BX2360 and lifting logs

[sw18x]

Hi all

As I've already posted elsewhere, I'm in the process of buying a BX2360 (wife conceded!:thumbsup. We have an outdoor woodburner and get chunks/logs dropped off occasionally from a tree service. A big selling point on the BX was having the ability to lift the heavier pieces onto the splitter, saving my back for better uses. Some of these pieces are big enough for one person to handle, just very heavy, some pieces take 2, a few are too heavy for even a couple guys (maybe 300 - 350 pounds, these pieces still need to be moved around the yard though they might not end up on the splitter itself). The dealer is welding two chain hooks on the outside of the bucket (he discouraged me from having the hooks put on the top). I've been trying to plan out how I can use the FEL most efficiently for this task. So far my ideas are:

- loop a chain from one hook to the other, with the slack hanging under the bucket. Get some mombo screw in hooks (similar to the kind that screw into walls for hanging stuff), predrill the biggest logs, screw in the hooks, and lift the logs from the hook using the chain.

- run the chains across the hooks, drop the bucket in front of the log, roll the log across the rest of the chain, bring the hook ends of the chains back up across the top of the log and fasten to the chain near the top of the bucket, thus cradling the log with the chain.

- buy a set of pallet forks, roll the logs onto the forks, curl the bucket so the log rests back on the bucket and lift.

Another consideration is using the FEL to lift chunks/logs onto the back of my pickup truck, in which case I don't think I have enough lift on the FEL to do it if the log is hanging below the bucket.

What do you think? How do you guys perform similar jobs? Looking for any feedback here (except "you bought the wrong tractor for this job!")

Thanks, these forums are great to read and lots of helpful info.

 

[RobKinNH]

I hook a chain to the center of the bucket and hang a set of log tongs. I'll place the log onto the splitter and split it down to managable sized pieces. Takes longer, but my back appreciates it! I wouldn't waste time in putting in a screw hook, nor would I trust it. If you only have the side hooks then loop a chain from one side to the other and hang the log tongs in the middle.

 

[dennisgw]

I do what RobK does as well. I use a lifting strap between the pins of my BXpanded fork mounts (forks are off) and just hook the log tongs on the doubled sling. You get a good eye for balancing the log. I use this for lifting cut logs onto my cutting pile, use the same tongs to drag logs from 3PH mount. Way to much work to screw in hooks. Just make sure the tongs dig in.

 

[fish6942]

Whatever you do, be sure to have adequate rear ballast on the 3PH.

 

[deereman75]

I would use log tongs or a choker chain.:2cents:

 

[kebdvm]

I put a hydraulic lift table on the splitter. Roll the big pieces on and let the hydraulics pick them up. Useful to place smaller pieces for splitting when it is in the elevated position. Have the kids stack the smaller pieces on the table while I am splitting.

 

[taborekle]

I just this last Friday broke down and bought a tooth bar for my FEL. Looking at it, I think it would to a fine job of scooping and holding logs for transport. It would go much faster to scoop up a log with the toothbar and bucket, vs having to strap a log to the FEL. Plus having the log in the FEL would allow you to lift the log into a pick up truck bed.:thumbsup:

I think mine is a markham.

Larry

 

[Tomtint]

How about a set of forks

 

[Lockport]

What about a grapple?

 

[donn12]

When I had my BX I bought a brush fork from dirtworks or ground works. It was about $180 or $200 and screwed onto my loader bucket. That was one of the best attachments I ever bought. You will be able to scoop up 3 or 4 sections of wood at a time and the loader will lift 6-8 sections a little higher than halfway up if they are not too wide.

 

[newbury]

On my B7610 (23HP) FEL I've two links on top. I run the chain thru those. Then wrap it around the log or stump at the front of the FEL.

 

[crazyal]

I just roll the logs into the bucket then place the bucket at the right level so I can roll them out onto the splitter. I have the bucket close enough so when I split the log the first time I let half just roll back into the bucket and finish splitting the other half. I can usually put 3 or 4 logs 16" long into the bucket. Is the BX bucket too small to do this?

 

[dennisgw]

Sounds like a good technique Al, BX bucket is only 48" so depends on how long your pieces are. 3 at most. Now I have to get the splitter to try it.

 

[sw18x]

Kubota BX2360 arrived Wednesday. I played for a couple days before getting down to some serious work over the weekend. On Saturday I picked up some firewood from a homeowner with a downed locust tree. I had no idea how much was going to be on site until I got there, but I brought the neighbor's dump trailer with me just in case. There had to be at least 5, maybe 6 cords, the only catch was the homeowner wanted all of it, especially the big pieces, removed. Some of the pieces were almost 3' in diameter, so after taking the first load by hand, I came back for the second load armed with the kubota. The BX exceeded all my expectations - the bucket handled everything flawlessly, didn't stumble once, even the biggest pieces were no problem, no chains or tongs necessary. I had originally thought the bucket was on the small side for loads like this, but it was the perfect size for the job. What an impressive machine. Awesome. If anybody is on the fence about buying one of these, just do it. You won't be disappointed.

 

[forby]

Why not dig a shallow hole and line it with blocks. Put the splitter in the hole with the tractor and simply roll the big ones onto the splitter beam that is now at ground level.

 

[johnscag]

Kubota BX2360 arrived Wednesday. I played for a couple days before getting down to some serious work over the weekend. On Saturday I picked up some firewood from a homeowner with a downed locust tree. I had no idea how much was going to be on site until I got there, but I brought the neighbor's dump trailer with me just in case. There had to be at least 5, maybe 6 cords, the only catch was the homeowner wanted all of it, especially the big pieces, removed. Some of the pieces were almost 3' in diameter, so after taking the first load by hand, I came back for the second load armed with the kubota. The BX exceeded all my expectations - the bucket handled everything flawlessly, didn't stumble once, even the biggest pieces were no problem, no chains or tongs necessary. I had originally thought the bucket was on the small side for loads like this, but it was the perfect size for the job. What an impressive machine. Awesome. If anybody is on the fence about buying one of these, just do it. You won't be disappointed.

Great pics thanks for sharing!! Getting ready to pull the trigger on a 2360 54mmm & fel , are you happy with the turfs?

 

[savageactor7]

Long time ago that was one on the first things I tried on the FEL. Logging tongs were the most practical lifting device from a chain hooked to a shackle welded on the top center of the bucket.

That proved to be too time intensive. Then we used the FEL to roll up the rounds an improvised ramp. That was more productive and easier on the machine than FEL lifting.

When I started working alone more often I just started noodling the over-sized rounds to a more manageable size.

You're gonna love working with your FEL

 

[sw18x]

Haven't done a ton of work but we do have a couple short steep slopes in the yard and the turfs do fine with it...you'll love this tractor as a mower, it doesn't even know the grass is there. Yesterday I used the FEL and rear blade to knock down a raised garden bed on the side of the garage so I can stack some more firewood. The turfs spun a couple times, all I did was put it in 4wd and no problems. We'll see when the snow flies, but the general consensus on here seems to be that unless you're doing heavier stuff the turfs, with proper ballast, will do just fine.

 

[dodge man]

Turfs work great in the snow, soft dirt, and on wet grass, where they are really lousy is in the wet mud. They get coated with mud and offer very poor tractrion, but that may be the case with any tire.

 

[Milo]

I got to move quite a few 12' pine logs last year with my B7500. The bucket has 2 hooks on the top. I ran a strap from each hook, under the log and back over the log to the hook again. Curling and lifting the biggest logs was all this little tractor could do. But for smaller firewood logs it would be easy.