Best option for moving logs

[TomOfTarsus]

I gotta find out about these tongs. And maybe, since I'm so close by, I'll someday get to meet the 1971 Westmoreland County Whack-a-Mole champ!

Anybody that puts that in their signature (and moves logs with their tractor) has to be a man after my own heart...

 

[flINTLOCK]

If you have the $$, a clamshell type grapple would be the ticket, IMHO. Can pick logs right off the wall. Put them where you want.

 

[daTeacha]

I move a lot of them with an Add-A-Grapple on my bucket. The tongs will be cheaper by far. If you use chains, ropes, etc. keep them snubbed tight so the logs don't swing. You might be amazed at how much momentum a swinging log can have. I think if I was using tongs I would find a way to mount them to the top corners of the bucket. Then I would dump the bucket as far forward as possible to pick the log up, followed by curling it back so the log is resting on the bucket and not swinging around. Then lower it as far as you can before moving out.

 

[mjfox6]

I loaded approximately 50 logs on a flat bed truck and trailer with the bucket and two choker chains. My bucket has two chain hooks on the outside edges that I hooked the chains to, then just rolled the bucket, pulling the log up onto the lip of the bucket. Worked great.

I have clamp on bucket forks now, can't wait to try them.

Using logging tongs will damage the logs, I wouldn't use them for logs I was using on a log cabin. You might have to wrap them with something if you are going to use chains or anything else to protect them.

 

[witterbound]

Seems to be the "best way" depends on a lot of other factors. If all you're going to need forks for is this project, then you probably don't need them. Just use the straps or chains on your bucket. If you want the fastest way to do it, and have the money, then forks sound like the way to go.

 

[IslandTractor]

A grapple would be faster and safer than forks. If you don't have hydraulics (rear remote) then you could use the Westendorf mechanical grapple which is ideal for moving logs. Cost is under $1000.

 

[Shmudda]

I gotta find out about these tongs. And maybe, since I'm so close by, I'll someday get to meet the 1971 Westmoreland County Whack-a-Mole champ!

Anybody that puts that in their signature (and moves logs with their tractor) has to be a man after my own heart...

Tom,

I do a lot of things with my tractor...... I really hate moles and ground hogs. Can tell you for a fact that a backhoe is really the best tool for removal of these critters.......

Whack-a-mole champion.....yep thats ME!

Craig

 

[GaryCrowell]

I use my bucket curled all the way back with a log chain running from side to side over the lip of it, that leaves an end of the chain hanging down off of each side of the bucket. Drop the bucket all the way down on top of the log then hook the chains around the log, keeping them short, and lift. I don't like the idea of using forks for long logs without some sort of grapple with it, a long log is going to slide all over the place on forks. Chain hooks are good for this also if you have them, but I've gotten by just fine without them by hooking the chain with the bucket lip. You really need to do this with chains, they offer a lot more control than picking them up with forks, plus it's a lot cheaper to buy a log chain than a set of forks. Put an implement like a bush hog on the back of your tractor to counterbalance the weight up front.

 

[Mark.B]

Tried the log chain around the curled bucket and it worked like a charm. Gave me a lot of control of the log. Harbor Freight had the 15' log chain on sale for $24.00.

Thanks for all the help!!

 

[jbrumberg]

Mark.B:

Good work ! Use your equipment safely and well. Jay