Skidded attachment

carlhwv · May 1, 2016

In the process of upgrading my CUT to a utility. Just purchased 50 acres, with a good stand of 24-36" hardwood. I'm going all in and this week we are headed down (it's in TN) to mark the path for the road and mark the initial trees for the house we are building. Still not sure if we are going to have the frame cut from the local trees...probably not....but plan using as much of the local Oak, Hickory, and Black Walnut for everything else, milling everything we can on site.

Been looking at designs for the rear of the tractor to act as a plate? to keep control and prevent damage to the rear of the tractor when bringing the offs off the hill, either to a pad or all the way down. No matter what, I'm going to need to do some dragging and will have some considerable weight to contend with.

Does anyone have pictures of how they have addressed this issue? I've looked at and seen in operation commercial skidders and have a good understanding they deal with this, but I'm not playing in that league and looking to move one log at a time. I'll have a grapple on the front end to maneuver the logs where they need to be and a good bit of weight in the tractor as well.

Any help is much appreciated.

Carl

CobyRupert · May 1, 2016

Research skidding winches for tractors.

carlhwv · May 1, 2016

CobyRupert said:
Research skidding winches for tractors.

Perfect. Thanks! What size logs have ypu wrangled with yours?

Xfaxman · May 2, 2016

here is a good thread, click this link: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/340891-skidding-winches.html

52wej · May 3, 2016

Carl, that is an excellent thread to review. Lots of useful information. As a winch owner the increased productivity cannot be understated. Depending upon the size of your new tractor you should be able to handle the logs you are talking about. You just need to be sure to size the winch correctly for the tractor. Good Luck with your research. W Jones

motownbrowne · May 4, 2016

My skidding winch is my absolute favorite attachment. I probably use the bush hog for more hours, but the winch never ceases to amaze me with how much it makes possible.

Not only is it incredible for skidding logs, it's also indispensable for dealing with problem trees. If I think the one in working on might get hung up, I put a choker in it about 15-20' up (from a ladder) and hook it to the cable. Then after I make my hinge and back cut, I can pull it over despite any branches getting caught in neighboring trees.

It's also great for pulling my neighbor's skid steer out of the mud.

carlhwv · May 5, 2016

We just got back from the property. The first pic is my Brotherinlaw. This is the age size of the timber. Second one is me. This is the biggest one we found on the property line. Not going to do anything with it, other than let it grow. This first one is the size I will need to handle.

Already sold my 3720 and now more than ever I'm sure I need something with real heft.

Xfaxman · May 5, 2016

carlhwv said:
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Already sold my 3720 and now more than ever I'm sure I need something with real heft.

Look for a used Compact Telehandler with a SSQA on the boom. With 4 wheel steer and crab steer it will get aorund in the woods better that a CUT.

Here is my 6' wide, 6.5' high root skidder:

arrow · May 5, 2016

Hi Carl and welcome. If you have "slopes" to bring stems down, then I would whole heartedly recommend a winch. The beauty of such is that you can control the rate of traverse of the log without the tractor being directly in front of the stem. When I was logging, I thought I'd always prefer a cable skidder over the grapple types. Grapple skidders have their place but for the lone woodsman, give me the cable all the time. They are so much more versatile in my opinion. With your size lot, I would not consider anything under 50 hp not for the hp but for the size frame.
Perhaps Sawyer Rob, Overszed or Rusty Iron will chime in but they have the right size tractors for what you are proposing.