Best Log Skidding solution

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How much are winches ?

You can get a new one for around 3K. I don't think you need one however for your situation.

 

[Oldpath05]

A skidding winch is the BEST way, everything else just "wishes" it was a skidding winch and doesn't work as well as a skidding winch!

SR

Very well put, I couldn't said that any better my self. So what's title of this thread...............BEST, all other here are just Log Skidding solutions, and I've been there done that plus others.

 

[Jstpssng]

How much are winches ?

I paid $3000 for a new Uniforest last year after buying and selling two used units. Either they are worn out; or the seller wants as much as the price of a new one. I agree with the poster below though; for a few trees it isn't worth the cost. When I was between winches I cut and piled 12 cords of tree length fir using a cross draw bar on the 3 pth to pick the butts up out of the dirt.

If this is all you want to do, just use the cross -draw bar with a clevis and chain. Your total investment including the chain will under 30 bucks. Done.

I have also seen trees dragged out that way using an old car hood to keep the butt out of the dirt.

As far as processing trees into firewood within the forest...no thank you. Much depends on woods density but bucking and crown processing is much safer in an open environment.

Would not want to consider woods processing in this type of forest.

To each their own, I wouldn't want to drag that top through any more of my regeneration than I had to.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I’ve not seen any used winces for sale within reasonable driving distance. I had a wooded 6 acres that I was wanting to pull some timber off of and I’d about decided to buy a new winch but I sold the 6 acres so I don’t need one anymore.

"Wince" is what I do every time I see you spell WINCH!! lol

Hooked On Phonics is your friend! ha ha ha

SR

 

[atsah]

As far as processing trees into firewood within the forest...no thank you. Much depends on woods density but bucking and crown processing is much safer in an open environment.

Would not want to consider woods processing in this type of forest.

I did it that way for 35 years, also cut 4ft wood with a cordwood saw off the back of a International 350 utility with no blade shield, that's what people did back then, Today is safety everything, we didn't even have a chain break on our Homelite chainsaw, it was a piece of plastic in case the chain snapped, you knew if you screwed up you were screwed and I can't remember anyone getting hurt back then..

 

[Oldpath05]

BEST>>>>>>>>>>> Tractor winching - YouTube

 

[missesalot]

For a 45hp tractor, do I want a cat 1 or cat 2 3pt drawbar?

 

[atsah]

TC45 is CAT 1..

 

[John_Mc]

What I’m working on is getting out some butternut logs that we want to have sawn, as my dad and I are woodworkers. He makes canoe paddles and I made cabinets and furniture, butternut is great for both and rare these days. Had a few fall down and we want to use them. I can get my tractor, wheeler, or UTV right to them. Also, we have a ton of ash trees that are dying due to the emerald ash borer, so we want to get some of those logs out to sell while they are viable.

If you can get right up to them, then a logging winch doesn't really do you any good. Those winches are great for getting logs to your tractor, but if there is no need for that, save your money. You may want one someday, but it sounds as though your current needs are simpler.

Since it's a sawlog, i'd recommend not simply chaining them to your drawbar and dragging them on the ground. At the least, get the front end of the log up using a skidding plate or a logging arch (you can also rig your own device for lifting the front end of the log with your 3 pt hitch, but be aware that there can be safety issues with this if it is not done correctly).

Another possibility is loading the logs into a trailer: you can rig something on your loader (choker chain or tongs, or buy a grapple) or use a couple of inexpensive ways (if you already own a trailer or can find a cheap one) to rig a trailer for loading: do a search here on this site or google/YouTube search "parbuckling" (using an electric winch & ramps to roll logs onto the trailer from the side). An alternative is to add a loading arch to the back of your trailer. This also relies on an electric winch to provide the power. I've seen folks make then for next-to-nothing. Here are a couple decent links showing some:
The DanG-DeadHeader log-lifter
Another trailer arch with photo sequence
Multi video series of a trailer loading arch build

(Not saying the trailer loading arch is the best solution for your needs, I just happened to have some links saved for that.)

 

[cathy liebchen]

Light duty cross-drawbar variations, which allow you to raise logs slightly, reducing ground friction and keeping 50% of log length clean.



MORE: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...actor-three-point-hitch-cross.html?highlight=

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...ar-center-tractor-drawbar-use.html?highlight=

we had the Titan 3 point hitch one in the pics on the right and bent it into a pretzel right away moving trailers, it was flimsy junk . Bought the heavier square tubing one with a receiver hitch in it, much more durable