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

[DieselBound]

What are you planning on doing with the wood once you have it captured in the field?

2' diameter wood only takes a couple of minutes to make a cut in: cut in half and your issue is more manageable- cut more times until its totally manageable. THEN, as LD1 says, grapple it (into a low trailer so you can take it back out with the tractor+grapple).

But, if it's really only a one-time need (you wouldn't require any further use of say a grapple on your tractor) then rent something and be done with it.

If you gots lots of money check out Xfaxman's setup (Bobcat V417 is awesome!).

 

[adventure bob]

Grand l6060 primarily a logging machine on my 9+ acres of completely fire destroyed forest land. Been logging it for the last 2 years with a grapple on the front and a skidding plate on the back. Ill post some pics when I get to the house this evening. Works really well. Had to fill the tires though, I have some steeper slopes that it was really tippy on without fluid in the tires. Was doing it with a 4060 and it just wasn't enough tractor. Watching the loader arms (805) wiggle around scared me a bit with the logs I was moving. The loader arms on the 1055 don't flex at all with the bigger logs.

 

[Xfaxman]

What are you planning on doing with the wood once you have it captured in the field?

2' diameter wood only takes a couple of minutes to make a cut in: cut in half and your issue is more manageable- cut more times until its totally manageable. THEN, as LD1 says, grapple it (into a low trailer so you can take it back out with the tractor+grapple).

But, if it's really only a one-time need (you wouldn't require any further use of say a grapple on your tractor) then rent something and be done with it.

If you gots lots of money check out Xfaxman's setup (Bobcat V417 is awesome!).

Thanks, for those that haven't seen it: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...mpact-telehandler.html?highlight=#post3243370

 

[plowhog]

About 6 acres of downed trees and debris is flat. Maybe 2 acres with moderate slope. There is a 6 foot bush hog at the property. I might have access to a crawler tractor, not sure. I am not familiar with M or MX models but will investigate. My situation is I can work there for a day or two at a time only. So this will take some time. I am open to the best tractor fit.

 

[plowhog]

I looked at a Kubota M6060 today, 4wd, hst, with LA1154 loader, 3rd function valve, and 4 in 1 bucket. Reaching up toward $40,000. The salesman seemed to think the 4 in 1 bucket would work for logs. I have never used one, but it seems to me a 4 in 1 bucket is a wonderful thing except a grapple would be more useful for logs. Am I on the right track?

 

[Citydude]

I maintain 23 acres with a Kubota L2501, Farmi skidding winch and Landpride grapple. Does everything I need.

 

[LD1]

For woods work, and moving brush/logs....I would want a grapple over a 4n1 any day.

The M6060 has some pretty good lift power too. Load them tires, and get something on the back that weighs a ton.....and you just might be able to move them 2' diameter 26' logs around.

 

[JRobyn]

What no one seems to be grasping is that the wood (to my understanding) is like blowdown and is likely to be a chaotic mass of tangled mess. Like the numerous acres we have after a tornado came through a few years ago.

In our case, even professional loggers would only touch a little around the edges. To actually extract anything out of there would require stout chokers and a lot of chain to drag stuff out one tree/log at a time (while any workers were WELL away from the action). A heavy 3-point winch would probably do better.

 

[John_Mc]

Just FYI, if you are thinking of picking up with a grapple...
for a 2" diameter x 26' long log the weight for a couple of species - one at the light end of the spectrum, the other at the heavy end (weights assume green logs)

White Pine = 2900#
Red Oak = 5200#

 

[Citydude]

What no one seems to be grasping is that the wood (to my understanding) is like blowdown and is likely to be a chaotic mass of tangled mess. Like the numerous acres we have after a tornado came through a few years ago.

In our case, even professional loggers would only touch a little around the edges. To actually extract anything out of there would require stout chokers and a lot of chain to drag stuff out one tree/log at a time (while any workers were WELL away from the action). A heavy 3-point winch would probably do better.

A winch and self releasing snatch blocks can weasel out logs from a mess like that.