Poorman1234
New member
All:
The firewood topic below was interesting and informative on many topics...however I will continue the thread as per the original topic.
To move firewood without getting off the seat, two tools are most useful:
For the PT 422 or 425, for dry logs smaller than 20 inches diameter, nothing beats the grapple bucket with short teeth.
The machines will pick up and drive well with:
20 inch diameter by 5 feet length logs
18 inch diameter by 6 feet length logs
16 inch diameter by 7 feet length logs
or
14 inch diameter by 8 feet length logs
Use shorter lengths for wet logs.
Smaller stuff is cut to about 8 feet and handled multiple logs at one time.....three 6" pieces can be handled easily in one go.
Loading is made easy by pushing against a stump or standing tree.
For the bigger stuff I turn my PT into a log skidder by attaching a large size log tongs (like they sell at any good rural supply store like Rural king or Tractor supply) to hang transverse to the PT from the end of my 2" receiver quick attach plate. I lower it over one end of a log and lift a bit to avoid snagging the log while dragging. To release, I just push the tongs downward at he log and they fall free. I then just lower the tongs while backing way to drop the points below the log center and I can back away clear.....drive to the next log and go.
This arrangement makes your PT into a miniature copy of the giant 4WD skidders used by the pros, albeit theirs have hydraulic grabbers rather than tongs. I have pulled stuff up to 2 feet diameter by 8 feet or 10 feet.
The only drawback is that while skidding, I have to drive backward....I think a small price to pay for keeping my hands off the logs and out of the way of being banged up or squashed.
The November 30, 2015 post has a video on page 17 that shows something similar. Note, he keeps the chain short! (I use no chain) This is the key.
The the rake and grapple bucket are also ideal clean up tools for the remaining brush.
Anybody else have further helpful hints we could use?
Good luck and happy gathering.
Rick
2000 PT-422
The firewood topic below was interesting and informative on many topics...however I will continue the thread as per the original topic.
To move firewood without getting off the seat, two tools are most useful:
For the PT 422 or 425, for dry logs smaller than 20 inches diameter, nothing beats the grapple bucket with short teeth.
The machines will pick up and drive well with:
20 inch diameter by 5 feet length logs
18 inch diameter by 6 feet length logs
16 inch diameter by 7 feet length logs
or
14 inch diameter by 8 feet length logs
Use shorter lengths for wet logs.
Smaller stuff is cut to about 8 feet and handled multiple logs at one time.....three 6" pieces can be handled easily in one go.
Loading is made easy by pushing against a stump or standing tree.
For the bigger stuff I turn my PT into a log skidder by attaching a large size log tongs (like they sell at any good rural supply store like Rural king or Tractor supply) to hang transverse to the PT from the end of my 2" receiver quick attach plate. I lower it over one end of a log and lift a bit to avoid snagging the log while dragging. To release, I just push the tongs downward at he log and they fall free. I then just lower the tongs while backing way to drop the points below the log center and I can back away clear.....drive to the next log and go.
This arrangement makes your PT into a miniature copy of the giant 4WD skidders used by the pros, albeit theirs have hydraulic grabbers rather than tongs. I have pulled stuff up to 2 feet diameter by 8 feet or 10 feet.
The only drawback is that while skidding, I have to drive backward....I think a small price to pay for keeping my hands off the logs and out of the way of being banged up or squashed.
The November 30, 2015 post has a video on page 17 that shows something similar. Note, he keeps the chain short! (I use no chain) This is the key.
The the rake and grapple bucket are also ideal clean up tools for the remaining brush.
Anybody else have further helpful hints we could use?
Good luck and happy gathering.
Rick
2000 PT-422
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