Building a "Log Horse?"

[Xfaxman]

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Using some 2x2 1/4" wall tube, some 6" channel and some 1/4" plate I think I could knock something like this together in an afternoon:

That looks like a good idea Jim and would be easier to use with a hydraulic top link. :thumbsup:

 

[oldpilgrim]

those X frames used to be everywhere when I was a kid. We, and everyone else, had 55 gal drums of fuel oil sitting in them...usually to fire the pot heater in the kitchen stoves. We had a kerosene burner for a hot water heater supplied by one.

 

[Baby Grand]

That looks like a good idea and would be easier to use with a hydraulic top link. :thumbsup:

Thanks, Dennis - and exactly what I was thinking, regarding the hydraulic top link, since that's also a key part of making the 3pt forks really useful.

Since I already use the 3pt forks to manage my firewood on pallets, keeping the 3pt forks on makes a lot of sense for my operation. Something that I could slide the forks into when I have a need for it, then slide it off when I'm done and not have to deal with hitching and unhitching implements would really save me some daylight.

It really wouldn't be too much additional effort to put a pair of hitch pins on the sides and a top link clevis on it to make it a stand-alone 3pt implement, too. Flexibility being the mother of utility.

Thinking about using it - it would really need a pair of nuts/bolts/handles to the tops of the channels to secure it to the forks - same way clamp on bucket forks do.

 

[Buggs67]

This is the nicest I've ever seen!!!! Very well thought out and something that should last forever. But you have to have something to lift the log into it.

I just cut about three quarter of the way through the log all the way down the length of the log, then roll it over and cut through from the other side to get my rounds. This has been my method for 20 years (no tractor) in the woods. I then split on the spot with my log splitter (pulled by one quad), load into the trailer on the other quad and haul out of the woods.
Eddie

See my comments above. Wish I bought my tractor 10 years ago.

 

[deerseeker001]

I also made mine out of 6x6s works great.

I made the same thing as Mendonsy, only I used 6" X 6" timbers to create the X. I did this because I found that raising the log kept the chain saw out of the dirt and reduced the number of time per day I had to resharpen. On really big stuff - 18" up to 34" - I would roll the log up on smaller cross-layed logs with the tractor. While it was always fun to fall and cut up the "really big stuff" - the problems presented in working them into useable firewood were a real pain in the butt.

 

[Parkanzky]

I looked hard at the cantilever designs from the posts above and was nearly ready to purchase this: Forest Master 80-934 Ultimate Saw Horse

But I recently cut down a pine tree that was about 20" in diameter. I walked down both sides with my chainsaw and cut a broad V-shaped piece out of the length of it. Now, I just set the logs I want to buck onto that. If they're very heavy, I can put them there with the forks. Otherwise, it's pretty easy to lift one end on and then the other.

I love buying new tools, but in the end I decided that sometimes the simple solution is the best.

 

[Parkanzky]

I should also say that when I was cutting on the ground, I was completely dulling a chain after a long day of cutting even though I was rolling the logs and trying to be pretty careful not to get into the dirt. Now, it seems like my chains are going to stay sharp forever. I have saved more in cutting speed and reduced sharpenings than I waste moving the logs to cut them.

I like this over the commercial options because I don't feel guilty leaving it sitting out on the ground all the time and if I ever wear this one out or want one somewhere else in the woods, I can make another in five minutes with my chainsaw.

 

[bcp]

Lots of these cheap in thrift stores. Take off the swinging foot pieces, drop your log in, and saw. You could have several in line for long logs.



Bruce

 

[Mendonsy]

I use this when I want to cut all day.

The only problem with that is the steel. You have to be really careful not to touch it with the saw. It will ruin a chain much faster than dirt.
I had a steel one for a while, but I found that sooner or later I would stop paying attention and hit the steel with the saw.

 

[Leejohn]

I only done it one time and that was the 1st time I used it. I made it 6 or 7 years ago. My back sure does like it, just for one or two logs I don't use it.