hay wagon, will it work for firewood?

[Robert_in_NY]

I think he meant carry them on a 3pt carrier or 3pt set of forks that are rated for that much weight.

 

[mboulais]

Hay wagon running gear is used all the time for that around here. I am getting a set of running gear from my FIL to use next year for that (and other things). I am going to build a removable flat deck for it and sockets for 2' high stakes right on the running gear. 2' high stakes should allow me to stack between 2 and 3 tons of 10' mixed hardwood logs. It isn't very hilly on my place, but I dont see any problem with you pulling 7000# down a 25 slope.

At best you might get 2-3 logs each on loader and 3pt. 6 logs / trip at 1/2 mile would suck.

Backing is different from backing a trailer, certainly, but you'll start to get the hang of it after a few loads. I believe your tractor is about the same size / hp / wt as mine, you should do fine.

 

[jimmysisson]

Thanks for all the replies. I don't like going down this rough road with heavy weight on the forks, though I've done it, REAL slow. I don't like skidding all that way, and gouging up what's left of the roadway. I've been bucking and splitting in the woods, stacking there, then toss in trailer and then into the woodshed in the fall. Lots of different times handling the wood. A back injury keeps me from slinging too much weight by hand, though I can run the saw and tractor OK.
It sounds like the wagon will work just fine, just have to find one around here, not so many farmers left. THis looks like a good project, and the gathering can happen at my own (older every day) speed. I'm assuming I can find running gear good for 6-8,000 lbs.
Probably I'll even be able to learn to run the thing backwards.
Thanks, Jim

 

[wolc123]

Making firewood can be tough on the back as one gets older. I use an old tandem-axle boat trailer to which I added a wood deck for hauling logs. This has several advantages over a hay wagon. The tong weight helps with brakeing while going down hill and a trailer is a lot easier to back up than a wagon. The thing I like best however is the lower height puts the logs at the perfect level for me to cut them up on the trailer with my chainsaw while standing off the trailer, to the side. Unless you are 8-9 feet tall, a hay wagon would be too high to use this method. This practicaly eliminates back strain that occurs when bending over to saw up logs on the ground. It is also easier to keep a sharp blade while cutting on a wood deck than it is on the ground. I minimize handling by loading the larger logs on the trailer with bucket forks but the low height makes loading smaller logs by hand a simple task. While cutting up, I park the splitter next to the trailer which is also about the same height while in the horizontal position so no bending to lift is required. I toss the small and split stuff into a tractor bucket or 3pt carryall which again can be lifted to the right height so bending and back-strain is minimized while unloading at the woodshed. This method works well for logs under about 20" diameter. I cut most logs larger than that into lumber. If I do cut the big ones into firewood, I do it on the ground and roll the pieces onto the splitter while it is in the vertical position. Those big ones are a little much for my old back to handle. I also sit on a stool while splitting up the big ones with the splitter in the vertical position. Another thing you can do to help your back is to use a small, lightweight saw whenever you can, especially when you must bend over to cut up logs on the ground. I use a little 14 incher for 90% of the firewood and is it ever easier on the back than my big saw. I even use the little saw for the finish cuts on big firewood logs after rolling them, having cut most of the way thru from the other side with the big saw. Yes, making fire wood can be tough on the back, but with the right equipment and technique you can minimize the strain.

 

[mboulais]

I assumed it was logs for lumber. If it's for firewood another option is an old manure spreader. I have on that was a 80 bushel capacity. The spreader mechanism has been removed and The steel frame extended from 10.5 to 12' long. All new floor and sides with PT. It will hold about 1.3 face cords of 20" firewood.. The 9.5 x 24 tires make for easy pulling too. Just another option.

 

[Egon]

Google wagons and you will find all kinds of running gear.

 

[diyDave]

Look for a tag on your running gear, should have the nominal weight in tons of the gear. Remember that wood is HEAVY. I once loaded up our biggest hay wagon with unsplit sycamore rounds, so heavy, it took 3 tractors to pull it up the hill! Another poster mentioned this before, why not build a logging arch? I built one out of an old sprayer frame, reinforced heavily, and put the biggest wheel/tire combo i could fit onto the axle. I have hauled a complete basswood tree 57' long to my mill, also have hauled logs that are way too heavy to lift with anything but my forklift (but it's not an off road machine). Google Norwood saw mills, they have a small version that costs way too much, but it's where I stole the idea!

 

[Rara Avis]

I'm trying to figure out how to get in firewood in ~12' lengths, from my woodlot about 1/2 mile downhill to the barn. My tractor setup might weigh 7000 lbs, so I would not want to carry much more than that. Is an ag wagon (4 wheels, steerable front, X frame, usually for stacked hay, etc.), of big enough capacity, able to be modified for that use? I imagine 4, maybe 6, 3" pipes vertical for stakes, 6x6 wood bunks crossways for logs to rest on and to leave room for forks/grapple, and a place to tie down with chains. I imagine loading and unloading with a bucket grapple or similar tool.
I have no experience with this style trailer. Are the physical mods possible? And would it be hopelessy cumbersome to turn around, etc. I have a fairly large flat landing in the woods.
The road up the hill is rough, not too steep. Would a loaded wagon push the tractor around? Ford 2120, mfwd, ag tires, good brakes.
Thanks for any insights.
Jim

Just remember about going down hills with a trailer with no brakes...
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/safety/111658-mn-tractor-accident.html

 

[mboulais]

Just remember about going down hills with a trailer with no brakes...
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/safety/111658-mn-tractor-accident.html

I think that was speculation in that discussion, not reported facts. But, yes pulling a wagon down an incline is probably more dangerous than a trailer

 

[jimmysisson]

Thanks again. I had been thinking trailer, but trying to figure out how to unhitch and use the tractor while the trailer was at the landing. A wagon will just sit there, if it's level, no props required. Maybe a prop like a jack stand under the tongue, hmmm. I can see the tongue weight helping on the hill. Maybe a tandem trailer (a boat trailer is a good idea, maybe a pintle ring instead of ball hitch) would be fairly easy to stabilize.
I'm old enough so I don't need a high speed operation, just one as wold123 says that an old back can handle. My goal is to minimize the number of times I pick up a piece of wood. My splitter has a hoist, etc., but it still seems like the handling could be reduced.
I appreciate the feedback.
Jim