Best method for a tractor to move/haul/process downed logs?

[plowhog]

A year ago, I bought a Massey SCUT TLB for a 2 acre property. It's worked well for me, mostly for mowing and small loader jobs.

I just acquired an 88 acre ranch. It recently had tree disease in the forested part, resulting in LOTS of downed logs and debris. About 8 acres where it looks like a nuke bomb went off. The debris ranges from a stack of 26' logs, about 2 feet in diameter, all the way down to sticks and twigs. It is probably beyond my ability to clean up by myself, but I want to try. And, I need to buy a tractor for this property anyway for mowing the 20 acres of pasture.

I am only familiar with using a loader and a backhoe. My budget probably tops out at the Kubota L model with the strongest engine. But I am only guessing on a Kubota L, as I haven't investigated that much yet. Plus it seems something instead of a front bucket would be more useful for picking up logs?

Any suggestions?

 

[George2615]

I use my forks with a hydraulic thumb to hold the tree. I can also use the thumb on the bucket. A lot of people would buy a grapple to use in place of the bucket. I don't do that much work needing a grapple so I bought a thumb for less than half the price and it works well for me. I had open field so was able to move trees this way. If in woods I'd have to use the 3 pt and chains to drag them out.

 

[KYErik]

My dad and I have a sawmill- not much beats a pair of log tongs for dragging a large log out of the woods. It sure saves time over wrapping the log with a chain. We got two different sizes from northern tool very reasonably. Both have been holding up great after several years of use.

 

[roadhunter]

From my experience small tractors do not make great skidders for the most part but there are situations where they will work if the ground is fairly level. They just lack the side to side stability to work on slopes and can be unstable if you try to pull from a point above the axle. They also lack the proper safety features to work around timber such as roll bars, skid plates, engine protection, tires, etc...

That being said I've eyed a few of the huge steiger tractors with duals on front and back and I suspect they would drag logs very efficiently. If you have flat ground and a tractor you don't mind beating up one of the 3 point winches might work well along with a grapple for the FEL.

I had a similar dilemma and decided to repurpose a small trencher to pull logs. I was afraid of tearing up my tractors and decided it would be better to find something more suitable for that kind of work but I didn't want to buy a fill sized skidder. I added a winch, foamed the tires, added some protection, and added the heaviest set of chains I could get. I typically pull ponderosa pine that is 6" -12" at the base and would grab 2-4 per pull.

 

[plastikosmd]

What I use
Even 35 ft telephone poles are moved with ease

I also enjoy my crawlers

 

[roadhunter]

That is a cool trackloader ^^

 

[IH782]

This is what we use. Its being replaced by a 2555 this week. The grapple bucket works great. Cleared over 55 White Pine and Pin Oak this week.

 

[roadhunter]

This is what we use. Its being replaced by a 2555 this week. The grapple bucket works great. Cleared over 55 White Pine and Pin Oak this week.

View attachment 484126

You sure about that rig for 25+ ft logs that are 2+ ft in diameter?

You should send that to the Wallstein/Mahindra factory as it looks like a catalog photo shoot, really nice. Not a scratch on the entire rig. No way that thing has done any real work in the woods, oh wait. Did a falling top crash the roll bar and knock is off?

 

[IH782]

Trees rarely hit 2' in diameter around here, and when they do we use the skid steer. We do a lot of work that requires a light footprint. And yes, a top destroyed the rollbar, good thing the tractor wasn't in the way. We also keep our equipment very clean.

 

[LD1]

A ~50HP tractor with a grapple loader and 4wd.

Probably wont lift the 2' diameter 26' logs whole. But should be able to lift either end, and should have no issues dragging them around. The grapple is nice for all the other brush work and lifting logs.

You didnt say how hilly the property is?

A 50HP tractor with an 8' bushhog would be good for the mowing 20 acres.

You didnt mention which kubota L. Were you talking the biggest of the standard L's like the L4701? or were you talking about the grand L's, like the L6060.

The grand L's are nice, but you will get more machine (and less amenities) for your money looking at a MX or M.