Dragging logs with my JD 4400

[CountryBoy]

I have a draw bar on my tractor,any good ideas/easy solution how to drag logs and lift the ends up off the ground so the tractor is carrying the end of the log instead of dragging it,instead of having the end dig into the dirt while pulling the log?

 

[sewells]

I use my JD 790 for the same things. I went to a loggers supply store and bought a cable that makes this easy. First, I put a clevis hook on my draw bar. The cable I bought (sorry I don't know the name of the cable arrangement) was originally designed for the cable skidders loggers use to drag logs up or down hillsides. I put the clevis hook thru one end of the cable (there a roundish opening in a steel eye kind of arrangement on that end of the cable). The other end has a sliding piece that adjusts basically anywhere along the length of the cable. On the other of the cable there is a steel collar that will fit into the sliding piece. It is all arranged so that you take a loop around the log with the cable and then insert the steel collar end into the slider. THen you use your 3ph to lift the end of the log up. I think I spend about $16 dollars for the ready made cable and it works like a charm. When I'm skidding smaller logs I sometimes have to take two loops around the trunk with the cable to make it short enough for the 3ph to be able to lift it.

My little 790 skids some logs that you wouldn't think it would skid as easily as it does. You just want to be careful to keep the log end as low as you can while still having it off the ground enough to clear obstructions. Also, drive slow while skidding. With any speed, it would be very unfunny to get the butt end of that log jammed into a tree trunk or something. Would bring you a stop in a rather unpleasant way.

But, a tractor makes a great skidder as long as you use some common sense about the slopes you're working on and the terrain your skidding across.

Hope this helps.

Steve Wells

 

[Slamfire]

I use a 6' length of log chain, just like the previous poster uses the cable. Sometimes it is pretty difficult to get the chain around the log, then I give it a lift with a set of tongs. They look just like ice tongs and work just the same. I don't drag a log with the tongs, I can't lift high enough to clear all the ground obstructions. Another thing some folks use is a skid plate that slips under the front end of the log, and when the chain to the tractor comes tight lifts the end of the log a little.

 

[frank_f15]

hook up as the others have suggested but i add one of those plastic snow sled with the curverd front,kids use them all winter, let the end of the log rest on that and it will not dig into the ground. if it is a really a heavy log fill the bucket with something and keep it low and slow.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I guess I cheat a little. I lift one end of the log with my FEL to get the chain around it (always from a safe spot) then let the chained log down. A lot of time I'll just hook the other end of the chain onto my front bumper then and just back out. That way I don't have to worry about weights, etc., or flipping my tractor, either.

 

[rozett]

Sewells, any chance you could show us a photo of the cable your talking about?

 

[sewells]

I'll take a picture and post within the next hour or so.

Steve Wells

 

[sewells]

First, here's a completely gratuitous picture of my little JD 790. I love her and she gets jealous if she's not first.

Steve Wells

 

[sewells]

Here's pretty much the whole rig I use for skidding.

Steve Wells

 

[sewells]

Here's the end that goes around the log butt.

Steve Wells

 

[sewells]

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

Steve Wells

 

[wasabi]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Slowrev,

do you have any pictures of your setup?

 

[slowrev]

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

 

[CountryBoy]

I am starting to think about a Farmi Winch.

 

[Slamfire]

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]

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?