ATV Log Arch - anyone using one?

[penokee]

Wondering if anyone on the Board has used an ATV Log Arch or ATV Log Hauler? Would appreciate comments pro or con. I've used my Honda Foreman for skidding out firewood, but the Log Arch sounds like a better setup. Attaching a pic where I hauled out White Cedar logs by placing them up on the machine and also a pic of skidding hardwood with a cable choker - looking for an easier/safer way. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[penokee]

Using a cable choker. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Birdhunter1]

It looks like the first picture would put too much weight on the back end and either lift the front end off the round or mae steering nearly impossible.
The second picture is the safest way, but not how you are doing it. I would never use a cable to drag something, it snaps and acts like a whip in both directions. A chain is so much safer.

 

[justforme]

iv'e got a winch mounted to my rear rack.

it works well on lighter trees.

 

[Bowhunter]

I have a Warn multi-mount setup on my Rubicon and have made a clevis/shackle that inserts into the receiver. I put this in the rear receiver and use a short nylon strap. The strap wraps around the log then hooks onto the clevis, short enough to lift the atv-end of the tree off the ground to reduce drag. It is about a foot above the hitch so you do have to be careful about the size of the tree you pull or you could flip over backwards.

 

[penokee]

I appreciate the replies and the emphasis on safety. My original quote stated "looking for a safer way" and hopefully a log arch would do the job, but without any experience with one hesitate to put out the $. Have info from 2 companies that make it sound as though their ATV Log Arch is the best thing since sliced bread.
I also have a Honda "Big Red" purchased in 1984. Have flipped it over twice, both times my fault - once dragging a good sized buck with my 275 lb brother-in-law on the back and after celebrating the buck with a few adult refreshments and pulling up a steep incline and the other time backing off my trailer with 6 bags of ready-mix cement on the back rack. That time it flipped on the ramp, I hit my head on the frozen ground, waking up with my lab licking my face. The Big Red was balancing on the narrow back of the luggage rack hovering over me like a praying mantis. Enough of my stupidity - thats why I went to a 4wheel drive Honda Foreman. "You don't get smarter just because you get older"
Still hopeing that someone one the Board has experience with a Log Arch. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Archdean]

Best I can do ! Perhaps you can contact this fellow!


web page for home made Log Arch

 

[Rip]

I have skidded many large logs over both smooth and rough terrain with a skid plate simmilar to the QuadSkidder (see www.montanajacks.com ). I made mine out of 3/16" plate about 24 X 30 with hand hold cutouts on both sides and the front end. I welded two short (4" or so) stubs on the back edge as shown on the Montana Jacks model, but found I never use the pieces of pipe that are intended to go over them.

I used a light duty load binder from Northern and attached it to one of the chains with a "cold shut" chain link to keep it permantly attached. It has worked very well and there is no need at all to go with 1/4" plate as they do. I pull with my tractor or 150' of winch cable from the really steep areas.

An arch will only work in realitivly smooth and flat terrain while this skid plate will work most anywhere and will not over run you going down hill and is much cheaper and simpler (also no flat tires).

Another concept I have seen but not used is a skidding cone sold by www.novajack.com that is mainly for one log at a time, whereas with the skid plate you can load as many logs on as you can fit the binder chain around.

You can of course buy the complete kit from MontanaJacks or show the picture to most any welder and get one made up for much less. It sure has worked the best for me.

 

[rdln]

nichols this is the guy you are probably talking about and he is pretty proud of all of his products.

but unlike somebody mentioned, the atv tires should go over any terrain that the quad itself sees.

 

[avorancher]

Saw this Log Skidder on ebay. Interesting.

Log skidder on ebay