45 lbs cu ft, but some like Live Oak are higher (60 lbs cu ft, yay USS Constitution). So @ 40 lbs cu ft an 8', 36" diameter hardwood log would weigh at least 2,248 lbs.

24" log is just about 7" per cubic foot (or about 12 cu ft for an 8' log), way lighter, about 480 lbs.

The fun comes in because of course the logs are usually smaller at top, may not be round, etc.

 

[otherguy]

There is also a JD 1520 (1972) with loader, has more HP (around 50 I think) but of course it a larger tractor. Most of the time the tractor will be used for plowing, tilling, gravel work, maybe some dirt. Logs will be a secondary thing and most of the time the logs will be pulled/pushed.

I don't know if I want a tractor as big as the 1520 since it's not as maneuverable for the uses it will mostly be used for, and takes up more room. If someone brought me logs on a trailer I could always just use can't hooks and push them over the edge (how I've been doing it) and the use the tractor to pull them to where I needed.

I am just trying to find the balance between what the tractor will be used for mostly and for instances that will show up only occasionally. If I start getting more logs then maybe I will just have to look at another machine or something.

 

[Baby Grand]

You could make a ramp out of 2 timbers, each with 1 end leaning against the side of the trailer and the other end on the ground, set wide enough to drive between.
Then you can skid the logs to the ramp, then push them up the timbers onto the trailer. Something like this:

Unloading would involve pulling them off, from the back.
If you have a winch you can parbuckle the logs into the trailer.

 

[arrow]

You could make a ramp out of 2 timbers, each with 1 end leaning against the side of the trailer and the other end on the ground, set wide enough to drive between.
Then you can skid the logs to the ramp, then push them up the timbers onto the trailer. Something like this:
View attachment 394297
Unloading would involve pulling them off, from the back.
If you have a winch you can parbuckle the logs into the trailer.

This is a helpful post BG. That's what is great about this site and how it shows various methods to solve a problem. This place is like "embryo of ideas" where solutions are eventually born.

 

[puckgrinder85]

If you can somehow get the too heavy log off the ground, then the FEL should be able to maintain the height although not lifting it any higher. Sometimes we use a second tractor to help team lift a log and the tractor will hold it where it is.

Be careful when doing this, if you remove the second tractor all the weight will be on the first obviously, but more importantly you're taking the relief valve out of the picture with the valve in "neutral". What I mean is if the tractor cant lift it without going into relief, placing that same load on the bucket, it may hold it but you could over pressure the system and blow a hose and you might get hurt. I've done this back dragging with my bucket too steep. I hit a something immoveable and with no relief in place the weakest point was the hose(s). Just something to keep in mind.

 

[arrow]

I am looking at purchasing a 1999 JD 4500 that has a Woods 1012 loader, the lift capacity is rated at 1375 lbs. Maybe that lift capacity is at the top??

Will this tractor/loader combo be able to lift 8 foot logs, anywhere from 18" to 36" in diamter??

I don't need it to be lifted very high, the highest ever would be to get it on a trailer but that wont be all the time. I didn't know if someone here has used something similar to lift logs and have done fine with it. Just as a guide an 8ft White Oak log weighs about 1648 lbs (from what I can find).

Thanks for any info.

There is little way for this tractor to lift a 36" diameter 8' white oak at over 3500 lbs wet. You may have a shot at a 24" as this log will be less than half the weight of the 36" one.

 

[otherguy]

There is little way for this tractor to lift a 36" diameter 8' white oak at over 3500 lbs wet. You may have a shot at a 24" as this log will be less than half the weight of the 36" one.

36" would not be the norm but have got them a couple of times, 24" would be more the norm when I did move logs.

Here is a 4020 that is also in the area. (1967) 90hp I think
the 1520 (1972) 50hp
and 4500 (1999) 39hp
the 3010 55-60hp
the 2020 (1970) 54hp around

just remember what I am using it "mostly for"
thanks for all the help and advice.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Smaller 4x4 over larger 2wd any day in my book. If moving a large load with 2wd you will need massive rear ballast to keep the rear tires in traction. Factor in soft muddy ground and the skinny non-driven front tires sink, creating more drag, and unloading the rear tires more.

In my book, loader tractors need mfwd (4x4). The smaller tractor can still move larger logs, just get creative with ramps, chains, and other leverage type mechanical advantages you can add to the mix to compensate.

 

[Xfaxman]

For loader work you will be much better off with 4WD.

I use my little machine (smaller than the 4020 you posted) for moving dead trees to the burn pile.


This 30 footer was one of the heaviest.


This 40 footer was the tallest.