Best Log Skidding solution

[missesalot]

I've read a ton of threads here and elsewhere for skidding logs out of the woods with a tractor. I have a 45hp New holland. The options seem to range from expensive attachments to a harbor freight quick hitch. I want this to work well, and be safe, but i am not skidding large logs, or large amounts of logs. Is there any consensus of the "best" way to do this with a machine of this size and relatively low volume of work to do.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

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

 

[bcp]

How far are you skidding them? Can you drive your tractor to the log?

Bruce

 

[atsah]

I pulled out a lot of firewood with this, if you don't need to pull a lot of wood I built this for half nothing.. Anything with a grab hook for a chain and steel going down the middle to stop the log from hitting you're tractor.

 

[arrow]

The best way? As stated, a skidding winch. The low volume way you speak of can be accomplished readily with a simple chain grab hook on the draw bar as long as you can back to the log. I attached a 3/8" grab hook and pull with 1/4" chain. This way I can hook up a couple of logs on the same grab hook. Fred Flintstone for sure but still effective.

In areas where I could not back to the stem, I attached a 30' 1/4" cable to get the stem to a spot where I could back to it. Been doing it this way for 40 years for 5-6 cords per year.

Do I wish for a winch? You bet but 35 years ago I had a chance to buy a new one for $1875. I had too many expenses at the time to get it but my friend did buy it. Fast forward 32 years and that very same winch was being sold for $1850. I still didn't buy it because I don't now how many years I want to keep doing this.

You can blow up a couple of these photos by double clicking to see the hook on the draw bar more clearly.

 

[atsah]

I like this..

 

[jaxs]

I've handled several powerline poles and 24" walnut logs with drawbar or gin pole.

 

[WranglerX]

IF you can backup to logs something like this may be a solution....

Or something along the lines as ...

If you have to drag logs out to where you can easier access them with tractor, one of theses may be helpful.....

Winch skidding cone for logs | Dendrotik

Dale

 

[EddieWalker]

For years, I just wrapped a chain around them and pulled them that way. For really heavy logs, that's how I still do it. But since getting a grapple, that's how I do almost all of them now. Just cut them to length, then pick them up and carry them to where you want them. Most of the time, I don't have to even cut them, it just depends what I have to get through to get them where I want them.

 

[missesalot]

Atsah, what is that?

 

[missesalot]

by draw bar, do you guys mean the built in draw bar you tow a trailer with thats connected to the tractor frame? Or do you mean something that gets put on the 3ph? Sorry, this is my first tractor and I dont know a lot of the lingo.

 

[atsah]

Atsah, what is that?

A log skidding plate with a place for a chain and two chokers..

 

[ArlyA]

We pulled hundreds of logs via shackle added to a 2" receiver on a UTV. Seems this fellow could add a shackle to his draw bar and do the same. Below is a photo of one.

 

[TnAndy]

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

Yeah....pretty much so.

Problem with drawbar skidding is you plow a lot of ground and the log is totally nasty by the time you go 100yds. ANY of the above is a better option because you can pull the log out to where you can back the tractor up close, re-cinch the chain with the lift lowered, then raise the lift so only the back portion of the log drags. Plus if drawbar dragged, and you hit a rock or stump, it will jar the heck out of you.

The big advantage of a skidding winch is the length of cable (mine has 50m) that allow you access to logs you can't get the tractor close to.

 

[TnAndy]

by draw bar, do you guys mean the built in draw bar you tow a trailer with thats connected to the tractor frame? Or do you mean something that gets put on the 3ph? Sorry, this is my first tractor and I dont know a lot of the lingo.

Drawbar on a tractor is that bar on the bottom (barely showing here as the bar is shoved all the way forward....see hole showing between the tarp strap loop) that will extended out (held by a pin) and used to drag stuff......not to do with the 3pt lift.

 

[Xfaxman]

I like this.
.

Atsah, what is that?

A log skidding plate with a place for a chain and two chokers..

Do an image search when looking for something, you will get a lot of ideas: log skidding plate at DuckDuckGo

This is what I used before I put the loader on it:

 

[TomIre]

Unless you're going to do a ton of firewood ( doesn't sound like it), a grapple may be more useful overall than a skidding winch.

 

[jeff9366]

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=

 

[Jstpssng]

You've gotten a lot of good suggestions, depending on how much money you are willing to spend. The best way, as others have suggested, is a logging winch; but the expense is hard to justify for a low volume of wood.
Here's another, if you plan to process it into firewood; do it in place, then bring it out on a trailer. We handled a lot of wood this way when I was growing up; I've even brought my brother's winter's wood in using a trailer behind an ATV; or another time I simply stacked it next to a trail with a tarp over it; and every Sunday I would bring out the next week's worth using my snowmobile and tote sled.

 

[atsah]

You've gotten a lot of good suggestions, depending on how much money you are willing to spend. The best way, as others have suggested, is a logging winch; but the expense is hard to justify for a low volume of wood.
Here's another, if you plan to process it into firewood; do it in place, then bring it out on a trailer. We handled a lot of wood this way when I was growing up; I've even brought my brother's winter's wood in using a trailer behind an ATV; or another time I simply stacked it next to a trail with a tarp over it; and every Sunday I would bring out the next week's worth using my snowmobile and tote sled.

Leaving the mess in the woods is what we did growing up.. We trailered it out with a cord wood trailer. Besides the dirt on the last 6ft doesn't help a chainsaw chain much either.. If we drag it out now it's in the snow.