Dragging logs with my JD 4400

sewells · Aug 23, 2003

Here;s the end that hooks up to the clevis.

Steve Wells

wasabi · Aug 23, 2003

When I ordered peaveys for the log landing, I also ordered a set of 24" swivel tongs. Don't know about the tractor you have, but the three point on the rear of my rig allows enough height adjustment to just chain the tongs to it, back up to the log, let the tongs down over the sides and lift....after dragging it to the landing, I just lower the tongs, drive forward and the they release themselves. If I need to move it around I use the forks on the front. I rarely get out of the seat to handle logs anymore. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

B21nut · Aug 24, 2003

The other possibility is also available from Bailey's. It's called
a choker chain and it is waht I use for lifting and skidding. They sell the whole set-up.

John

rancar · Aug 26, 2003

There is no good way of doing this with your drawbar. I too am using this method and the butt end of the log will dig into the earth as I'm trying to drag it. I think there is no real alternative except to get one of 'beenthere's' I-matches. See his thread below where he demonstrates his technique for dragging logs with tongs hooked to the top link of his I-match. I'll likely be getting the I-match myself before the end of the year, primarily for this purpose.

Firewood Logging

...Bob

slowrev · Aug 26, 2003

I made up a small drop in the center axle thingy with 2 swivel wheels on it ( off of some old attachments) . This gets chained to the front end of the log. It has a 4 ft tongue which I hook to my drawbar. Works great for dragging logs, the axle/wheel thingy keeps the butt of the log off the ground and the tongue keeps the log from ramming my tractor or tires when going downhill.

tdenny · Aug 26, 2003

Slowrev,

do you have any pictures of your setup?

slowrev · Aug 26, 2003

Sorry no pictures. It is sort of buried in behind some other implements right now too.

CountryBoy · Aug 26, 2003

I am starting to think about a Farmi Winch.

Slamfire · Aug 27, 2003

Well I made a tingy like that. I took an old carry all that I picked up in a junk yard. Sawed the bottom off where the tubes have the angle iron welded on. Then took the beam off an old horse drawn plow, and welded a plate with several holes, and rigged it in place of a top link. In one of the holes, I put a short length of chain with a clevis. I hooked the log tongs to this chain, and by lowering the 3 pt, drop it down on the log. Raising the 3 pt picks the end of the log up, and you are just supposed to drive off. Trouble is that it uses the 3 pt upside down, so instead of pushing on the top link, it pulls on it, which tries to lift the front end of the tractor. I then rigged a 20 mm ammo box on the front bumper, and filled it with various tools and all my logging chains. By driving real slow, I can pull a pretty good log, but I'm nervous in the service about the whole thing. If I tried to drive a the speed I normally drag logs, the danged thing would flip over backwards quicker than I could step on the clutch pedal. So I don't use the darned thing. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

avclay · Sep 5, 2003

I've had good luck pulling logs (even w/ tops still attached) by placing the back blade of my box scraper against the butt of the log. The curve in the blade normally allows the log to somewhat rest on the lower part of the blade. I attach a chain around the butt (sometimes having to lift it with the FEL) and then tightly around the uprights (the wide lower part) of the box scraper. This gives some leverage to lift the butt far enough off of the ground to easily drag it. I plan to add a set of tongs to make attachment easier.
I believe I have seen a neat set up on this site, but can't find it again. It was a boom that attaches to the 3 pt that raises and lowers and a plate that goes on the drawbar. You lower the boom, attach tongs to the log, and lift the log onto the drag plate where, I assume, you secure it to the plate somehow. Anyone familar with this?