Has anyone built a log forwarder?

[jimgerken]

My neighbor wants me to help him build a log-forwarder. I am open to lots of input on what is needed, what works, projects you've done, etc. He owns a large tractor-type backhoe and currently drags the logs up out of the woods with that. But they get dirty doing that, and of course the trails get a bit screwed up by the dragging logs. If he had a simple forwarder it would be better for a lot of reasons. He owns a sawmill, and burns wood to heat his shop and house, on his 350 acres wooded. So the wood harvesting continues.
My first thoughts were to add a hitch to his backhoe in some fashion, so he could pull a two wheeled trailer, built of an old manure spreader (two wheel trailer with very heavy duty axle with large wheels and tires). Then add a hyd grapple to replace his BH bucket, so he can load his own logs and puill them home, all with one rig, and one operator, and one trip. That's as far as I have thought thru it, then I thought of you guys...

 

[Renze]

FARMI FOREST - VARIO 101 and VARIO 121 (and 4WDs´)


why not buy an old truck with a mounted crane, bend the chassis rails into a V shaped drawbar and weld on a tow eye ?

 

[MikeD74T]

Have you considered an arch?? MikeD74T FFP Products for Arborist's

 

[jimmer2880]

Have you considered an arch?? MikeD74T FFP Products for Arborist's

That's what I was thinking also.

 

[3RRL]

I like the cart idea.
To keep the cost down, do you think log tongs would work attached to the backhoe with a short chain? Maybe 2 of them would keep the swaying down to a minimum?
Like these.
Log Tongs

 

[tommu56]

I do it like Rob does with the hoe but the log keeps hanging up and brakes loose and fly's toward the hoe I keep thing about a tugger chain pulling and tongs off hoe for hight

tom

 

[L3650]

This trailer is for an ATV, but could be "upsized" depending on the tractor matched to it. It's not a forwarding trailer per say, but it has many good design features.

Welcome to the MUT Trailer Company

 

[Youare]

I have been thinking of making one for a while now. I made a smaller version a few years ago and would use the same design but increase the size and add brakes. As far as the loader goes you may be able to use the back hoe to load the trailer or a small grapple could be purchased and added to a home grown trailer.

There is a picture of the trailer showing how the walking beam suspension works going over a bump in the road. I have loaded this trailer with over 3,000 pounds of wood without any problems. The next generation will have a removable box for smaller material and bunks and stakes for logs.

Randy