Amateur log skidding with B2620

[ChuckinNH]

bstrom
You might give some consideration to a capstan winch. Not a high investment, and very portable and flexible for snaking logs out around other trees. Also good for working over hang-ups that need some extra help to safely drop them to the ground. They use rope that will not break up to 10,000 pounds that is lightweight to pack around. Sometimes put a cone on the end of the log to keep them from digging into the ground, or hook the winch high in a tree to lift the log.

This company has some nice stuff, including the capstan winch. It is also a good place to browse for ideas.....

NovaJack

 

[BrierPatch]

Thanks. You could be right. I've got cement blocks and sand in there so it's kind of a pain to unload then reload if I'm just using the front loader. For now I think it will pick up medium sized logs ok.

That's the larger bucket and QA from the B3200. I put the smaller 50 inch bucket on for dirt/gravel/rock work. Next big purchase is the forks. Then maybe the hoe if the economy improves.

I would love to have a set of forks and the QA to switch them on and off.

ChuckinNH - Yes, that's pretty much what my woods are, a fair amount of oak too. That is an old skidder path that I am on, they took out some large white pine before I bought the property. I put down some course gravel in places because it does get soft. I'm a little early to be working in there with all the rain we had this summer, should wait until the ground freezes more but I have to do it when I can. I was dreaming about a winch the other day too, when I could not get to a log. Sometimes you can tow them out a little further with a chain on the drawbar if you have room to maneuver. A mechanic from my dealer did tell me that the winches on smaller tractors don't work that well, but he seemed like a big tractor guy and had a pro- firewood operation at one time. Not sure if it is a weight issue but it seems like it.

It would be nice to have an arch but I went with the economy solution for now since I just take out 4 foot or 16 inch sections with the loader sometimes. Without a winch like Chuck is talking about you just cannot get to a log sometimes without tearing things up and I am trying to be a good woodlot manager. Ah, so much equipment, so little time.

I bought a cheap harbor freight 3000# winch for $50 with the wireless remote that I plan on trying on the front of the tractor to see how it does. I don't know when I will ever get it mounted to try it though. I have already had it for 2 or 3 months.

beenthere,

I really like the idea of using a quick hitch as a simple skidder. It even already has a hook at the top.

 

[sparker133]

Great site lots of toys to buy. Here's my skidder/hitch I made to haul logs and trailers it works great. I have a winch plate on mine to add later if needed. On the bottom I mounted a blade to push logs with out having to turn around and use the FEL.

 

[beenthere]

Sparker133
I like that skidder/hitch and the idea of pushing logs rather than turning around.

Here is pulling in a white oak with the hitch and tongs. I'm just starting to cut and log about 50 ash trees for firewood splitting.

 

[bstrom]

Great site lots of toys to buy. Here's my skidder/hitch I made to haul logs and trailers it works great. I have a winch plate on mine to add later if needed. On the bottom I mounted a blade to push logs with out having to turn around and use the FEL.

Hey - I like your setup, blows my idea away. Wish I had welding skills like that. Looks like you really know what you are doing with that stuff, very nice. I'd like to see it with the winch on there too. Can you make us all one?

 

[sparker133]

My welding skills come from years of my dad owning a heavy equimpent company and living on a farm.

It did not take very long about 5 hour to assemble and took longer to paint.

Don't have time to make a another one all of my time is being consumed by the cab I building. Have not started a Thread yet but will soon. Maybe I should market them

Have been taking lots of pics. The other day added hangers to hold my hitches on the sides.

 

[Egon]

Nice work.

How does the rear blade work for moving dirt humps etc when you are backing in to hook onto logs?

 

[sparker133]

It works great for moving dirt. The only thing is I thinking about making the push blade bigger.

 

[Chilly807]

If you can get the butt of the log up off the ground, and BEHIND something solid, you're off to the races. My toy budget is shot for the year, so a winch isn't going to happen soon. What I may build is a half-inch thick triangular plate to attach to the 3ph, with a piece of angle welded across the upper part to hook chokers to. Lower the 3 ph all the way, hook the chokers, lift 'er up, and off you go.

Skidding from the drawbar is desperately dangerous if the log hooks solid into something. It will pull the tractor over backwards in nothing flat, you get one stab at the clutch and that's IT... a local gentleman was killed here this year, just exactly that happened.

I have a log arch I built for the ATV in the Time Before Tractor, it works great. I actually prefer the ATV over the tractor for firewood cutting, it's quicker, less impact on the ground, and has infinitely better suspension. (Read as, it HAS suspension).

Chilly