Picking up logs, grapple or thumb? Advice please.

[Ooklaa]

I am also looking at ths thumb Backhoe Thumb- Bolt-On based on picture number 7 or we ok to put this on our gc tractors?

these are the dimensions I got from measuring my tractor.

 

[irvingj]

Ordered from Bro-Tek, a guy (Richard Breault) who makes accessories for small tractors in Miramachi, New Brunswick. Great to deal with; even stopped to see him whilst heading to fish for salmon in the Miramachi river a few years ago -- a great host!

I believe he only sells via ebay. As I had one of the later models of GC2310, he was very accommodating in making small changes in his design, and followed through to make sure it worked with my BH.

 

[Ooklaa]

Ordered from Bro-Tek, a guy (Richard Breault) who makes accessories for small tractors in Miramachi, New Brunswick. Great to deal with; even stopped to see him whilst heading to fish for salmon in the Miramachi river a few years ago -- a great host!

I believe he only sells via ebay. As I had one of the later models of GC2310, he was very accommodating in making small changes in his design, and followed through to make sure it worked with my BH.

thanks for the info ill give him a ring.


as far as the thumb I was looking at above it wont fit the backhoe just got off the phone with Big Mike and we triple checked the measurements.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

Late to the game as I was out of the country last week for business, but was able to grab a couple of pics and a quick (poor quality) video of how I use the bucket thumb.

You can see my general technique is to approach the log with the bucket vertical, close the thumb on the log, then curl. I seem to be abel to curl the weight of a big log, even if I can't lift it. Meaning once I've curled, I might not be able to lift the log anymore, but I find I've already gotten enough height for cutting, and probably more than I want for transporting that much weight around.




Here is quick video

 

[Ooklaa]

Late to the game as I was out of the country last week for business, but was able to grab a couple of pics and a quick (poor quality) video of how I use the bucket thumb.

You can see my general technique is to approach the log with the bucket vertical, close the thumb on the log, then curl. I seem to be abel to curl the weight of a big log, even if I can't lift it. Meaning once I've curled, I might not be able to lift the log anymore, but I find I've already gotten enough height for cutting, and probably more than I want for transporting that much weight around.

View attachment 481629View attachment 481630View attachment 481631View attachment 481632


Here is quick video

I really appreciate the pictures and video. In the video can u lift that log higher? Have you picked up anything heavier? Also you can post some pictures or video (when you habe a chance)of the 3rd function valve kit and lever you use to open the thumb and close it.

 

[JWR]

I really appreciate the pictures and video. In the video can u lift that log higher? Have you picked up anything heavier? Also you can post some pictures or video (when you habe a chance)of the 3rd function valve kit and lever you use to open the thumb and close it.

Not that I haven't played around in areas where my equipment had no business... but shouldn't you guys at least post a warning: "DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME?" This is so close to a cartoon I know you/we are having way too much fun. In my partially humble opinion, you are using equipment that cannot begin to handle what you grapple. Those poor little front tires are going to go totally flat, lose their air or explode, one of the three. That one log almost certainly outweighs your tractor. If the log is off center you are going over (to the extent that your FEL has the lift capacity to topple the tractor.) Oh well, check your insurance and carry on.

 

[Ooklaa]

Not that I haven't played around in areas where my equipment had no business... but shouldn't you guys at least post a warning: "DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME?" This is so close to a cartoon I know you/we are having way too much fun. In my partially humble opinion, you are using equipment that cannot begin to handle what you grapple. Those poor little front tires are going to go totally flat, lose their air or explode, one of the three. That one log almost certainly outweighs your tractor. If the log is off center you are going over (to the extent that your FEL has the lift capacity to topple the tractor.) Oh well, check your insurance and carry on.

Lol try what? Picking up firewood? wow to say our tractors have no business picking stuff up is a pretty harsh man. Where not setting world lift records now are we? Our tractors way 3000 pounds with a adult on it amd i really doubt that log weights that much, maybe 600 pounds. I personally am not moving the logs around in the air, I wanted tp see the thumb in action picking up logs and the gentlemen who posted the pixtures and video helped us all by showing us what it can do. Its not about fun its about getting work done and using something we all paid a lot of money for.

 

[4570Man]

Not that I haven't played around in areas where my equipment had no business... but shouldn't you guys at least post a warning: "DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME?" This is so close to a cartoon I know you/we are having way too much fun. In my partially humble opinion, you are using equipment that cannot begin to handle what you grapple. Those poor little front tires are going to go totally flat, lose their air or explode, one of the three. That one log almost certainly outweighs your tractor. If the log is off center you are going over (to the extent that your FEL has the lift capacity to topple the tractor.) Oh well, check your insurance and carry on.

You don't get much done on your tractors do you? That log in nowhere close to 3000 pounds. Even if it was hickory it wouldn't be that heavy. Here's what a 3000+ pound log looks like.

 

[irvingj]

jwr, the idea is not to pick up and carry these logs, just to get them off the ground enough so they can be cut into smaller lengths, in my case about 16", for later splitting into firewood.

I use a combination of the FEL, the BH with thumb, and even a chain to drag the logs out to where I can get at them, whatever works. In Fisiksgeek's case, if I'm not mistaken, the "heel" of his FEL stays on the ground; he just uses the curl function to raise the log up enough to cut without going through a chain every few minutes (not that they don't make great trenchers!:roll eyes.

After cutting the log into manageable pieces, I use a trailer to bring them up to my splitting area, as I can only fit a max of three at a time in the FEL. The trailer can handle 12 or more.

I learned VERY early on about trying to carry really heavy stuff with my SCUT: In a word, "DON'T"!

Hope this clarifies things a bit!

 

[AxleHub]

Because I haven't done any big log hauling with my sub compact tractor yet . . I guess I'm a little confused by some of the pictures and intentions expressed. Lifting an 800+ pound payload of gravel or pallet of blocks is one thing because its narrow and centered between the front tires. Yes its a heavy load but its well within specs AND within the tires and axle.

But lifting a 12' to 18' length of. heavy log (same 800+ pound load) . . Is quite something else because there are added forces working against you. Unless you can consistently find the exact weight center you can't have a balanced load left to right. Secondly ground even-ness or rocks or dropped branches all create potential forrocking the tractor suddenly. That's bad enough on a heavy load centered betwern the tires . . . But leveraged out several feet ???

Lastly it serms like there is a potential for twist of backhoe or fel arms.

My point is . . You're going to be cutting the log up anyway . . so why not it to 6 or 8 foot length before moving it ?

I'm not saying long branch logs or long smaller logs can't be carried . . What I'm questioning is why would you risk hauling long heavy logs when you're going to cut them anyway ?

And if the answer is to save time . . I'd point out that a 6' or 8' heavy log hauls easier and faster than a long heavy log I would think.