Best setup for dragging logs??

[btownacres]

For the guys of there who drag their own timber, what is a good setup to use that 1) won't break the bank 2) I don't have my own welder.
I'm thinking of a chainhook that I can just pin onto my cross drawbar, but I won't get much height that way in lifting the logs with the 3PT. Would love to make up my own upside L bracket to mount to the crossbar to get some additonal height. How are you guys doing this chore?
thanks

 

[btownacres]

Oh yeah, I was thinking of the EZ MOVER system for this then I could put a reese hitch in it with a big offset to get some more height above the cross bar. Instead of using an insert with a ball, just have a hook welded onto it. Think this will be beefy enough? For the most part I will probably drag maybe 2-3 logs at a time (at most), 10-12 inch diameter, 10-15 feet long, and drag them maybe a few hundred yards.

 

[daTeacha]

Unless you're going to use them as logs or have them sawed into boards, the best bet is to cut them to shorter length in the woods and move the smaller pieces.

Secondly, move them one at a time using whatever you have to lift the front end with the link arms. Log tines would be great if you can find some.

Moving logs is probably the biggest single cause of tractor flips. Keep the front of the log off the ground but not high, hithch low, and go slow.

There was a thread on this topic not too long ago in the general use forum that you might want to check out.

 

[jgh]

20060326

[I just had an annoying experience when I first tried to do this reply, where I could only type gibberish instead of what I was actually keying in--had to reboot to make it come normal??]

I recall seeing a setup using something like part of an old rolabar hay rake frame to pick up the front of the log so that it was being rolled in front, dragged in back.

The other poster is right, there was an extensive thread(s?) on this some time back, and threads on safely dragging anything behind your tractor.

Read 'em and KEEP... yourself alive. DaTeach is teaching good stuff. I will be doing this also since I am going to be dragging out some logs soon.

J

 

[century3045]

We logged 4 acres of bug pine with a David Brown gas farm tractor with homemade boompole grapple and Zetor with homemade hydraulic grapple. Loaded with case tractor. some were 18 ft. ply-logs. Also the case had an ole homemade winch made from rear end of a truck we used to drag out of the holes. The little David Brown set-up worked real wel. A set of tongs on a short boom pole and drive in dogs for pulling 2 or 3 at a time.

 

[century3045]

Heres the Zetor and hydraulic grapple. The boom part was made from an ole tube truck bumper.

 

[century3045]

loading on truck

 

[Partsman2]

I use a boom pole I paid $69 for. This was a replacement for the 30 year old boom pole that broke when I got a little agressive one day. I use a short chain with slip hooks and pick the logs up just enough to get the leading edge off the ground. Skidding tongs would work better but I've never invested in a set of those.

I've moved some pretty big stuff this way (24"+ dia. x 12+ ft long). /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif You do have to be careful because if you overload it and you're on any kind of hill side those logs can take off on you and drag the tractor and you with it ride over the hill. Also watch standing the tractor on end. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[btownacres]

Century-
Thanks for the pics, nice little unit. That's the basic idea I was thinking about minus the grapple ($$) I figure I can draft something up and have a local welder fab it up for me. I'm thinking the upside down L like your unit has but I would put a chain hook at the top where your grapple is fastened on. Then use the 3 PT to get them a few inches off the ground where they attach to the 3 PT. And yes, safety is definately #1. I'm mostly just dragging out wood for burning so can chunk them up into any length I need to, to make it easy and safe.
Thanks guys, I'll have to dig around for those older threads you mention.

 

[turnkey4099]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Unless you're going to use them as logs or have them sawed into boards, the best bet is to cut them to shorter length in the woods and move the smaller pieces.

Secondly, move them one at a time using whatever you have to lift the front end with the link arms. Log tines would be great if you can find some.

Moving logs is probably the biggest single cause of tractor flips. Keep the front of the log off the ground but not high, hithch low, and go slow.

There was a thread on this topic not too long ago in the general use forum that you might want to check out. )</font>

I tried the search function with several different searches but couldn't find it. Anyone recall the title? I had a post in that thread that I wanted to follow up on but haven't been able to find it since.

I pointed out that putting the hitch point above the toolbar also puts it above the axle line and thus makes a major contributor to back flips.

Harry K

 

[john_bud]

If you are wanting to saw the logs for lumber, you should use a log arch. It will minimize the contact with the soil and make your band saw blade much happier!

jb

 

[jgh]

20060327

Log arch--that was the thread you should look for -- someone made one out of an old rolabar hay rake.

Or do a Boolean for "log" and "rake" and "arch" in the same post--might narrow it down for you.

Like the boom pole deal the other guy just showed in his pics, it lifts the front up so it is less likely to catch and jerk the tractor around. I think that's the idea--logging experts chime in 'cause I'm not one.

J

 

[BamaRob]

There's a recent discussion in the Mahindra forum on this topic. There were some good suggestions made there. Check it out.

BR

 

[Highbeam]

You know if you're just making firewood then why not buck them in the woods and load them on your FEL on forks or on the rear somehow. Maybe even a trailer. You've got to cut it anyway and the less you drag it the cleaner the log will be which will help the saw stay sharp.