Dragging Trees

[FarmerFrank]

I am obviously new at this. How would one go about dragging large fir trees out of a forest with a small BX2200. Would I use a chain or cable? How would I attach it to my BX? How would I attach it to the tree? I can cut the trees up if they are too heavy but still do not know what to use or how to use it. Are there any good books on tractoring and using implements? -- Thanks Frank

 

[JohnMiller3]

Let me see if I got this straight... You want to pull your BX with a large Fir tree.../w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

First, anything you want to tow... hookup only to the drawbar... {you don't want to upset the your tractor's center of gravity}

Can you imagine towing one of those large fir's on a grade... and it starts slipping away down the grade... guess who's heavier... guess who the boss is... guess what will happen? /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif that's called the tail wagging the dog...

What is the maximum tow capacity of the BX? Then figure out how much of a log and how big... I think you'll be surprised.

"You are what you eat, drink, think, say and do..."

 

[FarmerFrank]

John,

Thank you for the advice, especially the safety warnings. The max load on the BX2200 drawbar is 550lbs. That's probably about a 5' section. No grade luckily, I would hate to get wagged.

For comparison I wonder what the drawbar load limits are for the JD 4100 and the NH TC21D.

Frank Dwyer

 

[gordon]

First let me say that the BX is a great tractor but TOO SMALL to be skidding with. Be careful!!! I've pulled a tree or two and it can go from a calm day to crazy in half of a second.

Here is a link that goes into some skidding with tractors. http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/forestry/420-090/420-090.html

Here is a link to a calc to figure the weight of your log. http://www.timberbuyer.net/toolbox.htm


Gordon

 

[hayden]

I've done this three ways with varying levels of success.

The best is to use a logging winch, but I think the BX is to small for that.

I've also hooked chains to logs and pulled them with the draw bar. Heed the warnings about only using the draw bar to prevent backflips.

Last is to cut the logs in to 4' to 5' length so they fit in the loader and haul them that way.

I've settled in to using the winch anywhere I can scuff up the ground surface, and cutting logs for the loader where I can't trash the ground like in the yard.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Gordon,

Excellent web sites...

Thank you.

 

[RobS]

What you need there Frank is a logging arch, or a big wheel rig like this...

I couldn't find it, but I do recall seeing a logging arch made for our smaller tractors. Similar to the big wheel concept except you can use smaller wheels with the arched axle.

Basically, either contraption is used to lift the front of the log. That makes it easier to pull since it won't dig in. I don't know how much horsepower you've got, but the one in this picture only needs two /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[crowesnest]

Here's a neat one:

http://www.norwoodindustries.com/skidmate.htm



The Crowes

 

[RPM]

And an even bigger one ...

Patrick

 

[RobS]

Yeah, that's the one. Good find Crowes. I looked at one of these but the property we ended up buying is mostly open so I didn't need it /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif