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

[check]

This is what I used to move logs. These are white and red oak logs. The largest is 27 inch and around 9 foot. fresh cut and approximately 1 ton. I moved these from my woods in about 4 hours with a little Kubota B7100.

Very cool contraption!:thumbsup:

 

[JPRambo]

After using my B7100 a few times the wife found a tractor she wanted. A B6100 no loader but came with a rear blade, and a finish mower.
The contraption is my home made version of a log arch I guessed at a 'I'll never need it to be bigger' width. In the 1st pic the last log on the ground has the bark removed on the end. I had to narrow the width to use the arch to move it.

 

[Xfaxman]

Just for information only, you can mow with a skid steer:

​Flail Mowers

I use a 7' brush hog on the V417:

 

[roadhunter]

We arent gonna get any where arguing with each other.

1st, I never said a new tractor was the best idea. And never argued against a used tractor. A used tractor loader would be a good combo, especially if 4wd. But since day one of ownership of a new tractor, and a newer gently used tractor, mine has been in the woods with me cutting wood. So I have nothing against that.

2nd, I never said anything about axles. Your earlier comment was about tires. The M6060 the op has looked at, comes with 9.5-24" tires. Which is LARGER than anything you will find on a backhoe except for the the ones like JCB. I have a 18000# backhoe, I understand fully the difference in how construction equipment, and ag/utility tractors are built.

This isnt meant to be a debate between what is better at logging type work. Clearly, a skid loader, or other construction/forestry type equipment is king.

My point is, we are talking about a small 8 acres, one time, that is in no rush to get done. And there are a vareity of other tasks that he needs for his property. That $75 tracked skid loader with grapple is not gonna mow his 20 acres. A M6060, or similar new OR used tractor WILL. And it will ALSO handle his small 8 acres of clearing needs. Sure, not as well as other equipment. But whenever getting equipment to do multiple jobs, there are always trade offs and compromises.

If money were no object, I'd own about a dozen more pieces of equipment myself. But reality is different. For me, a tractor covers the broadest spectrum of tasks that I need accomplished. I feel the OP's situation is similar. In that if he were to get a tracked loader, either new or used......he would still need a tractor. And be left with a seldom used piece of equipment once the 8 acres is cleared.

LOL. There are ways to mow without a tractor.

Like I said you are entitled to your opinion based of your experience and so am I. YOU are the one trying to turn this into an argument so I am going to be the one to put an end to it and not even bother to write a lengthy response. Have a great day.

 

[roadhunter]

Just for information only, you can mow with a skid steer:

View attachment 484623

View attachment 484624


​Flail Mowers

View attachment 484625

View attachment 484626


I use a 7' brush hog on the V417:

View attachment 484627

Yep.




View attachment Toolcat_5600_Brushcat-207830-128116-hr.jpeg

 

[LD1]

Just for information only, you can mow with a skid steer:

Id rather mow 20 acres of pasture on a tractor, and take my sweet time with it dealing with 8 acres of trees with said tractor

Than,

Buy a tracked skidloader and grapple for the 8 acres of trees, and try to maintain 20 acres of pasture with said skid loader.

 

[DieselBound]

Id rather mow 20 acres of pasture on a tractor, and take my sweet time with it dealing with 8 acres of trees with said tractor

Than,

Buy a tracked skidloader and grapple for the 8 acres of trees, and try to maintain 20 acres of pasture with said skid loader.

I've run tracked stuff and while it's great doing focused things, I wouldn't want one for most of what I do. After spending days with an excavator recently I was more than happy to get back on my wheeled tractor. I also like to sit up a bit higher (not an issue with excavators, but with skidsteers...).

I don't, however, have any problems with renting specialized equipment.

This topic is kind of hard in that it suggests a longer-term use of equipment than just moving/hauling/processing logs. As I'd mentioned previously, one has to "cut" the problem down in more manageable sizes in order to be more effective. For the short-term more commercial equipment might be the way to attack the 8 acres issue; but, that commercial equipment won't be effective for the longer term (but, and no one has mentioned this, one can buy equipment, use it and then resell it- hoping, of course, that you don't run into major expenses, and tracked stuff can get very expensive here).

 

[roadhunter]

I've run tracked stuff and while it's great doing focused things, I wouldn't want one for most of what I do. After spending days with an excavator recently I was more than happy to get back on my wheeled tractor. I also like to sit up a bit higher (not an issue with excavators, but with skidsteers...).

I don't, however, have any problems with renting specialized equipment.

This topic is kind of hard in that it suggests a longer-term use of equipment than just moving/hauling/processing logs. As I'd mentioned previously, one has to "cut" the problem down in more manageable sizes in order to be more effective. For the short-term more commercial equipment might be the way to attack the 8 acres issue; but, that commercial equipment won't be effective for the longer term (but, and no one has mentioned this, one can buy equipment, use it and then resell it- hoping, of course, that you don't run into major expenses, and tracked stuff can get very expensive here).

It's amazing how maneuverable and powerful tracked equipment can be in tight quarters. I"ve ran them cutting cedars and it is pretty amazing what they can do clearing trees. It's also much easier to see what you are doing with the grapple on a skid steer as opposed to a tractor where you kinda have to guess if you can't see. For loading wood into a chipper a skid steer is easy to rotate and load material in the chute as well.

If a person wants to make the best use of 20 acres of pasture letting a neighbor graze or bail that is much better than wasting time and fuel constantly mowing. I have enjoyed letting neighbors bring horses to graze my property and also let some other neighbors bail my land and keep all the hay as I had no use for it and was glad to see it get used. All without using any fuel or time as well as creating goodwill with neighbors.

 

[DieselBound]

It's amazing how maneuverable and powerful tracked equipment can be in tight quarters. I"ve ran them cutting cedars and it is pretty amazing what they can do clearing trees. It's also much easier to see what you are doing with the grapple on a skid steer as opposed to a tractor where you kinda have to guess if you can't see. For loading wood into a chipper a skid steer is easy to rotate and load material in the chute as well.

If a person wants to make the best use of 20 acres of pasture letting a neighbor graze or bail that is much better than wasting time and fuel constantly mowing. I have enjoyed letting neighbors bring horses to graze my property and also let some other neighbors bail my land and keep all the hay as I had no use for it and was glad to see it get used. All without using any fuel or time as well as creating goodwill with neighbors.

I agree, mowing just to mow isn't exactly my intent. I'm wanting to bring in animals. It's a long process (a "way of life") for me.

 

[Xfaxman]

Id rather mow 20 acres of pasture on a tractor, and take my sweet time with it dealing with 8 acres of trees with said tractor

Than,

Buy a tracked skidloader and grapple for the 8 acres of trees, and try to maintain 20 acres of pasture with said skid loader.

I didn't say it was a good idea, just showing that it was possible.

I sold my tractor soon after I bought the first Compact Telehandler.

I would rather mow 20 acres of pasture with an out front mower on the V417, than on any tractor with a 3 point brush hog.

The V417 will go in the woods, where equivalent lifting capacity tractors won't fit.