How much logging with how little a tractor

[Egon]

Slamfire:

Could you rig up a block and tackle setup using cable to get back to the trees the tractor can't reach?

I have sort of a similar situation.

Egon

 

[djradz]

What's the chipper for? Not to help you manage your funds, but I think you'll get more use out of a blade or landscape rake for that 1/4-mile long drive. Unless you really have a need for the chips, seems like just more work. We cut most everything down to about 1-2" and let the rest just rot. In a couple of years, it's gone.

 

[ljh2]

Be careful with any hanging dead-falls. There can be a lot of stored energy in those trees. Butts rolling and tops falling or twisting can make for some interesting experiences.

I think a 40 hp CUT will probably suit your purposes fine as long as you work within the tractor's limits. I don't think power will probably be your limiting factor. Traction in the 'low' spots that you describe could get you into trouble, but with a good logging winch you can sit up on the higher ground and snake them out.

Have fun with the new place.

 

[JP11]

Well.. I guess I just WANT the chipper. It makes everything so clean.

I suppose I could do brush piles..

All depends on how much the wife wants either clean, or cheap. My guess, she will go with cheap. If she figures out that little critters live in brush piles.. NO CHANCE I'll ever chip a limb.

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

This site has saved me a bunch of money already.

Now.. it's just a matter of going for a older cheaper gear tractor around 40HP 4wd with a loader is about 8 to 10k.

or.. 18k for a 30HP HST new. The newer one would be so the wife could use it to plow snow and whatnot.

I think she could handle a standard.. as long as it was limited use.. trained for one forward, one reverse gear. She doesn't have to be quick.. just capable of getting herself out of the yard (with my job, I'm gone for 7 days, then home for 7)

JP

 

[Madman_Mark]

I use (part-time, comercially) a 55 HP 4wd tractor with a FEL and a Farmi 351 winch with 165 feet of cable.
I have no problems at all hauling 6 tree length logs with 10-12 inch buts, through 12 inches of snow.
That is, of course, on level ground with a fairly straight skid road and all trees being softwood.
Hardwoods are going to weigh alot more but a 40 HP will handle any "average" sized hardwood but you may have to cut the really big ones shorter.
Yes, a skidder is more suitable but for part-time use or even full-time thinning work a tractor will do as long as the trails are kept level, fairly brush free and stumps level with the ground.
I used to run a Massey (around 60 HP) 4wd for a friend of mine with an Igland winch on it.
I hauled steady 8 hours a day while another guy cut all day.
We worked full time for a few months with it until we were
done and it was very productive.
The FEL is a must, it can carry all your gear and plow logging roads etc... but it's greatest benefit is all that extra weight it puts on the front which makes such a big difference.
A 40 HP 4wd in an average sized stand of wood with good skid trails will suit you fine.
Good luck and play safe.

 

[TBAR]

Well, I'll throw in my two cents worth. If the trees are large don't tear up your epuipment trying to haul them out. Cut only what you have to(I hate cutting trees unless it is necessary) After they are all down rent a backhoe for the weekend($300.00) and haul them out as we did here.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/47143637/47143840bnsHYu

http://community.webshots.com/photo/47143637/47143999dzYKCt

We have cut smaller trees and hauled them out with the 8N but it is a lot of work. If there had not been 4 of us working I would have used a backhoe.

http://community.webshots.com/album/125091075YERnXX


TBAR

 

[KiotiJohn]

Tbar, that beautiful old 8n sure brings back fond memories. Nice shots, thanks, John

 

[herdfan]

JP - We spent the day clearing our house site on a ridge top here in WV. We pulled out some good-sized trees (oak, pine, hickory). Most were not mill quality, so the majority went to a burn pile. The major problem was getting traction on the hills. We were using a 4wd Century 40 pto hp with loader and hoe and a 30hp(approx) 2wd ford 2000 w/o loader. The Century has loaded R-4s and slipped a lot on the hills. The Ford has aggies and would have actually done a better job if it was 4wd. I kinda wish I had the ags on the Century for today, at least.
As mentioned above, watch out for those tops! They're probably more dangerous than the falling logs. I've seen tons of stories where folks were killed by either the top out of the tree being felled or out of an adjacent tree hit by the falling tree. I only have ROPS on my Century, but have thought about getting falling object protection too. If it is only used once, would be worth it. I like the length of my neck as it is /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[rdbrumfield]

your dad is a very bright man. I both fly and log too. Logging is much more dangerous.

 

[Slamfire]

Egon:

I'm sure I could reach them trees, but the question of who's gonna pull me back up that hill remains unanswered. Maybe after the vascular surgeon gives me a rotorooter job on my legs, I'll give it a try.