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

[AchingBack]

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.

George, did you buy two thumbs and two mounting plates? Does the thumb cylinder connect to the tilt function outlet?

 

[plowhog]

I was very interested in the comment about using the telehandler to remove silt from a pond. I also have a 1+ acre pond that is silted in, which I would like to correct. Hmmm.

But, in researching a telehandler vs a tractor for a ranch property, it seems the telehandler's greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. Although it can reach far, as you extend the boom it gets tippy and limits what you can lift. I don't need to do precise overhead placement of items which seems to be the telehandler's greatest strength. So I will probably stay on the mission of looking for a tractor. I've been researching used tractors, but have not found much that I like yet.

The open pasture gets HOT in the summer. I've considered getting a cab model tractor for more comfort before mowing. But, some folks are already leery of me driving a shiny new tractor into risky situations with the logs. I'm wondering if a cab would get in the way during logging work, or just be one more thing to possibly get beat up.

 

[George2615]

George, did you buy two thumbs and two mounting plates? Does the thumb cylinder connect to the tilt function outlet?

No, I bought 1 thumb and 2 base plates. To switch the thumb I have to unplug the hoses, pull 3 pins (2 on thumb and 1 for cylinder), then change from forks to bucket and install the thumb and cylinder pins in the base mount then reconnect the hoses.
I operate the thumb from hoses I ran from one of my rear remotes.

 

[Citydude]

My tractor lives it's life in the woods. For the most part, I'm careful when I'm working it while logging or traversing on the trails. I could probably have a cab and be fine however it would take more focus and probably more trimming to eliminate branches. I've been caught off guard with branches that I'm glad I didn't have glass. But, that's the operators fault and not the tractors.

Get what you need. If you need a cab and understand that it can be vulnerable in the woods, your ahead of the game. Me, as I said, probably wouldn't be a good fit for a cab in the woods. Lots of people manage fine with cabs however.

 

[DieselBound]

I'm a bit nervous having a cab around my trees. BUT, I've got a lot of blackberries as well and I can say that I'm looking forward to not spending a bunch of time fending myself from those! (On my B7800 I'd look to snag them with the tooth bar, but sometimes it turns into a catch and release and the stupid blackberry canes whip back and come at me. If people didn't know any better they'd think I own a bunch of unruly cats!)

 

[roadhunter]

The forestry package cab on skid steers typically includes lexan windows which will take a beating from my experience. A cab on a tractor would likely be in the way driving around in the woods and it's simply not made for that as far as impacts. Just in the last couple of weeks there have been threads where tractors had thier oil filter punctured doing grapple work. Even skid steers which are built pretty heavy duty to start with undergo the forestry package to make them hold up in the woods. The benefit of a skid steer doing grapple work is you can see what you are doing and you can spin in place to get in position.

Almost sounds to me like you need to rent a good sized excavator to clean up the wood and dig out the pond. If you are just getting rid of the wood the excavator would be great for piling before you burn.

 

[ovrszd]

My tractor lives it's life in the woods. For the most part, I'm careful when I'm working it while logging or traversing on the trails. I could probably have a cab and be fine however it would take more focus and probably more trimming to eliminate branches. I've been caught off guard with branches that I'm glad I didn't have glass. But, that's the operators fault and not the tractors.

Get what you need. If you need a cab and understand that it can be vulnerable in the woods, your ahead of the game. Me, as I said, probably wouldn't be a good fit for a cab in the woods. Lots of people manage fine with cabs however.

Well stated. You described my situation exactly.

I can usually adjust my schedule to avoid working in extreme heat/cold so my open station suits me.

 

[Turbys_1700]

My tractor lives it's life in the woods. For the most part, I'm careful when I'm working it while logging or traversing on the trails. I could probably have a cab and be fine however it would take more focus and probably more trimming to eliminate branches. I've been caught off guard with branches that I'm glad I didn't have glass. But, that's the operators fault and not the tractors.

Get what you need. If you need a cab and understand that it can be vulnerable in the woods, your ahead of the game. Me, as I said, probably wouldn't be a good fit for a cab in the woods. Lots of people manage fine with cabs however.

You have the same situation to some extent with a sun shade. I am constantly looking for low branches. Got to get the pole saw out and do some extreme trimming. I could take the top off but in the summer it is a life saver.

 

[Xfaxman]

I was very interested in the comment about using the telehandler to remove silt from a pond. I also have a 1+ acre pond that is silted in, which I would like to correct. Hmmm.

But, in researching a telehandler vs a tractor for a ranch property, it seems the telehandler's greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. Although it can reach far, as you extend the boom it gets tippy and limits what you can lift. I don't need to do precise overhead placement of items which seems to be the telehandler's greatest strength. So I will probably stay on the mission of looking for a tractor. I've been researching used tractors, but have not found much that I like yet.
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A full size telehandler is not designed for dirt work.

One big advantage of a compact telehandler is it's digging ability and being able to push or pull itself out of being stuck.

It doesn't get tippy sideways, like a tractor where the front axle pivots.

It will raise the rear axle with over 3,000 pounds in the bucket, if the boom is extended, but the front axle is solid to the frame, so it is very stable with a load in the air.

 

[plowhog]

No question, that telehandler ROCKS!

Other than owning my small Massey SCUT for nearly a year, doing only mowing and loader work, I know little about tractors. So although I see people recommend a SSQA and a grapple, I don't know the difference between a SSQA and the pin-on or quick attach hardware that would come on the front of a Kubota tractor. I will definitely spend money for convenience, which sounds like what the SSQA delivers. Why is a SSQA better than a more traditional or standard Kubota setup?