Cheap way to haul logs

[johnk]

Elalexander,
I made the log skidder to be just like the one in the attached video. I used it for 2 years now and have pulled down a lot of firewood. There are a few more vids on the website but I built mine just like the one pictured for the ATV.

http://www.montanajacks.com/video/quadskidder_stream.wmv

 

[elalexander]

John, I don't own a 4 wheeler. I know they are handy and from what I saw in the video the skidder has been tested. As your original post a cheap way to skid logs. Be careful out there.

EL

 

[RoyJackson]

This response is for JC-jetro

"Unfortunately I do not have ROPS on my tractor so I tried to improvise"

Since you don't have a ROPS, you shouldn't have a seat belt either (which is a good thing since you don't have a ROPS).
Using the carryall is a good idea. It may prevent a full back flip, but it's quite likely the tractor would roll to the side then. However, the carryall may slow the rate of roll enough for you to hit the clutch and brakes. The slower you go, the more time you may have. If you want to get an idea of how much time, mark one of your tires so you can see it from the seat. Use the gear and speed you intend you operate at, then time how long it takes to make one revolution of the tire. That would be a good indication of how much time you'd have to react. However, remember that if it's a full revolution, the tractor is all the way over, so account for that...if the tires make a full revolution when it gets hung up, you'd better be off the machine running.

According to the reports and tests I've read, once the front of the tractor is up 75°, it'll continue due to momentum. Also, the back rollover takes about ¾ of a second to reach the point of no return (that 75°).
About all you can do is jump...and hope the machine doesn't side roll (since the carryall will prevent the tractor from going all the way over.

I'd strongly advise you not to skid trunks (or anything else) by yourself. Have someone walking far enough away so they wouldn't be in the danger zone. That person can render aid or call for emergency assistance.

Be carefull...go slow!

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin John,
That little video is pretty impressive ! As you said in a previous post, common sense is the way to go. I believe you mean that the size of the log you are trying to skid is the deciding factor here !

Looks to me that it would be a pretty simple fabrication, and you could build some type of holding device on the back side of your FEL for transport.

 

[turnkey4099]

Another tool to make skidding easier is a 'skid plate'. I made one from a piece of 1/8" plate, bent up about 30 degrees in front with a hole torched in the bent part, run chain through hole to log, work edge of plate under nose of log an pull, the log will _usually_ pull right up on the plate. No digging in and tends to ride up over small obstacles. A car hood from an old car might work. I don't think one of the tissue paper ones from recent cars wouild last long.

Harry K

 

[johnk]

Turnkey,

Thats what the video was about..It was similar to this one..
It was meant to be used with an ATV though....

 

[MossRoad]

This response is for JC-jetro

"Unfortunately I do not have ROPS on my tractor so I tried to improvise"

Since you don't have a ROPS, you shouldn't have a seat belt either (which is a good thing since you don't have a ROPS).
Using the carryall is a good idea. It may prevent a full back flip, but it's quite likely the tractor would roll to the side then. However, the carryall may slow the rate of roll enough for you to hit the clutch and brakes. The slower you go, the more time you may have. If you want to get an idea of how much time, mark one of your tires so you can see it from the seat. Use the gear and speed you intend you operate at, then time how long it takes to make one revolution of the tire. That would be a good indication of how much time you'd have to react. However, remember that if it's a full revolution, the tractor is all the way over, so account for that...if the tires make a full revolution when it gets hung up, you'd better be off the machine running.

According to the reports and tests I've read, once the front of the tractor is up 75°, it'll continue due to momentum. Also, the back rollover takes about ¾ of a second to reach the point of no return (that 75°).
About all you can do is jump...and hope the machine doesn't side roll (since the carryall will prevent the tractor from going all the way over.

I'd strongly advise you not to skid trunks (or anything else) by yourself. Have someone walking far enough away so they wouldn't be in the danger zone. That person can render aid or call for emergency assistance.

Be carefull...go slow!

75 degrees is less than 1/4 of a tire turn. Watch those videos on that link I posted. How many folks think they could actually realize it was too late to hang on and then make the decision to jump CLEAR OF THE TRACTOR in that short time? I don't think I could.

 

[JC-jetro]

This response is for JC-jetro

"Unfortunately I do not have ROPS on my tractor so I tried to improvise"

Since you don't have a ROPS, you shouldn't have a seat belt either (which is a good thing since you don't have a ROPS).
Using the carryall is a good idea. It may prevent a full back flip, but it's quite likely the tractor would roll to the side then. However, the carryall may slow the rate of roll enough for you to hit the clutch and brakes. The slower you go, the more time you may have. If you want to get an idea of how much time, mark one of your tires so you can see it from the seat. Use the gear and speed you intend you operate at, then time how long it takes to make one revolution of the tire. That would be a good indication of how much time you'd have to react. However, remember that if it's a full revolution, the tractor is all the way over, so account for that...if the tires make a full revolution when it gets hung up, you'd better be off the machine running.

According to the reports and tests I've read, once the front of the tractor is up 75°, it'll continue due to momentum. Also, the back rollover takes about ¾ of a second to reach the point of no return (that 75°).
About all you can do is jump...and hope the machine doesn't side roll (since the carryall will prevent the tractor from going all the way over.

I'd strongly advise you not to skid trunks (or anything else) by yourself. Have someone walking far enough away so they wouldn't be in the danger zone. That person can render aid or call for emergency assistance.

Be carefull...go slow!

Thank you Roy,

I will heed your warning. What I emphasize is to go really slow as I am new with tractor. My little Ford 1700 has enough torque seems like that even around 1000 rpm and very slow speed can get my job done. What I have done was to keep plenty of distance between the log and myself. I start by a heavy duty towing nylon strap, I then put a loop out of piece of not so strong rope (my safety device, shear pin ), then I hook that loop to a heavy duty chain and eventually my hitch. I was thinking I can not get a whip lash by my first strap as it is too far from me but before that happen my little cheesy loop would burst if the log gets caught somewhere. I do not have to worry about the whip lash with the chain of course. while I'm pulling I am continuously looking back ward to make sure logs behave the way I want it to. I have yet to raise my front end in this manner and if the pull is Strong enough to raise my front end at that point my safety cheesy loop would pop. Please let me know if I'm way off the mark.

Thanks

 

[johnk]

Life is like walking on marbles.

 

[turnkey4099]

Turnkey,

Thats what the video was about..It was similar to this one..
It was meant to be used with an ATV though....

Looks better than mine did. I am on a very slow dial-up so I don't even try to download videos, pictures are bad enough

Harry K